North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 1

Irish eyes not smiling

this week

Causey out of hospital after heart surgery

Raleigh North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey was released from the hospital last Thursday, a spokesperson said, 10 days after undergoing heart surgery. Department spokesperson Jason Tyson said the Republican commissioner, who won a third four-year term in November, underwent surgery at Duke Hospital in Durham to “correct a congenital heart defect.” Causey “is currently recovering and doing well,” Tyson said in a statement provided before the commissioner’s release. “He has been in regular contact with the Department of Insurance almost daily and has been briefed and directed work.” Causey, 74, told the News & Record of Greensboro in a phone interview Wednesday that only a handful of people at his department were aware of the Feb. 10 surgery.

N.C.-born signer

Roberta Flack dead at 88

New York

Roberta Flack, the North Carolina-born Grammywinning singer and pianist whose intimate vocal and musical style made her one of the top recording artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died Monday. She was 88. She died at home surrounded by her family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. Flack announced in 2022 she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Flack, born in Black Mountain in 1937, is best known for her hit “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Letter directs schools to eliminate DEI

The Department of Education said schools that don’t comply within 14 days risk the loss of federal funds

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter on Feb. 14 directing education agencies in all 50 states to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs from schools by Feb. 28

or risk losing federal funding.

The letter was signed by Craig Trainor, the U.S. Department of Education’s (USDOE) acting assistant secretary for civil rights, and directs “all educational institutions” to ensure their policies comply with civil rights law, stop using proxies to circumvent race-based prohibitions and cease relying on third-party contractors that might help circumvent these prohibitions.

The letter also provides information about filing discrimination complaints with the

The legislation also wants to take nearly $15 million in earned interest

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A bill filed in the North Carolina House seeks to reclaim money allocated to a nonprofit for accelerating marketplace commercialization of state university research and development projects. In 2023, the General Assembly allocated $500 million in two equal tranches of funding to NCInnovation (NCI), the 501(c)3 nonprofit providing acceleration grants to projects at universities and colleges. Of the $500 million, $140 million was authorized for direct spending by NCI, but the group instead invested the principal amount, accumulat-

Elections board opens public comment on rule changes

April 21

End

The proposed changes address election observers, protests and recounts

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced a public comment period for various proposed rule changes.

Public comment on the rules opened on Feb. 17 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on April 21.

The proposed changes cover elections observer rules that were instituted by the General Assembly as well as the board’s proposed election protest and recount rules.

The N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE) adopted the three temporary election

observer rules in January 2024 and voted to propose making those rules permanent during its meeting in January 2025.

The Challenge to the Appointment of an Observer outlines a process for county boards of elections to hear challenges for good cause and for appeals of decisions made.

The Appeal of Removal of an Observer from a Voting Site involves the process for the party that appointed an observer to appeal any removals of observers. Identification of Observers requires every observer to wear an identification tag so voters and officials know who they are and their role.

The NCSBE is proposing three changes affecting protests and recounts, some of

ing around $20 million in interest. NCI has used around $5.2 million of the interest funds for its first round of eight grants.

NCI has also raised $25 million in outside funding through various companies and businesses. That funding is being used for daily overhead, such as salaries and operating expenses.

House Bill 154, filed by Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan), would take back the $500 million as well as the remaining $15 million in interest. The outside funding is not included.

Warren told North State Journal the group should be privately funded.

“As I stated in the House Oversight and Reform Committee meeting, NC Innovation is a good concept, but should be funded by the private sector,” Warren said in an

NC State’s Aziaha James (10) and Zoe Brooks (35) celebrate behind Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld (21) in the final moments of the Wolfpack’s double-overtime win over the top-ranked Irish on Sunday in Raleigh. See more in Sports.

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Foundation for the Future: Welcome to Volume 10 of North State Journal

Volume 10 is about more than just growth — it’s about strengthening the foundation of statewide journalism.

THIS WEEK MARKS the beginning of Volume 10 of North State Journal. As with each new volume, we have selected a tagline that embodies our goals for this next year of issues. “Foundation for the Future” reflects both the strong groundwork laid over the past decade and our vision for what comes next.

Volume 9 was our best volume. It marked the first full volume with our two newest local editions, Chatham News & Record and Duplin Journal, further solidifying our presence in communities across the state. We also launched North Carolina Farm Life, a magazine dedicated to agriculture, rural life and the people who sustain our state’s farming traditions.

Our commitment to excellence was recognized at the N.C. Press Association Editorial Awards, where North State Journal earned 16 awards, including seven first-place honors. We were also proud to receive one of the association’s five General Excellence Awards for newspapers, reaffirming our place as one of North Carolina’s best.

During Volume 9, we also transitioned to printing all our editions at the Charlotte Publishing Company facilities in Charlotte. The addition of printing capabilities was designed to put North State Journal in a leadership position in the print newspaper industry in the South and maintain the highest printing quality for our readers.

The long-term viability of North Carolina’s independent press requires high-quality printing, and the Charlotte facility produces the best quality newspapers in our region with a highly skilled and experienced team of executives and press workers.

As we step into Volume 10, we will continue to build on these successes while looking ahead — expanding our reach,

the word | The living Bible

The Bible is a living book. What it is to us depends on what we are to it. If we approach it with unbelief and sneers — then it shudders like a wounded thing and closes up its heart, and we gaze only on a cold and hard exterior. We behold the form of its words but cannot discern the treasures hidden in them. It appears cold and lifeless and repellent — and we go away depressed and unbelieving. If we approach it reverently, trustfully, and confidently — it opens up to us its hidden depths. It shows us its wonders. We see in it unequaled beauties, unfading glories, magnificent vistas of thought. We hear its voice of love — tender beyond words. We feel the warmth of its affection, are uplifted by its hopefulness, and are

FUNDS from page A1

email. “Conditions in the economy and within the state can change suddenly and dramatically. It is critical to have the financial fluidity to address these concerns quickly as they arise.”

When asked why the funds were being taken back a little over a year and a half after it was appropriated, Warren said the bill “reflects the opinion of the bill sponsors” and “the legislature will express its position as the bill moves through the committee process.”

“North Carolina is confronted with challenges that were unforeseen when the arrangement with NC Innovation was made,” wrote Warren. “Considering the devastation created by hurricane Helene in our western counties and the mismanagement of the eastern coastal recoveries by NCORR under the Cooper administration, it is prudent to reconsider the relationship and recall the funding to be applied to the priorities of the citizens in the affected areas.”

NCI, through spokesperson Pat Ryan, issued a statement to North State Journal on the proposed bill.

“If and how policymakers wish for NCInnovation to support North Carolina’s worldclass applied research is and always has been entirely up to policymakers,” Ryan said. “NCInnovation has dedicated $5.2 million toward university

thrilled with the tones of its joy-bells.

If we open to it our heart’s door and pour out our treasures of affection — it in turn opens to us a great storehouse, and we may eat and be satisfied, and drink and thirst not. We may revel in its rich perfume, the rhythmic cadences of its music, the splendor of its heavenly light — and to us there is no question whether it is the living truth.

The Bible is to the Christian, what the forest is to him who delights in nature. He who walks through the forest laughing and talking does not hear the sweet notes of the songster nor see the wild beauties. He who would see and hear the things that delight the nature-lover, must steal softly and silently along — and thus he may see nature as she is.

deepening our coverage and introducing new ways to tell North Carolina’s story.

This year, we will add some new elements to North State Journal to further engage our readers and add more people to the conversation. The Features and Business sections, an area where readers say they want more content, will see much of this new content.

As North Carolina’s only statewide newspaper, we are committed to readers from Murphy to Manteo. Since our first issue, the Murphy to Manteo section has been a unique and enduring feature, and Volume 10 will see an expansion of that brand.

Volume 10 is about more than just growth — it’s about strengthening the foundation of statewide journalism. We recognize the challenges facing local newspapers and remain committed to supporting the voices, perspectives and communities that make North Carolina the remarkable state it is. We will be launching several initiatives designed to allow all North Carolinians and even more print newspapers to join the conversation.

We will also expand our digital footprint with an upgraded web platform that will support our other improvements.

Our readers come from every county in the state, and our mission is to serve them with trusted, high-quality journalism that informs and connects. As we expand our coverage and explore new ways to reach our audience, we do so with an eye on the future — a future built on a strong foundation.

Thank you for being part of the conversation. Welcome to Volume 10.

Neal Robbins is the publisher of North State Journal.

Likewise he who comes to the Bible full of self-importance with mind and heart selfcentered — does not see the natural beauty of the Bible. We must come to it effacing self, seeking not our own, but the things of Christ — and we shall find in it a mine of spiritual gold, a fountain of living water, a balm for every sorrow, a light in every dark hour, the one and only book which meets and satisfies the deepest needs of our soul.

Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and more than 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.

research that has real-life commercial and strategic applications, including PFAS removal, lithium refining, and power grid resiliency.”

Ryan said more than 150 UNC System researchers have submitted applications totaling $90 million for NCInnovation’s next round of research grants.

“NCInnovation will of course continue its work on its core mission as mandated by state lawmakers in the 2023-25 budget, and the organization remains committed to working the General Assembly,” said Ryan.

Deanna Ballard, an NCI Board member and former state senator, told North State Journal she’d like to see NCI be given more time to work.

“You can’t change everything overnight and I just think there’s a lot of promising work ahead, and I think you’ve got to give it time for it to flush itself out,” said Ballard, who is chairing NCI’s programs committee.

“I think what’s happening at NCInnovation is really just going to make a huge impact … (in) the economic development space in North Carolina; the commercialization,” Bal-

lard said. “If North Carolina wants to be even more competitive than it is, I think we need NCInnovation and our research projects.” Ballard said she thought the bill was “maybe a little reactionary, perhaps right now,” and that she’d like policymakers to continue to work with NCI on what the group can accomplish.

John Locke Foundation (JLF) CEO Donald Bryson issued a statement about Warren’s bill, claiming NCI has “public oversight at every turn, has raised serious concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility.”

“He who comes to the Bible full of self‑importance with mind and heart self‑centered — does not see the natural beauty of the Bible.”

“House Bill 154 seeks to address these concerns by ensuring that state funds are properly accounted for and returned to the General Fund,” Bryson said.

“At the John Locke Foundation, we believe taxpayers deserve clear and accountable stewardship of public resources, for constitutional core government services — venture capital is not among them.” Warren’s statements on the bill are similar to remarks he made at the end of an oversight hearing examining NCI’s operations that he co-chaired last July. NCI CEO J. Bennett Waters was questioned by lawmakers for nearly three hours during the hearing about the group’s operations.

“Some have suggested that public funding of public university applied research is tantamount to corporate welfare, and I’d like to address that claim head-on,” Waters told lawmakers during the 2024 hearing. “NCInnovation’s research grants only go to public universities that support research that has actual real-world impact. That is exactly what universities should be focusing on.”

Waters was also asked indirectly about an audit complaint filed over NCI’s accounting practices by NCI Board member Art Pope, the chairman of the John William Pope Foundation. He launched JLF in 1990, and Carolina Journal, which has run stories critical of NCI, is supported and operated by JLF.

COURTESY NCGA

NCInnovation CEO J. Bennet Waters testifies before the North Carolina House Oversight and Reform Committee on July 10.

Murphy to Manteo® is a registered trademark of North State Media LLC. All rights reserved.

CNN’s Jennings headlines policy event

The Carolina Partnership for Reform featured speakers discussing free speech, energy, health care and taxes

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Approximately two dozen legislators from both chambers of the General Assembly attended a recent Carolina Partnership for Reform event featuring remarks by CNN contributor Scott Jennings.

Carolina Partnership for Reform is a 501(c)(4) organization that “educates the public about the benefits of policies that adhere to those principles and the advantages of the free-enterprise system.”

Jennings’ remarks centered on the importance of free speech and were followed by a fireside chat with his longtime friend, veteran lobbyist Jonathan Felts.

Jennings said he got his start in 2000 with then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush and his “mentor in politics is Mitch McConnell, who recruited me into the business in the first place.”

“Today, my work on CNN revolves around explaining to our audience and half the country about why Donald Trump is doing what he’s doing and why it’s OK,” said Jennings. “And in replying to what are objectively crazy arguments that are made by my compatriots on the stage.”

Jennings drew a comparison between Republicans and Democrats, with the Republicans currently being a “pro-American, pro-free speech and pro-Western civilization” party. He also drew attention to efforts globally to silence speech.

“The left, here and abroad, especially in Europe abroad, has become, I think, a movement of censorship,” said Jennings. “Can’t beat them in an election? Silence them; say that speech is violence to justi-

fy it. Really dangerous stuff.” Jennings said Trump upended the traditional conservative-liberal political schema.

“Today, he represents a political and cultural axis that blends the restoration of common sense to our culture, the defense of Western civilization in our world and the promotion of free speech first,” Jennings said.

Jennings also discussed the public’s historic low trust in legacy media and institutions, citing a Gallup poll that showed just 31% of Americans trusted the media, and 36% said they have no trust in the media at all.

“We are living through a crisis of trust in institutions, and no more place is it more prevalent than in the institutional media,” said Jennings. “So as a result of this crisis, people are looking elsewhere for information. They are more willing to question what they are told by official sources than they have ever been.

“Elon Musk has adopted a tagline for his platform X. He says, ‘We are the media now.’ He is doing with information what Trump did to politics in 2016,” Jennings remarked. “They both found a market demand for

something different, and they both met the moment.”

The free speech theme continued during the chat with Felts, during which the pair discussed the media’s recent use of the phrase “Constitutional crisis” with regard to spending audits conducted by Musk through Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Jennings said that phrase didn’t happen by coincidence, and it was an example of how the left “fundamentally controls the biggest channels of the political information distribution complex.”

“Not only do they control it, but they’re willing to exercise control over it,” Jennings said, adding that people are now catching on to such tactics.

Breakout sessions before Jennings’ luncheon remarks included presentations from policy experts on energy, health care and taxes.

David Gattie, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Georgia and a senior fellow of the school’s Center for International Trade and Security, focused on the nation’s energy production as a national security issue.

Bill would allocate $475M for Disaster Crop Loss Program

Every county in the state was included in at least one USDA 2024 disaster declaration

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly House has filed a bill to address crop losses due to the impact of Hurricane Helene and other factors.

House Bill 130 aims to establish the 2024 Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program, citing the importance of the state’s $111.1 billion agricultural and agribusiness economic impact.

The bill notes that every county in the state was included in at least one U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declara-

tion in 2024 due to events like drought, excessive rainfall and tropical storms.

The program would provide financial assistance to farmers who experienced verifiable crop losses in 2024, with eligibility requiring crops to have been planted but not harvested by Jan. 1, 2024.

Farmers must submit documentation within 30 days of the bill’s passage, with a possible 30day extension for certain specialty crops. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would administer the program, calculating assistance using county and state averages for yields and prices. The program would expire 30 months after becoming law.

Spending Allocations in the bill include $200 million trans-

$111.1B North Carolina agriculture’s economic impact

ferred from the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve, $200 million transferred from the Information Technology Reserve and $75 million transferred from the Economic Development Project Reserve.

CNN contributor Scott Jennings, left, talks with Jonathan Felts during a Carolina Partnership for Reform event.

His presentation contrasted Biden’s energy priority of cutting fossil fuels with Trump’s focus on U.S. energy dominance as a matter of national security, especially when it comes to combatting China, which is not ceasing its use, production or dependence on fossil fuels.

Gattie said accelerating the U.S. energy transition to alternatives will put the U.S. behind as a superpower, noting that China already occupies a vast amount of space in the alternatives sector.

“This is not a denial of climate change; it is about our response to it,” Gattie said. He later summed up some of his remarks on the acceleration in decarbonization efforts as a “unilateral disarmament.”

Gattie also called attention to China ramping up the addition of data centers, which have immense electricity demands, and presented data showing the U.S. is not even remotely keeping pace.

“The governors are going to need to get on board with this,” Gattie said about energy infrastructure needs. “If the governors don’t do it, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Tanner Aliff, a visiting research fellow focusing on state policy reform and research for the Paragon Health Institute, offered a look at the serious issues the state faces in the health care sector.

Aliff’s presentation highlighted Kaiser poll data showing two in three North Carolinians have put off care visits or procedures due to fear of costs, with 58% fearing they are unable to afford the care they need even with insurance.

Per Allif’s presentation, costs in North Carolina include the consolidation of health care providers, lack of price transparency, no patient agency and health care professional shortages.

Allif also underscored the need for the state to eliminate Certificate of Need laws (CON), referring to the state’s CON laws as “some of the worst in the country.” He also said lawmakers should be holding nonprofit hospitals accountable for their charity services.

On taxes, Abir Mandal, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, examined the legislature’s tax reforms to date and how they compare to tax reforms enacted in other states.

North Carolina ranks 12th in the Tax Foundations’ 2025 Competitive Index ratings, which takes into account personal, corporate, sales, property and unemployment insurance tax rates.

Mandal focused on the state’s franchise tax, which currently taxes businesses based on worth instead of profits, as ripe for repeal or reform. Such actions would raise the state’s overall competitive ranking. It was also mentioned that more people are working from home following the pandemic than any other time in history, which has ramifications for employees living in one state but performing work in another state. This type of nonresident taxation is another issue Mandal said lawmakers should look at.

The total appropriation comes in at $475 million, which would be transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with up to 1% allowed for administrative purposes. Any unused funds would revert to the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund after the program’s expiration. Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), who is a farmer, is the

bill’s primary sponsor. The bill has gained wide bipartisan support, with 45 House Democrats and Republicans signing on as sponsors as of Feb. 19.

Electricity powers our lives - from the ordinary to the extraordinary. In North Carolina, our network of 26 local electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.8 million people across the state. But we’re providing so much more than affordable, reliable power. We’re helping to strengthen the people and communities that make our state great - today and for generations to come.

Learn more at NCElectricCooperatives.com

A.P. DILLON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

KATHY KMONICEK / AP PHOTO An overturned tractor rests next to an uprooted tree in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Morganton.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Ban all gift bans!

Those are the relationships that established the connective tissue so necessary to do the crucial work of compromise and negotiation.

ONE OF THE TRAGEDIES of American politics is the deep seated hatred between certain Democrats and Republicans.

Some people enjoy watching it. It is like seeing hockey players fight or listening to mean girls gossip in the stairwells in junior high school.

But it really doesn’t accomplish very much for the public good. It doesn’t even help TV ratings anymore ― the demise of CNN and MSNBC is proof that only tiny audiences tune in for such bloodsport.

A learned friend asked what can be done to help restore civil discourse, comity and compromise in our political process.

My immediate answer, which surprised even me, was this: “Get rid of all gift bans for elected officials!”

Ban The Gift Bans!

Why would this help address our current state of political turmoil? At first glance, this may seem counterproductive. There certainly have been a few politicians who have been excessively influenced by expensive trips, dinners and gifts paid for by influential lobbyists.

The first remedy is to elect people with integrity, character and intestinal fortitude to do the right thing, period. My former boss, Congressman Alex McMillan of Charlotte, used to say dryly: “If my vote can be bought for a medium rare steak, I probably shouldn’t be in Congress in the first place!”

Absent a new army of such principled leaders, allowing adults to act like adults instead of kindergartners is a positive second step.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

In the aftermath of the House post office scandal in 1995, incoming GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich jumped on the opportunity to get a complete gift ban passed in the new GOP Congress, the first since 1952.

“Clean up Congress! Stop three martini lunches with Gucci loafered lobbyists! Make Congress Pure Again!” was the sentiment behind Gingrich’s motives.

It made for good visual politics. In reality, however, it contributed to a mental, philosophical and physical rupture between Democrats and Republicans, a rift which has yawned ever wider.

Staffers close to Gingrich later admitted he had no hobbies or interests outside of politics and therefore didn’t see any merit to playing golf or tennis with lobbyists or going to Redskins games with a gaggle of other members and staff, Republican or Democrat.

Members and staff could no longer go to lunch, play golf or root for the Redskins together unless they paid full price ― which hardly any member and certainly very few staff could afford to do on congressional salaries.

Not every lobbyist sponsored event was bipartisan ― but enough included both Republicans and Democrats so they got to know each other as people first and not solely as adversaries.

Gone were the days when Gene Conti, chief of staff to Democrat David Price, would show up to play in the Bob Michel Republican Minority Leader Golf Tournament, which raised money for the NRCC. When asked why, Conti would always smile and say: “Why not? I like to play golf!”

And play golf together we did. We got to know each other as friends on the golf course

What the Trump-Associated Press dispute

The Associated Press discouraged reporters from using the word “riots” to describe the rioting that took place in the summer of 2020.

is really all about

ON HIS FIRST DAY back in office last month and two weeks after he expressed a desire to do so, President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico via executive order.

The order stated in part that “in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”

While many news outlets adjusted their terminology accordingly, The Associated Press was not among them. In a written explainer, they said it was because “the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years.” Further, because the news organization has an international audience, they thought it would be less confusing to readers to keep it as it was.

This has resulted in the Trump White House blocking their access to the Oval Office and Air Force One indefinitely while retaining their access to the White House grounds.

“While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force

One,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich said in a statement earlier this month.

In response, the AP first tried to resolve the issue through back channels, which included a letter signed by multiple outlets demanding their full access be restored. Because those attempts haven’t worked, they have filed a lawsuit in order to “defend our independence from government control in what we can say and report.”

In true dramatic AP fashion, they further explained their decision to sue by claiming they were also doing it “on behalf of all independent global media organizations and people who have the freedom of speech.”

While some would dispute the claim that the AP’s freedom of speech has been infringed simply because they’ve been restricted from the Oval Office and Air Force One, what shouldn’t be in dispute is that the media outlet has become a mouthpiece for leftist causes.

In a more detailed explanation of the White House’s stance last week, Budowich told Axios, “This isn’t just about the Gulf of America.”

“This is about AP weaponizing language through their stylebook to push a partisan worldview in contrast with the traditional

first, and then when either of us needed help or advice back in the office, things just seemed to go a lot easier.

It is very hard to demonize anyone once you get to know them, their family, their history, where they go to church and where they attended college.

Those are the relationships that were formed away from Capitol Hill but established the connective tissue so necessary to do the crucial work of compromise and negotiation in good faith and, most importantly, full trust later.

To those who want elective representatives to live like Puritans and abstain from anything fun while in office, the simple solution is full disclosure.

McMillan would list every gift that came into his office on his annual ethics disclosure: the green bagel from the Irish Association and the Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies that came in from some group in Utah. The Wall Street Journal published it every year. No one cared. It highlighted the ridiculous nature and triviality of making grown people act like kindergartners when we really want them to do the nation’s business in a serious manner.

Make every congressman and staff list all of the lunches, dinners, golf tournaments, trips, junkets and Washington Wizards games they attend each month, and make it public on the U.S. House website.

Voters can then make their own decision about whether the member is using these events to form relationships and advance the public good or just joy riding on the taxpayer dollar.

If we want adults to solve our nation’s problems for us, let them be adults again and get things done. Ban the gift bans.

and deeply held beliefs of many Americans and many people around the world,” he also noted.

For instance, The Associated Press discouraged reporters from using the word “riots” to describe the rioting that took place in the summer of 2020 after the officer‑involved death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. The rationale they gave for the change was, in part, because in their view, there was a “stigma” attached to the word.

A decade ago, they stopped referring to illegal immigrants as illegal immigrants.

“The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term ‘illegal immigrant’ or the use of ‘illegal’ to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that ‘illegal’ should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally,” they wrote at the time in keeping with the leftist viewpoint that no person is “illegal.”

While the AP may ultimately be successful in forcing a change back to the status quo, at least as far as press access goes, Trump and his team will continue to shine an unflattering spotlight on a big problem with them over the fact that they really aren’t neutral observers and recounters of current (and past) events and haven’t been for quite some time.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The judicial ‘resistance’ is setting itself up for an epic smackdown

The entire notion of a “nationwide injunction” is therefore oxymoronic.

AMERICA, unfortunately, has long been suffering from a crisis of civics. Put simply, many Americans are woefully ignorant about the structure and features of their government. But every so often, an opportunity emerges to reteach some basics. The media’s predictable shrieks and howls of “constitutional crisis” notwithstanding, we are in the throes of a grand separation‑of‑powers standoff that will both serve as one such edifying civics lesson.

First: Enter the energetic executive.

In his frenetic opening weeks, President Donald Trump has channeled the spirit of The Federalist No. 70, in which Alexander Hamilton argued that only a unitary executive can govern with “decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch.” In starker, more modern terms, this newer Trumpian era has fully embraced two key principles associated with close MAGA allies: Steve Bannon’s “flood the zone” and Elon Musk’s “move fast and break things.”

The crux is that people are easily distracted, often overwhelmed and frequently overcome by shiny object syndrome. This is especially true in today’s 24/7 social media environment.

Those two mantras explain how we get these remarkable first few weeks — this more assertive, more dynamic MAGA machine. We see “move fast and break things” in such moves as the executive orders on birthright citizenship and rooting out both “diversity, equity and inclusion” and gender ideology from the federal government. We see it in the U.S. Agency for International Development wind down, and we see it in the anticipated termination of the Department of Education. And we see “flood the zone” in the daily frenzy of executive orders. Indeed, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf’s daily physical handing of new executive orders to Trump to sign has emerged as an unlikely cable TV fixture.

And now: Enter the judicial “resistance.”

This is a familiar phenomenon. Black robed Trump nemeses emerged as a menacing force during the first Trump administration. As then‑Vice President Mike Pence noted in a May 2019 speech, the first Trump administration “faced more nationwide injunctions than the first 40 American presidents combined.” That same month, then Attorney General William Barr spoke to the American Law Institute, decrying nationwide injunctions, which he said “depart from history and tradition, violate constitutional principles, and impede sound judicial administration.” Accordingly, left wing lower court judges have, over the past few weeks, already issued many such nationwide injunctions against the new Trump administration’s executive orders. The reemergence of the judicial “resistance” reached a fever pitch this week when Judge Paul Engelmayer in New York City attempted to stop Musk’s

Sometimes, moral clarity isn’t difficult

Jews have preexisted Muslims in the area by nearly two millennia.

THIS WEEK, the world was reminded of the deep and abiding evil that has wormed its way to the center of Palestinian nationalistic culture by the news that the Bibas family — a mother, Shiri; a 4 year old boy, Ariel; and his 9 month old brother, Kfir — who had been kidnapped back to Gaza on Oct. 7 had in fact been murdered. Their bodies were returned to Israel last week; Hamas held the corpses hostage and, in return, received the release of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.

It is instructive to recall the circumstances of the Bibas family’s kidnapping. They were not, in fact, kidnapped by identified members of Hamas. They were kidnapped by Palestinians in civilian dress, who joined Hamas for their murderous spree. For over a year, zero Palestinians apparently revealed the whereabouts of the Bibas family to the Israelis; zero worked to keep them safe or to restore them to liberty.

This fits with a pattern of civilian involvement in Palestinian terror activity: The reality is that the Palestinian terror apparatus is incestuously intertwined with the Palestinian civilian population. That is why released hostages tell of being held by civilian families in Gaza; why terrorists merge so easily into the surrounding civilian population; why the popularity of Palestinian terrorist groups remains sky high among Palestinians generally. The hard division between terrorist and civilian so cherished by the West simply doesn’t exist in practice in places like the Gaza Strip.

None of this is meant to alleviate the moral responsibility to attempt to distinguish between terror and civilian targets — a task Israel has accepted with more success than any country in the history of warfare, achieving a nearly 1 to‑1 terrorist to civilian death ratio in the heavily urban Gaza Strip.

But it is vital to recognize that the Palestinian nationalist cause is itself honeycombed with cancer: that it is rooted not in a desire for an independent state to exist side by side by Israel, as the mythical two state solution has now suggested for decades, but in a desire for the complete extirpation of Jewish life in the Middle East.

Again, Palestinian civilians kidnapped and held babies. They then held their corpses hostage to achieve the release of murderous Palestinian

Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury Department payment systems, and Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island threatened Trump administration officials with criminal contempt. Those rulings followed Vice President JD Vance’s post on X last Sunday that “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”

Barr and Vance were both correct to call out judicial overreach against executive authority.

As Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas explained in his 2018 concurring opinion in the “travel ban” case of Trump v. Hawaii, American courts’ authority has historically been understood as “fundamentall(y) the power to render judgments in individual cases.” If the current Supreme Court weighs in, Thomas’ position on the role of courts should garner a five vote majority.

That is because it is clear, as law professor Samuel L. Bray argued in a much cited 2017 law review article, that a federal court’s power to issue injunctions is restricted to a specific defendant’s conduct only with respect to a specific plaintiff.

The entire notion of a “nationwide injunction” is therefore oxymoronic.

As a political matter, furthermore, the Trump administration and its allies in Congress are going to prevail in the separation of powers battle royale against the obstinate lower courts.

As Hamilton observed in The Federalist No. 78, the judiciary is so functionally impotent that it “must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments.”

Consider, for instance, the possibility that McConnell in Rhode Island attempts to enforce a finding of criminal contempt against someone in the Trump administration. How exactly would that work?

The Republican led Congress could also join in on the anti judicial “resistance” fun by meting out both large and small punishments to the judges who are now interfering with executive authority with their dubious nationwide injunctions. Congress could file articles of impeachment against wayward judges, dissolve entire lower‑court judgeships or strip lower court judges of jurisdiction over certain types of cases — or even pettily demand that jurists pay out of their own pockets if they want their robes dry cleaned.

Congress has nearly limitless tools at its disposal to rein in an overweening judiciary — tools it ought to use more often.

The judicial resistance may think it is acting nobly, but it is acting unconstitutionally — and setting itself up for utter humiliation.

Josh Hammer is a syndicated columnist, senior editor-at-large for Newsweek and host of “The Josh Hammer Show.”

It’s not President Trump’s first month

AS I PREPARED to write an assessment of President Donald J. Trump’s first month in office, I realized I had the wrong perspective. Certainly, this has been the most revolutionary month of any modern presidency. It far exceeds the pace of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous 100 days. Trump has recruited an exceptional, entrepreneurial Cabinet of smart, successful people. They know how to get things done. With Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s efforts and Vice President J.D. Vance’s careful attention to senators and nominees, 18 out of 22 nominees have been approved in just 31 days.

The administration has effectively uprooted the left’s imposition of DEI, wokeism, transgenderism and other ideological causes most Americans deeply oppose. The speed of executive orders and budget cuts has been historic. In one month, the Trump administration has terminated entire agencies and uncovered billions of dollars in crazy and corrupt spending.

After decades of politicians promising to shrink big government, Trump recruited Elon Musk. Musk is the wealthiest man in the world — and a genius in engineering, technology and entrepreneurial achievement.

Together, they created a Department of Government Efficiency. Musk recruited a brilliant group of young information specialists who knew how to analyze government activities despite bureaucratic resistance and obstruction.

The Trump Musk partnership began accomplishing two distinct historic breakthroughs. First, DOGE clearly identified waste, fraud and outrageous left‑wing spending. This confirmed the average American’s belief that government could be cut dramatically. Second, for the first time, an American president had a system of accountability that ensured executive orders were implemented in a timely fashion.

Each breakthrough was revolutionary in its own right.

Trump was equally decisive on illegal immigration and the border. Within three weeks, illegal crossings on the southern border dropped dramatically. Figures now resemble the secure border of 60 years ago.

On foreign affairs, the president sent a signal of decisive toughness. It shook up European elites and sent shockwaves through governments across the planet. Trump is replacing the post Cold War global elite system.

Now each nation will suddenly have to focus on its own interests without the expectation of handouts, bailouts or other interventions. This has rattled elites across the planet.

terrorists. Oct. 7 was not a “jailbreak,” an attempt to achieve freedom or political sovereignty; it was, simply put, a massacre designed to kill as many Jews as possible and incite a multifront war that would destroy the State of Israel in toto — or, in the absence of such an achievement, to mobilize world support to isolate Israel for defending itself.

In this latter task, Hamas and its allies found admirers throughout the Western left. They knew full well that they would meet with such support.

The Western left has, since the 1960s, taken the position that deliberately murdering babies is justifiable in pursuit of the rebellion of supposedly subject peoples. Frantz Fanon, saint of the Third World left, said as much: “In its bare reality, decolonization reeks of red hot cannonballs and bloody knives. ... For the native, life can spring up again out of the rotting corpse of the settler.”

Jean Paul Sartre, in his introduction to Fanon’s perverse “The Wretched of the Earth,” suggested that the only way for the West to alleviate its bloodguilt would be to commit suicide: “to shoot down a European is to kill two birds with one stone, to destroy an oppressor and the man he oppresses at the same time: there remain a dead man, and a free man.”

Israel is not, in fact, a colonizing power — Jews have preexisted Muslims in the area by nearly two millennia. But the left’s logic requires no factual basis for its decolonization narrative; all it requires is a supposedly victimized people, to be identified by their level of poverty and stagnation. For the left, it does not matter if that poverty and stagnation result from terrible decisions made for decades by the very people who now claim victimhood status: People are immediately deemed victimized if they are angry and violent. The angrier and more violent — and the more successful their opponents — the more justified these pseudo v ictims must be.

This is evil. If you side with those who deliberately kidnap babies and hold them for ransom, you are siding with evil. If you demand concessions to those who perform such atrocities, you are siding with evil. From college campuses to the streets of London, from the United Nations to the International Criminal Court, we can see just who sides with evil. And as Israel lays to rest the corpses of the Bibas family, we should be reminded that those who side with evil share its moral consequences.

Ben Shapiro’s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now. Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

As an example of his confidence and aggressiveness, Trump sent Vance to speak in Paris and Munich. Vance’s speeches were the equivalent of what Georgians might call “a come to Jesus moment.”

Most of the European elites were deeply offended — and indeed hostile. Although some, such as the leader of Finland, indicated there was a lot of truth in the vice president’s warnings.

Finally, Trump has engaged directly with the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. He is clearly committed to getting to peace, but he recognizes each conflict requires a unique approach. His efforts in these situations challenge every elite foreign policy dogma since the fall of the Soviet Union.

This whirlwind of revolutionary activities and changes cannot be understood in isolation.

Behind all these breakthroughs are 9½ years of work. It started on June 15, 2015, when soon to be candidate Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, took a long ride down the escalator at Trump Tower.

Trump developed the Make America Great Again movement and intuitively championed the issue of illegal immigration on his way to beating 15 other GOP candidates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He endured endless smears, harassment, hostility and contempt. He withstood bogus partisan media attacks, investigations, lawsuits and two assassination attempts. Recall then Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly tearing up his State of the Union Address. Remember Trump’s defiant mugshot in the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (it now proudly hangs just outside the Oval Office). And, of course, remember him standing in Butler, Pennsylvania, with blood on his face, courageously urging his supporters to “fight, fight, fight.”

The media, politicians (from both sides of the aisle), government and an army of interest groups colluded to destroy him. They failed. Trump only grew more convinced the establishment system was corrupted and needed to be completely replaced.

Providentially, Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins created the America First Policy Institute. For four years, they worked to prepare for Trump’s return — and the bold, deep, powerful changes America needed.

This near decade of work has culminated into the most extraordinary first month of any modern presidency — and there is more to come.

Newt Gingrich is a former Republican Speaker of the House.

Murphy to Manteo

Listen to your heart!

February is recognized as Heart Health Awareness Month in North Carolina, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease the leading cause of preventable deaths in the state. In 2023 heart disease claimed the lives of more than 680,981 individuals in North Carolina, accounting for approximately 19.5% of all deaths. To combat this, the state encourages residents to engage in activities that promote is National Wear Red Day, observed day encourages individuals to wear red to raise awareness about heart disease, particularly among women. North Carolina is also home to several esteemed cardiac centers recognized for their excellence in hear t care. Here the top 10 facilities, ranked by U.S News Health.

PIEDMONT

Nature center announces reopening dates post-Helene

Buncombe County The WNC Nature Center announced it will reopen to the public on March

damage. No animals were harmed

However, the route leading to the damage. Swannanoa River Road and the Gashes Creek Road Bridge were trees from high winds during the storm caused most of the damage to the Nature Center property. Before opening to the general public, the Nature Center will open a week earlier for Friends of the WNC Nature Center members from March 1016. Memberships can be bought or renewed online or at the Membership bridge leading to the Nature Center and the surrounding area were severely damaged during the storm, visitors are asked to look online for details on the detour.

WLOS

school culinary team has shot at national competition Davidson County The Thomasville High School Culinary in the North Carolina Junior Chef’s Competition. Students had to develop a recipe that could be served for school lunch, meeting the National School Lunch Program nutritional standards and including at least two North Carolina-grown product s. The team

Chicken Cheesesteak Bowl placed in the top three schools in the state, allowing them head to the national competition in Kentucky. NSJ

HPU says graduate students in limbo due to loss of federal grants

Guilford County Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced that more than $600 million in federal grants to train and recruit teachers would be and inclusion. High Point University says the cuts impact three of its programs, including Supporting and two teacher quality partnership grant programs. One of the programs is a nearly $8 million grant, with the money being used to retain and recruit teachers to Title 1 schools, HPU says the spring semester will continue uninterrupted, and 36 students will get their master’s degree in education through May. The university will contact 88 other graduate students in the grant programs to help with the transition. graduate students trained in various surrounding communities and those schools would also be impacted, Schools and Thomasville City Schools.

WGHP

EAST

Remains found in abandoned water plant

Robeson County Skeletal rema ins discovered Friday at an abandoned Lumberton water plant are headed to the state medical

The Lumberton Police Department responded to the area of 600 Water St. in the city about 4 p.m. after someone reported the rema ins, which may have pit beneath the plant, and an area dive team was called to recover the rema ins.

WNCN

N.C. Marines hockey team chosen for national showcase

HVAC unit stolen from Kinston

Craven County As part of the NHL Sta dium Series game in Columbus, Ohio, Navy Federal Credit Union announced four all-veteran hockey teams from across the country selected to play in an invitational Veterans Showcase Tournament on Feb. 28. New Bern’s Marines Ice Hockey Team was one of the selected teams. According to organizers, the veteran hockey players will also attend a welcome reception and dinner, receive a VIP experience with the NHL, full travel in-game recognition at the Sta dium Series. Founded in 2016 with a roster of more than 250 active duty and veteran Marines who travel across the country to compete, the team has become a vital support network for its ice, team members volunteer as youth hockey coaches and partner with organizations like the Marine Raiders Foundation to support military fa milies.

WNCT

NATION & WORLD

NC Supreme Court decision keeps seat on high court in limbo

By Gary D. Robertson

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — A North Carolina Supreme Court decision refusing to further accelerate the appeals over an unsettled November election for a seat on the court means an official winner likely won’t be finalized sooner, and the trailing candidate could benefit.

A majority of justices rejected a request by the State Board of Elections to fast-track the case by skipping deliberations at the intermediate-level Court of Appeals and going directly to the state’s highest court.

Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin, who seeks to unseat the Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs, opposed the board’s effort. Republicans hold a majority of seats on the Supreme Court and on the Court of Appeals, where Griffin currently serves.

Riggs has a 734-vote lead over Griffin from more than 5.5 million ballots cast and recounted in the race. Griffin filed challenges to over 65,000 early or absentee ballots cast that his lawyers have said should be removed from the tally.

Most of the challenged ballots were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Other votes being challenged were cast by overseas voters who have never

NCSBE from page A1

which are consequential and likely triggered by the protracted legal fight over the N.C. Supreme Court race between Republican Jefferson Griffin and Democrat Allision Riggs. All three rule changes were temporarily effective Aug. 8, 2024, with amended changes that would become effective July 1, 2025.

Actions of County Boards as to Election Protests would require county boards of elections to hold a preliminary determination meeting within two business days following a protest filing. If the board determines whether a hearing is necessary, it must be scheduled within five business days instead of 10 days.

County boards would have to transmit election protests by email rather than having multiple delivery options, but they

DEI from page A1

Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

“Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices,” the letter states. “Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them — particularly during the last four years — under the banner of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (‘DEI’), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline.”

Trainor’s letter states that discrimination based on race, color or national origin is both illegal and morally wrong, citing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The letter also cites the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), stating that any use of race must satisfy

OBSERVER VIA AP

lived in the U.S. and military or overseas voters who did not provide copies of photo identification with their ballots.

While The Associated Press declared more than 4,400 winners in the 2024 general election, the North Carolina Supreme Court election is the only race nationally that is still undecided.

Following weeks of briefs and rulings in federal and state courts, a state trial judge on Feb. 7 upheld the state board’s December dismissals of Griffin’s formal protests over those ballots. Griffin appealed Superior Court Judge William Pittman’s decisions to the Court of Appeals, where a three-judge panel has set brief-filing deadlines that end in early March.

Lawyers for the state board last week asked that the case be heard by the Supreme Court now, calling the voting issues presented in the case exceptional and a priority for the court to resolve quickly. While Riggs’ attorneys agreed with the board, Griffin’s legal team wrote that Pittman’s one-paragraph orders

must still transmit protests within 24 hours of filing or the same day if filed electronically. Additionally, decisions would have to be announced by 5 p.m. the day after the hearing, and written decisions must be filed within five business days instead of three.

The First Recount proposal would require county boards to schedule the first recount to begin within three business days of a recount request. However, any mandatory recount cannot begin earlier than the conclusion of the county canvass meeting.

The proposed rule appears to seek to standardize the use of machines for recounts as the primary method while at the same time setting up rules for the use of hand counting.

The original text states for the first recount that “all ballots that were originally counted shall be

“strict scrutiny” and be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling interest. “The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation’s educational institutions,” Trainor wrote. “The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent.”

Additionally, the letter explicitly prohibits educational institutions from using race in decisions regarding admissions, hiring, financial aid, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of academic life.

The UNC System Board of Trustees and Board of Governors began cutting back DEI programs in 2024. Position cuts and reassignments of more than $17 million are being repurposed to other UNC System needs, and the system’s former DEI policy was rewritten to balance institutional neutrality with academic freedom, student

Judge Jefferson Griffin, the Republican candidate for the N.C. Supreme Court, listens to testimony in Wake County Superior Court on Feb. 7 in Raleigh.

lacked explanations of his reasoning in contrast to “the robust judicial review that this case deserves.”

With Riggs recusing herself from deliberations, the Supreme Court’s remaining six justices voted 4-2 to deny the election board’s bypass request.

Associate Justice Trey Allen, in writing an opinion supporting the denial order, said if the justices “were to take this case now, we would do so in the absence of any meaningful examination of those claims by a lower court.” Allen is one of the five registered Republicans on the court hearing the case.

GOP member Associate Justice Richard Dietz and Democratic Associate Justice Anita Earls opposed the denial.

“Further delay at this stage continues to erode trust in our elections and calls into question the ability of the legal system to guarantee that fundamental principles of democracy are capable of being recognized and enforced by a fair and impartial judiciary,” Earls wrote in her dissenting opinion.

counted by machine.” The new text now specifies that ballots should be “recounted again by machine, notwithstanding the method by which the ballots were originally counted.” This would mean all ballots must be machine-counted in a recount, regardless of how they were counted the first time.

For ballots rejected by machines during the recount, the original text suggests these could either be recounted by hand or duplicated and counted by machine. The proposed change removes the option to duplicate and machine-count these ballots, requiring a bipartisan team of four people to count them by hand.

The changes add a new explicit clarification that if a machine successfully processes a ballot during the recount, it won’t be eligible for hand counting, even if there are po-

support and the university’s core mission.

In response to a request for comment, Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) said in an emailed statement that it “remains committed to providing all students with a high-quality education while ensuring full compliance with federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.”

WCPSS is the largest district in North Carolina with documented DEI-tied policies and training, as well as operating an Office of Equity Affairs engaged in those efforts.

WCPSS also said the letter “reminds educational institutions to comply with existing civil rights laws, which WCPSS honors and follows,” and the letter “does not create any new legal rules and expressly states that it ‘does not have the force or effect of law.’”

“We are reviewing the letter to ensure continued alignment with federal requirements while maintaining our focus on

Given last Thursday’s ruling, should the Court of Appeals panel next overturn Pittman’s dismissal and favor Griffin’s demand that ballots be removed, then the panel’s decision would prevail at the Supreme Court even if the justices deadlocked 3-3. That would be a lower bar had the Supreme Court agreed to bypass the Court of Appeals: then four of the six justices would have been required to overturn Pittman’s decision and side with Griffin.

Griffin’s lawyers have argued that counting the challenged ballots violates state laws or the state constitution. Lawyers for Riggs and the board have said the ballots were cast lawfully and that Griffin failed to comply with formal protest procedures. A board attorney recently said that at least half of the voters that Griffin challenged over driver’s license or Social Security numbers actually did provide one.

Even if state courts ultimately favor Griffin, Riggs has a backstop: a federal appeals court said earlier this month that she can return to federal court to plead her case on federal elections and voting rights laws.

“No matter how long this drags out, I will continue to defend our state and federal Constitutions and North Carolinians’ fundamental freedoms,” Riggs said in a statement after last week’s decision.

Griffin, who has recused himself from Court of Appeals deliberations in the case, has declined to comment on legal issues from his protests, saying it would violate the judicial conduct code.

tential issues with the ballot. Under the proposed changes to Secondary Recounts, county boards would have to schedule the start of any hand recounts within two business days of a hand recount request, and it has specific notice requirements.

County boards must provide at least 24 hours advance notice of the recount that must be sent by email to all parties on the county notice list, including party chairs and the candidates involved.Public comment is accepted at tinyurl.com/nsj-sbecomment, by email to rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov or by mail to Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255 Additionally, an in-person public hearing will be held March 6 at 10 a.m. at the NCSBE office on the third floor of the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury St. in Raleigh.

academic excellence and student achievement,” WCPSS said.

On Feb. 13, USDOE announced the cancellation of 10 contracts totaling $336 million to several “Regional Educational Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers.”

The USDOE said another four contracts to equity assistance centers totaling $33 million were also canceled. USDOE said the contracts supported “divisive training in DEI, Critical Race Theory, and gender identity for state and local education agencies as well as school boards.”

A day later, the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency announced that USDOE had terminated “70 DEI training grants totaling $373M.”

In January, the USDOE announced it would review its programs and services to identify and address additional DEI initiatives, including those that may use “coded or imprecise language.” Around the same time, OCR also announced the dismissal of 11 complaints over “book bans.”

Newson asks Congress for $40B in LA wildfire relief

Sacramento, Calif.

California Gov. Gavin

Newsom has asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in aid to help the Los Angeles area recover from January’s devastating wildfires, which he said could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Newsom sent a letter Friday asking for support from lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the House Appropriations Committee chair. Estimates of the total economic loss from the firestorm have been estimated to surpass $250 billion — with real estate losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires predicted to potentially top $30 billion.

More killed by avalanches in western U.S.

Winter Park, Colo.

One person was killed in an avalanche in central Colorado on Saturday, the latest fatality stemming from avalanches in the western U.S. this season. Authorities in Grand County responded Saturday to what they described as a skiertriggered avalanche in a steep area known as “The Fingers” above Berthoud Pass. It was the third avalanche death in Colorado this winter and the second fatality in less than a week. Elsewhere, three people died in avalanches Feb. 17 — one person near Lake Tahoe and two backcountry skiers in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. On Feb. 8, an outdoor guide was killed in a Utah avalanche.

French authorities detain 4 people after deadly stabbing

Paris

Four people were in custody Sunday after a deadly stabbing in eastern France that authorities linked to Islamic extremism, according to the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office. A Portuguese man was killed in the Saturday attack in the city of Mulhouse, near the border with Germany. Seven police officers were wounded, including a parking control agent hospitalized with grave injuries, the prosecutor’s office said. Those detained include the suspected assailant, a 37-year-old Algerian man identified by prosecutors as Brahim A. Two of the suspect’s family members and a person who lodged him were also detained.

EU leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine

Brussels

The leaders of the 27 European Union countries will have an emergency summit March 6 about next steps for Ukraine and Europe’s security. European Council President Antonio Costa announced Sunday that he is convening the summit in Brussels. Since the EU leaders last met Feb. 3, the Trump administration has upended years of U.S. support for Ukraine and decades of commitment to defending European allies. The leader of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and other members of the EU’s executive branch visited Kyiv on Monday to show support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Jefferson Griffin’s election challenge is part of his effort to unseat Democrat Allison Riggs

ROBERT WILLETT / THE NEWS &

catastrophe

questions about when normal

How China will pay for this COVID-19

we begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions

The comfort

China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and being thrown out of work.

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home majority of Americans normal.” end of this month.

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.

fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

Cooper stated during don’t know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then had questions about get asked, there is people to treat those can start getting back or are people who sick. levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After 2009 pandemic, all of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.

aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what They take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars to the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

n.c. FAST FACTS

Fixing college corruption

No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.

AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.

business & economy

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?

Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.

Apple to invest $500B in U.S., includes N.C.

Not one little bit.

In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.

Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”

NEW YORK — Apple announced Monday that it plans to invest more than $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, including teams and facilities expanding in Michigan, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina and Washington

The move comes just days after President Donald Trump said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised him that the tech giant’s manufacturing would shift from Mexico to the U.S. Trump noted the company was doing so to avoid paying tariffs. That pledge, coupled with Monday’s investment commitment, came as Trump continues to threaten to impose tariffs that could drive up the cost of iPhones made in China.

the seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to circles with contempt. as a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.

“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” Cook said in a company blog post.

written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The cavalier manner virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.

THIS WEEK, according to members of and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social they’ve donned masks.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.

Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”

Apple outlined several concrete moves in its announcement, the most significant of which is the construction of a new factory in Houston — slated to open in 2026 — that will produce servers to power Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features. The company claims this factory will create “thousands of jobs.”

The announcement is similar to one Apple made in early 2018 — during the first Trump administration — that promised to create 20,000 new jobs as part of a $350 billion spend in the U.S. Trump was also mulling a tariff then that could have affected iPhones at the time, but he didn’t end up targeting those devices during his first administration.

About half of the Treasury’s stored gold is kept in Kentucky

“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.

Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.

As part of the new $500 billion investment, Apple is doubling its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which was created in 2017 to support innovation and manufacturing jobs across America. The commitment will increase the fund from $5 billion to $10 billion, focused on promoting advanced manufacturing and skills development throughout the country.

We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.

The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization

According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.

The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.

By Rebecca Reynolds The Associated Press

Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of are reliable.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

China has to pay for their economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led in 1989.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue more liberalized society that presumes wide ought to lock down further.

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be thankful pandemic. For me, my making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.” If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors helping In Concord, money to buy health care

north STA

for Wednesday, April 15,

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given that of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.

China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

VISUAL VOICES

Fort Knox: What to know about US gold depository

Perhaps COVID-19 is Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold China this disaster. It is about time they are the world like any other

Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone

It’s okay to ask questions about when we begin to get back to normal

The comfort and hope

Just how secure is Fort Knox?

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

nors last Thursday evening.

“I don’t want to open it and the cupboards are bare,” he added.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — President Donald Trump says Elon Musk will be looking at Fort Knox, the legendary depository in Kentucky for American gold reserves, to ensure the gold is still there.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says there is an annual audit and that “all the gold is present and accounted for.”

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox has stored precious metal bullion reserves for the United States since 1937 and has become synonymous with security and is well protected. Along with protecting gold reserves, Fort Knox is currently also used as the Army’s human resources command center, and it hosts the Army’s largest annual training event each summer.

“We’re going to open up the doors. We’re going to inspect Fort Knox,” Trump said in a speech to Republican gover-

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022

I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.

By Alex Veiga The Associated Press

The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

LOS ANGELES — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in January as rising mortgage rates and prices put off many would-be homebuyers despite a wider selection of properties on the market. Sales fell 4.9% last month from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.08 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. Sales rose 2% compared with January last year, marking the fourth straight annual increase. The latest home sales, however, fell short of the 4.11 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

“All the gold is present and accounted for.”

Fort Knox history and location

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

Scott Bessent, Treasury secretary

The Army post is about 35 miles south of Louisville and encompasses 109,000 acres in three Kentucky counties — Bullitt, Hardin and Mead.

Camp Knox was established during World War I and became an artillery training center, according to the Army post’s website. It was made a permanent installation in 1932 and has been known since then as Fort Knox. The first gold arrived at Fort Knox in 1937 with the 1st Cavalry Regiment called on to guard the shipment.

“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

gia, and the Human Resource Command Center of Excellence was established at Fort Knox. In 2013, ROTC Cadet Summer Training was consolidated at Fort Knox.

How much gold is stored at Fort Knox?

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

The depository is very secure. The actual structure and content of the facility are known by only a few, and no one person knows all the procedures to open it. What is known publicly is that the facility was built in 1936 using 16,000 cubic feet of granite, 4,200 cubic yards of concrete, 750 tons of reinforcing steel and 670 tons of structural steel. The facility is heavily guarded and has broken its strict policy of not allowing visitors only three times. /// Has anyone been allowed to see the gold reserves?

I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.

For me, my faith is an important part making. As I celebrated Easter with my Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

With the outbreak of World War II in Europe, the Army created the Armored Force at Fort Knox, and thousands of soldiers were ordered there and introduced to the tank. For nearly 80 years, the post was known as the “Home of Cavalry and Armor.”

If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in this di cult time. Through faith and by con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic

In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

In 1974, the U.S. Mint opened the vaults to a group of journalists and a congressional delegation so they could see the gold reserves. The Treasury secretary allowed the visit after persistent rumors that the gold had been removed. Until then, the only person other than authorized personnel to access the vaults was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

In 2005, the Army decided to move the Armor Center and School to Fort Benning, Geor-

January home sales fall amid high prices, mortgage rates

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 19th consecutive month. The national median sales price rose 4.8% in January from a year earlier to $396,900.

“Mortgage rates have refused to budge for several months despite multiple rounds of shortterm interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “When combined with elevated home prices, housing affordability remains a major challenge.”

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022 when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.

The average rate on a 30year mortgage briefly fell to a two-year low last September but has been mostly hovering around 7% this year, accord-

According to the U.S. Mint, current gold holdings at the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox are 147.3 million ounces. About half of the Treasury’s stored gold is kept at Fort Knox. Has the gold ever been removed? The Mint says only very small quantities have been removed to test the purity of the gold during regularly scheduled audits. Except for these samples, no gold has been transferred to or from the depository for many years. The gold’s book value is $42.22 per ounce.

In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to health care workers out of his own home.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but questions about the data, normal are treated in some They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government works questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting when they can get back answers. Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about the measures are understandable, This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”

Not one little bit.

Since then, the vaults have been opened one other time: In 2017, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin visited with Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and congressional representatives. Current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he would happily arrange an inspection for any senator who is interested in seeing the vaults.

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

ing to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. That’s more than double the 2.65% record low the average rate hit a little over four years ago. While mortgage rates have been easing in recent weeks, the decline hasn’t

BARRY THUMMA / AP PHOTO

Gold bars are stored at the U.S. Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Sept. 24, 1974.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Jason

North State Journa l

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senio

Nebraska ranchers, farm groups push back on lab-grown meat ban proposal

By Margery A. Beck

The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. — The pros-

pect of banning the sale of socalled lab-grown meat might seem like a no-brainer in Nebraska, where beef is king, but some of the proposal’s staunchest opposition has come from ranchers and farming groups who say they can compete without the government’s help.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is behind the push to ban cultivated meat, saying he wants to protect ranchers and meat producers. The Republican governor signed an executive order last August to keep state agencies and contractors from procuring lab-created meat even though it could be years before such products are on store shelves.

A number of ranchers and meat industry groups are pushing back on the governor’s plan.

Dan Morgan is a fourth-generation cattle rancher from central Nebraska who supplies highend beef to all 50 states and six countries. He welcomes companies seeking to produce labgrown meat to “jump into the pool” and try to compete with his Waygu beef. Stifling competition in a free market should be anathema in a Republican-dominated state like Nebraska.

“It sounds like a bunch of right-wing Republicans echoing a bunch of left-wing Democrats,” he said, adding that the government should be limited to regulating the new product’s

labels and inspecting its facilities to ensure food safety.

“After that, it’s up to the consumer to make the decision about what they buy and eat.”

Nebraska is among about a dozen states that have introduced measures to ban the manufacture, sale or distribution of lab-grown products, according to analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Two states — Florida and Alabama — have already enacted such bans.

The target of the bills is “cell-cultivated” or “cell-cultured” meat, which is grown from the cells of animals in bioreactor steel tanks. The cells are bathed for weeks in nutrients, prompting them to grow and divide, turning them into skeletal muscle, fat and connective tissues.

The push to ban cultivated meat comes well before the innovation could be considered an industry. While more than two dozen companies are working to develop such meat products, only two — Upside Foods and Good Meat, both based in California — have been approved by the federal government to sell cultivated chicken in the U.S. Still, none of the companies are close to mass producing and selling the products on store shelves.

In recent weeks, supporters of the Nebraska bill have shifted their arguments from industry protection to questions of safety surrounding cell-cultured meat. That includes its sponsor, state Sen. Barry DeKay, a Nebraska rancher, and Sherry Vinton, the director of the Nebras-

ka Department of Agriculture. Both testified in support of the bill at a committee hearing earlier this week, calling cultured meat “synthetic food.” But it’s been no secret that the push for a ban is rooted in shielding Nebraska’s traditional meat industry. Nebraska tops all other states for beef production and beef exports, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Pillen named the ban among his top priorities during his State of the State address last month.

“The backers of these products are cut from the same cloth as the anti-farmer activists who want to put our agriculture producers out of business, and we need to recognize them as such,” he said.

The Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation, a trade group for the emerging cultured meat industry, disputes Pillen’s insistence that it’s a threat to the traditional meat industry, noting studies that show global demand for meat-based protein will double by 2050.

“We’re really a complementary component here,” said Suzi Gerber, executive director of the association. “So it’s a little bit mystifying to me why any individual stakeholder would see this as a threat.”

Several farm organizations, including Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Pork Producers, agree they’re not worried about competition from the emerging industry. Those groups prefer a sister bill that would only require they be clearly labeled as lab-grown products to separate them from traditional meat. More than a dozen states have also issued similar labeling bills, and some — like Colorado — have seen ban efforts abandoned.

Paul Sherman is an attorney with the Institute for Justice, which is representing Upside Foods in its lawsuit challenging the Florida ban. He said it’s no surprise most of the proposed bans are being pushed by those with connections to traditional agriculture.

“I think it certainly shows that the purpose of these laws isn’t about protecting public health and safety,” he said. “It’s about protecting traditional agriculture from economic competition. And that is not a legitimate use of government power.”

Uncertainty about consumers, tariffs in 2025 for Walmart

The nation’s largest retailer’s low-price model could be impacted

By Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Walmart delivered another year of strong sales and profits as its competitive prices became a strong magnet for inflation-weary shoppers. Yet uncertainty about the state of the American consumer and the potential impact of tariffs have seeped into expectations for 2025.

The financial outlook from the nation’s largest retailer, which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector. Walmart sees per share profit over the next year coming in as much as 27 cents below analyst projections.

Its sales outlook was also mild, potentially a reflection of challenges ahead as consumers pull back on spending and President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China and other countries threaten the low-price model that is the core of Walmart’s success.

During an interview with The Associated Press last Thursday, Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said shoppers remain resilient while cautious, but there is no apparent change in behavior related to tariffs.

There is more uncertain-

SALES from page A9

of tariffs and other policies proposed by the Trump administration have driven the 10-year Treasury yield higher since the election, though it has eased in recent weeks.

Rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have kept many prospective home shoppers on the sidelines, especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home pur-

ty about what lies ahead, and Rainey said Walmart’s measured guidance reflects that.

“We are one month into the year, and there’s a lot that we don’t know,” Rainey said, citing the new tariff increases.

Walmart did not incorporate tariffs into its financial outlook, but Rainey acknowledged that the company isn’t immune to their impact.

“We’re going to work really hard to keep prices low for our members and customers,” Rainey said. “We will do the things that we can.”

That means being nimble

chase. They accounted for 28% of all homes sold last month, matching the share in January 2024 but down from 31% in December. The annual share of first-time buyers fell last year to a record-low 24%. It has been 40% historically. If mortgage rates don’t ease from current levels, first-time buyers will continue to struggle “because housing affordability is not there,” Yun said. Forecasts from several economists mostly call for the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain above 6% this year,

with sourcing. Walmart, for example, is exploring new sourcing for microwave ovens given increased tariffs on aluminum and steel. But Rainey said some goods may have price increases.

Tariffs in the headlines have fueled concern and some more shopper retrenchment in Walmart’s Mexico business, Rainey said.

Walmart has built-in hedges against some tariff threats. Twothirds of Walmart’s merchandise is sourced in the U.S., with groceries driving much of that. Groceries account for roughly 60% of Walmart’s U.S. business.

with some economists including an upper range as high as 6.8%.

Home shoppers who could afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay all cash to sidestep financing altogether had more homes to choose from last month. There were 1.18 million unsold homes at the end of last month, up 3.5% from December and up 16.8% from January last year, NAR said. That translates to a 3.5-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 3.2-month pace in December and a 3-month pace at

Still, Walmart shares took a hit, and other big retailers fell, too.

Walmart is among the first major U.S. retailers to report financial results, and the numbers can provide a hint as to the mood of the American shopper. Over the past year, Americans have focused increasingly on necessities rather than big TVs, furniture or appliances. They’ve become much more discerning because of higher costs for credit as well as for groceries.

Walmart has flourished in that environment. It’s gained market share, notably among households with incomes over $100,000. Walmart’s online offerings and paid membership, Walmart +, have also drawn wealthier customers.

“We have momentum driven by our low prices, a growing assortment, and an eCommerce business driven by faster delivery times,” said CEO Doug McMillon. “We’re gaining market share, our top line is healthy, and we’re in great shape with inventory.”

Still, Walmart could be faced with challenges with the new tariffs carrying more economic risks than during Trump’s first term. If Americans are hit by a new wave of price increases, economists say, and with 70% of the U.S. economy driven by consumers, a broad pullback in spending would have ramifications beyond Walmart’s sales. Government data last week

the end of January last year. Traditionally, a five- to six-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

One reason the inventory of homes for sale has been rising is properties are taking longer to sell.

Homes typically remained on the market for 41 days in January before selling — the longest since before the pandemic. In December, homes were typically on the market 35 days before they sold.

Despite the improved inven-

revealed a sharp drop in January retail sales as cold weather kept more Americans indoors. But it was a much bigger drop than economists expected and the biggest in a year.

Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, reported earnings of $5.25 billion, or 65 cents per share, in the quarter ended Jan. 31. That compares with $5.49 billion, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings per share for the most recent quarter was 66 cents. Sales rose 4.1% to $180.55 billion in the quarter. Analysts expected 65 cents per share on sales of $180.07 billion, according to FactSet. For Walmart’s U.S. division, comparable store sales — which include online and stores open for the past 12 months — rose 4.6% in the U.S., a bit lower than the 5.3% in the previous quarter. The retailer had a 4.2% jump in the U.S. in the second quarter and 3.8% in the first quarter.

Global e-commerce sales rose 16% in the latest quarter, notably slower than the 27% increase in the third quarter.

Walmart expects first-quarter earnings per share of between 57 cents and 58 cents, well below the 64 cents Wall Street was expecting and for the year. Walmart projects earnings per share in the range of $2.50 to $2.60. That’s also off the $2.77 that analysts are predicting, according to FactSet.

tory, sellers still generally have the edge over buyers.

Some 15% of homes purchased last month sold for above their list price. And, on average, homes received 2.6 offers last month, Yun said.

Yun expects there could be 1.5 million homes on the market when the spring homebuying season gets going but noted the U.S. needs there to be closer to 2 million properties for sale.

“We are still supply-constrained, but the worst of the supply constraint is over,” he said.

Gov. Jim Pillen is behind the push to ban cultivated meat

NATI HARNIK / AP PHOTO

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed a bill banning synthetic meat to protect ranchers and meat producers in the state.

TED SHAFFREY / AP PHOTO

People shop for Black Friday deals at a Walmart store in Rochester, New York. With the threat of tariffs, the retail giant is facing uncertainty.

Patients struggle with lack of consistent coverage for popular weight-loss drugs

Forty-four percent of companies with more than 500 employees covered obesity drugs last year

By Tom Murphy The Associated Press

SUPPLIES OF high-demand obesity treatments are improving, but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to get them.

Many employers and insurers are scaling back coverage of Wegovy and Zepbound, and a key government program, Medicare, doesn’t cover the drugs for obesity. Meanwhile, some big employers are adding coverage, but their commitment isn’t guaranteed.

Treatment prices that can top hundreds of dollars monthly, even after discounts, make it hard for many people to afford these drugs on their own. That can make the life-changing weight loss that patients seek dependent on the coverage they have and how long it lasts.

Coverage complications are not unusual in the U.S. health care system. But the challenge is magnified for these obesity treatments because a wide swath of the population could be eligible to take them, and patients have to stay on the drugs to keep the weight off.

Coverage varies depending on who pays the bill

Paul Mack dropped about 70 pounds after he started taking Wegovy. The Redwood City, California, resident said food noise — constant thoughts of eating — faded, and he was able to have a heart procedure.

The treatment was covered by California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. Then the 50-year-old security guard got a raise. He no longer qualified for Medi-Cal and lost coverage of the drug for several months starting last summer.

He regained two pants sizes. “I couldn’t control the eating,” he said. “All the noise came back.”

Coverage of these drugs remains patchy more than a year after Zepbound entered the market to challenge Wegovy.

The benefits consultant Mercer says 44% of U.S. companies with 500 or more employees covered obesity drugs last year. It’s even more common with bigger employers.

More than a dozen government-funded Medicaid programs for people with low incomes also cover obesity treatments.

But few insurers cover the drugs on individual insurance marketplaces, and some plans restrict their coverage with things like requests for prior authorization or preapproval.

The lack of Medicare coverage remains a concern as well, especially for people who retire and move to the government-funded program from employer-sponsored coverage.

“Patients come to us terrified about switching to Medicare and losing coverage,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and cofounder of the obesity treatment company

California resident Paul Mack lost nearly 70 pounds on the weight loss drug Wegovy. After losing coverage of the drug, he regained two pants sizes.

FlyteHealth. “We start talking about backup plans a year before they transition.”

Cost and uncertain payoff loom as concerns

Philadelphia-area insurer Independence Blue Cross dropped coverage of the drugs solely for weight loss for some customers starting this year. Company officials say the insurer worried about premium hikes it would have to impose on all customers if it continued.

Cost also was a factor in decisions by West Virginia and North Carolina officials to end similar programs that provided coverage for state employees.

These concerns make Vanderbilt University researcher Stacie Dusetzina wonder how long employers who have added coverage will keep it now that the drugs are no longer in short supply.

Drugmakers tout the savings these drugs can provide by improving patient health and warding off future serious medical conditions like heart attacks or strokes.

But health care experts note that there are no guarantees that the employer or insurer who covers the drug will even-

Buffett offers investing lessons in annual Berkshire Hathaway letter

The finance giant touched on profit and America’s prosperity

By Josh Funk The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Billionaire Warren Buffett is viewed as one of the world’s greatest investors, so his annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are always read closely for lessons.

Buffett no longer ventures much into politics or current events in his letters, so he won’t offend anyone who might take it out on his many companies that include well-known ones like Geico insurance, Dairy Queen and Helzberg jewelry.

But Buffett’s latest letter, released Saturday, offers insights into investing and some lessons from his six decades at the helm of Berkshire. Here’s a sample: On what the U.S. government should do: “Thank you, Uncle Sam. Someday your nieces and nephews at Berkshire hope to send you even larger payments than we did in 2024. Spend it wisely. Take care of the many who, for no fault of their own, get the short straws in life. They deserve better. And never forget that we need you to maintain a stable currency and that result requires both wisdom and vigilance on your part.”

On making mistakes over the years: “Of course, I expect to make my share of mistakes about the businesses Berkshire buys and sometimes err in evaluating the sort of person with whom I’m dealing.

“But I’ve also had many pleasant surprises in both the potential of the business as well as the ability and fidelity of the manager. And our expe -

rience is that a single winning decision can make a breathtaking difference over time.

(Think GEICO as a business decision, Ajit Jain as a managerial decision and my luck in finding Charlie Munger as a one-of-a-kind partner, personal advisor and steadfast friend.)

“Mistakes fade away; winners can forever blossom.”

On what Buffett relies on to profit: “Businesses, as well as individuals with desired talents, however, will usually find a way to cope with monetary instability as long as their goods or services are desired by the country’s citizenry. So, too, with personal skills. Lacking such assets as athletic excellence, a wonderful voice, medical or legal skills or, for that matter, any special talents, I have had to rely on equities throughout my life. In effect, I have depended on the success of American business-

tually reap those benefits because people may change jobs or insurers.

Will coverage ever become consistent?

There’s no clear path toward widespread coverage of these drugs for obesity, even as polls show Americans favor having Medicaid and Medicare cover the costs.

Leaders at Zepbound maker Eli Lilly have seen coverage grow steadily for their drug, and they’re optimistic that will continue.

A bill calling for Medicare coverage has been floating around Congress for years. But it isn’t scheduled for a vote.

Drugmakers are currently testing several additional obesity treatments. Such potential competition could reduce prices and prompt more coverage.

Patchy coverage complicates treatment plans

Dr. Amy Rothberg says the lack of consistent coverage leaves her conflicted about writing prescriptions because she’s not sure how long patients will be able to take the drug.

“We know from the studies that people go off these medications, they regain their weight,” said Rothberg, director of the University of Michigan’s weight-management program. “I don’t want to do harm.”

Some insurers require diet and exercise changes for the patient before they will cover a weight-loss medication. Those changes should happen in conjunction with starting the medicine, said Dr. Lydia Alexander, president of the Obesity Medicine Association. “We’re saying that obesity is a disease, but we’re not treating it like a disease,” she said.

Constitution was adopted, and the country’s energies were unleashed.

“True, our country in its infancy sometimes borrowed abroad to supplement our own savings. But concurrently, we needed many Americans to consistently save and then needed those savers or other Americans to wisely deploy the capital thus made available. If America had consumed all that it produced, the country would have been spinning its wheels.

“The American process has not always been pretty — our country has forever had many scoundrels and promoters who seek to take advantage of those who mistakenly trust them with their savings. But even with such malfeasance — which remains in full force today — and also much deployment of capital that eventually floundered because of brutal competition or disruptive innovation, the savings of Americans has delivered a quantity and quality of output beyond the dreams of any colonist.

On Berkshire’s massive $334.2 billion cash pile:

Ford recalls 240K Explorers, Aviators

Ford is recalling about 240,000 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs due to a problem with seat belt anchors that were improperly secured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the defective seat belt assemblies. The Explorers and Aviators in question are model years 2020 and 2021. The recall includes about 216,000 Explorers and 24,000 Aviators.

Cryptocurrency exchange victim of $1.5B hack

A major cryptocurrency exchange says it was the victim of a sophisticated hack that stole about $1.5 billion of digital currency, marking one of the biggest online thefts of all time. Bybit said Friday that a routine transfer of Ethereum, one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, between digital wallets was “manipulated” by an attacker who transferred the crypto to an unidentified address. The company sought to reassure customers that their cryptocurrency holdings with the exchange were safe. The company added that news of the hack had led to a surge in withdrawal requests, and there could be delays in processing them.

Engineering company settles Flint water lawsuits for $53M Detroit

An engineering company has agreed to pay $53 million to settle all remaining lawsuits that accused it of some blame for lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, a decade ago. The deal by Veolia North America and Flint residents comes on top of previous settlements involving the company. Separately, the state and other parties agreed to pay $626 million. Veolia has denied responsibility for lead contamination. It says it was only briefly hired by Flint as a consultant. Flint switched water sources in 2014 but didn’t treat the water to reduce corrosion. By the time Flint switched to a regional supplier in fall 2015, tests showed elevated lead levels in children.

Tesla recalling more than 375K vehicles

es, and I will continue to do so.”

On Berkshire’s investments in acquiring entire companies vs. investing in stocks: “Understandably, really outstanding businesses are very seldom offered in their entirety, but small fractions of these gems can be purchased Monday through Friday on Wall Street and, very occasionally, they sell at bargain prices.

“We are impartial in our choice of equity vehicles, investing in either variety based upon where we can best deploy your (and my family’s) savings. Often, nothing looks compelling; very infrequently we find ourselves knee-deep in opportunities. Greg has vividly shown his ability to act at such times.”

On America’s prosperity:

“Our country’s progress over its mere 235 years of existence could not have been imagined by even the most optimistic colonists in 1789, when the

“Despite what some commentators currently view as an extraordinary cash position at Berkshire, the great majority of your money remains in equities. That preference won’t change.

“While our ownership in marketable equities moved downward last year from $354 billion to $272 billion, the value of our non-quoted controlled equities increased somewhat and remains far greater than the value of the marketable portfolio.

“Berkshire shareholders can rest assured that we will forever deploy a substantial majority of their money in equities — mostly American equities although many of these will have international operations of significance. Berkshire will never prefer ownership of cash-equivalent assets over the ownership of good businesses, whether controlled or only partially owned.”

Tesla is recalling more than 375,000 vehicles due to a power steering issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the recall is for certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4. The agency said that the printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEB. 23

Beginning Cash $2,591,701,320 Receipts (income) $63,787,881 Disbursements $127,636,687 Cash Balance $2,527,874,116

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

S. GRATZ / AP PHOTO

In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway, billionaire Warren Buffett offered sound investment advice to shareholders and the country.

Clint Hill, Secret Service agent who leaped onto JFK’s car, dies at 93

He’s credited with saving the first lady’s life that day

By Jack Dura The Associated Press

CLINT HILL, the Secret Service agent who leaped onto the back of President John F. Kennedy’s limousine after the president was shot, then was forced to retire early because he remained haunted by memories of the assassination, has died. He was 93.

Hill died Friday at his home in Belvedere, California, according to his publisher, Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. A cause of death was not given.

Although few may recognize his name, the footage of Hill, captured on Abraham Zapruder’s chilling home movie of the assassination, provided some of the most indelible images of Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

Hill received Secret Service awards and was promoted for

his actions that day, but for decades blamed himself for Kennedy’s death, saying he didn’t react quickly enough and would gladly have given his life to save the president.

“If I had reacted just a little bit quicker. And I could have, I guess,” a weeping Hill told Mike Wallace on CBS’ 60 Minutes in 1975, shortly after he retired at age 43 at the urging of his doctors. “And I’ll live with that to my grave.”

It was only in recent years that Hill said he was able to finally start putting the assassination behind him and accept what happened.

On the day of the assassination, Hill was assigned to protect first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and was riding on the left running board of the follow-up car directly behind the presidential limousine as it made its way through Dealey Plaza.

Hill told the Warren Commission that he reacted after hearing a shot and seeing the president slump in his seat. The

president was struck by a fatal headshot before Hill was able to make it to the limousine.

Zapruder’s film captured Hill as he leaped from the Secret Service car, grabbed a handle on the limousine’s trunk and pulled himself onto it as the driver accelerated. He forced Mrs. Kennedy, who had crawled onto the trunk, back into her seat as the limousine sped off.

Hill later became the agent in charge of the White House protective detail and eventually an assistant director of the Secret Service, retiring because of what he characterized as deep depression and recurring memories of the assassination.

The 1993 Clint Eastwood thriller “In the Line of Fire,” about a former Secret Service agent scarred by the JFK assassination, was inspired in part by Hill.

Hill was born in 1932 and grew up in Washburn, North Dakota. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, served in the Army and

worked as a railroad agent before joining the Secret Service in 1958. He worked in the agency’s Denver office for about a year, before joining the elite group of agents assigned to protect the president and first family.

Since his retirement, Hill has spoken publicly about the assassination only a handful of times, but the most poignant was his 1975 interview with Wallace, during which Hill broke down several times.

“If I had reacted about fivetenths of a second faster, maybe a second faster, I wouldn’t be here today,” Hill said.

“You mean you would have gotten there and you would have taken the shot?” Wallace asked.

“The third shot, yes, sir,” Hill said.

“And that would have been all right with you?”

“That would have been fine with me,” Hill responded.

In his 2005 memoir, “Between You and Me,” Wallace recalled his interview with Hill as one of the most moving of his career.

President John F. Kennedy slumps down in the back seat of the presidential limousine as it speeds along Elm Street toward the Stemmons Freeway overpass in Dallas after being fatally shot, Nov. 22, 1963.

First lady Jacqueline Kennedy leans over the president as Secret Service Agent Clint Hill pushes her back to her seat.

In 2006, Wallace and Hill reunited on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” where Hill credited that first 60 Minutes interview with helping him finally start the healing process.

“I have to thank Mike for asking me to do that interview and then thank him more because he’s what caused me to finally come to terms with things and bring the emotions out where they surfaced,” he said. “It was because of his questions and the things he asked that I started to recover.”

Decades after the assassination, Hill co-authored several books — including “Mrs. Kennedy and Me” and “Five Presidents” — about his Secret Service years with Lisa McCubbin Hill, whom he married in 2021.

“We had that once-in-a-lifetime love that everyone hopes for,” McCubbin Hill said in a statement. “We were soulmates.” Clint Hill also became a speaker and gave interviews about his experience in Dallas. In 2018, he was given the state of North Dakota’s highest civilian honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. A portrait of Hill adorns a Capitol gallery of fellow honorees.

A private funeral service will be held in Washington, D.C., at a future date.

Russia says Trump-Putin summit preparations underway

Envoys could meet in early March to finalize plans

The Associated Press

PREPARATIONS are underway for a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday.

Speaking to Russian state media, Sergei Ryabkov said a possible Putin-Trump summit could involve broad talks on global issues, not just the war in Ukraine.

“The question is about starting to move toward normalizing relations between our countries, finding ways to resolve the most acute and potentially very, very dangerous situations, of which there are many, Ukraine among them,” he said.

But he said efforts to organize such a meeting are at an early stage and that making it happen will require “the most intensive preparatory work.”

Ryabkov added that U.S. and Russian envoys could meet within the next two weeks to pave the way for further talks among senior officials.

Russian and U.S. representatives meeting in Saudi Arabia last Tuesday agreed to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, an extraordinary

about-face in U.S. foreign policy under Trump. Senior U.S. officials have suggested Ukraine will have to give up its goals of joining NATO and retaining the 20% of its territory seized by Russia.

After the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told The Associated Press the

two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies; to create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks; and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.

He stressed, however, that the talks, which were attended by his Russian counter-

part, Sergey Lavrov, and other senior Russian and U.S. officials, marked the beginning of a conversation, and more work needs to be done. Lavrov, for his part, hailed the meeting as “very useful.” No Ukrainian officials were present at the Saudi meeting, which came as their be-

“The question is about starting to move toward normalizing relations between our countries.”

Sergei Ryabkov, Russian deputy foreign minister

leaguered country is slowly but steadily losing ground against more numerous Russian troops nearly three years after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of its smaller neighbor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would not accept any outcome from the talks since Kyiv didn’t take part, and he postponed his own trip to Saudi Arabia scheduled for last Wednesday. European allies have also expressed concerns that they are being sidelined.

Trump on Friday appeared to walk back his earlier comments that blamed Kyiv for starting the war but insisted that Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Joe Biden should have done more to come to terms with Putin.

“Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have let him attack,” he said during a radio interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox News, referring to the Russian leader.

JAMES W. “IKE” ALTGENS / AP PHOTO

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump, right, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017.

High school hoops playoff preview, B3

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

MLB ESPN, MLB to end national TV deal after 2025 season

Bristol, Conn.

ESPN’s coverage of Major League Baseball games will conclude at the end of the 2025 season. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro informed baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred the network was opting out of the final three years of its contract. There was a March 1 deadline for MLB and ESPN to opt out of the final three years of their contract. The sides agreed to a seven-year deal in 2021 that averaged $550 million per season.

NFL Bears to raise season ticket prices by average of 10%

Chicago The Chicago Bears are raising season ticket prices by an average of 10%. President Kevin Warren announced the increase in an email to season ticket holders, citing “market dynamics, industry trends and a strong home schedule.” Chicago came into last season with playoff hopes only to finish last in the NFC North at 5-12, while all three division rivals made the playoffs. The Bears lost 10 straight and fired coach Matt Eberflus.

SKIING

Shiffrin gets historic 100th World Cup race win, ties record for most podiums

Sestriere, Italy

Mikaela Shiffrin got her record-extending 100th World Cup race win in a slalom over the weekend. Her 155th career podium finish in World Cup races also tied the all-time record with Swedish men’s great Ingemar Stenmark.

Shiffrin was the first-run leader at Sestriere, Italy, and protected that to finish 0.61 seconds ahead of Zrinka Ljutic, who is a three-time winner this season.

Shiffrin’s U.S. teammate Paula Moltzan was third.

Wolfpack’s Brooks was ready for No. 1 Notre Dame’s backcourt

The NC State junior scored 33 in the dramatic upset win

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Zoe Brooks never panicked, flinched or hesitated. Not with the chance to take on the All-American guards leading the nation’s top ranked team.

“I like challenges,” the NC State sophomore said. Looked that way, too.

The 5-foot-10 Brooks scored a career-high 33 points to help the 13th-ranked Wolfpack beat No. 1 Notre Dame 104-95 in double overtime Sunday, swapping her typical role as wingman to touted backcourt teammates for breakout star of a thrilling game played in the national TV spotlight.

Brooks came in averag-

ing 13.5 points and her previous high had been 21. But she blew past that in a high-pressure matchup against the Irish’s backcourt of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles, staying

on the off-dribble attack of the paint to put the pressure on Notre Dame’s interior defenders as well as constantly getting to the foul line in a draining 471/2 minutes of work.

Notre Dame looks to defend ACC title over NC State, UNC

The ACC women’s tournament will be a highly competitive affair

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

IT’S NOT MARCH yet, but with the way this past Sunday went, the madness has already arrived for ACC women’s basketball.

Luckily for its fans, the wild endings to regular season showdowns will very soon make their way to a tournament setting next week.

The 2025 Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament will tip-off Wednesday at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. Even with the addition of SMU, Stanford and Cal this past offseason, the tournament will still feature the top 15 teams, leaving three teams out of contention for the ACC title. Seeds 1-4 will receive a dou-

ble bye while seeds 5-9 will receive first-round byes. The nine-seed is predetermined to play the eight-seed in the second round on March 6.

As the ACC stands Monday after its only undefeated team, No. 3 Notre Dame, lost its first conference game at No. 9 NC State, the top four

The day started with the Wolfpack players delivering doughnuts to fans lined up outside for hours to get in early on a day when ESPN’s “College GameDay” was on site to highlight the matchup. By the end, Brooks was joining teammates in hopping around and celebrating on the court in front of a packed Reynolds Coliseum at the horn.

And it wasn’t long before they took that party to the campus Bell Tower to celebrate with fans — the site where NC State marked the unexpected double Final Four by its men’s and women’s teams last spring.

The Wolfpack ended Notre Dame’s 19-game winning streak and denied the Irish the chance to clinch the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title outright. Now, after earning its first home win against a See WOLFPACK, page B3

seeds could feature the Fighting Irish, the Wolfpack, No. 8 UNC and Louisville in that order. Those teams would wait on the following order of Florida State, Duke, Cal, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, who would all begin action in the second round. Virginia, Clemson, Stanford, Boston College, Syracuse and Miami would battle to survive the first round.

With two games left in the regular season, though, there could be some moving parts in the bracket landscape.

The five best teams under Notre Dame are all within two games of each other, and even Notre Dame isn’t a lock for first place. The Fighting Irish, sitting at 15-1 in ACC play, still have two tough opponents remaining in the nation’s leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson and

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

UNC guard Alyssa Ustby (1) drives against SMU during a January game. Ustby’s recovery from injury will be a key storyline to watch as the ACC Tournament approaches.

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

NC State’s Zoe Brooks, center, attempts to shoot between Notre Dame’s Liatu King (20) and Sonia Citron (11) during the Wolfpack’s upset of the top-ranked Irish.

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Zoe Brooks (35) is at the center of the NC State celebration after the Wolfpack knocked off No. 1 Notre Dame.

THURSDAY

2.27.25

TRENDING

Jerome Henderson:

The Statesville native and graduate of West Iredell High School was hired by the Colts as defensive backs coach. Henderson has spent two decades coaching in the NFL, including the working with the New York Giants’ secondary. He played in two Super Bowls after New England selected him in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft.

Manuel Margot:

signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an invitation to major league camp.

The 30-year-old Margot, who had stints with the Durham Bulls in 2021, 2022 and 2023, batted .238 with a .289 on-base percentage, four homers, 31 RBIs 129 games with the Minnesota Twins last season

James Bettcher:

The 21-year coaching veteran was hired by the Colts as linebackers coach. Bettcher had a previous stint with Indianapolis in 2012 when he was a special assistant. He spent the past three seasons as Cincinnati Bengals’ linebackers coach. He spent 2007 to 2009 as a graduate assistant and defensive assistant for the Tar Heels under coach Butch Davis.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“He’s 18 Go have fun. Chase a girl. Enjoy the opportunity.”

Illinois coach Brad Underwood on why Duke freshman Cooper Flagg (pictured) should stay in school.

“What? I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after learning that new L.A pitcher Roki Sasaki (pictured) got married.

NASCAR Christopher Bell edged Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in overtime in Sunday’s and had a slight edge on the outside when the caution light came on in overtime following a wreck by Josh Berry Austin Cindric led before he and William Byron wrecked with three laps remaining, setting up the overtime.

fantasy league, Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt’s punishment was to serve as Toronto’s bat boy while wearing “4-10” — his team’s record — on the back of his jersey Bassitt went 12- 6 with Winston-Salem from 2011 to 2013 and 3-1 with Kannapolis in 2011.

The Carolina Panthers re-signed quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year contract to back up Bryce Young. The 37-year-old Dalton, who threw for 989 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions last season, was set to become an unrestricted free agent nex t month. Dalton joined the Panthers in 2023.

The margin of defeat for the Charlotte Hornets in a 141-88 loss at Portland on Saturday night The rout broke a Trail Blazers’ record for margin of victor y that had stood for 42 years. Charlotte led, 4-3, before Portland went on a 13- 0 run and never looked back.

Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas has reportedly agreed to become the next head coach at Miami, pending the completion of contract negotiations. Lucas and the Hurricanes will work contract in the coming weeks The 36-year-old son of John Lucas has been at Duke for three years, the last two as associate head coach.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO

MIKE STEWART / AP PHOTO

PHELAN

Picking favorites in North Carolina state high school basketball playoffs

Tournament games tipped off Tuesday in four classes

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE NORTH Carolina High School Athletic Association boys’ basketball playoffs began this week with Tuesday games that ended after press time. It starts a journey that will end with the regionals and state championships, March 10-15 at Wake Forest’s Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Here’s a look at the top two seeds in each of the state’s four classes.

1A East: Washington County

The Panthers are 18-3 on the season but just 6-2 so far in February. That includes a loss to Bertie in the conference tournament in their most recent outing. Bertie and Martin County, which won in overtime three weeks ago, may have found the blueprint to get past Washington County — slow the game down and play physical with scoring leader Brandon Carter. The senior, who averages 23.7 points, went to the line 16 times against Martin and fouled out after taking just five shots against Bertie. Washington also leans on junior Christian Phelps, one of the best rebounders in the state.

1A West: Bishop McGuinness

The Villains are riding a 17-game winning streak after

going undefeated in conference play for the third straight year. They bring a 24-2 mark into the tournament and are looking to add to a trophy case that includes six state titles, including the 2009 and 2019 championships. McGuinness is led by senior guard Nicholas Graves, who is a triple-double threat and hit the game-winning three-point play in the Villains’ last outing — the only game closer than double digits so far this month.

2A East: Farmville Central

The more things change in class 2A, the more they stay the same. Farmville returns as the top seed in the East, and the Jaguars have played West top seed Reidsville for the title the last two seasons. Farmville Central will look to add a ninth state title banner to the crowded gym rafters. That includes five N.C. championships since 2019. This year’s edition of the Jags is 20-4 and riding a 13 -g ame winning streak. Farmville is led by senior guard MJ Williams, an Eastern Kentucky signee.

2A West: Reidsville

The Rams return to the top seed in the west. Reidsville and Farmville Central have played for the last two 2A championships, with each winning one. The Rams took last year’s title, their fifth, dating back to

1924. Reidsville had a perfect season last year and enters the tournament at 25-0 this time around. They’re led by a pair of juniors — point guard Dionte Neal and center Kendre Harrison (an Oregon commit) and senior guard Johnniyus Sharpe (a USC-Aiken signee).

3A East: Swansboro

For the second straight season, Swansboro enters the NCHSAA playoffs with just one loss and a top seed. This year, the Pirates are 21-1 and on a nine-game winning streak.

Teams have struggled to contain Swansboro’s three-headed attack of seniors Tayvion Tangiora, Jermaine Cunningham and Jonah Holt. All three are averaging more than 16 points, five rebounds and 2.8 assists, and each is shooting more than 50% from the field. Holt appears recovered from a January injury that sidelined him for a few games.

3A West: Ashbrook

The Green Wave seeks their first state title after finishing runner-up twice, in 1977

Slavin turns heads at 4 Nations Face-Off

The 30-year-old defenseman was the talk of the hockey world the past few weeks

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE NHL CAUGHT light-

ning in a bottle this month with its inaugural 4 Nations FaceOff tournament.

The in-season tournament, which took place from Feb. 1220, pitted NHL players from four countries — Canada, Finland, Sweden and USA — against one another in the first best-on-best hockey tournament in nearly a decade.

While there were many naysayers when the tournament was announced, at the end, nearly everyone was in agreement that the event was a major success — ESPN averaged 9.3 million viewers for the final between USA and Canada.

While Canada wound up taking the gold with a 3-2 overtime win over the Americans, one of the biggest talking points from the event was how well Carolina Hurricanes and Team USA defenseman Jaccob Slavin performed.

Slavin, 30, has flown under the radar for years due to Carolina being a smaller market, but the fact of the matter is that he’s hands down one of the best defensemen in the entire NHL.

“Everyone here knows how good he is,” said teammate Sebastian Aho, who faced Slavin for the first time in his career playing for Team Finland. “Obviously now, with a little bit of a

WOLFPACK from page B1

No. 1-ranked team since beating Wayland Baptist in 1978, NC State still has a chance to grab at least a share of that title.

“It’s amazing,” Brooks said. “We’re all tired. We’re all banged up, all hurting. We just kept fighting. We wanted to win this game rally bad, and we did everything we could to win.”

Brooks made 9 of 20 shots overall and hit all 14 of her free throws while drawing a game-high eight fouls on opponents. She was unafraid to go right at Hidalgo, a first-team Associated Press All-American

bigger platform, everyone sees him. Best-on-best and he did a pretty damn good job shutting those guys down. He’s an unbelievable D-man and we’re so lucky to have him.”

Every time he stepped out onto the ice, the veteran blueliner became the talk of the hockey world, showcasing his elite defensive awareness and stick work time and time again, whether it was blocking a shot or pass, saving a goal or just completely killing a play at the blueline before it could even develop. No matter what channel the game was on — ESPN, TNT, Sportsnet, etc. — the broadcasters couldn’t stop raving about Slavin’s play, and all across so -

ranked second nationally in scoring (24.6) and a familiar opponent from their precollege days. Nor did she back off from driving against bigger defenders, like when she had her shot blocked in the paint by the 6-foot Liatu King but went right back up to snag the rebound and draw a foul. She responded by calmly sinking two more free throws for an 80-77 lead with 22.5 seconds left in regulation. Sometimes she scored easily. Sometimes she ended up knocked to the floor. But in a game with slim margins of 21 ties and 21 lead changes, those big moments kept adding up un-

cial media, nearly every hockey-related account was posting about the Hurricanes defenseman, too.

“They couldn’t stop talking about him, it was great,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour.

“It’s good for those kinds of players that maybe aren’t the guys who are scoring all the big goals all the time. Is defending a goal as important? Ask yourself that. We know it is, and so he’s an elite player in his own right.”

Across his four tournament games, Slavin averaged 23:16 playing time per game on the shutdown pairing alongside Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.

The elite defender routinely

til NC State was finally able to wrestle away control for good in the final (extra) five minutes.

“She got to the free-throw line 14 times individually, we didn’t even have that many as a team,” Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said, referencing the Irish’s 10 attempts. “So she did a great job of getting downhill, playing with a ton of confidence and it was one of those nights for her, having a career high. Hats off to her, she played well.” Brooks’ lofty recruiting pedigree has indicated there were performances like this to come, notably as a McDonald’s All-American and top-10 na-

and 2015. Ashbrook likely wrapped up a top seed with a win in the Big South 3A tournament, its first conference tourney title since 2016, to go with the first regular season crown since 2015. The Wave is 23-3 but has won 21 of the last 22 games. They are led by senior guard Issac Byers Jr., who is averaging 20 points. Junior Jayden Armstrong is also among the leaders in 3A in assists.

4A East: New Hanover

The Wildcats have 14 state titles in their history but only two in the last half century — 2007 and 2012. They finished state runners-up last year, when they also entered as the top seed in 4A. After opening the season 4-2, New Hanover has run off 21 straight victories. Only one team over that winning streak has come within single digits of the Wildcats. They are led by seniors Rodmik Allen (17.2 points, 5.7 assists) and Nolan Billings (10 points, 6 rebounds). Fans might also recognize the name of senior CJ Kornegay, son of former NC State player Chuck.

4A West: Lake Norman

The Wildcats’ last title was in 2010, but Lake Norman is loaded and ready to snap that drought this season. A pair of senior three-star recruits lead the team — center Trent Steinour (a Clemson signee) and shooting guard Tre McKinnon (App State). Junior Nick Arnold (14 points, 6.1 rebounds and a team-high 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals) is no slouch, either. Lake Norman enters on a 16 -g ame winning streak with a 25-1 record.

Team Finland. “I watched the (championship) game, and he was the best D-man out there for both teams. Just tells you how good and smart of a player he is.”

The United States’ Jaccob Slavin (74) tries to fight through a check from Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

had the toughest assignments, being tasked with defending the best players in the world such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, and he flourished in that role.

In total, Slavin was on the ice for only two goals against all tournament, and in two games against the eventual champion Canada, the veteran played a perfect 54:08 (nearly a full game) without allowing a single goal while he was on the ice (included over four minutes of shorthanded ice time as well).

“One of the best defensive defensemen in the league,” said teammate Mikko Rantanen, who was no stranger to Slavin’s defensive game whether from his time in Colorado or with

tional recruit when she arrived before last season. But she had only twice cracked the 20-point mark in her career, with 21 points against ETSU in the season opener and then 21 in a loss at Florida State on Feb. 9.

NC State generally hadn’t needed her to take on a role like that, with James being such an explosive and gifted scorer while Rivers is an all-around matchup headache with length and versatility. Those players showed up Sunday, too. James had 20 points, including a highlight-reel transition layup in which she smoothly took the ball around her back to

While most people around the league know how good Slavin is defensively, this tournament gave a lot of them their first opportunity to really see for themselves.

“I always knew how good he was defensively, but seeing him up close and personal and playing on the same team as him, he’s, in my opinion, the best defensive defenseman in the league,” said Toronto Maple Leafs and Team USA captain Auston Matthews to TSN.

“I’ve never seen a stick like his. The amount of plays he breaks up, shots that he blocks and still able to make great passes out of the D-zone and just the amount of ice he covers is pretty incredible. After playing with him, you definitely have a new appreciation for that.”

“Jaccob Slavin might be one of the best defending defensemen in the league, bar none,” said Pittsburgh Penguins and Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan.

So it’s good to see Slavin finally starting to earn the flowers he’s always deserved not only around the league, but internationally too.

“All the glory goes to God,” Slavin told the media in Toronto following the tournament.

“Just thankful for the opportunity to use the gifts and abilities he’s given me on a world stage. When people recognize me, hopefully they just see Christ’s light shining through me.” And lucky for Carolina, Slavin is already locked in with the team for eight more seasons, almost guaranteeing that he will be a lifelong Hurricane.

change hands and avoid Miles’ strip attempt in the second overtime. And Rivers barely missed a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and three blocks.

Brooks offered a glimpse of an even higher ceiling for the Wolfpack, coming behind a set of guards that stand as one of the few nationally good enough to counter the Irish’s backcourt punch.

“Notre Dame deserves all the attention and all that they get,” Wolfpack coach Wes Moore said of the Irish’s guards. “But I like ours, too. We’ve got some pretty good ones.”

Reidsville poses for a team photo after winning its conference tournament.

CHRISTINNE MUSCHI / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Brown back in Texas and at peace

The Hall of Fame coach settles into retirement after his UNC departure

By Stephen Hawkins The Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — Mack Brown is back to living in Austin, Texas, during the winter and through the spring and plans to spend the summer at the family’s home in the North Carolina mountains. He is certainly at peace nearly three months after coaching his final game for the Tar Heels.

“We were doing that before and it worked,” Brown said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I may do some TV, I’ll probably do some podcasts. I enjoyed that. ... You can do it from North Carolina just as easy as anywhere.”

While the 73-year-old Brown was frustrated by how his departure was handled, the College Football Hall of Fame member reiterated Monday that he was ready to be done coaching after a second stint with the Tar Heels and is pulling for them to be successful under new coach Bill Belichick.

“I think the frustration was it was probably more political than anything else,” Brown said. “They knew I was going to be through at the end of the year, but there were some, a lot of people, that weren’t on the same page. So it didn’t really matter in the end.”

“I’m proud of them that they finally committed. And Bill’s one of the best ever.”

Mack Brown on UNC football and new coach Bill Belichick

we wanted to make sure that he was taken care of,” Brown said. Brown got 113 of his 288 career victories at UNC. He coached at Appalachian State (1983) and Tulane (1985-87) before 10 seasons in his first stint with the Tar Heels, and then a 16-season run at Texas that included the 2005 national championship with quarterback Vince Young. The Longhorns lost to Alabama four years later after Colt McCoy got injured early in that title game.

UNC replaced Brown with six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Belichick and gave the 72-year-old a five-year deal that guarantees the first three seasons.

“I’m proud of them that they finally committed. And Bill’s one of the best ever,” Brown said. “So I’m proud for the kids. I’ve got so many friends there, like I do at Texas. So I’m glad they finally stepped up, and now they should have a chance to compete with the best in the country.”

The winningest coach in Tar Heels history, Brown said he didn’t want to announce any change before the regular-season finale against rival NC State. But it was in the days leading up to the Thanksgiving week game that UNC said

On Monday, Brown became the first nonquarterback, and first coach, recognized as a Legends Award recipient during the Davey O’Brien awards dinner. That was also when Cam Ward, who exceled in his only season at Miami and could be the NFL’s top draft pick, was presented the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback.

Brown wouldn’t be returning after six seasons in his second stint there.

“At North Carolina at that time, without revenue sharing, there wasn’t enough money, so you couldn’t compete. We had $4 million and you just couldn’t compete, and that was the frustrating thing,” Brown said Monday. “So I thought it was really time for somebody new to come in for the $13 million revenue

sharing and kind of get a fresh new start. And I’d had enough.”

One of the main reasons that Brown had even come back last season was to help oversee the program while player Tylee Craft was going through his cancer fight. The 23-year-old player died in October from a rare form of lung cancer.

“He was sick for 21/2 years, and that was really the reason we came back for the last year, is

Brown hasn’t spoken to Belichick but did have a conversation with Michael Lombardi, who was hired by the new coach as the football program’s general manager.

“(Lombardi) called me and talked to me about some things,” Brown said. “And I want them to be successful. I’m not that young guy that’s mad at the world and all that.”

Williams rejoins Hornets after rescinded Lakers trade

The center was held out on Monday due to left foot injury management

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — After one of the strangest NBA trade debacles in recent memory, thirdyear starting center Mark Williams is back with the Charlotte Hornets as the team looks to wrap up the final third of its season.

The 23-year-old big man was originally sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a first-round swap in 2030, and an unprotected first-round pick in 2031.

However, the Lakers then opted to rescind the move because of a “failure to satisfy a condition of the trade” after Williams allegedly failed a physical with multiple issues.

Williams’ agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, is now disputing the series of events, claiming that the trade involving his client should not have been rescinded at all.

“The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical,” Schwartz wrote in a recent statement. “Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity.”

TITLE from page B1

Florida State (12-4 in the ACC) and a Louisville (12-4) team that has won six of its last eight (wins over then-No. 21 Cal and then-No. 11 Duke).

Notre Dame will play Florida State for the first time, but it did beat Louisville 89-71 earlier this month behind a season-high 34 points from star guard Hannah Hidalgo. NC State (14-2) has a much easier path to the one seed, finishing its season with Wake Forest and SMU, two teams that will likely miss the ACC Tournament. Confidence for the Wolfpack should be sky

Schwartz’s defense of Williams arrived just two days after the Hornets (14-41) pieced together a 100-97 road victory over the Lakers (34-21), snapping a six-game losing skid. Williams had 10 points and nine rebounds in his return to the court after not playing since early February.

“It felt good, back like I never left,” Charlotte’s 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft said after the victory. “The last however many days have been crazy, but I’m just happy to be back playing. It was pretty ironic I got to play the Lakers the first game back, and I’m glad we got the win.”

The Hornets’ 7-footer reflect-

high after knocking down the then-No. 1 team Sunday, and the possibility of securing a top two seed should create some extra motivation. UNC (13-3) and Duke (124) will face off Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a rematch of January’s gritty 53 - 46 overtime battle won by the Tar Heels. After a achieving a fourth-quarter comeback win over Louisville on Sunday without standout forward Alyssa Ustby, UNC should feel good about possibly earning a top three seed, especially with hosting 10th-place Virginia (6 -10) to end the season. The question for the Tar Heels will

ed the voided trade that would have sent him out west to join LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

“It’s tough when you go from getting traded, thinking you’re going to LA, and then they choose to fail me on my physical. You have to shift your mind back,” Williams said. “I’m back with the guys in Charlotte, and tonight I got to play and show them, so I was happy I was able to do that. … I’ve been here my whole career so far, so players and staff welcoming me back was pretty seamless in that regard.”

When asked about the specifics of his failed physical, the former Duke star noted that he didn’t inquire into the details of the matter.

be Ustby’s timeline to return. As the Louisville game showed, it won’t be easy beating the better teams in the conference without its leading rebounder and double-digit scorer. Not having Ustby in the ACC Tournament could bring danger to UNC’s best possible seeding in March Madness as she’s a crucial piece on both sides of the ball. Duke’s final two games should feel like must-wins, though. The Blue Devils have a possible tiebreaker date with Florida State to end their regular season Sunday, and winning its final two games could be the difference of being a top four seed or not.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) blocks a shot by Washington Wizards forward Richaun Holmes (22) during a game earlier this month.

“I didn’t really want to hear anything, to be honest with you,” he said. “I didn’t think there was any world where I could fail my physical. Every time that I’ve been out, it’s been documented. I don’t know if, for them, it was what they gave up, or what went into that reasoning, but I don’t think it was solely because of my physical. I’ve been playing all year, and I think my minutes and my production on the court speaks for itself.”

While Williams is now back wearing purple and teal after envisioning himself in purple and gold, his availability throughout the rest of the 2024-25 campaign remains unknown as Charlotte treads care-

The Seminoles, who will host Sunday’s matchup, have won seven of their last nine and will look to challenge Duke’s stifling defense with the second-best scoring offense in the country. And along with winning out, Duke will need Louisville to lose at least once to possibly be a four seed. If Duke wants the best chance to be ACC champions, aiming for the best-case scenario is the way to go, especially after losing to each of the conference’s top four teams in the regular season. But even after NC State slayed the dragon and further proved how competitive the top

fully with his on-court usage. He was held out of last Thursday’s road matchup in Denver (37-20) as he continued to progress through a return to competition conditioning, but he returned to the floor on Saturday (10 points, five rebounds) as the Hornets were handed a 141-88 loss in Portland (24-33). Williams was then ruled out of an appearance in Charlotte’s Monday night road game against the Kings (28-28) due to “left foot injury management.”

Charlotte’s Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate have both seen increased playing time during the contests where Williams has been sidelined.

Averaging 15.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this season, Williams has been effective in the limited action he has seen this season, although his fluctuating health status and struggles guarding opposing centers have been floated as possible reasons as to why Charlotte’s front office agreed to the trade with the Lakers in the first place.

As for Williams’ future in the Queen City, he is hoping to prove that Charlotte should have never been willing to trade him in the first place.

“The rest of the way I’m just going to try and continue to show the player that I am, and I feel like I’ve been doing that all year,” he said.

Charlotte is set to begin a five-game homestand in the Spectrum Center starting with a visit from Washington (9-47) on Saturday night.

of the ACC is, the conference title still feels in favor of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame, the defending ACC champion, is having the best season in the ACC, taking down not only two of the top four teams in the conference but also some of the best teams in the country in now No. 5 UConn, No. 4 USC and No. 1 Texas. For the NCAA Tournament, the Fighting Irish are projected to be a one seed in ESPN’s Women’s Bracketology. Notre Dame has a good chance of being the last ACC team to win the national championship since it won it all in 2018.

COLIN HACKLEY / AP PHOTO

Then-UNC head coach Mack Brown, left, celebrates with fans after his team defeated Florida State in Tallahassee last November.

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

CUMBERLAND

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATOR TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Elizabeth Ann McGeachy, having qualified as Administrator for the Estate of Frank W. Gaskill, III, Deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, at the address indicated below, on or before May 21, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate should please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 20th day of February, 2025. Elizabeth Ann McGeachy Administrator for the Frank W. Gaskill, III Estate Schell Bray PLLC P. O. Box 21847 Greensboro, NC 27420 Michael H. Godwin SCHELL BRAY PLLC 230 North Elm Street, Suite 1000 Greensboro, NC 27401 For Publication: February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 2025.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 23E000229-250 Administrator’s/ Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator_____________________ of the Estate of Octavia Tara George__________________ , deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of May__________, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 31st day of January_______, 2025. Kehaulani George Administrator/Executor 3324 Silverspoon Rd Address Whiteville NC, 28472 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Octavia Tara George, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25E000050-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Thomas C. Herring, Jr., late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before May 6, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Dated this 6th day of February, 2025.

Susan J. Jordan, Executor of the Estate of Estate of Thomas C. Herring, Jr.

NICOLE A. CORLEY

MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990

COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #24E000846-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

claim to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of May, 2025, (which is three months from the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 13th day of February, 2025. Gary Earl Dudley, Administrator 347 Grape Arbor Drive Fayetteville, NC 28312 Of the Estate of Cary Earl Dudley, deceased Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25-E-000216-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Albert Francis Finn, III, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 6138 Ackerman Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348 on or before May 27, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 27th day of February, 2025.

03/13/2025 and 03/20/2025 NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY

TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

OF:

firms and corporations

Against Robert Lewis Morgan, deceased are notified to exhibit them to Joyce M. Aker, Administrator c/o Kenneth M. Johnson, P.A., 701 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, for decedent’s Estate, on or before the 13th day of May

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned, having qualified as Shirlene

Robinson of the Estate of Suzette Law, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of May, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 24th day of February, 2025. AdministratorExecutor Shirlene Robinson Address: 6381 Lake Trail Drive, Fayetteville, N.C. 28304. Of the Estate of Ms. Suzette Law.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF RUTH MARIE RUPPE aka RUTH LEDFORD RUPPE

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000076-250

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Ruth Marie Ruppe aka Ruth Ledford Ruppe deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Susan R. Black, Executor, at 313 Woodcrest Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before the 14th day of May, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 4th day of February, 2025.

Susan R. Black Executor of the Estate of Ruth Marie Ruppe aka Ruth Ledford Ruppe Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: February 13, February 20, February 27 and March 6, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF JOHN F. PENROSE, SR.

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 23E000501-250

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against John F. Penrose, Sr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 7th day of May, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 29th day of January, 2025.

Davis W. Puryear

Administrator of the Estate of John F. Penrose, Sr.

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: February 6, February 13, February 20 and February 27, 2025

NOTICE OF EXECUTOR TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Tonya Strickland, having qualified as Executor for the Estate of David Ray Nimocks, Jr., Deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, at the address indicated below, on or before May 14, 2025 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate should please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James A. Howard deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims Against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 22 day Of May, 2025 , (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 20th day of Feb, 2025 . Akisha M. Howard Administrator/ Executor 1802 Glenwick Dr. Fayetteville, NC, 28304 Of the Estate of James A. Howard, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In the General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E001652-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jacquetta Annette Kent, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of May, 2025, (which is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 12th day of February 2025

SAUL T. KENT, JR. – Executor 425 Hallmark Road Fayetteville NC 28303 Of the Estate of Jacquetta Annette Kent, deceased

This 13th day of February, 2025. Tonya Strickland Executor of the David Ray Nimocks, Jr. Estate Schell Bray PLLC P.O. Box 21847 Greensboro, NC 27420 Michael H. Godwin SCHELL BRAY PLLC 230 North Elm Street, Suite 1000 Greensboro, NC 27401 For Publication: February 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 2025.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000238-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Max Craven McClellan Sr., deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 28 day of May, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 19 day of February, 2025. David G. McClellan Administrator/Executor 315 Tolarsville Road Address Lumberton, NC 28358 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Max Craven McClellan Sr. Deceased

Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000122-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Joyce A. Smallwood aka Joyce Tew Smallwood, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 2108 Rock Hill Road, Eastover, North Carolina 28312, on or before May 14, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 13th day of February 2025. Gail Smallwood Nazarchyk Executor of the Estate of Joyce A. Smallwood aka Joyce Tew Smallwood, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 2/13/2025, 2/20/2025, 2/27/2025 and 03/06/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25E000130-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jerry Eugene Sykes, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before May 13, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 13th day of February, 2025. Judy Jackson Sykes, Executor of the Estate of Jerry Eugene Sykes NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR NEW

HANOVER

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, SANDRA POPE ABEYOUNIS, having qualified as EXECUTOR of the Estate of HARRY R. POPE AKA HARRY RUGGLE POPE, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said SANDA POPE ABEYOUNIS, at the address set out below, on or before May 24, 2025 or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 13th day of February, 2025. SANDRA POPE ABEYOUNIS EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF HARRY R. POPE AKA HARRY RUGGLE POPE c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Vivian Vincent Bordeaux and Gene Albert Vincent, II, having qualified on the 9th day of January 2025, as Co-Personal Representatives of the Estate of Ruth Moser Vincent (2025-E-45), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 26th day of May, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 20th day of February 2025. Vivian Vincent Bordeaux and Gene Albert Vincent, II Co-Personal Representatives ESTATE OF RUTH MOSER VINCENT David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: February 20, 2025,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 19 SP 553

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Yolanda R. Lowery in the original amount of $313,275.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation, November 20, 2014 and recorded on November 21, 2014, in Book 11195, Page 281, Cabarrus County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness

14 SP 281 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Duvall Avard Bailey and Milagros Altagracia Barsey to Ryland Title Company, Trustee(s), which was dated October 5, 2005 and recorded on October 11, 2005 in Book 6295 at Page 334, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

25SP000001-120 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Helmsman Homes, LLC, Eric Wood, Guarantor and Zeno B. Hawkins, Guarantor (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Helmsman Homes, LLC and Eric Wood, Guarantor and Zeno B. Hawkins, Guarantor) to Sean C. Walker, Trustee(s), dated January 18, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 16185, at Page 0240 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note 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 Cabarrus 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 Concord, Cabarrus

CUMBERLAND

24SP000438-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

at the Cabarrus County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 5, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Eric Wingfield and Zandra Wingfield, dated May 21, 2021 to

collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 374 Cessna Road, Concord, NC 28027 Tax Parcel ID: 46912187430000 Present Record Owners: Eric Wingfield The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Eric Wingfield. 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 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 offered for sale.

having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 10:00 A.M. on March 4, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 432 as shown on Subdivision Plat of The Mills, Phase 3, Map 2, recorded In Book 63 at Pages 100-101 in the Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Public Records. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 2271 Drake Mill Lane Southwest, Concord, North Carolina 28025 Tax ID: 5527-93-33430000 Third party purchasers must pay the recording cost of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk

on March 5, 2025 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit:

BEING all of Lot 156 of Canterfield Estates Subdivision, Phase 1, Map 1, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 38 at Pages 20 Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Deed Reference: Book 3495 Page 338 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 7135 Tabor Falls Drive, Harrisburg, NC 280758627.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on March 10, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kannapolis in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 78 of Mission Hills, Phase 2, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Map Book 46, Page 10 (a revision of Map Book 45, Pages 32 & 33) Cabarrus County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1699 Mission Oaks Street, Kannapolis, North Carolina. Also known as 1699 Mission Oaks Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 Parcel ID: 56233430630000

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Vincent D Thomas III and Roksolana Savyuk to Donna Bradford, Trustee(s), which was dated March 15, 2018 and recorded on March 15, 2018 in Book 10268 at Page 0832, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 7, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot No. 14, BLOCK “H” in a subdivision known as SHERWOOD PARK, SECTION 7, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, Page 26, Cumberland County, North Carolina, Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4627 Cheltenham Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are

of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of 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. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Yolanda

MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of 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. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Milagros Altagracia Barsey.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or

costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §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 are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior 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

immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of 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. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Vincent DePaul Thomas III and spouse, Roksolana Savyuk. An Order for possession of the property

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 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 no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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.

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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

may be issued pursuant to 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 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 no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A,

PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR

Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 5, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot No. 56, in a subdivision known as SUMMER HILL, SECTION THREE, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 32, Page 61, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 170 Summer Hill Rd, Fayetteville, NC 283032547. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY

DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of 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. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Rick D. Bailey. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to 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 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 no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. 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. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-30320-FC01

and by

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Fincher, Trustee(s), dated November 1, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 10400, at Page 0646 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note 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 Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24CV010653-250

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, Plaintiff,

v. APEX CONTRACTING GROUP, LLC F/K/A

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 23 SP 450 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Aaron Dean McLean and Audreanna N. McLean, in the original amount of $280,000.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc., dated June 3, 2022 and recorded on June 3, 2022 in Book 11489, Page 0268, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

foreclosed, the undersigned

in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 134 in a subdivision known as EVERGREEN ESTATES, SECTION III, being duly recorded in Book of Plats 23, at Page 40, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1742 Martindale Drive, Fayetteville North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s

discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

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

MOHAMMAD CONSTRUCTION, LLC, WINGS OF EAGLE FUND 1, LLC, NEW LIFE FIDELITY, INC, MOHAMMAD MOHAMMAD, and RONALD BATISTE, Defendants.

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

TO: Mohammad Mohammad, 2612

Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Mohammad Mohammad, 7100 Lake Myra Road, Raleigh, NC 27591 Mohammad Mohammad, 1022 Sandlin Pl., Apt. D., Raleigh, NC 27606

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 1:30PM on March 5, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: PIN: 9496-10-1398 Property Address: 2704 Aloine Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Being all of Lot 69, in a subdivision known as Parkers Ridge Estates, Section One, Part B as shown on plat of same duly recorded in Plat Book 117, Page 67, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 2704 Aloine Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28306. Tax ID: 9496-10-1398 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina

the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 6, 2025 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Durham County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOTS 1 AND 2 IN BLOCK C OF REVISED NORTH PARK DEVELOPMENT AS PER PLAT AND SURVEY THEREOF ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF DURHAM COUNTY IN PLAT BOOK 55 AT PAGE 197, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF SAME. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 737 Harold Drive, Durham, NC 27712. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following

Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on March 5, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at the southern edge of Sprague Street at the northeastern corner of Roy J. Griffin and running thence east with the southern line of Sprague Street 50 feet to the northwestern corner of Hilda Lucille Brown property; running thence with the western line of Brown Southwardly 150 feet to an alley; running thence along said alley westwardly 50 feet to Roy J. Griffin’s southeastern corner; running thence northwardly with Griffin and parallel with Sink Street, 150 feet to the Place of Beginning, said Place of Beginning being located 50 feet to the east of Sink Street (see Deed Book 192, Page 193). Also known as Lot 106, Block 749 on the Forsyth County Tax Maps. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1102 East Sprague Street, Winston Salem, North Carolina. Property Address: 1102 East Sprague Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107-3431 Tax Block: 0749 / Lot: 106

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 Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on March 5, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Rural Hall in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point in the intersection of Pine Street and Lee Street, the northern margin of Lee Street and the eastern margin of Pine Street, and continuing from said point along the eastern margin of Pine Street, North 03 deg. 31’ 10” East 75.14 feet to an existing iron pin, the southwest corner of Velner Sprinkle; thence South 84 deg. 52’ East 107.91 feet to an existing iron pin, a common point with Wallace R. Hatcher; thence South 03 deg. 32’ 30” West 74.65 feet to a point on the northern margin of Lee Street; thence continuing along said northern margin, North 85 deg. 07’ 30” West 107.87 to the point and place of beginning according to a survey by Callicutt Surveyors dated 5/4/93 and denoted as job no. 93-90. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7755 Pine Street, Rural Hall, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 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

General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of 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. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of

the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of 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. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Lisa Haden. An Order for possession of the property may

Parcel Identifier No.: 6844-05-9539

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §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 N.C.G.S. §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 are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded

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 N.C.G.S. §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 are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior 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%)

the property are Aaron Dean McLean and Audreanna N. McLean. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §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 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 no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement,

be issued pursuant to 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 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 no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. 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

releases.

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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24SP002592-910

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Donnie McQueen and Cynthia McQueen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Donnie McQueen) to Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Trustee(s), dated September 15, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 019151, at Page 02556 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note 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 Wake 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 Wake County Courthouse door, the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY

16SP002399-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM F. HARDWICK, III AND ANGELA DAVIS HARDWICK DATED OCTOBER 4, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 12205 AT PAGE 212 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED ON JULY 2, 2014 AT BOOK 15709, PAGE 911 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24SP001803-910

Under and by virtue of the power of sale granted to New Hope Crossing Homeowner’s Association, Inc. pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §47F-3-116 and in accordance with their bylaws and corporate resolutions be it known that said Homeowners’ Association intends to sell property owned by (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Clara O. Ohia, ) secured by a Claim of Lien bearing file number 23M004018-910 filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Wake County North Carolina on September 14, 2023. Due to a default being made in the payment of dues owed to the Homeowner’s Association and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the Claim of Lien evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Claim of Lien be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake

22SP002486-910 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sedrick D. Hayes and Angela T. Hayes to Allstar, Trustee(s), which was dated October 10, 2013 and recorded on October 21, 2013 in Book 015478 at Page 00822, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake

COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP000110-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF

DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PETE N. MUHAMMAD DATED AUGUST 16,

AND RECORDED IN

Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 10, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: CONTAINING 0.40 acres, more or less, and being all of New Lot 119 of the Recombination Plat Tract 2, 3,Lot 119 & Lot 120 Lincoln Park Subdivision Property of DONNIE McQUEEN as per plat and survey thereof now on file in Book of Maps 2017 at page 2051 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, to which plat reference is hereby expressly made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 105 Star Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. Address of Premises: 105 STAR ST RALEIGH, NC 27610 Tax or Assessor Parcel Number: 0077682 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be

expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 13, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed William F. Hardwick, III and Angela Davis Hardwick, dated October 4, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $359,176.00, and recorded in Book 12205 at Page 212 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 399 Virginia Water Dr, Rolesville, NC 27571 Tax Parcel ID: 0332406 Present Record Owners: William Hardwick, III and Angela Davis Hardwick

County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on March 10, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All of Lot 209 in NEW HOPE CROSSING Subdivision, Phase Eight, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 1999, Page 85, WAKE County Registry, to which map reference is hereby mad for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4324 Standing Road Way, Raleigh, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §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

County, North Carolina, to wit:

All that certain lot or parcel of land situate in the County of Wake, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Being all of Lot 29, Phase One of The Park at Perry Creek Subdivision as shown in Book of Maps 1999, Pages 2121-2129, Wake County Registry.

BEING the same property conveyed to Sedrick D. Hayes and Angela T. Hayes from Mitchell Kearney and Ellen D. Jefferson Kearney, by Deed dated November 20, 2009, and recorded on November 30, 2009, in Book 13779, Page 1276.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5309 Neuse Wood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00),

12710 AT PAGE 2505 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on March 6, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Pete N. Muhammad, dated August 16, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $105,994.00, and recorded in Book 12710 at Page 2505 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3204 Winfield Ct, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID: 0032422 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Pete N. Muhammad The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Pete N. Muhammad. The property to be offered pursuant to

of Trust executed Sabino Escorza, dated April 10, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $100,750.00, and recorded in Book 11909 at Page 2543 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 101 Bainbridge Cir, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 1710860760 / 98410 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Sabino Escorza The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Sabino Escorza. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for

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 N.C.G.S. §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 are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior 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

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William Hardwick, III and Angela Davis Hardwick. 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 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any

N.C.G.S. §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 Claim of Lien, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the Claim of Lien 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 are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior 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

whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of 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. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Sedrick D. Hayes.

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 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as

sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid

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/ payoff of the Claim of Lien without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes 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

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to 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 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 no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the

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

WAKE

OF FORECLOSURE SALE

CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 18-SP-346

and by virtue of a Power of Sale

in that certain Deed of Trust

by Kevin Wingler and April Wingler,

in the original amount of

to American General Financial

Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 28th, 2008 and recorded on July 29th, 2008 in

08360, Page 0029, as instrument

24518, and subsequently modified by Loan Modification recorded on March 25th, 2010 in Book 09098 at Page 0102 and/or Instrument Number NA, Cabarrus

having been made in the

of

thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cabarrus 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 or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain property situated in the County of Cabarrus, and State of North Carolina, being described as follows: Being all of Lot 218 Rocky River Crossing Map 5 Section 2 as shown on that plat recorded in Map Book 36, Page 22 of the Cabarrus County Registry to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Being the property conveyed in warranty Deed from MDC Homes - Charlotte, LLC to Kevin Wingler and April Wingler, dated 02/25/2003, recorded 02/27/2003, in Deed Book 4345, Page 39, in the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Tax Parcel Identification Number: 1-10B-218 Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 6229 Rose Way Court, Harrisburg, NC 28075

Tax ID: 01-010B-0218.00 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of 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. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Rocky River Crossing Homeowners Association, Inc.. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Winter wonderland

It was a snowy, idyllic scene looking south down the train tracks running through the middle of Southern Pines in the aftermath of last week’s blast of wintry weather.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Medical helicopter crashes in eastern N.C.

Wilmington Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a medical helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant Health says three team members on the AirLink helicopter on Monday night were transported for evaluation but that no patients were on board. The FAA says the Eurocopter EC -135 helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant says the team consisted of a pilot, a critical care registered nurse and a critical care paramedic. They were in fair condition Tuesday.

Greensboro-native

Rhiannon Giddens cancels Kennedy Center show

New York

Rhiannon Giddens, an Awardwinning singer-musician and Greensboro-native is the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has forced out the center’s leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees. Actor Issa Rae, author Louise Penny and the rock band Low Cut Connie also have canceled events. Singersongwriter Victoria Clark went ahead with her show but wore an anti-Trump T-shirt. Giddens is an eclectic roots musician known for co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

$2.00

County enters next phase of first responder training center build

The emergency training facility has been in the works since 2017

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Stanly

County is continuing to move forward with the site construction work for the North Carolina Emergency Training Center that is slated for completion later this year.

At the county commissioners meeting on Feb. 17, commissioners unanimously approved a budget amendment designating $3.25 million from the county’s general fund cash reserves for the expanded training center at the Stanly County Airport.

Prior to the vote, County Manager Andy Lucas explained

Albemarle city council selects contractor for street resurfacing

The city awarded NJR Group as the project’s contractor

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council recently named the contractor that the city will pay to carry out a requested street resurfacing project. On Feb. 17, the council unanimously awarded lowest-bidder NJR Group as the project contractor with a total bid package of $768,553.50. NJR Group is a New London-based, full-service industrial construction company that has specialized for the past decade in working on highways,

roadways, airports and railroads, along with both commercial and residential construction.

Just last year, NJR Group was given a $2.3 million contract from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to bring improvements to nearly nine miles of roads in Cabarrus County. In 2024, NJR was also responsible for revamping an alleyway in downtown Albemarle — stretching from West Main Street to King Avenue — that was officially rebranded into Courthouse Plaza, the city’s newest public gathering space.

The company is now tasked with leading Albemarle’s street resurfacing project, which will cover a 1.86-mile combined distance on Bird Road, Cannon Avenue, Louise Lane, Brittany

“I just want to stay within the budget year if at all possible.” Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall

Court, Amanda Drive, Lauras Lane, Cardinal Drive, Kingsley Drive and Old Charlotte Road.

While bids were originally opened Jan. 16, no bids were received in the process, therefore requiring a rebid.

After the project was readvertised, two contractors submitted bids for the project on Feb. 3. The low bid ($616,829) for the base bid belonged to NJR Group, while second bidder JT Russell and Sons submitted a base bid nearly

that he needed to amend a contract with the developer to include updated financial information in order to start the next chapter of site development.

“The county has received the guaranteed maximum price for the site development of phase two of the N.C. Emergency Training Center from Barnhill Construction Company, which includes the county’s prorated share for the new 911 facility and warehouse facilities,” Lucas said. “Our portion will not exceed $3.25 million.”

The county manager explained that amount will pay for the grading for the prorated share of all stormwater infrastructure, on-site water and sewer installation; funding will also pay for ingress and egress

$75,000 higher at $691,243.

Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall inquired into the project’s timetable.

“It’s 120 days once the notice to proceed has been given to the contract,” said Ross Holshouser, Albemarle’s public works director. “Once the notice to proceed is given to the contractor, they’re on the clock.”

“Today is Feb. 17, and this is for this fiscal year. If they’re not done, then we go into next year. I just want to stay within the budget year if at all possible,” Hall said.

Holshouser said that it was “going to be close.”

“We hope 120 days is plenty of time — originally it was 90 days,” he added.

Based on a pavement maintenance plan street list released by the Albemarle Public Works Department, the resurfacing project is divided up into five groups and 22 sections.

The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on March 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

COURTESY NC STATE FIRE MARSHAL The North Carolina Emergency Training Center is currently being constructed at the Stanly County Airport.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

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911 CENTER from page A1

access roads, curbs and gutters, sidewalks and the paving of parking lot areas.

Additional project budget amendments will be required later to recognize loan proceeds and more general fund reserves to cover the cost of the project.

“This will get Barnhill started with all the site work,” Lucas added. “In the meantime, we’ll be going down the parallel path of working to figure out how much reserves, the grant money we got from the 911 Board, the grant money we got from the Office of Management Budget, and then what the balance is so that we can put an RFP (request for proposal) out to the bank so we can get financing to cover the rest of the facility.”

The training facility will be operated by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal in partnership with the N.C. Air National Guard Fire Department and Stanly County.

Designed to provide firefighters and rescue members with specialized training, the expansion project is positioned to evolve into the most advanced emergency training ground in the country thanks to a state-of-the-art aircraft fire fighting flight-crash simulator.

Swift water rescue, aircraft firefighting, urban search and rescue, hazmat and fire investigation technician courses are among the training areas that the proposed facility will focus on.

The 911 center was originally established in 2017 and was given assistance four years later when former Gov. Roy Cooper signed a $28 million bipartisan state budget bill for the center.

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners is set to hold its next regular meeting on March 3 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

USDA scholarship for students at historically black colleges suspended

Students awarded the scholarship will continue their work

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A

federal scholarship aimed at boosting students from underserved and rural areas attending historically black colleges and universities has been put on hold.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended the 1890 Scholars Program, which provided recipients with full tuition and fees for students studying agriculture, food or natural resource sciences at one of 19 universities, known as the 1890 land grant institutions. It’s not clear exactly when the program was suspended, but some members of Congress first issued statements criticizing the suspension of the program last Thursday. “The 1890 Scholars Program

has been suspended pending further review,” the Department of Agriculture said in a post on the program’s website.

The suspension coincides with a funding freeze President Donald Trump’s administration instituted. Administration officials had said the pause was necessary to review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders on issues like climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

A spokesperson for the department said Saturday in an email to The Associated Press that “every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department.” The spokesperson added that Secretary Brooke Rollins will review the scholarship program, its mission and its metrics to ensure taxpayer resources are used efficiently.

Snowy roads lead to hundreds of highway crashes

Fifty-three vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in a single county

The Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. — Roads in Virginia and North Carolina were treacherous for days last week after unusually heavy snow led to hundreds of accidents, including crashes on an interstate that involved more than 50 vehicles. Meanwhile, a polar vortex sent temperatures plunging from the Northern Great Plains all the way to Louisiana.

Two separate collisions stopped traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange County, North Carolina, last Wednesady and the stopped vehicles were struck from behind, including a tractor trailer that hit a passenger vehicle, causing a fatality, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. A total of 53 vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in the area, the highway patrol said. The driver of the tractor trailer was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for conditions.

The highway patrol respond-

CRIME REPORT

Feb. 18

ed to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide last Wednesday, according to Sgt. Christopher Knox. Crashes that day closed portions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh.

Virginia State Police reported last Thursday that there had been well over 800 crashes statewide since heavy snow pounded parts of the mid-Atlantic the day before. At least 45 crashes involved injuries but no fatalities.

Emergency workers in Suffolk, Virginia, rescued two people from an SUV that crashed into water last Wednesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Fire & Rescue. Photos the department posted on social media showed rescuers stretching a ladder to the vehicle’s roof and helping one person clinging to the roof rails crawl across the ladder to land.

That day’s snowfall in Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the eighth-highest one-day snowfall total the coastal city has ever recorded, Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer said. Norfolk officially recorded about 10.2 inches of snow, he said.

High snowfall isn’t unprec-

Jamie Brandon Honeycutt, 37, was arrested for assault by strangulation, habitual misdemeanor assault, assault causing serious bodily injury and assault on a female.

• Justin Edward Efird, 37, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, breaking into a motor vehicle, assault by pointing a gun and second-degree trespass.

Feb. 19

Thomas Anthony Brown, 44, was arrested for breaking and entering.

Jeremy Lee Woodle, 37, was arrested for shoplifting by concealing goods, disorderly conduct in a public building

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-yearstype storm.”

Scott Kleebauer, NWS Meteorologist

edented, he said, but it’s “certainly rare.”

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-years-type storm,” Kleebauer said.

Children in the city of 230,000 on the Chesapeake Bay used boogie boards to sled down a small hill, while some adults cleared off cars with leaf blowers. Many roadways were still covered in slush, if not snow, while authorities urged everyone to stay off the roads to give plows time to come through.

“People aren’t used to driving in these kinds of conditions,” said Jared Brooks, a surgeon at a local hospital, while shoveling the sidewalk outside of his house. “And they just don’t slow down appropriately. And they get kind of crazy. People just need to stay home and not even try to drive unless they have to.”

and misdemeanor larceny.

Feb. 20

Michael Dean Smart, 43, was arrested for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Justin Kase Gilbert, 39, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

Feb. 22

• Madison Breasia Rushing, 19, was arrested for driving after consuming alcohol under 21, using a fake or altered registration card, reckless driving with wanton disregard, driving an unregistered vehicle and improperly attaching a registration plate.

The funding freeze has been challenged in court, with a temporary hold on the executive action already in place.

The affected universities include Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T and Tuskegee University in Alabama, among others.

The scholarship program dates to 1992, but 1890 in the title refers to the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which established historically Black colleges and universities.

Eligibility rules include being a U.S. citizen with a GPA of 3.0 or better, along with acceptance to one of the 19 1890 land grant universities. Eligible students must also study agriculture or related fields and “demonstrate leadership and community service,” according to the department’s site.

In October, the department said it had set aside $19.2 million for the program. In fiscal year 2024, 94 students were awarded scholarships, the department said.

Schools were closed or relying on remote learning throughout large parts of Virginia and North Carolina, while several thousand electric customers were remained without power through last Thursday. About 1,800 flights were canceled or delayed across the U.S., including about 250 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport last Thursday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com.

Meanwhile, an arctic air mass was bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States, and forecasters expected some locations in the Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season, according to the Weather Prediction Center. In Detroit, a large water main break left dozens of people without power and heat amid temperatures well below freezing.

Frigid temperatures broke daily cold records across 45 weather stations ranging from North Dakota to Louisiana, Kleebauer said. Parts of Texas also broke daily cold records set in 2021 when a deadly winter storm caused the state’s power grid to mostly collapse.

But a “big change” is on the horizon, Kleebauer said. Last Thursday was expected to be the “last truly cold day” across the country as temperatures rose nearly everywhere this week.

Feb. 24

Joshua Lyreek Miller, 21, was arrested for possessing a weapon of mass destruction.

Fabion Jammalle Hall, 32, was arrested for fleeing arrest with a motor vehicle, speeding, operating a vehicle without insurance, reckless driving with wanton disregard, failing to heed lights or sirens, resisting a public officer and failing to yield at a stop sign or flashing red light.

Elondia Harvey Hinson, 26, was arrested for possessing methamphetamine, possessing marijuana up to half an ounce, possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing marijuana paraphernalia and driving with a revoked license not due to impairment.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended a scholarship that benefited HBCU students.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

America is back

President Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic.

SINCE HIS INAUGURATION on Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump has worked tirelessly to restore border security, enforce our nation’s laws and make clear that your constitutional rights shall not be infringed. Following four years of chaos, Trump has sent a clear message: America is back, and he’s just getting started.

After just one month back in office, Trump reestablished the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, restarted construction of the border wall, ramped up deportation flights of criminal illegals, and ended the dangerous Biden-era “catch-andrelease” policy. These are just a few of the actions Trump has taken to regain control of our border and crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic, including sharply reducing illegal border crossings in just his first 11 days back in office. This is the “Trump Effect” in action, and it’s only just the beginning. I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am continuing to work in lockstep with Trump to advance policies in Congress that will secure our borders and protect our communities. Just last week, our House Republican majority passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act with bipartisan support.

This legislation, which I was proud to vote for, ensures that criminal illegals who try to flee from Border Patrol agents in a high-speed chase will face jail time and be subject to deportation. Too many of our law enforcement have paid the tragic price for illegals recklessly breaking our laws and engaging in this dangerous, reckless behavior to avoid detention. House passage of this legislation sends a clear warning to anyone crossing our borders illegally: If you put our Border Patrol agents in harm’s way, you will face serious consequences.

| MICHAEL BARONE

Additionally, I recently introduced the Protect Medicaid Act to prevent your tax dollars from being used to subsidize illegals’ health care costs and ensure we are taking care of our most vulnerable Americans. Over the past few years, liberal states like California have gamed the system to provide Medicaid benefits to illegals at the expense of hardworking taxpayers like you.

Not only is this already against the law, but it further incentivizes more illegal crossings at our border and puts our citizens who truly depend on the program on the backburner. This is unacceptable, and my commonsense bill will put a stop to it.

Back at home, I visited the Family Traditions Gun Range recently to talk about the need for my Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Whether you have a concealed carry permit or live in a Constitutional carry state, every state should recognize it when you travel — just like a driver’s license. Our Second Amendment right does not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my bipartisan H.R. 38 would guarantee that.

Trump has also taken executive action to safeguard your freedoms and end the left’s unconstitutional attacks on your right to keep and bear arms. Working together, we will ensure your Second Amendment rights are protected — not targeted.

Whether it’s securing our border or defending our freedoms, Trump and Republicans in Congress are delivering on our promise to change the direction of our country. While there is a lot more to accomplish, rest assured we will Make America Great Again.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The policies of European elites end in tears

Merkel’s policies, hailed by European elites at the time, now “lie in ruins,” writes The Economist.

IF YOU FOLLOW these things closely, you may have seen a clip of the chairman of the Munich Security Conference breaking down in tears, unable to speak any further while reflecting on Vice President JD Vance’s speech there. This breakdown is remarkable because the chairman, Christoph Heusgen, is not a minor apparatchik but a sophisticated and knowledgeable official who was former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s national security adviser from 2005 to 2017.

He had a front-row seat to Merkel’s epochal decisions — to shut down nuclear plants in 2011, admit 1 million Muslim male “refugees” in 2015, and hold defense spending far below the 2% level sought by the second Obama and first Trump administrations. His previous appearance on social media came when, as head of Germany’s United Nations delegation in 2018, he led his colleagues in laughing derisively at President Donald Trump’s criticism of Germany’s reliance on Russian natural gas.

Heusgen’s tears were apt. Merkel’s policies, hailed by European elites at the time, now “lie in ruins,” writes The Economist.

Vance’s speeches in Munich and earlier in Paris criticized Europe generally and Germany in particular for stifling technological innovation, for suppressing speech — especially opposition to mass migration — and for spending well below NATO targets on defense. The European elites have had things their way and have led their societies on a path to decline.

This is cause for regret for those with memories of the many dazzling successes of America’s trans-Atlantic alliance in response to Soviet aggression after World War II. America revived Western Europe’s war-torn economy with the Marshall Plan in 1948, deftly prevented possible communist victories in elections

in Italy and France in 1948, kept West Berlin free with the airlift in 1948-49, and established the NATO alliance in 1949.

The result was a prosperous and free Western Europe in the next three decades — les trente glorieuses, in French — and the fall of the Soviet empire from 1989 to 1991. Peace has mostly prevailed in Europe for 80 years, almost as long as the 99 years of Metternich’s Congress of Europe and Bismarck’s balance of power between 1815 and 1914.

American postwar statesmanship was less successful in Asia. American leaders found it impossible to prevent the communist takeover of China in 1949, and 37,000 Americans died preventing one in South Korea from 1950 to 1953. Some 58,000 Americans died fighting alongside South Vietnam, which fell in 1975. In the meantime, Japan’s economy boomed, followed by similar growth in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore — and then, accelerating in the 1990s, in China itself.

As Vance noted last week, while America and China produce innovative technology, Europe, the fount of creativity from the 17th century to the early 20th century, now smothers it in overregulation. Europe’s criminal prosecutions of speech, including accurate reports of migrants’ criminal attacks and even of politically incorrect abortion statements made by citizens in their own houses, are repugnant to traditional American mores.

And while Eastern Europe has increased defense spending in response to Russia’s threats, the large nations of Western Europe have been lagging. Trump administration foreign policy seems to be following Colby’s blueprint. His strategy seems to be to leave Europe to cabin in its hostile regional hegemonic power, Russia, and to leave Israel (with Abraham Accord bolstering)

to deal with its hostile regional hegemon, Iran. That’s caused some Republicans, especially Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), to voice doubts about his nomination.

But the strong negative reaction to the loss of 7,000 Americans in Iraq and 2,500 in Afghanistan made the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations averse to sending any U.S. military forces into Ukraine, where casualties could be much higher, or against Iran after perceived failure in Iraq.

The central task of American foreign policy should be to build our defense capabilities and increase our forward posture to make it clear to China’s leaders that they have no chance to seize Taiwan.

In the meantime, as in even the best years of the American-led trans-Atlantic partnership, there are some ugly things that need to be done. The failure of Ukraine’s offensive in 2023 and America’s unwillingness and Europe’s inability to send their own military forces or larger and more effective weapons to Ukraine in 2023 and 2024 have reduced the alternatives to continued violent war and morally unsatisfying peace.

You can lament, as I do, Vance’s cold indifference when, in February 2022, he said he doesn’t “really care what happens to Ukraine,” as well as Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine “started it.” You can look back at former President Barack Obama and former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron’s failure, when Russia seized Crimea in 2014, to act on America and Britain’s guarantee to Ukraine in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

But given where things are now, do you have a better course in mind?

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN

AA flight from New York to New Delhi lands in Rome after security concern

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets

The Associated Press

ROME — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi landed safely in Rome on Sunday afternoon after it was diverted due to a security concern, which later proved to be “non-credible,” the airline said.

American Airlines said Flight 292 “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart.”

It didn’t clarify the cause of the security concern, but added an inspection was required by protocol before the flight could land in New Delhi.

“The flight will stay in Rome overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible,” the airline said.

An Associated Press reporter filmed two fighter jets flying over the airport shortly before the unscheduled landing. Fire trucks were visible on the landing strip on one side of the plane after it landed.

Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers on board, said the captain announced that the

plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

Chopra, who was traveling from Detroit to visit family, described the mood on the plane as calm after the initial announcement but said he began to feel stressed when the captain later announced that fighter jets would be escorting their plane to Rome.

“I felt a little panic of, ‘OK, what’s going on here?’” Chopra told the AP. “There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.”

Passenger Jonathan Bacon,

22, from Dayton, Ohio, started paying attention to the flight tracker on the seatback in front of him after the captain’s announcement of a “diversion due to a security issue,” observing the plane’s sharp turn away from New Delhi and route back toward Rome.

Passengers had no internet connection for much of the flight, Bacon said, with only some spotty access that clued them into early reports of the situation about two hours before landing.

After landing, Bacon said all passengers were loaded onto buses and taken to the terminal, where each passenger and their

The captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

personal items underwent additional security screenings that were time-consuming and felt “slightly heightened,” especially for arrivals. More than two hours after landing, Bacon and his friend said they were still waiting for their checked baggage, which they said was also undergoing security screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon said.

A spokesperson for the airport said it was continuing to operate normally.

Hegseth says he fired top military lawyers because they weren’t well suited for jobs

Several JAG officers, as well as the chief of naval operations, were reassigned

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.

President Donald Trump on Friday abruptly fired the chairman, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement. The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph

B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, were fired. The removals — which came without any specified reasons in terms of their conduct — sent a new wave of apprehension through the Pentagon. And they added to the broader confusion over the changing parameters of Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees provide recent job accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired,

even though government officials later said the edict is voluntary. Throughout the Pentagon on Monday, military and civilian workers juggled their routine national security duties with a growing unease that anyone could be next on the firing block.

Hegseth has defended Trump’s firing of Brown, saying it was not unusual and the president deserves to pick his own team. The defense chief argued

that other presidents made changes in military personnel.

Trump’s choice of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine is unusual. Caine would have to come back onto active duty, but he does not meet the legal requirements for the top post. According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief.

Those requirements can be waived by the president. Histor-

ically, Pentagon leaders have deliberately shifted top admirals and generals into a job as service chief for even a brief period of time in order to qualify them for the chairman’s post.

In recent decades, a number of three-and four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of America’s nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders.

Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and only the second black general to serve as chairman, is the first in that post to be fired in recent history. Hegseth made it clear before he took the secretary’s job that he thought Brown should be fired, and he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was black.

Hegseth has also repeatedly argued that military officers would be reviewed “based on meritocracy.” It’s unclear, however, how Franchetti, Slife and the lawyers were evaluated and what meritocracy they were found to lack.

As a result, Pentagon workers are left to decipher whether the officers were fired due to political reasons or because of their race or gender. Hegseth has laid out a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. And there have been persistent threats from the Trump administration that military officers advocating diversity and equity — or so-called “wokeism” — could be targeted.

Hegseth has said that efforts to expand diversity and equity have eroded the military’s readiness.

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP PHOTO

American Airlines flight AA292 en route from New York to New Delhi that turned around over the Caspian Sea on Sunday sits on the tarmac of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International airport.

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Monday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

STANLY SPORTS

Stanly basketball teams qualify for state playoffs

Five local teams received a state tournament bid

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

STANLY COUNTY — With conference tournaments out of the way, the postseason continued for five Stanly County varsity basketball teams within the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs.

Two boys’ teams — the 16th-seeded North Stanly Comets (21-6) and 10th-seeded South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (16-8) — joined the 29th-seeded Comets (13-12), 27th-seeded West Stanly Colts (14-11), and third-seeded Albemarle Bulldogs (22-4) girls’ teams in receiving a bid to play in the first round of the NCHSAA tournament.

Albemarle and South Stanly were seeded to their respective 1A brackets, while West Stanly and North Stanly are the coun-

ty’s two 2A representatives.

On Tuesday, the Comet boys hosted No. 17 Walkertown (16 -9) in New London; the Comet girls traveled to High Point to square off with T.W. Andrews (22-1).

Over in Norwood, the South Stanly boys hosted No. 23 Avery County (14-11).

The Colts girls faced a familiar Rocky River Conference opponent in No. 6 Forest Hills (23-3) on the road, while the Albemarle girls’ squad hosted No. 30 Bessemer City (14-12).

Out of the five Stanly teams to make the playoffs, only one of them is coming off a conference championship victory — the Bulldogs girls knocked off Union Academy (21-2) at home in a 61-54 heavyweight fight for the Yadkin Valley Conference crown on Feb. 21.

As the highest-seeded local team in the state playoffs, Albemarle has been on a roll as of late, winning 13 games in a row after a loss to Union Acade -

my back on Jan. 9. The Bulldogs went on to win 18 of their next 20 matchups after losing two of their first six games this season. Their seven-point victory over the Cardinals in the YVC Tournament finale gave Albemarle both a conference championship and a revenge win over the second-ranked team in the YVC.

Led by star point guard and Winston Salem State University signee Amari Baldwin, Albemarle is looking to progress in the tournament like it did last season but instead advance past a fourth-round hurdle the team hit in the previous tournament; Baldwin broke the all-time women’s basketball county points record last month.

The second round of playoff action is set for Friday night, followed by a third round on Tuesday and a fourth round next Friday. The dates for the Final Four regionals and state championships will be announced at a later date.

Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson

Atlanta hosted another thrilling Cup Series finish

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Christopher Bell edged Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in overtime Sunday in another close NASCAR Cup Series finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Bell led only the final lap in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and had a slight edge on the outside when the caution light came on in overtime following a wreck by Josh Berry.

“That last lap of the race

we were at our best,” Bell said. The 30-year-old Oklahoma driver has 10 career Cup victories.

Austin Cindric led in his Team Penske Ford before he and William Byron, the Daytona 500 winner last week, wrecked with three laps remaining, setting up the overtime.

Kyle Busch finished seventh, ending his hopes of snapping a winless streak on the Cup Series. Busch won the Atlanta Truck Series race Saturday but is still looking for his first Cup win since 2023 after having his NASCAR-record 19-year streak with at least one win end last year.

Larson failed to finish the last four and five of the last six Atlan-

ta races and was involved in accidents in each of the six.

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates claimed the spotlight in the Cup Series’ first two weeks. Chase Elliott won The Clash on Feb. 2 before Byron avoided late wrecks to win the Daytona 500.

Larson’s string of bad luck ended Sunday after he qualified only 17th. Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, surged late to win the second stage.

Wrecks for Elliott, Suarez

Elliott was in the top 10 when his Hendricks Motorsports Chevrolet hit the wall late in the second stage and then hit

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ikey Holt and Kaiden Dahle

South Stanly, wrestling

Kaiden Dahle and Ikey Holt are juniors on the South Stanly wrestling team. The pair both placed in the NCHSAA individual state wrestling championships. Dahle (right), who posted a 31-6 record in the regular season, finished fourth at 120 pounds. Holt (left), 33-1 in the regular season, recorded his 100th career victory during the tournament and finished third at 126 pounds.

“That last lap of the race we were at our best.”

Christopher Bell

Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing’s Ford, ending Keselowski’s race. Elliott finished 18th.

Daniel Suarez, who edged Ryan Blaney and Busch in a thrilling three-wide finish in Atlanta’s 2024 February race, saw his hopes for a repeat end when he was involved in a seven-car crash early in the third stage. Cole Custer, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson and JJ Yaley also were involved. Blaney was in contention before his late one-car spin caused a caution, but he rallied to finish fourth.

Sharp-dressed man

Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist and singer for the rock

group ZZ Top, served as the grand marshal and gave the “start your engines” command.

New deal for Heim with 23XI

The 23XI Racing team announced a multiyear deal with Corey Heim as a development driver. Heim will drive a limited number of Cup Series races in the No. 67 Toyota and also will compete in Xfinity races, including next week at Circuit of the Americas. His first Cup race on the new deal will be at Kansas Speedway on May 11. Heim made three Cup starts for 23XI last year and has a Truck Series win at Daytona this year. He finished 23rd in Saturday’s Truck Series race in Atlanta.

Up next

The Cup Series moves to Austin, Texas, and Circuit of the Americas next Sunday.

Christopher Bell spins out, doing doughnuts to celebrate his victory in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA

76ers coach Nurse sits Embiid for entire 4th quarter in loss to Brooklyn Philadelphia Joel Embiid got benched and the 76ers got beat at the horn. Philadelphia lost their seventh straight game, this one on a buzzer-beating tip-in against Brooklyn with Embiid on the bench. The oft-injured Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter in the 105-102 loss after a rough three quarters. Embiid scored 14 points in 31 minutes, missed all six 3-point attempts and was a bystander in the fourth when the 76ers rallied from 17 down to take the lead late before the buzzerbeater.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Arizona apologizes for ‘unacceptable chant’ from fans at end of basketball loss to BYU Tuscon, Ariz.

Arizona apologized after the school says some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU. According to online video, fans can be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court. BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give BYU the road victory at No. 19 Arizona.

MLB Rodriguez makes halfcourt shot, wins Bucknell student $10K Lewisburg, Pa.

Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez showed his skill on the hardwood, making a half-court shot to win a Bucknell student $10,000. The 14-time All-Star was invited to take the shot Sunday during halftime of Bucknell’s basketball game against Army. The 49-year-old tossed a high-a rching shot that banked off the backboard and through the hoop. The three-time MVP was at Bucknell to speak about his company Jump Platforms, which he founded with two other entrepreneurs, Jordy Leiser and Marc Lore.

Charlotte among cities vying for WNBA team

The league has said it will add a 16th team in 2028

By Doug Feinberg

The Associated Press

FORMER NBA player Michael Carter-Williams is hoping to get a WNBA franchise in Boston whether it’s through expansion or being a destination for a current team that wants to move.

He’s part of The Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group that is spearheading the initiative. The group hasn’t submitted a bid to the WNBA, although they’ve talked with the company that the league hired to handle the expansion bids process.

“The main objective is to get a team in Boston,” Carter-Williams said in a phone interview last Thursday. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an expansion team or a team that wants to sell and move to Boston.”

Boston hosted a sold out WNBA game last year when the Connecticut Sun played a contest at TD Garden — home of the Boston Celtics. Another regular-season game will

be played at TD Garden this year when Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take on the Sun.

The deadline to submit an expansion bid was Jan. 30.

The WNBA has already announced three expansion teams that will start play over the next two years, with Golden State beginning this season and Toronto and Portland starting in 2026. The league has said it would add a 16th team to begin play in 2028.

Here’s a look at some of the interested cities.

Cleveland expansion bid

The Ohio city’s ownership group is led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. A report from the Sports Business Journal said it was “likely” for Cleveland to get the next expansion team, although the deal isn’t done yet.

Nashville expansion bid

The Nashville contingent is led by the chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, Bill Haslam, and his wife,

Crissy. The couple has lined up a group of investors including Candace Parker, Peyton Manning and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Unlike other franchises, the Nashville group already has a name for its franchise — the Tennessee Summitt — in honor of the late Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.

Charlotte, Detroit and Houston expansion bids

Three cities that previously had WNBA franchises are looking to get back into the women’s game. Bids by groups in Charlotte, Detroit and Houston are led by the NBA owners in those cities. The Detroit bid is led by

Pistons owner Tom Gores and includes Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Detroit Lions; the chief executive officer and chair of General Motors Company; and Hall of Famer and former NBA rookie of the Year Grant Hill.

Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets, submitted a bid for a WNBA franchise with the team potentially playing at the Toyota Center. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA titles before the franchise disbanded in 2008.

The Charlotte Hornets are supporting an effort to bring the Sting back.

Kansas City, Austin and St. Louis expansion bids

Celebrity athletes are lending their star power to WNBA bids in several cities, including Patrick Mahomes getting involved in Kansas City’s expansion hopes, Jayson Tatum with St. Louis and Kevin Durant in Austin, Texas.

Philadelphia expansion bid

The Philadelphia 76ers put in a bid and have a new sports complex on the way that will house the NBA team as well as the Flyers. Having another city on the East Coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.

Charlotte Sting guard Dawn Staley (5), pictured in 2005, drives past Washington Mystics guard Temeka Johnson. The Hornets are looking to bring the city’s defunct WNBA franchise back.

Marjorie Barden Jarrett

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Feb. 19, 1931 – Feb. 21, 2025

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

Marjorie Barden Jarrett, 94, of Albemarle, passed away on February 21, 2025, in Bethany

Woods Nursing Center. A private graveside service will be held at Stanly Gardens of Memory with Pastor Ron Loflin officiating.

Dwight Farmer

Raymond Joseph Miller

March 19, 1929 –Feb. 20, 2025

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Raymond Joseph Miller, 95, of Albemarle, North Carolina passed away on February 20, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Lawrence Joseph Neyens

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Aug. 8, 1940 – Feb. 16, 2025

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

John B. Kluttz

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

Imogene

Born February 19, 1931, in Savannah, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Carroll Barden and Amanda Davis Barden. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Jarrett was preceded in death by her husband Dick Jarrett. Survivors include son Richard A Jarrett Jr. and wife Jane of High Point.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor. Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield.

Sandra Elaine Greer

Feb. 5, 1952 – Feb. 14, 2025

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

Sandra Elaine Greer, 73, of New London passed away at her home on Friday, February 14, 2025. There will be no formal services. Sandra was born in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 5, 1952, to the late Johnny Evans and the late Barbara Simmons. She is lovingly survived by her children, Krista Butler (Steven) of New London and Jonathan Taylor of Jacksonville, FL. Those also left to cherish her memory are grandchildren, Cade and Ever Butler, siblings, Randy Evans (Brenda) and Debbie Wampler, and special cousin Pat Lamm. Sandra was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Robert Wampler.

Sandra spent most of her life in Florida, where she enjoyed traveling in her RV. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and enjoyed spending time reading her Bible. Her hobbies included puzzles, painting and fishing. In her younger years, Sandra was in the dental industry, real estate and very active in Girl Scouts, where she served as a Scout Leader. She loved her grandchildren very much and enjoyed attending all their events. As her health declined, Sandra still enjoyed caring for her special furbaby, Bella. To know Sandra was to love her. Sandra and her insatiable laugh will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Butler family with her ashes to be spread on the North end of Anna Maria Island, Florida sometime this spring.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

A funeral service will be held on February 27, at 2 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Chapel officiated by Pastor Ron Loflin. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends on February 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Raymond was born on March 19, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to Elizabeth Bohr and Samuel Miller. He attended New London High School and traveled for a few years in an old yellow school bus he and his friends had worked on in high school. Later, he joined the Army as a mechanical technician, and he also surveyed land and flew airplanes in Alaska with two local friends Ed Harris and Casey Fesperman. He married his wife of 67 years, Ruby Louise Talbert, on January 7, 1950, in Chesterfield, South Carolina. When he returned from the Army, he worked at Alcoa for 19 years as an electrical technician. Afterwards, he started Two Way Radio Service of Albemarle working on County communications systems in most of Stanly and surrounding counties.

Raymond enjoyed traveling, riding Harleys and restoring antique motorcycles. Mr. Miller was a founding member of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, the T-Bird club, Model-T club and had many friends who he rode with. Raymond traveled to all 50 states, enjoyed beekeeping, spending time and family reunions or anything requiring a good hot home cooked meal.

Raymond is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruby Louise Talbert, parents Elisabeth and Samuel Miller, brothers Larry and Gerald Miller, and grandson William Pearson.

Raymond is survived by daughter Cathy (Glenn) Pearson of Concord, NC, daughter Janet (Danny) Maywald of North Richland Hills, TX, daughter Sharon (David) Beach of Keller, TX, son Frank (Bernadette) Miller of Pinellas Park, FL, and son Brent Miller of Albemarle, NC. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. He left a legacy; he will be missed.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Neyens, 84, of Troy, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Atrium Health Stanly Hospital in Albemarle, surrounded by his loved ones. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care Chapel in Albemarle. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. before the service.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

Larry, born on August 8, 1940, in Creighton Nebraska, was the son of the late Henry Joseph and Mary Agnes Neyens. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Latham.

Larry lived a life of faithful service and dedication to family and country. After graduating

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Kristine Claire Wasser

Sept. 12, 1953 – Feb. 14, 2025

Darrick

Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

Kristine Claire Wasser (formerly McIntyre) September 12, 1953 – February 14, 2025. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kristine Claire Wasser, who left us suddenly during a happy Valentine’s evening with a lifelong friend. She passed away quickly into the arms of Jesus who she loved. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 12, 1953, Kristy lived a life full of adventure, creativity, and love. Kristy spent much of her childhood in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Sauble Beach, Ontario - places that held carefree childhood memories. She attended the Nova Scotia College of Art that established the foundation for her lifelong career as an interior designer. Her keen eye for design and impeccable taste brought beauty into countless spaces. Decorating for all holidays was her “hobby,” and Kristy had an extraordinary gift, turning every inch of a home into breathtaking masterpieces that could rival the grandeur of the Biltmore. Kristy’s creative talents have earned her top recognition, including Best Holiday Display in the State of Florida for Mervyn’s Department Store and multiple 1st Place Costume Awards at her daughter’s dance competitions. She also spent three years as the Production Coordinator at the Ft. Lauderdale Children’s Theatre,

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Myrtle Beach, SC, where he met the love of his life, Betty. Following his service, he worked his way up from driver to President of Dixie Trucking Company in Charlotte, eventually buying the company in 1982. After two decades, he sold the company and retired to their Lake Tillery home. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Larry was a deacon at his church and enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, fishing, golfing, and attending car shows with his 67 Chevelle. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Neyens of Troy, son Larry Joseph “Joey” Neyens (wife Heather) of Waxhaw and daughter Lisa Millis (husband Gerald) of Monroe. Known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, Adam Millis (wife Heather), Brandon Millis, Elizabeth Neyens, and great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Millis. Brother Robert Neyens, sisters Donna Vice and Larita Rayer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse (samaritanspurse.org) or St. Jude’s (stjude.org) Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Neyens family.

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

bringing stories to life on stage. Her creativity extended beyond the spotlight—Danielle and Blake’s school projects were so impressive they could have been showcased at the World’s Fair. One teacher even sent a note home: “Great job, Mom—A+!”

Before and after raising her children, Kristy found joy in the skies, working for many years as a flight attendant. Her love for travel and meeting people from all walks of life made every journey an adventure.

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

Above all, Kristy cherished her family. She was a devoted mother to her two children, Danielle Edwards (Tim) and Joseph Blake Wasser (Ally), and a proud grandmother to Clara and Olivia, who brought her endless joy. She shared a special bond with her sister, Stacey McIntyre, and her brother, Stephen McIntyre. She was the beloved daughter of Kevin and Sonya McIntyre, whose love and guidance shaped her into the incredible woman she was. Kristy’s warmth, creativity, and kindness touched everyone who knew her. Whether through her design work, her travels, or simply her laughter in the company of friends and family, she left an imprint on lives around her.

Kristy’s legacy of love and childlike holiday spirit will live on in our hearts every Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even St. Patrick’s Day!

A celebration of life gathering will be held for close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wings Foundation - a charity that almost touches everything Kristy was passionate about. Kristy was an organ donor. To further honor her memory, consider becoming an organ donor too. Her contribution of becoming an organ donor allowed her to extend her kindness to a perfect stranger and their families, giving a priceless lifelong gift that will endure.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

Doris Jones Coleman

Solomon Furr

March 16, 1928 –Feb. 14, 2025

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

Imogene Solomon Furr, 96, of Albemarle, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. A memorial service is scheduled at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Albemarle Wesleyan Church with Pastor James Valk officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the hour of service at the Church. Ms. Furr was born in Stanly County on March 16, 1928, to the late Stella Marie Soloman. She is lovingly survived by her children, Darrell Furr of Locust, Rodney Furr (Susie) of Richfield, Sherri Pennington of Albemarle, Kristi Almond (Keith) of Albemarle. Those also left to cherish her memory are grandchildren, Travis Furr (Ashley), Josh Furr, Kati Furr, Landon Pennington (Cassie), Kyle Pennington, Jerrad Pennington (Chrissy), Danielle Pennington, Bradley Almond, and Tyler Almond (Mandi), greatgrandchildren, Addison, Deegan, Delilah, Cassian, Maya, Everett, Jesse, Edworth, Imogene, Dominic, Jay, and Stella, brother, John D. Solomon (Joyce), special family friend, Mike Lowder, and special neighbor for over 50+ years Helen and Shorty Efird.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Ms. Furr was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie “Deed” Edworth Furr, a grandson, Rodney Jason Hathcock, a great-grandchild Haley Braley, and her brother, Thomas Lentz Solomon.

Ms. Furr retired from American Circuit Breaker, previously Federal Pacific Electric. Ms. Furr then became the queen of the kitchen, at Log Cabin Barbeque for many years. She never met a stranger, always offering that contagious smile. Ms. Furr loved Jesus Christ and was a lifelong member at Albemarle Wesleyan Church. Her old-school sense of humor will never be forgotten. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Tillery Compassionate Care, Atrium Health Cabarrus, and Atrium Health Stanly for the excellent care provided to Ms. Furr during her declining health. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Tillery Compassionate Care (960 N 1st St, Albemarle, NC 28001). Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Furr family.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

STATE & NATION

Trump says US ‘going forward’ with Canada, Mexico tariffs, more to come

They’ve been suspended since early February

By Josh Boak and Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” the U.S. president said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

While Trump was answering a specific question about the taxes to be charged on America’s two largest trading partners, the U.S. president also stressed more broadly that his intended “reciprocal” tariffs were on schedule to begin as soon as April.

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said.

Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers.

“Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,” Trump said.

In a interview on the Fox News show “Special Report” late Monday, Macron said he hoped he had convinced Trump to avoid a possible trade war, noting the difficulty of taking on a traditional ally such as Europe while simultaneously using tariffs to challenge China’s industrial might.

“We don’t need a trade war,” Marcon said. “We need more prosperity together.”

Most economists say the cost of the taxes could largely be borne by consumers, retailers and manufacturers such as auto companies that source globally and rely on raw materials such as steel and aluminum that Trump is already,

separately, tariffing at 25%.

Still, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared confident Monday that her administration would reach agreements with the U.S. government before the deadline set by Trump.

“We would need to be reaching important agreements this Friday,” Sheinbaum told reporters Monday morning before Trump’s remarks. “On all of the issues there is communication and what we need is to complete this agreement, I believe we’re in a place to do it.” If necessary, she said she would seek to speak directly with Trump again. In high-level discussions between both governments, Mexico has insisted that the U.S. also take a hard look at the drug distribution and consumption in its own country

rather than pointing only at production in Mexico, Sheinbaum said.

Companies like Walmart have warned about uncertainty, while the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment index plunged by roughly 10% over the past month in part due to fears about tariffs and inflation worsening. In the 2024 presidential election, voters backed Trump on the belief that he could cool inflation that had spiked to a four-decade high in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic during President Joe Biden’s time in office.

But Trump has persistently threatened tariffs and kept up those calls even as Macron, standing beside him, had previously suggested that talks on trade had produced some common ground.

“We want to make a sincere commitment towards a fair competition where we have smooth trade and more investments,” Macron said at the news conference, according to a translation of his French remarks.

Macron said the idea is to help the U.S. and Europe both prosper, saying that further talks would be carried out by their respective teams to flesh out their ideas.

Investors, businesses and the broader public are still trying to determine whether Trump is merely threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool or if he sincerely backs the tax hikes as a way to offset his planned income tax cuts.

Despite talks the Trump administration has held with Ca-

Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes gets 95 years for child porn, escape convictions

He also faces federal drug charges at a court in N.C.

By Jonathan Mattise

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women received a 95-year prison sentence Monday for other types of offenses: the production of child sex abuse images and an escape from an inmate transport van.

Judge J. Ronnie Greer in Greeneville called Sean Williams an unrepentant “organized, methodical sexual predator of women and children,” according to the Johnson City Press. Prosecutors said Williams, who was already in prison, had razor blades in his shoes on his way to court.

Williams, 53, congratulat-

ed a prosecutor for a ”dramatic performance” during Monday’s hearing in federal court and implied the images were faked or doctored. Williams laughed, shook his head and retorted when the judge said the only thing worse he could imagine would be being a serial killer.

Earlier this month, Johnson City officials voted to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women under “Jane Doe” pseudonyms against the city and individual police officers that claimed police deliberately botched investigations over sexual assault allegations against Williams from 2018 to 2021.

Williams has not yet been criminally charged as a result of the women’s allegations in the lawsuits.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors.

In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

The city and the officers have long denied corruption allegations, including a claim in the women’s lawsuit that Williams paid police to obstruct investigations into sexual assault allegations against him. The settlement broadly includes up to 400 women, including minors, who lodged any report of sexual abuse or trafficking to Johnson City Police from 2018 through December 2022, due to accusations of gender discrimination. The settlement still requires court approval.

A campus police officer at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee found Williams asleep in his car in 2023 while he was fleeing a federal felon-possessing-ammunition charge in April 2021.

His vehicle contained cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 and digital storage devices with more than 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Williams was also in possession of photos and videos showing him sexually assaulting at least 52 women at his Johnson City apartment while they were in an “obvious state of unconsciousness,” police wrote.

At least half a dozen names on folders containing videos of women were consistent with first names on a list labeled “Raped” that Johnson City officers had previously found in his apartment, a police affidavit said.

After being charged in con-

nadian and Mexican officials, the U.S. president signaled Monday that he would end the 30day suspension of tariffs that were initially set to take effect in February. Trump plans to tax imports from Mexico at 25% as well as most goods from Canada, with energy products such as Canadian oil and electricity being tariffed at a lower 10%.

Trump is placing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods with the stated goal of pressuring them to do more to address illegal immigration and the smuggling of illicit drugs such as fentanyl. While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures. Mexico has relocated 10,000 members of its National Guard to the border with the United States in addition to existing measures.

Trump also plans to impose new tariffs to match the rates charged by other countries. Set to begin as soon as April, the tariffs could be higher than what other countries would charge as subsidies, regulatory barriers and the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax common in Europe — would be included in the calculations. The possibility of retaliatory tariffs planned by Canada, Mexico and Europe could lead to a broader trade conflict that sabotage growth. In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.

nection with the child sexual abuse images, Williams in October 2023 escaped from a van taking him from a Kentucky detention center to a hearing in Tennessee. Authorities caught him in Florida more than a month later.

He was convicted in July of the van escape and in November of the child sex abuse images of a 9-month-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Williams also raped the children’s mothers while they were unconscious and that there were images and videos of them as well. Williams took the sexually explicit photos of one child in 2008 and the other two on separate occasions in 2020, all in his apartment, prosecutors said.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors. In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs. Two other federal lawsuits against Johnson City and individual police officers are still pending over the investigation of sexual assault reports against Williams.

LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL VIA AP

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Winter wonderland

It was a snowy, idyllic scene looking south down the train tracks running through the middle of Southern Pines in the aftermath of last week’s blast of wintry weather.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Commissioners approve multiple budgetary, contractual matters

Medical helicopter crashes in eastern N.C.

Wilmington Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a medical helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant Health says three team members on the AirLink helicopter on Monday night were transported for evaluation but that no patients were on board. The FAA says the Eurocopter EC -135 helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant says the team consisted of a pilot, a critical care registered nurse and a critical care paramedic. They were in fair condition Tuesday.

Greensboro-native

Rhiannon Giddens cancels Kennedy Center show

New York

Rhiannon Giddens, an Awardwinning singer-musician and Greensboro-native is the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has forced out the center’s leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees. Actor Issa Rae, author Louise Penny and the rock band Low Cut Connie also have canceled events. Singersongwriter Victoria Clark went ahead with her show but wore an anti-Trump T-shirt. Giddens is an eclectic roots musician known for co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Construction will soon start on Horizons Park multimodal trail

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 13 for its regular business meeting with an agenda almost entirely full of budgetary and contractual items.

The board first approved multiple contracts including a $35,000 change order to the contract with Brooks Lumber Company for the installation of an A/V system for the Annex 1 Auditorium Project and a $2.126 million contract with Bar Construction Company for the construction of the Hori-

Banner

zons Park multimodal trail.

The trail, which will be located north of Memorial Industrial School Road, is intended to be usable for biking, horseback riding, hiking, cross-country running and nature trails.

“I just want to reiterate that Bar Construction Company met the MWB state percentage (10.72%), and I just look forward to seeing beyond that 10%,” said Commissioner Shai Woodbury.

The board also approved an approximately $82,000 contract with Reisenweaver Communications for upfit services on Ford Interceptors and Chevrolet 2500HD vehicles for use by the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services Department.

“I encourage us to continue to look for other options, which

may include evaluating parts maybe,” said Chairman Don Martin.

The board then approved a lease agreement with Daymark Recovery Services for the lease of 6,094 square feet of county-owned property located at 650 Highland Ave. at an annual base rental amount of approximately $36,000.

The board also approved five budgetary items including:

• The transfer of $500,000 from budget reserve to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to be used for an additional 2% increase in classified pay.

• An appropriation of $20,000 from the Winston-Salem Foundation for the Central Library to purchase makerspace tables and chairs.

• An appropriation of ap -

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press

Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dan Driscoll to be the next Army secretary, voting 66-28 to put the former soldier and Iraq War veteran at the helm of the service. Driscoll, 38, of North Carolina, had served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance, whom he met when both were attending Yale Law School. He served in the Army for less than four years and left at the rank of first lieutenant. During his Senate Armed

proximately $1,600 from the Winston-Salem Foundation for N.C. Cooperative Extension for the expansion of community gardens in Forsyth County.

• An appropriation of approximately $6,800 from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for the county to participate in the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System, a “national reporting system for child fatalities to provide better reporting, surveillance and data analysis regarding child deaths and serious injuries.”

• An appropriation of $500,000 in N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources grant funds for the second phase of the Belews Lake Park, which will include as-

“I do support the president’s right to execute a lawful order.”

Dan Driscoll

Services Committee confirmation hearing, Driscoll noted that his father and grandfather served in the Army, and he vowed to be a secretary focused on the needs of soldiers.

“We are a family that is grateful to have had the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United States Army,” he said during the hearing. “We

MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP PHOTO

Daniel Driscoll, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Department of Defense’s secretary of the Army, testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination last month in Washington, D.C.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR TWIN CITY HERALD

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North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

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BOARD from page A1

phalt and natural surface trails, a 2,500-square-foot playground, 20 acres of site preparation, roadway expansion and a parking lot.

In addition, the board held two public hearings, one to close an unopened right-of-way off of Creekridge Lane and the other to rename an unnamed state road, north of Glennview Drive, to Rosewater Avenue.

“There’s an unnamed road, State Road 4312, located partly in an unincorporated area and partly in the Town of Kernersville’s town limits,” said addressing coordinator Matthew Hamby. “This petition is to rename the portion that is in the unincorporated area of Forsyth County.”

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet Feb. 27.

THURSDAY

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

USDA

scholarship for students at historically black colleges suspended

Students awarded the scholarship will continue their work

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal scholarship aimed at boosting students from underserved and rural areas attending historically black colleges and universities has been put on hold.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended the 1890 Scholars Program, which provided recipients with full tuition and fees for students studying agriculture, food or natural resource sciences at one of 19 universities, known as the 1890 land grant institutions.

It’s not clear exactly when the program was suspended, but some members of Congress first issued statements criticizing the suspension of the program last Thursday.

“The 1890 Scholars Program has been suspended pending further review,” the Department of Agriculture said in a

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended a scholarship that benefited HBCU students.

post on the program’s website.

The suspension coincides with a funding freeze President Donald Trump’s administration instituted. Administration officials had said the pause was necessary to review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders on is-

sues like climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

A spokesperson for the department said Saturday in an email to The Associated Press that “every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was re-

Snowy roads lead to hundreds of highway crashes

Fifty-three vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in a single county

The Associated Press NORFOLK, Va. — Roads in Virginia and North Carolina were treacherous for days last week after unusually heavy snow led to hundreds of accidents, including crashes on an interstate that involved more than 50 vehicles. Meanwhile, a polar vortex sent temperatures plunging from the Northern Great Plains all the way to Louisiana.

Two separate collisions stopped traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange County, North Carolina, last Wednesady and the stopped vehicles were struck from behind, including a tractor trailer that hit a passenger vehicle, causing a fatality, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. A total of 53 vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in the area, the highway patrol said. The driver of the tractor trailer was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for conditions.

The highway patrol respond-

DRISCOLL from page A1

are a family that understands the gravity of leading soldiers in and out of combat.”

Driscoll takes over an Army that has been moving steadily to overcome recruiting shortfalls through a sweeping overhaul of its programs and staffing while also revamping and modernizing its weapons systems. He also will have to deal with the repercussions of the chaotic and confusing new personnel decisions coming out of the Trump administration’s campaign to slash the government workforce. Officials have to ensure that the cuts don’t erode national security.

Driscoll’s Senate hear -

ed to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide last Wednesday, according to Sgt. Christopher Knox. Crashes that day closed portions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh.

Virginia State Police reported last Thursday that there had been well over 800 crashes statewide since heavy snow pounded parts of the mid-Atlantic the day before. At least 45 crashes involved injuries but no fatalities.

Emergency workers in Suffolk, Virginia, rescued two people from an SUV that crashed into water last Wednesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Fire & Rescue.

Photos the department posted on social media showed rescuers stretching a ladder to the vehicle’s roof and helping one person clinging to the roof rails crawl across the ladder to land.

That day’s snowfall in Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the eighth-highest one-day snowfall total the coastal city has ever recorded, Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer said. Norfolk officially recorded about 10.2 inches of snow, he said. High snowfall isn’t unprec-

ing was largely unconfrontational and focused on how the Army could modernize its systems, improve recruiting and beef up the military industrial base.

Asked if he would work to implement reforms aimed at reducing sexual assault in the military, he said he wanted an Army that his daughter could join with no fear of such threats.

He said he would set a “culture where that is not tolerated in any way.”

He also got tough questions from senators on his willingness to follow the law.

Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) both pressed Driscoll on whether he would decline to fol-

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-yearstype storm.”

Scott Kleebauer, NWS meteorologist

edented, he said, but it’s “certainly rare.”

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-years-type storm,” Kleebauer said.

Children in the city of 230,000 on the Chesapeake Bay used boogie boards to sled down a small hill, while some adults cleared off cars with leaf blowers. Many roadways were still covered in slush, if not snow, while authorities urged everyone to stay off the roads to give plows time to come through.

“People aren’t used to driving in these kinds of conditions,” said Jared Brooks, a surgeon at a local hospital, while shoveling the sidewalk outside of his house. “And they just don’t slow down appropriately. And they get kind of crazy. People just need to stay home and not even try to drive unless they have to.”

low unlawful orders from the president or defense secretary, including ones related to the use of active duty soldiers for law enforcement at the border. He responded, “I reject the premise that the president or secretary of defense would ask for an order like that. But I will always follow the law.”

When asked by Slotkin if he would support revoking the pension of an honorably discharged Army officer, however, he declined to answer directly, saying the question was “hypothetical.”

Slotkin noted that the issue is not hypothetical and actually has come up in connection with potential political reprisals against retired

tained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department.” The spokesperson added that Secretary Brooke Rollins will review the scholarship program, its mission and its metrics to ensure taxpayer resources are used efficiently.

The funding freeze has been challenged in court, with a temporary hold on the executive action already in place.

The affected universities include Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T and Tuskegee University in Alabama, among others.

The scholarship program dates to 1992, but 1890 in the title refers to the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which established historically black colleges and universities.

Eligibility rules include being a U.S. citizen with a GPA of 3.0 or better, along with acceptance to one of the 19 1890 land grant universities. Eligible students must also study agriculture or related fields and “demonstrate leadership and community service,” according to the department’s site.

In October, the department said it had set aside $19.2 million for the program. In fiscal year 2024, 94 students were awarded scholarships, the department said.

Schools were closed or relying on remote learning throughout large parts of Virginia and North Carolina, while several thousand electric customers were remained without power through last Thursday. About 1,800 flights were canceled or delayed across the U.S., including about 250 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport last Thursday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com. Meanwhile, an arctic air mass was bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States, and forecasters expected some locations in the Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season, according to the Weather Prediction Center. In Detroit, a large water main break left dozens of people without power and heat amid temperatures well below freezing.

Frigid temperatures broke daily cold records across 45 weather stations ranging from North Dakota to Louisiana, Kleebauer said. Parts of Texas also broke daily cold records set in 2021 when a deadly winter storm caused the state’s power grid to mostly collapse.

But a “big change” is on the horizon, Kleebauer said. Last Thursday was expected to be the “last truly cold day” across the country as temperatures rose nearly everywhere this week.

Army Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump has already moved to strip Milley of his security clearance and protective detail. Pushed for an answer, Driscoll said, “I do support the president’s right to execute a lawful order.”

Both Duckworth and Slotkin voted against him.

According to the Army, Driscoll served as an armor officer from August 2007 to March 2011, deploying to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Draining the swamp

If one was trying to destroy our country, this is exactly what one should do.

When you start draining the swamp, the swamp creatures start looking for cover. Like him or hate him, we must admit that President Donald Trump is doing exactly what he told us he would do. I’m still shocked that some folks didn’t believe him.

We have never seen things move at such a pace. Democrats (leftists, liberals), I repeat myself, are struggling to keep up. They just cannot wrap their heads around the fact that government is being transformed. It is a beautiful thing, and I am loving it.

Under every previous administration, inspectors general in federal agencies identify waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. Somehow, the information is filed in the archives, and nothing ever gets done. My, oh my, how things have changed.

The Trump administration has managed it quite differently. Things are addressed as soon as they are identified. Before the opposition can mount a real attack, it has already been dealt with.

None of us are surprised that waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, etc., was identified. I think even political groupies like me were surprised at the depth of it. Under the Biden administration, the ridiculous use of taxpayer funds was blasted out to more craziness than we could ever imagine. If one was trying to destroy our country, this is exactly what one should do.

Democrats are responding in a comical way. They have the audacity to try to defend the indefensible. Imagine complaining that federal workers have to actually show up for work after four years. They have obviously learned

nothing from the past election. I think they just cannot help themselves.

Hating Trump has never been a winning strategy. Democrats tried to make MAGA a dirty four-letter word. Instead, they made Trump seem cool, and now MAGA is one of the most recognized logos, and we wear it proudly.

Those on the left are such hypocrites. Remember when President Obama said, “I can do (whatever) ... with a pen and a phone.” They cheered loudly. Now they are screaming foul and accusing Trump of violating the Constitution via executive orders.

Remember when Trump fast-tracked the COVID vaccine under “Operation Warp Speed”? The left claimed a danger to public health, “Trump created it. It was untested and not safe, and nobody should take it.” A few months later, when Biden entered the Oval Office, they demanded that we all take it forever. If not, we could not go to work or attend school. Citizens had to carry their vaccine cards to enter certain places. I am so happy Trump has put an end to that nonsense.

Trump has made illegal immigration a crime again. (By the way, my autocorrect changed “illegal immigrant” to “undocumented immigrant.” What’s up with that?) The border is finally secure, and illegal criminals are being deported instead of being given free housing in luxury hotels, free child care services, cars, cash, etc. The left has gone crazy, and some sanctuary cities are suing. These do-gooders care more about illegal criminals than they do about the safety of American citizens. The American people have had enough.

The expensive foreign aid is being reevaluated. Much of it has been uncovered as nothing more than slush funds for leaders. I heard someone say, “Foreign aid is when poor people in rich countries send money to rich people in poor countries.” That sums it up nicely. It rarely makes it to the intended target. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is gone. Most corporations have already started to send it to the dust bin, and now the federal government is doing the same. Not too long ago, efforts were made to make everyone feel better about themselves. This program, along with Critical Race Theory (CRT), has done the opposite. It taught that if you were a member of a certain identified class, you were special. It was always at the expense of the “privileged class.” Even if that privileged class member was a dirt-poor child, if she or he were white. That is wrong. All of God’s children are special. He plays no favorites.

The left should realize that the election is over. They lost. Trump will be there for four years, and most Americans love what he is doing. They are more worried about saving the jobs of bureaucrats than saving American lives.

The path we have been on is unsustainable. We have a $36 trillion debt. Eventually, those bills must be paid. The problem is debt; the answer cannot be more debt.

Mr. President, we are not yet tired of winning. Give us more.

Joyce Krawiec represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate from 2014 to 2024. She lives in Kernersville.

Get ready for America’s ‘little tech’ revolution

The Magnificent Seven companies have a combined net worth greater than all the companies of Europe.

THE SPECTACULAR dominance of America’s Magnificent Seven tech firms — with $1 trillion-plus market caps — has been a marvel to behold and a genuine source of American pride. This is a theme that both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have in celebration of American business prowess.

The Magnificent Seven companies — Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — have a combined net worth greater than all the companies of Europe.

Now that’s Chiefs-versus-Eagles dominance.

The mystery is why many regulators in Washington view these digital-age companies, whose continued rocket-ship growth has created hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs for Americans, as villains not heroes. They keep calling for a blanket of smothering regulations via antitrust laws to rein in their market power.

Now we have lawyers and lawmakers in Europe taking action to slam the brakes on these companies. It would be like government calling on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to stop writing so many hit records because it isn’t fair to all the other bands.

These court actions are particularly pernicious because the cost of internet services, search engines, cellphones, online shopping, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles has come down, but the courts and the lawyers say that they are crowding out the smaller startups. The sharks are apparently swallowing up the minnows.

But this whole “break up” Big Tech mentality advanced on the left and the right is particularly misguided because the tech industry of 2025 is characterized by thousands of smaller and often more nimble “little tech” companies that

compete with each other and Big Tech, providing exciting catalogs of new products.

A competitive tech sector is characterized by a healthy mix of established, scaled firms alongside smaller, nimbler firms — both working together and competing with each other to innovate and deliver for their customers.

On the back of recent breakthroughs in everything from AI to robotics to self-driving cars, tech companies of all sizes coexist in a vast and vibrant race to the top. Out of this ecosystem will surely emerge a new generation of monster hits as transformational as Steve Jobs’ personal computer and the first Google search engine.

Out of these thousands of startups will emerge the next generation of Googles and Apples. If history is any guide, it’s a good bet that, sometime in the years ahead, the young upstarts will knock the big guys off their exalted perches. We don’t worry too much anymore about AOL dominating the internet, nor Intel dominating microchip production.

Think about today’s high-rising titans. Raise your hand if you had heard of Nvidia or OpenAI five years ago.

Big firms incubate the talent that starts small firms. Former employees of America’s tech leaders often go on to start their own hugely successful businesses. OpenAI cofounder Wojciech Zaremba worked at Meta. YouTube was founded by former PayPal employees. A former Tesla employee cofounded the news and opinion platform Substack.

Former Googlers have created over 2,000 startups, including Inflection AI, Adept AI, Cohere, Perplexity AI, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And 14 out of the world’s 50 most successful AI startups were founded by former Google employees. Larger firms

play a key role in incubating tech talent and ideas, catalyzing new startups and innovation that benefits consumers and the wider economy.

How many times have you heard the complaint that American companies are too short-term-oriented and don’t look past the next quarterly report?

Then how is it that Google invests more than $10 billion a year in research and development? Why is it that Meta has invested over $46 billion since 2021 into Reality Labs, focusing on building augmented reality and virtual reality?

Many of the breakthrough achievements of the next decade are just as likely to come from venture capital-funded startups that no one has heard of today. In Silicon Valley these disruptive upstarts like OpenAI are known as unicorns. As of 2024, the world had more than 1,400 unicorns, over half of which were founded in the United States.

Why is “little tech” housed in Silicon Valley and other America tech corridors like Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City? Because they feed off the creativity and dynamism of a risk-taking venture capital ecosystem that is nowhere else in the world to be found.

Federal regulators and the antitrust cops are the poisonous disrupters of these capitals of innovation. The ethos of Washington is: You can succeed and grow and become profitable — but not too much. If this antisuccess attitude is allowed to prevail, the casualties won’t be the Magnificent Seven but the next generation of trillion-dollar companies. Oh, they will come. Just not from America.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. His new book, coauthored with Arthur Laffer, is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | JOYCE KRAWIEC

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

AA flight from New York to New Delhi lands in Rome after security concern

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets

The Associated Press

ROME — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi landed safely in Rome on Sunday afternoon after it was diverted due to a security concern, which later proved to be “non-credible,” the airline said.

American Airlines said Flight 292 “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart.”

It didn’t clarify the cause of the security concern, but added an inspection was required by protocol before the flight could land in New Delhi.

“The flight will stay in Rome overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible,” the airline said.

An Associated Press reporter filmed two fighter jets flying over the airport shortly before the unscheduled landing. Fire trucks were visible on the landing strip on one side of the plane after it landed.

Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers on board, said the captain announced that the

plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

Chopra, who was traveling from Detroit to visit family, described the mood on the plane as calm after the initial announcement but said he began to feel stressed when the captain later announced that fighter jets would be escorting their plane to Rome.

“I felt a little panic of, ‘OK, what’s going on here?’” Chopra told the AP. “There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.”

Passenger Jonathan Bacon,

22, from Dayton, Ohio, started paying attention to the flight tracker on the seatback in front of him after the captain’s announcement of a “diversion due to a security issue,” observing the plane’s sharp turn away from New Delhi and route back toward Rome.

Passengers had no internet connection for much of the flight, Bacon said, with only some spotty access that clued them into early reports of the situation about two hours before landing.

After landing, Bacon said all passengers were loaded onto buses and taken to the terminal, where each passenger and their

The captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

personal items underwent additional security screenings that were time-consuming and felt “slightly heightened,” especially for arrivals. More than two hours after landing, Bacon and his friend said they were still waiting for their checked baggage, which they said was also undergoing security screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon said.

A spokesperson for the airport said it was continuing to operate normally.

Hegseth says he fired top military lawyers because they weren’t well suited for jobs

Several JAG officers, as well as the chief of naval operations, were reassigned

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.

President Donald Trump on Friday abruptly fired the chairman, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement. The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph

B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, were fired. The removals — which came without any specified reasons in terms of their conduct — sent a new wave of apprehension through the Pentagon. And they added to the broader confusion over the changing parameters of Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees provide recent job accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired,

even though government officials later said the edict is voluntary.

Throughout the Pentagon on Monday, military and civilian workers juggled their routine national security duties with a growing unease that anyone could be next on the firing block.

Hegseth has defended Trump’s firing of Brown, saying it was not unusual and the president deserves to pick his own team. The defense chief argued

that other presidents made changes in military personnel.

Trump’s choice of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine is unusual. Caine would have to come back onto active duty, but he does not meet the legal requirements for the top post. According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief.

Those requirements can be waived by the president. Histor-

ically, Pentagon leaders have deliberately shifted top admirals and generals into a job as service chief for even a brief period of time in order to qualify them for the chairman’s post.

In recent decades, a number of three-and four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of America’s nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders.

Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and only the second black general to serve as chairman, is the first in that post to be fired in recent history. Hegseth made it clear before he took the secretary’s job that he thought Brown should be fired, and he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was black.

Hegseth has also repeatedly argued that military officers would be reviewed “based on meritocracy.” It’s unclear, however, how Franchetti, Slife and the lawyers were evaluated and what meritocracy they were found to lack.

As a result, Pentagon workers are left to decipher whether the officers were fired due to political reasons or because of their race or gender. Hegseth has laid out a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. And there have been persistent threats from the Trump administration that military officers advocating diversity and equity — or so-called “wokeism” — could be targeted.

Hegseth has said that efforts to expand diversity and equity have eroded the military’s readiness.

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP PHOTO

American Airlines flight AA292 en route from New York to New Delhi that turned around over the Caspian Sea on Sunday sits on the tarmac of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International airport.

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Monday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Forsyth SPORTS

One-armed basketball player makes women’s Division III history with basket

Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel transferred from an N.C. school before this year

By Rodrique Ngowi

The Associated Press

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —

When her high school basketball coach cut her from the team senior year, Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel refused to let that rejection, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the game that her childhood idol LeBron James made her fall in love with 15 years ago.

That determination led the 22-year-old guard at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to become the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game.

“I kind of just shot the ball with the anticipation that I would have to go and get it back on a rebound,” Sinaman-Daniel said of the historic basket that she made from near the 3-point line, which snapped the net without hitting the rim. “When the shot actually went in, I was more so surprised.”

Coach Martin Rather immediately called a timeout to mark the moment.

“My first thought was, ‘That’s history and we need to take a second to pause and celebrate it,’” Rather said. “Everybody just swarmed Baileigh, giving her high fives, celebrating her.”

The Stafford, Virginia, native’s path to history was sparked by a painful rejection at Mountain View High School.

“I had played for my high school for about three years and my senior year of high school when I tried out again, as I always did, I actually got cut and the coach basically told me that I wasn’t needed on the team,” she said.

At Lesley, Sinaman-Daniel has become known for her work ethic with the Lynx.

She has completed more individual practice sessions than any other player on the team, which is having its best season in 14 years and has reached the playoffs, Rather said.

“I think any team in this country would benefit from having a player with Baileigh’s heart on their team,” Rather said.

The achievement is particularly notable given the scarcity of one-armed players in collegiate basketball who could have served as role models.

“It is not very common to see somebody with one arm playing basketball. I think there’s probably about two or three of us in the collegiate level,” Sinaman-Daniel said.

Since Sinaman-Daniel could not always use standard balance and ball management techniques used by two-armed players, her on-court success has required unique training methods allowing her to develop fundamental skills.

“Taking passes or giving a good pass or figuring out the right shooting form — I’ve had to tweak and adjust,” she said.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Taylor Williams

That led to two days of misery and crying until she made a bold decision while sitting in her car.

“I thought to myself, ‘I could do this in college. What’s stopping me from doing this in college?’” Sinaman-Daniel said. “So I started emailing hundreds of coaches, and it didn’t really matter what division it was. I was just trying to get a possible maybe or even better — a yes.”

That persistence caught Rather’s attention when Sinaman-Daniel, a 5-foot- 6 guard, entered the transfer portal after two years at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.

Sinaman-Daniel scored her second basket on her birthday, some seven weeks after her initial score, adding another layer of satisfaction to her breakthrough season.

The junior guard who was born with a tiny right arm that she is unable to use is studying psychology at the university just outside Boston and hopes her achievement will inspire others facing similar challenges.

“When people look at me, I just hope they see me as Baileigh. I hope they see me as a basketball player and also see me as somebody who’s willing and able to do everything that everybody else is doing,” she said.

East Forsyth, wrestling

Taylor Williams is a junior on the East Forsyth wrestling team.

Williams posted a 19-1 record in the regular season, earning her a No. 1 seed in the NCHSAA girls’ individual wrestling state championship at 152 pounds.

She earned a spot on the podium, winning back-to-back consolation matches Monday in Greensboro to get a third-place finish.

Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson

By Charles Odum

The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Chris -

topher Bell edged Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in overtime Sunday in another close NASCAR Cup Series finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Bell led only the final lap in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and had a slight edge on the outside when the caution light came on in overtime following a wreck by Josh Berry.

“That last lap of the race we were at our best,” Bell said.

The 30-year-old Oklahoma driver has 10 career Cup victories.

Austin Cindric led in his Team Penske Ford before he and William Byron, the Daytona 500 winner last week, wrecked with three laps remaining, setting up the overtime.

Kyle Busch finished seventh, ending his hopes of snapping a winless streak on the Cup Series. Busch won the Atlanta Truck Series race Saturday but is still looking for his first Cup win since 2023 after having his NASCAR-record 19-year streak with at least one win end last year.

Larson failed to finish the last four and five of the last six Atlanta races and was involved in accidents in each of the six.

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates claimed the spotlight in the Cup Series’

first two weeks. Chase Elliott won The Clash on Feb. 2 before Byron avoided late wrecks to win the Daytona 500.

Larson’s string of bad luck ended Sunday after he qualified only 17th. Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, surged late to win the second stage.

Wrecks for Elliott, Suarez

Elliott was in the top 10 when his Hendricks Motorsports Chevrolet hit the wall late in the second stage and then hit Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing’s Ford, ending Keselowski’s race. Elliott finished 18th.

Daniel Suarez, who edged Ryan Blaney and Busch in a thrilling three-wide finish in Atlanta’s 2024 February race, saw his hopes for a repeat end

“That last lap of the race we were at our best.”

Christopher Bell

when he was involved in a seven-car crash early in the third stage. Cole Custer, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson and JJ Yaley also were involved. Blaney was in contention before his late one-car spin caused a caution, but he rallied to finish fourth.

Sharp-dressed man

Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist and singer for the rock group ZZ Top, served as the grand marshal and gave the “start your engines” command.

New deal for Heim with 23XI

The 23XI Racing team announced a multiyear deal with Corey Heim as a development driver. Heim will drive a limited number of Cup Series races in the No. 67 Toyota and also will compete in Xfinity races, including next week at Circuit of the Americas. His first Cup race on the new deal will be at Kansas Speedway on May 11.

Heim made three Cup starts for 23XI last year and has a Truck Series win at Daytona this year. He finished 23rd in Saturday’s Truck Series race in Atlanta. Up next

The Cup Series moves to Austin, Texas, and Circuit of the Americas next Sunday.

EAST FORSYTH WRESTLING / FACEBOOK

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Lesley University basketball player Baileigh SinamanDaniel, who started her college career in North Carolina, passes the ball while practicing prior to a game.

Atlanta hosted another thrilling Cup Series finish

Christopher Bell spins out, doing doughnuts to celebrate his victory in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Rodriguez makes halfcourt shot, wins Bucknell student $10K Lewisburg, Pa.

Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez showed his skill on the hardwood, making a half-court shot to win a Bucknell student $10,000. The 14-time All-Star was invited to take the shot Sunday during halftime of Bucknell’s basketball game against Army. The 49-year-old tossed a high-arching shot that banked off the backboard and through the hoop. The three-time MVP was at Bucknell to speak about his company Jump Platforms, which he founded with two other entrepreneurs, Jordy Leiser and Marc Lore.

NBA

76ers coach Nurse sits Embiid for entire 4th quarter in loss to Brooklyn

Philadelphia Joel Embiid got benched and the 76ers got beat at the horn. Philadelphia lost their seventh straight game, this one on a buzzer-beating tip-in against Brooklyn with Embiid on the bench. The oft-injured Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter in the 105-102 loss after a rough three quarters. Embiid scored 14 points in 31 minutes, missed all six 3-point attempts and was a bystander in the fourth when the 76ers rallied from 17 down to take the lead late before the buzzer-beater.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Arizona apologizes for ‘unacceptable chant’ from fans at end of basketball loss to BYU Tuscon, Ariz. Arizona apologized after the school says some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU. According to online video, fans can be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court. BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give BYU the road victory at No. 19 Arizona.

NFL

Coyboys’ 7-time All-Pro guard Martin retiring

Dallas Zack Martin is retiring after a decorated career that included seven All-Pro seasons at right guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin informed Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones of his decision in a meeting last Thursday. The 34-year-old Martin didn’t make it through his 11th and final season with the Cowboys because of an ankle injury that eventually required surgery. Martin made nine Pro Bowls and was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010s all-decade team.

MLB

Soto gives teammate Baty new SUV for switching numbers

Port St. Lucie, Fla. Juan Soto got his desired No. 22 jersey with the New York Mets after his record $765 million contract this offseason. Brett Baty, who wore that number the past three seasons, got a brand new SUV. The Mets posted video Thursday showing Soto presenting the keys for the $92,000 Chevrolet Tahoe to Baty. The 25-year-old third baseman and former first-round draft pick wore No. 22 in 169 games for the Mets but has since switched to No. 7.

Charlotte among cities vying for WNBA team

The league has said it will add a 16th team in 2028

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press

FORMER NBA player Michael Carter-Williams is hoping to get a WNBA franchise in Boston whether it’s through expansion or being a destination for a current team that wants to move.

He’s part of The Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group that is spearheading the initiative. The group hasn’t submitted a bid to the WNBA, although they’ve talked with the company that the league hired to handle the expansion bids process.

“The main objective is to get a team in Boston,” Carter-Williams said in a phone interview last Thursday. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an expansion team or a team that wants to sell and move to Boston.”

Boston hosted a sold out WNBA game last year when the Connecticut Sun played a contest at TD Garden — home of the Boston Celtics. Another regular-season game will

be played at TD Garden this year when Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take on the Sun.

The deadline to submit an expansion bid was Jan. 30.

The WNBA has already announced three expansion teams that will start play over the next two years, with Golden State beginning this season and Toronto and Portland starting in 2026. The league has said it would add a 16th team to begin play in 2028.

Here’s a look at some of the interested cities.

Cleveland expansion bid

The Ohio city’s ownership group is led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. A report from the Sports Business Journal said it was “likely” for Cleveland to get the next expansion team, although the deal isn’t done yet.

Nashville expansion bid

The Nashville contingent is led by the chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, Bill Haslam, and his wife,

12

Current number of WNBA teams, with Golden State, Toronto and Portland joining in the next two years

Crissy. The couple has lined up a group of investors including Candace Parker, Peyton Manning and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Unlike other franchises, the Nashville group already has a name for its franchise — the Tennessee Summitt — in honor of the late Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.

Charlotte, Detroit and Houston expansion bids

Three cities that previously had WNBA franchises are looking to get back into the women’s game.

Bids by groups in Charlotte, Detroit and Houston are led by the NBA owners in those cities. The Detroit bid is led by Pistons owner Tom Gores and

New York Yankees drop ban on beards

The team’s facial hair policy was lifted 49 years after it was imposed by George Steinbrenner

The Associated Press TAMPA. Fla. — The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team’s spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life, but

it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.”

George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed. Players complied, but some pushed boundaries by going unshaven or letting hair fall over their collars.

“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner,” Hal Steinbrenner said. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning, and that’s in the back of my mind.”

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, said he had considered the issue for a decade and discussed the contemplated change recently with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards, It is a part of who these younger men are.”

Hal Steinbrenner, Yankees owner

Cashman said CC Sabathia hesitated because of the hair policy before signing with the Yankees ahead of the 2009 season, and the agent of a player contemplating a minor league contract this offseason wasn’t sure his client would be willing to shave.

Cashman said some current players had told him of the facial hair ban: “It’s not what I want. It’s not my preference, but I will honor the rules of the land.”

As recently as last Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day. All-Star closer Devin Wil-

includes Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Detroit Lions; the chief executive officer and chair of General Motors Company; and Hall of Famer and former NBA rookie of the Year Grant Hill.

Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets, submitted a bid for a WNBA franchise with the team potentially playing at the Toyota Center. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA titles before the franchise disbanded in 2008.

The Charlotte Hornets are supporting an effort to bring the Sting back.

Kansas City, Austin and St. Louis expansion bids

Celebrity athletes are lending their star power to WNBA bids in several cities, including Patrick Mahomes getting involved in Kansas City’s expansion hopes, Jayson Tatum with St. Louis and Kevin Durant in Austin, Texas.

Philadelphia expansion bid

The Philadelphia 76ers put in a bid and have a new sports complex on the way that will house the NBA team as well as the Flyers. Having another city on the East Coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.

liams, acquired in an offseason trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo. Williams, eligible for free agency after this season, had a beard when he played for the Brewers.

“The New York Yankees are different,” Cashman said. “This is obviously a special place in baseball history. That logo has a lot of meaning behind it, and we want our past and our present players to recognize that and the future players to recognize that. So ultimately there’s still going to be things that we’re going to hold onto that are important for us, but I think as Hal just said more importantly is always trying to be a championship-caliber franchise and chasing winning.” Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. Clay Holmes and Gleyber Torres arrived at spring training this year with beards after leaving the Yankees.

“It’s somewhat surprising just because of how long the rule’s been around,” Holmes said.

“I have nothing against long hair per se,” George Steinbrenner said in 1976. “But I’m trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete.”

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

Charlotte Sting guard Dawn Staley (5), pictured in 2005, drives past Washington Mystics guard Temeka Johnson. The Hornets are looking to bring the city’s defunct WNBA franchise back.

the stream

The

Oscars with Conan O’Brien, Kate Hudson in

‘Running

“Nickel Boys” is up for two Oscars

The Associated Press

THE OSCARS telecast hosted by Conan O’Brien and Kate Hudson playing a pro basketball team president in a new Netflix series called “Running Point” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: RaMell Ross’ sensational “Nickel Boys,” the indie stunner “Ghostlight” and a recently unearthed, never-before-released concert album by Ella Fitzgerald.

MOVIES TO STREAM

RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” (streaming Friday on MGM+), adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, has been called the best American film of the year. It’s up for two Oscars: best picture and best adapted screenplay. The film, about two young men who have been sent to an abusive, mid-century Florida reform school called Nickel Academy. Ross films it almost entirely from the first person of those two boys, played by Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called “Nickel Boys” “a lyrical, heartbreaking and haunting journey into the darkness of a brutal reform school in the Jim Crow South.”

One of 2024’s small revelations was the indie stunner “Ghostlight” (now on Hulu). Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan’s film stars Keith Kupferer as a grieving father, a construction worker, who reluctantly joins a local theater production of “Romeo and Juliet.” A nominee at both the Spirit Awards and the Gotham Awards, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle said,”Ghostlight” is an uncommonly gentle, warm-hearted testament to the therapeutic power of theater.

MUSIC TO STREAM

Lalisa Manobal — who per-

Point,’ Ella Fitzgerald album unearthed

forms under the first name moniker of “Lisa,” communicating Cher- and Prince-like ambition — is best known as a vocalist and lead rapper of Blackpink, the impossibly popular K-pop girl group. Her story starts at age 14, when she auditioned for the quartet in her native Thailand and explodes from there. Now 27 and with a “White Lotus” acting credit to her name, a debut solo album is the next milestone. “Alter Ego,” out Friday, demonstrates her chamele-

onic skills: from her fierce flow on “Rockstar” to the airy pop of “New Woman” featuring Rosalía and the transformative “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” that interpolates Sixpence None the Richer’s 1998 hit “Kiss Me.” Ella Fitzgerald fans, rejoice.

A recently unearthed, never-before-released concert album, “The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum,” arrives Friday. The LP, recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, includes nine tracks. Fitzgerald,

her voice as powerful as ever, is joined by The Duke Ellington Orchestra. Start with “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” her cover of the Cole Porter cut. Or start anywhere — just start.

SHOWS TO STREAM

The 97th Academy Awards will be handed out on Sunday.

This year, the Spanish-language, French-made “Emilia Pérez,” leads with 13 nominations, including best picture, best ac-

“‘Ghostlight’ is an uncommonly gentle, warm-hearted testament to the therapeutic power of theater.”

Jake Coyle

tress for Karla Sofía Gascón and best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña. The narco-musical could make history as Gascón is the first transgender performer to be nominated for a best actress Oscar. The enthusiasm over Gascón has waned in recent weeks, however, due to problematic past tweets. The musical “Wicked” and the postwar drama “The Brutalist” follow with 10 nominations each. The Oscars will air on ABC and stream on Hulu.

Kate Hudson plays the new president of a pro basketball team in Los Angeles in a new Netflix series called “Running Point,” executive produced by Mindy Kaling. Hudson’s character is based on LA Lakers president Jeanie Buss. The sports comedy debuts Thursday on the streamer and also features Drew Tarver, Brenda Song, Chet Hanks, Jay Ellis and Max Greenfield.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

What’s new in Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest edition of Capcom’s long-running franchise? More monsters to hunt, of course. There’s Nu Udra, a giant octopus that prowls the Oilwell Basin and has no qualms about setting the whole place on fire. There’s Rey Dau, a wyvern that can harness lightning and zap you out of your armor. There’s Uth Duna, a fishy leviathan that wields water as a weapon. They’re just a few of the apex predators ready to eat you for lunch — but on the plus side, you do get to meet the friendly Seikret, an ostrich-like mount you can ride around Wilds’ sprawling environments. The hunt begins Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

Keith Kupferer and Katherine Mallen Kupferer star in”Ghostlight,” now streaming on Hulu.

Ethan Herisse, left, and Brandon Wilson star in the Oscar-nominated film “Nickel Boys.”

STATE & NATION

Trump says US ‘going forward’ with Canada, Mexico tariffs, more to come

They’ve been suspended since early February

By Josh Boak and Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” the U.S. president said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

While Trump was answering a specific question about the taxes to be charged on America’s two largest trading partners, the U.S. president also stressed more broadly that his intended “reciprocal” tariffs were on schedule to begin as soon as April.

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said.

Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers.

“Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,” Trump said.

In a interview on the Fox News show “Special Report” late Monday, Macron said he hoped he had convinced Trump to avoid a possible trade war, noting the difficulty of taking on a traditional ally such as Europe while simultaneously using tariffs to challenge China’s industrial might.

“We don’t need a trade war,” Marcon said. “We need more prosperity together.”

Most economists say the cost of the taxes could largely be borne by consumers, retailers and manufacturers such as auto companies that source globally and rely on raw materials such as steel and aluminum that Trump is already,

separately, tariffing at 25%.

Still, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared confident Monday that her administration would reach agreements with the U.S. government before the deadline set by Trump.

“We would need to be reaching important agreements this Friday,” Sheinbaum told reporters Monday morning before Trump’s remarks. “On all of the issues there is communication and what we need is to complete this agreement, I believe we’re in a place to do it.” If necessary, she said she would seek to speak directly with Trump again. In high-level discussions between both governments, Mexico has insisted that the U.S. also take a hard look at the drug distribution and consumption in its own country

rather than pointing only at production in Mexico, Sheinbaum said.

Companies like Walmart have warned about uncertainty, while the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment index plunged by roughly 10% over the past month in part due to fears about tariffs and inflation worsening. In the 2024 presidential election, voters backed Trump on the belief that he could cool inflation that had spiked to a four-decade high in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic during President Joe Biden’s time in office.

But Trump has persistently threatened tariffs and kept up those calls even as Macron, standing beside him, had previously suggested that talks on trade had produced some common ground.

“We want to make a sincere commitment towards a fair competition where we have smooth trade and more investments,” Macron said at the news conference, according to a translation of his French remarks.

Macron said the idea is to help the U.S. and Europe both prosper, saying that further talks would be carried out by their respective teams to flesh out their ideas.

Investors, businesses and the broader public are still trying to determine whether Trump is merely threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool or if he sincerely backs the tax hikes as a way to offset his planned income tax cuts.

Despite talks the Trump administration has held with Ca-

Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes gets 95 years for child porn, escape convictions

He also faces federal drug charges at a court in N.C.

By Jonathan Mattise

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women received a 95-year prison sentence Monday for other types of offenses: the production of child sex abuse images and an escape from an inmate transport van.

Judge J. Ronnie Greer in Greeneville called Sean Williams an unrepentant “organized, methodical sexual predator of women and children,” according to the Johnson City Press. Prosecutors said Williams, who was already in prison, had razor blades in his shoes on his way to court.

Williams, 53, congratulat-

ed a prosecutor for a ”dramatic performance” during Monday’s hearing in federal court and implied the images were faked or doctored. Williams laughed, shook his head and retorted when the judge said the only thing worse he could imagine would be being a serial killer.

Earlier this month, Johnson City officials voted to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women under “Jane Doe” pseudonyms against the city and individual police officers that claimed police deliberately botched investigations over sexual assault allegations against Williams from 2018 to 2021.

Williams has not yet been criminally charged as a result of the women’s allegations in the lawsuits.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors.

In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

The city and the officers have long denied corruption allegations, including a claim in the women’s lawsuit that Williams paid police to obstruct investigations into sexual assault allegations against him. The settlement broadly includes up to 400 women, including minors, who lodged any report of sexual abuse or trafficking to Johnson City Police from 2018 through December 2022, due to accusations of gender discrimination. The settlement still requires court approval.

A campus police officer at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee found Williams asleep in his car in 2023 while he was fleeing a federal felon-possessing-ammunition charge in April 2021.

His vehicle contained cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 and digital storage devices with more than 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Williams was also in possession of photos and videos showing him sexually assaulting at least 52 women at his Johnson City apartment while they were in an “obvious state of unconsciousness,” police wrote.

At least half a dozen names on folders containing videos of women were consistent with first names on a list labeled “Raped” that Johnson City officers had previously found in his apartment, a police affidavit said.

After being charged in con-

nadian and Mexican officials, the U.S. president signaled Monday that he would end the 30day suspension of tariffs that were initially set to take effect in February. Trump plans to tax imports from Mexico at 25% as well as most goods from Canada, with energy products such as Canadian oil and electricity being tariffed at a lower 10%.

Trump is placing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods with the stated goal of pressuring them to do more to address illegal immigration and the smuggling of illicit drugs such as fentanyl. While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures. Mexico has relocated 10,000 members of its National Guard to the border with the United States in addition to existing measures.

Trump also plans to impose new tariffs to match the rates charged by other countries. Set to begin as soon as April, the tariffs could be higher than what other countries would charge as subsidies, regulatory barriers and the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax common in Europe — would be included in the calculations.

The possibility of retaliatory tariffs planned by Canada, Mexico and Europe could lead to a broader trade conflict that sabotage growth. In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.

nection with the child sexual abuse images, Williams in October 2023 escaped from a van taking him from a Kentucky detention center to a hearing in Tennessee. Authorities caught him in Florida more than a month later.

He was convicted in July of the van escape and in November of the child sex abuse images of a 9-month-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Williams also raped the children’s mothers while they were unconscious and that there were images and videos of them as well. Williams took the sexually explicit photos of one child in 2008 and the other two on separate occasions in 2020, all in his apartment, prosecutors said.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors. In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs. Two other federal lawsuits against Johnson City and individual police officers are still pending over the investigation of sexual assault reports against Williams.

LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL VIA AP

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Randolph record

Winter wonderland

It was a snowy, idyllic scene looking south down the train tracks running through the middle of Southern Pines in the aftermath of last week’s blast of wintry weather.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Medical helicopter crashes in eastern N.C.

Wilmington Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a medical helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant Health says three team members on the AirLink helicopter on Monday night were transported for evaluation but that no patients were on board. The FAA says the Eurocopter EC -135 helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant says the team consisted of a pilot, a critical care registered nurse and a critical care paramedic. They were in fair condition Tuesday.

Greensboro-native

Rhiannon Giddens cancels Kennedy Center show

New York

Rhiannon Giddens, an Awardwinning singer-musician and Greensboro-native is the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has forced out the center’s leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees. Actor Issa Rae, author Louise Penny and the rock band Low Cut Connie also have canceled events.

Singer-songwriter Victoria Clark went ahead with her show but wore an anti-Trump T-shirt. Giddens is an eclectic roots musician known for co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Board of Education expresses displeasure with calendar law

State law forbids start dates prior to the Monday closest to Aug. 26

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Frustrations have been growing around the state in regard to school calendar law, and Randolph County is no exception.

At its February business meeting, the Randolph County Schools Board of Education was presented with the 2026 -27 school calendar and many of the board members voiced their displeasure with the current law.

According to state law, traditional public schools are forbidden from starting earlier than the Monday nearest to Aug. 26.

Districts are typically unable to finish the first semester before winter break, meaning students have to come back to take exams after about two weeks off.

“The conservative value is local control, and why is this any different?” said board member Todd Cutler. “I guarantee that the result would be that students will test better because of (an earlier start date). We go through almost a month from the time they get out of school until exams are finished, and it’s just ridiculous.”

The board also argued that not only would the earlier start help with potential learning loss, but it would also allow them to better align with the local community college schedule.

“I don’t understand how we have all these public school systems in our state that have relationships and these programs with the local community colleges, yet we cannot operate on the same calendar,” Cutler said. “I just can’t grasp that.”

The argument for the law, which was enacted in 2004, was that an earlier start date for schools could potentially harm the tourism industry.

“The conservative value is local control and why is this any different?”

Todd Cutler, board member

“It used to be that they would say, ‘It’ll affect tourism,’ but there has never been a tourism study,” Cutler said. “That’s bull-S.”

The board discussed potential ways in which they could stay within the confines of the law but still allow for the first semester to end before winter break, but the ideas weren’t ones that they felt the general populace would agree to.

“You could always offset your two semesters,” said superintendent Stephen Gainey, “but we put out a survey six or seven years ago, and we had very little interest in that. The legislation doesn’t say when you have to change semesters so the only

New church to launch in Liberty

Growing Faith Church will hold services at the elementary school with the hope of building membership

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

LIBERTY — The timing seemed right for Brian Beasley and others to organize a new church to serve the growing Liberty area.

The launch of Growing Faith Church is set for Sunday.

“A series of things called me to lead a church,” Beasley said, pointing to the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. “With

the growth, it seemed like the Lord was pulling us to assembly there.”

The first worship service is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at Liberty Elementary School at 206 North Fayetteville St.

Growing Faith Church stems from Pleasant Garden Baptist Church in Guilford County, slightly more than a dozen miles away.

“It’s our desire to be known for what we bring to the community rather than what happens on a Sunday morning,” Beasley said.

Plans for the church have been in the works since April, he said.

Beasley, 52, is a legal adviser for the High Point Police De-

“We’re following His timing. We’ll let the church grow.”

Brian Beasley, Growing Faith Church pastor

partment. He plans to retire from that position in 2026.

Yet there was an urgency to get rolling with Growing Faith Church. Beasley called it God’s timetable.

“We’re following His timing,” he said. “We’ll let the church grow. We hope many people will check us out.” Beasley earned a mas-

way you can do that is to make the fall semester shorter or you could add hours, but then you’re going to get into the after-school stuff.”

There have been multiple attempts at changing the law, even currently with House Bill 121 and Senate Bill 103, but most bills have stalled out in committee as they have been strongly opposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.

“It’s one person,” board chair Gary Cook said. “They’ll tell you, ‘If you want to break the law, we don’t have a problem with it,’ but the one person does and he holds a grudge if you break that law, I’ve heard, so it may bite you somewhere else.”

Following discussion, the board unanimously voted to still approve the proposed 2026-27 calendar that is aligned with state law.

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet March 17.

ter’s degree in pastoral ministry through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2022. There are no full-time church staff members, but the nine leaders are listed in various capacities.

Beasley said the core of the church group includes about 30 people who are considered charter members.

An ideal situation would be for the church to have its own facility, but that’s not in a current planning phase.

“We’re so blessed that the school has allowed us to meet there Sunday mornings,” Beasley said. “We really have to get established (before having a stand-alone facility).”

There have been a few “preview services” in advance of the official launch. Normal Sunday services are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

THURSDAY 2.27.25

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Bob Sutton, Randolph

Ryan Henkel,

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

RCSS uses remote days for first time since pandemic

Weather issues have caused several adjustments to the district’s procedures

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The first remote learning days of the school year were held last week in the Randolph County School System because of inclement weather.

Those sessions came on consecutive days because of weather-related concerns.

There were no remote instructional days during the 2023-24 school year for RCSS. Amber Ward, the district’s public information officer, said that prior to last week, the last remote days for students came during the pandemic.

RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey said the district had already absorbed five unscheduled days off that had been reserved for such situations this school year. So the next step, he said, is to dip into the five permitted remote learning days that the state allows.

Students and staff “did a very good job” with the remote learning days, Ward said, when asked how those sessions went.

Bus driver plan approved

The RCSS board of education approved a bus driver plan to provide incentives to bolster the number of drivers in the district.

These include incentives for permanent drivers, substitute drivers and future drivers. Routes are available for

mornings, afternoons or both. “We’ll be creative and flexible,” Gainey said. Gainey said bonuses of up to $500 are available based on several requirements based on the number of shifts drivers complete.

There’s also a chance for drivers to receive a bonus for recruiting other drivers to positions, Gainey said. All-county band rescheduled

The annual all-county band performance was rescheduled from last week to March 7 at Asheboro High School’s Performing Arts Center. It was postponed because of weather-related concerns.

This is a joint effort between RCSS and Asheboro City Schools.

USDA scholarship for students at historically black colleges suspended

Students awarded the scholarship will continue their work

The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal scholarship aimed at boosting students from underserved and rural areas attending historically black colleges and universities has been put on hold.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended the 1890 Scholars Program, which provided recipients with full tuition and fees for students studying agriculture, food or natural resource sciences at one of 19 universities, known as the 1890 land grant institutions.

THURSDAY FEB 27

FRIDAY FEB

It’s not clear exactly when the program was suspended, but some members of Congress first issued statements criticizing the suspension of the program last Thursday.

“The 1890 Scholars Pro -

CRIME LOG

Feb. 17

• Bryce Alan Moss, 37, of Thomasville, was arrested by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for possessing drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

Feb. 19

• Samuel Paul Saunders, 18, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault by strangulation and interfering with emergency communication.

• Brent William Hoyt, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for damaging real property, resisting a public officer, and being intoxicated and disruptive.

• Valarie Nicole Lowe, 40, of Madison, was arrested by RCSO for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Feb. 20

• Joe Allen Woods, 54, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for damaging property, misusing the 911 system, and making a false

gram has been suspended pending further review,” the Department of Agriculture said in a post on the program’s website.

The suspension coincides with a funding freeze President Donald Trump’s administration instituted. Administration officials had said the pause was necessary to review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders on issues like climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

A spokesperson for the department said Saturday in an email to The Associated Press that “every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department.” The spokesperson added that Secretary Brooke Rollins will review the scholarship program, its mission and its metrics to ensure taxpayer resources are used efficiently.

The funding freeze has been

• Robert William Smith, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.

• Mason Douglas Kinley, 24, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for disorderly conduct, simple assault, and damaging personal property.

• Jeffery Chad Hoover, 44, of Seagrove, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assaulting a law enforcement officer with serious injury, assaulting a government official, disorderly conduct, damaging personal property, resisting a public officer, and impeding traffic by sitting, standing, or lying.

• Courtney McKenzie Green, 24, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possessing drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

Feb. 21

• Matthew Cody Ortiz, 34, of Thomasville, was arrested by RCSO for possessing drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.

challenged in court, with a temporary hold on the executive action already in place.

The affected universities include Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T and Tuskegee University in Alabama, among others.

The scholarship program dates to 1992, but 1890 in the title refers to the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which established historically Black colleges and universities.

Eligibility rules include being a U.S. citizen with a GPA of 3.0 or better, along with acceptance to one of the 19 1890 land grant universities. Eligible students must also study agriculture or related fields and “demonstrate leadership and community service,” according to the department’s site.

In October, the department said it had set aside $19.2 million for the program. In fiscal year 2024, 94 students were awarded scholarships, the department said.

• David Mark Spivey, 61, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second-degree trespassing.

Feb. 22

• Jennifer Autumn Ferrell, 39, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for attempting to obtain property by false pretense, obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft, uttering a forged instrument, and possessing or manufacturing a fraudulent ID.

• Charles Nathaniel Spivey, 36, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing heroin, and simple possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

• Harlee Dakota Jessup, 29, of Bennett, was arrested by Asheboro PD for obtaining property by false pretense.

Feb. 23

• Michael Antonio Harris, 40, of Albemarle, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assaulting a female.

Randolph Guide

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

Feb.

28

The Liberty Showcase Presents: The Frontmen

8 p.m.

The Frontmen is comprised of three former lead singers, Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), Richie McDonald (Lonestar) and Tim Rushlow (Little Texas). Call 336-524-6 822 for more information.

The Liberty Showcase Theater 101 S. Fayetteville St. Liberty

Feb. 28-

March 2

RSVP Community Theater Presents: “Four Old Broads” by Leslie Kimbell

Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now. $17 for adults and $12 for seniors, youth and military. Buy online or purchase in person (check or cash only) at Brightside Gallery at 170 Worth St. Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

March

1

Creekside Park Run

9 a.m.

A free, fun and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate — it’s up to you! It’s free, but please register at parkrun.us/creekside before you come. Every week we grab a post run coffee at The Chat & Chew or The Wet Whistle — please come and join us!

Creekside Park 214 Park Drive Archdale

March

3

Teen Zone 4–5 p.m.

Every Monday at 4 p.m., teens take over the TeenZone at the Asheboro Public Library! Asheboro Public Library TeenZone hosts programs for ages 12-plus, including arts and crafts, book clubs, tutoring nights and more. Free programs, no registration required. For more information, call 336-318-6804.

Asheboro Public Library 201 Worth St. Asheboro

March 4

Crape Myrtle Propagation 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Learn when and how to take the cuttings, how to prepare them for rooting, and how to take care of them. Each participant will receive a Lavender Crape Myrtle cutting in a half-gallon pot with soil to take home to grow and plant in their yard. Open to ages 16-plus. A $5 nonrefundable cash fee for supplies must be paid at registration.

Randleman Public Library 142 W. Academy St. Randleman

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

| REP. RICHARD HUDSON

America is back

President Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic.

SINCE HIS INAUGURATION on Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump has worked tirelessly to restore border security, enforce our nation’s laws and make clear that your constitutional rights shall not be infringed. Following four years of chaos, Trump has sent a clear message: America is back, and he’s just getting started.

After just one month back in office, Trump reestablished the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, restarted construction of the border wall, ramped up deportation flights of criminal illegals, and ended the dangerous Biden-era “catch-andrelease” policy. These are just a few of the actions Trump has taken to regain control of our border and crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic, including sharply reducing illegal border crossings in just his first 11 days back in office. This is the “Trump Effect” in action, and it’s only just the beginning.

I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am continuing to work in lockstep with Trump to advance policies in Congress that

will secure our borders and protect our communities. Just last week, our House Republican majority passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act with bipartisan support.

This legislation, which I was proud to vote for, ensures that criminal illegals who try to flee from Border Patrol agents in a high-speed chase will face jail time and be subject to deportation. Too many of our law enforcement have paid the tragic price for illegals recklessly breaking our laws and engaging in this dangerous, reckless behavior to avoid detention. House passage of this legislation sends a clear warning to anyone crossing our borders illegally: If you put our Border Patrol agents in harm’s way, you will face serious consequences.

Additionally, I recently introduced the Protect Medicaid Act to prevent your tax dollars from being used to subsidize illegals’ health care costs and ensure we are taking care of our most vulnerable Americans. Over the past few years, liberal states like California have gamed the system to provide Medicaid benefits to illegals at the expense of hardworking taxpayers like you.

Not only is this already against the law, but it further incentivizes more illegal crossings at our border and puts our citizens who truly depend on the program on the

backburner. This is unacceptable, and my commonsense bill will put a stop to it.

Back at home, I visited the Family Traditions Gun Range recently to talk about the need for my Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Whether you have a concealed carry permit or live in a Constitutional carry state, every state should recognize it when you travel — just like a driver’s license. Our Second Amendment right does not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my bipartisan H.R. 38 would guarantee that.

Trump has also taken executive action to safeguard your freedoms and end the left’s unconstitutional attacks on your right to keep and bear arms. Working together, we will ensure your Second Amendment rights are protected — not targeted.

Whether it’s securing our border or defending our freedoms, Trump and Republicans in Congress are delivering on our promise to change the direction of our country. While there is a lot more to accomplish, rest assured we will Make America Great Again.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Get ready for America’s ‘little tech’ revolution

The Magnificent Seven companies have a combined net worth greater than all the companies of Europe.

THE SPECTACULAR dominance of America’s Magnificent Seven tech firms — with $1 trillion-plus market caps — has been a marvel to behold and a genuine source of American pride. This is a theme that both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have in celebration of American business prowess.

The Magnificent Seven companies — Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — have a combined net worth greater than all the companies of Europe.

Now that’s Chiefs-versus-Eagles dominance.

The mystery is why many regulators in Washington view these digital-age companies, whose continued rocket-ship growth has created hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs for Americans, as villains not heroes. They keep calling for a blanket of smothering regulations via antitrust laws to rein in their market power.

Now we have lawyers and lawmakers in Europe taking action to slam the brakes on these companies. It would be like government calling on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to stop writing so many hit records because it isn’t fair to all the other bands.

These court actions are particularly pernicious because the cost of internet services, search engines, cellphones, online shopping, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles has come down, but the courts and the lawyers say that they are crowding out the smaller startups. The sharks are apparently swallowing up the minnows.

But this whole “break up” Big Tech mentality advanced on the left and the right is particularly misguided because the tech industry of 2025 is characterized by thousands of smaller and often more nimble “little tech” companies that compete

with each other and Big Tech, providing exciting catalogs of new products.

A competitive tech sector is characterized by a healthy mix of established, scaled firms alongside smaller, nimbler firms — both working together and competing with each other to innovate and deliver for their customers.

On the back of recent breakthroughs in everything from AI to robotics to selfdriving cars, tech companies of all sizes coexist in a vast and vibrant race to the top. Out of this ecosystem will surely emerge a new generation of monster hits as transformational as Steve Jobs’ personal computer and the first Google search engine.

Out of these thousands of startups will emerge the next generation of Googles and Apples. If history is any guide, it’s a good bet that, sometime in the years ahead, the young upstarts will knock the big guys off their exalted perches. We don’t worry too much anymore about AOL dominating the internet, nor Intel dominating microchip production.

Think about today’s high-rising titans. Raise your hand if you had heard of Nvidia or OpenAI five years ago.

Big firms incubate the talent that starts small firms. Former employees of America’s tech leaders often go on to start their own hugely successful businesses. OpenAI cofounder Wojciech Zaremba worked at Meta. YouTube was founded by former PayPal employees. A former Tesla employee cofounded the news and opinion platform Substack.

Former Googlers have created over 2,000 startups, including Inflection AI, Adept AI, Cohere, Perplexity AI, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And 14 out of the world’s 50 most successful AI startups were founded by former Google employees. Larger firms

play a key role in incubating tech talent and ideas, catalyzing new startups and innovation that benefits consumers and the wider economy.

How many times have you heard the complaint that American companies are too short-term- oriented and don’t look past the next quarterly report?

Then how is it that Google invests more than $10 billion a year in research and development? Why is it that Meta has invested over $46 billion since 2021 into Reality Labs, focusing on building augmented reality and virtual reality?

Many of the breakthrough achievements of the next decade are just as likely to come from venture capital-funded startups that no one has heard of today. In Silicon Valley these disruptive upstarts like OpenAI are known as unicorns. As of 2024, the world had more than 1,400 unicorns, over half of which were founded in the United States.

Why is “little tech” housed in Silicon Valley and other America tech corridors like Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City? Because they feed off the creativity and dynamism of a risk-taking venture capital ecosystem that is nowhere else in the world to be found.

Federal regulators and the antitrust cops are the poisonous disrupters of these capitals of innovation. The ethos of Washington is: You can succeed and grow and become profitable — but not too much. If this antisuccess attitude is allowed to prevail, the casualties won’t be the Magnificent Seven but the next generation of trillion-dollar companies. Oh, they will come. Just not from America.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. His new book, coauthored with Arthur Laffer, is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”

COLUMN

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

AA flight from New York to New Delhi lands in Rome after security concern

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets

The Associated Press

ROME — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi landed safely in Rome on Sunday afternoon after it was diverted due to a security concern, which later proved to be “non-credible,” the airline said.

American Airlines said Flight 292 “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart.”

It didn’t clarify the cause of the security concern, but added an inspection was required by protocol before the flight could land in New Delhi.

“The flight will stay in Rome overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible,” the airline said.

An Associated Press reporter filmed two fighter jets flying over the airport shortly before the unscheduled landing. Fire trucks were visible on the landing strip on one side of the plane after it landed.

Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers on board, said the captain announced that the

plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

Chopra, who was traveling from Detroit to visit family, described the mood on the plane as calm after the initial announcement but said he began to feel stressed when the captain later announced that fighter jets would be escorting their plane to Rome.

“I felt a little panic of, ‘OK, what’s going on here?’” Chopra told the AP. “There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.”

Passenger Jonathan Bacon,

22, from Dayton, Ohio, started paying attention to the flight tracker on the seatback in front of him after the captain’s announcement of a “diversion due to a security issue,” observing the plane’s sharp turn away from New Delhi and route back toward Rome.

Passengers had no internet connection for much of the flight, Bacon said, with only some spotty access that clued them into early reports of the situation about two hours before landing.

After landing, Bacon said all passengers were loaded onto buses and taken to the terminal, where each passenger and their

The captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

personal items underwent additional security screenings that were time-consuming and felt “slightly heightened,” especially for arrivals. More than two hours after landing, Bacon and his friend said they were still waiting for their checked baggage, which they said was also undergoing security screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon said.

A spokesperson for the airport said it was continuing to operate normally.

Several JAG officers, as well as the chief of naval operations, were reassigned

By Lolita C. Baldor

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given.

Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.

President Donald Trump on Friday abruptly fired the chairman, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement. The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, were fired.

The removals — which came without any specified reasons

in terms of their conduct — sent a new wave of apprehension through the Pentagon. And they added to the broader confusion over the changing parameters of Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees provide recent job accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired, even though government officials later said the edict is voluntary.

Throughout the Pentagon on Monday, military and civilian workers juggled their routine

national security duties with a growing unease that anyone could be next on the firing block.

Hegseth has defended Trump’s firing of Brown, saying it was not unusual and the president deserves to pick his own team. The defense chief argued that other presidents made changes in military personnel.

Trump’s choice of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine is unusual. Caine would have to come back onto active duty, but he does not meet the legal

requirements for the top post. According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief. Those requirements can be waived by the president. Historically, Pentagon leaders have deliberately shifted top admirals and generals into a job as service chief for even a brief period of time in order to qualify them for the chairman’s post.

In recent decades, a number of three-and four-star officers have been fired, but Pen-

In recent decades, a number of threeand four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted.

tagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of America’s nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders. Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and only the second black general to serve as chairman, is the first in that post to be fired in recent history. Hegseth made it clear before he took the secretary’s job that he thought Brown should be fired, and he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was black.

Hegseth has also repeatedly argued that military officers would be reviewed “based on meritocracy.” It’s unclear, however, how Franchetti, Slife and the lawyers were evaluated and what meritocracy they were found to lack.

As a result, Pentagon workers are left to decipher whether the officers were fired due to political reasons or because of their race or gender. Hegseth has laid out a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. And there have been persistent threats from the Trump administration that military officers advocating diversity and equity — or so-called “wokeism” — could be targeted.

Hegseth has said that efforts to expand diversity and equity have eroded the military’s readiness.

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Monday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Darrin Evan Hughes

May 7, 1966 – Feb. 23, 2025

Darrin Evan Hughes, age 58, of Randleman, NC, passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2025.

Darrin was born on May 7, 1966, in Asheboro, NC, to Johnny Hughes and Billie Ann Harrell. He had a deep love for fishing and was a devoted NASCAR fan, with Dale Earnhardt Sr. being his all-time favorite driver. His dogs held a special place in his heart, and he cherished the time spent with his family. Darrin also found comfort in his faith and enjoyed attending Gospelway Baptist Church whenever he was able.

He is predeceased by his parents, Johnny Hughes and Billie Ann Harrell.

Darrin is survived by his stepfather, Paul Harrell; his sister, Amy Bruce; his brother, Kenneth Hughes; as well as four nephews and a niece who will fondly remember his love and kindness.

The Family to hold a Memorial Service at a later date

Pugh Funeral home of Randleman is Honored to serve the Hughes Family.

Rosa Huerta Mendez

Sept. 24, 1940 –Feb. 18, 2025

Rosa Mendez Huerta, 84, of Asheboro, NC, passed away on February 18, 2025. She was born on September 24, 1940, in El Puente De San Isidro, Michoacán, to Valentin Huerta and Consepcion Mendez.

Rosa was a woman of unwavering strength, independence, and deep devotion to her family. She was the heart of her home; a natural leader who always made sure things were done her way. Her love for cooking was legendary— every dish she prepared was filled with warmth, tradition, and unbeatable flavor. Nothing she made was ever less than perfect, and every meal was a testament to her love for those around her. A devoted Pepsi enthusiast, she always made sure her favorite drink was within reach and never hesitated to let you know when it wasn’t.

Rosa was a dedicated and hardworking woman who built a strong and loving household. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Andres Valencia.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience through her children: Maricela and Maria Valencia, Jose Luis, Fernando, and Armando Valencia. She was a cherished grandmother to Jazmin, Luis, Carlos, Sophia, Fani, Gaby, Leo, Ale, Paola, and Andres, and a beloved greatgrandmother to Allison, Milan, Mateo, Lily, Lexi, Alex, and Ariana.

Rosa’s presence will be deeply missed, but her love, strength, and traditions will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Dempsey Jarret Lednum

Sept. 22, 1941 – Feb. 15, 2025

Dempsey Jarret Lednum, 83, of Ramseur, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice in Spartanburg, SC Graveside Services, 2 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Whites Chapel Community Church, Liberty, with Rev. Gary Moger officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.

Jarret was a lifelong resident of Randolph County, retired from Seilig Upholstery and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Ramseur. As a man of the outdoors, Jarret’s passions included woodworking, maintaining machinery and gardening. His greatest joy was entertaining his grandchildren, which he accomplished with board games, a backyard full of personally created items for athletic activity and many hours of classic westerns. He will be best remembered for his hearty appetite, corny jokes and fun stories. He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Moore Lednum, parents, Cletis Lee and Mamie Poindexter Lednum, brothers, Garland, Carson and C.L. Lednum, and sisters, Lois Richardson and Phyllis Denzler.

Survivors: son, Joseph Lednum and wife, Melissa, of Woodruff, SC daughter, Jennifer Lednum Scott and husband, Andy, of Pinehurst, sisters, Elizabeth Jessup, of TN, Sue Wright, of Spartanburg, SC, brothers, Gilbert Lednum, of Asheboro, Lexie Lednum, and wife, Nancy, of Mocksville, Benny Ray Lednum and wife, Linda, of Dacusville, SC, grandchildren, Tyler Scott, Lauren Scott, Joshua Lednum and Jessica Lednum. Condolences may be made online at loflinfuneralservice.

com.

Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd., #250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Billy Williams

Sept. 28, 1964 –Feb. 19, 2025

Billy Williams, age 60, passed away in his home on February 19, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Penny Williams; their two sons, Matthew and Christopher Williams.

Billy was born in Beloit, WI on September 28, 1964, to Fred and Freida Williams. He was from a large family of 13 brothers and two sisters. Billy loved fishing, camping, and hunting. He was well-liked by his friends and family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 South Main Street in Randleman in the Eddy Pugh Memorial Chapel with Pastor Marcus Wall officiating. Pugh Funeral Home in Randleman is honored to serve the Williams family.

Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer and pianist, dies at 88

She was born in Black Mountain and rose to be a star

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Rober-

ta Flack, the North Carolina-born Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose intimate vocal and musical style made her one of the top recording artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died Monday. She was 88. She died at home surrounded by her family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. Flack announced in 2022 she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing.

Little known before her early 30s, Flack became an overnight star after Clint Eastwood used “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” as the soundtrack for one of cinema’s more memorable and explicit love scenes, between the actor and Donna Mills in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.”

The hushed, hymn-like ballad, with Flack’s graceful soprano afloat on a bed of soft strings and piano, topped the Billboard pop chart in 1972 and received a Grammy for record of the year.

“The record label wanted to have it rerecorded with a faster tempo, but he said he wanted it exactly as it was,” Flack told The Associated Press in 2018. “With the song as a theme song for his movie, it gained a lot of popularity and then took off.”

In 1973, she matched both achievements with “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” becoming the first artist to win consecutive Grammys for best record.

A classically trained pianist and who at age 15 received a full scholarship to Howard, the historically Black university, Flack was discovered in the late 1960s by jazz musician Les McCann,who later wrote that “her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.” Although versatile enough to summon the up-tempo gospel passion of Aretha Franklin, Flack often favored a more reflective and measured approach, as if curating a song word by word.

For Flack’s many admirers, she was a sophisticated and bold new presence in the music world and in the social and civil rights movements of the time, her friends including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, whom Flack visited in prison while Davis faced charges — for which she was acquitted — for murder and kidnapping. Flack sang at the funeral of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first black player, and was among the many guest performers on the feminist children’s entertainment project created by Marlo Thomas, “Free to Be ... You and Me.”

Flack’s other hits from the 1970s included the cozy “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and two duets with her close friend and former Howard classmate Donny Hathaway, “Where Is the Love” and ”The Closer I Get to You” — a partner-

ship that ended in tragedy. In 1979, she and Hathaway were working on an album of duets when he suffered a breakdown during recording and later that night fell to his death from his hotel room in Manhattan.

“We were deeply connected creatively,” Flack told Vibe in 2022, upon the 50th anniversary of the million-selling “Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway” album. “He could play anything, sing anything. Our musical synergy was unlike (anything) I’d had before or since.”

She never matched her first run of success, although she did have a hit in the 1980s with the Peabo Bryson duet “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” and in the 1990s with the Maxi Priest duet “Set the Night to Music.” In the mid-90s, Flack received new attention after the Fugees recorded a Grammy-winning cover of “Killing Me Softly,” which she eventually performed on stage with the hip-hop group.

Overall, she won five Grammys (three for “Killing Me Softly”), was nominated eight other times and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2020, with John Legend and Ariana Grande among those praising her.

“I love that connection to other artists because we understand music, we live music, it’s our language,” Flack told songwriteruniverse.com in 2020.

“Through music we understand what we are thinking and feeling. No matter what challenge life presents, I am at home with my piano, on a stage, with my band, in the studio, listening to music. I can find my way when I hear music.”

In 2022, Beyoncé placed

Flack, Franklin and Diana Ross among others in a special pantheon of heroines namechecked in the Grammy-nominated “Queens Remix” of “Break My Soul.”

Flack was briefly married to Stephen Novosel, an interracial relationship that led to tension with each of their families, and earlier had a son, the singer and keyboardist Bernard Wright. For years, she lived in Manhattan’s Dakota apartment building, on the same floor as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who became a close friend and provided liner notes for a Flack album of Beatles covers, “Let It Be Roberta.” She also devoted extensive time to the Roberta Flack School of Music, based in New York and attended mostly by students between ages 6 to 14.

Roberta Cleopatra Flack, the daughter of musicians, was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia. After graduating from Howard, she taught music in D.C.-area junior high schools for several years in her 20s, while performing after hours in clubs.

She sometimes backed other singers, but her own shows at Washington’s renowned Mr. Henry’s attracted such celebrity patrons as Burt Bacharach, Ramsey Lewis and Johnny Mathis. The club’s owner, Henry Yaffe, converted an apartment directly above into a private studio, the Roberta Flack Room.

“I wanted to be successful, a serious all-round musician,” she told The Telegraph in 2015. “I listened to a lot of Aretha, the Drifters, trying to do some of that myself, playing, teaching.”

DIANE BONDAREFF / AP PHOTO

Roberta Flack performs at the Jazz at Lincoln Center benefit concert, “Here’s to the Ladies: a Celebration of Great Women in Jazz,” in New York on Nov. 17, 2003.

STATE & NATION

Trump says US ‘going forward’ with Canada, Mexico tariffs, more to come

They’ve been suspended since early February

By Josh Boak and Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” the U.S. president said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

While Trump was answering a specific question about the taxes to be charged on America’s two largest trading partners, the U.S. president also stressed more broadly that his intended “reciprocal” tariffs were on schedule to begin as soon as April.

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said.

Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the fed-

eral budget deficit and new jobs for workers.

“Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,” Trump said.

In a interview on the Fox News show “Special Report” late Monday, Macron said he hoped he had convinced Trump to avoid a possible trade war, noting the difficulty of taking on a traditional ally such as Europe while simultaneously using tariffs to challenge China’s industrial might.

“We don’t need a trade war,” Marcon said. “We need more prosperity together.”

Most economists say the cost of the taxes could largely be borne by consumers, retailers and manufacturers such as auto companies that source globally and rely on raw materials such as steel and alu-

minum that Trump is already, separately, tariffing at 25%.

Still, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared confident Monday that her administration would reach agreements with the U.S. government before the deadline set by Trump.

“We would need to be reaching important agreements this Friday,” Sheinbaum told reporters Monday morning before Trump’s remarks. “On all of the issues there is communication and what we need is to complete this agreement, I believe we’re in a place to do it.” If necessary, she said she would seek to speak directly with Trump again. In high-level discussions between both governments, Mexico has insisted that the U.S. also take a hard look at the drug distribution and consumption in its own country

rather than pointing only at production in Mexico, Sheinbaum said.

Companies like Walmart have warned about uncertainty, while the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment index plunged by roughly 10% over the past month in part due to fears about tariffs and inflation worsening. In the 2024 presidential election, voters backed Trump on the belief that he could cool inflation that had spiked to a four-decade high in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic during President Joe Biden’s time in office.

But Trump has persistently threatened tariffs and kept up those calls even as Macron, standing beside him, had previously suggested that talks on trade had produced some common ground.

“We want to make a sincere commitment towards a fair competition where we have smooth trade and more investments,” Macron said at the news conference, according to a translation of his French remarks.

Macron said the idea is to help the U.S. and Europe both prosper, saying that further talks would be carried out by their respective teams to flesh out their ideas.

Investors, businesses and the broader public are still trying to determine whether Trump is merely threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool or if he sincerely backs the tax hikes as a way to offset his planned income tax cuts.

Despite talks the Trump administration has held with Ca-

Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes gets 95 years for child porn, escape convictions

He also faces federal drug charges at a court in N.C.

By Jonathan Mattise

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women received a 95-year prison sentence Monday for other types of offenses: the production of child sex abuse images and an escape from an inmate transport van.

Judge J. Ronnie Greer in Greeneville called Sean Williams an unrepentant “organized, methodical sexual predator of women and children,” according to the Johnson City Press. Prosecutors said Williams, who was already in prison, had razor blades in his shoes on his way to court.

Williams, 53, congratulat-

ed a prosecutor for a ”dramatic performance” during Monday’s hearing in federal court and implied the images were faked or doctored. Williams laughed, shook his head and retorted when the judge said the only thing worse he could imagine would be being a serial killer.

Earlier this month, Johnson City officials voted to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women under “Jane Doe” pseudonyms against the city and individual police officers that claimed police deliberately botched investigations over sexual assault allegations against Williams from 2018 to 2021.

Williams has not yet been criminally charged as a result of the women’s allegations in the lawsuits.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors.

In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

The city and the officers have long denied corruption allegations, including a claim in the women’s lawsuit that Williams paid police to obstruct investigations into sexual assault allegations against him. The settlement broadly includes up to 400 women, including minors, who lodged any report of sexual abuse or trafficking to Johnson City Police from 2018 through December 2022, due to accusations of gender discrimination. The settlement still requires court approval.

A campus police officer at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee found Williams asleep in his car in 2023 while he was fleeing a federal felon-possessing-ammunition charge in April 2021.

His vehicle contained cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 and digital storage devices with more than 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Williams was also in possession of photos and videos showing him sexually assaulting at least 52 women at his Johnson City apartment while they were in an “obvious state of unconsciousness,” police wrote.

At least half a dozen names on folders containing videos of women were consistent with first names on a list labeled “Raped” that Johnson City officers had previously found in his apartment, a police affidavit said.

After being charged in con-

nadian and Mexican officials, the U.S. president signaled Monday that he would end the 30-day suspension of tariffs that were initially set to take effect in February. Trump plans to tax imports from Mexico at 25% as well as most goods from Canada, with energy products such as Canadian oil and electricity being tariffed at a lower 10%.

Trump is placing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods with the stated goal of pressuring them to do more to address illegal immigration and the smuggling of illicit drugs such as fentanyl. While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures. Mexico has relocated 10,000 members of its National Guard to the border with the United States in addition to existing measures.

Trump also plans to impose new tariffs to match the rates charged by other countries. Set to begin as soon as April, the tariffs could be higher than what other countries would charge as subsidies, regulatory barriers and the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax common in Europe — would be included in the calculations.

The possibility of retaliatory tariffs planned by Canada, Mexico and Europe could lead to a broader trade conflict that sabotage growth. In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.

nection with the child sexual abuse images, Williams in October 2023 escaped from a van taking him from a Kentucky detention center to a hearing in Tennessee. Authorities caught him in Florida more than a month later.

He was convicted in July of the van escape and in November of the child sex abuse images of a 9-month-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Williams also raped the children’s mothers while they were unconscious and that there were images and videos of them as well. Williams took the sexually explicit photos of one child in 2008 and the other two on separate occasions in 2020, all in his apartment, prosecutors said.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors. In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

Two other federal lawsuits against Johnson City and individual police officers are still pending over the investigation of sexual assault reports against Williams.

LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL VIA AP

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

RandolpH SPORTS

Randolph County wrestlers racked up close to half of the classification’s state championships

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

GREENSBORO — Trinity and Wheatmore shared some of the glory in the Class 2A division of the wrestling state tournament.

There was plenty to go around.

Randleman’s Braxton Walker joined in the fun as part of Randolph County’s huge presence in the classification during Monday’s finals.

Trinity’s Aiden Burkholder (106 pounds) and Lawson Coltrane (165) won championships along with Wheatmore’s Ayden Sumners (126) and Dominic Hittepole (175).

So of the 14 weight classes in Class 2A, titles in five of them belonged to wrestlers from Randolph County across the three-day tournament at First Horizon Coliseum.

It’s the first time in school history that Wheatmore has two state champions in the same year.

Hittepole, a runner-up last year, controlled Mount Pleasant’s Jacob Reigel in a 7-0 decision in a rematch of the Midwest Regional final Feb. 15.

“I was excited, but it just

hasn’t hit yet,” Hittepole said. “It paid off, all the hard work.”

Hittepole (47-5), a junior, outscored opponents by a combined 50-15 in the tournament.

In Sunday night’s semifinal, Hittepole used a tiebreaking takedown with 49 seconds left on the way to an 8-6 decision against Eden Morehead’s Brock Blizzard. Hittepole won his first two bouts with a major decision and a technical fall.

Sumners (35-4) edged Washington’s Bryce Perry 6-5, coming back after yielding a first takedown.

“I feel like I took control from top,” Sumners said. “I’ve been working my butt off for this one.”

Sumners (35-4), a sopho -

more transfer from Ragsdale, also trailed in the semifinals. He went ahead with a takedown late in the second period and ended up pinning Rutherfordton-Spindale Central’s Sam Gosnell in 5:07.

“I feel like the lights really got to me and wrestled a little nervous,” Sumners said.

Walker’s dominance continued all the way until the end in the 215-pound division, roughing up Seaforth’s Ethan Kuball 14-2 in the final.

“My goal was to tech fall everybody,” Walker said. “But I got the job done. That’s all that matters.”

Walker (40-3) led 8-1 through two periods and, with an 11-2 advantage, then lifted Kuball for

a dramatic maneuver and three more points — much to the delight of his Randleman baseball teammates, who from Section 119 roared approval of a wrestling version of a grand slam.

“Unreal support from my school,” Walker said. “The whole team showed up, and I couldn’t be more appreciative.”

Walker registered three technical falls, yielding a total of seven points in those manhandlings. That included a match that lasted 5:21 in the semifinals against Trask’s Asher Eason.

“My mindset this whole tournament has been to dominate,” Walker said.

Randleman boys, Southwestern Randolph girls hold high seeds

The two Class 1A schools both produced a pair of individual state champions

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

GREENSBORO — The third consecutive individual state championship for Uwharrie Charter Academy junior Lorenzo Alston was an expected highlight.

Then look at what Eastern Randolph did in Class 1A during the state tournament at First Horizon Coliseum.

The Wildcats produced a state champion for the first time in 22 years — and they had two of them Monday at First Horizon Coliseum. Junior David Lambright (126 pounds) and sophomore Maddox Carson (285) claimed the championships.

Michael Shropshire, a junior 215-pounder, added his name to UCA’s title list.

Alston (39-0) set himself up to be part of an elite list if

he can repeat his success next year despite an atypical result in the final. He handled Bradford Prep sophomore Michael Mauro for a 12-2 decision at 157 pounds.

“Just go out there and wrestling to my abilities,” said Alston, who pointed out he was feeling a bit ill.

So it was the first time this season one of Alston’s matches lasted six minutes. All others ended in pins, technical falls or forfeits. He led 6-1 after the first period.

“I got the job done,” Alston said. “Finally get to say it’s over.”

State playoffs in basketball began this week with the first two rounds on tap

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

RANDLEMAN BOYS’ team holds the top seed among all Randolph County teams on the bracket for the basketball state playoffs. The Tigers (23-1), who are Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champions, are the No. 2 seed in the Class 2A West Region. Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ team is a No. 3 seed in the Class 2-A West Region. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released the pairings and seeds Sunday night. First-round games were scheduled for Tuesday night, with winners advancing to Friday night’s second round. It takes six victories to win a state championship. The regional finals and state championship games are next month at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

Several area teams could have a few home games in the postseason. See PLAYOFFS, page B2

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Trinity’s Lawson Coltrane controls Connor Byrd of Bandys in the Class 2A state final at 165 pounds Monday at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Eastern Randolph’s Maddox Carson works on top against Alleghany’s Jason Vielandi in the 285-pound final in Class 1A.

HOME PLATE MOTORS

Abbie Gudino

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Uwharrie Charter Academy, girls’ basketball

Gudino has been a key part of UCA’s strong season, particularly with the late-season stretch that has come with several accomplishments for the Eagles.

Gudino, who’s one of two seniors on the team, was injured when the season began. Her return to action has added to the team’s success.

Last week, UCA won the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time. Along the way, the program reached the 20-win level for the first time.

Gudino provided a team-high 11 points in a first-round PAC Tournament victory against Eastern Randolph. UCA coach Austin Davis has described her as a player who brings critical energy to the team on the court.

Gudino is also a soccer player at the school.

Randleman finds answers, dashes Eastern Randolph’s comeback bid for PAC crown

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

RANDLEMAN — In typ -

ical fashion for Randleman’s boys’ basketball team this season, the Tigers had the appropriate responses.

That became the theme in the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, with Randleman handling the pressure and eventually delivering decisive blows for a 68-56 victory against visiting Eastern Randolph on Friday night in front of a capacity crowd.

“It was our hustle,” Tigers guard Pacey Wagner said. “We play so hard and we play so well together.”

That’s what it took in this third meeting between the PAC’s top two teams. Randleman (23-1) has won each time.

Tyshaun Goldston scored 13 of his 25 points in the first quarter, when the Tigers went up by 10 points. Chase Farlow finished with 16 points, Connor Cassidy had 11 points and Wagner provided 10 points.

Randleman has claimed conference regular-season and tournament championships in back-to-back seasons for the first time.

Timothy Brower posted 18 points, Tyler Gee and 15 points and Julian Brooks supplied 12 points for the Wildcats (16-8).

There was a relentless nature to Randleman’s defense. At times, when the Wildcats looked like they might have an opening, the Tigers were closing fast and Farlow and Goldston got into the shot-blocking act.

“Flying around,” Farlow said. “Because all our guys were flying around.”

Much of the attention was focused on containing Brower, and that generally worked out.

“It felt like we were chasing all night,” Brower said.

But Eastern Randolph chopped into a 13-point deficit a couple of times.

In the third quarter, Gee had a burst with eight of Eastern Randolph’s 10 points before teammate Will Stalker’s basket trimmed the gap to 4037. Cassidy sank a 3-pointer.

In the fourth quarter, the

Wildcats got it to 53-49 on Brower’s drive to the basket.

Cassidy then drilled another 3.

“When we brought it down to four, I thought we were about to (pull it off),” Brower said of thoughts before Cassidy connected. “Then everybody’s demeanor changed.”

Randleman coach Daniel Mitchell wasn’t surprised by how his veteran team reacted.

“They didn’t want to lose,” Mitchell said. “Every time they made their run, we made our run.”

With a 63-56 edge, Goldston sank two free throws with 1:49 to play and Eastern Randolph never scored again.

“We play with a lot of energy,” Cassidy said.

It helped having Goldston’s impact evident from the opening minutes. He made his first five shots from the field.

“When he comes out and he’s kind of really focused on something, when he’s like that, he gets up for the big games,” Mitchell said.

More on PAC Tournament

After a bye in the quarterfinals, Randleman blitzed fourth-seeded Providence Grove 71-50 as Farlow had 22 points and Cassidy notched 12 points. For Providence Grove, Andrew Thomas had 24 points

and Will Dabbs added 11.

Eastern Randolph won twice at home, rolling past seventh-seeded Trinity 92-56 and topping third-seeded UCA 8567 on Tuesday.

Camden Jones racked up 28 points, Brooks posted 23 and Brower added 15 points as the Wildcats stopped UCA for the second time in nine nights. Aaron Smith had 21 points for UCA, while Jaylan Brown and Braeden Lamb notched 14 apiece. In the Trinity game, Brooks poured in 31 points and Jones and Brower each had 14 points. UCA’s 61-51 quarterfinal victory against sixth-seeded Southwestern Randolph came with 16 points from Jaydon DeNamur and 13 apiece for Smith, Lamb and Brown. Providence Grove withstood fifth-seeded Wheatmore for a 66-59 triumph in the quarterfinals as Dabbs compiled 23 points. Parker Kines with 18 points and Wyatt Stepp with 15 points countered for Wheatmore.

Mid-Piedmont Conference

The tournament was reduced to two rounds because of weather concerns. Fourth-seeded Asheboro lost 44-33 at top-seeded Ledford in the semifinals. Osiris Rodriguez had 11 points for Asheboro.

UCA girls snap Cougars’ unbeaten mark

It was a productive week of milestones for the Eagles in the PAC Tournament

Randolph Record staff

ASHEBORO — An undefeated record for Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team was dashed in the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.

Uwharrie Charter Academy churned out a 49-43 victory Friday night.

It’s the first conference tournament championship for the Eagles, who held the No. 3 seed and avenged to regular-season losses.

Navaeh Staples poured in 19 points, Naimah Al-Arif provided 10 points and Lainey Thomas had eight

PLAYOFFS from page B1

Boys

Randleman was to open vs. No. 31 seed Forest Hills (12 -14). No. 27 seed Providence Grove (12-14) headed to No. 6 seed Lincoln Charter (17-9). Class 1A teams Eastern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy were set to open at home.

Eastern Randolph (16-8) holds the No. 7 seed and welcomed Mitchell (13-9). No. 16

UCA has collected a program-record number of victories this season

points for visiting UCA (22-7).

Southwestern Randolph (25-1) was led by Jordin George’s 15 points, Maddie Strider’s 10 points and Gracie Hodgin’s eight points. It was an eventful week for UCA. In a 56-49 semifinal victory at second-seeded Providence Grove, Staples poured in 15 points, Thomas had 14 points, Al-Arif had 12 points and Kayla Brown added 10 points.

A day earlier, UCA 49-16 handled sixth-seeded Eastern Randolph by 49-16. Abbie Gudino had 11 points in that game.

seed UCA (18-9) matched up against No. 17 seed Murphy (14-11).

It marked the first time the Eagles had reached the 20win mark. That game also gave coach Austin Davis his 100th career victory.

Earlier in the week, Southwestern Randolph topped Randleman for the fourth time this season with a 54-38 victory in the semifinals. George had 17 points, Kenzie Martin provided 11 points and 10 rebounds and Hodgin added 10 points. R andleman received Jacquline McDaniel’s 13 points.

Fourth-seeded Randleman notched a 38-32 victory against fifth-seeded Wheatmore in the quarterfinals with McDaniel posting 14 points. Providence Grove advanced past seventh-seeded Trinity (8-17) by 44-28.

Eastern Randolph (6-17) didn’t make the state playoffs.

In Class 3A, Asheboro (15 - 8) is the No. 17 seed with a trip to No. 16 seed Northeast Guilford (18-7). This was a m atchup of future conference colleagues based on proposals for upcoming realignment. Girls Southwestern Randolph was to meet No. 30 seed Wilkes Central (7-16). The Cougars (25-1) were coming off their first loss of the season. There was to be a clash between PAC teams when No. 18 seed Providence Grove (178) visited No. 15 seed Randleman (15-10). Also in Class 2A, No. 20 seed Wheatmore (14-10) was heading to No. 13 seed Maiden (22-5).

In Class 1A, PAC Tournament champion UCA (22-7) is the No. 6 seed in the West Region, meaning a home date with No. 27 seed Murphy (1116) to start the state playoffs.

JANN ORTIZ FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

Randleman players Tyshaun Goldston, left, and Pacey Wagner show off some hardware after the PAC Tournament championship game.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Massacre in Boston, Lindbergh baby kidnapped, Chamberlain scores 100, Stalin dies

The Associated Press

FEB. 27

1933: Germany’s parliament building, the Reichstag, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties.

1942: The Battle of the Java Sea began during World War II; Imperial Japanese naval forces scored a decisive victory over the Allies.

1951: The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms in office, was ratified.

FEB. 28

1953: Francis H.C. Crick announced that he and fellow scientist James D. Watson had discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

1983: Nearly 106 million viewers watched the final episode of the television series

“M.A.S.H.” It remains the mostwatched episode of any U.S. television series to date.

WRESTLING from page B1

It was slightly more complicated for Shropshire, who overcame Mount Airy’s Aaron Ruiz-Angel for a 17-7 decision. It was tied 4-4 going to the third period.

“He wasn’t beating me,” Shropshire said. “I started putting on my ‘A’ game.”

Shropshire recorded three takedowns in the final 95 seconds.

“I try to not be in my head,” he said. “It feels like my work has paid off.”

Alston needed just one move in Sunday’s semifinals, turning that into a 37-second pin of Starmount’s Brodie Wright. Alston began with a technical fall in 1:25 against Wesley Willey of East Stokes.

Shropshire used overtime for a decision against Alleghany’s Dylan Phipps in the first round, using a takedown with 15 seconds to go in the extra period. Then came his 16-7 semifinal decision against Rosewood’s Nick Wade.

Eastern Randolph’s titles came in vastly different fashions.

Carson (35-7) needed overtime to fend off Alleghany’s Jason Vielandi, recording a takedown 28 seconds into the extra session for a 4-1 victory.

“You’re just nervous in over-

CLASS 2A from page B1

Coltrane topped Connor Byrd of Bandys by 7-2 for the title in his final high school bout.

“It hasn’t really set in,” Coltrane said. “I was just telling myself it just was another match.”

Coltrane (44-1) never trailed, with a third-period reversal pushing his lead to 5-1.

“He pinned me last year (in the regional quarterfinals), so I was trying to be cautious because I knew he had that pinning ability,” Coltrane said. “I was just staying confident in myself.”

Burkholder (55-3), a sophomore, pinned Washington’s Sam Boltes in 5:04 in a stellar final.

“When I get on top, I feel I can keep anybody down.” Burkholder said.

Burkholder said his confidence has grown rapidly as he became stronger throughout the season. His first three bouts in the tournament resulted in a pin, technical fall and a 6-0 decision.

1993: Agents tried to arrest Branch Davidian leader David Koresh in Waco, Texas, on weapons charges; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began.

MARCH 1

In 1932: Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, was kidnapped.

1961: President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps.

1971: A bomb went off inside a men’s room at the U.S. Capitol. The radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility.

MARCH 2

1877: Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election.

1962: Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the New York Knicks, a single-game NBA record that still stands.

MARCH 3

1931: President Herbert Hoover signed a bill making “The Star-Spangled Ban-

ner” the national anthem of the United States.

1991: Motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers after a highspeed chase in a scene captured on amateur video.

MARCH 4

1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated for his first term as president. In his inaugural speech, Roosevelt stated, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

1966: John Lennon of The Beatles was quoted in the London Evening Standard as saying, “We’re more popular than Jesus now.”

MARCH 5

1946: Winston Churchill delivered his “Iron Curtain” speech in which he said: “From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an ‘iron curtain’ has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.”

1953: Soviet dictator Josef Stalin died after three decades in power.

1963: Country music performers Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in a plane crash.

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Michael

during his 215-pound championship

time,” Carson said. “You both want it.” Carson, who weighed in at 241 pounds, is right guard on Eastern Randolph’s football team.

Lambright needed only 2:51 to produce a technical fall against Kale Stephenson of Swain County in the final.

Lambright (46-2) said he was surprised “by winning by so much.” He did a black flip on the mat after his hand was raised. On Sunday, Lambright notched a 54-second pin and another fall in the second peri-

“These are guys who are the best in the state,” he said. “I can actually do this.”

Trinity 138-pounder Jaden Allred finished second with a 9-3 loss to Eden Morehead’s Elijah Horton.

Allred (56-3) rode Horton (49-1) hard in the third period but couldn’t get a turn.

Earlier, Allred won by two pins and a 14-0 decision.

Southwestern Randolph senior Jose Flores (285, 41-2), a 2023 state champion, placed third.

Flores trailed Goldsboro’s Jaden McClary by 4-0 late in the semifinal bout when a repeated dispute about the clock unfolded. Southwestern Randolph coaches protested the issue, and officials held several conferences to try to sort it out.

When time had expired, Flores appeared to be working toward a move that might have turned McClary. The match was deemed complete.

Flores then won two matches Monday, including a consolation semifinal by 3-0 against Trinity’s Joseph Trahan.

od against Polk County’s Amon Villarreal and South Stanly’s Ikey Holt. Carson flattened both his opponents — Cherryville’s Ahmir Starr and Pamlico County’s Jacquin Kirkman — with second-period pins.

UCA’s Andrew White (120, 30-12), Aiden Foster (165, 49 -5) and Caden Bond (175, 49-3) placed third. Teammates Ayven Virasone Chitavong (106, 47-4), Rick Riccardella (138, 32-7) and Brandon Jordan (144, 31-9) placed fourth.

Mount Airy won the team title with 147½ points, with UCA second at 112½.

Freeman

Trinity’s Steven Cross (113, 48-11), Omega Edge (120, 45-16) and Trahan (285, 50-7) finished fifth and Edgar Vasquez (126, 39-17) and Jayden Henry

the

Trinity

Class 3A

Asheboro 120-pounder Oscar Zelaya lost his first and third matches. Teammate Bear Bigelow (126) went 0-2.

Girls’ division

Trinity had a pair of runners-up with both of its entrants reaching the finals.

Trinity’s Bliss Joyce at 132 and Briana Joyce at 235 both advanced to Monday’s title bouts after each winning three matches. Bliss Joyce has recorded two pins.

The finals didn’t go so well.

lost a 4-2 decision

Joyce (33-7) fell by pin in 3:42 to Rosewood’s Sophia Marshall. Asheboro’s Alaina Scherer (235, 27-21) was eliminated with losses in her two bouts.

(150, 49-13), was sixth. Noah Browning (190, 42-16) of Wheatmore was sixth. Providence Grove’s Mitchell

(157) won two matches by technical falls and lost twice by pins. Wheatmore’s Spencer Moore (144) went 2-2. Teammate Johnathan Kelly (215) rallied in the final seconds to force overtime in the second consolation round before falling.

was

team runner-up with 142 points behind defending champion Seaforth’s 147.

Bliss Joyce (36-1)

to Purnell Swett’s Iyanna Crawford. Briana

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Wheatmore’s Ayden Sumners leaps into the arms of coach Kyle Spencer after winning the 126-pound state championship.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Shropshire reacts

match in Class 1A.

Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending era of family control

Some fans have doubts about Bond’s new corporate overloads

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

NEW YORK — In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, Amazon MGM announced last Thursday that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would be stepping back.

“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson said in a statement. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion, a purchase that was significantly motivated by the acquisition of one of the movies’ most beloved and long-running franchises. Since the Daniel Craig era of 007 concluded with 2021’s “No Time to Die,” Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond.

“We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James

“We are honored to continue this treasured heritage and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

Mike Hopkins, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios

Bond to movie theaters around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.

“We are honored to continue this treasured heritage and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

Bond had been a family business since Albert “Cubby” Broccoli secured the rights to adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and kicked off a run of 25 Bond films produced by Eon Productions, beginning with 1962’s “Dr. No.”

In 1995, the elder Broccoli handed over control of Eon to his daughter and stepson. In recent years, the 64-year-old

Broccoli has largely taken the lead as Wilson, 83, has aged into retirement.

“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli,” Broccoli said in a statement. “I have had the honor of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”

A key point for the producers in the Amazon acquisition of MGM was a commitment to theatrically release James Bond films. That Bond’s future is now in the hands of an e-commerce giant with one of the leading streaming services will immediately prompt doubts from some fans about Bond’s new corporate overloads. Other billion-dollar movie franchises, such as the Disney-owned “Star Wars” and Marvel brands, have in recent years struggled with oversaturation.

Even Joe Russo, co-director of four Marvel Cinematic Universe films including “Avengers: Endgame,” pleaded to Amazon MGM: “DON’T cinematic universe James Bond.”

“It is one of our last, great theatrical events,” Russo said on X. “Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.”

Daniel Craig played the role of secret agent James Bond in five installments of the franchise.

Puchner becomes latest Winfrey book club member

“Dream State” was inspired in part by a disastrous wedding

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Eric Puchner

is a well-regarded fiction writer whose new novel, “Dream State,” tells a story about life’s unexpected and improbable twists.

Weeks before the book’s release, Puchner himself received some very surprising news, from Oprah Winfrey, who told him that she had chosen “Dream State” for her book club.

“I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize,” the author said during a recent interview. “When the caller said she was Oprah Winfrey, I nearly dropped the phone I was so baffled. I was expecting to talk to my publicist, and at first, I didn’t believe her. But then she started to talk in that inimitable way.”

The 54-year-old author is an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University who hopes the Winfrey endorsement might mark a shift from years “toiling in obscurity,” wishing only that he could attract enough readers to keep writing. “Dream State,” is the fourth book from Puchner, whose previous works include the story collections “Music Through the Floor” and “Last Day on Earth” and the novel “Model Home,” a finalist for the

PEN/Faulkner Award in 2011. Puchner’s latest work, published last Tuesday, is a love triangle among two old college friends and the woman they both have wished to marry. Set mostly in Montana and California, the 432-page narrative extends half a century from his characters’ early years to approaching old age as all contend with their feelings for each other and how they imagine they might otherwise have turned out.

“This is the kind of book you won’t want to put down written by a brilliant storyteller,” Winfrey said in a statement. “Spanning fifty years, ‘Dream State’

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

“This is the kind of book you won’t want to put down written by a brilliant storyteller.”

Oprah Winfrey

is an exquisite examination of the important relationships we have in our lives — love, marriage, friendship — and how life can turn out so differently than we expected.”

Puchner is a Baltimore resident who says the book was inspired in part by a disastrous wedding he once attended that he reimagined for “Dream State” and by a house in Montana that he and his wife and two children stay at in the summer. The book touches upon the damages caused by climate change that he has witnessed over the years in Montana, whether drought or hotter temperatures.

“I know that I wanted to write about this place that I love and what was happening to it,” he says.

Winfrey established her book club in 1996 and currently presents it in partnership with Starbucks. Her conversation with Puchner took place in a Starbucks in the Empire State Building and the video podcast can be seen on Winfrey’s YouTube channel.

MICHAEL SOHN / AP PHOTO

DOUBLEDAY VIA AP

“Dream State” is author Eric Puchner’s fourth book.

Roger Daltrey of the Who is 81, Jon Bon Jovi turns 63, Chelsea Clinton celebrates 45, Ron Howard is 71

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week:

FEB. 27

Broadcast journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault is 83. Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy is 64. Chelsea Clinton is 45.

FEB. 28

Actor-director-choreographer Tommy Tune is 86. Hall of Fame auto racer Mario Andretti is 85. Actor Mercedes Ruehl is 77. Actor-singer Bernadette Peters is 77.

MARCH 1

Rock singer Roger Daltrey is 81. Filmmaker Ron Howard is 71. Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Webber is 52. Actor MarkPaul Gosselaar is 51. Pop singer Justin Bieber is 31.

MARCH 2

Author John Irving is 83. Laraine Newman (“Saturday Night Live”) is 73. Singer Jay Osmond is 70. Singer Jon Bon Jovi is 63. Actor Daniel Craig is 57. Actor Rebel Wilson (“Pitch Perfect” movies) is 45.

MARCH 3

Movie producer-director George Miller (“Mad Max,” “Babe”) is 80. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 78.

MARCH 4

Singer Chris Rea

the stream

The Oscars with Conan O’Brien, Kate Hudson in

‘Running

“Nickel Boys” is up for two Oscars

The Associated Press

THE OSCARS telecast hosted by Conan O’Brien and Kate Hudson playing a pro basketball team president in a new Netflix series called “Running Point” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: RaMell Ross’ sensational “Nickel Boys,” the indie stunner “Ghostlight” and a recently unearthed, never-before-released concert album by Ella Fitzgerald.

MOVIES TO STREAM

RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” (streaming Friday on MGM+), adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, has been called the best American film of the year. It’s up for two Oscars: best picture and best adapted screenplay. The film, about two young men who have been sent to an abusive, mid-century Florida reform school called Nickel Academy. Ross films it almost entirely from the first person of those two boys, played by Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called “Nickel Boys” “a lyrical, heartbreaking and haunting journey into the darkness of a brutal reform school in the Jim Crow South.”

One of 2024’s small revelations was the indie stunner “Ghostlight” (now on Hulu). Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan’s film stars Keith Kupferer as a grieving father, a construction worker, who reluctantly joins a local theater production of “Romeo and Juliet.” A nominee at both the Spirit Awards and the Gotham Awards, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle said,”Ghostlight” is an uncommonly gentle, warm-hearted testament to the therapeutic power of theater.

MUSIC TO STREAM

Lalisa Manobal — who per-

Point,’ Ella Fitzgerald album unearthed

forms under the first name moniker of “Lisa,” communicating Cher- and Prince-like ambition — is best known as a vocalist and lead rapper of Blackpink, the impossibly popular K-pop girl group. Her story starts at age 14, when she auditioned for the quartet in her native Thailand and explodes from there. Now 27 and with a “White Lotus” acting credit to her name, a debut solo album is the next milestone. “Alter Ego,” out Friday, demonstrates her chamele-

onic skills: from her fierce flow on “Rockstar” to the airy pop of “New Woman” featuring Rosalía and the transformative “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” that interpolates Sixpence None the Richer’s 1998 hit “Kiss Me.” Ella Fitzgerald fans, rejoice.

A recently unearthed, never-before-released concert album, “The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum,” arrives Friday. The LP, recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, includes nine tracks. Fitzgerald,

her voice as powerful as ever, is joined by The Duke Ellington Orchestra. Start with “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” her cover of the Cole Porter cut. Or start anywhere — just start.

SHOWS TO STREAM

The 97th Academy Awards will be handed out on Sunday.

This year, the Spanish-language, French-made “Emilia Pérez,” leads with 13 nominations, including best picture, best ac-

“‘Ghostlight’ is an uncommonly gentle, warm-hearted testament to the therapeutic power of theater.”

Jake Coyle

tress for Karla Sofía Gascón and best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña. The narco-musical could make history as Gascón is the first transgender performer to be nominated for a best actress Oscar. The enthusiasm over Gascón has waned in recent weeks, however, due to problematic past tweets. The musical “Wicked” and the postwar drama “The Brutalist” follow with 10 nominations each. The Oscars will air on ABC and stream on Hulu.

Kate Hudson plays the new president of a pro basketball team in Los Angeles in a new Netflix series called “Running Point,” executive produced by Mindy Kaling. Hudson’s character is based on LA Lakers president Jeanie Buss. The sports comedy debuts Thursday on the streamer and also features Drew Tarver, Brenda Song, Chet Hanks, Jay Ellis and Max Greenfield.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

What’s new in Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest edition of Capcom’s long-running franchise? More monsters to hunt, of course. There’s Nu Udra, a giant octopus that prowls the Oilwell Basin and has no qualms about setting the whole place on fire. There’s Rey Dau, a wyvern that can harness lightning and zap you out of your armor. There’s Uth Duna, a fishy leviathan that wields water as a weapon. They’re just a few of the apex predators ready to eat you for lunch — but on the plus side, you do get to meet the friendly Seikret, an ostrich-like mount you can ride around Wilds’ sprawling environments. The hunt begins Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

Keith Kupferer and Katherine Mallen Kupferer star in”Ghostlight,” now streaming on Hulu.

Ethan Herisse, left, and Brandon Wilson star in the Oscar-nominated film “Nickel Boys.”

HOKE COUNTY

Winter wonderland

It was a snowy, idyllic scene looking south down the train tracks running through the middle of Southern Pines in the aftermath of last week’s blast of wintry weather.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Medical helicopter crashes in eastern N.C.

Wilmington Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a medical helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant Health says three team members on the AirLink helicopter on Monday night were transported for evaluation but that no patients were on board. The FAA says the Eurocopter EC -135 helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant says the team consisted of a pilot, a critical care registered nurse and a critical care paramedic. They were in fair condition Tuesday.

Greensboro-native

Rhiannon Giddens cancels Kennedy Center show

New York

Rhiannon Giddens, an Awardwinning singer-musician and Greensboro-native is the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has forced out the center’s leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees. Actor Issa Rae, author Louise Penny and the rock band Low Cut Connie also have canceled events. Singer-songwriter Victoria Clark went ahead with her show but wore an anti-Trump T-shirt. Giddens is an eclectic roots musician known for co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Banner Elk native Driscoll confirmed as Army secretary by 66-28 vote

The 38-year-old is an Iraq War veteran

By Lolita C. Baldor

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dan Driscoll to be the next Army secretary, voting 6628 to put the former soldier and Iraq War veteran at the helm of the service.

Driscoll, 38, of North Carolina, had served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance, whom he met when both were attending Yale Law School. He served in the Army for less than four years and left at the rank of first lieutenant.

During his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, Driscoll noted that his father and grandfather served in the Army, and he vowed to be a secretary focused on the needs of soldiers.

“We are a family that is grateful to have had the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United States Army,” he said during the hearing. “We are a family that understands the gravity of leading soldiers in and out of combat.”

Driscoll takes over an Army that has been moving steadily to overcome recruiting shortfalls through a sweeping overhaul of its programs and staffing while also revamping and modernizing its weapons systems.

“I do support the president’s right to execute a lawful order.”

Dan Driscoll

at reducing sexual assault in the military, he said he wanted an Army that his daughter could join with no fear of such threats.

He said he would set a “culture where that is not tolerated in any way.”

He also got tough questions from senators on his willingness to follow the law.

Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) both pressed Driscoll on whether he would decline to follow unlawful orders from the president or defense secretary, including ones related to the use of active duty soldiers for law enforcement at the border.

Driscoll’s Senate hearing was largely unconfrontational and focused on how the Army could modernize its systems, improve recruiting and beef up the military industrial base. Asked if he would work to implement reforms aimed

He also will have to deal with the repercussions of the chaotic and confusing new personnel decisions coming out of the Trump administration’s campaign to slash the government workforce. Officials have to ensure that the cuts don’t erode national security.

He responded, “I reject the premise that the president or secretary of defense would ask for an order like that. But I will always follow the law.”

Snowy roads lead to hundreds of highway crashes

Fifty-three vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in a single county

The Associated Press NORFOLK, Va. — Roads in Virginia and North Carolina were treacherous for days last week after unusually heavy snow led to hundreds of accidents, including crashes on an interstate that involved more than 50 vehicles. Meanwhile, a polar vortex sent temperatures plunging from the Northern Great Plains all the way to Louisiana. Two separate collisions

stopped traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange County, North Carolina, last Wednesady and the stopped vehicles were struck from behind, including a tractor trailer that hit a passenger vehicle, causing a fatality, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. A total of 53 vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in the area, the highway patrol said. The driver of the tractor trailer was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for conditions.

The highway patrol responded to nearly 1,200 collisions

statewide last Wednesday, according to Sgt. Christopher Knox. Crashes that day closed portions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh. Virginia State Police reported last Thursday that there had been well over 800 crashes statewide since heavy snow pounded parts of the mid-Atlantic the day before. At least 45 crashes involved injuries but no fatalities. Emergency workers in Suffolk, Virginia, rescued two people from an SUV that crashed into water last Wednesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Fire & Rescue.

Photos the department posted on social media showed rescuers stretching a ladder to the vehicle’s roof and helping one person clinging to the roof rails crawl across the ladder to land.

That day’s snowfall in Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the eighth-highest one-day snowfall total the coastal city has ever recorded, Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer said. Norfolk officially recorded about 10.2 inches of snow, he said. High snowfall isn’t unprece-

MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP PHOTO

Daniel Driscoll, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Department of Defense’s Secretary of the Army, testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination last month in Washington, D.C.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

THURSDAY

DRISCOLL from page A1

When asked by Slotkin if he would support revoking the pension of an honorably discharged Army officer, however, he declined to answer directly, saying the question was “hypothetical.”

Slotkin noted that the issue is not hypothetical and actually has come up in connection with potential political reprisals against retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump has already moved to strip Milley of his security

VETS FOR VETS | HAL NUNN

There are more than 9,000 veterans in Hoke County.

IN THE SPRING of 2023, a group of Veterans in Hoke County got together to form a group called Vets for Vets and Community Hoke. John Harry, Hal Nunn, Freddie Mcphaul, Rory Eddings, Dan Nocher and Del Martin. At the time, their goal was to put together a Veteran’s Weekend event for the fall to bring together the three organizations in Hoke County to promote the value of military service and community support while also recognizing Veterans Day.

Another objective of the group was to bolster the three veteran support organizations in Hoke County in the VFW Post 10, DAV Chapter 17 and American Legion Post 20. In 2024, the group supported the American Legion and Rory Eddings in the first annual Vets for Vets and Community Golf Tournament. The golf tournament was a huge success, and proceeds from the tournament were split between all three veteran organizations. Each organization received approximately $4,000. The money raised is to be used for helping veterans in Hoke County.

Skipping ahead to this year, Vets for Vets and Community Hoke are going to hold an event on Saturday, May 24 at McLaughlin Park downtown Raeford. The event will honor and recognize veterans who lost their lives in service to our country and bring supporting companies and organizations to the park to help serve veterans and the community.

On Memorial Day, there will be a Memorial Day Service at the County Courthouse that the

clearance and protective detail. Pushed for an answer, Driscoll said, “I do support the president’s right to execute a lawful order.”

Both Duckworth and Slotkin voted against him.

According to the Army, Driscoll served as an armor officer from August 2007 to March 2011, deploying to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@northstatejournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

entire community can attend to help recognize and honor the same.

The Vets for Vets and Community Golf Tournament will be in August again this year, and the Veterans Day service will be on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the County Courthouse. There are more than 9,000 veterans in Hoke County, and the county has the third largest veteran population in the state behind Cumberland and Onslow counties.

Another objective of the group, along with the three veteran support organizations, was to form the first Hoke County Veterans Council. That progress is underway, and hopefully this summer, Hoke County will have its very own Veterans Council. Vets for Vets and Community Hoke County’s goal is to bring together other veteran organizations where we can all help each other and grow all organizations.

The VFW Post 10 meets the first Monday of every month at the Raeford Airport at 7 p.m., and the commander is Dan Nocher. The DAV Chapter 17 meets the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Raeford Airport and the commander is Mary Harris. The American Legion meets the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the airport and the commander is John McRae.

For more Veteran info, contact Hal Nunn of Vets for Vets and Community via email at nunnboys@gmail.com, and he will put you in contact with any of the veteran organizations needed in the county.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

America is back

President Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic.

SINCE HIS INAUGURATION on Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump has worked tirelessly to restore border security, enforce our nation’s laws and make clear that your constitutional rights shall not be infringed. Following four years of chaos, Trump has sent a clear message: America is back, and he’s just getting started.

After just one month back in office, Trump reestablished the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, restarted construction of the border wall, ramped up deportation flights of criminal illegals, and ended the dangerous Biden-era “catch-andrelease” policy. These are just a few of the actions Trump has taken to regain control of our border and crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic, including sharply reducing illegal border crossings in just his first 11 days back in office. This is the “Trump Effect” in action, and it’s only just the beginning. I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am continuing to work in lockstep with Trump to advance policies in Congress that will secure our borders and protect our communities. Just last week, our House Republican majority passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act with bipartisan support.

This legislation, which I was proud to vote for, ensures that criminal illegals who try to flee from Border Patrol agents in a high-speed chase will face jail time and be subject to deportation. Too many of our law enforcement have paid the tragic price for illegals recklessly breaking our laws and engaging in this dangerous, reckless behavior to avoid detention. House passage of this legislation sends a clear warning to anyone crossing our borders illegally: If you put our Border Patrol agents in harm’s way, you will face serious consequences.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Additionally, I recently introduced the Protect Medicaid Act to prevent your tax dollars from being used to subsidize illegals’ health care costs and ensure we are taking care of our most vulnerable Americans. Over the past few years, liberal states like California have gamed the system to provide Medicaid benefits to illegals at the expense of hardworking taxpayers like you.

Not only is this already against the law, but it further incentivizes more illegal crossings at our border and puts our citizens who truly depend on the program on the backburner. This is unacceptable, and my commonsense bill will put a stop to it.

Back at home, I visited the Family Traditions Gun Range recently to talk about the need for my Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Whether you have a concealed carry permit or live in a Constitutional carry state, every state should recognize it when you travel — just like a driver’s license. Our Second Amendment right does not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my bipartisan H.R. 38 would guarantee that.

Trump has also taken executive action to safeguard your freedoms and end the left’s unconstitutional attacks on your right to keep and bear arms. Working together, we will ensure your Second Amendment rights are protected — not targeted.

Whether it’s securing our border or defending our freedoms, Trump and Republicans in Congress are delivering on our promise to change the direction of our country. While there is a lot more to accomplish, rest assured we will Make America Great Again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The policies of European elites end in tears

Merkel’s policies, hailed by European elites at the time, now “lie in ruins,” writes The Economist.

IF YOU FOLLOW these things closely, you may have seen a clip of the chairman of the Munich Security Conference breaking down in tears, unable to speak any further while reflecting on Vice President JD Vance’s speech there. This breakdown is remarkable because the chairman, Christoph Heusgen, is not a minor apparatchik but a sophisticated and knowledgeable official who was former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s national security adviser from 2005 to 2017.

He had a front-row seat to Merkel’s epochal decisions — to shut down nuclear plants in 2011, admit 1 million Muslim male “refugees” in 2015, and hold defense spending far below the 2% level sought by the second Obama and first Trump administrations. His previous appearance on social media came when, as head of Germany’s United Nations delegation in 2018, he led his colleagues in laughing derisively at President Donald Trump’s criticism of Germany’s reliance on Russian natural gas.

Heusgen’s tears were apt. Merkel’s policies, hailed by European elites at the time, now “lie in ruins,” writes The Economist.

Vance’s speeches in Munich and earlier in Paris criticized Europe generally and Germany in particular for stifling technological innovation, for suppressing speech — especially opposition to mass migration — and for spending well below NATO targets on defense. The European elites have had things their way and have led their societies on a path to decline. This is cause for regret for those with memories of the many dazzling successes of America’s trans-Atlantic alliance in response to Soviet aggression after World War II. America revived Western Europe’s war-torn economy with the Marshall Plan in 1948, deftly prevented possible communist victories in elections

in Italy and France in 1948, kept West Berlin free with the airlift in 1948-49, and established the NATO alliance in 1949.

The result was a prosperous and free Western Europe in the next three decades — les trente glorieuses, in French — and the fall of the Soviet empire from 1989 to 1991. Peace has mostly prevailed in Europe for 80 years, almost as long as the 99 years of Metternich’s Congress of Europe and Bismarck’s balance of power between 1815 and 1914.

American postwar statesmanship was less successful in Asia. American leaders found it impossible to prevent the communist takeover of China in 1949, and 37,000 Americans died preventing one in South Korea from 1950 to 1953. Some 58,000 Americans died fighting alongside South Vietnam, which fell in 1975. In the meantime, Japan’s economy boomed, followed by similar growth in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore — and then, accelerating in the 1990s, in China itself.

As Vance noted last week, while America and China produce innovative technology, Europe, the fount of creativity from the 17th century to the early 20th century, now smothers it in overregulation. Europe’s criminal prosecutions of speech, including accurate reports of migrants’ criminal attacks and even of politically incorrect abortion statements made by citizens in their own houses, are repugnant to traditional American mores. And while Eastern Europe has increased defense spending in response to Russia’s threats, the large nations of Western Europe have been lagging. Trump administration foreign policy seems to be following Colby’s blueprint. His strategy seems to be to leave Europe to cabin in its hostile regional hegemonic power, Russia, and to leave Israel (with Abraham Accord bolstering)

to deal with its hostile regional hegemon, Iran. That’s caused some Republicans, especially Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), to voice doubts about his nomination.

But the strong negative reaction to the loss of 7,000 Americans in Iraq and 2,500 in Afghanistan made the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations averse to sending any U.S. military forces into Ukraine, where casualties could be much higher, or against Iran after perceived failure in Iraq.

The central task of American foreign policy should be to build our defense capabilities and increase our forward posture to make it clear to China’s leaders that they have no chance to seize Taiwan.

In the meantime, as in even the best years of the American-led trans-Atlantic partnership, there are some ugly things that need to be done. The failure of Ukraine’s offensive in 2023 and America’s unwillingness and Europe’s inability to send their own military forces or larger and more effective weapons to Ukraine in 2023 and 2024 have reduced the alternatives to continued violent war and morally unsatisfying peace.

You can lament, as I do, Vance’s cold indifference when, in February 2022, he said he doesn’t “really care what happens to Ukraine,” as well as Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine “started it.” You can look back at former President Barack Obama and former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron’s failure, when Russia seized Crimea in 2014, to act on America and Britain’s guarantee to Ukraine in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

But given where things are now, do you have a better course in mind?

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

AA flight from New York to New Delhi lands in Rome after security concern

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets

The Associated Press

ROME — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi landed safely in Rome on Sunday afternoon after it was diverted due to a security concern, which later proved to be “non-credible,” the airline said.

American Airlines said Flight 292 “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart.”

It didn’t clarify the cause of the security concern, but added an inspection was required by protocol before the flight could land in New Delhi.

“The flight will stay in Rome overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible,” the airline said.

An Associated Press report-

of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International airport.

er filmed two fighter jets flying over the airport shortly before the unscheduled landing. Fire trucks were visible on the land-

ing strip on one side of the plane after it landed. Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers on board, said the

captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

Chopra, who was traveling from Detroit to visit family, described the mood on the plane as calm after the initial announcement but said he began to feel stressed when the captain later announced that fighter jets would be escorting their plane to Rome.

“I felt a little panic of, ‘OK, what’s going on here?’” Chopra told the AP. “There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.”

Passenger Jonathan Bacon, 22, from Dayton, Ohio, started paying attention to the flight tracker on the seatback in front of him after the captain’s announcement of a “diversion due to a security issue,” observing the plane’s sharp turn away from New Delhi and route back toward Rome.

Passengers had no inter-

Hegseth says he fired top military lawyers because they weren’t well suited for jobs

Several JAG officers, as well as the chief of naval operations, were reassigned

By Lolita C. Baldor

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given.

Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.

President Donald Trump on

dented, he said, but it’s “certainly rare.”

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-years-type storm,” Kleebauer said.

Children in the city of 230,000 on the Chesapeake Bay used boogie boards to sled down a small hill, while some adults cleared off cars with leaf blowers. Many roadways were still covered in slush, if not snow,

Friday abruptly fired the chairman, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement.

The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, were fired.

The removals — which came without any specified reasons in terms of their conduct — sent a new wave of apprehension through the Pentagon. And

while authorities urged everyone to stay off the roads to give plows time to come through.

“People aren’t used to driving in these kinds of conditions,” said Jared Brooks, a surgeon at a local hospital, while shoveling the sidewalk outside of his house. “And they just don’t slow down appropriately. And they get kind of crazy. People just need to stay home and not even try to drive unless they have to.”

Schools were closed or rely-

they added to the broader confusion over the changing parameters of Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees provide recent job accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired, even though government officials later said the edict is voluntary.

Throughout the Pentagon on Monday, military and civilian workers juggled their routine national security duties with a growing unease that anyone could be next on the firing block.

Hegseth has defended Trump’s firing of Brown, saying it was not unusual and the president deserves to pick his own team. The defense chief argued that other presidents made changes in military personnel.

Trump’s choice of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine is unusual. Caine would have to come back onto active duty, but he does not meet the legal

ing on remote learning throughout large parts of Virginia and North Carolina, while several thousand electric customers were remained without power through last Thursday. About 1,800 flights were canceled or delayed across the U.S., including about 250 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport last Thursday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com.

Meanwhile, an arctic air mass

The captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

net connection for much of the flight, Bacon said, with only some spotty access that clued them into early reports of the situation about two hours before landing.

After landing, Bacon said all passengers were loaded onto buses and taken to the terminal, where each passenger and their personal items underwent additional security screenings that were time-consuming and felt “slightly heightened,” especially for arrivals. More than two hours after landing, Bacon and his friend said they were still waiting for their checked baggage, which they said was also undergoing security screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon said.

A spokesperson for the airport said it was continuing to operate normally.

ond black general to serve as chairman, is the first in that post to be fired in recent history. Hegseth made it clear before he took the secretary’s job that he thought Brown should be fired, and he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was black.

requirements for the top post. According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief.

Those requirements can be waived by the president. Historically, Pentagon leaders have deliberately shifted top admirals and generals into a job as service chief for even a brief period of time in order to qualify them for the chairman’s post.

In recent decades, a number of three-and four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of America’s nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders.

Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and only the sec-

was bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States, and forecasters expected some locations in the Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

In Detroit, a large water main break left dozens of people without power and heat amid temperatures well below freezing.

Frigid temperatures broke

Hegseth has also repeatedly argued that military officers would be reviewed “based on meritocracy.” It’s unclear, however, how Franchetti, Slife and the lawyers were evaluated and what meritocracy they were found to lack.

As a result, Pentagon workers are left to decipher whether the officers were fired due to political reasons or because of their race or gender. Hegseth has laid out a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. And there have been persistent threats from the Trump administration that military officers advocating diversity and equity — or so-called “wokeism” — could be targeted.

Hegseth has said that efforts to expand diversity and equity have eroded the military’s readiness.

daily cold records across 45 weather stations ranging from North Dakota to Louisiana, Kleebauer said. Parts of Texas also broke daily cold records set in 2021 when a deadly winter storm caused the state’s power grid to mostly collapse.

But a “big change” is on the horizon, Kleebauer said. Last Thursday was expected to be the “last truly cold day” across the country as temperatures rose nearly everywhere this week.

discuss your needs or questions. We’re here to help!

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP PHOTO

American Airlines flight AA292 en route from New York to New Delhi that turned around over the Caspian Sea on Sunday sits on the tarmac

SNOW from page A1

HOKE SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS

ROUNDUP

4 Hoke wrestlers take third at states

North State Journal staff

HOKE’S BASKETBALL season came to an end, while the wrestlers made an impact on the mat at the state championships.

Wrestling

The Bucks had four wrestlers place third in the NCHSAA individual state tournament.

In the girls’ tournament, Hoke placed second in the Class 4A team scoring with 95.5 points, just behind Jack Britt’s 101.

Azya Monroe won third place at 100 pounds, beating Pine Forest’s Morgan Carpenter 11-6 to finish her senior season with a 43-4 record.

Noelia Hipolito beat West Caldwell’s Shya Watson 7-4 to win third place at 165 pounds. The sophomore ended the season with a 42-4 record.

Junior Kierra Rush placed fourth at 132 pounds and had a 35-6 record.

Jada Lebron also took fourth at 138 pounds to wrap up a 39-6 junior season.

Sara Warren placed fifth at 107 pounds, beating Swansboro’s Ryleigh Cline with a pinfall in 1:39 to end her senior year at 42-3

Junior Jianna Gomez finished sixth at 120 pounds to cap a 35-8 season.

The boys also had a pair of third-place finishers. Jekai Sedgwick beat Cardinal Gibbons’ Spencer Sterling with a fall in 4:20 to win bronze at 113 pounds. His sophomore season saw him go 44-2.

Jaylen Bethea had a 10-2 decision over Northwest Guilford’s Connor Reece to take third at 138 pounds. He went 43-1 as a senior.

Basketball

The NCHSAA released its state championship brackets for boys’ and girls’ basketball, but both Hoke County teams will see an early end to their respective

seasons. Neither received a bid to the postseason tournaments.

The boys’ team closes the year with a 7-16 record, 2-10 in the Sandhills Conference. It’s the fewest wins in a non-COVID shortened season for the Bucks since 2010, as well as the fewest conference wins.

The Bucks will bid farewell to the senior class, which includes guards Teldryck Harley, Devion Coleman, Jamari Harvey and Tyler Hines, wings DeKeith Horne and Josh Miles, and forward Franajai Ransom.

The team is expected to return its top four scorers, top two re-

bounders and top three in assists, all underclassmen.

The Hoke girls finished the season at 4-20, 1-11 in the Sandhills. The Lady Bucks were able to match last year’s win total, which marks the highest for Hoke County since the 2018-19 season.

Hoke moves on without its five seniors — guard Lailah Crowder, shooting guard Samari Parker, post player Ashanti Little, wing Shelby Burris and Aliyah Morrisey. Crowder led the team in scoring, assists, steals and 3-point shooting, while Burris was leading rebounder.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jaylen Bethea

Hoke County, wrestling

Jaylen Bethea is a senior on the Hoke County wrestling team.

Bethea was one of four Bucks wrestlers to finish third at the NCHSAA individual state wrestling championships. He entered as a No. 1 seed in Class 4A at 138 pounds but suffered his first loss of the season during the tournament. Bethea rebounded to win the third-place match by a 10-2 major decision and finish the year with a 43-1 record.

Atlanta hosted another thrilling Cup Series finish

By Charles Odum

The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Christopher Bell edged Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in overtime Sunday in another close NASCAR Cup Series finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Bell led only the final lap in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and had a slight edge on the outside when the caution light came on in overtime following a wreck by Josh Berry.

“That last lap of the race we were at our best,” Bell said.

The 30-year-old Oklahoma driver has 10 career Cup victories.

Austin Cindric led in his Team Penske Ford before he and William Byron, the Daytona 500 winner last week, wrecked with three laps remaining, setting up the overtime.

Kyle Busch finished seventh, ending his hopes of snapping a winless streak on the Cup Series. Busch won the Atlanta Truck Series race Saturday but is still looking for his first Cup win since 2023 after having his NASCAR-record 19-year streak with at least one win end last year.

Larson failed to finish the last four and five of the last six Atlanta races and was involved in accidents in each of the six.

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates claimed the spotlight in the Cup Series’

first two weeks. Chase Elliott won The Clash on Feb. 2 before Byron avoided late wrecks to win the Daytona 500.

Larson’s string of bad luck ended Sunday after he qualified only 17th. Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, surged late to win the second stage.

Wrecks for Elliott, Suarez

Elliott was in the top 10 when his Hendricks Motorsports Chevrolet hit the wall late in the second stage and then hit Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing’s Ford, ending Keselowski’s race. Elliott finished 18th.

Daniel Suarez, who edged Ryan Blaney and Busch in a thrilling three-wide finish in Atlanta’s 2024 February race, saw his hopes for a repeat end

“That

when he was involved in a seven-car crash early in the third stage. Cole Custer, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson and JJ Yaley also were involved. Blaney was in contention before his late one-car spin caused a caution, but he rallied to finish fourth.

Sharp-dressed man

Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist and singer for the rock group ZZ Top, served as the grand marshal and gave the “start your engines” command.

New deal for Heim with 23XI

The 23XI Racing team announced a multiyear deal with Corey Heim as a development driver. Heim will drive a limited number of Cup Series races in the No. 67 Toyota and also will compete in Xfinity races, including next week at Circuit of the Americas. His first Cup race on the new deal will be at Kansas Speedway on May 11.

Heim made three Cup starts for 23XI last year and has a Truck Series win at Daytona this year. He finished 23rd in Saturday’s Truck Series race in Atlanta. Up next

The Cup Series moves to Austin, Texas, and Circuit of the Americas next Sunday.

HOKE

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Hoke County wrestling coach Brandon Locklear was honored as the NCHSAA coach of the year at the state championships.

One-armed basketball player makes women’s Division III history with basket

Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel transferred from an N.C. school before this year

By Rodrique Ngowi

The Associated Press

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —

When her high school basketball coach cut her from the team senior year, Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel refused to let that rejection, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the game that her childhood idol LeBron James made her fall in love with 15 years ago.

That determination led the 22-year-old guard at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to become the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game.

“I kind of just shot the ball with the anticipation that I would have to go and get it back on a rebound,” Sinaman-Daniel said of the historic basket that she made from near the 3-point line, which snapped the net without hitting the rim. “When the shot actually went in, I was more so surprised.”

Coach Martin Rather immediately called a timeout to mark the moment.

“My first thought was, ‘That’s history and we need to take a second to pause and celebrate it,’” Rather said. “Everybody just swarmed Baileigh, giving her high fives, celebrating her.”

The Stafford, Virginia, native’s path to history was sparked by a painful rejection at Mountain View High School.

“I had played for my high school for about three years and my senior year of high school when I tried out again, as I always did, I actually got cut and the coach basically told me that I wasn’t needed on the team,” she said.

That led to two days of misery and crying until she made

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Rodriguez makes halfcourt shot, wins Bucknell student $10K Lewisburg, Pa.

Former Major League

Baseball star Alex Rodriguez showed his skill on the hardwood, making a halfcourt shot to win a Bucknell student $10,000. The 14time All-Star was invited to take the shot Sunday during halftime of Bucknell’s basketball game against Army. The 49-year-old tossed a high-arching shot that banked off the backboard and through the hoop. The threetime MVP was at Bucknell to speak about his company Jump Platforms, which he founded with two other entrepreneurs, Jordy Leiser and Marc Lore.

NBA

76ers coach Nurse sits Embiid for entire 4th quarter in loss to Brooklyn

Philadelphia

Joel Embiid got benched and the 76ers got beat at the horn. Philadelphia lost their seventh straight game, this one on a buzzer-beating tip-in against Brooklyn with Embiid on the bench. The oft-injured Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter in the 105-102 loss after a rough three quarters. Embiid scored 14 points in 31 minutes, missed all six 3-point attempts and was a bystander in the fourth when the 76ers rallied from 17 down to take the lead late before the buzzer-beater.

a bold decision while sitting in her car.

“I thought to myself, ‘I could do this in college. What’s stopping me from doing this in college?’” Sinaman-Daniel said.

“So I started emailing hundreds of coaches, and it didn’t really matter what division it was. I was just trying to get a possible maybe or even better — a yes.”

That persistence caught Rather’s attention when Sinaman-Daniel, a 5-foot- 6 guard, entered the transfer portal after two years at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Arizona apologizes for ‘unacceptable chant’ from fans at end of loss to BYU

Tuscon, Ariz. Arizona apologized after the school says some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU. According to online video, fans can be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court. BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give BYU the road victory at No. 19 Arizona.

NFL

Coyboys’ 7-time All-Pro guard Martin retiring

Dallas

Zack Martin is retiring after a decorated career that included seven All-Pro seasons at right guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin informed Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones of his decision in a meeting last Thursday. The 34-year-old Martin didn’t make it through his 11th and final season with the Cowboys because of an ankle injury that eventually required surgery. Martin made nine Pro Bowls and was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010s all- decade team.

At Lesley, Sinaman-Daniel has become known for her work ethic with the Lynx.

She has completed more individual practice sessions than any other player on the team, which is having its best season in 14 years and has reached the playoffs, Rather said.

“I think any team in this country would benefit from having a player with Baileigh’s heart on their team,” Rather said.

The achievement is particularly notable given the scarcity of one-armed players in collegiate basketball who could have served as role models.

“It is not very common to see somebody with one arm playing basketball. I think there’s probably about two or three of us in the collegiate level,” Sinaman-Daniel said.

Since Sinaman-Daniel could not always use standard balance and ball management techniques used by two-armed players, her on-court success has required unique training methods allowing her to develop fundamental skills.

“Taking passes or giving a good pass or figuring out the right shooting form — I’ve had to tweak and adjust,” she said.

Sinaman-Daniel scored her

second basket on her birthday, some seven weeks after her initial score, adding another layer of satisfaction to her breakthrough season.

The junior guard who was born with a tiny right arm that she is unable to use is studying psychology at the university just outside Boston and hopes her achievement will inspire others facing similar challenges.

“When people look at me, I just hope they see me as Baileigh. I hope they see me as a basketball player and also see me as somebody who’s willing and able to do everything that everybody else is doing,” she said.

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Lesley University basketball player Baileigh SinamanDaniel, who started her college career in North Carolina, passes the ball while practicing prior to a game.

Teri L. Wright

Nov. 7. 1957 – Feb. 19, 2025

Mrs. Teri L. Wright, of Raeford, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family and loved ones, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the age of 67. She was born in California on November 07, 1957, to the late Eugene and Janice Juengel.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her

sister, Jodi Schnitker.

Teri was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

Teri is survived by her loving husband, James Wright “Cooley”; children, Wesley Wright I (Melinda) and Tracey Parker (Jeffrey); her sister, Jill Maggioli (Kevin); her grandchildren, Dakota Parker, Dylan Parker, Rylie Blake (Brandon), Matix Parker, Kyra Wright, Wesley Wright II, and Jacob Wright; her greatgrandchildren, Ashton Parker, Kinsley Parker, Waylon Blake, and Arielle Wright; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church of Rockfish with Pastor Tommy Underwood officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Roberta Flack, Grammywinning singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

“I

wanted to be successful, a serious all-round musician.”

Roberta Flack

She was born in Black Mountain and rose to be a star

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Roberta Flack, the North Carolina-born Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose intimate vocal and musical style made her one of the top recording artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died Monday. She was 88.

She died at home surrounded by her family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. Flack announced in 2022 she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing.

Little known before her early 30s, Flack became an overnight star after Clint Eastwood used “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” as the soundtrack for one of cinema’s more memorable and explicit love scenes, between the actor and Donna Mills in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” The hushed, hymn-like ballad, with Flack’s graceful soprano afloat on a bed of soft strings and piano, topped the Billboard pop chart in 1972 and received a Grammy for record of the year.

“The record label wanted to have it rerecorded with a faster tempo, but he said he wanted it exactly as it was,” Flack told The Associated Press in 2018. “With the song as a theme song for his movie, it gained a lot of popularity and then took off.”

In 1973, she matched both achievements with “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” becoming the first artist to win consecutive Grammys for best record.

A classically trained pianist and who at age 15 received a full scholarship to Howard, the historically Black university, Flack was discovered in the late 1960s by jazz musician Les McCann,who later wrote that “her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.” Although versatile enough to summon the up-tempo gospel passion of Aretha Franklin, Flack often favored a more reflective and measured approach, as if curating a song word by word.

For Flack’s many admirers, she was a sophisticated and bold new presence in the music world and in the social and civil rights movements of the time, her friends including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, whom Flack visited in prison while Davis faced charges — for which she was acquitted — for murder and kidnapping. Flack sang at the funeral of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first black player, and was among the many guest per-

formers on the feminist children’s entertainment project created by Marlo Thomas, “Free to Be ... You and Me.” Flack’s other hits from the 1970s included the cozy “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and two duets with her close friend and former Howard classmate Donny Hathaway, “Where Is the Love” and ”The Closer I Get to You” — a partnership that ended in tragedy. In 1979, she and Hathaway were working on an album of duets when he suffered a breakdown during recording and later that night fell to his death from his hotel room in Manhattan.

“We were deeply connected creatively,” Flack told Vibe in 2022, upon the 50th anniversary of the million-selling “Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway” album. “He could play anything, sing anything. Our musical synergy was unlike (anything) I’d had before or since.”

She never matched her first run of success, although she did have a hit in the 1980s with the Peabo Bryson duet “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” and in the 1990s with the Maxi Priest duet “Set the Night to Music.” In the mid-90s, Flack received new attention after the Fugees recorded a Grammy-winning cover of “Killing Me Softly,” which she eventually performed on stage with the hip-hop group.

Overall, she won five Grammys (three for “Killing Me Softly”), was nominated eight other times and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2020, with John Legend and Ariana Grande among those praising her.

“I love that connection to other artists because we understand music, we live music, it’s our language,” Flack told songwriteruniverse.com in 2020. “Through music we understand what we are thinking and feeling. No matter what challenge life presents, I am at home with my piano, on a stage, with my band, in the studio, listening to music. I can find my way when I hear music.”

In 2022, Beyoncé placed Flack, Franklin and Diana Ross among others in a special pantheon of heroines namechecked in the Grammy-nominated “Queens Remix” of “Break My Soul.”

Flack was briefly married to Stephen Novosel, an interracial relationship that led to tension with each of their families, and earlier had a son, the singer and keyboardist Bernard Wright. For years, she lived in Manhattan’s Dakota apartment building, on the same floor as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who became a close friend and provided liner notes for a Flack album of Beatles covers, “Let It Be Roberta.” She also devoted extensive time to the Roberta Flack

School of Music, based in New York and attended mostly by students between ages 6 to 14. Roberta Cleopatra Flack, the daughter of musicians, was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia. After graduating from Howard, she taught music in D.C.-area junior high schools for several years in her 20s, while performing after hours in clubs.

She sometimes backed other singers, but her own shows at Washington’s renowned Mr. Henry’s attracted such celebrity patrons as Burt Bacharach, Ramsey Lewis and Johnny Mathis. The club’s owner, Henry Yaffe, converted an apartment directly above into a private studio, the Roberta Flack Room.

“I wanted to be successful, a serious all-round musician,” she told The Telegraph in 2015. “I listened to a lot of Aretha, the Drifters, trying to do some of that myself, playing, teaching.”

Flack was signed to Atlantic Records and her debut album, “First Take,” a blend of gospel, soul, flamenco and jazz, came

out in 1969. One track was a love song by the English folk artist Ewan MacColl: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” written in 1957 for his future wife, singer Peggy Seeger. Flack not only knew of the ballad, but used it while working with a glee club during her years as an educator.

“I was teaching at Banneker Junior High in Washington, D.C. It was part of the city where kids weren’t that privileged, but they were privileged enough to have music education. I really wanted them to read music. First, I’d get their attention. (Flack starts singing a Supremes hit) ‘Stop, in the name of love.’ Then I could teach them!” she told the Tampa Bay Times in 2012.

“You have to do all sorts of things when you’re dealing with kids in the inner-city,” she said.

“I knew they’d like the part where (‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’) goes ‘The first time ever I kissed your mouth.’ Ooh, ‘Kissed your mouth!’ Once the kids got past the giggles, we were good.”

DIANE BONDAREFF / AP PHOTO

Roberta Flack performs at the Jazz at Lincoln Center benefit concert, “Here’s to the Ladies: a Celebration of Great Women in Jazz,” in New York on Nov. 17, 2003.

STATE & NATION

Trump says US ‘going forward’ with Canada, Mexico tariffs, more to come

They’ve been suspended since early February

By Josh Boak and Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” the U.S. president said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

While Trump was answering a specific question about the taxes to be charged on America’s two largest trading partners, the U.S. president also stressed more broadly that his intended “reciprocal” tariffs were on schedule to begin as soon as April.

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said.

Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers.

“Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,” Trump said.

In a interview on the Fox News show “Special Report” late Monday, Macron said he hoped he had convinced Trump to avoid a possible trade war, noting the difficulty of taking on a traditional ally such as Europe while simultaneously using tariffs to challenge China’s industrial might.

“We don’t need a trade war,” Marcon said. “We need more prosperity together.”

Most economists say the cost of the taxes could largely be borne by consumers, retailers and manufacturers such as auto companies that source globally and rely on raw materials such as steel and aluminum that Trump is already,

separately, tariffing at 25%.

Still, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared confident Monday that her administration would reach agreements with the U.S. government before the deadline set by Trump.

“We would need to be reaching important agreements this Friday,” Sheinbaum told reporters Monday morning before Trump’s remarks. “On all of the issues there is communication and what we need is to complete this agreement, I believe we’re in a place to do it.” If necessary, she said she would seek to speak directly with Trump again. In high-level discussions between both governments, Mexico has insisted that the U.S. also take a hard look at the drug distribution and consumption in its own country

rather than pointing only at production in Mexico, Sheinbaum said.

Companies like Walmart have warned about uncertainty, while the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment index plunged by roughly 10% over the past month in part due to fears about tariffs and inflation worsening. In the 2024 presidential election, voters backed Trump on the belief that he could cool inflation that had spiked to a four-decade high in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic during President Joe Biden’s time in office.

But Trump has persistently threatened tariffs and kept up those calls even as Macron, standing beside him, had previously suggested that talks on trade had produced some common ground.

“We want to make a sincere commitment towards a fair competition where we have smooth trade and more investments,” Macron said at the news conference, according to a translation of his French remarks.

Macron said the idea is to help the U.S. and Europe both prosper, saying that further talks would be carried out by their respective teams to flesh out their ideas.

Investors, businesses and the broader public are still trying to determine whether Trump is merely threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool or if he sincerely backs the tax hikes as a way to offset his planned income tax cuts.

Despite talks the Trump administration has held with Ca-

Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes gets 95 years for child porn, escape convictions

He also faces federal drug charges at a court in N.C.

By Jonathan Mattise

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women received a 95-year prison sentence Monday for other types of offenses: the production of child sex abuse images and an escape from an inmate transport van.

Judge J. Ronnie Greer in Greeneville called Sean Williams an unrepentant “organized, methodical sexual predator of women and children,” according to the Johnson City Press. Prosecutors said Williams, who was already in prison, had razor blades in his shoes on his way to court.

Williams, 53, congratulat-

ed a prosecutor for a ”dramatic performance” during Monday’s hearing in federal court and implied the images were faked or doctored. Williams laughed, shook his head and retorted when the judge said the only thing worse he could imagine would be being a serial killer.

Earlier this month, Johnson City officials voted to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women under “Jane Doe” pseudonyms against the city and individual police officers that claimed police deliberately botched investigations over sexual assault allegations against Williams from 2018 to 2021.

Williams has not yet been criminally charged as a result of the women’s allegations in the lawsuits.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors.

In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

The city and the officers have long denied corruption allegations, including a claim in the women’s lawsuit that Williams paid police to obstruct investigations into sexual assault allegations against him. The settlement broadly includes up to 400 women, including minors, who lodged any report of sexual abuse or trafficking to Johnson City Police from 2018 through December 2022, due to accusations of gender discrimination. The settlement still requires court approval.

A campus police officer at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee found Williams asleep in his car in 2023 while he was fleeing a federal felon-possessing-ammunition charge in April 2021.

His vehicle contained cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 and digital storage devices with more than 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Williams was also in possession of photos and videos showing him sexually assaulting at least 52 women at his Johnson City apartment while they were in an “obvious state of unconsciousness,” police wrote.

At least half a dozen names on folders containing videos of women were consistent with first names on a list labeled “Raped” that Johnson City officers had previously found in his apartment, a police affidavit said.

After being charged in con-

nadian and Mexican officials, the U.S. president signaled Monday that he would end the 30day suspension of tariffs that were initially set to take effect in February. Trump plans to tax imports from Mexico at 25% as well as most goods from Canada, with energy products such as Canadian oil and electricity being tariffed at a lower 10%.

Trump is placing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods with the stated goal of pressuring them to do more to address illegal immigration and the smuggling of illicit drugs such as fentanyl. While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures. Mexico has relocated 10,000 members of its National Guard to the border with the United States in addition to existing measures.

Trump also plans to impose new tariffs to match the rates charged by other countries. Set to begin as soon as April, the tariffs could be higher than what other countries would charge as subsidies, regulatory barriers and the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax common in Europe — would be included in the calculations.

The possibility of retaliatory tariffs planned by Canada, Mexico and Europe could lead to a broader trade conflict that sabotage growth. In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.

nection with the child sexual abuse images, Williams in October 2023 escaped from a van taking him from a Kentucky detention center to a hearing in Tennessee. Authorities caught him in Florida more than a month later.

He was convicted in July of the van escape and in November of the child sex abuse images of a 9-month-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Williams also raped the children’s mothers while they were unconscious and that there were images and videos of them as well. Williams took the sexually explicit photos of one child in 2008 and the other two on separate occasions in 2020, all in his apartment, prosecutors said.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors. In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs. Two other federal lawsuits against Johnson City and individual police officers are still pending over the investigation of sexual assault reports against Williams.

LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL VIA AP

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

MOORE COUNTY

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

Medical helicopter crashes in eastern N.C.

Wilmington Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a medical helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant Health says three team members on the AirLink helicopter on Monday night were transported for evaluation but that no patients were on board. The FAA says the Eurocopter EC -135 helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Wilmington International Airport. Novant says the team consisted of a pilot, a critical care registered nurse and a critical care paramedic. They were in fair condition Tuesday.

Greensboro-native

Rhiannon Giddens cancels Kennedy Center show New York

Rhiannon Giddens, an Award-winning singer-musician and Greensboro-native is the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has forced out the center’s leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees. Actor Issa Rae, author Louise Penny and the rock band Low Cut Connie also have canceled events.

Singer-songwriter Victoria Clark went ahead with her show but wore an anti-Trump T-shirt. Giddens is an eclectic roots musician known for co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

$2.00

Snowy roads lead to hundreds of highway crashes

Fifty-three vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in a single county

The Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. — Roads in Virginia and North Carolina were treacherous for days last week after unusually heavy snow led to hundreds of accidents, including crashes on an interstate that involved more than 50 vehicles. Meanwhile, a polar vortex sent temperatures plunging from the Northern Great Plains all the way to Louisiana. Two separate collisions stopped traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange County, North Carolina, last Wednesady and the stopped vehicles were struck from behind, including a tractor trailer that hit a passenger

vehicle, causing a fatality, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. A total of 53 vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in the area, the highway patrol said. The driver of the tractor trailer was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for conditions.

The highway patrol responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide last Wednesday, according to Sgt. Christopher Knox. Crashes that day closed portions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh.

Virginia State Police reported last Thursday that there had been well over 800 crashes statewide since heavy snow pounded parts of the mid-Atlantic the day before. At least 45 crashes involved injuries but no fatalities.

Emergency workers in Suffolk, Virginia, rescued two people from an SUV that crashed into water last Wednesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Fire and Rescue. Photos the department posted on social media showed rescuers stretching a ladder to the vehicle’s roof and helping one person clinging to the roof rails crawl across the ladder to land.

Banner Elk native Driscoll confirmed as Army secretary by 66-28 vote

The 38-year-old is an Iraq War veteran

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dan Driscoll to be the next Army secretary, voting 66-28 to put the former soldier and Iraq War veteran at the helm of the service.

Driscoll, 38, of North Carolina, had served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance, whom he met when both were attending Yale Law School. He served in the Army for less than four years and left at the rank of first lieutenant.

During his Senate Armed Services Committee confir-

That day’s snowfall in Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the eighth-highest one-day snowfall total the coastal city has ever recorded, Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer said. Norfolk officially recorded about 10.2 inches of snow, he said.

mation hearing, Driscoll noted that his father and grandfather served in the Army, and he vowed to be a secretary focused on the needs of soldiers.

“We are a family that is grateful to have had the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United States Army,” he said during the hearing. “We are a family that understands the gravity of leading soldiers in and out of combat.”

Driscoll takes over an Army that has been moving steadily to overcome recruiting shortfalls through a sweeping overhaul of its programs and staffing while also revamping and modernizing its weapons systems.

He also will have to deal with the repercussions of the chaotic and confusing new personnel decisions coming out of the Trump administration’s campaign to slash the government workforce. Officials have to ensure that the cuts don’t erode national security.

Driscoll’s Senate hearing

See DRISCOLL, page A2

MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP PHOTO

Daniel Driscoll, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Department of Defense’s secretary of the Army, testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination last month in Washington, D.C.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL Traffic would normally be bumper-to-bumper during the morning rush hour in Pinehurst, but last Thursday saw more trains on the tracks than cars on the road.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

It was a snowy, idyllic scene looking south down the train tracks running through the middle of Southern Pines in the aftermath of last week’s blast of wintry weather.

2.27.25

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CRIME LOG

Feb. 17

• Samuel Atlas Bennett, 26, was arrested by Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for fleeing police in a vehicle to avoid arrest.

• Romaine Carmele Reed, 51, was arrested by MCSO for resisting a public officer.

Feb. 18

Bobby Alee McIntyre, 24, was arrested by Southern Pines Police Department for misconduct by a prisoner involving throwing objects.

• Christian Seth Parker, 24, was arrested by MCSO for trespassing.

Feb. 20

Elizabeth Ann Wallace, 51, was arrested by Carthage Police Department (CPD) for possessing methamphetamine.

Feb. 21

Anthony Carmelo CepedaLozada, 20, was arrested by First Health Company Police for assaulting and injuring an emergency worker.

• Kevin Lee Harvel, 48, was arrested by MCSO for possessing methamphetamine.

Feb. 22

• Isaul Jose Carreto-Santizo, 32, was arrested by Robbins PD for driving under the influence.

• Hali Danielle McInnis, 32, was arrested by MCSO for possessing a controlled substance.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer threat to Earth, scientists say

Impact was previously estimated as high as 3%

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— Scientists have finally given the all-clear to Earth from a newly discovered asteroid.

After two months of observations, scientists have almost fully ruled out any threat from the asteroid 2024 YR4, NASA and the European Space Agency said Tuesday. At one point, the odds of a strike in 2032 were as high as about 3% and topped the world’s asteroid-risk lists.

ESA has since lowered the

DRISCOLL from page A1

was largely unconfrontational and focused on how the Army could modernize its systems, improve recruiting and beef up the military industrial base.

Asked if he would work to implement reforms aimed at reducing sexual assault in the military, he said he wanted an Army that his daughter could join with no fear of such threats.

He said he would set a “culture where that is not tolerated in any way.”

He also got tough questions from senators on his willingness to follow the law.

Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) both

SNOW from page A1

High snowfall isn’t unprecedented, he said, but it’s “certainly rare.”

“This is probably one of those one-in-10-years-type storm,” Kleebauer said.

Children in the city of 230,000 on the Chesapeake Bay used boogie boards to sled down a small hill, while some adults cleared off cars with leaf blowers. Many roadways were still covered in slush, if not snow, while authorities urged everyone to stay off the roads to give plows time to come through.

“People aren’t used to driving in these kinds of conditions,” said Jared Brooks, a surgeon at a local hospital, while shoveling the sidewalk outside of his house. “And they just don’t slow down appro -

“While this asteroid no longer poses a significant impact hazard to Earth, 2024 YR4 provided an invaluable opportunity” for study.

NASA statement

odds to 0.001%. NASA had it down to 0.0027% — meaning the asteroid will safely pass Earth in 2032 and there’s no threat of impact for the next century.

But there’s still a 1.7%

pressed Driscoll on whether he would decline to follow unlawful orders from the president or defense secretary, including ones related to the use of active duty soldiers for law enforcement at the border.

He responded, “I reject the premise that the president or secretary of defense would ask for an order like that. But I will always follow the law.”

When asked by Slotkin if he would support revoking the pension of an honorably discharged Army officer, however, he declined to answer directly, saying the question was “hypothetical.”

Slotkin noted that the issue is not hypothetical and actually has come up in connection with potential political reprisals against retired Army Gen.

priately. And they get kind of crazy. People just need to stay home and not even try to drive unless they have to.”

Schools were closed or relying on remote learning throughout large parts of Virginia and North Carolina, while several thousand electric customers were remained without power through last Thursday. About 1,800 flights were canceled or delayed across the U.S., including about 250 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport last Thursday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com.

Meanwhile, an arctic air mass was bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States, and forecasters expected some locations in the Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to

MOORE CITIZENS FOR

chance that asteroid could hit the moon on Dec. 22, 2032, according to NASA. The world’s telescopes will continue to track the asteroid as it heads away from us, with the Webb Space Telescope zooming in next month to pinpoint its size. It’s expected to vanish from view in another month or two.

Discovered in December, the asteroid is an estimated 130 feet to 300 feet across and swings our way every four years.

“While this asteroid no longer poses a significant impact hazard to Earth, 2024 YR4 provided an invaluable opportunity” for study, NASA said in a statement.

Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump has already moved to strip Milley of his security clearance and protective detail.

Pushed for an answer, Driscoll said, “I do support the president’s right to execute a lawful order.”

Both Duckworth and Slotkin voted against him. According to the Army, Driscoll served as an armor officer from August 2007 to March 2011, deploying to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, getting about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.

experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season, according to the Weather Prediction Center. In Detroit, a large water main break left dozens of people without power and heat amid temperatures well below freezing.

Frigid temperatures broke daily cold records across 45 weather stations ranging from North Dakota to Louisiana, Kleebauer said. Parts of Texas also broke daily cold records set in 2021 when a deadly winter storm caused the state’s power grid to mostly collapse.

But a “big change” is on the horizon, Kleebauer said. Last Thursday was expected to be the “last truly cold day” across the country as temperatures rose nearly everywhere this week.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Feb. 27

Sunrise Theater: Celebrating Black History Month “The Color Purple”

7-9:00 p.m.

The Sunrise Theater is Celebrating Black History Month with special movie screenings each Thursday of February! See “The Color Purple” (1986) on Feb. 27. PG-13 | 154 minutes. “A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.” Tickets are $5.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Feb. 27March 1

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & Property Tours 1-4 p.m.

The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. The tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning of the impressive history here in Moore County. Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines

Feb. 28

Cosmic Bowling 6-11:55 p.m.

Enjoy a night of Family Fun at Sandhills Bowling Center! Cosmic Bowling is just $17 per person and includes two hours of bowling and free shoe rental.

Sandhills Bowling Center 1680 N.C. Highway 5 Aberdeen

Sunrise Theater: “September 5” 7-8:30 p.m.

Your local theater; movies at the Sunrise! Sunrise Theater is showing “September 5.” Rated R | 91 minutes. Tickets: $10. “September 5” unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

America is back

President Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic.

SINCE HIS INAUGURATION on Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump has worked tirelessly to restore border security, enforce our nation’s laws and make clear that your constitutional rights shall not be infringed. Following four years of chaos, Trump has sent a clear message: America is back, and he’s just getting started.

After just one month back in office, Trump reestablished the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, restarted construction of the border wall, ramped up deportation flights of criminal illegals, and ended the dangerous Biden-era “catch-and-release” policy. These are just a few of the actions Trump has taken to regain control of our border and crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been nothing less than historic, including sharply reducing illegal border crossings in just his first 11 days back in office. This is the “Trump Effect” in action, and it’s only just the beginning.

I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am continuing to work in lockstep with Trump to advance policies in Congress that will secure our borders and protect our communities. Just last week, our House Republican majority passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act with bipartisan support.

This legislation, which I was proud to vote for, ensures that criminal illegals who try to flee from Border Patrol agents in a high-speed chase will face jail time and be subject to deportation. Too many of our law enforcement have paid the tragic price for illegals recklessly breaking our laws and engaging in this dangerous, reckless behavior to avoid detention. House passage of this legislation sends a clear warning to anyone crossing our borders illegally: If you put our Border Patrol agents in harm’s way, you will face serious consequences.

North

The people who feed America shouldn’t be prevented from doing business because of their livestock’s methane emissions.

Additionally, I recently introduced the Protect Medicaid Act to prevent your tax dollars from being used to subsidize illegals’ health care costs and ensure we are taking care of our most vulnerable Americans.

Over the past few years, liberal states like California have gamed the system to provide Medicaid benefits to illegals at the expense of hardworking taxpayers like you.

Not only is this already against the law, but it further incentivizes more illegal crossings at our border and puts our citizens who truly depend on the program on the backburner. This is unacceptable, and my commonsense bill will put a stop to it.

Back at home, I visited the Family Traditions Gun Range recently to talk about the need for my Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Whether you have a concealed carry permit or live in a Constitutional carry state, every state should recognize it when you travel — just like a driver’s license. Our Second Amendment right does not disappear when crossing invisible state lines, and my bipartisan H.R. 38 would guarantee that.

Trump has also taken executive action to safeguard your freedoms and end the left’s unconstitutional attacks on your right to keep and bear arms. Working together, we will ensure your Second Amendment rights are protected — not targeted.

Whether it’s securing our border or defending our freedoms, Trump and Republicans in Congress are delivering on our promise to change the direction of our country. While there is a lot more to accomplish, rest assured we will Make America Great Again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Carolina farmers are under attack

WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE intervention, North Carolinians stand to lose one-sixth of our economy. The agriculture industry is the backbone of North Carolina. Radical, poorly thought-out policies could bring financial ruin to the farmers who feed our state.

Under the previous presidential administration, federal regulators and international interest groups promoted ESG standards governing a wide range of economic activities. America’s farmers have too often taken on all of the negative impacts of these regulatory burdens, and it is past time for North Carolina to protect our farmers from ESG-promoting busy bodies.

ESG is short for environmental, social and governance initiatives. ESG ratings are used by both regulatory agencies and financial service agencies in their respective business operations. These ratings are developed by various agencies to promote their politically charged concepts of “sustainability.” What that tends to mean in practice is farmers and energy producers are saddled with regulatory burdens that make doing business impractical, and often impossible. The environmental goals of ESG ratings put farmers at a steep disadvantage in being able to acquire much-needed capital loans for expansion. These unrealistic expectations have included converting AG equipment to green technology, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and modified fertilizer usage. Each of these requirements has significant cost implications and create burdens for farmers in a market with volatile profit margins and unpredictable weather patterns. It is becoming increasingly difficult

for farmers to turn a profit while remaining compliant with ESG standards.

Beyond regulatory burdens, some financial institutions have bought into the United Nations backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which is actively discouraging investment in livestock production. The people who feed America shouldn’t be prevented from doing business just because of their livestock’s methane emissions. This issue is so vital to the future of our country, 13 state agriculture commissioners, including N.C.’s Steve Troxler, recently sent a joint letter to the major banks expressing concerns about the impact of their radical commitments to decarbonization.

To support our North Carolina agriculture industry and keep our people fed, I have — along with Reps. Jennifer Balkcom, Jimmy Dixon and Karl Gillespie — filed the North Carolina Farmers Protection Act. H.B. 62 prohibits banks from denying or canceling financial services to a farmer based on ESG ratings. The goal of this bill is for banks to put the emphasis on a farmer’s credit score and not his carbon score.

The Farmers Protection Act is a step in the right direction for North Carolina.

Rather than using ESG ratings that have proven to be disastrous on the international stage, banks in our state should return to evaluating loans based on financial indicators.

Rep. Neal Jackson represents the 78th District in the North Carolina General Assembly.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | REP. NEAL JACKSON

AA flight from New York to New Delhi lands in Rome after security concern

The plane was escorted by two fighter jets

The Associated Press

ROME — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi landed safely in Rome on Sunday afternoon after it was diverted due to a security concern, which later proved to be “non-credible,” the airline said.

American Airlines said Flight 292 “was inspected by law enforcement” after landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and “cleared to re-depart.”

It didn’t clarify the cause of the security concern, but added an inspection was required by protocol before the flight could land in New Delhi.

“The flight will stay in Rome

Several JAG officers, as well as the chief of naval operations, were reassigned

By Lolita C. Baldor

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given.

Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.

President Donald Trump on Friday abruptly fired the chairman, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., and Hegseth followed that by firing Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. He also said he was “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He did not identify the lawyers by name. The Navy JAG, Vice Adm. Christopher French, retired about two months ago, and there was already an ongoing effort to seek a replacement. The Army JAG, Lt. Gen. Joseph

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP PHOTO

American Airlines flight AA292 en route from New York to New Delhi that turned around over the Caspian Sea on Sunday sits on the tarmac of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International airport.

overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible,” the airline said.

An Associated Press report-

er filmed two fighter jets flying over the airport shortly before the unscheduled landing. Fire trucks were visible on the landing strip on one side

of the plane after it landed. Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers on board, said the captain announced that the plane had to turn around about three hours before it was supposed to land in New Delhi because of a change in “security status.”

Chopra, who was traveling from Detroit to visit family, described the mood on the plane as calm after the initial announcement but said he began to feel stressed when the captain later announced that fighter jets would be escorting their plane to Rome.

“I felt a little panic of, ‘OK, what’s going on here?’” Chopra told the AP. “There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.” Passenger Jonathan Bacon, 22, from Dayton, Ohio, started paying attention to the flight

B. Berger III, and Air Force JAG, Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, were fired. The removals — which came without any specified reasons in terms of their conduct — sent a new wave of apprehension through the Pentagon. And they added to the broader confusion over the changing parameters of Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees provide recent job accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired,

even though government officials later said the edict is voluntary.

Throughout the Pentagon on Monday, military and civilian workers juggled their routine national security duties with a growing unease that anyone could be next on the firing block.

Hegseth has defended Trump’s firing of Brown, saying it was not unusual and the president deserves to pick his own team. The defense chief argued

that other presidents made changes in military personnel.

Trump’s choice of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine is unusual. Caine would have to come back onto active duty, but he does not meet the legal requirements for the top post.

According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief.

Those requirements can be waived by the president. Histor-

tracker on the seatback in front of him after the captain’s announcement of a “diversion due to a security issue,” observing the plane’s sharp turn away from New Delhi and route back toward Rome.

Passengers had no internet connection for much of the flight, Bacon said, with only some spotty access that clued them into early reports of the situation about two hours before landing.

After landing, Bacon said all passengers were loaded onto buses and taken to the terminal, where each passenger and their personal items underwent additional security screenings that were time-consuming and felt “slightly heightened,” especially for arrivals. More than two hours after landing, Bacon and his friend said they were still waiting for their checked baggage, which they said was also undergoing security screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon said.

A spokesperson for the airport said it was continuing to operate normally.

ically, Pentagon leaders have deliberately shifted top admirals and generals into a job as service chief for even a brief period of time in order to qualify them for the chairman’s post.

In recent decades, a number of three-and four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of America’s nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders. Brown, a history-making fighter pilot and only the second black general to serve as chairman, is the first in that post to be fired in recent history. Hegseth made it clear before he took the secretary’s job that he thought Brown should be fired, and he questioned whether Brown got the job because he was black.

Hegseth has also repeatedly argued that military officers would be reviewed “based on meritocracy.” It’s unclear, however, how Franchetti, Slife and the lawyers were evaluated and what meritocracy they were found to lack.

As a result, Pentagon workers are left to decipher whether the officers were fired due to political reasons or because of their race or gender. Hegseth has laid out a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. And there have been persistent threats from the Trump administration that military officers advocating diversity and equity — or so-called “wokeism” — could be targeted.

Hegseth has said that efforts to expand diversity and equity have eroded the military’s readiness.

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Monday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

MOORE SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP

Union Pines dominates on the mat again

North State Journal staff

BASKETBALL IS getting ready to start the postseason, while Union Pines made an impact on the mat in the wrestling championships.

Basketball

The NCHSAA released the brackets for the state high school basketball championships, and four area teams were included in the postseason field. Play began on Tuesday night. We will have early-round results next week.

The Pinecrest boys drew a No. 20 seed in class 4A and opened play after press time against No. 13 Clayton.

The Union Pines boys drew a No. 28 seed in class 3A and opened with No. 5 Northern Nash.

The Pinecrest girls are a No. 21 seed in class 4A and opened with No. 12 South Garner.

The Union Pines girls are a No. 6 seed and opened with No. 27 West Brunswick.

The North Moore boys were not selected for the NCHSAA playoffs, finishing the year at 5-18. The team will now move on

without seniors Brandon Powell, Brady Preslar, Jax Hussey, Josiah Dowdy, Dawson Futrell and Colby Pennington.

The North Moore girls didn’t receive a bid, closing its season with a 5-15 record. The team bids farewell to seniors Calissa Clendenin, Bailea Marley, Macey Jackson, Nevaeh Ross and Nicole Urquiza.

Wrestling

Union Pines continued its run of wrestling success in the postseason. After winning its first NCHSAA Class 3A dual meet state championship earlier this month, the Vikings also dominated in the NCHSAA Class 3A individual championships.

Union Pines won the Class 3A team title, compiling 134 points to outdistance Dudley by 52. The Vikings also had three individual state champions.

Sophomore Liam Myles won the 106-pound state title with a pinfall at 3:06 over South Central’s Sander Tran in the championship match. Myles finishes the season with a 4-6 record.

Junior Dominic Blue beat

Franklinton’s Noah Michael 13-3 to win the state title at 175 pounds. He posted a 54-7 mark this season.

Senior Brock Sullivan, the MVP of the dual championships earlier this month, took the state title at 190 pounds with a pinfall of First Flight’s Lucas Sumners at 2:20. He becomes one of 13 two-time state champions (in any class) to be crowned this season and capped his final year with a 55-4 record.

Tripp Sullivan, a sophomore, placed third at 165 pounds, beating Terry Sanford’s Troy Shannon in the third-place match, 4-3 to finish with a 48-10 record.

At 144 pounds, junior Evan Thompson placed fourth, finishing with a 46-11 record.

Senior Dantrell Williams placed fifth at 215 pounds, beating West Rowan’s Dakota Athey 8-0 to finish a 48-11 season.

Senior Gabriella Bumgardner placed fifth at girls’ 114 pounds, beating Lisa-Jean Foley of Millbrook 1-0 and posting a 40-11 mark this season.

Mackenzie Shaver placed sixth at girls’ 138 pounds. The freshman finished the year with a 44-12 record.

Union Pines’ wrestling team celebrates its second state title after taking the team title in the individual state championships

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Liam Myles

Union Pines, wrestling

Liam Myles is a sophomore for the Union Pines wrestling team. He’s also now one of three state champions on the mat for the Vikings.

Myles entered the NCHSAA individual wrestling championships as a No. 3 seed at 106 pounds. He then went 4-0, winning his championship match by pinfall at 3:08. Union Pines won both the dual team and individual team state championships for class 3A. Myles finished the season with a record of 40-9.

Bell takes only lead in OT to edge Hocevar, Larson

Atlanta hosted another thrilling Cup Series finish

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

HAMPTON, Ga. — Christopher Bell edged Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson in overtime Sunday in another close NASCAR Cup Series finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Bell led only the final lap in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and had a slight edge on the outside when the caution light came on in overtime following a wreck by Josh Berry.

“That last lap of the race we were at our best,” Bell said.

The 30-year-old Oklahoma driver has 10 career Cup victories.

Austin Cindric led in his Team Penske Ford before he and William Byron, the Daytona 500 winner last week, wrecked with three laps remaining, setting up the overtime.

Kyle Busch finished seventh, ending his hopes of snapping a winless streak on the Cup Series. Busch won the Atlanta Truck Series race Saturday but is still looking for his first Cup win since 2023 after having his NASCAR-record 19-year streak with at least one win end last year.

Larson failed to finish the last four and five of the last six Atlanta races and was involved in accidents in each of the six.

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates claimed the spotlight in the Cup Series’

first two weeks. Chase Elliott won The Clash on Feb. 2 before Byron avoided late wrecks to win the Daytona 500.

Larson’s string of bad luck ended Sunday after he qualified only 17th. Larson, the 2021 Cup champion, surged late to win the second stage.

Wrecks for Elliott, Suarez

Elliott was in the top 10 when his Hendricks Motorsports Chevrolet hit the wall late in the second stage and then hit Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing’s Ford, ending Keselowski’s race. Elliott finished 18th.

Daniel Suarez, who edged Ryan Blaney and Busch in a thrilling three-wide finish in Atlanta’s 2024 February race, saw his hopes for a repeat end

“That last lap of the race we were at our best.”

Christopher Bell

when he was involved in a seven-car crash early in the third stage. Cole Custer, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware, Noah Gragson and JJ Yaley also were involved. Blaney was in contention before his late one-car spin caused a caution, but he rallied to finish fourth.

Sharp-dressed man

Billy Gibbons, the lead guitarist and singer for the rock group ZZ Top, served as the grand marshal and gave the “start your engines” command.

New deal for Heim with 23XI

The 23XI Racing team announced a multiyear deal with Corey Heim as a development driver. Heim will drive a limited number of Cup Series races in the No. 67 Toyota and also will compete in Xfinity races, including next week at Circuit of the Americas. His first Cup race on the new deal will be at Kansas Speedway on May 11.

Heim made three Cup starts for 23XI last year and has a Truck Series win at Daytona this year. He finished 23rd in Saturday’s Truck Series race in Atlanta. Up next

The Cup Series moves to Austin, Texas, and Circuit of the Americas next Sunday.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Rodriguez makes halfcourt shot, wins Bucknell student $10K

Lewisburg, Pa.

Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez showed his skill on the hardwood, making a half-court shot to win a Bucknell student $10,000. The 14-time All-Star was invited to take the shot Sunday during halftime of Bucknell’s basketball game against Army. The 49-year-old tossed a high-arching shot that banked off the backboard and through the hoop. The three-time MVP was at Bucknell to speak about his company Jump Platforms, which he founded with two other entrepreneurs, Jordy Leiser and Marc Lore.

NBA

76ers coach Nurse sits Embiid for entire 4th quarter in loss to Brooklyn

Philadelphia Joel Embiid got benched and the 76ers got beat at the horn. Philadelphia lost their seventh straight game, this one on a buzzer-beating tip-in against Brooklyn with Embiid on the bench. The oft-injured Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter in the 105-102 loss after a rough three quarters. Embiid scored 14 points in 31 minutes, missed all six 3-point attempts and was a bystander in the fourth when the 76ers rallied from 17 down to take the lead late before the buzzer-beater.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Arizona apologizes for ‘unacceptable chant’ from fans at end of basketball loss to BYU Tuscon, Ariz. Arizona apologized after the school says some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU. According to online video, fans can be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court. BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give BYU the road victory at No. 19 Arizona.

NFL

Coyboys’ 7-time All-Pro guard Martin retiring

Dallas Zack Martin is retiring after a decorated career that included seven All-Pro seasons at right guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin informed Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones of his decision in a meeting last Thursday. The 34-year-old Martin didn’t make it through his 11th and final season with the Cowboys because of an ankle injury that eventually required surgery. Martin made nine Pro Bowls and was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010s all-decade team.

MLB

Soto gives teammate Baty new SUV for switching numbers

Port St. Lucie, Fla. Juan Soto got his desired No. 22 jersey with the New York Mets after his record $765 million contract this offseason. Brett Baty, who wore that number the past three seasons, got a brand new SUV. The Mets posted video Thursday showing Soto presenting the keys for the $92,000 Chevrolet Tahoe to Baty. The 25-year-old third baseman and former first-round draft pick wore No. 22 in 169 games for the Mets but has since switched to No. 7.

Charlotte among cities vying for WNBA team

The league has said it will add a 16th team in 2028

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press

FORMER NBA player Michael Carter-Williams is hoping to get a WNBA franchise in Boston whether it’s through expansion or being a destination for a current team that wants to move.

He’s part of The Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group that is spearheading the initiative. The group hasn’t submitted a bid to the WNBA, although they’ve talked with the company that the league hired to handle the expansion bids process.

“The main objective is to get a team in Boston,” Carter-Williams said in a phone interview last Thursday. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an expansion team or a team that wants to sell and move to Boston.”

Boston hosted a sold out WNBA game last year when the Connecticut Sun played a contest at TD Garden — home of the Boston Celtics. Another regular-season game will

be played at TD Garden this year when Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take on the Sun.

The deadline to submit an expansion bid was Jan. 30.

The WNBA has already announced three expansion teams that will start play over the next two years, with Golden State beginning this season and Toronto and Portland starting in 2026. The league has said it would add a 16th team to begin play in 2028.

Here’s a look at some of the interested cities.

Cleveland expansion bid

The Ohio city’s ownership group is led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. A report from the Sports Business Journal said it was “likely” for Cleveland to get the next expansion team, although the deal isn’t done yet.

Nashville expansion bid

The Nashville contingent is led by the chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, Bill Haslam, and his wife,

12

Current number of WNBA teams, with Golden State, Toronto and Portland joining in the next two years

Crissy. The couple has lined up a group of investors including Candace Parker, Peyton Manning and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Unlike other franchises, the Nashville group already has a name for its franchise — the Tennessee Summitt — in honor of the late Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.

Charlotte, Detroit and Houston expansion bids

Three cities that previously had WNBA franchises are looking to get back into the women’s game.

Bids by groups in Charlotte, Detroit and Houston are led by the NBA owners in those cities. The Detroit bid is led by Pistons owner Tom Gores and

New York Yankees drop ban on beards

The team’s facial hair policy was lifted 49 years after it was imposed by George Steinbrenner

The Associated Press TAMPA. Fla. — The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team’s spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life, but

it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.”

George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed. Players complied, but some pushed boundaries by going unshaven or letting hair fall over their collars.

“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner,” Hal Steinbrenner said. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning, and that’s in the back of my mind.”

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, said he had considered the issue for a decade and discussed the contemplated change recently with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards, It is a part of who these younger men are.”

Hal Steinbrenner, Yankees owner

Cashman said CC Sabathia hesitated because of the hair policy before signing with the Yankees ahead of the 2009 season, and the agent of a player contemplating a minor league contract this offseason wasn’t sure his client would be willing to shave.

Cashman said some current players had told him of the facial hair ban: “It’s not what I want. It’s not my preference, but I will honor the rules of the land.”

As recently as last Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day. All-Star closer Devin Wil-

includes Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Detroit Lions; the chief executive officer and chair of General Motors Company; and Hall of Famer and former NBA rookie of the Year Grant Hill.

Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets, submitted a bid for a WNBA franchise with the team potentially playing at the Toyota Center. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA titles before the franchise disbanded in 2008.

The Charlotte Hornets are supporting an effort to bring the Sting back.

Kansas City, Austin and St. Louis expansion bids

Celebrity athletes are lending their star power to WNBA bids in several cities, including Patrick Mahomes getting involved in Kansas City’s expansion hopes, Jayson Tatum with St. Louis and Kevin Durant in Austin, Texas.

Philadelphia expansion bid

The Philadelphia 76ers put in a bid and have a new sports complex on the way that will house the NBA team as well as the Flyers. Having another city on the East Coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.

liams, acquired in an offseason trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo. Williams, eligible for free agency after this season, had a beard when he played for the Brewers.

“The New York Yankees are different,” Cashman said. “This is obviously a special place in baseball history. That logo has a lot of meaning behind it, and we want our past and our present players to recognize that and the future players to recognize that. So ultimately there’s still going to be things that we’re going to hold onto that are important for us, but I think as Hal just said more importantly is always trying to be a championship-caliber franchise and chasing winning.” Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. Clay Holmes and Gleyber Torres arrived at spring training this year with beards after leaving the Yankees.

“It’s somewhat surprising just because of how long the rule’s been around,” Holmes said.

“I have nothing against long hair per se,” George Steinbrenner said in 1976. “But I’m trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete.”

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

Charlotte Sting guard Dawn Staley (5), pictured in 2005, drives past Washington Mystics guard Temeka Johnson. The Hornets are looking to bring the city’s defunct WNBA franchise back.

obituaries

Sterling Breed

Oct. 9, 1928 – Feb. 20, 2025

Sterling Breed, of Pinehurst, passed on February 20, 2025. He was born October 9, 1928, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of the late LaRue H. and Eda (Ayars) Breed.

After graduating from Paw Paw High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. After discharge from the service, he joined the Michigan State Police where he served for three years.

On June 17th, 1953, he married Betty L. Hansen. He then attended Western Michigan University where he received his B.S. and M.A. Degrees. He taught for a year at Paw Paw Junior High School before returning to WMU as Assistant Dean of Men. After four years in that position, he moved to the University Counseling Center where he served as a Counselor and, for a brief time, as Director of the Center. In 1985, he was awarded the University Distinguished Service Award by the President and the Board of Trustees of the University. After 34 years with the University, he retired as Professor Emeritus in 1991. In that year, the Michigan State Legislature passed a resolution honoring him for his service to the State of Michigan. He was President of the Michigan League for Nursing and on the Board of Directors of the National League for Nursing. He was named an honorary member of the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators.

After his retirement and his move to Pinehurst in 1992, he was on the Board and President of the Clarendon Gardens Homeowners Association. He was a member and President of the Pinehurst Croquet Club. He served six years on the Pinehurst Country Club Board of Governors and served as President for two years. He was a member of the American Legion, A. B. Sally Jr. Post 350.

Sterling’s students, from junior high school through the university, respected and held him in high esteem and have continued to keep in touch with him over the years.

Sterling is survived by his son Thomas S. Breed (Nancy), and grandson Christoffer; his two nieces Crissann Breed and Suzann (David) Middleton and their children. Betty, his loving wife of 67 years, predeceased him in 2020. Sterling’s brother, Charles A. Breed, married Betty’s sister Ester K. Breed and both have also predeceased him. A celebration of Sterling’s life will be held at a later date. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Frank McRae Blue Jr.

Nov. 10, 1947 – Feb. 21, 2025

Frank McRae Blue Jr., age 77, of West End, NC passed away at his home into the loving arms of his Savior on February 21, 2025. Frank was born in Moore County, NC to Frank McRae Blue Sr. and Maxine Kennedy. Frank met every day with a smile. He was known as an encourager, a kind man who cherished relationships. He deeply loved and cared for his family who shared his passion for NC State sports, football, and golf.

Frank is survived by his wife, Carla “Carly” Blue, daughter Karla Claytor; son Kyle Blue; sister Fonda Monroe, and brother David Blue. Frank was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral ceremony will be Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Christ Community Church, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan Francis officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Sandhills Young Life. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.

William Haynes Lewis

Aug. 27, 1939 – Feb. 18 2025

Bill Lewis was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 27, 1939, and passed on February 18, 2025. He was the son of Mary Lou Lewis and Elijah Saunders Lewis. Bill moved to Elizabethtown, KY, where he grew up. In 1957 he graduated from high school in Elizabethtown. After attending one year at the University of Kentucky, he left school and worked at the US Postal Service for three years. In 1961, Bill was drafted into the US Army where he served in the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. After his service, he returned to the University of Kentucky (UK). In May 1967 he received a BS in Business with emphasis on economics.

Bill met and married his wife Judy during their senior year at UK. In 1968, he joined the Office Products Division, IBM Corporation in Lexington, KY. The family moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1973 to the IBM Copier manufacturing site. In 1973, he was transferred to Philadelphia, PA. as the HR manager for Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. After a major corporate realignment, he and his family were transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. He was director of HR for the seven Southern

states. During his career, he held several management positions which included the director of human resources for the IBM PC division for the seven Southern states. After retiring in 1997 from IBM, Bill and Judy moved to Pinehurst, NC.

Bill was an avid golfer at the Pinehurst Country Club. He became a member of the Tin Whistles golf group and served as the president in 2005. From 2007 - 2015 he was the group’s Club Captain. Bill also enjoyed woodworking and built many items and keepsakes for his family, including cabinets, dressers, shelves, and toy boxes for his grandchildren. He never said no to a project, including reroofing one son’s home at age 72. Judy and Bill were married for 58 years. Together they enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, volunteering, and most of all spending time with their loving family and many friends. Their two sons, Matt (Beth) and Grant (Erin) along with their six grandchildren (Maddy, David, Grant, Drew, Beasy, and Mary) live in nearby Raleigh, NC. There were frequent family gatherings and celebrations at Bill and Judy’s beautiful home at Pinehurst Lake.

Both Bill and Judy were deeply involved with Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. Bill built many of the outbuildings, arenas, offices, and fencing at the Prancing Horse farm. For many years, he served on the Board of Directors and worked as the farm manager in a volunteer capacity.

A visitation will take place at 2 p.m. with a celebration of life at 3 p.m. on March 1 at the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, 895 Linden Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prancing Horse at prancing-horse.org. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

Virginia Martisha Wood

Jan. 25, 1931 – Feb. 17, 2025

Virginia Martisha Wood, age 94, of Southern Pines NC, passed away peacefully at her home on February 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Pinehurst NC on January 25, 1931, to Fred Arnette and Gertrude Williams Arnette, the second of their four children. She married Lloyd Lucas on October 10, 1946, and they were together until his death on September 5, 1986. She later married Marion McQuage Wood on September 18, 1994. Virginia worked as a cashier at the Colonial and A&P grocery stores in Southern Pines before moving into the banking business where she was a teller at Aberdeen Savings and Loan, BB&T (now Truist) and First Citizens Bank from which she retired in 2004. She enjoyed gardening, traveling with family, playing cards with her friends and was active in her church, Aberdeen First Baptist. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Arnette and Gertrude Williams Arnette, her first husband Lloyd Lucas, brother Fred Arnette Jr., sister Mary Ann Arnette Miller, and brother Charles “Buddy” Arnette.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 30 years, Marion, and her six children: Linda Faye Miller and her husband Bill of Whispering Pines NC, Carolyn Jeanne Lucas and her husband Ronald Schmitt, of Lapeer MI, Donna Marie Lucas of Davison MI, Donald Wade Lucas and his wife Lynne, of Raleigh NC, Lloyd Mitchell Lucas of Lillington NC, and Gregory Thomas Lucas and his wife Chrissy of Orange Park FL, and four grandchildren: Yvonne Miller of NC, Robert Cody of MI, Erin Lucas of Cary NC and Bailey Lucas of Raleigh NC. Plans for a graveside service are still pending at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Moore Humane Society, PO Box 203, Southern Pines NC 28388 or moorehumane.org.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.

STATE & NATION

Trump says US ‘going forward’ with Canada, Mexico tariffs, more to come

They’ve been suspended since early February

By Josh Boak and Fabiola Sanchez The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariffs on Canada and Mexico are starting next month, ending a monthlong suspension on the planned import taxes that could potentially hurt economic growth and worsen inflation.

“We’re on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly,” the U.S. president said at a White House news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

While Trump was answering a specific question about the taxes to be charged on America’s two largest trading partners, the U.S. president also stressed more broadly that his intended “reciprocal” tariffs were on schedule to begin as soon as April.

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump said.

Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers.

“Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,” Trump said.

In a interview on the Fox News show “Special Report” late Monday, Macron said he hoped he had convinced Trump to avoid a possible trade war, noting the difficulty of taking on a traditional ally such as Europe while simultaneously using tariffs to challenge China’s industrial might.

“We don’t need a trade war,” Marcon said. “We need more prosperity together.”

Most economists say the cost of the taxes could largely be borne by consumers, retailers and manufacturers such as auto companies that source globally and rely on raw materials such as steel and aluminum that Trump is already,

separately, tariffing at 25%.

Still, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared confident Monday that her administration would reach agreements with the U.S. government before the deadline set by Trump.

“We would need to be reaching important agreements this Friday,” Sheinbaum told reporters Monday morning before Trump’s remarks. “On all of the issues there is communication and what we need is to complete this agreement, I believe we’re in a place to do it.” If necessary, she said she would seek to speak directly with Trump again. In high-level discussions between both governments, Mexico has insisted that the U.S. also take a hard look at the drug distribution and consumption in its own country

rather than pointing only at production in Mexico, Sheinbaum said.

Companies like Walmart have warned about uncertainty, while the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment index plunged by roughly 10% over the past month in part due to fears about tariffs and inflation worsening. In the 2024 presidential election, voters backed Trump on the belief that he could cool inflation that had spiked to a four-decade high in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic during President Joe Biden’s time in office.

But Trump has persistently threatened tariffs and kept up those calls even as Macron, standing beside him, had previously suggested that talks on trade had produced some common ground.

“We want to make a sincere commitment towards a fair competition where we have smooth trade and more investments,” Macron said at the news conference, according to a translation of his French remarks.

Macron said the idea is to help the U.S. and Europe both prosper, saying that further talks would be carried out by their respective teams to flesh out their ideas.

Investors, businesses and the broader public are still trying to determine whether Trump is merely threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool or if he sincerely backs the tax hikes as a way to offset his planned income tax cuts.

Despite talks the Trump administration has held with Ca-

Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes gets 95 years for child porn, escape convictions

He also faces federal drug charges at a court in N.C.

By Jonathan Mattise

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women received a 95-year prison sentence Monday for other types of offenses: the production of child sex abuse images and an escape from an inmate transport van.

Judge J. Ronnie Greer in Greeneville called Sean Williams an unrepentant “organized, methodical sexual predator of women and children,” according to the Johnson City Press. Prosecutors said Williams, who was already in prison, had razor blades in his shoes on his way to court.

Williams, 53, congratulat-

ed a prosecutor for a ”dramatic performance” during Monday’s hearing in federal court and implied the images were faked or doctored. Williams laughed, shook his head and retorted when the judge said the only thing worse he could imagine would be being a serial killer.

Earlier this month, Johnson City officials voted to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women under “Jane Doe” pseudonyms against the city and individual police officers that claimed police deliberately botched investigations over sexual assault allegations against Williams from 2018 to 2021.

Williams has not yet been criminally charged as a result of the women’s allegations in the lawsuits.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors.

In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs.

The city and the officers have long denied corruption allegations, including a claim in the women’s lawsuit that Williams paid police to obstruct investigations into sexual assault allegations against him. The settlement broadly includes up to 400 women, including minors, who lodged any report of sexual abuse or trafficking to Johnson City Police from 2018 through December 2022, due to accusations of gender discrimination. The settlement still requires court approval.

A campus police officer at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee found Williams asleep in his car in 2023 while he was fleeing a federal felon-possessing-ammunition charge in April 2021.

His vehicle contained cocaine, methamphetamine, about $100,000 and digital storage devices with more than 5,000 images of child sexual abuse. Williams was also in possession of photos and videos showing him sexually assaulting at least 52 women at his Johnson City apartment while they were in an “obvious state of unconsciousness,” police wrote.

At least half a dozen names on folders containing videos of women were consistent with first names on a list labeled “Raped” that Johnson City officers had previously found in his apartment, a police affidavit said.

After being charged in con-

nadian and Mexican officials, the U.S. president signaled Monday that he would end the 30day suspension of tariffs that were initially set to take effect in February. Trump plans to tax imports from Mexico at 25% as well as most goods from Canada, with energy products such as Canadian oil and electricity being tariffed at a lower 10%.

Trump is placing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods with the stated goal of pressuring them to do more to address illegal immigration and the smuggling of illicit drugs such as fentanyl. While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures. Mexico has relocated 10,000 members of its National Guard to the border with the United States in addition to existing measures.

Trump also plans to impose new tariffs to match the rates charged by other countries. Set to begin as soon as April, the tariffs could be higher than what other countries would charge as subsidies, regulatory barriers and the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax common in Europe — would be included in the calculations.

The possibility of retaliatory tariffs planned by Canada, Mexico and Europe could lead to a broader trade conflict that sabotage growth. In February, the Yale University Budget Lab estimated that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs could depress average U.S. incomes by $1,170 to $1,245 a year.

nection with the child sexual abuse images, Williams in October 2023 escaped from a van taking him from a Kentucky detention center to a hearing in Tennessee. Authorities caught him in Florida more than a month later.

He was convicted in July of the van escape and in November of the child sex abuse images of a 9-month-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Williams also raped the children’s mothers while they were unconscious and that there were images and videos of them as well. Williams took the sexually explicit photos of one child in 2008 and the other two on separate occasions in 2020, all in his apartment, prosecutors said.

In Tennessee state court, Williams faces additional charges involving minors. In a North Carolina federal court, he’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse images and illegal drugs. Two other federal lawsuits against Johnson City and individual police officers are still pending over the investigation of sexual assault reports against Williams.

LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL VIA AP

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.