North State Journal Vol. 7, Issue 6

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6

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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Biden administration lifting public health order at southern border Washington, D.C. The Biden administration plans to lift Title 42 authority – named for a 1944 public health law – by May 23. The order will lift restrictions on migrants who currently are supposed to be returned to their home countries.

Two weeks ago, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited Mexico and Costa Rica to discuss managing migration flows. Without providing details, Mayorkas said he had reached a “migration arrangement” with Costa Rica.

Large numbers of migrants have still been reaching the border. The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that about 7,100 migrants were coming daily, compared with an average of about 5,900 a day in February and on pace to match or exceed highs from last year, 2019 and other peak periods.

AP PHOTO

Tough day to be a Tar Heel UNC coach Hubert Davis walks off the court after the Tar Heels loss against Kansas in Monday’s national championship game in New Orleans. Read more about the game on page B1.

Cooper asks N Carolina congressional delegation to ‘act immediately’ on Biden additional COVID funds

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Congressional subcommittee finds CDC let teachers unions re-write school reopening plans Raleigh A Republican-led congressional report revealed the head of the U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowed the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to re-write key portions of school reopening guidance.

The interim findings state CDC Director Rochelle Walensky was personally managing the reopening guidance process, granted AFT unprecedented access to the plans and, in some cases, used the union’s edits “almost word for word.”

According to the news release, AFT staff asked Walensky to install a “trigger” in the guidance that would cause schools to close automatically if COVID-19 positivity rates reached a certain threshold.

The CDC obliged, and thousands of schools across the country remained closed throughout the 2020-21 school year.

A.P. DILLON

Grassroots NC holding event in Anson County Raleigh Grassroots NC, one of North Carolina’s most influential Second Amendment organizations, is holding a handgun match and BBQ fundraiser in Polkton on Saturday.

GRNC president Paul Valone said a slate of endorsed candidates will attend including Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd, N.C. Supreme Court candidate Richard Dietz, and Erich Pratt, the director of the national Gun Owners of America.

“GRNC’s ‘Ring Steel for Freedom’ will raise money to elect candidates who support the Second Amendment. This year, GRNC’s election effort will focus on judicial races which have proven critical in defending gun rights,” said Valone.

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By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RightForge sees engagement, growth with addition of TRUTH Social app

By Matt Mercer North State Journal IN NOVEMBER 2021, the company RightForge landed a huge client for their web services startup. TRUTH Social, the social media app launched by former President Donald Trump, is using the company’s services.

Since the official launch of the app on Apple’s app store, North State Journal checked in with co-founder Christopher Bedford.

In an interview, Bedford says the launch has been exciting – and a learning experience.

“The launch has been exciting. It’s a slow launch, obviously it’s one where they’re ramping up. The technology ramping up, their abilities. We’ve been really proud to support the president and his company in those efforts,” Bedford said to NSJ. One thing that Bedford immediately talked about was the level of engagement with the new app. He says Twitter has consistently shadow banned his account and he personally experiences more engagement on the new app.

The data Bedford sees “proves the president’s thesis” and he says there’s a lot of room to be competitive in the social media space “beyond the bots and trolls” and says Twitter’s policies have made it a “garbage app.”

He also uses an example of the web at large and how big tech controls a vast ecosystem.

“The internet right now, you go to an average news site, you see the ability to email or to tweet, or to share that article to Facebook. It’s a hot button.

That’s built in. So competitors trying to break that muscle memory, they’ve got everything going toward them as far as the market suicide of some of the big tech decisions, but the ecosystem is not perfectly attuned to them yet. And that’s going to take time,” he says, “I’m going to be really thrilled when TRUTH Social is at full capacity, fully humming along, and I’m getting texts about ‘truths’ that are shared instead of tweets.”

Bedford added that articles from news sites not favored

by big tech companies such as The Federalist and Daily Caller are being buried by Google and throttled by Twitter and Facebook.

“TRUTH Social is going to be a real place for The Federalist and you and your paper, Daily Signal, Daily Wire, and (Washington) Free Beacon to get up there and actually see what real impact they can have. So it’s been awesome to see all the different media organizations that have hopped right onto this,” says.

It’s the big tech ecosystem that Bedford says extends beyond even the social media companies that work against conservatives.

“There’s a huge amount of space for entrepreneurs who are committed to the basic bill of rights to be able to grow. We’ve seen Google search engines, the servers, email services like MailChimp, payment services like Stripe, all of these different places that’s come out and say, we don’t want somewhere between 30 and 50% of the American business because we (Silicon Valley) think you’re bad people.” said Bedford.

Locally, RightForge houses an office in Raleigh. Currently, the company has a core data center and engineers in the state.

Bedford added that those numbers scale up at different times depending on the needs of projects. “You take on a big project, like TRUTH Social, you might need to bring on contractors as well to work with our core staff,” and said one of the company’s co-founders is part of the group on Raleigh.

Bedford anticipates adding more employees to go along with their core staff and one of their goals by the end of the year is being able to bring on major brand name clients who are “owned by people who are sick of giving their money towards big tech.”

He adds that the company has received interest from small business sites, local banks, and others who are “waiting patiently” to be able to join the site. “It’s shockingly difficult these days to just stand for freedom, but it’s worth it,” he says.

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper recently published a letter on Mar. 28 to the North Carolina congressional delegation asking them to “act immediately” on President Joe Biden’s ask for $22.5-billion in additional COVID-19 emergency funds.

“I am pleased to report that North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics continue to decline, ushering in a new phase of COVID-19

where the virus is still with us but not disrupting us,” Cooper wrote.

“However, to succeed in this phase and not go backward, Congress must act immediately on the pending COVID-19 supplemental funding package so we can prepare for the next surge and stop it from overwhelming us.”

Cooper said that if Congress didn’t act soon, “North Carolina’s public health readiness will suffer” and will “create procurement chaSee COVID FUNDS, page A2

Parents told to find another school after complaining about ideological poster in classroom Student was also subjected to ‘gay marriage’ approval poll in class

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A family has withdrawn their children from a charter school in the Charlotte area after an impromptu classroom poll about gay marriage and the principal dismissing complaints about a teacher’s poster promoting social justice and left-wing political ideologies.

The family, who wished not to be named, tells North State Journal that their child was subjected to a poll in class which asked students to raise their hand if they approved of gay marriage.

The incident took place at the Socrates Academy charter school in Matthews during an apparent all-boy breakout session to on the topic of leadership. At the time, the female students were in another class watching a movie about bullying.

According to their 11-yearold son, a math teacher told those who raised their hands that he was proud of them. A number of students did not raise their hand and reported feeling upset and shamed as a result. The family’s son reported that the teacher also told the students he was “not brainwashing them” and that “being gay was okay.”

Last November, the same math teacher had placed a “Why We March” poster in the classroom. The poster was used during the controversial Wom-

en’s March on Washington, D.C., and displays a number of left-leaning activist topics such as #METOO, Black Lives Matter, Muslim Ban, Racism, and Time’s Up. Their son told them it bothered him and the family decided to meet with Principal Vanessa Baker. At that time, the family also contacted the school’s board of directors but See SCHOOLS, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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THE WORD: LIFE’S HIGHEST AND BEST LESSON

We read that Joseph bore himself so congenially, and did his work so well, and was so capable, so true, so trustworthy — that Potiphar “left all that he owned under Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.” Genesis 39:6. Joseph would never have won such a success — if he had given up to discouragement, if he had brooded over his wrongs, if he had sulked and complained, if he had spent his time in vain regrets or in vindictive feelings. We should learn the lesson, and it is worth learning — for it is life’s highest and best lesson.

The problem of life, is to keep the heart warm and kindly — amid all injustice and wrong; to keep the spirit brave and cheerful — in the midst of all that is hard in life’s circumstances and conditions; to be true, and right, and strong — in all moral purpose and deed, however others may act toward us.

Our inner life should not be affected by our external experiences. Right is right, no matter what others around us may do. We must be true — no matter if all the world is false — even false to us. We must be unselfish and loving — though even our nearest friends prove selfish and cruel to us. We must keep our spirit strong, cheerful and hopeful — though adversities and misfortunes seem to leave us nothing of the fruit of all our labors.

In a word, we are to live victoriously, truly, nobly, sweetly, cheerfully, joyfully — in spite of whatever may be uncongenial in our condition.

This is the lesson of all Christian life. We should not let the outside darkness into our soul. We should seek to be delivered from all morbidness and all unwholesomeness. We should not allow anything to crush us.

Remember, your task in living — is to keep sweet, to keep your heart gentle, brave, strong, loving, full of hope — under the worst that the years can bring you of injustice, hardship, suffering, and trial.J.R. Miller was

SCHOOLS from page A1 were told that Baker would handle it.

The couple asked for the poster be removed but Baker refused. According to the family, Baker told them the teacher wanted to take it down after realizing it had upset their son, however, Baker told him to keep it in place.

Following Baker’s refusal, the meeting ended quickly with Baker telling the family “Maybe Socrates is not the place for you.”

The family has since pulled their children out of Socrates Academy.

Prior to the meeting with Baker, the family had sent an email questioning the poster, to which Baker responded that the poster “lists several human rights issues.”

“As our mission says, we want scholars to employ intellectual curiosity and engage in critical thinking while adhering to principles of diversity, equity, equality, and empathy,” Baker said in an email to the family defending use of the poster. “We promise an intellectual environment that values global engagement and citizenship, social and cultural diversity, inclusion and equity, ethical responsibility, and mutual respect. We think it is important for all scholars to feel accepted and represented - and we do have a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds here at Socrates Academy.”

North State Journal reached out for comment multiple times but received no response from Baker.

a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

J.R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

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COVID FUNDS from page A1 os not seen since the early days of the pandemic as states compete for testing and treatment resources.”

“A single buy from the federal government to sustain the production of critical supplies is the right approach and will help us win the fight against COVID-19,” wrote Cooper.

In his letter, Cooper claims that the state’s monoclonal antibody supply has been reduced “by 30%” due to “insufficient” federal funds.

That part of Cooper’s letter lines up with remarks made by the governor and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley during a COVID briefing on March 17.

Cooper also wrote that “The state has far exceeded its budgeted funds for testing due to the back-to-back Delta and Omicron surges and record-setting community testing efforts.” That claim was not present in his remarks at the briefing on March 17, at which time Cooper passed the buck to the legislature for ending his over two-year-old statewide state of emergency order.

As of the date of Cooper’s Mar.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Joseph Accused by Potiphar’s Wife” by Rembrandt (1655) is a painting in the The Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.

“To succeed in this phase and not go backward, Congress must act immediately on the pending COVID-19 supplemental funding package so we can prepare for the next surge and stop it from overwhelming us.”

Gov. Roy Cooper letter 28 letter to the congressional delegation, that statewide order was 748 days old.

In his Mar. 17 remarks, Cooper’s referenced “laws” presented to the General Assembly that could end that order. The request to lawmakers refers to a letter sent by Kinsley to House Speaker Tim Moore and other legislators that describes certain “legislation needed for mitigation.”

For over a year, Cooper has repeatedly claimed his statewide COVID-19 state of emergency order was needed to “draw down federal funds.” North State Journal was

unable to substantiate that claim.

To date, North Carolina has received billions in COVID relief funds from the federal government.

According to the N.C. Office for Pandemic Recovery (NCPRO), the state received over $50 billion in 2020, nearly $30 billion in American Rescue Plans funds through March 2021. NCPRO’s website says that Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocated “$1.9 trillion to COVID-19 relief and economic recovery” with North Carolina directly receiving “more than $5.7 billion” in two distributions.

NCPRO provided North State Journal with a list of COVID related relief funds received by the state that total around $109,188,096,031 from sources such as the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The breakdown by source is as follows: CARES Act: $64,609,728,008 CRRSA: $9,429,821,515 ARP: $31,447,201,598 Other: $3,701,344,909

BRYAN ANDERSON | AP PHOTO

Gov. Roy Cooper is pictured in this Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 file photo, in Raleigh

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Eastman touts support for vets, outsider status in US Senate bid

By Matt Mercer North State Journal CARY — Marjorie K. Eastman says her campaign of late feels like a “rocketship” after landing an endorsement from two-term Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

“I’m supporting Marjorie because she’s a mom, a great conservative, and she is a combat veteran.

She’s exactly what we need in the U.S. Senate,” said Ernst at a recent fundraising event.

It’s that experience as a combat veteran that Eastman has leaned on – something, she says, the other candidates in the race lack.

“We have over 700,000 veterans and we need to make sure that we are taking care of,” said Eastman in an interview with North State Journal.

“There’s no cost that’s too high supporting a veteran who would’ve given their life for us and defended our freedoms. So number one, it’s understanding the military,” Eastman said. “Number two, it’s about the border. What are the first things they teach you as a soldier – especially as a leader in combat – you have to secure the perimeter and our nation’s leaders are not doing their job.”

After being stationed at Fort Bragg nearly 20 years ago, Eastman and her husband, who served in special operations, decided North Carolina would be their forever home – once he retired.

Their family would spend time in Tennessee, where Eastman attended business school at Van-

COURTESY PHOTO

Marjorie K. Eastman is pictured with her family, in this undated file photo. derbilt University. According to voting records Eastman registered in Wake County in 2018. That was an issue during a debate between candidates hosted by ABC11 in late February.

Former Gov. Pat McCrory “welcomed” Eastman to the state and questioned her conservative bona fides. She had been an unaffiliated voter and re-registered as a Republican shortly before entering the race in October.

“The debate tells the whole story. Number one, he attacked me

unprovoked and totally baseless.

Why do politicians attack? Because they feel threatened,” said Eastman. “He was insulting to the military community. I mean, as a service member, I was stationed here at Fort Bragg in 2002, 2003.

Quite frankly, it’s not just insulting to the military, but every new North Carolinian. There’s so many people that live in our state that were not born here that love this state. They love North Carolina values and (McCrory) really shut the door on them, which was dis-

appointing.”

Eastman went to say that she registered as a Republican in college and switched to an unaffiliated registration while enlisted.

She says as a fiscal conservative, she’s very concerned about inflation. Eastman said you don’t have to go to business school to understand that career politicians created the current inflation problems, not businesses. She says she’s helped grow and scale small businesses and how to solve problems.

Another passion she has is helping veteran entrepreneurs.

“That brings together two things I absolutely love, my military family and solving problems here at home.” said Eastman.

Eastman also talked about why she got in the race late – months after the candidates currently leading polls entered the primary.

She stressed that the race isn’t about four candidates, it’s about two choices.

“All three of these politicians are pick a flavor: what kind of politician do you want? I’m the only outsider. I’m the only mom with a little boy climbing onto a school bus,” she said. “We need a Glenn Youngkin (Virginia governor elected in 2021) for North Carolina.”

Eastman added that being an outsider, she’s also a voter who is “sick and tired of politicians” said that it was laughable that experience as a politician is a reason to vote for them.

“We need people that understand business and have served their

A3 country in uniform,” she added.

She tackled the issue of outsider spending in the race by deflecting some of the $1.2 million spent on her behalf by Restore Common Sense, a PAC supporting her founded by Wilmington executive Fred Eshelman.

A Jan. 13, 2022, report from The Associated Press said the ads backing her “highlighted Eastman’s service in the military as a combat veteran and criticized ‘career politicians’ who ‘abandoned common sense,’ leading to an environment that’s brought ‘crippling inflation, massive new government spending’ and ‘surging crime’ to the country.”

Eastman responded saying that North Carolinians should be making the decision.

“The support that I’ve had, it’s all been from within the state. I have friends and family all across the state like anybody else does,” said Eastman.

On a personal level, Eastman shared the story of her son, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer at six months of age. She called it “the biggest challenge of their lives” and said their went through a special kind of hell.

“For five years, we had to live that live that hell. The biggest blessing is he’s cancer free today,” said Eastman. “We were so lucky we found it because infant cancer only happens to about 700, 800 babies in the U.S. every year. And my son got it and they (doctors) say it’s the most mysterious, too.”

She said she still remembers vividly the sixth floor of Vanderbilt’s pediatric oncology department, seeing children with no eyelashes, no hair on their head and in the fight of their lives.

Eastman says “It’s a reminder of what the human spirit is capable of enduring and producing. We all have it in us.”

Guilford County’s Leah Carper named NC Teacher of the Year

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In a ceremony held on April 1 at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, Leah Carper, an English teacher at Northern Guilford High School, was named the 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

Carper takes over for Eugneia Floyd, a fourth-grade teacher at Mary Scroggs Elementary School in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, who was named the 2021 Teacher of the Year.

In her speech announcing the winner, N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt highlighted Carper’s strong student engagement both in her classroom and virtually during the pandemic.

“It takes a special teacher to understand what really interests and motivates high school students,” Truitt said, “and it’s clear that Leah has found a way into their world that makes learning fun, engaging and effective. She’s very deserving of this important recognition.”

In her application submission for Teacher of the Year (TOY), Carper wrote “When it comes to teaching, I’m going to do what works for my students. Sometimes that means dressing up in silly costumes. Other times it’s selecting reading materials that appeal to their interests, experiences and ideals.”

Being named TOY comes with responsibilities and perks. Carper will travel across the state during the next school year as

an “ambassador for the teaching profession” and will take part in a seminar at the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching.

The perks include a mobile device from Lenovo valued at approximately $1,600, an engraved vase, a trip to the National Teacher of the Year Conference and International Space Camp, a prize pack and opportunity to be honored during a football game from NC State Athletics, and support from No Kid Hungry NC. As TOY, there will also be a chance to travel abroad via an endowment sponsored by Go Global NC. Carper will also get a cash awards; one in the amount of $7,500, another for $2,000 from Flow Honda to help with travel costs as TOY, and $1,000 from

Lawmakers file motion to block 3-judge panel’s order allowing 55,000 felons to vote

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Lawmakers filed a notice of appeal and motion to stay an order handed down by a 3-judge panel which would permit some 55,000 felons not currently incarcerated to be able to vote in any election.

On Monday, Mar. 28, a 3-judge panel voted 2-1 to allow felons to vote, bypassing the state constitution which bars felons from voting “unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.”

“This is an unrivaled attempt by judges to legislate from the bench,” Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said in a press statement. “Piece-by-piece the courts are chipping away at the legislature’s constitutional duty to set election policy in this state and seizing that authority for themselves.”

The N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has yet to act, citing an “imminent” appeal in a March 29 memo to county election officials directing them to not yet grant voter registrations for felons.

On March 31, the NCSBE called an emergency meeting on where the board went almost directly into closed session to confer with their legal counsel. Board Chair Damon Circosta issued the following statement: “This morning, the five members of the State Board of Elections met in closed session with

the Board’s legal counsel to discuss the Community Success Initiative v. Moore case. The Board voted unanimously to direct the Attorney General’s Office, the Board’s litigation counsel, to file a response as soon as possible to a pending motion to stay in that case. It will ask the court how to proceed under the trial court’s order. In this response, the Board will establish for the benefit of the court the urgency of the situation and timelines that should be contemplated in light of the April 22 voter registration deadline for the May 17 primary. Any voter registration applications filed by affected individuals are pending.

We will take action on those following direction from the court.”

The press release from Senate Republicans called the move a substitution of “preferred policy of two county judges for state law.”

Despite the almost 50 year old law treating all offenders the same, writing in the majority in the 3-judge panel decision, Judges Lisa Bell and Keith Gregory said the law passed by the then-Democratically controlled legislature to deny felons the ability to vote was racist.

“The legislature cannot purge through the mere passage of time an impermissibly racially discriminatory intent,” Bell and Gregory wrote. “The legislature’s decision in the 1970s to preserve [the law’s] denial of the franchise to people living in the community was itself independently motivated by racism.”

The ruling was issued as absentee ballot voting in the primaries had begun and holds to a pattern for this same panel for interrupting elections. The same three-judge panel issued a verbal order to let some 55,000 felons to register to vote as the NC finalized voting materials at the end of August in 2021.

“The people of North Carolina are sick and tired of leftist judges who ignore the law to achieve their desired outcomes. The constitution could not be any clearer: convicted felons are to repay their debt to society before having their civil rights restored,” said Sam Hayes, General Counsel for House Speaker Tim Moore in a statement.

“Granting convicted felons, including rapists and murderers, the right to vote is an affront to every law-abiding voter in our state, and it will not stand,” Hayes said. “We now seek a stay pending appeal to stop this order from going into effect, and we will continue the General Assembly’s fight to preserve the security of our elections.”

In 1973, North Carolina passed a law that dictates how felons can restore their voting access. The requirements to restore citizenship reside in Chapter 13 of the state’s statutes which includes an unconditional pardon or the “unconditional discharge of an inmate, of a probationer, or of a parolee by the agency of the State having jurisdiction of that person or of a defendant under a suspended sentence by the court.”

Bojangles.

Carper was first recognized this school year as teacher of the year at both her school and district.

The other regional finalists included Clinton Todd, J.H. Rose High (Pitt County Schools). Abbey Nobles, New Hanover High (New Hanover County Schools).

Brian Link, East Chapel Hill High (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools), Elizabeth Santamour, East Hoke Middle (Hoke County Schools), Ashtyn Berry, W.R. Odell Elementary (Cabarrus County Schools), Ashley Bandy, Newton-Conover High (Newton-Conover City Schools), Ryan Mitchell, Mills River Elementary (Henderson County Public Schools), and Keegan Storrs, Roxboro Community School.

IMAGE VIA N.C. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Leah Carper, NC Teacher of the Year 2022

N.C. Education Corps receiving $13.5M in ESSER III appropriations

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A non-profit formed in 2020 to help school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic will be getting $13.5 million from federal relief funds to continue what was supposed to be temporary work.

The N.C. Education Corps (NCEC) has recruited tutors to help districts with instruction challenges and learning loss. Two areas NCEC has had a focus on during the 20212022 school year are K-3 literacy and aligning that work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s literacy initiatives.

The $13.5 million will come from the third round of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III).

According to presentation given at a January meeting of the American Rescue Plan Committee of Practitioners, “The program shall focus on accelerating COVID-19 learning recovery with students, families, and school personnel, particularly through high-impact literacy tutors grounded in the Science of Reading and reading instruction.”

NCEC has already received quite a bit of private and public funding.

The group received $100,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, a part of the federal CARES Act in its early stages.

“The program shall focus on accelerating COVID-19 learning recovery with students, families, and school personnel, particularly through high-impact literacy tutors grounded in the Science of Reading and reading instruction.”

N.C. Education Corps presentation Additionally, NCEC also has received a steady stream of money from the N.C. Education Fund, which N.C. State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis described as a “holding fund” for grant money that would first come via “FAST NC.” The link to FAST NC on the Department of Public Instruction’s website is now defunct.

Records show that the NC Education Fund had four separate donations totaling $900,000 spanning Aug. 2020 through April 1, 2021.

The donations included $500,000 from Foundation for the Carolinas, $100,000 from C D Spangler Foundation, $200,000 from the SECU Foundation, and $100,000 from the Mebane Charitable Foundation Inc. In April of 2021, NCEC asked for $500,000 to continue operating.

By August, the group requested another grant of $246,622.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

A4

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Murphy to Manteo

Masters champions with NC ties

Tillis joins Republicans supporting Cawthorn rival

Duke University Masters win: 1959

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

Wake Forest University (College) Masters wins: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964

Technically, there are four pro golfers with ties to North Carolina who have won the Masters. As the Triangle Business Journal reported in 2019, 1998 champion Mark O’Meara was born in Goldsboro but his family moved across the country when he was young.

The most prolific golfer of the group, Arnold Palmer, recorded four wins in his illustrious career.

Palmer attended Wake Forest and maintained a strong connection to the university throughout his life.

Jones & Blount

Art Wall Jr.

Arnold Palmer Raymond Floyd Fayetteville Masters win: 1976

Wall at the 1959 Buick Open, (Public Domain)

Palmer playing in the 1953 North and South Amateur Golf Championship held at Pinehurst Country Club, Pinehurst.

(Public Domain)

WEST Students win second in statewide school lunch cooking contest Swain County Five high school teams competed in the annual North Carolina Jr. Chef cookoff to create unique school lunch entrée recipes. Apex High from Wake County won first place. The Swain County High team won second place and a silver medal for Shredded Chicken Tacos. Union County’s Parkwood High paired Lasagna Roll-Ups with a Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette Simple Salad to win third place and a silver medal.

Monroe High also from Union County, won fourth place and a silver medal with Teriyaki Sunset, a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. Ashe County High won fifth place for Lasagna Wrap-Ups. DPI

App State asks high school to change logo Haywood County The Tuscola High School Mountaineers will be looking for a new logo and mascot after lawyers from Appalachian State University—whose sports teams are also the Mountaineers—asked them to change their branding because it was too similar to the college’s. Tuscola will revert back to its original logo, which had differences in the Mountaineer’s head, ear, nose and pipe. The school isn’t sure how it began using one that was a copy of App State’s.

WLOS

Floyd won four majors in his PGA career and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989 (AP Photo)

PIEDMONT

Trial begins in 2018 murder Transylvania County The first-degree murder trial for Davieyon Devall Hopkins Jr., of Hendersonville, began last week. Hopkins is accused of killing Waybern Shelton, 68, in 2018. He also faces charges of attempted murder of Rebecca Shelton and several robbery counts.

Hopkins allegedly encountered the couple as they left their Brevard restaurant with the day’s deposits. Four other defendants face accessory and conspiracy charges related to the robbery and shooting.

WLOS

Wake County A shooting at a Special Olympics spring carnival prompted authorities to cancel the last day of the event. Gunfire broke out Saturday after a large fight erupted among people near a concession stand. As police worked to break up the fight and disperse the crowd, several shots were fired in a nearby parking lot, sending people scrambling for cover or running to their cars. At least two vehicles were struck by gunfire, and a 16-year-old boy was grazed. Sunday was to be the final day of the carnival, but officials said they decided to cancel the festivities.

FOX 46

Chatham County A Vietnamese automaker announced plans Tuesday to build a plant in North Carolina to manufacture electric vehicles, promising to bring 7,500 jobs and ending the state’s streak of near-misses for landing carmakers.

VinFast will build its first North American plant in Chatham County southwest of Raleigh, with production expected to start in 2024. It expects to employ 7,500 by 2027 with average salaries of $51,000, according to the state Commerce Department.

AP

AP

Man sentenced for identity theft Avery County Elenilson Ceron, 25, of Newland, was sentenced to over two years in prison for bank fraud and identity theft. Ceron used stolen identification documents to secure bank loans in 2019. He and a co-defendant, Jennifer Pardo, stole checks, credit cards and medical documents from people’s mailboxes, homes and vehicles, as well as from home computers. They took more than $6,500 from their victims. Pardo had already been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Ceron pled guilty and received a 26-month sentence in federal prison.

EAST

Vietnamese carmaker to build electric vehicles

Gunfire breaks out at Special Olympics carnival

A5

Inmate assaulted, killed at prison

Man convicted of murder in 2017 fatal beating of uncle Bladen County A man was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2017 beating death of his uncle. Gabriel McDowell, 21, of Elizabethtown, was convicted after a trial that began last week. The court has discretion to sentence McDowell to less than life without parole because he was 16 at the time the crime was committed. McDowell was charged in the death of his uncle, Charles Leon Leach, 60, on Dec. 6, 2017.

Leach, who lived in Clarkton, was the target of a robbery, authorities said. An autopsy determined Leach suffered blunt force trauma to the head.

Bertie County An inmate at a prison was assaulted by a group of inmates and killed. Offender Semajs Short, 24, was attacked in a housing area at Bertie Correctional Institution by a number of other inmates. Short was pronounced dead by paramedics. Three other inmates were injured during the assault and were taken to a hospital outside the prison for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The Windsor Police Department and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the assault.

The prison was placed on modified lockdown as investigators worked to discover more about what happened and why. No staff were injured.

AP

RALEIGH — North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis endorsed a state legislator over U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn in their upcoming Republican primary, saying the first-term congressman has “fallen well short” of expectations.

Tillis’ backing of state Sen. Chuck Edwards adds another consequential voice in North Carolina’s GOP willing to oppose Cawthorn, who has received criticisms from a larger swath of Republicans for recent comments, including one in which he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “thug.”

The top Republican leaders in the state legislature — House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger — also were featured guests at a lunch fundraiser last week for Edwards, one of seven Republicans challenging Cawthorn for the nomination in the May 17 primary.

“The 11th Congressional District deserves a congressman who is fully dedicated to serving their constituents,” Tillis said in a news release.

“Unfortunately, Madison Cawthorn has fallen well short of the most basic standards western North Carolina expects from their representatives, and voters now have several well-qualified candidates to choose from who would be a significant improvement. I believe Chuck Edwards is the best choice.”

Cawthorn, who was elected in 2020 at age 25, is a strong supporter of Donald Trump. Cawthorn spoke at a rally in Washington on Jan 6, 2021, that questioned the outcome of the White House election won by Democrat Joe Biden. The riot at the U.S. Capitol took place after that rally.

A Cawthorn campaign commercial posted on Twitter includes what appears to be text from a quote from Trump stating Cawthorn has “my complete and total endorsement.”

Recently, Cawthorn has received negative publicity for being cited three times in five months for traffic violations — speeding and driving with a revoked license among them — and for the video about Zelenskyy. In the same short

video, Cawthorn said the Ukrainian government “is incredibly corrupt and is incredibly evil and has been pushing woke ideologies.”

Cawthorn and a spokesperson later attempted to clarify those remarks, with the congressman calling actions

by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his country’s invasion of Ukraine “disgusting.” After recent comments Cawthorn made on a podcast that angered fellow Republicans in Congress, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., met with Cawthorn this week and reprimanded him publicly.

Moore said that someone like Cawthorn doesn’t deserve to be in Congress.

“If you have clowns in office who aren’t serious about what they’re doing, you can’t get somewhere,” Moore told WNCN-TV while attending a fundraiser for Edwards. “I’m just kind of without the words to describe what Congressman Cawthorn is doing and saying. I mean, some of these ridiculous recent comments that continue to build on one another.”

A Cawthorn spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the Republican opposition.

Cawthorn announced in November that he planned to run in a proposed congressional district closer to Charlotte, rather than to keep representing the far western mountains. Moore had also considered a run in that new district but decided against it. That district ultimately was thrown out by judges, and Cawthorn returned to a run in the reconfigured 11th District, which leans Republican.

Cawthorn’s campaign raised $2.8 million in 2021 but had only $282,000 in cash entering this year, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Other primary opponents includes former political ally Michele Woodhouse and Wendy Marie-Limbaugh Nevarez, who is being supported by a super political action committee linked to Moe Davis, the 11th District Democratic nominee in 2020.

The top vote-getter in the upcoming primary would have to receive more than 30% of the vote to avoid a July 26 runoff with the second-place finisher.

AP

Truck driver wins $2 million on break Ten injured, one arrested in Chapel Hill celebration Orange County Ten people were injured and one arrested during a massive celebration in downtown Chapel Hill following UNC’s win over Duke in the Final Four. An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people took to the streets Saturday in one of the largest celebrations the community has seen. Public safety staff treated 10 people for injuries, with four taken to the hospital. None were serious.

Officials also responded to several bonfires near Franklin and Columbia streets, which were closed along with surrounding streets for about three hours. Police arrested Jahari Rayeson Taylor, 19, of Chapel Hill for carrying a concealed gun.

AP

Warren County Chadwick Denton, 44, of Henderson, is a truck driver who had a very productive break. Denton was driving a load when he decided to take a break in Warren County and stopped at the Best Bet BP in Norlina.

He bought a 100X The Cash scratch-off lottery ticket for $20. He ended up winning $2 million. Denton chose to take the lump sum payout of $1.2 million, which came to $851,755 after taxes.

CBS 17

Chef went from Army deployments to winning ‘Chopped’

Outer Banks will soon open 2nd bridge to skirt flooded route

Cumberland County Chris Dodson, 36, was named champion of Food Network’s series “Chopped,” coming home with the $10,000 grand prize. He credited his mother, Roslyn, an Army cook in Fayetteville, for instilling his love of cooking.

Dodson enlisted in the Army after high school. Nine years and multiple deployments later, Dodson was stationed in Okinawa when he saw a Bobby Flay show. He retired from the Army soon after and enrolled in culinary school in El Paso, Texas. After four tries to apply, Dodson got called to appear on “Chopped.” Dodson bested three other chefs to take home the top prize.

Dare County A bridge that will allow locals and tourists to avoid a perennially washed-out route on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is set to open to traffic this month.

People will be able to walk, bike and run across the 2.4-mile Rodanthe Bridge on Saturday ahead of its opening.

The $154 million bridge will take North Carolina Highway 12 over Pamlico Sound, bypassing the south end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and part of the road that’s often washed over by the ocean during storms. Construction on the project started in 2018.

AP AP

SAUL LOEB, POOL VIA AP

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., pictured in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the Capitol, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

ncfb.org

A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

‘I didn’t do that’

If any politician would tell the truth, they would tell you, the American people, that the only surefire way to end budget deficits is to stop spending money.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN said in his State of the Union address that he would be “the only president ever to cut the deficit by more than one trillion dollars in a single year!”

Big deal. You and I had as much to do with the deficit being reduced by $1 trillion as Joe Biden did. Which was nothing.

Have you ever had to spend money you didn’t have on a medical health emergency or a new car after your old one had been totaled? That is what America did during the COVID crisis. We spent over $4 trillion (see chart) to deal with critical ― and not-so-critical ― issues over the last two years which we hope we will never have to do again.

All of the money was borrowed. Most of it was accommodated by massive increases in the money supply issued by the Fed which turned around and bought up most of the new debt since the rest of the world didn’t buy it. There are some humongous fiscal chickens that will come home to roost one day probably sooner than later.

The pandemic has receded significantly. There is no need to keep spending money we don’t have ― and have to manufacture ― to address the implications of the COVID virus.

Those are not “saved” dollars. They are merely dollars that no longer have to be spent.

For Joe Biden to assert that he had anything to the deficit dropping by $1 trillion is like Bill Clinton taking credit for the “peace dividend” in the mid-1990s after the First Iraq War was over and our military buildup could stop. Billions were saved because the war was over.

It is an embarrassing display of self-promotion and delusion.

President Biden took great pains to say that he is now pursuing a course to “lower deficits by over $1 trillion over the next decade” which should be the goal of every elected official to be honest. The last time there was any serious effort to reduce budget deficits was in 1997 when a Republican Congress got President Clinton to sign the Balanced Budget Act which produced budget surpluses that paid down $600 billion in debt over the next four years solely by cutting spending, not with higher taxes.

If any politician would tell the truth, they would tell you, the American people, that the only surefire way to end budget deficits is to stop spending money.

Republicans will tell you “economic growth will grow us out of deficits” due to higher tax revenue collection. Democrats will tell you “we must tax the rich!” in order to eliminate budget deficits.

Both are wrong. If federal spending continues to grow at a 7% clip, economic growth would have to greatly exceed 7% to produce enough tax revenue to wipe out trillion-dollar deficits. There are not enough billionaires to tax to generate enough new annual tax receipts to balance the budget.

The worst thing about the left-wing socialist Democratic efforts to tax the unrealized capital gains of “only billionaires” is that their hare-brained schemes to tax the rich always filters down to tax “everyone else”.

In 1913, the income tax was declared constitutional. It was “only” supposed to hit the top 4% of income-earners.

Every American who works or receives income is now subject to income and payroll taxes. 100%.

Remember the AMT, the Alternative Minimum Tax? When instituted in 1970, it too was “only” supposed to hit 155 upper-income earners who previously paid no income tax due to creative use of tax shelters.

In 2017, 5.2 million taxpayers had to pay AMT. Joe Biden had nothing to do with the deficit going down $1 trillion this year.

Sadly, until Republicans take over Congress and hold the rate of annual growth in spending to 2% or below and then have a president sign their bill, our budget deficits will continue to balloon, not recede.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Ron DeSantis is winning in war of words with Disney over Florida parental rights law

Gov. DeSantis, what do you think of the bill critics call the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill?

FOR SOME REASON, Democrats and the media thought it would be a good idea to try and dunk on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the state’s new parental rights law, which DeSantis signed last week, which critics have wrongly dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

As per how it normally goes when DeSantis and/or his state is under attack, DeSantis is responding accordingly by turning the tables on his critics, pointing out the most “controversial” aspects shouldn’t be considered controversial at all.

He’s also putting them in the uncomfortable position of having to explain why they’re against common-sense measures that were designed to protect young children from being exposed to ageinappropriate lesson plans on sexual matters.

It all started in late February when DeSantis started getting peppered with questions from the press — a de facto arm of the Democratic party whenever it comes to social issues — after the Parental Rights in Education bill passed the GOP-controlled House of Representatives and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Every time a reporter would ask him about it, they’d use Democratic talking points. The questions went along the lines of “Gov. DeSantis, what do you think of the bill critics call the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill?”

DeSantis would push back by asking the reporter to tell them where in the bill it read “don’t say gay.” They could never answer — because it wasn’t in there, and the flummoxed reporters inevitably would defer back to the bill’s critics.

The governor was, of course, correct. Nowhere in the bill did it say you couldn’t say “gay” in a public school classroom. Here’s what it actually mandated: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards” It also enshrined parental rights when it comes to discussions of such sensitive subjects with children.

Because the “woke” left loves to trot out economic blackmail on Republican legislators whenever they introduce bills they don’t like

― which we saw here in North Carolina during the “HB2 bathroom bill” drama back in 2016 ― Disney was pressured to get involved, and they started issuing statements against the bill and talking about how they wanted to meet with DeSantis to see if they could get him to get legislators to either tone it down or pull it.

DeSantis didn’t budge, and nor did the bill’s other defenders. In response to Disney’s criticisms as well as their pledge to provide funding and other resources to radical leftist groups who want to get the law overturned via lawsuit, DeSantis pointed out that Disney had benefited a great deal over the years from being a family-friendly place for parents to take their kids.

Because of that reputation, he pointed out they are going to have a hard time explaining to parents who have enjoyed vacationing at Disney parks with their kids over the years why they’re opposed to a law that protects kids and expands parental rights in public schools.

The same will be true for any other business that has publicly announced its opposition to the law. They, too, will have to explain to customers and clients who specifically ask why they object to a law that doesn’t say what critics say it does.

So far, DeSantis is winning the war of words over the law. Polling shows that people who have read the actual text of it support it. That includes even 52% of the state’s Democrats, according to a recent poll from a Democrat polling firm.

This is what standing firm looks like, and Republican lawmakers in other states need to take notice and learn.

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

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

A7 COLUMN MICHAEL BARONE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letter from Roma in Ukraine

Turning a corner, away from excessive risk aversion

“A calendar month has passed since the beginning of a new stage of Ukrainian history and 30 days since I have the privilege of being a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine again. It’s a privilege and an honor.

The post is definitely not about how hard, or what challenges I stand, or what I’m going through. This whole palette of emotions, experiences and worries, losses and gains has to be processed, and resolved with God. And I have loved ones to live for.

I have the honor to be around great people. Proud that most of my veteran group is back; no one f led and everyone did their best to be back in the battle as soon as possible. There were many obstacles on the way to fight against the enemy.

But there was no running away because of age, health, family circumstances, or official documents of leave. No one was waiting for a team call, or a personal invitation to be served or a call from the military committee. Everyone did what was planned. Everyone took a packed backpack, and just took the next step towards the decision, which has been made long ago.”

(Roma was wounded in battle Monday, April 4. He is in the hospital, recovering from surgery).

CPURTESY PHOTO

Roma is pictured in this undated file photo.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letter from Liosha in Ukraine “Before the trip, I received a special task ― to take out four wounded children with their mothers from the regional children’s hospital in Chernihiv and take them to L’vіv. The night before, the Russians had bombed the only bridge leading to Chernihiv. Other routes to enter the city are controlled by the enemy.

But we decided to go to Chernihiv anyway. There were ten cars and we learned that there is also a footbridge. We hoped that people would be able to cross it and we would pick them up near the bridge. We arrived at the last village before Chernihiv and were not allowed to go further. The footbridge was closed; no one was allowed in; it was being shelled. We decided to wait.

There were explosions all around us. The military asked us to disperse around the village because too many cars in one place are a good target.

We prayed, we waited.

Finally, people were allowed to cross the footbridge. At this end of the bridge, cars were waiting for people and to take them to the nearest village.

The wounded children I had to pick up could not walk. I went to negotiate with the military so that my minivan would be let through the footbridge to the hospital. I had to talk to the commander. He called the doctor so that the doctor would confirm that they were waiting for me in the hospital. Miracle of all miracles ― they let me cross the footbridge when no one else was allowed.

Our guys looked at me as if they were saying goodbye to me.

While I was driving across the bridge, people walked towards me on foot. Some elderly people lay right on the ground — they couldn’t go any farther. Their relatives unsuccessfully tried to raise them.

I got to the hospital in the city and took the wounded children. To get to the footbridge, we needed to go through three checkpoints. They wouldn’t let me through at the first checkpoint. They sent me to the chief at the second checkpoint.

They didn’t let me through either. A woman with injured children called her military husband. They still wouldn’t let us through. I went to the third checkpoint near the bridge itself.

The major was there; he remembered me, because on the way to Chernihiv, I helped them with fuel. Thanks to the major, we were let through at the first checkpoint. But at the second checkpoint they wouldn’t let me through again.

“Go and ask — over there is the head of the region.” I went. I waited, I asked.

He found out that I had wounded children in my van. He promised to let me out first. The situation was very tense. Lots of people, lots of cars. It was not clear who should go first: the

COURTESY PHOTO

Liosha with the family he saved in Chernihiv. military, the humanitarian aid or the people. They can bomb at any moment. Everyone wants to leave.

Finally, we were let through. At the third checkpoint, the major asked us to take one old man. He lies near the road ― he cannot walk. We barely dragged the old man wearing three jackets into the car. He doesn’t want to take them off. People were freezing living in basements for a week.

Then I rushed through the field at high speed to the nearest village and further to Kyiv in order to be in time before curfew.

I have never traveled so fast in my life. God saved us and we managed to arrive at our house 20 minutes before curfew.

It was the craziest trip of this war. God protected, guarded and saved these children. An hour and a half later, as I left Chernihiv, this footbridge was fired upon and it was closed. It has been two days and still none of the inhabitants can leave the city.”

These were two emails sent by CRU staff members in Ukraine to our good friend Rich Leary who spent many years in Ukraine spreading the Gospel.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Technology and growth are the cures to climate doomsday I GUESS YOU COULD mark me down as a “climate change skeptic.” I’m not a climate scientist, so I have no expertise on what is happening with the planet’s temperature or severe weather events that can wreak havoc on life and property.

I am skeptical that “collective action” through governmental policies will make planet Earth a more hospitable place. Is this the same government that can’t balance its budget, control its borders, stop the crime spree across America and has allowed a 10% inflation tax, among other foibles?

Now, these same politicians will, like Moses, stop the oceans from rising? Fat chance. And they accuse the United States of being religious zealots.

But I do have faith in free markets and the technological advances that for thousands of years have moved us away from the Hobbesian nightmare of humans living in dank caves with life on Earth being “nasty, brutish, and short.”

Deaths from hurricanes, landslides, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, floods, food and energy shortages, severe heat and cold and other disruptions from Mother Earth have fallen sharply over the past century. The property damage from acts of nature as a share of our GDP continues to drop yearly.

For example, more accurate weather reporting prepares people for deadly weather events. Building technologies make mankind smarter about weather- and earthquake-proofing homes, buildings, bridges and other structures to protect against collapse and rubble. The real “green revolution” on agriculture output has dropped rates of famine and hunger to all-time lows. My mentor, the late, great economist Julian Simon, taught us that the “ultimate resource” to save us from Armageddon is the human mind.

Hence, I was thrilled when CNN reported that scientists had invented a new technology that flies planes into clouds and injects them with silver iodide to make more rain and snow.

The technology could be a cost-effective way to alleviate severe droughts, which have afflicted the western U.S. in recent years.

If you’re a green climate change activist or scientist, you have to be thrilled, right?

It turns out the climate change industrial complex isn’t ecstatic. As CNN notes, some climate scientists complain that the technology could be “getting in the way of nature.”

Read that sentence again because it is so rich with irony. Isn’t the entire climate change movement about altering Mother Nature?

This reaction also makes one wonder whether something is going on here in the climate change industrial complex beyond stopping the warming of the planet. Climate change has rapidly evolved into a multitrillion-dollar global industry.

Inexpensive and non-life-altering solutions aren’t part of the plan, just as the folks who said that we were running out of oil attacked the shale revolution, which proved them so tragically wrong.

There are thousands of other examples of new technologies beyond the rainmaking breakthroughs just mentioned. They have already invented or will invent in the years and decades ahead technologies to make our planet warmer, colder, drier, wetter, sunnier or in whatever direction we want to turn the dial. None of these require draconian laws and mandates to destroy our modern-day energy sector and replace our power supply with 19th-century windmills.

We have the supposed greatest minds in the world who have allegedly come to a solution to save the planet dramatically by hitting a “reset” button on energy by turning to some of the most inefficient sources. That’s the best they’ve got?

I was struck by this disdainful comment by UCLA climate scientist Donald Swain regarding the rainmaking machine: “Resources are much better invested in climate solutions already guaranteed to make significant and equitable impacts.”

The professor seems to be saying that it makes far more sense to eliminate 80% of the world’s cheap and abundant energy sources than to bring power to the world’s poorest regions and institute an inexpensive and promising technology that could cut the number of droughts by half or more.

It almost seems they don’t want these innovative and nonintrusive solutions to work. Free markets and technology may help save the world from doomsday, but they won’t overturn a century of progress in human welfare and won’t make the green energy lobby rich.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at Freedom Works. He is also author of the new book: “Govzilla: How The Relentless Growth of Government Is Devouring Our Economy.”

IT FEELS LIKE we’re turning a corner.

Since the beginning of the calendar year, a lot of things have changed. More importantly, a lot of minds have changed as well. The world and the nation don’t look like they used to, and don’t seem likely to again any time soon.

Consider the masks. On New Year’s Day, 30% of people in 11 states and the District of Columbia were subject to statewide masking mandates. In addition, mask mandates were in effect in several dozen politically liberal cities and counties in other states, raising coverage to more than one-third of the population. The nation continued to be divided, as it had been since spring 2020, between masked states and unmasked states, a division eerily similar to the partisan divide between blue states and red states.

The 11 states and D.C. with mask mandates intact last Jan. 1 cast all of their 155 electoral votes for Joe Biden. In only one (Nevada) was Biden’s percentage margin in the single digits. In contrast, the rest of the country voted 232 to 151 for Donald Trump. Thus, differences in risk tolerance were highly correlated with partisan preference, and often with similar vehemence.

Despite accumulating evidence that widespread vaccination had reduced the deadliness of successive COVID variants, many blue state residents clung to their masks. Appearing in public maskless, some said, might lead people to think they voted for Trump.

Now, just three months into the year, the statewide and D.C. mask mandates are gone. Still lingering, here and there, are mask mandates for schoolchildren, despite overwhelming evidence that benefits are minimal and the costs, in terms of reduced learning and sociability, are substantial.

Few other countries have insisted on masks for grade-schoolers. But teacher unions are stronger here, at least within the Democratic Party, than elsewhere, and so many blue states have followed the politics and ignored the science.

Support for similar left-wing lunacy seems to be evaporating. In February, three members of the school board were recalled — booted from office in San Francisco, of all places.

This wasn’t a freak result. Turnout was high, and 70% voted to get rid of each of the three. The SF board, like many in urban districts, kept the schools closed yet spent weeks plotting to rename them, canceling everyone from George Washington to Dianne Feinstein.

Then, in mid-March, an EMC Research poll showed that 68% of San Franciscans intend to oust District Attorney Chesa Boudin in the June recall election. Boudin, like other left-wing prosecutors, has sharply reduced prosecutions, which has resulted in sharp increases in violent crime. To liberals, de-prosecuting crime, just like defunding the police, seemed like a good idea after the George Floyd riots in June 2020. But in the cold light of March 2022, not so much — not even for Bay Area liberals.

We’ve turned a corner abroad, too. Who expected, last New Year’s Day, that Russia would stage a 1940s-fashion invasion of Ukraine? And who predicted that such an invasion, after five weeks, would fail to capture Kyiv or other major cities and wouldn’t overturn Ukraine’s government?

The outcome isn’t known or knowable now, but the Ukraine war has at the least overturned conventional wisdom on many fronts. In an era supposedly organized by a “rules-based international order,” Ukraine has shown the vitality of nationalism, good and bad, as I have argued in this space.

As Michael Lind writes in Tablet, “With few exceptions, Americans of left, right and center rallied around the national colors” — of Ukraine. “Many Americans and Western Europeans have found an outlet for a lost sense of belonging by borrowing the national pride of another nation.”

Yet one sanction European leaders haven’t adopted is ending purchases of Russian oil and natural gas, although Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical power is based on fossil fuel. Biden halted imports of Russian fossil fuels on March 8. As Walter Russell Mead argued in 2017, an American leader bent on maximizing Putin’s leverage would limit fracking, block oil pipelines and cut military spending — a perfect description of the Biden administration’s and European leaders’ policies pre-Ukraine.

Because of an aversion to the alleged long-term risks of climate change (formerly known as global warming), they have followed policies that weaken us and strengthen Putin right now.

Biden canceled the Keystone pipeline, discouraged fracking, banned new Alaska drilling and is now discouraging liquefied natural gas exports just when they are most needed.

In international relations and national governance, there is always a need to assess risks and the costs of averting them.

Excessive risk aversion can be costly, economically and in human lives.

So it has proved in COVID precautions, in law enforcement procedures, in environmental regulations. But quite unexpectedly, these past few weeks, it feels like we’re turning a corner.

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.

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

NATION & WORLD Scientists finally finish decoding entire human genome The Associated Press SCIENTISTS SAY they have finally assembled the full genetic blueprint for human life, adding the missing pieces to a puzzle nearly completed two decades ago.

An international team described the first-ever sequencing of a complete human genome – the set of instructions to build and sustain a human being – in research published Thursday in the journal Science. The previous effort, celebrated across the world, was incomplete because DNA sequencing technologies of the day weren’t able to read certain parts of it. Even after updates, it was missing about 8% of the genome.

“Some of the genes that make us uniquely human were actually in this ‘dark matter of the genome’ and they were totally missed,” said Evan Eichler, a University of Washington researcher who participated in the current effort and the original Human Genome Project. “It took 20-plus years, but we finally got it done.”

Many — including Eichler’s own students — thought it had been finished already. “I was teaching them, and they said, ‘Wait a minute. Isn’t this like the sixth time you guys have declared victory? I said, ‘No, this time we really, really did it!”

Scientists said this full picture of the genome will give humanity a greater understanding of our evolution and biology while also opening the door to medical discoveries in areas like aging, neurodegenerative conditions, cancer and heart disease.

“We’re just broadening our opportunities to understand human disease,” said Karen Miga, an author of one of the six studies published Thursday.

The research caps off decades

of work. The first draft of the human genome was announced in a White House ceremony in 2000 by leaders of two competing entities: an international publicly funded project led by an agency of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and a private company, Maryland-based Celera Genomics.

The human genome is made up of about 3.1 billion DNA subunits, pairs of chemical bases known by the letters A, C, G and T. Genes are strings of these lettered pairs that contain instructions for making proteins, the building blocks of life. Humans have about 30,000 genes, organized in 23 groups called chromosomes that are found in the nucleus of every cell.

Before now, there were “large and persistent gaps that have been in our map, and these gaps fall in pretty important regions,” Miga said.

Miga, a genomics researcher at the University of California-Santa Cruz, worked with Adam Phillippy of the National Human Genome Research Institute to organize the team of scientists to start from scratch with a new genome with the aim of sequencing all of it, including previously missing pieces. The group, named after the sections at the very ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, is known as the Telomere-to-Telomere, or T2T, consortium.

Their work adds new genetic information to the human genome, corrects previous errors and reveals long stretches of DNA known to play important roles in both evolution and disease. A version of the research was published last year before being reviewed by scientific peers.

“This is a major improvement, I would say, of the Human Genome Project,” doubling its impact, said

French far-right leader Le Pen softens image for election

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

In this April 14, 2003 file photo, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, announces the successful completion of the human genome project in Bethesda, Md. geneticist Ting Wang of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, who was not involved in the research.

Eichler said some scientists used to think unknown areas contained “junk.” Not him. “Some of us always believed there was gold in those hills,” he said. Eichler is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press’s health and science department.

Turns out that gold includes many important genes, he said, such as ones integral to making a person’s brain bigger than a chimp’s, with more neurons and connections.

To find such genes, scientists needed new ways to read life’s cryptic genetic language.

Reading genes requires cutting the strands of DNA into pieces hundreds to thousands of letters long. Sequencing machines read the letters in each piece and scientists try to put the pieces in the right order. That’s especially tough in areas where letters repeat.

Scientists said some areas were illegible before improvements in gene sequencing machines that now allow them to, for example, accurately read a million letters of DNA at a time. That allows sci-

entists to see genes with repeated areas as longer strings instead of snippets that they had to later piece together.

Researchers also had to overcome another challenge: Most cells contain genomes from both mother and father, confusing attempts to assemble the pieces correctly. T2T researchers got around this by using a cell line from one “complete hydatidiform mole,” an abnormal fertilized egg containing no fetal tissue that has two copies of the father’s DNA and none of the mother’s.

The next step? Mapping more genomes, including ones that include collections of genes from both parents. This effort did not map one of the 23 chromosomes that is found in males, called the Y chromosome, because the mole contained only an X. Wang said he’s working with the T2T group on the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium, which is trying to generate “reference,” or template, genomes for 350 people representing the breadth of human diversity.

“Now we’ve gotten one genome right and we have to do many, many more,” Eichler said. “This is the beginning of something really fantastic for the field of human genetics.”

Hungary PM Orban claims victory in national vote The Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared victory in Sunday’s national elections, claiming a mandate for a fourth term.

In a 10-minute speech to Fidesz party officials and supporters at an election night event in Budapest, Orban addressed a crowd cheering “Viktor!” and declared it was a “huge victory” for his party.

“We won a victory so big that you can see it from the moon, and you can certainly see it from Brussels,” said Orban.

While votes were still being tallied, it appeared clear that the question was not whether Orban’s Fidesz party would take the election, but by how much.

But with 99% of votes counted in the election for the country’s 199-seat parliament, Fidesz held 53% of the vote while the opposition coalition, United for Hungary, had just over 34%, according to the National Election Office. steeply underperforming expectations, had 35%.

“The whole world has seen tonight in Budapest that Christian democratic politics, conservative civic politics and patriotic politics have won. We are telling Europe that this is not the past, this is the future,” Orban said.

As Fidesz party officials gathered at an election night event on the Danube river in Budapest, state secretary Zoltan Kovacs pointed to the participation of so many parties in the election as a testament to the strength of Hungary’s democracy.

“We have heard a lot of nonsense recently about whether there is democracy in Hungary,” Kovacs said. “Hungarian democracy in the last 12 years has not weakened, but been strengthened.”

The contest had been expected to be the closest since Orban took power in 2010, thanks to Hungary’s six main opposition parties

Paris French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen has softened her rhetoric and her image to broaden her appeal in next week’s presidential election — but is under threat from a provocative rival who has broken her monopoly as the watchdog of the country’s identity that they claim is under threat.

For more than a decade, Le Pen has been known for her fierce antiimmigration stance, seeing herself as standing guard at the parapets of French civilization. Now she is honing in on consumers’ buying power, the top concern for voters.

“I obviously consider that immigration and insecurity are serious problems which need urgent answers, but there’s not just that,” said Le Pen, head of the National Rally party, during a TV show featuring voters’ questions. “I worry about making ends meet as much as the end of France.”

Meanwhile, Eric Zemmour, 63, a political novice running under the banner of his newly created Reconquest! party, is now portraying himself as the protector of old France, with bold proposals on immigration and Islam. He has proposed a “Remigration Ministry,” equipped with airplanes to expedite the expulsions of what he says are undesirable migrants.

While polls suggest liberal President Emmanuel Macron is the front-runner, nearly half of respondents say they’re ready to vote for a far-right candidate in the decisive runoff.

The 53-year-old Le Pen, who represents northern France and is in her third presidential race, has adopted a less-aggressive tone. On policy issues, she is stressing concerns that speak to those struggling to make ends meet.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

3 Army soldiers, 9 others accused in gun trafficking ring

AP PHOTO

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban greets cheering supporters during an election night rally in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 3, 2022. putting aside their ideological differences to form a united front against Fidesz. Voters were electing lawmakers to the country’s 199-seat parliament.

Yet even in his home district, opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay trailed the longtime Fidesz incumbent Janos Lazar by more than 12 points, with more than 98% of the votes counted there.

It was a discouraging sign for the prime ministerial candidate who had promised to end to what he alleges is rampant government corruption, raise living standards by increasing funding to Hungary’s ailing health care and schools and mend frayed relations with the country’s Western partners.

Opposition parties and international observers have noted structural impediments to defeating Orban, highlighting pervasive pro-government bias in the public

media, the domination of commercial news outlets by Orban allies and a heavily gerrymandered electoral map.

While Orban had earlier campaigned on divisive social and cultural issues, he dramatically shifted the tone of his campaign after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, and has portrayed the election since then as a choice between peace and stability or war and chaos.

While the opposition called for Hungary to support its embattled neighbor and act in lockstep with its EU and NATO partners, Orban has insisted that Hungary remain neutral.

At his final campaign rally Friday, Orban claimed that supplying Ukraine with weapons — something that Hungary, alone among Ukraine’s EU neighbors, has refused to do — would make

the country a military target, and that sanctioning Russian energy imports would cripple Hungary’s own economy.

“This isn’t our war, we have to stay out of it,” Orban said.

Orban — a fierce critic of immigration, LGBTQ rights and “EU bureaucrats” — has garnered the admiration of right-wing nationalists across Europe and North America. He has taken many of Hungary’s democratic institutions under his control and depicted himself as a defender of European Christendom against Muslim migrants, progressives and the “LGBTQ lobby.”

Hungary’s vote had been expected to be the closest since Orban took power in 2010, thanks to the country’s six main opposition parties putting aside their ideological differences to form a united front against Fidesz.

Washington, D.C. Twelve people, including three U.S. Army soldiers, are accused in a large-scale gun trafficking ring that prosecutors allege supplied nearly 100 guns to gang members in Chicago and led to at least two killings, the Justice Department said Friday.

The soldiers — Demarcus Adams, 21; Jarius Brunson, 22; and Brandon Miller, 22 — were stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, where they would legally purchase guns from local dealers in Tennessee and Kentucky, prosecutors charged. The soldiers are accused of selling them to members of the Gangster Disciples street gang in the Pocket Town neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, according to the 21-count indictment.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors allege Miller would receive orders for specific guns to purchase and he, Brunson and Adams would then buy them from dealers and give them to gang members, who paid through money transfer apps, including Zelle and CashApp. Authorities believe the trio provided over 90 illegally obtained firearms to the gang “to facilitate the ongoing violent disputes between the Pocket Town Gangster Disciples and their rival gangs,” the Justice Department said.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coach K’s final act, B3

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTOS

UNC guard Caleb Love is consoled while Kansas players celebrate after the Tar Heels lost 72-69 to the Jayhawks in Monday’s national championship game in New Orleans.

UNC comes up just short in title game MLS

Philadelphia Union sends Charlotte FC to 2-0 loss Chester, Pa. Julian Carranza’s goal helped lead the Philadelphia Union to a 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday.

Carranza put the Union (4-01) ahead for good at 1-0 in the fourth minute. Sergio Santos got an assist on the goal. The Union also got one goal from Daniel Gazdag. The Union outshot Charlotte (2-4-0) 9-7, with six shots on goal to one for Charlotte. Andre Blake saved the only shot he faced for the Union. Kristijan Kahlina saved four of the six shots he faced for Charlotte.

Charlotte hosts Atlanta United on Sunday.

HOCKEY

Hurricanes prospect Kochetkov named AHL’s top rookie for March Chicago Chicago Wolves goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, a prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes, was named AHL Rookie of the Month for March. Kochetkov went 7-0-1 with a 1.74 goalsagainst average and .937 save percentage for the Wolves in eight starts during the month.

The 22-year-old, a secondround draft pick by the Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Draft, is 9-0-1 since joining Chicago after his KHL season with Nizhny Novgorod ended.

A native of Penza, Russia, Kochetkov was 10-10-2 with a 2.23 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in 23 KHL games this season.

The Wolves had an AHL-best 92 points through Monday’s games, posting a 41-13-10 record. Forwards Andrew Poturalski and Stefan Noesen are first and third, respectively, in AHL scoring.

Poturalski, who has two assists in two games with the Hurricanes this season, has 24 goals this season and is tied with Ontario’s T.J. Tynan for the league lead in scoring with 85 points. Noesen ranks third in scoring with 71 points and leads the AHL in goals with 38 — seven more than he has in 207 career NHL games. Noesen played two games with Carolina this season.

The resilient Tar Heels couldn’t muster another upset in losing to Kansas

By Shawn Krest North State Journal NEW ORLEANS — It turned out North Carolina had a little left in the tank after all.

After beating Duke on Saturday in a knock-down, drag-out national semifinal, the Tar Heels couldn’t possibly have had anything left for Monday’s national championship game against Kansas — at least that was the standard narrative in New Orleans.

When the Jayhawks scored the first seven points of the game against a UNC team that hadn’t trailed by more than eight in the tournament, it appeared that the narrative was accurate.

As they’ve done throughout their wild run through the NCAA Tournament, however, the Tar Heels took their opponent’s best shot squarely on the chin, then rallied.

Carolina erased the early Kansas lead and built a 15-point edge of its own at halftime. UNC saw that lead wiped out in the first few minutes of the second half, but again took the hit from Kansas and stood its ground.

In the end, Caleb Love’s 3-point shot at the buzzer was off the mark

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Kansas guard Christian Braun shoots over UNC forward Brady Manek during Monday’s national championship game in New Orleans. and the magic ran out for the Tar Heels as Kansas won the national championship, 72-69.

The Tar Heels entered the game with big man Armando Bacot limping on an ankle he sprained late in Saturday’s win over Duke.

He was forced to go back to the locker room in pregame for additional treatment after attempting to shoot in warmups.

“In the last 24 hours, probably 15 of them were me just trying to

get my ankle better,” Bacot said.

“Right before the game, I really couldn’t even jump. I went back and (the training staff) just kept trying to take a crack at it. They wouldn’t give up.”

Clearly, the Tar Heels medical staff was taking the lead from the UNC players.

On one leg, Bacot produced a double-double at halftime and had 15 points and 15 rebounds when the ankle finally gave out in

the final minute.

Bacot collapsed to the ground in pain as he tried to make a move toward the basket to give UNC the lead.

“I was just trying to drive to the basket,” he said. “Unconsciously, I went up off my right foot, and it just folded again. … I made a good move. I had a great angle. I thought I had the basket.”

By that point, Love, another hero of the Duke win, was also hobbling on an ankle injury of his own.

“I was running down and I twisted my ankle twice,” he said.

Puff Johnson, who came off the bench when Leaky Black got into foul trouble, scored 11 points and appeared ready to be the breakout star of the title game until he crumpled to the floor and began vomiting late in the game and had to leave the floor as well.

“I got hit in the stomach and it just didn’t go well,” Johnson explained.

Still, the Tar Heels kept coming.

As Kansas rushed down the court following Bacot’s failed drive, the big man pulled himself to his feet and hopped after them, before the officials finally stopped play with 38 seconds remaining.

“I was just trying to get back,” Bacot said, “and do whatevSee UNC, page B3

What’s next for Hubert?

The first-year UNC coach had success out of the gate, but will there be a sophomore slump?

By Shawn Krest North State Journal NEW ORLEANS — It was desperation time for the Blue Devils, but Hubert Davis was the one with a decision to make.

With 10 seconds left and UNC leading by two, Caleb Love grabbed a rebound and was promptly fouled. He went to the line with a chance to put the Carolina lead to two possessions with just eight seconds remaining on the clock.

And Davis knew what he wanted to do.

“If he makes the first one,” he told his assistant coaches, “I’m going to call timeout.”

Carolina was on the verge of finishing off its biggest rival in the largest stakes a game between them ever held, and its firstyear head coach was going to go against “the book.”

“You might ice your player,” Davis’ staff argued. Normally an opposing team will call a timeout to make a free-throw shooter think a little longer about the big shot he’s about to take.

Davis would not be moved. He called time, and the team gathered around him.

“I was like, ‘I’m calling timeout,’” he recalled. “The reason I called it was I was in the same situation as a JV coach. We were playing a prep school team, and I decided not to call a timeout. He made the first one. I didn’t call timeout. He missed the second one. They came down, and I did not talk to them about when to foul, the process defensively, what we’re doing on a made or missed shot. They came down, hit a 3 and we lost in overtime. … I said, ‘I’m not making that mistake again!’”

Davis discussed the end of game options and what-if scenarios with his players. Then Love knocked down the free throw and the clock ran out without incident, sending UNC to the national championship game.

“Seven years as a head coach for

BRYNN ANDERSON | AP PHOTO

UNC coach Hubert Davis reacts during the Monday’s national championship game against Kansas in New Orleans. The Tar Heels lost 72-69. the JV program, obviously it’s on a much lesser scale, but you’re put in positions to make decisions, whether it’s in practice, games, shoot-arounds,” Davis said.

Clearly, Davis is not your standard first-year coach. At 51 years old, he has nearly a decade of experience as an assistant to Roy Williams and a head coaching

trial by fire with the JV team — UNC is the only major program in the country to have such a program.

It allowed Davis to put together an improbable run for the Tar Heels in his debut season, rebuilding the offense, turning See DAVIS, page B4

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

WEDNESDAY

4.6.22

TRENDING

Walker Kessler: The former UNC center who transferred to Auburn before this season plans to enter the NBA Draft.

The 7-foot-1 national defensive player of the year announced his decision Sunday on social media. Kessler averaged 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds and ranked second nationally with 4.6 blocked shots per game. The sophomore is widely regarded as a potential first-round pick but has until June 1 to withdraw from the draft.

Hope Solo: The former U.S. women’s national team star goalkeeper was arrested after she was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in WinstonSalem with her 2-yearold twins inside, police said. A police report said Solo was arrested on Thursday in a shopping center parking lot and charged with driving while impaired, resisting a public officer and misdemeanor child abuse. She has been released from jail and has a court date of June 28, the report indicated.

Thad Matta: The former Buckeyes coach is returning to Butler, hired on Sunday to coach the Bulldogs almost five years after he cited his health while stepping down at Ohio State. The 54-yearold Matta led Butler to a 24-8 record and an appearance in the 2001 NCAA Tournament during his only season as the head coach at his alma mater. He then had successful runs at Xavier and Ohio State. Matta spent the 2021-22 season as an associate athletic director for basketball administration at Indiana.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Coach Dawn Staley led South Carolina to its second women’s basketball championship Sunday. Aliyah Boston and Destanni Henderson helped get her and the Gamecocks there. Boston capped off the NCAA Tournament in which she became the first title-winning player to average more than 15 points and 15 rebounds with another double-double, and Henderson had a career-high 26 points in the Gamecocks’ 64-49 win over UConn in Minneapolis.

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

“He’s not good.

He’s like really, really good.”

Mike Krzyzewski on Jon Scheyer, his handpicked successor as Duke basketball coach.

ERIC GAY | AP PHOTO

GOLF

SOCCER

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

“We’ll keep him at tailback.’’

Panthers coach Matt Rhule addressing rumors that Christian McCaffrey would be moved to slot receiver.

PRIME NUMBER

34 Seconds between Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho scoring his first goal of the season against Columbus on Long Island and Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho scoring his 31st of the year in Raleigh against the Canadiens last Thursday.

The two Ahos are not related — nor even from the same country. The 26-year-old defenseman is from Sweden, while the 24-year-old Hurricanes star is from Finland.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Former Wake Forest golfer Jennifer Kupcho won her first LPGA Tour title Sunday, finishing 14-under par to claim the The Chevron Championship in Rancho Mirage, California. The 24-year-old, who turned pro before the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, topped Jessica Korda by two shots despite shooting a 2-over 74 in the final round.

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

New England Revolution coach Bruce Arena says goalkeeper Matt Turner suffered frostbite during the USMNT’s World Cup qualifier in Minnesota but is sidelined with an unrelated injury.

Turner tweeted Saturday that the Feb. 2 World Cup qualifier in frigid weather at St. Paul is unrelated to what’s kept him out of action.

NASCAR

MIKE CAUDILL | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin became the seventh different driver in as many Cup Series races this season to win, passing William Byron with five laps to go and holding off Kevin Harvick to take the checkered flags at his hometown track of Martinsville. Byron finished third, followed

by Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B3 COLUMN | SHAWN KREST

Coach K’s career ends in heartbreak after loss to Tar Heels

BRETT FRIEDLANDER | AP PHOTO

The Carolina League’s Fayetteville Woodpeckers are one of 12 minor league teams from North Carolina starting their season this month.

Minor league baseball teams around North Carolina start season The state is home to 10 affiliated and two independent teams

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal OPENING DAY of the 2022 Major League Baseball season has been pushed back two weeks because of the labor dispute that delayed the start of spring training.

But baseball fans, especially those in North Carolina, won’t have to wait that long to get a taste of their favorite sport.

Because the minor leagues were not affected by the contentious 99day lockout, the state’s 10 affiliated teams will begin their seasons as scheduled. The Durham Bulls and Charlotte Knights were scheduled to get started on Tuesday with road games in the Triple-A International League, while the first pitch for the others — evenly divided between the High-A South Atlantic League and Low-A Carolina League — will come on Friday.

Fans will notice several subtle changes at the games, starting with the names of the leagues in which the teams play.

Among them are experimental rules including a pitch timer, larger bases and rules prohibiting defensive shifts by requiring two infielders on each side of second base in Double-A and A league games.

An automated ball-strike system will be used in games in Charlotte and in Low-A leagues, a challenge system will be used in which teams will be allowed up to three appeals of umpires’ ballstrike calls per game.

After changing to generic regional designations such as Triple-A East and High-A South in 2021, the leagues have returned to their traditional names now that MLB has officially acquired their rights.

While there aren’t any can’tmiss prospects destined to be called up to the show sooner rather than later, as was the case with phenom Wander Franco of the Bulls last year, there is plenty of talent — and future major leaguers — to go around on state rosters.

Here’s a look at the teams and how they stack up.

home opener is Tuesday, April 12 against Jacksonville.

Taking advantage of the Tampa Bay Rays’ deep farm system, the Bulls won their third Triple-A national championship in the past four seasons in 2021 with a 86-44 record that was the best in franchise history.

This year’s team will feature plenty of familiar faces, including infielder/outfielder Vidal Brujan — the Rays’ No. 4 overall prospect who led all Triple-A players with 44 stolen bases with the Bulls last season while hitting a career-high 12 home runs. Outfielder Josh Ray also returns after hitting .291 with 22 homers.

Charlotte Knights

Green. Half of the Crawdads’ initial roster is made up of players that have previously played for the team.

Winston-Salem Dash The Chicago White Sox affiliate begins play at home on Friday against Hickory. The Dash’s roster features outfielder Terrell Tatum, a star of NC State’s run to the College World Series last spring.

Carolina Mudcats The Milwaukee Brewers affiliate based in Zebulon begins play at home on Friday against the Down East Wood Ducks. Among the top prospects assigned to the Mudcats is second baseman Tyler Black, last year’s first-round draft pick.

The Kinston-based affiliate of the Texas Rangers will open its season with a three-game series in Zebulon before playing its home opener Tuesday against Kannapolis. The Wood Ducks return several players, including Gavin Collyer, their starting pitcher in Game 1 of last year’s league championship series against Charleston.

SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Fayetteville Woodpeckers

Asheville Tourists

The Houston Astros affiliate begins play at Kannapolis on Friday and opens its home schedule on Tuesday against Salem. The Woodpeckers will have a local flavor with slugging outfielder Joey Loperfido, the star of Duke’s ACC Tournament championship last spring, expected to be assigned to the team.

Greensboro Grasshoppers The Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate opens its season at home on Friday against Rome. The Grasshoppers feature three of the Pirates’ top five prospects in pitcher Quinn Priester, catcher Henry Davis and infielder Nick Gonzales.

Down East Wood Ducks

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers The Chicago White Sox affiliate opens its season Friday against Fayetteville and features a highly rated pitching staff anchored by prospects Jared Kelley and Matthew Thompson.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Hickory Crawdads

Durham Bulls

The Texas Rangers affiliate begins its season Friday at Winston-Salem with its home opener on Tuesday against Bowling

In addition to the 12 MLB affiliated teams, North Carolina is also home to two independent franchises — the Gastonia Honey Hunters and High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball — both of which are scheduled to begin their seasons on April 21.

and led as late as the 1:41 mark of the second half.

A pair of David McCormack layups and a missed Carolina 3-pointer appeared to seal the deal with 4.3 seconds remaining.

Kansas needed to inbound and hit a free throw after the inevitable UNC foul to clinch the national title. Instead, a UNC team that has lived by the miracle had one more comeback in it — almost.

Kansas tried to run a long pass play to run off the remaining seconds, but DaJuan Harris stepped out of bounds, giving the

Tar Heels the ball and one last attempt at a game-tying 3.

It was only after Love’s shot missed and the red light over the basket lit up that the relentless Tar Heels were finished.

“I got the ball, took the shot and came up short,” Love said.

Only on the scoreboard, however, were the Tar Heels lacking during their March and early April run.

“I can’t remember another time in my life where I should be disappointed, but I’m just filled with so much pride,” said coach Hubert Davis.

The Bulls opened their season on Tuesday at Nashville. Their

UNC from page B1 er I could. I really struggled. I couldn’t put any weight on my right leg. Right then and there, I probably knew I was done at that point.

“The whole game, I couldn’t get push on anything,” he added.

“I was just out there. It was hard for me to stand my ground.”

And yet, the Tar Heels seemed to do just that, standing their ground any time things got tough.

Carolina withstood a 20-3 Kansas run in the second half

Stolen bases for the Durham Bulls’ Vidal Brujan last season, tops in Triple-A

CAROLINA LEAGUE

The Knights also start out on the road with a five-game series at Norfolk before returning home on April 12 against Louisville.

With most top prospects of parent club the Chicago White Sox still at the lower levels of the minors, the Knights’ roster is heavy on players who have already spent time in the majors.

That includes recently acquired outfielder Adam Haseley, the Philadelphia Phillies’ opening day center fielder a year ago. Another former first-round pick, third baseman Jake Burger, hit 18 homers for the Knights last season while also playing 15 games for the White Sox.

The Houston Astros affiliate opens its season on Friday at Bowling Green before returning home on Tuesday against Greenville (SC). The Tourists, who once had Russell Wilson on their roster, feature another NC State alumnus in former Wolfpack closer Tommy DeJuneas.

44

“I really struggled. I couldn’t put any weight on my right leg.”

Armando Bacot, UNC forward

DUKE FRESHMEN Trevor Keels and Paolo Banchero answered a question about what the Duke Brotherhood meant to them, which gave coach Mike Krzyzewski a moment to reflect.

The Hall of Famer stared straight ahead and fought “It was a game like hell. where the His eyes turned glassy winner was as the tears welled up.

Krzyzewski stuck his chin going to be up and blinked — once, joyous and the twice, then three times in loser was going succession.

For the second time in to be in agony. just under an hour, he lost We would have his epic battle. Krzyzewski liked to be on dipped his head, reached up with one finger and wiped a the other side tear from his cheek. of it.”

After 42 years, 1,200 wins, 13 Final Fours and five titles, Coach K’s career ended with an 81-77 loss to the Tar Heels on Saturday in the national semifinals.

It was the biggest Carolina-Duke game in history and delivered perhaps the greatest performance the two programs have ever conspired to produce.

“Tonight was a battle,” Krzyzewski said.

“It was a game where the winner was going to be joyous and the loser was going to be in agony. That was the type of game we expected. We would have liked to be on the other side of it.”

After announcing his pending retirement during the offseason, Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils put together one last run, turning around a late-season slump to make a run in the tournament, marked by gritty comeback wins against Michigan State and Texas Tech.

“We made our announcement that it’s our last year,” he said, “and I told (wife) Mickie, ‘We’re going for it. We’ve got a group … we’ve got a chance.’ I was right about that.”

The team finished two days early, however, and things ended with tears and agony.

“I don’t want these guys to leave and say, ‘I should’ve made that one free throw. I should’ve made that one shot,’” he said. “We win and lose together. Those kids from both teams played their hearts out.”

And the hearts on his side ended up broken.

“I’m just concerned about these guys,” Krzyzewski said. “They were already crying on the court. I’ve always said I wanted my seasons to end where my team was crying either tears of joy or sorrow, because you knew they gave everything. Our locker room is filled with guys that were crying. It’s a beautiful sight. It’s not a sight you want.

You prefer the other.”

While he focused on the well-being of his players, it was still a tough way for Coach K to go out. The winningest coach of all time and easily the most recognizable college coach on the bench, Krzyzewski suffered upset losses to his archrival twice in a month, spoiling the celebration of his final home game and ending his career a game short of the ultimate goal.

College basketball is a game in which, for everyone except a select few, the season ends with a loss, and as far back as biblical times, goats have always ended up being slaughtered. Muhammad Ali lost three of his final four fights to a group of journeymen. So did Mike Tyson. Oscar de la Hoya and Sugar Ray Leonard also hung up the gloves after losses. So Krzyzewski is in good company as he leaves his own theater of combat.

He would have preferred that his career end with a net-cutting ceremony on Monday night, but instead it ended like 37 of his Duke seasons have, with pain and tears.

“In the arena, you’ll either feel great or feel agony,” he said, “but you’ll always feel great about being in the arena. That’s the thing I’ll miss. I’m not going to be in the arena anymore, but dang, I was in the arena for a long time.

“Whenever I’ve gone into the arena, I’ve brought these guys or a U.S. team,” he said. “As a coach, you are allowed to go into that arena with amazing competitors.

People who want to achieve at the highest level. And if you can teach them to achieve together at that highest level, then you come out of there in good shape.”

Good shape, but not necessarily victorious.

Krzyzewski refused to reflect on his career or make a grand farewell statement after the game. Instead, he fought back tears, mostly successfully, and worried about his guys.

“You take care of the people you love, who have committed to you, who have belief in you,” he said. “We’re going to help them get past this and move on.”

And then, it will be time for him to do the same.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, and Mike Krzyzewski stared forward, lifting his chin just the slightest bit.

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Masters is all about Tiger, even with so many subplots Woods said Tuesday he will compete this week

By Dough Ferguson The Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — The gates to Augusta National opened a little after 7 a.m. Monday. It didn’t feel as though Masters week started until just before 3 p.m.

Tiger Woods was on the first tee, and this was no time to be shopping for shirts and caps or standing in line for pimento cheese sandwiches. That much was evident by the biggest golf crowd this year on one hole except for the circus par-3 16th at the Phoenix Open.

Woods consumes attention at every Masters he plays. It’s been that way since the first of his five green jackets he won 25 years ago.

Now it’s even greater under these unusual circumstances.

Woods, who called the decision to participate in this year’s Masters “a game-time decision,” announced Tuesday morning that he plans to play this week.

“As of right now, I feel like I’m going to play,” Woods said, “It’s great to be back.”

He hasn’t played against the best in 17 months, not since the 2020 Masters in November, while recovering from a car crash that once looked as though it might end his career.

“There’s always buzz around this place,” Billy Horschel said.

“But there’s just another level of buzz to see him and see him play. I’ve thought about it in the past, and I may be on the first tee watching him tee off if my tee works out and everything, just

MATT SLOCUM | AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods tees off on the sixth hole during Monday’s practice round for the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. Woods announced Tuesday morning that he plans to compete this week, his first tournament in 17 months following a car accident. because it’s a special moment.”

It’s not as though this Masters was devoid of drama.

Rory McIlroy gets another crack at the career Grand Slam.

He spent Monday in an Irish fourball alongside Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power. They have eight majors among them; Power is making his Masters debut.

Bryson DeChambeau is back, even though he says his doctors don’t recommend it.

DeChambeau said he first hurt his left hip two years ago while speed training — swinging as fast as his body allowed — and slipping on concrete.

Then, he didn’t work on finger

strength, and that led to a popping sound in his wrist before his TV match against Brooks Koepka in Las Vegas last November.

That led to a hairline fracture of his hamate bone in his left hand.

And then he slipped on marble while playing table tennis is Saudi Arabia in early February, went horizontal and landed on his hand and his hip.

He declared himself 80%, though he liked the way he felt coming into the Masters. DeChambeau hasn’t make a 36-hole cut since The Northern Trust in late August — then again, he has played only eight times since then, six of those tournaments without a cut.

“The past few weeks have been very, very difficult on me, not playing well and not hitting it anywhere near where I know I should be hitting it,” he said.

“Yelling ‘Fore!’ off the tee every time is just not fun. It’s very difficult on your mental psyche as well.”

Playing the Masters was a “huge risk” a few weeks ago and a decision he said his doctors did not recommend. He was day to day until he felt comfortable giving it a go.

“Different situation than Tiger, obviously, but it was definitely a day-by-day process of figuring out if I could do this,” he said.

So much goes back to Woods,

who had broken bones in his right leg and ankle from the car crash outside Los Angeles in February 2021 that left him immobilized for three months and not swinging a club until last November.

Brooks Koepka knows a thing or two about playing with injury, even if not as many people were paying attention.

Koepka had surgery on his right knee three weeks before the Masters last year and still was determined to play. It was so bad he couldn’t crouch to read putts.

Koepka is finally back at full strength, though he still hasn’t won since the Phoenix Open more than a year ago.

He is more concerned with his own game that what Woods has going on, though Koepka can appreciate the walk Woods is facing better than most players.

“Look, I’m happy he’s becoming healthier and able to play golf,” Koepka said. “We need him, the game needs him, everybody needs him, the fans need him, all that stuff. But at the end of the day everybody is just out here competing. I’m worried about myself and I’m sure everybody else is worried about themselves.”

Koepka said he required cortisone shots just to play. Throw in the hours to prepare before the round and to recover after the round, and that has led to some long days.

“I understand what he’s up against. It’ll be difficult. But if anybody can do it, it’s him,” Koepka said. “I don’t know everything he’s going through. His was a lot worse than mine, so I’m not trying to compare it. I just know it’s difficult walking this place when you don’t have the same body parts you’re used to.”

Ekwonu, Howell lead NFL Draft prospects from NC The NC State offensive tackle is a possible first overall pick, while the UNC quarterback could also be selected in the first round

“Ekwonu is different. He’s at an elite level simply due to his athleticism and movement skills.”

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal THE 2021 COLLEGE football season began with a player from a North Carolina school being hyped as the possible No. 1 overall pick in the next NFL Draft.

Three weeks out from the draft, that’s still the case.

Only now instead of UNC quarterback Sam Howell generating all the buzz, it’s NC State offensive tackle Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu that’s in the conversation to be the first player to have his name called by commissioner Roger Goodell in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 28.

If that happens, he’ll join defensive end Mario Williams in 2006 as the only Wolfpack player to be chosen No. 1 in an NFL Draft.

Quarterback Roman Gabriel was also a top pick, taken No. 1 by the Oakland Raiders of the old AFL in 1962.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if I went No. 1 overall,” Ekwonu said during an interview session at the NFL’s pre-draft combine in Indianapolis last month. “I feel like that’s something I’ve put the work in for.

“With my work ethic ... ask any coach — I definitely put the work in. I do everything I can every day to fulfill those expectations.”

At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Ekwonu is an imposing physical presence who impressed NFL scouts at the Combine with his surprising agility and speed for a man his size. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds and received a prospect grade of 6.73, the fourth highest in this year’s class.

The three-year college starter won the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the league’s top offen-

DAVIS from page B1

around a team that appeared headed for the wrong side of the bubble and coming up one win shy of a national title.

The question is, what’s next?

Is Davis destined for coaching greatness out of the gate, or is he due for a sophomore slump?

The team will lose Brady Manek, whose play at the stretch four position allowed Davis’ offensive makeover to work. There’s also a chance that Love and Armando Bacot will decide to move on to the NBA.

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com draft analyst

have him going in the first round — though it’s just as likely that he’ll fall into the top half of the second round.

“One thing I’ve learned in my many years as a head coach is that nobody knows what’s going to happen in the draft,” UNC coach Mack Brown said in a post-Pro Day media conference last week.

“There’s so many models … but it takes just one team to pick you, and those teams aren’t going to show their cards now and tell you who they’re going to draft. I sure hope he’s in the first round.”

Among the teams showing the most interest in Howell at his recent Pro Day workout were the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints and Washington Commanders.

He also had conversations with the Carolina Panthers at the Combine, fueling speculation that his hometown team might be interested in taking the Indian Trail native either with the sixth overall pick or by trading down to take him later.

The Panthers have also been linked to Liberty quarterback Malik Willis while also considering help for their porous offensive line. Carolina’s first-round pick is an important one since it won’t be on the clock again until late in the fourth round (137th overall).

Wherever Howell goes, the wait for the next player with state college ties to be selected figures to be a long one.

UNC offensive guard Joshua Ezeudu has the highest projection as a potential fourth-rounder, while NC State running back Bam Knight, Wake Forest center Zach Tom and Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson are all projected as fifth-round possibilities.

Other possible draftees include East Carolina cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, UNC linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel and offensive lineman Marcus McKethan, and Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams.

Williams’ stock has been soaring because of his size and performances at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine. If his name is called, he will become the first player from his school since 1976 to be drafted.

and, after he parted ways with the school in 2006, Davis admitted he wasn’t ready for the job.

Tubby Smith had six years of experience as head coach at Tulsa and Georgia, a significant step above the UNC JV, but in his first year in Kentucky, he won the national championship. Smith won five league titles in 10 seasons, including a 16-0 SEC season one year. Fans became frustrated that he never reached another Final Four, however, and he left with hard feelings on both sides.

Steve Fisher took over just before Michigan’s NCAA run in

1989 and, in his first six games on the bench, led the Wolverines to the national title. He was able to build on that with one of the most famous recruiting classes ever — the Fab Five — and a pair of national championship game appearances.

Is Davis another Steve Fisher or another Mike Davis? In a season in which he and his Tar Heels have defied expectations at every step, it’s perhaps worth taking a lesson from his confused assistant coaches late in the Duke game: Hubert Davis isn’t going to go by the book.

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu has been mentioned as a potential first overall pick in this month’s NFL Draft. sive lineman in 2021 while amassing 67 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns. He also went eight straight games without allowing a sack in helping State to a nine-win season.

Despite those credentials, NFL. com draft analyst Bucky Brooks believes Ekwonu has still only scratched the surface of his vast potential.

“Big men aren’t supposed to move like that,” Brooks wrote in a social media post after watching the Wolfpack star perform at the Combine. “Icky (sic) Ekwonu is different. He’s at an elite level simply due to his athleticism and movement skills. If he becomes an A-level technician, you’re talking about a super star. A real super star.”

At the moment, Carolina’s recruiting class for next year is good but not great — it consists of a trio of four-stars and a threestar. There’s still a chance hotshot 2023 prospect GG Jackson reclassifies to 2022 and chooses UNC over Duke, but Davis will likely need to fill holes with the transfer portal again heading into next season.

As Davis shapes the roster in the image he envisions, it’s worth considering some of the other coaches to burst onto the big scene.

Mike Davis comes to mind.

It was the same kind of projection being thrown around about Howell last summer. But the UNC junior’s stock dropped quickly as his production — and the Tar Heels’ performance — failed to live up to what turned out to be unrealistic preseason expectations.

Howell’s “struggles” were more a matter of perception and a lack of experienced offensive weapons surrounding him than reality.

He still managed to rank among the top 10 of FBS players in total offense per game while setting school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns.

His draft prospects have started to rebound thanks to a solid offseason, and with a quarterback class that’s generally considered to be weak, several mock drafts still

29 Wins for UNC in Hubert Davis’ first year as coach The Indiana assistant got the head coaching job after Bobby Knight was fired. He led the Hoosiers to the title game in his second season and received a long contract extension. The team never reached that level again

The 3 big questions nob

A7

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WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home hina lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which C orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans THIS WEEK, virus, according to members ofTHE theand fede ed to tell the world there were only “THIS IS DA around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spread tr are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, Americans have ldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24). catastrophe one way or another.

3,341 related deaths has led to wo Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus thetoneed the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The e eing thrown out of work.

I know that during Inand order put the crisis causedVirginia’s

by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly orders go into June. ty of Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends can easily reverse — but ayer at least $2.4 trillion in added working from home worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, United States over Gov.The has cost the U.S. taxp Here in North Democratic Roycrisis Cooper stated during normal.” questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to have abided by recommendations and orders.

The Reserve backup liquidity to the be glad” the Bible our 231-year history. At least fourainrecent the 20th century alone be that “we debt plus trillions more Federa coronavirus press can briefing just don’t know yet”asifin the of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancing hed U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, Easter directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong markets and financial outlets.

If th will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. und any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able toa Perhaps If he it, questions should be asked as to the Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hospitalizati Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic.

1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures immediate fear justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we COVID-19 know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy.

According to theseasons University of Washington Institu For me, my faith is government There is 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through making.

As I celebra and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberr provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who sked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over and the unsanitary wet markets. administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians 1:4, whi Chernobyl. unregulated believe it Trump came of at a home economic financial means.

D fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and message offor an undetermined become a ue ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, orld of 21st century health, hygiene affliction, so that we biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific amount of timeexperts why models predicting hundreds of cases w hope that we13,000 willof thousands bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly and the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the co Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade.

Totalitarian are reliable.

— we need to once again enjoy of this state who when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand August by nearly 12,000. rse, because that is not what God.” That is what their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other or express sincere regret and rem To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with ndetermined answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the answ sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian do. They citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions about housands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy to reopen. pushing until they win or the reflect on this concerts, family for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders delivery they find in adversaries andmessa keep the data.

StateasRepublican have, too. living inand a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality and rate?c God’s example don’t and when reliability adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society edhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because That it determines whether certain nt such asThe the Chernobyl this difficult Th The most direct waywere to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer is, unless an exogenous they to disaster corruption. financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thosetime. ev church some services questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — S elieve that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers for a U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least half of their meltdown in 1986.

Some experts what theythe data and asking questioning when we can start getting back and many more Sponsored by ourselves, and our communities safe.

But we should also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wide sprea Sponsored by the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled same spiritt bit of remediation.

Let’sUnion first examine what production back in the States.

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In a high inexpiration China. Chinese billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Since when did questioning government at all levels become aisbad “Academic Grievance Studies and the North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal.

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but bp ady talking about the possibility to buy aare 3-D sacrifices are society comparison.

Senators inmoney Washington alr thing? That is what free citizens living in a free were supposed Corruption of Scholarship.”

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Stacey Matthews manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they expect way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong ed I will.

After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue how ma ation. past. the world like any other modern n But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, THE N.C.especially within certain 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists suggest China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities.

They call DEPARTMENT OF of this brings up of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of magnitude these fields “grievance studies,” where Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion ENVIRONMENTAL efer notscholarship to repeat. is not so much based upon number of people who have had and n intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and st everyone has QUALITY will hold the first finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. social grievances.

Grievance of four scheduled publicscholars bully students, hearings thisadministrators week on the and other departments into adhering to their development of a general worldview.

The worldview they promote is Jason permit for farms wantGrievance neither scientific northat rigorous.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS studies consistrenewable of disciplines such as to generate sociology, anthropology, gender studies, natural gas.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race Fifteen years ago, North studies.

Carolina legislatures In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, passedand a landmark Lindsay Boghossian started submitting academic renewablebogus energy bill papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, that included a provision race, gender, fat and sexuality studies requiring utilities to pass peer to determine if they would generate a portion offortheir “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let usthe re seriousness of and the be virus and the need review accepted publication.

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One reviewer ed, so lawmakers can tout such those producing renewable affliction, so that we may be able to comfort ng for their families, will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to providi said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hope that we will amounts as achievements withenergy from swine waste affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important become a out having them formally listed once again enjoy using a commercial God.” vels should be as forthcoming as contribution to make to scale thethey field and this N.C. Senators Tillis and amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state le as earmarks. tion equipment for Huntington, bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, again, not vague answers, butThat answer journal.” anaerobic digester.

Burr were two of five GOP Senate Leader Chuck I—urge are reliable. canMajority be with those answers and West Virginia, to $350 million “Our Struggle Is Ray My Struggle: Solidarity “I’m supposed to sayand Ireflect didn’t is what message and be comforted, that ents believability. concerts, family Schumer, had 203 help restore Florida’s vast butwhat project, at Loyd senators to That oppose the bill, toTo date, I’ve gone along with the state has asked thenon this withD-N.Y., details that giveprojtheirso statem Feminism as anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to ects and for We New York, which imperiled Everglades. example comfort allallthose inthe need arou at we can to keepwas our but as signed, state for I’mGod’s not about freethe citizens mandated that we do, but along thevote way I’vethe alsobill, hadso questions should continue to do wh Farms, the result of a gatherings, Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was Taxpayers group found was farhelping o The projects’ reemergence afthis difficult time.

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No, that’s not this same society were spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration sometimes a disturbing some people to treatInthose measures consisted in part of adate. rewritten affordable housing and and ranged fromare $27understandable, million to curbs, marks a revival oftendency expen- among and Google.

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So while we shoul achievements to voters and help project became the“new first “Rape and Queer Performativity money to buy 3-D printer and plastic fa mfortable withCulture this so-called are sick. hooda improvements inwe the city to of make party leaders support forthemselves Rep.sacrifices Garrett Graves (R-La.) otherwise don’tbuild care if they get or others the same time shouldn’t get co checked. farm in Dog North Carolina at Urban Parks.”

This paper’s subject legislation.

The Associated Press health careGeneva. workers out of his own home.

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After and is a regular contributor to Re braced by lawmakers from both that favors fiscal restraint and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Some papers accepted gas emissions and for publication fromcite theCongress’ H1N1 virus (swine flu) during thesimilar 2009 pandemic, produced largely figures pointed to $293 million they said parties, who con$1.5 trillion bill President Joe suffering in academic journals advocated training they’d secured for the Air Force in its own preliminary stitutional power of the purse Biden signed recently. The offi- I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this study. brings up substantially eliminating men like dogs and punishing white male Research Laboratory in Rome, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and say they know their local cial tally shows amounts modway too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. odor on the farm.

The slavery by college students for historical was next at $361 million. est by past standards yet spread needs.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone hasN.Y., following “their fierce adproject hastoalso asking them sit inbeen silence on the floor in Shelby, who’s retiring, took vocacy.”

“I’m very proud of them,” said widely around the country — chains during class and to be expectedand to that understate what law- Sen. Richard Shelby, top Repub- credit in press releases for winpraised for its positive The House limited lawmaklearn from Other papers lican on the Senate Appropria- ning “billions” for Alabama, well ers to a maximum of 10 projects makers are claiming credit for. impact onthe airdiscomfort. quality and celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life The bipartisan legislation, fi- tions Committee, of the eye-pop- beyond the amount in the pub- apiece. waterand quality. choice advocated treating privately Senate Minority Leader Mitch nancing federal agencies this ping $648 million he amassed lic lists. Just one example he citSince Loyd Ray Farms, conducted masturbation as a form of year, contains 4,975 such proj- for his state, the AP analysis ed is $1.3 billion for f light train- McConnell, R-Ky., was among sexual against women. Typically, moreviolence than a dozen ects worth $9.7 billion, accord- showed. That included $126 mil- ing at Fort Rucker, an Army base over 140 lawmakers not listed as academic journal editors receiving projects. Yet a press reing to an Associated Press ex- lion for two campuses of the Uni- in the state. renewable natural gassend submitted papers out to referees for review. In amination of items attributed to versity of Alabama, his alma malease cited more than three dozMany lawmakers are assertprojects on pig farms recommending acceptance for publication, specific lawmakers in legislative ter, and hundreds of millions to ing that the money they won for en items in the bill that would across the state many reviewers gavehave these papers glowing documents. The listed projects, improve the city of Mobile’s sea- constituents exceeded what the benefit his state, including $321 praise. followed. The largest of measure explicitly attributes to long called earmarks, ranged port and airport.

Political scientistOptima Zach Goldberg ran The price tag of Shelby’s proj- them. That’s because Congress See BILL page B6 from $4,000 for evidence detecthese projects, certain grievance studies concepts through KV, came online in 2018. the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often It uses covered digesters they appeared in our press over the years. to collect methane from He found huge increases in the usages of “white “unconscious bias,” five pig privilege,” farms in Duplin “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” measures including keeping birds County, then pipes the All of this is being taught to college enclosed without access to wild gas to amany central refinery students, of whom become primary birds or other domestic flocks. If where it is cleaned and who then and secondary school teachers your birds are sick or dying, report indoctrinate ourthe young people. injected into natural it right away to your local veteriI doubt whether the coronavirusnarian, the N.C. Department of Aggas pipeline for use by caused financial crunch will give college riculture and Consumer Services Duke Energy.administrators, Together, who are a and university Veterinary Division, 919-707-3250, the farmsbetween generate crossbreed a parrot and jellyfish, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic North State Journal staff the guts megawatt-hours and backbone to restore academic 11,100 Laboratory System 919-733-3986.” respectability. too often, The warning signs of HPAI inRALEIGH — A commercial turof electricityFar annually — they get much of their political support from campuskey operation in North Carolina clude: nearly 20 times theare output grievance people who members of has the tested positive for avian flu folof Loyd Ray Farms.

It’s faculty and diversity and multiculturallowing a test by a veterinary lab, the Reduced energy, decreased administrative offices. enough energy to power appetite, and/or decreased first time the virus has been found The best hope lies with boards of in the state’s poultry industry, offiactivity about 880 homes each trustees, though many serve as yes-men cials said last week. year, more than twice the Lower egg production and/or for the university president. I think that aThe N.C. Department of Agriculnumber homes the1950s or 1960s soft-shelled or misshapen eggs good start of would be toin find ture & Consumer Services said in a catalogs.

Lookcommunity at the course offerings at Kenansville news release that the flock of 32,100 Swelling of the head, eyelids, awhere time when graduates knew how birds at the operation in Johnston it is college located. comb and wattles to read, write and compute, and makeCounty was killed and was being Today, North Carolina them today’s curricula. Another helpful composted to guard against spread Purple discoloration of the produces more renewable tool would be to give careful consideration of the avian flu. The operation was wattles, comb and legs energy fromall pig manure to eliminating classes/majors/minors not identified. containing the word such as Mike Martin, state veterinarithan anywhere in“studies,” the Difficulty breathing, runny nares AP PHOTO women, Asian, black or queer studies. an, said in the news release that the (nose), and/or sneezing United States. The EPA’s I’d bet that by restoring the traditionaldepartment will test other flocks N.C. poultry industry is on alert as avian flu spreads.

AgSTARmission program touts they would academic to colleges, Twisting of the head and neck, within a 6-mile zone in collaboratheabenefits of digester put serious dent into the COVID-19 tion with federal and industry asstumbling, falling down, tremors budget shortfall. systems that enable sociates. The 6-mile zone includes Carolina and the N.C. Wildlife Re- virus is also not considered a food and/or circling Johnston County and portions of source Commission has reported safety threat and infected birds do farmers to capture Walter E. Williams is a professor of Sampson and Wayne counties, ac- four mortalities in wild birds from not enter the food supply, the cen- Greenish diarrhea methaneatgases, North economics Georgeand Mason University. ter said. the virus. cording to the department.

Carolina’s Clean Energy If you have questions about mi“The threat of high path avian The U.S. Centers for Disease Since late January, the virus has Plan highlights the state’s been found in 48 commercial farms Control and Prevention says avian influenza is statewide,” said Mar- gratory birds, hunting, or wild in 12 states and 32 backyard flocks flu is considered a low risk to hu- tin. “Our poultry population is at waterfowl found dead on your potential to produce in 13 states. Also, more than 100 mans but is highly contagious to high risk. Commercial operations property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Rebiogas (NC ranks third hunter harvested wild birds have other birds, including commercial and backyard flock owners should sources Commission’s website at in the nation for biogas tested positive for HPAI in North and backyard flocks of poultry. The continue to follow strict biosecurity www.ncwildlife.org. potential).

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North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B6

Amazon’s first US union overcomes hurdles, faces new ones The Associated Press For the week ending 3/25

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,827,349,645 Add Receipts

$265,280,050 Less Disbursements

$101,196,107 Reserved Cash

$125,000,000 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$6,782,825,894 Loan Balance:

$340.3M

BILL from page B5 million for an environmental cleanup at an old uranium enrichment plant in Paducah.

“I was proud to help craft this legislation with a special focus on Kentucky,” he wrote.

Long distributed with little transparency, Congress stopped providing earmarks in 2011 after high-profile abuses soured voters on them. To some lawmakers the projects retain a stigma, especially for Republicans.

All but a handful of the 222 House Democrats requested projects for this year’s bill, compared with around half the 210 Republicans. In the 50-50 Senate, the items were sought by 46 Democrats and their two allied independents, but just 16 Republicans.

Even so, much of the largesse was bipartisan.

The measure provided $5.1 billion for Democrats, $3.4 billion for Republicans and $600 million for projects sponsored by members of both parties, according to the Taxpayers group.

Nearly everyone who requested projects got some.

The last time Congress used earmarks, in 2010, lawmakers disclosed 11,320 of them worth $32 billion, according to the Congressional Research Service, Congress’ nonpartisan research agency. The numbers aren’t exactly comparable due to differing methodologies, but suggest the practice has been curbed.

There was even room this year for projects for lawmakers who voted against the overall legislation carrying them.

Of the 106 House Republicans with projects, 70 voted against either or both sections of the legislation yet still collected earmarks worth $946 million, according to Taxpayers. In an unusual procedure, the House had divided the bill into distinct security and non-security programs and held separate votes on each.

Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., voted against both portions of the legislation yet won projects worth $45 million, among the House’s highest figures. He cited the overall bill’s size and lack of money for his state to recover from hurricanes.

“I’m supposed to say I didn’t vote for the bill, so I’m not going to go work projects for our district?” said Graves, who won funds for water projects and sugar cane research. “No, that’s not what our job is.”

Five GOP senators who opposed the bill received projects worth $386 million, the Taxpayers group’s figures show: John Boozman of Arkansas, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mike Rounds of South Dakota.

Even Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., perhaps Congress’ most notorious recent mutineer, did well. He backed the $1.5 trillion bill last month, but in December famously opposed Biden’s earlier social and environment legislation, sinking it.

Rather than being punished

by Democratic leaders for upending what was the party’s top legislative goal, the spending bill Biden signed had 86 West Virginia projects Manchin requested worth $164 million.

NEW YORK — When a scrappy group of former and current warehouse workers on Staten Island, New York went head-tohead with Amazon in a union election, many compared it to a David and Goliath battle.

David won. And the stunning upset on Friday brought sudden exposure to the organizers and worker advocates who realized victory for the nascent Amazon Labor Union when so many other more established labor groups had failed before them, including most recently in Bessemer, Alabama.

Initial results in that election show the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union down by 118 votes, with the majority of Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer rejecting a bid to form a union. The final outcome is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. A hearing to review the ballots is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Chris Smalls, a fired Amazon worker who heads the ALU, has been critical of the RWDSU’s campaign, saying it didn’t have enough local support. Instead, he chose an independent path, believing workers organizing themselves would be more effective and undercut Amazon’s narrative that “third party” groups were driving union efforts.

“They were not perceived as outsiders, so that’s important,” said Ruth Milkman, a sociologist of labor and labor movements at the City University of New York.

While the odds were stacked against both union drives, with organizers facing off against a deep-pocketed retailer with an uninterrupted track record of keeping unions out of its U.S. operations, ALU was decidedly underfunded and understaffed compared with the RWDSU. Smalls said as of early March, ALU had raised and spent about $100,000 and was operating on a week-to-week budget. The group doesn’t have its own office space, and was relying on community groups and two unions to lend a hand. Legal help came from a

AP PHOTO

Staten Island-based Amazon.com Inc distribution center union members celebrate after getting the voting results to unionize on Friday, April 1, 2022, in New York. lawyer offering pro-bono assistance.

Meanwhile, Amazon exercised all its might to fend off the organizing efforts, routinely holding mandatory meetings with workers to argue why unions are a bad idea. In a filing released last week, the company disclosed it spent about $4.2 million last year on labor consultants, who organizers say Amazon hired to persuade workers not to unionize.

Outmatched financially, Smalls and others relied on their ability to reach workers more personally by making TikTok videos, giving out free marijuana and holding barbecues and cookouts. A few weeks before the election, Smalls’ aunt cooked up soul food for a union potluck, including macaroni and cheese, collard greens, ham and baked chicken.

Another pro-union worker got her neighbor to prepare Jollof rice, a West African dish organizers believed would help them make inroads with immigrant employees at the warehouse.

Kate Andrias, professor of law

at Columbia University and an expert in labor law, noted a successful union — whether it is local or national — always has to be built by the workers themselves.

“This was a clearer illustration of this,” Andrias said. “The workers did this on their own.”

Amazon’s own missteps may have also contributed to the election outcome on Staten Island.

Bert Flickinger III, a managing director at the consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, said derogatory comments by a company executive leaked from an internal meeting calling Smalls “not smart or articulate” and wanting to make him “the face of the entire union/organizing movement” backfired.

“It came out as condescending and it helped to galvanize workers,” said Flickinger, who consults with big labor unions.

In another example, Smalls and two organizers were arrested in February after authorities got a complaint about him trespassing at the Staten Island warehouse. The ALU used the

Tesla’s Elon Musk now Twitter’s biggest stakeholder The Associated Press TESLA CEO ELON MUSK has acquired a 9% stake in Twitter to become its largest shareholder while joining other critics in questioning the social media platform’s dedication to free speech and the First Amendment.

Musk’s ultimate aim in acquiring 73.5 million shares, worth about $3 billion, isn’t clear. Yet in late March Musk, who has 80 million Twitter followers and is active on the site, questioned free speech on Twitter and whether the platform is undermining democracy.

In years past, Twitter and other social platforms have taken fire for allowing harmful speech ranging from incitement to violence to coordinated harassment and racial abuse. More recently, these platforms have made concerted efforts to rein in such behavior, often drawing criticism similar to Musk’s from the political right. Both Twitter and Facebook faced blowback after suspending the accounts run by former President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection last year.

It’s unclear just when Musk bought the stake. A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing made public on Monday says the event triggering the filing happened March 14. Musk has also raised the possibility with his massive and loyal Twitter following, that he could create a rival social media network.

Industry analysts and legal experts say Musk could begin advocating for changes at Twitter immediately if he chooses. In a note to investors, CFRA Analyst Angelo Zino wrote that Twitter could be viewed as an acquisition target because the value of its shares have been falling since early last year.

AP PHOTO

Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., Monday, March 9, 2020.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO in November. Musk’s stake in Twitter is now more than four times the size of Dorsey’s, who had been the largest individual shareholder.

“Musk’s actual investment is a very small percentage of his wealth, and an all-out buyout should not be ruled out,” wrote Zino, who covers Twitter and social media.

Musk could see Twitter as an investment with big growth ahead, or he could have noninvestment reasons for the purchase, such as buying to make sure the platform doesn’t restrain his speech, said Erik Gordon, a law and business professor at the University of Michigan.

“What he could be worried about is if enough of his tweets start to look like disinformation, that Twitter says ‘we’re doing our job against disinformation.’” Gordon said. No CEO would refuse to take a call from the company’s top shareholder, so the purchase

gives Musk access to Twitter’s top management, he said.

Musk has not spoken specifically about any Twitter rule changes he might push, but the social media platform’s history of suspensions and bans is well documented.

Trump’s suspension from both Twitter and Facebook has raised difficult questions about free speech in a social media industry dominated by a few tech giants — an issue that Trump and conservative media have seized upon.

There was broad praise for Musk from those circles Monday.

Michael Flynn, the retired general who served briefly as Donald Trump’s national security adviser, and who was suspended from Twitter in January 2021, sent Musk some free advice via Telegram.

“Hey Elon, how about letting all of those dropped from twitter for being America First and ProTrump back on Twitter!!!,” Flynn wrote.

Twitter earlier this year

arrests to its advantage days before the union election, teaming up with an art collective to project “THEY ARRESTED YOUR CO-WORKERS” in white letters on top of the warehouse.

“THEY FIRED SOMEONE YOU KNOW,” another projection said.

“A lot of workers that were on the fence, or even against the union, flipped because of that situation,” Smalls said.

For now, ALU is focusing on its win. Organizers say Amazon workers from more than 20 states have reached out to them to ask about organizing their warehouses. But they have their hands full with their own warehouse, and a neighboring facility slated to have a separate union election later this month.

Organizers are also preparing for a challenging negotiation process for a labor contract. The group has demanded Amazon officials to come to the table in early May. But experts say the retail giant, which has signaled plans to challenge the election results, will likely drag its feet.

banned the personal account of far-right U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for multiple violations of the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policy. Other people banned in recent years include Steve Bannon, for suggesting the beheading of Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke for breaking the social media site’s rules forbidding hate speech, and right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his Infowars show for abusive behavior.

Musk recently described himself on Twitter as a “free speech absolutist” in explaining why the Starlink satellite internet service — part of his aerospace company SpaceX — would not block Russian state media outlets, which have spread propaganda and misinformation in line with the Kremlin’s narrative on its war in Ukraine.

But such absolutism would not be welcome by advertisers who are Twitter’s chief revenue source, said Brian Wieser, global president of business intelligence at GroupM. Brands that advertise on Twitter strongly prefer some content standards because a toxic platform can drive many other users away.

“Certain kinds of speech, such as advocating an insurrection or advocating hurting people, are not the kinds of things most advertisers want to support,” said Wieser, who analyzes the media industry for advertisers.

Twitter’s stock surged nearly 30% Monday. Since March 14, the date listed on filing by Twitter, its shares are up nearly 50%, meaning that Musk’s investment has paid handsomely — so far.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In March, Musk told his millions of followers on Twitter that he was “ giving serious thought “ to creating his own social media platform, and has clashed repeatedly with financial regulators about his use of Twitter.

Musk is locked into a bitter dispute with the SEC over his ability to post on Twitter. His lawyer has contended in court motions that the SEC is infringing on the Tesla CEO’s First Amendment rights.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B7

2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup

PHOTOS COURTESY GMC

Supertruck The best electric vehicle yet

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — When General Motors announced that its first electric pickup truck would wear the legendary Hummer badge, I giggled.

The idea of an electrified Hummer, the gas guzzlingest of all the gigantic SUV gas guzzlers, was as absurd as it was ridiculous. And that’s precisely why it works.

The new 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup is a thumb in the eye of every environmentalist who tried to kill Hummer back in the late 2000s. Yet, it’s also an embrace of the inevitability of electrified transportation. It’s as if the GM product planners had a meeting about getting the most skeptical truck lovers on board with batteries. The result is this 9,000-pound monument to environmentally-friendly excess.

And boy, was it worth it. I will run out of thesaurus words for gargantuan but pretend I invented some more. It’s not that enormous, at least compared to a 3/4ton pickup like the Ford F-250 Super Duty or the GMC Sierra HD. If you currently drive a fullsize truck or a big SUV like a Suburban, you’ll have little trouble adjusting.

If you’re coming from anything smaller, though, make sure to practice before trying to slip the big beast into a tight parking spot. But actually... you don’t have to practice as much as you’d think.

The Hummer pickup is packed full of clever tech to make driving it deceptively easy, and the most important of these is rear-wheel steering. When moving at low speeds, the rear wheels can turn an astonishing 10 degrees in either direction, massively decreasing the turning radius of the big truck.

It takes a gigantic buffalo of an automobile and makes it as agile as a jungle cat. On the first drive of the Hummer pickup in suburban Scottsdale this week, I was shocked at how tightly the pickup manouvered. Whether in a space-constrained Starbucks parking lot or on a tight desert off-road trail (chosen, I’m sure, specifically to emphasize the Hummer’s turning circle), I was continually surprised almost every time I turned the wheel.

My drive partner, a veteran truck journalist from a major auto magazine you’ve heard of, was equally astonished. The rear-steer

is a Hummer-sized quality of life improvement, and it enables the look-what-my-truck-can-do Crab Walk feature that sees the Hummer drive diagonally down the street. It’s wildly unnecessary but silly amounts of fun, which is this truck in a nutshell.

The exterior is what you’d get if a Hummer and a moon buggy made a glorious electric baby.

Clever LED lighting at the front serves the triple purpose of spelling out HUMMER in glowing letters on the front grille, illuminating the road at night, and acting as a luminous charge meter when the truck is plugged in.

And you’ll need to charge it for a long while. The 205 kWh battery is the largest in any production consumer vehicle, and it’ll take some 18 hours to charge on a 60-amp Level 2 residential charger. But it’s worth it since it also has a 329-mile GM-estimated range, which is (just a little bit) longer than the more domesticated Ford F-150 Lightning.

It comes with GMC’s excellent MultiPro six-way tailgate and an excellent air suspension that adjusts the ride height by nine inches from bottom to top. When in the lowest “entry/exit mode,” I’m relatively sure my 5-foot-1-inch mother could even clamber in without too much trouble.

The over-the-top design continues on the inside, with rugged elements and inspired touches everywhere — but it feels far from luxurious, a bit odd for a $110,000 supertruck.

It’s dominated by a pair of 12-inch screens, one a centrally-mounted touchscreen for navigation, connectivity, and media, and the other as a dash cluster.

Both have a flashy, Hummer-exclusive user interface designed by the same studio that did many of the computer designs for Black Panther and Iron Man. There’s no way this truck won’t make its way to a comic book movie near you.

The center console is massively and unnecessarily wide, a likely homage to the H1’s famous bulk, but it makes the car somehow feel both spacious and cramped. I get why it’s designed the way it is, but I wish it were more open.

Speaking of open, the roof is made of four transparent Sky Panels that can be removed. That makes the Hummer EV Pickup a convertible, which is amazingly unnecessary but completely wonderful. The off-road abilities of the Hummer EV are awe-inspiring, and the silent propulsion of the truck’s three electric motors — making a total of 1,200 horse-

power, by the way — will make for some terrific interactions with the environment you’re trying to save by buying electric.

Or, if you want something a little more over-the-top, there’s the new Watts To Freedom mode that’s helpfully acronymed WTF. Activate that to prepare the truck for a maximum attack 0-60 mph run. GMC engineers have worked hard on this feature, and it somehow delivers a big kick to the back that’s more impressive than most EV launches. Perhaps it’s because of the sheer impossibility of moving that much weight that fast, but even with 35-inch mud-terrain tires on the truck seemed to meet its claimed 0-60 time of 3 seconds.

The truck was designed to take 37-inch tires, and I assume a future special edition will take ad-

vantage of that; but you can upgrade if you want to make your EV even bigger... but know that it’ll probably impact your range by quite a bit.

All is not perfect with the GMC Hummer EV Pickup, however. Though the truck is filled with fantastic technology, the materials choices are not terrific. The center console armrest is made of a material meant to look tough but feels not unlike sandpaper when you rest your arm on it. There are some beautiful elements, like the bronzed (plastic) grab handles and frame around the screen, but a number of cheap plastic trim parts look like what you’d find on an entry-level Chevy work truck.

And all over are cute design bits with different ridges and tactile designs, but after a couple of

weeks, they’ll be filled with french fry crumbs and dust, and it’ll be a nightmare getting everything clean again.

The Marvel-inspired and Unreal Engine-powered displays are gorgeous, but changing modes can be very laggy. Hopefully, this can be fixed with software updates, but it’s a less-than-premium let-down given how much the system has been hyped up.

There’s no head-up display, and the gear shifter is poorly designed, with a park button on top, right where your hand rests when you’re driving down the road.

More than once, we got a warning about trying to shift into Park while driving down the highway at 75 mph. The frameless windows look fantastic, but there’s no auto-up function which likely relates to passenger safety somehow.

We also had a noticeable and irritating whistle from the Sky Panels on the highway, something GMC said was not expected. None of the other journalists reported anything similar, but I’d be pretty annoyed if it were my brand new, $100,000 truck.

But all of those complaints are easily looked past when you drive it. The Ultium platform it rides on will underpin all of GM’s future electric cars, and it’s terrific. The bulk of the Hummer is always noticeable, but it handles itself well, as a nightclub bouncer might.

GMC says 70 percent of its 67,000 Hummer EV reservation holders have never owned an EV before, which tells most of the story right there. If this is our electric future, it will win over a lot of skeptics. I can’t wait.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B8

features Azalea Festival is back in bloom Two-year break ends for many traditional events North State Journal staff WILMINGTON — After two years of virtual parties, limited gatherings and COVID restrictions, one of North Carolina’s biggest parties is back in Wilmington.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival kicks off this week and will include its signature Airlie Garden Party along with concerts and the other in-person events that have packed the early April calendar in the Port City for 75 years.

Since 1948, the Azalea Festival has attracted visitors to Wilmington to celebrate coastal living, outdoor activities and the arrival of springtime on the Carolina coast. After the pandemic caused the 2020 festival to be completely cancelled, the 2021 iteration was scaled down and spread out.

The group made significant adjustments to the traditional events and schedule and then-president Deirdre McGlone-Webb announced a 2021 event that would be “in smaller, more intimate and socially distanced venues.”

This year, much of the pomp and circumstance is back. The annual Airlie Garden Party will bring bright colors and big hats back to its traditional Friday morning spot on the schedule. The garden party was held in July last year.

Full-scale concerts are also back with country music star Brantley Gilbert, rock icons REO Speedwagon and Grammy-winning rap group Cypress Hill headlining the shows.

North Carolina native and former Miss America, Nia Frank-

FILE PHOTO

Azaleas painted in watercolor are pictured in this undated file photo. lin was announced as Queen Azalea for the 75th anniversary of the event. She will receive the famous crown at a coronation event on Wednesday. Franklin will join a list of queens that dates back to the first year of the festival in 1948 and includes actresses Esther Williams and Phylicia Rashad, talk show host Kelly Ripa, and former Miss Americas Heather French Henry, Mallory Hagan and Kira Kazantsev.

Franklin, who graduated from East Carolina University with a

degree in music, will be joined by another ECU Pirate, 2020 Queen Azalea Anne Hawthorne. A Wilmington native, Hawthorne was named queen of the festival prior to its cancellation in 2020. She is a former Radio City Rockette and Broadway alum. Other celebrity attendees to this year’s festival include Master Seargent and ex-prisoner of war William F. Borer, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist swimmer Claira Curzan, Miss North Carolina Carli Batson, National Cherry Festival Queen Allie Graziano and

NFL player Alex Highsmith of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While the festival is getting back to pre-pandemic levels in many ways, there are changes to this year’s festival compared to years past. The street fair, long a hallmark of the event, will be staged in the Schwartz Center Parking Lot on the campus of Cape Fear Community College this year. The change was precipitated by downtown Wilmington street construction.

Also returning after a two-year

hiatus is the festival parade which will feature Franklin and Batson as well as the Queen’s Court, celebrity guests and floats from various businesses and organizations.

Beyond the parties, parades and concerts, the Azalea Festival offers a diverse slate of events, tours and exhibitions throughout the week.

The Cape Fear Garden Club is relaunching its garden tour which will include twelve gardens in the Wilmington area. This year’s tour theme is “Where Flowers Bloom, So Does Hope.” The Thalian Association is producing the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at the official State Community Theater of North Carolina, Thalian Hall.

The festival will also host its annual boxing tournament which is sponsored by the U.S. Army. The event showcases boxers from national and international levels and from the military and is sanctioned by USA Boxing. Boxers from age eight to over 35 will compete with weight limits from 55 pounds to over 200 pounds.

While the Azalea Festival is back to its customary five-day schedule, there will be a special event on May 7 when the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra will premiere the “Azalea Suite” with composer Stene Errante at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College.

Festival figures The N.C. Azalea Festival is celebrating its 75th Anniversary.

The Airlie Garden Party is the premier event and the Wrightsville Beach garden will host around 2,500 attendees.

According to a study by UNCW, the N.C. Azalea Festival has a $50 million impact on the regional economy.

The festival averages 300,000 attendees throughout the five-day event.

PUBLIC DOMAIN, FILE

The view from Wrightsville Beach is pictured in this undated file photo.

Boat Trader TV series to feature Wilmington Series to stream on Waypoint TV starting April 9th

North State Journal staff WILMINGTON — Boat Trader, America’s largest boating marketplace, has announced the debut of its award-winning local boating series, ”Stomping Grounds”, on Waypoint TV. Following the success of last year’s 3-episode pilot phase on YouTube, ”Stomping Grounds” takes flight on the streaming service on April 9th, with new episodes releasing every Saturday. The series will drop the first three episodes at launch and

feature a total of 12 episodes during its first season. To further the expansion of the original content series, ”Stomping Grounds” viewers can also anticipate a podcast later this year, say producers.

“Stomping Grounds” takes viewers on adventures across the country as the host, Ryan McVinney, meets up with local boaters who share tales of cherished traditions and legendary lore. The series embarks on a journey across the region’s waterways to capture the essence of America’s rivers, lakes, bays and oceans. ““Stomping Grounds” is all about exploring the diversity of boating stories and culture across America. These stories are all connected by the love of the great out-

doors, nature and being on the water,» said McVinney, Director of Content, Boats Group. “We’re excited to share the series with a larger audience through our partnership with Waypoint TV and invite viewers to experience a special and truly unique way of life.”

The first three episodes travel to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Florida’s Panhandle region and Wilmington, North Carolina alongside a host of celebrated boaters, including Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, Netflix’s Outer Banks creator Jonas Pate, legendary champion powerboat racer Reggie Fountain and more. The following nine episodes will dive further into American boating traditions as McVinney drops anchor in

towns across the Southwest, Pacific Northwest and up to the great state of Alaska.

“Boat Trader has massive reach and its audience is incredibly passionate about the boating lifestyle, so we wanted to showcase the waterways they spend time on,” said Courtney Chalmers, Vice President of Marketing, Boats Group. “As we add new episodes across additional platforms, we hope to encourage more people to get out on the water, create their own stories and invite us to check out their “Stomping Grounds”.”

Graig Hale, Waypoint Director of Business Development, added, “It’s a true pleasure to feature boating culture through Boat Trader’s new series on our platforms.

Our community of passionate enthusiasts is sure to be entertained and educated while watching all things boating during each episode of ”Stomping Grounds” on Waypoint TV.» Viewers can watch ”Stomping Grounds” for free, and the series will be available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, YouTube, iOS, Android and on waypointtv.com.

Boat Trader is the largest online boating marketplace in the United States. Founded in 1991, Boat Trader expanded from a weekly classifieds publication found in local markets nationwide to an online marketplace in 1996 and now offers boat dealers and private party sellers options for selling their boats online. According to its website, Boat Trader reaches more than 9 million online boat shop-

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B9

How China’s TikTok, Facebook influencers push propaganda The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — To her 1.4 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, Vica Li says she is a “life blogger” and “food lover” who wants to teach her fans about China so they can travel the country with ease.

“Through my lens, I will take you around China, take you into Vica’s life!” she says in a video posted in January to her YouTube and Facebook accounts, where she also teaches Chinese classes over Zoom.

But that lens may be controlled

by CGTN, the Chinese-state run TV network where she has regularly appeared in broadcasts and is listed as a digital reporter on the company’s website. And while Vica Li tells her followers that she “created all of these channels on her own,” her Facebook account shows that at least nine people manage her page.

That portfolio of accounts is just one tentacle of China’s rapidly growing influence on U.S.-owned social media platforms, an Associ-

ated Press examination has found.

As China continues to assert its economic might, it is using the global social media ecosystem to expand its already formidable influence. The country has quietly built a network of social media personalities who parrot the government’s perspective in posts seen by hundreds of thousands of people, operating in virtual lockstep as they promote China’s virtues, deflect international criticism of its human rights abuses and advance Beijing’s talking points on world affairs like Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Some of China’s state-affiliated reporters have posited themselves as trendy Instagram influencers or bloggers. The country has also hired firms to recruit influencers to deliver carefully crafted messages that boost its image to social media users.

And it is benefitting from a cadre of Westerners who have devoted YouTube channels and Twitter feeds to echoing pro-China narratives on everything from Beijing’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims to Olympian Eileen Gu, an Ameri-

can who competed for China in the most recent Winter Games.

The influencer network allows Beijing to easily proffer propaganda to unsuspecting Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube users around the globe. At least 200 influencers with connections to the Chinese government or its state media are operating in 38 different languages, according to research from Miburo, a firm that tracks foreign disinformation operations.

“You can see how they’re trying to infiltrate every one of these countries,” said Miburo President

Clint Watts, a former FBI agent.

“It is just about volume, ultimately.

If you just bombard an audience for long enough with the same narratives people will tend to believe them over time.”

The personalities do not proactively disclose their ties to China’s government and have largely phased out references in their posts to their employers, which include CGTN, China Radio International and Xinhua News Agency.

Foreign governments have long tried to exploit social media, as well as its ad system, to influence users. During the 2016 U.S. election, for example, a Russian internet agency paid in rubles to run more than 3,000 divisive political ads targeting Americans.

In response, tech companies like Facebook and Twitter promised to better alert American users to foreign propaganda by labeling state-backed media accounts.

Often, followers who are lured in by accounts featuring scenic images of China’s landscape might not be aware that they’ll also encounter state-endorsed propagan-

da.

China’s interest in the influencer realm became more evident in December after it was revealed that the Chinese Consulate in New York had paid $300,000 for New Jersey firm Vippi Media to recruit influencers to post messages to Instagram and TikTok followers during the Beijing Olympics, including content that would highlight China’s work on climate change.

In other cases, the money and motives behind these Facebook posts, YouTube videos and podcasts are so murky that even those who create them say they weren’t aware the Chinese government was financing the project.

The Justice Department recently requested public input on how it should update the FARA statute to account for the ephemeral world of social media and its transparency challenges.

“It’s not leaflets and hard copy newspapers anymore,” FARA unit chief Jennifer Kennedy Gellie said of messaging. It’s “tweets and Facebook posts and Instagram images.”

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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the

purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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 into or renewed

on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

TO POINT OF BEGINNING.

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 Linda Steele Smith.

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.

“It is just about volume, ultimately. If you just bombard an audience for long enough with the same narratives people will tend to believe them over time.” Former FBI agent Clint Watts

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 62 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Anthony L. Byrd and Shelley N. Frasure (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Anthony L. Byrd and Shelley N. Frasure) to Saxby M. Chaplin, Trustee(s), dated August 27, 1999, and recorded in Book No. 2643, at Page 346 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

19 SP 555 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 James Dixon Walker to C. Couzen, Trustee(s), which was dated November 8, 2007 and recorded on November 13, 2007 in Book 7907 at Page 76, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina.

Defaulthavingbeenmadeofthenotetherebysecuredbythe 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 April 20, 2022 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:

CUMBERLAND 21 SP 576 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Anthony Moore to Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, Trustee(s), which was dated March 10, 2016 and recorded on March 21, 2016 in Book 09824 at Page 0614, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21sp440 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY THOMAS R. WISE AND JAMESENA WISE DATED JULY 24, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7665 AT PAGE 309 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.19-106517.FC02.202* 19-106517 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21sp440 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 46 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Delvea N. Releford (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Delvea N. Releford) to H. Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), dated December 13, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 5936, at Page 256 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 foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door

21 SP 699 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by William Parker and Tabol Parker to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), which was dated April 13, 2016 and recorded on April 13, 2016 in Book 09840 at Page 0527, 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

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 20, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in Ward Number One (1) of the City of Concord, Number Twelve Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the South side of Fink Street, Northwest, and being all of Lot Number 237 of the Subdivision of Milton, as surveyed and platted, a copy of which plat is filed in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map Book 1, Page 40, to which map book and page reference is hereby made for a complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 283 Fink Avenue Northwest, Concord, 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.

ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING LOT NO. 72 AND THE WESTERN ONE-HALF OF LOT NO. 71 AS SHOWN ON THE MAP OF S.O. WEAKS PARK ROCK HILL SECTION BELONGING TO DR. ALTON FINGER SUBDIVISION (FORMERLY R.V. CALDWELL) AND IS ABOUT 2 MILES WEST FROM CONCORD, N.C. IN NO. 2 TOWNSHIP AND IS JUST OFF THE POPLAR TENT ROAD, ROCK HILL SECTION NEAR THE ROCK HILL COLORED SCHOOL AND IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT AN IRON STAKE IN THE EASTERN EDGE OF LUCY ROAD AT A POINT 12 1/2 FEET IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION FROM THE FRONT CORNER OF LOTS NOS. 70 AND 71; THENCE WEST A DISTANCE OF 37 1/2 FEET ALONG ROAD TO STAKE, DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 72 AND 73; THENCE 150 FEET IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION TO A STAKE, DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 72, 73, & 84 AND 85; THENCE 37 1/2 FEET IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION TO STAKE LOCATED 12 1/2 FEET WEST OF DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 70 AND 71; 82 AND 83, THENCE 150 FEET IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 20, 2022 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: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

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

Said property is commonly known as 355 Lucy Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027.

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 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. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REGISTRY. Parcel ID: 0422-99.-8108 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 805 Screech Owl Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, GRAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP,CUMBERLANDCOUNTY,NORTHCAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 84 AS SHOWN ON A PLAT ENTITLED “THE VILLAGE ON ASPHENS CREEK, SECTION FIVE, PROPERTY OF CAVINESS LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. “ DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 133, PAGE 162, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY; TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF SAME. SEE CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE RESOLUTIONS OF CAVINESS LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. RECORDED IN BOOK 7808, PAGE 563, AND BOOK 8997, PAGE 775,

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

TRUST EXECUTED BY THOMAS R. WISE AND JAMESENA WISE DATED JULY 24, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7665 AT PAGE 309 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

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 Cumberland County courthouse at 10:30AM on April 11, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Thomas R. Wise and Jamesena Wise, dated July 24, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $202,000.00, and recorded in Book 7665 at Page 309 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public

in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 11, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 460, Harris Place, Section Two, Phase Two, according to a Plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 102, at Page 34, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 838 Schley Drive, Fayetteville, 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 N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

conducting the sale on April 13, 2022 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 18, in a subdivision known as Hawthorne, Section One, Part Two, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 68, Page 80, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Parcel

ID:

9487-24-1309

Property Address: 6752 Saint Julian Way, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 6752 Saint Julian Way, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

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

Address of property: Ridgemont Pl, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 8394 Present Record Owners: Wise and Jamesena Wise

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9 4 9 7-7 0 Thomas

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The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Thomas R. Wise and Jamesena Wise.

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

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

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 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. 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 William Parker and Tabol Parker.

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.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1966 - 23840

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-12402-FC01

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,

property being offered for sale. 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 Anthony Moore.

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.

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. 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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-06259-FC01

the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is March 1, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-106517

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

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 Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed

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.

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,

on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 5083 - 19468

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 18-12252-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 20 CVS 6692 PUBLICATION DATES: April 6, 2022 and April 13, 2022 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in a judgment bearing the caption “Freedom Mortgage

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22sp122 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NATHAN RUSSELL STEWART AND LAUREN A. STEWART DATED JANUARY 29, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8064 AT PAGE 125 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.22-112682.FC01.202* 22-112682 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22sp122 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NATHAN RUSSELL STEWART AND LAUREN A. STEWART DATED JANUARY 29, 2009

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 47 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kevin R. Gleich and Loni M. Gleich (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kevin R. Gleich and Loni M. Gleich) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated September 8, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7358, at Page 779 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 foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 18, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 32 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Paula Broyles and Paul Broyles (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Paul Broyles and Paula Broyles) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated January 24, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 7485, at Page 856 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on April 30, 2013, in Book No. 09175, at Page 0766, 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 foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

DAVIDSON AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 237 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Malinda A. Walser (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Malinda A. Walser, Heirs of Malinda A. Walser: Susan Osborne, Linda Jo Aldridge) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 1819, at Page 1786 in Davidson 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 Davidson 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 Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on April 20, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 67 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Claymon Rutledge aka Claymon R. Rutledge (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Claymon R. Rutledge, Heirs of Claymon R. Rutledge a/k/a Claymon Rutledge: Timothy Rutledge, Wanda Gayle Foraker, Claymon Kyle Rutledge, James M. Steffey, Travis Steffey, Brenda Puckett) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated March 31, 2015, and recorded in Book No. RE 3223, at Page 3980 in Forsyth 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 Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on April 13, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 21sp362 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CORRIE V. LANIER AND LAKECIA G. LANIER DATED APRIL 17, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4942 AT PAGE 99 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.21-112215.FC01.202* 21-112215 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 49 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Howard R. Zimmerman and Brenda L. Zimmerman (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Howard R. Zimmerman) to Jackie Biggs, Trustee(s), dated May 11, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 4779, at Page 39 in Onslow 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 Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed

Corporation, Plaintiff vs. Katina Tracy Acevedo; Fidelity Bank; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee, Defendants” 20 CVS 6692 Cumberland County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2022 at the Cumberland County Courthouse door and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED

IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8064 AT PAGE 125 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G KG M H J B L F P G O H J G K ALMCPKNJHNIOLEHAAIJLNK AMOJODMHGAAJCNMFMHOECK AHIPDLJGPENNFHGCMIEIBK ALPGADKFGPAEKFGNEFOMGK DLLDDLDLLDLDDDDLLLLDDL

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.

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 Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 18, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Nathan Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart, dated January 29, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $106,236.00, and recorded in Book 8064 at Page 125 of the Cumberland County

the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 31, Block ‘F’ in a subdivision known as Lafayette Village, Section Twelve and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 26, Page 2, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2018 Lombardy Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

BEING ALL OF LOT NUMBER 63 IN A SUBDIVISION KNOW AS ASBURY, SECTION ONE, PART TWO AND THE SAME BEING DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 110, AT PAGE 49, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Parcel Identification No. 9496-85-4683 Property Address: 3422 Rudland Court, Fayetteville, NC 28304

Address of property: Ct, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Tax Parcel ID: 7343.000 Present Record Owners: Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart

712

Skyclift

0449-04N a t h a n

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Nathan Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart.

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

The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale.

A cash deposit or certified check (no personal check) in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale.

The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

This the 6th day of April, 2022.

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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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

agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is March 29, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By:

Suite

400

22-112682

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

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 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 Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 5742 - 21866

the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 5743 - 21882

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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return

BEGINNING at an iron (set) on the northeastern right of way of Old Highway 64, common corner of Lots 14 and 15, Block A, Map of Edgewood recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 22, Davidson County Registry, thence North 43 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West along the right of way line of Old Highway 64 and crossing an iron (common corner of Lots 8 and 9) at 125.09 feet, and continuing for an additional 100.07 feet, for a total distance of 225.16 feet, to an iron (set), common corner of Lots 6 and 7; thence North 46 degrees 59 minutes 55 seconds East with the line of Lot 6, 445.84 feet to an iron (found); thence South 06 degrees 10 minutes 40 seconds East 62.23 feet to an iron (found); thence South 09 degrees 56 minutes 05 seconds West 83.34 feet to an iron (found); thence South 25 degrees 32 minutes 05 seconds East 131.13 feet to an iron (set) common corner of Lots 13 and 14; thence South 46 degrees 59 minutes 35 seconds West with the line of Lot 14, 302.69 feet, to the point and place of beginning and containing 1.847 acres more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3602 West Old Highway 64, Lexington, North Carolina.

This being allot Lots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, Block A, as shown on Map of Edgewood recorded in Plat Book 4 Page 22 Davidson County Registry.

Reference Estate file 90 E 193 in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court.

Surveyed by Davidson Surveying and Mapping, David A. Craver, R.L.S. 2857, July 18, 1990.

Parcel ID No.: 18011C00A0007

Property Address: 3602 E. Old Highway 64, Lexington, NC 27295 Deed Ref: 751/765 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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in

the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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 into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement

prorated to the effective date of the termination.

for cash the following real estate situated in Belews Creek in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 6970-49-5784.00 Land Situated in the County of Forsyth in the State of NC Beginning at a point in the north line of Tract 2 and the south line of Tract 3 of the W.L. Abbott Estate as recorded in Map Book 2 at Page 79 in the Forsyth County Registry, said point also being North 62 degrees 35 minutes West 185.62 feet from the north east corner of Barak Loynab Property as recorded in Deed Book 1701 at Page 991 and running thence South 29 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds West passing through an iron pipe at 6.42 feet a total distance of 296.82 feet to an iron pipe; thence North 60 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds West 150.00 feet to an iron pipe; thence North 29 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds East passing through an iron pipe at 290.40 feet a total distance of 290.80 feet to a point in the south line of Tract 3; thence with the south line of Tract 3 South 62 degrees 35 minutes East 150.12 feet to the point of beginning. Said tract containing 1.01 acres. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7340 Pine Hall Road, Belews Creek, North Carolina.

Together with a right-of-way easement being 30 foot in width, and running parallel with the following described line; beginning at point, said point being the northeast corner of the above described tract of land; and running thence with the south line of Tract 3 South 62 degrees 35 minutes East passing through iron pipes at 185.62 feet; 943.02 feet, a total distance of 967.45 feet to a point in Sr. No. 1975 (Pine

Hall Road).

NOTE: The company is prohibited from insuring the area or quantity of the land. The Company does not represent that any acreage or footage calculations are correct.

References to quantity are for identification purposes only.

Commonly known as: 7340 Pine Hall Rd, Belews Creek, NC 27009 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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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 into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice

of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

JOHNSTON COUNTY 21sp362 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CORRIE V. LANIER AND LAKECIA G. LANIER DATED APRIL 17, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4942 AT PAGE 99 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

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.

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. 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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

Parcel ID Number: 0416-02-8862 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,

12:00 PM on April 18, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot No. 33 in a Subdivision known as CAR-Milt Estates, Section TWO, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 47, Page 55, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3135 Ansley Drive, Hope Mills, 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.

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 Johnston County courthouse at 10:00AM on April 19, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Corrie V. Lanier and Lakecia G. Lanier, dated April 17, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $287,777.00, and recorded in Book 4942 at Page 99 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the

that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 21, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 23 as shown on a Plat entitled, “Acorn Forest, Section I, Part B, Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, N.C.,” which Plat was prepared by Barden Lanier, Registered Surveyor, on August 1974, and recorded in Plat Book 15, Page 51, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 504 Dewitt Street, Jacksonville, 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

Address of property: Angus Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: Lanier and Lackecia G. Lanier

200

Red

06F04200F Corrie V.

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Corrie V. Lanier and Lackecia G. Lanier.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm

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

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also,

($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 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 Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4673 - 17371

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 6083 - 23469

if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is February 2, 2022.

21-112215 Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-112215

Suite

400

effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 6022 - 23173

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

B11

TAKE NOTICE

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 28 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Leonard Baruso (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Leonard Baruso, Heirs of Leonard Baruso: Daniel Baruso, Raiden Baruso, Ginamarie Baruso, Olivia Baruso, Everett Baruso, Elizabeth Baruso) to Pamela S. Cox, Trustee(s), dated February 13, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 4114, at Page 141 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on March 25, 2019, in Book No. 4915, at Page 956 , 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

RANDOLPH

STANLY 19 SP 86 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Marie G. Hiatt Lowery and David Lowery to Judith Kennedy, Trustee(s), which was dated October 11, 1999 and recorded on October 14, 1999 in Book 0726 at Page 0549, Stanly 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

UNION IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 21SP359 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HAZEL BOYD AND MARY RUTH BOYD DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2013 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 05945 AT PAGE 0598 IN THE UNION 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

WAKE Notice to Creditors

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Helen Francis Aldridge Woodcock (Wake 22-E-1262), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 2123 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by Jessica Ann Holder to UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, lender, to CAUDLE AND SPEARS, P.A., Trustee, dated October 17, 2018, and recorded in Book 017270, Page 00261 in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 018841, Page 00159-00160, 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 Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on April 18, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina,

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 22SP21

been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 14, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 95, as shown on that plat entitled “Final Plat Wantland’s Ferry, Section I-A at Towne Pointe” as recorded in Map Book 66, Page 12, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 301 Samuel Run Drive, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in

the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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 into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be

Having qualified as (executor(administrator) on the estate of Linda Fay Parker, aka Linda Church Parker, deceased, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, 2021 E 001342 this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate

of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of June, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This 6th day of April, 2022,

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 April 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Stanly County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

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.

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.

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

File No.: 19-05382-FC01

assessments including but not limited to 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 and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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.

BEING ALL OF LOT 9, PROPERTY OF OAKBORO COTTON MILL AS SHOWN IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 101, IN THE STANLY COUNTY REGISTRY, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HEREBY MADE Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 20068 Silver Road, Oakboro, NC 28129.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on April 11, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Hazel Boyd and Mary Ruth Boyd, dated February 21, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $132,000.00, and recorded in Book 05945 at Page 0598 of the Union 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.

5115 Address of property: Old Pageland Marshville Road, Monroe, NC 28112 03129007 Tax Parcel ID:

Having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of June N. Thompson (Wake 22-E-1124), late of Wake 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 on

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY WAKE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BAZEKA L. VALAKA AND NDIDILA K. VALAKA DATED MAY 2, 2006 RECORDED IN BOOK 11940 AT PAGE 1912 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

20 SP 683 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 Judith M. Lynn and Ronald F. Lynn to Fidelity National Title Ins. Company, Trustee(s), which was dated June 8, 2013 and recorded on June 28, 2013 in Book 015338 at Page 01863, 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

The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Hazel Boyd.

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 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. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and

or before the 25th day of June 2022 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.

This the 6th day of April 2022.

Ford O. Arnett Jr. Executor of the Estate of June N. Thompson c/o Lisa M. Schreiner P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street

and being more particularly described as follows: TAX ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1732797596 ADDRESS: 1913 BARWELL ROAD, RALEIGH, NC 27610 BEING ALL OF LOT 2, BLOCK A, BEACHWOOD PARK SUBDIVISION, AS DEPICTED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1960, PAGE 374, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jessica Ann Holder 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 releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in 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 into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANK-RUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY

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 by William Leach a/k/a William Terrell Leach; Jennifer Leach a/k/a Jennifer Lynn Perry, dated December 19, 2019 to secure the original principal amount of $225,834.00, and recorded in Book 17690 at Page 1521 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.

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William Leach and Jennifer Leach.

The following described real property located in County of Wake, State of North Carolina; being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 8, Block O, according to plat entitled “Biltmore Hills Map #5, Raleigh, N.C.”, dated June 8, 1960, revised February 13, 1961, prepared by J.L. Castleberry, Jr., Registered Engineer, and recorded in Book of Maps 1960, page 274, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2017 Waters Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained 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 12:00 PM on April 11, 2022, 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 by Bazeka L. Valaka; Ndidila K. Valaka, dated May 2, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $11,269.59, and recorded in Book 11940 at Page 1912 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: Knollbrook Court, Raleigh, NC 27616

5

1

0

4

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 April 13, 2022 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF WAKE, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING LOT NUMBER 1, BUILDING 24, RIDGELOCH TOWNEHOMES AS RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1979, PAGE 528, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5748 Three Oaks Dr, Raleigh, NC 27612.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

This the 6th day of April 2022.

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

(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 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. 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 CLAUDENE B. COTTON.

Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: Valaka; Ndidila K. Valaka

0233415 Bazeka

L.

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Bazeka L. Valaka and Ndidila K. Valaka.

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

(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 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. 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

Linda Faye Parker aka Linda Church Parker

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587

The date of this Notice is January 5, 2022.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111868

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least

Joseph Isaiah Woodcock, Jr.

conducting the sale on April 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 21SP1526

And Being more commonly known as: 5115 Old Pageland Marshville Road, Monroe, NC 28112

Estate of Helen Francis Aldridge Woodcock c/o Lisa M. Schreiner P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

22 SP 192 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

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

The Estate of

please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

4 2 3 2 Address of property: Knightsbridge Way, Raleigh, NC 27604 0202002 Tax Parcel ID: William Present Record Owners: Leach a/k/a William Terrell Leach; Jennifer Leach a/k/a Jennifer Lynn Perry

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Claudene B. Cotton to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated March 18, 2016 and recorded on March 23, 2016 in Book 16326 at Page 1232, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Present Record Owners: Hazel Boyd

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 6044 - 23257

Michael Ray Parker Executor/Administrator of the Estate of

notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July 2022 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY WAKE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM LEACH AND JENNIFER LEACH DATED DECEMBER 19, 2019 RECORDED IN BOOK 17690 AT PAGE 1521 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA 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 therein contained 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 10:00 AM on April 20, 2022,

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

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, 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 David Lowery and Marie G. Hiatt Lowery.

effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. 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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 3/23/2022, 3/30/2022, 4/6/2022 and 4/13/2022)

(For publication: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13 4/20/2022)

REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Thomas R. Goddard Goddard & Peterson, PLLC Substitute Trustee 125 B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

The date of this Notice is 18th day of March, 2022.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 5490-6498

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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.

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.

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

File No.: 22-00967-FC01

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. 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 re-sale. 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 Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing

lawful heirs of Judith M. Lynn.

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.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587

at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is 14th day of February, 2022.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 2538-2780

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-02628-FC01

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From March 30, 2022

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Bulldogs Bite

The Trinity Bulldogs cruised to a 8-2 win over cross-county rival Providence Grove on Friday. That win completed a two-game series sweep for Trinity who defeated the Patriots 3-1 last Tuesday. Trinity dropped a neutral site game to Ledford on Saturday 7-2. The Bulldogs (9-4, 6-2 Conference) will have three-straight games this week starting with a Tuesday night matchup against Jordan-Matthews. Providence Grove (6-8. 3-3 Conference) host Randleman Tuesday night with a trip to Randleman Friday. Providence Grove’s Joseph Coltrane hits an RBI single against Trinity in the bottom of the 4th inning during a PAC-7 conference game at Providence Grove High school in Climax, in this April 1, 2022 photo.

COUNTY NEWS Lowe’s invests $4 million in two NC colleges

Volunteer officer honored for 40 years of service

Lowe’s is investing $4 million toward new partnerships with two North Carolina universities. Queens University of Charlotte announced Lowe’s is providing $2.5 million for the Charlotte Talent Initiative, a partnership between Mecklenburg County businesses and the college to expand Charlotte’s talent pipeline and help lowincome graduates of local high schools. N.C. Central University is receiving $1.5 million from Lowe’s for the School of Business. The investment will be used to develop new programs, faculty recruitment and student scholarships. Last year, Lowe’s pledged $10 million to Johnson C. Smith University as part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

Colleges eye honorary degrees for Ukraine’s Zelensky At least 17 colleges and universities in several states will jointly offer honorary degrees to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their commencement ceremonies this spring. Alfred University President Mark Zupan said the idea grew from his request to have Zelenskyy speak virtually to a combination of graduating classes. When an official at the Ukrainian embassy declined the western New York university’s request, the institutions agreed to award honorary degrees in absentia to honor Zelenskyy’s leadership in the RussiaUkraine war. Several additional campuses in upstate New York, which has a significant population with ties to Ukraine, have committed to the idea.

They are being joined by institutions in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

5

20177 52016 $1.00

Commissioners approve budget amendments, hospital funding

8

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Board of Commissioners held a meeting Monday to vote on multiple budget amendments as well as to approve a funding for new projects.

To kick off the meeting, Lieutenant Reid Linthicum was recognized before the board for 40 years of voluntary service as a Reserve Deputy for Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s been an honor,” said Sheriff Greg Seabolt on working with Lt. Linthicum. “I’ve been working some more at night and I’ve observed Reid as he’s working with the younger guys. I’ve seen what kind of mentor he is to them. He’s a great person to have out working with these young guys and you can’t go wrong with him being out there. I even act as if I’m a sponge when I’m around him because he is very knowledgeable.”

The board was also given an update on the status of a few settlements from the national opioid lawsuit the county participated in a few years back.

“There’s a $750 million settlement that’s coming to North Carolina,” said Paul Coates, one of the local attorneys working on the litigation.” Randolph County’s share of that is just under $10 million. It will be paid out over 18 years and that is only the settlement with the three distributors [AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson] and Johnson and Johnson.

There are still cases out there that are being litigated, but this year, you are going to get roughly $1.2 million.”

The settlement includes a memorandum of agreement that stipulates that the money can only be used for things such as treatment, overdose response teams, Naloxone distribution, criminal justice diversion programs, housing support, recovery programs, and etc.

In order to address potential flooding concerns, the board gave the Soil and Water Conservation Commission permission to pursue a grant from the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program for a little over $3 million for stream rehabilitation projects in Randolph County.

If selected for funding, the program would assist in rehabilitating multiple waterways in Randolph County. The rehabilitation aims to protect and restore the integrity of

drainage infrastructure by removing debris and obstructions in the waterways to help alleviate future flooding concerns.

“Recent hurricanes in the mountains have caused tremendous flooding,” said Kaitlyn Johnson, a technician for the Soil and Water Conservation District. “Most notably, a couple of months ago in Haywood County, there was substantial flooding and substantial loss of life due to that flooding.”

The commissioners also gave approval for the establishment of the Hospital Psychiatric Renovation Capital Fund. The State of North Carolina had set aside $4 million in order for Randolph Health to renovate space for 32-35 psychiatric beds, and the board needed to establish a fund to account for the proceeds and related renovation costs.

Along with those funding approvals, the board gave the nod to multiple capital projects for increased budget amendments utilizing County capital reserves funds that were already available due to the prior year’s surplus.

“We had a good financial year in 2021,” said Assistant County Manager and Finance Officer, Will Massie. “We budgeted conservatively as we didn’t know what the effects of the pandemic were going

to be. With all the stimulus money that came down, our sales tax staying strong and us not operating a lot of programs that we normally operate, we had a substantial amount of money that was in excess of 24% of our fund balance requirement. That money was usually set aside for capital improvements and that allows us to do the things we need to do for our facilities without borrowing money.”

The board approved a budget amendment of $5 million for the Farm, Food and Family Education Center, $300,000 for renovations for the Juvenile Day Reporting Center, $1.5 million for the Northgate Rent-A-Center Space Renovation and $3 million for renovations to the historic courthouse.

In addition to the $300,000 budget amendment for renovations to the JDRC building, the board also approved a new contract with Garanco, Inc. for $161,400 to build four new classrooms in it as well.

Finally, the board issued a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Randolph County. The board urged all citizens, “to recognize this month by dedicating themselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.”

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 2.

Four charged in catalytic converter theft ring Randolph Record staff ASHEBORO — Members of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office were involved in weeks of investigating before announcing arrests that what has been described as a theft ring targeting catalytic converters.

The investigation stretched to multiple counties.

Eventually, charges were filed against James Kennedy Jr., 28; Ricky Shawn Morris, 38; Christopher Allen Bolling, 37; and Christopher Cole Lawson, 35.

Police reported that catalytic converters were taken from a variety of locales. Automobiles owned by some of the victims were simply in parking lots.

“It takes a lot of money to replace those converters,” Randolph County Sheriff Greg Seabolt said.

“That’s money a lot of people don’t have. We’re going to continue to work and hopefully this investigation will lead to more.”

Among the locations of the thefts, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, were a parking lot in High Point, a parking lot at Trinity High School and

a business in Thomasville. Lawson was located in Alamance County before he was apprehended.

The investigation turned up several methods used in making the thefts, some caught via video surveillance. A U-Haul track was involved in some instances.

Those charged were involved in crawling under greasy automobiles with a tool – and yet others became the victims, Seabolt said.

The sheriff said drug use was tied the thefts.

“These guys were druggies,” he said. “They didn’t want to work.”

Morris and a U-Haul were found in Sophia and deputies found methamphetamine, paraphernalia, and burglary tools in the cab, the sheriff’s office reported. Investigators said they found catalytic converters and other tools.

Investigators said they tracked down more catalytic converters along with drugs at a house in High Point.

In total, the foursome faces charges totaling 70 felonies and nine misdemeanors stemming from stolen property, possession

of burglary tools and drug activity.

“We made a lot of charges,” Seabolt said. “I think we stopped a huge part of that theft ring up in the northern part of the county.”

While the investigation reached this point, the cases aren’t closed. Seabolt said more charges are possible. Some of the charges filed are related to alleged thefts dating to late February.

State Sen. Dave Craven joined investigators and North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey for the announcement regarding the investigation last week at the Randolph County Emergency Services Building. Craven sponsored a bill that became law in December to increase penalties for stealing converters and for purchasing them.

Catalytic converters contain three metals make them effective at converting exhaust pollutants into less harmful gasses.

Those three metals, platinum, palladium and rhodium, have skyrocketed in value in recent years.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 4.6.22 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST

Asheboro sets Easter events

WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

By Bob Sutton WEDNESDAY Randolph Record

WEDNESDAY

JULY JUNE 30 21

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North NorthState State Journal Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

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DEATH NOTICES

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, WEEKLY FORECAST

40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES SPONSORED BY

♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, 2021 in a tragic house fire.

CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588 ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 6

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

HI 70

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, LOW 59 age 85, of Asheboro, died July PRECIP 87% See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY APRIL 7 See OBITS, page 7

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

JULY 1JULY 22

FRIDAY

JULY 2

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

JULY 23 JULY 3

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

JULY 24 JULY 4

SUNDAY

MONDAY

JULY 25 5 JULY

Randolph

Guide MONDAY TUESDAY

JULY JULY 26 6

TUESDAY

JULY 27

ASHEBORO — An EasThe Randolph HI78° 86° 84° HI HI HI 87° GuideHIis a 88° improvised HI 88° HI HI 91° 88° 86° HI HI89° 81°HI 88° HI 89° HI ter-based 91° program HI quick look at going last year by the City of Asheboro’s LO 66° LO68° 62°LO 65° LO 67° LO LO 70° 67° LO LO 69° 62° LO LO LO LO 69°what’s LO 69° LO 70° 67° 69° Cultural and Recreation15% Ser- 5% PRECIP 57% PRECIP 43% PRECIP 32% 17% PRECIP 24% PRECIP onPRECIP in Randolph PRECIP 20% PRECIPPRECIP 24% 24% PRECIP 24% County.

PRECIP 24% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP vices department is back again this year, along with a more traditional event.

When the normal Easter youth activities for 2021 were cancelled RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE because of concerns related to Asheboro Easter COVID-19, the City of Asheboro Egg Hunt created a different type of Easter egg hunt. Eggs were placed in 10am-1pm several city parks, with the peoHEHADEN | CC BY-NC 2.0 ple finding the eggs directed to The city of Asheboro will the recreation department’s of- Easter falls on Sunday, April 17 this year. host its annual Easter Egg fice to claim prizes to create an By Bob Sutton Hunt at Bicentennial Park sion, there’s enrollment of 915. before those classes start.

Easter egg scavenger hunt.

Randolph Record from in downtown Asheboro. plan isoffforslightly a golden eggthe usual The more traditional Easter said. Williams said there’s an ef-TheThat’s has been a number that of ranges fort to bolster enrollment. to be placed at each thoseup fiveto 1,000, So based on that success andHe citegg hunt is also back on the dockThe “There egg hunt is never divided Williams edleftover the RCC Commitment parks on the firstsaid. three Fridays of ASHEBORO — Enrollment prizes from a yearGrant, et. The Easter Eggstravaganza is a few opportunity into better age groups with 1-2to attend the month, Crawford said. version of that is inasplace set Saturday, Community April 9, at Bi-Col-ago,a aprogram Traditional enrollment numdesigned a funding at for Randolph year-olds and 3-4 year-to worry Friday, saidbut a it’s the RCC and not have month. centennial Park. to bounce back tothismechanism haveCrawford flattened, to fill the gap that’sLastbers lege isn’t likely olds starting at 10am, 5-7it.” claimed af- students about how to pay for Fridayor state on prize “There will be tons number of just highhours school not coveredlast by federal aid was pre-pandemic levelsof eggs rightand away Beginning ter placing an egg at Lake Lucas. the first day of April, Crawford goody bags there for all the kids,” year-olds at 11:30am and in programs designed for dual endespite a school official pointing to students.

Eggstrava goldenhas egg never in eachbeen of fivea bet-Saturday’s said Crawford,financial program in-placed“There rollmentEaster that has dropped, out Taylor unprecedented 8-10 year-olds at 1pm.

RCC president Dr. Robert aganza is“We’re another Frazier, North RCC coordinator the city’s Cultur- parks: justfree not activity. seeing the level ter Eastside, opportunity to attend centives forfor potential students.

All participants receive a Egg hunt times are 10 a.m. (ages Asheboro, Memorial and Lake al and Recreation Services deChad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. goody bag in addition to 11:30 said. a.m. (ages 5-7) Eachfor eggit,” contains a prize 1-2, partment.

Williams to pay RCC president Dr. 3-4), for student services at RCC, said aLucas. and 1 p.m. (ages 8-10) at Bicenslip that can be redeemed at the “I thought hiding a few eggs in the eggs they find.

RCC held a one-week break decline in high school students in Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We tennialearlier Park inthis downtown Ashe-the sumoffice.

Prizes are they the parks — that would get the peo-big-Sunset month amid meetAvenue students exactly where dual enrollment has been ple out to the parks,” Crawford intended for ages 12 and younger. boro. are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip.

24 and concludes July 26. Late “Overall, we’re still seeing a de- can possibly go.”

Beginning with the fall semes- registration for the fall semester cline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classLiving Last Supper demic,” Williams said. “I don’t will be eligible for up to $1,000 es beginning Aug. 16.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG Still dealing with adjustments know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve per semester.

3pm and 6pm That makes attending RCC made because of the coronavirus seen in previous fall semesters. … ♦ Jennings, Lucas Matthew Dr. ♦We’re Coleman, Naazir Jailil (M,every stu- Alamo pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesthe most enticing from a finanreaching out to First Baptist Church of (M, 32), on charge 40), Arrested onevery charge of we can.” ter Arrested classes will be in person. Some cial standpoint in the 16 years dent we can in way ♦ Land, Larry Dean (M, 37), of Possession of Drug Possession of Weapon of Asheboro will host a “living will use a hybrid model with a A fall semester at the two-year Williams has been at the school, Arrested on charge of True Bill, Paraphernalia, Possession of Mass Destruction, Carrying mixture of face-to-faces sessions school in Asheboro would often he said. He previously worked in last supper” based on the PWIMSD Heroin, Possession of Meth, Cont Sub/Poss/Loc Concealed Alter/Remove and virtual sessions. Many classhave 2,600Gun, to 3,000 students en- RCC’s financial aid office. famous Leonardo Di Vinci Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Confinement, on students 3/29/22, at Serial Number on of this es provide with options “There’s never a better time to rolled.

At theFirearm, beginning painting. Communion will on 3/30/22, at RCJ. RCJ.on how to attend and participate, 3/30/22, I-85 mmstood 108. at about go back to college,” he said. week, thatatnumber be served to the audience For Sarah the current ses- Williams said.

1,900 with about a month to go♦ Lassiter, Elizabethsummer (F,

April 9

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag PJ Ward-Brown Matt Lauren Frank Cory Who is “Editor?”

April 10

♦ McClure, Skyli Arizona (F, 19), ♦ Jefferson, Raheem Eugene by the disciples. This WEEKLY CRIME LOG 40), Arrested on charge of Arrested on charge of DWLR, (M, 40), Arrested on charge event is free and open to Felony Possession of Cocaine, No Liability Insurance, Give/ of Possession of Weapon of ♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren the public. First Baptist Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Lend/Borrow License Plate, Mass Destruction, Carrying (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of Contributing to Delinquency of Church is located at 133 Possession of Stolen Goods, Concealed Gun, Alter/Remove WEEKLY CRIME 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) LOG Juvenile, on 3/30/22, at RCJ. on 3/29/22, at Parinna Dr and Serial Number Firearm, North Church Street, Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs Harris Rd. Possession of Firearm

by Felon, Asheboro. (f) (F), 3) Possess X ♦ Owens, Billy Marion II (M, ♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, on Arrest on charge of Resisting ♦onBoggs, Matthew 3/30/22, at I-85Harrison mm 108.(M, 39), 30), Arrested on charge of ♦ Frazier,07/13/2021.

Phillip Dean (M, 47), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor of Maijuana, Arrested on charge of Second ♦ Dyles, Fredat Thomas Jr (M, White 59), Rd, Possession Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, 2587 Wayne Possession of Marijuana Degree Trespass, Resisting Arrested onGarden, charge on of Second ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), Possession of Stolen motor Pleasant 07/14/2021. Paraphernalia, on 3/30/22, at Public Officer, oncharge 3/29/22, at Degree Murder, on 3/30/22, at Arrest on of Assault on a ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer RCJ. Forest Rd. Curtis Power Rd, White Oak St. Female, at 8300 Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor3876 Cedar ♦364 Bolton McKee, James Henry tag,Antiques failure to deliver title, failure to Liberty Festival Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick (M, 47), Arrest on charge of ♦ Reiff, Forrest Hunter (M, 26), appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, ♦ Leon, Guadalupe Morales (F, 18), ♦ Furr, Justin Douglas (M, 25), Rodkon Mtn, on 07/14/2021.

Possession of Stolen Goods, at Twice on a year, 400 dealers Arrested charge of Felony 07/13/2021.

Arrested on charge of Assault Arrested on charge of Felony ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on Serious Injury by Vehicle, on from more than 25 states and Battery, at of marijuana Probation Violation, Possession chargeonof3/28/22, possession ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), Helenia Spinks (F, 64), 3/30/22, at 852 Woodcrest Dr. Randolph County Courthouse. of07/15/2021.

Meth, on 3/30/22, at 3267 pack♦aCheek, 100-acre farm in up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Arrest on charge of Assault by Randolph County with 18th Courthouse, on 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), pointing a gun, Discharging a to 20th-century furniture Possessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple firearm to cause fear, Reckless ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), and accessories, pottery, Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, driving to endanger, Seagrove, on Arrest on charge of Possession DEATH 07/13/2021.

Asheboro,NOTICES on 07/14/2021. glass, 07/12/2021. clocks, dolls, toys, of Meth, Possession with intent military items, advertising, to manufacture, sell or distribute ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest ♦ Rhonda Kay Hippert Ayscue, 58, 27, surrounded by family and ♦ David Michael Bray, 70, of jewelry, quilts, heroin, Simple possession of decoys, Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony on charge of Felony Sexual of Winston-Salem, died Friday, friends.

Franklinville, died Wednesday, and “in the rough” Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintainingfolk art of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Larceny and Possession of Stolen Exploitation of a minor in the April 1, 2022, at High Point March 30, 2022 at his residence.

Place, Possession of Drug Possession of drug paraphernalia, Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, ♦ Freda country Americana.

Darrell Miller, age 75, of second degree (10 counts), 727 Medical Center in High Point.

Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Failure toNC appeal onbe felony, Seagrove, on 07/14/2021.

Randleman, died to with failure ♦ Mrs. Karen Lynn Davis 63, of McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, on 7/13/2021. to appear on misdemeanor, at her Lord and Savior on March Birdnest Court, West End, NC 07/12/2021. ♦died Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32), 26, 2022. at home on Sunday March

April 22

HI 66 LOW 43 PRECIP 49%

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY APRIL 8

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

HI 63 LOW 35 PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed PRECIP 10% like

an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to SATURDAY ring a ceremonialAPRIL bell last9month before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

His theme music blared HI 58 through the arena, and near35 from the ly 19,000 fansLOW hanging 10% rafters roaredPRECIP when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the SUNDAY bell.

APRIL 10 Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when HI 58 the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exLOW 37 ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere PRECIP 1% was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous MONDAY APRIL 11 crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them HI 58go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as LOW 43Levesque.

WWE executive Paul PRECIP 1%there’s “That adrenaline rush, nothing like it.”

WWE hasn’t been the same without its “Yes!” chants or “This TUESDAY APRIL 12 is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matchHI with 69 a piped-in es every week soundtrack and virtual LOW 54fans.

No more. PRECIP 23% With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

4” Ad

PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP

In this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and Dallas on Monday for the flagship “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE spruced up sets, brought back old stars and hit the reset button on TV programming humbled with record-low ratings and a strong need for new stars.

“I do think if we were doing this in front of the live crowd, it would have been a situation that would have made me an even better per-

former,” Reigns said. “As a live performer, that simultaneous response keeps you sharp. We had to adjust and adapt to the times that were in front of us.”

With Hulk Hogan in the house, WWE held their only WrestleMania with fans this past April 10 and 11 at Raymond James Stadium. WWE last ran a weeknight televised event with a paid crowd on March 9, 2020, in Washington.

WWE then moved to its in-house performance center in Florida on March 13, before setting up what it dubbed The ThunderDome -where fans registered for spots on LED digital videoboards — for stretches in Florida at the Amway Center, Tropicana Field and the Yuengling Center.

“People like Roman have been able to emotionally bring a performance that, maybe with peo-

ple cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different directions over him,” have benefited, Levesque said. “But that’s the beauty of what we do, to go be entertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.”

WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, the lowest in the 28-plus year history of the show.

Levesque, WWE EVP of global talent strategy and development, said the company would “take a hard look” at how it can attract more fans to the product each week. WWE can only hope the combination of live crowds and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldberg, and Cena can ignite interest and grow ratings during the build to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerSlam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“It never is one thing,” Levesque said. “We see this as a moment in time to shift everything. I think you’ll see it in just the layout of everything, the set designs, the way it’s presented. There’s a greater emphasis on utilizing the spaces that we have and the TV aspect of it while still engaging the fans.

A lot of that comes from the time we had to experiment inside the ThunderDome.”

The first start is putting fans — holding their homemade signs and wearing their catchphrase T-shirts — back in the seats.

“When we have that live crowd, sometimes they almost become the cameras for a lot of the performers,” Reigns said. “But when you don’t have that real-time, flesh interaction, the red light becomes the focal point for the performer.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s budget boondoggle

We must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.”

“SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS traditionally do make a financial mess.”

These words by the late Margaret Thatcher seem to ring true time and time again. Yet too many Democrats in Washington are not listening.

Last week, the White House released its proposed nearly $6 trillion budget for next year. If enacted, it would push $73 trillion in new government spending and $58 trillion in taxes. What’s more, the reckless proposal would cause our debt to reach $45 trillion by 2032 – about $347,000 for your household. This proposal undermines the American people in favor of radical, far-left policies. Biden’s budget would worsen the already severe economic conditions facing you and your family.

As it stands today, the American economy is in dire straits as a result of Washington Democrats’ reckless spending. Our community continues to be hammered by inflation and price hikes on just about every consumer good and service. As of last week, baby food is up 8.4%, eggs 11%, and transportation services 6.4%, just to name a few. On top of this, paychecks have not kept up as real average hourly earnings decreased 2.6% compared to last year.

Gas prices have hit their highest rate in US history, averaging $4.20 per gallon nationally and $4 in North Carolina. This energy crisis began because of President Biden’s anti-American energy policies. Yet, instead of reversing course, the Left is doubling down.

Biden’s proposed budget would levy $45 billion in new taxes on domestic energy production — which means less production —while rejecting plans to resume the Keystone XL Pipeline and other new domestic oil and natural gas projects. The President’s solution instead is to tap our strategic petroleum reserves for the third time. Such short-sighted measures are counterproductive and frankly irresponsible.

If passed, the President’s budget would also implement other new and unnecessary tax burdens, adding an almost $1 trillion tax increase on American businesses, workers, and families. Would these new taxes generate one more barrel of oil, lower gas prices, or end inflation? No – just grow government, kill American jobs, and push forward a ‘woke’ agenda that Americans neither want nor need.

For example, this new budget continues to support Biden’s anti-life agenda by providing $400 million taxpayer dollars to organizations like

Planned Parenthood. Additionally, it leaves out the Hyde Amendment, a commonsense measure that says your tax dollars can’t be used to pay for abortions.

This budget also neglects any meaningful steps to secure our border.

Over 2.9 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our border since Biden took office. Now experts are predicting this number will skyrocket after repealing Title 42, a measure that allows migrants to be immediately sent back to Mexico in the name of public health. Yet, Biden’s proposal fails to adequately address this issue. The budget mentions “border security” zero times and makes no effort to enforce the “Remain in Mexico” policy or the construction of a border wall. If anything, this budget detracts from our security by continuing Biden’s catch-and-release policy and actually cutting funding for Homeland Security and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

The answer to the inflation, energy, and border crises we are facing should not be to double down on the factors that created these crises in the first place.

Instead, we must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.” We must also lower costs for you and your family.

This means taking concrete steps to address inflation and supply chain issues, as well as increasing our own production of oil and gas by passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act. Furthermore, we must take steps to defend life at all stages and effectively secure our border.

I have focused on common sense solutions to address each of these areas since my first day in Congress and am determined to keep doing so because your future and our children’s future is too important.

Our veterans understand this more than anyone. That’s why last week, we honored a generation of veterans who did not get the thanks they deserved nearly five decades ago. Tuesday marked National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, a time to honor and thank all who served our nation and their families during the Vietnam War. While our country faces many challenges today, it’s important to remember the service of so many who have gone before us to advance our nation. We must never forget their sacrifices and continue working to improve the country they worked so hard to defend.

COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

The Biden recession is coming The Biden administration is going to make the Carter administration look like a success.

LARRY SUMMERS served as secretary of the Treasury, director of the National Economic Council, and president of Harvard University.

He is not a dumb man. He is a liberal Democrat with a Democrat’s understanding of economic policy.

On Feb. 4, 2021, writing in the Washington Post, Summers wrote of President Joe Biden’s proposed economic stimulus plan: “(W)hile there are enormous uncertainties, there is a chance that macroeconomic stimulus on a scale closer to World War II levels than normal recession levels will set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability.

This will be manageable if monetary and fiscal policy can be rapidly adjusted to address the problem. But given the commitments the Fed has made, administration officials’ dismissal of even the possibility of inflation, and the difficulties in mobilizing congressional support for tax increases or spending cuts, there is the risk of inflation expectations rising sharply.”

Summers noted that unemployment was already falling, unlike in 2009 when then-President Barack Obama put forward a big stimulus bill. Additionally, the Biden plan poured much more money into the economy at one time. As Summers pointed out, under the Biden plan, “if the breadwinner were laid off, the family’s income over the next six months would likely exceed $30,000 as a result of regular unemployment insurance, the $400-a-week special unemployment insurance benefit and tax credits.”

In other words, an unemployed person would take home more money than an employed person with a pretax income of $1,000 a week. That was economically destabilizing.

The Biden team rejected Summers’ warnings. Summers, though liberal, is not a radical progressive and has long rejected the progressives’ new economic proposal called Modern Monetary Theory as magical thinking. The theory argues that while inflation is real, big economies can keep printing money without worrying about inflation.

It is untried and untested, and we have lessons on inflation going back to instances of Roman emperors making too many coins and thereby causing inflation.

When a country makes too much currency, it causes prices to rise.

That is exactly what happened. First, the Biden team said it would be transitory. Then, they said it was a good thing. Then, they said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fault. Now, a recession looms.

The yield curve has inverted.

This is bond market parlance. Normally, a longer-term bond will generate higher yields over time than a short-term bond because there is more risk in the future and investors are rewarded for taking the risk. But in the last day, shorter term bonds began generating higher yields than longer term bonds. Historically, this foreshadows a recession. In fact, every major recession the nation has had in the last 40 years has been preceded by inverted yield curves. For the first time since 2006, the 30-year Treasury bond now yields less than the fiveyear Treasury bond. That 2006 inversion signaled the 2008 financial meltdown.

Concurrently, the Federal Reserve continues to increase interest rates. Several more rate increases are expected this year. During economic recessions, the Fed tends to cut rates. But the Fed must raise rates to combat inflation. Without raising rates, inflation will continue. Raising rates will provoke recessionary impacts as our economy slows.

All of this was foreseeable. The moment the Biden team decided to ignore their top economic experts to buy their way out of COVID-19, they were destined to see this happen. Over the next year, as a recession draws nearer, the Biden team will blame everyone else and everything else. But they were warned early on they were pushing too big a plan. They dismissed those concerns, largely because of their own hubris. They wanted to chart a new path with new economic theory.

The Biden administration is going to make the Carter administration look like a success. They will return us to stagflation.

In November of 2022, Republicans will take back Congress because of the economic malaise and in November of 2024, Biden increases the chances of a Republican return to the White House because his team chose arrogance instead of humility as they entered office.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Syracuse’s Swider not returning, to pursue pro career Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft, he announced on social media. The 6-foot9, 220-pound Rhode Island native transferred to Syracuse last year from Villanova and started all 33 games for the Orange in 2021-22. He averaged 13.9 points, second on the team to Buddy Boeheim (19.2), and topped Syracuse in rebounding, averaging 6.8.

Swider also shot a teamhigh 41.1% (81 of 197) from 3-point range.

MLB

Cardinals’ Pujols to make 22nd consecutive opening day start St. Louis Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the club where he became a star, will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.

NFL

Eagles, Saints swap several draft picks, including 2023 1st Philadelphia The Philadelphia Eagles have traded two first-round picks in this month’s draft to the New Orleans in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder (No. 194) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a thirdrounder (No. 101), a seventhrounder (No. 237), a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves Philadelphia with two firsts, Nos. 15 and 18. The Saints also now have two firsts.

ESPORTS

London firm taking bets on esports launches in New Jersey Atlantic City, N.J. New Jersey’s first company to take bets on competitive video games began full operations Monday, having completed a trial period for state regulators. Esports Entertainment Group was approved Friday to end a testing period of “soft play” while New Jersey regulators evaluated its product.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed it had authorized the company to commence full operations. The company, based in London with offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and in Malta, is affiliated with the license of Bally’s casino. For now, it can only take bets on esports.

MIKE CAUDILL | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

Hamlin finally finds the Next Gen formula, wins at Richmond The win boosted the No. 11 team after a rough start to the season

The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin hoped a visit to the track he watched races at as a youngster would help kickstart a season that started in an uncharacteristic fashion — poorly.

Thanks to some crafty tire strategy that his team timed right, he got it done.

Hamlin ran down William Byron with five laps to go Sunday and ended the slowest start to a season in his career with a victory in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

“You just have a tough season and if things aren’t going well and it seems like the breaks aren’t going you way and then the law of averages say things are going to kind of work out and we get our performance better and today’s the

day where it all matched up,” said Hamlin, who started the day 22nd in points.

In a race that featured four sets of green-flag pit stops and a whole lot of tire strategy, Hamlin closed a huge gap between Byron and teammate Martin Truex Jr., passing Truex on the outside and Byron shortly thereafter. He then held off a challenge from Kevin Harvick, a three-time winner at Richmond.

“Yeah, just great strategy there.

Just drove as hard as I could,” Hamlin said after climbing from his car. “There was no doubt in my mind, maybe just a little, but they got this car right there towards the end. Wow, unbelievable.”

Hamlin’s 47th career victory was his first at his hometown track since 2016, the first for Toyota in the Next Gen car and gave NASCAR seven different winners in seven Cup Series races.

Harvick was second, followed

by Byron, Truex and Kyle Larson.

“Had a shot there at the end,” Harvick said. “I wanted to be close enough with the white to just take

7 Different winners through the first seven races of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule a swipe at him. Yeah, the lapped cars there kind of got in the way and I lost a little bit of ground.”

Hamlin got himself into contention during the second stage when he and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell opted to stay on the track while most of the rest of the field pitted for tires. The move initially gave the risk-takers a sizable lead, but one that began evaporating quickly.

Hamlin made it pay off in the final stage, going from 15th to seventh over just a few laps after a restart using the extra set of tires he had over the field.

Byron and Truex tried to make a similar strategy work at the end,

trying to race almost 90 laps on the same tires while Hamlin and Harvick and most others pitted with just under 50 laps to go. They almost made it work.

“At the end I think we just tried to gamble ... on beating the 24. He ended up trying to do our strategy, which we both screwed up,” Truex said. He was seeking his fourth victory in the last six races at the .75-mile, D-shaped oval, but instead Hamlin gave the current JGR stable 13 wins here.

Byron, meantime, declined to pit from the big lead he held when most of the field headed in under green with just over 50 laps to go. Truex did too, but eventually Hamlin passed them both for his first top 10 finish of the season. He also snapped a string of 12 consecutive race winners under 30.

“I thought there at the end they told me I was just racing (Truex),” Byron said of his team. “I’m like, ‘OK. I got him,’ but then (Harvick) and (Hamlin) were on a totally different planet. ... There wasn’t anything I could do about them.”

Staley leads South Carolina over UConn for second NCAA title The Gamecocks got a career-high 26 points from Destanni Henderson

“They were determined to be champions today.”

The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Dawn Staley hoisted the championship trophy high, strutted around the court and stopped only for a brief victory dance. She handed over the hardware to South Carolina’s student band, then headed back to midcourt for more merriment.

After hitting all the right notes this season, it’s time for the Gamecocks to celebrate.

Staley’s team buttoned up on defense and dominated on the glass, beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday night to end the Huskies’ undefeated streak in title games.

Destanni Henderson scored a career-high 26 points, Aliyah Boston added 11 points and 16 rebounds, and the Gamecocks handed Geno Auriemma’s Huskies their first loss in 12 NCAA title games.

“We played every possession like it was our last possession,” Staley said. “They were determined to be champions today.”

A year ago, South Carolina lost in the Final Four when Boston missed a layup before the buzzer.

“Obviously, I’ve been thinking about this since last season. Everyone had a picture of me crying,” said Boston, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. “Today, we’re national champions and I’m in tears.”

With Staley calling the shots in

Dawn Staley, South Carolina coach

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Carolina celebrates after beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday to win the NCAA women's basketball championship. a Louis Vuitton letterman jacket, South Carolina took UConn to school on the boards and capped a wire-to-wire run as the No. 1 team in the country in The Associated Press poll. The Gamecocks also won the championship in 2017 with A’ja Wilson leading the way.

This time it was Boston — the AP Player of the Year — and her fellow South Carolina post players who dominated on the game’s biggest stage. The Gamecocks outrebounded UConn by 49-24, including a 21-6 advantage on offensive boards. They also clamped down on star Paige Bueckers and the Huskies on defense, just like they did all season long.

“They deserved it 100%,” Auriemma said. “They were the best

team all year. The first five minutes, I thought they came out and set the tone then and there for how the game was going to be played.”

It was South Carolina’s night from the start. The Gamecocks (35-2) jumped to an 11-2 lead, grabbing nearly every rebound on both ends of the floor. They led to 22-8 after one quarter much to the delight of their fans, who made the trip to Minneapolis to be part of the sellout crowd.

UConn (30-6) trailed by 16 in the second quarter before Bueckers, a Minnesota native, got going. After having just one shot in the first quarter, she scored nine points in the second to get the Huskies within 35-27 at the half.

She finished with 14.

An 8-2 run to start the third quarter put South Carolina up 43-29 before the Huskies finally started connecting from behind the arc. UConn missed its first eight 3-point attempts until Caroline Ducharme made one from the wing and Evina Westbrook followed with another to get the Huskies within 43-37.

That’s as close as they could get because of Henderson.

The senior guard had a 3-point play to close the third quarter and then had the team’s first four points in the fourth to restore the double-digit lead. The Huskies couldn’t recover.

“My teammates believed in me once again. We’ve been working so hard since Day 1, and it finally paid off, all my hard work, all my focus,” Henderson said. “ This was UConn’s first trip to the championship game since 2016, when the Huskies won the last of four straight titles. Auriemma said Saturday that when his team had won each of its 11 titles, the Huskies entered the game as the better team. They certainly weren’t on Sunday.

“We just didn’t have enough,” he said. “They were just too good for us.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

5 BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kara Comer

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s Braylen Hayes (No. 4) is greeted at the plate by teammates after hitting a home run in last month’s 11-1 victory against visiting Southwestern Randolph. The Tigers remained undefeated.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Tigers to take different test on spring break

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record RANDLEMAN — Randleman’s baseball team has been dominant this season as the Tigers are fresh off their 2021 state championship.

They’ll be tested in different ways next week when they take part in the highly regarded Hanahan Invitational Tournament (known as H.I.T.) based in Charleston, S.C. “The guys are all really excited about it,” coach Jake Smith said.

“Something new, get to travel.

I kind of like the fact of the kids getting away (to experience something different).”

Entering games this week, the Tigers held a 13-0 overall record and an 8-0 mark in Piedmont Athletic Conference play.

In some past seasons, Randleman participated in a tournament put on by the Greensboro Grasshoppers, but then spring break calendars didn’t match up so that

was off the docket. There was a trip a few years ago for a tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The H.I.T., which celebrated a 50th edition of its event in 2019, features several brackets. Randleman is guaranteed to have one game each day from April 11-13, with another one April 14 if it advances to the final of its bracket.

Teams from five states plus Washington, D.C., will compete/ The Tigers begin play at West Ashley High School by facing Hilton Head, S.C. Among the entrants from North Carolina are Charlotte Providence, Ardrey Kell and 2021 Class 4-A state finalist Reagan.

Across the tournament field of more than 30 teams, Randleman is bound to be among the smallest schools represented.

“All the teams that are going down there are legit,” Smith said.

“We’ll see how good we are. This should be good for us. Nothing really fazes them. Get that adrenaline running and those nervous

feelings going and get in some high-impact situations.”

As for the Tigers’ strong start this season, that was probably expected.

“I think the guys have played together for a while now,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of leadership as far as a nucleus. I think it has kind of carried over.”

Some of the big margins have been beneficial in numerous ways.

There have been opportunities to use additional position players, while the pitching staff hasn’t been taxed.

“Scoring some runs, we’ve been able to get guys in and keep some pitch counts down,” Smith said.

Randleman has nearly sewed up the PAC regular-season title.

The Tigers were slated for two games this week against thirdplace Providence Grove and then return from spring break for two matchups with second-place Trinity. Randleman doesn’t have a league game in the final week of the regular season.

Wheatmore’s Kara Comer boots the ball on a corner kick against Southwestern Randolph during Monday night’s home game.

Wheatmore, girls’ soccer Comer has been a steady producer on offense for the Warriors. She’s often surrounded by highscoring underclassmen.

Comer recorded a goal and five assists in last week’s 10-1 rout of visiting Eastern Randolph in a Piedmont Athletic Conference game.

Then in a 4-1 non-league triumph at Southwest Guilford, she supplied another assist.

With the Warriors’ 8-1 whipping of visiting Southwestern Randolph on Monday, they improved 9-0, including a 3-0 PAC mark. Comer had a goal and an assist in that game.

Comer, a senior, had a standout career on the school’s girls’ tennis team as well.

PREP NOTES

Ex-Randleman coach moves on

PREP TRACK

Randolph Record staff FORMER RANDLEMAN football coach Shane Handy stepped away from his coaching job after two seasons at Clayton High School. His resignation was announced last week.

The Comets went 8-2 in the restructured 2020 season (played in the spring semester of 2021). Then they were 5-6 with a first-round loss to Heritage in the Class 4-A state playoffs in the 2021 fall season.

Handy’s teams at Randleman went a combined 95-53 in 12 seasons.

Top, Trinity’s Jackson Dudley, middle, jumps the last hurdle in the 110-meter hurdles as he beats Jonathan Puckett left, and Kenneth Reece Beane in last week’s meet in Asheboro.

Middle, Eastern Randolph’s Malachi Letterlough jumps 15 feet, 10 inches, on his first attempt in the long jump attempt at Southwestern Randolph.

Bottom, Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly wins her heat in the 100-meter dash ahead of Southwestern Randolph’s Elizabeth Pearce, right, Abril Perex Ortega and Kenly Rendleman.

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Baseball highlights Eastern Randolph pitcher Stratton Barwick struck out 11 batters in a 2-0 blanking of vis-

iting Southwestern Randolph.

In the rematch later in the week, Southwestern Randolph rode Tyler Parks’ 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to a 5-4 home victory.

Josh Meadows of Asheboro had a grand slam in last week’s 12-1 non-conference victory against Wheatmore.

Softball success Wheatmore softball pitcher Carmen Turgeon was credited with a perfect game in an 18-0 romp past visiting Trinity on Friday. The game was reduced to three innings because of the mercy rule. Turgeon struck out six. Teammates Karleigh Hunt (four RBI), Maddie Nichols (three RBI) and Avery Dykes (three RBI) were among the offensive standouts.

Beard, Black claim Caraway features

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record SOPHIA – Coy Beard and Tony Black were winners of twin features in the Late Models division Saturday night at Caraway.

Two races were contested across each of six divisions.

Beard won the first of the 35lap Late Models races, leading from the start. Beard was second in the second feature, unable to get around Black.

The winner in the Modifieds action was Cody Norman for his first victories in the division. He won both races, leading from the front in the first race and coming from the rear in the second event.

In Mini Stocks, Johnny Baker and Jimmy Crigger were the

winners. Crigger was the runner-up in the first race before improving one spot.

In the Challenger class, Cory Rose posted a wire-to-wire victory. Matthew Smith, a grandson of former Caraway driver Lowe Smith, was the winner in the second Challenger race.

In the UCars, Steven Collins and Corey Rose made it across the line first to win the respective races. Steven Collins was the runner-up in both of the races, which drew a field of 16 drivers.

The Bandolero races produced the same winner in each case, with Bryson Brinkley capturing those.

The next night of regular racing at the speedway is scheduled for April 16.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

6

Mountaire Farms will feed thousands for Easter Poultry producer has expanded holiday meal program

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Mountaire Farms is extending its goodwill program to include a new spring event that will provide Easter meals for people near its plant in Siler City.

It’s called “Easter for Thousands” and the company will expects employees and community members will participate in the endeavor Saturday morning.

“We noticed a need in the community,” said Sasha Duncan, the community relations manager for Mountaire Farms of North Carolina. “It’s something that we’ve done in the past at Thanksgiving and now has expanded to Christmas and Easter.”

The participants will pack and have ready to distribute approximately 3,000 boxed meals that will go to areas in need in multiple counties, including Chatham, Lee, Moore and Randolph.

Each meal box contains a Mountaire Farms roaster chicken and the fixings that feeds a family of four

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTAIRE FARMS

Past food packing activities for Mountaire Farms employees have involved fun as well. during the holiday period.

Duncan said elected officials from Siler City and Pittsboro along with state Sen. Dave Craven are

among those anticipated to be on hand.

There are about 1,800 employees of Mountaire Farms in the region.

“We’re really trying to introduce the community to our employees,” Duncan said.

Mountaire Farms opened in

Siler City in April 2019. But for more than two decades, the company’s processing plants in Delaware and Maryland have been involved with similar outreach programs.

Mountaire Farms is partnering with Piggly Wiggly in Siler City to fill the boxes.

“Not every day you purchase groceries for 3,000,” Duncan said.

Volunteers will gather at 7:30 a.m. and the event will begin at 8 a.m. with a brief ceremony. Then it’s an assembly-line set-up in the plant’s employee parking lot with packing and loading the meals to groups that will be arriving to distribute the meals. This might last up to 3½ hours.

Duncan said requests from at least 76 organizations were accepted, so there will be quite a line of vehicles involved in the pick-up. In Randolph County, those organizations include some based in Asheboro, Franklinville, Ramseur and Staley.

Each box will have a Mountaire Farms roaster chicken along with plenty of items for side dishes.

Mountaire Farms has impact throughout the region, Duncan said. The company has contract farms in 17 counties in North Carolina, including Chatham, Moore and Randolph counties.

Macy’s building NC distribution center, 2,800 jobs to come The Associated Press CHINA GROVE — Macy’s Inc. announced plans Thursday to build a distribution and online order fulfillment center in central North Carolina that ultimately will employ about 2,800 people.

The department store and online retail giant said in a news release that it will invest $584 million in the project in China Grove, located in Rowan County.

The logistics center and warehouse operations, which will open in 2024, will provide automated services for orders to be shipped directly to consumers, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office said.

The center will handle 30% of Macy’s digital supply chain capacity when fully operational, the company said. New York-based Macy’s had narrowed potential center sites to North Carolina and South Carolina, according to a document provided by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“This state-of-the-art facility ... will support growth of our business as a leading omnichannel retailer,” Macy’s chief supply chain officer Dennis Mullahy said in a news release.

Most of the jobs created would pay below Rowan County’s aver-

age salary of $48,360, according to information presented to a state panel that approved an agreement earlier Thursday on some taxpayer-funded incentives for Macy’s.

That means 230 jobs that Macy’s intends to generate by 2026 could qualify for the state’s Job Development Investment Grants.

Under the agreement, subsidiary Macy’s Corporate Services LLC could receive $2.3 million in these grants over 12 years if it meets job-creation and investment goals. But the company is also expected to get other state and local incentives valued at $58 million, the Commerce Department document says.

The announcement came two days after state leaders and VinFast announced the Vietnamese automaker would build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Chatham County, with promises to create 7,500 jobs. It would be the state’s first car factory after a series of near-misses at recruiting one.

“When you combine our robust transportation network with our skilled workforce and great quality of life, economic development wins like these will continue to be celebrated statewide,” Cooper said Thursday with Macy’s announcement.

NAM Y. HUH | AP PHOTO

A shopper exits Macy’s at the Woodfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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obituaries

Joyce Saunders Freeman

Linda Thompson Greene

1945 - 2022

1961 - 2022

Joyce Saunders Freeman, age 77, of Asheboro passed away March 28, 2022 at Crossroads Nursing Center.

Joyce was a native of Randolph County and worked at Liberty Life Insurance for over 30 years. She was a member of Midway Wesleyan Church in Randleman where she enjoyed worshipping the Lord and her smile was always a pleasure to see. Joyce enjoyed working cross word puzzles and loved to cross stitch. Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Craig Freeman, parents, Anderson and Anna Saunders, grandson, Anderson “Andy” Luther; sisters, Virginia Marie Saunders, Penny and Mary Saunders; brother, Willie Saunders.

Joyce is survived by her son: Dwayne Freeman; daughter: Carlotta “Jeanie” Luther (Tim); grandson, Patrick Luther; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Freeman; sisters: Margaret Parrish (Lawson), Viola Parrish (Wayne), and Rosa Stamey (Roy); brothers: David Saunders (Sara), and George Saunders (Rhonda); she also had many nieces and nephews.

Linda Ann Thompson Greene, 61, of Randleman, passed away on March 27, 2022 at Randolph Hospital.

Linda was born on March 13, 1961 in Randolph County to James and Martha DeWeese. She was formerly employed with Randolph Hospital.

Linda loved going to yard sales and traveling to the beach. Most of all she loved her family.

Linda is survived by her husband Ray Greene; daughter, Kim Greene Stockwell of Randleman; grandchildren, Cameron Greene, Reese and Lincoln Stockwell; brothers, Bobby Thompson of Asheboro, Bill DeWeese of Palm Harbor, FL, James DeWeese of Inverness, FL

William Martin Coleman

Donald Thomas

Irvin Brown

1926 - 2022

1928-2022

Donald Thomas, age 95, of Asheboro passed away on April 1, 2022 in his home.

Don was born in Yancey County, NC on September 23, 1926, to Jobe and Hattie Thomas. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and after service graduated from Western Carolina University and earned a Master’s degree from NC A&T University.

Don loved life! He loved the Lord, Christmas, sweets, fishing and boating at Lake Tillery, Disney World, gardening, working crossword puzzles, any and all sports, and his family!

In addition to his parents, six brothers and two sisters, Don is preceded in death by his first wife of 31 years, Betty Cothran Thomas, and son, Paul. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jesalyn Kearns Thomas, children, Amanda Blanks (Mac) of Roxboro, Nancy Fox of Asheboro, Nona Hardy (Fred) of Apex, Dan Thomas of Apex, Jolynn Hill (Wayne) of Asheboro, and Julie Cooke (Bobby) of Randleman.

Don was “Papa” or “Pop” to his grandchildren, Tommy Bunch, Kara Parrish (Matt), Robert Blanks (Diane), Benjamin Blanks (Jolene), Erin Slaughter (Ben), Gloria Davis (Spencer), Kari Lamb (Thomas), Isaac Dove, Caleb Dove, Hannah Dove, and to his great grandchildren Casey, Maci, Gage, Brayden, Carson, Owen, and Olivia. Don is also survived by his brother-in-law Joe Kearns (Toppy) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Irvin Clarence Brown, 94, of Asheboro, died Friday, April 1, 2022, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

Born in Cedar Falls, NC on March 29, 1928, Irvin was the son of the late Colvin Clarence Brown and Ethel Caroline Laughlin Brown.

He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 14. Irvin graduated from Franklinville High School and Gardener Webb College. He was the owner and operator of East Side Service Station, Master Gulf Service Station and Master BP Service Station. Irvin was a member of First Baptist Church in Asheboro for over 70 years.

In additon to his parents, Irvin was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Martha Ellen Glenn Brown; sister, Betty Bowers and brothers, Ray Brown, J.B. Brown, Jimmy Brown and Allen Brown.

Surviving are his daughter, Lynn Brown Barham and husband, Don of Cornelius; sons, Mike Brown of Winston-Salem, Reid Brown and wife, Terri of Asheboro; sister-inlaw, Virginia Brown of Asheboro; brother-in-law, Don Hill of Dekalb, IL; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

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Gary Clay Cooper, Sr. 1935 - 2022

Gary Clay Cooper, Sr., 86 , of Asheboro, passed away on March 31, 2022 at the Randolph Hospice House.

He was born on April 8, 1935 in Randolph County to Henry and Bertha Cooper. Mr. Cooper was retired from Burlington Industries after 50 years of service and was a member of Sunset Avenue Church of God. Mr. Cooper loved fishing, traveling and doing mission work.

Mr. Cooper is survived by his wife Dorothy Marion Cooper; daughter, Cindy Bailey of Asheboro; sons, Clay Cooper, Jr. of Sophia, Kevin Cooper of Asheboro; 6 granddaughters; 1 grandson; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Jeanette McRae; several nieces and nephews.

1941 - 2022

Delbert Lee Spillman passed April 2nd, 2022 at Silas Creek Nursing Home in Winston Salem, NC. Delbert was a member of Old Union United Methodist. His family knew him as “big grandpa”, and he loved farming with a passion. He also loved his chickens and anything that had legs. Delbert is preceded in death by his parents Seth Levi and Clara Adams Spillman, and his wife Karon Spillman.

Delbert is survived by his wife Lynda Spillman, daughter Crystal Lynn Swoope (Michael) of New London, Christina Clara Cameron (Shawn) of Trinity, and his son Darrell Lee Spillman (Beverly) of Sophia.

He was also survived by his grandchildren Dalton, Dustin, and Drake Spillman; Logan, and Haley Cameron; and Aubrey, and Natalie Swoope. His great grandchildren Dawson, Wyatt, and Garrison Spillman. Delbert is also survived by his sister Loretta Smith of Sophia.

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1935 – 2022

William Martin “Bill” Coleman, age 86 , of Cherryville, passed away on March 27, 2022 at Wendover Hospice in Shelby.

Bill was born in Brunswick County on December 24, 1935 to Ernest and Reba Simmons Coleman.

He was a retired plant manager for a textile company. He loved gardening and salt water fishing.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Linda Coleman and wife of 54 years, Madge Leach Coleman, son Steve Allen Coleman, sister Ruth Turner, brother Danny Coleman and granddaughter Kerri Hall.

He is survived by his daughter Lorie Coleman Benardella of Moorestown, NJ; step daughter Donna Hill (Justin) of Cherryville, NC; step son Terry Hall of Covington, GA; sister Edna Callicutt of Troy; Ann Sanders of Biscoe; Janie Callicutt of Troy; Judy Hancock of Troy; and brother Melvis Coleman of Star. Grandchildren Tiffany Pruett, Heather Hall, Ty Hall, Terry Mote, Krystle Mode, Kayla Hill and four great grandchildren.

Delbert Lee Spillman

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Jerry Lynn Gainey 1950 - 2022

Jerry Lynn Gainey, age 71, passed away at Randolph Hospice House March 31, 2022.

Jerry was a member of Sophia Baptist Church and a sales agent for life insurance for 43 years. He enjoyed golfing, dancing and loved to write. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Virginia Gainey, son, David Wayne French.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sharon Brock Gainey of the home; daughter, Sherrie French Jones (Gregory) of Tucson, AZ.; grandchildren: Christopher Scott Jones, Logan Jones, Rachel Dawne French, Braxton French and Aksel French; brothers, Dr. Charles Robert Gainey, Jr. (Gail) of Clinton and Gregory Wayne Gainey of Steadman, NC.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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STATE & NATION

Palin joins 50 others in running for Alaska US House seat

By Becky Bohrer The Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska — Sarah Palin shook up an already unpredictable race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, joining a field of 50 other candidates seeking to fill the seat held for decades by the lateU.S. Rep. Don Young, who died last month.

Palin filed paperwork Friday with a state Division of Elections office in Wasilla, said Tiffany Montemayor, a division spokesperson.

Palin, a former Alaska governor who was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, has the biggest national political profile in the packed field that includes current and former state legislators and a North Pole city council member named Santa Claus.

“Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin said in a statement on social media.

Young, a Republican, had held Alaska’s House seat since 1973 and was seeking reelection at the time

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

Sarah Palin leaves the courthouse in New York, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. of his death last month at age 88.

Palin resigned as governor in 2009, partway through her term, and said she could make a difference outside the governor’s office.

She also had expressed outrage over ethics complaints she felt had frivolously targeted her.

Palin has kept a low profile in Alaska politics since then but maintained a presence nationally, including through speaking engagements, appearances with conservative outlets and on reality TV. She also was an early supporter of now-former President Donald

Trump.

She has hinted at possible runs for office in the past but never took the plunge. In her statement, she said America is “at a tipping point” and that she’s in the race to “win it and join the fight for freedom alongside other patriots willing to sacrifice all to save our country.”

A special primary is set for June 11. The top four vote-getters will advance to an Aug. 16 special election in which ranked choice voting will be used, a process in line with a new elections system approved by voters in 2020.

The winner, targeted to be certified by Sept. 2, will serve the remainder of Young’s term, which expires in January.

The special election will coincide with the regular primary.

The regular primary and November general election will determine who represents Alaska in the House for a two-year term starting in January.

Others who filed Friday include Democratic state Rep. Adam Wool; independent Al Gross, an orthopedic surgeon who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020; and Emil Notti, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 1973 election to Young. Former lawmakers Andrew Halcro and Mary Sattler Peltola are also running.

They join a field that had already included Republican Nick Begich, who previously announced plans to run for U.S. House last

fall; Democrat Christopher Constant, an Anchorage Assembly member; and John Coghill, a Republican former state lawmaker.

Begich, an early challenger to Young, said he sees the Matanuska-Susitna region, a hotbed of conservatism that includes Palin’s hometown of Wasilla, as one of his strongest areas of the state.

Begich said there are a “lot of opportunistic candidates, in our view, that have chosen to get in. I think that the entry of Gov. Palin is completely consistent with that sort of spirit of opportunism that we’re seeing right now.”

Halcro, who has a podcast on which he talks politics, lost to Palin in the 2006 gubernatorial general election. He said during this campaign he plans to play up his intent to only run to fill the remainder of the term. He is running as an independent.

Meanwhile, a man who years ago legally changed his name to Santa Claus and serves on the North Pole city council also filed for the special primary. Claus, who said he has a “strong affinity” for Bernie Sanders, is running as an independent.

He said he is not soliciting or raising money. He said the new elections process “gives people like me an opportunity, without having to deal with parties, to throw our hat in the ring.”

“I do have name recognition,” he said with a laugh.

States look for solutions as US fentanyl deaths keep rising

By Geoff Mulvihill The Associated Press AS THE ADDICTION and overdose crisis that has gripped the U.S. for two decades turns even deadlier, state governments are scrambling for ways to stem the destruction wrought by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

In statehouses across the country, lawmakers have been considering and adopting laws on two fronts: reducing the risk to users and increasing the penalties for dealing fentanyl or mixing it with other drugs. Meanwhile, Republican state attorneys general are calling for more federal action, while some GOP governors are deploying National Guard units with a mission that includes stopping the flow of fentanyl from Mexico.

“It’s a fine line to help people and try to get people clean, and at the same time incarcerate and get the drug dealers off the streets,” said Nathan Manning, a Republican state senator in Ohio who is sponsoring legislation to make it clear that materials used to test drugs for fentanyl are legal.

The urgency is heightened because of the deepening impact of the drugs. Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the nation had hit a grim milestone. For the first time, more than 100,000 Americans had died of drug overdos-

AP PHOTO

A display of the fentanyl and meth that was seized by Customs and Border Protection officers over the weekend at the Nogales Port of Entry is shown during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Nogales, Ariz. es over a 12-month period. About two-thirds of the deaths were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, which can be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, heroin or prescription opioids.

The recent case of five West Point cadets who overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine during spring break in Florida put the dangers and pervasiveness of the fentanyl crisis back in the spotlight.

The chemical precursors to the drugs are being shipped largely from China to Mexico, where much of the illicit fentanyl supply

is produced in labs before being smuggled into the U.S. While users sometimes seek out fentanyl specifically, it and other synthetics with similar properties are often mixed with other drugs or formed into counterfeit pills so users often don’t know they’re taking it.

Advocates say test strips can help prevent accidental overdoses of drugs laced with fentanyl.

The strips are given out at needle exchanges and sometimes at concerts or other events where drugs are expected to be sold or used.

Thomas Stuber, chief legisla-

tive officer at The LCADA Way, a drug treatment organization in Ohio that serves Lorain County and nearby areas, has been pushing for the test strip legislation. It also would ease access to naloxone, a drug that can be used to revive people when they’re having opioid overdoses.

“This is a harm-reduction approach that has received a lot of acceptance,” he said. “We cannot treat somebody if they’re dead.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures found 12 states with fentanyl-specific drug trafficking or possession laws as of last year. Similar measures have been introduced or considered since the start of 2021 in at least 19 states, the Associated Press found in an analysis of bills compiled by LegiScan. That does not include measures to add more synthetic opioids to controlled substance lists to mirror federal law; those have been adopted in many states, with bipartisan support.

Fentanyl has been in the spotlight in Colorado since February, when five people were found dead in a suburban Denver apartment from overdoses of fentanyl mixed with cocaine.

Under state law, possession with intent to distribute less than 14 grams of fentanyl is an offense normally punishable by two to four years in prison. But fentanyl is so potent that 14 grams can represent

up to 700 lethal doses, under a calculation used by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

“It’s making it impossible to hold the dealer accountable for the deadliness of the drugs they’re peddling,” Colorado House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Democrat, said in an interview.

Democratic governors are focusing primarily on harm reduction methods. Among them is Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker, who released a broad overdose action plan last month.

Several Republican governors and attorneys general have responded to the rising death toll with administrative enforcement efforts and by pushing for more federal intervention.

Last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for states to help secure the border with Mexico. Along with trying to keep people from entering the U.S., stopping the flow of fentanyl was cited as a reason.

Several other Republican governors have sent contingents of state troopers or National Guard units.

The Texas Military Department said that from March 2021 through earlier this month, its troops near the border confiscated more than 1,200 pounds of fentanyl. By comparison, federal authorities reported confiscating about 11,000 pounds in 2021 — still a fraction of what entered the country.

Vote Chris Vote forfor Chris ParrishParrish Randolph County Superior CourtCourt Judge Randolph County Superior Judge

May 17, 2022 Primary Election

Endorsed by Lt. Governor Mark Robinson

LIFE LONG CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED BY LT. GOVERNOR MARK ROBINSON

LIFE LONG CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN EXPERIENCE MATTERS 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION Veteran prosecutor, 22 years with over 120 superior court trials to date Follow Chris onMAY Facebook17, at: www.facebook.com/Chris Parrish Professor of civil and criminal law (over 18 years) and 3 time published author for Superior Court Judge EXPERIENCE MATTERS TO LEARN MORE:

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Animal cruelty prosecutor – Prosecuted the case that became the basis of Susie’s Law

www.parrishforjudge.nationbuilder.com Veteran prosecutor, 22 years with over 120 superior court trials to date

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Past Commander, PA II Specialist, Instructor

 Professor ofEmail civil and criminal law (over 18 years) and 3 �me published author parrishforjudge@gmail.com

Over 20 years experience in the Superior Court Division

 Animal cruelty prosecutor - Prosecuted the case that became the basis of Susie’s Law

Lives in Asheboro with wife Melanie and his two step sons

 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Past Commander, PA II Specialist, Instructor

 Over 20 years experience in the CourtTODivision PAID FOR BY THESuperior COMMITTEE ELECT CHRIS PARRISH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE  Lives in Asheboro with wife Melanie and his two step sons

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Stanly County Journal

CHRIS SZAGOLA | AP PHOTO

Play on, play-in

Charlotte Hornets’ Terry Rozier, left, in action against Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, right, during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. The Hornets (40-38) will take part in the NBA Play-in Tournament to be held April 12-15.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Lowe’s invests $4 million in two NC colleges Lowe’s is investing $4 million toward new partnerships with two North Carolina universities.

Queens University of Charlotte announced Lowe’s is providing $2.5 million for the Charlotte Talent Initiative, a partnership between Mecklenburg County businesses and the college to expand Charlotte’s talent pipeline and help low-income graduates of local high schools.

N.C. Central University is receiving $1.5 million from Lowe’s for the School of Business. The investment will be used to develop new programs, faculty recruitment and student scholarships.

Last year, Lowe’s pledged $10 million to Johnson C. Smith University as part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.

Colleges eye honorary degrees for Ukraine’s Zelensky At least 17 colleges and universities in several states will jointly offer honorary degrees to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their commencement ceremonies this spring. Alfred University President Mark Zupan said the idea grew from his request to have Zelenskyy speak virtually to a combination of graduating classes. When an official at the Ukrainian embassy declined the western New York university’s request, the institutions agreed to award honorary degrees in absentia to honor Zelenskyy’s leadership in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Several additional campuses in upstate New York, which has a significant population with ties to Ukraine, have committed to the idea. They are being joined by institutions in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

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Sheriff Crisco tells Stanly commissioners to visit overcrowded jail

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco took the microphone at the April 4 Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting to request that each of the commissioners make time to visit the county jail, saying it is overcrowded. He also suggested they complete a ride-along with one of his on-duty deputies.

Often, when a prominent county official wants to address the board on a topic, they will request to be placed on the schedule beforehand. But Crisco put his name on the list to speak during the public-comment period.

“Good evening; I’ll be brief,” Crisco began. “Something that I’ve put off, and I blame myself, but I had a conversation with Commissioner Lawhon. He took time to come by the office and we were talking about a multitude of things. But while he was there, he inquired about taking a tour of the jail just to see what all the talk is about, in terms of the over-

crowding and the shortages [of staff] that we have.”

Lawhon then took a tour with Crisco, according to the sheriff, and witnessed the problem firsthand.

“When we were finished, I asked him, ‘Did I blow this out of proportion?’” Crisco said regarding the overcrowding. He then quotes Lawhon as saying, “No, not in any way, shape or form.”

Crisco said that he has explained the overcrowding issue to the commissioners “multiple times,” and he wants each of the remaining members to come see the dire situation at the jail for themselves.

“Basically, what I’m here to do tonight is to ask and encourage each of you as board members to, one, come take a tour of the detention center. Right now, that is a big topic. I know that.

But also, not just that, but call me and schedule a time to either ride with our animal protective services guys or just our patrol guys.”

He asked the commissioners to come see what they do “day-in

“Basically, what I’m here to do tonight is to ask and encourage each of you as board members to, one, come take a tour of the detention center. Right now, that is a big topic.

I know that. But also, not just that, but call me and schedule a time to either ride with our animal protective services guys or just our patrol guys.”

Stanly Sheriff Jeff Crisco and day-out,” saying that comparing things from when he started in law enforcement to how things are today, “It is completely different. Times have changed.”

Crisco said it would benefit them and help them see a “whole

different picture by taking the time and walking in their shoes one day.”

Crisco then walked away from the podium but was called back to answer questions from the board. One commissioner asked, “How about just setting up a time for us to come and do that?”

This appeared to irritate Crisco, who then pointed at the commissioners and said, “I’ll tell you what. If nobody here has my phone number, I’ll be happy to give it to you.”

The commissioners then discussed whether they would go in groups or alone, saying they all wanted to tour the jail and go on the ride-along to see what Crisco was talking about.

“Whatever is convenient for y’alls schedule,” Crisco said. “Y’all call me.”

Before he walked away, the board made sure to wish the sheriff a happy birthday and compliment his deputies on a couple recent incidents.

This issue has been one that was made worse by COVID-19, because many staff were forced to quarantine, and because of a case backlog from the county courts operating largely remotely.

In early 2021, Crisco told SCJ, “I can tell you this; the jail — the Stanly County Detention Center — has a maximum capacity of 131. As of this morning, I have 144. So, our numbers are actually starting to increase as far as the bodies that we have in the detention center.”

Stanly health department presents survey results from county assessment

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — At Monday night’s Albemarle City Council meeting, Debbie Bennett, public health educator with the Stanly County Health Department, presented the results of the 2021 County Health Assessment Survey to councilmembers.

One key goal of the assessment is to highlight similarities and disparities between how the general public perceives health risks and how those health risks exist on a statistical basis.

According to the latest data provided by the state (2015-2019), the two major causes of death in Stanly County are heart disease and cancer, both of which are now trending downward. Heart disease is the highest cause of death

for those 85 years old and older while cancer is the highest cause of death for those between the ages of 40 and 84.

The third and fourth leading causes of death — Alzheimer’s disease and All Other Unintentional Injuries — are both trending upward in the county.

In the survey results with 1,015 different responses, heart disease was the only one out of the four leading causes of death that was listed as a top-ten major problem.

While it was listed as #7, cancer was listed at #11 with Alzheimer’s disease tied for #16 and All Other Unintentional Injuries at #20.

“Survey respondents listed Substance Use Disorder/Overdose as its #1 major problem health issue. Obesity/Overweight was listed as #2,” the report states. “Access to Substance Use Disorder

Treatment was listed #1 and Access to Adult Day Care was listed as the #2 major problem. Unemployment/Underemployment was the #1 major problem community issue. Poverty was the #2 major problem community issue.”

The issues represented in the survey — held between Jan. 14, 2021, and Feb. 14, 2021 — were decided by Partners in Health, a Stanly County Health Task Force made up of private citizens as well as representatives from local agencies and community groups; the issues in this year’s edition were selected after reviewing the results from the 2020 Community Health Assessment.

Stanly County Partners in Health were joined by five other focus groups: United Way of Stanly County Leadership Board, Badin City Council, Stanly County

Minority Health Council, Stanly County Adult Day Healthcare Committee, and Grace Place.

In her closing statements, Bennett provided her assessment that community organizations and leaders have made an effective jump in their battle against the opioid epidemic: “I’m telling you right now this county is really making some headway on substance misuse. There are less people now being sent to the emergency department…That’s what I love about this county and this city. We see situations that need to be addressed — we address them and we go after them.”

The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regularly-scheduled meeting at the Albemarle City Hall Council Chambers (144 North 2nd Street) on April 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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Macy’s building NC distribution center, 2,800 jobs to come to Rowan County The Associated Press CHINA GROVE — Macy’s Inc. announced plans Thursday to build a distribution and online order fulfillment center in central North Carolina that ultimately will employ about 2,800 people.

The department store and online retail giant said in a news release that it will invest $584 million in the project in China Grove, located in Rowan County.

The logistics center and warehouse operations, which will open in 2024, will provide automated services for orders to be shipped directly to consumers, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office said. The center will handle 30% of Macy’s digital supply chain capacity when fully operational, the company said. New York-based Macy’s had narrowed potential center sites to North Carolina and South Carolina, according to a document provided by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“This state-of-the-art facility ... will support growth of our business as a leading omnichannel retailer,” Macy’s chief supply chain officer Dennis Mullahy said in a news release.

Most of the jobs created would pay below Rowan County’s average salary of $48,360, according to information presented to a state panel that approved an agreement earlier Thursday on some taxpayer-funded incentives for Macy’s. That means 230 jobs that Macy’s intends to generate by 2026 could qualify for the

NAM Y. HUH | AP PHOTO

A shopper exits Macy's at the Woodfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. state’s Job Development Investment Grants.

Under the agreement, subsidiary Macy’s Corporate Services LLC could receive $2.3 million in these grants over 12 years if it meets job-creation and investment goals. But the company is also expected to get other state and local incentives valued at $58

million, the Commerce Department document says.

The announcement came two days after state leaders and VinFast announced the Vietnamese automaker would build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Chatham County, with promises to create 7,500 jobs. It would be the state’s first car factory af-

ter a series of near-misses at recruiting one.

“When you combine our robust transportation network with our skilled workforce and great quality of life, economic development wins like these will continue to be celebrated statewide,” Cooper said Thursday with Macy’s announcement.

♦ MACKEY, DYLAN LUKE (W /M/20), arrested 4/4/2022 on the primary charge of FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ OCAMPO, RAUNEL GRANADOS (U /M/39), arrested 4/4/2022 on the primary charge of INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH A CHILD by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ BAILEY, ELLIOT RUSSELL (W /M/41), arrested 4/2/2022 on the primary charge of PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ HERNANDEZ, RENE ORLANDO (W /M/27), arrested 4/2/2022 on the primary charge of SURRENDER BY SURETY by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ PLOWMAN, BRET JAMES (W /M/35), arrested 4/2/2022 on the primary charge of BREAKING OR ENTERING (M)

by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ WALLACE, AARON SCOTT (W /M/31), arrested 4/1/2022 on the primary charge of POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ IVERSON, ZANNA LURA (W /F/29), arrested 3/31/2022 on the primary charge of BREAKING AND OR ENTERING (F) by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ PHILLIPS, CHARLES ANDREW (W /M/35), arrested 3/31/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON (M) by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ WILLIS, KRISTEN NICOLE (W /F/38), arrested 3/31/2022 on the primary charge of FORGERY OF INSTRUMENT

by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ HILL, ZABAIAN CORDARIUS (B /M/30), arrested 3/29/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office.

AP PHOTO

A student walks down a hallway between classes at a high school in Kansas City, Kan., on the first day of in-person learning Wednesday, March 30, 2021.

Pandemic took a toll on teen mental health, US study says The Associatd Press NEW YORK — More than 4 in 10 U.S. high school students said they felt persistently sad or hopeless during the pandemic, according to government findings released Thursday.

Several medical groups have warned that pandemic isolation from school closures and lack of social gatherings has taken a toll on young people’s mental health.

“This really gives us the evidence

to say with certainty that the pandemic was incredibly disruptive for young people and their families,” said Kathleen Ethier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The reports are based on anonymous online surveys of about 7,700 public and private high school students from 128 schools during the first six months of 2021. It is based on a similar survey the CDC conducts every other year in schools, Among the findings:

—44% reported feeling persistently sad of hopeless during the past year. A similar survey before COVID-19 hit put the figure at 37%.

—66% said they found it more difficult to complete their schoolwork.

—29% said a parent or other adult in their home lost a job and 11% said they experienced physical abuse by a parent or other adult at home.

—24% said they went hungry

during the pandemic because there was not enough food at home.

There likely was some underreporting, especially for certain questions about emotional or physical abuse in the home. Teens might be afraid that an abusive parent or other adult might see their responses, said Ilan Cerna-Turoff, a Columbia University researcher who studies children’s mental health.

CDC officials said that the pandemic did not affect teens equally. LGBT youth reported poorer mental health and more suicide attempts than others. About 75% said they suffered emotional abuse in the home and 20% reported physical abuse. By comparison, half of heterosexual students reported emotional abuse and 10% reported physical abuse, the CDC said.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

OPINION

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Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s budget boondoggle

We must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.”

“Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess.”

These words by the late Margaret Thatcher seem to ring true time and time again. Yet too many Democrats in Washington are not listening.

Last week, the White House released its proposed nearly $6 trillion budget for next year. If enacted, it would push $73 trillion in new government spending and $58 trillion in taxes. What’s more, the reckless proposal would cause our debt to reach $45 trillion by 2032 – about $347,000 for your household. This proposal undermines the American people in favor of radical, far-left policies. Biden’s budget would worsen the already severe economic conditions facing you and your family.

As it stands today, the American economy is in dire straits as a result of Washington Democrats’ reckless spending. Our community continues to be hammered by inflation and price hikes on just about every consumer good and service. As of last week, baby food is up 8.4%, eggs 11%, and transportation services 6.4%, just to name a few. On top of this, paychecks have not kept up as real average hourly earnings decreased 2.6% compared to last year.

Gas prices have hit their highest rate in US history, averaging $4.20 per gallon nationally and $4 in North Carolina. This energy crisis began because of President Biden’s anti-American energy policies. Yet, instead of reversing course, the Left is doubling down.

Biden’s proposed budget would levy $45 billion in new taxes on domestic energy production — which means less production —while rejecting plans to resume the Keystone XL Pipeline and other new domestic oil and natural gas projects. The President’s solution instead is to tap our strategic petroleum reserves for the third time. Such shortsighted measures are counterproductive and frankly irresponsible.

If passed, the President’s budget would also implement other new and unnecessary tax burdens, adding an almost $1 trillion tax increase on American businesses, workers, and families. Would these new taxes generate one more barrel of oil, lower gas prices, or end inflation? No – just grow government, kill American jobs, and push forward a ‘woke’ agenda that Americans neither want nor need.

For example, this new budget continues to support Biden’s anti-life agenda by providing $400 million taxpayer dollars to organizations like Planned Parenthood. Additionally, it leaves out the Hyde Amendment, a

commonsense measure that says your tax dollars can’t be used to pay for abortions.

This budget also neglects any meaningful steps to secure our border.

Over 2.9 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our border since Biden took office. Now experts are predicting this number will skyrocket after repealing Title 42, a measure that allows migrants to be immediately sent back to Mexico in the name of public health.

Yet, Biden’s proposal fails to adequately address this issue. The budget mentions “border security” zero times and makes no effort to enforce the “Remain in Mexico” policy or the construction of a border wall. If anything, this budget detracts from our security by continuing Biden’s catch-and-release policy and actually cutting funding for Homeland Security and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

The answer to the inflation, energy, and border crises we are facing should not be to double down on the factors that created these crises in the first place.

Instead, we must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.” We must also lower costs for you and your family.

This means taking concrete steps to address inflation and supply chain issues, as well as increasing our own production of oil and gas by passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act. Furthermore, we must take steps to defend life at all stages and effectively secure our border.

I have focused on common sense solutions to address each of these areas since my first day in Congress and am determined to keep doing so because your future and our children’s future is too important.

Our veterans understand this more than anyone. That’s why last week, we honored a generation of veterans who did not get the thanks they deserved nearly five decades ago. Tuesday marked National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, a time to honor and thank all who served our nation and their families during the Vietnam War. While our country faces many challenges today, it’s important to remember the service of so many who have gone before us to advance our nation. We must never forget their sacrifices and continue working to improve the country they worked so hard to defend.

COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

The Biden recession is coming The Biden administration is going to make the Carter administration look like a success.

LARRY SUMMERS served as secretary of the Treasury, director of the National Economic Council, and president of Harvard University. He is not a dumb man. He is a liberal Democrat with a Democrat’s understanding of economic policy.

On Feb. 4, 2021, writing in the Washington Post, Summers wrote of President Joe Biden’s proposed economic stimulus plan: “(W)hile there are enormous uncertainties, there is a chance that macroeconomic stimulus on a scale closer to World War II levels than normal recession levels will set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability.

This will be manageable if monetary and fiscal policy can be rapidly adjusted to address the problem. But given the commitments the Fed has made, administration officials’ dismissal of even the possibility of inflation, and the difficulties in mobilizing congressional support for tax increases or spending cuts, there is the risk of inflation expectations rising sharply.”

Summers noted that unemployment was already falling, unlike in 2009 when then-President Barack Obama put forward a big stimulus bill. Additionally, the Biden plan poured much more money into the economy at one time. As Summers pointed out, under the Biden plan, “if the breadwinner were laid off, the family’s income over the next six months would likely exceed $30,000 as a result of regular unemployment insurance, the $400-a-week special unemployment insurance benefit and tax credits.”

In other words, an unemployed person would take home more money than an employed person with a pretax income of $1,000 a week. That was economically destabilizing.

The Biden team rejected Summers’ warnings. Summers, though liberal, is not a radical progressive and has long rejected the progressives’ new economic proposal called Modern Monetary Theory as magical thinking. The theory argues that while inflation is real, big economies can keep printing money without worrying about inflation. It is untried and untested, and we have lessons on inflation going back to instances of Roman emperors making too many coins and thereby causing inflation.

When a country makes too much currency, it causes prices to rise.

That is exactly what happened. First, the Biden team said it would be transitory. Then, they said it was a good thing. Then, they said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fault. Now, a recession looms. The yield curve has inverted.

This is bond market parlance. Normally, a longer-term bond will generate higher yields over time than a short-term bond because there is more risk in the future and investors are rewarded for taking the risk. But in the last day, shorter term bonds began generating higher yields than longer term bonds. Historically, this foreshadows a recession. In fact, every major recession the nation has had in the last 40 years has been preceded by inverted yield curves. For the first time since 2006, the 30-year Treasury bond now yields less than the five-year Treasury bond. That 2006 inversion signaled the 2008 financial meltdown.

Concurrently, the Federal Reserve continues to increase interest rates. Several more rate increases are expected this year. During economic recessions, the Fed tends to cut rates. But the Fed must raise rates to combat inflation. Without raising rates, inflation will continue. Raising rates will provoke recessionary impacts as our economy slows.

All of this was foreseeable. The moment the Biden team decided to ignore their top economic experts to buy their way out of COVID-19, they were destined to see this happen. Over the next year, as a recession draws nearer, the Biden team will blame everyone else and everything else. But they were warned early on they were pushing too big a plan. They dismissed those concerns, largely because of their own hubris. They wanted to chart a new path with new economic theory.

The Biden administration is going to make the Carter administration look like a success. They will return us to stagflation.

In November of 2022, Republicans will take back Congress because of the economic malaise and in November of 2024, Biden increases the chances of a Republican return to the White House because his team chose arrogance instead of humility as they entered office.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Syracuse’s Swider not returning, to pursue pro career Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft, he announced on social media. The 6-foot9, 220-pound Rhode Island native transferred to Syracuse last year from Villanova and started all 33 games for the Orange in 2021-22. He averaged 13.9 points, second on the team to Buddy Boeheim (19.2), and topped Syracuse in rebounding, averaging 6.8.

Swider also shot a teamhigh 41.1% (81 of 197) from 3-point range.

MIKE CAUDILL | AP PHOTO

MLB

Cardinals’ Pujols to make 22nd consecutive opening day start St. Louis Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the club where he became a star, will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.

NFL

Eagles, Saints swap several draft picks, including 2023 1st Philadelphia The Philadelphia Eagles have traded two first-round picks in this month’s draft to the New Orleans in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder (No. 194) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a thirdrounder (No. 101), a seventhrounder (No. 237), a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves Philadelphia with two firsts, Nos. 15 and 18. The Saints also now have two firsts.

ESPORTS

London firm taking bets on esports launches in New Jersey Atlantic City, N.J. New Jersey’s first company to take bets on competitive video games began full operations Monday, having completed a trial period for state regulators. Esports Entertainment Group was approved Friday to end a testing period of “soft play” while New Jersey regulators evaluated its product.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed it had authorized the company to commence full operations. The company, based in London with offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and in Malta, is affiliated with the license of Bally’s casino. For now, it can only take bets on esports.

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

Hamlin finally finds the Next Gen formula, wins at Richmond The win boosted the No. 11 team after a rough start to the season The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin hoped a visit to the track he watched races at as a youngster would help kickstart a season that started in an uncharacteristic fashion — poorly.

Thanks to some crafty tire strategy that his team timed right, he got it done.

Hamlin ran down William Byron with five laps to go Sunday and ended the slowest start to a season in his career with a victory in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

“You just have a tough season and if things aren’t going well and it seems like the breaks aren’t going you way and then the law of averages say things are going to kind of work out and we get our performance better and today’s the

day where it all matched up,” said Hamlin, who started the day 22nd in points.

In a race that featured four sets of green-flag pit stops and a whole lot of tire strategy, Hamlin closed a huge gap between Byron and teammate Martin Truex Jr., passing Truex on the outside and Byron shortly thereafter. He then held off a challenge from Kevin Harvick, a three-time winner at Richmond.

“Yeah, just great strategy there.

Just drove as hard as I could,” Hamlin said after climbing from his car. “There was no doubt in my mind, maybe just a little, but they got this car right there towards the end. Wow, unbelievable.”

Hamlin’s 47th career victory was his first at his hometown track since 2016, the first for Toyota in the Next Gen car and gave NASCAR seven different winners in seven Cup Series races.

Harvick was second, followed

by Byron, Truex and Kyle Larson.

“Had a shot there at the end,” Harvick said. “I wanted to be close enough with the white to just take

7 Different winners through the first seven races of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule a swipe at him. Yeah, the lapped cars there kind of got in the way and I lost a little bit of ground.”

Hamlin got himself into contention during the second stage when he and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell opted to stay on the track while most of the rest of the field pitted for tires. The move initially gave the risk-takers a sizable lead, but one that began evaporating quickly.

Hamlin made it pay off in the final stage, going from 15th to seventh over just a few laps after a restart using the extra set of tires he had over the field.

Byron and Truex tried to make a similar strategy work at the end,

trying to race almost 90 laps on the same tires while Hamlin and Harvick and most others pitted with just under 50 laps to go. They almost made it work.

“At the end I think we just tried to gamble ... on beating the 24. He ended up trying to do our strategy, which we both screwed up,” Truex said. He was seeking his fourth victory in the last six races at the .75-mile, D-shaped oval, but instead Hamlin gave the current JGR stable 13 wins here.

Byron, meantime, declined to pit from the big lead he held when most of the field headed in under green with just over 50 laps to go. Truex did too, but eventually Hamlin passed them both for his first top 10 finish of the season. He also snapped a string of 12 consecutive race winners under 30.

“I thought there at the end they told me I was just racing (Truex),” Byron said of his team. “I’m like, ‘OK. I got him,’ but then (Harvick) and (Hamlin) were on a totally different planet. ... There wasn’t anything I could do about them.”

Staley leads South Carolina over UConn for second NCAA title The Gamecocks got a career-high 26 points from Destanni Henderson

“They were determined to be champions today.”

The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Dawn Staley hoisted the championship trophy high, strutted around the court and stopped only for a brief victory dance. She handed over the hardware to South Carolina’s student band, then headed back to midcourt for more merriment.

After hitting all the right notes this season, it’s time for the Gamecocks to celebrate.

Staley’s team buttoned up on defense and dominated on the glass, beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday night to end the Huskies’ undefeated streak in title games.

Destanni Henderson scored a career-high 26 points, Aliyah Boston added 11 points and 16 rebounds, and the Gamecocks handed Geno Auriemma’s Huskies their first loss in 12 NCAA title games.

“We played every possession like it was our last possession,” Staley said. “They were determined to be champions today.”

A year ago, South Carolina lost in the Final Four when Boston missed a layup before the buzzer.

“Obviously, I’ve been thinking about this since last season. Everyone had a picture of me crying,” said Boston, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. “Today, we’re national champions and I’m in tears.”

With Staley calling the shots in

Dawn Staley, South Carolina coach

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Carolina celebrates after beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday to win the NCAA women's basketball championship. a Louis Vuitton letterman jacket, South Carolina took UConn to school on the boards and capped a wire-to-wire run as the No. 1 team in the country in The Associated Press poll. The Gamecocks also won the championship in 2017 with A’ja Wilson leading the way.

This time it was Boston — the AP Player of the Year — and her fellow South Carolina post players who dominated on the game’s biggest stage. The Gamecocks outrebounded UConn by 49-24, including a 21-6 advantage on offensive boards. They also clamped down on star Paige Bueckers and the Huskies on defense, just like they did all season long.

“They deserved it 100%,” Auriemma said. “They were the best

team all year. The first five minutes, I thought they came out and set the tone then and there for how the game was going to be played.”

It was South Carolina’s night from the start. The Gamecocks (35-2) jumped to an 11-2 lead, grabbing nearly every rebound on both ends of the floor. They led to 22-8 after one quarter much to the delight of their fans, who made the trip to Minneapolis to be part of the sellout crowd.

UConn (30-6) trailed by 16 in the second quarter before Bueckers, a Minnesota native, got going. After having just one shot in the first quarter, she scored nine points in the second to get the Huskies within 35-27 at the half.

She finished with 14.

An 8-2 run to start the third quarter put South Carolina up 43-29 before the Huskies finally started connecting from behind the arc. UConn missed its first eight 3-point attempts until Caroline Ducharme made one from the wing and Evina Westbrook followed with another to get the Huskies within 43-37.

That’s as close as they could get because of Henderson.

The senior guard had a 3-point play to close the third quarter and then had the team’s first four points in the fourth to restore the double-digit lead. The Huskies couldn’t recover.

“My teammates believed in me once again. We’ve been working so hard since Day 1, and it finally paid off, all my hard work, all my focus,” Henderson said. “ This was UConn’s first trip to the championship game since 2016, when the Huskies won the last of four straight titles. Auriemma said Saturday that when his team had won each of its 11 titles, the Huskies entered the game as the better team. They certainly weren’t on Sunday.

“We just didn’t have enough,” he said. “They were just too good for us.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

College baseball goes high-tech to send pitch calls to mound NC State is among the teams using the new system

West, North Stanly baseball teams remain undefeated in conference play The teams are on eight- and six-game winning streaks, respectively

By Eric Olson The Associated Press WHEN HE’S on the mound, Clemson left-hander Ryan Ammons will feel a little tingle on his right arm.

No, nothing’s wrong. It’s not a tweak or twinge.

Instead, it’s a reminder telling him to look at the digital display on his wristband to find out the type of pitch to throw next and where to locate it.

For a growing number of college baseball teams, the tradition of pitch signs sent by the catcher flashing his fingers and wiggling his hand is disappearing. It’s being replaced by a coach in the dugout pressing numbers into a keypad corresponding to different pitch types and transmitting the information to the mound.

A vibration in the wristband lets the pitcher know the call is in.

The technology, Game Day Signals, was developed by a small Virginia software development company and approved for use for the first time this season by the NCAA. The impetus was to speed up pace of play, which has been a concern across the sport. It also eliminates the ability of the opposing team to steal signals.

“I’m a very fast worker,” said Ammons, Clemson’s sophomore closer. “I like getting the ball and going, so I love it. I was one of the first guys on board with it.”

As of early April, teams using Game Day Signals were Clemson, Vanderbilt, Alabama, NC State, Virginia, James Madison and Pacific. Among teams waiting for their orders to arrive are Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Penn State and Iowa.

Major League Baseball is experimenting with an electronic communication channel for pitchers and catchers. After trying out the PitchCom system at Low-A West in the second half of last season, big league clubs are tinkering with the technology during spring training. The plan is for PitchCom

5

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — One month into the high school baseball season, two Stanly County teams have perfect conference records and are 10-1 to start the season.

The West Stanly Colts and the North Stanly Comets have both emerged as early frontrunners in the Rocky River Conference and Yadkin Valley Conference, respectively.

The Colts (10-1, 6-0 RRC), whose only loss of the season came at home versus St. Stephens back on March 8, have rattled off eight straight wins as conference play is in full swing.

Similarly, the Comets (10-1, 6-0 YVC) have won six games in a row. North’s lone loss of the year was a 2-0 loss at home against the Colts on March 15.

Record for West and North both are coming off winning seasons. The RRC champion Colts, led both West by ninth-year coach Chad Yow, were undeStanly and feated in conference play while winning three of their five nonconference matchups. Despite North Stanly the strong campaign, the team’s postseason through 11 ended sooner than it was hoping as it suffered a 6-2 defeat to South Rowan in the first round games this of state playoffs. baseball Last year’s Comets finished second in the season.

YVC behind Uwharrie Charter, wrapping up their postseason with a 3-2 loss to Mountain Island Charter in the first round of state playoffs. Before that loss, North had won eight out of ten games during a resilient conference stretch.

This season, the Colts have outscored their opponents by a 105-13 margin, limiting the competition to less than three scored runs in nine different games. Meanwhile, the Comets — led by first-year coach Scott Clemons — have outscored their opponents 88-15 while holding them to less than three scored runs in 10 different games.

Senior Charlie Carpenter, junior Jordon Hart and sophomore Jett Thomas have been the centerpieces of the Colts’ pitching rotation. In a recent performance, Thomas allowed no runs, one hit and had nine strikeouts in three innings of work in which 31 of his 41 pitches were strikes.

Over in New London, junior infielder and reliever Luke Shaver has led North at the plate with a team-high .475 batting average, 19 hits and 11 RBIs. Junior first baseman Nic Melton has a .389 batting average and 14 hits as well as the only home run his team has produced so far this season. Freshman pitcher Cole Smith has notched three wins and a team-best 3.23 ERA through eight starts.

The Colts are scheduled to have three games with Forest Hills (5-7, 3-3 RRC) on April 5-8 while the Comets will face Mount Pleasant (4-5, 3-1 YVC) on April 5 and April 8.

10-1

AP PHOTO

Vanderbilt pitcher Chris McElvain, wearing an electronic signal receiver on his left wrist, throws against Oklahoma State during a game Feb. 18 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“If it speeds it up and makes it easier — and more difficult to steal signs — go do it. I think it’s great.”

Craig Keilitz, American Baseball Coaches Association executive director to be used at the Double-A level this year.

In college baseball, catchers traditionally have looked into the dugout to pick up pitch signs from a coach and then relay them with another set of finger and hand signs. In 2018, the NCAA allowed catchers to have an earpiece in their helmets to get pitch calls from a coach using a walkie-talkie or clip-on microphone.

With the dugout-to-mound pitch sign system, the catcher also wears a wristband so he knows

what pitch is coming and where to set up his target, but he plays no role in the communication.

“It’s a natural evolution of the game,” American Baseball Coaches Association executive director Craig Keilitz said. “If it speeds it up and makes it easier — and more difficult to steal signs — go do it. I think it’s great.”

The NCAA doesn’t track game times other than at the College World Series. CWS games have averaged at least 3 hours, 15 minutes each of the last four years. Since 1996, CWS game times have averaged over three hours all but two years. Prior to that, under-threehour CWS games were the norm.

Variables such as number of pitching changes and amount of scoring can affect game length but Clemson pitching coach Andrew See said he’s found the time between pitches is reduced by about three seconds with Game Day Signals. If both teams were using the technology and combine for 280 pitches, that’s about 14 minutes.

Iga Swiatek celebrates winning the first set against Naomi Osaka during the women’s singles finals of the Miami Open on Saturday.

Swiatek became the first Polish tennis player to ascend to No. 1 in the world.

WILFREDO LEE | AP PHOTO

Xa Swiatek becomes 1st Polish tennis player ranked No. 1 Novak Djokovic remained No. 1 on the men’s side

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press IGA SWIATEK moved up one spot to the top of the WTA rankings on Monday, becoming the first tennis player from Poland to be No. 1 in the sport.

The 20-year-old Swiatek — pronounced shvee-ON-tek — takes over from Ash Barty, who announced last month she would be retiring at the age of 25 after more than two years at No. 1.

Swiatek won the 2020 French

Open and is currently on a 17-match winning streak that includes the title at the hard-court Miami Open, where she defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-0 in the final on Saturday. That followed Swiatek’s triumph at Indian Wells, California, last month, making her only the fourth woman to complete what’s known as the “Sunshine Double,” and another trophy in Doha, Qatar, in February, so she is the first woman to win the first three WTA 1000 events in a year.

“I felt like everything clicked this season,” Swiatek said in a video interview with The Associated Press.

“I felt like everything clicked this season.”

Iga Swiatek She is the 28th woman to lead the rankings.

Osaka is a former No. 1 whose run to her first tour final in more than a year allowed her to go all the way from No. 77 to No. 35 on Monday.

Miami Open men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz, an 18-yearold Spaniard, jumped five spots

to No. 11 in the ATP rankings, his highest showing so far.

The player he beat 7-5, 6-4 in the final Sunday, Casper Ruud, also got to his best ranking, rising one place to No. 7.

Novak Djokovic remained at No. 1 despite not having played at Indian Wells or Miami because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and couldn’t travel to the United States.

Daniil Medvedev briefly held the top spot this year and could have returned there depending on his performance in Miami, but his quarterfinal loss meant he stayed at No. 2. He announced Saturday he would be sidelined for a month

or two after having hernia surgery.

Reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova rose two places to No. 2 in the WTA rankings, equaling her best. Paula Badosa moved up three spots to No. 3 to set a career high.

Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins, an American who beat Swiatek in the semifinals at Melbourne Park, went from No. 11 to No. 8, her highest placing.

Jessica Pegula, who made it to the semifinals in Miami before losing to Swiatek, soared from No. 21 to No. 13, the best ranking of the American’s career.

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

GOP’s Senate campaign chief won’t back down from party fight The Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Rick Scott likes to think of himself as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War. Barely halfway through his first Senate term, the Florida Republican is already leaning into a fight against his own party’s leadership as he navigates a delicate alliance with former President Donald Trump and pushes a handcrafted policy agenda that many Republicans reject.

But Scott, who is also the Senate GOP’s midterm chief, insists he has only begun to fight.

The 69-year-old former businessman likens his situation to that of Grant during the battle of Vicksburg, when the general ordered multiple bloody assaults on the Southern stronghold before delivering a victory that helped turn the war in the Union’s favor.

“I think of myself more like Grant taking Vicksburg, and I think as a result of that, I’m always going to be perceived as an outsider,” Scott said in an interview. “I’m going to keep doing what I believe in whether everybody agrees with me or not.”

For now, what Scott believes is directly at odds with the wishes of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

Scott is refusing to abandon an 11-point governing plan he released with little input from par-

AP PHOTO

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 26, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. ty leadership, even after McConnell’s public rebuke one month ago. In the weeks since, Scott has continued to promote his plan, which would raise taxes on millions of Americans who don’t earn enough to pay federal income taxes, in dozens of speeches and media appearances.

Those close to Scott suggest he understands the modern Republican Party better than McConnell and his establishment allies. And as tension lingers, Scott is leaving open the possibility of challenging McConnell for Senate majority leader should Re-

publicans retake the majority this fall, although the prospect of him waging a successful effort are slim. Most who know Scott well believe he’s more likely to seek the presidency in 2024.

McConnell’s office declined to comment.

The story of Scott’s unlikely rise from a little-known Florida businessman with a stiff demeanor to a two-term governor of the nation’s premier swing state to a rising first-term senator willing to buck his own party’s leadership offers a fresh reminder that the conventional

rules long governing national politics no longer exist. Few believe Scott could knock McConnell from his leadership post and Scott is an afterthought in early 2024 presidential chatter, which is dominated by his Florida successor, Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Scott may not be as wellknown or charismatic as other Republican presidential prospects, but allies suggest it would be a mistake to dismiss him as a serious player in the modern day Republican Party.

Political consultant Curt Anderson, who has advised Scott for more than a decade, described the senator’s interest in McConnell’s job as “pretty low,” although Trump has privately encouraged Scott to challenge the Senate Republican leader. When asked about a potential presidential run, however, Anderson said only, “We’ll see what opportunities lay ahead.”

Not only has Scott won every race he’s run, often as the underdog, he is the richest member of Congress with a net worth that exceeded $232 million before his last election. He has also expanded his donor network considerably over the last year in his role as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Lest anyone question Scott’s willingness to dip into his personal fortune to further his po-

litical ambitions, he spent more than $63 million of his own money to win Florida’s 2018 Senate election.

And his political footprint is growing.

As chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Scott is responsible for his party’s quest to retake the Senate majority. He is tasked with leading the Republican Senate strategy, including how best to dispatch tens of millions of dollars to key races across the country.

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel described Scott as “the ultimate team player” who works “hand in glove” with the party’s other major campaign committees.

But McDaniel’s praise ended when the conversation turned to his governing agenda and the provision that would raise taxes.

“I’m not a policymaker,” McDaniel said when asked directly whether she supports Scott’s plan.

Republicans in Washington are divided over whether they even need a governing agenda.

The Republican Party declined to adopt a platform at Trump’s 2020 presidential nominating convention. And many Republican strategists believe the GOP can win the House and Senate majority this fall without providing specific policy goals given Democratic President Joe Biden’s weak political standing and traditional political headwinds against the party in power.

When asked earlier in the year what the GOP’s agenda would be if it took control of Congress, McConnell told reporters, “That is a very good question and I’ll let you know when we take it back.”

Kansas researcher to mount defense over China ties at trial

By Scott Bauer The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The FBI agent who oversaw the investigation of a researcher accused of illegally keeping secret work he was doing for China while employed at the University of Kansas testified Monday that he didn’t learn until after the professor’s arrest that he was keeping up with his grant work and actually had been honored for his high output.

Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg called FBI Special Agent Stephen Lampe to the stand as he began trying to cast doubt on the government’s handling of his prosecution of Feng “Franklin” Tao. He faces charges of wire and program fraud for not disclosing on conflict-of-interest forms the work he was doing for China while employed at the university. Federal prosecutors contend it was a scheme to defraud the university, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.

The indictment alleges the purpose of the scheme was to benefit China by participating in its “talent plan,” which prosecutors say is designed to encourage the transfer of original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. university to Chinese government institutions.

The government accuses Tao of not informing the University of Kansas that he was selected for the Changjiang Professorship or the salary for his appointment to Fuzhou University in Fuzhou, China.

The defense told jurors during opening statements that Tao was merely “moonlighting.”

The case against Tao was part of what the Justice Department

AP PHOTO

This undated file photo provided by the University of Kansas shows researcher Franklin Feng Tao. called its China Initiative, an effort created in 2018 to crack down on trade secret theft and economic espionage. The department in February ended the initiative following public criticism and failed prosecutions, though officials say they still intend to pursue the threat from China.

The case also has potential political overtones in Kansas, where former Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is now running for the Republican nomination in the state’s attorney general race. Mattivi in his campaign has touted his experience as a federal prosecutor handling terrorism cases — listing among them the Tao pros-

ecution just before his retirement in late 2020 from the Justice Department.

In January, the department dropped its case against Gang Chen, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor during the Trump administration. Prosecutors concluded that they could no longer meet their burden of proof after they received information from the Department of Energy suggesting Chen had not been required to disclose certain information on his forms.

Tao’s attorneys have argued in filings that the Chen case has “direct parallels” to their client’s case in Kansas. They contend that the

government did not interview anyone at the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation about whether the agencies required disclosure of foreign talent program participation or work before indicting Tao in 2019.

Prosecutors told jurors last week that Tao “concocted an elaborate lie,” telling the University of Kansas that he wanted to do research in Germany and that he would buy out the spring 2019 semester of his teaching portion of his contract. Instead, he effectively moved to China where he worked to set up a laboratory and to recruit staff for Fuzhou University on the country’s coast. The

prosecution also alleged he hid that work on U.S. grant applications.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson has rejected defense efforts over the years that sought to dismiss the indictment. Zeidenberg made the request again Monday, arguing that no rational juror would find grounds to convict.

“The government’s case, it fell apart as far as we are concerned,” Zeidenberg said.

He stressed that Tao was so prolific that the University of Kansas announced in April 2019 — just months before his arrest — that he was one of four faculty members that were receiving an award in recognition of their scholarly or research contributions.

He added that Viviane Schwartz, a program manager with the Department of Energy, had testified that she didn’t care that Tao was setting up a lab in China and that his second job wasn’t her concern because she wasn’t his employer.

Robinson asked the attorneys to submit their arguments in writing, with the trial to proceed while she weighs the issue.

Lampe, the first defense witness, said it “simply doesn’t work” to have a full-time position at both universities. Asked whether he knew that Tao was the most productive member of the university’s chemistry department, Lampe said that he “didn’t find it relevant.”

Tao, who was born in China and moved to the U.S. in 2002, began working in August 2014 at the University of Kansas’ Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis, which conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

7

obituaries

Marge Smith

February 15, 1941 ~ March 31, 2022 Margarette “Marge” Roberts Smith, 81, of Norwood, passed away early Thursday morning, March 31, 2022 at Atrium Stanly in Albemarle.

Marge was born February 15, 1941 in McCarr, KY to the late Estel Ray and Geneva Ratliff Roberts. Marge was a Veteran of the U S Air Force having served in Vietnam. She was a life member of Ladies Auxillary of the VFW. She held various positions at the local, district and state levels. She was past secretary of the Stanly County Veterans Council.

She retired from FirstHealth Montgomery Hospital as an Executive Housekeeper. She attended Cedar Grove United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Raymond Murphy; brother David Roberts and sister, Evelyn “MiMi” Smitley and grandson, Landon Thomas Harrison.

She is survived by her husband, Melville Ray Smith of the home; daughters, Dawn “Didi” Harrison of Mount Gilead and Melanie Chandler of Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren, Brian, Heather, Christopher, Peyton and Rachel; five great grandchildren; step son Gary Smith and wife Pam of Norwood; two step granddaughters, Hailey Tyson and husband, Kurt, Cortney Molino and husband, Dan; two step great-granddaughters, Kinsley and Cohen Tyson all of Norwood.

Doris Lee Johnson Lowder May 3, 1932 ~ March 30, 2022

Doris Lee Johnson Lowder , 89, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Doris was born May 3, 1932 in Montgomery County, North Carolina to the late Walter Lee Johnson and Lula Tucker Johnson.

She was preceded in death by husband, Gerald James “Moe” Lowder; sisters Mildred Hudson and Colean Johnson; and brothers Graham and Colon Johnson.

Doris was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was retired from the city of Albemarle after 30 years of service. Doris loved the Lord with all her heart and will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.

Survivors include son; John (Sharlyn) Lowder of New London; daughter, Dawn (Mike) Melton of Albemarle; sister Elgie Kearns of Troy; and grandchildren Mandy (Jon) Wolfe, Brandon (Brandy) Lowder, Ashley (Matt) Petty, and great-grandchildren Jeslyn and Tinlee Lowder, Mia, Jared and Jacob Wolfe, and Logan and Lily Petty; and several dear nephews and nieces.

Phillip Van Strider Pearl Frances Ruth (Plowman) Coggin Byrd September 9, 1943 ~ March 31, 2022

Phillip Van Strider Byrd, 78, of Charlotte died Thursday afternoon, March 31, 2022 at CMC-Main in Charlotte.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, April 8, 2022 in the Byrd Family Section of Sharon Cemetery, Mt. Gilead.

Phil was born September 9, 1943 in Montgomery County to the late Harold Linis and Rachel Strider Byrd. He was a 1962 graduate of West Montgomery High School and was of the Anglican faith. He was a lifelong collector and dealer of antiques and had great knowledge and passion for history, architecture, and art.

He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed discussing politics, cooking and traveling. Phil will be remembered by many for his generous spirit and investing in others as a caretaker for several of his friends and acquaintances.

He is survived by his daughter, Diana Hamilton May and husband Eric of Charlotte, and son Philip VanEvery Byrd of Charlotte, two brothers, Harold Stephen Byrd and Michael Ray Byrd and sister Sue Byrd Haithcock Brookshire and husband Matt all of Mt. Gilead.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

January 8, 1959 ~ March 29, 2022

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@ stanlyjournal.com

In sweet peace, Our Heavenly Father, called Ricky Martin Kendall to eternal rest Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Ricky was born January 8, 1959, in Anson County, North Carolina; and he was the son of the late Willie H. Kendall and Mary Alice Tyson Kendall.

Gone but will never be forgotten, Ricky will be remembered for his kindness, charisma, and outgoing personality. We are comforted in knowing that he is resting in the Arms of Our Lord and Savior and soaring with the Angels.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Latoya (Curtis) McCaskill and Martina (Johntrell)Kendall-Johnson; grandchildren: Genesis Moore, Emanuel Moore, Ethan Kendall, and JaNuri Johnson; brothers: Willie D. Kendall and Gregory O. Kendall; sister, Dorris (Nathaniel) Kendall-Rorie; aunts: Julia T. Smith, Frances R. Wade, Mattie T. Clark, Gloria Ann Tillman, Susie Tillman, Charlena Walker, and Blanche Yelverton; special child who helped rear, Drekius Tanner, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

June 19, 1924 ~ March 29, 2022

June 6, 1969 - March 29, 2022

Ruth Plowman Burris Coggin, 97, of Albemarle, passed away March 29, 2022, at Forrest Oakes Healthcare Center in Albemarle.

She was born June 19, 1924 to the late Archie Dean Plowman and Mamie Hahn Plowman. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Agnes Almond and Katherine Rodgers; and brothers, A.D., Martin, Oliver, Donald, and Leroy Plowman.

Ruth graduated from New London School in 1943. She married to Craven Burris July 8, 1948 in which they were married for 24 years until his passing in 1972. Ruth then married her second husband, Raymond Coggin in December 1976. They were together for 14 years until his passing in 1990.

Ruth loved being with people, whether it was on a tour bus or playing Bingo somewhere. She was Blessed with a good life, family and friends including special nephew, Danny Plowman, that loved and cared for her. Ruth was best described by the sign on her car, “Go Go Girl Ruth”

John Daniel Baucom,52, of Albemarle passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Per his wishes, no public services will be held at this time.

John was born June 6, 1969 in Wilson, NC to Roberta Bynum Galbraith and the late Daniel Alton Baucom. He loved spending time with his family and was very proud of his boys.

Mr. Baucom is survived by his wife Barbara Pence Baucom; sons: Cameron Michael Frick of Layton, UT, Zachary Daniel Baucom of Atlanta, GA; mother: Roberta Bynum Galbraith and husband Daniel of Middleburg, FL; stepmother: Carolyn Baucom of New London, NC; sisters: Crista Hager and husband Andy of Albemarle, NC, Amelia Preslar and husband Chad of New London, NC; brother: Stephen Griffin of Albemarle, NC; uncle: Roger Bynum and wife Janie of Stantonsburg, NC; aunts: Sanda Hight and husband Fred of Wilson, NC, Wanda Lamm and husband Doug of Wilson, NC. He is preceded in death by a son: Robert Justice Baucom; father: Daniel Alton Baucom; aunt: Bonnie Driver.

Jeanette Curlee Deese

Ricky Martin Kendall

April 7, 1938 - March 29, 2022

Wade Dennis

April 15, 1927 ~ March 29, 2022 Daniel Wade Dennis, 94, of Albemarle, passed away, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday afternoon, March 29, 2022 at his home.

Mr. Dennis was born April 15, 1927 in Stanly County to the late Daniel Ratio and Nellie Talbert Dennis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Marbry Dennis; sisters Mabel Dick and Ruth Plyler Wade, along with his wife, Wilma were owners of Dennis Dairy Farm. He had a strong work ethic, he believed in hard work and doing the job right. The only thing he loved more than his music was his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Tammy Burris and her husband, Michael of Mount Pleasant; twin granddaugthers, Madison Burzlaff and husband, Daniel of Kannapolis; Kayla Wainer and husband, Joe of Albemarle and great grandson, Nathan Wade Wainer.

John Daniel Baucom

Jeanette Curlee Deese, 83, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Spring Arbor of Albemarle, NC. Her funeral service will be 3pm Friday, April 1, 2022 at Silver Springs Baptist Church with Rev. B.J. Bowers and Rev. Mark Little officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1pm until 2:30pm at the church.

Mrs. Deese was born April 7, 1938 in Stanly County, NC to the late Charlie Black “CB” Curlee and Daisy Belle Poplin Curlee.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joe Deese on February 4, 2018.

She is survived by a son, David Deese (Belinda) of Albemarle, NC; a daughter, Tammie Fraley (Rodney) of Norwood, NC; sister Evelyne Kepley of Albemarle, NC; four grandchildren, Tabitha Ussery, Adam Aldridge, Alan Aldridge and Vance Deese; four great-grandchildren, Sophie Aldridge, Ila Ussery, Gracyn Aldridge and Camden Ussery.

Jeanette was also preceded in death by a brother, Lee Vond Curlee.

Maxine Cauble Dunn

December 30, 1952 - March 28, 2022 Maxine Cauble Dunn, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, March 28, 2022 in her home.

Mrs. Dunn was born December 30, 1952 in Stanly County, NC to the late Max Adolphus Cauble and Ruby Dennis Cauble.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Leon Dunn. She is survived by two sons, Ronnie Lee Dunn (Lisa) of Albemarle, NC and Timothy Allen Dunn (Maria) of Oakboro, NC; brother and sister in law, Jimmy and Judy Dunn of Albemarle, NC; three grandchildren, Sydney Dunn Huneycutt (Dalton) of Albemarle, NC, Gracey Leigh Dunn of Albemarle, NC and Marti Kay Dunn of Oakboro, NC; a great granddaughter, Gwendolyn Rose Huneycutt and her grand dog, Sophia.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

Palin joins 50 others in running for Alaska US House seat

By Becky Bohrer The Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska — Sarah Palin shook up an already unpredictable race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, joining a field of 50 other candidates seeking to fill the seat held for decades by the lateU.S. Rep. Don Young, who died last month.

Palin filed paperwork Friday with a state Division of Elections office in Wasilla, said Tiffany Montemayor, a division spokesperson.

Palin, a former Alaska governor who was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, has the biggest national political profile in the packed field that includes current and former state legislators and a North Pole city council member named Santa Claus.

“Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin said in a statement on social media.

Young, a Republican, had held Alaska’s House seat since 1973 and was seeking reelection at the time of his death last month at age 88.

Palin resigned as governor in

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

Sarah Palin leaves the courthouse in New York, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

2009, partway through her term, and said she could make a difference outside the governor’s office.

She also had expressed outrage over ethics complaints she felt had

frivolously targeted her.

Palin has kept a low profile in Alaska politics since then but maintained a presence nationally, including through speaking en-

gagements, appearances with conservative outlets and on reality TV. She also was an early supporter of now-former President Donald Trump.

She has hinted at possible runs for office in the past but never took the plunge. In her statement, she said America is “at a tipping point” and that she’s in the race to “win it and join the fight for freedom alongside other patriots willing to sacrifice all to save our country.”

A special primary is set for June 11. The top four vote-getters will advance to an Aug. 16 special election in which ranked choice voting will be used, a process in line with a new elections system approved by voters in 2020.

The winner, targeted to be certified by Sept. 2, will serve the remainder of Young’s term, which expires in January.

The special election will coincide with the regular primary.

The regular primary and November general election will determine who represents Alaska in the House for a two-year term starting in January.

Others who filed Friday include Democratic state Rep. Adam Wool; independent Al Gross, an orthopedic surgeon who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020; and Emil Notti, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 1973 election to Young. Former lawmakers Andrew Halcro and Mary Sattler Peltola are also running.

They join a field that had already included Republican Nick Begich,

who previously announced plans to run for U.S. House last fall; Democrat Christopher Constant, an Anchorage Assembly member; and John Coghill, a Republican former state lawmaker.

Begich, an early challenger to Young, said he sees the Matanuska-Susitna region, a hotbed of conservatism that includes Palin’s hometown of Wasilla, as one of his strongest areas of the state.

Begich said there are a “lot of opportunistic candidates, in our view, that have chosen to get in. I think that the entry of Gov. Palin is completely consistent with that sort of spirit of opportunism that we’re seeing right now.”

Halcro, who has a podcast on which he talks politics, lost to Palin in the 2006 gubernatorial general election. He said during this campaign he plans to play up his intent to only run to fill the remainder of the term. He is running as an independent.

Meanwhile, a man who years ago legally changed his name to Santa Claus and serves on the North Pole city council also filed for the special primary. Claus, who said he has a “strong affinity” for Bernie Sanders, is running as an independent.

He said he is not soliciting or raising money. He said the new elections process “gives people like me an opportunity, without having to deal with parties, to throw our hat in the ring.”

“I do have name recognition,” he said with a laugh.

States look for solutions as US fentanyl deaths keep rising

By Geoff Mulvihill The Associated Press AS THE ADDICTION and overdose crisis that has gripped the U.S. for two decades turns even deadlier, state governments are scrambling for ways to stem the destruction wrought by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

In statehouses across the country, lawmakers have been considering and adopting laws on two fronts: reducing the risk to users and increasing the penalties for dealing fentanyl or mixing it with other drugs. Meanwhile, Republican state attorneys general are calling for more federal action, while some GOP governors are deploying National Guard units with a mission that includes stopping the flow of fentanyl from Mexico.

“It’s a fine line to help people and try to get people clean, and at the same time incarcerate and get the drug dealers off the streets,” said Nathan Manning, a Republican state senator in Ohio who is sponsoring legislation to make it clear that materials used to test drugs for fentanyl are legal.

The urgency is heightened because of the deepening impact of the drugs. Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the nation had hit a grim milestone. For the first time, more than 100,000 Americans had died of drug overdoses over a 12-month period.

About two-thirds of the deaths were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, which can be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, heroin or prescription opioids.

The recent case of five West

AP PHOTO

A display of the fentanyl and meth that was seized by Customs and Border Protection officers over the weekend at the Nogales Port of Entry is shown during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Nogales, Ariz.

Point cadets who overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine during spring break in Florida put the dangers and pervasiveness of the fentanyl crisis back in the spotlight.

The chemical precursors to the drugs are being shipped largely from China to Mexico, where much of the illicit fentanyl supply is produced in labs before being smuggled into the U.S. While users sometimes seek out fentanyl specifically, it and other synthetics with similar properties are often mixed with other drugs or formed into counterfeit pills so users often don’t know they’re taking it.

Advocates say test strips can

help prevent accidental overdoses of drugs laced with fentanyl.

The strips are given out at needle exchanges and sometimes at concerts or other events where drugs are expected to be sold or used.

Thomas Stuber, chief legislative officer at The LCADA Way, a drug treatment organization in Ohio that serves Lorain County and nearby areas, has been pushing for the test strip legislation.

It also would ease access to naloxone, a drug that can be used to revive people when they’re having opioid overdoses.

“This is a harm-reduction approach that has received a lot of acceptance,” he said. “We cannot treat somebody if they’re dead.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures found 12 states with fentanyl-specific drug trafficking or possession laws as of last year. Similar measures have been introduced or considered since the start of 2021 in at least 19 states, the Associated Press found in an analysis of bills compiled by LegiScan. That does not include measures to add more synthetic opioids to controlled substance lists to mirror federal law; those have been adopted in many states, with bipartisan support.

Fentanyl has been in the spotlight in Colorado since February, when five people were found dead in a suburban Denver apartment

from overdoses of fentanyl mixed with cocaine.

Under state law, possession with intent to distribute less than 14 grams of fentanyl is an offense normally punishable by two to four years in prison. But fentanyl is so potent that 14 grams can represent up to 700 lethal doses, under a calculation used by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

“It’s making it impossible to hold the dealer accountable for the deadliness of the drugs they’re peddling,” Colorado House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Democrat, said in an interview.

Democratic governors are focusing primarily on harm reduction methods. Among them is Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker, who released a broad overdose action plan last month.

Several Republican governors and attorneys general have responded to the rising death toll with administrative enforcement efforts and by pushing for more federal intervention.

Last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for states to help secure the border with Mexico.

Along with trying to keep people from entering the U.S., stopping the flow of fentanyl was cited as a reason. Several other Republican governors have sent contingents of state troopers or National Guard units.

The Texas Military Department said that from March 2021 through earlier this month, its troops near the border confiscated more than 1,200 pounds of fentanyl. By comparison, federal authorities reported confiscating about 11,000 pounds in 2021 — still a fraction of what entered the country.

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 28 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Twin City Herald

AP PHOTO

Ongoing conflict in Ukraine

A Ukrainian serviceman tries unsuccessfully to convince a puppy to drink milk as residents wait for distribution of food products in the village of Motyzhyn, Ukraine, which was until recently under the control of the Russian military, Sunday, April 3, 2022.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Lowe’s invests $4 million in two NC colleges Lowe’s is investing $4 million toward new partnerships with two North Carolina universities.

Queens University of Charlotte announced Lowe’s is providing $2.5 million for the Charlotte Talent Initiative, a partnership between Mecklenburg County businesses and the college to expand Charlotte’s talent pipeline and help low-income graduates of local high schools. N.C. Central University is receiving $1.5 million from Lowe’s for the School of Business. The investment will be used to develop new programs, faculty recruitment and student scholarships. Last year, Lowe’s pledged $10 million to Johnson C. Smith University as part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.

Colleges eye honorary degrees for Ukraine’s Zelensky At least 17 colleges and universities in several states will jointly offer honorary degrees to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their commencement ceremonies this spring. Alfred University President Mark Zupan said the idea grew from his request to have Zelenskyy speak virtually to a combination of graduating classes. When an official at the Ukrainian embassy declined the western New York university’s request, the institutions agreed to award honorary degrees in absentia to honor Zelenskyy’s leadership in the Russia-Ukraine war. Several additional campuses in upstate New York, which has a significant population with ties to Ukraine, have committed to the idea. They are being joined by institutions in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

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20177 52016 $0.50

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Macy’s building NC distribution center, 2,800 jobs to come The Associated Press CHINA GROVE — Macy’s Inc. announced plans Thursday to build a distribution and online order fulfillment center in central North Carolina that ultimately will employ about 2,800 people.

The department store and online retail giant said in a news release that it will invest $584 million in the project in China Grove, located in Rowan County.

The logistics center and warehouse operations, which will open in 2024, will provide automated services for orders to be shipped directly to consumers, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office said. The center will handle 30% of Macy’s digital supply chain capacity when fully operational, the company said.

New York-based Macy’s had narrowed potential center sites to North Carolina and South Carolina, according to a document provided by the North Carolina

NAM Y. HUH | AP PHOTO

A shopper exits Macy's at the Woodfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

Department of Commerce.

“This state-of-the-art facility ... will support growth of our business as a leading omnichannel retailer,” Macy’s chief sup-

ply chain officer Dennis Mullahy said in a news release.

Most of the jobs created would pay below Rowan County’s average salary of $48,360, accord-

ing to information presented to a state panel that approved an agreement earlier Thursday on some taxpayer-funded incentives for Macy’s. That means 230 jobs that Macy’s intends to generate by 2026 could qualify for the state’s Job Development Investment Grants.

Under the agreement, subsidiary Macy’s Corporate Services LLC could receive $2.3 million in these grants over 12 years if it meets job-creation and investment goals. But the company is also expected to get other state and local incentives valued at $58 million, the Commerce Department document says.

The announcement came two days after state leaders and VinFast announced the Vietnamese automaker would build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Chatham County, with promises to create 7,500 jobs. It would be the state’s first car factory after a series of near-misses at recruiting one.

“When you combine our robust transportation network with our skilled workforce and great quality of life, economic development wins like these will continue to be celebrated statewide,” Cooper said Thursday with Macy’s announcement.

Hope Solo arrested on DWI, child abuse charges The Associated Press WINSTON-SALEM — Former U.S. women’s national team star goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested after she was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in North Carolina with her 2-yearold twins inside, police said.

A police report said Solo was arrested on Thursday in a shopping center parking lot in Winston-Salem and charged with driving while impaired, resisting a public officer and misdemeanor child abuse. She has been released from jail and has a court date of June 28, the report indicated.

According to an arrest warrant, a passerby noticed Solo passed out behind the steering wheel for more than an hour with the vehicle’s engine running and the two children in the backseat.

A responding officer could smell alcohol, and the warrant said that Solo refused a field sobriety test and her blood was drawn instead.

AP PHOTO

United States' goalkeeper Hope Solo takes the ball during a women's soccer game at the Rio Olympics against New Zealand in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Aug. 3, 2016.

Rich Nichols, a Texas-based attorney who represents Solo, released a statement Friday but didn’t respond to specific questions on the charges and said his client wouldn’t respond, either.

“On the advice of counsel, Hope can’t speak about this situ-

ation, but she wants everyone to know that her kids are her life, that she was released immediately and is now at home with her family, that the story is more sympathetic than the initial charges suggest, and that she looks forward to her opportunity to defend these charges,” Nichols said.

Solo was dismissed from the national team following the 2016 Olympics in Brazil after calling the Swedish team “cowards” for taking a defensive stance against the defending gold medalists, ending a laudable playing career that was also marred by controversy.

She was suspended for 30 days in early 2015 after she and husband Jerramy Stevens were pulled over in a U.S. Soccer-owned van and Stevens was charged with DUI. She was also benched after publicly questioning coach Greg Ryan’s decision to start Briana Scurry against Brazil during the 2007 World Cup, comments

many saw as a slight against Scurry.

Solo was also involved in an altercation with family members in 2014 that resulted in Solo’s arrest, although charges in that case were eventually dropped.

Solo made 202 appearances with the national team, with 153 wins and an international-record 102 shutouts. She won a World Cup title and two Olympic gold medals with the team.

During the 2015 World Cup championship run, she allowed just three goals in seven games with five shutouts.

She was elected to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in January. The induction ceremony is set for May 21.

Solo married Stevens, a former tight end for the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in 2012. The couple have twins, Vittorio Genghis and Lozen Orianna Judith Stevens, born on March 4, 2020.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

The Biden recession is coming

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal.

(704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

LARRY SUMMERS served as secretary of the Treasury, director of the National Economic Council, and president of Harvard University. He is not a dumb man. He is a liberal Democrat with a Democrat’s understanding of economic policy.

On Feb. 4, 2021, writing in the Washington Post, Summers wrote of President Joe Biden’s proposed economic stimulus plan: “(W)hile there are enormous uncertainties, there is a chance that macroeconomic stimulus on a scale closer to World War II levels than normal recession levels will set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability.

This will be manageable if monetary and fiscal policy can be rapidly adjusted to address the problem. But given the commitments the Fed has made, administration officials’ dismissal of even the possibility of inflation, and the difficulties in mobilizing congressional support for tax increases or spending cuts, there is the risk of inflation expectations rising sharply.”

Summers noted that unemployment was already falling, unlike in 2009 when then-President Barack Obama put forward a big stimulus bill. Additionally, the Biden plan poured much more money into the economy at one time. As Summers pointed out, under the Biden plan, “if the breadwinner were laid off, the family’s income over the next six months would likely exceed $30,000 as a result of regular unemployment insurance, the $400-a-week special unemployment insurance benefit and tax credits.”

In other words, an unemployed person would take home more money than an employed person with a pretax income of $1,000 a week. That was economically destabilizing.

The Biden team rejected Summers’ warnings. Summers, though liberal, is not a radical progressive and has long rejected the progressives’ new economic proposal called Modern Monetary Theory as magical thinking. The theory argues that while inflation is real, big economies can keep printing money without worrying about inflation. It is untried and untested, and we have lessons on inflation going back to instances of Roman emperors making too many coins and thereby causing inflation.

When a country makes too much currency, it causes prices to rise.

That is exactly what happened. First, the Biden team said it would be transitory. Then, they said it was a good thing. Then, they said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fault. Now, a recession looms. The yield curve has inverted.

This is bond market parlance. Normally, a longer-term bond will generate higher yields over time than a short-term bond because there is more risk in the future and investors are rewarded for taking the risk. But in the last day, shorter term bonds began generating higher yields than longer term bonds. Historically, this foreshadows a recession. In fact, every major recession the nation has had in the last 40 years has been preceded by inverted yield curves. For the first time since 2006, the 30-year Treasury bond now yields less than the five-year Treasury bond. That 2006 inversion signaled the 2008 financial meltdown.

Concurrently, the Federal Reserve continues to increase interest rates. Several more rate increases are expected this year. During economic recessions, the Fed tends to cut rates. But the Fed must raise rates to combat inflation. Without raising rates, inflation will continue. Raising rates will provoke recessionary impacts as our economy slows.

All of this was foreseeable. The moment the Biden team decided to ignore their top economic experts to buy their way out of COVID-19, they were destined to see this happen. Over the next year, as a recession draws nearer, the Biden team will blame everyone else and everything else. But they were warned early on they were pushing too big a plan. They dismissed those concerns, largely because of their own hubris. They wanted to chart a new path with new economic theory.

The Biden administration is going to make the Carter administration look like a success. They will return us to stagflation. In November of 2022, Republicans will take back Congress because of the economic malaise and in November of 2024, Biden increases the chances of a Republican return to the White House because his team chose arrogance instead of humility as they entered office.

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Phyllis Beattie Hewitt, 87, of Winston-Salem, died March 30, 2022. ♦ Stephen O’Neil Hundley, 63, of Lewisville, died

March 30, 2022. ♦ Walter Graham Lynch III, 87, died March 31, 2022. ♦ Betty Ruth Hine Reich, 91,

of Forsyth County, died March 31, 2022. ♦ Lucius “Grappy” Lanier Rice, Jr., 75, of Forsyth County, died March 31,

2022. ♦ Vernice Virginia Hamlin Wall, 94, of WinstonSalem, died March 30, 2022.

♦ William Harvey Yates, Jr., 83, of Forsyth County, died April 1, 2022.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Aldridge, Jerry Wayne (M/43) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi, M (M), at 1038 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/3/2022 14:16.

♦ Byrd, Robert Shane (M/47) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female, M (M), at 5429 Walls Lake Road, Wialnut Cove, NC, on 3/31/2022 06:58.

♦ ANTHONY, ALKEISHA TOYVETTE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 3112 INDIANA AV on 4/2/2022

♦ CASTILLO, PEDRO was arrested on a charge of CHILD ABUSE at 619 ONTARIO ST on 4/2/2022

♦ Barber, Cody Michael (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Awik/no Injury (F), 2) Interference W/electronic Monitoring Devices (F), and 3) Interference W/electronic Monitoring Devices (F), at 8049 Broad St/bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 3/31/2022 20:50. ♦ Barber, Cody Michael (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F) and 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/1/2022 00:25 ♦ Blackmon, Timothy Lewis (M/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Crime Against Nature (F), 2) Crime Against Nature (F), 3) Crime Against Nature (F), 4) Crime Against Nature (F), 5) Crime Against Nature (F), 6) Crime Against Nature (F), 7) Crime Against Nature (F), 8) Crime Against Nature (F), 9) Crime Against Nature (F), 10) Crime Against Nature (F), 11) Crime Against Nature (F), 12) Crime Against Nature (F), 13) Crime Against Nature (F), 14) Crime Against Nature (F), 15) Crime Against Nature (F), 16) Crime Against Nature (F), and 17) Crime Against Nature (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 3/30/2022 15:30. ♦ BROWN, TERREL LAMONT was arrested on a charge of INDECENT EXPOSURE at 2995 N LIBERTY ST on 4/3/2022

♦ CHAPMAN, ROBERT DUKE was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 5218 GERMANTON RD on 4/3/2022 ♦ DAVIDSON, ROY LEWIS was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 19 SALEM GARDENS DR on 4/2/2022 ♦ DAVIS, TAYSHON DANGELO was arrested on a charge of WEAP-POSS BY FELON at 449 W TWENTY-FOURTH ST on 4/1/2022 ♦ DIAZ, OSCAR CORTEZ was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 1499 PETERS CREEK PW/NATIONAL DR on 4/2/2022 ♦ DURRELL, CHRISTOPHER XAVIER was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 675 W FIFTH ST on 4/2/2022 ♦ FRANKLIN, BRAD JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 930 N PATTERSON AV on 4/2/2022 ♦ Gaddy, Brandon Allen (M/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) Robbery (F), 2) Robbery (F), 3) Felony Habitual Larceny (F), 4) Felony Habitual Larceny (F), 5) Larceny-felony (F), 6) Felony Habitual Larceny (F), 7) Felony Habitual Larceny (M), 8) Larceny-felony (F), 9) Felony Habitual Larceny (F), 10) Larceny/misdemeanor (M), 11) Felony Habitual Larceny (F), 12) Larceny/misdemeanor (M),

13) Poss Stolen Goods (F), 14) Poss Stolen Goods (M), 15) Poss Stolen Goods (F), 16) Poss Stolen Goods (F), 17) Poss Stolen Goods (F), and 18) Poss Stolen Goods (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 3/31/2022 15:21.

a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at NB 52/N LIBERTY ST on 4/2/2022 ♦ ORR, ARTEMOS TYRONE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/3/2022

♦ GREENE, TERENCE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 926 MANLY ST on 4/2/2022

♦ PAYNE, TYSON GARNER THOMAS was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1503 LAWRENCE WY on 4/1/2022

♦ HALL, JOHN SEBASTIAN was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 131 BROADMOOR LN on 4/1/2022 ♦ HARPER, CHESTER DERON was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at U.S 421 NB on 4/3/2022

♦ Penn, Kenneth Leon (M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larc By Employees (F), 2) Poss Marijuana Fel (F), 3) P/w/i/s/d Marijuana (F), 4) Misd Poss Controlled Substance (M), 5) Misd Poss Controlled Substance (M), 6) Maintain Vehicle (F), 7) Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 8) Weap-mfg & Transport (F), at 3683 Signet Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 3/31/2022 16:47.

♦ JOHNSON, KELVIN JAMES was arrested on a charge of POSS STOLEN GOODS at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 4/1/2022

♦ PHILLIPS, JAMES BIRCHELL was arrested on a charge of VAND-REAL PROPERTY at 1902 ASPEN WY on 4/2/2022

♦ JONES, COLIN BRENT was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/ LARC-FELONY at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 4/1/2022

♦ Reavis, Jesse James (M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched I (F) and 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 6800 Blk Yadkinville Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 4/4/2022 00:15.

♦ LATTA, BYRON DEMARGEO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 339 NITA CR on 4/1/2022 ♦ Lewis, Trequan Malik (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) P/w/i/s/d Marijuana (F), 2) Poss Marijuana Fel (F), 3) Maintain Dwelling (F), 4) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 5) Equip - Violation Tinted Windows (M), and 6) No Inspection Sticker ( ), at Lewisville-clemmons Rd, Winston Salem, NC, on 4/3/2022 04:27. ♦ OLIVA, PRESCILIANO DOMINGUEZ was arrested on

♦ ROBINSON, JABHARI MARKELL was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D COCAINE at 195 AKRON DR on 4/3/2022 ♦ Royall, Darryl Thomas (M/45) Arrest on chrg of Misuse Of 911 System (M), at 1113 Ridgecliff Dr, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/4/2022 03:36. ♦ SCOTT, CHRISTOPHER DELEON was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 675 W FIFTH ST on 4/2/2022

♦ Shelton, Terrance Alexander (M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), at 1457 Lewisburg Pointe Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 4/2/2022 00:30. ♦ STEVENS, HOPE AMELIA was arrested on a charge of CHILD ABUSE at 3475 PARKWAY VILLAGE CR on 4/1/2022 ♦ SUTTON, REGINALD CODITHOMAS was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at 725 N CHERRY ST on 4/1/2022 ♦ TADLOCK, MICHAEL BRADLEY was arrested on a charge of CYBERSTALKING at 420 JONESTOWN RD on 4/3/2022 ♦ Toribio, Edwin Patricio (M/23) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Cocaine Fel (F) and 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 2328 Waughtown St, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/3/2022 11:53. ♦ WELLS, AARON JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of DISCH FA/ OCC DWELL at 4260 BROWSNBORO RD on 4/4/2022 ♦ Whitmire, Ashlyn Lemly (F/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched I (F) and 2) Drugs-poss Sched Iv (M), at 7017 Discovery Ln, Walkertown, NC, on 3/30/2022 03:00. ♦ WILSON, TAMEYIA CELESTE was arrested on a charge of PROBATION VIOLATION at 601 PETERS CREEK PW on 4/1/2022 ♦ WOODS, NYKEON NATHANIEL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2416 CALEDONIA DR on 4/3/2022

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

3

SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Syracuse’s Swider not returning, to pursue pro career Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse forward Cole Swider will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft, he announced on social media. The 6-foot9, 220-pound Rhode Island native transferred to Syracuse last year from Villanova and started all 33 games for the Orange in 2021-22. He averaged 13.9 points, second on the team to Buddy Boeheim (19.2), and topped Syracuse in rebounding, averaging 6.8.

Swider also shot a teamhigh 41.1% (81 of 197) from 3-point range.

MLB

Cardinals’ Pujols to make 22nd consecutive opening day start St. Louis Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Monday that Pujols, who signed a $2.5 million contract to return to the club where he became a star, will be the designated hitter for his 22nd consecutive opening day start. That matches Hank Aaron and Carl Yastrzemski for second-most behind only Pete Rose, who made 23 straight during his career.

NFL

Eagles, Saints swap several draft picks, including 2023 1st Philadelphia The Philadelphia Eagles have traded two first-round picks in this month’s draft to the New Orleans in a major swap of assets. The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder (No. 194) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a thirdrounder (No. 101), a seventhrounder (No. 237), a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. The move leaves Philadelphia with two firsts, Nos. 15 and 18. The Saints also now have two firsts.

ESPORTS

London firm taking bets on esports launches in New Jersey Atlantic City, N.J. New Jersey’s first company to take bets on competitive video games began full operations Monday, having completed a trial period for state regulators. Esports Entertainment Group was approved Friday to end a testing period of “soft play” while New Jersey regulators evaluated its product.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed it had authorized the company to commence full operations. The company, based in London with offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and in Malta, is affiliated with the license of Bally’s casino. For now, it can only take bets on esports.

MIKE CAUDILL | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

Hamlin finally finds the Next Gen formula, wins at Richmond The win boosted the No. 11 team after a rough start to the season

The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin hoped a visit to the track he watched races at as a youngster would help kickstart a season that started in an uncharacteristic fashion — poorly.

Thanks to some crafty tire strategy that his team timed right, he got it done.

Hamlin ran down William Byron with five laps to go Sunday and ended the slowest start to a season in his career with a victory in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

“You just have a tough season and if things aren’t going well and it seems like the breaks aren’t going you way and then the law of averages say things are going to kind of work out and we get our performance better and today’s the

day where it all matched up,” said Hamlin, who started the day 22nd in points.

In a race that featured four sets of green-flag pit stops and a whole lot of tire strategy, Hamlin closed a huge gap between Byron and teammate Martin Truex Jr., passing Truex on the outside and Byron shortly thereafter. He then held off a challenge from Kevin Harvick, a three-time winner at Richmond.

“Yeah, just great strategy there.

Just drove as hard as I could,” Hamlin said after climbing from his car. “There was no doubt in my mind, maybe just a little, but they got this car right there towards the end. Wow, unbelievable.”

Hamlin’s 47th career victory was his first at his hometown track since 2016, the first for Toyota in the Next Gen car and gave NASCAR seven different winners in seven Cup Series races.

Harvick was second, followed

by Byron, Truex and Kyle Larson.

“Had a shot there at the end,” Harvick said. “I wanted to be close enough with the white to just take

7 Different winners through the first seven races of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule a swipe at him. Yeah, the lapped cars there kind of got in the way and I lost a little bit of ground.”

Hamlin got himself into contention during the second stage when he and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell opted to stay on the track while most of the rest of the field pitted for tires. The move initially gave the risk-takers a sizable lead, but one that began evaporating quickly.

Hamlin made it pay off in the final stage, going from 15th to seventh over just a few laps after a restart using the extra set of tires he had over the field.

Byron and Truex tried to make a similar strategy work at the end,

trying to race almost 90 laps on the same tires while Hamlin and Harvick and most others pitted with just under 50 laps to go. They almost made it work.

“At the end I think we just tried to gamble ... on beating the 24. He ended up trying to do our strategy, which we both screwed up,” Truex said. He was seeking his fourth victory in the last six races at the .75-mile, D-shaped oval, but instead Hamlin gave the current JGR stable 13 wins here.

Byron, meantime, declined to pit from the big lead he held when most of the field headed in under green with just over 50 laps to go. Truex did too, but eventually Hamlin passed them both for his first top 10 finish of the season. He also snapped a string of 12 consecutive race winners under 30.

“I thought there at the end they told me I was just racing (Truex),” Byron said of his team. “I’m like, ‘OK. I got him,’ but then (Harvick) and (Hamlin) were on a totally different planet. ... There wasn’t anything I could do about them.”

Staley leads South Carolina over UConn for second NCAA title The Gamecocks got a career-high 26 points from Destanni Henderson

“They were determined to be champions today.”

The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Dawn Staley hoisted the championship trophy high, strutted around the court and stopped only for a brief victory dance. She handed over the hardware to South Carolina’s student band, then headed back to midcourt for more merriment.

After hitting all the right notes this season, it’s time for the Gamecocks to celebrate.

Staley’s team buttoned up on defense and dominated on the glass, beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday night to end the Huskies’ undefeated streak in title games.

Destanni Henderson scored a career-high 26 points, Aliyah Boston added 11 points and 16 rebounds, and the Gamecocks handed Geno Auriemma’s Huskies their first loss in 12 NCAA title games.

“We played every possession like it was our last possession,” Staley said. “They were determined to be champions today.”

A year ago, South Carolina lost in the Final Four when Boston missed a layup before the buzzer.

“Obviously, I’ve been thinking about this since last season. Everyone had a picture of me crying,” said Boston, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. “Today, we’re national champions and I’m in tears.”

With Staley calling the shots in

Dawn Staley, South Carolina coach

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Carolina celebrates after beating UConn 64-49 on Sunday to win the NCAA women's basketball championship. a Louis Vuitton letterman jacket, South Carolina took UConn to school on the boards and capped a wire-to-wire run as the No. 1 team in the country in The Associated Press poll. The Gamecocks also won the championship in 2017 with A’ja Wilson leading the way.

This time it was Boston — the AP Player of the Year — and her fellow South Carolina post players who dominated on the game’s biggest stage. The Gamecocks outrebounded UConn by 49-24, including a 21-6 advantage on offensive boards. They also clamped down on star Paige Bueckers and the Huskies on defense, just like they did all season long.

“They deserved it 100%,” Auriemma said. “They were the best

team all year. The first five minutes, I thought they came out and set the tone then and there for how the game was going to be played.”

It was South Carolina’s night from the start. The Gamecocks (35-2) jumped to an 11-2 lead, grabbing nearly every rebound on both ends of the floor. They led to 22-8 after one quarter much to the delight of their fans, who made the trip to Minneapolis to be part of the sellout crowd.

UConn (30-6) trailed by 16 in the second quarter before Bueckers, a Minnesota native, got going. After having just one shot in the first quarter, she scored nine points in the second to get the Huskies within 35-27 at the half.

She finished with 14.

An 8-2 run to start the third quarter put South Carolina up 43-29 before the Huskies finally started connecting from behind the arc. UConn missed its first eight 3-point attempts until Caroline Ducharme made one from the wing and Evina Westbrook followed with another to get the Huskies within 43-37.

That’s as close as they could get because of Henderson.

The senior guard had a 3-point play to close the third quarter and then had the team’s first four points in the fourth to restore the double-digit lead. The Huskies couldn’t recover.

“My teammates believed in me once again. We’ve been working so hard since Day 1, and it finally paid off, all my hard work, all my focus,” Henderson said. “ This was UConn’s first trip to the championship game since 2016, when the Huskies won the last of four straight titles. Auriemma said Saturday that when his team had won each of its 11 titles, the Huskies entered the game as the better team. They certainly weren’t on Sunday.

“We just didn’t have enough,” he said. “They were just too good for us.”

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.”

The o for mil taking while a about t

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

4

STATE & NATION

Palin joins 50 others in running for Alaska US House seat

By Becky Bohrer The Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska — Sarah Palin shook up an already unpredictable race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, joining a field of 50 other candidates seeking to fill the seat held for decades by the lateU.S. Rep. Don Young, who died last month.

Palin filed paperwork Friday with a state Division of Elections office in Wasilla, said Tiffany Montemayor, a division spokesperson.

Palin, a former Alaska governor who was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, has the biggest national political profile in the packed field that includes current and former state legislators and a North Pole city council member named Santa Claus.

“Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin said in a statement on social media.

Young, a Republican, had held Alaska’s House seat since 1973 and was seeking reelection at the time of his death last month at age 88.

Palin resigned as governor in

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

Sarah Palin leaves the courthouse in New York, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

2009, partway through her term, and said she could make a difference outside the governor’s office.

She also had expressed outrage over ethics complaints she felt had

frivolously targeted her.

Palin has kept a low profile in Alaska politics since then but maintained a presence nationally, including through speaking en-

gagements, appearances with conservative outlets and on reality TV. She also was an early supporter of now-former President Donald Trump.

She has hinted at possible runs for office in the past but never took the plunge. In her statement, she said America is “at a tipping point” and that she’s in the race to “win it and join the fight for freedom alongside other patriots willing to sacrifice all to save our country.”

A special primary is set for June 11. The top four vote-getters will advance to an Aug. 16 special election in which ranked choice voting will be used, a process in line with a new elections system approved by voters in 2020.

The winner, targeted to be certified by Sept. 2, will serve the remainder of Young’s term, which expires in January.

The special election will coincide with the regular primary.

The regular primary and November general election will determine who represents Alaska in the House for a two-year term starting in January.

Others who filed Friday include Democratic state Rep. Adam Wool; independent Al Gross, an orthopedic surgeon who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020; and Emil Notti, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 1973 election to Young. Former lawmakers Andrew Halcro and Mary Sattler Peltola are also running.

They join a field that had already included Republican Nick Begich,

who previously announced plans to run for U.S. House last fall; Democrat Christopher Constant, an Anchorage Assembly member; and John Coghill, a Republican former state lawmaker.

Begich, an early challenger to Young, said he sees the Matanuska-Susitna region, a hotbed of conservatism that includes Palin’s hometown of Wasilla, as one of his strongest areas of the state.

Begich said there are a “lot of opportunistic candidates, in our view, that have chosen to get in. I think that the entry of Gov. Palin is completely consistent with that sort of spirit of opportunism that we’re seeing right now.”

Halcro, who has a podcast on which he talks politics, lost to Palin in the 2006 gubernatorial general election. He said during this campaign he plans to play up his intent to only run to fill the remainder of the term. He is running as an independent.

Meanwhile, a man who years ago legally changed his name to Santa Claus and serves on the North Pole city council also filed for the special primary. Claus, who said he has a “strong affinity” for Bernie Sanders, is running as an independent.

He said he is not soliciting or raising money. He said the new elections process “gives people like me an opportunity, without having to deal with parties, to throw our hat in the ring.”

“I do have name recognition,” he said with a laugh.

States look for solutions as US fentanyl deaths keep rising

By Geoff Mulvihill The Associated Press AS THE ADDICTION and overdose crisis that has gripped the U.S. for two decades turns even deadlier, state governments are scrambling for ways to stem the destruction wrought by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

In statehouses across the country, lawmakers have been considering and adopting laws on two fronts: reducing the risk to users and increasing the penalties for dealing fentanyl or mixing it with other drugs. Meanwhile, Republican state attorneys general are calling for more federal action, while some GOP governors are deploying National Guard units with a mission that includes stopping the flow of fentanyl from Mexico.

“It’s a fine line to help people and try to get people clean, and at the same time incarcerate and get the drug dealers off the streets,” said Nathan Manning, a Republican state senator in Ohio who is sponsoring legislation to make it clear that materials used to test drugs for fentanyl are legal.

The urgency is heightened because of the deepening impact of the drugs. Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the nation had hit a grim milestone. For the first time, more than 100,000 Americans had died of drug overdoses over a 12-month period.

About two-thirds of the deaths were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, which can be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, heroin or prescription opioids.

The recent case of five West

AP PHOTO

A display of the fentanyl and meth that was seized by Customs and Border Protection officers over the weekend at the Nogales Port of Entry is shown during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Nogales, Ariz.

Point cadets who overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine during spring break in Florida put the dangers and pervasiveness of the fentanyl crisis back in the spotlight.

The chemical precursors to the drugs are being shipped largely from China to Mexico, where much of the illicit fentanyl supply is produced in labs before being smuggled into the U.S. While users sometimes seek out fentanyl specifically, it and other synthetics with similar properties are often mixed with other drugs or formed into counterfeit pills so users often don’t know they’re taking it.

Advocates say test strips can

help prevent accidental overdoses of drugs laced with fentanyl.

The strips are given out at needle exchanges and sometimes at concerts or other events where drugs are expected to be sold or used.

Thomas Stuber, chief legislative officer at The LCADA Way, a drug treatment organization in Ohio that serves Lorain County and nearby areas, has been pushing for the test strip legislation.

It also would ease access to naloxone, a drug that can be used to revive people when they’re having opioid overdoses.

“This is a harm-reduction approach that has received a lot of acceptance,” he said. “We cannot treat somebody if they’re dead.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures found 12 states with fentanyl-specific drug trafficking or possession laws as of last year. Similar measures have been introduced or considered since the start of 2021 in at least 19 states, the Associated Press found in an analysis of bills compiled by LegiScan. That does not include measures to add more synthetic opioids to controlled substance lists to mirror federal law; those have been adopted in many states, with bipartisan support.

Fentanyl has been in the spotlight in Colorado since February, when five people were found dead in a suburban Denver apartment

from overdoses of fentanyl mixed with cocaine.

Under state law, possession with intent to distribute less than 14 grams of fentanyl is an offense normally punishable by two to four years in prison. But fentanyl is so potent that 14 grams can represent up to 700 lethal doses, under a calculation used by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

“It’s making it impossible to hold the dealer accountable for the deadliness of the drugs they’re peddling,” Colorado House Speaker Alec Garnett, a Democrat, said in an interview.

Democratic governors are focusing primarily on harm reduction methods. Among them is Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker, who released a broad overdose action plan last month.

Several Republican governors and attorneys general have responded to the rising death toll with administrative enforcement efforts and by pushing for more federal intervention.

Last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for states to help secure the border with Mexico.

Along with trying to keep people from entering the U.S., stopping the flow of fentanyl was cited as a reason. Several other Republican governors have sent contingents of state troopers or National Guard units.

The Texas Military Department said that from March 2021 through earlier this month, its troops near the border confiscated more than 1,200 pounds of fentanyl. By comparison, federal authorities reported confiscating about 11,000 pounds in 2021 — still a fraction of what entered the country.

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Short handed game With only 10 players suited up, the Pinecrest girls varsity soccer team took a 4-0 win over Hoke County on Friday night. Sophomore Mia Martin recorded a hat trick as the short-handed Patriots remained unbeaten in conference play and improved to 6-3-2 overall. Pinecrest traveled to Union Pines to face the 6-2-1 Vikings Tuesday night after press time. In this photo, freshman Anna Depenprock attempts a header on a corner kick during the Pinecrest v. Hoke County soccer game Friday night.

COUNTY NEWS Lowe’s invests $4 million in two NC colleges Lowe’s is investing $4 million toward new partnerships with two North Carolina universities. Queens University of Charlotte announced Lowe’s is providing $2.5 million for the Charlotte Talent Initiative, a partnership between Mecklenburg County businesses and the college to expand Charlotte’s talent pipeline and help low-income graduates of local high schools.

N.C. Central University is receiving $1.5 million from Lowe’s for the School of Business. The investment will be used to develop new programs, faculty recruitment and student scholarships.

Last year, Lowe’s pledged $10 million to Johnson C. Smith University as part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.

Colleges eye honorary degrees for Ukraine’s Zelensky At least 17 colleges and universities in several states will jointly offer honorary degrees to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their commencement ceremonies this spring. Alfred University President Mark Zupan said the idea grew from his request to have Zelenskyy speak virtually to a combination of graduating classes. When an official at the Ukrainian embassy declined the western New York university’s request, the institutions agreed to award honorary degrees in absentia to honor Zelenskyy’s leadership in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Several additional campuses in upstate New York, which has a significant population with ties to Ukraine, have committed to the idea. They are being joined by institutions in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

Carthage board clears way for new Little River development North State Journal staff CARTHAGE — ­ The Carthage Board of Commissioners met in a special meeting on Tuesday, March 30 to consider changes to its zoning rules along with procedural business related to annexation and Department of Transportation right-of-ways.

The board’s actions at the called meeting will clear the way for additional development at Little River Resort.

The move comes eight months after the town began considering its options for allowing development at the resort. According to the town, the board original-

ly held a public hearing on July 19, 2021, where the board considered amendments to the resorts special use permit. At the request of the resort developers, the board did not rule on the special use permit and instead agreed to wait for the resort to submit a conditional rezoning request.

On August 7, 2021, Little River Development Partners, LLC, requested conditional rezoning approval for a 678-acre development between U.S. Highway 15-501 and N.C. Highway 22 in Carthage. The Carthage Planning Board had previously recommended that the commissioners approve the rezoning request

The ordinance changes approved by the board will allow nearly 900 dwellings at the site. with certain conditions. At the August 7 meeting, the board approved the rezoning request unanimously, but the developers did not accept the conditions for the rezoning in writing, as required by state statute, so the rezoning was not finalized.

In December of 2021, the planning board revisited the rezoning

request and forwarded a new recommendation to the board to approve the conditional rezoning.

The board was able to take up the rezoning last week to finally gain formal approval.

The rezoning is primarily focused on the residential aspects of the development which will include single-family detached dwellings, single-family attached dwellings, townhomes, condominiums and multi-family dwellings. The ordinance changes approved by the board will allow nearly 900 dwellings at the site.

The rezoning greenlights the first three of six eventual phases of the development at the resort.

The single-family townhomes will have a minimum unit size of 1,800 square feet, according to the new zoning ordinance. The ordinance will also require recreational spaces — parks, polls, green spaces and other recreational areas — after each completed phase of the project.

Public school budget set to increase North State Journal staff CARTHAGE — The Moore County Board of Education met for its regular work session Monday with the preliminary budget for the 2022-2023 school year at the top of the discussion items.

The work session also included the required monthly discussion of the system’s COVID-19 protocols, information about the board’s legal representation and an update on professional membership organizations and dues paid.

Moore County continues to see reduced cases of COVID-19.

The county had only two cases of COVID-19 among residents between the ages of 0 and 17. The system began offering free COVID testing in November with students allowed to be tested with parental consent. Of the 91 students tested between February 28 and March 24, six tested positive. During that same time period, 17 staff members were tested with zero positive results. The school system will maintain its mask-optional policy.

Board chair Pam Thompson announced the board’s law firm, Tharrington Smith, is resigning as the board’s counsel effective June 30. Board member Bob Levy asked that the board get recommendations on new law firms for

the next work session.

The board voted on matters relating masks, legal services, and community college board appointments with no dissent.

The school board also began discussion of its 2022-2023 base budget. The prior budget, for the 2021-2022 school year, totaled $140,920,128. The new $157 million proposed budget represents an 11.4% increase against the prior budget, including an overall 17.3% increase in local funding. At the per pupil level, the county would see an increase of 20% in local funding, if approved.

The budget figures include temporary federal COVID relief money which is not permanent. Much of the federal funding expires after 2023.

The school system hosted a web portal to collect feedback on the proposed budget. The public comment portal was open from March 8 through March 18. The system received 20 total responses. Nine of the 20 comments came from parents. Four teachers and one student also made public comments.

Inflation was a factor in the new budget, according to school system staff at the work session. The staff used an average inflationary increase of 4.2% when it factored

The budget figures include temporary federal COVID relief money which is not permanent. Much of the federal funding expires after 2023. in inflation. The board discussed factors that are included in the consumer price index, which is the metric the system is using to represent inflation. “I do not believe that gas prices are in [the CPI],” said Levy.

The board will also solicit nominations for the Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees from April 5 through April 19. The board will then vote on a nominee on May 9.

The board is still undertaking a search for a permanent superintendent however, there was not update on the process at the Monday work session.

The board will meet next in a closed session on Friday, April 8.

The board did not announce the topics that will be discussed at the closed session meeting. The next regular business meeting will be held April 12.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

4.6.22

WEEKLY FORECAST

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by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

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WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ MOORE, PATRICK JOHN (W, M, 67) of Carthage, arrested 4/4/2022 on charges of Possess Methamphetamine, Possess Drug Paraphernalia by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $4,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/28/2022. ♦ DANIEL, STEPHEN SCOTT (W, M, 30) of West End, arrested 4/4/2022 on charges of Possess Heroin, Possess Drug Paraphernalia by Carthage PD. Bond: $5,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/14/2022. ♦ HOLMES, KRISTIAN KIRK (W, F, 36) of Jackson Springs, arrested 4/3/2022 on charges of Assault Government Official/ Employee, Assault and Battery

by Pinehurst PD. Bond: $750 Unsecured. Next Court Date: 4/20/2022. ♦ LEE, AMANDA NICOLE (W, F, 38) of Laurinburg, arrested 4/2/2022 on charges of Possess Methamphetamine, Maintn Veh/Dwell/Place CS, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, Identity Theft, Fictitious/False Information to an Officer, Drive While License Revoked Not Impaired Rev Based, Fict/Alt Title/Reg Card/Tag, Drive/ Allow MV No Registration, Poss Opn Cnt/Cons Alc Psg Area, Operate Veh no Insurance by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $10,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/14/2022. ♦ DABADY, JEAN PHILIPPE (B, M, 59) of Southern Pines, arrested 4/2/2022 on charges of Flee/ Elude Arrest With a Motor Vehicle, Drive While License Revoked Impaired Rev Based

by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $1,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/20/2022. ♦ MONTENERY, MONICA LEE (W, F, 51) of Southern Pines, arrested 4/1/2022 on charges of Assault Government Official/ Employee by Southern Pines PD. Bond: $1,000 Secured.

Next Court Date: 4/28/2022. ♦ BALDWIN, ARMANI MONTREIZ (B, M, 22) of Carthage, arrested 4/1/2022 on charges of Breaking and or Entering (x5), Larceny of a Firearm, Possess Stolen Firearm, Injury to Real Property, Felony Larceny, Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon, Second Degree Kidnapping (x2) by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $400,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/7/2022. ♦ SEWELL, BILLY RAY (W, M, 29) of Vass, arrested 3/31/2022 on charges of Breaking or Entering, Second Degree Trespass, Assault on a Female, Interfere Emergency Communication, Injury to Personal Property by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $1,500 Secured. Next Court

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Mountaire Farms will feed thousands for Easter

MONDAY

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moore

happening

Poultry producer has expanded holiday meal program

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

By Bob Sutton North State Journal ASHEBORO — Mountaire Farms is extending its goodwill program to include a new spring event that will provide Easter meals for people near its plant in Siler City.

It’s called “Easter for Thousands” and the company will expects employees and community members will participate in the endeavor Saturday morning.

“We noticed a need in the community,” said Sasha Duncan, the community relations manager for Mountaire Farms of North Carolina. “It’s something that we’ve done in the past at Thanksgiving and now has expanded to Christmas and Easter.”

The participants will pack and have ready to distribute approximately 3,000 boxed meals that will go to areas in need in multiple counties, including Chatham, Lee, Moore and Randolph.

Each meal box contains a Mountaire Farms roaster chicken and the fixings that feeds a family of four during the holiday period.

Duncan said elected officials from Siler City and Pittsboro along with state Sen. Dave Craven are among those anticipated to be on hand.

April 9 PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTAIRE FARMS

Past food packing activities for Mountaire Farms employees have involved fun as well.

There are about 1,800 employees of Mountaire Farms in the region.

“We’re really trying to introduce the community to our employees,” Duncan said.

Mountaire Farms opened in Siler City in April 2019. But for more than two decades, the company’s processing plants in Delaware and Maryland have been involved with similar outreach programs.

Mountaire Farms is partnering with Piggly Wiggly in Siler City to fill the boxes.

“Not every day you purchase groceries for 3,000,” Duncan said.

Volunteers will gather at 7:30 a.m. and the event will begin at 8 a.m. with a brief ceremony. Then it’s an assembly-line set-up in the

plant’s employee parking lot with packing and loading the meals to groups that will be arriving to distribute the meals. This might last up to 3½ hours.

Duncan said requests from at least 76 organizations were accepted, so there will be quite a line of vehicles involved in the pick-up. In Randolph County, those organizations include some based in Asheboro, Franklinville, Ramseur and Staley.

Each box will have a Mountaire Farms roaster chicken along with plenty of items for side dishes.

Mountaire Farms has impact throughout the region, Duncan said. The company has contract farms in 17 counties in North Carolina, including Chatham, Moore and Randolph counties.

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

MOORE COUNTY, WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Southern Pines Garden Club Home and Garden Tour 10am-4pm Since the 1940s, SPGC members and volunteers have welcomed visitors from surrounding areas to experience some of the Sandhills’ most elegant homes and gardens. Adding to the visual impact of these lovely properties will be creative flower arrangements designed by talented SPGC members. This year’s tour showcases the interiors and landscape architecture of five of the area’s most amazing homes.

Call (910) 992-8289 for more information.

Sandhills Horticulture Society Plant Sale 9am-noon The Sandhills Horticultural Society will hold its spring plant sale offering perennials, woody plants, and bulbs. The sale will be held in the Homer Parking Lot on the SCC campus.

April 16 Corvette Show 11am

Pauline

BRUN

For Moore County School Board

Listening to parents for our kids!

The Conservative Choice for Moore County Schools

I believe in:

Academics First Education NOT Indoctrination

Listening to Parents Safety for Students and Teachers

Paid for by: Bruno for the Board

Southern Pines Chevrolet will host a Corvette-only show that is free and open to the public. Registration will be from 9am-11am for those wishing to enter, with the show beginning at 11am. For additional information, call 734-306-9245 or email jimwfrazier@ comcast.net.

April 22-24 14th Celebration of Spring Pottery

TUNE INTO The John and Maureen show

Sundays

1 - 2PM WEEB 990 AM 104.1 and 97.3 FM

10am The Seagrove Potters will hold their annual Spring kiln openings April 22-24.

An unprecedented number of pottery shops will open their doors to celebrate. The self-guided tour starts at the Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove where attendees can pick up maps and special offers before they visit shops.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s budget boondoggle

We must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.”

“SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS traditionally do make a financial mess.”

These words by the late Margaret Thatcher seem to ring true time and time again. Yet too many Democrats in Washington are not listening.

Last week, the White House released its proposed nearly $6 trillion budget for next year. If enacted, it would push $73 trillion in new government spending and $58 trillion in taxes. What’s more, the reckless proposal would cause our debt to reach $45 trillion by 2032 – about $347,000 for your household. This proposal undermines the American people in favor of radical, far-left policies. Biden’s budget would worsen the already severe economic conditions facing you and your family.

As it stands today, the American economy is in dire straits as a result of Washington Democrats’ reckless spending. Our community continues to be hammered by inflation and price hikes on just about every consumer good and service. As of last week, baby food is up 8.4%, eggs 11%, and transportation services 6.4%, just to name a few. On top of this, paychecks have not kept up as real average hourly earnings decreased 2.6% compared to last year.

Gas prices have hit their highest rate in US history, averaging $4.20 per gallon nationally and $4 in North Carolina. This energy crisis began because of President Biden’s anti-American energy policies. Yet, instead of reversing course, the Left is doubling down.

Biden’s proposed budget would levy $45 billion in new taxes on domestic energy production — which means less production —while rejecting plans to resume the Keystone XL Pipeline and other new domestic oil and natural gas projects. The President’s solution instead is to tap our strategic petroleum reserves for the third time. Such short-sighted measures are counterproductive and frankly irresponsible.

If passed, the President’s budget would also implement other new and unnecessary tax burdens, adding an almost $1 trillion tax increase on American businesses, workers, and families. Would these new taxes generate one more barrel of oil, lower gas prices, or end inflation? No – just grow government, kill American jobs, and push forward a ‘woke’ agenda that Americans neither want nor need.

For example, this new budget continues to support Biden’s anti-life agenda by providing $400 million taxpayer dollars to organizations like

Planned Parenthood. Additionally, it leaves out the Hyde Amendment, a commonsense measure that says your tax dollars can’t be used to pay for abortions.

This budget also neglects any meaningful steps to secure our border.

Over 2.9 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our border since Biden took office. Now experts are predicting this number will skyrocket after repealing Title 42, a measure that allows migrants to be immediately sent back to Mexico in the name of public health. Yet, Biden’s proposal fails to adequately address this issue. The budget mentions “border security” zero times and makes no effort to enforce the “Remain in Mexico” policy or the construction of a border wall. If anything, this budget detracts from our security by continuing Biden’s catch-and-release policy and actually cutting funding for Homeland Security and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

The answer to the inflation, energy, and border crises we are facing should not be to double down on the factors that created these crises in the first place.

Instead, we must stop unnecessary government spending or, as President Reagan said, “check government spending, not spend government checks.” We must also lower costs for you and your family.

This means taking concrete steps to address inflation and supply chain issues, as well as increasing our own production of oil and gas by passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act. Furthermore, we must take steps to defend life at all stages and effectively secure our border.

I have focused on common sense solutions to address each of these areas since my first day in Congress and am determined to keep doing so because your future and our children’s future is too important.

Our veterans understand this more than anyone. That’s why last week, we honored a generation of veterans who did not get the thanks they deserved nearly five decades ago. Tuesday marked National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, a time to honor and thank all who served our nation and their families during the Vietnam War. While our country faces many challenges today, it’s important to remember the service of so many who have gone before us to advance our nation. We must never forget their sacrifices and continue working to improve the country they worked so hard to defend.

COLUMN | KATRIN FRANKLIN

How Covid exposed the small town vote Was it true that one man was standing between me and my horrific visions of handcuffs should I dare unlock the door to my small shop in downtown Pinehurst on Monday, March 30th?

I FIND MYSELF thanking God for a lot of new things these days. The trauma our country has suffered at the hands of corrupt government was enough to bind many of us together forever, the trauma bond that is formed when you starkly realize that it really is America against evil.

Among many other things, I’m incredibly thankful for the way this significant life event has awakened deeper purpose in many of us. Sure, we were conservatives before. Sure, we had Republican values. Sure, went to church on Sundays.

But on March 27, 2020, something so ferocious was born inside of me that I will be forever changed. Following Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order #121, Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, a man I have never met, changed my life. While news of a global pandemic, statewide shutdown, and fanged daydreams filled with the horrors of non-compliance and punishment filled our chatter, the Moore County Sheriff spoke up.

He said it was his duty to uphold the law, and while there were often things he wished were laws but weren’t, or things he sort of thought shouldn’t be, but are, he instructed his entire county to do one thing and one thing only — refuse compliance with the overreaching executive order, upholding the spirit of the Constitution and duly-passed laws with strength and dignity, unwavering.

I sat back and thought about the power of the Sheriff’s statement, and the courage in his stand. I read the executive order for a third time, all 10 pages. It was indeed not a law, and it had a myriad of conflicting statements. I got out my trusty highlighter and made many notes. I compared paragraphs from page-to-page about the implied meaning of words such as “essential” and “non-essential”, vague statements like, [you must close] “unless you can remain 6 ft apart, except for at the point of sale”. There were so many run-on sentences that I could see why it was very difficult to decipher and why most people just gave up, locked their doors, and joined the masses in grief.

It was in that moment I realized the true importance of local elections.

Was it true that one man was standing between me and my horrific visions of handcuffs should I dare unlock the door to my small shop in downtown Pinehurst on Monday, March 30th? Is it true that that man didn’t see me as a criminal even though my neighbors and friends might?

Could they fear so deeply that they would consider looting my small shop the way they were in other cities across the country, violent displays of tagging windows, smashing and grabbing at their peer’s livelihoods?

Did I really know anyone capable of punishing used-to-be friends and

neighbors for thinking differently than them?

If one man - in this case our Sheriff - was indeed the buckle to my safety net, the one man standing between me and legal persecution, what other brave men and women were protecting us from injustices that we are equally unaware of? Injustices that don’t fit on a campaign sign and can’t be explained in a 30-second commercial spot. The types of injustices that are stealing tax dollars from residents, taking resources from children, parents, teachers, and community programs like libraries and food banks. If I came face-to-face with one man who gave me permission to open up my business and serve my community, to make my living, to pay my bills, to support my family, and my friends, what other storms are being faced out there that we don’t know anything about?

So, while I have many things to thank God for every single day, this violent trespass against American rights by Gov. Cooper is one of them, because it blew the American heart wide open. It reminded us who we have dedicated this land to, why our families have traveled here from other countries, sought refuge, built a life, birthed children, built homes and businesses; it awakened inside of us an idea which we had ignorantly let fall asleep — We The People.

We The People have the power, as given to us by the Constitution of the United States. We The People vote in representatives to speak up for us, defend us, and protect us against tyrannical outliers. We The People are in complete control, and must fight with the same accuracy and stealth as if we were at war — because we are.

We are in a war for our way of life, for the most basic American precepts. We The People have to start small, fortify our local communities with impenetrable and fearless leaders who cannot be bought because they only serve the strongest economy - God’s economy. Dignified leaders like our sheriff. Local races may often appear at the bottom of the ballot, but America is learning strong local leadership — or, especially the absence of it — must be of top concern.

Local elections matter precisely because We The People is not just our right, but our highest duty. The recent past has shown us how much neglecting that duty can cost. It is a cost We The People can bear no longer. Once enough of us have accepted that responsibility, we will take our country back, one local election at a time.

Katrin Franklin is a small-business owner in the Village of Pinehurst.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 6, 2022

4

obituaries

Dudley Louis Fry, Jr.

Rosemary F Hansult

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

Jane Haywood Hinson

April 23, 1931 - April 3, 2022

August 12, 1931 - April 2, 2022

Feb. 16, 1934 ~ April 1, 2022

Colonel Dudley Louis Fry, Jr. USA, Ret., 90, passed away on April 3, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dudley Louis Fry, Sr. and Helen Page Fry; his sister, Geraldine Mae Fry; and his beloved wife of 37 years, Alma Kinlaw Fry. Dudley is survived by his sons, Michael Louis Fry (Carol Anne) and Randall Page Fry (Elizabeth); his grandchildren, Matthew Edward Fry (Kelsey), Cassidy Michelle Fry, William Randall Fry (Anisha Kamat), Callie Elizabeth Fry, Tucker Powell Fry, and Emily Page Fry.

RoseMary Frances Hansult, 90, of Southern Pines, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, in Pinehurst.

She was born in Amityville, N.Y., to the late Jacob J. Fisher and Florence C. McCormack Fisher. RoseMary worked as a business manager for the Farmingdale School District on Long Island, N.Y. until her retirement in 1986. She and her husband relocated to Pinehurst where she worked for Robert Barrett, CPA for several years.

RoseMary was preceded in death by her husband, William George Hansult, of Pinehurst and is survived by her son, Bill G. Hansult Jr. of Grover Beach, Calif.; her two daughters, Susan Jennings and her husband, R. Douglas of Jacksonville, Fla., and Barbara Cunningham and her husband, Andrew, of Tampa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Traci Welsh, Trista Peck, Talia Jennings, Cameron and Will Cunningham; and three greatgrandchildren, Asher, Samuel and Ryann Welsh.

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend Jane Haywood Hinson, entered into God’s Kingdom on the evening of April 1st surrounded by her loving family.

Jane was born to Joseph and Hannah Jane Haywood on February 16th, 1934 in Rockingham, NC. While in college, Jane met Charles, a match truly made in heaven. On the first date Charles told Jane he loved her and on the second date he asked her to marry him.

Jane and Charles went on to have three children, Chuck, Bill and Jo. She is survived by her faithful and loving husband of 65 years, Reverend Charles Hinson. Her three children, Chuck (Renee) Hinson, Bill (Donna) Hinson, Jo (Dwight) Queen. Her grandchildren, Olivia and Chase Hinson, Maggie (Josh) Holcomb, Elizabeth (Beau) Davis, William Hinson, Katie (Trevin) Pendry, Drew Queen and her great-grandchildren Spencer Gray and Margaret Claire Holcomb, Holden Jane and Bendie Lou Pendry.

Bryant Joseph Holland

Darlene Louise Luppino

November 9, 1953 - March 31, 2022

October 26, 1935 - March 30, 2022

Bryant Joseph Holland, 68 of Aberdeen, passed away on March 31, 2022.

Born on November 9, 1953 in Amsterdam, New York to the late Charles and Grace Holland. Bryant was an avid pool player. He also enjoyed playing poker, golfing, and bowling.

He is survived by four children, Joseph Gastuch, Shane Michael Holland (Ellen), Ashley Dasher and Heather Holland; one brother, John Holland; one sister, Donna Roberts; life-partner, Sally Sheldon; also survived by nine grandchildren and many other family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 1:003:00PM at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.

Darlene Louise Luppino, 86 of Southern Pines, passed away on March 30, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

Daughter of Edgar and Juanita Pollock, born on October 26, 1935, Darlene was raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. She married Vincent Luppino in 1957. They lived in New Jersey before moving to Southern Pines, NC in 1996.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Luppino.

She is survived by three children, Michael Luppino (Portia) of Brooklyn, NY; Amy Smith (Frank) of Lake Hopatcong, NJ and Judy Tilmont (Steve) of Indianapolis, IN; four grandchildren, Hannah and Megan Smith, Claire and Eric Tilmont; two sisters, Susan Marquis and Penny Craig; also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many other family and friends.

William Francis Odell

June 2, 1941 - March 30, 2022 William F. Odell (Billy), coach and educator, passed peacefully on Wednesday March 30, 2022.

His loving wife, Mimi, was by his bedside at their home in Pinehurst, NC. He was 80 years old. He will be remembered for his love of football, golf, sports and family.

Billy was born on June 2, 1941 in Paul Smiths, New York to the late Theresa and Charles Odell. His passion for sports was developed at Saranac Lake High School where he excelled in football, track and baseball. He then attended Ithaca college where he met his wife of 58 years, Mimi Cornish. Billy became the star running back of the Ithaca College football team. As a result, he earned the most valuable player two years in a row and was named to the ‘Little All American” list. He also played in the 1963 Collegiate World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

He graduated with a Master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was later inducted into both the Saranac Lake High School and Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame for football and baseball.

He is survived by his loving wife Mimi; his three children Kimberly Yedowitz (Joe), Kyle Odell (Lori), and Kristin Mordecki (Tony); his grandchildren: Conor, Sean, Julie, Joey, Brenna, Luke, Gracie, Daniel, Bryce, Kaylie and Kolby along with his five siblings: Charles Earl Odell, Rosalie Martin, Mary Pryce, Esther Odell and Myra Rabideau.

Alice T. McGarey

May 19, 1927 - March 28, 2022

William Martin Thorpe

Betty Jean Reese

December 16, 1931 - March 30, 2022

January 24, 1944 - March 29, 2022

William Martin Thorpe, age 90, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2022, at Moore Memorial Hospital in Pinehurst, NC after a recent surgery.

William was a simple man…most would categorize him as “salt of the Earth”. He believed that everyone has value, and he never met a stranger.

His family, church, friends, and community are the benefactors of his loving and generous spirit.

Bill is survived by his son, Bryce Thorpe (Merralee), Daughter Annette Hyder (Donnie); Grandchildren Carrie Mabe, Teri Thorpe, Cassidy Patterson, Rebekah Lindhardt, Will Thorpe, Emily Stanley, Katie Hyder; Great Grand Children, Joshua Mabe, Gracie Mabe, Amber Webster, Elissa Dixon, Hunter Dixon, Savannah Chance, Kennedy Stanley, and Yrsa Lindhardt.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elda Thorpe, Richard Thorpe (brother), Patricia Butler and Helen Smith (sisters), Bryan Thorpe (Son), and great grandson Tanner Dixon.

Betty Jean Reese, age 77 of Laurinburg, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2022, joining her husband of 60 years who passed May 23, 2021.

She was a resident at Scotia Village and was surrounded by the love of her family.

Betty was born on January 24, 1944 in Scotland County, NC to the late Laura Mae Cooper and Frank Cooper. She retired from Abbott Labs where she enjoyed her job as a purchasing clerk for 28 years.

Betty is survived by her two daughters: Sandra Olmsted (married to Kevin) of Cameron, NC and Sonya Pelletier (married to Dana) of Stafford, VA. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Kevin and Mikaela Olmsted and Reese, Eric and Jenna Pelletier and her beloved companion and fur baby, “Nugget”. Betty is survived by her sister: Carol Burroughs and brothers: Johnny Cooper and Stevie Cooper.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister: Kathy Cooper and brother Tommy Cooper.

Alice Traynor McGarey died Monday, March 28, 2022, at Belle Meade, Southern Pines, NC. Alice was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Francis Denver McGarey, Jr. She is survived by sons F. Jerome McGarey (wife Heather W. McGarey) of Louisville CO, Patrick O. McGarey (wife Barbara M. McGarey) of McLean VA, Francis X. McGarey (wife Kristin F. McGarey) of Darien CT, Thomas A. McGarey (wife Dr. Elizabeth Goodman) of Wellesley, MA; daughters Sheila M. McGarey of Boston, MA, Rosemary Macdonald (husband Scott A. Macdonald) of Wheaton, Il, Alice McGarey Martin (husband Padraic W. Martin) of Cuttingsville VT, Maureen A. McGarey (husband Kyle Durland Barnes) of Charleston, SC; grandchildren Francis D. McGarey II, Erin Trager- Kusman, Colin T. Macdonald, Tiernan O. Martin, Patrick O. McGarey, Jr., Liam P. Martin, William J. McGarey, Claire H. Macdonald, Andrew W.S. McGarey, Brian V. Macdonald, Abigail E. McGarey, Alison M. Trandel, Charles D. McGarey, Mattie R. McGarey, Lily K. McGarey, and Samuel J. McGarey; great grandchildren Hadley, Neve, Finn, Asher, Hawk, Eden, Mara and Rose.

She was predeceased her brother Thomas J. Traynor II and by her parents.

William Ralph Richardson

September 17, 1934 - March 28, 2022 William Ralph Richardson, age 87, of Carthage, NC passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022 at First Health Hospital in Pinehurst, NC. Ralph was born on September 17, 1934 in Moore County; to the late Coy and Rachel Pusser Richardson.

He graduated from West End High School.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters Catherine Louise Richardson, and Florence Richardson Cox Clapp.

He is survived by his brother, Hale Richardson and wife Tina, of Carthage. His nieces and nephews, Steve Cox and wife Natalie; Lydia Craven and husband Roger; Greg Cox and wife, Vicki; Darrell Cox and wife, Kelly; Randy Cox and wife, Gwyn; Tammy Dutton and husband, Mike: Crystal Lynn and husband, Jason; and a host of great and great great nieces and nephews and his special cat “Fluffy.”

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