North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 37

Republicans claim Senate majority, close in on House

Washington, D.C.

Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are ghting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power in Congress alongside President-elect Donald Trump in the White House. A uni ed Republican grip on Washington would set the course for Trump’s agenda. Or if Democrats wrest control of the House, it would provide an almost certain backstop, with veto power over the White House. Speaking early Wednesday at his election night party in Florida, Trump said the results delivered an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” for Republicans.

Vote counting in some races could go on for days, and control of the House is too early to call. The rally for Republicans started early on election night in West Virginia when Jim Justice, the state’s wealthy governor, ipped the seat held by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin. From there, the Republicans marched alongside Trump across the Senate map.

Republicans toppled Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, the rst incumbent senator to fall, with GOP luxury car dealer and blockchain entrepreneur Bernie Moreno. They chased Democrats in the “blue wall” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where Vice President Kamala Harris strained to carry the party forward. Republican incumbents in Texas, Florida and Nebraska all held their seats, and Trump-backed Tim Sheehy, a wealthy former NAVY Seal, unseated Democrat Jon Tester in Montana.

The attorney general easily defeated Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whose campaign was rocked by controversy

North State Journal sta

RALEIGH — North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein won the race for governor, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The Associated Press called the race for Stein just before 9 p.m. Stein won 54.82% of the

vote to Robinson’s 40.18%.

“Tonight, the people of North Carolina resoundingly embraced a vision that’s optimistic, forward-looking and welcoming — a vision that is about creating opportunity for every North Carolinian,” Stein said at his election night watch party in Raleigh after the race was called for him. “We chose hope over hate. Competence over chaos. Decency over division. That’s who we are as North Carolinians.

“And I am so honored that

See STEIN, page A2

The total surpassed the 3.6 million who cast their ballots before Election Day in 2020

Mail-in absentee ballots cast in Tyrrell County.

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolinians cast more than 4.2 million votes during the state’s early voting period, beating the state’s previous early voting record in 2020 of over 3.6 million.

“I am proud of all of our 100 county boards of elections and the thousands of election workers who are making this happen in their communities,” Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elec-

The former president won by nearly 200,000 votes in North Carolina

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, N.C. — Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for the former president who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris handily in his bid to recapture the White House. With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.

“We’ve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory,” Trump told throngs of his cheering supporters in Florida. “This was something special, and we’re going to pay you back.”

The results cap a historically tumultuous and competitive election season that included two assassination attempts targeting Trump and a shift to a new Democratic nominee just a month before the party’s convention. Trump will inherit a range of challenges when he assumes o ce on Jan. 20, including heightened political polarization and global crises that are testing

See TRUMP, page A1

tions, said in a press release. “And I am especially proud of the workers and voters of Western North Carolina. You are an inspiration to us all.”

According to the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE), as of Sunday, 4,465,548 voters had cast their ballots in the 2024 general election. That is 57% of the state’s 7.8 million registered voters.

The NCSBE press release said the gures may be a bit lower than the actual turnout due to a “lag” between the casting of a ballot and when county boards of elections upload the data to the NCSBE.

Voters in the 25 western North Carolina counties

See VOTING, page A8

“This

was something special, and we’re going to pay you back.”

Donald Trump

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump waves as he walks with wife Melania Trump at an election night watch party where he declared victory early Wednesday morning over Vice President Kamala Harris at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida.

the word | True patriotism

John Newton’s letters to pastors are highly valued for their pastoral wisdom, humility and deep spiritual insight. Collected in works such as Cardiphonia (1781), in these letters Newton urged pastors to remain faithful to the gospel, maintain personal holiness and trust in God’s sovereignty while also addressing common struggles in ministry such as discouragement, con ict and theological challenges. Below is Newton’s letter to a pastor who was engaging in politics.

Dear friend, Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself, should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin — while the ship is sinking. Or to decorate the parlor — while the house is on re.

When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get involved in disputes or politics, “Friend, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Luke 12:14. “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would ght!” John 18:36. God’s children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character is, that they are the “quiet in the land.” Psalm 35:20.

Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert their thoughts from their real danger.

My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is — that He may induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in

the breach, by prayer, that God’s wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true patriotism — the best way in which people in private life may serve their country.

I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of the Lord. So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed — but not an inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His designs.

If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry free from stripes, nes, imprisonments, and death — it is more than the gospel has promised to us. If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild beasts — then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now! It was then accounted an honor to su er for Christ and the ‘o ence of the cross’

Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their ‘liberty’ — and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God’s law and His eternal wrath! Oh! for a voice to reach their hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state — and seek deliverance from their horri c thraldom. May you and I

labor to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly su cient.

If I had the wisdom or in uence to soothe the angry passions of mankind — I would gladly employ them! But I am a stranger and a pilgrim here in this world. My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all in heaven — and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world — where all that now causes so much bustle upon earth — will be of no more importance to me — than the events which took place among the antediluvians.

In the hour, when death shall open the door into eternity — many things which now assume an ‘air of importance’, will be found as light and unsubstantial as a child’s dream.

How crucial then, is it for me — to be found watching, with my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling! For the Lord has not called me to set governments right — but to preach the gospel, to proclaim the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! “Let the dead bury their own dead — but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God!” Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant, whom his Master nds so doing, when He returns!

As you have forced me to respond — both duty and love have obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts.

I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your a ectionate friend and brother, John

John Newton (1725–1807) was an English pastor and former slave trader who became a prominent abolitionist who was himself enslaved in West Africa for three years. After a dramatic conversion to Christianity, Newton renounced his former life and became an in uential evangelical minister who authored the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

GOP wins 10 of NC’s 14 U.S. House seats

A recount is possible in the 1st District, where Don Davis vs. Laurie Buckhout is too close to call

North State Journal sta

WITH ALL PRECINCTS reporting, 5,826 votes separated incumbent Democrat Rep. Don Davis and Laurie Buckhout in the race to represent North Carolina’s 1st District in Congress. Davis had a 49.46% to 47.90% lead, and the race was still too close to call.

“It looks like we are going to continue ghting. … If a recount is required, we will be ready,” Buckout said in a statement.

Here’s a roundup of the other House races.

Three seats ip to GOP

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore is heading to Congress after winning the 14th Congressional District over Democrat Pamela Genant with more than 58% of the vote. The seat is currently held by freshman Democrat Rep. Je Jackson, who ran for and won the race for state attorney general. First elected in 2002, Moore has spent 21 years at the legislature, with 10 of those years in a row as speaker.

STEIN from page A1

you have elected me to be your next governor.”

In March, Stein defeated four other party competitors to win the Democratic nomination for governor, including former state Supreme Court Associate Justice Mike Morgan. Early on, Stein garnered the endorsement of two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who was Stein’s predecessor as attorney general.

Stein was rst elected as attorney general in 2016 and was reelected in 2020 in a tight race against Forsyth District Attorney Jim O’Neill.

Stein is a former state legislator and the son of civil rights lawyer Adam Stein. Stein’s campaign spent much of the race labeling Robinson as an extremist, including using the lieutenant governor’s past comments about abortion in ads.

The start of Stein and Robin-

Republican Brad Knott won the 13th Congressional District seat over Democrat Frank Pierce with nearly 58% of the vote. The seat is currently held by freshman Democrat Rep. Wiley Nickel, who announced he would not seek reelection following redistricting that gave the seat a Republican lean.

Republican Addison McDowell is o cially the new representative for the 6th District. She beat Kevin Hayes with just over 69% of the vote. Incumbent

son’s campaigns were very different, with Robinson kicking his campaign o in Alamance County with thousands in attendance versus Stein’s curated kick-o at Shaw University with around 150 attendees, including media.

Robinson’s campaign struggled as the November election approached following a CNN report exposing a past social media account allegedly connected to him that posted incendiary comments on adult forums in 2009. Robinson denied the reports and sued CNN for defamation, but he has yet to present evidence that the story was without merit.

“My head is held high,” Robinson said during his concession speech in Raleigh. “The reason why my head is held high is because I ran a race where I did not have to lie. I did not have to tell half-truths. I did not have to spend millions and millions of dollars demonizing anyone.”

Democrat Kathy Manning opted not to run for reelection following redistricting.

Two GOP candidates keep seats red

Republican Mark Harris defeated Democrat Justin Dues to become the next congressman for the 8th District. Harris received nearly 60% of the vote and will replace Rep. Dan Bishop, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general.

Stein used a massive war chest — he raised more than 10 times the amount of Robinson — to ood airways with negative ads about Robinson, targeting his views on abortion and past safety citations assessed to a child care facility tied to Robinson and his wife.

After a campaign lled with mudslinging and negative ads, Stein took a unifying tone in his victory speech.

“We must reject the politics of division, fear and hate that keep us from nding common ground,” Stein said. “We will go further when we go together — not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as Independents, but as North Carolinians. And I know we can do this because I know who we are.”

Stein will be the fth Democrat to hold the o ce since 1993. Former Gov. Pat McCrory is the only Republican to have held the o ce in the last 30plus years.

Republican Pat Harrigan has won the race for the 10th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. with more than 57% of the vote. Incumbent Patrick McHenry announced he would be retiring in December 2023.

3 Dems, 5 GOP incumbents fend o challengers

Republican David Rouzer was reelected in the 7th Congressional District. Rouzer received nearly 59% of the vote against his challenger, Democrat Marlando Pridgen. Rouzer was rst elected in 2014.

Democrat Alma Adams was reelected as 12th District representative over Republican challenger Addul Ali. Adams had nearly 74% of the vote. Adams was rst elected to Congress in a special election to ll the vacated seat of Democratic Rep. Melvin Watt in 2014.

Democrat Deborah Ross was reelected to her 2nd District seat for the second time, defeating Republican Alan Swain. Ross received more than 66% of the vote. This is the second time Ross and Swain have battled for the seat. Ross defeated Swain in 2020 with more than 65% of the vote.

Republican Greg Murphy was reelected to a fourth term representing North Carolina’s 3rd

Congressional District. Murphy received 77.5% of the vote to defeat Libertarian Gheorghe Cormos. In 2019, Murphy won a special election to ll the remainder of the late Walter Jones’ term. Freshman Congresswoman Valerie Foushee has won reelection to her North Carolina 4th Congressional District seat. The Democrat received nearly 72% of the vote against Republican Eric Blankenburg and Libertarian Guy Meilleur.

Republican Virginia Foxx won another term representing North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. She received just under 60% of the vote against Democrat Chuck Hubbard. Foxx was rst elected in 2004 and has served as the 5th District’s representative for 19 years.

Republican Richard Hudson was reelected in the 9th Congressional District. He received more than 56% of the vote, defeating his challengers, Democrat Nigel Bristow and Independent Shelane Etchison. Hudson has served in Congress since 2012. He currently serves as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Republican Chuck Edwards was reelected in the 11th District. He won nearly 57% of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Caleb Rudow. Edwards was rst elected in 2022.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Christ before Pilate” by Mihály Munkácsy (1881) is a painting in the collection of the Déri Museum, Debrecen, Hungary.

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Republican Laurie Buckhout, a candidate for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, gestures to the crowd at a Donald Trump rally Oct. 21 in Greenville.

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein takes the stage at his election night watch party in Raleigh shortly after The Associated Press called the gubernatorial race for him over Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

Democrats, GOP split Council of State seats

Each party won ve races

By A.P. Dillon and Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — Donald Trump won North Carolina for the third straight time, but the state again showed that it is still rmly purple.

Democrats gained one Council of State seat, giving each party ve statewide positions. After State Superintendent Catherine Truitt was surprisingly unseated by Michele Morrow in the Republican primary in March, Maurice “Mo” Green ipped the position to Democrats by defeating Morrow in Tuesday’s general election.

Green, the former superintendent for Guilford County Public Schools, edged Morrow by winning 51.09% of the vote. Neither candidate had previously held public o ce — Morrow lost her bid for a seat on the Wake County school board in 2022 — and the candidates o ered vastly different viewpoints on education.

Green campaigned in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion and against the Opportunity Scholarship program and rapidly expanding charter schools, while Morrow — who homeschooled her children — called for increased school safety and keeping special interests out of the classroom.

Morrow faced criticism during the campaign for her attendance at the Jan. 6 protests in Washington, D.C., and also for calling for former President Barack Obama to be executed in front of a ring squad.

Controversy also cost the GOP the gubernatorial race, where Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

Democrats also won both of those vacated seats, with Je Jackson defeating Dan Bishop for attorney general in a race of members of Congress, and Rachel Hunt — the daughter of longtime North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt — beating Republican Hal Weatherman for lieutenant governor.

“To every person in this state, whether you voted for me or not, it will be an incredible honor to serve as your next attorney general, and I will give this job everything I’ve got,” Jackson, who won 51.33% of the vote, said at the North Carolina Democratic Party watch party in Raleigh after Bishop called him to congratulate him on the win.

Hunt, 59, was in her rst term as a General Assembly senator for Mecklenburg County when she announced her bid for lieutenant governor. She had served two terms in the North Carolina House before moving to the Senate. Hunt claimed 49.44% of the vote to Weatherman’s 47.75%.

Republicans ipped a seat of their own.

UNC Board of Trustees Member Dave Boliek ousted Democrat Jessica Holmes in the race for state auditor. Holmes had been appointed to the position after Beth Wood resigned following an indictment related to her December 2022 hit-and-run while driving a state vehicle that occurred in downtown Raleigh after a Christmas party.

Boliek, an attorney by trade and former prosecutor, won 49.46% of the vote and beat Holmes by just over 100,000 votes.

Longtime Secretary of State Elaine Marshall won an eighth term after defeating Republi-

America’s in uence abroad.

His win against Harris, the rst woman of color to lead a major party ticket, marks the second time he has defeated a female rival in a general election. Harris, the current vice president, rose to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden exited the race amid alarm about his advanced age. Despite an initial surge of energy around her campaign, she struggled during a compressed timeline to convince disillusioned voters that she represented a break from an unpopular administration.

Trump is the rst former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland regained the White House in the 1892 election. At 78, Trump is the oldest person elected to the o ce, and his vice president, 40-yearold Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will become the highest-ranking member of the millennial generation in the U.S. government.

Trump won North Carolina for the third time as a presidential candidate, even as statewide races were closely contested. Trump won 50.95% to Harris’ 47.56%, while Democrats Josh Stein, Rachel Hunt and Je Jackson all won key Council of State elections on the same ballot. As of Wednesday morn-

can Chad Brown by just over 100,000 votes. It was the closest race of the Democrat’s eight times running for the o ce. Marshall, 78, still won 50% of the vote, nishing with 50.94% to Brown’s 49.06%. Libertarian Bob Drach nished with 3.01% of the vote.

A new aspect of the role of the secretary of state will deal with elections. In 2023, the General Assembly overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 749, which made certain election law changes. One of the provisions of the law administratively transfers the N.C. State Board of Elections from an in-

dependent agency under the executive branch to the Secretary of State’s O ce. Despite the board being moved, the secretary of state will not directly be involved in elections but instead play a management role encompassing areas such as planning, organizing, sta ng, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting.

Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler also won reelection, easily beating Democrat Sarah Taber with 52.72% of the vote to Taber’s 44.85%. Libertarian Sean Haugh claimed 2.42% of the vote.

The 72-year-old Troxler, the

ing, Trump held a nearly 5 million advantage in the popular vote, which would be the largest margin of victory for a Republican presidential candidate since George H. W. Bush in 1988. The election will be viewed as a resounding success for the GOP, which was led by two North Carolinians: former NC -

GOP chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, the former and future president’s daughter-in-law. Republicans also reclaimed control of the Senate and were inching toward holding onto control of the U.S. House, giving Trump a mandate as he enters his second, and what he

says will be his nal, term in ofce. While Harris focused much of her initial message around themes of joy, Trump channeled a powerful sense of anger and resentment among voters. He seized on frustrations over high prices and fears about crime and migrants who illegal-

U.S. Rep. Je Jackson points while talking with his two sons Tuesday at the North Carolina Democratic Party watch party in Raleigh. Jackson defeated Dan Bishop, a fellow congressman, to win the race for attorney general.

rst Republican to hold the ofce in state history in over a century, won for the fth time. The only other Republican to hold the o ce was John R. Smith (1898-99).

Republican Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey earned a third term by defeating Natasha Marcus with 52.22% to 47.78% advantage.

Causey, 74, rst took over the role in 2016, defeating incumbent Democrat Wayne Goodwin, who is now in charge of the Department of Motor Vehicles, after losing to him in 2012. Causey was reelected in 2020. Republicans held onto thenal two Council of State seats with new candidates succeeding outgoing incumbents.

Luke Farley won 52.85% of the vote to beat Democrat Braxton Winston for the right to follow Josh Dobson as labor commissioner. Farley received endorsements from the state’s previous two labor commissioners: Dobson and Cheri Berry, who held the position from 2001-20.

Dale Folwell’s unsuccessful run for governor ended in the Republican primary, but the state treasurer will be succeeded by a fellow member of the GOP. Brad Briner claimed 52.54% of voters to best the 47.46% won by Democrat Wesley Harris. The 47-year-old Briner had been an adviser to the state treasurer’s o ce for more than 10 years as part of his service on the Debt A ordability Advisory Committee.

Harris, a 38-year-old statehouse representative from Mecklenburg County, had won two-thirds of the vote in the Democratic primary.

ly entered the country on Biden’s watch. He also highlighted wars in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to cast Democrats as presiding over — and encouraging — a world in chaos.

It was a formula Trump perfected in 2016 when he cast himself as the only person who could x the country’s problems. This campaign’s de ning moment came in July when a gunman opened re at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear and killed one of his supporters. His face streaked with blood, Trump stood and raised his st in the air, shouting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Weeks later, a second assassination attempt was thwarted after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through the greenery while Trump was playing golf.

As he prepares to return to the White House, Trump has vowed to launch the largest deportation e ort in the nation’s history, to use the Justice Department to punish his enemies, to dramatically expand the use of tari s and to again pursue a zero-sum approach to foreign.

North State Journal contributed to this report.

TRUMP from page A1

STAN GILLILAND FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Steve Troxler won a fth term as commissioner of agriculture.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd during his speech at an election night watch party Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Florida.

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

God is in control

It was as if the tree “knew” it would be wasting its time and energy pursuing some fruitless e ort and saved itself the trouble.

AT THE TIME OF WRITING, no one knows the outcome of one of the most signi cant and impactful presidential elections of our lifetime.

It might be a good time to re ect on what God has said: He has everything under control.

If you don’t believe in God, Mother Nature might say the same thing.

It seemed that every villa we saw on a trip to Italy two years ago was either surrounded by thousands of olive trees, acres of vineyards or hundreds of trees heavy with bright yellow orbs of lemons.

We thought we would try our luck with a Meyer lemon tree from a local nursery. To my utter surprise, the Meyer Lemon tree liked our sunny back porch. It put out new leaves and shoots. Soon thereafter, dozens and then hundreds of small, fragrant white blossoms dotted the entire canopy.

I had nothing to do with it other than occasional watering. It was entirely a work of nature ― or God’s handiwork, take your pick.

Seeing hundreds of blossoms had me imagining harvesting bushels of lemons come the fall. However, I soon noticed blossoms starting to fall to the porch leading to some minor panic about whether I had over-watered or underwatered it.

My nerves began to ease when I saw dozens of tiny green buds replacing the remaining blossoms, which looked like they were going to be lemons one day. Instead of hundreds of lemons, I started to envision picking 50 or 60 lemons come harvest time.

My joy was short-lived since over the next month, ve, 10, 20 and then 40 or more of these small buds turned whitish and fell harmlessly to the porch. In a panic again, I googled to see what I had done wrong only to be pleasantly surprised to nd out I had witnessed another amazing feat of God’s providence in nature.

In some mysterious way, my Meyer lemon tree selectively analyzed each of its tiny green lemons and jettisoned the ones with defects.

FRANK HILL / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The tree “knew” it would be wasting its time and energy pursuing some fruitless e ort and saved itself the trouble.

Perhaps this can be chalked up to billions of years of natural selection and survival of the ttest ― or maybe it can be ascribed as one of God’s amazing mysteries of design for life. If evolution was the only life-perpetuating force in the universe, meaning there was no spiritual or religious force out there, are there thousands of other Meyer lemon trees on any of the other trillions of planets in the billions of galaxies that followed the exact same iterations of natural selection as what happened here on Earth?

If it happened once, it could have happened again, according to science.

Then again, unless there was a spark to start life on a distant planet, there is a chance there is no life anywhere else in the universe. We Earthlings may be the only derivatives of stardust put together by God in a miraculous way to see the stars and heavens above.

On the debate over newspaper presidential endorsements

Maybe it was Harris being such a devastatingly awful candidate that tipped the balance away from them making the traditional endorsements.

BY THE TIME this column goes to publication, there’s a good chance we’ll know who the next president of the United States will be.

Meanwhile, the debate is still raging over the importance (or lack thereof) of newspapers making presidential endorsements.

It all started in late October when the Los Angeles Times, one of the leading newspapers in Vice President Kamala Harris’ home state of California, declined to endorse either presidential nominee in this year’s election.

According to a Times news piece, the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, denied his daughter Nika’s statement that the decision had to do with disagreements over the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Instead, the paper said Soon-Shiong was concerned “that picking one candidate would only exacerbate the already deep divisions in the country.”

The move, along with Soon-Shiong proposing his columnists lay out their own cases in opeds, did not go over well in the newsroom or the opinion/editorial side, with some editors and editorial board members resigning in anger. Others with the paper took to the Twitter/X machine to express their outrage.

“It makes us look craven and hypocritical, maybe even a bit sexist and racist,” editorial page

editor Mariel Garzan wrote in her resignation letter. “How could we spend eight years railing against Trump and the danger his leadership poses to the country and then fail to endorse the perfectly decent Democrat challenger?”

There have also reportedly been subscription cancellations by the thousands.

A similar eruption happened at The Washington Post a few days later when publisher and chief executive o cer William Lewis wrote that they would “not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election.”

“Nor in any future presidential election,” he wrote. “We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.”

Columnist Karen Attiah exempli ed the tone and tenor of her colleagues’ backlash in a tweet in which she described the decision as “an absolute stab in the back.”

“What an insult to those of us who have literally put our careers and lives on the line, to call out threats to human rights and democracy,” she also wrote.

Undeterred by the pushback at other news outlets, USA Today made the same call, although a spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “local editors at publications across the USA Today Network have the discretion to endorse at a state or local level.”

Some folks on the left who were upset about

As it says in Psalms: “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.”

If you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God did all this for us, would it make any di erence in your life? Would you do your living any di erently?

Such big questions can come out of a modest Meyer lemon tree. When the buds stopped falling and the nal eight stayed put and started to grow over the summer, I was thrilled. They were dark green for most of the past three months, so green that several people remarked they looked more like limes that would never ripen and turn into bright yellow lemons.

I got poked one day by a spike I swore was not there the day before. Again, to my surprise, after another Google search, these miracles of God’s nature knew when and how to grow sharp spikes near the ripening fruit to protect them from nondiscriminating pests like squirrels or birds.

The DNA of the Meyer lemon tree “knew” how to decide which fruit to protect until it could be picked. God — or nature, if you will — knows how to protect the young fruit when it simply can’t help itself.

I picked two of them last week. They were perfect. Now all I have to do is gure out how to use them in the best possible way. God, or nature, is in control of life. Life will go on regardless of who was elected president of the United States of America and which party controls Congress. At the risk of sounding trite and old-fashioned, it is up to us to decide whether the Meyer lemons we pick will be turned into sweet lemonade or sour hard rock candy.

We still have that choice every day.

these decisions blamed them, without evidence, on a supposed “fear” of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. What they didn’t pause to consider was that maybe it was Harris being such a devastatingly awful candidate that tipped the balance away from them making the traditional endorsements of whoever the Democratic nominee happens to be that we typically see in these papers.

Whatever the case may be, the eruptions over all of this are way overblown, in my opinion. The fact of the matter is that media trust is at alltime lows, and not just among conservatives but liberals, too.

In fact, I would be willing to bet money that not that many, if any at all, people who still have subscriptions take their paper’s endorsement into account when trying to decide for whom to vote.

To be blunt about the matter, newspaper endorsements in presidential elections aren’t what they once were to people.

So perhaps the best thing for reporters, columnists and others complaining that their employers are shirking their alleged responsibilities would be to put their energies to better use. One way they can start down that road is to, quite simply, get over themselves.

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

In Daniel Penny case, NYC has put Batman on trial

Neely had more than 40 arrests, including an active warrant for that 2021 assault.

BATMAN IS A HERO for stopping the criminals threatening the people of Gotham City.

Daniel Penny is on trial for stopping a criminal threatening the people of New York City. It doesn’t get much more backward than this.

Last week, jury selection began in Penny’s trial. Prosecutors have charged him with seconddegree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely.

In May 2023, Penny encountered Neely on a NYC subway. Neely was acting erratically and threatening passengers. Witnesses have testi ed that Neely said, “Someone is going to die today.”

That was no idle threat. Filemon Castillo Baltazar said Neely punched him in the face while he waited on a NYC subway platform in 2019. Two years later, police arrested Neely for smacking a 67-year-old woman in the face. Court documents say he broke her nose and orbital bone. She also had “substantial” head pain. In all, Neely had more than 40 arrests, including an active warrant for that 2021 assault. Put yourself in their shoes. You’re trapped in a subway car with a madman who’s threatening to murder someone. According to grand jury testimony, one subway rider believed he or she was “going to die” based on Neely’s behavior. A mother hid herself and her son behind a stroller. Passengers called 911. There’s nowhere to run to. There’s no place to hide. Most people can’t ght back successfully. This is when you wish superheroes were real. You need Batman to sweep in and save the day.

That’s what Penny did, sans the cape. Risking his own life, the former Marine put Neely into a submission hold. Two other passengers helped Penny restrain Neely as he continued to resist. After Neely went limp, Penny helped put him in the recovery position.

Sadly, Neely passed away. The NYC medical examiner said he died from the compression of his neck. Neely also had K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, in his system. It can cause violent outbursts and lead to seizures and death. This incident wouldn’t have been national news except for two things. One, a passenger

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

recorded some of it. Two, Neely was black while Penny is white.

Leftists quickly demanded that Penny be charged.

“Jordan Neely was murdered,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted at the time. She called it “disgusting” that “the murderer gets protected with passive headlines plus no charges.”

That’s right. Police didn’t immediately arrest Penny. That makes sense because he clearly acted in self-defense. But the left kept ramping up the pressure.

“Black people just don’t have to worry about being strangled by police, but by a regular citizen feeling empowered and supported by elected o cials,” Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, said in May 2023.

This is crazy. Black people don’t have to worry about being strangled by “regular” citizens. People who physically threaten others do — regardless of their skin color.

Eventually, NYC o cials gave in to the mob. Prosecutors knew they couldn’t make a murder charge stick. Penny didn’t intentionally try to kill anyway.

These lesser charges contend that Penny either acted recklessly or failed “to perceive a substantial and unjusti able risk.”

Notice the double standard. Leftists don’t want Neely held responsible for what happened after he recklessly threatened people. But they do want Penny held responsible for — after risking his own life — supposedly holding a submission hold for a few seconds too long.

A healthy society would laud Penny as a hero. That praise would inspire other men to intervene in violent situations. Their actions and locking up the criminals would then reduce subway crime. Instead, NYC wants to send Penny to jail, potentially for more than a decade. In superhero terms, they’re trying to jail Batman for stopping the Joker.

What a travesty.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

RFK is a dangerous quack

It is highly probable that the spike in autism cases is an epidemic of discovery.

IF ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. had been born with a di erent name, he’d probably be peddling miracle mushroom cancer cures on YouTube right now.

Instead, our french fry-slinging presidential hopeful Donald Trump has, according to RFK, “promised” to give him “control” of all Washington public health agencies, “which is, you know, key to making America healthy.”

RFK has wiggled his way into the hearts of MAGA by (rightly) opposing the public health establishment’s abuses during COVID — and, of course, by endorsing Trump.

And there’s nothing inherently wrong with RFK’s stated goal of encouraging Americans to be healthy “again.” Though, if he had his way, we’d all end up eating tofurkeys with spelt stu ng while praying for the sun to shine so our solar panels will kick in.

The bigger problem is that he’s a proven scaremongering authoritarian and dangerous Luddite whose ideas would make life considerably worse for everyone.

The other day, Trump-Vance transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick explained that RFK didn’t want the Health and Human Services job; he merely wanted access to federal data — allegedly hidden from the public — to prove vaccines were dangerous so we can take them “right o , o of the market.”

Granted, I’m not a scientist, but I suspect assuming what data will tell you isn’t how it’s supposed to be done. But RFK doesn’t want Americans to have vaccine choices. He wants to deny them the right to use them.

And after spending an entire “2½ hours” with the man, Lutnick had embraced all his antivax nuttery, spreading the pernicious claim that vaccinations are linked to autism, for which there is zero scienti c evidence.

As proof, Lutnick made the preposterous claim that we “know so many more people” with autism these days as compared to when he was young. Now, I’m a bit younger than Lutnick, but we grew up in the same area. Surely, he can recall kids being called “slow” or “weird” or “o ,” or far uglier things, but never “autistic” or “neurodivergent.”

It is highly probable that the spike in autism cases is an epidemic of discovery. There is

BE IN TOUCH

increased public awareness of how autism presents itself and what it is. Teachers, parents, caretakers and friends all look out for it. Doctors have better ways of diagnosing it. Millions of people who might never have even known they were autistic have been identi ed as being on the spectrum.

Basing policy on the childhood recollections of a billionaire doesn’t seem very sciency, either.

Then again, even if there were more cases of autism, there’s still no evidence vaccines are the cause. Lutnick has embraced a false cause fallacy. We do a lot of things today that we didn’t do in the 1960s. Why not blame autism on cellphone use?

Of course, even if RFK were correct, banning vaccines to curb autism would entail a disastrous tradeo . The year Lutnick was born, the child mortality rate was 31 per thousand in the U.S.; it’s now seven. A few years before Lutnick was born, the U.S. saw 21,000 cases of paralytic polio. There are none now. Children have been spared all sorts of horrifying diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and so on. The upside of vaccinations has been a massive boon for humankind.

And make no mistake, RFK isn’t just a skeptic of the COVID vax. In 2023, he said there is “no vaccine that is safe and e ective.” He claimed that vaccines had sparked an “autism epidemic,” which he abhorrently compared to a “holocaust.”

The man who wants to get uoride out of water (suggesting it makes kids gay) and put a stop to the crime of “chem trails” once said that COVID had been genetically engineered as an “ethnically targeted” bioweapon that spared Ashkenazi Jews.

“I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, ‘Better not get him vaccinated,’” RFK explained in a 2021 podcast interview.

Any rational person would ignore the raving of some rando on the hiking trail going on about the evils of vaccines.

Not, apparently, the Trump campaign.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of ve books. The most recent, “The Rise of Blue Anon,” is available Nov. 19.

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

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD 24

Nobel economists wrote that Vice President Kamala Harris’ economic plan would be better for America than the Trump agenda.

The joint letter was spearheaded by the hyperpolitical Joseph Stiglitz. Yes, the same Joe Stiglitz who infamously ew to Caracas to endorse Hugo Chavez’s economic policies in 2007.

The letter claims the Trump economic plan would “lead to higher prices, larger de cits, and greater inequality.” They also warn of the risk of a worldwide recession if former President Donald Trump wins. All that was missing was the prediction of dead puppies.

All that was missing was the prediction of dead puppies.

If these apocalyptic claims sound vaguely familiar, you have a good memory. Turns out this is exactly what many in this gang of leftist economists warned of in 2016. Here are a few examples:

Nobel laureate Paul Krugman fumed in The New York Times the morning after the 2016 election: “It really does now look like President Donald J. Trump (has won), and markets are plunging. When might we expect them to recover? ... We are very probably looking at a global recession, with no end in sight.” Larry Summers, former President Bill Clinton’s treasury secretary and former President Barack Obama’s National Economic Council director, warned: “Under Trump, I would expect a protracted recession to begin within 18 months. The damage would be felt far beyond the United States.” There were many more of these end-of-the-world prophecies laid out. They were all spectacularly wrong. The economy boomed under Trump, as did the stock market. Then in 2021, many on this same list of Nobel economists signed a similar open letter assuring us that President Joe Biden’s policies wouldn’t cause in ation. Oops. Ten months later, the in ation rate surged to its highest level (9.1%) since the Carter administration.

I, too, have skepticism on some of Trump’s positions. I’m not a fan of high tari s or special interest tax carveouts. But what is undeniable is that the 2016 economic agenda worked like a charm — as measured by the record-breaking $4,000 to $5,000 gain in real incomes for average families.

Conversely, incomes are down in real terms under Biden-Harris. Oh, and someone tell these ivory-towered economists that in ation and income inequality went down, not up, under Trump.

It’s virtually impossible for anyone to bat 1,000 in their predictions, but what is remarkable is that when it comes to Trump and Biden, they have managed to record a perfect record with their crystal balls.

They have been wrong every time. Their disregard for common sense may be due to a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. As an example, they argue that Trump tari s will cause in ation, then they worry that Trump tax cuts will cause in ation.

Excuse me, professors, but tax cuts and tax increases can’t both cause in ation at the same time. And if supply-side tax cuts increase production and work, they lower prices — as happened under Reagan and Trump tax rate reductions.

As an economist who cares about our profession, I’d love for these Nobels to simply admit they have been wrong and steer clear of politics. They should acknowledge that the real world is very di erent from the diagrams they draw on the chalkboards — and then just shut up. Or, better yet, move to the workers’ paradise of Venezuela.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. He is also an economic adviser to the Trump campaign. His new book, co-authored with Arthur La er, is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

North Carolina voting trends since 2020 election

With the 2024 election now in the rearview mirror, citizens and pundits will surely be analyzing the results from around the country, speci cally in purple states like North Carolina with razor-thin margins. In 2020, Donald Trump won North Carolina by 1.3%, carried primarily by rural areas and some metro-suburban areas that had shifted toward the GOP from 2016 leading up to Election Day.

SHIFT FROM 2016

In counties that have reported almost all of their votes

Republican More Democratic

EAST

Man threatens to shoot lawmaker at early voting site

A.P.

“I can con dently say Republicans will retain a supermajority in the Senate and will hold a strong majority in the House.” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden)

Thursday. According to o cials, they will start on a onehour delay schedule, and that will be the case every day until further notice. Students may have to get used to bathroom trailers for a while, along with adjusted bus routes through NCDOTapproved areas. Schools will have eightweek grading periods and no teacher workdays but will keep Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks.

NSJ

Buncombe shifts funds from broadband to hurricane recovery

Buncombe County

The Buncombe County Commission announced it reallocated $3.1 million of AR-PA funds for the hurricane recovery e orts on Nov. 1. Members said the funds originally went to a broadband access project but will go to a nonpro t partner of their choosing to help allocate the funds for household and business assistance. Members said the money should be distributed as soon as next month. The commission also heard from a recovery consultant during this afternoon’s meeting from Tetra Tech. A representative of Tetra Tech said the time the county spends in the next three months planning for recovery is “very important.”

The company would oversee areas including outreach, communitybased organizations, schools, debris management, sheltering and housing assistance, and sta schedules throughout the recovery process. The commission also said it is looking into setting up a “blue ribbon committee” to o er recommendations.

WLOS

19-year-old shot by police during assault call Alamance County A 19-year-old was injured after he was shot by o cers following an alleged assault call last week, according to the Burlington Police Department. Police told local outlets that a woman called 911 saying her 19-year-old son, identi ed as Logan Blackwood, was under the in uence of drugs and was attempting to kill her other son. Police say Blackwood exited the residence and charged at o cers despite commands to remain in place, resulting in an o cer shooting him.

WXII

OB-GYN reprimanded for sharing patient photos in a bar

Gaston County A Gaston County gynecologist is being reprimanded by the state medical board for allegedly sharing a photo of a patient with patrons of a restaurant. According to local reports, Dr. Sean Michael Lynch has been licensed in North Carolina since May 2002. He practices obstetrics and gynecology with a specialization in minimally invasive repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

In a content order, the North Carolina Medical Board says it received two complaints against Lynch within three days of each other in December 2023.

The rst complaint alleges that Lynch shared “detailed information” as well as photographs of his patients with other patrons at a local restaurant and bar several times. In an interview with the medical board, o cials say Lynch did admit to showing the woman a photo of one of his patients but reportedly stressed that the patient photos did not have any identifying information.

The board has ordered that Lynch be o cially reprimanded and that he undergo continuing education.

WGHP

Beaufort County

A man was arrested last week after police say he threatened a state lawmaker at an early voting site in Beaufort County. Rep. Keith Kidwell told local outlets that a voter came up to him to talk about an issue concerning education in the state. Kidwell told the man he would look into it, and the man replied by threatening to shoot him and “come back and shoot everyone.” Ronnie Harrison Sr., of Pinetown, was charged with threats against legislative o cers.

WITN

Fort Liberty division rst to receive drone killer weapons Cumberland County Soldiers based at Fort Liberty will be the rst U.S. Army paratrooper division to receive special directedenergy weapons that can shoot down small drones that target troop squads and divisions, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon is now training soldiers to deal with small unmanned Aircraft System threats. O cials say a key concern in the future could be an enemy who deploys swarms of small drones at squads of U.S. troops, individual soldiers, vehicles or missile defense systems.

Camp Lejeune o ers STEM expo for local students

Onslow County Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune o ered Onslow County students a chance to explore career paths through its STEM expo. Around 150 students from six di erent high schools participated in multiple stations at the base hospital detailing di erent career paths. According to the organizers, some were pharmacy, labs and other health care and science elds. All the stations were led by the center’s sailors and sta The STEM coordinator said they got to see everything that goes into running a hospital. “They’ll get exposed to other options in this career eld. Maybe they gain an understanding of what some of their friends and family, or other relatives are doing and how they got started,” STEM Coordinator Monika JohnsonTurner said. “Maybe they’ll even be a source of inspiration to maybe one of their friends who wants to pursue something like this in the future.” The program is o ered annually and works with di erent schools over the summer.

NSJ

NATION & WORLD

Agreement gives Indigenous groups voice in conservation decisions

The United Nations decision will create a body to weigh in on protecting nature

By Steven Grattan The Associated Press

CALI, Colombia — Af ter two weeks of negotiations, delegates on Saturday agreed at the United Nations conference on biodiversity to establish a subsidiary body that will include Indigenous peoples in future decisions on nature conservation, a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize the role of the descendants of some reg ions’ original inhabitants in protecting land and combating climate change.

The delegates also agreed to oblige major corporations to research when using natural genetic resources.

Indigenous delegations erupted into cheers and tears after the historic decision to create the subsidiary body was announced. It recognizes and protects the traditional knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples and local communities for the biodiversity management, said Sushil Raj, executive director of the Rights and Communities Global Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“It strengthens representation, coordination, inclusive decision making, and creates a space for dialogue with parties to the COP,” Raj told The Associated Press, referring to the formal name of the gathering, Conference of Parties.

Negotiators had struggled to

came to a consensus after talks went late into Friday.

The COP16 summit, hosted in Cali, Colombia, was a follow-up to the historic 2022 accord in Montreal, which included 23 measures to save Earth’s plant and animal life, including putting 30% of the planet and 30% of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030.

A measure to recognize the importance of the role of people of African descent in the protection of nature was also adopted in Cali.

The Indigenous body will be formed by two co-chairs elected by COP: one nominated by U.N. parties of the reg ional group and the other nominated by representatives of Indigenous peoples and local commudocument.

At least one of the c o- chairs will be selected from a developing country, taking into account gender balance, the document said.

Safety tips for boil water

Many communities stricken by Hurricane Helene still don’t have drinking water

By Dorany Pineda and Brittany Peterson

The Associated Press

AS A MOTHER of two, Robin Funsten knows it’s impossible to bathe her 2-year- old without getting water in the toddler’s mouth. But she’s never had to worry about that until recently.

A month after dead ly Hurricane Helene devastated the U.S. Southeast, Funsten and more than 100,000 residents on city water in western Northnite boil water notice as workers clear sediment from reservoirs and run water quality tests. Residents have described water that reeks of chlorine and is brow n or yellow.

As much of the U.S.’s water infrastructure ages and climate change fuels disasters, experts say water advisories will become more common.

“We are in the midst of an uncertain time, not just in Asheville, but as we think about climate change writ large in some of these major unexpected storms,” said David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association.

“With this decision, the value of the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities is recognized, and a 26-year-old historical debt in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is settled,” Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister and COP16 president, posted on social media platform X shortly after the announcement.

Who owns nature’s DNA was one of the most contentious and summit as tensions spiked between poorer and developed countries over digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI).

However, negotiators consented on Saturday morning to bind big companies to share from animals, plants or microorganisms in biotechnologies.

Delegat ions agreed on a genetic informat ion fee of 0.1% of companies’ re venues from product s derived from such information.

“Many of the life-saving medicines we use today come from the rainforest. It is therefore right that a portion of the income companies generate from this information goes back to protect nature,” said Toerris Jaeger, executive director of Rainforest Foundation Norway. “This is the absolute highlight

advisories

TRAVIS LONG / THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Volunteers wit h the grassroot s group BeLoved Asheville independent living facilities without running water on Oct 8 in Asheville.

from COP16.”

Also adopted was an agreement to protect human health from Earth’s increasing biodiversity issues. Ecosystem degradation and loss of ecological integrity directly threaten human and animal health, environmental groups say.

Pledges made by countries during the two weeks were far short of the billions needed to tackle plummeting global biodiversity, with only around $400 million in the fund.

The modest pledges don’t bode well for the next U.N. climate talks, COP29, to take place in Azerbaijan beginning later this month. The focus of COP29 is expected to focus on how to generate trillions of dollars needed for the world to transition to clean energies like solar, wind and geothermal. Raising that money will require major commitments by nations, companies and philanthropies.

In Montreal’s biodiversity summit, wealthy nations pledged to raise $20 billion in for developing nations by 2025, with that number rising to $30 billion annually by 2030.

Global wildlife populations have plunged on average by 73% in 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London biennial Living Planet report in October.

Here are some tips from experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for when there is a boil water advisory.

• Bring water to a full rolling boil for one minute.

• Boil water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, and preparing or cooking food.

• Using tap water and soap to wash your hands is usually OK.

• Use boiled water if handwashing dishes; dishwashers with a sanitize cycle are generally safe.

• It can be safe to bathe or shower if you avoid swallowing water. Avoid shaving nicks.

• To brush teeth, use boiled then cooled water or bottled water.

of excessive force on Breonna Taylor Louisville, Ky. A federal jury last Friday convicted a former Kentucky police detective of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid that left her dead. The 12-member jury returned the late-night verdict after clearing Brett Hankison earlier in the evening on a charge that he used excessive force on Taylor’s conviction of a Louisville involved in the deadly raid. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for more than 20 hours over three days.

Washington governor OKs massive new wind farm

Olympia, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee approved a revised plan for a massive proposed wind farm after he rejected a sharply slimmed- down version earlier this year. Inslee urged permitting to allow the construction of as many Horse Heaven Wind Farm turbines as possible, The Seattle Times reported. Washington state won’t meet its “urgent clean take years to authorize the turbines, he said. The original $1.7 billion project included up to 222 wind turbines across 24 miles of hillsides in the Tri-Cities area of eastern Washington and three solar arrays covering up to 8.5 square miles.

Japan grounds Osprey incident

Washington, D.C.

Japan has grounded its again after an incident last Sunday where one of the hybrid helicopter-aircraft tilted unexpectedly and hit the ground while trying taking part in the joint U.S. military exercise Keen Sword and carrying 16 passengers, including three U.S. service members. It

VOTI NG from page A1

impacted by Hurricane Helene had a higher turnout rate than the rest of the state at 58.9%.

Nationally, 74,573,985 mailin and early in-person votes had been cast as of noon on Sunday, per NBC News’ vote tracker. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census, there were more than 161.4 million registered voters in 2022 out of the 18 years-plus population of over 255.4 million.

The data shows that statewide absentee by mail bal-

“Do not drink” means only bottled water should be consumed. “Do not touch” means bottled water should be used for all purposes.

As Funsten noted, water safety guidelines can be confusing, and the discolored water isn’t reassur ing. “Because it still feels so unclear to me, I’d rather be safe than sick,” she said about choosing to showsource than tap water.

Boil water notices are given when microbes in tap water could be dangerous if ingested drink water advisories — issued when chemicals or tox ins in tap water could cause sickness if swallowed or inhaled –and do -not-use notices for water that could be dangerous to even touch.

Ex perts emphasize residents

lot numbers dropped 72% over 2020, with 240,465 such ballots cast in 2024 versus 864,929 in 2020. The opposite was true for in-person early voting numbers, which increased 38% in 2024, with 4,200,019 in-person ballots cast versus 3,034,768 in 2020. According to the NCSBE, 7,378,587 eligible voters were registered in 2020. That number increased by 5.62% to 7,793,041 in 2024. For Helene-impacted counties, NCSBE data shows that absentee by mail ballots dropped

should follow safety guidelines from local authorities, as every situation is unique and safety measures may vary by personal risk. Amid these guidelines are personal decisions people can make for their own comfort, much like Funsten did.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to avoid drinking water straight from the tap, said Natalie Exum, an environmental health scientist at John Hopk ins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “What we need to be primarily concerned about is water . that should be boiled before it goes into your body because there could be a lot of microbial contamination there.”

going from 131,034 in 2020 to 38,093 in 2024. The total number of registered voters in the 25 named disaster declaration counties is 1,290,017, according to the NCSBE’s Heleneures; that’s 61,429 more voters (a 5% increase) in those counties than were registered in 2020. According to the same NCS72,272 absentee ballots were sent to voters in those counties, and 41,253 of those ballots were

• It is safe to do laundry, but sediment may discolor clothing.

• If you or a family member are pregnant elderly an infant or immunocompromised, experts suggest extra safety measures.

• They recommend giving babies and young children sponge baths to reduce the chances of swallowing water.

• While a generally healthy person may be OK if they accidentally sip contaminated water Exum said vulnerable people are more likely to get sick dehydrate faster or feel other symptoms.

returned to election boards. That leaves 31,019 outstanding. Based on the ballots cast by county chart provided by the NCBSE, the top counties with the largest early voting totals for all methods of voting are the largest urban areas in North Carolina: Wake (466,129), Mecklenburg (423,599), Guilford (215,981), Forsyth (154,547) and Durham (144,417).

smaller and more rural, were Hyde (1,147), Tyrrell (1,153), Washington (4,178), Graham (3,344) and Jones (3,517).

since an Osprey crash last November killed eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members and led to a monthslong in both Japan and the U.S.

Nearly 200 families separated by USMexico border reunite

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Nearly 200 families gathered Saturday along a stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border for heartfelt but brief reunions with loved ones they had not seen for years because they live in opposite countries. Tears as Mexican families were allowed to reunite for a few minutes at the border with relatives who migrated to the U.S. Adults and children passed over the Rio Grande to meet with their loved ones. The annual event, organized by an immigrant rights advoca cy group, took place under increased security, a ccording to the Network in Defense of the Rights of Migrants.

catastrophe

questions about when normal

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home

majority of Americans “new normal.” end of this month.

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

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve to fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what They take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars to the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

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

we begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions

The comfort

How China will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe

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

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

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

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

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

Fixing college corruption

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

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

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

business & economy

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a

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

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

Not one little bit.

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

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

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

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

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

The Federal Railroad Administration announced more than $2.4 billion in railroad grants to help pay for 122 projects nationwide in 41 states, including North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. A large part of the money comes from the 2021 infrastructure law President Joe Biden pushed for. Last year, the administration handed out $1.4 billion in these rail grants.

Most of the money will go to track and bridge upgrades. But some of the grants will be used to bolster training and explore cleaner-burning alternatives to the diesel railroads have long relied on. Some small railroads will also get help upgrading to more e cient locomotives.

the seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to circles with contempt.

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

Roughly $1.3 billion will go to 81 projects at smaller short line railroads that often have a harder time investing in major projects. Chuck Baker, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association trade group, said some of these grants will be transformational for the short line railroads that receive them.

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

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

Some of the grants will also help address rail safety concerns that have become prevalent since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023 and spilled a cocktail of hazardous chemicals that caught re. Regulators have urged railroads to improve safety, and the industry has undertaken a number of initiatives on its own. But bigger changes that lawmakers proposed after the disastrous derailment have stalled in Congress and little progress has been made in the current election year.

written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Nearly $1.1 billion of the money will be invested in rural areas.

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

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

We need transparency and honesty from our

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

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be pandemic.

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

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

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number

For me, making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.”

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

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about

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

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

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

If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors In Concord, money to buy health care Sponsored by

The hurricane caused $6.46 billion in economic losses in agriculture and forestry industries

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

Below is a snapshot of some of the 122 projects that will receive grants nationwide. Find more details about all the projects here. The grants will pay for a variety of improvements at railroads nationwide, including replacing some bridges and less e cient locomotives or upgrading tracks so they can safely handle heavier cars or faster speeds. The grants are broken into a couple of di erent categories: trespassing related projects, workforce development projects, new intercity passenger rail and number of other selected projects.

By Je Amy The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Georgia’s state government is diverting $100 million to spend on loans to farmers and cleanup after Hurricane Helene.

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

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

The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission voted unanimously last week to spend the money, which had been set aside for construction projects or paying o existing debt.

O cials last month estimated that the storm, which caused extensive damage in the eastern half of the state after a Sept. 26 landfall in Florida, caused $6.46 billion in economic losses in the state’s agriculture and forestry industries.

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”

All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

There are projects in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

North Carolina is slated to receive grants for the following projects: ACWR Piedmont Class-III 286K, safety capacity and e ciency upgrades (up to $18,180,012), Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway Company (ACWR); and NCRR Carolinian and Piedmont passenger and freight improvements project (up to $105,595,000), North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR).

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The total was a signi cant drop from the previous month

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

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

By Paul Wiseman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s employers added 12,000 jobs in October, a total economists say was held down by the e ects of strikes and hurricanes that left many workers temporarily o payrolls. The report provided a somewhat blurry view of the job market at the end of a presidential race that has pivoted heavily on voters’ feelings about the economy. Last month’s hiring gain was signi cantly down from the 223,000 jobs added in September. But economists have estimated that Hurricanes Helene and Milton, combined with strikes at Boeing and elsewhere, had the e ect of pushing down net job growth by tens of thousands of jobs in October.

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

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

Logos April 15,

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed

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

The cavalier manner virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation. China has to pay for their economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led Perhaps COVID-19 is Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold It is about time they are the world like any other

Hill, senio

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

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

The comfort and hope

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

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

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

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

Cotton, pecan and chicken farmers took severe losses, as did owners of private timberlands. Lt Gov. Burt Jones and others have called the damage a “generational loss.”

The Georgia Development Authority, a state agency that lends money to farmers, will get $75 million to provide disaster relief loans to farmers and associated businesses in the agricultural industry. The other $25 million will be spent to clean up timber losses and other debris, said Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp.

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

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

than $470 million on loans and recovery after Michael.

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

Gov. Brian Kemp

Because Georgia has been ush with surplus cash, it has been paying for construction projects using cash instead of the traditional method of selling bonds to borrow money.

“We’ll continue to work with stakeholders on all levels to direct resources and support to the hardworking Georgians devastated by this storm.”

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

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

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

“This is something we learned we could do,” Douglas said of the $100 million. Kemp and other state leaders say they will consider additional relief both when the General Assembly meets in January, as well as through administrative measurers before then.

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

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

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

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

The $100 million was being held for future spending, but it hadn’t been allotted to any project that is already underway, Douglas said.

Because Georgia ended last

year with a $2 billion surplus, lawmakers may be able to replace the $100 million when they amend the current budget during the 2025 legislative session that begins in January. The state did not spend similar money after 2018’s Hurricane Michael. Helene’s damage to agriculture has been estimated to be more than twice as costly as Michael. The earlier storm was followed by a federal ght over aid that delayed help to farmers. Georgia spent more

“We’ll continue to work with stakeholders on all levels to direct resources and support to the hardworking Georgians devastated by this storm,” Kemp said in a statement Friday.

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

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

Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate remained at 4.1% last month.

The low jobless rate suggests that the labor market is still fundamentally healthy, if not as robust as it was early this

year. Combined with an ination rate that has tumbled from its 2022 peak to near pre-pandemic levels, the overall economy appears to be on solid footing. The government did not estimate how many jobs were

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

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

Not one little bit.

Kemp, Georgia state House Speaker Jon Burns and others have been urging Congress to act quickly on a relief package for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They are asking Congress to give block grants to states so funds can be given to farmers for recovery purposes. Burns is urging similar block

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

likely removed temporarily from payrolls last month. But economists have said they think the storms and strikes caused up to 100,000 jobs to be dropped. Re ecting the impact of the strikes, factories shed 46,000 positions in October.

In a cautionary sign for future hiring, though, temporary job placement rms lost 49,000 jobs last month. Companies often take on temporary workers before committing to full-time employees. On the other hand, health care companies added 52,000 jobs in October, and state and local governments tacked on 39,000.

The employment report for October also revised down the government’s estimate of the job gains in August and September by a combined 112,000, indicating that the labor market wasn’t quite as robust then as initially thought.

“The big one-o shocks

MIKE STEWART / AP PHOTO

Hurricane Helene caused signi cant damage to Georgia’s private timberlands and its cotton, pecan and chicken farmers.

GERALD HERBERT / AP PHOTO

Economists estimate that Hurricanes Helene and Milton, combined with strikes at Boeing and elsewhere, have caused up to 100,000 jobs to be dropped.

A TV as big as a bed? With the holidays approaching, stores stock supersize sets

Companies are preparing for shoppers to go big for the holidays

By Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For some television viewers, size apparently does matter. Forget the 65-inch TVs that were considered bigger than average a decade ago. In time for the holidays, manufacturers and retailers are rolling out more XXL screens measuring more than 8 feet across.

Supersize televisions only accounted for 1.7% of revenue from all TV set sales in the U.S. during the rst nine months of the year, according to market research rm Circana. But companies preparing for shoppers to go big for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa have reason to think the growing ultra category will be a bright spot in an otherwise tepid television market, according to analysts.

The 38.1 million televisions sold with a width of at least 97 inches between January and September represented a tenfold increase from the same period last year, Circana said. Best Buy, the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain, doubled the assortment of hefty TVs — the 19 models range in price from $2,000 to $25,000 — and introduced displays in roughly 70% of its stores.

Analysts credit the emerging demand to improved technology and much lower prices. So far this year, the average price for TVs spanning at least 97 inches was $3,113 compared to $6,662 last year, according

to Circana. South Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung introduced its rst 98-inch TV in 2019 with a hefty price tag of $99,000; it now has four versions starting at $4,000, the company said.

Anthony Ash, a 42-year-old owner of a wood pallet and recycling business, recently bought a 98-inch Sony for his 14,000-square-foot house in Bristol, Wisconsin. The device, which cost about $5,000 excluding installation fees, replaced an 85” TV in the great room o his kitchen. Ash now has 17 televisions at home and uses some to display digital art.

“We just saw that the price was a ordable for what we

were looking for and thought, ‘Why not?’” he said of deciding to upsize to the Sony. “You get a better TV experience with a bigger TV. You’re sitting watching TV with a person on TV that is the same size as you. You can put yourself in the scene.”

The amount of time that many people spend staring at their cellphones and tablets, including to stream movies and TV shows, is another factor driving the growth of widescreen TV screens. Overall TV sales revenue fell 4%, while the number of units sold rose 1% from the January through September period, Circana said.

Manufacturers are also adding new features. Samsung said

it designed its 98-inch lineup with a component that analyzes what the viewer is watching to increase sharpness and reduce visible noise across every scene.

James Fishler, senior vice president of the home entertainment division of Samsung’s U.S. division, said the way people watch TV and experience content is shifting.

“It’s even more so about watching TV as a shared experience,” Fishler said. “They want to host a watch party and gather around their TV to watch the big game or set up a cinematic movie experience right at home. “ Walmart, the nation’s larg-

Lyft pays $2.1M to settle case alleging ride-hailing service deceived drivers

The lawsuit says Lyft exaggerated the amounts that its drivers could make

The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Lyft is paying $2.1 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the ride-hailing service of exaggerating how much money drivers could make while the company was trying to recover from a steep downturn in demand during the pandemic.

The agreement resolves a case led by the U.S. Justice Department a week ago in San Francisco federal court on Oct. 25 — the same day Lyft disclosed it had negotiated the terms of the settlement revolving around the same issues with the Federal Trade Commission.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Pe -

JOBS from page A9

that struck the economy in October make it impossible to know whether the job market was changing direction in the month,’’ Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank, wrote in a commentary. “But the downward revisions to job growth through September show it was cooling before these shocks struck.’’

Still, economists have noted that the United States has the strongest of the world’s most ad-

FUNDS from page A9

grants that states could spend to repair damaged infrastructure and help private businesses and citizens.

“This measure will provide necessary nancial relief to farmers and foresters

ter Kang signed an order formalizing the settlement Thursday before it was made publicly available Friday. Besides having to pay $2.1 million, Lyft also has been prohibited from engaging in the misleading

vanced economies, one that has proved surprisingly durable despite the pressure of high interest rates. This week, for example, the government estimated that the economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual rate last quarter, with consumer spending helping drive growth. With in ation having signicantly cooled, the Fed is set to cut its benchmark interest rate next week for a second time and likely again in December. The Fed’s 11 rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 managed to help slow in-

practices agged in the case.

Both the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have been investigating Lyft since uncovering evidence that it was advertising in ated compensation

ation without tipping the economy into a recession. A series of Fed rate cuts should lead, over time, to lower borrowing rates for consumers and businesses. In the meantime, there have been signs of a slowdown in the job market. This week, the Labor Department reported that employers posted 7.4 million job openings in September. Though that is still more than employers posted on the eve of the 2020 pandemic, it amounted to the fewest openings since January 2021.

Lyft advertised drivers could make more than $40 per hour in major cities, deceiving drivers with gures based on earnings among the top 20% of Lyft’s drivers.

rates while trying to recruit more drivers as the pandemic began to ease and ride-hailing demand perked up.

The lawsuit alleged Lyft exaggerated the amounts that its drivers could make in a variety

And 3.1 million Americans quit their jobs in September, the fewest in more than four years. A drop in quits tends to indicate that more workers are losing con dence in their ability to land a better job elsewhere. For employers, a softer job market is easing the labor shortages that left many of them struggling to nd and keep workers over the past few years.

Jon Abt, co-president of Abt Electronics in Chicago, said it

est retailer, its Sam’s Club division and Chicago retailer Abt Electronics also say they are expanding their TV ranges to meet customer demand.

TV industry experts say these monster TVs are beginning to encroach on home theater projectors, which create a 100- to 120-inch image that is less sharp and require rooms with blackout curtains or without windows.

“A dedicated viewing room for watching movies was exclusively the purview of projectors,” Andrew Sivori, vice president in the entertainment division of LG Electronics, another Korean manufacturer.

“But you can get a much better viewing experience with direct TV.”

Retailers and TV makers said the buyers trading up range from millennials and members of Generation X to the tech-native Gen Z crowd. But as Jon Abt, co-president of Abt Electronics said, “It’s still a niche business.”

“A lot of people just don’t have the space to put one of those in,” he added.

Before dreaming big for the holidays, shoppers therefore should make sure a 98-inch TV will t. Best Buy said its Geek Squad asks if stairwells and entry halls are large enough to accommodate delivery and installation.

For those worried about having the space for viewing, the good news is that the recommended distance for a 98-inch TV is actually just 6-12 feet from the seating area. The rule of thumb is to multiply the diagonal length of the TV by 1.2 to determine the ideal viewing distance, Samsung’s Fishler said.

of major U.S. cities from April 2021 through June 2022. Lyft advertised drivers could make more than $40 per hour in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston and more than $30 per hour in cities such as Atlanta, Dallas and Miami.

But those gures were based on the earnings among the top 20% of Lyft’s drivers, leaving them unattainable for most others who picked up passengers for the ride-hailing service, the lawsuit alleged.

“The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the law to stop companies from misleading Americans about their potential earnings in the gig economy,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton said in a Friday statement.

Lyft has already changed many of the practices cited in the lawsuit and is now overseen by a CEO, David Risher, who came on board last year.

“We agreed to this settlement because we recognize the importance of transparency in maintaining trust in the communities we serve,” Lyft said last week when it rst disclosed the agreement with the Federal Trade Commission.

has become somewhat easier to hire, and his company has felt less pressure to raise wages this year. Still, nding quali ed installers and service technicians remains a challenge.

The electronics retailer, which employs 1,750, including 200 part-timers, runs its own training program, works with trade schools to nd workers and also receives applicants by referral. If the job market deteriorates further, Abt said, “it will be easier to nd quality people we are looking for.”

Georgia’s government itself can’t give direct aid to people and private businesses because

as we continue to work alongside our federal partners to secure every available asset and resource for the Georgians impacted by this disaster,” Burns said in a statement. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday that it has already spent $1.3 billion on direct aid to people following Helene and Hurricane Milton. FEMA has spent more than $1.1 billion on debris removal and emergency protective measures.

its state constitution bans what it calls gratuities — what most people would call gifts. Georgia Agribusiness Council President Will Bentley told a state Senate committee on Monday that a constitutional amendment is needed to allow direct disaster aid.

Besides Kemp, Burns and Jones, other commission members who voted for the spending included state Auditor Greg Gri n, Attorney General Chris Carr, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and state Treasurer Steve McCoy.

TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO

A 98-inch Samsung television, left, sits by others of various sizes on display at a Best Buy store.

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Bu ett sits on $325B in cash; Berkshire Hathaway keeps selling Apple stock

Shareholders will wonder why Bu ett is accumulating such a large amount of cash

By Josh Funk The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Berkshire Hathaway chairman and CEO

Warren Bu ett is now sitting on more than $325 billion in cash after continuing to unload billions of dollars worth of Apple and Bank of America shares this year while continuing to collect a steady stream of pro ts from all of Berkshire Hathaway’s assorted businesses without nding any major acquisitions.

Berkshire Hathaway said it sold o about 100 million more Apple shares in the third quarter after halving its massive investment in the tech giant and iPhone maker last quarter. The remaining stake of roughly 300 million shares was valued at $69.9 billion at the end of September and remains Berkshire’s biggest single investment, but it has been cut drastically since the end of last year when it was worth $174.3 billion.

Investors will most likely be disappointed to learn that Berkshire did not repurchase any of its own shares in the quarter.

CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert said shareholders will wonder why Bu ett is continuing to accumulate such a large amount of cash. “Are they more pessimistic about the future economic and market picture than perhaps others are?” she said.

Bu ett said at the annual meeting in May that part of why he started selling some of his Apple shares is that he expects tax rates will continue to go higher in the future. But Edward Jones analyst Jim Shanahan said he

wonders if part of the reason Bu ett started selling Apple is tied to last year’s death of Vice Chairman Charlie Munger because the sales started not long after Munger’s death. Shanahan said Bu ett has never been as comfortable with technology businesses as his longtime partner was.

“If Charlie Munger were still alive, perhaps he would not have sold down the position quite as aggressively — maybe at all,” Shanahan said.

Berkshire said Saturday that investment gains again drove its third-quarter pro ts skyward to $26.25 billion, or $18,272 per Class A share. A year ago, unrealized paper investment losses dragged the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate’s earnings down to a loss of $12.77 billion, or $8,824 per Class A share.

Bu ett has long recommended that investors pay much more attention to Berkshire’s operating earnings if they really want to get a good sense of how the businesses it owns are doing because those numbers exclude

investments. Berkshire’s bottom-line pro t gures can vary widely from quarter to quarter along with the value of its investments regardless of whether the company bought or sold anything.

By that measure, Berkshire said its operating earnings were only down by about 6% at $10.09 billion, or $7,023.01 per Class A share. That compares to last year’s $10.8 billion, or $7,437.15 per Class A share.

The four analysts surveyed by FactSet Research predicted that Berkshire would report operating earnings of $7,335.11 per Class A share.

Berkshire’s revenue did not change much at $92.995 billion. A year ago, it reported $93.21 billion in revenue. That number was ahead of the $92.231 billion revenue that three analysts surveyed by FactSet predicted. Berkshire owns a wide assortment of insurance businesses, including Geico, Alleghany Corporation along with BNSF railroad, several major utilities and a varied collection of retail and manufacturing busi-

Shareholder Tina Schmidt wears a shirt with Warren Bu ett’s portrait in the style of an Andy Warhol painting at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in May in Omaha, Nebraska.

nesses, including brands like Dairy Queen, See’s Candy, Benjamin Moore & Co., Helzberg Diamonds and Fruit of the Loom.

One of Berkshire’s insurers, Guard, reported some additional losses in previous years after managers reassessed its policies. Berkshire did resolve one mystery from the quarter by spelling out how much it paid to acquire the rest of the shares in its utility business from the estate of former Berkshire board member Walter Scott.

Berkshire said it paid $2.4 billion cash, issued $600 million in debt and gave the Scott family Class B Berkshire shares worth a little over $1 billion. So, the total compensation was close to $4 billion. What that means is the Scott family didn’t get nearly as good of a price for their 8% stake in the utilities as when Berkshire Vice Chairman Greg Abel sold his 1% stake in the utility business two years ago for $870 million. Abel is slated to succeed the 94-year-old Bu ett as CEO in the event of his death.

TGI Fridays les for bankruptcy protection as sit-down restaurant struggles continue

Its empire peaked in 2008 as a $2 billion business with 601 restaurants in the U.S.

By Matt O’Brien

The Associated Press

RESTAURANT CHAIN

TGI Fridays led for bankruptcy protection Saturday, saying it is looking for ways to “ensure the long-term viability” of the casual dining brand after closing many of its branches this year. The Dallas-based company’s Chapter 11 ling in a Texas federal court accelerates a gradual decline for an iconic chain that was once near the center of American pop culture but has seen its customer base dwindle as tastes changed.

The company has boasted that its bartenders trained Tom Cruise for his role in the 1988 lm “Cocktail.” Its serving

sta ’s button- lled uniforms, meant to evoke a fun atmosphere, were later parodied in the 1999 satire “O ce Space,” starring Jennifer Aniston. Rohit Manocha, executive chairman of TGI Fridays, said in a statement that the “primary driver of our nancial challenges resulted from COVID-19 and our capital structure.”

Sit-down chain restaurants more broadly have faced challenges in recent years as diners choose to get food delivered or visit upscale fast-food chains like Chipotle and Shake Shack. In September, a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved a reorganization plan for the seafood chain Red Lobster after years of mounting losses. Italian American food chain Buca di Beppo led for bankruptcy protection in August.

Founded in 1965 as a bar on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, TGI Fridays expanded over the

following decades to become a ubiquitous suburban gathering spot known for its ribs, potato skins topped with cheese and bacon, and a decor bedecked with red stripes and Ti any-style lamps. Its empire peaked in 2008 with 601 restaurants in the U.S. and a $2 billion business, according to Kevin Schimpf, director of industry research at Technomic. Its sales in the U.S. were $728 million in 2023, down 15% from the prior year, according to Technomic.

It now counts 163 restaurants in the U.S., down from 269 last year. It closed 36 in January and dozens more in the past week.

TGI Fridays Inc. said it only owns and operates 39 restaurants in the U.S., which is just a fraction of the 461 TGI Fridays-branded restaurants around the world. A separate entity, TGI Fridays Franchisor, owns the intellectual property

Peloton appoints Apple, Ford exec as next CEO

New York Peloton has appointed its next CEO. Peter Stern, cofounder of Apple Fitness+ and a current Ford executive, will soon step into the helm of the company. Stern is set to become president and CEO e ective Jan. 1, Peloton announced last Thursday. Karen Boone, one of two current interim CEOs, will continue to serve as chief executive through the end of the year. Shares for the New York-based company climbed more than 20% after the announcement, which arrives as Peloton works to rebrand itself and widen its customer base.

Google Maps’ AI helps users explore, navigate

Palo Alto, Calif.

Google Maps is heading down a new road steered by arti cial intelligence. The shift announced last week will bring more of the revolutionary AI technology that Google already has been baking into its dominant search engine to the widely used digital maps service that the internet company launched nearly 20 years ago as part of its e orts to expand into new frontiers. Google Maps recently surpassed 2 billion worldwide monthly users for the rst time, a milestone that illustrates how dependent people have become on the service. With the introduction of Google’s AI technology, the maps are now being set up to become an entertainment guide in addition to a navigational tool.

60K Wawa-branded tumblers recalled

New York

Some 60,000 Wawa-branded beverage tumblers are under recall due to a laceration hazard posed by the products’ metal straw. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the metal straw inside the now-recalled tumblers can cut a user’s mouth and/or ngers. Four injuries have been reported to date. The commission is urging consumers to immediately stop using these metal straws — and contact the products’ distributor, Halo Branding Solutions, for a silicone replacement. If a customer would like to return the tumbler as well, they can receive a $15 refund in the form of a gift card.

Reddit turns rst pro t as public company

and has franchised the brand to 56 independent owners in 41 countries. Those remain open.

A United Kingdom-based franchisee, Hostmore, also sought debt protection in September and abruptly closed locations throughout that country after a failed takeover deal to acquire TGI Fridays.

During the pandemic, TGI Fridays made an e ort to expand into the delivery market by making itself a hub for so-called ghost kitchens, which have no storefront and only prepare food for delivery. Among the major creditors owed money by TGI Fridays is the delivery service DoorDash, according to Saturday’s bankruptcy court lings.

Another iconic U.S. sitdown restaurant, Denny’s, announced in October that it is closing 150 of its lowest-performing restaurants in an effort to turn around the brand’s agging sales.

New York Reddit has turned a pro t for the rst time as a public company. The social platform claimed a pro t of $29.9 million for the period ending in September and reported sales of $348.4 million, an amount surpassing the $312.8 million analysts had projected. Reddit also grew its number of daily users to 97.2 million, a 47% increase from the same time last year. That’s according to a company statement.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOV. 1

Beginning Cash $2,481,071,695 Receipts $274,919,285 Disbursements $120,307,571 Cash Balance $2,635,635,976

REBECCA S. GRATZ / AP PHOTO

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

TGI Fridays, like many sit- down chain restaurants, has faced challenges in recent years.

Many retailers o er ‘returnless refunds,’ just don’t expect them to talk much about it

Some products simply aren’t worth actually returning

By Haleluya Hadero

The Associated Press

IT’S ONE of the most under-publicized policies of some of the biggest U.S. retailers: sometimes they give customers full refunds and let them keep unwanted items too.

Returnless refunds are a tool that more retailers are using to keep online shoppers happy and to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products.

Companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Target have decided some items are not worth the cost or hassle of getting back. Think a $20 T-shirt that might cost $30 in shipping and handling to recover. There are also single-use items, such as a package of plastic straws, that might be difficult to resell or medicines that could be unsafe to market again.

Analysts say the companies offering returnless refunds do it somewhat sporadically, typically reserving the option for low-cost objects or ones with limited resale value. But some online shoppers said they’ve also been allowed to keep more pricey products.

Dalya Harel, 48, received a return-free refund recently after ordering a desk from Amazon that cost roughly $300. When the desk arrived, she noticed it was missing some key pieces and would be impossible to put together, Harel said. She couldn’t request a replacement and have it within a reasonable time for the office of her New York lice detection removal service because the item was out of stock.

Harel, who routinely buys towels and other products from Amazon for her business, said her team reached out to the company’s customer service line. She was pleasantly surprised to hear she would get a refund without having to send back the desk.

“That’s one less headache to deal with,” Harel said. “It was really nice for us to not have to make an extra trip up to the post office.”

She used the desk pieces to create makeshift shelves in her office in Brooklyn.

A mysterious process

While the retail practice of letting customers keep merchandise and get their money back is not exactly a trade secret, the way it works is shrouded in mystery. Companies are not keen to publicize the circumstances in which they issue returnless refunds due to concerns over the potential for return fraud.

Even if brands don’t provide details about such policies on their websites, returnless refunds are expanding in at least some retail corners.

Amazon, which industry experts say has engaged in the practice for years, announced in August that it would extend the option to the third-party sellers who drive most of the sales on the e-commerce giant’s platform. Under the program, sellers who use the company’s fulllment services in the U.S. could choose to o er customers a traditional refund for purchases under $75 along with no obligation to return what they ordered.

Amazon did not immediately respond to questions about how the program works. But publicly, it has pitched returnless refunds more directly to international sellers and those who o er cheaper goods. Items sold

in an upcoming section of Amazon’s website, which will allow U.S. shoppers to buy low-cost goods shipped directly from China, will also be eligible for returnless refunds, according to documents seen by The Associated Press.

In January, Walmart gave a similar option to merchants who sell products on its growing online marketplace, leaving it up to sellers to set price limits and determine if or how they want to participate.

China-founded e-commerce companies Shein and Temu say they also o er returnless refunds on a small number of orders, as does Target, the online shopping site Overstock and pet products e-tailer Chewy, which some customer said had encouraged them to donate unwanted items to local animal shelters.

Wayfair, another online retailer cited by some customers as o ering returnless refunds, did not reply to a request for comment on its policies.

Deciding who is eligible — and when

Overall, retailers and brands tend to be careful about how often they let customers keep items for free. Many of them are deploying algorithms to determine who should be given

the option and who should not.

To make the decision, the algorithms assess multiple factors, including the extent to which a shopper should be trusted based on prior purchasing — and returning — patterns, shipping costs and the demand for the product in the customer’s hands, according to Sender Shamiss, CEO of goTRG, a reverse logistics company that works with retailers like Walmart.

Optoro, a company that helps streamline returns for Best Buy, Staples and Gap Inc., has observed retailers assessing the lifetime value of a customer and extending returnless refunds as a type of uno cial, discreet loyalty bene t, according to CEO Amena Ali.

The king of online retail appeared to verify the process works that way.

In a statement, Amazon said it o ers returnless refunds on a “very small number” of items as a “convenience to customers.”

The company also said it’s hearing positive feedback from sellers about its new program that authorized them to tell customers they could keep some products and still be reimbursed. Amazon said it was monitoring for signs of fraud and setting eligibility criteria for sellers and customers. It

didn’t provide additional details on what that encompassed.

Online shopping and the cost of returns

Some retailers also are stiening the liberal return policies they long employed to encourage online orders. Shoppers who enjoyed making purchases on their computers or cellphones became accustomed to loading up their digital shopping baskets with the intent of returning items they ended up not liking. Shopping online also grew signi cantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when homebound consumers reduced their trips to stores and relied on sites like Amazon for everyday items. Retail companies have talked in recent years about returns becoming more expensive to process due to the growing volume, rising in ation and labor costs.

Last year, U.S. consumers returned $743 billion worth of merchandise, or 14.5% of the products they purchased — up from 10.6% in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation. In 2019, returned merchandise was valued at $309 billion, according to loss prevention company Appriss Retail.

Last year, roughly 14% of returns were fraudulent, costing retailers $101 billion in losses, according to a joint report from the National Retail federation and Appriss Retail. The problem spans from low-level forms of fraud — such as shoppers returning already worn clothing — to more complicated schemes by fraudsters who return shoplifted merchandise or items purchased on stolen credit cards.

To deter excessive returns, some retailers, including H&M, Zara and J. Crew, started charging customers return fees in the past year. Others have shortened their return windows. Some shopping sites, such as the Canadian retailer Ssense, have threatened to kick frequent returners o their platforms if they suspect abuse of their policies.

However, retailers don’t all view frequent returners in the same way. Such customers could be seen as “good returners” if they purchase — and keep — many more items than they send back, Ali said.

“Oftentimes, your most profitable customers tend to be high returners,” she said.

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Shoppers carry their newly purchased goods at a mall in Bradenton, Florida.

TED SHAFFREY / AP

Wake Forest’s long drive, B3

Too soon for Hurricanes to extend Roslovic

MLS

Kahlina makes 2 saves in 3-1 shootout, Charlotte gets rst-ever playo win

Charlotte Kristijan Kahlina made two saves in a 3-1 shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation, and Charlotte beat Orlando for its rst-ever MLS Cup playo win. Charlotte stayed alive in the best-of-three series. Orlando will host Match 3 on Nov. 9 for a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference semi nals. Patrick Agyemang and Karol Swiderski scored for Charlotte for a 2-0 edge. Kahlina ended it with a save.

NFL Saints WR Olave put on backboard, carted o the eld after taking hit

Charlotte New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was put on a backboard and carted o the eld in the rst quarter of Sunday’s game against Carolina after taking a shot from safety Xavier Woods. Olave was moving his arms as he was put on the cart. Olave was coming across the middle when he was sandwiched by Woods and cornerback Dane Jackson. Woods was penalized for an unnecessary roughness.

NBA NBA investigating after Embiid verbally confronts, then shoves, Philadelphia reporter Philadelphia Joel Embiid shouted at and shoved a Philadelphia newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter. Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and e ort not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics. Embiid has yet to play this season.

The well-traveled forward is o to a hot start with Carolina, but the team has seen this before

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — Despite consistently being one of the NHL’s top teams over the last handful of years, the Hurricanes have shocked the league with their 8-2-0 start. While many expected Carolina to take a step back after reloading their roster after an o season of key departures, the Hurricanes have instead been the best team in the Eastern Conference and, after Sunday’s win over the Capitals, winners of six straight. Jack Roslovic has been a big part of that. The versatile 27-year-old forward is an early Cy Young candidate (six goals, no assists, mimicking the records of baseball’s top pitchers) and has worked his way

onto Carolina’s top line, allowing Seth Jarvis to move back to Jordan Staal’s wing to add some scoring punch to the Hurricanes’ best checking line.

The partnership could have never been had Roslovic been signed early in free agency. After a couple of days on the market, the Hurricanes pounced, getting the half-point-pergame veteran on a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.

He’s earned his money so far, which has led to calls for Carolina to quickly re-sign Roslovic to a contract extension before his value goes through the roof.

We’ve seen this before.

At the 2018 NHL Draft, the Hurricanes made a blockbuster move, trading Elias Lindholm and Noah Hani n — both former fth-overall picks — to the Flames for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and Adam Fox.

Hamilton was the best player among the pieces Carolina received, while Fox was considered an elite prospect who

would later make good on pundits’ claims that he could one day win a Norris Trophy.

Ferland brought a di erent element: a ferocious physical force who could alter games with his hits and sts while also contributing o ensively.

Ferland came out of the gates strong for the Hurricanes, scoring six goals with four assists in his rst 10 games. Furthermore, he was a wrecking ball. On Oct. 20, 2018, in Colorado, he blew up Tyson Jost — currently on a contract with Carolina and playing in the AHL — with a big hit and then pummeled Erik Johnson when the former No. 1 overall pick came in to defend Jost.

People, naturally, quickly fell in love with Ferland. On thenal year of his deal, Ferland and his agent were looking to cash in on an extension that looked similar to ones previously signed by Kyle Okposo (seven years, $42 million), Andrew Ladd (seven years, $38.5 mil-

lion) and even Evander Kane (seven years, $49 million).

Fans, enamored with a player unlike the team had ever seen since relocation to North Carolina, went into complete “give him whatever he wants!” mode.

The Hurricanes thought the structure should be closer to ve years with an average annual value under $5 million. Ferland, however, not only cooled o — he scored 10 goals in the next 59 games — but also started to struggle with concussions. By the time the NHL trade deadline rolled around, the Hurricanes had decided not to re-sign Ferland, though the team did keep him for the rest of the season.

He played in just seven of Carolina’s 15 playo games, nishing with one assist and 16 penalty minutes — which included a match penalty in Game 2 of Round 1 against the Capitals for a hit on Nic Dowd — and ended up signing a fouryear deal with the Canucks worth $14 million.

Unfortunately for Ferland, his concussion issues continued, and he played just 14 games for Vancouver before ending his playing career.

The Hurricanes used some

See HURRICANES , page B4

Hot seat report for NC basketball coaches

Two of the 19 D-I coaches are entering the critical fth season with their school

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

FIVE YEARS. That’s how long you get. Obviously each situation is di erent, but when a college basketball team hires a new coach, the clock starts ticking. In general, the new guy gets ve years to prove his worth. Look at last o season’s coaching carousel. Arkansas’ Eric Musselman, Bryant’s Jared Grasso, Cal Poly’s John Smith and Central Arkansas’ Anthony Boone were all let go after their fth season with their respective schools. And that’s just the top of the alphabetical list of schools.

The good news for the coaches at North Carolina’s 19 Division I basketball programs is that only two are entering year ve. Twelve are still too new to rate, with less than ve years at their current school, and ve have already passed that danger zone.

Here’s a look at where each of

the state’s DI coaches sits heading into the 2024-25 season, in descending order of tenure. LaVelle Moton, NC Central: The state’s coaching dean, with 14 years with the Eagles, Moton is relatively safe. However, his last 20-win season was in 2017. His last NCAA bid was 2019. His last rst-place nish was 2020. That means he’s entering the longest drought of each in his NCCU tenure, and — yes — the drought is entering year ve.

Seat: Slightly warmer than usual Kevin McGeehan, Campbell: Did anyone not a liated with the Camels know he’d been coaching there for 12 seasons? He only has one NIT bid to show for it, but Campbell moved to the CAA last season, so he likely still has some slack in year two of the new conference a liation.

Seat: Barring a disaster, cool Kevin Keatts, NC State: In his eighth season with the Wolfpack, everyone thought he was seven-and-done heading into last March. State’s run to the ACC title and Final Four got him a contract extension and plenty

NICK WASS / AP PHOTO

UNC Wilmington coach Takayo Siddle enters his fth season with the school, but he seems to be in a good position.

KARL B DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes forward Jack Roslovic, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Jordan Martinook during Carolina’s 8-2 win over the Bruins on Halloween night. Roslovic’s o to a fast start with the team, but what does that mean for his future?

TRENDING

Blake Snell:

The 31-year-old left-hander exercised his right to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants to become a free agent for the second straight o season. The two-time Cy Young Award winner agreed in March to a $62 million, two-year contract. Snell, who went 14-7 with the Durham Bulls from 2015 to 2017, threw a no-hitter for the Giants on Aug. 2 and went 5-3.

Rodney Wallace:

The former UFC ghter will be inducted into the Catawba Hall of Fame with 10 other athletes and contributors this weekend. The most accomplished running back in Catawba history, he is the program’s leading rusher by more than 1,100 yards. His 41 rushing touchdowns are 13 more than the next most in Catawba history.

Isaiah Denis:

The four-star combination guard at Davidson Day committed to UNC, becoming the second member of the Tar Heels’ 2025 class. Denis’ commitment came within hours of ve-star small forward Shelton Henderson’s commitment to rival Duke. Henderson chose Duke over Texas and Louisville, while Denis picked the Tar Heels over Miami, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Wake Forest.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“It’s too early for that. … Feel my heart.”

LaMelo Ball, after the Hornets’ guard was startled by a mechanical clown at the arena entrance on Halloween. In an online video, he screamed, jumped and knocked the clown’s head o .

“Why don’t we do that? Like, who’s thinking about basketball?”

Pitt coach Je Capel on the interest around the expanded College Football Playo

.

PRIME NUMBER 11

Number of losses

UNC coach Mack Brown had against Florida State before the Tar Heels beat his alma mater on Saturday. Brown, who played for the Seminoles in 1972 and 1973, had never beaten them as a coach.

NASCAR

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory at Martinsville Speedway that pushed the Team Penske driver into the winner-take-all season nale. The ending of the race was marred by a lengthy NASCAR review during which scoring o cials had to determine if Christopher Bell had violated a safety rule in his last-lap pass of William Byron.

For the third year in a row, Kaleigh Kurtz played every minute of every game for the NC Courage. She became just the fth player in league history to be a three-time Iron Woman. The Courage closed their regular season with a 1-0 loss to the Washington Spirit, snapping their 21-game unbeaten streak at home.

The Durham Bulls were named the Triple-A Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball. Durham had a 72-78 record last season but still drew 496,715 fans to the DBAP, 5,000 more than in 2023. The Bulls have won Minor League Baseball’s overall award (all levels) twice, in 1989 and 2014.

Grant Williams of the Hornets was ejected after o cials determined he aggressively ran over former teammate Jayson Tatum when they collided near half court on Friday. Tatum appeared upset as he got to his feet but simply walked toward the foul line as o cials reviewed the play. Williams says there was “no malicious intent.” Charlotte’s Miles Bridges was also ejected from the game.

NWSL

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

SUSAN WALSH / AP PHOTO

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Former standout linebacker Wilson inducted into NC State Ring of Honor

The 2023 captain and current Steelers starter was honored during NC State’s Nov. 2 game against Stanford

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RALEIGH — The NC State football team inducted a very familiar face as the latest member of its Ring of Honor over the weekend.

Former linebacker Payton Wilson, who played for the Wolfpack from 2019-23, became the 13th member to be honored with his name forever enshrined upon the inside of Carter-Finley Stadium.

“It’s like a full circle moment for me,” Wilson said. “From being 17 years old, growing up 45 minutes from here, to getting inducted is just super cool. I’m just humbled. Can’t thank Jesus Christ enough for what he’s done for me giving me this opportunity, and I can’t thank everyone enough that’s been a part of it. I love this place and it’s like home to me. When I look back on NC State and I go back to Raleigh, it’s like going home for me.”

Wilson’s nameplate went up between former linebacker Bill Cowher (1975-78), who was inducted last season, and former quarterback Russell Wilson (2008-10).

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson warms up before a game in Las Vegas earlier this season.

“It’s really cool because the rst three names up there right now are Bill Cowher, Russell Wilson and mine, and we all played or coached for the Steelers,” Wilson said. “To even be in the same conversation with some of those names is super cool.”

Wilson joked that he had a good idea that something like this was coming when he received a text from NC State coach

Dave Doeren out of the blue.

“Coach Doeren texted me one day, and Coach Doeren don’t text you unless he’s got something for you, so when he texted me I kind of gured it out,” Wilson said.

“It was so awesome to have Payton Wilson and his family here today being honored and to see his name go up in the Ring of Honor,” Doeren said. “Nobody deserves that more than

him. He’s a great story and embodies everything that NC State is about. Blue-collar, hardworking and he loves this university. Thankful to have been a part of that with Payton and his family. It was pretty special to have that all here today.”

The team honored Wilson on the eld between the rst and second quarter of their Nov. 2 game against Stanford, and following the ceremony, in true fashion for the former captain, he had to be ushered o the eld as he was continuing to pump up the team even as the o ense had started to line back up.

“I can’t really help myself sometimes,” Wilson joked. “I started talking junk to Stanford too. You know I love NC State to death. It’s where I was born and bred, so just with the culture that we built here and how much we’ve put into it, it just means a lot to me when these guys play.”

Wilson, who is currently a starting linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, is fth all time in tackles for NC State (403) and led the ACC in tackles in both 2020 and 2023.

Last season, the Hillsborough native nished fth in FBS for tackles, averaging 11.5 per game, was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and became just the fourth player in school history to be a unanimous rst-team All-American.

Wake Forest equipment truck driver re ects on Stanford road trip

The team’s 18-wheeler traveled more than 5,000 miles roundtrip

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

WINSTON-SALEM — Late last month, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons exited Stanford Stadium with a 27-24 victory in what was the longest trip the football team had ever made for a regular-season game.

It was an important road win for Wake (4-4), which eclipsed the ACC-newcomer Cardinals with a tiebreaking 23-yard eld goal with 1:48 remaining.

While coach Dave Clawson and his players traveled to the West Coast on a ve-hour ight, it was the tag-team duo of retired police o cers Nicky Ezell and Jon Kislingbury — Wake’s designated football equipment truck drivers — who was responsible for driving the team’s 18-wheeler a combined 5,600 miles roundtrip.

The trip consisted of a nonstop 51-hour drive from Winston-Salem to Stanford, followed by a nonstop 46-hour drive back to North Carolina.

Now in his seventh year working under Brian Daniels, director of football equipment for the Demon Deacons, Ezell recently re ected on the

COACHES from page B1

of grace. It won’t take much for everyone to remember why they were ready to cut ties, however, so he needs to build on last year’s magical season.

Seat: Cool for now, but the switch can be ipped quickly

Mike Morrell, UNC Asheville: He’s in his seventh year with the school and reached the NCAA Tournament two years ago. He’s 95-88 and coming o a 22-12 year.

Seat: Ice cold

Dustin Kerns, App State: Entering his sixth season, Kerns is 97-65 at App and coming o a 27-7 season. He’s more likely to get poached by a big-budget school whose coach has hit his ve-year limit than to run into trouble in Boone.

Seat: Ice cold.

Not only that, but Wilson also won the Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in the nation, and the Bednarik Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the country.

“I truly gave my all and gave everything for this campus that I could,” Wilson said. “Through the surgeries, through the injuries, I just always tried to play football. I tried to keep all the notoriety and all that stu to the side, and I just loved the game and I hope people realize that. That I played the game for what it truly is and in its truest form.”

Everyone who has known Wilson has repeated the same sentiment: that he bleeds Wolfpack red and is the true embodiment of what the program stands for, and he hopes to continue to pass that down to the next generation of NC State players.

“I know the culture that we’ve built here,” Wilson said. “A lot of guys put blood, sweat and tears into this place and the culture that we’ve built. I want to be able to support that.

“So, these guys kind of need to know that when people come here, they play hard. Don’t just come here for one year thinking about NIL and that it’s funny and ruin the culture. You have to come here and play hard.”

prominent alumnus Johnny Foster prior to the 2024 season.

experience of the longest drive of his life, where he and his partner were solely accountable for transporting the team’s helmets, shoulder pads, uniforms, cleats and everything in between.

“We had just gotten back from UConn, which was almost 14 hours one way, and that made this trip even more challenging,” Ezell said. “We didn’t get back home until 5 a.m. on Sunday morning. That gave Bri-

Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilm-

ington: That brings us to the pair of year ve coaches, and Siddle is probably the more comfortable of the two. He hasn’t taken UNCW to the NCAAs yet, but he’s 79-39, won a conference regular season title in 2022 and went 21-10 last year.

Seat: Ice cold

Steve Forbes, Wake Forest: Anyone unhappy with the fth-year Deacs coach doesn’t remember the Je Bzdelik and Danny Manning years. However, even though he’s rebuilt the program with 65 wins in the last three years, he has yet to make an NCAA Tournament. A slight slip in the win-loss record, and the fanbase could begin to grumble.

Seat: Still cool, for now Mike Jones, UNC Greensboro: Entering year four, Jones is 58-38 and coming o a 21-win

an literally a day to turn around everything that was inside of the truck because we had to leave Tuesday at 1 p.m. in order to be sure we’d make it.”

After driving to California through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, the truck made it to Stanford on Thursday around 3 p.m.

Stopping for just fuel, food and bathroom breaks, Ezell said it was a smooth trip for the

season. Unfortunately, he’s not Wes Miller, who won 23-25 and made the NCAA twice in a four-year span before leaving.

Seat: Starting to warm a bit

Hubert Davis, North Carolina: Roy Williams’ hand-picked successor has reached an NCAA Final and won an ACC regular season title in his three seasons. In between, the fanbase has called for his head. Nothing against Davis and his 78-31 record, that’s just life at one of the blue bloods.

Seat: Cool, until it’s not Jon Scheyer, Duke: One of the nation’s best recruiters and winner of an ACC Tournament and 54 games in two seasons. Like Davis, however, the fanbase is almost always one bad night from calling for his head.

Seat: Cool, until it’s not Matt McKillop, Davidson:

most part, aside from an untimely incident in Amarillo, Texas, on the way to the game where the rig su ered a brief mechanical issue.

“Basically, a computer failed on the truck, causing it to only go 45 mph and then only 1 mph,” he said. “Luckily, it literally happened about 15 miles from an actual truck dealer. They were able to tell me how to reset it, and we reset it and went back to the truck dealership where they dealt with the problem. It was only about a four- or ve-hour delay. Thankfully, we didn’t have to go very far and we didn’t have to have it towed or anything like that.”

Feeling exhausted yet relieved to nally arrive after a series of repeating 10-hour driving shifts with Kislingbury, Ezell noted that one “carrot at the end of stick” was getting the opportunity to see his children and grandchildren who live in the Stanford area.

He added that another factor keeping his morale and mood high was knowing that Wake Forest had a bye week coming up the following weekend, presenting an oasis of rest and recuperation o in the distance.

It also helped that the Demon Deacons came away from the journey with a win, notching back-to-back victories after

Went 16-16 in year one following his father, Bob, 15-17 last year. He’ll need to turn in one of those 20-win seasons that his dad seemed to string together.

Seat: Warming Billy Taylor, Elon: Improved from 8-24 in year one to 13-19 last year, but he still has to make a big jump.

Seat: Warming Mike Schwartz, ECU: Fell from 18-12 to 13-23 last year. Will need a bounce-back season in year three.

Seat: Warm Grant Leonard, Queens: Went from 19-15 to 13-19. Year three will need a turnaround.

Seat: Warming Alan Huss, High Point: Had a 27-9 debut season and was on the short list for coach of the year awards. The biggest concern for High Point is that some-

a tough stretch during which the team had lost four out ve games.

“We’d been worried about this trip since it was rst mentioned. ‘How long is it going to take you?’ ‘I don’t know’ was always the answer. ‘I don’t know. I’m praying, but I don’t know,’” Ezell said. “So it was nice to get one down so we know what to expect next year. Like I said, you still have to maintain enough time for unforeseen issues.”

Some college athletic programs contract out their equipment truck-driving duties to outside parties.

However, Ezell thinks that keeping the drivers in-house allows for a stronger bond to the team for those involved in the behind-the-scenes work. Additionally, Wake owns its own trailer, which was donated by prominent alumnus Johnny Foster prior to this season.

“Before that, we had a pretty old trailer, so that de nitely made the situation much easier and smoother,” he added.

Looking ahead, Ezell is already thinking about a road trip to Oregon next fall that will be three hours longer than the Stanford trip. He hopes that both the tra c and weather will present safe and e cient driving conditions for that long drive to Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Regardless of the circumstances, Ezell said that he’s happy to help where he can, whether he’s trekking across the entirety of the country or assisting in setting up the locker room for the players.

“We’re de nitely glad to be a part of the team.”

one else comes calling for him.

Seat: Ice cold Alan Fearne, Charlotte: Went 19-12 as interim coach and got the permanent job. Charlotte is in its second year in the AAC, so a dropo in the record could probably be forgiven.

Seat: Cold Monte Ross, NC A&T: Was 132-184 at Delaware and went 7-25 in his rst year with A&T.

Seat: Warming Tim Craft, Western Carolina: Went 188-166 at Gardner-Webb but got poached when Western lost Justin Gray to Coastal Carolina.

Seat: Ice cold Jeremy Luther, Gardner-Webb: Has been an assistant at G-W under Craft for more than a decade but has never been a head coach above the D-II level.

Seat: Cold

PHOTO COURTESY OF WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY Wake’s new trailer was donated by

Duke wide receiver Sahmir Hagans (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Miami and earning a spot on this week’s All-State team.

A weekly look at NC college football

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

NORTH CAROLINA just missed a winning week, posting a 14-16 mark over the weekend. The rst team in the state has completed its regular-season schedule as Shaw hits the clubhouse with a 6-4 mark.

Special shout-out to UNC Pembroke, which has scored 141 points in the last two weeks, outscoring opponents by 104 points.

• North Carolina’s record: 14-16 (130-153 overall)

Last week’s winners (ranked in order of im141pressiveness of the victory — a combination of opponent and performance):

1. Fayetteville State: 27-0 at Johnson C. Smith

2. UNC: 35-11 at Florida State

3. UNC Pembroke: 79-20 over West Virginia Wesleyan

4. NC State: 59-28 over Stanford

5. Gardner-Webb: 17-14 at Charleston Southern

6. Wingate: 14-10 at Lenoir-Rhyne

7. NC Wesleyan: 23-21 at Greensboro

8. Brevard: 44-21 over Methodist

9. Elon: 50-27 over Campbell

10. Barton: 49-35 over Catawba

11. App State: 28-20 over Old Dominion

12. Mars Hill: 31-23 over Emory & Henry

13. Shaw: 24-17 over Livingstone

14. Western Carolina: 38-34 over Chattanooga

Last week’s losers (ranked in order of impressiveness, despite the result):

1. NC Central: 24-21 at SC State

2. Livingstone: 24-17 at Shaw

3. Duke: 53-31 at Miami

4. Catawba: 49-35 at Barton

5. Lenoir-Rhyne: 14-10 to Wingate

6. Greensboro: 23-21 to NC Wesleyan

7. Guilford: 20-7 to Ferrum

8. Charlotte: 34-3 to Tulane

9. Campbell: 50-27 at Elon

10. Methodist: 44-21 at Brevard

11. Davidson: 40-13 at San Diego

12. Chowan: 52-0 at Valdosta State

13. Johnson C. Smith: 27-0 to Fayetteville State

14. NC A&T: 45-7 to William & Mary

15. Elizabeth City State: 48-6 to Bowie State

16. St. Andrews: 85-26 at Kentucky Christian

O : East Carolina, Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State

Winning records (14, up ve from last week):

We lost our last remaining unbeaten team in the state as JC Smith got upset on homecoming.

• Johnson C. Smith: 8-1

• Wingate: 7-1

• Lenoir-Rhyne: 7-2

• Brevard: 5-2

• Duke, NC Central, Winston-Salem State: 6-3

• Shaw: 6-4

• Mars Hill: 4-3

• North Carolina, NC State, Davidson, Livingstone, Western Carolina: 5-4

At .500 (4, down two from last week)

• App State, East Carolina, Wake Forest, Fayetteville State: 4-4

Losing records (14, down two from last week):

• UNC Pembroke: 4-5

• Campbell, Guilford, NC Wesleyan: 3-5

• Elon, Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, Barton: 3-6

• Catawba, Elizabeth City State: 2-7

• Chowan: 2-6

• Greensboro: 1-7

• Methodist, NC A&T: 1-8

Still winless (1 remaining): St. Andrews: 0-7

State title standings: Fayetteville State and Shaw joined the three-win club, beating JC Smith and Livingstone, respectively. Wingate continued to pull away with a win over Lenoir-Rhyne to move to 4-0 in games against other N.C. teams. Greensboro fell to 0-4.

• 4-0 Wingate

• 2-0 Duke, Guilford, Wake Forest , Brevard, NC Wesleyan

• 1-0 App State, Davidson

• 2-1 UNC, Charlotte, Campbell, Johnson C. Smith, Lenoir-Rhyne

• 3-2 Fayetteville State

• 3-3 Shaw

• 2-2 NC Central, Winston-Salem State, Elon, Livingstone, Barton

• 1-1 NC State

• 1-2 Campbell, Western Carolina

• 1-3 Methodist, Catawba, Elizabeth City State, NC A&T

• 0-1 Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill

• 0-2 ECU, Chowan, UNC Pembroke

• 0-4 Greensboro

State title games this week:

• Duke at NC State

• Fayetteville State at Winston-Salem State

• Johnson C. Smith at Livingstone

• Lenoir-Rhyne at Catawba

• Brevard at NC Wesleyan

Name game:

Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone will play in the Commemorative Classic, which has been played annually since 2009. It honors the rst football meeting of two HBCUs in 1892, when JC Smith, then known as Biddle College, beat Livingstone in the snow, 5-0.

Western Carolina heads to East Tennessee State for the Blue Ridge Border Battle. Homecoming: Three teams

How NC bettors see the college basketball season

North Carolina is set for its rst full basketball season with sports betting

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

WITH BASKETBALL season returning in the Hoop State, North Carolinians placing bets before teams hit the court is as sure as a Tim Duncan bank shot.

North Carolina will have access to online sports betting for a full basketball season for the rst time after the state legalized the activity in March.

still have to play homecoming games, with Winston-Salem State having its game this week. NC State, Western Carolina, Elon, Shaw and Barton all played theirs this past weekend, and all of them won. So far, N.C. teams are 21-9 on homecoming weekend this season.

Senior Day: It’s that time of year, as teams wrap up their home schedules and bid farewell to the senior class. Shaw won its Senior Day game this past weekend, as did Brevard and Mars Hill. On the other side, Johnson C. Smith and Ellizabeth City State both lost on Senior Day. Teams in the state are 3-4 on Senior Day, with NC State, Livingstone, UNC Pembroke, Chowan, Wingate, Greensboro, St. Andrews and NC Wesleyan all playing theirs this coming weekend.

Out of state battles for Week 11:

App State at Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Cal at Wake Forest on Friday, Richmond at Campbell, Elon at William & Mary, Morehead State at Davidson, Florida Atlantic at East Carolina, Eastern Illinois at Gardner-Webb, NC A&T at Villanova, Western Carolina at ETSU, Barton at Limestone, Newberry at Wingate, Erskine at Chowan, Elizabeth City State at Blue eld State, Mars Hill at Anderson, Frostburg State at UNC Pembroke, Maryville at Greensboro, Guilford at Averett, Blue eld at St. Andrews

O : Charlotte, NC Central, North Carolina, Methodist

Season complete: Shaw

All-state performances for Week 10:

Quarterback: Taron Dickens, Western Carolina: After throwing just seven passes all season, he stepped in for his rst start of the year and was 34 of 48 for 431 yards and ve touchdowns while rushing for 41 yards.

Running backs: Rushawn Baker, Elon, 23 rushes for 154 yards, 3 touchdowns; Omarion Hampton, UNC, 32 carries for 172 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Receiver: Sahmir Hagans, Duke, 9 catches for 139 yards, 1 touchdown; Randall King, Campbell, 7 catches, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns. Defensive line: Beau Atkinson, UNC, 5 tackles, 4 solo, 3.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL; Joshua Donald, App State, 4 tackles, 3 solos, 3 TFL, 2 sacks.

Linebacker: Max U’Ren, NC Central, 9 tackles, 3 solo, interception and 47-yard return; Brendan Harrington, App State, 9 tackles, 6 solos, 1 fumble recovery. Defensive back: Terry Moore, Duke, 9 tackles, 7 solo, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 forced fumble; Nasir Winston, Barton, 7 tackles, 6 solo, pass breakup, fumble recovery and 8-yard return, interception and 32-yard return for a touchdown.

Special teams: DK Kaufman, NC State, 164 yards on 3 kicko returns, including a 91yarder.

DraftKings, a legal sportsbook in North Carolina, provided North State Journal insights of where its North Carolina customers have been placing bets in di erent futures betting markets across college basketball. The insights detail the top 10 wagers by the percentage of the total handle (amount of money wagered) and the percentage of total bets in various markets from the time they opened to Friday. NSJ obtained splits for the men’s and women’s national champions and Wooden Award winners before the college basketball season got started Monday. In the men’s national champions market, North Carolinians are putting their money on Cooper Flagg and the highly touted Duke squad. The Blue Devils, ranked No. 7 in the preseason AP Poll, received a market-high 38% of the handle while having +1000 odds to win it all. UConn, the defending back-to -back national champions with a market-high +900 odds to win it all again, received a second-most 21% of the handle, followed by Alabama (8%) and UNC (7%).

ship better matches its splits. On the women’s side, North Carolina is spending the most money on Paige Bueckers and UConn to reclaim the throne. The Huskies are tied with Juju Watkins and USC with the second-best odds (+450) to win the national title, but they’ve received a market-high 45% of the handle. South Carolina, the defending national champions, have the market-best +180 odds to repeat, but the Gamecocks are second in handle percentage with 26%. Once again, North Carolina isn’t too con dent in its own women’s teams. NC State, also a Final Four team last year, just received 3% of the handle to win it all, while Duke only garnered 1%.

Looking at the percentage of bets, North Carolina put most of its bets on the Gamecocks, who received a whopping 86% of the state’s bets. The next closest team was UConn with 10% of the bets.

Percent of the N.C.’s men’s national championship market handle that was placed on Duke

In regard to the men’s Wooden Award winner, the Tarheel State showed love for UNC’s Davis. Davis has the market’s best odds to be named the county’s most outstanding player at +700, and he received the second-highest handle share of 18% alongside Alabama’s Mark Sears. As the two will get to face o once again on Dec. 4, Sears’ betting share of 11% placed actually edged Davis’ betting share of 9%. However, Purdue’s Braden Smith, who has +6500 odds to win the award, took the crown in both handle percentage (23%) and betting percentage (19%).

For any Tar Heels fans who still have love for Arizona’s Caleb Love, the former Tar Heel received 2% of the market handle and 4% of the bets.

The percentage of bets placed on the possible national champions tells a di erent story, though. While Duke received the most money, a signi cant majority of the bets (41%) went to Alabama, which made the Final Four last season. The Crimson Tide were the only team to receive more than 15% of the market’s bets; the next closest team was UConn (14%). There doesn’t seem to be much faith in the Tar Heels or the Wolfpack, who made last year’s Sweet 16 and the Final Four, respectively. Despite returning ACC Player of the Year and rst-team All-American RJ Davis, North Carolinians only put 7% of the market handle and 3% of the bets on UNC. It looks even worse for NC State, which received just 2% of the handle and 1% of the bets, but at least it’s market-worst +13000 odds to win the national champion-

HURRICANES from page B1

of the money left over from not re-signing Ferland that summer to swing a trade with cap-strapped Vegas for Erik Haula, who was in the nal year of a deal that paid him $2.75 million annually. At the start of the 2019-20 season, Haula had seven goals and an assist in his rst nine games, again leading to fans claiming it was a no-brainer to get Haula signed to an extension immediately. After a nine-point October, Haula had 12 points in his next 29 games with the Hurricanes, and the two sides soured on each other before he was traded at the deadline to the Panthers in a package that brought Vincent Trocheck to Raleigh. He’s since become Public Enemy No. 1 whenever he

The splits for the women’s Wooden award is a lot more top heavy, though. North Carolina bettors are all in on Watkins and Bueckers as the two look to be the most anticipated players to watch following Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Watkins is still far ahead of Bueckers in the market splits, however. The USC sophomore holds 60% of the market handle and 54% of the bets placed despite having the second-best odds to win the award (+175). Bueckers has the best odds at +150, but she holds just 31% of the handle and 27% of the bets.

Another interesting trend, though, is Iowa State’s Audi Crooks receiving a third-best 12% of the market bets despite only receiving 1% of the handle share to win the Wooden Award. Last season, Crooks averaged 19.2 points per game while shooting 57.7% from the oor, the best eld goal percentage by an NCAA DI freshman in 2023-24.

comes back as a visiting player due to his play on the ice, comments o the ice and a string of playo series against the Hurricanes with Nashville, Boston and New Jersey — all Carolina wins.

Roslovic may prove to be a long-term answer in the Hurricanes’ top nine, but as history has shown, the rst month of the season shouldn’t be the determining factor in such a decision. Furthermore, Carolina couldn’t extend him until Jan. 1 even if they wanted. Roslovic isn’t going to continue to score on 22.2% of his shots (11.7% coming into this season)‚ and he’s also not going to go all season without an assist (0.32 assists per game). The Hurricanes and Roslovic need only one thing to determine if their relationship should extend beyond this season: time.

LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO

months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 23rd day of October , 2024. Jacqueline Y. Cumbo McLeod 2525 McArthur Landing Circle Apt. 104 Fayetteville, NC 28311 Administrator of the Estate of Wilma Futrell Cumbo NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate le #24E1653 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as executor of the estate of Joyce J. Duncan, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations, having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of October, 2024. Daniel G. Duncan Executor 11196 Windjammer Dr. Frisco, TX 75036 Executor of the estate of Joyce J. Duncan, deceased.

ADMINISTRATOR’S/EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Margaret Carroll Bledsole of the Estate of Thelma Guy Harrison deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 1 day of February 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 24 day of october 2024. Margaret Carroll Bledsole Administrator/ Executor 201 Joy Drive Address Fayetteville N.C. 28312 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Thelma Guy Harrison, Deceased NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as executor Larry D Piner of the estate of Terry A Piner deceased late of Cumberland county this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 7th day of February 2025 which date is three months after the day of rst publication of this notice or this notice will be pleaded in

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF LLOYD DUTTER CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 729 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Lloyd Dutter, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 10th day of October, 2024.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Lloyd Dutter Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024

NOTICE In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #23 E STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Gilda Cain Horne, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 31st day of January, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This is the 31st day of October, 2024, Brenda Horne Johnson 4500 Hummingbird Place Fayetteville, NC. 28312 Administrator of the Estate of Gilda Cain Horne

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF WILLIAM EDDIE HALL

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 1544 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against William Eddie Hall, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 10th day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of William Eddie Hall Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 22-E-1983 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs Guy, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Michael Guy and Daniel Guy, Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs Guy NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR CO-EXECUTORS NOTICE Estate File # 24E1639 The undersigned, having quali ed as administrator of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased, late of Cumberland Couty, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the dependent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of October, 2024. Ti any Q. Davis 3484 Wilmington Hwy. Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased

NOTICE

State of North Carolina County of Cumberland In general court division Estate File 23R1616 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: RB JONES EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of R B Jones, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before 31st day of January, 2025 (which is 3 months after the day ot the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleased in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 31st day of October, 2024. Mildred Jones 1428 Milton St Spring Lake NC 28390. Executor of the estate of R B Jones, deceased.

NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as executor of the Estate of Earl Tanner, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 24th day of October, 2024. Jennifer Davis Administrator/Executor 6928 Surrey Road Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Earl Tanner, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24-E-1570 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Mark Norris Lynch, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Christi Beasley Lynch, Executor of the Estate of Mark Norris Lynch NICOLE A. CORLEY

MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P.

N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD

FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990

COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE NO. 22-E-1907

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Eula Leola Pearson, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Jamaine Pearson, Administrator of the Estate of Eula Leola Pearson NICOLE A. CORLEY

MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P.

N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD

FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990

COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF Yvonne Decarla Phillips

Cumberland County Estate File No. 24E002767-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Yvonne Decarla Phillips, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Lorraine Bailey, Administrator, at 738 Bronco Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28303, on or before the 8th day of February, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 30th day of October, 2024.

Lorraine Bailey Administrator of the Estate of Yvonne Decarla Phillips

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311

Run dates: November 7, November 14, November 21 and November 28, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF STACEY EARL THOMPSON SR

CUMBERLAND County

Estate File No. 24 E 1461

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Stacey Earl Thompson, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 10th day of October, 2024.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Stacey Earl Thompson Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

I, Matonia Moore, have been appointed as the Personal Administrator for the Estate of Sharon Rena Pipkin Smith. This letter serves notice that any person or organization that has a valid claim against the estate must serve a copy of the claim to 3333 N. Main Street, Ste 150 #146, Hope Mills, NC 28348. The claim must include the basis of the claim, the amount of the claim, the date the claim is due and any property that secures the claim. All claims must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to the address of 3333 N. Main Street, Ste 150 #146 Hope Mills, NC 28348 Matonia Moore Personal Administrator

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF CLYDE SAMUELS CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24-E-1103

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Clyde Samuels, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 14th day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Clyde Samuels Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31, and November 7, 2024

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, JOSHUA BURT, having quali ed as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ANTHONY STEVEN HARRIS Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said JOSHUA BURT at the address set out below, on or before February 5, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 7th day of November, 2024. JOSHUA BURT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY STEVEN. HARRIS c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

THE UNDERSIGNED, Lisa Farmer Macpherson, having quali ed on the 19th day of September 2024, as Executor of the Estate of William Charles Macpherson (2024-E-1330), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 20th day of January, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 17th day of October 2024. Lisa Farmer Macpherson Executor ESTATE OF WILLIAM CHARLES MACPHERSON David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

Publish: October 17, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 31, 2024 November 7. 2024

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, DONNA WITTNEBEN and GUY PALAZZO, having quali ed as COEXECUTORS of the Estate of BEATRICE PALAZZO, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said DONNA WITTNEBEN or GUY PALAZZO, at the address set out below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of

DERYLL McCASKILL v. DOROTHY M. DACEY, et al. TO: Respondent DOROTHY M. DACEY a/k/a DOROTHY McCASKILL DACEY, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder: Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the aboveentitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: the petitioner, Deryll McCaskill, has led a special proceeding to partition the parties’ respective interests in the real property situated in New Hanover County, North Carolina, which is more completely described in the Petition for Partition. Dorothy M. Dacey a/k/a Dorothy McCaskill Dacey is a known but unlocated respondent to the special proceeding. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40)

record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jimmy Dale Isley. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

UNION

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000531 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 425 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced 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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $372,250.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 425 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3004

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000530 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8649, AT PAGE 27 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000533 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 708 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000535 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION NOTICE OF SALE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 323 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $339,963.00, and recorded in Book No. 8649, at Page 27 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3016 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110

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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 15, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $392,775.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 708 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3022 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110

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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $378,400.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 323 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3216 Leah Elizabeth Lane, Monroe, NC 28110

the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $339,963.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 340 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3222 Leah Elizabeth Lane, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax Parcel ID:

Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax Parcel ID: 09298426 The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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,

Tax Parcel ID: 09298428

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

Tax Parcel ID: 09298429

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

Tax Parcel ID: 09298423

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

9298424 The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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.

assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 at the property: be

assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

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 e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 24th day of October, 2024.

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: 28058-45666

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 e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 24th day of October, 2024.

Grady I. Ingle,

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000541 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

according to the

of the

of

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for

transfer and conveyance AS IS,

IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000537

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 725 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 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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $378,400.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 725 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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.

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000540 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 654 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 in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000539 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 357 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

Address of property: 3010 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monore, NC 28110

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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $372,250.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 654 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3028 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110

Tax Parcel ID: 09298427

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 Parcel ID: 0298430

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee,

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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $392,775.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 357 of the Union County Public Registry.

Tax Parcel ID: 09298425

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 3234 Leah Elizabeth Lane, Monroe, NC 28110

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. 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 e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 24th day of October, 2024.

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: 28052-45660

COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements 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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $378,400.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 543 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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.

Tax Parcel ID: 09298431

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

Address of property: 3034 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110

AT PAGE 577 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 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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $392,775.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 577 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 3204

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

Leah Elizabeth Lane, Monroe, NC 28110

Tax Parcel ID: 09298421

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 560 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000532 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 374 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 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 Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $372,250.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 374 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 2822 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000542

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY HELMSMAN HOMES, LLC DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 8611, AT PAGE 408 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 in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP00544 STATE OF NORTH

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 in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the

of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Amber Cline aka Amber L Cline, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $28,000.00, to Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. , Mortgagee, dated March 18th, 2005 and recorded on March 24th, 2005 in Book 3726, Page 0184, as instrument number 65690, Union County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Union 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 o er for sale at the courthouse

secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $339,963.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 408 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 2908 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax Parcel ID:

secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Helmsman Homes, LLC, dated November 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $378,400.00, and recorded in Book No. 8611, at Page 391 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 2902 Woodlands Creek Drive, Monroe, NC 28110 Tax Parcel ID:

door or other usual place of sale in Union County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on November 12th, 2024, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 185A Taylor Glenn Subdivision, as shown on plat duly recorded in Plat Cabinet G, File 932 & 933, Union County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular metes and bounds description. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1012 Laparc Lane, Indian Trail, NC 28079 Tax ID: 07096453 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of

09298420

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

09298419

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Helmsman Homes, LLC. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is Amber Cline. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and

including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

the attorney of

including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be

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 e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-

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,

Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 1721 Winway Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID:

0170095 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Marilyn Sims The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Marilyn Sims. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

with the foreclosure. A deposit of

(5%) of the amount of the bid or

fty

($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

(fax) dneill@mtglaw.com 24-001237-01

24SP001797-910 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 Parris M. Johnson and Melanie R. Forte to Warren Shackelford & Thomas P.L.L.C., Trustee(s), which was dated April 15, 2020 and recorded on April 15, 2020 in Book 017825 at Page 01523, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed

that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er 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 November 13, 2024 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: BEING all of Lot 28 Twin Creeks at Olde Mill Stream as shown on plat recorded in Book of Maps 2006, Page 1059, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 620 Houndsditch Cir, Wake Forest, NC 27587. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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

Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Douglas Leroy Crenshaw to Louis E. Wooten, III, Trustee(s), which was dated April 22, 2022 and recorded on April 27, 2022 in Book 019005 at Page 02777, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er 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 November 20, 2024 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: BEING ALL of Lot 163, Timberlake Subdivision, as shown in map recorded in Book of Maps 1987, Page 1003, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 404 Cedarmere Dr, Wendell, NC 27591. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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.

immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY

PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Parris M Johnson and spouse, Melanie R Forte. An Order for possession of the property

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are DOUGLAS LEROY CRENSHAW. 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

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,

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 e ective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to

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 e ective 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

and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 1036 Blue River Farm Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Shaketa Harris, an Unmarried Woman and Dwight Harris and Rebecca Harris, a Married Couple, dated August 30, 2019 and recorded on September 3, 2019 in Book 17561 at Page 2376 of the Wake County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Shaketa Harris and Dwight Harris, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, LLC. The Commissioner will o er for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction 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 November 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Wake County, North Carolina and described as follows: BEING all of Lot 50, Britt Estates, Section Two, as shown on map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 2004, page 801-802, Wake County Registry, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or 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,

CABARRUS

Decisions, decisions

Voters stopped by Locust Elementary on

Republicans Ford, Huneycutt win NCGA races

Both candidates won with over 75% of the vote

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Two Republicans representing Stanly County won their North Carolina General Assembly races on Tuesday night by a wide margin.

Incumbent Sen. Carl Ford

Nearly 80% of the county’s registered voters submitted a ballot

By Jesse Deal

Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Almost 80 percent of Stanly voters cast ballots for the 2024 election. Among the county’s seven combined board of commissioners and board of education races, there was only one that was not unopposed — Republican Scott Efird (84.33%) defeated Libertarian opponent Melvin Poole (15.67%) for the Stanly County Board of Commissioners At-Large seat. Republican Billy Dean Mills will join the board on the District 5 seat.

For the Stanly County Board of Education’s five unopposed races, Republican Meghan Almond (At-Large)

defeated Democratic challenger Tangela (Lucy Horne) Morgan to retain his Senate District 33 seat, which covers portions of Stanly and Rowan counties.

In what was a rematch of the 2022 general election, Ford took in 71.11% of the vote to Morgan’s 28.89%. Ford has served three terms in the North Carolina House in addition to his total of three terms in the Senate. He is also

was added to the board, while Republican Bill Sorenson (District 2), Republican Glenda Gibson (District 3), Republican Vicky Watson (District 4), and Republican Carla Poplin (District 5) each won their reelection bids without an opponent. Also running unopposed, Republican Jennie Helms is now the Stanly County Register of Deeds. With 53.44%, Howard Moose bested Amy Bost Irish (44.85%) to become the Stanly County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.

Elsewhere, Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael won his reelection bid as Martha Sue Hall (39.37%) and Benton Dry (24.77%) will remain in the Albemarle City Council as AtLarge members; current city councilmembers Dexter Townsend (District 1) and Bill Aldridge (District 3) ran unopposed for another term.

the Senate Republican Joint Caucus Leader. In the Stanly County House District 67 race, Republican Cody Huneycutt defeated Democrat Daniel Quick.

Huneycutt, who received 75.14% of the vote to Quick’s 24.86%, is the policy adviser to Republican Rep. Wayne Sasser, the seat’s current occupant. Sasser endorsed Huneycutt for the seat after announcing that he would not be seeking his fourth term. In the Republican primary back in March, Huneycutt had 64.74% of the votes, besting Albemarle resident Brandon King’s 35.26%.

GOP wins three appellate seats

Chatham News & Record staff

RALEIGH — The race for North Carolina’s State Supreme Court seat is headed to a recount after the vote resulted in less than a 1% margin, the threshold to trigger a recount. Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin leads incumbent Associate Justice Allison Riggs 50.09% to 49.91%, a margin of under 10,00 votes. Riggs was appointed to her seat on the Supreme Court by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to replace Associate Justice Michael Morgan, who left to run unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary race for governor. The appointment made her the youngest woman ever to serve on the high court. Republicans Tom Murry, Valerie Zachary and Chris Freeman all won close races for seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. A referendum that would amend the North Carolina Constitution, changing wording to, “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State,” easily passed with 77.59% of the statewide vote.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Rep.-elect Cody Huneycutt (R); Right, Sen. Carl Ford (R)

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal

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Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Jesse Deal, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

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Albemarle Fire Department awarded $1.83 million FEMA grant

The SAFER grant would potentially add 10 additional firefighters

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Fire Department has been awarded a $1.83 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hire, train, and deploy 10 new full-time firefighters. The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters available in their communities.

At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Monday night, councilmembers listened to a presentation from Kenny Kendall Jr., fire chief for the Albemarle Fire Department, who laid out the potential impact

of accepting the grant to benefit the city in its present and future capacities.

While no decision on accepting the grant was needed at that time, the Albemarle City Council’s work session scheduled for Nov. 12 will include an opportunity of additional discussion with financial advisors to assess the city’s budget; councilmembers will then be asked to take action on this item at their Nov. 18 meeting.

“What we wanted to do tonight was just introduce you to the SAFER grant award and what that means to the city if it’s accepted by the city council,” Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark said in a preface to Kendall’s presentation. “We are under a timeline. We do have to respond back by Nov. 23 as to whether or not we want to accept the grant or not. But this is an opportunity for the city in consideration with some growth that we’re seeing.”

SAFER aims to enhance local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards es-

“We do have to respond back by Nov. 23 as to whether or not we want to accept the grant or not.”

Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark

tablished by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), which specifies the minimum criteria addressing the effectiveness and efficiency of the department’s operations, emergency medical service, and special operations delivery.

“FEMA has awarded 191 departments SAFER grants this year, totaling $360 million,” Kendall said. “The City of Albemarle Fire Department has been awarded a $1.8 million staffing grant by FEMA. City Council has been very supportive of our application previously, and we want to we’re very thankful for that.”

Kendall added that his department’s current 14-firefight-

Stanly County receives clean audit for fiscal year 2023-2024

An accounting firm issued the county an unmodified report

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ stanlyjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

ALBEMARLE — Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams and Company has presented Stanly County with a clean audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, the board was given the county’s financial statements and audit report from Alan Thompson, a representative of the full-service accounting firm based in Whiteville, NC. The audit includes the financial statements of governmental activities, business-type activities, the discretely presented component unit, each

major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the county for fiscal year 20232024.

“The main thing you hire us as an independent audit firm to do is issue an opinion on the financial statements as a whole,” Thompson said in his prelude to his firm’s report.

“We issued an unmodified report — which is a clean report — so congratulations on that,” he continued. “On page one, under qualitative aspects of accounting practices, there’s three paragraphs under that which talk about account appropriate accounting policies, accounting estimates, and disclosures in financial statements. We were fine with all of those. There were no difficulties encountered in performing the audit.”

Thompson added that there were no uncorrected misstatements or disagreements with

“We issued an unmodified report — which is a clean report — so congratulations on that.”

Alan Thompson, a representative of Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams and Company

management in the audit. He went on to highlight key metrics, such as a general fund balance of $60.43 million — nearly double the amount back four years ago — and an unavailable fund balance of $9.97 million. The county’s previous general fund balance was $58.16 million. The restricted and committed fund balance comes in at $13.64 million, while the general fund expenditures stands

Creative ‘I Voted’ stickers go beyond familiar flag design

NC’s early voting sticker features a unicorn

By Holly Ramer The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — Whether scenic or slightly sinister — angry werewolf, anyone? — the designs on the front of “I Voted” stickers are attracting a lot of attention this year. But have you ever considered the back of your Election Day souvenir?

“Garment-safe adhesive, it’s incredibly important,” said Janet Boudreau, one sticker designer. “You can ruin leather, silk, fine wool if you don’t use garment-safe adhesive on any sticker that goes on fabric.”

Boudreau should know. She designed the iconic sticker that

has been a polling place staple for decades: a simple ellipse featuring a rippling red, white and blue American flag. And while the company she once owned now has competition, she is delighted by the new versions cropping up around the country, many of them designed by children.

“I am all for it,” she said. “And I’m all for younger people getting involved and understanding the power of voting and having faith in it.”

“You can ruin leather, silk, fine wool if you don’t use garment-safe adhesives.”

er staff falls short of the NFPA’s 16-firefighter minimum standard on a structure fire call.

The SAFER grant would add 10 full-time firefighters, adjusting the department to three personnel per shift, as well as an assistant fire marshal.

“Added staff can improve the fire department’s ISO rating used for insurance purposes,” Kendall said. “ISO ratings are based upon multiple factors, including water systems, communications and call responses and many more. An improved ISO score may lead to a lower insurance premium for homes and businesses. Adding the properly-staffed ladder truck to all fire calls increases our opportunity to improve our ISO rating to a class two.”

The Albemarle Fire Department’s ISO classification improved in 2020 from a class four to a class three, stopping just 5.59 points away from a class two rating.

The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

at $92.97 million. Elsewhere, the county’s fund balance available percentage is 54.27% and its property tax collection percentage is 98.44%.

“There are two or three items of note that we talked with management about,” Thompson said. “Just double check all the credit balances in accounts receiving, and make sure all those are appropriately taken care of. Make sure you track the leases and Subscription-Based IT Arrangements (SBITAs), both of which are new pronouncements. In your management of the county’s finances, you will probably not see any of that because it’s on government-wide financial statements, and it doesn’t impact the fund balance financial statements.”

Commissioner Peter Asciutto made a motion to approve the financial audit as presented, and a 7-0 vote soon followed.

“You did such a good job explaining this,” Chairman Bill Lawhon said.

The commissioners are set to hold their next regular meeting on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

they’d get a cool sticker that I designed,” she said. “And I really think it was cool that I made an impact on the way people vote and how they feel about voting.” New Hampshire’s contest was open to fourth graders and more than 1,000 submitted entries. Grace, whose design features the state’s fallen but not forgotten Old Man of the Mountain rock formation, not only got to attend a pizza party at the Statehouse but has since become pen pals with one of the other two winners.

While Grace settled on her design quickly, 11-year-old Rilynn drafted three versions and had her family vote on their favorite. The winner? A moose standing on a ledge overlooking colorful fall foliage and the state’s highest mountain.

Like Grace, she was excited to see her stickers in action earlier this year.

“I definitely did see a difference in everyone’s attitude, like everyone seemed happier and more excited to vote because

Two years ago, a New York county’s stickers featuring a wild-eyed crab-like creature created by a 14-year-old boy became an online sensation. This year the smash hit — one of nine designs distributed in Michigan — depicts a werewolf shredding its shirt in front of an American flag. The 12-year-old Michigan designer declined an interview request, but other young artists described rewarding experiences. In Milton, New Hampshire, 10-year-old Grace was treated like a celebrity when she visited the polls for the presidential primary in January and town elections in March.

“They had a huge pile of stickers and people were literally picking out my sticker,” she said. “By the time my dad got there, he didn’t get one.”

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

North Carolina must count every vote

AS ELECTED Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.

Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before all of the votes are even counted are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles.

We say this as staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of precertifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our state’s voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal application of the law.

The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm

and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office.

Furthermore, precertifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. We stand for integrity, not shortcuts. We support the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But precertifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections. If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives. In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.

Rep. Kevin Crutchfield represents Cabarrus and Rowan counties, and Rep. David Willis represents Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly.

President Trump and the politics of joy

Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP showed Americans what real “politics of joy” looks like.

He held a press conference in a garbage truck wearing a garbage collector’s vest (which he then wore to a rally with thousands of people). He served french fries at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. He went to a Pittsburgh Steelers game where the crowd chanted “USA.” He headlined a rally at Madison Square Garden before 20,000 people.

There is a certain irony that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign tried to project the concept of joy — while Trump clearly had a great time and was more joyful.

Two things drove this home for me.

First, Paul Manafort gave a fascinating interview with Mark Halperin. Manafort has spent four decades working with Trump. He made the point that Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. This became an enormous advantage for Trump as a candidate.

I noticed this quality when I wrote “French Fries vs French Laundry.” I referenced the day he did a variety of jobs at one of his hotels, which were then shown on Oprah. It was clear he got a kick out of working and hanging out with people.

Watching Trump campaign in the Bronx — at a rally most Republicans wouldn’t have held — made it obvious he identified with and enjoyed interacting with the kind of workers who had built his buildings. Eating with gusto at a food truck in Queens seemed perfectly natural for the Queens native. He clearly had a ball.

By contrast, the self-described candidate of joy expressed hatred about her opponent. She called him a fascist, an admirer of Hitler and a would-be dictator.

There is clearly no joy in Harris’ world.

The absurdity of Democrats claiming to be joyful was driven home on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” The show played a segment of comments made by speakers at the Democratic National Convention:

• Barack Obama: “The joy and the excitement that we’re seeing around this campaign.”

• Michelle Obama: “The joy of her laughter and her light!”

• Kelley Robinson: “We’re voting for joy! Somebody say ‘joy!’”

• Hakeem Jeffries: “Joy. Joy. Joy.”

• Hillary Clinton: “With faith in each other and joy in our hearts.”

• Tim Walz: “With energy, with passion and with joy.”

• Bill Clinton: “We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy.”

• Oprah: “And let us choose j-o-y!” President Joe Biden’s most recent claim that Trump supporters were “garbage” is a far cry from promises made at the beginning of the Harris campaign.

Isn’t it amazing how rapidly the Democratic Party of joy turned into the Harris party of anger, hostility, name-calling and bitter divisiveness?

If you watch the two candidates, you know that Trump had the time of his life and really enjoyed being with people and doing fun things. You also know that Harris was frightened, rigid, insecure and wanted to hide until she is coronated president.

Think of the nominating process: Trump fought his way past 15 solid Republican candidates in 2016. Then this year, he had to defeat a number of first-rate candidates. He campaigned cheerfully, enthusiastically and effectively.

By contrast, Harris dropped out in 2019 before a single vote was cast for the Democratic nomination. Then she was hand-picked (probably by Nancy Pelosi and the Obamas) and the vice presidency was handed to her.

This year, she did not receive a single vote or earn a single delegate. She did not campaign for the nomination. Just like the vice presidency, she got the nomination for president because the bosses picked her.

Watch the two of them for five minutes and you will know Trump was the real candidate of joy.

Newt Gingrich is a former GOP speaker of the U.S. House.

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | REPS. KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD AND DAVID WILLIS

Paiporta at the epicenter of Spain’s floods: ‘It

The Valencia municipality has been “ground zero” of the natural disaster

By Joseph Wilson The Associated Press

PAIPORTA, Spain — The pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.

Most everything else in the daycare — the cradles, the highchairs, the toys — was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.

“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told The Associated Press. He said the water level was above his head inside the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.

“I have lived here all my life. This had never happened, and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this; it is all in ruins.”

Authorities say at least 62 people of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in Spain last week died in Paiporta,. The majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.

The tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. The clean-up task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.

Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles except bulldozers, stacked with piles of sodden furniture, household items and countless wrecked cars.

Every foot is caked with mud. Some people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.

A washing machine was on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chest of drawers, paintings and

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, US over Israeli attacks

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be “a crushing response”

By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in video released by Iranian state media.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack nor the scope.

The U.S. military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier likely is in the Arabian Sea, while Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week that more destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its militant allies. Early Sunday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said B-52s from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the Middle East.

The 85-year-old Khamenei had struck a more cautious approach in earlier remarks, saying officials would weigh Iran’s response and that Israel’s attack “should not be exaggerated nor downplayed.” Iran has launched two major direct attacks on Israel, in April and October.

But efforts by Iran to downplay the Israeli attack faltered as satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to military bases near Teh-

is all in ruins’

a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the all-consuming mire.

Lidia Giménez, a school teacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town — “Barranco del Poyo” — went from empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. She called the aftermath of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.”

And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta.

The storm unleashed a downpour upstream. That deluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast, which were devastated by the flash floods.

Paiporta’s residents did not receive flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.

The onslaught of water widened the river bank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the ca-

nal. Eight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.

The destruction could take weeks to clean.

Thousands of volunteers walked for more than an hour from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime.

Homeowner Rafa Rosellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars — one half-resting on top of the other — that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. He had to unscrew a metal grating and slip through a window to get inside and witness the mess.

“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” Rosellón said.

“The government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.”

Some 2,000 soldiers are involved in post-flood emergency

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter.” Paiporta resident

work — searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods — as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that they have rescued about 4,800 people and “helped more than 30,000 people in homes, on roads and in flooded industrial estates.”

Only a small contingent of soldiers was pushing mud in Paiporta on Saturday when Sánchez promised another 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police were on their way to eastern Spain.

Just a few doors down from where Rosellón lived, a woman sweeping muddy water from her door burst into tears when asked what she had lost.

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter,” she said.

Another turn revealed a chilling scene: a street filled with half a dozen cars and crisscrossed with countless reeds that, before the flood, had been growing nearby. A man screams from inside a house: “There’s nothing more I can do! There’s nothing more I can do!”

ran linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as at a Revolutionary Guard base used in satellite launches. Iran’s allies, called the “Axis of Resistance” by Tehran, also have been severely hurt by ongoing Israeli attacks, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran has long used those groups as both an asymmetrical way to attack Israel and as a shield against a direct assault. Some analysts believe those groups want Iran to do more to back them militarily.

Iran, however, has been dealing with problems at home as its economy struggles under the weight of international sanctions and years of widespread protests. After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. It had been 32,000 rials to the dollar when Tehran reached its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard — which controls the ballistic

missiles needed to target Israel — gave an interview published by the semiofficial Fars news agency just before Khamenei’s remarks were released. In it, he warned Iran’s response “will be wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

“The leaders of the Zionist regime should look out from the windows of their bedrooms and protect their criminal pilots within their small territory,” he warned. Israeli air force pilots appear to have used airlaunched ballistic missiles in the Oct. 26 attack.

MANU FERNANDEZ / AP PHOTO

People clean the street of mud Saturday in the Spanish town of Paiporta in the Valencia region affected by flooding.

OFFICE OF THE IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER VIA AP

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd during a Saturday meeting with school and university students in Tehran, Iran.

STANLY SPORTS

North Stanly volleyball team falls short in regionals

491

The Comets were riding a 20-game winning streak

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — On Halloween night, the North Stanly volleyball team’s 2024 postseason came to a close in the Final Four regional semifinals.

Playing on the road in Mayodan, the sixth-seeded Comets (25-7) were knocked out of the 2A NCHSAA state playoffs as No. 1 seed McMichael pulled out a 3-1 home win. The Phoenix (28-2) won the first and second sets 25-20 before North surged back to win the third set 25-16.

McMichael, however, went on to pull away for its victory, winning the fourth set 25-23.

Riding a 20-game winning streak, including four state playoff victories, it marked the Comets’ first loss since an Aug. 29 home matchup against Carson (27-6). North had previously won all 10 of its Yadkin Valley Conference contests on the way to winning the YVC championship.

Last week’s playoff loss marked the final appearance in a Comets jersey for North seniors Shalyn Bell, Allie Morgan, Kylie Speight and Olivia McDonald.

Before meeting up with McMichael for the fifth matchup of the state playoffs, the Comets had previously won 3-0 over No. 27 Walkertown (15-11) in the opening round and went on to top No. 22 North Sur-

ry (13-12) 3-0 and No. 3 Randleman (20-5) 3-0.

In the fourth round, North defeated the No. 7 Community School of Davidson Spartans (24-5) 3-2 at home.

The 2024 season was the third campaign for coach Daniel Galloway, who led the Comets to a first-place 10-0 YVC record (27-2 overall) last season; North finished this recent campaign with 77 sets won and 26 lost.

Bell and Galloway were both honored for their prestigious conference achievements, winning the awards for the YVC’s top performer and coach this season.

“Congratulations to our Player of the Year and Coach of the Year!” North Stanly Athletics posted online following the YVC honors.

Sophomore Emmy Talbert finished the season with a team-best 79 aces, placing her well within the top100 in the state in that category.

“Huge congratulations to our incredible girl, Emmy Talbert,” the North Stanly Booster Club said in a social media post. “Finishing the year ranked 64th in the state for aces as just a sophomore is an amazing achievement! We are so proud of you, Emmy! The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish next!”

Statistically, other team leaders included Speight (909 assists), Bell (491 kills, 0.376 hitting percentage), Aniston Talbert (45 blocks, 84 aces), and Landon Kimrey (550 receptions).

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Addi

Barbee

West Stanly, volleyball

The Colts reached the final four of the NCHSAA championships before falling to eventual class 2A state champion McMichael. West Stanly finished the season 25-3 and a perfect 12-0 in the Rocky River Conference.

Barbee led the team in kills and receptions, was second in digs, and third in hitting percentage, assists and blocks. She also led the conference in kills and, in a win over Southwest Randolph in the second round of the state tourney, recorded her 1,000th career kill.

Byron gets final spot in championship race after controversial finish at Martinsville Speedway

Ryan Blaney has a shot to win back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series titles

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, VA . — Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale.

The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-

lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR. Bell’s pass of Byron left the two tied in points for the final spot next week in the title-decider at Phoenix Raceway. After an awkwardly long delay, Bell’s move was deemed illegal and Byron was given the final spot. “I understand that the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different from what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

“I slid into the wall and kept my foot into it. I guess that is a losing move,” Bell continued. “I didn’t intentionally floor it and go into the fence — I slipped into the wall and that’s all she wrote.”

“He rode the wall and there’s a clear rule against riding the wall,” Byron said. “So in my eyes, that’s what counts. If it happened in the past, it was fair game. But now the rule is against it.”

Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Ty-

ler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-toback next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

Blaney last week lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Penske has a shot at three consecutive Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars in,” Blaney said. “It’s nice to join (Logano) and have a decent shot to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so

these guys are the best at what they do, and it’s been so much fun to get to run with them and share wins and championships.

“It’s super strong right now in our organization and hopefully it carries over.”

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Larson finished third, Penske driver Austin Cindric was fourth but not eligible for a championship berth.

Denny Hamlin drove from last to fifth but was eliminated from the finale, and Byron was sixth and given the final spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after an early spin in the race. He had a large enough point cushion that left him tied with Byron for the final spot in the championship field. Byron and Blaney return to the championship race for the second consecutive year; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his title-race debut.

Kills by player of the year Shalyn Bell, the most on the team

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

RUNNING

Netherlands’ Nageeye, Kenya’s Chepkirui win New York City Marathon

New York

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women’s event. Both runners pulled away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters to come away with their first victories in the race. Nageeye was step -for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst heading into Central Park to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race. She won in 2:24.35.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oregon unanimous No. 1 ahead of first CFP rankings Oregon is a unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll. The Ducks hope to also be in the top spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s first rankings of the season on Tuesday. The Ducks are No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week and unanimous for the first time.

Georgia remained No. 2. Ohio State earned a one-spot promotion to No. 3 with its win at Penn State. Miami and Texas round out the top five. Penn State slipped to No. 6.

FORMULA ONE

Verstappen wins

Brazilian Grand Prix

Sao Paulo Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix despite starting 17th, increasing his lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris with three races remaining. Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June and his eighth Grand Prix victory of the year. The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month.

Ohtani brings dog, addresses crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate

The parade celebrated the franchise’s eighth world championship

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blueand-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signa-

ture song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to

NBA considering changes to All-Star Game again

Commissioner Adam Silver is asking for Stephen Curry’s help to make the game more competitive

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

THE NBA IS considering changing the format for the All-Star Game that will be played in San Francisco later this season, Commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday night.

Silver, speaking before the Miami-Washington game in Mexico City, has wanted a more competitive All-Star event for some time. The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211-186 last season, combining for the most points in the game’s 73-year history and marking the first time a team eclipsed 200 points.

“We’re looking at other formats,” Silver said. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”

Silver added that the league is looking at making the AllStar Game “not a traditional game format” but stopped short of saying what that could mean.

The league has tinkered with the All-Star formula several times in recent years. Among the attempts were scrapping the longstanding East vs. West format for a draft picked by team captains and going to an untimed fourth quarter with a target score to ensure that the game must end on a made shot.

Last year’s game went back to the traditional format — four full 12-minute quarters, East vs. West. And it was nothing but an offensive showcase, with the teams combining for 168 3-point attempts and nearly 400 points.

“Obviously, it wasn’t high intensity, at all,” Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton said after the game in Indianapolis, where five players scored at least 30 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 on 35 shots off the bench.

Silver said with the game — scheduled for Feb. 16 — in San Francisco, he’s enlisted Golden State star Stephen Curry to help figure out a way to make the All-Star Game more competitive this season. Any changes would almost certainly have to involve the leadership of the National Basketball Players Association as well.

“It’s a home game for him,” Silver said, adding that he’s had “direct conversations” with Curry on the topic. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to

get on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blueclad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever

been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.” Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is trying to come up with ways to make the All-Star Game more competitive.

make sure the players put their best foot forward.”

Curry said last year that players had talked “a little bit” about making the All- Star Game more competitive in some ways. The league has wanted that for some time, hoping a better All-Star contest leads to better television ratings for the game and more outside interest.

“I think everyone was disappointed in what they saw last year,” Silver said. “It wasn’t just the league. It was the players as well, the players association. I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking particularly in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, we would see a more competitive game.”

Steph vs. Sabrina again?

Silver said fans can expect another Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu-type event at this season’s All-Star Game. That’s not a surprise; Curry and Ionescu both said they wanted to do it again after their debut matchup last season, and talk instantly centered on adding more shooters — with Caitlin Clark mentioned as a possibility.

“When you look at the interest in terms of viewership last year, one of the highlights was that Sabrina-Steph shoot out,” Silver said. “So, we do want to do more of that.”

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series championship parade Friday.

Janice Brown Stokes

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

April 8, 1947 – Oct. 31, 2024

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Janice Brown Stokes, 77, of Rock Hill, South Carolina. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, SC, on October 31, 2024.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

Janice had a passion for quilting and crafting, winning multiple awards at the North and South Carolina State Fairs. She enjoyed making things for the people she loved and brought smiles and love to so many. She was a member of St. Mary’s Quilters, which brought her immense joy. She was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church in Albemarle where she enjoyed fellowship and choir, making many friendships along the way.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

Janice was born on April 8, 1947 to Frank and Bonnie Brown in Waynesville, NC. After graduating from Waynesville Township High School, she attended Pfeiffer College where she graduated with a degree in accounting. She was a longtime resident of Albemarle, NC where she raised her two sons, John and Edward, her proudest accomplishment. Janice is survived by her two sons and her four grandchildren - Finley, Levi, Tate and Emery who were the light of her life; her sister, Elaine Brown Burch and husband DeLane Burch; brother David Brown and wife Lorena. Janice is preceded in death by her parents, Bonnie and Frank Brown and brother, James Mitchell Brown.

Funeral services are under the direction of Stanly Funeral Home, Albemarle, NC. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6 from 12:30-1:45 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m.. Interment will be at the Stanly Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to a WNC hurricane relief of your choice.

Jerrell William Rabon

Dwight Farmer

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Jan. 30, 1948 – Oct. 30, 2024

Jerrell William Rabon, 76, of Albemarle peacefully passed away on October 30, 2024, at Woodhaven Courts. A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.

He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Jerrell was born on January 30, 1948, in Stanly County to the late Jerome and Edith Rabon. He is survived by his daughter Sonya Moose and her husband Howard of Albemarle, NC. Those also left to cherish his memory are grandchildren Nathan Moose and his wife Allison of Albemarle, NC and Davis Moose and his wife Emily of New London, NC, great-grandson Levi Moose, brother Max Rabon and his wife JoAnn and sister Jean Griffin. Jerrell was preceded in death by a granddaughter Breann Moose.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodhaven Courts and Gentiva Hospice for the care they provided for Mr. Rabon.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.

Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Seth Gray Austin

Dec. 3, 2007 – Oct. 26, 2024

Seth Gray Austin, 16, of Locust, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Montgomery County.

A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Jody Wetta, will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Berea Baptist Church in Stanfield, NC. The burial will take place in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Locust, NC.

Seth was born on December 3, 2007, in Stanly County to Stephen Austin and Natasha Parker, who survived him. Those also left to cherish his memory are brother, Breyden Austin of Locust, NC, sister, Savannah Canup of Locust, NC, maternal grandparents, Daniel and Virginia Honeycutt of Concord, NC, paternal grandparents, Tony and Kathy Austin of Stanfield, NC and nephews Jayden Brooks and Carson Lane.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Seth lived life to the fullest and never missed an opportunity to have a good time! He was very artistic; he loved to draw and loved wood carving. He enjoyed hunting and shooting guns. He also enjoyed listening to music and playing basketball. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him!

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust is serving the Austin Family.

Donald Gilbert Higham

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Aug. 14, 1936 – Oct. 27, 2024

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

March 23, 1935 - January 9,

October 11, 1944 - January 10,

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

Donald Gilbert Higham, 88, died at his home in Oakboro, NC, on Sunday, October 27, 2024. He was born on August 14, 1936, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the late Joseph and Elsie Higham. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Huneycutt Higham, of 54 years, and three children: Larisa Thompson (Dan) of Oakboro, NC, Krysta Arabudzki (Tom) of Nashua, NH, and Joseph Higham (Terri) of Lancaster, SC. Grandchildren include Josie Thompson of Raleigh, NC, Hunter Thompson of Charlotte, NC, Ella and Grace Higham of Lancaster, SC, Katja and Nikolaj Arabudzki of Nashua, NH. Step-grandchildren include Andrew Thompson (Marleny) of Gmund, Germany, Jennica Lynch (Daniel) of Columbus, OH, Joshua Haller of Columbus, OH, and Jacob Haller (deceased). Lily and Liam Lynch of Columbus, OH, are great stepgrandchildren.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Donald loved his wife, his children and their spouses, and his grandchildren. Shortly before his death, Donald stated that the birth of his children marked one of the happiest moments of his life; his compassionate love was extended to his family throughout his life.

Donald received his B.S. degree in engineering from The University of Massachusetts in Amherst. After graduation, he specialized in quality assurance with the Federal Government for many years.

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

Lengendary music producer Quincy Jones dies at 91

The music titan worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson

When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily.

QUINCY JONES, the talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album and writing prize-winning film and television scores to collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Clinton’s first inaugural celebration, and oversaw the all- star recording of “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity record for famine relief in Africa.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, said Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

A native New Englander, the region’s natural beauty: forests, lakes, sea, and ubiquitous stone walls forged his character. The character traits that defined him were frugality, flintiness, and grittiness. His grit sustained him through his later years as multiple diseases afflicted him. His courage and steadfastness inspired his family and friends. Donald’s favorite place in New England was Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where his family spent many delightful summer vacations. “Going to the Cape” was a much-anticipated family event.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

The Higham family is being served by Stanly Funeral Home in Locust, and a private celebration of life will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

Donald’s legacy lives on through his love for his family and the memories that his family will forever cherish.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

Jones rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first black executives to thrive in Hollywood and amassing an extraordinary musical catalog that includes some of the richest moments of American rhythm and song. For years, it was unlikely to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with his name on it, or a leader in the entertainment industry and beyond who did not have some connection to him.

Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Bill

Lionel Richie, who cowrote “We Are the World” and was among the featured singers, would call Jones “the master orchestrator.” In a career which began when records were still played on platters turning at 78 rpm, top honors likely go to his productions with Jackson: “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” were albums near-universal in their style and appeal. Jones’ versatility and imagination helped set off the explosive talents of Jackson as he transformed from child star to the “King of Pop.” On such classic tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” Jones and Jackson fashioned a global soundscape out of disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz and African chants. For “Thriller,” some of the most memorable touches originated with Jones, who recruited Eddie Van Halen for a guitar solo on the genre-fusing “Beat It” and brought in Vincent Price for a ghoulish voiceover on the title track.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

“Thriller” sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone and has contended with the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits 1971-1975” among others as the best-selling album of all time.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

“If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producers fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too,” Jones said in an interview with the Library of Congress in 2016. “The tracks don’t just all of a sudden appear. The producer has to have the skill, experience and ability to guide the vision to completion.”“We had the best jazz band on the planet, and yet we were literally starving,” Jones later told Musician magazine. “That’s when I discovered that there was music, and there was the music business. If I were to survive, I would have to learn the difference between the two.”

CHRIS PIZZELLO / INVISION / AP

Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary “Quincy” in September 2018 in Toronto.

STATE & NATION

Beloved Grand Teton bear killed by a vehicle mourned

A vigil was held for Grizzly No. 399, who captured the hearts in Wyoming for decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press

DURING HER nearly three decades of roaming the Teton Range’s snowy wilderness, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear, with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and ever-growing family tree.

Nature lovers are mourning the matriarch of the world-famous bear family after she was fatally struck by a vehicle Oct. 22 on a highway in western Wyoming. Dozens braved frigid weather in the picturesque ski town of Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online.

Wildlife guide Bo Weldon told the gathering the community was going to “pingpong through the stages of grief” but that was what they needed to do despite the difficulty.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together,” Weldon said as attendees huddled close in the wet, cold rain.

A PBS documentary crowned the 28-year-old grizzly “Queen of the Tetons,” and an Instagram account dedicated to her has amassed more than 60,000 followers. She was known for fre-

quenting tourist-heavy spots and roadsides in Grand Teton National Park and became an ambassador for her species and a symbol for people working to conserve American public lands.

Named for the tag affixed by researchers to her ear, No. 399 was the oldest-known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. She has been credited for helping the region’s grizzly population rebound from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today. She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own. Her ashes were spread this week in the Pilgrim Creek area

of Grand Teton National Park, where she spent much of her life, park officials said. Jacob Krank, the master of ceremonies, shared how he encountered No. 399 the first time he drove into the park to explore it 13 years ago. Suddenly he saw “this beautiful grizzly bear” in the road with her two cubs. She was so near he could hear her breathing and paws scratching the ground.

“She looked right at me, just right in the eye. It was just such a profound experience,” he said. “It was as though she was saying, ‘Welcome home. Where have you been all this time?’” Krank said the ceremony came together in response to

A grizzly bear known as No. 399 walks alongside a cub in Grand Teton National Park. The beloved bear was struck and killed by a car last month.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together.”

Bo Weldon, wildlife guide

sought to remove federal protections as their population has replenished. The states want to regain management of grizzlies and allow limited hunting.

Conservationists argue the species still requires protection as food scarcity caused by climate change has driven grizzlies further from their habitats in search of food.

On his tours of the Tetons, wildlife guide Jack Bayles said he often draws attention to barren huckleberry bushes affected by rising temperatures, which he said might help explain why No. 399 was about 40 miles south of her habitat in the park when she was fatally struck. Grizzlies need to eat nearly nonstop in the fall to store enough fat to sustain their winter hibernation.

popular demand. When No. 399 died, people began posting social media inquiries and asking at The Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery in Jackson, where Krank works. The gallery features photos by Thomas Mangelsen, one of the best-known photographers of the bear.

Attendees observed a moment of silence and listened to a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong while trying to keep the wind and rain from extinguishing their candles. Grizzlies have teetered on and off the endangered species list. They remain federally protected, but some state officials in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have

A male yearling cub, known informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed and has not been located in the nearly two weeks since.

“There is no indication it was struck in the collision,” Joe Szuszwalak of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. “Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”

On average, about three grizzlies are killed in vehicle collisions in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem each year, according to data collected by researchers and released by the park. No. 399 was the second grizzly killed in the region by a vehicle this year.

Fla.’s convicted killer clown released from prison

Sheila Keen-Warren is free 18 months after she pleaded guilty to killing her husband’s then-wife

By Terry Spencer

The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

— A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison Saturday, ending a case that has been strange even by Florida standards.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released 18 months after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Marlene Warren, Florida Department of Corrections records show. The plea deal came shortly before her trial would have started.

Keen-Warren, who has maintained her innocence even after her plea, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But she had been in custody for seven years since her arrest in 2017, and Florida’s law in 1990 allowed significant credit for good behavior. It had

been expected she would be released in about two years.

“Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement Saturday.

Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren’s attorney, has said she only took the plea deal because she would be released in less than two years and had been facing a life sentence if convicted at trial.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family. As we’ve stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime,” he said Saturday in a text message.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, and his friends were at home when they said a person dressed as a clown rang the doorbell. He said that when his mom answered, the clown handed her some balloons. After she responded, “How nice,” the clown pulled a gun and shot her in the face before fleeing.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators had long suspect-

ed Keen-Warren in the slaying, but she wasn’t arrested until 27 years later when they said improved DNA testing tied her to evidence found in the getaway car. Rosenfeld has called that evidence weak.

At the time of the shooting, Keen-Warren was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. She has been his wife since 2002. They eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border.

Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives said, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown suit a few days before the killing.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Sheila Keen Warren is pictured in a booking photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

ren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him. But the car lot and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother, “If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” He has never been charged and has denied involvement.

But Rosenfeld said last year that the state’s case was falling apart. One DNA sample somehow showed both male and female genes, he said, and the other could have come from one out of every 20 women.

And even if that hair did come from Keen-Warren, it could have been deposited before the car was reported stolen. He said Marlene Warren’s son and another witness also told detectives that the car deputies found wasn’t the killer’s, though investigators insisted it was.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene War-

One of the two balloons — a silver one that read, “You’re the Greatest” — was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near Keen-Warren’s home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Keen-Warren had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting. The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibers inside. The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot a month before the shooting. Keen-Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Aronberg last year conceded that there were holes in the case, saying they were caused by the three decades it took to get it to trial, including the death of key witnesses.

C. ADAMS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK VIA AP

Decisions, decisions

The Crossing Church in Kernersville was one of more than 100 voting places in Forsyth County, and also one of a dozen on private property that ban literature and candidate signage for Election Day.

Hall defeats Fulk to win District 91 race

Other Forsyth incumbents also held their seats

By Melinda Burris Twin City Herald

REPUBLICAN Rep. Kyle

Hall defeated Democratic challenger Vivian Fulk to earn reelection to his District 91 General Assembly seat. Hall won more than two-thirds of the vote, 67.33% to 32.67%, though Fulk held a slight edge (50.88% to 49.12%) among Forsyth County voters.

Republican incumbent state Rep. Jeff Zenger held onto his seat in N.C. House District 74 against Democrat challenger Amy Taylor North 51.92% to 48.08%. The vote totals were

26,695 for Zenger to 24,719 for North.

Zenger, a small business owner, was elected to the seat in 2020. Taylor is also a small business owner.

Republican incumbent state Rep. Donny Lambeth held onto his seat in N.C. House District 75 against Democrat challenger Caroline Warren 57.17% to 42.83%. The vote totals were 25,911 for Lambeth and 19,413 for Warren.

Lambeth, a health care executive, was elected to the seat in 2012. Warren is an educator.

Democrat incumbent state Rep. Kanika Brown held onto her seat in N.C. District 71 with 100%. The vote total was 31,157.

Brown, a nonprofit executive, was elected to the seat in 2022 and ran unopposed. Democrat incumbent state Rep. Amber M. Baker was also uncontested and held onto her seat in N.C. District 72 with 100%. The vote totals were 30,840. Baker, an educator, was elected to the seat in 2020 and ran unopposed.

The state provided funds that will be utilized for improvements to Bowman Gray Stadium in preparation for its upcoming NASCAR event

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

WINSTON-SALEM — The city of Winston-Salem is continuing to prepare for its upcoming NASCAR Cup Series and the city council is doing their part too.

At its Oct. 21 regular business meeting, the council approved just over $500,000 in passthrough funding from the State Motorsports Assistance Grant Program to be utilized for improvements to lighting at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The funding will go to NASCAR, which is utilizing the stadium for The Clash, the Cup Series’ season-opening exhibition race.

“We have about four months, maybe three and a half before the whole world will be watching NASCAR happening in Bow-

man Gray Stadium in February,” said council member Annette Scippio.

The council also held six public hearings with the first being for the voluntary annexation of approximately 19.765 acres of property located west of Brookberry Farm Circle and Rosewind Lane for phase 11 of the Brookberry Farm subdivision. The second hearing was to rezone the property from county zoning to city zoning.

“This is the 11th section that they have started,” said council member Robert Clark. “They get a section going and once it’s moved along, they’ll start the next, and they’re up to number 11 now. It’s been very successful.”

The next four hearings all also dealt with rezoning petitions:

A request for 2.7 acres of property located on the south side of South Main Street from Residential Single-Family (RS9) to Highway Business (HB-L).

A request for 1.14 acres of property located at the southwest intersection of North Chestnut Street and East 14th Street from Residential Multifamily (RM-18) to Pe-

destrian Business (PB-L).

A request for 0.85 acres of property located on the east side of Transou Road between Mickel Road and Yadkinville Road from Limited Business (LB) to General Business (GB-S).

A request for 2.51 acres of property located at the southeast intersection of North Cherry Street and Polo Road from HB and RS-9 to GB-S.

The council approved all six items following each hearing. The council also welcomed in new assistant city manager Sharon Wojda, who previously was working as the assistant city manager in Bend, Oregon.

“I know I’m moving here from across the country but I do have ties here,” Wojda said. “I lived in North Carolina for 25 years. So I’m really excited to be back. I love local government and love working for cities. I’m just so happy to be here and I look forward to working with all of the staff and all of you more.”

Additional updates provided from staff are that curbside leaf collection will begin Nov. 4, that the city is seeking applicants to serve on the Civil Service Board and that the Winston-Salem

transit authority is seeking input back from residents on its website regarding proposed bus route changes to improve the way residents get around.

The city also reiterated its commitment to helping those in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene.

“We’re responding to areas that have needs,” said City Manager William Pate. “So when there’s a call for a specific need or services that we can fulfill, then we are responding to those and in all cases, making sure that we can continue to provide services to our community and our residents first. But we will continue to assist as long as there is a need for us to assist.”

Pate also stated that the city will be reimbursed by FEMA “at some point in time.”

The Winston-Salem City Council will next meet Nov. 18.

/ TWIN

COURTESY PHOTOS Left, Rep. Kyle Hall (R); Right, Rep. Vivian Fulk (D)

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P.J.

Creative ‘I Voted’ stickers go beyond familiar flag design

N.C.’s early voting sticker features a unicorn

By Holly Ramer The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — Whether scenic or slightly sinister — angry werewolf, anyone? — the designs on the front of “I Voted” stickers are attracting a lot of attention this year. But have you ever considered the back of your Election Day souvenir?

“Garment-safe adhesive, it’s incredibly important,” said Janet Boudreau, one sticker designer. “You can ruin leather, silk, fine wool if you don’t use garment-safe adhesive on any sticker that goes on fabric.”

Boudreau should know. She designed the iconic sticker that has been a polling place staple for decades: a simple ellipse featuring a rippling red, white and blue American flag. And while the company she once owned now has competition, she is delighted by the new versions cropping up around the country, many of them designed by children.

“I am all for it,” she said. “And I’m all for younger people getting involved and understanding the power of voting and having faith in it.”

Two years ago, a New York county’s stickers featuring a wild-eyed crab-like creature created by a 14-year-old boy became an online sensation. This year the smash hit — one of nine designs distributed in Michigan — depicts a werewolf shredding its shirt in front of an American flag.

The 12-year-old Michigan designer declined an interview request, but other young artists described rewarding experiences.

In Milton, New Hampshire, 10-year-old Grace was treated like a celebrity when she visited the polls for the presidential primary in January and town elections in March.

“I definitely did see a difference in everyone’s attitude, like everyone seemed happier and more excited to vote because they’d get a cool sticker that I designed,” she said. “And I really think it was cool that I made an impact on the way people vote and how they feel about voting.”

New Hampshire’s contest was open to fourth graders and more than 1,000 submitted entries. Grace, whose design features the state’s fallen but not forgotten Old Man of the Mountain rock formation, not only got to attend a pizza party at the Statehouse but has since become pen pals with one of the other two winners.

While Grace settled on her design quickly, 11-year-old Rilynn drafted three versions and had her family vote on their fa-

Ten-year-old Grace, of Milton, New Hampshire, shows her contest winning

last week.

CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD A North Carolina earlyvoting sticker from this year’s election.

vorite. The winner? A moose standing on a ledge overlooking colorful fall foliage and the state’s highest mountain.

Like Grace, she was excited to see her stickers in action earlier this year.

“They had a huge pile of stickers and people were literally picking out my sticker,” she said. “By the time my dad got there, he didn’t get one.”

Not all of the new stickers are designed by children.

In Denver, incarcerated individuals designed two stickers, one featuring the Colorado flag with a brick building, sun and purple mountains comprising the “D” in “voted.” The design competition was aimed at promoting civic engagement and fostering a sense of purpose and community.

In King County, Washington, a graphic designer developed a sticker showcasing the Seattle cityscape on the top and the countryside on the bottom. In New York City, those who voted on Halloween got stick-

ers showing a pigeon wearing a witch’s hat. And a contest open to adults and college students in San Francisco was won by illustrator Hollis Callas, who included flowers, birds, a seal, the Golden Gate Bridge and “I voted” in multiple languages.

“I love it,” said Allison Tichenor, who picked up a sticker when she voted earlier this week. “It’s beautiful, just like the city.”

Tichenor and others said they enjoy wearing the stickers to remind others to cast their ballots.

“I think they are important because you never know who it might inspire to vote,” said Deanna Long of Raleigh, who went to a Kamala Harris rally last Wednesday with a voting sticker on her bag depicting a child riding a purple-maned unicorn.

“The designs have been fun and are from young kids, who have to rely on others to vote for their needs,” Long said. “The value of voting is hopefully becoming clearer to the younger generations, and I hope the artwork is inspiring to them as well.”

In 2019, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission launched a national contest for the best sticker as part of its efforts to honor innovative best practices in election administration. The latest batch of winners includes the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office in New Mexico, where the contest focused specifically on “Future Voter” and “First Time Voter” stickers.

“Running elections is hard, and those ‘I voted’ sticker contests are both a nice way to po-

tentially engage the community, but also some creativity and some fun,” said Benjamin Hovland, chairman of the nonpartisan federal commission.

Jason Wickersty certainly showed creativity with the sticker he fashioned out of pork roll, a type of processed meat favored in New Jersey also known as Taylor ham. He shared a photo on the social platform X in 2020 of the meat stuck to his shirt and explained himself in an email this week.

“We Jersey people are fiercely proud and loyal to our state, and since they haven’t yet made official ‘I Voted’ slices of pork roll, I took an X-Acto knife to a slice and carved my own quintessentially Jersey ‘I Voted’ badge,” he said. Though a writer once called her a “veritable Betsy Ross” of “I Voted” stickers, Boudreau wasn’t the first to produce them. But she did come to dominate the market. By 2000, some 13 years after she sketched out the design at her kitchen table, her election supply company was selling more than 100 million stickers every two years before she sold the company in 2015. Officials there did not respond to an email seeking current sales figures.

The stickers started as a way to diversify the company’s offerings and attract new business, said Boudreau, who remembers her 6-year-old son affixing the colorful stickers to the black-and-white ads she mailed to potential clients.

“But this just made people happy,” she said. “It opened doors for us, and it made the voters happy.”

State Supreme Court race headed to recount

wins

Chatham News & Record staff

RALEIGH — The race for North Carolina’s State Supreme Court seat is headed to a recount after the vote resulted in less than a 1% margin, the threshold to trigger a recount. Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin leads in-

cumbent Associate Justice Allison Riggs 50.09% to 49.91%, a margin of under 10,00 votes. Riggs was appointed to her seat on the Supreme Court by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to replace Associate Justice Michael Morgan, who left to run unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary race for governor. The appointment made her the youngest woman ever to serve on the high court. Republicans Tom Murry, Valerie Zachary and Chris Freeman all won close races for seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. A referendum that would amend the North Carolina Constitution, changing wording to, “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State,” easily passed with 77.59% of the statewide vote. Jefferson Griffin leads incumbent Associate Justice Allison Riggs 50.09% to 49.91%.

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

“I Voted” sticker

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

TRIAD

Seeing is believing

The survivors in the communities came out to tell us their stories, and they were heartbreaking.

I HAD SEEN all the videos and looked at many photos, but all of these visuals did not prepare me for what I saw last week on a trip to the storm-ravaged areas of western North Carolina. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I could never have imagined the complete and utter devastation that this area of our state and the residents have suffered.

Thank you to Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske for making your helicopters available to carry legislators to the area. Many areas are still only accessible by helicopters or ATVs.

I can’t begin to describe the horrors that we witnessed. There are mountain-high piles of trees, cars and splintered homes that have been cleared to make a path through some of these areas.

We landed in someone’s yard because it was the only piece of land in this particular area clear enough for a helicopter landing. There was an elderly woman sitting on the porch. I walked up and introduced myself and thanked her for allowing us to use her lawn. She shared that she had lost her son and a grandson in the storm. It broke my heart to hear her painful story.

A young man who was the assistant fire chief in this small community drove us into the ravaged areas and the “hollers” in an ATV. In this community, Craigtown, 13 lives had been lost. This young man was related to 11 of the thirteen. His entire family lived on this strip where the mountain above had opened and flood waters and mudslides came tumbling down. What had been a small stream, some might call a ditch, became a raging river that washed everything in its

path away. His parents were both killed, and the home was washed away. He showed us the areas where his parents’ bodies were found.

His colleague and friend from the fire station was killed trying to rescue his aunt and uncle. He succeeded in getting the aunt to another rescuer through the window. When he went back for the uncle, the entire home washed away and both men were lost.

The survivors in the communities came out to tell us their stories, and they were heartbreaking. They praised the volunteers from all over the country who had come in to help in the recovery operations.

Without fail, there was not one single positive story about the government assistance that had been sent. FEMA was a nasty four-letter word to all of these residents. There was not one good thing said about this organization. Every person we spoke with had been denied the $750 that had been promised. One lady lost everything she had — her home, her car and all her belongings — and they finally did approve $300 for her. The folks I spoke with just wanted the government to get out of the way. They felt that there was a hindrance rather than help from the agencies sent in by the government; except for the military, I should stress — they had lots of praise for the military personnel.

These residents were furious. Many of them used the example that we are sending billions to Ukraine but can’t take care of our own residents in crisis.

The volunteers were doing an amazing job. An operations center had been set up in

North Carolina must count every vote

We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency.

AS ELECTED Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.

Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before all of the votes are even counted are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles.

We say this as staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms.

The notion of precertifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our state’s voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a

dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal application of the law.

The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office.

Furthermore, precertifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. We stand for integrity, not shortcuts. We support

a Harley-Davidson building that had been flooded. Veterans were leading the emergency operations of the volunteers. Several former Green Berets and Navy SEALs had taken charge and were handling the volunteer services. It was so impressive to hear the stories of how they sent out a call to their former colleagues, and they showed up and went to work.

It will be years before this area can recover. Water and sewer systems were completely washed away in many areas. Complete towns were eliminated, and decisions must be made on how this situation will be handled. I fear that many of them will not be rebuilt. In many cases, not only did these storm victims lose their houses but also lost the land as it was washed away, and the land is no longer buildable. Businesses that had been in operation for generations were destroyed. We will be going back to Raleigh in a couple of weeks to continue allocating funds for the residents of the area. We are determined that funds will be monitored and will directly benefit the residents. Funds must not be routed through organizations with bureaucratic red tape that are gone before they reach their intended destination.

Continue to pray for all our Helene victims. They have a long road ahead, and it’s going to be a lot longer than I could ever imagine.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.

the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But precertifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections. If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives. In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.

Rep. Kevin Crutchfield represents Cabarrus and Rowan counties, and Rep. David Willis represents Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly.

STRAIGHT TALK | SEN. JOYCE KRAWIEC

COLUMN | REPS. KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD AND DAVID WILLIS

Paiporta at the epicenter of Spain’s floods: ‘It

The

municipality has been “ground zero” of the natural disaster

By Joseph Wilson The Associated Press

PAIPORTA, Spain — The pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.

Most everything else in the daycare — the cradles, the highchairs, the toys — was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.

“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told The Associated Press. He said the water level was above his head inside the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.

“I have lived here all my life. This had never happened, and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this; it is all in ruins.”

Authorities say at least 62 people of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in Spain last week died in Paiporta,. The majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.

The tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. The clean-up task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.

Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles except bulldozers, stacked with piles of sodden furniture, household items and countless wrecked cars.

Every foot is caked with mud. Some people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.

A washing machine was on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chest of drawers, paintings and

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, US over Israeli attacks

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be “a crushing response”

By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in video released by Iranian state media.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack nor the scope.

The U.S. military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier likely is in the Arabian Sea, while Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week that more destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its militant allies. Early Sunday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said B-52s from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the Middle East.

The 85-year-old Khamenei had struck a more cautious approach in earlier remarks, saying officials would weigh Iran’s response and that Israel’s attack “should not be exaggerated nor downplayed.” Iran has launched two major direct attacks on Israel, in April and October.

But efforts by Iran to downplay the Israeli attack faltered as satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to military bases near Teh-

is all in ruins’

a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the all-consuming mire.

Lidia Giménez, a school teacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town — “Barranco del Poyo” — went from empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. She called the aftermath of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.”

And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta.

The storm unleashed a downpour upstream. That deluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast, which were devastated by the flash floods.

Paiporta’s residents did not receive flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.

The onslaught of water widened the river bank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the ca-

nal. Eight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.

The destruction could take weeks to clean.

Thousands of volunteers walked for more than an hour from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime.

Homeowner Rafa Rosellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars — one half-resting on top of the other — that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. He had to unscrew a metal grating and slip through a window to get inside and witness the mess.

“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” Rosellón said. “The government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.”

Some 2,000 soldiers are involved in post-flood emergency

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter.”

Paiporta resident

work — searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods — as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that they have rescued about 4,800 people and “helped more than 30,000 people in homes, on roads and in flooded industrial estates.”

Only a small contingent of soldiers was pushing mud in Paiporta on Saturday when Sánchez promised another 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police were on their way to eastern Spain.

Just a few doors down from where Rosellón lived, a woman sweeping muddy water from her door burst into tears when asked what she had lost.

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter,” she said.

Another turn revealed a chilling scene: a street filled with half a dozen cars and crisscrossed with countless reeds that, before the flood, had been growing nearby. A man screams from inside a house: “There’s nothing more I can do! There’s nothing more I can do!”

ran linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as at a Revolutionary Guard base used in satellite launches. Iran’s allies, called the “Axis of Resistance” by Tehran, also have been severely hurt by ongoing Israeli attacks, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran has long used those groups as both an asymmetrical way to attack Israel and as a shield against a direct assault. Some analysts believe those groups want Iran to do more to back them militarily.

Iran, however, has been dealing with problems at home as its economy struggles under the weight of international sanctions and years of widespread protests. After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. It had been 32,000 rials to the dollar when Tehran reached its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard — which controls the ballistic

missiles needed to target Israel — gave an interview published by the semiofficial Fars news agency just before Khamenei’s remarks were released. In it, he warned Iran’s response “will be wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

“The leaders of the Zionist regime should look out from the windows of their bedrooms and protect their criminal pilots within their small territory,” he warned. Israeli air force pilots appear to have used airlaunched ballistic missiles in the Oct. 26 attack.

Valencia

MANU FERNANDEZ / AP PHOTO

People clean the street of mud Saturday in the Spanish town of Paiporta in the Valencia region affected by flooding.

OFFICE OF THE IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER VIA AP

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd during a Saturday meeting with school and university students in Tehran, Iran.

Forsyth SPORTS

Emotional Carter reminisces as Toronto retires jersey

The NBA Hall of Famer played six of his 22 NBA seasons with Raptors

By Ian Harrison

The Associated Press

TORONTO — An emotional Vince Carter acknowledged his contentious exit from Toronto as his No. 15 jersey became the first number retired by the Raptors in a halftime ceremony during Saturday’s game against Sacramento.

“It’s not just Carter 15 going up, it’s all of us going up,” Carter told fans before a banner with his name and number was lifted to the rafters. “The memories, however you view it, goes up tonight. I hope and pray we enjoy our jersey being retired forever together.”

Carter walked to center court to begin the ceremony and gestured with his hands to request cheers from the crowd, and then balled his fists and roared “Come on!” before saluting the response.

Former Toronto teammates Tracy McGrady, Antonio Davis, Kevin Willis, Charles Oakley, Morris Peterson, Dee Brown, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams and Muggsy Bogues joined Carter, his family and Raptors president Masai Ujiri on the court for the ceremony.

“He taught us how to fly,” Ujiri said in introducing Carter to the cheering crowd.

Carter had to pause several times to control his emotions or dab at tears during a pregame press conference.

The only player in NBA history to play in four decades, Carter spent the first six-plus of his record 22 seasons with the Raptors. He was the 1999 Rookie of the Year in his first season and an All-Star and the Slam Dunk champion in his second, when Toronto made the playoffs for the first time.

Former Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter reacts during his number retirement ceremony at halftime of Saturday’s

Carter is credited for impacting basketball across Canada, influencing a generation of future NBA players such as Tristan Thompson, former Raptors guard Cory Joseph and current Raptors forward Kelly Olynyk.

“The legacy is still growing,” Carter said. “This is the icing on the cake.”

Thompson was one of several players, including Stephen Curry and former Raptors Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, to record a congratulatory message for Carter in a video that played before the on-court ceremony.

“I wouldn’t be here without you,” Thompson said.

Early on in his Toronto tenure, Carter earned the nickname “Air Canada” for his high-flying dunks. As injuries mounted and his production declined, Carter faced criticism from fans for becoming less aggressive when he settled for jumpers rather than driving and drawing contact.

In December 2004, Carter was traded to the Nets.

For years, there was anger and animosity from Raptors fans toward Carter after he pushed to be traded out of Toronto.

A decade on from that deal, the relationship-mending began when Carter visited Toronto with the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 19, 2014. The Raptors, who were celebrating their 20th anniversary that season, honored Carter with a tribute video during a first-quarter timeout.

Speaking in the halftime ceremony, Carter called it “a day I’ll never forget.”

Although a few fans booed as the montage began that night, most of the sellout crowd of 19,800 soon stood and cheered. An emotional Carter raised his arms, tapped his heart and wiped tears from his eyes.

During his pregame press conference, Carter was overcome with emotion again as he recalled watching that video almost a decade ago.

“It’s something about seeing those highlights in this building because that’s where it was created,” he said.

Earlier Saturday, a mural of Carter was unveiled in downtown Toronto. In September, the Raptors unveiled a revitalized Vince Carter Court at a Toronto park.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ellie Acrey

Reagan, girls’ golf

The Raiders won their 16th straight Central Piedmont Conference Tournament, and Acrey was named all-conference as well as taking home the CPC Player of the Year Award. After winning the conference individual title for the second year in a row, Acrey moved on to states, where she was the highest-finishing Reagan golfer. Playing at Pinehurst No. 6 (Par 70, 5,326 yards), she shot 77-77 for a two-round 154, good for a 17th place tie. The was three shots and two spots better than her performance at states last year (81-76 157, tied for 19th).

Byron gets final spot in championship race after controversial finish at Martinsville Speedway

Ryan Blaney has a shot to win back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series titles

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, VA . —

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale.

The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR.

Bell’s pass of Byron left the two tied in points for the final spot next week in the title-decider at Phoenix Raceway. After an awkwardly long delay, Bell’s move was deemed illegal and Byron was given the final spot.

“I understand that the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different from what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

“I slid into the wall and kept my foot into it. I guess that is a losing move,” Bell continued. “I didn’t intentionally floor it and go into the fence — I slipped into the wall and that’s all she wrote.”

“He rode the wall and there’s a clear rule against riding the

wall,” Byron said. “So in my eyes, that’s what counts. If it happened in the past, it was fair game. But now the rule is against it.” Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron. The title goes to the high-

est-finishing driver next Sunday.

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-toback next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

Blaney last week lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Penske has a shot at three consecutive Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars in,” Blaney said. “It’s nice to join (Logano) and have a decent shot

to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so these guys are the best at what they do, and it’s been so much fun to get to run with them and share wins and championships.

“It’s super strong right now in our organization and hopefully it carries over.”

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Larson finished third, Penske driver Austin Cindric was fourth but not eligible for a championship berth.

Denny Hamlin drove from last to fifth but was eliminat-

ed from the finale, and Byron was sixth and given the final spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after an early spin in the race. He had a large enough point cushion that left him tied with Byron for the final spot in the championship field. Byron and Blaney return to the championship race for the second consecutive year; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his title-race debut.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.

CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

game.

SIDELINE REPORT

RUNNING

Netherlands’ Nageeye, Kenya’s Chepkirui win New York City Marathon

New York

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women’s event. Both runners pulled away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters to come away with their first victories in the race. Nageeye was step -for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst heading into Central Park to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race. She won in 2:24.35.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oregon unanimous No. 1 ahead of first CFP rankings

Oregon is a unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll. The Ducks hope to also be in the top spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s first rankings of the season on Tuesday. The Ducks are No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week and unanimous for the first time. Georgia remained No. 2. Ohio State earned a one-spot promotion to No. 3 with its win at Penn State. Miami and Texas round out the top five. Penn State slipped to No. 6.

FORMULA ONE

Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix

Sao Paulo Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix despite starting 17th, increasing his lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris with three races remaining. Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June and his eighth Grand Prix victory of the year. The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month.

MLB Cole exercises opt out, Rizzo option declined

New York Gerrit Cole exercised his opt out from his New York Yankees contract, giving the team two days to void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029. Cole would give up $144 million in the four remaining seasons of his $324 million, nine-year contract. Three days after the Yankees lost the World Series, the team declined first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million option in favor of a $6 million buyout, making the first baseman a free agent.

NBA Curry sits out

third straight game with left ankle injury

Houston Stephen Curry sat out a third straight game for the Golden State Warriors at Houston nursing a left ankle injury but resumed practicing in some drills Friday. He was reevaluated earlier in the day and the Warriors’ medical staff determined the Davidson product and NBA all-time 3-point leader is making good progress and cleared to participate, according to the team. Curry was scheduled to be examined again Sunday.

Ohtani brings dog, addresses crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate

The parade celebrated the franchise’s eighth world championship

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and

joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blueand-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to

NBA considering changes to All-Star Game again

Commissioner Adam Silver is asking for Stephen Curry’s help to make the game more competitive

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

THE NBA IS considering changing the format for the All-Star Game that will be played in San Francisco later this season, Commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday night.

Silver, speaking before the Miami-Washington game in Mexico City, has wanted a more competitive All-Star event for some time. The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211-186 last season, combining for the most points in the game’s 73-year history and marking the first time a team eclipsed 200 points.

“We’re looking at other formats,” Silver said. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”

Silver added that the league is looking at making the AllStar Game “not a traditional game format” but stopped short of saying what that could mean.

The league has tinkered with the All-Star formula sev-

eral times in recent years. Among the attempts were scrapping the longstanding East vs. West format for a draft picked by team captains and going to an untimed fourth quarter with a target score to ensure that the game must end on a made shot.

Last year’s game went back to the traditional format — four full 12-minute quarters, East vs. West. And it was nothing but an offensive showcase, with the teams combining for 168 3-point attempts and nearly 400 points.

“Obviously, it wasn’t high intensity, at all,” Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton said after the game in Indianapolis, where five players scored at least 30 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 on 35 shots off the bench.

Silver said with the game — scheduled for Feb. 16 — in San Francisco, he’s enlisted Golden State star Stephen Curry to help figure out a way to make the All-Star Game more competitive this season. Any changes would almost certainly have to involve the leadership of the National Basketball Players Association as well.

“It’s a home game for him,” Silver said, adding that he’s had “direct conversations” with Curry on the topic. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward.”

Curry said last year that play-

get on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blueclad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.

They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed

with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.” Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

more

ers had talked “a little bit” about making the All-Star Game more competitive in some ways. The league has wanted that for some time, hoping a better AllStar contest leads to better television ratings for the game and more outside interest.

“I think everyone was disappointed in what they saw last year,” Silver said. “It wasn’t just the league. It was the players as well, the players association. I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking particularly in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, we would see a more competitive game.”

Steph vs. Sabrina again?

Silver said fans can expect another Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu-type event at this season’s All-Star Game. That’s not a surprise; Curry and Ionescu both said they wanted to do it again after their debut matchup last season, and talk instantly centered on adding more shooters — with Caitlin Clark mentioned as a possibility.

“When you look at the interest in terms of viewership last year, one of the highlights was that Sabrina-Steph shoot out,” Silver said. “So, we do want to do more of that.”

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is trying to come up with ways to make the All-Star Game

competitive.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series championship parade Friday.

the stream

‘Yellowstone’ starts its end, Eddie Redmayne plays sniper

Revisit American political films on Hulu, Paramount+, Hoopla and Fubo

By The Associated Press

EDDIE REDMAYNE starring as a sniper for hire in the new limited series “The Day of the Jackal” and “Yellowstone” riding off into the sunset with the launch of its final episodes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Aubrey Plaza stars in the comingof-age comedy “My Old Ass,” two famous Nintendo siblings team up for the video game Mario & Luigi Brothership and Whitney Houston’s epic 1994 concert video in post-apartheid South Africa.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Is there a better way to spend election week than with a psychedelic mushroom-induced Aubrey Plaza? Well, yes, there probably is. But, still, Megan Park’s “My Old Ass” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video) is a uniquely charming and oddly moving coming-ofage drama. The film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott, an 18-yearold whose birthday mushroom trip, while camping in Ontario’s Muskoka region, conjures a surreal visitor: her 39-yearold self (played by Plaza). In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy called the results “uneven but (Park) sticks the landing.”

Of the many fans of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s films, none is more passionate than Martin Scorsese. In “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” (airing Thursday on TCM), Scorsese narrates his journey through movies that have had a profound effect on the filmmaker. In it, he describes being “so bewitched by them as a child that they make a big part of my films’ subconscious.” The documentary, directed by David Hinton and produced by Thelma Schoonmaker, isn’t just a chronicle of films like “The Red Shoes,” “Black Narcissus,” and “I Know Where I’m Going!” but captures how movies can transfix you, change you and live alongside you as you grow older.

During election week, it might be a good time to revisit some of the best films about American politics. Alan Pa-

“Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” and “My Old Ass” stream this

kula’s chilling assassination thriller “The Parallax View” is streaming on Paramount+. On Hoopla, you can find both John Frankenheimer’s mind-control masterpiece “The Manchurian Candidate” and Elia Kazan’s prescient “A Face in the Crowd.” “Election,” Alexander Payne’s biting satire, is streaming on Fubo. Spike Lee’s towering “Malcolm X” is available to rent, as is Steven Spielberg’s epic “Lincoln.” But if you’re feeling more cynical, Mike Judge’s “Idiocracy” can be found on Hulu.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, the Whitney

Houston estate and Legacy

Recording will release “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” the recording of her epic concert in post-apartheid South Africa staged after President Nelson Mandela’s landmark election. It follows the fully remastered theatrical release of a concert film of the same name. In 1994, Houston took the stage for three concerts in South Africa, including in Durban at Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg and Cape Town. More than 200,000 people attended. The album is also Houston’s first live concert album (but not her first live album, give credit where credit is due — to 2014’s

“Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances” and “VH1 Divas 1999.”) She’s never sounded better.

Another look back at the ’90s: Tsunami, the ferocious indie rock band led by frontwomen Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, co-owners of the Simple Machines record label, are receiving a long overdue, career-spanning collection from the prolific Numero Group: A five LP, vinyl box set that features demos, singles, 1993’s “Deep End,” 1994’s “The Heart’s Tremolo” and, for the first time pressed to wax, 1997’s “A Brilliant Mistake.” If that’s too much physical media, don’t fret — listeners will be able to get an education on streaming platforms as well.

SHOWS TO STREAM

Eddie Redmayne hasn’t starred in a TV series since the 2012 two-part World War I saga, “Birdsong.” He marks his return as a sniper for hire in the new Peacock limited series, “The Day of the Jackal.” It’s an updated version of a Frederick Forsyth novel published in 1971. Lashana Lynch plays an intelligence officer intent on catching Redmayne’s mysterious killer, who goes by the moniker The Jackal. “The Day of the Jackal” debuts Thursday on Peacock. Prime Video’s spy franchise “Citadel” now includes “Citadel: Honey Bunny.” This version is set in India and is a prequel to the 2023 orig-

inal that starred Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. It takes place in the 1990s and introduces viewers to the parents of Chopra Jonas’ character, Nadia. Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays Nadia’s mother, Honey, with Varun Dhawan portraying her father, Bunny. The series debuts Thursday.

“Yellowstone,” the contemporary Western about a family whose ownership of the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. goes back generations, returns for the second half of its final season on Sunday. Fans will want to tune in to learn how Kevin Costner is written off the show and what happens to couple Rip and Beth, played by Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly. “Yellowstone” season 5B debuts on Paramount Network.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Mario may be the biggest celebrity in the Nintendo universe, but some of his most satisfying adventures have co-starred his gangly brother, Luigi. The boys are teaming up again for Mario & Luigi: Brothership, in which they explore an ocean dotted by a variety of islands. You’ll need to switch between the two to solve various puzzles, and sometimes they’ll need to team up to fly over or knock down obstacles. When they run into an enemy, the action switches to turn-based combat in which timing is everything. Mamma mia! Set sail Thursday on

the Switch.

“Bad Sisters,” “Yellowstone” and “The Day of the Jackal” hit the small screen this week.

RCA RECORDS / NUMERO GROUP VIA AP “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)” by Whitney Houston and “Loud Is As” by Tsunami are out this week.

COHEN MEDIA GROUP / AMAZON STUDIOS VIA AP

week.

STATE & NATION

Beloved Grand Teton bear killed by a vehicle mourned

A vigil was held for Grizzly No. 399, who captured the hearts in Wyoming for decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press

DURING HER nearly three decades of roaming the Teton Range’s snowy wilderness, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear, with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and ever-growing family tree.

Nature lovers are mourning the matriarch of the world-famous bear family after she was fatally struck by a vehicle Oct. 22 on a highway in western Wyoming. Dozens braved frigid weather in the picturesque ski town of Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online.

Wildlife guide Bo Weldon told the gathering the community was going to “pingpong through the stages of grief” but that was what they needed to do despite the difficulty.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together,” Weldon said as attendees huddled close in the wet, cold rain.

A PBS documentary crowned the 28-year-old grizzly “Queen of the Tetons,” and an Instagram account dedicated to her has amassed more than 60,000 followers. She was known for fre-

quenting tourist-heavy spots and roadsides in Grand Teton National Park and became an ambassador for her species and a symbol for people working to conserve American public lands.

Named for the tag affixed by researchers to her ear, No. 399 was the oldest-known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. She has been credited for helping the region’s grizzly population rebound from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today.

She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own. Her ashes were spread this week in the Pilgrim Creek area

of Grand Teton National Park, where she spent much of her life, park officials said. Jacob Krank, the master of ceremonies, shared how he encountered No. 399 the first time he drove into the park to explore it 13 years ago. Suddenly he saw “this beautiful grizzly bear” in the road with her two cubs. She was so near he could hear her breathing and paws scratching the ground.

“She looked right at me, just right in the eye. It was just such a profound experience,” he said. “It was as though she was saying, ‘Welcome home. Where have you been all this time?’” Krank said the ceremony came together in response to

A grizzly bear known as No. 399 walks alongside a cub in Grand Teton National Park. The beloved bear was struck and killed by a car last month.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together.”

Bo Weldon, wildlife guide

sought to remove federal protections as their population has replenished. The states want to regain management of grizzlies and allow limited hunting.

Conservationists argue the species still requires protection as food scarcity caused by climate change has driven grizzlies further from their habitats in search of food.

On his tours of the Tetons, wildlife guide Jack Bayles said he often draws attention to barren huckleberry bushes affected by rising temperatures, which he said might help explain why No. 399 was about 40 miles south of her habitat in the park when she was fatally struck. Grizzlies need to eat nearly nonstop in the fall to store enough fat to sustain their winter hibernation.

popular demand. When No. 399 died, people began posting social media inquiries and asking at The Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery in Jackson, where Krank works. The gallery features photos by Thomas Mangelsen, one of the best-known photographers of the bear.

Attendees observed a moment of silence and listened to a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong while trying to keep the wind and rain from extinguishing their candles. Grizzlies have teetered on and off the endangered species list. They remain federally protected, but some state officials in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have

A male yearling cub, known informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed and has not been located in the nearly two weeks since.

“There is no indication it was struck in the collision,” Joe Szuszwalak of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. “Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”

On average, about three grizzlies are killed in vehicle collisions in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem each year, according to data collected by researchers and released by the park. No. 399 was the second grizzly killed in the region by a vehicle this year.

Fla.’s convicted killer clown released from prison

Sheila Keen-Warren is free 18 months after she pleaded guilty to killing her husband’s then-wife

By Terry Spencer

The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

— A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison Saturday, ending a case that has been strange even by Florida standards.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released 18 months after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Marlene Warren, Florida Department of Corrections records show. The plea deal came shortly before her trial would have started.

Keen-Warren, who has maintained her innocence even after her plea, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But she had been in custody for seven years since her arrest in 2017, and Florida’s law in 1990 allowed significant credit for good behavior. It had

been expected she would be released in about two years.

“Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement Saturday.

Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren’s attorney, has said she only took the plea deal because she would be released in less than two years and had been facing a life sentence if convicted at trial.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family. As we’ve stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime,” he said Saturday in a text message.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, and his friends were at home when they said a person dressed as a clown rang the doorbell. He said that when his mom answered, the clown handed her some balloons. After she responded, “How nice,” the clown pulled a gun and shot her in the face before fleeing.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators had long suspect-

ed Keen-Warren in the slaying, but she wasn’t arrested until 27 years later when they said improved DNA testing tied her to evidence found in the getaway car. Rosenfeld has called that evidence weak.

At the time of the shooting, Keen-Warren was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. She has been his wife since 2002. They eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border.

Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives said, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown suit a few days before the killing.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Sheila Keen Warren is pictured in a booking photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

ren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him. But the car lot and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother, “If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” He has never been charged and has denied involvement.

But Rosenfeld said last year that the state’s case was falling apart. One DNA sample somehow showed both male and female genes, he said, and the other could have come from one out of every 20 women.

And even if that hair did come from Keen-Warren, it could have been deposited before the car was reported stolen. He said Marlene Warren’s son and another witness also told detectives that the car deputies found wasn’t the killer’s, though investigators insisted it was.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene War-

One of the two balloons — a silver one that read, “You’re the Greatest” — was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near Keen-Warren’s home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Keen-Warren had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting. The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibers inside. The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot a month before the shooting. Keen-Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Aronberg last year conceded that there were holes in the case, saying they were caused by the three decades it took to get it to trial, including the death of key witnesses.

C. ADAMS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK VIA AP

Randolph record

Decisions, decisions

The Asheboro Rec Center was a hub of activity as voters stopped by on Election Day.

Craven, Biggs, Jackson coast to reelection

Incumbents had smooth victories involving Randolph County’s statehouse representatives

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

IN THE N.C. SENATE, Republican Dave Craven Jr. of Asheboro rolled to a victory against Kevin Clark in District 29, winning nearly 69% of the vote, or just over 70,000 votes, to Clark’s 32,000. Craven has been in the position since a 2020 appointment.

The N.C. Senate District 25 race was easily won by Republican incumbent Amy Galey (67,098, 60.3%) over Donna Vanhook (44,097, 39.6%).

The race was between Alamance County women, though a portion of the district is in Randolph County.

Randolph went heavily for former President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and other Republicans up and down the ballot.

A pair of Randolph seats to the N.C. House were easily won by Republicans, with Brian Biggs in District 70 and Neal Jackson in District 78 both winning reelection. Biggs is an incumbent who previously held a spot on the Randolph County School System’s Board of Education, rolling to victory with 32,944 (76.5%) votes to Democrat Susan Lee Scott’s 10,118 (23.5%).

Jackson’s lopsided victory came with his 38,482 (76.6%) votes to Lowell Simon’s 11,725 (23.35%). Jackson was running for reelection for the first time.

Democrat Minority Leader Robert Reives III beat challenger Joe Godfrey by 55% to 45% despite being outvoted nearly three-to-one in Randolph County in House District 54.

Current Randolph County District Attorney Andrew Gregson was unopposed. In the presidential race, Randolph County went strong for former President Donald Trump. He drew 58,252 votes (78%) to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 15,319 (21%) in county voting. For governor, Randolph County voters gave Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson a bit of a boost by casting 47,617 (65.6%) votes for him compared to N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein’s 21,119 (29%). Stein outperformed Harris’ numbers, while Robinson fell short of Trump’s performance.

Two incumbents are out on Trinity’s city council

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The newest member of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners is Republican Lester Rivenbark, after an easy victory for the District 5 seat.

Rivenbark tallied more than 55,000 or 78% of votes cast, easily defeating Democrat Jane Ledwell-Gant. Rivenbark takes the seat that’s held by Maxton McDowell. In March, Rivenbark defeated Chris McLeod and McDowell in the Republican primary.

Incumbent Kenny Kidd, a Republican, retained his spot on the Board of Commissioners with an equally impressive showing. Kidd managed almost 56,000 votes or 78% to trounce Democrat challenger William McCaskill. Kidd had no opposition in the primary.

The four seats on the Randolph County School System’s Board of Education were unopposed, with Board chairman Gary Cook, vice chair Sharon Petty Farlow, and boardmember Tracy Boyles winning reelection, with Todd Cutler being elected for the first time. Shane Whitaker won an uncontested race for Randolph Soil and Water District Commissioner. He has held a position on the soil and water dis-

trict board. Changes coming for Trinity Two incumbents were ousted from the city council in Trinity. Barry Allison narrowly prevailed in a competitive fourway race for a Ward 3 seat, garnering 1,136 votes to incumbent Jack Carico’s 1,115 and Josh Fish’s 1,010. Chuck Marsh was a distant fourth with 432. For an at-large spot, Deborah Jacky won a city council spot by defeating incumbent Tommy Johnson by 2,212 to 1,512. Paul Welborn was alone on the ballot for Ward 1. Archdale results

In Archdale, Mayor Lewis Dorsett didn’t have any compe-

The four seats on the Randolph County School System’s Board of Education were unopposed. Republicans won easily nearly everywhere.

tition to retain his position. For City Council, William Wood defeated Alvin Battle 2,998-2,553 for an at-large seat. In Ward 2, incumbent Roger Blackwell was uncontested and in Ward 3 incumbent Trey Gray III won without opposition.

$2.00

NCLEG.GOV

State Sen. Dave Craven Jr. (R)

State Supreme Court race headed to recount

GOP wins three appellate seats

Chatham News & Record staff

RALEIGH — The race for North Carolina’s State Supreme Court seat is headed to a recount after the vote resulted in less than a 1% margin, the threshold to trigger a recount. Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin leads in-

Shawn Krest,

Bob

David

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

cumbent Associate Justice Allison Riggs 50.09% to 49.91%, a margin of under 10,00 votes. Riggs was appointed to her seat on the Supreme Court by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to replace Associate Justice Michael Morgan, who left to run unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary race for governor. The appointment made her the youngest woman ever to serve on the high court.

Republicans Tom Murry,

Valerie Zachary and Chris Freeman all won close races for seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. A referendum that would amend the North Carolina Constitution, changing wording to, “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State,” easily passed with 77.59% of the statewide vote.

Creative ‘I Voted’ stickers go beyond familiar flag design

NC’s early voting sticker features a unicorn

By Holly Ramer The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — Whether scenic or slightly sinister — angry werewolf, anyone? — the designs on the front of “I Voted” stickers are attracting a lot of attention this year. But have you ever considered the back of your Election Day souvenir?

“Garment-safe adhesive, it’s incredibly important,” said Janet Boudreau, one sticker designer. “You can ruin leather, silk, fine wool if you don’t use garment-safe adhesive on any sticker that goes on fabric.”

Boudreau should know. She designed the iconic sticker that has been a polling place staple for decades: a simple ellipse featuring a rippling red, white and blue American flag. And while the company she once owned now has competition, she is delighted by the new versions cropping up around the country, many of them designed by children.

“I am all for it,” she said.

“And I’m all for younger people getting involved and understanding the power of vot-

CRIME LOG

Oct. 29

• Jose Antonio Gomez Olivares, 31, of Eureka, CA, was arrested by RCSO for trafficking in marijuana.

Oct. 30

• Caleb Ryan McLeod, 27, of Randleman, was arrested by Randleman Police Department for failure to appear and larceny.

• Caleb Wayne Perkins, 41, of Archdale, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for sexual battery.

Oct. 31

• Jaekob Shane Hill, 30, of Greensboro, was arrested by RCSO for first degree murder and concealing/failing to report death.

• Michael Leroy Howell, 58, of Asheboro, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for driving while impaired and failure to maintain lane control.

ing and having faith in it.”

Two years ago, a New York county’s stickers featuring a wild-eyed crab-like creature created by a 14-year-old boy became an online sensation. This year the smash hit — one of nine designs distributed in Michigan — depicts a werewolf shredding its shirt in front of an American flag.

The 12-year-old Michigan designer declined an interview request, but other young artists described rewarding experiences.

In Milton, New Hampshire, 10-year-old Grace was treated like a celebrity when she visited the polls for the presidential

• Timothy Michael Martin, 53, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for domestic violation.

• Holly Candice Owens, 45, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro Police for second degree trespass, resisting a public officer, and disorderly conduct.

• Caelob Trey Teal, 26, of Greensboro, was arrested by RCSO for accessory after the fact.

• Brian Keith Theesen, 43, of Goldsboro, was arrested by RCSO for first degree statutory sex offense.

Nov. 1

• Leroy Tony Mack, 62, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for possession of firearm by felon.

Nov. 2

• Lloyd Michael Miser, 58, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for assault on a female and injury to personal property.

primary in January and town elections in March.

“I definitely did see a difference in everyone’s attitude, like everyone seemed happier and more excited to vote because they’d get a cool sticker that I designed,” she said. “And I really think it was cool that I made an impact on the way people vote and how they feel about voting.”

New Hampshire’s contest was open to fourth graders and more than 1,000 submitted entries. Grace, whose design features the state’s fallen but not forgotten Old Man of the Mountain rock formation, not only got to attend a pizza party at the Statehouse but has since become pen pals with one of the other two winners.

While Grace settled on her design quickly, 11-yearold Rilynn drafted three versions and had her family vote on their favorite. The winner?

A moose standing on a ledge overlooking colorful fall foliage and the state’s highest mountain.

Like Grace, she was excited to see her stickers in action earlier this year.

“They had a huge pile of stickers and people were literally picking out my sticker,” she said. “By the time my dad got there, he didn’t get one.”

Randolph Guide

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

Nov.

7

NC Choices Roadshow – Randolph County

2 to 7 p.m.

Piedmont Custom Meats

430 State Hwy. 49, Asheboro

Nov.

11

TeenZone

4 to 5 p.m.

Asheboro Public Library

201 Worth St.

Every Monday at 4 p.m., teens take over the TeenZone at the Asheboro Public Library! Asheboro Public Library TeenZone hosts programs for ages 12‑plus, including arts and crafts, book clubs, tutoring nights and more. Free programs, no registration required. For more information, call 336 318 6 804.

Nov.

12

November Planning Board Meeting

6 p.m.

145 Worth St, Asheboro

Randolph County Farmers Market

2 to 6 p.m.

214 Park Drive, Archdale

Asheboro Downtown Farmers Market

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Leon Perez Tellez, 49, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and communicating threats.

• Robert Norman Yates, 36, of Archdale, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 3

• Jose Elia Rodriguez, 37, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Nov. 4

• Cecilio Esequiel Gutirez Ortego, 28, of Liberty, was arrested by Liberty Police Department for possession of methamphetamine, breaking and entering, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jennie Nichole Nicholson, 30, of High Point, was arrested by Asheboro Police for possession of stolen motor vehicle, communicating threats, disorderly conduct, and larceny of motor vehicle.

134 S Church St.

This is a growers only market where you will find local, homegrown and home processed products from Randolph County. The farmers featured are from diverse and minority backgrounds. For more information, call (336) 626 1240.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ randolphrecord.com

Weekly deadline

RANDOLPH RECORD

A North Carolina earlyvoting sticker from this year’s election.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

North Carolina must count every vote

AS ELECTED Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.

Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before all of the votes are even counted are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles.

We say this as staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of precertifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our state’s voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal application of the law.

The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm

and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office. Furthermore, precertifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. We stand for integrity, not shortcuts. We support the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But precertifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections. If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives. In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.

Rep. Kevin Crutchfield represents Cabarrus and Rowan counties, and Rep. David Willis represents Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly.

President Trump and the politics of joy

Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP showed Americans what real “politics of joy” looks like.

He held a press conference in a garbage truck wearing a garbage collector’s vest (which he then wore to a rally with thousands of people). He served french fries at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. He went to a Pittsburgh Steelers game where the crowd chanted “USA.” He headlined a rally at Madison Square Garden before 20,000 people.

There is a certain irony that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign tried to project the concept of joy — while Trump clearly had a great time and was more joyful.

Two things drove this home for me.

First, Paul Manafort gave a fascinating interview with Mark Halperin. Manafort has spent four decades working with Trump. He made the point that Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. This became an enormous advantage for Trump as a candidate.

I noticed this quality when I wrote “French Fries vs French Laundry.” I referenced the day he did a variety of jobs at one of his hotels, which were then shown on Oprah. It was clear he got a kick out of working and hanging out with people.

Watching Trump campaign in the Bronx — at a rally most Republicans wouldn’t have held — made it obvious he identified with and enjoyed interacting with the kind of workers who had built his buildings. Eating with gusto at a food truck in Queens seemed perfectly natural for the Queens native. He clearly had a ball.

By contrast, the self-described candidate of joy expressed hatred about her opponent. She called him a fascist, an admirer of Hitler and a would-be dictator.

There is clearly no joy in Harris’ world.

The absurdity of Democrats claiming to be joyful was driven home on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” The show played a segment of comments made by speakers at the Democratic National Convention:

• Barack Obama: “The joy and the excitement that we’re seeing around this campaign.”

• Michelle Obama: “The joy of her laughter and her light!”

• Kelley Robinson: “We’re voting for joy! Somebody say ‘joy!’”

• Hakeem Jeffries: “Joy. Joy. Joy.”

• Hillary Clinton: “With faith in each other and joy in our hearts.”

• Tim Walz: “With energy, with passion and with joy.”

• Bill Clinton: “We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy.”

• Oprah: “And let us choose j-o-y!”

President Joe Biden’s most recent claim that Trump supporters were “garbage” is a far cry from promises made at the beginning of the Harris campaign.

Isn’t it amazing how rapidly the Democratic Party of joy turned into the Harris party of anger, hostility, name-calling and bitter divisiveness?

If you watch the two candidates, you know that Trump had the time of his life and really enjoyed being with people and doing fun things. You also know that Harris was frightened, rigid, insecure and wanted to hide until she is coronated president.

Think of the nominating process: Trump fought his way past 15 solid Republican candidates in 2016. Then this year, he had to defeat a number of first-rate candidates. He campaigned cheerfully, enthusiastically and effectively.

By contrast, Harris dropped out in 2019 before a single vote was cast for the Democratic nomination. Then she was handpicked (probably by Nancy Pelosi and the Obamas) and the vice presidency was handed to her.

This year, she did not receive a single vote or earn a single delegate. She did not campaign for the nomination. Just like the vice presidency, she got the nomination for president because the bosses picked her.

Watch the two of them for five minutes and you will know Trump was the real candidate of joy.

Newt Gingrich is a former GOP speaker of the U.S. House.

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | REPS. KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD AND DAVID WILLIS

Paiporta at the epicenter of Spain’s floods: ‘It is all in ruins’

The Valencia municipality has been “ground zero” of the natural disaster

By Joseph Wilson

Associated Press

The

PAIPORTA, Spain — The pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.

Most everything else in the daycare — the cradles, the highchairs, the toys — was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.

“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told The Associated Press. He said the water level was above his head inside the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.

“I have lived here all my life. This had never happened, and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this; it is all in ruins.”

Authorities say at least 62 people of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in Spain last week died in Paiporta,. The majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.

The tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. The clean-up task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.

Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles except bulldozers, stacked with piles of sodden furniture, household items and countless wrecked cars.

Every foot is caked with mud.

Some people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.

A washing machine was on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chest of drawers, paintings and a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the all-consum-

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, US over Israeli attacks

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be “a crushing response”

By Jon Gambrell

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26

attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in video released by Irani-

ing mire.

Lidia Giménez, a school teacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town — “Barranco del Poyo” — went from empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. She called the aftermath of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.”

And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta. The storm unleashed a downpour upstream. That deluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast, which were devastated by the flash floods.

Paiporta’s residents did not re-

an state media.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack nor the scope.

The U.S. military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier likely is in the Arabian Sea, while Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week that more destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its militant allies. Early Sunday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said B-52s from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the Middle East.

The 85-year-old Khamenei had struck a more cautious approach in earlier remarks, saying officials would weigh Iran’s response and that Israel’s attack “should not be exaggerat-

ceive flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.

The onslaught of water widened the river bank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the canal. Eight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.

The destruction could take weeks to clean.

Thousands of volunteers walked for more than an hour

ed nor downplayed.” Iran has launched two major direct attacks on Israel, in April and October.

But efforts by Iran to downplay the Israeli attack faltered as satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to military bases near Tehran linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as at a Revolutionary Guard base used in satellite launches.

Iran’s allies, called the “Axis of Resistance” by Tehran, also have been severely hurt by ongoing Israeli attacks, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran has long used those groups as both an asymmetrical way to attack Israel and as a shield against a direct assault. Some analysts believe those groups want Iran to do more to back them militarily.

Iran, however, has been dealing with problems at home as its economy struggles under the

from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime.

Homeowner Rafa Rosellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars — one half-resting on top of the other — that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. He had to unscrew a metal grating and slip through a window to get inside and witness the mess.

“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” Rosellón said. “The government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.”

Some 2,000 soldiers are involved in post-flood emergency work — searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods — as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that they have rescued about 4,800 people and “helped more than 30,000 people in homes, on roads and in flooded industrial estates.”

Only a small contingent of soldiers was pushing mud in Paiporta on Saturday when Sánchez promised another 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police were on their way to eastern Spain.

Just a few doors down from where Rosellón lived, a woman sweeping muddy water from her door burst into tears when asked what she had lost.

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter,” she said.

Another turn revealed a chilling scene: a street filled with half a dozen cars and crisscrossed with countless reeds that, before the flood, had been growing nearby. A man screams from inside a house: “There’s nothing more I can do! There’s nothing more I can do!”

weight of international sanctions and years of widespread protests. After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. It had been 32,000 rials to the dollar when Tehran reached its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard — which controls the ballistic missiles needed to target Israel — gave an interview published by the semiofficial Fars news agency just before Khamenei’s remarks were released. In it, he warned Iran’s response “will be wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

“The leaders of the Zionist regime should look out from the windows of their bedrooms and protect their criminal pilots within their small territory,” he warned. Israeli air force pilots appear to have used airlaunched ballistic missiles in the Oct. 26 attack.

MANU FERNANDEZ / AP PHOTO

People clean the street of mud Saturday in the Spanish town of Paiporta in the Valencia region affected by flooding.

Vicki Ellen White Buie

Oct. 7, 1944 – Oct. 31, 2024

Ms. Vicki Ellen White Buie, 80, went to her heavenly home on October 31, 2024. She was born October 7, 1944, in Jackson Creek, NC to Grace and Robert White.

Vicki was a longtime resident of Deltona, FL where she retired from Central Florida Legal Services after 26 years.

S he married Edward Buie in 1960 and though they divorced they remained lifelong friends. Together they shared two daughters, Valerie Ann Buie Evans (Robert) of Thomasville and Sharon Lee Buie Fogleman (Brad) of Kernersville. Four grandchildren, Kelly Grace Boyd (Abe), Lisa Marie Maness (Josh), Matthew Fogleman, and Alyssa Fogleman. Four great gr andchildren, Zoey Elizabeth Boyd, Tali Grace Boyd, Andrew Maness, and Memphis Maness.

Along with her parents, Vicki was preceded in death by her siblings, Bob White Jr., James White, Judith Seabolt, Charles White, Peggy Trudeau, and Richard White, and her beloved protector, Beau.

She had a love for all things outdoors. Her yard was her pride and joy, and we have no doubt she’s pulling weeds in heaven.

Per her wishes, there will be no formal services. The family will serve a fellowship meal for family and friends to celebrate her homegoing on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Thomasville, NC. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which Vicki faithfully supported, or Randolph Hospice House who took care of Vicki and was such a blessing to her family in her final days.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Buie family.

George Allen Dorrity

Nov. 7, 1948 – Oct. 30, 2024

George “Butch” Allen Dorrity, 75, of Randleman passed away at High Point Medical Center on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. He was born November 7, 1948, in Randolph County to Otis Dorrity and Eva Lamb Cooper.

George will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and friend. He was a contract painter by profession in both residential and commercial specialties. George enjoyed cooking and was known for his strawberry pies. He was an avid billiard player and could be found racking up a game in his spare time.

G eorge is survived by his sons, Brent Dorrity (Carrie) of Myrtle Beach, SC and Brandon Dorrity of Blackshear, GA; his daughter, Brooke Turner (Gary) of Brunswick, GA; grandchildren, Trè Dorrity (Patricia), Tia Dorrity, Gary Turner III, Kasondra Dorrity, Tarra Hartman (Bruce Jr.); 11 great gr andchildren and one on the way. In addition to his parents, George is preceded in death by his brother, John Raymond Dorrity; sister, Melinda “Boney” Fogleman; and half b rother, Frank Dorrity.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home in the Eddie Pugh Memorial Chapel, 600 S. Main St. Randleman, NC. The family will receive friends following the service. Pugh Funeral Home is serving the Dorrity family.

Larry Clifford Lineberry Sr.

Sept. 10. 1957 – Oct. 30, 2024

Larry Clifford Lineberry Sr., age 67, of Seagrove, passed away on October 30, 2024 at his home.

Mr. Lineberry was born in Randolph County on September 10, 1957, to Claudie and Doris Frye Lineberry, who preceded him in death. Larry was formerly employed with Luck’s, Inc. where he did various jobs, and later worked for Klaussner Furniture for 17 years. Larry was a quiet and happy person who loved his grandchildren. He enjoyed drag racing, live rock music, playing softball and going to the beach.

He is survived by his children, Rebecca “Ann” Lineberry and son, Larry “Clifford” Lineberry Jr. (Laura); grandchildren, Jessica Harper (Seth), Carrie Miller, Callie Wood, Sarah Wood, Ethan Lineberry, Hagen Jordan, Emma Lineberry and Ella Lineberry; great gr andchildren, Camden, Gracie, Anthony, McKenzie and one in the oven; and siblings, Becky Floyd, Lester Lineberry and C.H. Lineberry. A graveside service will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Huldah Baptist Church Cemetery, 7187 Old NC Highway 13 in Asheboro.

Rev. George Davis Simmons

June 18, 1930 – Oct. 30, 2024

Rev. George Davis Simmons 94 of Big Canoe Georgia passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in Blue Ridge, Georgia after a period of declining health. Rev. Simmons was born in Twiggs County, GA, a son of the late George and Alice Day Simmons. He was a graduate of Central Wesleyan College and pastored in the Western District of the Wesleyan Church of NC. Ordained in 1964, he pastored the following churches for a total of 53 years. They were High Pine, Mt. Moriah, Morganton, St. Stephens, East Gold, Spring Hill, Staley and Trinity. He was married to Annie Christine Parks for 54 years. She passed away in 2009. Surviving are his son, Allen Davis Simmons (Randy); brothers, John Simmons, Frank Simmons (Judy), Bobby Simmons (Nancy), Cecil Simmons and Timmy Simmons (Diane); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters, Mary Peterman and Annie (Ann) Cheatham; and brothers, Lonnie Simmons, Larry Simmons and Billy Simmons.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at High Pine Wesleyan Church, Asheboro, NC with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 8 p m on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro. Memorials may be made to High Pine Wesleyan Church Cemetery Fund, 4492 High Pine Church Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

Lengendary music producer Quincy Jones dies at 91

The music titan worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

QUINCY JONES, the talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album and writing prize-winning film and television scores to collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, said Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first black executives to thrive in Hollywood and amassing an extraordinary musical catalog that includes some of the richest moments of American rhythm

Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary

and song. For years, it was unlikely to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with his name on it, or a leader in the entertainment industry and beyond who did not have some connection to him.

Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural celebration, and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity record for famine relief in Africa.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote “We Are the World” and was among the featured singers, would call Jones “the master orchestrator.”

In a career which began when records were still played on platters turning at 78 rpm, top honors likely go to his productions with Jackson: “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” were albums near-universal in their style and appeal. Jones’ versatility and imagination helped set off the explosive talents of Jackson as he transformed from child star to the “King of Pop.”

On such classic tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” Jones and Jackson fashioned a global soundscape out of disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz and Afri-

can chants. For “Thriller,” some of the most memorable touches originated with Jones, who recruited Eddie Van Halen for a guitar solo on the genre-fusing “Beat It” and brought in Vincent Price for a ghoulish voiceover on the title track.

“Thriller” sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone and has contended with the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits 1971-1975” among others as the best-selling album of all time.

“If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producers fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too,” Jones said in an interview with the Library of Congress in 2016. “The tracks don’t just all of a sudden appear. The producer has to have the skill, experience and ability to guide the vision to completion.”

The list of his honors and awards fills 18 pages in his 2001 autobiography “Q”, including 27 Grammys at the time (now 28), an honorary Academy Award (now two) and an Emmy for “Roots.” He also received France’s Legion d’Honneur, the Rudolph Valentino Award from the Republic of Italy and a Kennedy Center tribute for his contributions to American culture. He was the subject of a 1990 documentary, “Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones” and a 2018 film by daughter Rashida Jones. His memoir made him a best-selling author.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones would cite the hymns his mother sang around the house as the first music he could remember. But he looked back sadly on his childhood, once telling Oprah Winfrey, “There are two kinds of people: those who have nurturing parents or caretakers, and those who don’t. Nothing’s in between.” Jones’ mother suffered from emotional problems and was eventually institutionalized, a

loss that made the world seem “senseless” for Quincy. He spent much of his time in Chicago on the streets with gangs, stealing and fighting.

“They nailed my hand to a fence with a switchblade, man,” he told the AP in 2018, showing a scar from his childhood.

Music saved him. As a boy, he learned that a Chicago neighbor owned a piano and he soon played it constantly himself. His father moved to Washington state when Quincy was 10 and his world changed at a neighborhood recreation center. Jones and some friends had broken into the kitchen and helped themselves to lemon meringue pie when Jones noticed a small room nearby with a stage. On the stage was a piano.

“I went up there, paused, stared, and then tinkled on it for a moment,” he wrote in his autobiography. “That’s where I began to find peace. I was 11. I knew this was it for me. Forever.”

Within a few years he was playing trumpet and befriending a young blind musician named Ray Charles, who became a lifelong friend. He was gifted enough to win a scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston but dropped out when Hampton invited him to tour with his band. Jones went on to work as a freelance composer, conductor, arranger and producer. As a teen, he backed Billie Holiday. By his mid-20s, he was touring with his own band.

“We had the best jazz band on the planet, and yet we were literally starving,” Jones later told Musician magazine. “That’s when I discovered that there was music, and there was the music business. If I were to survive, I would have to learn the difference between the two.”

CHRIS PIZZELLO / INVISION / AP

“Quincy” in September 2018 in Toronto.

RandolpH SPORTS

Eastern Randolph’s Rayden West looks to make a move against Randleman’s Jay Richards during Friday night’s game.

Wildcats notch another perfect PAC record

The regular season ended with Eastern Randolph topping Randleman by one point

Randolph Record staff

RAMSEUR — Eastern Randolph barely preserved its undefeated mark, but the Wildcats did enough to capture another championship.

Eastern Randolph held on to defeat visiting Randleman in Friday night’s Piedmont Athletic Conference showdown, winning 27-26. Eastern Randolph is undefeated in PAC play for four consecutive seasons with a 20-0 record across that span. The Wildcats (10-0 overall, 5-0 PAC) should be among the highest seeds in the Class 1A West Region for the state playoffs when those

pairings come out Nov. 10.

Eastern Randolph took the lead on Lucas Smith’s fourth-quarter run. Cade McCallum threw a two-point conversion pass to Julian Brooks. Randleman responded with John Kirkpatrick’s 30-yard pass to Chase Farlow, but the potential tying conversion kick was off the mark. Randleman (8-2, 3-2), losers of two straight, will be in the Class 2A state playoffs. Kirkpatrick had three touchdown passes.

Modifieds hit gear for North-South Shootout

Entries could be strong for Caraway Speedway’s annual fall showcase

Randolph Record staff

SOPHIA — The NorthSouth Shootout will include three open-wheel Modified competitions this week at Caraway Speedway.

The headliner for the racing is Matt Hirschman, who’s a nine-team North-South Shootout champion.

Hirschman, a Pennsylvania driver, will seek his fourth straight title in the main Modifieds division, which involves 125 laps.

Early entrants included Hirschman, Jimmy Blewett,

Landon Huffman and brothers Jason Myers and Burt Myers. The brothers race from time to time each season at Caraway Speedway, but they’re regulars in the Bowman Gray Stadium series.

Now, there are more than 25 teams entered.

The second highlighted feature will come with a 60 laps of ISMA-MSS Super Modifieds. That class hasn’t raced at Caraway Speedway for several years, but the number of winged cars should exceed 20.

The Super Modifieds will go through qualifying Friday night. Heat races will determine starting spots for Saturday afternoon’s feature.

Among the entries are Johnny Benson Jr., Jonathan

McKennedy, Otto Sitterly and Mike Ordway Jr.

The other main featured category will be 602 Modifieds, so some of the speedway’s regulars will be on hand for the 50-lap event. Those drivers included track champion Jaxon Casper and runner-up Mitchell Wright along with Dean Lowder, James Civali, Dylan Ward and Kevin Orlando.

Track officials said they expect more than 15 entrants in the 602 Modifieds.

There will be other races on the card. Those include a 40 -lap event for Challengers along with Vintage racing’s Fall Nationals on Friday. Sportsman cars from Bowman Gray Stadium are scheduled to be involved in the final 30-lap race Saturday after the main open-wheel divisions. Some race teams will participate in Thursday’s practice. Saturday’s practice begins at 9 a.m., with racing starting at 1 p.m.

Smith gave Eastern Randolph an early lead with an 11-yard run. Farlow caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass, with Randleman going up 14-6 with Daylan Atkins scoring on a 2-yard run.

Kobe Walker’s 38-yard and 11-yard runs helped Eastern Randolph rally to a 19-14 lead. Randleman led at the half on K irkpatrick’s 20-yard pass to Tyshaun Goldston.

Southwestern Randolph 49,

Trinity 33: At Trinity, Brody Sheppard ran for four touchdowns for the Cougars.

Southwestern Randolph built a 35-19 lead through three quarters of the PAC game. Noah Stills threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score.

The Cougars (6-4, 3-2) scored at least 40 points in their three PAC victories.

Trinity (3-7, 1-4) received

See FOOTBALL, page B2

Three area teams set soccer standards

The start of the state playoffs was delayed, but they should begin this weekend

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

A FEW BOYS’ soccer teams from Randolph County could be in good positions to make some noise in the postseason.

Championship efforts from Asheboro in the Mid-Piedmont Conference and co-champions Randleman and Southwestern Randolph in the Piedmont Athletic Conference came with some dominating performances.

Because of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the western part of the state, the beginning of the state playoffs has been delayed as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association adjusted the postseason calendar for the sport. The pairings and seeds will be announced Thursday.

First-round games will be contested Saturday, and for teams advancing there will be a busy slate of games in the postseason next week.

Because of the unexpected layoff, Asheboro added an extra game to its schedule as the Blue Comets were slated to face visiting Mooresville in a non-conference matchup Tuesday night. Asheboro entered this week with a 21-2 record.

Last week, the Blue Comets finished matters in terms of conference play.

Asheboro’s 4-1 road victory against Montgomery Central included two goals apiece from Cam Letterlough and Diego Bustamante. Cristian Raygadas was credited with two assists.

That stretched Asheboro’s

winning streak to 17 games without a loss in more than two months. In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, the Blue Comets went 10-0 to hold a two-game edge on second-place Ledford.

In the Piedmont Athletic Conference, Southwestern Randolph and Randleman stayed atop the standings.

The teams both went 11-1 in league play during the regular season, splitting their two meetings.

Southwestern Randolph reached the 20-win mark overall.

Both teams needed one victory last week to maintain their first-place spots.

Southwestern Randolph overwhelmed Uwharrie Charter Academy in a 10-1 home victory. Aaron Avina’s three goals, to go with two goals each from Kevin Garcia and Logan Freeman, paved the way for the result. Randleman did its part by topping host Trinity 3-1. The Tigers trailed at the half before scoring three second-half goals, with two of those by Owen Leonard and the other by Mario Martinez. Francisco Vences had two assists.

• Third-place Trinity wrapped up its conference slate by defeating visiting Eastern Randolph 7-2.

• Fourth-place Providence Grove received goals from Bryan Carbajal and Saul Cortes in a 2-1 victory against host Wheatmore.

• UCA’s Jaydon DeNamur racked up four goals in a 5-2 victory against visiting Wheatmore, which received both goals from Sawyer St. Clair.

THADD SANDERS FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

COURTESY PHOTO

Super Modifieds will be among the featured classes for the North-South Shootout at Caraway Speedway.

Riley Foster HOME PLATE MOTORS

Trinity, boys’ soccer

Foster, a senior midfielder, has been a key force for the Bulldogs, who finished in third place in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

Trinity has been solid defensively throughout much of the season. They entered this week with a 14-5-3 record as they await their assignment for the Class 2-A state playoffs.

Foster, a captain, had an impact at both ends of the field. He has been a scoring threat, improving his production since playing most of the team’s games two years ago as a sophomore.

Trinity owns a winning record for the fifth consecutive season.

Tennis season ends for Patriots in playoffs

Randleman’s Mercado had the best finish among area runners in the state meet

Randolph Record staff

PROVIDENCE Grove’s girls’ tennis team made it to the third round of the Class 2A dual team state playoffs before bowing out. Fourth-seeded Burns defeated fifth-seeded Providence Grove 6-3 in last week’s match. The Patriots finished the season with a 12-3 record.

Cross-country

Saturday at Kernersville,

FOOTBALL from page B1

two touchdown passes from Noah Bradley and another from Kha’Dn Fuller also each run for a touchdown. Bradley and Fuller also each ran for a touchdown, with Fuller rolling up 88 yards on the ground. Gage Griffiths caught two touchdown passes and Simeon Hammett had the other receiving touchdown. Providence Grove 43, Wheatmore 19: At Climax, Holden Swift returned a pair

Randleman senior Freddy Mercado was 35th in 17 minutes, 37.75 seconds in the Class 2A boys’ race of state championships at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex. In the girls’ race, sophomore Laurel Bernhardt of Providence Grove placed 40th in 21:33.12. Wheatmore freshman Scarlett Hildreth was 60th in 22:20.72.

Girls’ golf

At Lexington, Megan Oakley of Providence Grove finished in a four-way tie for 29th place in the Class 1A/2A state tournament last week at Sapona Golf Club. Oakley record-

of interceptions for touchdowns and Malachi Combo also ran back an interception for a touchdown for the host Patriots. Jackson Lawver ran for two touchdowns for Providence Grove (3-7, 2-3), which led 30-6 at halftime. Jacob Flinchum also carried the ball for a touchdown.

Carson Jones kicked a 28-yard field goal.

Wheatmore (1-9, 1-4) had its highest point total since a 27-20 season-opening loss to West Davidson.

ed rounds of 94 and 93 for a 187 total. Providence Grove’s Anna Holloway shot rounds of 104 and 102 for a 206 total and 59th place. Teammate Aubrie Goodman tied for 65th at 211 (111, 100).

Volleyball

McMichael defeated Seaforth in five sets to win the Class 2A state championship Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Other state champions were Cardinal Gibbons (Class 4A), West Henderson (Class 3A) and defending champion Polk County (Class 1A).

Montgomery Central 26, Asheboro 21: At Asheboro, the visiting Timberwolves scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to go ahead and held on for the Mid-Piedmont Conference victory. Connor Brinton rushed for 148 yards on 30 carries for Asheboro (4-6, 2-3), which was attempting to post a winning record in conference play for the first time since 2016. Montgomery Central (6-4, 2-3) tied for fourth place with the Blue Comets.

Ohtani brings dog, addresses crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate

The parade celebrated the franchise’s eighth world championship

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blueand-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signa-

ture song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.” Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to get on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blue-clad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton

Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.”

Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

COURTESY MATT ROBERTSON Riley Foster is wrapping up a solid boys’ soccer career for Trinity.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series championship parade Friday.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

The Berlin Wall fell, “Sesame Street” debuted, Montana joined the union

NOV. 7

1916: Jeannette Rankin of Montana won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first woman elected to either chamber of Congress.

1917: Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution took place as forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin overthrew the provisional government of Alexander Kerensky.

1944: President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented fourth term in office.

1991: Basketball star Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and was retiring.

NOV. 8

1889: Montana was admitted to the Union as the 41st state.

1960: John F. Kennedy won the U.S. presidential election over Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

2013: Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, slammed into the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displacing more than 5 million.

2016: Republican Donald Trump was elected America’s 45th president, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton.

NOV. 9

1906: Theodore Roosevelt made the first trip abroad of any sitting president in order to observe construction of the Panama Canal.

1935: United Mine Work-

The Berlin Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989, symbolizing the end of the Cold War, the collapse of communist ideology and the beginning of German reunification.

ers President John L. Lewis and other labor leaders formed the Committee for Industrial Organization.

1938: Nazis looted and burned synagogues as well as thousands of Jewish-owned stores and houses in Germany and Austria in a pogrom, or deliberate persecution, that became known as “Kristallnacht.”

1989: The Berlin Wall fell after 28 years when communist East Germany opened its borders, allowing citizens to travel freely to the West for the first time in decades.

NOV. 10

1775: The U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

1871: Journalist-explorer

Henry M. Stanley found Scottish missionary David Livingstone, who had not been heard from for years, near Lake Tanganyika in central Africa.

1969: The children’s educational program “Sesame Street” debuted on National Educational Television.

NOV. 11

1620: Forty-one Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off Massachusetts, signed a compact calling for a “body politick.”

1921: The remains of an unidentified American service member were interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony presided over by President Warren G. Harding.

1918: Fighting in World War I ended as the Allies and Germany signed an armistice in the Forest of Compiegne.

NOV. 12

1927: Josef Stalin became

After Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party, Josef Stalin, above, became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union on Nov. 12, 1927.

the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party.

1936: The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened. 1942: The World War II Naval Battle of Guadalcanal began.

NOV. 13

1789: Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter to a friend, Jean-Baptiste Leroy: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

1982: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

1985: A volcanic mudslide buried Armero, Colombia, killing 23,000 residents.

2015: Islamic State militants carried out a set of coordinated attacks in Paris on the national stadium, restaurants and streets, and a crowded concert hall, killing 130 people in the worst attack on French soil since World War II.

AP PHOTO

LIONEL CIRONNEAU / AP PHOTO

The Cure looks at mortality, returns with one of its best albums

The iconic band hasn’t released an LP in 16 years

By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press

YOU MIGHT THINK that after being silent for 16 years, The Cure would be in a rush to get things going. Think again. It takes over three minutes of “Alone” — the first song on their new album — before we finally hear Robert Smith’s voice. The Cure is back, but definitely on their terms.

The eight-track album “Songs of a Lost World” is lush and deeply orchestral, swelling and powerful, with often several minutes of instruments jamming before any singing from Smith.

There are melancholic and mournful lyrics that confront mortality and wonder where time went. “I’m outside in the dark/Wondering/How I got so old,” Smith sings in the last, sprawling, heartbreaking song.

“Songs of a Lost World” is, indeed, not of this world. None of the tunes are under four minutes and the last one saunters past 10. In an era when music is fashioned for microbursts on TikTok, Smith is disinterested.

‘Scandal’

FICTION / CAPITOL RECORDS VIA AP

“Songs of a Lost World” by The Cure is the iconic band’s first album in 16 years.

He lets songs take their time, unrushed and able to breathe, the beauty of the melodies and instruments leading the way.

The first and last songs are in conversation, with the first stating, “This is the end/Of every song we sing/Alone” and the final echoing the thought: “It’s all gone/Left alone with nothing/The end of every song.” There is a finality that fans will find distressful.

The album is The Cure’s first since 2008’s “4:13 Dream” — although Smith has been making music, including a terrific collaboration with CHVRCHES. Eight new songs do not

sound like a lot, but they are all rich and satisfying.

One of the many highlights is “I Can Never Say Goodbye,” in which a simple, insistent piano noodle is surrounded by fluttering guitar work as Smith comes to terms with his brother’s death. The band also goes cinematic with “And Nothing Is Forever,” which has an Aaron Copland bright orchestral vibe, while “Warsong” is a dissonant, spikey downer that concludes, “We are born to war.”

“All I Ever Am” is built on some interesting drumming, plinky piano and fuzzy guitars, a bright wave of music with Smith’s customary gloomy lyrics: “All I ever am/Is somehow never quite/All I am now.” It is classic The Cure and yet thrillingly not.

We are in an era of ’80s bands reemerging like cicadas — Tears for Fears, Crowded House, The The, Pet Shop Boys and Duran Duran, among them — but “Songs of a Lost World” is no attempt to recapture iconic songs like “Friday I’m In Love” or “In Between Days.” It is a huge step forward. It is The Cure’s best album since “Disintegration.” Hopefully, there will be more from the founding fathers of goth.

cast to reunite for western NC hurricane relief

Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live script reading

By Alicia Rancilio

The Associated Press

THE CAST OF ABC hit political drama “Scandal” may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as “Scandal-pace” because they’re reuniting for a good cause.

Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.

Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual preevent with the cast, and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.

Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with

the actors. The winner should not worry about the “Scandal”-pace, assured Young over Zoom.

“Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want,” she said.

Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on “Scandal,” was born and raised in Asheville. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow “Scandal” actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.

Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.

Young said it’s “been devastating” to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.

To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office, Asheville’s Mayor Esther Manheimer’s office and city council representatives. “We’ve realized that we really transitioned from the

“We’ve realized that we really transitioned from the period of immediate relief and aid into recovery and rebuilding.”

Bellamy Young, Asheville native and “Scandal” actor

period of immediate relief and aid into recovery and rebuilding,” said Young. The state estimates those efforts will cost $53 billion, as much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. More than 100,000 residents who use city water remain under an indefinite boil water advisory.

Young says she’s not surprised that her former costars all agreed to take part, and she’s certain the fans of the show, known as gladiators, will also want to join in. Now living in New York, Young is “stopped all the time” to talk about “Scandal.” “I just spoke to someone on 53rd Street,” she said Thursday.

Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005.

DAN STEINBERG / INVISION / AP PHOTO

“Scandal” actors Bellamy Young, from left, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington will reunite for the first time since 2018 to benefit western North Carolina.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Iconic singer-songwriterguitarist Neil Young turns 79 on Tuesday.

ANDRADE-RHOADES / AP PHOTO

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, pictured in 2023, is 81 on Thursday.

LAURA ROBERTS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Keyboardist Booker T. Jones of instrumental, R&B and funk band Booker T. and the MG’s turns 80 on Tuesday.

Joni Mitchell is 81, Bonnie Raitt turns 75, Sinbad hits 69, Neil Young is 79

These celebrities have birthdays this week.

NOV. 7

Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Kaat is 86. Former Singer Johnny Rivers is 82. Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is 81. Retired Army general and former CIA Guitarist Tommy Thayer of Kiss is 64. Rock singer Lorde is 28.

NOV. 8

Filmmaker Richard Curtis is 68. Chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay is 58. Actor Courtney Thorne-Smith is 57. Actor Parker Posey is 56. Actor Matthew Rhys is 50. Actor Tara Reid is 49. TV personality Jack Osbourne is 39.

NOV. 9

Film director Bille August is 76. Actor-bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is 73. Blues singer Susan Tedeschi is 54.

NOV. 10

Blues singer Bobby Rush is 91. Actor Albert Hall (“Ally McBeal,” “Beloved”) is 87. Actor-comedian Sinbad is 69. Actor Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”) is 60. Comedian Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) is 56.

NOV. 11

Country singer Narvel Felts is 86. Actor Stanley Tucci is 64. Actress Demi Moore is 62.

NOV. 12

Playwright-actor Wallace Shawn (“The Princess Bride”) is 81. Keyboardist Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MG’s is 80. Actor Ryan Gosling is 44.

NOV. 13

Blues singer John Hammond is 82. Actor Joe Mantegna is 77. Actor Chris Noth (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” Sex and the City”) is 70. Actress Whoopi Goldberg is 69. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel is 57. Actor Steve Zahn (“Happy, Texas.”) is 57.

AMANDA

the stream

‘Yellowstone’ starts its end, Eddie Redmayne plays sniper

Revisit American political films on Hulu, Paramount+, Hoopla and Fubo

By The Associated Press

EDDIE REDMAYNE starring as a sniper for hire in the new limited series “The Day of the Jackal” and “Yellowstone” riding off into the sunset with the launch of its final episodes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Aubrey Plaza stars in the comingof-age comedy “My Old Ass,” two famous Nintendo siblings team up for the video game Mario & Luigi Brothership and Whitney Houston’s epic 1994 concert video in post-apartheid South Africa.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Is there a better way to spend election week than with a psychedelic mushroom-induced Aubrey Plaza? Well, yes, there probably is. But, still, Megan Park’s “My Old Ass” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video) is a uniquely charming and oddly moving coming-ofage drama. The film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott, an 18-yearold whose birthday mushroom trip, while camping in Ontario’s Muskoka region, conjures a surreal visitor: her 39-yearold self (played by Plaza). In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy called the results “uneven but (Park) sticks the landing.”

Of the many fans of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s films, none is more passionate than Martin Scorsese. In “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” (airing Thursday on TCM), Scorsese narrates his journey through movies that have had a profound effect on the filmmaker. In it, he describes being “so bewitched by them as a child that they make a big part of my films’ subconscious.” The documentary, directed by David Hinton and produced by Thelma Schoonmaker, isn’t just a chronicle of films like “The Red Shoes,” “Black Narcissus,” and “I Know Where I’m Going!” but captures how movies can transfix you, change you and live alongside you as you grow older.

During election week, it might be a good time to revisit some of the best films about American politics. Alan Pa-

“Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” and “My Old Ass” stream this

kula’s chilling assassination thriller “The Parallax View” is streaming on Paramount+. On Hoopla, you can find both John Frankenheimer’s mind-control masterpiece “The Manchurian Candidate” and Elia Kazan’s prescient “A Face in the Crowd.” “Election,” Alexander Payne’s biting satire, is streaming on Fubo. Spike Lee’s towering “Malcolm X” is available to rent, as is Steven Spielberg’s epic “Lincoln.” But if you’re feeling more cynical, Mike Judge’s “Idiocracy” can be found on Hulu.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, the Whitney

Houston estate and Legacy

Recording will release “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” the recording of her epic concert in post-apartheid South Africa staged after President Nelson Mandela’s landmark election. It follows the fully remastered theatrical release of a concert film of the same name. In 1994, Houston took the stage for three concerts in South Africa, including in Durban at Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg and Cape Town. More than 200,000 people attended. The album is also Houston’s first live concert album (but not her first live album, give credit where credit is due — to 2014’s

“Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances” and “VH1 Divas 1999.”) She’s never sounded better.

Another look back at the ’90s: Tsunami, the ferocious indie rock band led by frontwomen Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, co-owners of the Simple Machines record label, are receiving a long overdue, career-spanning collection from the prolific Numero Group: A five LP, vinyl box set that features demos, singles, 1993’s “Deep End,” 1994’s “The Heart’s Tremolo” and, for the first time pressed to wax, 1997’s “A Brilliant Mistake.” If that’s too much physical media, don’t fret — listeners will be able to get an education on streaming platforms as well.

SHOWS TO STREAM

Eddie Redmayne hasn’t starred in a TV series since the 2012 two-part World War I saga, “Birdsong.” He marks his return as a sniper for hire in the new Peacock limited series, “The Day of the Jackal.” It’s an updated version of a Frederick Forsyth novel published in 1971. Lashana Lynch plays an intelligence officer intent on catching Redmayne’s mysterious killer, who goes by the moniker The Jackal. “The Day of the Jackal” debuts Thursday on Peacock. Prime Video’s spy franchise “Citadel” now includes “Citadel: Honey Bunny.” This version is set in India and is a prequel to the 2023 orig-

inal that starred Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. It takes place in the 1990s and introduces viewers to the parents of Chopra Jonas’ character, Nadia. Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays Nadia’s mother, Honey, with Varun Dhawan portraying her father, Bunny. The series debuts Thursday.

“Yellowstone,” the contemporary Western about a family whose ownership of the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. goes back generations, returns for the second half of its final season on Sunday. Fans will want to tune in to learn how Kevin Costner is written off the show and what happens to couple Rip and Beth, played by Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly. “Yellowstone” season 5B debuts on Paramount Network.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Mario may be the biggest celebrity in the Nintendo universe, but some of his most satisfying adventures have co-starred his gangly brother, Luigi. The boys are teaming up again for Mario & Luigi: Brothership, in which they explore an ocean dotted by a variety of islands. You’ll need to switch between the two to solve various puzzles, and sometimes they’ll need to team up to fly over or knock down obstacles. When they run into an enemy, the action switches to turn-based combat in which timing is everything.

Mamma mia! Set sail Thursday on the Switch.

APPLE TV+ / PARAMOUNT NETWORK / PEACOCK VIA AP

“Bad Sisters,” “Yellowstone” and “The Day of the Jackal” hit the small screen this week.

RCA RECORDS / NUMERO GROUP VIA AP “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)” by Whitney Houston and “Loud Is As” by Tsunami are out this week.

COHEN MEDIA GROUP / AMAZON STUDIOS VIA AP

week.

securing one and a newcomer securing the second.

Current board chair James Leach won reelection to a ninth term on the board with 9,272 votes or 26.06% and newcomer Mary Blue McCollum won a seat on the board with 9,489 votes or 26.67%.

Incumbents had split decisions on Hoke boards

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — Two incum-

bents lost and two incumbents won in Hoke County on Tuesday, with one on each of the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners losing their seats although both remain in the hands of Democrats.

The Hoke County Board of Education had two open seats up for grabs amongst a crowded pool of 10 candidates, and in the end, only one incumbent managed to secure reelection.

Vice chair Rosa McAllister-McRae received the most votes, garnering 6,172 votes or 17.67% of the vote.

McAllister-McRae will be

The House race was tighter than in 2022

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — Hoke County continues the status quo for at least two more years when it comes to representation in the NC General Assembly.

In the county’s lone NC House race, District 48 will once again be represented by incumbent Democrat Garland Pierce. Pierce won reelection with 18,630 votes or 51.85% over Republican challenger Ralph Carter’s 17,298. It was once again a close election for Pierce, who won reelection in the 2022 general election with 12,073 votes or 53.5% to Republican Melissa

serving a fifth term on the Board of Education, having first been elected in 2004.

Jessica Hendrix Brown, the publisher of the News-Journal, won the second up-forgrabs seat, collecting 5,645 votes or 16.16% of the vote.

Incumbent Keisha Gill finished fourth in voting, garner -

Swarbrick’s 10,486. Pierce has been the District 48 representative since 2005 and after the 2019 redistricting, now represents all of Hoke and Scotland counties.

Hoke County also had just a single race in the NC Senate, the District 24 seat, and once again, the incumbent man-

ing 4,966 votes.

McAllister-McRae and Gill were the top vote getters in the 2020 election with the former securing 11,164 or 34.62% and the latter securing 9,593 or 29.74% of the vote.

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners also had two open seats, with an incumbent

Leach has been a member of the Hoke County Board of Education for 32 years and was the top vote getter in 2020 as well, receiving 9,115 or 25.12%.

McCollum is another Hoke County native and one who has experience in banking and accounting and also served on the Hoke County Chamber of Commerce.

Current commissioner Bobby Wright, who was nominated to serve on the board following the death of Commissioner Lonnie Baldwin, did not move past the democratic primaries and was not on the general election ballot.

Finally, both Gary Hendrix, who ran for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, and Elaine Brayboy, who ran for Register of Deeds, won as neither was opposed on the ballot.

aged to hold onto their seat as Republican Danny Britt garnered 46,996 votes or 58.75% to defeat Democrat challenger Kathy Batt who secured 32,996 votes. Britt will be serving a second term as the Senator for District 24 after winning the 2022 general election with 28,761 votes or 58.32% to Democrat Darrell Gibson, Jr. who won just 20,551 votes. Britt, however, has been serving since winning his first election in the 2016 general election. He was the District 13 representative, which represented all of Robeson and Columbus counties until redistricting in 2023. He now represents all of Robeson, Hoke and Scotland counties.

NCLEG.GOV

Left, Rep. Garland Pierce (D); Right, Sen. Danny Britt (R)

State Supreme Court race headed to recount

fin

to her seat on the Supreme Court by Gov. Roy Cooper in September 2023 to replace Associate Justice Michael Morgan, who left to run unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary race for governor. The appointment made her the youngest woman ever to serve on the high court.

Republicans Tom Mur-

Tesla shares soar following Trump win

Shares were up more than 10% in Wednesday trading

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Shares of Tesla soared Wednesday following an election that will send Donald Trump back to the White House, an outcome that had been strongly backed by CEO Elon Musk in the closing months of the race.

Tesla stands to make significant gains under a Trump administration with the threat of diminished subsidies for alternative energy and electric vehicles doing the most harm to smaller competitors.

Tesla dominates sales of electric vehicles in the U.S, with 48.9% in market share through the middle of 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Tesla shares jumped 13% Wednesday while shares of rival electric vehicle makers tumbled.

Trump has proposed tariffs of 10% to 20% on foreign goods that would also impact electric vehicle maker’s outside the U.S., especially in China, and shares of EV makers there slid as well in U.S. markets.

Subsidies for clean energy are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. It included tax credits for manufacturing, along with tax credits for consumers of electric vehicles.

Shares of rival EV maker Rivian plunged 9% and Lucid Group fell 3.1%. NIO, a Chinese EV maker, slid 6%.

Musk was one of Trump’s biggest donors, putting more than $70 million of his own money into the presidential run and other GOP causes. He also pledged to give away $1 million a day to voters signing a petition for his political action committee.

ry, Valerie Zachary and Chris Freeman all won close races for seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. A referendum that would amend the North Carolina Constitution, changing wording to, “Only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age and otherwise possessing the qualifications for voting shall be entitled to vote at any election in this State,” easily passed with 77.59% of the statewide vote.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

North Carolina must count every vote

AS ELECTED Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.

Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before all of the votes are even counted are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles.

We say this as staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of precertifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our state’s voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal application of the law.

The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm

and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office. Furthermore, precertifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. We stand for integrity, not shortcuts. We support the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But precertifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections. If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives. In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.

Rep. Kevin Crutchfield represents Cabarrus and Rowan counties, and Rep. David Willis represents Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly.

President Trump and the politics of joy

Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP showed Americans what real “politics of joy” looks like.

He held a press conference in a garbage truck wearing a garbage collector’s vest (which he then wore to a rally with thousands of people). He served french fries at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. He went to a Pittsburgh Steelers game where the crowd chanted “USA.” He headlined a rally at Madison Square Garden before 20,000 people.

There is a certain irony that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign tried to project the concept of joy — while Trump clearly had a great time and was more joyful.

Two things drove this home for me.

First, Paul Manafort gave a fascinating interview with Mark Halperin. Manafort has spent four decades working with Trump. He made the point that Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. This became an enormous advantage for Trump as a candidate.

I noticed this quality when I wrote “French Fries vs French Laundry.” I referenced the day he did a variety of jobs at one of his hotels, which were then shown on Oprah. It was clear he got a kick out of working and hanging out with people.

Watching Trump campaign in the Bronx — at a rally most Republicans wouldn’t have held — made it obvious he identified with and enjoyed interacting with the kind of workers who had built his buildings. Eating with gusto at a food truck in Queens seemed perfectly natural for the Queens native. He clearly had a ball. By contrast, the self-described candidate of joy expressed hatred about her opponent. She called him a fascist, an admirer of Hitler and a would-be dictator.

There is clearly no joy in Harris’ world.

The absurdity of Democrats claiming to be joyful was driven home on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” The show played a segment of comments made by speakers at the Democratic National Convention:

• Barack Obama: “The joy and the excitement that we’re seeing around this campaign.”

• Michelle Obama: “The joy of her laughter and her light!”

• Kelley Robinson: “We’re voting for joy! Somebody say ‘joy!’”

• Hakeem Jeffries: “Joy. Joy. Joy.”

• Hillary Clinton: “With faith in each other and joy in our hearts.”

• Tim Walz: “With energy, with passion and with joy.”

• Bill Clinton: “We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy.”

• Oprah: “And let us choose j-o-y!”

President Joe Biden’s most recent claim that Trump supporters were “garbage” is a far cry from promises made at the beginning of the Harris campaign.

Isn’t it amazing how rapidly the Democratic Party of joy turned into the Harris party of anger, hostility, name-calling and bitter divisiveness?

If you watch the two candidates, you know that Trump had the time of his life and really enjoyed being with people and doing fun things. You also know that Harris was frightened, rigid, insecure and wanted to hide until she is coronated president.

Think of the nominating process: Trump fought his way past 15 solid Republican candidates in 2016. Then this year, he had to defeat a number of first-rate candidates. He campaigned cheerfully, enthusiastically and effectively.

By contrast, Harris dropped out in 2019 before a single vote was cast for the Democratic nomination. Then she was hand-picked (probably by Nancy Pelosi and the Obamas) and the vice presidency was handed to her.

This year, she did not receive a single vote or earn a single delegate. She did not campaign for the nomination. Just like the vice presidency, she got the nomination for president because the bosses picked her.

Watch the two of them for five minutes and you will know Trump was the real candidate of joy.

Newt Gingrich is a former GOP speaker of the U.S. House.

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | REPS. KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD AND DAVID WILLIS

Paiporta at the epicenter of Spain’s floods: ‘It is all in ruins’

The Valencia municipality has been “ground zero” of the natural disaster

By Joseph Wilson The Associated Press

PAIPORTA, Spain — The pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.

Most everything else in the daycare — the cradles, the highchairs, the toys — was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.

“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told The Associated Press. He said the water level was above his head inside the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.

“I have lived here all my life. This had never happened, and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this; it is all in ruins.”

Authorities say at least 62 people of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in Spain last week died in Paiporta,. The majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.

The tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. The clean-up task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.

Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles except bulldozers, stacked with piles of sodden furniture, household items and countless wrecked cars.

Every foot is caked with mud. Some people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.

A washing machine was on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chest of drawers, paintings and a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the all-consum-

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, US over

Israeli attacks

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be “a crushing response”

By Jon Gambrell

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26

attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people. Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in video released by Irani-

ing mire.

Lidia Giménez, a school teacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town — “Barranco del Poyo” — went from empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. She called the aftermath of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.”

And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta.

The storm unleashed a downpour upstream. That deluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast, which were devastated by the flash floods.

Paiporta’s residents did not re-

an state media.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack nor the scope.

The U.S. military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier likely is in the Arabian Sea, while Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week that more destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its militant allies. Early Sunday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said B-52s from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the Middle East.

The 85-year-old Khamenei had struck a more cautious approach in earlier remarks, saying officials would weigh Iran’s response and that Israel’s attack “should not be exaggerat-

ceive flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.

The onslaught of water widened the river bank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the canal. Eight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.

The destruction could take weeks to clean.

Thousands of volunteers walked for more than an hour

ed nor downplayed.” Iran has launched two major direct attacks on Israel, in April and October.

But efforts by Iran to downplay the Israeli attack faltered as satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to military bases near Tehran linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as at a Revolutionary Guard base used in satellite launches.

Iran’s allies, called the “Axis of Resistance” by Tehran, also have been severely hurt by ongoing Israeli attacks, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran has long used those groups as both an asymmetrical way to attack Israel and as a shield against a direct assault. Some analysts believe those groups want Iran to do more to back them militarily.

Iran, however, has been dealing with problems at home as its economy struggles under the

from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime.

Homeowner Rafa Rosellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars — one half-resting on top of the other — that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. He had to unscrew a metal grating and slip through a window to get inside and witness the mess.

“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” Rosellón said. “The government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.”

Some 2,000 soldiers are involved in post-flood emergency work — searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods — as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that they have rescued about 4,800 people and “helped more than 30,000 people in homes, on roads and in flooded industrial estates.”

Only a small contingent of soldiers was pushing mud in Paiporta on Saturday when Sánchez promised another 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police were on their way to eastern Spain.

Just a few doors down from where Rosellón lived, a woman sweeping muddy water from her door burst into tears when asked what she had lost.

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter,” she said.

Another turn revealed a chilling scene: a street filled with half a dozen cars and crisscrossed with countless reeds that, before the flood, had been growing nearby. A man screams from inside a house: “There’s nothing more I can do! There’s nothing more I can do!”

weight of international sanctions and years of widespread protests. After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. It had been 32,000 rials to the dollar when Tehran reached its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard — which controls the ballistic missiles needed to target Israel — gave an interview published by the semiofficial Fars news agency just before Khamenei’s remarks were released. In it, he warned Iran’s response “will be wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

“The leaders of the Zionist regime should look out from the windows of their bedrooms and protect their criminal pilots within their small territory,” he warned. Israeli air force pilots appear to have used airlaunched ballistic missiles in the Oct. 26 attack.

MANU FERNANDEZ / AP PHOTO

People clean the street of mud Saturday in the Spanish town of Paiporta in the Valencia region affected by flooding.

HOKE SPORTS

Hoke football wins regular-season finale

Boys’ soccer beat Richmond in its last game

North State Journal staff

THE FOOTBALL and soccer regular seasons both ended, and Hoke teams are preparing for postseason berths.

Football

A failed fourth-and-1 conversion in overtime handed Hoke County (3-8, 1-5 Sandhills 3A/4A) a 26-20 win over nonconference opponent Northwood (6-5, 6-2), Friday.

Northwood entered the fourth quarter with a 17-12 lead, but on the first play of the period, Hoke County quarterback Brandon Sanders found a man down field for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The Bucks converted the 2-point attempt and took a 20-17 advantage. Later in the quarter, multiple defensive holding penalties called against Hoke County allowed Northwood to march down the field and tie the game with a 32-yard field goal.

In the overtime period, Hoke County struck first with a 3-yard touchdown run from Sanders. Northwood’s response took all four downs, but it went all the way down to the 1-yard line following a completed pass from quarterback Grayson Cox. Hoke County’s defensive line gave the Chargers problems all night, and on their final play, the line got enough penetration to keep

Northwood out of the end zone and win the game. The win allowed Hoke to match last season’s win total on the regular season’s final contest. Hoke will hold out hope for a NCHSAA playoff bid, but odds are likely slim.

Assuming the Bucks’ season is over, Hoke County bids farewell to its senior class:

Quarterback Brandon Saunders, receivers Tycen Vick, Teymari Thomas and Wadus Davis, offensive linemen Breisaous Simpson, Zimerre Worrells, Tafari Parker and Kyion Singletary, defensive end Luke Glass, defensive backs Darrien Frazier, John Kimble, Dekieth Horne and Rashaud Ross, DE/TE Ja-

Wills, linebackers Franajai Ransom and Jacob Williams, and kickers Xavier Pena and Yahir Guajardo.

Boys’ soccer

The Hoke County boys finished the regular season schedule with a road win over Richmond, snapping a 1-4 stretch. Jose Vazquez de la Cruz had a goal and an assist, while Pedro Ramos-Alejandro and Joas Hernandez both scored goals as the Bucks earned a 3-2 overtime win.

The team now awaits a postseason bid. The NCHSAA will announce the playoff brackets later this week.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Sandy Grove Middle School girls’ cross-country team

Sandy Grove Middle School competed in the co-ed middle school cross-country championships at Hinson Lake last week, and both teams had strong performances. The girls’ team brought home the conference championship, the third straight years that they’ve won the title. The boys’ team finished in fifth place in their conference meet.

Byron gets final spot in championship race after controversial finish at

Ryan Blaney has a shot to win back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series titles

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, VA . —

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale.

The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-

Martinsville Speedway

lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR. Bell’s pass of Byron left the two tied in points for the final spot next week in the title-decider at Phoenix Raceway. After an awkwardly long delay, Bell’s move was deemed illegal and Byron was given the final spot.

“I understand that the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different from what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

“I slid into the wall and kept my foot into it. I guess that is a

losing move,” Bell continued. “I didn’t intentionally floor it and go into the fence — I slipped into the wall and that’s all she wrote.”

“He rode the wall and there’s a clear rule against riding the wall,” Byron said. “So in my eyes, that’s what counts. If it happened in the past, it was fair game. But now the rule is against it.”

Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go backto -ba ck next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

Blaney last week lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Penske has a shot at three consecutive Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars in,” Blaney said. “It’s nice to join (Logano) and have a decent shot to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so

these guys are the best at what they do, and it’s been so much fun to get to run with them and share wins and championships.

“It’s super strong right now in our organization and hopefully it carries over.”

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Larson finished third, Penske driver Austin Cindric was fourth but not eligible for a championship berth.

Denny Hamlin drove from last to fifth but was eliminated from the finale, and Byron was sixth and given the final spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after an early spin in the race. He had a large enough point cushion that left him tied with Byron for the final spot in the championship field. Byron and Blaney return to the championship race for the second consecutive year; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his title-race debut.

lyn

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cornerback John Kimble finished his Hoke County football career.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

RUNNING

Netherlands’ Nageeye, Kenya’s Chepkirui win New York City Marathon

New York

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women’s event. Both runners pulled away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters to come away with their first victories in the race. Nageeye was step -for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst heading into Central Park to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race. She won in 2:24.35.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oregon unanimous No. 1 ahead of first CFP rankings

Oregon is a unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll. The Ducks hope to also be in the top spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s first rankings of the season on Tuesday. The Ducks are No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week and unanimous for the first time. Georgia remained No. 2. Ohio State earned a one-spot promotion to No. 3 with its win at Penn State. Miami and Texas round out the top five. Penn State slipped to No. 6.

FORMULA ONE

Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix

Sao Paulo Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix despite starting 17th, increasing his lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris with three races remaining. Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June and his eighth Grand Prix victory of the year. The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month.

MLB Cole exercises opt out, Rizzo option declined

New York

Gerrit Cole exercised his opt out from his New York Yankees contract, giving the team two days to void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029. Cole would give up $144 million in the four remaining seasons of his $324 million, nine-year contract. Three days after the Yankees lost the World Series, the team declined first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million option in favor of a $6 million buyout, making the first baseman a free agent.

NBA Curry sits out third straight game with left ankle injury

Houston Stephen Curry sat out a third straight game for the Golden State Warriors at Houston nursing a left ankle injury but resumed practicing in some drills Friday. He was re-evaluated earlier in the day and the Warriors’ medical staff determined the Davidson product and NBA all-time 3-point leader is making good progress and cleared to participate, according to the team. Curry was scheduled to be examined again Sunday.

Ohtani brings dog, addresses crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate

The parade celebrated the franchise’s eighth world championship

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and

joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blueand-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to

NBA considering changes to All-Star Game again

Commissioner Adam Silver is asking for Stephen Curry’s help to make the game more competitive

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

THE NBA IS considering changing the format for the All-Star Game that will be played in San Francisco later this season, Commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday night.

Silver, speaking before the Miami-Washington game in Mexico City, has wanted a more competitive All-Star event for some time. The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211-186 last season, combining for the most points in the game’s 73-year history and marking the first time a team eclipsed 200 points.

“We’re looking at other formats,” Silver said. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”

Silver added that the league is looking at making the AllStar Game “not a traditional game format” but stopped short of saying what that could mean.

The league has tinkered with the All-Star formula sev-

eral times in recent years. Among the attempts were scrapping the longstanding East vs. West format for a draft picked by team captains and going to an untimed fourth quarter with a target score to ensure that the game must end on a made shot.

Last year’s game went back to the traditional format — four full 12-minute quarters, East vs. West. And it was nothing but an offensive showcase, with the teams combining for 168 3-point attempts and nearly 400 points.

“Obviously, it wasn’t high intensity, at all,” Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton said after the game in Indianapolis, where five players scored at least 30 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 on 35 shots off the bench.

Silver said with the game — scheduled for Feb. 16 — in San Francisco, he’s enlisted Golden State star Stephen Curry to help figure out a way to make the All-Star Game more competitive this season. Any changes would almost certainly have to involve the leadership of the National Basketball Players Association as well.

“It’s a home game for him,” Silver said, adding that he’s had “direct conversations” with Curry on the topic. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward.”

Curry said last year that play-

get on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blueclad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.

They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed

with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.” Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

more

ers had talked “a little bit” about making the All-Star Game more competitive in some ways. The league has wanted that for some time, hoping a better AllStar contest leads to better television ratings for the game and more outside interest.

“I think everyone was disappointed in what they saw last year,” Silver said. “It wasn’t just the league. It was the players as well, the players association. I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking particularly in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, we would see a more competitive game.”

Steph vs. Sabrina again?

Silver said fans can expect another Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu-type event at this season’s All-Star Game. That’s not a surprise; Curry and Ionescu both said they wanted to do it again after their debut matchup last season, and talk instantly centered on adding more shooters — with Caitlin Clark mentioned as a possibility.

“When you look at the interest in terms of viewership last year, one of the highlights was that Sabrina-Steph shoot out,” Silver said. “So, we do want to do more of that.”

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is trying to come up with ways to make the All-Star Game

competitive.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series championship parade Friday.

the stream

‘Yellowstone’ starts its end, Eddie Redmayne plays sniper

Revisit American political films on Hulu, Paramount+, Hoopla and Fubo

By The Associated Press

EDDIE REDMAYNE starring as a sniper for hire in the new limited series “The Day of the Jackal” and “Yellowstone” riding off into the sunset with the launch of its final episodes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Aubrey Plaza stars in the comingof-age comedy “My Old Ass,” two famous Nintendo siblings team up for the video game Mario & Luigi Brothership and Whitney Houston’s epic 1994 concert video in post-apartheid South Africa.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Is there a better way to spend election week than with a psychedelic mushroom-induced Aubrey Plaza? Well, yes, there probably is. But, still, Megan Park’s “My Old Ass” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video) is a uniquely charming and oddly moving coming-ofage drama. The film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott, an 18-yearold whose birthday mushroom trip, while camping in Ontario’s Muskoka region, conjures a surreal visitor: her 39-yearold self (played by Plaza). In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy called the results “uneven but (Park) sticks the landing.”

Of the many fans of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s films, none is more passionate than Martin Scorsese. In “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” (airing Thursday on TCM), Scorsese narrates his journey through movies that have had a profound effect on the filmmaker. In it, he describes being “so bewitched by them as a child that they make a big part of my films’ subconscious.” The documentary, directed by David Hinton and produced by Thelma Schoonmaker, isn’t just a chronicle of films like “The Red Shoes,” “Black Narcissus,” and “I Know Where I’m Going!” but captures how movies can transfix you, change you and live alongside you as you grow older.

During election week, it might be a good time to revisit some of the best films about American politics. Alan Pa-

“Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger” and “My Old Ass” stream this

kula’s chilling assassination thriller “The Parallax View” is streaming on Paramount+. On Hoopla, you can find both John Frankenheimer’s mind-control masterpiece “The Manchurian Candidate” and Elia Kazan’s prescient “A Face in the Crowd.” “Election,” Alexander Payne’s biting satire, is streaming on Fubo. Spike Lee’s towering “Malcolm X” is available to rent, as is Steven Spielberg’s epic “Lincoln.” But if you’re feeling more cynical, Mike Judge’s “Idiocracy” can be found on Hulu.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, the Whitney

Houston estate and Legacy

Recording will release “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” the recording of her epic concert in post-apartheid South Africa staged after President Nelson Mandela’s landmark election. It follows the fully remastered theatrical release of a concert film of the same name. In 1994, Houston took the stage for three concerts in South Africa, including in Durban at Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg and Cape Town. More than 200,000 people attended. The album is also Houston’s first live concert album (but not her first live album, give credit where credit is due — to 2014’s

“Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances” and “VH1 Divas 1999.”) She’s never sounded better.

Another look back at the ’90s: Tsunami, the ferocious indie rock band led by frontwomen Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, co-owners of the Simple Machines record label, are receiving a long overdue, career-spanning collection from the prolific Numero Group: A five LP, vinyl box set that features demos, singles, 1993’s “Deep End,” 1994’s “The Heart’s Tremolo” and, for the first time pressed to wax, 1997’s “A Brilliant Mistake.” If that’s too much physical media, don’t fret — listeners will be able to get an education on streaming platforms as well.

SHOWS TO STREAM

Eddie Redmayne hasn’t starred in a TV series since the 2012 two-part World War I saga, “Birdsong.” He marks his return as a sniper for hire in the new Peacock limited series, “The Day of the Jackal.” It’s an updated version of a Frederick Forsyth novel published in 1971. Lashana Lynch plays an intelligence officer intent on catching Redmayne’s mysterious killer, who goes by the moniker The Jackal. “The Day of the Jackal” debuts Thursday on Peacock. Prime Video’s spy franchise “Citadel” now includes “Citadel: Honey Bunny.” This version is set in India and is a prequel to the 2023 orig-

inal that starred Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. It takes place in the 1990s and introduces viewers to the parents of Chopra Jonas’ character, Nadia. Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays Nadia’s mother, Honey, with Varun Dhawan portraying her father, Bunny. The series debuts Thursday.

“Yellowstone,” the contemporary Western about a family whose ownership of the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. goes back generations, returns for the second half of its final season on Sunday. Fans will want to tune in to learn how Kevin Costner is written off the show and what happens to couple Rip and Beth, played by Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly. “Yellowstone” season 5B debuts on Paramount Network.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Mario may be the biggest celebrity in the Nintendo universe, but some of his most satisfying adventures have co-starred his gangly brother, Luigi. The boys are teaming up again for Mario & Luigi: Brothership, in which they explore an ocean dotted by a variety of islands. You’ll need to switch between the two to solve various puzzles, and sometimes they’ll need to team up to fly over or knock down obstacles. When they run into an enemy, the action switches to turn-based combat in which timing is everything. Mamma mia! Set sail Thursday on

the Switch.

“Bad Sisters,” “Yellowstone” and “The Day of the Jackal” hit the small screen this week.

RCA RECORDS / NUMERO GROUP VIA AP

“The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)” by Whitney Houston and “Loud Is As” by Tsunami are out this week.

COHEN MEDIA GROUP / AMAZON STUDIOS VIA AP

week.

STATE & NATION

Beloved Grand Teton bear killed by a vehicle mourned

A vigil was held for Grizzly No. 399, who captured the hearts in Wyoming for decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press

DURING HER nearly three decades of roaming the Teton Range’s snowy wilderness, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear, with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and ever-growing family tree.

Nature lovers are mourning the matriarch of the world-famous bear family after she was fatally struck by a vehicle Oct. 22 on a highway in western Wyoming. Dozens braved frigid weather in the picturesque ski town of Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online.

Wildlife guide Bo Weldon told the gathering the community was going to “pingpong through the stages of grief” but that was what they needed to do despite the difficulty.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together,” Weldon said as attendees huddled close in the wet, cold rain.

A PBS documentary crowned the 28-year-old grizzly “Queen of the Tetons,” and an Instagram account dedicated to her has amassed more than 60,000 followers. She was known for fre-

quenting tourist-heavy spots and roadsides in Grand Teton National Park and became an ambassador for her species and a symbol for people working to conserve American public lands.

Named for the tag affixed by researchers to her ear, No. 399 was the oldest-known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. She has been credited for helping the region’s grizzly population rebound from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today.

She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own. Her ashes were spread this week in the Pilgrim Creek area

of Grand Teton National Park, where she spent much of her life, park officials said. Jacob Krank, the master of ceremonies, shared how he encountered No. 399 the first time he drove into the park to explore it 13 years ago. Suddenly he saw “this beautiful grizzly bear” in the road with her two cubs. She was so near he could hear her breathing and paws scratching the ground.

“She looked right at me, just right in the eye. It was just such a profound experience,” he said. “It was as though she was saying, ‘Welcome home. Where have you been all this time?’” Krank said the ceremony came together in response to

A grizzly bear known as No. 399 walks alongside a cub in Grand Teton National Park. The beloved bear was struck and killed by a car last month.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together.”

Bo Weldon, wildlife guide

sought to remove federal protections as their population has replenished. The states want to regain management of grizzlies and allow limited hunting.

Conservationists argue the species still requires protection as food scarcity caused by climate change has driven grizzlies further from their habitats in search of food.

On his tours of the Tetons, wildlife guide Jack Bayles said he often draws attention to barren huckleberry bushes affected by rising temperatures, which he said might help explain why No. 399 was about 40 miles south of her habitat in the park when she was fatally struck. Grizzlies need to eat nearly nonstop in the fall to store enough fat to sustain their winter hibernation.

popular demand. When No. 399 died, people began posting social media inquiries and asking at The Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery in Jackson, where Krank works. The gallery features photos by Thomas Mangelsen, one of the best-known photographers of the bear.

Attendees observed a moment of silence and listened to a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong while trying to keep the wind and rain from extinguishing their candles. Grizzlies have teetered on and off the endangered species list. They remain federally protected, but some state officials in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have

A male yearling cub, known informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed and has not been located in the nearly two weeks since.

“There is no indication it was struck in the collision,” Joe Szuszwalak of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. “Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”

On average, about three grizzlies are killed in vehicle collisions in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem each year, according to data collected by researchers and released by the park. No. 399 was the second grizzly killed in the region by a vehicle this year.

Fla.’s convicted killer clown released from prison

Sheila Keen-Warren is free 18 months after she pleaded guilty to killing her husband’s then-wife

By Terry Spencer

The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

— A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison Saturday, ending a case that has been strange even by Florida standards.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released 18 months after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Marlene Warren, Florida Department of Corrections records show. The plea deal came shortly before her trial would have started.

Keen-Warren, who has maintained her innocence even after her plea, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But she had been in custody for seven years since her arrest in 2017, and Florida’s law in 1990 allowed significant credit for good behavior. It had

been expected she would be released in about two years.

“Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement Saturday.

Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren’s attorney, has said she only took the plea deal because she would be released in less than two years and had been facing a life sentence if convicted at trial.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family. As we’ve stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime,” he said Saturday in a text message.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, and his friends were at home when they said a person dressed as a clown rang the doorbell. He said that when his mom answered, the clown handed her some balloons. After she responded, “How nice,” the clown pulled a gun and shot her in the face before fleeing.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators had long suspect-

ed Keen-Warren in the slaying, but she wasn’t arrested until 27 years later when they said improved DNA testing tied her to evidence found in the getaway car. Rosenfeld has called that evidence weak.

At the time of the shooting, Keen-Warren was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. She has been his wife since 2002. They eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border.

Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives said, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown suit a few days before the killing.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Sheila Keen Warren is pictured in a booking photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

ren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him. But the car lot and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother, “If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” He has never been charged and has denied involvement.

But Rosenfeld said last year that the state’s case was falling apart. One DNA sample somehow showed both male and female genes, he said, and the other could have come from one out of every 20 women.

And even if that hair did come from Keen-Warren, it could have been deposited before the car was reported stolen. He said Marlene Warren’s son and another witness also told detectives that the car deputies found wasn’t the killer’s, though investigators insisted it was.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene War-

One of the two balloons — a silver one that read, “You’re the Greatest” — was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near Keen-Warren’s home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Keen-Warren had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting. The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibers inside. The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot a month before the shooting. Keen-Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Aronberg last year conceded that there were holes in the case, saying they were caused by the three decades it took to get it to trial, including the death of key witnesses.

C. ADAMS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK VIA AP

STATE & NATION

Beloved Grand Teton bear killed by a vehicle mourned

A vigil was held for Grizzly No. 399, who captured the hearts in Wyoming for decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum

The Associated Press

DURING HER nearly three decades of roaming the Teton Range’s snowy wilderness, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear, with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and ever-growing family tree.

Nature lovers are mourning the matriarch of the world-famous bear family after she was fatally struck by a vehicle Oct. 22 on a highway in western Wyoming. Dozens braved frigid weather in the picturesque ski town of Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online.

Wildlife guide Bo Weldon told the gathering the community was going to “pingpong through the stages of grief” but that was what they needed to do despite the difficulty.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together,” Weldon said as attendees huddled close in the wet, cold rain.

A PBS documentary crowned the 28-year-old grizzly “Queen of the Tetons,” and an Instagram account dedicated to her has amassed more than 60,000 followers. She was known for fre-

quenting tourist-heavy spots and roadsides in Grand Teton National Park and became an ambassador for her species and a symbol for people working to conserve American public lands.

Named for the tag affixed by researchers to her ear, No. 399 was the oldest-known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. She has been credited for helping the region’s grizzly population rebound from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today. She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own.

Her ashes were spread this week in the Pilgrim Creek area

of Grand Teton National Park, where she spent much of her life, park officials said.

Jacob Krank, the master of ceremonies, shared how he encountered No. 399 the first time he drove into the park to explore it 13 years ago. Suddenly he saw “this beautiful grizzly bear” in the road with her two cubs. She was so near he could hear her breathing and paws scratching the ground.

“She looked right at me, just right in the eye. It was just such a profound experience,” he said. “It was as though she was saying, ‘Welcome home. Where have you been all this time?’”

Krank said the ceremony came together in response to

A grizzly bear known as No. 399 walks alongside a cub in Grand Teton National Park. The beloved bear was struck and killed by a car last month.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together.”

Bo Weldon, wildlife guide

sought to remove federal protections as their population has replenished. The states want to regain management of grizzlies and allow limited hunting.

Conservationists argue the species still requires protection as food scarcity caused by climate change has driven grizzlies further from their habitats in search of food.

On his tours of the Tetons, wildlife guide Jack Bayles said he often draws attention to barren huckleberry bushes affected by rising temperatures, which he said might help explain why No. 399 was about 40 miles south of her habitat in the park when she was fatally struck. Grizzlies need to eat nearly nonstop in the fall to store enough fat to sustain their winter hibernation.

popular demand. When No. 399 died, people began posting social media inquiries and asking at The Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery in Jackson, where Krank works. The gallery features photos by Thomas Mangelsen, one of the best-known photographers of the bear.

Attendees observed a moment of silence and listened to a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong while trying to keep the wind and rain from extinguishing their candles.

Grizzlies have teetered on and off the endangered species list. They remain federally protected, but some state officials in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have

A male yearling cub, known informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed and has not been located in the nearly two weeks since.

“There is no indication it was struck in the collision,” Joe Szuszwalak of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. “Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”

On average, about three grizzlies are killed in vehicle collisions in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem each year, according to data collected by researchers and released by the park. No. 399 was the second grizzly killed in the region by a vehicle this year.

Fla.’s convicted killer clown released from prison

Sheila Keen-Warren is free 18 months after she pleaded guilty to killing her husband’s then-wife

By Terry Spencer The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

— A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison Saturday, ending a case that has been strange even by Florida standards.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released 18 months after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Marlene Warren, Florida Department of Corrections records show. The plea deal came shortly before her trial would have started.

Keen-Warren, who has maintained her innocence even after her plea, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But she had been in custody for seven years since her arrest in 2017, and Florida’s law in 1990 allowed significant credit for good behavior. It had

been expected she would be released in about two years.

“Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement Saturday. Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren’s attorney, has said she only took the plea deal because she would be released in less than two years and had been facing a life sentence if convicted at trial.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family. As we’ve stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime,” he said Saturday in a text message.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, and his friends were at home when they said a person dressed as a clown rang the doorbell. He said that when his mom answered, the clown handed her some balloons. After she responded, “How nice,” the clown pulled a gun and shot her in the face before fleeing.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators had long suspect-

ed Keen-Warren in the slaying, but she wasn’t arrested until 27 years later when they said improved DNA testing tied her to evidence found in the getaway car. Rosenfeld has called that evidence weak.

At the time of the shooting, Keen-Warren was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. She has been his wife since 2002. They eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border.

Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives said, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown suit a few days before the killing.

One of the two balloons — a silver one that read, “You’re the Greatest” — was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near Keen-Warren’s home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Keen-Warren had bought the balloons

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Sheila Keen Warren is pictured in a booking photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

an hour before the shooting. The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibers inside. The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot a month before the shooting. Keen-Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene War-

ren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him. But the car lot and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother, “If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” He has never been charged and has denied involvement.

But Rosenfeld said last year that the state’s case was falling apart. One DNA sample somehow showed both male and female genes, he said, and the other could have come from one out of every 20 women.

And even if that hair did come from Keen-Warren, it could have been deposited before the car was reported stolen. He said Marlene Warren’s son and another witness also told detectives that the car deputies found wasn’t the killer’s, though investigators insisted it was.

Aronberg last year conceded that there were holes in the case, saying they were caused by the three decades it took to get it to trial, including the death of key witnesses.

C. ADAMS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK VIA AP

Pinehurst Village Hall was a hub of activity as voters stopped by on Election Day.

Jackson, Sauls, Moss and McInnis were all reelected

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — The ballots have been cast and counted, and the election results are in for Moore County.

In terms of representation for Moore County, there were three seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives up for grabs and one in the N.C. Senate, and Republican incumbents swept the board.

District 78 Rep. Neal Jackson won a second term in office, garnering 38,482 votes (76.65%) to Democrat Lowell Simon’s 11,725. Jackson originally took the seat in 2023 following the retirement of Allen McNeill, who was District 78’s repre -

sentative from 2012 to 2022.

In that 2022 election, Jackson garnered 27,787 votes (76.6%) of the ballot to defeat Democrat Erik Davis, who received just 8,510 (23.4%) of the votes.

He will be representing a large portion of Randolph County and the northwestern part of Moore County.

District 51 Rep. John Sauls will be serving a fifth term after defeating Democrat challenger Ginger Bauerband.

Sauls secured 25,683 votes (64.37%) to Bauerband’s 14,216.

The incumbent has been in his position since 2017 and will represent all of Lee County and the northeastern part of Moore County.

In 2022, Sauls received 16,973 votes (65%) of the vote compared to Democrat Malcolm Hall’s 9,147 (35%).

Rep. Neal Jackson won a second term in office, garnering 38,482 votes (76.65%) to Democrat Lowell Simon’s 11,725 (23.35%).

District 52 Rep. Ben Moss will also be serving a second term after winning 25,615 votes (61.08%) over challenger Jimmy Self’s 16,320.

This will actually be Moss’ third term in the North Carolina House as he represented District 66 from 2020-22 before redistricting.

Moss ran unopposed in the 2022 general election, but he defeated incumbent Republican Jamie Boles in the primary by a thin mar -

gin: 3,688 votes to 3,226. He now represents all of Richmond County as well as the southern part of Moore County.

Moore County will also be represented in the state Senate by Tom McInnis again as the incumbent won a second term as the senator for the 21st District, defeating challenger Maurice Holland, Jr by a final count of 66,916 (62.89%) to 39,489 (37.11%).

McInnis has been an North Carolina aenator since 2015 but was redistricted into the 21st district in 2023. In the 2022 general election, McInnis won a close race against Democrat Frank McNeill Jr, garnering 36,468 votes (54.63%) to McNeill’s 30,281 votes. He represents all of Moore County and the northwestern part of Cumberland County.

ing 29,255 votes, or 55.9%, over Oscar Romine who got 22,890 votes.

Stacey Caldwell, who is currently serving out her second term as the District I representative, did not seek reelection.

Educators scored seats on the Moore School Board

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore County voters have spoken and there will be a little old and a little new in local positions following the 2024 general election.

On the Board of Commissioners, current board chair Nick Picerno, who ran unopposed, was reelected as the District II commissioner.

This is Picerno’s fourth term on the Board of Commissioners, having served two terms previously from 2008 to 2016 and then again from 2022 to today. There will however be a new face joining the board though

as Tom Adams, who also ran unopposed, will be representing District IV as its new commissioner.

A native of Southern Pines, Adams served in the N.C. Air National Guard and is a current member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church and the Moore County Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Adams is also the immediate past president of the Moore County Republican Men’s Club.

Current District IV Commissioner Frank Quis did not seek reelection following his two terms on the Board of Commissioners. With Adams’ election, the board will now have four firsttime commissioners as Kurt Cook, John Ritter and Jim Von Canon are all serving their first terms after each won election in 2022.

The Moore County Board of Education also had four seats up for grabs, however only one was reclaimed by an incumbent. David Hensley, who was censured by the board earlier this year and removed from his position as vice-chair, won reelection to a second term as the District IV representative, capturing 27,429 votes or 51.85% compared to Ellie Collins’ 25,297 votes.

A big surprise though is that current board chair, Robert Levy, did not win reelection as the District II representative. Challenger Steve Johnson, who’s a former Moore County teacher, garnered 27,172 votes or 52.25%, of the vote to Levy’s 24,679 votes Amy Dahl, a high school teacher, won the election as the District I representative secur-

Finally, Robin Calcutt, a Moore County native and career educator, won an extremely close race for the District V chair, garnering 26,617 votes (49.93%) to Don Zawlocki’s 26,564 votes.

Current District V representative Philip Holmes finished third in the primary election and, as such, did not advance to the general election.

Finally, William (Art) Williams was elected to serve as the Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor after running unopposed.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

North State Journal

(USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Ryan Henkel, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

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Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd.

Creative ‘I Voted’ stickers go beyond familiar flag design

NC’s early voting sticker features a unicorn

By Holly Ramer The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. — Whether scenic or slightly sinister — angry werewolf, anyone? — the designs on the front of “I Voted” stickers are attracting a lot of attention this year. But have you ever considered the back of your Election Day souvenir?

“Garment-safe adhesive, it’s incredibly important,” said Janet Boudreau, one sticker designer. “You can ruin leather, silk, fine wool if you don’t use garment-safe adhesive on any sticker that goes on fabric.”

Boudreau should know. She designed the iconic sticker that has been a polling place staple for decades: a simple ellipse featuring a rippling red, white and blue American flag. And while the company she once owned now has competition, she is delighted by the new versions cropping up around the coun-

Oct. 23

• Jimmy Leshaun Dockery, 47, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for misdemeanor larceny.

Oct. 25

Zachary Daniel Bibey, 31, was arrested by Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for possession of Schedule II controlled substance.

• Melissa Nicole Callihan, 30, was arrested by Robbins PD for maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance.

• Shaniya Cleamelia Davis, 31, was arrested by MCSO for felony possession of Schedule I controlled substance.

Oct. 28

• Blake Stephen Garner, 22, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking in methamphetamine by sale.

Codie Gray Williams, 33, was arrested by MCSO for possession of stolen motor vehicle.

Oct. 29

• Alan Salinas, 19, was arrested by Moore County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for felony possession of cocaine.

try, many of them designed by children.

“I am all for it,” she said. “And I’m all for younger people getting involved and understanding the power of voting and having faith in it.”

Two years ago, a New York county’s stickers featuring a wild-eyed crab-like creature created by a 14-year-old boy became an online sensation. This year the smash hit — one of nine designs distributed in Michigan — depicts a werewolf shredding its shirt in front of an American flag.

The 12-year-old Michigan designer declined an interview request, but other young artists described rewarding experiences.

In Milton, New Hampshire, 10-year-old Grace was treated like a celebrity when she visited the polls for the presidential primary in January and town elections in March.

“I definitely did see a difference in everyone’s attitude, like everyone seemed happier and more excited to vote because

Oct. 30

• Bobby Dewayne Jefferson, 29, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for larceny by employee.

Timothy Delmont Fairley, 23, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking in opium or heroin.

Oct. 31

Zaahidah Aakifah Coley, 18, was arrested by MCSO for felony child abuse severe bodily injury.

Antonio Devone Branch, 54, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle.

Nov. 1

• Loren Delmer Jones, 44, was arrested by MCSO for seconddegree trespass.

Brittany Lynn Barber, 37, was arrested by Pinebluff PD for obtaining property by false pretense.

Nov. 2

• Emmanuel Triewon Nelson, 40, was arrested by Pinebluff PD for fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle.

• Anderson Lee McLaughlin, 72, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession of marijuana up to 1/2 oz.

• Lymond Dale Bethea, 32, was arrested by MCSO

they’d get a cool sticker that I designed,” she said. “And I really think it was cool that I made an impact on the way people vote and how they feel about voting.”

New Hampshire’s contest was open to fourth graders and more than 1,000 submitted entries. Grace, whose design features the state’s fallen but not forgotten Old Man of the Mountain rock formation, not only got to attend a pizza party at the Statehouse but has since become pen pals with one of the other two winners.

While Grace settled on her design quickly, 11-year-old Rilynn drafted three versions and had her family vote on their favorite. The winner? A moose standing on a ledge overlooking colorful fall foliage and the state’s highest mountain.

Like Grace, she was excited to see her stickers in action earlier this year.

“They had a huge pile of stickers and people were literally picking out my sticker,” she said. “By the time my dad got there, he didn’t get one.”

for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Nov. 3

• Trandon Shamar Thomas, 43, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession of Schedule II controlled substance.

Kenneth Dwayne Mincy, 41, was arrested by MCSO for felony possession of marijuana.

Russell Rufus McLaughlin, 59, was arrested by Taylortown PD for child support.

• John Michael Magnuson, 37, was arrested by NC Highway Patrol for misdemeanor larceny.

• Nelson Aaron Ismail, 24, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for breaking or entering.

Nov. 4

• James Earl Williams, 42, was arrested by MCSO for breaking and/or entering.

Wade Elliott Riddick, 18, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for felony possession of marijuana.

Matthew Gregory Vincent Kunik, 30, was arrested by MCSO for trafficking fentanyl.

• Rafael Gomez Aguilar, 33, was arrested by MCSO for speeding.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Nov. 7

Moore County Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

604 W. Morganton Road (Armory Sports Complex), Southern Pines

The Vass Farmers Market 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Sandy Ramey Keith Park 3600 U.S.-1 BUS, Vass

Shop the Vass Farmers Market every Thursday at Sandy Ramey Keith Park. Enjoy supporting many local farmers and vendors.

Nov. 7-9

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & Property Tours 1 to 4 p.m.

Shaw House 110 Morganton Road, Pinehurst

The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. The tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning of the impressive history here in Moore County. “The Moore County Historical Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing, the rich historical legacy of the towns, cities and surrounding area, of Moore County, North Carolina.”

Nov. 12

Small Town Social 5 to 7 p.m.

The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room 241 NE Broad St, Southern Pines

Ladies only social networking event. Free.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

North Carolina must count every vote

AS ELECTED Republicans serving North Carolina, we are compelled to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the core tenets of our democracy: the people’s right to vote.

Recent comments from Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that North Carolina’s legislature should consider awarding its electoral votes to Donald Trump before all of the votes are even counted are troubling and antithetical to conservative principles.

We say this as staunch supporters of President Donald Trump and individuals who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come at the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of precertifying electors without counting ballots not only risks violating state and federal law but also sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the election process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always defend.

Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly has worked hard to ensure access to fair elections for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure our state’s voter integrity, as it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot — no matter whom they support. But altering the process by which electors are selected before votes are counted is not the solution — it’s a step toward government overreach and a dangerous deviation from our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long championed the rule of law. It is what sets us apart from those on the radical left, who often embrace lawfare and the weaponization of government to achieve political ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal application of the law.

The proposal to hand over North Carolina’s electoral votes before votes are counted resembles the very tactics that we often condemn when wielded by the left. Lawfare and weaponizing government to win an election are what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping affected communities recover from the storm

and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights. That is the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans start embracing the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office. Furthermore, precertifying electors would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the entire nation. Such a move would damage public trust, fueling accusations of election interference and disenfranchisement. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans endorse such actions, we risk becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party stands for freedom, not manipulation. We stand for integrity, not shortcuts. We support the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We must ensure that President Trump receives fair treatment, and we must be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But precertifying electors — effectively picking winners before the voters have spoken — is not the way forward. It is neither fair nor conservative, and it is not how we win elections. If the results of the 2024 election are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms rather than preemptive measures that trample on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We call on our colleagues to reject any attempt to subvert the election process and to stand firm for what is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we preserve the trust that voters place in us as their representatives. In North Carolina, we don’t play games with democracy. We count votes, we follow the law and we uphold the Constitution — no matter the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules but by earning the trust and support of the people we serve.

Rep. Kevin Crutchfield represents Cabarrus and Rowan counties, and Rep. David Willis represents Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly.

President Trump and the politics of joy

Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our elections in the name of political expediency.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP showed Americans what real “politics of joy” looks like.

He held a press conference in a garbage truck wearing a garbage collector’s vest (which he then wore to a rally with thousands of people). He served french fries at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. He went to a Pittsburgh Steelers game where the crowd chanted “USA.” He headlined a rally at Madison Square Garden before 20,000 people.

There is a certain irony that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign tried to project the concept of joy — while Trump clearly had a great time and was more joyful.

Two things drove this home for me.

First, Paul Manafort gave a fascinating interview with Mark Halperin. Manafort has spent four decades working with Trump. He made the point that Trump has always liked people — and liked interacting with people. This became an enormous advantage for Trump as a candidate.

I noticed this quality when I wrote “French Fries vs French Laundry.” I referenced the day he did a variety of jobs at one of his hotels, which were then shown on Oprah. It was clear he got a kick out of working and hanging out with people.

Watching Trump campaign in the Bronx — at a rally most Republicans wouldn’t have held — made it obvious he identified with and enjoyed interacting with the kind of workers who had built his buildings. Eating with gusto at a food truck in Queens seemed perfectly natural for the Queens native. He clearly had a ball. By contrast, the self-described candidate of joy expressed hatred about her opponent. She called him a fascist, an admirer of Hitler and a would-be dictator.

There is clearly no joy in Harris’ world.

The absurdity of Democrats claiming to be joyful was driven home on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” The show played a segment of comments made by speakers at the Democratic National Convention:

• Barack Obama: “The joy and the excitement that we’re seeing around this campaign.”

• Michelle Obama: “The joy of her laughter and her light!”

• Kelley Robinson: “We’re voting for joy! Somebody say ‘joy!’”

• Hakeem Jeffries: “Joy. Joy. Joy.”

• Hillary Clinton: “With faith in each other and joy in our hearts.”

• Tim Walz: “With energy, with passion and with joy.”

• Bill Clinton: “We need Kamala Harris, the president of joy.”

• Oprah: “And let us choose j-o-y!”

President Joe Biden’s most recent claim that Trump supporters were “garbage” is a far cry from promises made at the beginning of the Harris campaign.

Isn’t it amazing how rapidly the Democratic Party of joy turned into the Harris party of anger, hostility, name-calling and bitter divisiveness?

If you watch the two candidates, you know that Trump had the time of his life and really enjoyed being with people and doing fun things. You also know that Harris was frightened, rigid, insecure and wanted to hide until she is coronated president.

Think of the nominating process: Trump fought his way past 15 solid Republican candidates in 2016. Then this year, he had to defeat a number of first-rate candidates. He campaigned cheerfully, enthusiastically and effectively.

By contrast, Harris dropped out in 2019 before a single vote was cast for the Democratic nomination. Then she was handpicked (probably by Nancy Pelosi and the Obamas) and the vice presidency was handed to her.

This year, she did not receive a single vote or earn a single delegate. She did not campaign for the nomination. Just like the vice presidency, she got the nomination for president because the bosses picked her.

Watch the two of them for five minutes and you will know Trump was the real candidate of joy.

Newt Gingrich is a former GOP speaker of the U.S. House.

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | REPS. KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD AND DAVID WILLIS

Paiporta at the epicenter of Spain’s floods: ‘It is all in ruins’

The Valencia municipality has been “ground zero” of the natural disaster

By Joseph Wilson

Associated Press

The

PAIPORTA, Spain — The pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.

Most everything else in the daycare — the cradles, the highchairs, the toys — was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.

“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told The Associated Press. He said the water level was above his head inside the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.

“I have lived here all my life. This had never happened, and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this; it is all in ruins.”

Authorities say at least 62 people of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in Spain last week died in Paiporta,. The majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.

The tsunami-like floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. The clean-up task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.

Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles except bulldozers, stacked with piles of sodden furniture, household items and countless wrecked cars.

Every foot is caked with mud.

Some people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.

A washing machine was on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chest of drawers, paintings and a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the all-consum-

Iran’s supreme leader threatens Israel, US over Israeli

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be “a crushing response”

By Jon Gambrell

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26

attacks

attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations and killed at least five people.

Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in video released by Irani-

ing mire.

Lidia Giménez, a school teacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town — “Barranco del Poyo” — went from empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. She called the aftermath of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.”

And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta.

The storm unleashed a downpour upstream. That deluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast, which were devastated by the flash floods.

Paiporta’s residents did not re-

an state media.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack nor the scope.

The U.S. military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier likely is in the Arabian Sea, while Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week that more destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its militant allies. Early Sunday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said B-52s from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the Middle East.

The 85-year-old Khamenei had struck a more cautious approach in earlier remarks, saying officials would weigh Iran’s response and that Israel’s attack “should not be exaggerat-

ceive flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.

The onslaught of water widened the river bank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the canal. Eight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.

The destruction could take weeks to clean.

Thousands of volunteers walked for more than an hour

ed nor downplayed.” Iran has launched two major direct attacks on Israel, in April and October.

But efforts by Iran to downplay the Israeli attack faltered as satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to military bases near Tehran linked to the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as at a Revolutionary Guard base used in satellite launches.

Iran’s allies, called the “Axis of Resistance” by Tehran, also have been severely hurt by ongoing Israeli attacks, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran has long used those groups as both an asymmetrical way to attack Israel and as a shield against a direct assault. Some analysts believe those groups want Iran to do more to back them militarily.

Iran, however, has been dealing with problems at home as its economy struggles under the

from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime.

Homeowner Rafa Rosellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars — one half-resting on top of the other — that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. He had to unscrew a metal grating and slip through a window to get inside and witness the mess.

“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” Rosellón said. “The government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.”

Some 2,000 soldiers are involved in post-flood emergency work — searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods — as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that they have rescued about 4,800 people and “helped more than 30,000 people in homes, on roads and in flooded industrial estates.”

Only a small contingent of soldiers was pushing mud in Paiporta on Saturday when Sánchez promised another 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police were on their way to eastern Spain.

Just a few doors down from where Rosellón lived, a woman sweeping muddy water from her door burst into tears when asked what she had lost.

“I can’t find my husband, so all this doesn’t matter,” she said.

Another turn revealed a chilling scene: a street filled with half a dozen cars and crisscrossed with countless reeds that, before the flood, had been growing nearby. A man screams from inside a house: “There’s nothing more I can do! There’s nothing more I can do!”

weight of international sanctions and years of widespread protests. After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. It had been 32,000 rials to the dollar when Tehran reached its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Gen. Mohammad Ali Naini, a spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard — which controls the ballistic missiles needed to target Israel — gave an interview published by the semiofficial Fars news agency just before Khamenei’s remarks were released. In it, he warned Iran’s response “will be wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension.”

“The leaders of the Zionist regime should look out from the windows of their bedrooms and protect their criminal pilots within their small territory,” he warned. Israeli air force pilots appear to have used airlaunched ballistic missiles in the Oct. 26 attack.

MANU FERNANDEZ / AP PHOTO

People clean the street of mud Saturday in the Spanish town of Paiporta in the Valencia region affected by flooding.

MOORE SPORTS

Pinecrest three-peats as state golf champions

The girls’ golf team won the 4A title for its seventh all-time banner

North State Journal staff

PINECREST WON its third straight state championship in girls’ golf when the Patriots took the NCHSAA 4A title at Pinehurst No. 6 (Par 70, 5,326 yards) last week.

The win was the seventh state title for Pinecrest’s girls’ golf team.

Pinecrest jumped out to an eight-strake lead with a 216 team score in the first round.

The Patriots shot a 227 in round two, which was the third-lowest score of the round. It was also enough to claim an eight-stroke win over second-place Charlotte Catholic. Marvin Ridge was two strokes farther back for third place. Northwest Guilford took fourth place, and Myers Park rounded out the top five.

The Patriots were led to the title by senior Kaitlyn Kruczek and freshman Ashley Lee. The pair each shot a six-over-par 146, good for a tie for fourth place among individuals. Northwest Guilford’s Leah Edwards took first place, defending her 2023 individual state title.

Kruczek was tied with Edwards for the top spot after shooting a first-round 70. Lee was in a three-way tie for third at 73. Kruczek had a 76 in round two, while Lee repeated her 73, tied for eighth best in the second round.

Myers Park’s Elizabeth Rudisill was one stroke out of first at 141. Jordan senior Emerson Dever finished third at 144. Mary Elizabeth Harrison of Cardinal Gibbons and New Bern’s Baker Hudson tied Lee and Kruczek for fourth place.

Pinecrest junior Rachel Joyce tied for 14th with a 151, carding a 73 in the first round and a 78 in the second.

Charlotte Schroen finished in a tie for 28th. The Pinecrest freshman shot 79-81 for a 160.

Junior Kate Grantham rounded out the Patriots’ title team, shooting 82-82 for 164. She was also awarded the NCHSAA’s Sportsmanship Award for the 4A Girls’ Golf championships, along with Charlotte Catholic’s Maggie Schugel.

Elsewhere in the NCHSAA’s golf championships, North Moore senior Hailey Robinson finished in a tie for 73rd in the 1A/2A state championships, which were held at the Sapona Golf Club (Par 71, 5,507 yards). Robinson shot 108 in the first round and 110 in the second for a 218.

The 3A tournament was held at Longleaf Golf and Family Club (Par 72, 5,503 yards). Union Pines freshman Aleah Farlow shot 98-88 for a 186, good for a tie for 43rd place. Teammate Celine Trumm, a sophomore, shot 98-94 for 192, placing in a tie for 57th.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kaitlyn Kruczek

Pinecrest , girls’ golf

Kaitlyn Kruczek helped lead the Patriots to a third straight NCHSAA class 4A championship. Kruczek tied for first place after shooting a first-round 70 and finished with a 146, good for a fourth-place tie, along with teammate Ashley Lee (our athlete of the week two weeks ago).

Kruczek improved by one stroke and moved up two spots from last year, when she shot 147 for a sixth-place tie at states. The year before, she shot 172, tying for 38th.

Byron gets final spot in championship race after controversial finish at Martinsville Speedway

Ryan Blaney has a shot to win back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series titles

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, VA . —

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his Cup Series championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, where a controversial finish forced NASCAR to decide if Christopher Bell or William Byron took the final spot in the winner-take-all season finale. The ending was marred by NASCAR’s lengthy review of Bell potentially committing a safety violation with his last-lap pass of Byron. Bell hit the wall

and rode a portion of it for momentum — the same thing Ross Chastain did two years ago in a move that has since been banned by NASCAR.

Bell’s pass of Byron left the two tied in points for the final spot next week in the title-decider at Phoenix Raceway. After an awkwardly long delay, Bell’s move was deemed illegal and Byron was given the final spot.

“I understand that the rule is made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different from what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

“I slid into the wall and kept my foot into it. I guess that is a losing move,” Bell continued. “I didn’t intentionally floor it and

go into the fence — I slipped into the wall and that’s all she wrote.”

“He rode the wall and there’s a clear rule against riding the wall,” Byron said. “So in my eyes, that’s what counts. If it happened in the past, it was fair game. But now the rule is against it.”

Blaney, meanwhile, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

“To have another shot at the

championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-toback next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.” Blaney last week lost an automatic berth into the finale when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Penske has a shot at three consecutive Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars in,” Blaney said. “It’s nice to join (Logano) and have a decent shot to bring Roger another title, a third title in a row, so these guys are the best at what they do, and it’s been so much fun to get to run with them and share wins and championships.

“It’s super strong right now in our organization and hopefully it carries over.”

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Larson finished third, Penske driver Austin Cindric was fourth but not eligible for a championship berth. Denny Hamlin drove from last to fifth but was eliminated from the finale, and Byron was sixth and given the final spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after an early spin in the race. He had a large enough point cushion that left him tied with Byron for the final spot in the championship field. Byron and Blaney return to the championship race for the second consecutive year; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his title-race debut.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Pinecrest girls’ golf team poses with their latest championship banner.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

RUNNING

Netherlands’ Nageeye, Kenya’s Chepkirui win New York City Marathon

New York

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women’s event. Both runners pulled away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters to come away with their first victories in the race. Nageeye was step -for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst heading into Central Park to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race. She won in 2:24.35.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oregon unanimous No. 1 ahead of first CFP rankings

Oregon is a unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll. The Ducks hope to also be in the top spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s first rankings of the season on Tuesday. The Ducks are No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week and unanimous for the first time. Georgia remained No. 2. Ohio State earned a one-spot promotion to No. 3 with its win at Penn State. Miami and Texas round out the top five. Penn State slipped to No. 6.

FORMULA ONE

Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix

Sao Paulo Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix despite starting 17th, increasing his lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris with three races remaining. Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June and his eighth Grand Prix victory of the year. The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month.

MLB Cole exercises opt out, Rizzo option declined

New York

Gerrit Cole exercised his opt out from his New York Yankees contract, giving the team two days to void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029. Cole would give up $144 million in the four remaining seasons of his $324 million, nine-year contract. Three days after the Yankees lost the World Series, the team declined first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million option in favor of a $6 million buyout, making the first baseman a free agent.

NBA Curry sits out third straight game with left ankle injury

Houston Stephen Curry sat out a third straight game for the Golden State Warriors at Houston nursing a left ankle injury but resumed practicing in some drills Friday. He was re-evaluated earlier in the day and the Warriors’ medical staff determined the Davidson product and NBA all-time 3-point leader is making good progress and cleared to participate, according to the team. Curry was scheduled to be examined again Sunday.

Ohtani brings dog, addresses crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate

The parade celebrated the franchise’s eighth world championship

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and

joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.

“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to run this back next year, too.”

Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blueand-white confetti drifted in the air and the team’s signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to

NBA considering changes to All-Star Game again

Commissioner Adam Silver is asking for Stephen Curry’s help to make the game more competitive

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

THE NBA IS considering changing the format for the All-Star Game that will be played in San Francisco later this season, Commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday night.

Silver, speaking before the Miami-Washington game in Mexico City, has wanted a more competitive All-Star event for some time. The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211-186 last season, combining for the most points in the game’s 73-year history and marking the first time a team eclipsed 200 points.

“We’re looking at other formats,” Silver said. “I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”

Silver added that the league is looking at making the AllStar Game “not a traditional game format” but stopped short of saying what that could mean.

The league has tinkered with the All-Star formula sev-

eral times in recent years. Among the attempts were scrapping the longstanding East vs. West format for a draft picked by team captains and going to an untimed fourth quarter with a target score to ensure that the game must end on a made shot.

Last year’s game went back to the traditional format — four full 12-minute quarters, East vs. West. And it was nothing but an offensive showcase, with the teams combining for 168 3-point attempts and nearly 400 points.

“Obviously, it wasn’t high intensity, at all,” Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton said after the game in Indianapolis, where five players scored at least 30 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 on 35 shots off the bench.

Silver said with the game — scheduled for Feb. 16 — in San Francisco, he’s enlisted Golden State star Stephen Curry to help figure out a way to make the All-Star Game more competitive this season. Any changes would almost certainly have to involve the leadership of the National Basketball Players Association as well.

“It’s a home game for him,” Silver said, adding that he’s had “direct conversations” with Curry on the topic. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward.”

Curry said last year that play-

get on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blueclad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.

They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed

with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.” Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the team’s 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

more

ers had talked “a little bit” about making the All-Star Game more competitive in some ways. The league has wanted that for some time, hoping a better AllStar contest leads to better television ratings for the game and more outside interest.

“I think everyone was disappointed in what they saw last year,” Silver said. “It wasn’t just the league. It was the players as well, the players association. I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking particularly in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, we would see a more competitive game.”

Steph vs. Sabrina again?

Silver said fans can expect another Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu-type event at this season’s All-Star Game. That’s not a surprise; Curry and Ionescu both said they wanted to do it again after their debut matchup last season, and talk instantly centered on adding more shooters — with Caitlin Clark mentioned as a possibility.

“When you look at the interest in terms of viewership last year, one of the highlights was that Sabrina-Steph shoot out,” Silver said. “So, we do want to do more of that.”

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is trying to come up with ways to make the All-Star Game

competitive.

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series championship parade Friday.

James Lewis Turner

Aug.11, 1952 – Oct. 30, 2024

James Lewis Turner (Jim)

lived a full life of service until he departed this earth on October 30, 2024, with his wife Joanna by his side.

Jim was born in 1952 in the small town of Beeville, Texas. He is preceded in death by his mother Faye and father Sewell (Buster) Turner and sister Sandra. Surviving are his wife, Joanna Lynne Turner of Aberdeen, NC, his sister, Peggy McGee of Beeville, and several nieces and nephews.

After high school and some college, Jim enlisted in the US Army at the age of 20. He started his military career in South Korea as a mechanic and moved to Fort Bragg where he later met Joanna at McKellers Lodge on the Army base. He told his friend that night, “I’m gonna marry that girl,” which he managed to do just 10 months later. Jim became an MP (Military Police), a Game Warden and a recruiter. His 20-year-long career took him and his wife of 43 years to Germany, and Los Angeles, and returned them to Moore County, NC where Jim retired in 1992 as a decorated Sargent First Class, SFC7.

In the last 25 years of his life, Jim served the Country Club of North Carolina as a Security Guard at the front gate, where he became like family among the residents and staff. When Hurricane Florence took his home and all belongings in 2018, CCNC offered temporary housing and incredible support for Jim and Joanna, as they have also done with his illness and passing. They will miss Jim’s friendly wave and smile, as lasting memories of his kind legacy. Jim loved working the gate, and never missed a day of work in 25 years of dedication, through rain, sleet, snow and hurricanes. Jim was also a devoted husband, an animal lover and enjoyed military and western novels.

A private memorial service will be held in the near future to celebrate the life of Jim Turner. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Reid Calvin Willard

May 23, 1932 – Oct. 30, 2024

Reid Calvin Willard, 92, of Aberdeen went to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully at his home on October 30th, 2024.

He accomplished many things in his life. Being a Veteran, a longtime truck driver, owned Willard’s Logging, and worked for the County of Hoke were just a few before finally retiring the last 15 years. He found retirement wasn’t really his thing, so he spent his golden days out on his tractor, helping others such as mowing their lawns or riding his motorcycle out enjoying God’s Country, as he always called it. He was a long-time member of Ashley Heights Baptist Church. Born one of twelve children in Pinehurst, in the days when there were nothing but dirt roads, and made his way to his homestead in Ashley Heights, where he and his wife raised their family.

In addition to his parents, William Willard and Maggie Brown Willard, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Phillips Willard, and his daughter, Julie Willard Sanders. He leaves his legacy behind to his son, Jimmy Reid Willard (Becky), his daughter, Jennie Willard Odham (John), his grandchildren, Jackie Willard, Jamie Willard, Tuesday Sanders, Amery Sanders, Houston Snowden, and his greatgrandchildren, Lindsay Willard, Colby Willard, Adeline Willard, Cason Willard and Josie Hudson and his special friend, Gloria, who will all miss him dearly. A funeral ceremony will be held at the Ashley Heights Baptist Church, 10351 Aberdeen Rd., Aberdeen, NC on Saturday, November 2 at 4 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 3 - 4 p.m. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Celebrate the life of your loved

Betty Jo Chapman Tyson

Sept. 2, 1940 – Oct. 30, 2024

Betty Jo Chapman Tyson, 84, of Pinehurst passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

She was born September 2, 1940, in Waxhaw, NC to the late Luke and Ila Chapman. Betty worked for Southern Bell and retired after 30 years of service. Family meant everything and she put her children first in everything she did. In her free time, Betty enjoyed working in her yard. Her yard was her “therapy” and she worked tirelessly to keep her yard beautiful. She was a great baker and enjoyed baking goodies for friends and family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Blanche Watts and Polly Smith and her husband of 41 years Harold Ross Tyson.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Eric Ross Tyson and Kelly Tyson along with her precious fur baby, Molly.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Manly Presbyterian Church with Rev. Marvin Tyson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

Lengendary music producer Quincy Jones dies at 91

The music titan worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

QUINCY JONES, the talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album and writing prize-winning film and television scores to collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, said Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first black executives to thrive in Hollywood and amassing an extraordinary musical catalog that includes some of the richest moments of American rhythm and song. For years, it was unlikely to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with his name on it, or a leader in the entertainment industry and beyond who did not have some connection to him.

Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Bill

Clinton’s first inaugural celebration, and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity record for famine relief in Africa.

Lionel Richie, who cowrote “We Are the World” and was among the featured singers, would call Jones “the master orchestrator.”

In a career which began when records were still played on platters turning at 78 rpm, top honors likely go to his productions with Jackson: “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” were albums near-universal in their style and appeal. Jones’ versatility and imagination helped set off the explosive talents of Jackson as he transformed from child star to the “King of Pop.” On such classic tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” Jones and Jackson fashioned a global soundscape out of disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz and African chants. For “Thriller,” some of the most memorable touches originated with Jones, who recruited Eddie Van Halen for a guitar solo on the genre-fusing “Beat It” and brought in Vincent Price for a ghoulish voiceover on the title track.

“Thriller” sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone and has contended with the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits 1971-1975” among others as the best-selling album of all time.

“If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producers fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too,” Jones said in an interview with the Library of Congress in 2016. “The tracks don’t just all of a sudden appear. The producer has to have the skill, experience and ability to guide the vision to completion.”“We had the best jazz band on the planet, and yet we were literally starving,” Jones later told Musician magazine. “That’s when I discovered that there was music, and there was the music business. If I were to survive, I would have to learn the difference between the two.”

CHRIS PIZZELLO / INVISION / AP

Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary “Quincy” in September 2018 in Toronto.

STATE & NATION

Beloved Grand Teton bear killed by a vehicle mourned

A vigil was held for Grizzly No. 399, who captured the hearts in Wyoming for decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press

DURING HER nearly three decades of roaming the Teton Range’s snowy wilderness, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear, with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and ever-growing family tree.

Nature lovers are mourning the matriarch of the world-famous bear family after she was fatally struck by a vehicle Oct. 22 on a highway in western Wyoming. Dozens braved frigid weather in the picturesque ski town of Jackson on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil watched by some 1,300 others online.

Wildlife guide Bo Weldon told the gathering the community was going to “pingpong through the stages of grief” but that was what they needed to do despite the difficulty.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together,” Weldon said as attendees huddled close in the wet, cold rain.

A PBS documentary crowned the 28-year-old grizzly “Queen of the Tetons,” and an Instagram account dedicated to her has amassed more than 60,000 followers. She was known for fre-

quenting tourist-heavy spots and roadsides in Grand Teton National Park and became an ambassador for her species and a symbol for people working to conserve American public lands.

Named for the tag affixed by researchers to her ear, No. 399 was the oldest-known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. She has been credited for helping the region’s grizzly population rebound from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today.

She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own. Her ashes were spread this week in the Pilgrim Creek area

of Grand Teton National Park, where she spent much of her life, park officials said. Jacob Krank, the master of ceremonies, shared how he encountered No. 399 the first time he drove into the park to explore it 13 years ago. Suddenly he saw “this beautiful grizzly bear” in the road with her two cubs. She was so near he could hear her breathing and paws scratching the ground.

“She looked right at me, just right in the eye. It was just such a profound experience,” he said. “It was as though she was saying, ‘Welcome home. Where have you been all this time?’” Krank said the ceremony came together in response to

A grizzly bear known as No. 399 walks alongside a cub in Grand Teton National Park. The beloved bear was struck and killed by a car last month.

“We are terrible and crushed by this, but we’re here together.”

Bo Weldon, wildlife guide

sought to remove federal protections as their population has replenished. The states want to regain management of grizzlies and allow limited hunting.

Conservationists argue the species still requires protection as food scarcity caused by climate change has driven grizzlies further from their habitats in search of food.

On his tours of the Tetons, wildlife guide Jack Bayles said he often draws attention to barren huckleberry bushes affected by rising temperatures, which he said might help explain why No. 399 was about 40 miles south of her habitat in the park when she was fatally struck. Grizzlies need to eat nearly nonstop in the fall to store enough fat to sustain their winter hibernation.

popular demand. When No. 399 died, people began posting social media inquiries and asking at The Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery in Jackson, where Krank works. The gallery features photos by Thomas Mangelsen, one of the best-known photographers of the bear.

Attendees observed a moment of silence and listened to a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong while trying to keep the wind and rain from extinguishing their candles. Grizzlies have teetered on and off the endangered species list. They remain federally protected, but some state officials in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have

A male yearling cub, known informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed and has not been located in the nearly two weeks since.

“There is no indication it was struck in the collision,” Joe Szuszwalak of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. “Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”

On average, about three grizzlies are killed in vehicle collisions in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem each year, according to data collected by researchers and released by the park. No. 399 was the second grizzly killed in the region by a vehicle this year.

Fla.’s convicted killer clown released from prison

Sheila Keen-Warren is free 18 months after she pleaded guilty to killing her husband’s then-wife

By Terry Spencer

The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

— A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison Saturday, ending a case that has been strange even by Florida standards.

Sheila Keen-Warren, 61, was released 18 months after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting of Marlene Warren, Florida Department of Corrections records show. The plea deal came shortly before her trial would have started.

Keen-Warren, who has maintained her innocence even after her plea, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. But she had been in custody for seven years since her arrest in 2017, and Florida’s law in 1990 allowed significant credit for good behavior. It had

been expected she would be released in about two years.

“Sheila Keen-Warren will always be an admitted convicted murderer and will wear that stain for every day for the rest of her life,” Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement Saturday.

Greg Rosenfeld, Keen-Warren’s attorney, has said she only took the plea deal because she would be released in less than two years and had been facing a life sentence if convicted at trial.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Ms. Keen-Warren has been released from prison and is returning to her family. As we’ve stated from the beginning, she did not commit this crime,” he said Saturday in a text message.

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, and his friends were at home when they said a person dressed as a clown rang the doorbell. He said that when his mom answered, the clown handed her some balloons. After she responded, “How nice,” the clown pulled a gun and shot her in the face before fleeing.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators had long suspect-

ed Keen-Warren in the slaying, but she wasn’t arrested until 27 years later when they said improved DNA testing tied her to evidence found in the getaway car. Rosenfeld has called that evidence weak.

At the time of the shooting, Keen-Warren was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. She has been his wife since 2002. They eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border.

Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Over the years, detectives said, costume shop employees identified Sheila Warren as the woman who had bought a clown suit a few days before the killing.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Sheila Keen Warren is pictured in a booking photo provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

ren, who was 40 when she died, suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted to leave him. But the car lot and other properties were in her name, and she feared what might happen if she did.

She allegedly told her mother, “If anything happens to me, Mike done it.” He has never been charged and has denied involvement.

But Rosenfeld said last year that the state’s case was falling apart. One DNA sample somehow showed both male and female genes, he said, and the other could have come from one out of every 20 women.

And even if that hair did come from Keen-Warren, it could have been deposited before the car was reported stolen. He said Marlene Warren’s son and another witness also told detectives that the car deputies found wasn’t the killer’s, though investigators insisted it was.

Relatives told The Palm Beach Post in 2000 that Marlene War-

One of the two balloons — a silver one that read, “You’re the Greatest” — was sold at only one store, a Publix supermarket near Keen-Warren’s home. Employees told detectives a woman who looked like Keen-Warren had bought the balloons an hour before the shooting. The presumed getaway car was found abandoned with orange, hair-like fibers inside. The white Chrysler convertible had been reported stolen from Michael Warren’s car lot a month before the shooting. Keen-Warren and her then-husband repossessed cars for him.

Aronberg last year conceded that there were holes in the case, saying they were caused by the three decades it took to get it to trial, including the death of key witnesses.

C. ADAMS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK VIA AP