North State Journal Vol. 5, Issue 46

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 46

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021

NSJ’s first annual auto awards, B5 the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Council of State swearing in to be held Jan. 9 RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper and the Council of State will be sworn in on Jan. 9, 2021, at 10 a.m. The swearings-in will be followed by Cooper’s second inaugural address.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and Cooper’s executive orders limiting mass gatherings, attendance will be limited to participants, their families, staff and pool media.

The inauguration will be broadcast by UNC-TV. The Raleigh Junior League previously announced that the 2021 Inaugural Ball will be delayed due to the pandemic.

NSJ STAFF

Folwell applauds U.S. Court decision on healthcost transparency RALEIGH — State Treasurer Dale Folwell applauded a court ruling upholding the Trump administration’s executive order improving price and quality transparency in America’s health care. The order requires hospitals that take Medicare patients to disclose the rates for medical services that they negotiate with insurance companies.

“This court decision gives us a real path forward to getting rid of secret contracts and pushing the power down to the consumer to make informed decisions when purchasing health care,” said Folwell. “Health care is the only thing in your life that you purchase that you really don’t know its cost or value.

Having clear pricing will go a long way toward decreasing the cost of medical services in this country.”

NSJ STAFF

US Air Force deploys airmen, drones to base in Romania BUCHAREST, Romania — The U.S. Air Force has deployed about 90 airmen and an unspecified number of drone aircraft to a base in central Romania, boosting its military presence in the region where there are allied concerns that Russia is trying to display its military strength.

The Romanian Defense Ministry said the U.S. deployment in its Campia Turzii Air Base will be for “a few months” to conduct information gathering, surveillance and research missions in support of NATO operations.

NATO-member Romania shares the Black Sea border with Russia, and Moscow has lately been arming its neighbor Serbia with military aircraft, tanks and other armored vehicles.

The Pentagon has spent millions of dollars in recent years to upgrade the Cold War communist-era base.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Illinois teen pleads not guilty in Kenosha unrest MADISON, Wis. — An Illinois teenager who fatally shot two people and wounded a third amidst violent summer protests on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, pleaded not guilty on charges including intentional homicide.

Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, entered his plea in a brief hearing conducted by teleconference.

Prosecutors say Rittenhouse traveled to Kenosha after learning of a call to protect businesses in the wake protests over Jacob Blake, a black man shot by police two nights earlier, leading to protests and riots in the city.

Rittenhouse has argued he fired in self-defense.

Conservatives have rallied around the teen, describing him as a patriot who took up arms to protect people and property, and raised money to make his $2 million bail.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KEVIN DIETSCH | POOL VIA AP

Sen. Thom Tillis sworn into second term Vice President Mike Pence administers the oath of office to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., as his wife Susan Tillis holds a Bible, during a ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Paul Newby becomes 30th chief justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina He and seven other judges began terms with new year

Carolina’s original copy of the Bill of Rights, which was stolen after the Civil War. Newby has been the recipient of numerous awards and accoBy Matt Mercer lades, including the North CarNorth State Journal olina Bar Association’s Citizen RALEIGH — Paul Martin Lawyer Award in 2011, and in Newby became the 30th chief 2012 he received its John Mcjustice of the Supreme Court of Neill Smith Jr. Award, recogNorth Carolina at 12:01 a.m. on nizing his work in the area of Jan. 1, 2021. Chief Justice New- constitutional rights and reby holds the highest judicial of- sponsibilities. In further recognition of his profesfice in N.C. and heads sional service, Newby the Judicial Branch, received the James the third and co-equal Iredell Award and an branch of state govern“It is truly honorary Doctor of ment. The oath of office Law from Southern was administered by a sacred Wesleyan University.

Superior Court Judge honor and Newby is originally Andrew Heath of Wake County. privilege to from Randolph County and attended high “It is truly a sacred serve as the school in Jamestown. honor and privilege to serve as the 30th Chief 30th Chief He graduated from Duke University with Justice of the Supreme Justice of high honors and the Court of North Carolina,” said Newby. “To- the Supreme University of North Carolina School of day, I took a solemn Court of Law. He has been maroath before God and North ried to his wife, Macon the people of this great Tucker Newby, since state to uphold the conCarolina.”

1983, and they have stitution and laws of four children. He and this land, so that jusChief Justice his wife attend Christ tice will be adminisBaptist Church in Ratered fairly without Paul Newby leigh, where he has prejudice for all North served as an elder and Carolinians.”

Sunday school teachNewby held the senior associate justice position er. He is an Eagle Scout and has on the Supreme Court before the received the national Distinswearing-in, having first been guished Eagle Scout Award.

Phil Berger Jr., who was electelected in 2004. In addition to his service on the court, Newby ed to the seat Newby vacated to is an adjunct professor at Camp- run for chief justice, was sworn bell University School of Law, in on Friday, Jan. 1 at the Suco-author of the North Caroli- preme Court chambers in Rana State Constitution with His- leigh.

His father, Senate Leader Phil tory and Commentary (2d ed.

2013), co-chair of the Chief Jus- Berger (R-Eden), administered tice’s Civic Education Initia- the oath.

In an interview with NSJ in tive and Judicial Branch Speakers Bureau, and former chair of November, Berger Jr. said, “The the Chief Justice’s Commission people of North Carolina said no activist judges, and yes to the on Professionalism.

He previously worked as an rule of law. I’m thankful that the assistant United States attor- voters of this state have put their ney for the Eastern District of trust in me to serve them.”

A ceremonial investiture for North Carolina in Raleigh for over 19 years. During that time, the new Supreme Court justices he played an integral role in con- will be held on Wednesday, Jan. ducting an undercover sting op- 6 and broadcast from the court’s eration that recovered North website.

State COVID-19 vaccination rate lags behind all but 9 other states

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign is off to a less than stellar start, according to information reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC says the state has received 498,450 doses of vaccine and has initiated vaccinations for 121,881 people as of Jan. 4. That equals a vaccination rate of 1,162 per 100,000 people. The rate plac-

es the state in the bottom fifth of rates per 100,000, along with Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

The state with the highest rate is South Dakota, which has vaccinated 3,231 people per 100,000.

Over 4.8 million nationwide have received the first dose of vaccine as of data uploaded on Jan. 5.

Healthcare providers report doses to federal, state, territorial See VACCINE, page A2

New faces in key legislative, executive branch roles headed into 2021 Gov. Cooper has multiple cabinet member roles to fill heading into second term

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — There will be some changes to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s staff and new legislative faces at the North Carolina General Assembly when it returns on Jan. 13 for the start of the 20212022 legislative biennium.

As he enters his second term, Cooper will need replacements for several top cabinet roles, including Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ) Secretary Michael Regan, who has been tapped by the Biden Administration to become the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“I am proud that President-elect Biden has recognized the talent we have here to select Michael Regan, North Carolina born and educated, to be EPA Administrator,” said Cooper in a press release.

“Michael has served as DEQ secretary with distinction, helping advance my climate change executive order and promoting creative solutions to some of our toughest challenges. He has important work ahead of him helping battle climate change on a national level.”

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next EPA administrator, Regan would be the first AfricanAmerican man to hold the post.

Cooper named Regan as DEQ secretary early in 2017, and Regan has touted holding Chemours accountable on toxic PFAS pollution, regulation of the state’s large hog farms and the release of a plan to cut fossil fuel pollution from power plants by 70% within 10 years.

Alternately, Regan’s faced criticism from various climate groups

and activists for his supportive role in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Controversy surrounded the $58 million mitigation fund that was announced the same day the Regan’s department approved the associated Water Quality Permit.

The $58 million mitigation fund was labeled by some as a “slush fund.”

See NCGA, page A3

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: A NEW PATH

1.6.21

The new year often brings resolutions and vows of starting something new or starting over. This week marks the Epiphany on the Christian calendar. The visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem is commemorated by the Epiphany, or Old Christmas as it is called in some parts.

The arrival of the wise men to Jesus marked a key point in the ministry of Jesus. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus but also awareness of his arrival and his status as a king. Before going to Bethlehem to see Jesus, they had alerted King Herod of their journey and goals. They followed the ancient prophecies, but they also followed orders. The “star of wonder” led them to Jesus, but they listened to God when he told them to depart for home without a revisit to King Herod.

As we start a new year, with hopes of new opportunities, we are reminded that even the wise men trusted in the Lord above their own understanding.

#264

“Esse quam videri” Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor

PROVERBS 3:5-7 FILE PHOTO

“The Magi Journeying” (1886-1894) is a painting by James Tissot which is part of the European Art Collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

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Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor

Published each Wednesday

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North State Journal

VACCINE from page A1 and local agencies up to 72 hours after administration, the CDC says. The state’s dashboard says data will be updated only once per week, which was last done on Jan. 5.

In mid-December, NCDHHS unveiled a four-phase rollout for the vaccine.

The first phase, which is broken into two parts, starts with Phase 1A, vaccinating all health care workers at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 and longterm care staff and residents.

Phase 1B has already been modified by NCDHHS. Originally, Phase 1B included adults who have at least two chronic health conditions that put them at risk for COVID-19. Examples of such conditions are cancer, COPD, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes.

It also included essential adult workers who are at a high risk of exposure such as first responders, police, prison staff, food processing and teachers.

The state on Dec. 30 added all adults over the age of 75 to Phase 1B. NCDHHS said the change was in accordance with updated federal guidelines.

“While there is still much to do, we head into 2021 with a powerful tool to stop this pandemic — vaccines,” said NCDHHS secretary Mandy Cohen. “However, because supplies are very limited, it’s going to be several months before vaccines are widely available to everyone.”

POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Secretary of the NC Department Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen watches as Gov. Roy Cooper speaks during a press conference at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.

Phase 1B is further broken down into three groups. Group 1 includes persons 75 years and older. Group 2 includes any patient-facing direct health care workers not vaccinated in Phase 1A and essential frontline workers over age 50. Group 3 includes all other patient-facing direct health care workers not vaccinated in Phase 1A. Other states, such as Florida, began with prioritization in longterm care facilities, seniors and health care personnel with direct patient contact. In that state, 13%

of the state’s vaccine doses have gone to seniors over the age of 65.

“Florida is putting seniors first and I’m pleased to announce four new actions that will continue our proactive approach to offering the vaccine to Floridians 65 and older, as well our continued efforts to vaccinate frontline health care workers and longterm care facility residents,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a Jan. 4 statement. “Our top priority is residents of long-term care facilities. They are at the greatest risk and this vaccine could have a

NCGA from page A1 In early December of 2020, Cooper announced the departure of multiple cabinet members. Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland, secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs Larry Hall and secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Susi Hamilton all announced that they would be leaving their roles.

Cooper said in a statement that North Carolina “owes them a debt of gratitude” for their commitment to public service.”

Copeland, who was appointed in January of 2017, intends to step down at the end of January 2021.

“My tenure as Secretary of Commerce during the last four years has been the greatest honor of my career, and I am grateful to the Governor for the opportunity to lead and serve the people of North Carolina,” Copeland said in a statement.

Former legislator Larry Hall said, “The teamwork and dedication of the DMVA employees and staff has truly made this state the most military and veteran friendly state in the United States.”

According to the statement from the governor’s office, under Hall’s tenure, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCMVA) completed expansions of two of the four state veterans’ cemeteries, secured federal funding for a fifth state veterans nursing home in Forsyth County and a sixth facility in Wake County that will break ground in 2022. Additionally, NCVMA assisted North Carolina veterans in securing approximately $4 billion in VA compensation and benefits.

Hamilton, also a former legislator, did not specify what her next move is, but her statement hints at further public service engagement.

“At this time in my career, I feel called to specifically refocus my energy and my efforts to help expand opportunity in eastern North Carolina and make the re-

GARY D. ROBERTSON | AP PHOTO

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, left, R-Cleveland, speaks to reporters, with Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Eden, and House Majority Leader John Bell, right, R-Kings Mountain, at a news conference on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at state GOP headquarters in Raleigh. gion stronger and more resilient,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton helped develop and launch Cooper’s much touted “Hometown Strong” program created in early 2018 to “champion rural communities.” The program shifted its focus during the pandemic, aiding in distribution of internet hotspots for digital learning through N.C. Student Connect.

In addition to replacing cabinet members, the governor has initiated a search for a permanent replacement for the Department of Information Technology, which has been led by Acting Secretary Thomas Parrish since early August of 2020.

Parrish was appointed after his predecessor, Tracy Doaks, announced his departure at the end of July to head up MCNC, a non-profit which works on the expansion of broadband in rural areas.

Senate Leadership Positions Senate leadership roles were announced at the end of November, with Phil Berger (R-Eden) remaining Senate President Pro Tempore and Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) keeping the Deputy President Pro Tempore spot. The Senate has elected Sen. Kathy Harrington (R-Gaston) as the first female majority leader since the role was created in 1977.

“It’s such an honor to have earned the faith and trust of my colleagues for this leadership position,” said Harrington. “North Carolina has been well-served by the past decade of low taxes, responsible spending, and investments in education, and I’m excited to work with my colleagues to continue that agenda.”

The Senate majority leader position was previously held for 11 years by Sen. Harry Brown

(R-Onslow). Brown announced in 2019 he would not be seeking another term, ending a 16-year career at the legislature.

There will be two Senate whips, Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Richmond) and Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir).

The role was previously held during the 2019-2020 session by Sen. Rick Gunn (R-Alamance).

Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake) was unanimously elected to a fourth term as Senate Democratic leader. First elected to the General Assembly in 1981, Blue is the longest-serving member, having served over 13 terms in the House and over five in the Senate. Additionally, Blue was the only black speaker of the House in the state’s history (1991- 1994).

House Leadership Positions House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), who was

positive impact on them, not just protecting them from COVID, but allowing them to return to a more normal life,” DeSantis added.

Florida’s emphasis on seniors aligns with risk factors identified by state and federal officials for COVID-19 infection.

“People who are over the age of 65 and people of any age who have certain underlying health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19,” NCDHHS’s weekly surveillance report states.

NCDHHS data uploaded on Jan. 5 shows that 88% of doses went to adults between the ages of 25 and 64. The data also does not differentiate between those given to health care workers and long-term care facilities’ residents and staff.

An estimated 51.1% of adults in NC are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 based on being 65 or older, having at least one of the underlying health conditions, or both, NDHHS’s weekly risk factor report says.

With vaccine issues mounting, Cooper on Tuesday afternoon announced he would call in the National Guard to provide support to local health providers.

“Ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are administered quickly is our top priority right now. We will use all resources and personnel needed. I’ve mobilized the NC National Guard to provide support to local health providers as we continue to increase the pace of vaccinations,” said Cooper.

first elected in 2002, was re-elected to a historic fourth term as Speaker. The only two previous speakers of the House elected to four terms were Democrats Liston B. Ramsey (1981-1989) and Jim Black (1999-2006). Moore’s reelection as presiding officer ties the state record for the number of legislative terms holding the position held by Ramsey.

“I am proud we kept our promises to North Carolinians, that our record of results earned strong support from voters across the state, and most of all that I can continue serving the people of Cleveland County who trust me to be their voice in this legislature,” Moore said in a statement after his reelection as speaker of the House.

No changes were made in major leadership roles in the House, with Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) unanimously re-elected as majority leader. He was first elected to the position in 2016.

Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-Surry) was voted speaker pro tempore, Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) will serve as deputy majority leader and Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland) was named conference leader.

The majority whip will be Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) and joint conference chair is Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph).

On the minority side of the House, Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham), was unanimously elected by the Democratic Caucus as their leader. For the last four years, Reives had been serving as deputy minority leader. Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake) said he would not seek another term as House Democratic leader after the Democratic Party’s disappointing performance in the recent general election. Shortly before the new year, he was appointed to the N.C. Court of Appeals. In mid-December, he named Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake) as deputy House Democratic leader for the 2021-2022 General Assembly.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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Newly formed NC Bar Owners Association files suit against Gov. Cooper’s COVID orders “First he cut off our feet, then he cut off our ankles, then he cut off our knees.”

Jay Ruth, board member of NCBOA

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Board members of the newly formed NC Bar Owner’s Association have filed suit against Gov. Roy Cooper over executive orders that have kept most private bars and clubs closed since March of 2019.

North Carolina Bar Owners Association (NCBOA) is a bipartisan, nonprofit 501(c)6 organization founded by bar owners from across the state seeking equal treatment when it comes to ABC permits and related laws.

The group is represented by Chuck Kitchen of Kitchen & Turrentine, PLLC. Last year, Kitchen also represented other health club and gym owners fighting the governor’s pandemic orders restricting their businesses.

At the heart of the NCBOA’s lawsuit is the argument that the governor’s orders regarding bars violate a constitutional right for a person to work and earn a living.

The lawsuit also cites differential treatment of bars.

“Restaurants, private clubs, breweries, wineries, and distilleries have been allowed to open and operate for onsite indoor consumption of alcohol, while bars have been ordered to close or have their businesses severely limited by draconian restrictions that make the operation of bars unprofitable,” the Fourth Cause of Action in the lawsuit reads.

In addition, the lawsuit also alleges there is a separation-of-powers issue with the governor’s pandemic-related executive orders.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs are all founding board members of the NC Bar Owner’s Association and include Danielle Bull and Tiffany Howell from the Winston-Salem area, Jay Ruth of Wilmington, Drew Wofford and Bryan Wheelock from Greensboro, Benjamin

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Reese of Asheville, Matt Morel of Emerald Isle and Tony Basford of Raleigh.

“One of the major concerns that we have is that these orders are completely unconstitutional,” NCBOA board member Jay Ruth said of the lawsuit. “They were not approved by the Council of State and we would like to see what the court system thinks about that, and I don’t believe it’s been challenged until now.”

Thirteen of Cooper’s executive orders are named in the lawsuit, several of which are deadline extensions of a previous order. The lawsuit includes an injunctive relief request for a permanent injunction which would bar the governor or the state from enforcing executive orders.

Unlike other suits regarding Cooper’s COVID-19 related orders, this lawsuit is asking for damages “in excess of $25,000.”

Kitchen told North State Journal that the $25,000 is “a term of art to indicated that the damages requested will be in a range to be in superior court” and the final amount will be “far in excess of $25,000 per plaintiff.”

This is the second lawsuit filed on behalf of a bar or club. In De-

cember, Pacific Legal Group filed a lawsuit on behalf of Club 519 targeting the disparate treatment of private bars in the governor’s orders versus other similar businesses.

Cooper’s office did not respond to North State Journal’s request for comment.

Ruth indicated in an interview with North State Journal that they had attempted several times to contact the governor, but “he has not responded to us in any way, shape, or form.” He also said NCBOA has hired lobbyist Logan Martin of Skyline Strategies to represent their interests when the General Assembly reconvenes this month. NCBOA hopes to see work on deferment of sales-anduse tax for a year as well as help with liquor license fees.

“We all paid our liquor license last year, which for each location is close to $2,000. I have two locations I paid $4,000 for that I haven’t been able to use,” said Ruth. “That is the case with everybody who owns a private bar in North Carolina. So, we would like to see either a forgiveness of the liquor license fee next year or some kind of prorating to help us out in that aspect too.”

In terms of the statewide alcohol curfew, Ruth said of Cooper, “First he cut off our feet, then he cut off our ankles, then he cut off our knees.”

“The folks who own private bars that are able to open outdoors, a 9 p.m. curfew is devastating. It is not reasonable. It’s not feasible,” said Ruth.

I think it was just a way to appease people to say, “Hey, look I didn’t close indoor dining. I’m letting people go to nine o’clock,” and then he backs that off with this cocktail-to-go program which is a disaster,” Ruth said. “It’s not something that anyone in the private bar industry is interested in.”

Ruth said that the governor’s to-go cocktail order raises a bar’s insurance significantly and said that the N.C. Sheriff’s Association has pointed out the order runs afoul of state laws governing transport of alcohol. The ABC Commission’s upcoming January meeting will address a proposal to make the mixed beverage transportation rules permanent.

Ruth said one of the biggest inequities in the whole situation is that bars are now “literally the only business in the state of North Carolina that cannot allow anyone indoors.”

In terms of how many bars are struggling, Ruth said it is hard to tell as the ABC website is slow to update the license status of the private bars. He said that for 10 months around 1,063 private bars have borne the brunt of the governor’s orders and that the whole industry is “on the brink of disaster.”

“And what people don’t realize is we are more than just a bar.

We employ people. We pay taxes. We’re a sense of community.

We’re a sense of family. I mean, we have regulars,” said Ruth.

Ruth said that his business and those of NCBOA members are much needed social interaction hubs that sponsor softball teams and events for cancer research.

“We’re more than just a place that people come in and drink, and I think the community atlarge needs to know that,” Ruth said.

Five NC School Districts receive millions in construction grants Bladen, Carteret, Catawba, Cleveland and Harnett counties were selected to receive funds

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Five North Carolina public school districts in economically distressed areas will be receiving millions in construction grants according to outgoing N.C. Superintendent Mark Johnson.

Around $60 million in grant funds will be disbursed to the districts from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund for construction of new school buildings.

“This is the fourth year and the second time this year that these funds have been made available to benefit our students and educators who have had to deal with outdated facilities,” Johnson said in a press release. “These grants will help address our state’s need to replace old, outdated schools with better learning environments.”

The General Assembly created the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund using a combination of revenue from the North Carolina Education Lottery and a local dollar match. In Tier 1, the most distressed areas, the match is $1 for every $3 in grant funds.

In Tier 2, the match is oneto one. The maximum grant amount per project is $15 million in Tier 1 counties and $10 million in Tier 2 counties.

The five districts are Bladen, Carteret, Catawba, Cleveland and Harnett. Johnson’s press release included the following dollar amounts and details of the construction projects planned in each area: Bladen County

Where is Jack Ma, China’s e-commerce pioneer?

By Joe McDonald The Associated Press BEIJING — China’s best-known entrepreneur, e-commerce billionaire Jack Ma, made his fortune by taking big risks.

The former English teacher founded Alibaba Group in 1999, when China had few internet users. Online payments service Alipay launched five years later, before regulators said such businesses would be allowed. Both long shots grew to dominate their industries.

Ma’s latest gambit backfired after he called regulators too conservative in an Oct. 24 speech and urged them to be more innovative.

They halted the impending stock market debut of Ant Group, an online finance platform that grew out of Alipay. Alibaba’s share price sank, possibly costing Ma his status as China’s richest tycoon.

Since then, the normally voluble Ma has stayed out of the public eye, canceled a TV appearance and avoided social media. That has prompted a flurry of speculation about what might happen to Ma, China’s biggest global business celebrity and a symbol of its tech boom.

“The Jack Ma Era is ended,” wrote a blogger under the name Yueyue Talks Technology. “It’s too late to say goodbye.”

Spokespeople for Alibaba and Ant didn’t respond to questions about why Ma hasn’t appeared in public.

Some see Ma’s travails as a warning from the ruling Communist Party that even a wildly successful entrepreneur can’t publicly defy regulators. As for Ant, regulators worried it might add to financial risks seen by the ruling party as one of the biggest threats to China’s economic growth.

Ma irked regulators with the speech at a business conference in Shanghai attended by some of the regulators he was criticizing. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan also was in the audience.

Ma complained they had an antique “pawnshop mentality” and were hampering innovation, according to Chinese media. He appealed to them to support unconventional approaches to make it easier for entrepreneurs and young

$15 million to build a new pre-K through 8th grade middle school to replace two existing schools and combine them on one campus. The buildings to be replaced include a middle school that is 100+ years old and a primary school that is 69 years old ($22 million total project cost).

Carteret County $10 million to build new classrooms, dining, science, band and gymnasium at West Carteret High School; a new multipurpose gymnatorium at White Oak Elementary School; new classrooms and gymnasium at Croatan High School; a new gymnasium at East Carteret High School; and a 14-classroom addition at Broad Creek Middle School ($24.6 million total project cost).

THIBAULT CAMUS | AP PHOTO

In this May 15, 2019, file photo, founder of Alibaba group Jack Ma arrives for the Tech for Good summit in Paris. people to borrow.

“The race tomorrow will be a race of innovation, not regulatory capabilities,” Ma said, according to the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily.

That clashed with the ruling party’s marathon campaign to reduce surging debt that has prompted fears about a possible financial crisis and led international rating agencies to cut Beijing’s credit rating for government borrowing. At the same event in Shanghai, Wang warned new technologies improve efficiency but “amplified financial risks,” according to the business magazine Caixin.

On Nov. 3, regulators suspended Ant’s market debut. It would have been 2020’s biggest, raising some $37 billion.

Alibaba’s CEO later praised regulators in a possible attempt to repair relations. But Ma said nothing.

The last posting on his Sina Weibo social media account is dated Oct. 17.

Alibaba Group shares traded in Hong Kong have fallen 19% since October. Ma’s fortune, which peaked earlier above $60 billion, fell by

more than $10 billion.

Alibaba, headquartered in Ma’s hometown of Hangzhou, southwest of Shanghai, was founded to connect Chinese exporters with Western retailers. The company has expanded into online consumer retailing, entertainment and other areas.

Its finance arm, Yu’ebao, launched in 2013, attracted millions of customers in a market dominated by state-owned banks that focus on serving government industries. By 2017, Yu’ebao was the world’s biggest money market fund with $170 billion in assets, competing with state banks for deposits.

Ant Group has been ordered to overhaul its business before its market debut can go ahead.

The central bank said Dec. 28 it told Ant to focus on its online payments business. That suggested the company might be required to scale back its ambitions and new initiatives, which would hurt its appeal to investors.

Ma and Alibaba aren’t regulators’ only tech industry targets.

The ruling party has declared

anti-monopoly enforcement, especially in online industries, a priority.

Executives of Alibaba and five other tech giants including Tencent, operator of the WeChat messaging service, and online retailer JD.com were warned by regulators last month not to try to keep new competitors out of their markets, according to the government.

The anti-monopoly investigation of Alibaba announced in December targets its policy that prohibits vendors and other business partners from dealing with its competitors.

Foreign investors were rattled, but Chinese businesspeople are “quite happy” with the crackdown, said Rein.

“A lot of people saw Alibaba and Tencent as monopolies and stifling competition,” he said.

Ma’s high profile is unusual in a society where folk wisdom warns, “a man fears getting famous like a pig fears getting fat.” Others such as Tencent founder Ma Huateng, who is no relation to Jack Ma, are known for avoiding reporters and public appearances.

Catawba County (Newton-Conover City Schools) $10 million to build a new academic wing at Newton-Conover High School to replace a building that was originally constructed in 1964 ($20.8 million total cost).

Cleveland County $15 million to build a 900seat auditorium on the campus of Burns High School and a new 900-seat auditorium at Crest High School ($20 million total cost).

Harnett County $10 million to build a new Northwest Harnett Elementary School to accommodate a 950-student enrollment capacity. The school will be pre-K through 5 ($37.5 million total project cost).

The Needs Based Public School Capital Fund has awarded a total of $358.9 million to 31 local school districts since 2016. Projects funded include replacement of 31 existing schools and creation of 36 new schools or school buildings.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount

Just a sampling of Sen. Marc Basnight’s enduring legacy in North Carolina As Senate pro tempore for 18 years, Basnight was behind broad legislative efforts, like investing in the state’s university system and spearheading transformative projects across the state.

Basnight, whose own formal education ended at Manteo High School, became well-known as a champion of the state’s university system, culminating in a November 2000 bond referendum for $3.1 billion and 728 projects. A September 2010 report for the UNC Board of Governors said more than 118,600 jobs were created or saved by the effort, and bond funding was expended in every NC county.

He also led the push for the state’s only public cancer hospital in Chapel Hill and appropriated money in state budgets each year to see it completed. It opened in September 2009.

The 2019 Marc Basnight Bridge, the replacement for the old Bonner Bridge on Highway 12, was opened. It serves as a reminder to all that Basnight connected his area with the rest of North Carolina.

WEST

Lone Cedar Café (family restaurant) Nags Head

Polk County Jay Leavitt, of Polk County, hasn’t seen his wife, Virginia, since the pandemic began.

Virginia lives on their family farm, while Jay, 85 and paraplegic, is in a long-term acute care facility in Easley, South Carolina. He has spent the past several years in nursing homes. Virginia would always visit, until recently, when nursing homes clamped down on visitations. Married for 38 years, Jay and Virginia still talk by phone most days. She hasn’t embraced video calling, so the two rarely see each other’s faces. They hope the vaccines will allow them to see each other in person soon.

AP

Humanitarian group to build field hospital Caldwell County A humanitarian group is building a 30bed field hospital to help treat COVID-19 patients in western North Carolina.

Samaritan’s Purse, which is led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, said construction on the field hospital began on the grounds of UNC Caldwell Health Care in Lenoir. Officials expect the hospital to take 48 hours to construct and will be ready to treat patients this week. The temporary facility will be used to treat patients from five health systems in Boone, Morganton and Hickory.

RALEIGH — Former state Sen. Marc Basnight, a Democrat from North Carolina’s barrier islands who became one of North Carolina’s most powerful contemporary political leaders while serving a record 18 years as Senate leader, died Monday, Dec. 30. He was 73.

Basnight, who was ill for years with what was later diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, died at his Manteo home with family members present, according to Amy Fulk, Basnight’s former chief of staff.

Despite humble beginnings and little formal education, Basnight rose through state politics to serve in the Senate for 26 years. His nine two-year terms as Senate president pro tempore made him the longest-serving head of a legislative body in North Carolina history.

Basnight was involved in enacting every significant state policy of the 1990s and 2000s, including passage of the state lottery, a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and improved ethics reforms.

And he made it a point of stopping to meet constituents on his weekly 190mile commute between Raleigh and the coastal Outer Banks to learn about their needs.

He resigned his seat in early 2011, announcing his decision weeks before Republicans took over the chamber for the first time in over a century. Basnight told reporters at the time that he was already struggling with a degenerative nerve disease that affected his balance and speech.

Democrats who served and learned as

UNC Cancer Center Chapel Hill

ECU Dental School Greenville

Raleigh

Marc Basnight Bridge

(replaced old Bonner Bridge) Dare County

2 prison inmates die on Christmas

COVID separated man, wife.

Vaccine could change that.

Marc Basnight, longest serving NC Senate leader, dies at 73

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

NC State College of Engineering building

McDowell County Officials say two prison inmates died on Christmas. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety said inmate Corey Hudson, 25, died of an apparent suicide at the Marion Correctional Institution. Hudson was serving a four-year sentence after being convicted of assault with a deadly weapon last year. An unnamed inmate at the Nash Correctional Institution died after testing positive for the coronavirus. Officials said the inmate, 81, had “extensive underlying medical issues” and tested positive for the virus earlier this month.

AP

PIEDMONT

EAST

Child who was struck by BB or pellet gun has died

Off-duty firefighter dies following crash Wake County An off-duty firefighter has died due to injuries he sustained when his car overturned during a car crash. Raleigh Fire Lt. Herman Gregory Ellis was the sole occupant in his car during the multivehicle crash Sunday in Raleigh. He was then taken to a hospital, where he died.

“Greg was a great union man through and through, an even better ‘old school’ fireman, dedicated father, and a great friend to many,” the Raleigh Fire Fighters Professional Association said Sunday in a Facebook post. Ellis had been with the city’s fire department for more than a decade.

Alexander County Police say an 8-year-old child has died after being struck in the chest by “a single shot from a BB or pellet gun.” The incident occurred in late December near a home in Stony Point. The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting appears to be accidental. Initial findings from the investigation indicate that two juveniles, ages 8 and 7, were shooting a BB gun and a pellet rifle at targets when the 8-year-old was struck. The child was being transferred to a hospital in Winston-Salem when they went into cardiac arrest and later died.

AP

2 leaders at prison struggling with virus die

ATF: Potentially live grenade was sold at antique mall

Columbus County Two top leaders at the state prison that has recorded the most COVID-19 cases among offenders died this month. Brad Perritt, the warden at Tabor Correctional Institution in Columbus County, died Dec. 15, while associate warden Julian Priest died on Dec. 24. Priest’s son, Jeremiah, said his father died of complications from the coronavirus. Priest, a 29-year veteran of the state prison system, hoped to retire in 2021. He tested positive on Dec. 22 and was hospitalized the next day.

Brunswick County The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking for a hand grenade that was sold an antique mall.

The device may actually be live and ready to explode. The agency said that the grenade was purchased June 13 from the Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Ocean Isle Beach. Workers had thought they sold something that was little more than a harmless paperweight The ATF wants the public’s help in locating the grenade and the person who bought it. Nobody was harmed, and a hazardous disposal team got rid of the explosive.

AP

AP

AP

Sheriff’s office deemed COVID-19 cluster Macon County A sheriff’s office has been designated as a COVID-19 cluster after six members of the department staff tested positive, health officials said. The Macon County Health Department reported the tests results, saying the sheriff’s office is aware of the exposure and are being contacted for testing. Clusters are defined as instances of five or more infections diagnosed within a 14-day period, all with what is termed as “plausible linkage.”

The health department is searching for additional close contacts to see how far the infections have spread.

AP

Appeals court sides with baseball team over foul ball injury Durham County The North Carolina Court of Appeals sided with the Durham Bulls in a suit over a foul ball that struck an 11-year-old girl in the face, because of a legal precedent known as the “baseball rule.” The rule holds that teams are not liable for injuries if they offer protected seating to fans. The Bulls have seats closest to home plate guarded by a net.

In 2015, Angelina DeBlasio was sitting on a picnic bench when a foul ball struck her.

She had surgery to correct several dislocated teeth and broken bones in her jaw.

AP

AP

Man shoots up family home hallucinating a burglary Iredell County John-Michael Scott Coppola fired a shotgun in his home while hallucinating on drugs about an imaginary burglary and is charged with child abuse. Coppola’s newborn child was at his Mooresville home when he began firing “into the walls” of the residence, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said. When deputies arrived, Coppola and the child’s mother, Kaylee Brianna Wilhelm, “both appeared to be impaired by some substance.”

Those substances were later found out to be meth and marijuana. Wilhelm, 22, was also arrested for child abuse. Child Protective Services workers removed the infant from the home.

AP

Body found near where kayaker went missing Dare County Authorities say that a body has been found on the shores of the Croatan Sound in an area where a kayaker went missing. The discovery was made around 3 p.m. Monday.

John Beardsley of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said that a duck hunter discovered the body. He said it was being moved to a state Medical Examiner’s Office in Greenville. Officials said that Kayaker Alexander Rush, 26, of Kill Devil Hills, went missing in early December. Rush’s overturned kayak was later found in the Croatan Sound.

AP

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Woman charged after sheriff’s deputy struck by car New Hanover County Police say that a woman has been arrested following a hit-and-run crash that injured a sheriff’s deputy in New Hanover County.

Deputy Robert Mills pulled over a vehicle Dec. 4 on U.S. 421 when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver then fled from the scene.

Mills was treated for leg and elbow injuries and needed six staples for a head injury.

Maggie Amdur, 21, has been charged with felony hit and run resulting in serious bodily injury and failure to move over resulting in serious bodily injury.

State leaders mourn passing of Marc Basnight Gov. Roy Cooper “North Carolina lost a giant today with the passing of my friend, Senator Marc Basnight. His positive influence on our public universities, transportation, environment and more will be felt for decades. A man of great power and influence, his humble, common touch made everyone he met feel special, whether pouring them a glass of tea in his restaurant or sharing a pack of nabs at a country store. He believed in North Carolina and its people, and our state is stronger because of him. Our prayers are with Vicki, Caroline and the whole family.”

Sen. Phil Berger

AP

lieutenants under Basnight in the Senate are numerous and included a future governor, Beverly Perdue; the late U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan; and current Gov. Roy Cooper, who was Senate majority leader in the late 1990s.

For several election cycles the Dare County Democrat and his allies extended their party’s majority in the Senate even as North Carolina evolved further into a two-party state. They won through a highly professional campaign and fundraising operation.

Though he never attended college himself, Basnight made it a mission to keep the UNC system a national leader in higher education. Basnight was perhaps proudest of passage of a $3.1 billion higher education bond package in 2000 that was approved later that year in a statewide referendum.

While Senate leader, GOP senators complained Basnight had consolidated too much power. But members of both parties said his embrace of the average person and loyalty to the Senate were unquestioned.

After Basnight left office, his family still operated the Lone Cedar Cafe on the Outer Banks. The new bridge over Oregon Inlet, connecting Hatteras Island to the Outer Banks mainland, was named for him.

“He’s done so many remarkable things that are here forever,” longtime North Carolina political consultant John Davis said a decade ago as Basnight departed the Senate.

His wife, Sandy, died in 2007 after being treated for leukemia. His survivors include two daughters, Vicki and Caroline, and grandchildren.

“Sen. Basnight and the institution of the Senate are in many ways inseparable.

He left his mark on the body, and therefore the state, over his nearly two decades of leadership.

“Sen. Basnight loved people. I used to hear that he’d stop along the way from the Outer Banks to Raleigh just to speak to strangers and hear what they had to say. He loved people, and they loved him back.

“I will always remember the grace with which Sen. Basnight conducted

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

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ncfb.org

the 2011 transition. He spared no effort and denied no request. He could wage political battle with the best of them, but he always put the institution of the Senate, as a symbol of the people’s representative government, first.”

N.C. Democratic Party chairman Wayne Goodwin “The NCDP and I are deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Senator Marc Basnight who faithfully served North Carolina in the State Senate for more than a quarter century. He was an incredible fighter for everyday North Carolinians and was known far and wide as a reliable problem solver. As someone who served with him in the legislature I witnessed firsthand not only Senator Basnight’s advocacy for eastern and coastal North Carolina, but also how he helped every region of the State with his masterful, tireless, passionate leadership for investments in public schools, North Carolina’s public universities, conservation of our natural resources, and transportation infrastructure. His strong voice, insatiable curiosity, and his continued leadership will be greatly missed. We have lost a great friend of North Carolina, a friend whose legacy we must carry on for generations to come.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

‘Voting anomalies’ in the election of 1876 and the Electoral College challenge of 1877 ANYTIME SOMETHING “extraordinary” happens in Washington D.C. where one side excoriates the other, you can rest assured they have forgotten, or never read, our history when their side would have benefitted from the same political maneuver in the past.

Liberals who are “aghast” at the prospect of a congressional challenge to the electoral college in 2021 would have been solidly behind the congressional “Either Party challenge of 1877. The challenge dealt with egregious can afford to be “voting anomalies” in Louisiana, South Carolina and disappointed in Florida. Namely, the very dubious handling of election the result but ballots coupled with outright, physically violent the Country suppression of black voters, who were 100% Republican cannot afford to back then.

President U.S. Grant had worked tirelessly during his have the result two terms in the White House from 1868-1876 to enact, tainted by the establish and ensure civil rights for newly freed slaves suspicion of after the Civil War. He repeatedly sent federal troops illegal or false into the South to protect black citizens from attacks by returns.” nascent white supremacist groups, such as White Line and the KKK. President U.S. When Grant decided not to run for a third term Grant in 1868, Republicans in the North and South were understandably concerned that if the Democrat candidate, Samuel Tilden, won, all of the progress that had been made since 1865 during Reconstruction would go for naught. White male Democrats desperately wanted to regain control of government and commerce in the South.

They intimidated black and white Republican voters in the South in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. White Liners forced black voters to tell them who they worked for before they voted, which opened up the possibility of being fired from their jobs. As a result, only two Republicans voted in Yazoo County in Mississippi in November, and only one Republican voted in Tallahatchie County, certainly one noticeable “voting anomaly” in the 1876 election.

Tilden easily won the popular vote by 250,000 votes but only secured 184 of the 185 electoral votes necessary to win. President Grant was resigned to accept the results without full knowledge of the voting irregularities in

the South when he told his fellow Republicans the day after the election: “Gentlemen, it looks to me as if Mr. Tilden was elected.” But he told the press later in the day: “Everything depends on a fair count,” as is always the case.

As he was attending a closing banquet for the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, he was handed an emergency telegram from Interior Secretary Zachariah Chandler that said a train he had sent with election supervisors to the South to verify results had been “Kukluxed,” which meant the KKK had wrecked the train and thrown it off the track.

Certainly another notable “voting anomaly.”

President Grant immediately dispatched federal troops to Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana to protect the vote counts. In a fairly prescient comment, Grant said: “[S]hould there be any grounds of suspicion of fraudulent counting on either side it should be reported and denounced at once… Either Party can afford to be disappointed in the result but the Country cannot afford to have the result tainted by the suspicion of illegal or false returns.”

Republican Rutherford B. Hayes ultimately prevailed with 19 votes from these three states and defeated Tilden 185-184 in the Electoral College, after a 15-member commission of five senators, five congressmen and five Supreme Court justices voted 8-7 in late February to declare Hayes the winner, just before his inauguration on March 4.

The United States survived that constitutional crisis, which occurred in the afterglow of the bloody Civil War. The United States will survive the constitutional crisis of 2021 as well.

Democrats might find a Biden presidency to be a Pyrrhic victory in the end. Once Republicans figure out exactly what happened in the swing states, whether it was all on the up-and-up or not, they will copy and improve every tactic and strategy Democrats, such as Stacey Abrams and election lawyer Marc Elias, did in 2020 and use them in what should be a good Republican election in 2022, and then most certainly in 2024.

After all, once Joe Biden is sworn in as president on Jan. 20, everything that was done to get him elected will carry with it the imprimatur of being legal. What is fair in love and war is certainly fair in politics.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Cancel culture absolutely must go in 2021 THOUGH IT WAS SPRINKLED with bits of good news here and there, for the most part, 2020 was not a good year — primarily because of the COVID-19 outbreak and all the sickness and sorrow that came along with it.

But while we’re all praying that the coronavirus will soon become a more containable and manageable virus in 2021 thanks to the various vaccines that have In other words, become available, there are two other words out there hey, it’s okay to that start with a “c” that also need to go this year: disagree, buddy. cancel culture.

Doesn’t make I’ve written extensively about the issue before, but you the worst for those who may not know what it is, here’s a brief explainer: person in the Basically, cancel culture is when a mob of people, world. usually on the left, try to “cancel” or “void” a person’s accomplishments and/or livelihood because he or she says something that is supposedly offensive. The person states an opinion the mob doesn’t like, and then the mad rush is on to get the person fired or “canceled” for daring to keep an open mind or to otherwise think differently from the herd.

The end result is that the person ends up getting shunned by a socalled “polite society” for saying something that didn’t fit in with today’s politically correct culture.

Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston recently talked about the toxicity of cancel culture in a video interview with the Associated Press and made some comments worth repeating as we head into a new year — which will hopefully have some better habits accompanying it.

“We live in this cancel culture of people erring and doing wrong, either on purpose or by accident, and there’s less forgiveness in our world,” Cranston stated. He also said he believed we have “become harder and less understanding, less tolerant, less forgiving” as a society.

Cranston’s solution to the problem was to have everyone “take a second look at” ostracizing people over supposed WrongThink “and exhale and realize that asking forgiveness and receiving forgiveness are not weaknesses but are human strengths.”

While he made some good points, one thing lost in the discussion is how people who’ve done nothing wrong shouldn’t have to ask for forgiveness in the first place. For example, last summer, New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees was blasted for alleged “racial insensitivity” after saying he disagreed with anyone who would kneel during the national anthem.

“I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution,” Brees said at the time.

He was mocked and ridiculed so much that he repeatedly apologized in hopes he’d make his perceived “wrong” right.

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy had a great response to the uproar over Brees’ remarks. “[Brees] can’t be afraid to say that and we can’t be afraid to say, ‘Okay Drew, I don’t agree with you, but let’s talk about this and let’s sit down and talk about it,’” Dungy advised. “We can’t just say any time something happens and we don’t agree with it, ‘Hey I’m done with that and I’m done with this person.’ That doesn’t make sense. We have to be better than that.”

In other words, hey, it’s okay to disagree, buddy. Doesn’t make you the worst person in the world.

People who are prone to knee-jerk “cancel them!” reactions should resolve to spend less time jumping on the outrage bandwagon and more time actually thinking about and trying to understand what people say.

They may find that while they still don’t agree with the person, what they said doesn’t rise to the level of deserving to have their life ruined over it.

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

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

The year America went crazy

Just as crime rose in cities such as St. Louis and Baltimore after BLM’s Ferguson protests and other protests, from 2019 to 2020, murders have increased 72% in Minneapolis, 62% in New York, 55% in Chicago, 78% in Louisville and 51% in Portland.

Most of those murdered, by the way, are black.

DID AMERICA GO CRAZY in 2020? I suspect observers years hence will think so because of the responses, of both elite officials and ordinary Americans, to the COVID-19 pandemic starting last February and to the shocking video from Minneapolis police officers released over Memorial Day weekend.

The response to COVID was unprecedented and disproportionate to the threat.

Initially, the pandemic evoked memories of Ebola and SARS, diseases not readily contagious but fatal for roughly half of those infected.

Intensive testing, contact tracing and quarantines were indicated then and were initially hailed as effective in island countries — Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand.

But in a continent-sized, globally-connected United States, a disease that is highly contagious but often asymptomatic could not be stamped out that way.

And a respiratory ailment with a lower fatality rate among those under 65 than a bad year’s influenza surely didn’t justify the extended lockdowns and restrictions on others (no garden seeds!) that threw the economy into sharp reversal and devastated many low-wage workers.

Worries that proved unwarranted about overwhelming ICUs resulted in responses such as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order sending COVID patients to assisted living facilities, which were deadly mistakes.

COVID split Americans on partisan lines, with Democrats pushing for and Republicans pushing against strict lockdowns. Experts lionized by legacy media were often no help, disparaging international travel bans as xenophobia and then endorsing interstate travel bans, saying people shouldn’t wear masks and then that they must, bashing people who thronged to wind-swept beaches and cheering others thronging to tightly packed anti-police demonstrations.

Those “mostly peaceful” demonstrations were protests of an arrestee’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police. This incident seems to have convinced millions of Americans, with encouragement from legacy media, that the nation faced a sudden upsurge of white cops killing innocent blacks.

Statistics tell another story. The Washington Post’s chronicle, begun when the Black Lives Matter movement exploited the 2014 Ferguson, Missouri, case, showed that the number of police shootings of black suspects had been declining and the proportion was far lower than the proportion of violent crimes committed by (and against) blacks, as the Manhattan Institute’s Heather MacDonald pointed out.

Democratic politicians rallied to join the BLM cause, with kente cloth-clad congressional leaders kneeling in ceremony. Defunding the police

became not just a rallying cry but public policy in Democratic-run central cities, with $282 million in police budget cuts in New York, $150 million cut in Los Angeles, $69 million in Seattle, $60 million in San Francisco and $50 million in Denver.

De-policing, whether from defunding or from cops avoiding proactive policing for fear of careerending confrontations, results in more violent crime. Just as violent crime rose in cities such as St. Louis and Baltimore after BLM’s Ferguson protests and other protests, from 2019 to 2020, murders have increased 72% in Minneapolis, 62% in New York, 55% in Chicago, 78% in Louisville and 51% in Portland. Most of those murdered, by the way, are black.

Murder rates shot up after Memorial Day, and while final data isn’t available, it looks like murders nationwide are up over 2019 by at least 15%.

That would be the biggest one-year increase ever recorded.

It was 12.7% in 1968 — also a tumultuous election year, which saw multiple urban riots and the horrifying assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. It was a time when “police brutality” was far more common and in the midst of a decade, 1965-75, when violent crime roughly tripled. It was only brought down by proactive policing reforms initiated by Rudy Giuliani in New York and pursued by many others. Murders in New York fell from 2,200 to 300 between 1990 and 2017; now they’re on what threatens to be another continuing upswing.

1968 was also the year the Hong Kong flu struck the United States and killed an estimated 100,000 here and an estimated 1 million worldwide. But we had no substantial lockdowns then, and nothing like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that 87 million “essential workers” get the COVID-19 vaccinations before the 53 million Americans over 65, on the “equity” ground that a larger percentage of the former are black.

This recommendation was reversed after liberal writers such as Matthew Yglesias, Nate Silver and Yascha Mounk pointed out that it likely would result in many more total deaths. But it’s interesting, and chilling, that 14 highly credentialed public health experts, like the mostly white elites who have supported Black Lives Matter’s platform, have, in the name of “equity,” gravitated toward policies that appear to result in more black deaths.

It’s as if they think preserving black lives is less important than stigmatizing America as racist.

It’s been a crazy year.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics.

COLUMN | STAR PARKER

Lessons voters can learn from California ONE OF THE MANY beauties of freedom is there is always surprise.

Voters might consider what is happening in California as the nation’s blue-state poster child turns purple.

Why? When the left seizes power, they don’t know when to stop.

But voters know how to say, “Whoa, enough.”

As British nobleman Lord Acton noted, “Power tends to corrupt.”

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, started this difficult COVID-19 period early in the year by imposing in his state the most draconian shutdown measures in the nation — abridging individual movement and shutting down schools, businesses and churches.

While coming down hard on California’s citizens, Newsom lived the life of privilege and was discovered dining maskless at a $1,200-per-person dinner party at a tiny Napa Valley restaurant.

Now he’s facing recall with reportedly more than half of the 1.5 million signatures needed by next March already gathered.

In November’s elections, Republicans in California regained four of the eight House seats they lost in 2018. And amid the refrain of the left accusing our nation of systemic racism, two of the recaptured Republican seats were won by Asian Americans — Young Kim and Michelle Steele. Kim and Steel became two of the first three Korean American women elected to the House. Another victory went to Mexican American Mike Garcia. And David Valadao recaptured his seat in a majority Hispanic district.

Republicans captured these seats by campaigning against defund-the-police calls from the left and warning against the threat of socialism. And each of these Republican seats was won in districts that went for Joe Biden in the presidential election.

Three ballot initiatives pushing to the left — one raising property taxes; one that would have restored racial preferences in government hiring, contracting and education; and another expanding government power to control rents — all were defeated.

Another ballot initiative allowing app-based transportation companies such as Uber to employ their drivers as independent

contractors was approved. A victory for capitalism.

In the beginning of December, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to support the challenge of Pasadena Harvest Rock Church against Newsom’s restrictions on indoor church worship.

Harvest Rock argued that first amendment religious freedom guarantees were violated by Newsom’s restrictions and that restrictions on churches were more severe than those on secular entities such as hair salons, liquor stores and shopping malls. The court ordered action against Newsom’s restrictions.

Bans were lifted, and Californians flocked to worship this Christmas in churches across the state.

All this against a background of hostility to economic freedom in California that has been driving households and businesses out of the state.

According to Census Bureau data compiled by American Enterprise Institute economist Mark Perry, California ranked No. 5 in the nation in 2019 in net departures from the state of households and businesses.

The highest individual tax rate in California, as Perry shows, was 13.3%, compared with a 3.5% average in states with top inflows of households and businesses. The top corporate tax rate in California was 8.84%, compared with 4.1% in states with top inflows. Average unemployment in California was 4.1%, and employment growth was 1.5%, compared with 3.4% and 2.1%, respectively, in states with highest inflows.

Perry compares U-Haul rental rates for states where people are leaving to states where people are arriving. As would be expected, states with the highest departures have the highest U-Haul rates. In November 2020, U-Haul rental from Los Angeles to Houston was $4,907. From Houston to Los Angeles, it was $1,784. From San Francisco to Dallas, the U-Haul rate was $5,290, and from Dallas to San Francisco, it was $1,655.

Perhaps all this augurs a new conservative wave, just as the Proposition 13 tax revolt in California in 1978 would be followed two years later with the election of Ronald Reagan.

Maybe voters around the nation will pay heed to lessons learned in California and turn blue states red.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the new weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The perversion of science AMERICA’S SCIENTISTS are essentially miracle workers. Within mere months, they have developed highly effective vaccines for COVID-19.

By year’s end, millions of Americans received their first doses. We should begin to see death rates from COVID drop precipitously in the coming weeks as more and more Americans gain immunity from the virus.

Yet never has there been a larger gap between America’s scientists and America’s public health professionals.

Science is supposed to guide the decision-making for both groups.

Yet public health professionals have consistently failed to utilize science as their lodestar, instead sacrificing their credibility on the altar of intersectional politics. Throughout the summer, public health professionals ignored perfectly obvious dangers surrounding mass protests over alleged racial injustice; many of those top health professionals suggested that the risks of racism in American society amounted to a health problem all their own. Throughout the pandemic, public health officials have caved to the political incentive toward overbroad lockdown policies, simultaneously exempting themselves from the rules.

Now we learn that public health officials pushed for vaccine distribution not based on health risk but on racial factors. As the U.K.’s Daily Mail reported this week: “Every US state has been advised to consider ethnic minorities as a critical and vulnerable group in their vaccine distribution plans, according to Centers for Disease Control guidance. As a result, half of the nation’s states have outlined plans that now prioritize black, Hispanic and indigenous residents over white people in some way.”

This insanity is rooted in eugenic concerns. “Older populations are whiter,” public health “expert” Dr. Harald Schmidt of the University of Pennsylvania told The New York Times in early December. “Society is structured in a way that enables them to live longer. Instead of giving additional health benefits to those who already had more of them, we can start to level the playing field a bit.” In other words, a disproportionate number of white people survive to old age; we should, therefore, give vaccines to younger, less vulnerable nonwhite citizens in “essential industries” and let Grandma die.

Not only is this obviously racist; it happens to engender policy that kills more black people in absolute terms.

Age is a far better predictor of COVID vulnerability than race: As Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe of the New York University Grossman School of Medicine found, infected patients die at the same rate regardless of race. This means that if you give tranches of the vaccine to patients based on racial concerns rather than age concerns, the most vulnerable black and Latino populations — elderly blacks and Latinos — are more likely to die so that younger black and Latinos can receive a vaccine for a disease to which they are probably 10 times less vulnerable.

This is the price of social justice thinking. By treating people as members of racial groups rather than as individuals, and by prioritizing race above age, more black and brown people die in absolute terms, even if the overall proportionality of black and brown deaths drops versus white deaths. “Equitable” statistical outcome has become a higher goal than actually saving lives.

That’s absurd and tragic. And it should undermine our trust in our public health officials. So, trust the scientists when they root their decisions in science.

But doubt them at the top of your lungs when they start proclaiming that they are experts on morality.

Ben Shapiro, 36, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

NATION & WORLD

Iran starts 20% uranium enrichment, seizes South Korean ship

By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran began enriching uranium to levels unseen since its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and also seized a South Korean-flagged tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a double-barreled challenge to the West that further raised Mideast tensions.

Increasing enrichment at its underground Fordo facility puts Tehran a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%, while also pressuring presumptive President-elect Joe Biden to quickly negotiate. Iran’s seizure of the MT Hankuk Chemi comes as a South Korean diplomat was due to travel to the Islamic Republic to discuss the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in Seoul.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to acknowledge Tehran’s interest in leveraging the situation in a tweet about its nuclear enrichment.

“Our measures are fully reversible upon FULL compliance by ALL,” he wrote.

At Fordo, Iranian nuclear scientists under the watch of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors loaded centrifuges with over 285 pounds of low-enriched uranium to be spun up to 20%, said Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s permanent representative to the U.N. atomic agency.

The IAEA later described the Fordo setup as three sets of two interconnected cascades, comprised of 1,044 IR-1 centrifuges — Iran’s first-generation centrifuges.

A cascade is a group of centrifuges working together to more quickly enrich uranium.

Iranian state television quoted government spokesman Ali Rabiei as saying that President Hassan Rouhani had given the order to begin the production. It came after its parliament passed a bill, later approved by a constitutional watchdog, aimed at increasing enrichment to pressure Europe into

TASNIM NEWS AGENCY VIA AP

In this photo released Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, by Tasnim News Agency, a seized South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Persian Gulf. providing sanctions relief.

The U.S. State Department criticized Iran’s move as a “clear attempt to increase its campaign of nuclear extortion.”

Iran informed the IAEA of its plans to increase enrichment to 20% last week.

Iran’s decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly triggered an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities, tensions that only abated with the 2015 atomic deal, which saw Iran limit its enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

A resumption of 20% enrichment could see that brinksmanship return. Already, a November attack that Tehran blames on Israel killed an Iranian scientist who founded the country’s military nuclear program two decades earlier.

From Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized

“Israel will not allow Iran to manufacture a nuclear weapon.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Iran’s enrichment decision, saying it “cannot be explained in any way other than the continuation of realizing its goal to develop a military nuclear program.”

“Israel will not allow Iran to manufacture a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Tehran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful. The State Department says that as late as last year, it “continued to assess that Iran is not currently engaged in key activities associated with the design and development of a nu-

clear weapon.” That mirrors previous reports by U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA, though experts warn that Iran currently has enough low-enriched uranium for at least two nuclear weapons if it chose to pursue them.

Meanwhile, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard seized the MT Hankuk Chemi, with photos later released showing its vessels alongside the tanker. Satellite data showed the tanker off the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Monday.

The ship had been traveling from a petrochemicals facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The vessel carries a chemical shipment including methanol, according to data-analysis firm Refinitiv.

Iran alleged it seized the vessel over it allegedly polluting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the gulf’s narrow mouth

through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.

In past months, Iran has sought to escalate pressure on South Korea to unlock some $7 billion in frozen assets from oil sales earned before the Trump administration tightened sanctions on the country’s oil exports.

The head of Iran’s central bank recently announced that the country was seeking to use funds tied up in a South Korean bank to purchase coronavirus vaccines through COVAX, an international program designed to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to participating countries.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry demanded the ship’s release, saying in a statement that its crew was safe. The crew included sailors from Indonesia, Myanmar, South Korea and Vietnam, according to the Guard. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it also was sending its anti-piracy unit near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a 4,400-tonclass destroyer with about 300 troops.

The State Department called for the tanker’s immediate release, accusing Iran of threatening “navigational rights and freedoms” in the Persian Gulf in order to “extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions.”

Last year, Iran similarly seized a British-flagged oil tanker and held it for months after one of its tankers was held off Gibraltar.

The incidents coincide with the anniversary of the U.S. drone strike killing Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq, injuring dozens of U.S. troops. Tehran also shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet that night, killing all 176 people on board.

As the anniversary approached and fears grew of possible Iranian retaliation, the U.S. dispatched B-52 bombers over the region and ordered a nuclear-powered submarine into the Persian Gulf.

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said late Sunday that he changed his mind about sending the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz home from the Middle East and instead will keep the vessel on duty. He cited Iranian threats against Trump and other U.S. government officials as the reason for the redeployment.

UK judge refuses US extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press LONDON — A British judge on Monday rejected the United States’ request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges over the publication of secret U.S. documents a decade ago, saying he was likely to kill himself if held under harsh U.S. prison conditions.

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected defense arguments that the 49-year-old Australian faces a politically motivated American prosecution that rides roughshod over freespeech protections. But she said Assange’s precarious mental health would likely deteriorate further under the conditions of “near total isolation” he would face in a U.S. prison.

“I find that the mental condition of Mr. Assange is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States of America,” the judge said.

Lawyers for the U.S. government said they would appeal the decision, and the U.S. Department of Justice said it would continue to seek Assange’s extradition.

“While we are extremely disappointed in the court’s ultimate decision, we are gratified that the United States prevailed on every point of law raised,” it said in a statement.

“In particular, the court rejected all of Mr. Assange’s arguments regarding political motivation, political offense, fair trial and freedom of speech.”

Assange’s lawyers said they would ask for his release from a London prison where he has been held for more than 18 months at a bail hearing on Wednesday.

Australian Prime Minister Scott

“While we are extremely disappointed in the court’s ultimate decision, we are gratified that the United States prevailed on every point of law raised.”

U.S. Department of Justice statement FRANK AUGSTEIN | AP PHOTO

Morrison said Australia was providing Assange with consular assistance. Morrison also said Assange would be free to return to Australia if he wins his court case.

“Assuming if that all that turns out, then he’s like any other Australian. He’d be free to return home if he wished,” Morrison told Melbourne Radio 3AW. Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen, co-chairs of the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group, which comprises more than 20 Australian lawmakers, called on the Australian government to ensure Assange would not be extradited if he returned to his home country.

Assange, who sat quietly in the dock at London’s Central Criminal Court for the ruling, wiped his brow as the decision was announced. His partner Stella Moris, with whom he has two young sons, wept.

“I had hoped that today would be the day that Julian would come home,” she said. “Today is not that day, but that day will come soon.”

The ruling marked a dramatic moment in Assange’s long legal battles in Britain — though likely not its final chapter.

In this May 19, 2017, file photo, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he had been in self imposed exile since 2012.

Assange’s American lawyer, Barry Pollack, said the legal team was “enormously gratified” by the British court’s decision.

“We hope that after consideration of the U.K. court’s ruling, the United States will decide not to pursue the case further,” he said.

U.S. prosecutors have indicted Assange on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison.

Lawyers for Assange argue that he was acting as a journalist and is entitled to First Amendment protections of freedom of speech for publishing documents that exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lawyers for the U.S. government denied that Assange was being prosecuted merely for publishing, saying the case “is in large part based upon his unlawful involvement” in the theft of the diplomat-

ic cables and military files by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

The British judge sided with U.S. lawyers on that score, saying Assange’s actions, if proven, would amount to offenses “that would not be protected by his right to freedom of speech.” She also said the U.S. judicial system would give him a fair trial.

The judge agreed that U.S. prison conditions would be oppressive, saying there was a “real risk” he would be sent to the Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado. It is the highest security prison in the U.S., also holding Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski and Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

She accepted evidence from expert witnesses that Assange had a depressive disorder and an autism spectrum disorder.

“I am satisfied that, in these harsh conditions, Mr. Assange’s mental health would deteriorate, causing him to commit suicide with

the single-minded determination of his autism spectrum disorder,” the judge said.

Britain’s extradition agreement with the U.S. says that extradition can be blocked if “by reason of the person’s mental or physical condition, it would be unjust or oppressive to extradite him.”

Assange’s legal troubles began in 2010, when he was arrested in London at the request of Sweden, which wanted to question him about allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two women. In 2012, Assange jumped bail and sought refuge inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he was beyond the reach of U.K. and Swedish authorities — but also effectively was a prisoner, unable to leave the tiny diplomatic space in London’s tony Knightsbridge area.

The relationship between Assange and his hosts eventually soured, and he was evicted from the embassy in April 2019. British police immediately arrested him for breaching bail in 2012.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021

SPORTS

Freshman Moore a pleasant surprise for Wolfpack hoops, B4

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Nine months after cutting ties with Cam Newton and signing Teddy Bridgewater, the Panthers will need to again make a decision on their future at quarterback this offseason.

More changes coming for Panthers this offseason

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Krzyzewski hopes to coach against Wake Durham Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says he won’t be able to coach the No. 21 Blue Devils when they face Boston College on Wednesday night, but he hopes to be out of quarantine in time to return for their game against Wake Forest on Saturday. Krzyzewski said he and his wife were placed into quarantine last Friday after a member of his family tested positive for COVID-19, and they both tested negative Monday. The noon start of the Wake Forest game is right at the end of his quarantine.

HOCKEY

Checkers opt out of AHL season Charlotte The American Hockey League says three teams, including the Charlotte Checkers, have opted out of playing this season.

The Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds also opted out and will return in 2021-22. The Checkers were the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes until this season, when the NHL team partnered with the Chicago Wolves and Charlotte signed on to be the Florida Panthers’ AHL team.

NFL

Browns will be without head coach Stefanski in postseason return Cleveland COVID-19 will keep Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and at least two players out of Cleveland’s first playoff game since the 2002 season. The Browns announced Tuesday — 18 years to the day since their last playoff game — that Stefanski tested positive for the coronavirus, which has plagued the team in recent weeks and now is causing a major disruption as Cleveland prepares to play Pittsburgh on Sunday for the second straight week.

CURTIS COMPTON | ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION VIA AP

Guard Kyle Sturdivant and the Demon Deacons have had a stop‑and-go start to the season, but coach Steve Forbes has guided Wake Forest to a 3-1 start in his first year in Winston-Salem.

Deacons, derailed

by COVID, try to get season back on track Coach Steve Forbes’ first season at Wake Forest has resumed after nearly a month of delays due to the coronavirus

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal WHEN STEVE FORBES said that his Wake Forest Demon Deacons looked like a different team after Sunday’s loss at Georgia Tech than the one that started the 202021 basketball season, it wasn’t just an exercise in coachspeak.

They actually are a different team.

Two players that started the season for the Deacons back in November are no longer on the active roster while two others have been added, including one that was still in high school when Wake played its first two games as part of the Mako Medical Classic.

It’s a disjointed situation, exacerbated by a month-and-a-half coronavirus-related layoff, that has made the job of building a program all the more difficult in Forbes’ first season in Winston-Salem.

And things don’t promise to get easier anytime soon with No. 22 Virginia and No. 21 Duke coming up on the schedule this week.

“We are changing,” Forbes said.

“It’s just hard to change and do all these things on the run, especially when you’ve got Virginia and Duke staring at you and then Louisville coming at the house. But like I tell

“Like I tell the players, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us.”

Steve Forbes, Wake Forest coach the players, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. So we have to figure it out.”

The Deacons are hardly unique in the fact that their season has been disrupted by COVID-19. No one, however, has been more affected by the ongoing pandemic than Forbes and his team.

Not only did they lose virtually their entire nonconference schedule because of the virus, which also forced the postponement of their first two ACC games, but they also lost two key contributors in the process.

Redshirt freshman Tariq Ingraham, a 6-foot-10 center who scored a team-leading 19 points in Wake’s season-opening win against Delaware State, has been ruled out for the season while he recovers from COVID-19 complications.

Graduate transfer Ian DuBose, meanwhile, will be sidelined indefinitely for medical reasons. The 6-foot-4 guard started both the Delaware State game and a subsequent win against Longwood two days later and was expected to be a See DEACONS, page B3

The GM and quarterback positions are up in the air as the regular season ends

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE CAROLINA Panthers finished Matt Rhule’s first season with the same 5-11 record as in Ron Rivera’s last. However, the head coach position isn’t the only area where the team has seen change over the last year.

As last year ended, the Panthers were aging and clearly in need of a rebuild as they faced an uncertain future. After one year under Rhule, an offseason purge of veterans and a draft wholly devoted to defense, Carolina showed promise this past season but faces almost as much uncertainty as this offseason begins.

As the Panthers were thumped by the Saints at home to close out the 2020 season, two of the biggest roles on the team were unsettled.

General manager The Panthers cut ties with GM Marty Hurney in late December and are in the middle of a wide-ranging search for a replacement. The new GM will hire a coach who is not going anywhere anytime soon, an odd order in which to fill the two most visible decision-making roles on the team. But Hurney’s term has been filled with oddities. His 10‑year run as GM ended when he was fired during the 2012 season, but he returned five years later to replace Dave Gettleman — first as interim GM and then in the fulltime position.

The team and Hurney appear to be splitting for good now, and the Panthers are looking at upand-comers and retreads alike as they aim to chart a new direction.

Gettleman came to the Panthers from the Giants and returned there after his tenure in Carolina. The Panthers may go back to the Giants connection with Jerry Reese, who led New

“I don’t think Teddy’s played his best football.”

Panthers coach Matt Rhule on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater

York to two titles as GM. Jacksonville and Carolina are reportedly both interested in Reese, who has been out of the league since getting fired in 2017.

Rhule’s fingerprints were on many of the team’s personnel decisions over the past year, as Carolina brought in several players with Baylor or Temple ties. With that in mind, San Francisco VP of player personnel Adam Peters, who worked with Rhule at UCLA, is a strong candidate. Peters was a senior defensive end in 2001 when Rhule coached the Bruins defensive line. The Panthers requested permission for an interview, but they might have to beat out Denver to land him.

Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland, Bears assistant personnel director Champ Kelly, Chiefs personnel assistant Ryan Poles and director of administration Brandt Tillis, Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen, Browns VP of operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Patriots personnel director Nick Caserio have all either been interviewed or permission for interviews have been requested.

Quarterback Rhule appeared to lose faith in his hand-picked successor to Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, as the year wore on. Bridgewater topped 300 yards in three of his first nine games as Panthers starter then failed to hit the mark in his last six outings. His weekly yardage output dropped by 50 yards a game down the stretch of the season. His completion perSee PANTHERS, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

1.6.21

TRENDING

Floyd Little: The versatile running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos died Friday after a long bout with cancer. He was 78.

Little was a three‑time All-American at Syracuse, rushing for 2,704 yards and 46 touchdowns. Little was the sixth overall pick in the 1967 AFL-NFL Draft. He played nine seasons in Denver was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Doc Holliday: The Marshall coach is out after 11 seasons with the Thundering Herd, following the school’s announcement Monday that it would not renew his contract.

Holliday was named Conference USA Coach of the Year, but the Thundering Herd lost their final three games of the season after starting 7-0 and moving up to No. 15 in The Associated Press poll. Holliday, 63, went 85-54 at Marshall, including 6-2 in bowl games. His sixyear contract expires June 30. Holliday was an NC State assistant from 2000-04.

John Elway: The Hall of Fame quarterback and Denver Broncos’ team president announced Monday he’ll hire a general manager who will report to him but have final say on the draft, free agency and the roster. Elway will remain on as president of football operations in 2021, the final year of his contract, and serve as an overseer of the Broncos. He has been Broncos GM since 2011, leading Denver to a 96-74 record, five AFC West titles, two AFC championships and the franchise’s third Super Bowl title.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NFL

The NFL playoffs are set, with Chiefs and Packers earning the top seeds and lone first‑round byes in the AFC and NFC, respectively. In the AFC, the Steelers will host the Browns, the Ravens will visit the Titans, and the Bills and Colts will play in Buffalo. In the NFC, the Bears travel to the second-seeded Saints, the Seahawks host the Rams, and Tom Brady and the Buccaneers head to 6-10 Washington.

CARMEN MANDATO | AP PHOTO

“I just put in a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point.”

Raleigh native John Wall after he scored 28 points for the Rockets Saturday in his second game with his new team.

KIRK IRWIN | AP PHOTO

NBA

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FRED JEWELL | AP PHOTO STEW MILNE | AP PHOTO

“Honestly, it’s too early to tell.”

Patriots quarterback Cam Newton on if he’d consider being a backup next season.

Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal, who won a title with the Celtics in 1974 and later coached three NBA teams, died Saturday. He was 70. Westphal also played for the SuperSonics, Knicks and had two stints with the Suns. He later coached in Phoenix, guiding the Suns — and league MVP Charles Barkley — to the NBA Finals in 1993.

VASHA HUNT | AP PHOTO

Texas had lost at least four games in every season since Mack Brown led the Longhorns to a national championship in 2009, but coach Tom Herman’s 7-3 record this season wasn’t enough to save his job. Herman was fired Saturday and Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was announced as Texas’ new coach later in the day.

PRIME NUMBER

$85K The total amount of fines doled out by the NBA to three players for their role in a scuffle between the Hornets and Mavericks last Friday. Brothers Cody and Caleb Martin, both of Charlotte, were fined $25,000 and $20,000 each, respectively, while Dallas’ James Johnson was docked $40,000.

NHL

DAVID SANTIAGO | MIAMI HERALD VIA AP

Goaltender Scott Darling, who struggled in his two seasons with the Hurricanes and was subsequently traded to Florida and later bought out, signed a professional tryout contract with the Panthers last week.

The 32-year-old Darling, who played last season in Austria, was 15-25-9 in Carolina after signing a four-year, $16.6 million contract in 2017.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

B3

Bowl games provide look ahead to next season for NC teams While three of the state’s four teams lost their bowls games, each got a better glimpse at what to expect in 2021

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal THE ACC WENT 0-for-bowl season, an inglorious achievement one television analyst referred to as a “Blutarsky,” a tribute to the 0.0 grade-point average posted by John Belushi’s character in the movie “Animal House.”

North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest did their part to contribute to the frustration by losing their respective games.

The Tar Heels faded late in dropping a 41-27 decision to Texas A&M at the Orange Bowl, the Wolfpack fell victim to its own mistakes in a 23-21 defeat at the hands of Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, while the Deacons were beaten 42-28 by Wisconsin in the newly renamed Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Appalachian State was the only North Carolina team to win this postseason, salvaging a little pride with an impressive 56-28 rout of North Texas in the inaugural Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Despite the disappointing results, the 2020 bowl experience wasn’t a total loss for state schools.

It was a success in that all four made it this far despite challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. It also provided coaches and fans with an opportunity to look ahead at what to expect from their teams heading into the new year.

Here is some of what we learned.

UNC The Tar Heels received plenty of preseason love in 2020, and while they came up a little short of those lofty expectations, the bar figures to be set even higher entering 2021 based on its performance in Miami.

Despite four star players opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft — including 1,000-yard rushers Michael Carter Jr. and Javonte Williams — coach Mack Brown’s team played on even terms with the fifthranked Aggies for more than three quarters. UNC led 27-20 with 13:51 remaining and was tied with under four minutes to go before A&M pulled away.

Quarterback Sam Howell, in particular, raised his stock by throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns. With Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence projected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, Howell’s strong effort catapulted him to the head of the class as the ACC’s top passer and a legitimate 2021 Heisman Trophy contender.

Lawrence’s departure and its effect on his team could also potentially leave the door open for a challenger to break the Tigers’ stranglehold on the ACC championship. The Tar Heels could find themselves in position to be that challenger if they can find replacements for Carter and Williams, and their defense continues the improvement it’s shown in the first two seasons under coordinator Jay Bateman.

NC State The Wolfpack also played with-

out four key players, all on the defensive side of the ball, and it led to Kentucky rolling up 281 yards on the ground. It was a series of self-inflicted mistakes on offense, however, that contributed most to State’s demise in Jacksonville.

Quarterback Bailey Hockman threw three interceptions and usually reliable kicker Christopher Dunn missed a pair of field goals to derail the Wolfpack’s chances in a contentious game marred by multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams.

Coach Dave Doeren’s team may have lost the game — a major disappointment considering its opponent had a losing record — but because of Hockman’s struggles, it will likely avoid a quarterback controversy heading into 2021 with starter Devin Leary set to return from the broken leg that sidelined him for the final seven games.

The performances of young defensive replacements — including top tackler Isaac Duffy, a former walk-on pressed into service by a suspension to safety Tanner Ingle, and true freshman tackle Davin Vann, who saw his most extensive playing time in place of All-American opt-out Alim McNeill — only add to the optimism created by an otherwise successful eight-win season.

Wake Forest The Deacons got off to a strong start in Charlotte by scoring two quick touchdowns for a 14-0 lead and were tied at halftime, but Wake was outscored 28-0 by the Badgers over the final two quarters.

Although Wake’s second-half collapse can be directly traced to the four interceptions thrown by quarterback Sam Hartman, who was only picked off once during the entire regular season, a contributing factor could also have been the team’s inactivity over the past month.

The Deacons had three games canceled because of COVID-19 issues and played only once after Nov. 14 (a loss to Louisville), factors that could have led to them getting worn down against a physical Wisconsin running game.

Appalachian State The Mountaineers may have had their streak of four straight Sun Belt Conference championships snapped this season, but they still managed to extend their string of bowl victories to six with a dominating performance against North Texas.

App State is now 6-0 all-time in bowl games as an FBS member.

While the win against the Mean Green figures to be the swan song for several seniors that played major roles in the program’s rise to prominence in college football’s top subdivision, including quarterback Zach Thomas, it also served as a springboard for new stars such as running back Camerun Peoples — who rushed for a bowl-record 319 yards and five touchdowns.

With the stability of coach Shawn Clark returning for a second season — the first time that’s happened in three years — and the addition of former Duke and Clemson quarterback Chase Brice as a graduate transfer, App State figures to be right back in the Sun Belt title conversation in 2021.

LYNNE SLADKY | AP PHOTO

Freshman Josh Downs, who had two touchdown receptions in the Orange Bowl, could be the Tar Heels’ next big-play receiver.

Orange Bowl performance gives UNC plenty to build on The Tar Heels found their next generation of stars after four players opt out

By Shawn Krest North State Journal MIAMI — Leading up to North Carolina’s first appearance in the Orange Bowl, the focus was on the star players who wouldn’t be there. Coming out of the 41-27 loss to Texas A&M in the biggest Tar Heel football game in 70 years, the focus is on who remains.

Four of UNC’s best players from the 2020 team chose to opt out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft: wide receiver Dyami Brown, running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, and linebacker Chazz Surratt.

They combined for 2,400 rushing yards, 1,600 receiving yards, 41 touchdowns, 91 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss this year and left large holes in the Tar Heel offense and defense. Carolina was given little to no chance to compete with No. 5 Texas A&M without the four opt-outs, but the Heels took a fourth-quarter lead in a back-and-forth game before fading late.

“We don’t talk a lot about what we didn’t play with tonight,” coach Mack Brown said, “but we lost 4,000 yards coming into the game and still had a chance against the No. 5 team to win. This is going to be a special team.”

The absences opened up opportunities for young players on the team, however, and they got to show their stuff on the biggest stage Carolina football has seen since 1950. While the result of the game wasn’t a positive, the young Tar Heels give UNC hope for the future.

The freshman wide receiver had the tough job of filling in for Dyami Brown, who became the first Tar Heel to top 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back years. Downs entered the game with just three catches in nine games this season. He topped that against the Aggies, catching four balls for 91 yards and two touchdowns, both of which gave

Another departure?

DEACONS from page B1

centage dropped from 71.9% in the first nine games to 64.5% in the last six, and his touchdowns to interceptions went from 11:6 to 4:5.

“I think Teddy played well early on in the season,” Rhule said after benching Bridgewater midway through the season finale. “I thought the middle part of the season, we still showed flashes of that. I’d say, really, the last month of the season, … I don’t think Teddy’s played his best football. I personally feel like ever since he got hurt in the second half of the Tampa Bay game, Teddy hasn’t played his best ball.”

Bridgewater has two years left on his contract and will likely be back next year, but what role he’ll fill is still up in the air.

The Panthers pick eighth overall in the NFL Draft, and Rhule wouldn’t rule out using the pick on a quarterback of the future for the team.

While Rhule hasn’t been impressed with Bridgewater’s play of late, offensive coordinator Joe Brady has earned some fans around the league. After one year running the Carolina offense, Brady has gotten interview requests for head coaching jobs with the Falcons, Chargers and Texans.

Brady and Bridgewater both spent time in the Saints offense, and Bridgewater’s familiarity with the offense Brady wanted to build was a big reason the team brought him in as quarterback. If Brady departs, Bridgewater’s hold on the job will get even shakier.

settling influence for a young team with a new coach.

“We had a good vibe,” Forbes said of the season’s opening weekend.

“We were moving in the right direction, plus we had Ian and Tariq, too. I felt good. It was a hard-fought game against Longwood, but we found a way to win. I thought we had really good film and practice (that) Sunday. I was looking to play again real fast just to get them back out there.”

But that didn’t happen.

A COVID outbreak among the team caused Wake to pause basketball activities on Nov. 29.

It took nearly a month after that before Forbes had enough players available to get back on the court.

And even then, it wasn’t with a full roster.

It took until the day after Christmas for the Deacons to hold a fullscale practice that allowed them to begin preparing for a return to game action.

Not only did the team have to work at shaking off the rust that

Don’t expect to see wholesale changes like last year, but the Panthers’ rebuild will remain in high gear this offseason as some of the most important spots on the team remain in flux.

Eugene Asante stakes claim to be man in the middle Surratt’s spot in the middle of the defense was filled by a player that the Tar Heels have tried to get on the field for two years. “(Co-defensive coordinator) Tommy (Thigpen) and I would talk, ‘We should put Eugene in for this,’ but to pull Chazz out was really hard,” said co-defen-

sive coordinator Jay Bateman.

“Eugene can really run. He’s really athletic. A lot of things Chazz does for us in coverage and in being the extra run defender, Eugene will do a good job with. … Everybody on our defense is extremely confident in Eugene. I couldn’t be more excited to watch him play. He’s going to make a bunch of plays and make a bunch of tackles.”

Asante missed a few tackles in the bowl game, but he led the team with 10 tackles and seven solo stops.

“You start looking at Eugene Asante,” Mack Brown said. “I thought he did a good job tonight. Did he mess some things up? Of course he did because he hasn’t played, but he showed that he’s got a chance to be a really good player.”

A new one-two punch at running back?

British Brooks and Josh Henderson got the chance to run the ball, gaining 68 yards in the game which, while not the other-worldly numbers of their predecessors, wasn’t the disaster many envisioned.

“They ran as hard as they could, and they’re going to get so much better in the offseason,” Howell said. “I’m excited for next year.”

With four potential stars in the making joining Howell and the rest of the returning Heels, there’s plenty of reason for excitement.

Josh Downs up to the task at receiver

PANTHERS from page B1

Offseason of change, again

UNC the lead. Even more promising than his stat line was his ability to get behind the A&M defense for a 75-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

“Josh Downs is a young guy that had a heck of a game out there today,” said quarterback Sam Howell, who may have found his next deep threat. “Josh is a heck of a player. I’ve known Josh for a long time now. I knew he was going to be a great player for us. Honestly, I kind of expected him to get a little more touches than he did this year, but it’s kind of hard when Dazz Newsome is in front of him. We know how special he is. We know how special he’s going to be, so I’m definitely excited to work with him this offseason and for him to be one of the main guys next year.”

Newsome, who starred in his final college game, was also impressed by Downs.

“He’s a player similar to me,” he said. “He’s very good with the ball in his hands. He’s very quick, fast, twitchy, gets in and out of coverage real fast. He’s definitely a good player.”

LYNNE SLADKY | AP PHOTO

Eugene Asante had a team-high 10 tackles while replacing Chazz Surratt at middle linebacker for UNC in the Orange Bowl.

comes from more than a month of inactivity, but it also had to figure out how to incorporate two new pieces into the puzzle.

One of the new faces, 6-foot‑9 sophomore Ody Oguama, has at least been with the team for a season. He missed the first two games because of contact tracing.

The other, freshman guard Carter Whitt, is a recent high school graduate who passed up his final season at Raleigh’s Leesville Road High School to enroll for the spring semester and begin playing right away.

“Getting Carter has been great,” Forbes said of the top-rated point guard prospect in North Carolina for 2020. “He should be playing in some tournament for high school right now, but he’s playing in the ACC. I think he’s done a great job, and I think he’ll get better and better each game.”

Whitt has shown promise in his first two games.

He contributed 11 points and four assists in a hastily scheduled win against Division II Catawba in his college debut on New Year’s Eve be-

fore having a tougher time with just four points in his first ACC game against Georgia Tech.

Whitt wasn’t the only player to struggle in the 70-54 loss to the Yellow Jackets. The Deacons (3-1, 0-1) committed 18 turnovers and shot just 3 of 20 from 3-point range in by far their worst performance of the season.

“There’s no possible way we could look the same today as we did then,” Forbes said, referring to the earlier Delaware State and Longwood wins. “That was five months of practice, plus two games with no stoppage. And now we’ve got to totally start over.”

While the execution was lacking, junior forward Isaiah Mucius did see at least one positive from his team’s loss in Atlanta.

“We didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but I think the guys played hard,” Mucius said after scoring a team-leading 21 points. “After being out for a month-and-a-half, they fought really hard. There’s a lot of blocks to build off that as we go forward more into the season.”

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Wolfpack freshman Moore making instant impact The point guard has helped NC State to a 6-1 start

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal RALEIGH — College basketball coaches from all across the country flocked to Moravian Prep in Caldwell County last year to watch and recruit five-star prospect Josh Hall.

But while they understandably fixated on the dynamic 6-foot-9 wing, who eventually signed with NC State, most overlooked the team’s other talented star — point guard Shakeel Moore.

Kevin Keatts wasn’t among those distracted by the shiny object.

“I’ve always felt like he was the most underrated guard in the state and the country,” the NC State coach said.

Seven games into Moore’s Wolfpack career, he’s already validating Keatts’ opinion of him.

With Hall having skipped college to go directly into the professional ranks, where he is now on a two-way contract with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, the 6-foot-1 freshman has become the most influential addition to a veteran team off to its best ACC start since 2014-15.

“He’s a great player,” junior forward Jericole Hellems said after last week’s win against Boston College, which improved State’s record to 6-1 (2-0 ACC) heading into Wednesday’s game at No. 19 Clemson. “He’s a dog. It just shows his heart, that it doesn’t matter what age he is. He’s ready to play and impact the game in whatever way he can.”

Moore’s initial impact figured to be on the defensive end of the court, where Keatts described him as having the potential to become the “best on-ball defender in our league after a couple of years.”

His offense, however, has been better than advertised.

He’s shooting 51.2% from the

“He’s a dog. ... He’s ready to play and impact the game in whatever way he can.”

NC State forward Jericole Hellems on freshman Shakeel Moore

floor and has made seven of his 16 3-point attempts while showing both an ability to take over games and a fearlessness to take — and make — the big shot in a clutch situation.

His 17-point performance, punctuated by a posterizing dunk, helped the COVID-depleted Wolfpack beat rival North Carolina on Dec. 22 while earning him recognition as the ACC’s Rookie of the Week.

He then calmly sank the goahead basket eight days later, a pull-up jumper in the lane with 27.3 seconds remaining, to lift his team to its most recent victory, a 79-76 win against BC. “Give our staff a lot of credit,” Keatts said. “He came in without the reputation as a guy who could make outside shots. We put a lot of work into him and Shak has put a lot of work on getting into the gym and becoming a better shooter from the outside.”

A lot of that work has come on his own between practices.

“I think it’s important to not only get better with the team but to work on yourself,” he said, attributing his improvement to the confidence he’s gained since arriving at State. “I think the confidence comes from me taking the time to work when nobody is paying attention, work when nobody is looking.

“I think I can continue as long as I keep putting in work, trusting my work, keep having that confidence. That’s all. It’ll keep the confidence going. It’ll keep everything

ETHAN HYMAN | NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Freshman point guard Shakeel Moore had 17 points in NC State’s win over rival UNC, and then hit the go-ahead shot late in a win over Boston College eight days later. rolling for me.”

After starting his high school career at Ragsdale High in Greensboro in 2015-16, Moore spent the next three years at Piedmont Classical before finishing up at Moravian last season.

Keatts said that the year of prep school helped prepare him, as well as fellow Wolfpack freshman Cam Hayes, to step in and make a meaningful immediate contribution.

Moore’s poise was on display in the final minute against BC with State facing a one-point deficit.

The decisive play was original-

ly designed to get the ball inside to teammate D.J. Funderburk, who had 21 points in the game.

But when the defense collapsed on the senior big man, opening up the lane, Moore made a move on his man, pulled up and knocked down the shot.

“I don’t know what other freshman would step up and take that shot with all those upperclassmen on the floor, and he stepped up and made a really huge shot for us,” Keatts said.

“Most people would have gotten tight. We were down one, we needed a big basket, and he was

the guy that stepped up and made the shot.”

With his performances against BC and UNC, Moore — a threeor four-star recruit depending on which source you prefer who chose State over Providence and DePaul — has given all those recruiters that overlooked him a glimpse of what they missed.

“Guys miss on rankings all the time,” Keatts said. “I’ve made a living with some guys who probably should have been a top-75 guy.

Fortunately, Shak wasn’t highly ranked, but we knew what type of player we were getting.”

Get to know the Central: Hurricanes have new division in ’21 The new-look Central Division includes two teams from the Metro, both Stanley Cup finalists and other unfamiliar foes

fenseman Jake Massie and Chase Priskie were also once in the Carolina pipeline. Prospect Riley Stillman — son of Cory Stillman, who won a Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 — could make the team.

And then there’s Scott Darling, the goalie who bombed out in Carolina halfway through his big fouryear deal and is now on a professional tryout in Florida — the team that officially bought him out following the James Reimer trade before last season.

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes opened their abbreviated training camp for the 2020‑21 season this week without a lot of questions about how the opening night lineup will look.

Coach Rod Brind’Amour will need to figure out where newcomer Jesper Fast fits into his lines, how the team’s defense will be paired, and which players Carolina will carry on its taxi squad.

What will look different are their opponents this season — seven teams from the newly formed Central Division that will serve as the only competition the Hurricanes will play until the playoffs in May. Each team will play each other eight times, with the top four teams reaching the postseason.

So with one week until opening night in Detroit, here’s a look at the seven other teams in the Central and what you need to know before they all become very familiar with one another over the course of the shortened 56-game season.

Chicago Blackhawks 2019-20: 32-30-8, 72 points; 4-1 series loss to Vegas in first round Newsworthy: Chicago was already aging and thin on talent — not to mention inexperienced in goal — then it lost its top two centers on the eve of camp. Captain Jonathan Toews is out indefinitely with an undisclosed illness, and up-and-comer Kirby Dach suffered a fractured wrist at the World Juniors that will keep him out most of the season. Forward Alex Nylander is also out with a knee injury.

The Blackhawks’ three-headed goalie of Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban will try and replace the departed Corey Crawford in net, but 2020-21 has all the makings of a rough season in the Windy City.

Familiar faces: Lucas Wallmark, traded by the Hurricanes to Florida in the deal that brought Vincent Trocheck to Carolina last season, signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks during the offsea-

Nashville Predators

SAM HODDE | AP PHOTO

Former Hurricanes Anton Khudobin, left, and Andrej Sekera helped Dallas reach the Stanley Cup Final last season, and both re-signed with Stars this offseason. son and suddenly looks like he’ll be a middle-six pivot for Chicago. Defenseman Calvin de Haan is in his second year with Chicago since being traded there by Carolina last offseason.

Columbus Blue Jackets 2019-20: 33-22-15, 81 points; 4-1 series loss to Tampa Bay in first round Newsworthy: Would it be a Blue Jackets season without contract drama? Columbus signed franchise center Pierre-Luc Dubois to a two-year extension before training camp, but he also requested a trade. Now coach John Tortorella and his team could again be facing what they dealt with when both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin let it be known they wanted out of Ohio two seasons ago.

The Blue Jackets did trade Josh Anderson for Maxi Domi in the offseason while also adding veteran center Miko Koivu.

Familiar faces: Almost everyone. Other than the newcomers like Domi and Koivu, Carolina knows the Central’s only other Metropolitan Division team well.

Former Hurricanes Zac Dalpe, Nathan Gerbe and Riley Nash will all

have a chance at bottom-six roles for the Blue Jackets.

Dallas Stars 2019-20: 37-24-8, 82 points; 4-2 series loss to Tampa Bay in Stanley Cup Final Newsworthy: After a run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Stars will start the 2020-21 season without star forward Tyler Seguin and goalie Ben Bishop. Dallas still boasts a solid mix of established veterans, like Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski and Alexander Radulov, and young talent, namely Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz.

Familiar faces: With Bishop out, the goaltending reins again fall into the hands of Anton Khudobin, who handled those duties during the Stars’ playoff run last year. Defenseman Andrej Sekera, another former Hurricane, is back for another year in Dallas.

Detroit Red Wings 2019-20: 17-49-5, 39 points; did not qualify for postseason Newsworthy: It’s likely to be another tough year for the Red Wings, but GM Steve Yzerman should start to see some of the

young talent he’s assembled on the ice this season. Thomas Greiss will provide some stability in net, but Detroit still looks like it will be the doormat of the division.

Familiar faces: No former Hurricanes are in line to be on the Detroit roster, but there will be some sibling sightings. In a cap move, the Red Wings took on the final year of defenseman Marc Staal’s contract from the Rangers, while Evgeny Svechnikov is recovered from a knee injury and hopes to carve out an NHL role and face his little brother Andrei this year.

Florida Panthers 2019-20: 35-26-8, 78 points; 3-1 playoff qualifier series loss to Islanders Newsworthy: The Panthers lost firepower up front with the departures of Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov, but there’s top-shelf talent with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau along with additions Patric Hornqvist and Anthony Duclair.

Familiar faces: A couple former Hurricanes prospects from Finland will get a shot to make the Panthers this season in Aleksi Saarela and Eetu Luostarinen. De-

2019-20: 35-26-8, 78 points; 3-1 playoff qualifier series loss to Arizona Newsworthy: The Predators look like a team that’s headed toward a rebuild. There’s still talent — most notably Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen — and solid goaltending, but the roster has a patchwork feel after Nashville added a couple pieces right before camp that could block some of their young talent from getting NHL experience.

Familiar faces: Erik Haula, whose expiring contract was traded to Florida at the deadline last year in the Trocheck trade, signed a one-year deal with Nashville just before Christmas. He’ll miss the start of camp as he awaits the birth of his first child.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2019-20: 43-21-6, 92 points; Stanley Cup champions Newsworthy: The Lightning are built to take a run at defending their title, and they will have captain Steven Stamkos back in the fold to join a wealth of talent that won a Cup mostly without him. Missing, however, is Nikita Kucherov, the 2018-19 Hart Trophy winner who is out for the regular season following hip surgery.

Tampa Bay had to jostle its roster to become cap compliant, losing several key complementary players from a season ago, but the Lightning still have the likes of Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Canes killer Tyler Johnson.

Familiar faces: Former Hurricanes backup goalie Curtis McElhinney is again the No. 2 in Tampa Bay this season. Rough-and-tumble Barclay Goodrow was a prospect camp invitee for the Hurricanes long ago.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

B5

NSJ’s 2021 auto awards We’ll leave the 2020 postmortems for another day because I’m here to talk about cars.

Namely the first annual North State Journal Auto Awards — a slate of our favorite picks in a number of categories that will surely become highly coveted by automakers for future annals.

I came up with six different picks for the best vehicles I drove in 2020 (out of more than 50!) in the following categories: North State Journal Car of the Year; Green Car, Sports Car, Truck, SUV, and Luxury Car of the Year.

Some of the choices were difficult, but others stood out so much that I couldn’t not pick them — these picks were the most fun to drive, most fun to look at, or turned the most heads when I had them... or all three. Here we go.

CAR OF THE YEAR: CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE

This was one of the easy picks. The new mid-engined Corvette is such a stunning achievement in design, engineering and, most importantly, pricing. I was blown away by the amount of power and style that was shoved into a car with an entry-level price of just under $68,000.

This was a head-turner everywhere I went, and though it’s sporty and mind-blowingly fast, it’s comfortable and livable enough for everyday use.

The Corvette has always been the affordable, everyman sports car and the new version is the best ever built. Bravo.

PHOTO COURTESY CHEVROLET

GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR: TOYOTA COROLLA HYBRID

For years, I’ve been recommending the Toyota Corolla to friends and family who ask what the best affordable small car is. The Corolla is simple, reasonably priced, and totally reliable.

And now there’s this hybrid version that takes the tried-and-true Corolla formula and adds the powertrain from a Prius. That means this affordable small car is also affordable at the pump. And it also means that this affordable small car is also affordable at the pump. Does anyone need more car than this Corolla Hybrid? Honestly, probably not.

PHOTO COURTESY TOYOTA

SPORTS CAR OF THE YEAR: LAMBORGHINI URUS

But if you do want more car, you can’t go wrong with the Lamborghini Urus. OK, yes, it’s not exactly a “sports car” but this five-passenger SUV has a Lamborghini badge, carbon ceramic brakes the size of dinner plates, and an exhaust note.

It also grabs the attention of ten-year old boys which is the entire point of a sports car, and it has a flip up missile launcher switch to turn the engine on and off. And it’s the most comfortable Lamborghini you can buy, and Lamborghini makes sports cars and phew, this pick is justified. Insane and wonderful.

PHOTO COURTESY LAMBORGHINI

TRUCK OF THE YEAR: FORD F-150

It might have taken until the last week of the year to find our Truck of the Year pick, but it’s undoubtedly the brand new 2021 Ford F-150. This truck is packed with so much cool tech and smart features that I couldn’t fit them all in my review (see Page B6-7 in this issue).

Between the work-friendly retracting gear shifter and the trailer backup knob and the lie-flat reclining seats, this truck is ready for work or play and will remain a steadfast and loyal companion for years to come. It’s the Golden Retriever of trucks. You just have to love it.

PHOTO COURTESY FORD

SUV OF THE YEAR: FORD BRONCO SPORT

Ford is killing it this year. Between the Mustang Mach-E electric car and the new Broncos and the new F-150, the Dearborn, Michigan firm is firing on all cylinders. And the new baby Bronco is a worthy winner of SUV of the year. I took the Bronco Sport to the California desert and it easily proved its off-road bona fides, while clever design on the inside showed how useful it would be in every day life as well.

We’ll have to wait and see if the full-size Bronco will win next year’s SUV of the Year prize, but the Ford Bronco Sport is well deserving of the name. Baby or not, this is definitely a Bronco.

PHOTOS COURTESY FORD

LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR: LEXUS LC CONVERTIBLE

Sometimes you can tell that a car is special just by looking at it. The shape, the curves, the feel of the door handle — the way the button to lower and raise the top is hidden away beneath a tiny little door in the center console.

The LC Convertible is a masterpiece of automotive design and engineering. It’s gorgeous, the interior is one of the finest fitted to an automobile today, and it is just a very special place to sit. Especially if you’re going to take a blast across the desert to Las Vegas for the weekend. I can’t say enough nice things about the Lexus LC in coupe or convertible form, but here’s another: This was the car I least wanted to give back this year. High praise.

PHOTO COURTESY LEXUS

— Jordan Golson, North State Journal

B6

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

B7

2021 Ford F-150

PHOTOS COURTESY FORD

This new Ford truck is Ford truck tough No wonder the F-150 is America’s best-selling truck

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — The Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in America, ish. Sort of. OK, we’ll get to all the is-it-or-isn’t-it best-selling caveats in a minute, but Ford sells a ton of F-150 pickups and there’s a brand new one for 2021 and it has lots of cool gadgetry and wizardry and I really want one and you probably will too by the end of this review.

First though, we have to do some housekeeping. Ford says that the “F-Series” of trucks is the best-selling lineup of trucks in the world. This is technically true.

Ford sells more F-Series trucks — that includes the F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-450 — than any other single brand sells their trucks.

Except other brands don’t lump all their trucks together like Ford does. GM, for example, breaks out its trucks into Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra variants, and further breaks those down into light-duty and heavy-duty segments.

If you combine all the trucks GM sells through its various brands, it means General Motors sells the most trucks, but Ford has the best-selling truck models.

Maybe. There’s a lot of discussion about this and if you bring this up to GM truck PR people, they might get rather grumpy about the whole thing.

What’s not in question is that Ford sells many hundreds of thousands of F-150’s each year and issues a yearly press release reiterating how the F-Series has been America’s best-selling pickup for more than four decades. And, I suspect, the new 2021 F-150 is going to help them continue that streak.

If you read Ford’s 1800-word press release introduction to the new F-150, the words “all-new” are used 25 different times. It’s also repeatedly the “most [something] ever.” It’s the most productive, the most aerodynamic, and it has the most towing and payload of any light-duty, full-size pickup.

On XLT trims and above (I had the mid-tier Lariat, which is a bit of a sweet spot for the F-150 though it priced out to an eye-watering $67,575), there’s a massive 12-inch center screen. It’s literally like Ford glued an iPad to the dash and it’s fantastic. It supports wireless CarPlay which takes over half the screen, while the other half displays useful information about navigation or music or truck features. It’s fast and responsive and gorgeous. It will make your friends ooh and aah, if they haven’t been in a brand new truck for a while — though RAM beat Ford to the punch with the giantscreen-in-a-truck gimmick a couple years ago.

There’s another 12-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel, displaying all kinds of graphics and animations to show you what the engine is doing or how

fast you’re going or which drive mode you’re in or about a million other things. And when you change drive modes you’re in for a treat because there are nifty animations to show how Ford Tough your truck is, should you need a reminder. I wish the truck on the display would color match to the color of your vehicle, but whatever.

There’s a sweet workspace available inside the cab too.

When parked, the center gear lever can retract into the console, while a completely flat work surface can unfold giving you plenty of room to work on a laptop or enjoy a meal. On top of that, on King Ranch, Platinum and Limited Trims, the seats are cleverly designed to fold flat to nearly 180 degrees to turn into a bed for onthe-go naps.

There are a bunch of cameras as well, which help make parking and trailering easy — and a feature called “Pro Trailer Backup Assist” makes reversing in a trailer as easy as turning a knob, which is way cooler than it sounds.

My test unit had the 5-liter V8 powertrain, but there are a bunch of engine choices including a hybrid option that should deliver close to 700 miles on a tank of fuel. Oh, and the truck has something called Pro Power Onboard that turns the truck into a mobile electrical generator to send up to 2 kilowatts of power-to-power outlets at the rear of the bed, so you can set up a tailgate or a work site with ease.

I’m barely getting into the details here, including Ford Co-Pilot 360 which brings automatic emergency braking and auto lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and all kinds of other things. It’ll even park itself.

No wonder the F-150 is America’s best-selling truck. I’m ready to buy one right now.

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The mostadversaries direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to offer s elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do. They takeway advantage every weakness First, what theCh tr don’t and when The most direct to makeofChina “pay” for this disaster is to U.S. offertax credits That is, unless an exogenous event happens asisthe to companies who will source at least half ofsuch their pply and delivery they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or the important because it U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of theirproductionmeltdown 1986. States.

Some that event, theyexperts hope to back in theinUnited There isbelieve approximately $120not the S adversaries push back. be open or of closed, wh production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, directly to the dissolution the Sov billion worth of American directled investment in plants and equipment know what they isaster is to offer That is, unless an exogenous event happens such as the Chernobyl more liberalized soci billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989.direct investment in China. Chinese in the U.S. is about $65 billion by don’t. half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars ought to lock down fu comparison. in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl. ximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union We’ve in seen case fat An investment tax credit of 30% on half U.S. investment China comparison.

Senators in Washington are of already talking about the pos s and equipment in 1989. the number of identifi today, or $60 billion,forgiving applied to$1.2 repatriated American manufacturing investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China trillion in debt we owe them as one w out $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19An is China’s Chernobyl. and the denominator investmentChina to the to U.S. would U.S. Treasury billionthe in US. Don today, orare $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing “pay” forcost the the damage they have$18 caused Senators in Washington already talking about the possibility people have actually tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is would cost Treasury $18 billion in breath waiting for a Chinese “Jubilee” to number happen has but been ask you vestment in China of China forgivinginvestment $1.2 trillion to in the debtU.S. we owe them as the oneU.S. way to get ove decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now revenue they spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold China accountable in tangible financ n manufacturing China to “pay” for tax the damage have caused the US. Don’t hold your of death, particularly undertaking to disaster. save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the compared to the $6ask trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this $18 billion in breath waiting for decimal a Chinesedust “Jubilee” to happen but your elected sources suggest the n past. to save ourinown economy, notways of defeated enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsibl t revenue is representatives to undertaking hold China accountable tangible financial for many American people are dyin China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging Plan we are now this disaster. past. the world like any other modern nation.

Even more importa business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they d enemies as in the It is about time they are expected operate asstealing, responsible citizens ofpillaging American actually have coronav China has beentocheating, pirating and intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and the world like any business other modern nation. of identified cases co now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret thatreplace they the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. laging American number of people wh intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and no secret that they replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

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It’s okay to ask questions about ask questions aboutto when will payIt’s forokay this to COVID-19 catastrophe How Chi we begin get back to normal sstrophe about when A7 The comfort a How China will pay for this COVID-19 catas The 3 big questions nob A7 normalwe begin to get back to normal EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

EDITORIAL | FRA

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates The cavalier manner in which China lied about the origin ofSTATES the WITH MOST under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-homeONE OBINSON hina lied about the origin of the nd in the United States, China will pay for this virus, covered upONE its spread and to tell after the world there to were only THING IStried CERTAIN; thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which arounC orders local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans WEEK, virus, according to members theand fede iedor toanother. tell the world there were only “THIS ISofTHE DA ay 3,341 related deaths to worldwide panic, economic and aroundhas theled globe and in the United will to pay forTHIS this covered up its spread t areStates, havingChina to collapse adjust what is being called the “new normal.” catast and state and local governments, Americans have rldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24). either shelter-in-place stay-at-home into place.

I understand the related seriousness ofhas theled virus an catastrophe one waybeing or or another.

3,341 to wo he crisis caused by China in perspective,WITH zero MOST STATES millionsunder of Americans needlessly thrown out of work.

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

In oe ce orcan stay-at-home fallen to into place.

Iorders understand theto seriousness of the virus the the curve inI’m the uneasy novel coronavirus outbreak.

The being thrown of work.

I know that during thanks localThe or state governments, aneed majority of at Americans to precautions, with how people who sim Inand order to puttaxpayer the crisis caused

by China in take perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly mics traceout their source the United States over crisis has cost the U.S. leastVirginia’s $2.4 trillion in added stay-at-home orders gobut into June. worldw AP PHOTO ty of at Americans to take precautions, I’m uneasy withto how people who simply the ask “new normal.” muted afterand all, trends canhas easily reverse — taxp but ayer least $2.4in trillion in added working from home Manufacturing onalone the rise worldwide can trace their source to the United States over The coststart the U.S. arebut having what is being called questions the— data, things can getting ry.

At least four the 20th century can be to adjustdebt plus trillions more inpandemics Federal Reserve backup liquidity toCarolina, the about Here in North Democratic Gov.when Roycrisis Cooper stated during our 23 normal.” questions and when orders things can startatgetting back tohistory. have abided by recommendations and orders.

The Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, be glad” as the Bible our 231-year AtU.S. least four inrecent the 20th century alone can be debt plus trillions more in Federa Some of these extend least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt. a coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and financial outlets.

If the dollar were not the reserve direct American factories grew in December at the fastest pace in more than two years.

The1957 Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday that gauge of nd of this month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancin he U.S. dollar were not the reserve and dad, Easter directly traced to to China: “Asian flu,” 1968They’re “Hong Kong markets andits financial outlets.

If t Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. treated as1977 though we as a society simply must acce state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. he 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, wemust would not be able fund anyin ofAugust these emergency Since when did “Russi Perhaps activity rose toas60.7% last month, the highest reading since it stood at 60.8 2018.

They’re treated though we as a society simply accept without they’ve donned masks. fund anymanufacturing of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able Perhaps WALTER E. WILLIAMS If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the in North Carolina, Democratic Roy Cooper stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massiv safe to toa nish flu”WALTER pandemic its origins inHere China. measures without fear of rampant inflation and currency We need E. had WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safeimmediate toGov. begin the The result: a reduction in expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflationalso and currency pandemic.

1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic had its origins in China. measures without for it. And the answers should not COVID-19 be vague onesimmediate like “we fea a recent press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” ifjustification thealso process of returning back to normalcy.

COVID-19 greement, China, of that COVID-19 depreciation.

Theis know yet” outside if the of process returning back tocoronavirus normalcy. transparency According to the University of Washington Institu For me, my faith Easter seasons government There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 depreciation. must do this out of an abundance of caution.” is model China’s state’sworks stay-at-home will into May. No. The government works for us, and making. we have the right to an Province probably from thedid completely China has toright pay to for their aberrant ways and decisions through is China’s Since when No. The government for us, andorders we have theextend ask those Metrics and Evaluation most oft cited by m origin ant ways and decisions through As I celebra and honesty originatedshould in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely has to pay for their aberr provide a China all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who If he does decide to extend it, questions be asked as to the questions.

And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place a nsanitary wet markets. believe itlonger came out of but aChernobyl. financial means.

Diplomacywet hasmarkets. obviously notbelieve workedit Trump Chernobyl. asked to the questions.

And theis stay-at-home orders in place all over the unsanitary administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviously notSome worked unreg Corinthians 1:4, whi graduates iseconomic only ableare toand find low-paying work. ned in as two past articles that student debt questioning unregulated and came out of at a home economic financial means.

D fromSome our are being told to remain jobless and for an undetermined message of become a justification for it.

And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as M andhealth, more. hygienepeak outbreak was revised down byones the communist Chinese army. to China into the civilized 21stshirts century gue likecentury “we country, and the stricter somean ofISA them getbring in states, such as Michigan, by over 120,000, orld of 21st health, hygiene Under agreement, he would owe an agreedlem and that universities have encouraged affliction, so that wew biowa biowarfare lab run world by the of communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases government hope that will Triad leaders say the pandemmustupon do this out ofand an abundance ofthe caution.” thethe more people, sitting at nearly home feeling isolated and/or anxi bad thing? the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about pts verifiable policing and regulation of fair trade. communist regimes neverpolicing take blame ventilators and the number of ov percentage of his income —Totalitarian actual dollar theirrigorous own irresponsible behavior.

With unist regimes never take the blame affliction, withcomm the co Unt Until China adopts rigorous verifiable and regulation of by and 13,000 fair trade.

Totalitarian are icwho hasreliable. forced theirto communities — we need once again enjoy atnot all levels It amount will need to be in detail to the people of this state when they can get back to providing for their families, will d would be very low.

With a traditional loan, of this stateprotocols, who when theyfinancial can get back tonoproviding for their families, will demand erse, graduates facing uncertain August by nearly 12,000. nd health American business has other orexplained express sincere regret and remorse, because that is not what because that isan what God.” That is what their f their food safety and health protocols, American business has nowhat otherthe state or express sincere rem To know date, I’veinnovative gone alongmarwith has asked andregret then and to come up with what they he would owe the same amount regardless of his t’s particularly important to find solutions ndetermined answers. are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, advantage of become every weakness dtake redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely If you are celebrat totalitarian governments do.

They take advantage of every weakness a choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do.

The choice keting solutions to try and help citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about income.

Even with income-based repayment on his So,and what’s to cases be done? housands of Leaders the local state levels should be in as forthcoming assecurity they know, what they questions that state will allow economy tothis reopen. amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases atand the localconcerts, and levels should beon as forthcom pushing until they win or the reflect messa ty safety reasons as well asatsupply andand delivery they find adversaries and keep pushing until they win orLeaders the family out local business owners.

“We for national safety reasons as well as supply delivery they findthe in adversaries and keep for nat the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. thing? livingasinand a free loan,—heand would likely make interest-only payments dical proposals, likebad completely can be with those answers again, not vague answers, but answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality rate?c God’s example and know nationally, since March, are reliable. can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, don’t and when s.student loans adversaries push back. reliability concerns. adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is reliabi AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife withthe principal continued to mount. andasmaking subject AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife withbecause it determines That is them what society ked and then with details that give their 17% throughout important whether certain nt happens such the Chernobyl this difficult Th To I’veUniversity gonebelievability. along with what theexogenous statedirect has asked and then with that their statements The most waywere to make China “pay” for this disaster isgive to offer That is, believability. unless an exogenous ev way to make China “pay” for work. this disaster isdate, tostatements offer hope todetails That is, unless an event happens suchofthey asrestaurants the Chernobyl corruption.

The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat thosetime. church services The Purdue is already experimenting with ptcy protection, would certainly corruption.

The financial squeeze resulting the country have closed.

I get questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Star Wars confident we will em supposed free citizens COVID-19 offers opportunities for atheirunder mandated that its we“Back do, but along the way also had questions about We should all continue towhen do what weinstart can to keep our fam U.S. taxI’ve credits to who willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown 1986.

Some experts companies will source at half of ISAs meltdown in plan.

1986.

Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars what they simply questioning the andfor asking we can getting back a Boiler” The program iscompanies ders whofrom putwho their own money onleast the our line from COVID-19 offers opportunities a many U.S. ta and more the sense the number is smallSponsored

by Union ourselves, and communities safe.

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

Let’s first examine what production back in the United States.

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities safe.

But we should also stilt Sponsored by nue the United States.

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who being funded by the Purdue Research Foundation, diligence beforeliving lendingintoa18-yearbit of remediation.

Let’s first examine what free er in High Point because our don’t. produ afterdown ourinown asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors helping st ne billion worth of American direct investment inof plants and equipment Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there isbe the root to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable part of the university’s endowment.

It’s a smallchecked. ers. And direct the fearinvestment of students in filing for and By might academic corruption, otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or1989. others sick. community has really rallied to merican in 1989.

Elizabeth Lincicome billion suggested bysociety the title were of aplants recent study,equipment ehernobyl. to treat those measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number of temporary In Concord, a high in China.

Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Cd program now but is already showing positive results. ydirect wouldinvestment ensure thatGrievance loans are small and suggested byour the title of a recent study, support local restaurants,” North Stateaby Journal sometimes disturbing tendency among some people to treat those measures are understandable, they also have an expi Since when did questioning government at all should levels become aisbad in the U.S. $65 billion Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

“Academic Studies and to the in Chi North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 starttalking getting back supposed This is is allabout new Americans, and it is not normal.

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but b eady about the possibility money to buy a 3-D sacrifices are “Our ‘Buy says Chapin. created theto Purdue’s websitethe explains aand few of themessage benefits ofiscan “Academic Grievance Studies and theAmericans, comparison.

Senators Washington arein alra thing?

That is“We what citizens living in a free were supposed simply questioning data asking when we starttalking getting back This isfree all new andsociety it isin not normal.

Not Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was Senators in Washington about the possibility compa A6 are people who shape, or form.

So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, atare already andstudy theChina denominator are likely wrong.

We don’t k we owe them as one way to get health care workers High Point Food Mob Facebook SMALL BUSINESSES across ISAs: hdebt a solution is politically unpopular.

Corruption of Scholarship.”

The was An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in over.

Local or Bye Local,’ and the to do, last I checked. done

by Areo, an opinion analysis Peloton’s tolargest do, last Iand to the normal ascomfortable though they are conspiracy theorists or debt are people who shape, or form.

So while we should remain vigilant and stay ax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in we owe them as one way to get An i ick. the same time we shouldn’t get with this so-called “new group that now has over 8000 people have actually died of coronavirus.

Some so country and across the state y have caused the US. Don’t hold your The standard payment period for the Back onsiderably reduce the number byMy Areo, an opinionasand analysis today, or $60 billion, applied done to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay”isfor the damage digital magazine.

By American theof way, Areo is short first concern we go in all this, of course, my family.

I’m the otherwise don’t care ifisthey themselves or has others sick. the same time wealong shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-call community responded on, applied to repatriated manufacturing China to get “pay” for the damage they have caused the US.the Don’t hold your members, county and state of North Carolina have suffered checked. acquisition includes see” become a bad normal.” today, number has been overestimated, given that classifi toborrow happen but ask your elected a Boiler-ISA Fund about 10 years, making it ble to for college and would digital magazine.

By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by investmentattoall the U.S. become would cost the U.S.about Treasury $18 billion the in virus, and breath waiting Ifor a Chinese worried them catching I’m worried will.

After “Jub Since did questioning levels ahave bad normal.” been as supportive devastating losses duegovernment U.S. would cost thein U.S. Treasury $18 inwheneconomic breath waiting for revenue a Chinese “Jubilee” tofew happen but ask your elected y were supposed positively.”

Not one little bit.billion of death, among elderly patients, can competitive with most Federal Plus and private loan ionately affect low-income students.

It for Areopagitica, abeen speech delivered by particularly invest untable in tangible financial ways for John Milton defense of free speech. tax spread over a years. $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold China acc Guilford Co. plant suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, with grants and theone restaurants COVID-19.

While nearly ev- living thing?

ThatInisaddition, what free ina asix-month free society were supposed Not little bit. suggest the number is dramaticallytax over a few years.majoring $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for all citizens students receive disfavor students in soft but John Milton in defense of free speech.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A.to terms. sources under rev decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster.

I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up themselves have been veryJames inno- A. ery sector has post-graduation been impacted, before payments begin.

Peloton, aand leading interactive towe do, last I checked. grace period Lindsay Peter Boghossian say has that Authors Helen Pluckrose, pared tofamily. the as $6I’m trillion+ Marshall Plan are now e, is my this disaster.

Stacey Matthews also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah many people are dying at home. diplines. to operate responsible citizens of Mark Owens, president and CEO decim notproviding of defeated as in the It is about timenot they expect vative in safeenemies service involved in accom- undertaking to save our own economy, way and too many memories ofsay a painful I’d prefer to are repeat. fitness platform, an wrong something gone drastically Once recipient makes successful payments for ee are solutions thathas canhas beannounced implemented — businesses Lindsay Peter Boghossian thatmore My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, to isInc. my family.

I’m Stacey Matthews has alsoexperience written under the pseudonym Sist ied I will.

After and is adefeated regular contributor RedState and Legal Insurrection. importantly, we have no clue how mn our own economy, not of enemies asato in the service It isand about time they are expected operate as responsible citizens ofEven ation. to their customers.” under modations, food edpast. the world like any other modern of Greater Winston-Salem, But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has agreement to acquire Precor, one ofcertain the prescribed term of the contract, no additional in academia, especially within s acrimonious political climate. something has gone drastically wrong 2009 pandemic, worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrec actually have coronavirus.

Some scientists sugges the world like any other modern nation.

Similarly, in Winston-Salem ucation, as well as nonessential has less been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American past. the largest global fields within thecommercial humanities.

They payments are required even theyChina have solution has been referred to as fitness “skin in call in academia, especially withinofcertain of this brings upproviders theThey Downtown Winston-Salem identified cases could be an order of magnitude retailers have experienced theif(swine suffering from the H1N1 virus flu)paid during the 2009 pandemic, cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. have made no secret that they equipment with a significant these fields “grievance studies,” where Chin thanextreme the amount of funding they received.

Suchnot a policy would call for institutions fields within theinhumanities.

They NealinRobbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion Partnership partnership with call Partnersbecause includeall the Al-brings most effects, accordrefer to years. repeat. number of people who have had and n I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, of this up U.S. manufacturing presence, in a noupon he past 30 They have made secret that they scholarship is not so much based intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower the world and busine Both ISAs by andMcKinsey skin in the& game policiesChamber would hare in the credit risk of every student fields “grievance studies,” where Greater Inc. has amance of Com-these ing to a study ost everyone haspremier transaction valued at $420 million. in finding truth butinstitution. upon attending way too many memories of abenefits. painful experience I’das prefer notscholarship tocurrency repeat.Winston-Salem he as superpower world and replace the dollar the reserve their renminbi. have many down-stream Both would put outU.S. a loan tothe attend the In tothe iswith not so much based upon Picking and Trimming intend provided grants to small busimerce, Burlington Downtown, Company consulting.

For those With the acquisition, Peloton plansscholars to social grievances.

Grievance But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has as the reserve currency with their renminbi. pressure on universities to keep tuition low and his means that universities would be on finding truth but upon attending to nesses.

“Our downtown busiBusiness High Point Chamsmall businesses that were alreplac establish U.S. manufacturing capacity, bully students, administrators and other in Drexel

Innovative solutions he student debt dilemma Fixingn.c. college FAST corruption

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VISUAL VOICES

offset some of the artificial pressure on demand for or some part oflargely student loan debt when social grievances. Grievance scholars based ininto Whitsett, N.C. As departments adhering to their ready struggling, the pandem- ber of Commerce, Downtown nesses have experienced unprecedented difficulties managing Elon, Downtown Greensboro, higher education.

They would also align universities’ ic has only accelerated their deefault. Such a policy would require action bully students, administrators and otherDrexel Barber Shop is open for home fitnessThe enthusiasm reached worldview. worldview they promote is Jason the impacts of this pandemInc., Downtown Winston-Samise and resulted in permanent interests with those of students.

Universities would ss since student loans are disbursed by the departments into adhering to their haircuts, but everyone comes for historic highs during the pandemic, neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | lem STACEY MATTHEWS ic,” says Jason Thiel, President Partnership, be invested in student success, not just increasedForward Highworldview. ernment.

The worldview they promote is the bluegrass. companyconsist shares are up 470% thissuch as closures. studies of disciplines of Downtown Winston-Salem Point,probably Greaterbegin Winston-Sa-neither The U.S. Chamber of Com- would THEWS Some universities ther solution canofficials be implemented locally. scientific nor rigorous. Grievance Since owner year and are expecting its firststudies, enrollment.

Carroll Anthony’s | STAC sociology, anthropology, gender EDITORIAL Partnership.

“They have employlem, when Inc., Greensboro merce Small Business Coronavito offer better guidance to students they choose Chamberstudies of institutions are already giving it critical a consist of disciplines such RICHARD as billion-dollar holiday quarter in sales. father opened the place in COLUMN | REP. HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and race ee and anthropology, customer safety considPiedmont Triadsociology, rusmajors, Impactchoose Poll found thatand nearclasses takeof outCommerce, loans. e Share Agreements (ISAs).

ISAs are “Precor is driven to create gender studies, 1949, what used to be a way studies. erations along with regulations Partnership, Wyndham Chamly 8 in 10 small business owners personalized health and fitness These innovative solutions will do what “Free l agreements in which students receive queer studies, sexuality and critical race to fill downtime — a few local In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, are concerned about the pan- pionship and Winston-Salem that limit their ability to conduct experiences help peoplestarted live the andthat Boghossian College” cannot: make students and universities funding Lindsay in exchange for a predetermined studies. guys picking a couple of chords impact on their oper- Open. Patrick Chapin, President business profitably so during lives they desire.

That passion has submitting bogus academic papers to demic’s behave more wisely and act together towards the post-graduation income over a certain In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, in-between customers — has the summer and fall we coorand CEO of Business High Point ations.

While the federal govledpercent us to create customizable academic journals in cultural, queer, same goal.

That goal is to create educated, wise years. The ofhighly income and number Lindsay and Boghossian started become an internationally ernment’s original Paycheck Chamber of Commerce says that dinated “The Streatery”, an onsolutions running thesexuality fitness gender, fat and studies and productive graduates.

Only with smart policies n changerace, based upon a on student’s major and Protection submitting bogus academic papers to acclaimed weekly bluegrass jam.

Program closed in small businesses need all the street dining experience along industry’s largest commercial determine if they would pass peer that incentivize student success can we they ensure that Even the challenges of Covid tential. to academic journals in Trade cultural, queer, Fourth Street and Streets support can get from memAugust, it is still issuing Econetwork,” said Rob Barker, Precor’s “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let usthe r of the virus and the review be accepted for need publication.

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place.

I understand haven’t slowed them down: with colleges trulyDisaster provide value for students, parents, eseriousness a good deal forand students because they race, gender, fat and sexuality studies on weekends.

We have also conbers of the community.

“Let us nomic Injury Loans President. “The team is excitedthat Acceptance ofPrecor dubious research in it” (Psalm 118:24). ykywith how people who simply ask orders thanks to local or state a majority of Americans to take precautions, more Facebook followers thanbut theI’m unea taxpayers and than loans.

Imagine a student who determine if they would pass peer ducted marketing promotions forget that ALL small busi-togovernments, and more help is society. on the way af- not to combine our manufacturing editors found sympathetic to their I know that this challenging time of soc n thingsjournal can start getting back to townduring has residents, Drexel Barber TATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home fallen into place.

I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” questions about the data, and wh review and be accepted for publication. such as “Shop the Block” and conesses are hurting right now.

Beter Congress in December enWIT expertise and more than 40 years of intersectional or postmodern leftist vision working from home or losing a job, it may be diffi with contempt.

Shop broadcasts weekly jam ordinated with city officials to cause dollars spent locally stay Acceptance of dubious research that acted another round of relief Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle cal or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask equipment innovations with Peloton’s orders of the world would prove the problem of be glad” assessions the Bible tells to do. as However, as aasC a society simply must accept without by videous online. restaurant pick up in our data, localstay-at-home economy (68 centsjournal legislation to pumpquestions $900 billion editors found sympathetic to their Virginia’s orders gooffer into June.

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It’s okay to ask questions about when sk questions about when It’s okay The comfort and hope we begin to get back to normal

get back to normal

What would you do?

we begin

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 12/31 Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$1,929,521,740 Add Receipts:

$224,605,600 Less Disbursements:

$138,183,059 Reserved Cash:

$920,567,211 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$3,705,618,475 Nexsen Pruet announces new members Raleigh The law firm Nexsen Pruet announced it elevated eight attorneys to members of the firm. The lawyers are corporate attorneys, litigators, and employment and labor lawyers who represent businesses and professionals working in industries in North Carolina and South Carolina including construction, manufacturing and banking. The new members are: Bridget BlinnSpears, Raleigh; John Bruton, Columbia, S.C.; Grant Close, Greenville, S.C.; Kelly Jones, Raleigh; Erin Mosley, Greensboro; Matt Ormiston, Greenville, S.C.; Ashley Parr, Greenville, S.C.; Sara Svedberg, Columbia, S.C.

Amazon buys 11 jets for 1st time to ship orders faster New York Amazon confirmed Tuesday the purchase of 11 jets from Delta and WestJet airlines to boost its growing delivery network and get orders to shoppers faster. The company said it is the first time it has purchased planes for its delivery network. Over the past couple of years, Amazon has been leasing planes to build its fleet.

Seattle-based Amazon has been working to deliver most of its packages itself and rely less on UPS, the U.S. Postal Service and other carriers. Besides its fleet of planes, Amazon has also built several package-sorting hubs at airports, opened warehouses closer to where shoppers live and launched a program that lets contractors start businesses delivering packages in vans stamped with the Amazon logo.

Amazon said the 11 planes, all of which are Boeing 767-300s, will be converted to hold cargo instead of passengers. The four jets that it is buying from WestJet will join Amazon’s fleet this year, and the seven from Delta will be ready by next year. The purchases will bring its total fleet to 85 planes by 2022.

B9

Epic Games to transform Cary Towne Center mall into new headquarters NSJ staff

“After years of shifting development plans for the Center, we are thrilled the space will be utilized to its full potential and turned into something the Town and community of Cary can be proud of.”

CARY — Epic Games Inc., Turnbridge Equities and Denali Properties announced Sunday an agreement to transfer ownership of the 980,000-square-foot and 87-acre Cary Towne Center to Epic Games, with the goal of converting the property into its new campus by 2024. The facilities will include both office buildings and recreational spaces, allowing Epic the flexibility to create a campus customized from the ground up to accommodate its long-term growth.

Epic plans to begin development of its new headquarters this year and the company will continue to be based at its current location at Crossroads Boulevard in the interim. Epic, majority owned by billionaire cofounder and CEO Tim Sweeney, has called Cary home for over 20 years and has immersed itself into the community, often hiring locally and from nearby universities as the company continues to grow and scale.

With sales revenue soaring due

Jason Davis, Managing Director at Turnbridge Equities in large part to the global success of the game Fortnite, company officials said Epic plans to create a new corporate campus at the mall site by 2024.

Fortnite’s success has helped make Epic worth more than $17 billion, according to estimates by Bloomberg news. And in a recent study by the Entertainment Software Association, North Carolina was ranked 10th in the nation for video game industry economic

impact, largely due to the hometown presence of Epic Games.

While plans for the Epic campus are still in the early phases, the company is already working with the Town of Cary on its development and exploring ways some of this property might be used by the community. In a news statement on Sunday, Epic officials noted how grateful the company is to Cary and its leadership, and how this positive relationship played a significant role in Epic’s decision to pursue a campus that would seem to solidify its future in Cary for decades to come.

“We’re extremely proud that Epic has chosen to call Cary home for their new global headquarters, and we greatly appreciate the company’s recognition of Cary’s existing assets as well as the unlimited potential of the area for their growing business,” said Cary mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “We look forward to continuing to work closely and collaboratively with the Epic team as they conceptualize their new campus, and we’re honored to partner with them on this exciting new

development.”

Epic, which was represented

by Stephen Porterfield of Capital Associates in this transaction, is also collaborating closely with Turnbridge and Denali to ensure a smooth transition of ownership.

Turnbridge and Denali acquired the Cary Towne Center mall in January 2019 in a distressed sale following the loss of three of its five anchor tenants. The firms recognized the potential to transform the space into a revitalized new development for the region, and have since invested in the successful rezoning of the property.

“Epic shares our vision for transforming Cary Towne Center into a vibrant community space.

This sale is further validation of our value-driven investment strategy, and the property could not be placed in better hands,” said Jason Davis, Managing Director at Turnbridge Equities. “After years of shifting development plans for the Center, we are thrilled the space will be utilized to its full potential and turned into something the Town and community of Cary can be proud of.”

Google workers form new labor union, a tech industry rarity

By Matt O’Brien The Associated Press A GROUP OF Google engineers and other workers announced Monday they have formed a union, creating a rare foothold for the labor movement in the tech industry.

About 225 employees at Google and its parent company Alphabet are the first dues-paying members of the Alphabet Workers Union. They represent a fraction of Alphabet’s workforce, far short of the threshold needed to get formal recognition as a collective bargaining group in the U.S. But the new union, which will be affiliated with the larger Communication Workers of America, says it will serve as a “structure that ensures Google workers can actively push for real changes at the company.” Its members say they want more of a voice not just on wages, benefits and protections against discrimination and harassment but also broader ethical questions about how Google pursues its business ventures.

The unionization campaign is the latest signal from employees who don’t believe the company is living up to its professed ideals, as expressed in its original “Don’t be evil” slogan.

Google said Monday that it’s tried to create a supportive and rewarding workplace but suggested it won’t be negotiating directly with the union.

“Of course our employees have protected labor rights that we support,” said a statement from Kara Silverstein, the company’s director of people operations.

“But as we’ve always done, we’ll continue engaging directly with all our employees.”

Unionization campaigns haven’t historically been able to gain much traction among elite tech workers, who get hefty salaries and other perks like free food and shuttle rides to work.

But workplace activism at Google and other big tech firms has grown in recent years as employees call for better handling of sexual harassment and discrimination and avoiding harmful uses of the products they’re helping to build and sell.

Many employees began seeing the power of their workplace activism in 2018 when an internal outcry led Google to abandon its work supplying the Pentagon with artificial intelligence services for conflict zones. Later in 2018, thousands of Google employees walked out to protest how the company handled sexual misconduct allegations against executives.

Google software engineer Chewy Shaw, who has been elected to the new union’s executive council, said he and others decided to form the group after seeing colleagues pushed out of their roles for their activism.

“We want to have a counterforce to protect workers who are

JEFF CHIU | AP PHOTO

In this Sept. 24, 2019, file photo a woman walks below a Google sign on the company’s campus in Mountain View, Calif. speaking up,” Shaw said.

The latest examples came last month, when prominent AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru says she was fired over a research paper that Google wanted to disassociate from; and as a federal labor agency filed a complaint accusing the company of spying on employees and then firing some of them during a 2019 effort to organize a union. Google has denied the allegations in the case, which is scheduled for an April hearing.

The union’s first members include engineers, as well as sales associates, administrative assistants and the workers who test self-driving vehicles at Alphabet automotive division Waymo.

Many work at Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters, while others are at offices in Massachusetts, New York and Colorado.

“One of the reasons why it’s taken a while for workers to get to this point is because the leaders of these companies did a good job of convincing workers they were these benevolent folks who were going to provide for them,

kind of a paternalistic model,” said Beth Allen, communications director at the CWA. “That got them a long way,” Allen said, but workers have increasingly realized they need “to come together and build power for themselves and have a voice in what’s going on.”

The National Labor Relations Board typically recognizes petitions to form new unions when they get interest from at least 30% of employees in a given location or job classification in the U.S.; a majority of affected workers must then vote to form one.

Alphabet has a global workforce of roughly 130,000.

Allen said the Alphabet Workers Union is not currently planning to pursue official recognition as a collective bargaining group. Instead, she said it will work similarly to public sector unions in states that don’t allow public employees to bargain collectively.

“We’d love to get direct legal representation but the focus right now is we’re not going to depend on that,” Shaw said.

Bid to address health costs by 3 corporate giants is over

By Tom Murphy The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — A health care venture conceived by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to attack soaring costs is dissolving.

Haven, which was formed in 2018 by the three U.S. corporate giants, will cease operations by the end of February, a company spokeswoman said Monday. She gave no reason for the dissolution of the venture.

The independent company was created to focus on improving the care delivered to employees of those businesses while doing a better job of managing the expense. But benefits experts expected any plans developed by Haven to become widely adopted by other companies if they proved effective in controlling costs.

News of the venture’s creation nearly three years ago sent a brief shudder through the stocks of health insurers that manage employer-sponsored coverage.

But the Boson-based venture has been largely silent since naming a high-profile CEO — Harvard

AP PHOTOS

This combination of file photos from left shows Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, on Sept. 19, 2017, in New York, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, on Sept. 24, 2013, in Seattle and JP Morgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon on July 12, 2013, in New York. professor, author and surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande — and then announcing its name in 2019.

Gawande departed last May. Employer-sponsored insurance covers about 157 million people, according to the Kaiser Family

Foundation. That’s nearly half the total U.S. population and the biggest slice of the country’s patchwork health insurance market.

Health care costs have grown faster than wages and inflation for years, stressing families and

employers. Haven’s founders cautioned from the outset that the company had a tough task, and they didn’t expect quick solutions.

They had several priorities for the company. They wanted it to look for ways to help employees

make better choices for their care and give them the best options available.

They also wanted Haven to develop better programs for improving health and dealing in particular with obesity and smoking, which account for chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and depression.

A Haven spokeswoman said the company made progress in a number of areas. It started new designs for health care benefits that eliminated patient out-ofpocket payments like deductibles and coinsurance and encouraged access to primary care.

She said Haven also identified areas for cutting prescription drug costs and “tackled issues relate to fraud, waste and abuse.”

Amazon said in a statement Monday that Haven “worked very well” as a place to come up with ideas and test them, but added: “Now that we’re ready to implement, we realize that doing so independently makes the most sense.”

Amazon, JP Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway also plan to keep collaborating informally.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

entertainment

2020 was a box office year like none before

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press WHEN THE SUN SETS on the 2020 film box office, it’ll be difficult to look at the numbers as anything but disastrous.

After five consecutive years of North American revenues exceeding $11 billion, this year they’re expected to cap out at an almost 40year low of around $2.3 billion.

That’ll be down 80% from last year according to data firm Comscore.

Globally, where markets have been able to recover more fully, ticket sales will likely end up somewhere between $11 and $12 billion. Last year, that total hit $42.5 billion.

But of course, 2020 is a year with a big asterisk.

“It’s a year like no other,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. “We’ve never seen this little business in this industry.”

Outside of January and February, it’s impossible to judge the year’s box office by pre-pandemic standards. Box office, in aggregate, is fairly predictable in a normal year. But when the theaters shut down March 20, that “all went out the window,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with Comscore. “The unpredictability became the constant.”

Most North American theaters weren’t open for six months straight through the summer season, which typically accounts for around 40% of the year’s profits.

For the past two years, the summer movie season has netted over $4.3 billion. This year it brought in $176.5 million, much of that from drive-in theaters.

“The drive-in became the hero of the summer,” Dergarabedian said.

When indoor theaters did start to reopen in late August and early September, it was at limited capacity and with limited product. Currently, about 35% of theaters are open in the U.S. and some of the biggest markets, including New York and Los Angeles, remain closed. Although there have been a steady stream of new releases, the blockbuster tentpoles have been few and far between. Some went to streaming services, others became premium digital rentals, but most simply retreated into 2021 and beyond.

Perhaps there is no more telling fact than that 2020 was the first time in over a decade without a Marvel movie. The Walt Disney Co.’s superhero factory has for the past two years topped the year-end

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

In this Friday, May 15, 2020, file photo, guests watch a showing of “Trolls World Tour,” at the Four Brothers Drive In Theatre amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Amenia, N.Y. unlimited options at home, people still sought out the movie theater,” Dergarabedian said. “People have a desire to go outside the home and be entertained. That desire hasn’t changed but the ability to do that was profoundly limited.”

It’s even changed the way opening weekends, once a reliable indicator of a film’s long-term prospects, are judged and it might remain that way for a while.

“The instant gratification that we used to be able to deliver on Sunday mornings after opening on a Friday? It’s probably not going to happen again for quite some time,” Orr said.

Theaters have embraced enhanced safety protocols and experimented with different ways to get people back into seats, including private theater rentals, but attendance throughout the fall and winter remained limited.

“People go to movie theaters to escape. If you’re going to a movie theater where you have to wear a mask and you have to sit apart and you have to be hyper conscious of your surroundings, that is not how the theatrical experience is sup-

posed to work,” said John Sloss, principal at the media advisory firm Cinetic. “To judge this year at all in terms of theater attendance, I think is doing a disservice overall to what’s really going on.”

Moviegoing in 2020 is the story of an industry that employs some 150,000 fighting to stay afloat until normalcy returns, which everyone expects will happen even if it’s not in the near future. Small movie theater owners will get a bit of a lifeline from the pandemic relief package.

But effects on the businesses have been staggering and it may be a while before the full impact is known, although there have been some historic developments and compromises. Some innovations have been well-received, like Universal’s landmark agreement with various exhibitors to shorten the theatrical window from 90 days to as little as 17 days in some cases. Others, like Warner Bros.’ decision to release all of its 2021 films on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously, have not.

It’s no secret that streaming services, whether subscription or

on demand, filled a huge gap for film fans looking for new content.

While at-home options will continue to compete with theaters for consumer eyes and dollars, few believe that they are a death-knell for theaters. By and large, studios are not looking to abandon the theatrical model, even if some priorities have shifted to streaming.

“I do think there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” Orr said.

“As vaccinations continue to roll out, I am 100% convinced that people will come running back into theaters when it’s possible in their area. The model is not going away.”

Disney CEO Bob Chapek noted at the company’s recent investor day that they made $13 billion at the box office in 2019.

“That’s not something to sneeze at,” Chapek said.

This past weekend, “Wonder Woman 1984,” which was available to stream on HBO Max for free, also collected $16.7 million from 2,100 North American theaters.

That number would have been a disaster before. For the pandemic?

It’s a record.

Being Judy Garland won Zellweger an Oscar. Is a Grammy next?

lor, Harry Connick Jr. and Rufus Wainwright, who performs “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with Zellweger on the “Judy” album.

“It was scary to ask Rufus, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Want to come sing a duet with me?,’” she recalled. “I know people say that all the time, but it’s the truth: I really have been singing with Rufus for 20 years-plus in my car.”

Zellweger remembers seeing Connick Jr. live, describing the crooner as “an authentic person and performer.”

“What you see is what you get,” Zellweger said. “Stomping his foot up there onstage at the Hollywood Bowl and you feel like you’re in the living room with him or something.”

Getting Zellweger to go on and on about music is light work. The Texan has been going for concerts for years and she even had tickets for a show that was recently canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I sneak off by myself all the time. I love to go up to the Santa Barbara Bowl whenever I get a chance. I’ll fly to Texas and I’ll sneak around Austin to see people play. I’ll go up to Dallas,” she said. “One of the things I think I’ve missed the most is getting to congregate and listen to music in that way. There’s nothing quite like it.”

Convincing Zellweger she’s a real singer is a tougher job. When she’s asked when she knew she could sing, she replied: “I still don’t know.”

“I still don’t think of myself as a singer. I think of myself as someone who’s trying to sing. Or who works to. I still don’t know what I sound like when I’m just being myself,” she explained. “So, yeah, I don’t know.”

She trained heavily to get her voice strong enough to perform in

“Judy,” which chronicles the last years of Garland’s life shortly before her death in 1969 at age 47.

“Previously I didn’t know much about what goes into building a voice or that it was even possible.

I just sort of did what I was told (and I) was very happy to have things to try. I liked looking at the project and the goal from that perspective. It seemed insurmountable otherwise.”

Zellweger impressed audiences and critics around the world, winning at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, BAFTAs and Independent Spirit Awards. She had to practice habits like touring musicians do to keep her voice together: “Dairy was out the door. No thanks.”

“I never really understood the whole air conditioning problem, but I did in this experience,” she continued. “I know that there are certain cycles where you are stronger as a vocalist and less strong depending on where you are in terms of your sleeping and resting. All of these things came into play in a really significant way.”

The 2021 Grammys will mark a full circle moment for Garland and her impact on pop culture — Zellweger’s performance of her songs is being honored nearly six decades after Garland made history at the 1962 show, becoming the first woman to win album of the year with “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”

Because of the pandemic, Zellweger most likely won’t attend the Jan. 31 Grammys, but she will be watching — and she will get dressed up.

“I like to be respectful and appropriate. It’s a pretty cool thing,” she said. “It’s not something that you expect is going to be on your list of life experiences so when you do, you might want to cover your pimples, brush your hair (and) take off your baseball hat.”

charts with “ Avengers: Endgame “ and “Black Panther,” and has regularly had two or more films in the top 10.

Unsurprisingly, the 2020 top 10 is a little chaotic and comprised mostly of films from the first two months of the year. Sony’s Will Smith sequel “ Bad Boys for Life “ has stayed in first place in North America since its January release with $206.3 million. Globally it’s in second place to the Chinese film “The Eight Hundred” — the first time that the top worldwide film originated outside of Hollywood.

The only post-shutdown films to crack the top 10 are Christopher Nolan’s “ Tenet,” in eighth place with $57.2 million and the animated family sequel “ The Croods: A New Age,” which was released at Thanksgiving and has earned $30.8 million so far to put it in 10th place.

And at least 15 films in the top 100 were retro releases, including “Hocus Pocus,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

“The silver lining for movie theaters is even though people had

By Mesfin Fekadu The Associated Press NEW YORK — Renée Zellweger is known for acting but you could easily write a thesis about her love for music.

The entertainer won her second Academy Award for portraying Judy Garland in last year’s “Judy,” for which Zellweger did her own singing in front of live audiences. She was praised for her performance in 2002’s “Chicago.” And she’s an avid concertgoer and live-music appreciator who jumped up and down in her gown when Eminem surprised the audience at last year’s Oscars and despite being an A-list star, sneaks out to concerts just to get her music fix.

She’s also a proud card-carrying member of the Beyhive.

“She raises the bar when it comes to work ethic. I admire with her that if she’s going to do it, she’s knocking it into the stratosphere or she’s not going to do it,” said Zellweger, who gushed over Beyoncé’s groundbreaking performance at the 2005 Oscars. “She was the north star on that one ...

She’s the one carrying that gift we’re all so blessed to experience in one way or another.”

So it should be no surprise — unless you’re Zellweger — that she’s earned her first Grammy nomination this year. The “Judy” soundtrack, which features Zellweger covering songs like “Over the Rainbow” and “The Trolley Song,” is nominated for best tra-

INVISION VIA APP

Renee Zellweger, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Judy”, poses in the press room at the Oscars on Feb. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. ditional pop vocal album — an award Tony Bennett has won a dozen times.

“I don’t guess that’s something I thought about to be honest,” Zellweger said in a phone interview about hearing the words “Grammy-nominated” before her name.

“That’s not something I walked around imagining. It sure was a thrilling surprise.”

She is competing in a category with musicians whose concerts she’s attended and songs she’s played for years. Nominees include Burt Bacharach, James Tay-

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Mallard to go? Dig of Pompeii fast-food place reveals tastes

By Frances D’emilio The Associated Press ROME — A fast-food eatery at Pompeii has been excavated, helping to reveal dishes that were popular for the citizens of the ancient Roman city who were partial to eating out.

Pompeii Archaeological Park’s longtime chief, Massimo Osanna said Saturday that while some 80 such fast-foods have been found at Pompeii, it is the first time such a hot-food-drink eatery — known as a thermopolium — was completely unearthed.

A segment of the fast-food counter was partially dug up in 2019 during work to shore up Pompeii’s oft-crumbling ruins. Since then, archaeologists kept digging, revealing a multi-sided-counter, with typical wide holes inserted into its top. The countertop held deep vessels for hot foods, not unlike soup containers nestled into modern-day salad bars.

Plant and animal specialists are still analyzing remains from the site, with its counter frescoed with

LUIGI SPINA | PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI POMPEI VIA AP

An undated photo made available by the Pompeii Archeological park press office shows the thermopolium in the Pompeii archeological park, near Naples, Italy. a figure of an undersea nymph astride a horse. Images of two upside-down mallards and a rooster, whose plumage was painted

with the typical vivid color known as Pompeiian red, also brightened the eatery and likely served to advertise the menu.

Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Premises in Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina, described as follows:

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

Another fresco depicted a dog on a leash, perhaps not unlike modern reminders to leash pets.

Vulgar graffiti were inscribed on the painting’s frame.

Valeria Amoretti, a Pompeii staff anthropologist, said “initial analyses confirm how the painted images represent, at least in part, the foods and beverages effectively sold inside.” Her statement noted that duck bone fragment was found in one of the containers, along with remains from goats, pigs, fish and snails. At the bottom of a wine container were traces of ground fava beans, which in ancient times were added to wine for flavor and to lighten its color, Amoretti said.

“We know what they were eating that day,” said Osanna, referring to the day of Pompeii’s destruction in 79 A.D. The food remains indicated “what’s popular with the common folk,” Osanna told Rai state TV, noting that street-food places weren’t frequented by the Roman elite.

One surprise find was the complete skeleton of a dog. The discovery intrigued the excavators, since it wasn’t a “large, muscular dog like that painted on the counter but of an extremely small example” of an adult dog, whose height at shoulder level was 20-to-25 centimeters (8-to-10 inches), Amoretti said. It’s rather rare, Amoretti said, to find remains from ancient times of such small dogs, discoveries that “attest

B11 to selective breeding in the Roman epoch to obtain this result.”

Also unearthed were a bronze ladle, nine amphorae, which were popular food containers in Roman times, a couple of flasks and a ceramic oil container.

Successful restaurateurs know that a good location can be crucial, and the operator of this ancient fast-food seemed to have found a good spot. Osanna noted that right outside the eatery was a small square with a fountain, with another thermopolium in the vicinity.

Pompeii was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which is near present-day Naples. Much of the ancient city still lies unexcavated. The site is one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions.

Human remains were also discovered in the excavation of the eatery.

Those bones were apparently disturbed in the 17th century during clandestine excavations by thieves looking for valuables, Pompeii authorities said. Some of the bones belonged to a man, who, when the Vesuvius volcano erupted, appeared to have been lying on a bed or a cot, since nails and pieces of wood were found under his body, authorities said. Other human remains were found inside one of the counter’s vessels, possibly placed there by those excavators centuries ago.

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 522

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Norris F. Bonner, Janice Bonner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Norris F. Bonner) to Chicago Title, Trustee(s), dated December 4, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09776, at Page 0630 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 781

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael J. Hohan a/k/a Michael Joseph Hohan, Tracy Elizabeth Hohan (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael J. Hohan and Tracy Elizabeth Hohan) to David L. Brunk, Trustee(s), dated June 21, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7278, at Page 255 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina,

UNION 1292953 DRS 20-SP-320 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Classical Liberal Arts Academy, LLC (hereinafter “Borrower”) dated May 17, 2011 and recorded on May 20, 2011 and recorded in Book 5536 at Page 335 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Union County, North Carolina (hereinafter “Deed of Trust”); and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the Union County Courthouse, 400 North Main Street, Monroe, North Carolina on THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 AT 1:00 P.M., all of Borrower’s right to the real described herein below, together with any improvements and fixtures existing or hereafter placed on or attached to the real property, and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Monroe, Union County, State of North Carolina, and being more

Being all of Lot 167, Southview, Section One, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 88, Page 178, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina. **FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY** The improvements thereon being known as 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

BEING the same property conveyed to Norris F. Bonner and Annette B. Bonner from Harrell Construction Company, Inc. by Deed dated November 15, 1996 and recorded November 18, 1996 in Book/Volume/Page Book 4578, Page 43, as Instrument # in the Land Records of Cumberland, NC Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain property situated in the City of Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland and State of North Carolina, being more fully described in a deed dated 08/18/2003 and recorded 08/20/2003, among the land records of the County and State set forth above, in Deed Volume 6236 and Page 875. Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 0404-59-7542. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3417 Harrisburg Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or

particularly described as follows: First Tract: Being that 11.730 acre tract as shown upon plat of survey entitled boundary and division survey, the property of Ruth B. Funderburk Heirs, prepared by Carroll L. Rushing, NCRLS, L-1513, on January 11, 2006 and recorded in Plat Cabinet J, File 140, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Union County, NC. PARCEL: 04-090-003P Third Tract: Beginning at a point in the center line of Stack Road (SR 2115); evidenced by a rebar, marking a common corner with an existing 25 foot road right of way, if extended (Deed Book 758, Page 741); thence from the beginning point with the center line of the existing 25 foot road right of way North 72 Degrees 34 Minutes 00 Seconds East 346.65 feet; thence North 76 Degrees 41 Minutes 00 Seconds East 700.00 Feet to a point evidenced by a railroad spike; thence North 27 Degrees 28 Minutes 00 Seconds West 286.68 Feet to a point in a creek; thence North 14 Degrees 21 Minutes 39 Seconds West 38.72 feet to a point in the center line of the creek; thence two lines in the center line of the creek, 1st, North 29 Degrees 52 Minutes 51 Seconds West 64.86 Feet and 2nd, North 41 Degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds West 60.29 feet; thence south 76 degrees 08 minutes 12 seconds West (passing a rebar at 15.0 feet on the western side of the creek) a total of 1010.30 feet to a point in the

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 850

door, the Salisbury Street entrance in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 11, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Holly Springs, in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 133 in Twelve Oaks Pud, Phase 1A, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 2007, Pages 1516, 1517, and 1518, Wake County Registry

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Richard J. Bandy and Michele Bandy to Thomas V. Choiniere, Trustee(s), dated the 21st day of July, 2014, and recorded in Book 015726, Page 00438, in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required

by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note

1309628 – DRS 20-SP-1405

with any improvements and fixtures existing or hereafter placed on or attached to the real property, and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Wake County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

WAKE

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Assignment of Rents and Leases executed and delivered by Landstar Investment Group of NC, Inc. (hereinafter “Borrower”) dated October 28, 2018 and recorded on October 31, 2018 in Book 17282 at Page 315 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina (hereinafter “Deed of Trust”); and because of the default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, North Carolina on MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 AT 1:30 O’CLOCK P.M, all of Borrower’s right to the real property described herein below, together

Beginning at a stake in the north line of Longacres Subdivision situated South 61 degrees 35 minutes East 166.5 feet from the southeast line of Pinecrest Park Subdivision, runs thence North 25 degrees 10 minutes East 339.2 feet to a point in the center line of the pavement of Poole Road, said point being 158.6 feet South 62 degrees 10 minutes East from the southeast line of the subdivision known as Pinecrest Park Extended; runs thence with the center line of the Poole Road South 62 degrees 10 minutes East 80 feet to a stake; thence South 25 degrees 10 minutes West 344.3 feet to a stake in the north line of Longacres Subdivision; thence North 47 degrees 34 minutes West 17.9 feet to a stake; thence North 61 degrees 35 minutes West 63.1 feet to the beginning.

Address of property: 2008 Poole Road, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina Tax Parcel ID: 0005123 Present Record Owner: Landstar Investment Group

discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street

any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

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

center line of Stack Road; thence with the center line of Stack Road South 23 degrees 47 minutes 19 seconds East 454.62 feet to the point and place of beginning, containing 10.07 acres as shown upon unrecorded map of survey dated February 27, 1997 by Walter Gordon and Associates, Jeffrey S. Gordon, N.C.R.L.S., L-3751.

will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required.

Address of property: 11.73 acres off Stack Road and 1621 Stack Road, Monroe, Union County, North Carolina Tax Parcel IDs: and 04 090 003L Present Record Owner: Classical Academy, LLC

04 090 003P Liberal

c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311

If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units:

The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certified check not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. § 7A-308(a)(1).

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

The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments.

Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale

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

make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm LLP P.O. Box 12497

of NC, Inc.

the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments.

Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without

Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3806 - 12614

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

Arts

The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certified check not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3410 - 8796

Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

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

Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Substitute Trustee By: William Walt Pettit, Attorney 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, NC 28210 Telephone: (704) 362-9255

6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 Phone No: (704) 362-9255 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1296582 (CFC.CH)

prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. Substitute Trustee By: William Walt Pettit, Attorney 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, NC 28210 Telephone: (704) 362-9255

B12

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Stanly County Journal

PHOTO COURTESY DUKE HEALTH

Panthers’ last game of the season

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Charlotte.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Norwood Town Council approves new member Stanly County At the Jan. 4 meeting of the Norwood Town Council, members approved a new member to complete the unexpired term of recently retired Larry McMahon. The new member, Wes Hartsell, served on the council before this term and was unanimously approved by the remaining members. The new mayor, Linda Campbell, said she was pleased to have Hartsell back on the council because he was very active behind the scenes and had created a lot of important relationships that would continue to be valuable.

SCJ

After 41 years, principal retires from school system

Mecklenburg County Joey Burch retired from a 41-year Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools career — 25 spent as a principal, most recently at Levine Middle College High School. Teachers and students who came through the schools Joey Burch led said he had a remarkable impact on their lives. In December, Burch was greeted by a seemingly endless procession of students, teachers and administrators who had worked with him over the years, driving by in their cars for a socially distant retirement celebration. Burch said he has seen 12 superintendents come and go in his time in CMS. AP

Laid-off preschool teacher buys $250,000 lottery ticket

Mecklenburg County A laid-off preschool teacher won a $250,000 prize from a scratch-off lotto ticket. Joe Camp had been a preschool teacher in Charlotte for 20 years before he was laid off in September. He was able to find a job at a car dealership. He also bought two Gold Rush scratch-off tickets at a gas station in Charlotte. After taxes, Camp claimed $176,876.

Camp said his dad passed away a month after getting laid off. He plans to use his winnings to save for his daughter’s future and buy a home.

AP

Stanly County health director presents official vaccine priority list to commissioners

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — At Monday night’s Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting, Health and Human Services director Dr. David Jenkins gave a substantial COVID-19 update for the county that revealed the health department’s vaccine priority list.

Jenkins’ presentation to the board contained the official N.C. DHHS coronavirus vaccination tiers, which group the populace into categories based on the stages that vaccines will be administered.

“We’ve received a lot of calls about vaccinations, because there is a priority for that,” Jenkins said.

“Right now, we’re prioritizing what the Department of Health and Human Services calls the 1A group, which is health care workers.”

Group 1A also includes longterm care staff and residents; meanwhile, adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers both form the DHHS’ Group 1B category. Group 2 is composed of adults who are at a high risk of exposure and increased risk of severe illness, while Group 3 is made up of students.

“What’s tricky about the Moderna is that each vial will allow us 10 vaccines. So once we tap into a vial, we have to make sure there are 10 people readily available to take the vaccine. We don’t want any of it to go to waste, because it only has a sixhour time span that it can be put to use.”

JACOB FORD | ODESSA AMERICAN VIA AP

A nurse extracts a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

The final category, Group 4, includes everyone else who requests a vaccine.

“Our long-term staff are being handled by Walgreens and CVS, so we’re fortunate to have them take care of our long-term nursing home staff,” Jenkins said. “We’re prioritizing everything outside of the Atrium network as far as our providers in the county — we’ve begun scheduling those folks this week as well as our pharmacists

and dentists.”

Jenkins explained that drive-thru clinic vaccination sessions this week will take place on Jan. 5, 7 and 8 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; the department is hoping to vaccinate as many as 60 people per clinic (located at both the health department in Albemarle and Stanly Community College Crutchfield campus in Locust).

“What’s tricky about the Mod-

Buzz builds over county’s first Starbucks Some locals fear chain’s impact on small-town charm

By David Larson Stanly County Journal LOCUST — Passers-by couldn’t help but notice the sign at Red Bridge in Locust announcing that a Starbucks was “coming soon,” as the news immediately drew a wide variety of views and comments. Many are excited that a well-known national coffee chain is coming to town, and what that says about development in the western part of the county, while others are concerned that the area will lose its local character if this and other chains move in.

Locust city councilman Mike Haigler confirmed on Facebook that the sign about a coming Starbucks was “not a hoax, or a wish,” and that “City officials have been

informed of a developer putting in a building beside McDonalds. Part of this building will be for a Starbucks.”

His post was shared nearly 40 times, as people in the area reacted to the news. Many people who shared or commented were simply excited to see the popular chain coming to the area so they could have another place to get their morning coffee. Requests for a new grocery store in addition to the Starbucks were common.

Others, like Alexis Hughes, a real estate agent in the greater Charlotte area who is active in Stanly County, connected it to larger growth in the area, saying, “As development in the Charlotte area continues to climb, big chains are heading to the outskirts! Locust, NC is getting a Starbucks!!!!!!”

But this growth in western Stanly County is not seen in a pos-

itive light by everyone in the area.

Some see the Starbucks, and the fast growth in general, as a threat to the small-town charm Locust enjoyed and to existing locally owned businesses.

One commenter said people should keep “money within our county to support our businesses;” another asked, “What about our small businesses in Locust that provide amazing coffee and jobs for us now?” And still another said, “Goodbye small town. Small businesses will soon be gone too...”

Haigler made clear to those commenting that he and the city council are not able to pick and choose which businesses are allowed to locate there if an area is zoned for commercial use.

“We can’t discriminate as to what business is allowed to build in that area … the city doesn’t get to pick and choose what companies are allowed in Locust ... that

Stanly health director David Jenkins erna is that each vial will allow us 10 vaccines. So once we tap into a vial, we have to make sure there are 10 people readily available to take the vaccine,” Jenkins said.

“We don’t want any of it to go to waste because it only has a sixhour time span that it can be put to use.”

The Stanly County Public Health Command Center, which See VACCINE, page 2

“Locust has grown due to its proximity to Charlotte, Concord, and Monroe … and its main flow on NC 24-27. It’s a fine line we walk ... trying to hold onto our small-town values while growing and providing quality services to the community.”

Mike Haigler, Locust city council is illegal.” Haigler said. “Locust has grown due to its proximity to Charlotte, Concord, and Monroe … and its main flow on NC 2427. It’s a fine line we walk … trying to hold onto our small-town values while growing and providing quality services to the community.”

See STARBUCKS, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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VACCINE from page 1

STARBUCKS from page 1

was activated on March 10, has officially passed the 300day mark of being in full operation. With that landmark, the health department released its official COVID-19 statistics as of Jan. 4.

“In week 43, which was last week, we had our highest number of positive cases reported in a week with a little over 400,” Jenkins said. “As we continue to track this data, we’re definitely not trending in the direction we want to, but the data is giving us an indication of where we are. Our expectation is to see an increase in these numbers because of the post-holiday factor of Christmas and New Year’s.”

Stanly County is sitting at 52,396 completed tests, with 27,489 total residents tested.

The number of positive cases is at 4,645, while the current case count is at 902. The number of COVID-19 related fatalities is 93, and COVID-19 related hospitalizations are up to 30.

Based on last week’s seven-day average, the county has a 10.7% collective positive rate.

As far as transmission types documented through tracing, the vast majority have been recorded as contact (2,602) and community spread (1,036).

Another common concern was Starbucks’ outspoken political views and activism, which have tended to lean left.

A law enforcement officer posted that the chain “made themselves quite clear where they stand in the law enforcement conversation,” so he “won’t spend a dime there,” and even in Haigler’s original post, he said he’s “not a big fan of Starbucks political stances.”

He added that due to his new role in planning and zoning for the city, he would be aware of information as it came out and would “keep everyone posted.” At the moment, the “permits have not been pulled to build yet,” so he said “conditions could change.”

According to Haigler, they do not know what the rest of the development will be yet. It’s about 8,000 square feet, with 2,500 for the Starbucks and the rest listed for now as retail.

With the N.C. Department of Transportation reporting “20,000 to 24,000 cars a day on 24-27,” mostly commuting to and from Charlotte for work, the area would likely see enough traffic to sustain a popular chain coffee location.

A Starbucks media relations staffer, Daniela, told SCJ on Jan. 4 that, “Unfortunately, we have no additional information to share about a potential location in Locust.”

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Stanly County Journal

DEATH NOTICES ♦ James Herbert Huneycutt, 92, of Stanfield, passed away Monday, December 21 ♦ Katherine Whitley Huneycutt, 88, of Oakboro, NC, passed away Monday, December 21 ♦ Vera Mae Sherrell, 94, of Badin, passed away December 23. ♦ Donald Edward “Don” Whitley 85 of Oakboro died Thursday Evening, December 24 ♦ Jimmy Floyd Clark, 80, of New London peacefully passed away at home on December 25 ♦ Betty Lou Morris Hahn, 89, of Albemarle, passed away Friday, December 25 ♦ Sylvia Jane Mauldin Faulkner, 81 of Albemarle NC, passed away Saturday December 26 ♦ Shea Adams McSwain, 34, of Norwood passed away Monday afternoon, December 28 ♦ Mattie Marie Harrington Clark, 88, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, December 29 ♦ Maxine Burleson Tucker, 89, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, December 29 ♦ Frank Joseph Capra, 71, of Albemarle passed away Thursday, December 31 ♦ Joan Caudle Almond, 88, of Albemarle passed away Friday, January 1 ♦ Glenn Allen Smith, 89, of Oakboro passed away Saturday, January 2

See OBITS, page 7

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ Allen, Jennifer Nicole (W /F/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F) and 2) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), at 28109 Mcswain Roadlot 13, NC, on 12/30/2020 ♦ Thompson, Taneice Daphne (B /F/32) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired, M (M), at Hwy/anson County Line, Norwood, NC, on 12/31/2020 ♦ Crump, Tobias Levar (B /M/41) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine (F), at 200 Henson St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/31/2020 ♦ Burleson, Cody Scott (W /M/24) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 2) Pwimsd Sch Vi Cs (F), 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 4) Flee/elude Arrest W/mv (f) (F), at 230 Us 52 South/nc 24-27 Bypass W, Albemarle, NC, on 12/31/2020 ♦ Austin, John Virgil (W /M/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at 28566 Hwy 73 Lot 5, NC, on 12/31/2020 ♦ Morgan, Michael Skyler (B /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest Child Support (M), at Scj, Albemarle, NC, on 1/3/2021 ♦ Adams, Sarah Taylor (W /F/29) Arrest on chrg of Contempt Of Court (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/3/2021 ♦ Mclaurin, Bobby Daniel (W /M/59) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M), 2) Dwlr Impaired Rev (M), and 3) Fict/alt Title/reg Card/tag (M), at Nc 24 Near Canton Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/2/2021 ♦ Hetland, Michael Shane (W /M/43) Arrest on chrg of Assault Inflict Serious Inj (m)

(M), at 507 Jaycee Hut Rd, Norwood, NC, on 1/2/2021 ♦ Ford, Kimmie Nmn (W /M/45) Arrest on chrg of Break/enter Terrorize/injure (F), at 36098 Ellen Rd, New London, NC, on 1/2/2021 ♦ Bridges, Allison Kyndall (W /F/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 2) Simple Possess Sch Iv Cs (m) (M), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 24/27 At Simpson Rd, Locust, NC, on 1/2/2021 ♦ Horne, David Leon (B /M/49) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwisd Cocaine (F), 2) Trafficking In Cocaine (F), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 200 Henson St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/31/2020 ♦ Poplin, Derrick Mcray (W /M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault By Strangulation (F), 2) Assault On Female (M), 3) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), and 4) Larceny After Break/enter (F), at Us 52/truss Ln, NC, on 12/30/2020 ♦ Scott, Leangelo (I /M/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Identity Theft (F), at 6815 Us 52 Hwy S/riverview Rd, Norwood, NC, on 12/30/2020 ♦ Thompson, Taneice Daphne (B /F/32) Cited on Charge of Child Abuse (m) (202001099), at 6815 Us 52 Hwy S/riverview Rd, Norwood, NC, on 12/30/2020 ♦ Crump, Amanda Shaw (W /F/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Possession Sch Ii Cs (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/29/2020 ♦ Smith,, Dustin Lee (W /M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Maintain Veh/dwell/ place Cs (f) (F), 2) Pwimsd

Methamphetamine (F), 3) Pwimsd Heroin (F), and 4) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 5325 Lake Glenn Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 12/29/2020 ♦ Scott, Leangelo (I /M/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Identity Theft (F), at Us 52/ riverview Rd, Norwood, NC, on 12/29/2020 ♦ Turner, Joseph Uriah (B /M/34) Arrest on chrg of Fel Prob Viol Out Of County (F), at 24/27 And 740, Albemarle, NC, on 12/28/2020 ♦ Tucker, Christopher Bryant (W /M/40) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at Woodhurst Rd., Albemarle, NC, on 12/28/2020

(m)(M), at 1522 Inger St, Albemarle, on 12/28/2020 ♦ Baucom, Andrew Gregory (W M, 18) Arrest on chrg of Alter/remove Gun SerialNumber (F), at 406 S Bell Av, Albemarle, on 12/28/202 ♦ Bowers, Cale Lee (W M, 52) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Sch Ii Cs, F (F), at1825 E Main St/nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 12/28/2020 ♦ Thomas, Bryan Stephen (B M, 38) Arrest on chrg of Murder (F), at 126 S Third St,Albemarle, on 12/23/202 ♦ Watkins, Jaylen Durrell (B M, 19) Arrest on chrg of Reckless Driving To Endanger(M), at 40975 Kelly Ridge Dr, Albemarle, on 12/23/202

♦ Lilly, Eric Duane (B /M/48) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Sch I Cs (F), at 455 N Main St/ central Av, Norwood, NC, on 12/28/2020

♦ Thompson, Jennifer Leah (W F, 44) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F),at 811 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 12/22/2020

♦ Forsythe, Robin Joy Snapp (W F, 33) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F),at 253 W Main St/n Depot St, Albemarle, on 12/31/2020

♦ Deberry-elrod, Dylan Ray (W M, 29) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M),at 165 N Broome St, Albemarle, on 12/22/2020

♦ Haltiwanger, Cody Evan (W M, 30) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at1600 Eastover Av/s Bell Av, Albemarle, on 01/01/202 ♦ Sinclair, Allen David (W M, 55) Arrest on chrg of Larceny Of Dog (F), at 350 PalmerSt, Albemarle, on 01/03/2021 ♦ Lee, Nicholas Trumond (B M, 24) Arrest on chrg of Fugitive From Justice, F (F), at1451 E Main St/s Bell Av, Albemarle, on 01/03/2021 ♦ Knotts, Joseph Heath (B M, 50) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon

♦ Mckenna, Christina Danielle (W F, 43) Arrest on chrg of Felony Larceny (F), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/22/202 ♦ Mckenna, Chastity Michelle (W F, 44) Arrest on chrg of Felony Larceny (F), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/22/202 ♦ Odom, William Anthony (W M, 50) Arrest on chrg of Felony Larceny (F), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/22/2020

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

3

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

I now better understand the ‘good German’

Half of America, the non-left half, is afraid to speak their minds at virtually every university, movie studio and large corporation — indeed, at virtually every place of work.

AS MY LISTENERS and readers can hopefully attest, I have been on a lifelong quest to understand human nature and human behavior. I am sad to report that I have learned more in the last few years, particularly in 2020, than in any equivalent period of time.

One of the biggest revelations concerns a question that has always plagued me: How does one explain the “good German,” the term used to describe the average, presumably decent German, who did nothing to hurt Jews but also did nothing to help them and did nothing to undermine the Nazi regime? The same question could be asked about the average Frenchman during the Vichy era; the average Russian under Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev and their successors; and the millions of others who did nothing to help their fellow citizens under oppressive dictatorships.

These past few years have taught me not to so quickly judge the quiet German, Russian, etc. Of course, I still judge Germans who helped the Nazis and Germans who in any way hurt Jews. But the Germans who did nothing? Not so fast.

What has changed my thinking has been watching what is happening in America (and Canada and Australia and elsewhere, for that matter).

The ease with which tens of millions of Americans have accepted irrational, unconstitutional and unprecedented police state-type restrictions on their freedoms, including even the freedom to make a living, has been, to understate the case, sobering.

The same holds true for the acceptance by most Americans of the rampant censorship on Twitter and all other major social media platforms. Even physicians and other scientists are deprived of freedom of speech if, for example, they offer scientific support for hydroxychloroquine along with zinc to treat COVID-19 in the early stages. Board-certified physician Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, who has saved hundreds of COVID-19 patients from suffering and/or death, has been banned from Twitter for publicizing his lifesaving hydroxychloroquine and zinc protocol.

Half of America, the non-left half, is afraid to speak their minds at virtually every university, movie studio and large corporation — indeed, at virtually every place of work. Professors who say anything that offends the left fear being ostracized if they have tenure and being fired if they do not. People are socially ostracized, publicly shamed and/ or fired for differing with Black Lives Matter — as America-hating and white-hating a group as has ever existed. And few Americans speak up.

On the contrary, when BLM protestors demand that diners outside of restaurants raise their fists to show their support of BLM, nearly every diner does.

So, then, who are we to condemn the average German who faced the Gestapo if he didn’t salute Hitler or the average Russian who faced the NKVD (the secret police and intelligence agency that preceded the KGB)

if he didn’t demonstrate sufficient enthusiasm for Stalin? Americans face the left’s cancel culture, but not left-wing secret police or re-education camps. (At least not yet — I have little doubt the left would send outspoken conservatives to re-education camps if they could.)

I have come to understand the average German living under Nazism and the average Russian living under communism for another reason: the power of the media to brainwash.

As a student of totalitarianism since my graduate studies at the Russian Institute of Columbia University’s School of International Affairs (as it was then known), I have always believed that only in a dictatorship could a society be brainwashed. I was wrong. I now understand that mass brainwashing can take place in a nominally free society. The incessant left-wing drumbeat of The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and almost every other major newspaper, plus The Atlantic, The New Yorker, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, NPR, all of Hollywood and almost every school from kindergarten through graduate school, has brainwashed at least half of America every bit as effectively as the German, Soviet and Chinese communist press did (and in the latter case, still does). That thousands of schools will teach the lie that is the New York Times’ “1619 Project” is one of countless examples.

Prior to the lockdowns, I flew almost every week of the year, so I was approached by people who recognized me on a regular basis. Increasingly, I noticed that people would look around to see if anyone was within earshot and then tell me in almost a whisper: “I support Trump,” or, “I’m a conservative.” The last time people looked around and whispered things to me was when I used to visit the Soviet Union.

In Quebec this past weekend, as one can see on a viral video, a family was fined and members arrested because six — yes, six — people gathered to celebrate the new year. A neighbor snitched on them, and the celebrants were duly arrested. The Quebec government lauded the snitches and asked for more public “collaboration.”

Snitches are likewise lauded and encouraged in some Democrat-run states and cities in America (Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in March: “Snitches get rewards”) and by left-wing governments in Australia. Plenty of Americans, Canadians and Australians are only too happy to snitch on people who refuse to lock down their lives.

All this is taking place without concentration camps, without a Gestapo, without a KGB and without Maoist reeducation camps.

That’s why I no longer judge the average German as easily as I used to.

Apathy in the face of tyranny turns out not to be a German or Russian characteristic. I just never thought it could happen in America.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

EXCLUSIVE: Congressman Hudson on why he is not voting to certify election results

Unfortunately, by refusing to take up the case, the American people were denied their day in court and these questions remain, leaving the rules for this election and future elections unclarified.

IN ACCORDANCE with the 12th Amendment, Congress will meet in a joint session on Jan. 6 to count Electoral College votes following the 2020 presidential election.

I believe it is my constitutional duty to object to certifying the Electoral College votes of certain states that violated their own election laws. The American people need to have confidence in the integrity of our election process. Currently, millions of people do not trust the outcome of this presidential election because there is incontrovertible evidence of voter irregularity — if not outright fraud — in multiple states.

Furthermore, election laws were changed in numerous states contrary to Article II of the Constitution. These election changes included extending the deadline for mail-in ballots, adding unsecured drop box collection sites, and changes to signature verification measures — processes that are susceptible to increased fraud as spelled out by a bipartisan commission on election reform co-chaired by

former President Jimmy Carter. That is why I joined more than 120 colleagues on an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit by the state of Texas.

Our brief recommended the Supreme Court take up the case and specifically look at these changes to state election laws. This question is important because the pandemic disrupted normal electoral procedures and multiple states adopted new procedures or altered existing ones. Unfortunately, by refusing to take up the case, the American people were denied their day in court and these questions remain, leaving the rules for this election and future elections unclarified.

My support of the amicus brief and objection to the certification of Electoral College votes is not an attempt at a federal takeover of elections, as has been proposed by House Democrats. However, I do believe there could be minimum national standards on issues like voter ID, signature verification, the rights of election observers and general ballot security.

These issues are more important than one

party, one candidate or one election outcome.

It is my hope that through open debate, we can raise these legitimate concerns and identify common sense solutions to safeguard our election integrity.

I am also concerned about the impact big tech bias and censorship had on this election. From unprecedented suppression of information, like the New York Post’s story on the Bidens’ financial ties, to foreign governments, to arbitrary “flags” on individual posts and ideas, big tech companies engaged in dangerous efforts to interfere in this election, which must be addressed. With the everchanging landscape of social media, we need to ensure that reforms are made to prevent big tech companies from altering the outcome of free and fair elections. We must restore transparency and faith in our election process.

I remain committed to working across the aisle on these and other solutions and look forward to all we can accomplish together as your representative in the 117th Congress.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Indiana will host all 67 March Madness men’s games Indianapolis The NCAA announced Monday that all 67 men’s basketball tournament games including the Final Four will be played entirely in Indiana in a bid to keep the marquee event from being called off for a second consecutive year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium as well as at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena at Purdue and Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Championship weekend is still scheduled for April 3 and April 5, but preliminary round dates have not yet been determined.

NFL

Chargers fire Lynn after 4 seasons Costa Mesa, Calif.

The Los Angeles Chargers have fired coach Anthony Lynn less than two seasons after he led the franchise to the playoffs. Lynn is the sixth NFL coach fired this season, joining Houston’s Bill O’Brien, Atlanta’s Dan Quinn, Detroit’s Matt Patricia, Adam Gase of the New York Jets and Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone.

Los Angeles won its final four games to finish 7-9, but it wasn’t enough to save Lynn’s job. Hired by the Chargers in January 2017, Lynn went 34-32 with Los Angeles, but just 12-20 over the last two seasons.

Alabama, Ohio State to meet for title The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes both beat ACC teams to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game

By Stephen Hawkins The Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas — When Ohio State upset Alabama in the semifinals of the first College Football Playoff on the way to the Buckeyes’ last national title, it seemed like the start of budding postseason rivalry between the two traditional powers.

Instead, Clemson became the Crimson Tide’s nemesis and the biggest challenger to Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty over the next five years.

Six years later, Ohio State and Alabama meet again, the Tide still rolling and the Buckeyes again looking for an upset.

After the SEC champion Crimson Tide rolled past Notre Dame 31-14 in a Rose Bowl played deep in the heart of Texas, the No. 3 Buckeyes of the Big Ten beat Clemson 49-28 in the other CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Friday night behind Justin Fields’ six touchdown passes.

How Fields is feeling will be the main story line heading into the title game. He took a hard short to the side in the second quarter against Clemson but managed to play through the pain.

“He couldn’t do everything, but

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHTO

Running back Trey Sermon and Ohio State ran past Clemson to earn a berth in the national championship game against Alabama. what a gutsy performance, what a tough and special young man Justin Fields is,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day, in his second season after taking over from Urban Meyer.

Clemson was trying, like Alabama, to get to the title game for the fifth time in the seven seasons of the four-team playoff. It would have been the fourth Tigers-Tide game for the CFP championship.

Instead, it’s a matchup of storied programs playing Jan. 11 in suburban Miami to determine the champion of this most unusual season played in the shadow of a pandemic.

While this season’s CFP has provided a third consecutive ti-

tle-game matchup of undefeated teams, this one is a little different.

Alabama has played 12 games, getting through a conference-only regular season before holding off Florida 52-46 in the SEC championship game and then winning the relocated Rose Bowl. That semifinal was moved from Pasadena because of COVID-19 restrictions that would have kept family — or any fans — from attending the game.

Ohio State’s overwhelming win in the Sugar Bowl was only its seventh game this season.

The Buckeyes had three regular season games canceled because of virus issues after the Big Ten didn’t start its season until

late October. The league altered its rules to let them represent the East Division in the conference championship game after only five regular season games, instead of the six that had been initially mandated.

Alabama opened as a touchdown favorite over Ohio State, riding a prolific offense that features two Heisman Trophy finalists.

DeVonta Smith, the favorite to win the Heisman next week, caught three touchdown passes from fellow finalist Mac Jones against Notre Dame.

The Heisman votes had already been cast before the semifinal. Alabama running back Najee Harris finished fifth in the voting and the order of the final four with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Florida’s Kyle Trask was set to be revealed Tuesday night.

Playing only six game kept Fields out of the Heisman conversation. Especially after a poor performance in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern.

Fields looked like one of the best players in the country in the Sugar Bowl as the Buckeyes avenged last season’s painful CFP loss to Lawrence and Clemson.

“In life, you don’t typically get an opportunity to get a second chance,” Day said. “But you can’t miss the second time. So I don’t know what we’re more excited about, the fact that we have a chance to play for a national championship or the fact that we avenged that loss.”

NHL

Muckler, key part of Oilers’ dynasty, dead at 86 Edmonton, Alberta John Muckler, who coached four NHL teams and won five Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers, has died. He was 86. The Oilers confirmed Muckler’s death Monday night. No cause was given. Muckler was part of the staff that put together the Oilers dynasty of the 1980s. He joined Edmonton in 1982 as an assistant coach under Glen Sather and won five Stanley Cups with the organization from 1984-90, the last one as head coach. He also coached the Sabres, Rangers and North Stars, and was general manager of the Senators.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ex-Wisconsin QB Coan says he’s transferring to Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. Former Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan says he’s transferring to Notre Dame. Notre Dame and Wisconsin are scheduled to face each other on Sept. 25 at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The Fighting Irish need to replace three-year starter Ian Book, whose college career ended Friday with a 31-14 loss to Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Coan made 18 starts for Wisconsin from 2018-19 but injured his right foot in preseason practice this year and underwent surgery.

During the 2019 season, Coan completed a school-record 236 passes for 2,727 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions as Wisconsin went 10-4 and reached the Rose Bowl.

EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHTO

People walk in front of a countdown calendar showing 200 day to start Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Monday in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would consider calling a state of emergency as new coronavirus cases surge to record numbers in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.

Under 200 days to go for Tokyo Games The Opening Ceremony for the delayed Summer Olympics is scheduled for July 23 The Associated Press TOKYO — The countdown clock for the postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go on Monday.

Also on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would consider calling a state of emergency as new coronavirus cases surge to record numbers in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.

Japan has never had a lockdown for COVID-19, attempting to juggle the economy and health risks.

It’s nearing deadline time for Tokyo Olympic organizers, the International Olympic Committee, and various Japanese government entities as they try to pull off the Games in the middle of a pandemic.

WOLFORD from page 1 that impresses his coaches.

“I think that it’s very difficult in the NFL to earn the respect of your teammates when you’ve never gone in a game,” said Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, another former college quarterback. “But John Wolford has the full respect of our entire team because of how he performs

Officials have promised to announce concrete plans early in the new year about how to get 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes into Japan; about the safety of the Athletes Village, and hundreds of thousands of fans, media, judges, officials, broadcasters and VIPs. The new year is here.

Suga pledged again to hold the Olympics, saying it would be “proof that people have overcome the coronavirus.” And he said vaccine approval would be speeded up by a month so that vaccinations could begin in February instead of March.

Japan has attributed more than 3,400 deaths to COVID-19, modest by global standards for a country of 125 million but worrying as new cases rise quickly. A poll last month by national broadcaster NHK show 63% want the Olympics postponed or canceled.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and the governors of Saitama, Chiba and

Kanagawa prefectures asked the national government Saturday to declare the state of emergency after the capital saw a daily record of 1,337 new cases on New Year’s Eve. That marked a jump of almost 400 in just a few days.

Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organizing committee and a former prime minister, again ruled out any cancellation of the games in an interview several days ago with the Nikkan Sports newspaper. He was asked when a decision would come about having local fans or fans from abroad.

“Sometime from March through May,” he replied. “The final deadline for a decision would be May, but it may come sooner.”

Any reduction in fans will hit the organizing committee budget. Tokyo has budgeted $800 million for ticket sales, and any shortfall will have to be made up by government entities, which are footing most of the Olympic bills.

The official budget for the Tokyo Olympics was increased last month to $15.4 billion, an increase of $2.8 billion because of the delay. However, several government audits the last few years suggest the real number is about $25 billion.

All but $6.7 billion is public money.

Mori indicated the opening ceremony, scheduled for July 23, could be troublesome with thousands of athletes and officials gathering to parade around the stadium.

He also suggested the ceremony couldn’t be shortened, since television broadcasters had paid for the lucrative time. He said some officials might be cut out of the parade.

Television determines much of the Olympic scheduling and selling broadcast rights accounts for 73% of the IOC’s income. Another 18% is from large sponsors such as Coca-Cola and Toyota.

The torch relay, which begins on March 25, will also face crowding with 10,000 runners expected across almost four months. Coca-Cola and Toyota are the prime sponsors.

on the practice field, in the meetings, in the weight room. That’s a rare thing. We’re all excited for his opportunity this weekend.”

“I was really impressed with (Wolford), but I was proud of this team,” McVay said. “I just can’t say enough about the defense. ... They’ve been unbelievable all year. They’ve really been the strength of this team, and I thought they showed up in a big

way.”

Wolford’s first pass went straight to linebacker Jordan Hicks deep in Rams territory.

Wolford shook off the Cards’ subsequent TD and led the Rams on three lengthy drives in the first half with his arm and his feet.

Wolford racked up 47 yards rushing in the first half — more than Goff managed in any game of his five-year career.

Wolford made several big plays down the stretch, including a scramble for a first down on third-and-8 with 2:40 to play, all but sealing the victory.

“He came out and got some good runs,” Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden said. “I know QB is a top position and the best player, but at the same time, the second guy is an NFL player. You ain’t here for show and tell.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Girls’ basketball season arrives 25-2 Record for the Gray Stone Day Knights girls’ basketball team last season

Five Stanly County schools are ready to start the season

By Jesse Deal The Associated Press While the local boys’ basketball squads already have a few exhibition games in the books over the past few weeks, Stanly County’s five girls’ teams will begin playing this week.

Here is a look at the five local high schools and their prospects for the 2020-21 season.

West Stanly Colts (Rocky River Conference 2A/3A) Over the past two seasons, thirdyear coach Chad Horn and the Colts have solidified themselves as the second-best girls’ hoops team in the RRC with back-to-back 7-3 conference records. West Stanly posted a 14-4 overall record in 2018-19 followed by a 1611 effort last season.

The dominant Forest Hills Yellow Jackets have countered with 20 consecutive conference victories and 35 wins over the past two years. The Yellow Jackets were also the team that defeated West Stanly, 61-42, in last year’s conference tournament championship just two days after the Colts took down Montgomery Central (520, 2-8 RRC) in the first round.

Four days later, a 53-42 loss to West Wilkes (19-7, 11-3 Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference) knocked the Colts out of the first round of 2A state playoffs.

The Colts are returning an experienced roster this year that includes senior guards Rachel Efird, Addie Barbee and Kailey Furr, as well as junior power forward Ashlyn Hughes.

North Stanly Comets (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A)

Now in his 12th year as the Comets’ coach, Greg Speights and his 2021 team are looking to improve upon last year’s 8-14 season that saw them lose all six of their nonconference matchups and finish in the middle of the pack in conference play.

Uwharrie Charter Academy (18-10, 11-5 YVC) and John A. Holmes (237, 8-2 Albemarle Athletic 1A Conference) each eliminated the Comets from the first rounds of the YVC playoffs and state playoffs, respectively.

The Comets were set to travel to West Stanly, a familiar nonconference foe, to begin their 2021 campaign on Tuesday. North’s home opener will be Jan. 15 when the Comets battle the Gray Stone Day Knights, followed by a Jan. 22 home game against South Davidson.

South Stanly Rebel Bulls (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A) After an 8-18 effort in 2018-19 and a 4-21 record last year, the Bulls are seeking their first winning campaign in over a decade.

After opening the 2019-20 season with 13 consecutive losses, South closed its regular season with a win over Albemarle (9-16, 7-9 YVC). In a nine-point loss that would have been a major upset, the Bulls nearly knocked off North Rowan (20-9, 13-3 YVC) in the first round of the YVC tournament.

The Bulls did not receive a bid for the 1A state playoffs, but new coach Sean Whitley is hoping to change that in 2021. His squad will feature junior guards Kalea LeGrande and Jacy Noble, as well as senior forward Sadie Lee. South’s season will kick off Wednesday when Montgomery Central comes to town in a nonconference showdown. It could be a winnable game against the Timberwolves, who only won five out of their 25 games as a

5

member of the Rocky River Conference last season.

HOMETOWN HARDWOOD

Albemarle Bulldogs (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A)

Although coach Eric Davis has put together five winning seasons in his seven years leading the Bulldogs, his 2019-20 squad managed only a 9-16 record (7-9 in YVC play) — quite the change of pace from Davis’ 2018-19 squad (26-3, 16-0) that led the entire conference.

The Bulldogs’ inexperience could rear its head again this season. Davis’ roster boasts only one senior and one junior, and the rest of Albemarle’s youthful group is made up of 11 sophomores and freshmen.

Albemarle’s opens the season Jan. 8 at home against Montgomery Central, travels to Cabarrus Charter Academy on Jan. 12, and opens conference play at Uwharrie Charter Academy on Jan. 15.

Gray Stone Day Knights (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A)

Coach Robert Stack has a remarkable six-year streak of 20-plus-win seasons with the Knights, who have become a perennial frontrunner in the YVC. Last year, the Knights (25-2, 15-1) advanced to the third round of state playoffs, falling to East Surry (20-6, 9-1 Northwest 1A Conference) in a 65-44 loss. Gray Stone could still hold its head high though; the Knights claimed the YVC regular season championship and then the conference tournament championship with a 61-52 win over North Rowan (20-9, 13-3 YVC).

While last year’s Knights boasted seven seniors, the 2021 team will be younger. Still, Gray Stone has found ways to succeed year in and year out since Stack took over as coach.

The Knights’ season begins at home against South Davidson on Jan. 12, followed by road matchups with North Stanly on Jan. 15 and North Moore four days later.

ALBEMARLE (0-0, 0-0 YVC) Jan. 7 at Covenant Classical 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs Montgomery Central 7 p.m.

GRAY STONE DAY (0-0, 0-0 YVC) Jan. 12 vs South Davidson 8 p.m.

NORTH STANLY (0-0, 0-0 YVC) Jan. 5 at West Stanly After Press Jan. 8 vs Forest Hills 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 at North Rowan 7:30 p.m.

SOUTH STANLY (0-0, 0-0 YVC) Jan. 6 vs Montgomery Central 8 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs West Stanly 8 p.m.

Jan. 12 at North Moore 7:30 p.m.

WEST STANLY (0-0, 0-0 RRC) Jan. 5 vs North Stanly After Press Jan. 8 at South Stanly 8 p.m.

Jan. 13 vs Forest Hills 7:30 p.m.

DAVE RICHARD | AP PHOTO

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski will kiss Cleveland’s first playoff games in 18 years after testing positive for COVID-19.

Browns coach Stefanski positive for COVID-19, out of playoff game Cleveland, in the postseason for the first time in nearly two decades, will be without its head coach The Associated Press CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns will play their first playoff game since 2002 without first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after leading the team back to the postseason.

The team announced Stefanski’s positive result on Tuesday — 18 years to the day since the Browns’ last postseason game.

Also, Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver Kha-

Darel Hodge also tested positive along with two staff members — tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard.

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach Sunday.

Bitonio and Hodge played in Sunday’s win over the Steelers, who rested quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and several other top players to be fresh for the playoffs.

NFL rules state that anyone testing positive must sit out at least 10 days.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy said there is no change to the status of Sunday night’s game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. He added the league is continuing to

conduct standard contact tracing to identify any possible high-risk close contacts.

“If any players or personnel are identified as such, they would remain apart from the team and facilities for five days from the last exposure to a positive individual,” McCarthy said in an email to The Associated Press. “They would be eligible to return to the team and play in the game.”

It’s a major blow to the Browns (11-5), who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons on Sunday with a 24-22 win over Pittsburgh — ending the league’s longest playoff drought. They’ll play the Steelers again this week in the first round of the AFC playoffs.

Cleveland has been hit hard by

the virus. The Browns were without six players, including top cornerback Denzel Ward, and three assistant coaches last weekend for their biggest game in years after a rash of positive tests.

On Monday, Stefanski said he didn’t want to get into any “hypotheticals” regarding Ward or any of the other infected players. Now, he’ll only be able to work virtually this week to prepare Cleveland for its first playoff game since Jan. 5, 2003 — a 3633 loss at Pittsburgh.

The Browns are the second NFL team to be without their coach during the pandemic. Detroit interim coach Darrell Bevell sat out the Lions’ Dec. 26 game at Tampa Bay because of COVID-19 protocols.

18 Years since the Browns last played in a playoff game

For Nutbush residents He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the v itals, states across the country matched with the worry th the virus. onverting convention centers, could lose stores that are “All around, people are scared,” ts facilities and performance Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021 the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients.

In this majority-black city along the Gateway facility was hat some Memphis, Tenthe Mississippi River, lawmakers If they did, shopping wo e, residents don’t get is why in and community leaders have been come more difficult for re city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they especially for those who ar dle of a predominantly black, see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means of transpo income residential neighborrus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen.

“For people who don’t higher rate. ty and state officials are conNutbush resident Patricia Har- car, what do they do?” ask ed that an influx of patients ris wondered aloud if city officials ris, who spoke to The Ass Memphis, as well as nearby were “trying to contaminate” the Press while lugging a bottl issippi, Arkansas and rural tergent, a package of bott neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospichilly reception from immigration

By Elliot Spagat across Activist Earle Fisher, an Afri- ter and other items from t Their fears are echoed ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO hawks, the administration went Associated Press can American Memphis pastor, A Lot to her car. She note country:The Governors, mayors much further in June by adding understands the anxiety. “This grocery store recently clos health experts in numerous This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center SAN DIEGO — President Don- H-1B visas, which are widely used is an honest and reasonable con- her house and she already s are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. ald Trump extended pandem- by American and Indian technolcern and skepticism,” Fisher said. travel farther to get to Gate tructingic-related makeshift bans medical on green cards ogy company workers and their and work visas to large groups families; H-2B visas for nonagri“When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. cultural seasonal workers; J-1 vi- a Chinese restaurant and other black people to be righteously got to consider the people of applicants through March 31, has Lee disclosed a few: the MuNew York City, they’re turnwhile a federal appeals court sid- sas for cultural exchanges; and skeptical of governmental inter- neighborhood,” she said. “W o the Javits Center convention sic City Center in Nashville, the businesses. ed with him on a rule that re- L-1 visas for managers and othvention that did not consult with need to make the neighb Locating a treatment center for Chattanooga Convention Center, in Chicago, the McCormick quires new immigrants to have er key employees of multinationworse than it already is.”

Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.” e Convention Center; and in the Knoxville al corporations. their own health insurance.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Trump said the measures TheMountain twin developments, as away Doug McGowen, the city’s chief from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: dy, Utah, the Amer- sites would protect American jobs in It could potentially expose them operating officer, said the Gate- phis Democrat, said the d 2020 wound to a close, encapborhoods. xpo Center. pandemic-wracked sulated Corps how Trump has made The a Gateway Shopping economy, Cen- to the virus amid concerns that way site was being considered be- doesn’t make sense. he U.S. Army of EngiU.S. immigration policy more re- while business groups said they “I’m sure there are othe blacks are contracting COVID-19 cause it could potentially accomter in the Nutbush neighborhood s has been scouting locations strictive without support from would hamper a recovery.

PATRICK SEMANSKY AP PHOTOand they that would |work, modate hundreds of beds.

He said at higher rates; and it could force of Memphis is different.

The cenennessee, and officials here “The effects of COVID-19 on Congress. Presumptive presihaveThursday, used those if itOne were converted a treatmentAirport, of the storesTrump they boards rely onAir to Force ter features a Save A Lot grocery compiled a list of possithe United States labor market some dent-elect Joe35 Biden has promPresident Donald at Palm Beachto International Dec. rather t andRent-A-Center, on the health ofa American ised toThey undo haven’t many of reTrump’s ac- a 31, 2020, in West Palm Beach, Fla. site, it would hold only mildly ill into a residential neighbo store, Fami- close. backup sites. communities a mattershop, of ontions,list, but itbut is unclear how quickly Nutbush resident and commu- coronavirus patients who could be Cohen said. ly Dollar, a beautyis supply d the whole Gov. Bill

6

Trump extends visa ban; court clears health insurance rule

going national concern,” Trump’s and even to what extent.

Federal judges have limited the proclamation Thursday read, impact of the pandemic-related highlighting the growing number visa bans, which were set to ex- of cases and states’ restrictions on pire on Dec. 31. Biden, who is now businesses.

By contrast, the administraforced to decide when and whether to lift them after taking office tion’s edict to immediately expel Jan. 20, doesn’t specifically ad- asylum-seekers and others who dress the issue in his immigration cross the border illegally from Mexico was justified on grounds platform.

Biden also doesn’t directly ad- of containing the coronavirus, dress the health-insurance re- though reporting by The Associquirement in his platform, and a ated Press and others found that lawyer who sued over the policy government scientists saw no evon Thursday urged him to imme- idence for it. A temporary ban on non-essential travel across the diately rescind it. bin aSalman, a son King Salman, AssociatedIn Press Mexican andofCanadian borders April, Trump imposed assented thedone deal. wastoalso for public health. ban on green cards issued abroad October, a federalsojudge largely targets family mem“I go In with the consent, I UBAI, that United Arab Emirin San Francisco that the bers of people already in the Unitchuckling, — OPEC, Russia and other agree,” the prince said,ruled ed States. After a surprisingly work-visa ban could not be en-

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

forced against groups that sued and their members, who represent much of the U.S. economy: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, technology industry group TechNet and Intrax Inc., which manages cultural exchange programs.

In December, a federal judge in Oakland, California, prevented the green-card ban from taking effect against families of 181 U.S. citizens and legal residents who sued.

In a ruling that was issued on the final day of the previous year, a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel voted 2-1 to clear the way

for Trump’s requirement that immigrants have health insurance.

New immigrants must demonstrate they can obtain coverage within 30 days and pay their medical expenses. A federal judge blocked the rule from taking effect almost immediately after it was announced in October 2019.

Judge Daniel P. Collins, a Trump appointee, wrote that the president acted within his authority, relying largely on the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld Trump’s travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries. He was joined by Judge Jay Bybee, who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

Judge A. Wallace Tashima,

who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, dissented, calling the policy “a major overhaul of this nation’s immigration laws without the input of Congress — a sweeping and unprecedented exercise of unilateral Executive power.”

Esther Sung, an attorney for Justice Action Center, an advocacy group that sued to block the rule, said she was disappointed.

The ruling “makes clear that the Biden administration must move swiftly to rescind all of President Trump’s xenophobic presidential proclamations, including this health care ban,” she said.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

roducing nations on Sunday drawing a round of applause from ized an unprecedented pro- those on the video call.

But it had not been smiles and ion cut of nearly 10 million els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soopes of boosting crashing pric- called OPEC+ group of OPEC mid the coronavirus pandemic members and other nations failed in March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said. his could be the largest re- on production cuts, sending pricion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply they’re ineffective before he can

By Todd Richmond file charges.

Associated Press lon- criticized Russia days earlier over erhaps aThe decade, maybe Brandenburg’s attorney, Jason said U.S. Energy Secretary what it described as comments Baltz, did not speak on the merMADISON, Wis. — A WisBrouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which its of the case during the hearconsin pharmacist convinced the ident Donald Trump’s ing. Gerol held off on filing any world was “crashingperdown”finds told itself trying to appease Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement intried getting duelcharges, saying he still needs to depolice he to ruin hundreds of Even U.S. senators had warned termine whether Brandenburg acparties to the oftable and helpdoses coronavirus vaccine betually destroyed the doses. he believed the shots would Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end acause price war between Judge Paul Malloy ordered mutate people’s DNA, according boost prices as American shale di Arabia and Russia.

Brandenburg held on a $10,000 to court documents released Monil prices day. have collapsed as the firms face far-higher production signature bond on the condition navirus and thein COVID-19 that he surrender his firearms, not Police Grafton, aboutcosts.

20 American troops had been SAUDI ENERGY deployed to the kingdom for the ss it causes halt- arrestwork in health care and have no mileshave northlargely of Milwaukee, contact with Aurora employees. ed Advocate Aurora Health pharfirst time since the Sept. 11, 2001, In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz lobal travel and slowed down bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist in energy the promacist Steven Brandenburg last over concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit ofBrandenburg r energy-chugging sectors attacks the Group ofis 20 minister cess of divorcing his wife of to eight week following an investigation as manufacturing. It has an retaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response plummet years. The couple has two small into the 57 spoiled vials of the sions. stated Moderna the oil vaccine, industry in officials prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in children. global demand due to the pandemi which “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which now pumps more According to an affidavit his say contained enough doses to inmonth waging war on American e than any othermore country. wife filed on Dec. 30, the same oculate than 500 people. day Brandenburg are pending. praise.was arrested in ut some Charges producers have been oil producers while we are defend- that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés the vaccine tampering, he stopped “He’d formed this belief they “The pure size of the cu Manuel López Obrador, had said the United Arab Emirates would tant to ease supply. The car- ing theirs. This is not how friends off at her house on Dec. 6 and were unsafe,” Ozaukee Counwith precedented, but, then ag nd other nations on Sunday treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin cut another 2 million barrels of Friday that he had agreed dropped off a water purifier and ty District Attorney Adam Gerol MARK HOFFMAN |Trump MILWAUKEEthat JOURNAL-SENTINEL VIA AP compenthe impact the U.S. will oil a day between them atop the Cramer, a Republican from North ed to allow Mexico to cut only two 30-dayissupplies of food, the tell- corona said during a virtual hearing. He onwas demand,” sate what addhertothathaving OPEC+ deal.

The Medical three countries before the OPEC+ 000 barrels month, a stick- wasDakota, the world “crash- said M addeda that Brandenburg up- This Thursday, Dec. 31,deal.

2020 photo shows the Aurora Center in Grafton, Wis. Mexico cannot ing ing down” and was in denial. medshe Ghulam, an energy an because he was in the midst U.S. of producers have already did not immediately acknowledge the proposed cuts. point forsetan accord initially said the Raymond government James. was plandivorcing wife, and an Aurora “The big Oil Deal with He OPEC been reducing output. The Amer- the cut themselves, though Zanhed Friday afterhis a marathon ning cyberattacks was going the refrigerator andThis had will inad-save fy humans.

One of theInstitute earliest claims sug- ganeh employee said Brandenburg had Petroleum But and Ghulam and others w Plus is done. hunattended the video conferlaudo conference between 23 na- ican Advocate Aurora Health Care vertently failed to put them back. to shut down the power grid. gested that the vaccines could altaken a gun to work twice. it may not be enough. dreds of thousands of energy jobs ence. ed Sunday’s global pact, saying it s. The nations together agreed She added that he was storA detective wrote in a proba- ter DNA. The Pfizer and BioNTech Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff The Moderna vaccine is viable for “This is with at least in the United States,” Trump Officials said other planned will help get other stateut 9.7 million dayBrandenfood in bulk along gunsa tempo 12 hours outside refrigeration, so ing said Bahr has said Brandenburg admit-cuts vaccine as wellnations’ as the Moderna ble causebarrels statementa that lief for the energy industry in a tweet.

“I would like to thank would stand in the deal, meaning owned oil production to follow the ughout May and June. burg, 46, is an admitted conspiracy vaccine rely on messenger RNA ted that he deliberately removed workers used the vaccine to inoc- in rental units and she no longer felt safe A court com- This i ulate and 57 people before discarding the 8-million-barrel-per-day vials from refrigeration at the cut mRNA, whichthat is a are fairly new an andthe that he told the him. global economy. congratulate President Pu-around lead of or U.S. producers tryhe grouptheorist reached deal justinvestigamissioner found that the rest. said the Grafton center technology used in vaccines that from he intentionally ruinto adjust is Monday too big to be let to fail and tin Police of Russia anddiscarded King Salman of on Julymedical through theovernight end of the to plunging demand. s beforetors Asian markets tried re- toing Brandenburg’s children were in doses were worth between $8,000 on Dec. 24 into Dec. 25, returned experts have been working on for the vaccine because it could hurt liance showed responsibili Brouillette said the U.S. did not year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Saudi Arabia.” ed Monday and as internaimminent danger and temporaryears. MRNA vaccines help train them, then left them out again on and $11,000. people by changing their DNA. this agreement,” said Per M The Kremlin said President 16 months beginning in 2021. make commitments of its own al benchmark Brent crude them from staying Bahr said the doses people re- ily prohibited Misinformation around the the immune system to identify the night of Dec. 25 into Saturday.

Putin a joint “This will enable the discovrebalancproduction cuts, but on was to of ed at just over $31 a barrel withcall him. Nysveen, the head of ana ceivedVladimir Dec. 26 are all butheld useless.

A pharmacy technician the spike protein theable surface COVID-19 vaccines has surged Rystad Energy.

“Even tho with said Trump andthe Saudi Sal- court ofthe the oiloutside markets and the exshow — that plunging records indicate American producers But Gerol during hear-KingOnline ered vials the refrigeratheobvious coronavirus and create an im- ing onlineshale with claims circulating on the divorce attorney ing that the to vialsexpress were actually re- Brandenburg’s tor on Dec. 26. Bahrofsaid Brandenresponse. have said pected everything from the vaccines’ in- mune cuts are small man support of the production rebound prices by $15 demand because of Experts the pandemggle. withdrew case on Dec. tained and It Moderna would need burg initially had removed there is no the claims that per gredients to its possible side ef-expected whatthethe market needed a deal. also said Putin spoke sep- from barrel insaid thehe short term,” said ic is to truth slashtoU.S. oil prodeo aired by the Saudi-owned the vaccines can genetically modi- the vials to access other items in to test the doses to make sure 28. fects. a statement from Nigeria’s oil arately with Trump about the oil postpone the stock buildi lite channel Al-Arabiya duction. straints problem, the wors market and other issues.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zan- ministry. wed the moment that Saudi Analysts offered cautious now avoided.”

Mexico had initially blocked gy Minister Prince Abdulaziz ganeh also told state television

Prosecutor: Wisconsin pharmacist thought vaccine was unsafe

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

12115 University City Blvd.

P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

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obituaries obituaries

Jason Efird Sylvia Faulkner ASON EUGENE “GENE”

J

EFIRD, 94, wentMAULDIN home to be with SYLVIA JANE his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, atNC, his FAULKNER, 81 of Albemarle home inaway Stanfield. passed Saturday December born October 26,Gene 2020was at Trinity Place.9, 1925, in Cabarrus County to the late26, Simeon Sylvia was born April 1939 Jason Efird and theNC latedaughter Sarah Ellaof in Stanly County, Burris InEdward addition Mauldin to his the lateEfird.

James parents, heEudy was preceded inShe death by and Ollie Mauldin. was wife, Jewell Efird; sisters, ahis retired nurseLittle having worked Mary FannieCounty Almond, at theLambert, former Stanly Minnie Furr, and Hospital, Dr.Wilma ClaudeBurleson Ballenger’s Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer Medical office, and retired from Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, the Albemarle Women’s Clinic.

Sr.Sylvia was a member of West A privateBaptist funeral service be Albemarle Churchwill since held onwhere Saturday, April 11,as 2020 1945, she served a at Love’sschool Grove United Methodist Sunday teacher, leader of Church Cemetery in Stanfield the Sunbeams, GA’s, and Acteens officiated bymember Rev. Jim of White.

Burial leader and the WMU. will follow at the Love’ s Grove United Sylvia was preceded in death Methodist Church Cemetery, by her husband Jack Harley4360 Polk Ford Road, Faulkner, a son Stanfield.

Chad Faulkner, Survivors include son Gerald brothers Jerry Mauldin and Gary Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; Mauldin. daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) She was survived by herHartsell of Stanfield; granddaughters, children, daughter Rhonda Kelly EfirdPerkins Barbee and Lauren City Faulkner of Johnson Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatTN, sons grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and John Faulkner of Albemarle Elliot Jacob Simmons.

NC and Doug Faulkner and wife Memorials may be made to Love’s Adina of Fleetwood NC. Two Grove United Church, brothers Bill Methodist Mauldin and wifePO Box 276, 28163-0276.

Linda ofStanfield, Blowing NC Rock NC and Don Mauldin and wife Judy of Winston Salem, and a sister Libby Rummage of Norwood NC. Grandchildren Anna Perkins, Seth Faulkner, Logan Faulkner, Morgan Miller, Kyle Faulkner, and Cole Faulkner. Great Grandchildren Layla Perkins Boggs, Brody Faulkner, Elaina Anthony, Riley Anthony, Jackson Miller and Harper Miller.

P

Tony Smith Wildon ONY MONROE Flake SMITH, 72, of

T

Rockwell, “W.C.” NC, went to be with WILDON CURTIS his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ FLAKE, Jr., 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at at Wednesday, December 30, 2020 his homeMedical surrounded by family.

A Forsyth Center in Winston private family service will be held.

Salem.

Online can 19, be made at W.C.condolences was born June 1939 in stanlyfuneralhome.com New London to the late Wildon TonyFlake, was born August Curtis Sr. and the 11, late1947 Bessie in Stanly County to the Pearlie Lou Flake.

He was alsolate preceded Asbury Emmer Lee in deathSmith by hisand beloved first wife Smith.

He was in law ofGail Pat and mother of the his son daughters, and Mick Cagle where he worked Nancy Sansom Flake, in 1994. at theAfish house for many yearsservice until close family graveside he honor openedhis Anchor House to life will be atSeafood 11:00 am, in Rockwell.

He and his wife Becky Friday, January 8, 2021 at Fairview owned andPark, operated House Memorial 1425Anchor East Main for 25 years before retiring in 2009.

Street, Albemarle.

Mr.He Smith was a charter is survived by his member second and deacon atIris Open DoorHis Baptist wife, Loretta Flake.

Church in Richfield.

He loved the daughters, Debbie (Vann) Stephens, Lord and his family abundantly.

Karen (Scott) Huffman, MelissaTony was a wonderful father, and (Zach) Hubbard;husband, grandchildren, grandfather and could fix anything Curtis Mercer, Abigail Leanne, and he put hisClaire handsStephens, on.

Marissa Wyleigh Mr. Smith is survived byand his wife Caroline, Jeffrey Scott II, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, Wildon Blake Huffman, and Fisher sons Walter Smith and Robbie Dean Hubbard; special cousin, Smith; daughter Kayla Henderson Robert Flake; sister-in-law, Laurie (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, (Jean) Mady; brother-in-law, Bob Dustin, and Steelespecial Smith, nieces Keaton (Diane) Sansom; and Ella Henderson; and nephew, Sharon,brother Sandy,David Dean, Smith; sisters Kayfamily Kriechbaum, Linda; and other members.

Karen Rubyand Eudy, and W.C.Stevenson, was a devoted loving Dorothy Smith (Nick).

Daddy, Poppy, husband, uncle, and He isHe preceded in death by his friend. honorably served brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, country in the United States Army Claude Smith, Wade Robert Military Police, and Smith, was a proud Smith, and sister Mary Morris. He NC State University graduate.

Memorial contributions can bein retired from a successful career made to Open Door Baptist Church the textile industry. at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Pauline Tucker

AULINE ELIZABETH ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed away peacefully at Trinity Place, Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020.

Pauline was born on March 22, 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the late John Richard Almond and Alice Ada Ann Lambert Almond.

She is survived by her three daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), Oak Island, NC; Pamela Rushing (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her son,FRANK Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), JOSEPH CAPRA, Washington, DC. She will be greatly 71, OF Albemarle passed away missed by her five grandchildren, Thursday, December 31, 2020 in Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), his home.

A graveside service will Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel be held at a later date.

Hartzog (Craig), Michel, Jr. Born April 16,Jack 1949 in Stanly (Jenn), as well as County,and NCWoody he wasHunt the son of the seven great-grandchildren.

She also late Frank Joseph Capra Sr. and leaves behind cherished nieces and Blanche Virgina Nash Capra.

He nephews. was a veteran of the US Army and The family expresses its sincere retired as a manager with Servco. gratitude to the staff and Mr. Capra is survivedcaregivers by his wife at Place for the careCapra they of Trinity 54 years, Pamela Frick provided Pauline. of the home, daughters Machelle A privateand graveside service will be Patterson husband Michael held on Monday, April 13, 2020. of Albemarle and Christina A celebration of Pauline’ s life and legacy Harville and husband Harrison of will be held this Tennessee, twosummer. sisters Margaret In lieu of the and family Springer of flowers, Albemarle Doris requests donations be made to the McGalliard of Georgia, brother BrightFocus Foundation www.

Leslie Ray Capra of Mt. at Pleasant, brightfocus.org. and four grandchildren Alyssa

Frank Capra

Seighman, Tia Russell, Teagan and Tatum Patterson.

Merle Helms Maxine Tucker ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN

M

HELMS, 72, of Marshville, MAXINE BURLESON passed away Wednesday, April 8, TUCKER, 89, OF Albemarle, 2020 ataway McWhorter Hospice House passed Tuesday, December 29, in Monroe.

2020 at Spring Arbor.

Lorrainewas wasborn bornAugust April 28, 1947 Maxine 25, in Monroe theLee lateAnder HomerBurleson David 1931 to theto late Austin and Hathcock Jewell Delphia-Jane and Bessie Burleson.

Austin.

Shealso was preceded also preceded in She was in death death by brothers, A.D.Ray andTucker, Teddy by husband Malcolm Austin; and sister, Joy Austin. brothers James Edward Burleson, family willBurleson, receive friends Sr.,The Shelby Leon Hubert fromBurleson, 6:00 pm -Rayvon 8:00 pm, Friday, Earl Burleson, April 10,Lee 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Macon Burleson, Newell Niven Home of Albemarle. funeraland Burleson, Sr., ErnestThe Burleson, serviceLouise will beCaseman. at 11:00 am on sister Saturday at Pleasant BaptistLori She is survived byHill daughter ChurchUssery, in Marshville, officiated (Mike) grandson Daniel

by Rev. John and Miller and Rev. Leon Yuri Ussery, granddaughter Whitley.

She will lie in state forand 30 Julia Ussery of Concord, NC, minutes prior to the service.

She several nieces and nephews. will be Maxine laid to rest inMalcolm the church cemetery. and lived in She is survived by herMaxine beloved Red Cross for 37 years. husbandatofWiscasset 47 years, Paul Helms worked Mills, then of the home; son, (Deanna) ran a daycare forAlex several years. She Helmscaring of Pageland; daughter, Paula loved for children.

After (Cristin Brandt) Helms of back Mint to Hill; they retired, they moved grandchildren, and Albemarle andMason, lived inGrant, College Raegan Helms; Boyce, Park, where theybrothers, had many great Royce, Tim andSpecial sisters, friends and Austin; neighbors.

Patriciato Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. thanks the entire staff at Spring Memorials may be made the Arbor for their compassionto and Alzheimer’sto Association, 4600 Park dedication their residents.

Rd., 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

A Suite private graveside funeral will be held for the family. Memorials may be made to Community Home Care and Hospice of Troy, 1024 Albemarle Rd. #904, Troy, NC 27371.

L

Shirley Glenn Smith Haire

GLENN ALLEN SMITH, MAEpassed HAIRE, 73, 89,HIRLEY OF Oakboro away of Albemarle passed awayat onhis Saturday, January 2, 2021 April 11,A2020 at Atrium Health home. private graveside service Stanly. will hold will beThe heldfamily at a later date.a private graveside service for Mrs. Haire.

Born September 28, 1931 in Shirley was bornNC, December Stanly County, he was12, the son 1946 Washington, DC to theLula of theinlate Sandy Smith and late Charles Richard Bateman and Allen Smith.

He was a veteran Elizabeth Bateman. of the USMae NavyMulligan and a member Shirley is survived by her husband of Philapelphia Baptist Church. of 30 years Vaughn Smith of He retired from maintenance Albemarle; sister Painter department withSandra the Stanly of Gainesville, half-brother County SchoolVA; system.

Robert Bateman ofpreceded Stevensville, Mr. Smith was in MD; step-children Heather Smith death by his wife Frances Hahn of Jacksonville, FL and David Smith and a daughter, Jan Smith.

Smith of New London, NC; 4 He is survived by a daughter step-grandchildren; Cyndi Myra Hatley (Don)nieces of Locust, Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and six grandchildren, eleven greatCheryl Hardy ofand Aylett, VA;great16 grandgrandchildren three nieces and nephews; and Gus the great-grandchildren. dog.

Stanly Funeral Cremation Memorials may and be made to Care of Albemarle is serving the PO Philadelphia Baptist Church, Haire family.

Box 280, Stanfield, NC 28163.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust is entrusted with arrangements.

S

Danny Luther José ANNY PAULMataLUTHER, 65, Hernandez of Norwood, passed away D unexpectedly Thursday, April 9,

2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in JOSÉ ALBERTO MATAAlbemarle.

HERNANDEZ, 61, passed away Luther1,was born on Mr. January 2021, at March Novant27, 1955 to the late Robert Fulton and Medical Center uptown Charlotte.

Helen Tucker Luther.

He is survived by his wife, DannyMata, was survived his wife, Socorro his fourbydaughters, Denise Burleson Luther ofRocio Norwood; Berenice Mata Whelan, sons, Jeremy (Karen) Mata-Jimenez, ElsaLuther Mata and Jody Luther; Bryanhis Wartner, andstep-sons, Diana Mata, Whitley Gregg Mata (Anita)Jr., Whitley; son, Joséand Alberto and his Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and seven grandchildren.

Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, Alberto Mata-Hernandez Bob Luther (Lorena), Jack was born toJrJose Matauncle Camacho Luther and several loved nieces, and Josefina Mataother Hernandez nephews and on August 7, cousins.

1959, in Mexico Danny recently retired migrate from City, Mexico.

He would Charlotte Pipe and after with his family to Foundry the United a dedicated 37 years and worked States in 1989 to Los Angeles, there with his sons andto several other California, and then Albemarle, friendsCarolina and familyinmembers.

North 1996. There loved his spending at theDanny Lord used life totime bring his lake house with family and transformation to his many. friends as well asdedication vacationingto with His love and hishis family.and Danny andJesus DeniseChrist, enjoyed Lord Savior, listeninghis to beach music and loved shaped life, fatherhood, and to shag danceHe every they could ministry. waschance a devoted get. He was husband, an amazing father, loving and loving father, grandfather and great friend grandfather, and pastor.

Heto many. He Bethel will never be forgotten. pastored Casa de Dios in A celebration of life will be There Stanfield, NC for 20 years. announced once theacurrent he would become spiritual COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. father for many and would be an Hartsell Funeral Home of instrument in the hands of God to Albemarle is serving Luther bring healing, hope,the and change family. to his community. With love and generosity, he would approach every person the Lord would put in his path. Now his pilgrimage has ended and he has gone home.

He will be deeply missed but he has left a legacy of faith, hope, and love through his children, grandchildren, and spiritual children.

J

Jerry Fincher

ERRY FINCHER passed from this life on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 pm. He was surrounded by his family and holding the hand of the love of his life. Jerry is preceded in death by three siblings, two brothers, Billy Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce Moore.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy (Tiffany) Fincher of New London NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob) Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric (Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson of Midland, Step-grandchildren, Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) Washington, Beth (Robbie) Setzer, Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Washington, Robert Setzer, George (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Andrew Underwood, Step great great grandchild, Waylon George Setzer and brother Donald Lewis Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am Celebrate the life at Canton Baptist Church.

Anyone of your loved ones. interested in attending, please RSVP at 704-796-2412.

Dr. Phil McCray Submit obituaries and Pastor will andTommy deathFincher notices officiate. to be published in

SCJ at

obits@stanlyjournal.com

Linda Hatley

INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020.

Linda was born September 18, 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Claris Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Terry Lee Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda Tucker Strickland. know Brenda JOAN CAUDLEWe ALMOND, and Linda are in Heaven 88, OF Albemarle passedwatching away over usJanuary and laughing.

Friday, 1, 2021 at Atrium Linda was a lovingConcord, mother, sister, Health - Northeast, NC. “Nana.”service She was a very giving Aand graveside will be held and loving person.January Linda would at 2PM Monday, 4, 2021 always do anything sheChurch could for in the Canton Baptist others, especially her family.

She Cemetery in Albemarle officiated enjoyed working at FastShop #5,

by Rev. Mark Mabry.

Locust.

Linda will be forever loved Mrs. Almond was born July 21, and greatly missed.

1932 in Stanly County to the late Survivors include her son, Charlie Caudle and Aria Almond Alan Hatley and awife, Angela, of Caudle.

She was retired secretary Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker working with Commercial and wife, Linda, Midland; Refrigeration Coof and a member of granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 Canton Baptist Church.

She loved niece; and 2 nephews. traveling with her husband in their The familyMrs. will Almond receive friends motorhome. was a from mother 4:00 pmand - 6:00 pm, Thursday, great grandmother.

April 16,is2020 at Hartsell Joan survived by herFuneral husband Home in Albemarle.

Linda will of 69 years, Tommy Almond; son: be laid to rest during a private Todd Almond and wife Suzanne committal service at Bethel United of Denver, NC; daughter: Connie Methodist Church, Midland.Tracy of Almond Ford and husband In lieu of5flowers, please consider Cornelius; grandchildren; 5 great-a memorial donation to BetheltoUMC, grandchildren.

In addition her 12700 Idlebrook Midland, NC parents, she was Rd, preceded in death 28107. by her daughter Susan Plummer and her sister Jahala Hatley.

Joan Almond

Mattie Clark MATTIE MARIE HARRINGTON CLARK, 88, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Woodhaven Court in Albemarle.

Marie was born February 28, 1932 in Stanly County to the late Fred Lawrence Harrington and Sunnie Ben Kimrey Harrington.

She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Lee “Pete” Clark; and brother, Wade Harrington.

There are no services at this time.

She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis (Don) Vanhoy of New London, Aimee (Jeff) Bowers of New London; sister, Marlene Huneycutt of Cornelius; four grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony.

When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care.

Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

Email: care@spcremation.com

8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

STATE & NATION

Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two years

By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected Sunday as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats’ slender House majority as she sets a challenging course of producing legislation to tackle the pandemic, revive the economy and address other party priorities.

“We accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced,” the California Democrat told the chamber as she accepted a fresh two-year term in her post, perhaps her last. Citing the 350,000 Americans who’ve died from COVID-19 and the millions who’ve lost jobs and livelihoods, she won a standing ovation when she said, “Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, we will.”

Yet even before House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ceremonially handed her the speaker’s gavel — a normally genial moment — he provided a stark reminder of the partisan divide coloring Congress.

McCarthy accused Pelosi of over the past two years leading “the least productive Congress in nearly 50 years” and said there was a clear message in last November’s elections, when Republicans gained seats by defeating a dozen Democratic incumbents. “It was a wake-up call,” he said. “The question I ask of this majority: were you listening?”

Pelosi, who has led her party in the House since 2003 and is the only woman to be speaker, received 216 votes to 209 for McCarthy, who again will be the chamber’s minority leader.

It was the first vote of the new Congress, which convened Sunday with COVID-19 guidelines requiring testing and face coverings for lawmakers. There was widespread mask-wearing and far fewer legislators and guests in the chamber than usual, an unimaginable tableau when the last Congress commenced two years ago, before the pandemic struck.

Though Congress enacted —

ERIN SCOTT | POOL VIA AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi takes her oath of office as the Speaker of the 117th Congress after being re-elected at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. and Trump finally signed — a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package late last month, many Democrats say they consider that measure a down payment. They claim more aid is needed to bolster efforts to vaccinate the public, curb the virus and restore jobs and businesses lost to the pandemic.

Guiding such legislation through the House will be a challenge for Pelosi because her party’s narrow majority means just a handful of defectors could be fatal.

To win, Pelosi had to overcome some Democratic grumbling about her longevity, a slim 222-211 edge over Republicans after November’s elections and a handful of absences because of the coronavirus. There were two vacancies in the 435-member House, and whatever happens Democrats will have the smallest House majority in two decades.

With little margin for error,

“We accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Pelosi suffered only a handful of Democratic defections in her latest display of her ability to line up support, and no opponent challenged her for the job. She has won plaudits from Democrats for leading their opposition to President Donald Trump, largely keeping her party’s moderates and progressives united and raising mountains of campaign funds.

“She’s had one finger in the dike and one finger in the eye of Don-

ald Trump,” said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va. But she’s 80 years old, and ambitious younger members continue chafing at the longtime hold she and other older top leaders have had on their jobs. Democrats were also angry after an Election Day that many expected would mean added House seats for the party but instead saw a dozen incumbents lose, without defeating a single GOP representative.

In the end, Rep. Jared Golden, D-Me., voted for Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth — the Constitution doesn’t require the speaker to be a House member.

Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is seen as a strong contender to succeed Pelosi whenever she steps down.

Three Democrats who opposed Pelosi’s election as speaker two years ago voted present on Sun-

day — Reps. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and five others who opposed her in 2019 back her this time.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., who has been battling cancer, missed the vote.

Democrats gave Pelosi a standing ovation as the final tally was announced, while the Republican side of the chamber was nearly empty.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a progressive leader, backed Pelosi and said she and other progressives “have been in conversations and negotiations” with the speaker, but did not describe what they accomplished.

In the House, one race in New York is still being decided and there is a vacancy in Louisiana after GOP Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, 41, died after contracting COVID-19.

2021 marquee contest: Virginia governor’s race in high gear

By Alan Suderman The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — An unusually broad field of candidates are vying for the governor’s seat in Virginia as the marquee political contest of 2021 gets into full swing.

Only New Jersey and Virginia are set to elect governors this year, and the Old Dominion’s offyear contest has a strong track record of being an early indicator of broader national trends, previewing voter backlashes against Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump in recent election cycles.

Virginia has traditionally elected business-friendly moderates of both parties to be its chief executive, but the depth of the 2021 field reflects the state’s changing political dynamics and the unsettled mood among both Republicans and Democrats. The field of announced and likely candidates in the closely watched race is more diverse than anytime in modern history.

“Everything from a socialist to a quasi-white nationalist and literally everything in between,” said Quentin Kidd, a political science professor at Christopher Newport University.

That includes two black lawmakers trying to become the first African American woman elected governor in the country’s history.

The progressive wing of Virginia’s Democratic Party is looking to cement gains it has made in recent elections, while the traditional wing of the GOP battles with diehard supporters of Trump for control of their party.

The race has already been marked by the aggressive tenor in both primaries.

Terry McAuliffe, a former governor who left office in 2018, has lined up endorsements from party leaders and raised a ton of money. But despite signaling for months that he was going to seek

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

In this March 1, 2020, file photo, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe walks up to the stage as he prepares to introduce Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign rally in Norfolk, Va. McAuliffe is trying to get his old job back and is set to announce a formal bid for governor Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in Richmond, according to a McAuliffe aide who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaign. the job - Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms he’s not been able to clear the field and has been the frequent subject of attack.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, who recently resigned as a state delegate, has aggressively tried to paint McAuliffe as an out-oftouch millionaire since he announced his candidacy in early December.

“People want transformational change,” Carroll Foy said. “I understand the challenges Virginia families face because I was them.

I’ve gone without health care; I’ve made minimum wage.”

Carroll Foy grew up in Petersburg and was among the first women to graduate from the traditionally all-male Virginia Military Institute. She’s also been a foster parent and worked as a public defender.

She will face a challenge on the left from Del. Lee Carter, the state’s lone elected Democratic socialist, who announced Friday he’s running for governor.

Carter has a large online following and is often unsparing in his attacks on Democrats, including McAuliffe, who he thinks are too cozy with business interests.

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan,

a soft-spoken pragmatist who often has a hand in high-profile legislation and is well-liked by many Democrats, is the more moderate alternative to McAuliffe.

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who has denied numerous allegations of sexual assault made against him in 2019, is also running.

Carroll Foy, McClellan and Fairfax are all black. Their candidacies come at a time when black politicians have never had more influence in state politics, with African American lawmakers holding key leadership positions at the General Assembly.

But many older black elected

officials are backing McAuliffe, who is seeking to emulate Joe Biden’s strategy for winning the Democratic nomination. McAuliffe has sought to portray himself both as a tested leader as well as someone who recognizes the need for sweeping change in how state government operates amid a coronavirus pandemic that has highlighted long-standing racial inequities in the state.

“Folks, it is time for a new Virginia way,” he said at his campaign kick off in early December.

Virginia has been shifting Democratic for a decade, thanks in large part to growing multicultural suburban and urban areas. During the Trump era, Democrats flipped three congressional districts and took control of the state legislature for the first time in a generation.

Republicans haven’t won a statewide race in more than a decade.

Many are optimistic that the right type of candidate could flip the state much like former Gov. Bob McDonnell did in 2009, a year after Obama won Virginia in his first presidential election.

The nomination fight, Kidd said, will be a key indicator of “whether or not the Trump fever has broken” among Virginia Republicans.

Party officials recently voted to pick the Republican candidate via a convention instead of a primary, which limits participation and often favors the most conservative candidate.

Former House Speaker Kirk Cox is running a campaign designed to appeal to suburban voters who disliked Trump but are open to voting for a more moderate Republican candidate. Northern Virginia businessman Pete Snyder, who may also run, would likely take a similar tack.

But state Sen. Amanda Chase is offering a Trump-like alternative to GOP voters. A firebrand often at odds with her own party.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 16 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021

Twin City Herald

KYSUNG GONG | AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford (9) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Winston-Salem man shot and killed in home invasion Forsyth County Police say a man has been shot and killed during a home invasion in Winston-Salem, Sunday night. Winston-Salem police said that several people forced their way into a home and had intentions of robbing the people inside. Robert Pedro Singletary, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said he lived nearby. It was unclear why one of the suspects shot Singletary. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Winston-Salem Police Department. The shooting is the 28th homicide in the city to occur in 2020. The city saw 32 homicides last year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wedding venue won’t serve same-sex couple Forsyth County A same sex-couple says the operator of a wedding venue told them that it could not hold their wedding ceremony based on its religious beliefs. Kasey Mayfield and Brianna May have been looking for a place to hold their wedding in October 2022. They reached out to The Warehouse on Ivy in WinstonSalem. After providing details and other information, the venue told the couple that “unfortunately we do not host same sex marriage ceremonies.”

Mayfield and May said the venue is discriminating against them. But they said they are not considering legal action at this time.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Cashing in: Rams QB Wolford makes high-profile NFL debut

By Greg Beacham The Associated Press THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Although John Wolford always believed he could be an NFL quarterback, he hadn’t done much in his first three seasons at Wake Forest to persuade anybody else.

So he worked at an investment firm during the summer and lined up a job in finance after he graduated.

Wolford then had an outstanding senior season for the Demon Deacons, but didn’t get drafted. He was three days away from starting his banking career when the New York Jets offered an audition.

He put his Wall Street plans on hold and started down another career path that has led him into the Rams’ backfield on Sunday.

“You can only go play football once,” Wolford said. “I can go back and work a desk job later on in life.

I told myself, ‘I’m going to give it a year. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.’ And it’s all worked out.”

Wolford is obviously good with numbers and risk assessment, and he actually sees a strong probability of a 6-foot-1 quarterback succeeding under these daunting cir-

JAE C. HONG | AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford (9) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. cumstances. That’s because he knows the full scope of his investment in himself, and he’s determined to make it pay off.

“It’s been a fun journey getting to this point,” Wolford said. “It’s a lot of hard work, and I’m confident in the time I’ve spent that has gotten me here. I’m confident in my capabilities as a player. I know

I can spin it. I know how to make the throws, and then mentally it’s about making the right decisions.”

Wolford has been on the Rams’ roster for the last 31 games, but he took his first NFL snaps at SoFi Stadium on Sunday after starter Jared Goff was sidelined with thumb surgery.

The NFL debut started with

an interception on his first throw.

It ended with the inexperienced quarterback fearlessly leading the Los Angeles Rams back to the playoffs with an 18-7 win over Arizona.

Wolford capably did his part. He passed for 231 yards and rushed for 56 more. While he got more comfortable with each series, Wolford realized he had the luxury of being backed by a defense that has remedied the flaws of LA’s inconsistent offense all year long.

“The defense played unbelievable,” said Wolford, who went 22 for 38. “And we got a block on special teams. Guys were fired up. We had energy throughout the entire game. It was a team win all across the board. I just love this organization, and I’m happy they gave me a shot.”

Wolford landed with the Rams after that short stint with the Jets was followed by a season in the defunct Alliance of American Football. He caught the attention of the Rams and Sean McVay, who signed him last season as their third-stringer behind Goff and Blake Bortles.

Although he probably would have gone two full seasons without a snap if Goff hadn’t got hurt last week in Seattle, Wolford doesn’t regret his decision to postpone finance. He stays busy preparing as the Rams’ starter each week while running their scout team with a precision and attention to detail See WOLFORD, page 3

More than 10,000 North Carolina students unaccounted for

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — North Carolina education officials recently estimated that educators can’t account for about 10,000 to 15,000 public school students this school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers and educators worry more students are falling through cracks in the system than is presently known, as the coronavirus pandemic upends students’ learning plans and keeps some out of virtual or physical classrooms.

David Stegall, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s deputy superintendent of innovation, told lawmakers earlier this month that a survey the state conducted of some districts concluded that the whereabouts of about 0.7% to 1% of the state’s 1.5 million K-12 public school students are unknown.

This happens when a school has lost contact with a student, often because the student dropped out without alerting the school or moved elsewhere without the parent notifying the school or respond-

ing to repeated requests to get their kid back in class.

If a student misses at least 10 consecutive days of school in North Carolina, they are typically unenrolled, and the school works to account for them. The education department said in a statement that “unaccounted for” doesn’t necessarily mean the school doesn’t know where a student is or that the student is in danger.

North Carolina has long kept track of enrollment and attendance numbers but has no database for counting the number of students

who educators can’t account for.

Republicans and Democrats on the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee asked the department to provide the information and now worry the estimates grossly understate the scope of the problem.

Rep. Craig Horn, a Republican from Union, said he heard reports in his district and elsewhere earlier this year that upward of 1 in 5 students could not be found or had parents who didn’t inform the district See SCHOOLS, page 2

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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♦ BRIM, JAQUANTE JAPRI was arrested on a charge of DISCH FA/ OCC VEHICLE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/4/2021 ♦ BYRD, THOMAS LEE was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 3900 S MAIN ST on 1/2/2021 ♦ Caffey, Kymberly Anita (F/35) Arrest on chrg of Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), at 201 N Church St, Winstonsalem, NC, on 12/29/2020 15:08. ♦ Caffey, Kymberly Anita (F/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fraud-credit Card (M), 2) Fraud-credit Card (M), 3) Fraud-credit Card (M), 4) Fraudcredit Card (M), 5) Fraud-credit Card (M), and 6) Fraud-credit Card (M), at 6325 Styers Ferry Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 12/28/2020 09:59. ♦ Caffey, Kymberly Anita (F/35) Arrest on chrg of Possession Control Substance Jail (F), at 6325 Styers Ferry Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 12/28/2020 12:53. ♦ Campbell, Jerald Keith (M/69) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi, M (M), at 5169 Camp Betty Hastings Rd/conifer Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 12/28/2020 07:45. ♦ CAVE, MATTHEW BRADY was arrested on a charge of DRUGSINHALE FUMES at 3800 OXFORD STATION WY on 1/3/2021 ♦ CAVE, MATTHEW BRADY was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-INHALE FUMES at 1551 WESTBROOK PLAZA DR on 1/3/2021 ♦ CAVE, MATTHEW BRADY was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-

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OPINION | NEWT GINGRICH

What was at stake in Georgia for America’s sake JAN. 5 WAS THE MOST consequential runoff election in American history.

If Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler won, the Republican majority in the Senate will be empowered to moderate the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration. It will be able to stop virtually every radical appointment to government and proposal for legislation.

If the two radicals, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, won, then Sen. Chuck Schumer will be able help Vice President Harris (who will serve as president of the Senate) in pushing through radical appointments and legislation.

Furthermore, the difference in service to Georgia communities between Perdue-Loeffler and Warnock-Ossoff is enormous.

Warnock has already proven he will be attentive to radicals and those in the black community who agree with him (but not those who disagree with him). However, since Warnock describes people who want to cut taxes as baby killers in the tradition of King Herod, it is difficult to see how he can serve the majority of Georgians, who prefer lower taxes to higher taxes.

Similarly, Warnock is openly, proudly, and noisily for abortion on-demand — even in the ninth month — and for tax-paid abortions. It is hard to see how he is going to reach out and work with the millions of Georgians who are pro-life.

Ossoff will clearly be focused more on the San Francisco values of Harris and Nancy Pelosi than on the issues that matter to Georgia. Ossoff raises far more money in California than in Georgia. It was no accident that he and Warnock had their first joint fundraiser in a restaurant in San Francisco.

In fact, both Ossoff and Warnock raised the overwhelming bulk of their money from non-Georgians, and they are clearly the candidates of liberals and radicals across the country.

Symbolically, it was revealing when New York City Mayor De Blasio said at his press conference just before Christmas that he

could not finalize his city budget (which is more than $3 billion in deficit for this year alone) until the Georgia Senate races were decided. Mayor De Blasio is hoping an Ossoff-Warnock victory will open the way for New York City to reach into Georgians’ wallets to bail out his bankrupt administration.

By contrast, we know from six years of Perdue’s hard work that he has helped Georgians across the state. In town after town, there are people, companies and causes that Perdue has helped. He fought to cut taxes for every Georgia family. He voted to strengthen and train — not defund — our police officers. He worked to roll back unnecessary and expensive regulations on Georgia’s farmers. And he supported the CARES Act to help Georgia fight the COVID-19 epidemic.

Similarly, it is clear from her first year in office that Loeffler has a clear focus on Georgia. She has been crisscrossing the state helping solve problems and cutting red tape in the federal government to get aid to Georgia communities and businesses.

In the Senate, she fought for the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement which helped return agriculture and manufacturing jobs to Georgia. She has fought against radical pro-abortion proposals.

And her work on the Veterans Affairs Committee has helped ensure Georgia’s veterans get the health care they deserve — and the training and education they need to succeed after their military service.

Both Sen. Perdue and Sen. Loeffler have clear records of voting conservative and standing firm for the values of more freedom, more jobs, lower taxes, and less bureaucracy. Their records are a clear contrast with the Warnock-Ossoff record of radicalism.

The choice is clear.

The fate of America will be affected by the outcome of this runoff.

Newt Gingrich can be found at Gingrich360.com

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Blackmon, Timothy Lewis (M/41) Arrest on chrg of Violation Of A Valid Protective Order, F (F), at 2555 Union Cross Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/30/2020 00:11.

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POSS GLUE at 4550 KESTER MILL RD on 1/3/2020 Cochran, Timothy Joseph (M/37) Arrest on chrg of 2nd Degree Trespass, M (M), at 2034 Middleham Dr, Kernersville, NC, on 12/31/2020 11:30. ♦ CAVE, MATTHEW BRADY was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS GLUE at 100 HANES SQUARE CR on 1/4/2021 ♦ CAVE, MATTHEW BRADY was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS GLUE at 5599 UNIVERSITY PW/W HANES MILL RD on 1/1/2021 ♦ Danzy, Shaquana Jasmine (F/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) B&e-vehicle (M) and 2) 2nd Degree Trespass (M), at 2315 Bay Meadows Ct, Winstonsalem, NC, on 1/2/2021 20:35. ♦ Delarosa Santamaria, Hector Cristino (M/46) Arrest on chrg of Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another State/ Indian Tribe (M), at 233 Bond Street, Winston Salem, NC, on 12/31/2020 22:26. ♦ DONATHAN, CHARITY KAYE was arrested on a charge of ADW MINOR PRESENT at 4204 SYLVIA ST on 1/3/2021 ♦ FISHER, DEARA NICOLE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 199 N GORDON DR/CAVALIER DR on 1/2/2021 ♦ GALLOWAY, DANIEL DEVON was arrested on a charge of VANDPERSONAL PROP at 2314 N PATTERSON AV on 1/3/2021 ♦ Gray, Jared Hunter (M/20) Arrest on chrg of Affray (M), at 7010 Robinhood Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 1/1/2021 22:39. ♦ HANDSHOE, TODD DOUGLAS was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 909 N PATTERSON AV/N LIBERTY ST on 1/2/2021

♦ HAYES, JEFFREY DARAN was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 3333 SILAS CREEK PW on 1/2/2021 ♦ JOHNSON, STEVEN JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 1/2/2021 ♦ Lane, David Patrick (M/38) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 2) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 3) Probation Violation (M), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 5) Order For Contempt (M), at 8459 Stroupe Farm Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 12/29/2020 11:30.

on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 3480 TRIANGLE DR on 1/2/2021

♦ Braxton Richmond Bailey, III “Brack,” 83, of Winston Salem, died Jan. 2, 2021.

♦ PETERSON, MARQUIS DAVID was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D COCAINE at 5021 ELTHA DR on 12/31/2020

♦ Mary Ruth Sapp Cecile, 81, of Rural Hall, died Dec. 31, 2020.

♦ PREVO, DONNY SHANE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1499 GLENN CENTER DR/UNION GLENN AV on 1/3/2021 ♦ PREVO, DONNY SHANE was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS SCHED IV at 1375 GLENN CENTER DR on 1/3/2021

♦ Lane, David Patrick (M/38) Arrest on chrg of Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/29/2020 16:00.

♦ Richardson, Tamicko Macon (F/52) Arrest on chrg of Vand-personal Prop, M (M), at 767 Afton Park Dr, Kernersville, NC, on 12/30/2020 10:00.

♦ LEWIS, DENISHA SHELETT was arrested on a charge of ASSAULTSIMPLE at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 1/1/2021

♦ SMITH, JONATHAN WAYNE was arrested on a charge of ROBBERY at 5719 UNIVERSITY PW on 1/4/2021

♦ Lopez, Laura Alicia Lara (F/25) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 208 Hollow Ridge Dr, Winstonsalem, NC, on 12/31/2020 01:22.

♦ Stewart, Amy Levette (F/29) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 6020 Meadowdale Dr, Winston Salem, NC, on 12/31/2020 12:30.

♦ MOORE, JUSTIN KELLY was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 1/3/2021

♦ SULES, QUSHAUN RANARD was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 2700 PIEDMONT CR on 1/3/2021

♦ Moose, Vicki Beeson (F/50) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 675 Flynnwood Dr, Kernersville, NC, on 1/4/2021 15:30.

♦ WESTBROOK, KELLY RENEE was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 3716 MOCHA LN on 12/31/2020

♦ NANCE, JEREMY TERRELL was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 321 POLO RD on 1/4/2021

♦ WILLIS, PATRICK LEE was arrested on a charge of SOLICIT CHILD / COMPUTER at 3135 GREEN ST on 1/4/2021

♦ PATRICK, JAMES THOMAS was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT - INFLICTING SERIOUS BODILY INJURY at 3328 OLD GREENSBORO RD on 1/3/2021

♦ WILSON, TAMEYIA CELESTE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 601 PETERS CREEK PW on 1/2/2021

♦ Warren Ross Cloer, 72, of Winston-Salem, died Dec. 30, 2020. ♦ Lacy Marie Reavis Ebert, 93, of Yadkin County, died Jan. 3, 2021. ♦ Gary Lee Eckenroth, 79, of Forsyth County, died Dec. 30, 2020. ♦ Tandy “Doug” Douglas Fearrington, 72, of Forsyth County, died Jan. 3, 2021. ♦ Graciela Mariscal Flores, 78, of Kernersville, died Jan. 2, 2021. ♦ Georgiana Schrumpf Gilbert, 87, of Winston Salem, died Dec. 31, 2020. ♦ Helen Swizinsky Johnson, 97, of Advance, died Jan. 1, 2021. ♦ Peggy Jane Nelson Knox, 85, died Jan. 2, 2021. ♦ Ellie Spencer Leonard, 92, died Dec. 30, 2020. ♦ Scott Edward McCliment, 67, died Jan. 1, 2021. ♦ Dellyn Kight Meck, 67, of Winston-Salem, died Dec. 30, 2020. ♦ Bill Mitchell, 82, of WinstonSalem, died Jan. 1, 2021. ♦ Nga Pham Nguyen, 60, died Jan. 2, 2021. ♦ Blanche Mae Minton Reavis, 96, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 1, 2021. ♦ Charles Franklin Reid, 85, of Kernersville, died Jan. 2, 2021.

♦ PERRY, RONNIE RAY was arrested

♦ Dorothy Moore Reid, 85, of Kernersville, died Jan. 2, 2021.

SCHOOLS from page 1 that their child moved and enrolled elsewhere. He believes that number has fallen slightly but remains nowhere close to the state’s claims.

“I talk to superintendents, principals and teachers across this state, and I’m hearing numbers significantly higher than 1%,” Horn said.

“I’m hearing numbers going from 8% to 14%. I just find it very difficult to believe that if we had 20-25% students missing in May that now we only have .7%. I’m sorry. It just doesn’t ring right.”

In the Dec. 1 hearing with members of Horn’s committee, Stegall said he was “relieved” the numbers weren’t higher and noted the state’s efforts to track people down.

“Our schools are continually working with social workers, truancy officers, their counselors to track down every student,” Stegall said.

“And sometimes, that means not only home visits but visiting neighbors, friends, family and trying to find out where they may be.”

Erik Naglee, a principal at Page High School in Greensboro, has worked to support the rough-

ly 1,800 students at his school who were learning entirely online during the two fall quarters this year. He said several dozen students remain unaccounted for and dozens don’t have access to a computer or the Internet, disrupting their ability to show up to class even when they’re accounted for.

Three or four buses serve as WiFi hotspots in some of the community’s lowest-income neighborhoods, but that is only helpful to those who already have devices at their disposal. Naglee and fellow administrations spent a weekend earlier this

month tracking down seniors to give them hard copies of learning materials and help them remain on course to graduate.

Before the pandemic, an average of 21% students were failing at least one class. During the first quarter of classes this academic year, however, 53% students had at least one class they were failing.

“The gap will continue to widen and has widened during this time,” Naglee said. “Our students that were struggling already are struggling even more during this time.

That’s very hard to address.”

♦ Elizabeth Ann White Sapp, 88, of Stokes County, died Jan. 3, 2021. ♦ Phyllis K. Jolly Swain, 74, of King, died Dec. 31, 2020. ♦ Danny Joe Teem, 65, of Franklin, died Jan. 1, 2021. ♦ Bobby Eugene Willard, 82, of Kernersville, died Jan. 4, 2021. ♦ Martha Ann Weir Williams, 64, of Lewisville, died January 1, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, January 6, 2021

3

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Indiana will host all 67 March Madness men’s games Indianapolis The NCAA announced Monday that all 67 men’s basketball tournament games including the Final Four will be played entirely in Indiana in a bid to keep the marquee event from being called off for a second consecutive year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium as well as at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena at Purdue and Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Championship weekend is still scheduled for April 3 and April 5, but preliminary round dates have not yet been determined.

NFL

Chargers fire Lynn after 4 seasons Costa Mesa, Calif.

The Los Angeles Chargers have fired coach Anthony Lynn less than two seasons after he led the franchise to the playoffs. Lynn is the sixth NFL coach fired this season, joining Houston’s Bill O’Brien, Atlanta’s Dan Quinn, Detroit’s Matt Patricia, Adam Gase of the New York Jets and Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone.

Los Angeles won its final four games to finish 7-9, but it wasn’t enough to save Lynn’s job. Hired by the Chargers in January 2017, Lynn went 34-32 with Los Angeles, but just 12-20 over the last two seasons.

SPONSORED BY

Alabama, Ohio State to meet for title The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes both beat ACC teams to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game

By Stephen Hawkins The Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas — When Ohio State upset Alabama in the semifinals of the first College Football Playoff on the way to the Buckeyes’ last national title, it seemed like the start of budding postseason rivalry between the two traditional powers.

Instead, Clemson became the Crimson Tide’s nemesis and the biggest challenger to Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty over the next five years.

Six years later, Ohio State and Alabama meet again, the Tide still rolling and the Buckeyes again looking for an upset.

After the SEC champion Crimson Tide rolled past Notre Dame 31-14 in a Rose Bowl played deep in the heart of Texas, the No. 3 Buckeyes of the Big Ten beat Clemson 49-28 in the other CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Friday night behind Justin Fields’ six touchdown passes.

How Fields is feeling will be the main story line heading into the title game. He took a hard short to the side in the second quarter against Clemson but managed to play through the pain.

“He couldn’t do everything, but

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHTO

Running back Trey Sermon and Ohio State ran past Clemson to earn a berth in the national championship game against Alabama. what a gutsy performance, what a tough and special young man Justin Fields is,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day, in his second season after taking over from Urban Meyer.

Clemson was trying, like Alabama, to get to the title game for the fifth time in the seven seasons of the four-team playoff. It would have been the fourth Tigers-Tide game for the CFP championship.

Instead, it’s a matchup of storied programs playing Jan. 11 in suburban Miami to determine the champion of this most unusual season played in the shadow of a pandemic.

While this season’s CFP has provided a third consecutive ti-

tle-game matchup of undefeated teams, this one is a little different.

Alabama has played 12 games, getting through a conference-only regular season before holding off Florida 52-46 in the SEC championship game and then winning the relocated Rose Bowl. That semifinal was moved from Pasadena because of COVID-19 restrictions that would have kept family — or any fans — from attending the game.

Ohio State’s overwhelming win in the Sugar Bowl was only its seventh game this season.

The Buckeyes had three regular season games canceled because of virus issues after the Big Ten didn’t start its season until

late October. The league altered its rules to let them represent the East Division in the conference championship game after only five regular season games, instead of the six that had been initially mandated.

Alabama opened as a touchdown favorite over Ohio State, riding a prolific offense that features two Heisman Trophy finalists.

DeVonta Smith, the favorite to win the Heisman next week, caught three touchdown passes from fellow finalist Mac Jones against Notre Dame.

The Heisman votes had already been cast before the semifinal. Alabama running back Najee Harris finished fifth in the voting and the order of the final four with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Florida’s Kyle Trask was set to be revealed Tuesday night.

Playing only six game kept Fields out of the Heisman conversation. Especially after a poor performance in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern.

Fields looked like one of the best players in the country in the Sugar Bowl as the Buckeyes avenged last season’s painful CFP loss to Lawrence and Clemson.

“In life, you don’t typically get an opportunity to get a second chance,” Day said. “But you can’t miss the second time. So I don’t know what we’re more excited about, the fact that we have a chance to play for a national championship or the fact that we avenged that loss.”

NHL

Muckler, key part of Oilers’ dynasty, dead at 86 Edmonton, Alberta John Muckler, who coached four NHL teams and won five Stanley Cup championships with the Edmonton Oilers, has died. He was 86. The Oilers confirmed Muckler’s death Monday night. No cause was given. Muckler was part of the staff that put together the Oilers dynasty of the 1980s. He joined Edmonton in 1982 as an assistant coach under Glen Sather and won five Stanley Cups with the organization from 1984-90, the last one as head coach. He also coached the Sabres, Rangers and North Stars, and was general manager of the Senators.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ex-Wisconsin QB Coan says he’s transferring to Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. Former Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan says he’s transferring to Notre Dame. Notre Dame and Wisconsin are scheduled to face each other on Sept. 25 at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The Fighting Irish need to replace three-year starter Ian Book, whose college career ended Friday with a 31-14 loss to Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Coan made 18 starts for Wisconsin from 2018-19 but injured his right foot in preseason practice this year and underwent surgery.

During the 2019 season, Coan completed a school-record 236 passes for 2,727 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions as Wisconsin went 10-4 and reached the Rose Bowl.

EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHTO

People walk in front of a countdown calendar showing 200 day to start Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Monday in Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would consider calling a state of emergency as new coronavirus cases surge to record numbers in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.

Under 200 days to go for Tokyo Games The Opening Ceremony for the delayed Summer Olympics is scheduled for July 23 The Associated Press TOKYO — The countdown clock for the postponed Tokyo Olympics hit 200 days to go on Monday.

Also on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would consider calling a state of emergency as new coronavirus cases surge to record numbers in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.

Japan has never had a lockdown for COVID-19, attempting to juggle the economy and health risks.

It’s nearing deadline time for Tokyo Olympic organizers, the International Olympic Committee, and various Japanese government entities as they try to pull off the Games in the middle of a pandemic.

WOLFORD from page 1 that impresses his coaches.

“I think that it’s very difficult in the NFL to earn the respect of your teammates when you’ve never gone in a game,” said Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, another former college quarterback. “But John Wolford has the full respect of our entire team because of how he performs

Officials have promised to announce concrete plans early in the new year about how to get 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes into Japan; about the safety of the Athletes Village, and hundreds of thousands of fans, media, judges, officials, broadcasters and VIPs. The new year is here.

Suga pledged again to hold the Olympics, saying it would be “proof that people have overcome the coronavirus.” And he said vaccine approval would be speeded up by a month so that vaccinations could begin in February instead of March.

Japan has attributed more than 3,400 deaths to COVID-19, modest by global standards for a country of 125 million but worrying as new cases rise quickly. A poll last month by national broadcaster NHK show 63% want the Olympics postponed or canceled.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and the governors of Saitama, Chiba and

Kanagawa prefectures asked the national government Saturday to declare the state of emergency after the capital saw a daily record of 1,337 new cases on New Year’s Eve. That marked a jump of almost 400 in just a few days.

Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organizing committee and a former prime minister, again ruled out any cancellation of the games in an interview several days ago with the Nikkan Sports newspaper. He was asked when a decision would come about having local fans or fans from abroad.

“Sometime from March through May,” he replied. “The final deadline for a decision would be May, but it may come sooner.”

Any reduction in fans will hit the organizing committee budget. Tokyo has budgeted $800 million for ticket sales, and any shortfall will have to be made up by government entities, which are footing most of the Olympic bills.

The official budget for the Tokyo Olympics was increased last month to $15.4 billion, an increase of $2.8 billion because of the delay. However, several government audits the last few years suggest the real number is about $25 billion.

All but $6.7 billion is public money.

Mori indicated the opening ceremony, scheduled for July 23, could be troublesome with thousands of athletes and officials gathering to parade around the stadium.

He also suggested the ceremony couldn’t be shortened, since television broadcasters had paid for the lucrative time. He said some officials might be cut out of the parade.

Television determines much of the Olympic scheduling and selling broadcast rights accounts for 73% of the IOC’s income. Another 18% is from large sponsors such as Coca-Cola and Toyota.

The torch relay, which begins on March 25, will also face crowding with 10,000 runners expected across almost four months. Coca-Cola and Toyota are the prime sponsors.

on the practice field, in the meetings, in the weight room. That’s a rare thing. We’re all excited for his opportunity this weekend.”

“I was really impressed with (Wolford), but I was proud of this team,” McVay said. “I just can’t say enough about the defense. ... They’ve been unbelievable all year. They’ve really been the strength of this team, and I thought they showed up in a big

way.”

Wolford’s first pass went straight to linebacker Jordan Hicks deep in Rams territory.

Wolford shook off the Cards’ subsequent TD and led the Rams on three lengthy drives in the first half with his arm and his feet.

Wolford racked up 47 yards rushing in the first half — more than Goff managed in any game of his five-year career.

Wolford made several big plays down the stretch, including a scramble for a first down on third-and-8 with 2:40 to play, all but sealing the victory.

“He came out and got some good runs,” Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden said. “I know QB is a top position and the best player, but at the same time, the second guy is an NFL player. You ain’t here for show and tell.”

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STATE & NATION

Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two years

By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected Sunday as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats’ slender House majority as she sets a challenging course of producing legislation to tackle the pandemic, revive the economy and address other party priorities.

“We accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced,” the California Democrat told the chamber as she accepted a fresh two-year term in her post, perhaps her last. Citing the 350,000 Americans who’ve died from COVID-19 and the millions who’ve lost jobs and livelihoods, she won a standing ovation when she said, “Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, we will.”

Yet even before House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ceremonially handed her the speaker’s gavel — a normally genial moment — he provided a stark reminder of the partisan divide coloring Congress.

McCarthy accused Pelosi of over the past two years leading “the least productive Congress in nearly 50 years” and said there was a clear message in last November’s elections, when Republicans gained seats by defeating a dozen Democratic incumbents. “It was a wake-up call,” he said. “The question I ask of this majority: were you listening?”

Pelosi, who has led her party in the House since 2003 and is the only woman to be speaker, received 216 votes to 209 for McCarthy, who again will be the chamber’s minority leader.

ERIN SCOTT | POOL VIA AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi takes her oath of office as the Speaker of the 117th Congress after being re-elected at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.

It was the first vote of the new Congress, which convened Sunday with COVID-19 guidelines requiring testing and face coverings for lawmakers. There was widespread mask-wearing and far fewer legislators and guests in the chamber than usual, an unimaginable tableau when the last Congress commenced two years ago, before the pandemic struck.

Though Congress enacted — and Trump finally signed — a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package late last month, many Democrats say they consider that measure a down payment. They claim more aid is needed to bolster efforts to vaccinate the public, curb the virus and restore jobs and businesses lost to the pandemic.

Guiding such legislation

“We accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi through the House will be a challenge for Pelosi because her party’s narrow majority means just a handful of defectors could be fatal.

To win, Pelosi had to overcome some Democratic grumbling about her longevity, a slim 222-211 edge over Republicans after No-

vember’s elections and a handful of absences because of the coronavirus. There were two vacancies in the 435-member House, and whatever happens Democrats will have the smallest House majority in two decades.

With little margin for error, Pelosi suffered only a handful of Democratic defections in her latest display of her ability to line up support, and no opponent challenged her for the job. She has won plaudits from Democrats for leading their opposition to President Donald Trump, largely keeping her party’s moderates and progressives united and raising mountains of campaign funds.

“She’s had one finger in the dike and one finger in the eye of Donald Trump,” said Rep. Gerald Con-

nolly, D-Va. But she’s 80 years old, and ambitious younger members continue chafing at the longtime hold she and other older top leaders have had on their jobs. Democrats were also angry after an Election Day that many expected would mean added House seats for the party but instead saw a dozen incumbents lose, without defeating a single GOP representative.

In the end, Rep. Jared Golden, D-Me., voted for Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth — the Constitution doesn’t require the speaker to be a House member. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is seen as a strong contender to succeed Pelosi whenever she steps down.

Three Democrats who opposed Pelosi’s election as speaker two years ago voted present on Sunday — Reps. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and five others who opposed her in 2019 back her this time.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., who has been battling cancer, missed the vote.

Democrats gave Pelosi a standing ovation as the final tally was announced, while the Republican side of the chamber was nearly empty.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a progressive leader, backed Pelosi and said she and other progressives “have been in conversations and negotiations” with the speaker, but did not describe what they accomplished.

In the House, one race in New York is still being decided and there is a vacancy in Louisiana after GOP Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, 41, died after contracting COVID-19.

2021 marquee contest: Virginia governor’s race in high gear

By Alan Suderman The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — An unusually broad field of candidates are vying for the governor’s seat in Virginia as the marquee political contest of 2021 gets into full swing.

Only New Jersey and Virginia are set to elect governors this year, and the Old Dominion’s off-year contest has a strong track record of being an early indicator of broader national trends, previewing voter backlashes against Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump in recent election cycles.

Virginia has traditionally elected business-friendly moderates of both parties to be its chief executive, but the depth of the 2021 field reflects the state’s changing political dynamics and the unsettled mood among both Republicans and Democrats. The field of announced and likely candidates in the closely watched race is more diverse than anytime in modern history.

“Everything from a socialist to a quasi-white nationalist and literally everything in between,” said Quentin Kidd, a political science

professor at Christopher Newport University.

That includes two black lawmakers trying to become the first African American woman elected governor in the country’s history.

The progressive wing of Virginia’s Democratic Party is looking to cement gains it has made in recent elections, while the traditional wing of the GOP battles with diehard supporters of Trump for control of their party.

The race has already been marked by the aggressive tenor in both primaries.

Terry McAuliffe, a former governor who left office in 2018, has lined up endorsements from party leaders and raised a ton of money. But despite signaling for months that he was going to seek the job - Virginia bars governors from seeking consecutive terms - he’s not been able to clear the field and has been the frequent subject of attack.

Jennifer Carroll Foy, who recently resigned as a state delegate, has aggressively tried to paint McAuliffe as an out-of-touch millionaire since he announced his candidacy in early December.

“People want transformational change,” Carroll Foy said. “I understand the challenges Virginia families face because I was them. I’ve gone without health care; I’ve made minimum wage.”

Carroll Foy grew up in Petersburg and was among the first women to graduate from the traditionally all-male Virginia Military Institute. She’s also been a foster parent and worked as a public defender.

She will face a challenge on the left from Del. Lee Carter, the state’s lone elected Democratic socialist, who announced Friday he’s running for governor.

Carter has a large online following and is often unsparing in his attacks on Democrats, including McAuliffe, who he thinks are too cozy with business interests.

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, a soft-spoken pragmatist who often has a hand in high-profile legislation and is well-liked by many Democrats, is the more moderate alternative to McAuliffe.

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who has denied numerous allegations of sexual assault made against him in

2019, is also running.

Carroll Foy, McClellan and Fairfax are all black. Their candidacies come at a time when black politicians have never had more influence in state politics, with African American lawmakers holding key leadership positions at the General Assembly.

But many older black elected officials are backing McAuliffe, who is seeking to emulate Joe Biden’s strategy for winning the Democratic nomination. McAuliffe has sought to portray himself both as a tested leader as well as someone who recognizes the need for sweeping change in how state government operates amid a coronavirus pandemic that has highlighted long-standing racial inequities in the state.

“Folks, it is time for a new Virginia way,” he said at his campaign kick off in early December.

Virginia has been shifting Democratic for a decade, thanks in large part to growing multicultural suburban and urban areas. During the Trump era, Democrats flipped three congressional districts and took control of the state legislature

for the first time in a generation.

Republicans haven’t won a statewide race in more than a decade.

Many are optimistic that the right type of candidate could flip the state much like former Gov. Bob McDonnell did in 2009, a year after Obama won Virginia in his first presidential election.

The nomination fight, Kidd said, will be a key indicator of “whether or not the Trump fever has broken” among Virginia Republicans.

Party officials recently voted to pick the Republican candidate via a convention instead of a primary, which limits participation and often favors the most conservative candidate.

Former House Speaker Kirk Cox is running a campaign designed to appeal to suburban voters who disliked Trump but are open to voting for a more moderate Republican candidate. Northern Virginia businessman Pete Snyder, who may also run, would likely take a similar tack.

But state Sen. Amanda Chase is offering a Trump-like alternative to GOP voters. A firebrand often at odds with her own party.