North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 17

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 17

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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

President Biden to visit Raleigh Thursday Raleigh President Joe Biden will travel to Raleigh on Thursday to highlight the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination effort.

An email sent from the White House press office said that President Biden’s trip will tout the ease of getting vaccinated, encourage vaccinations and mobilize grassroots vaccine education and outreach efforts.

The announcement comes a week after Vice President Kamala Harris visited Greenville, South Carolina, to push vaccinations and recent trips by EPA administrator Michael Regan to Charlotte and Raleigh.

The trip is Biden’s first official visit to N.C. since becoming president.

NSJ STAFF

Folwell backs NC Senate budget agreement Raleigh State Treasurer Dale Folwell released a statement in support of the N.C. Senate’s budget, saying he thanked the members for advancing a “fiscally responsible budget.”

“Like Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, they not only showed courage in attacking these long-term needs, but really ‘stuck the landing’ with this budget. The current proposal fully funds the State Health Plan, the state retirement systems and the state’s debt service as well as setting aside, for the first time ever, money for the Pension Solvency Reserve,” Folwell said.

He also said the proposal provides unparalleled resources for water and sewer infrastructure needs at a time when communities are struggling to maintain fiscal stability.

NSJ STAFF

Cooper records 55th veto in tenure as governor Raleigh Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 43 late last week, which would have expanded concealed-carry laws to include places of worship that are shared with a school campus, as long as the worship activities do not take place during school hours.

“For the safety of students and teachers, North Carolina should keep guns off school grounds,” Gov. Cooper said in a statement.

The veto marked No. 55 in his five years thus far as governor and the second of the 2021–22 legislative session.

House Speaker Tim Moore said the bill was “a narrowly targeted legislation that simply allows North Carolinians to exercise their Second Amendment rights at a religious meeting place that is also the location of a school, as long as it is outside school operating hours.”

The bill did attract bipartisan support; however, legislative Democrats have sided with Cooper on numerous veto override votes in the past five years.

NSJ STAFF

North Mecklenburg intersection receives national award Huntersville A local project’s innovative intersection design has earned national recognition by the American Council of Engineering Companies at its 2021 Virtual Engineering Excellence Awards gala.

The continuous flow intersection at N.C. 16/ Brookshire Boulevard and Mount Holly-Huntersville Road, a first for North Carolina, received the award, considered “the Academy Awards of the engineering industry.”

The design shifts traffic into two stages, so vehicles cross N.C. 16 several hundred feet before making a left turn. This increases the intersection’s efficiency by up to 70%. Drivers started using the new traffic pattern in late 2019.

NSJ STAFF

TRAVIS LONG | POOL VIA AP

Senate leader Phil Berger answers questions from reporters during a press conference outlining the state budget, Monday, June 21, 2021, at the North Carolina Legislative Building.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Summit’s Greear presides over Southern Baptist national meeting with race, sex abuse in spotlight Raleigh pastor completes 3-year term as president over 14-million-member denomination

By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — In his last act as president of the denomination, Pastor J.D. Greear of the Raleigh-Durham area’s Summit Church led the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual gathering, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee, June 15–16. The event drew more participation and media attention than usual due to a number of controversies — including how to address race and sexual abuse within what is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

“Leading this meeting was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.

Thank you, Great Commission Baptists, for entrusting me with this sacred privilege,” Greear said on social media after the meeting.

Greear chose “We are Great Commission Baptists” as the theme for the meeting to signify what should unite members of the SBC, a reference to Jesus’ “Great Commission” to his followers to make disciples of all nations.

The decisions made by the SBC’s 15,726 present “messengers” — as participants from the various represented congregations are called — focused on finding a peaceful and united path forward despite ongoing divisions.

On Critical Race Theory, which was a hot-button topic prior to the meeting, the messengers voted to reject a proposal to denounce CRT by name and instead approved a proposal to reject “any theory or worldview that denies that racism, oppres-

sion, or discrimination is rooted, ultimately, in anything other than sin.”

Resolutions also reiterated earlier SBC statements condemning and apologizing for the denomination’s historic support for slavery and racism. This balance was aimed at finding common ground in a church with a deeply conservative theology and membership that is also quickly becoming more racially diverse.

“We should heed the counsel of our leaders of color who tell us that our denunciations of justice movements fall on deaf ears when we remain silent on the suffering of our neighbors,” Greear said to those gathered, according to Baptist Press, SBC’s in-house news agency. “And we must make certain that our zeal to clarify what we think about CRT is accompanied by a pledge to fight with [Black Southern Baptists] against all forms of discrimination against our neighbors; to make clear that we stand with our brothers and sisters of color in their suffering, lamenting the pain of their past and pledging to work tirelessly for justice in our present.”

Mike Stone, the immediate-past chair of SBC’s powerful executive committee, ran to replace Greear as president on a platform partially defined by opposing CRT. Stone helped form the Conservative Baptist Network to oppose what he sees as a leftward direction in the denomination when discussing issues of identity.

While Stone received the most votes of the four candidates running, his 36% was not enough to secure the necessary majority. In a subsequent runoff vote with the top two candidates from the first round, Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama, received See GREEAR, page A8

NC Senate budget cuts taxes, boosts infrastructure spending amid revenue surplus

By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina Senate, who introduces their spending plan first this biennium, presented their budget on June 21, maintaining the conservative approach General Assembly Republicans have been following since they took over the budget-writing process 10 years ago — focusing on tax cuts, boosting savings, covering fiscal obligations and a more-methodical approach to raises for public employees.

While the House and Senate had already agreed on how much

to spend on the 2021-23 budget, some observers thought the announcement of a $6.5 billion windfall in revenue might cause some upward adjustments in that number. But the Senate budget proposal stuck with early targets, spending $25.7 billion in 2021-22 and another $26.6 billion in 2022-23.

“A huge surplus does not mean we’re spending too little. It means we’re taxing too much,” senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) said when the nonpartisan fiscal staff reported the surplus.

Acting from that perspective, at See NC SENATE, page A2

Judge signs order requiring $8.29B Leandro plan be implemented ‘in full’ Lawmakers say Lee has no authority to dictate state spending

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The judge in the decades-long Leandro case over education funding has signed an order requiring the General Assembly to implement the plan provided to the court “in full.”

On June 7, Judge David Lee signed the order for the WestEd-produced comprehensive remedial plan to move forward. The order requires a progress report on “fulfilling the terms and conditions” of the order to be submitted by lawmakers to the court by Aug. 6.

WestEd had submitted the 300page comprehensive remedial plan and appendix of implementation costs in March of this year after some delays.

The order is a reversal from Lee’s stance in April, at which time he had expressed hesitancy to dictate WestEd’s $8.29 billion in new state-level education spending recommendations to the General Assembly. That spending would be spread out over an eight-year period.

Senate K-12 Education Committee Co-Chair Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) says Lee has no authority to direct spending by the General Assembly.

“A court has no more authority to direct the legislature to spend money or enact policy than the legislature does to direct a trial judge how to decide a case,” Ballard said in a statement to North State Journal.

“If Judge Lee wants a say in education policy, he can run for the state legislature. That is the only way his

opinions will have any weight.”

Lawmakers have seemingly been left out of the equation, despite sevSee LEANDRO, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: O YE OF LITTLE FAITH

6.23.21 #288

“Liberty's story”

MATTHEW 8:23-26

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

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

Published each Wednesday

by North State Media, LLC 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609

We stand corrected: In the 6/16 issue, the image and title of Kevin Campbell, former chair of North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association and president of Smart Kids Child Development Center, appeared under the wrong op-ed. NSJ regrets the error.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” by Rembrandt (1633) was held in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston until 1990 when it was stolen in possibly the biggest art theft in U.S. history. In 2013, the FBI said they knew who was responsible for the heist, which included 13 works valued at $500 million.

eral attempts by legislators to engage Lee. “It’s frankly bizarre that the people involved with this case have barely engaged with legislators, yet they purport to have all the answers for what laws the legislature should pass,” Ballard said. “Legislators invited Judge Lee to share his opinions on education policy well over a year ago and he rejected that offer, but he thinks it’s appropriate for him to lobby for Democrats’ bills from the bench.”

“And for the record, the notion that the Republican-led General Assembly has underfunded education is refuted by the basic numbers,” Ballard said. “Over the past 10 years, the legislature has increased state funding per student by 39%.”

Dr. Terry Stoops, the director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation, called the June 7 order “confrontational.”

“Judge Lee is on record urging cooperation between the Leandro parties and the General Assembly, but the June 7 court order is overwhelmingly confrontational,” Stoops told North State Journal. “Pressure from well-funded special interest groups working in

concert with the plaintiffs and defendants may have cajoled Judge Lee into adopting a more combative posture.”

Stoops also cited Cooper v. Berger and said that “Appeals Court Judge Lucy Inman observed that the ‘General Assembly’s primacy over State expenditures…dates to the genesis of the State.’”

“Shockingly, if Judge Lee and the parties in the Leandro case are not happy with the state budget, Lee appears to be willing to challenge the budgeting authority granted exclusively to the legislative branch in the North Carolina Constitution,” Stoops added. “The courts need to stay in their lane.”

Lee is the second judge to oversee the Leandro case, which first began in 1994 when nearly half a dozen rural school districts sued the state over funding. The first judge assigned to the case was Judge Howard Manning. He oversaw the case up until 2016 when then-N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin took over. The change was due to Manning announcing in 2015 his intention to retire.

Ballard said that Judge Manning had “expressed fundamental disagreement with the direction this case has gone recently, and he’s right.”

The N.C. Supreme Court has

twice ruled on Leandro in the past, known as the Leandro I and Leandro II rulings.

In 1997, the state’s top court ruled that North Carolina’s at-risk children have a fundamental right to the “opportunity to receive a sound basic education.” That trial was known as Leandro I and lasted just over 14 months. Part of the ruling mandated pre-kindergarten for at-risk prospective students who were defined as being either a member of a low-income family or living in a single parent/guardian home.

At-risk students also could have parents without advanced educations, be enrolled in a free or reduced-cost lunch programs, or have limited English proficiency and are a racial and/or ethnic minority.

Fast forward to 2004, and the Leandro II ruling by the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld a previous lower court finding of a constitutional violation — specifically, that at-risk children in the state were being denied their right to a “sound basic education.” This time, however, the state’s highest court did not concur with the lower court on pre-kindergarten mandates, calling the mandate “premature” at that time. The case was then returned to lower court for the legislative and executive branches to devise a better solution.

cated to infrastructure, according to the Senate plan.

Of that infrastructure funding, $1.2 billion would go to resurfacing roads, and $700 million would go to road projects over the biennium.

“Our budget helps North Carolinians by reducing taxes for all citizens and supporting critical infrastructure improvements across the state,” said Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson), a chair of the budget committee.

Public employees, including teachers, received 3% raises over the biennium, with 1.5% in each year. Bonuses of up to $1,800 are also available to teachers. The Senate proposal sets a $13 minimum wage for non-certified workers at K-12 schools and community colleges, such as janitorial staff and lunch-room workers.

“When presented with an added $6.5 billion in unexpected revenue, the N.C. Senate has opted to reward North Carolina educators for working non-stop to support our students through the most difficult school year in history with a pitiful

1.5 percent annual pay raise,” said Tamika Walker Kelly, president of left-wing teacher-advocacy group the North Carolina Association of Educators. “This proposed budget shows that corporate tax cuts take priority over North Carolina students yet again.”

For correctional officers, whom the state has had a particularly difficult time recruiting and retaining, the budget would create a step-pay plan. Rep Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) told NSJ earlier this year that pay raises and experience-based tiered pay was “one of their top priorities” on the House side. The bill also brings back the cabinet-level position for state corrections that had been eliminated in 2012.

Democrats have been pushing for an expansion of Medicaid to more able-bodied adults since the Affordable Care Act opened up federal funds for that purpose, but state Republicans have remained firmly opposed. While this year’s Senate proposal again did not expand the program in the way Dem-

ocrats demanded, it did expand “full Medicaid benefits for eligible postpartum mothers from 60 days to 12 months beginning April 2022.”

Senate Bill 105, “The 2021 Appropriations Act,” as the budget is called, will make its way through the Senate Appropriations and Finance committees before going to the floor for a vote. The House, which has been working on its own version based on the agreed-upon spending targets, will then also release a budget.

Sometimes there are difficulties reaching a consensus and synthesis between the House and Senate versions during negotiations, but crafting a budget that will get beyond Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto pen has been the larger difficulty for legislative Republicans. Cooper has vetoed every budget agreement that has come to his desk since 2017. With a supermajority, Republicans were able to override the veto then, but since 2019 the state has operated without an official budget.

LEANDRO from page A1

FILE PHOTO

The N.C. Supreme Court building is featured in this undated file photo.

NC SENATE from page A1 the budget press conference, Berger and other Republican Senate leaders laid out tax cuts that would reduce personal-income taxes for residents to 3.99%, down from 5.25%, over the next five years. They also proposed increasing the zero-tax bracket to $25,500 for those filing jointly and increasing child-tax deductions by $500 per child. Taken together, Senate budget writers claimed this would be a 37% tax cut for a family of four earning the median household income.

“A decade of responsible budgets and growth-oriented tax policy has North Carolina in the best fiscal shape in a generation,” Berger said. “This surplus came largely out of the pockets of North Carolina citizens and they deserve to see some of it returned to them.”

But Democrats see North Carolina’s strong fiscal position not as an opportunity to return money to citizens and businesses but to increase funding to their priorities, like teacher raises and expanding

Medicaid.

A joint release by state House Democratic Leader Robert Reives of Chatham County and Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue of Wake County said the Senate budget “puts corporations ahead of families and tax cuts ahead of investments.”

“As legislators it is imperative that we make sure we are efficiently utilizing the revenue increases we are blessed with,” Reives said. “We have the chance to fund critically under-resourced programs and the budget should reflect that opportunity.”

In addition to the tax cuts, the budget was noteworthy in that it replenishes the rainy-day fund with an additional $3.8 billion and gives $4.3 billion over the next two years to the State Capital Infrastructure Fund, which pays for much of the state’s infrastructure. While $1.3 billion of those funds will be used to service existing debt, the other $3 billion will go to new infrastructure projects. Over the next 10 years, $12 billion total will be allo-

Jesus delivered powerful teachings during the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, turning the other cheek and loving your enemies were all taught by the Sea of Galilee. The result of the sermon was a growing multitude of followers of Christ and a clear statement of Jesus’s authority and divinity.

Following the sermon, Jesus healed the sick and exorcised demons. All of these actions were witnessed by his Disciples. They knew their master was sent by God. After witnessing the power of Jesus, the Disciples found themselves on a boat in the Sea of Galilee with Jesus asleep. A storm arose — a great tempest — which made the Disciples afraid. These men were in the presence of the Creator of the water, yet they panicked and feared for their lives.

This passage shows us that even the Disciples were quick to forget the power of God. They thought they needed to be saved from the storm but had been saved before the storm arose.

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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Senate Bill seeks to help fund NC Trooper Association Caisson Unit Unit would receive $250k in nonrecurring funds for maintenance, horses and vehicles

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

In this June 1, 2020, file photo President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington, D.C.

Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park

By Michael Balsamo The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge dismissed most claims filed by activists and civil liberties groups who accused the Trump administration of violating the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed by police before then-President Donald Trump walked to a church near the White House for a photo op.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich said Monday the claims in the suit, which alleged that Trump and then-Attorney General William Barr had conspired to violate the rights of protesters last June, were speculative, and it was premature for the court to conclude whether the actions of law enforcement officers were justified.

Friedrich dismissed the claims against Barr and other federal officials, including the acting U.S. Park Police chief, Gregory Monahan, finding there wasn’t suffi-

cient evidence to prove there was any agreement or plan to violate the rights of the protesters. The judge also said the law gives them immunity in civil litigation.

In a 51-page decision, the judge did allow the claims against the Metropolitan Police Department and the Arlington Police Department — their officers were involved in clearing the park — to proceed.

The lawsuit stemmed from one of the most high-profile moments of the Trump presidency, when federal and local law enforcement officials aggressively forced a group of largely peaceful protesters back from Lafayette Square outside of the White House, firing smoke bombs and pepper balls into the crowd to disperse the group. Officers were seen shoving protesters and journalists as they pushed the crowd back.

Barr has said he met with other law enforcement officials earlier that day to review a plan to

extend the security perimeter around the White House to protect federal agents after days of unrest in Washington following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis.

After the crowd was forcefully dispersed, Trump, followed by an entourage of his most senior aides — including Barr — along with Secret Service agents and reporters, walked over to St. John’s Church, a landmark building where every president has prayed, which had been damaged a day earlier in a protest fire.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the group Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters who were present by the ACLU of DC, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold & Porter.

In a statement, Arthur Ago, the director of the criminal justice project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the ruling set an “extremely dangerous precedent” and that former officials like Barr were “getting off scot-free.”

“We will always stand up for the rights of those peacefully demonstrating for racial justice, and this ruling sends the wrong message for police accountability efforts at a time when it is needed the most,” Ago said.

RALEIGH — A Senate bill containing money to support the North Carolina Trooper Association Caisson Unit is making its way through the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 424 seeks to appropriate $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to aid in upkeep and maintenance of the Caisson Unit’s facilities, vehicles and teams of horses. The bill’s primary sponsor is Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir).

A caisson is a horse-drawn military wagon that transports a funeral casket, typically for funeral proceedings for members of the military, first responders and law enforcement. But it is best known for its use at Arlington National Cemetery where it has carried the caskets of fallen soldiers and former United States presidents.

North Carolina’s caisson is Amish built, measuring seven feet wide, 24 feet long and weighing approximately 1,500 pounds when loaded with a casket.

Perry said the funding is making its way through the process at the legislature and that the Caisson Unit is important to so many people. He said there is a lot of support

for the bill in both chambers.

“The horses are actually housed in Wayne County,” Perry told North State Journal. “Rep. Bell and I have personal relationships with the men and women who spend all their time caring for the horses, volunteering and fundraising.

It really is a family-type of environment.”

Perry added that the funding in the bill for the Caisson Unit is the “right thing, because it touches so many lives.”

North Carolina’s Caisson Unit is a non-profit partnership affiliated with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Trooper’s Association.

The unit, which often has to spring into action inside of 24 hours, relies solely on donations. These can be made by visiting their website at: https://www.nctacaisson.org/ donate/ The state’s Caisson Unit has been trained by the U.S. Army’s “Old Guard” at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The first time the unit began operating was on May 14, 2007, at the State Highway Patrol Training Academy for the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service. Just over a year later, in June of 2008, the unit performed its first funeral service, for Trooper David Shawn Blanton.

To pull the caisson, the unit has six horses, ranging in ages from 10 to 25 years old. Their names are Dunn, Kiwi, Willie, Waylon, Kate and Nell.

FILE PHOTO

The NC Caisson Unit is shown in this courtesy photo.

Iran president-elect refuses to meet Biden

By Isabel Debre The Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s president-elect staked out a hardline position in his first remarks since his landslide election victory, rejecting the possibility of meeting with President Joe Biden or negotiating Tehran’s ballistic missile program and support of regional militias.

The comments by Ebrahim Raisi offered a blunt preview of how Iran might deal with the wider world in the next four years, as it enters a new stage in negotiations to resurrect its now-tattered 2015 nuclear deal with global powers.

The news conference in Tehran also marked the first time the judiciary chief found himself confronted on live television about his role in the 1988 mass execution of political prisoners at the end of the Iran-Iraq war. Raisi offered no specific response to that dark chapter in Iranian history, but appeared confident and defiant as he described himself as a “defender of human rights.”

Behind a sea of microphones, mostly from media in Iran and countries home to Tehran-backed militias, Raisi took questions ranging from his views on the nuclear talks to relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia. He appeared nervous at the start of the hourlong session but grew increasingly at ease as he returned to vague campaign themes of promoting Iran’s economic self-sufficiency and combating corruption.

The 60-year-old protégé of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swept nearly 62% of the 28.9 million votes in Friday’s presidential election, which saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. Millions of Iranians stayed home in defiance of a vote they saw as tipped in Raisi’s favor after a panel under Khamenei disqualified prominent reformist candidates and allies of relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Tehran province had a staggeringly low 34% turnout, roughly half of pre-

vious years, with many polling stations noticeably deserted.

Concerning the talks over Iran’s nuclear deal, Raisi promised to salvage the accord to secure relief from U.S. sanctions that have devastated the Iranian economy. But he ruled out any limits to Iran’s missile capabilities and support for regional militias — among other issues viewed by Washington as shortcomings of the landmark deal that the Biden administration wants addressed.

“It’s nonnegotiable,” Raisi said of Iran’s ballistic missile program, adding that the U.S. “is obliged to lift all oppressive sanctions against Iran.”

Tehran’s fleet of attack aircraft largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, forcing Iran to instead invest in missiles as a hedge against its regional Arab neighbors, which have bought billions of dollars in American military hardware over the years. Those missiles, with a self-imposed range limit of 1,240 miles, can reach across the Mideast and to U.S. military bases in the region.

Iran also supports militant groups like Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah to bolster its influence and counter its regional foes.

When asked about a possible meeting with Biden, Raisi curtly answered: “No.” He frowned and stared ahead, without elaborating. His moderate competitor in the election, Abdolnasser Hemmati, had suggested during campaigning that he might be willing to meet Biden.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Iran “or any plans to meet at the leader level, so it’s unclear that anything has actually changed on that front.”

She added that Biden thinks Iran’s “decision leader is the supreme leader. That was the case before the election; it’s the case today; it will be the case probably moving forward.”

Raisi will become the first serving Iranian president sanctioned

by the U.S. government even before entering office, in part over his time as the head of Iran’s internationally criticized judiciary — a situation that could complicate state visits and speeches at international forums such as the United Nations.

Raisi’s election vaults hard-liners to top posts across the government as negotiations grind on in Vienna to try to rescue Tehran’s nuclear deal, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew America from the agreement.

Tehran is now enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever, though still short of weapons-grade 90%. Diplomats from parties to the deal returned to their capitals for consultations following the latest round of negotiations Sunday.

With the collapse of the deal, Rouhani and his fellow moderates watched their popularity plummet. Now, the ascendancy of a hardliner hostile to the West has stoked concerns about the future of the accord and regional stability.

But in his remarks Monday, Raisi emphasized the deal’s importance, describing sanctions relief as “central to our foreign policy” and exhorting the U.S. to “return and implement your commitments.”

On Sunday, months after Iranian officials warned that U.S. sanctions were hampering their ability to procure parts for Iran’s sole nuclear plant at Bushehr, the facility underwent an unexplained emergency shutdown.

Whether Iran and the U.S. will be able to move beyond the deal to discuss further thorny issues remains in question, however.

“No matter the timing, a U.S.Iran agreement in Vienna leaves unanswered whether the United States can achieve a broader rapprochement with an Iran led by an avowed proponent of the core tenets of Iran’s Islamic Revolution,” the New York-based Soufan Center said in an analysis.

Audit finds almost $46k in ‘unallowed’ expenses by former Nash County superintendent Former Supt. Shelton Jefferies improperly used procurement card, violated travel and expense policies

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — According to a recent publication by the North Carolina State Auditor’s Office, a former Nash County superintendent racked up $45,690 in unallowed and questionable expenses.

The former superintendent in question is Dr. Shelton Jefferies.

The audit states that the “Superintendent fostered an environment in which such violations are acceptable,” and that the violations went undetected “because of a lack of review and oversight by the former chairs of the School System’s Board of Education (Board) and the former Chief Finance Officer (CFO).”

The violations took place between Jan. 4, 2016, and Aug. 2, 2019, according to the audit. The report detailed $22,045 of funds improperly used in his procurement card, $19,362 in funds due to violations of the school system’s travel policy, $3,015 from using the school system’s vehicle for personal use, and $1,268 of fuel purchases and rental vehicles despite receiving a travel allowance.

North State Journal obtained Jefferies contract, which included compensation totaling $172,500.

State funds accounted for $131,688 and local funds accounted for $40,812. Additionally, the Nash County Board of Education paid an-

nual membership fees up to $2,000 a year for Jefferies.

Jefferies contract also included a monthly travel allowance of $600 and a relocation allowance of $1,000 per month for up to 12 months.

The contract specifically requires the superintendent to file “itemized expense statements” in order to qualify for reimbursement. Those statements were to be submitted to the district’s finance officer.

According to Nash County Public Schools executive director of communications Chris Catalano, the Nash County School Board did not approve any bonuses for Jefferies during the time he was employed. Catalano also told North State Journal in an email that Jefferies’ end date was Aug. 2, 2019.

Nash County Public Schools’ response letter was included in the audit documentation. That letter, written by the law firm of Tharrington Smith, states the school board began an investigation into Jefferies expenses in spring of 2019, after receiving a report about inappropriate use of the procurement card and district vehicles. The response letter indicates that Jefferies resigned on Aug. 2, 2019, after multiple attempts to communicate with Jefferies and his chief of staff.

The district indicated in their response that after an interim superintendent was installed, they worked to make changes to policies governing the procurement cards.

Additionally, the board’s letter states they are seeking reimbursement from Jefferies and that the board will seek legal action if repayment is not made within 60 days.

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

The curious case of shared county, city names

Madison, NC

Jones & Blount

Henderson, NC

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Robinson headlines Faith and Freedom conference with Florida Gov DeSantis

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North Carolina has 100 counties and 552 municipalities. One fascinating quirk are the names of counties and municipalities that share a name, but in most cases, are located far away from one another.

On the coast, Beaufort is the 3 county seat of Carteret County, while Beaufort County is located to the north.

Franklin, NC In the Piedmont, the Virginia border county of Rockingham is 100 miles from Richmond County’s city of Rockingham, known for its longtime NASCAR speedway. However, you could drive 220 South nearly the entire distance between each.

If you’re new to western NC, don’t get Henderson County, south of Asheville, confused with Henderson, the county seat in Vance County just below Kerr Lake off I-85.

The longest distance is the town of Franklin, in Macon County, and its counterpart of Franklin County, to the north of Wake County.

The distance covered between those two is over 330 miles across the state.

NSJ staff RALEIGH — Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson delivered a keynote address during this past weekend’s Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference in Orlando, Florida. Robinson coheadlined the event with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A powerful national evangelical organization, the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual conference is geared towards driving grassroots voter turnout ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

“If you’ve not heard me speak, I’m going to irritate the liberals and make the devil angry,” Robinson said to open the speech, receiving loud cheers from the audience.

“America is the shining light of

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Lenoir, NC

7 Beaufort Co.

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Madison Co.

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

PIEDMONT

County passes plan to address racism, disparities

Bill retires many coal-fired plants, boosts renewables Madison County Several coal-fired power plants operated

by Duke Energy’s subsidiaries would transition to alternate fuels by the end of 2030 in legislation unveiled Tuesday

by House Republicans. The “Modernize Energy Generation” measure was drawn up with input from utilities, customer and business groups and renewable energy boosters. The legislation would contribute to a 61% reduction in carbonbased emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The proposal would retire lowefficiency “subcritical” coal-fired operations at the Marshall, Allen, Roxboro, Cliffside and Mayo plants. The Marshall plants would shift to natural gas fuel and the Allen plant to solar and battery power.

Buncombe County Buncombe County adopted a plan to reduce racism and racial disparities in areas ranging from higher death rates among black babies to higher arrest rates among minority adults. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a racial equity plan that calls for measurable improvements in the health, education, income and criminal justice outcomes of black residents. The vote by six Democrats and one Republican follows the county’s 2020 declarations that racism is a public health and safety crisis, and the county should join Asheville in giving reparations to black residents for slavery, discrimination and racially motivated killings.

Man facing animal cruelty charges adopts more pets Transylvania County Rob Haas, of Rosman, faces dozens of charges of animal cruelty after officials seized more than 50 animals from his property. That hasn’t stopped him from continuing to adopt animals, however.

Haas had 41 dogs and 12 exotic birds taken in March, but nothing prevents him from continuing to own animals while he faces the 44 separate charges. He has allegedly adopted another 11 dogs who are living on his property.

WLOS

Man with guns in car on UNC campus arrested Orange County Police at UNC arrested a man who a security officer found on campus sleeping inside a car with multiple firearms. Officers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill charged Joseph John Radomski, 39, of Burlington, with felony possession of weapons on school property. Radomski had a semi-automatic rifle, a bolt action rifle, four other firearms, at least 17 rounds of ammunition in his car, plus a knife and a machete. According to the school, a UNC Hospitals security officer found Radomski sleeping in his car and then found multiple firearms in the car.

Polk County Justus Ian Burnett, 30, of Mill Spring, was shot on Sunday afternoon and later declared dead at an area hospital. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies took his younger brother, Montgomery Graham Burnett, 24, into custody and charged him with firstdegree murder in relation to the crime.

Police did not release information on a possible motive for the shooting.

WYFF

Rockingham County The body of a fourth tuber has been found in a river following a deadly accident in which a family on a recreational float went over a dam. The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Isiah Crawford, 7, was the person who was found in the Dan River.

Another tuber, Teresa Villano, 35, is still missing. The search for her continued on Sunday. The accident occurred Wednesday night when a group of nine people floated down the river on inflatable tubes and went over a dam. Four people were rescued Thursday, while three tubers’ bodies were found that day.

Man accused of faking kidnapping to scam grandparents

White firefighter accused of pointing gun at black motorist Columbus County The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said Shantasia Donique Williams, 24, of Wilmington, was driving past an accident in Bolton when she used a median to turn around and return to the scene. Williams was confronted by Jeffrey Scott Sherwood, 51, of Riegelwood, who stepped in front of her car and pointed a handgun at her. Sherwood is a firefighter for Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire-Rescue. Sherwood is charged with misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun.

Williams also was cited for failing to reduce her speed in the accident zone.

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Pitt County A man faked his kidnapping to get ransom money out of his grandparents to pay off a drug dealer. The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a call from a person who said his grandson had been kidnapped and that his abductors demanded a ransom.

Jeremy Nichols, 34, of Grimesland, returned to his grandparents’ home unharmed, after which detectives determined the kidnapping was a hoax created by Nichols and a drug dealer to get the grandfather to pay off a debt. Nichols was charged with extortion and conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense.

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Police officer shoots, kills man after chase

Court voids ruling that sperm donor must pay child support

Man arrested for shooting brother

EAST

Body of fourth tuber, age 7, found in river

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this world. There is no other place on Earth people are dying to get in to,” said Robinson. “The ‘woke’ set was asleep during Bible study, history and economics.”

He told his story of growing up in Greensboro and how his mother’s faith was instrumental in his rise from poverty to the second-highest elected state office in the state.

“Four years from now, all you 49 other states may have governor envy of North Carolina,” state chapter director Jason Williams said of Robinson, teasing a potential run for Robinson in 2024.

Also speaking at the conference were Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, author Dinesh D’Souza, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and TV host Jeanine Pirro.

Biden DOE revives Obama-era Title IX sexual and gender identity policy

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Warren County In deciding whether a sperm donor owes child support, judges should follow the paternity laws of the state where the child is conceived, a North Carolina appeals court ruled. Anthony Garrelts provided artificial insemination for Ericka Glenn in Virginia in 2011. In 2019, the Department of Social Services in Warren County went to court to get Garrelts to pay child support, stating he was the child’s father. Under Virginia law, a sperm donor is not a parent. But the judge applied North Carolina law and ordered Garrelts to pay $13,600, or $50 per month going forward, and to provide health insurance.

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Gaston County A man died Wednesday after being shot by a police officer who chased him after trying to serve warrants. Gaston County Police Chief Joe Ramey said Bessemer City police went to an address to serve warrants on an individual. A foot chase went two blocks to a cemetery. The man was shot at around 8:45 a.m. in an area between two homes and was taken to a hospital where he died. No officers were injured in the shooting. Police haven’t identified the man or said whether he was armed.

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Pilot killed in plane crash near drag strip

State to lease Ocracoke passenger ferry again this year

Lenoir County The pilot of a small plane was killed when their aircraft went down near a drag strip, authorities said. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said the aircraft crashed around 8:30 p.m. Thursday near Kinston Drag Strip, where races were being held. There was only one person on the aircraft, but their identity was not released because next of kin had not been notified. Personnel from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were expected to arrive on the scene to look into the crash and what may have caused it, the sheriff’s office said.

Onslow County Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation to continue the operation of a passengeronly ferry that takes people from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. It gives visitors the option of taking a passenger-only ferry for the third-straight summer. Other ferries carry people and vehicles. The Department of Transportation will continue to lease because the one it ordered remains unfinished. The legislation provides $700,000 to lease and operate the boat from June 21 to Aug. 15, or until the state-owned ferry is ready. The Ocracoke Express is being built in Hubert.

The boat is now in the water for testing.

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RALEIGH — The Biden administration’s Department of Education has revived an Obama-era policy regarding Title IX which bars discrimination on the basis of sexual or gender identity.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is supposed to protect individuals from sex-based discrimination in education activities or programs that receive federal financial funding or assistance.

On June 16, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Notice of Interpretation declaring their intention to enforce Title IX›s prohibition on sexbased discrimination to also include prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The Department’s interpretation stems from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, issued one year ago this week, in which the Supreme Court recognized that it is impossible to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity without discriminating against that person based on sex,” the U.S. Department of Education press release reads.

“The Supreme Court has upheld the right for LGBTQ+ people to live and work without fear of harassment, exclusion, and discrimination — and our LGBTQ+ students have the same rights and deserve the same

protections. I’m proud to have directed the Office for Civil Rights to enforce Title IX to protect all students from all forms of sex discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the statement. “Today, the Department makes clear that all students — including LGBTQ+ students — deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination.”

In May of 2016, the Obama Administration issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that cited Title IX and included guidance requiring requires schools to grant students access to bathrooms and locker rooms based on a student’s selfdeclared gender identity. The guidance also included shared areas like hotel rooms used for overnight trips and dormitories.

Additionally, the Obama-era Title IX guidance compelled usage of a student’s preferred pronouns and required that a student be able to join a male or female sports team based on their selfannounced gender identity.

Three months later, in August of 2016, a U.S. District Court Judge in Texas blocked the Obama administration guidance, ruling that redefining sex under Title IX in that manner violated the law.

The Trump administration would later rescind the Obama Title IX guidance in late February of 2017. The reversal under Biden opens the door for a return to the fight over bathroom, locker room and sports team access by students who identify as transgender.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Let’s forget about history — all of it

America would be nothing more than a human version of Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.”

LET’S ASSUME that one day (let’s say tomorrow) everyone wakes up in America with total, utter complete amnesia of who we are as a people and where we have come from genetically, philosophically or figuratively.

We would have no idea that we are Americans. Nor would any of us know if our ancestors came from Africa, Ireland, Europe, Asia or any Latin country. We wouldn’t know there are hundreds of other nations and cultures from which we came, because there would be no written or oral history of the fabric of any other society and religion.

We would wake up, eat breakfast, brush our teeth and go to work without any understanding or appreciation of the news — because without history, philosophy and religion, there would be nothing to frame anyone’s outlook on life. We’d go about the day as soul-less, robotic automatons responding to basic innate human needs of hunger, shelter, love, hate and self-preservation.

What a miserable existence that would be.

For all of us. We would exist in the living hell of total relativism backed by brute force. There would be no absolute right or wrong generally accepted by our neighbors. Each person would make up their own life rules and ethics all by themselves. The strongest and most devious would figure out ways to dominate others to get what they wanted first, in terms of food, shelter and the amenities of life.

America would be nothing more than a human version of Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.”

There would be no cognition of the sacrifices made by millions of people to guarantee that we can live in a free self-governing nation.

There would be no remembrance of the horrors of Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan that our fathers and grandfathers defeated.

Nobody would know that they did so to save the world from returning to the days before self-governance became the norm around the globe.

There would be no memory of the bravery and goodness of souls who have stood up to do the right thing over and over, and to establish our independence in the first place. They would have no memory of the courage it took to defeat and replace slavery with civil rights or the ingenuity it took to create the most prosperous nation on the face of the earth.

It is impossible to erase “only the bad” from our history and leave the good intact. Most of the good that exists comes from understanding what was wrong with our history before good people did the right thing to correct it. Erasing the bad and “canceling history” leaves an incomplete portrait where the bright shades of color and light don’t have any contrast to the darkness of the past.

There would be zero comprehension of a faith in anything supernatural because there would not be any stories, verbal or written, of events or phenomena that happened before — because we would have no memory of anything that came before us. We would not have Anyone or Anything to pray to get us through the hard times of life or worship. There would be atheists in every foxhole, because no one would know from history that anyone before them had relied on Divine Providence to get them through.

There would not be any “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or “Love

your neighbors as much as you love yourself” because, if we are truthful to ourselves, hardly any of us really loves our neighbors, and certainly not our enemies, unless Someone or Something greater than ourselves tells us to do so.

Philosophers have pondered the dilemma of existence since the dawn of time. Does history really even exist unless we actually experience it with our own ears, eyes and touch? How can we really trust people who write about history anyway?

That is why it is so important to keep all remnants of history intact, not a select set of facts we want to believe. We and future generations need to learn all history, so we can learn from their mistakes and not repeat them.

Thomas Jefferson wrote to his friend Benjamin Rush in 1800, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

Canceling any part of our history is pure tyranny over our minds. Restricting speech and full and free exchange of information is the best way to create a society that repeats the mistakes of history time and time again.

It is a common trait among communists and the Taliban to try to destroy historical monuments and suppress history.

Americans should not be part of that club.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

15 months after the pandemic started, getting back to normal feels good

It had become such a habit to put one on before going into a store that when I went into the local CVS and saw their updated guidelines for mask-wearing, I ripped mine off and threw it in the trash.

A YEAR AGO at this time, people were making sacrifices, such as forgoing visits to their senior family members and participating in virtual church services instead of in-person services as precautionary measures while the coronavirus pandemic raged on.

Many people still are making sacrifices, but life is at long last slowly getting back to normal for millions of people; and it is a welcome sight to see.

I was like a lot of people when the pandemic started. Panicked, scared and at times confused, but trying to do my part and make adjustments. I was more terrified than anything that my mom and dad, who were both in the extremely high-risk category, would come down with it. We were all still learning about the coronavirus at the time, but one thing we knew for sure was that for seniors and those with pre-existing conditions, coming down with the virus could be a death sentence.

Sadly, it was just that for all too many.

In August 2020, after several months of only visiting my parents to drop off groceries on the porch, we agreed that I’d start coming over again for a few days at a time to help them out with things. I had done this for years, way before the pandemic. Though we still masked up around the house, it wasn’t long before we all got sick and were diagnosed with the coronavirus. We don’t know for sure

who got it first, but we assumed it likely came from the care facility my dad has to visit three times a week, where there are a lot of medical professionals and other senior citizens.

I was devastated, worried more about mom and dad and how they would fare, considering what had been said about those in the highestrisk groups. But fortunately, the three of us recovered, although we’re all still dealing with some of the lingering side effects from it, like occasionally losing our sense of taste and sometimes getting extremely fatigued.

My dad has been in the hospital twice and to two skilled nursing home physical rehab facilities for long periods of time since then.

While he went for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, the visiting rules hit mom and me particularly hard, but affected him as well. We believe strict visitation requirements hampered my dad’s recovery at the first facility he went to earlier this year, as we heard the loneliness in his voice every time he called.

Fortunately for the long-term residents of those facilities, rules severely limiting who can visit and how they can visit are starting to be relaxed, as more people get vaccinated and case numbers steadily decline. Seniors in nursing homes and long-term care facilities were the hardest hit both by the virus and the rules cutting off visitors for months at a time.

For this reason, it was heartwarming to see

the residents be allowed face-to-face visitation with their loved ones when I visited my dad’s facility a couple of weeks ago.

Though each city, state, and individual business varies, most stores I’ve visited are now making masks optional, while asking that those who aren’t vaccinated continue to wear them. It had become such a habit to put one on before going into a store that when I went into the local CVS and saw their updated guidelines for mask-wearing, I ripped mine off and threw it in the trash.

We’re resuming family gatherings again, having celebrated Mother’s Day last month and Father’s Day this past weekend like we used to in the days before the pandemic.

None of us wore masks. We all hugged and sat in close proximity to one another.

It felt good, freeing. Like at long last things were slowly getting back to normal.

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, June 23, 2021 COLUMN MICHAEL BARONE

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

Russia’s leadership is still trying to revive the Soviet Union

If the progress of northern abolition was gradual and at times halting, it was nonetheless the first large-scale emancipation in the Western Hemisphere, a testament to the power of the ideals generated by the American Revolution.

AFTER PRESIDENT Biden’s face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in Geneva last week, I couldn’t help but think of my trip to Russia in 1993.

I was on a congressional delegation visiting Moscow when Boris Yeltsin was president and the West had great hopes for a more open, democratic Russia. I went to see the then-vice president, who was an Air Force general, in his office. One entire wall of the room was a map of the Soviet Union.

Being cheerfully ignorant, I said to him, “Gosh, that’s a map of the Soviet Union.”

He looked at me and responded, “Yes, and that’s what it’ll look like again.”

Putin himself has expressed similar sentiments, calling the collapse of the Soviet empire the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century.

One can’t underestimate how important Putin’s experience as a Soviet agent in the KGB was — and is — to his mindset today. Indeed, we should think of Putin as a rational man, but rational from the framework of a Cold War-trained KGB officer who regards a certain level of violence and brutality as just how business gets done.

The KGB considered the West an enemy and anything damaging that happened inside the Soviet Union a result of Western influence. This same thinking continues to dominate the minds of Putin and his associates today.

The bottom line is this: We won’t be seeing a Russian reset anytime soon — especially if American leaders don’t establish credible deterrence.

Russia’s leaders, like their Soviet predecessors, feel a need to project a brutal toughness abroad because otherwise, they believe, the West’s advantages would be overwhelming. One of the

more blatant and horrifying examples of this kind of projection is Russia’s use of poison as a weapon to assassinate opponents in Europe and elsewhere.

I explore some of the most ruthless and nefarious Russian murder plots, along with what animates Putin, this week on my podcast, “Newt’s World.”

My guest to discuss all this is Amy Knight, a deeply knowledgeable expert on Russia and author of “Orders to Kill: The Putin Regime and Political Murder.”

In recent years, we’ve seen Moscow use poisoning repeatedly. Last year, for example, Putin attempted to murder his chief opponent, Alexei Navalny, with poison before imprisoning him. And in 2018, Russia poisoned Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for British intelligence, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal.

What’s so interesting is how open and sloppy Russia is with its poisoning. The operations are hardly secretive. It seems like they want to send the world a signal. The Kremlin certainly doesn’t appear bothered if we know they’re behind any of these plots.

The notion that we can discuss current trends in Russian assassinations is quite telling about how strange and brutal Putin’s regime is. But as Knight explains, Russia never had a proper lustration after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian authorities never rid themselves of former KGB and Communist Party officials. There was never a true reckoning with Russia’s Soviet past. Which explains, at least in large part, why Putin’s Russia is so cruel and anti-democratic.

It would be great if there were a way to get to one more Russian revolution leading to an open and genuinely democratic Russia. But sadly, we may not see that in our lifetime.

DENIS BALIBOUSE | POOL PHOTO VIA AP

U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, right, pose for the media at Villa La Grange for the U.S.-Russia summit in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Biden economic strategy: Put America last

Why wouldn’t Canada, Russia and the Europeans be celebrating?

Biden gave away the store.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S performance at the meeting with foreign leaders in Britain last week was a disgrace. Biden cut deals with Britain that sold out America’s interests, and for doing so, he won the worshipful accolades of the Europeans, the Brits and the Canadians. It’s amazing how popular you are at a party when you pay everyone’s bills.

Except Biden isn’t spending his own money, of course. He’s spending ours.

It would be an understatement to say that the Euroland leaders weren’t big fans of former President Donald Trump. Trump went to the G-7 meetings and told his international peers that there was a new sheriff in town and that his foremost mission was to put America first. He canceled bad trade deals in which other countries were cheating.

Trump insisted that the Germans, the French and the Italians paid more of the NATO bills for their own defense. He pulled America out of the Paris climate accord in part because almost none of the other nations was abiding by it.

What a difference a new president makes.

The Euroland leaders of the G-7 are beside themselves with joy over Biden’s “cooperative tone” and concessions at the meetings in Britain this weekend. A Reuters headline captured the euphoria of the foreign heads of state: “G7 Source Praises Biden After ‘Complete Chaos’ of Trump.”

Is anyone surprised by the lovefest? “It’s great to have a U.S. president who is part of the club,” France’s Emmanuel Macron said in a lengthy statement, saturating the new American president with praise.

Why wouldn’t Canada, Russia and the Europeans be celebrating? Biden gave away the store. Let me count the ways: No. 1: He reiterated his promise that America will jump off the climate change cliff first and dismantle U.S. energy production as a sign of his commitment to stopping global warming. Yes, that is Russian President Vladimir Putin smiling. This is a reaffirmation of the U.S. undermining our own energy security after Beijing announced it has no interest in compromising its economic prosperity in the name of global warming. They have more significant and more immediate ambitions than to

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worry about the planet’s temperature in 50 or 75 years.

No. 2: He agreed to a global tax that will harmonize U.S. taxes with those of the socialist European nations and fight against international tax competition, which has historically benefited the United States. America is supposed to be the low-tax country globally, and now we are ratcheting up our taxes to the levels commonplace in Europe. When Trump cut our tax rates, more than $1 trillion, much of it from socialist Europe, flowed into the U.S., financing new jobs and new enterprises. Now Biden wants a U.S. rate that matches that of Europe and exceeds that of China.

No. 3: Biden agreed to a “tax on tech” that will allow the Europeans and other international competitors to the U.S. to extract tens of billions of tax dollars every year from iconic American tech leaders such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Meanwhile, as The Wall Street Journal has pointed out, the Europeans continue to lobby to ensure that their large companies are exempt from these international taxes. What kind of president sells his own nation’s companies down the river?

Don’t be surprised if the Biden administration tells the Germans, the French and the Italians that they can forget about those Trump demands that Europe pay more for their own defense at future NATO meetings. Uncle Sam is happy to keep picking up the tab.

Trump promoted American values and relentlessly fought for American interests when meeting with G-7 leaders. He told the Europeans that if they want to get richer, they should be more like us. Now, we have a president who wants America to be more like them.

This isn’t leadership. It is a first step in surrendering America’s power, prosperity and sovereignty.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economic consultant with FreedomWorks. He is the co-author of “Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive the American Economy.”

On Juneteenth, remember Americans who put slavery on the path to extinction LAST WEEK, the Senate unanimously passed a bill declaring Juneteenth a national holiday, commemorating June 19, 1865, when a Union general informed the last enslaved people in Texas that, thanks to the 13th Amendment, they were free. This was the denouement of a long process, begun more than four score years before and cruelly delayed for many decades.

There was virtually no articulate opposition to slavery, except among Quakers, in the North American colonies that rebelled against British rule in the 1770s. But there was an obvious tension between slavery and American assertions of individual rights, encapsulated in Thomas Jefferson’s phrase “all men are created equal.” Revolutionaries were uncomfortably aware of the great English writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson’s remark, “How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?”

Americans in northern states responded.

In 1781 and 1783, Massachusetts trial and appeals courts ruled that slavery violated the commonwealth’s 1780 constitution, and later in the decade, New Hampshire courts agreed.

These resembled Lord Chief Justice William Mansfield’s 1772 decision in Somerset’s case that slavery did not exist in England.

In 1780, the Pennsylvania legislature, declaring slavery “disgraceful to any people, and more especially to those who have been contending in the great cause of liberty themselves,” passed a law gradually freeing slaves, similar to one passed by the independent republic of Vermont in 1777.

Similar laws, granting freedom to slaves aged 25 born after the law’s enactment, were passed in Rhode Island and Connecticut in 1784; in New York at the behest of Gov. John Jay in 1799; and in New Jersey in 1804.

In July 1787, the Continental Congress, meeting in New York even as the Constitutional Convention was meeting in Philadelphia, passed the Northwest Ordinance outlawing slavery in the Northwest Territory — the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The historian Alan Taylor, in his books “American Revolutions” and “American Republics,” takes pains to remind readers that emancipation was gradual, motivated “more from a distaste for slavery than from empathy for the enslaved” and sometimes ineffective in practice.

True enough, but as Gordon Wood argued in a mostly favorable review in the Wall Street Journal, this understates “the momentous blow that the American Revolution inflicted on the system of slavery in the New World” and the fact that “the United States became the first nation in the world to begin actively suppressing the despicable international slave trade.”

Similarly, legal historian Robert Cottrol concluded in “The Long, Lingering Shadow,” his survey of slavery and race in the Americas, that “If the progress of northern abolition was gradual and at times halting, it was nonetheless the first large-scale emancipation in the Western Hemisphere, a testament to the power of the ideals generated by the American Revolution.”

It is easy to judge these early antislavery measures as insufficient by 21st-century standards. But they can be defended as the best that practical politicians could do to put the “peculiar institution” on the “path to extinction.”

Tragically, the trend did not extend far southward. Virginia in 1782, Delaware in 1787 and Maryland in 1790 passed manumission laws, regularizing granting freedom to slaves, as George Washington did in his will in 1799. By 1860, 92% of Black people in Delaware and 40% in Maryland were free.

But Virginia repealed its manumission law in 1806, and in the 1820s, rejected attempts to abolish slavery. By then, it was breeding slaves for sale in the cotton fields of the Deep South.

The invention of the cotton gin had made cotton a hugely lucrative crop, the feedstock for England’s enormous textile mills, a central focus of international trade.

But if Virginia and the Deep South became staunch defenders of slavery, the Northwest Territory’s ban on slavery made it fertile ground for opposition to the extension and perpetuation of slavery.

Efforts to permit slavery in Ohio were defeated by legislator Ephraim Cutler, whose father played a key role in inserting the ban in the Northwest Ordinance, as David McCullough explains in his latest book, “The Pioneers.”

In Illinois, a key role was played by Edward Coles, a young private secretary to President James Madison, who brought his inherited slaves to the prairies, bought them farmland and freed them. As governor of Illinois in the 1820s, Coles defeated the legislature’s attempt to legalize slavery, a story told dramatically in Suzanne Cooper Glasco’s “Confronting Slavery” and in Kurt Leichtle and Bruce Carveth’s “Crusade Against Slavery.”

Edward Coles lived to witness the 13th Amendment and the original Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a good time to remember him and the many others who strived to put American slavery on the path to extinction and, thankfully, finally succeeded.

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.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

NATION & WORLD

Fear shakes Mexico border city after violence leaves 18 dead

By Alfredo Peña The Associated Press CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico — Fear has invaded the Mexican border city of Reynosa after gunmen in vehicles killed 14 people, including taxis drivers, workers and a nursing student, and security forces responded with operations that left four suspects dead.

While this city across the border from McAllen, Texas, is used to cartel violence as a key trafficking point, the 14 victims in Saturday’s attacks appeared to be what Tamaulipas Gov. Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca called “innocent citizens” rather than members of one gang killed by a rival.

Local businessman Misael Chavarria Garza said many businesses closed early Saturday after the attacks and people were very scared as helicopters flew overhead. On Sunday, he said “the people were quiet as if nothing had happened, but with a feeling of anger because now crime has happened to innocent people.”

“It’s not fair,” said taxi driver Rene Guevara, adding that among the dead were two of his fellow taxi drivers whom he defended and said were not involved in crime.

The attacks took place in several neighborhoods in eastern Reynosa, according to the Tamaulipas state agency that coordinates security forces, and sparked a deployment of the military, National Guard and state police across the city. Images posted on

AP IMAGE

Law enforcement officials say gunmen aboard a number of vehicles have staged attacks in several neighborhoods in the Mexican border city of Reynosa. social media showed bodies in the streets.

Authorities say they are investigating the attacks and haven’t provided a motive.

But the area’s criminal activity has long been dominated by the Gulf Cartel and there have been fractures within that group. Experts say there has been an internal struggle within the group since 2017 to control key territories for drug and human trafficking. Apparently, one cell from a nearby town may have entered Reynosa to carry out the attacks.

Olga Ruiz, whose 19-year-old brother Fernando Ruiz was killed by the gunmen, said her sibling was working as a plumber and bricklayer in a company owned by his stepfather to pay for his studies.

“They killed him in cold blood, he and two of his companions,” said Olga Ruiz, adding that the gunmen arrived where her brother was fixing a drain.

“They heard the gunshots from afar and my stepfather told him: ‘son, you have to take shelter.’

So he asked permission to enter

a house but my brother and his companions were only about to enter when the vehicles arrived,” Ruiz said. “They stopped in front of them and started to shoot.”

On Saturday, authorities detained a person who was transporting two apparently kidnapped women in the trunk of a car.

Security is one of the great challenges facing the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He has assured Mexicans that he is fighting the root causes of the violence and since the beginning of his administration in December 2018, he has advocated “hugs, not bullets” in dealing with criminals. He also says he is fighting corruption to stop the infiltration of organized crime among authorities.

But the violence continues.

“Criminal organizations must receive a clear, explicit and forceful signal from the Federal Government that there will be no room for impunity, nor tolerance for their reprehensible criminal behavior,” said García Cabeza de Vaca of the rival National Action Party. “In my government there will be no truce for the violent.”

But García Cabeza de Vaca himself is being investigated by the federal prosecutor’s office for organized crime and money laundering — accusations he says are part of plan by López Obrador’s government to attack him for being an opponent.

Tamaulipas — the state where the Zetas cartel arose and where the Gulf Cartel continues to operate — has seen several of its past governors from the Institutional Revolutionary Party accused of corruption and links to organized crime. One former governor, Tomás Yarrington, was extradited to the United States from Italy in 2018 on drug trafficking charges.

Israeli foreign minister to make first visit to UAE

enjoyed not only by the citizens of the two countries, but by the entire Middle East,” it said in a statement.

Lapid was the driving force behind a new Israeli government sworn in just over a week ago that

ended Benjamin Netanyahu’s record 12-year run as prime minister. Netanyahu and Trump had held up the agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco as among their biggest achievements.

Israelis have flocked to the UAE since the agreement was reached to enjoy futuristic Dubai. The UAE is a major global travel hub, and normalization has made it much easier for Israelis to travel further afield. The two countries have also signed a raft of agreements to cooperate in commerce, technology and other fields.

Israel’s i24NEWS announced Monday that it has secured a broadcast license to operate in the UAE and will open its own bureau in Dubai Media City. The 24-hour channel, which aims to cover international news from an Israeli perspective, is already carried by the UAE’s Etisalat and du cable providers.

Shortly after the Israel-UAE accord was reached, the Trump administration authorized the sale of 50 advanced F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, which would make it only the second country

in the Middle East, after Israel, to acquire them.

The Biden administration put that agreement on hold in January after it drew fierce criticism from Democrats in Congress, who argued that the sale had unfolded too quickly and without sufficient transparency. But in April, the administration decided to proceed with the $23 billion arms sale, saying it would work with the UAE to ensure adherence to human rights standards and the laws of war.

The Palestinians strongly criticized the normalization agreements because they broke down a longstanding Arab consensus that recognition of Israel should only be granted in return for concessions in the peace process, which has been moribund for more than a decade.

Even before the normalization agreements, Gulf Arab countries had been quietly cultivating closer ties with Israel over their shared concerns about Iran. Senior Israeli officials reportedly paid secret visits to the UAE and other Arab countries in the years before ties were normalized.

The letter denounced Stone’s conduct on the executive committee relating to sexual-abuse allegations. Moore accused Stone of covering-up allegations, intimidating victims and other malfeasance.

Messengers at the meeting approved the creation of a task force, which will be appointed by Litton, to investigate the accusations made by Moore and others that Stone swept sex-abuse claims under the rug.

A motion was approved to prevent any pastor from being accepted into leadership at an SBC church if they had ever been found to have committed sexual abuse.

The body also amended their constitution to “disfellowship” churches which promote racism or flout church policy on handling sex abuse.

As he stepped down from leadership to make way for Litton, Greear advised the SBC not to let politics divide the body unnecessarily, saying, “Whenever the church gets in bed with politics, the church gets pregnant, and the offspring does not look like our Father in heaven.”

Rather than just being a “political voting bloc,” he said they should be focused on unity in the Gospel message and being a “Great Commission people.”

But while Greear and Litton are both adamant about taking a more open, modern approach to race and sex-abuse allegations, they were both equally clear that the SBC is a conservative body that should side with the Bible over the culture whenever there is a conflict.

“Let me be very clear; we are not talking about communicating ambiguity on things the Scriptures speak clearly on — the sanctity of life and marriage, the sinfulness of homosexuality, God’s design in gender,” Greear said to those gathered. “These are things that faithful Christians cannot disagree on, and our consciences are captive in these areas to the Word of God.” An influential black pastor, Dwight McKissic, part of a group of black pastors who threatened to leave if Stone was elected, took to social media to celebrate Litton’s victory, saying, “God has a plan for the SBC & I want to be a part of it.

Truly, racism was rejected 2day!”

Greear returned to his Raleigh home after passing the torch of SBC leadership and tweeted statements on Juneteenth from his personal and church accounts. He described the new federal holiday as a “joyous and sobering day” which “commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. It remains one of our nation’s proudest moments,” and said, “staff had a family cookout to reflect the diversity of our community and proclaim the diversity of the kingdom of God!” Summit Church’s website says that under Greear’s leadership, the church “has grown from a plateaued church of 300 to one of over 10,000, making it one of Outreach magazine’s ‘top 25 fastest-growing churches in America’ for many years running.”

The SBC reported that in 2019 they had the largest loss of membership in 100 years, with 287,655 people leaving the 14-million-member denomination. Their recently released 2020 numbers showed an even larger decline, with a loss of 435,632 members.

The Associated Press JERUSALEM — Israel’s new foreign minister will head to the United Arab Emirates next week for the first known visit by a top Israeli diplomat to the Gulf Arab country, the ministry said Monday.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s trip comes after the two countries normalized relations last year in an agreement brokered by the Trump administration, the first of four similar deals with Arab states that had long shunned Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians.

Both Israel’s new government and the Biden administration have said they hope to reach similar accords with other Arab states.

Israel and the UAE have meanwhile continued working to deepen ties despite last month’s Gaza war.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Lapid will visit the UAE June 29-30, and will inaugurate an Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai.

“Ties between Israel and the UAE are an important relationship, the fruits of which will be

GREEAR from page A1 52%, enough to secure his position as the next president of the SBC. The election of Litton, known for his racial-reconciliation work, signals that many in the denomination agree with Greear that blanket denunciations of CRT without accompanying calls for racial justice only pushes away the growing minority membership within the SBC. Greear, for his part, retired the use of the “Broadus Gavel,” named after slave owner John Broadus, which SBC presidents had used at annual meetings since 1872. In addition, the majority of Greear’s appointments to SBC committees were “non-Anglos,” according to Baptist Press.

Stone may have also lost support due to controversy around how the executive committee handled sexabuse allegations under his chairmanship.

Russell Moore, the leader of SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, resigned after a fiery letter from Moore to Greear leaked to the press in recent weeks.

EMMANUEL DUNAND | POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Israeli Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is pictured in this June 2021 file photo.

Hong Kong leader says US ‘beautifying’ security offenses Hong Kong Foreign governments are “beautifying” acts that endanger national security in Hong Kong when they criticize the recent crackdown on a prodemocracy newspaper, the Chinese Communist Partybacked leader of the territory said Tuesday.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s comments come as some countries, including the U.S., condemn the arrest of editors and executives at Apple Daily and the freezing of its assets as the latest examples of eroding freedoms in the former British colony.

Those arrested at the newspaper have been accused of breaching sweeping security legislation imposed by Beijing last year by colluding with foreign countries to endanger national security.

“Don’t try to underplay the significance of breaching the National Security Law, and don’t try to beautify these acts of endangering national security, which the foreign governments have taken so much to their heart,” Lam said.

In a police operation last week, authorities arrested five Apple Daily editors and executives and froze $2.3 million worth of assets of three companies linked to the paper. Apple Daily has said that if some of its funds are not released by Friday, the paper may cease operations this weekend.

By Tuesday, Apple Daily had ended its English news and online financial news services.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Putin hails WWII heroes, warns of degrading Europe security Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union by hailing the country’s World War II heroes and calling for efforts to strengthen European security.

The Nazis invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, and the country lost a staggering 27 million people in what it calls the Great Patriotic War. The enormous suffering and sacrifice have left a deep scar in the national psyche, and the Victory Day marking the end of World War II in Europe, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, is the nation’s most important secular holiday.

The invading Nazi forces quickly overran the western part of the Soviet Union and came less than 19 miles from Moscow. But the Red Army rebounded and routed the Nazis near the capital, dealt them a crushing defeat in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943 and then drove them back across Europe all the way to Berlin.

The Kremlin has been anxious to see international recognition of the nation’s wartime sacrifices and its role in defeating the Nazis.

“We hoped that the end of the Cold War would be a common victory for Europe,” Putin said in the article.

“But a different approach has prevailed based on the expansion of NATO, a relic of the Cold War. Fourteen new countries, including the former Soviet Union republics, joined the organization, effectively dashing hopes for a continent without dividing lines.”

He insisted that “Russia is in favor of restoring a comprehensive partnership with Europe.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

SPORTS

NC high school swimmer Tokyo-bound, B3

REBECCA S. GRATZ | AP PHOTO

NC State pitcher Sam Highfill was the latest hero for the Wolfpack in their run at the College World Series, outdueling Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter in a 1-0 win Monday at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT FISHING

Widespread’s 656.5-pound blue marlin wins Big Rock Morehead City Widespread out of Oregon Inlet won the top prize in the 63rd annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, weighing in a 656.5-pound blue marlin on Friday for the top catch in the tournament and a $1,678,250 payout. Natural (521.6 pounds) and Outnumbered (512.4) finished second and third, respectively. Natural’s catch was the first 500-plus pound marlin of the tournament, making the crew the $828,750 Fabulous Fisherman winner. Combined with the second‑place finish, Natural totaled $1,282,450 in winnings, while Outnumbered took home $301,800 for its third‑place finish. Fin Print won in the Dolphin winnertake-all category with a 48.3-pound catch, banking $529,125 along with $7,000 more in other prizes.

MLB

Rays set to promote Bulls’ Wander Franco, MLB’s No. 1 prospect St. Petersburg, Fla. Wander Franco, considered the best prospect in the minors, is set to make his major league debut. The Tampa Bay Rays promoted the 20-year‑old Franco from the Triple-A Durham Bulls on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay, which had the best record in the majors this year until their current six‑game losing streak, was set to host the Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Franco is a .332 hitter with 145 RBIs in three minor league seasons. Franco went 5 for 17 with a home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year, and he hit .315 with seven home runs and team‑leading 35 RBIs in 39 games with the Bulls this season. His six triples lead all of Triple-A baseball and were one behind minor-league leader Joe Gray of the Single-A Carolina Mudcats.

Team effort leads NC State to Omaha success The Wolfpack won its first two CWS games to avoid the losers bracket

By Shawn Krest North State Journal OMAHA, Neb. — NC State is not ESPN’s kind of team.

The sports network is known for (perhaps infamous for) obsessing

on the star player on a given team — the LeBrons, Zions, Bradys and the like — to the exclusion of anyone with a lower Q Score, which is pretty much everyone on the State baseball team.

The Wolfpack don’t have any superstar media darlings on the roster, they just beat them.

“The last three games we faced (No. 1 Arkansas’ pitching star) Kevin Kopps; (Stanford’s) Bren-

dan Beck, who is the pitcher of the year in the Pac-12, and he’s sensational,” said State coach Elliott Avent. “Then you get (Vanderbilt’s) Jack Leiter, who’s just — I’ve been around for a long time, and that’s one of the performances I’ve seen that — right up there at the top of the performances I’ve seen.”

State won all three of those games, beating three future Cy Young candidates in the process even though no one in a Wolfpack uniform will warrant a dedicated ESPN camera during their next broadcast.

“It’s always been a team win with us,” Avent said. “That’s the way it’s been all year. We played — the last three months, it’s no secret, we played nine guys pretty much every day. (Austin) Murr likes to say it’s nine guys from nine states.”

The lack of the “one guy” to focus on means the Pack have a variety of

“It’s always been a team win with us. That’s the way it’s been all year … nine guys from nine states.”

Elliott Avent, NC State baseball coach methods to beat opponents.

“This is a team that throughout the lineup can figure out how to be productive and score runs,” Avent said. “And that’s the name of the game. And we scored in different ways because we can bunt, we can run, we can hit with power, hit gaps, singles. And we just do it in different ways. When you get to See NC STATE, page B3

Can Ball, NBA’s top rookie, take the next step?

The Hornets point guard, who exceeded expectations in his first season, needs to be even better going forward

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal LUCK WAS ON the Charlotte Hornets’ side last May when the team jumped from the No. 8 spot to earn the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery. And it just so turned out that last year’s draft had three players who were considerations for the first overall pick: LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman.

Charlotte knew they were getting one of them, but Minnesota and Golden State — who held the first and second pick, respectively — would be the teams deciding who would be left when the Hornets picked third.

Enter Lady Luck again.

The Timberwolves made Edwards the first overall pick, and then the Warriors chose Wiseman at No. 2. That left Ball for Charlotte at No. 3.

Thirteen months after the Hornets had the youngest Ball brother fall into their lap, the 6-foot-6 point guard became the third player in franchise history to be named rookie of the year and is now the presumed centerpiece of a franchise that has been spinning its wheels for most of its existence.

Ball missed 21 games of his first

AP PHOTO

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball became the third player in franchise history to be named NBA Rookie of the Year, joining Larry Johnson and Emeka Okafor. season with a broken wrist, but he was still the runaway winner for the award. Ball received 84 first-place votes, easily outdistancing Edwards (15 first-place votes) to join Emeka Okafor (2005) and Larry Johnson (1992) as the only Charlotte players to be named the league’s top rookie.

His numbers in his first season mirror that of another point guard with North Carolina ties — 2006 Rookie of the Year Chris Paul. Ball averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds

and 6.1 assists in 51 games in 202021. In 78 games, Paul — then playing for the Hornets when the team was in New Orleans and Oklahoma City — averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists in his first NBA season.

We all know how things worked out for the 36-year-old Paul, who is currently playing with the Suns in the Western Conference Finals and is on his way to the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to hang up his

signature CP3s.

But what is the track record of other rookie of the year winners?

Twenty-seven players in ABA and NBA history went from being named rookie of the year to being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Just three of them are point guards: Oscar Robertson (1961), Jason Kidd (1995) and Allen Iverson (1997).

See BALL, page B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

6.23.21

TRENDING

Kelly McCrimmon: The Golden Knights general manager became the second off-ice person in Vegas’ semifinal series with Montreal to be placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The test result was revealed Sunday just hours before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup playoff semifinals at Montreal. The 60-yearold McCrimmon joined Habs interim coach Dominique Ducharme, who tested positive Friday and missed both Game 3 and Game 4 — which Vegas won 2-1 in overtime to even the series at 2-2.

Kaulig Racing: The NASCAR team bought two Cup Series charters from Spire Motorsports, and the team plans to join stock car racing’s top series in 2022. Team owner Matt Kaulig announced multiyear extensions with drivers Justin Haley and A.J. Allmendinger on Friday. Haley will run a full Cup schedule next season, while Allmendinger will run select Cup races and also compete in the Xfinity Series. Spire said it would continue to field the No. 7 next season with Corey LaJoie as a chartered entry.

Dirk Nowitzki: The Dallas Mavericks legend is joining the team as an adviser in the wake of the abrupt departures of general manager Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle.

The franchise leader in nearly every category said he considered Nelson and Carlisle mentors and wanted to do what he could to help the Mavericks find their replacements and build for the future.

Nowitzki, who turned 43 on Saturday, retired two years ago after spending all 21 seasons with the Mavericks, leading them to the 2011 championship.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Alex Bowman received a two-year contract extension from Hendrick Motorsports on Friday that aligns him with sponsor Ally’s commitment to the No. 48 Chevrolet through 2023. Ally wanted Bowman to move into the car this season following the retirement of Jimmie Johnson last year. Bowman, in his sixth full season of Cup racing and his fourth with Hendrick, has two wins so far this season.

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

“He’s really been the head of the snake.”

Atlanta’s Kevin Huerter on Hawks interim coach Nate McMillan — an NC State grad and Raleigh native — after the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

BEN GRAY | AP PHOTO

NBA

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

JEFF ROBERSON | AP PHOTO

“I’ll be 40. That’s pushing it.”

Ryan Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, on competing in another Olympic trials after failing to make the Tokyo Games PRIME NUMBER

19 Total combined points in Games 5, 6 and 7 for 76ers point guard Ben Simmons in Philadelphia’s loss in seven games to the Atlanta Hawks.

Simmons — who scored five, six and eight points, respectively, in those three games — averaged 14.3 points per game during the season. It is the first time he has been held to single digits in three consecutive games in his career.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | AP PHOTO

The Suns beat the Clippers 120-114 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday despite being without star guard Chris Paul, who is in the league’s COVID-19 protocol. Devin Booker filled the void with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double to give Phoenix a 1-0 lead in the series.

ROBERT FRANKLIN | AP PHOTO

Armando Bacot is returning to the Tar Heels for his junior season after making himself eligible for the NBA Draft, the school announced Monday.

The 6-foot-10 Bacot led UNC with 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore, and he should get big minutes next season under new Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis.

OLYMPICS

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN | AP PHOTO

New Zealand superheavyweight weightlifter Laurel Hubbard qualified for the Tokyo Games on Monday, putting the 43-year-old on a path to be the first transgender athlete in the Olympics.

Hubbard, who transitioned to female at 35, has faced criticism for competing as a woman, and fellow weightlifter Anna Vanbellinghen of Belgium called it “unfair to the sport and to the athletes.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B3

Dream comes true: NC high school swimmer Curzan headed to Tokyo The Cardinal Gibbons rising senior finished second in the 100-meter butterfly to earn a spot in the Summer Games

REBECCA S. GRATZ | AP PHOTO

NC State players return to the dugout after closing the fourth inning in their game Monday against Vanderbilt at TD Ameritrade Park in the College World Series. Omaha has hosted the NCAA’s baseball championship tournament since 1950.

Fewer bells, whistles, but Omaha embraces CWS return The city relishes its role in welcoming back college baseball

By Shawn Krest North State Journal OMAHA, Neb. — Like most of us, the College World Series was forced to take 2020 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was canceled, along with all college spring sports, marking the first time since 1949 that the city of Omaha didn’t host the championship of college baseball.

“This time last year, we were not sure when we’d gather again to watch baseball in downtown Omaha,” said Diane Duren, the chair of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA), which plays a major role in the planning involved for Omaha’s hosting of the College World Series each year. “The ballpark sat empty, and summertime in our city felt a little unusual.”

Jack Diesing Jr., the chairman and president of the College World Series of Omaha, felt the absence of the event his father, Jack Sr., helped make famous over the past half-century more than anyone.

“It gave me time to play more golf,” he joked. “It shows you never take anything for granted. Nothing goes on forever. You have to be prepared for all the alternatives.”

This year, however, the event is back, hosting NC State and the other top teams in college baseball.

“The pandemic certainly did throw us a curveball last year,” said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, “but we’re back in the game! The College World Series has always been a big win for Omaha, and especially this year, as we reopen the great tradition.”

“We couldn’t be happier,” Dies-

ing said. “While not everything is exactly the same as we hope it to be, we’re glad to be at the forefront of getting back to some sense of normalcy.”

Some of the lingering effects of the pandemic are visible at this year’s event. The national anthem for each game is done virtually, with singers appearing on the video board with prerecorded renditions.

The opening and closing ceremonies were canceled, and the city’s CWS Fan Fest, featuring exhibits, autograph sessions and other fun activities for fans around the stadium grounds, is drastically scaled back.

“But tailgating goes on,” Diesing pointed out.

There are also fewer volunteers and staffers working the event, which, for a city that prides itself on its hospitality at the College World Series, could be a problem.

“We are not immune to the labor shortage that is taking place,” Duren said. “But we do have staff that has been here for many years.

They’re used to staffing this event, working long hours. Certainly, we would take more people if anyone wants a job.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a beer shortage,” she added.

Indeed, the stadium has been at full capacity, hosting more than 20,000 fans at each game. Fans of teams not even playing that day, and many who didn’t even advance to Omaha, are also packing the parking lots and flying flags of Oregon State, Marshall and even the Chicago Cubs at their tailgate parties.

It’s an odd scene to put up against the safety precautions and canceled events, one that was created by the relatively recent signs of progress against the coronavirus.

“In terms of the Fan Fest, opening ceremonies and even the prac-

“The pandemic certainly did throw us a curveball last year, but we’re back in the game!”

Jean Stothert, Omaha mayor tice days (which were closed to the public and media for the first time in recent memory), those decisions around planning have to be made quite a bit in advance of the event itself,” said NCAA Director of Championships Anthony Holman. “Not at the point we are today, where we are able to have 100% capacity at the venue.

Vaccine levels and infection rates were not where they are today.

Most of that was due to timing.”

Despite the missing bells and whistles, the city is embracing its visitors from around the country as it has done for the last seven decades.

“Omaha loves being the host for the CWS,” said Mayor Stothert. “So many people work so hard to make this a great experience.

We are ready for the fans and our fans’ favorite teams.”

From fans offering to share their Ubers to the stadium with a stranger to elevator operators reminding guests on their way to the suites to “be sure and go down to the concourse and look at the photos of all the past winners on the walls,” the city’s hospitality is evident to even the surliest visitor.

“The No. 1 word used by College World Series fans to describe Omaha is ‘friendly,’” Stothert said.

“What a great reputation to have, and we will work hard to keep that. We are very, very proud to be home to the greatest show on dirt, and this year the show will go on.”

NC STATE from page B1 this stage with all the quality pitching that’s out there in the country, you have to be able to be versatile to score runs in this environment.

And I think that’s, once again, that showed.”

Jose Torres has been State’s star, homering in each of the three super regional games against No. 1 Arkansas, including the game-winner in the deciding third game.

Jonny Butler has been the star, driving in a career-high five runs in the CWS-opening 10-4 win over Stanford, the only Wolfpack win in the last four that wasn’t a one-run decision.

Sam Highfill has been the man, matching Leiter 0 for 0 in an epic pitchers’ duel, setting the stage for Terrell Tatum to be the star by homering off Leiter for the game’s only run.

With back-to-back wins to start its College World Series run, the Wolfpack now have an unexpected luxury during the postseason — time off to recuperate. While the losers bracket works out its business Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Wolfpack have nearly four days off before playing again on Friday afternoon.

“I just think we need rest,” Avent said. “Everybody knows we don’t have a deep, deep bullpen. We’ve battled that all year. So to go in that losers bracket would have been tough for us. But the main thing, I think, is the rest right now.”

The Pack have been battling flulike symptoms during its postsea-

ing for a few days.”

Upon finishing the race and seeing her name on the scoreboard in a qualifying position, the younger Curzan said her first reaction was to cry.

Instead, she reached over into the lane next to her and hugged

By Brett Friedlander her new teammate Huske.

North State Journal It was a fitting celebration conSOME KIDS DRESS up as su- sidering the two high school stuperheroes for Halloween. Others dents have become more than wear costumes to look like balle- just rivals in their junior careers.

They’ve developed mutual respect rinas or princesses.

When Claire Curzan was while pushing each other to keep younger, she wanted to go trick- improving as they advanced to the or-treating as an Olympic swim- top of their sport.

“I think it’s so fun,” said Huske, mer.

“I remember going through the a native of Arlington, Virginia, process of getting ready,” the Cary who is a little more than a year native said, “and my mom saying, older than Curzan. “I met her I ‘Claire, you can’t do that. It’s going think at a Select Camp. I don’t to be too cold to walk around in a know how old I was. Then I got to know her a little bit better in Bubathing suit.’”

Now 16 and a rising senior at dapest at Junior Worlds, and I adRaleigh’s Cardinal Gibbons High mire her hard work and dedicaSchool, Curzan has probably out- tion. I feel like she is really driven grown going door-to-door for and those are admirable qualities, candy on Oct. 31. But if she does so I’m really excited to go with her decide to dress up this year, she to Tokyo.”

It’s a trip Curzan may or may won’t have to pretend to be an not have been in a position to Olympian.

That’s because she actually is make had the Games gone off as scheduled in 2020. one.

But because they were postCurzan earned the opportunity to represent her country at the To- poned in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the sixkyo Games next month time N.C. High School by finishing second to Athletic Association fellow teenager Torri state champion was Huske in the 100-meter able to make up ground butterfly last Thursday “It’s still at the U.S. Olympic Tri- kind of weird on her fellow Olympic hopefuls by getting an als in Omaha, Nebraska. extra year to become She also competed when people bigger, stronger, faster in the 50 and 100 free- come up to and more mature. style but missed qualifyme and say, “I think, honesting for the finals in both ‘Oh my gosh, ly, that’s what put me events. on the team,” she said.

After a short, trium- you’re an “Last year, while it was phant return home to a lofty goal, may have celebrate with her fam- Olympian.’” been unattainable. Just ily and friends, she will having that year to get join the rest of her U.S. Claire Curzan physically stronger and teammates in Hawaii also prepping myself for a 10-day training more to get mentally focamp in preparation for cused, it helped in every way posthe trip to Japan.

“It’s still kind of weird when sible. I really used that year to the people come up to me and say, ‘Oh best of my advantage.”

While most of the sports world my gosh, you’re an Olympian,’” Curzan said in an interview with was put on hold by COVID-19, North State Journal. “But I think Curzan set her sights on rewriting the record books for the 15-to-16I’m getting used to it.”

Swimming the first of her year-old age group.

During a meet at her home three events, Curzan admitted to battling a case of nerves as she pool, Triangle Aquatic Center in worked her way through the pre- Cary — the same facility that has liminary rounds. But they quickly also produced Olympic qualifywent away as soon as she dove into ing open water swimmer Ashley Twichell — she broke national rethe water for the final.

She got off to a fast start and cords for her classification in the finished strong to post a time of 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly. She later added the 100 56.43.

Although it wasn’t fast enough backstroke standard to her reto catch Huske, who set an Amer- sume.

Setting records is nothing new ican record at 55.66, she was able to out-reach Olympic veteran for Curzan, who will turn 17 on Kate Douglass to the wall to earn June 30, a birthdate she shares the second of two Olympic quali- with all-time swimming great Michael Phelps. fying spots.

She’s been doing it since she was “I just had to remember that I’d done this race like 100 times be- 12 while swimming for Cardinal fore,” Curzan said. “The pool is Gibbons and the nationally recogthe same length, and I’ve raced nized TAC Titans. She also got her the majority of these girls before. first international experience at I tried not to focus on the stakes the 2019 World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary. and just swim.”

She brought home four medals It helped that she didn’t have a lot of time to sit around think- from that event. Now, she’s coning too much before her race. The sidered a legitimate contender to 100 fly was among the first events bring home an Olympic medal contested at the weeklong Olym- from Tokyo both in her individual event and as a member of a repic Trials.

“She’s fortunate to be able to lay team.

“Honestly, it’s been a whirlknock it out right away,” her father, Mark Curzan, said, his voice wind,” Curzan said, “Just being hoarse from cheering his daughter here, it feels like it’s been a long on. “It would have been so much time coming. I’m really happy to harder to be loitering and linger- be here.”

REBECCA S. GRATZ | AP PHOTO

NC State’s Terrell Tatum, right center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against Vanderbilt during Monday’s College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. son run, so the team hopes to use its time off to recover from that, as well.

“Coach (Chris) Hart’s been sick for probably five or six days,” Avent said. “J.T. Jarrett caught the bug a couple days ago. Cameron Cotter.

I’ve got it a little bit. This bug seems to be floating around. And I think right now it’s important for our players to get some rest.”

The Wolfpack players will need to be rested and healthy. While State is in the best position it could possibly be at this point, Avent knows there’s still a dogfight or two before the team can reach the championship series.

“You might say it’s a couple wins away, but it’s still hard,” he said.

“Every win you get in Omaha is tough, nail-biting. Not only eight of the best teams in the country, but it’s the last eight teams in the country, and they’re here for a reason because they’re playing their best baseball of the year. We were here before. I remember this game last time I was here. We lost 2-1 to UCLA, and UCLA went on to win the national championship. Every win you get is important, but it’s still a long way to go.”

Fortunately, the Wolfpack have a roster full of players who could step up and be the star on any given day.

JEFF ROBERSON | AP PHOTO

Claire Curzan, a rising senior at Raleigh’s Cardinal Gibbons High School, reacts after qualifying for the Tokyo Games in the women’s 100-meter butterfly during last Monday’s U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hurricanes’ Brind’Amour, Slavin honored with season-ending awards The Carolina coach, on the same day he received a contract extension, was named the league’s top coach, while the steady defenseman received the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin became just the fourth defenseman to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly play.

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — More than in any team sport, winning a hockey championship is perceived to be as much about character and resilience as talent. The Stanley Cup, they say, is the toughest trophy to win, and it’s seen that way because of the belief among hockey players that sacrifice and teamwork are the key ingredients of a winning formula.

Skill does matter — look no further than last year’s winner, the Tampa Bay Lightning, to see what kind of roster it takes to lift the Cup. But even the core of that group required the addition of a couple “glue” players to get over the hump and overcome the heartache and disappointment of the years in which it came up short.

And it’s that idea — that camaraderie in the locker room, a family atmosphere that trickles down to the wives and children of the players, and an accountability based on hard work, trust and respect — on which Rod Brind’Amour has built his coaching philosophy.

And he has several leaders in the Hurricanes locker room who have bought into and spread their coach’s ethos, including cornerstone defenseman Jaccob Slavin.

So it’s no surprise that the player and coach were each given endof-season awards that are more about the way one carries themself over how fast they skate, how hard they shoot or the X’s and O’s on a whiteboard.

Brind’Amour was named the winner of the Jack Adams Award

PAUL SANCYA | AP PHOTO

last Thursday, given annually to the NHL’s top coach and voted on by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association. Brind’Amour beat out fellow finalists Dean Evanson of Minnesota and Joel Quenneville of Florida to become the first coach in franchise history to receive the honor.

“This award really just feels, to me, like such an organizational award, because it just is,” Brind’Amour said. “There’s no way around it. We’ve got great people working here with me to help me, with the staff, everything, the players. I almost think the better question is how do you not win it when you have what I get to work with every day?”

The announcement came just hours after the team announced it had agreed on a three-year contract extension with the coach who has led the team to the playoffs in all three of his seasons behind the bench. The deal was rumored to have been agreed upon long before it was signed, and the delay was because Brind’Amour was assuring that the team also gave new contracts to the staff that works with him daily.

“We have a special group down here, and for me to do this job

to the best of my ability, it’s important to have the right people around me,” he said.

As for Slavin, he was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy two days after Brind’Amour was honored. The trophy, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, is given annually to the player who “best combines sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing ability.”

Not only did Slavin receive just one penalty during the 202021 season — a victimless delay of game infraction for shooting the puck over the glass — he has been called for just 30 minors in a combined 460 career regular season and playoff games. Just one of those calls — a cross-checking penalty in February 2018 — could be considered an “aggressive” penalty. He is the fourth defenseman to ever win the award.

But Slavin’s dedication to gentlemanly play goes well beyond the number of penalties that are called against him.

“It has everything to do with the person God’s created me to be and how I conduct myself,” said Slavin, who has spoken frequently about his Christian

faith and the role it plays in his life. “I want to live a life that glorifies him. … Kind of like the Golden Rule — treat everybody how you want to be treated and going about my life in that way and in a way that everything that I do I want to glorify him.”

Before this season, Slavin’s best showing in the Lady Byng voting was last season’s fourth-place finish. He has received votes for the award in every season since 201617 and also has finished in the top 20 in Norris Trophy voting — given to the NHL’s top defenseman — in each of those years. While not a finalist this year, Slavin will surely appear on many ballots again when this year’s winner is announced Wednesday.

While Carolina exited the playoffs sooner than it wanted, the league-wide acknowledgment of Brind’Amour and Slavin could be seen as another step in the Hurricanes’ quest.

“It is nice to have some of that recognition … (but we) know that we have a lot more to give,” Slavin said. “And we obviously want to achieve that ultimate goal of lifting the Stanley Cup one day, and we don’t want to stop until we get there.”

BALL from page B1 Kidd shared the rookie of the year honors with Grant Hill during their rookie season.

By the time Paul’s third season came around, he was leading the league in assists and it was pretty clear he was the real deal. Robertson, who led the league in assists as a rookie, did it again in Year 2 and averaged a triple-double for the second straight year. Kidd was No. 2 in assists in his second season, trailing only John Stockton that year. And by his third season, Iverson — more of a scorer than most traditional point guards — led the league in scoring.

But for every top rookie point guard-turned-Hall of Famer, there is a Steve Francis, Derrick Rose or Ben Simmons who struggled to reach that next level, be it because of limitations in their game, injuries or failure to step up in big games.

The next step for Ball will be proving he has that next gear to join the league’s elite and become a player the Hornets can plan their entire future around.

Ball has already shown he can score, pass and rebound, but he’ll need to get bigger and stronger to handle the rigors of being the opposition’s focal point night after night.

Ball made strides as a defender and will benefit from maturing physically, but there are still rough edges that need polishing for him to become a complete player.

And while Ball silenced those who criticized his unorthodox shot release, making 35.2% from 3-point range, he’ll need to become a more consistent jump shooter to be a real threat as a scorer. Ball had 13 games in which he missed all his 3-point attempts and 11 more games in which he made only a quarter or fewer of his shots from long range. He also made just 25.5% of his 3-pointers after returning from his wrist injury.

Charlotte and Ball should also get some help in the draft with another lottery pick, and the biggest need is at center. Turkey’s Alperen Sengun or Kai Jones from the University of Texas could be options, but chances are Mitch Kupchak will take the best available player or wheel and deal to fill the team’s needs.

Who knows? Maybe the Hornets will get lucky again.

Jon Rahm leaves the 18th green after winning the U.S. Open on Sunday at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Karma comes calling for Rahm at U.S. Open Two weeks after he withdrew from the Memorial with a 6-shot lead after a positive COVID-19 test, the Spanish golfer won his first major

By Tim Dahlberg The Associated Press SAN DIEGO — Jon Rahm had safely deposited his infant son back in his wife’s arms by the time a seemingly unflappable Louis Oosthuizen finally coughed it up on the 17th hole at Torrey Pines. He stood, hands on hips, watching on TV as Oosthuizen’s par putt slid past the hole and it became increasingly clear he would become a U.S. Open champion.

Just behind him, Bryson DeChambeau was tapping in for par on No. 18 — but for once he wasn’t must-see TV. DeChambeau’s collapse on the back nine Sunday was as epic as it was shocking, though it wasn’t as if he didn’t have a lot of

company.

He did, however, have an explanation that any hacker can relate to.

“It’s golf. It’s life,’’ DeChambeau said. “I’m just proud that I can hold my head up right now.”

The U.S. Open is almost always going to be the toughest test in golf.

But the best municipal course to sit on the edge of the Pacific Ocean wasn’t supposed to kick everyone around like this.

DeChambeau had the lead with 10 holes to play, then proceeded to play them 8-over par. Oosthuizen was as steady as could be before finding a canyon off the 17th tee that doomed his chances.

Mackenzie Hughes hit a ball into a tree on No. 11 and it didn’t come down. One of DeChambeau’s wayward shots ended up resting next to an abandoned 12-pack of beer.

And then there was the streaker who met an untimely end in the hands of a burly cop after bringing his own club onto the 13th hole to

“I’m a big believer in karma, and after what happened a couple weeks ago, I stayed really positive knowing good things were coming.”

Jon Rahm hit a few shots.

None of it is going to make anyone forget the putt Tiger Woods made on the 18th hole to send the Open into a playoff he won on a broken leg the first time the Open was held at Torrey Pines in 2008.

But this one was memorable for reasons of its own, including the two sloping left-to-right putts Rahm made for birdie on the final two holes to win his first major championship.

Torrey was so tough it took karma — and a lot of it — to crown this new champion.

“I’m a big believer in karma, and after what happened a couple weeks ago, I stayed really positive knowing good things were coming,” Rahm said. “I didn’t know what it was going to be, but I knew we were coming to a special place.”

Special for Rahm, no doubt.

He won his first PGA Tour tournament here in the Farmers Insurance Open. He asked his wife to marry him on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. His infant son was with him on this, his first Father’s Day. And he returned to play here for the first time since being escorted off the 18th green at the Memorial after testing positive for COVID-19 while building a six-shot lead through three rounds.

Karma indeed.

“It’s the exact reason why I won,” Rahm said. “It had to happen in a beautiful setting like this.”

The follies of a few weeks ago will now become a minor footnote in Rahm’s story. The first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open came back from quarantine to win not just be-

cause he was the best player in the field this week, but because he handled the disappointment of the Memorial so well.

No pouting. No finger-pointing.

No blame for anything except an insidious virus that has killed so many here, and so many in Rahm’s home country.

He’s lost friends, and seen families devastated. He knows he’s privileged to play golf for a living, and he wasn’t going to whine about what might have been.

“This is the power of positive thinking. I was never resentful for one second for what happened,” Rahm said. “And I don’t blame anybody. It’s been a difficult year, and unfortunately COVID is a reality in this world, and it’s affected a lot of people. I got out of what happened the best possible hand because nobody in my family got sick. I barely got any symptoms.”

He was always, Rory McIlroy said, a major champion-in-waiting.

It was just a matter of time before the immensely talented 26-yearold broke through.

He’s now linked forever to a place he loves so much.

And that might be karma at its best.

nt

United States over y alone can be g Kong flu,” 1977 evidence that the gins in China.

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The crisis has cost the U.S. taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in addedPerhaps debt plus trillions more in Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the COVID-19 markets and financial outlets. If the U.S. dollar were not the reserveis China’s currency, we would not be able to fund any of these emergency Chernobyl. measures without immediate fear of rampant inflation and currency depreciation.

China has to pay for their aberrant ways and decisions through economic and financial means. Diplomacy has obviously not worked to bring China into the civilized world of 21st century health, hygiene and fair trade. Totalitarian communist regimes never take the blame or express sincere regret and remorse, because that is not what totalitarian governments do. They take advantage of every weakness they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or the adversaries push back.

That is, unless an exogenous event happens such as the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

Senators in Washington are already talking about the possibility of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in debt we owe them as one way to get China to “pay” for the damage they have caused the US. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a Chinese “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected representatives to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for this disaster.

It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of the world like any other modern nation.

“Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the to stay at home; they massive 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. they’ve There is 100% agreement, outside China, that COVID-19donned mask Weof need The result: a reduc originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely transparency According to the Neal out Robbins, unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came of aUn Metrics and Evaluat and Chinese honesty Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior biowarfare lab run by the communist army.opinion editor administratio from our Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and Trump regulation of peak outbreak was r their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other scientific experts ventilators by nearly choice than to build redundant manufacturing elsewhere purely — we need to plantsAugust by nearly 12, for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery know what they Here’s the problem reliability concerns. know, what they questions will a The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is tothat offer First, what is the t and when U.S. tax credits to companies whodon’t will source at least half of their important because it theyThere hope to production back in the United States. is approximately $120 be open or closed, wh billion worth of American direct investment plants and equipment know what in they more in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65liberalized billion by soci don’t. ought to lock down f comparison.

We’ve seen case fa An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China the number of identi today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing and the denominato investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in have tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lostpeople revenue is actually number has been ove decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now of death, particularly undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the sources suggest the n past. many American people are dyi China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging Even import business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret more that they actually have corona intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and of identified cases co replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. number of people wh

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EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

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COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

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

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

The being thrown out of work.

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

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

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

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

There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able to Perhaps If he it, questions should be asked as to the Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us11, about when it’s more safe to begin theafter the The result: a reduction inon expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. massive 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures without immediate fea A hiring sign shows in Vernon Hills, Ill., Friday, June 2021.

Barely than a year coronavirus caused the steepest economic fall and job losses record, the justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we COVID-19 t know yet” if the processhas of returning back to normalcy.

According theseasons University of Washington Institi For me, my faith government speed of the rebound been so unexpectedly swift that many companies can’tisfill jobs or acquire enough supplies toout meet aan pent-up burst Easter ofto customer demand.

There 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, that depreciation. must do this ofCOVID-19 abundance of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through making.

As I celebra and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the has pay for their provide a China all levels It will need tocompletely be explained in detail to the people ofto this state who aber asked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected need for hos plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians 1:4, whD Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. believe it came of at a home economic and financial means. fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and for anoff undetermined message of become a day were caught guard for the gue ones likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000 world of 21st hygiene affliction, so that biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds thousands of civilized cases wew hope that will third daywe in a of row as American bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, with the c Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of Airlines, and fair trade.largest Totalitarian are reliable. the nation’s air- comm — we need to once again enjoy of this state who when will demand August by nearly 12,000. orse, because that is not whatthey can get back to providing for their families,their God.” That is what food safety and health protocols, American business has nowhat other or express sincere To know date, what I’ve gone theannounced state has asked and then line, over 100regret flight and rem they along with answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, yndetermined take advantage of every weakness If you celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do. The cancellations across the councitizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questionsare about housands of cases at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy to reopen. pushing until they win orLeaders the reflect on this messa concerts, try, due tofamily staff maintenanceand keep for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders delivery they findand in adversaries the data.

StateasRepublican have, too. living inand a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality rate? shortages.

God’sback. example don’t and when reliability adversaries push gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is and c AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were kedhappens and then with details that give their statements believability.

These widespread shortagimportant because it determines whether certain ent such as the Chernobyl this difficult time.

T The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exogenous ev they to disaster corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people tooftreat those church services es come on the heels data remy is robust is immoral and unBy Matt Mercer dbelieve questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — that event, not the Star Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a U.S. tax credits to companies who willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown 1986.

Some experts what theythe questioning and asking when we canin start getting back and many more leased last week indicating the dermines the dignity of indi- simply and Sponsored

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

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So while and the denominator are likely wrong.

We don’t k debt we owe them as one way to get omy and the job market are rehealth care workers flation,” said Luddy on Tuesday. fill the jobs gap in the state econimmoral and undermines An investment tax credit of 30% on U.S. investment in China over. of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in to do,half lastof I checked. done

by Areo, an opinion and analysis NC economic sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new bounding steadily from the panAnd while many employers omy has business leaders and people have actually died of coronavirus.

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Mydignity first American concern asmanufacturing we go along in all this, of course, mythe family.

I’m th demic state legislators searching for the jockey for position to hire good developers receive ls become aAreopagitica, badbut ask normal.” number has beenrecession. overestimated, given that classi lee” to happen your elected for a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury $18 billion in breath waiting for a Chinese them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. said After “Jub The Labor Department workers in this challenging enty were supposed Not one little bit. right mix of incentives and talent. tax of death, particularly among elderly patients, ountable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold Chinacan acc certification from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, CaptiveAire Systems founder Thursday that jobless claims rose vironment, some have decided to suffering Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Advertisements for jobs across decimal sources suggest the number is dramatically under dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster.

37,000 because from theall week before to up been trying to take extra precautions, of this brings North Carolina show how des- call it quits for good. One of the I’ve Robert Luddy RALEIGH North Carolina Lindsay and— Peter Boghossian say has that e, to is my family.

Stacey Matthews also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah manyas people are dying at home. ed operate as I’m responsible citizens of to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in412,000. the It about they are expect Asisthe jobtime market latest casualties of this post-panperate businesses are to attract undertaking way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not tohas repeat.

Economic Development something has gone drastically wrong ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue how m ation. strengthened, the number of demic economy is the legendary talent. past. the world like any other modern Association has announced that But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certain 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus.

Some weekly applications forscientists unem- sugges al pirating chain Bojangles restaurants in Charfive members been awardedThey call CaptiveAire Systems, the na- Price’s ChinaChicken has beenCoop cheating, stealing, and pillaging American fields within have the humanities. l of this brings up ployment aid has fallen for most were posting signs that they were lotte. tion’s leading manufacturer of of identified cases could be an order of magnitude the North Carolina Certified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they these fields “grievance studies,” where Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion of the year. out of items such as Chicken SuPrice’s announced with litcommercial kitchen ventilation Economic Developer designation in refer notscholarship to repeat. number of people who have had coronavirus and is not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and With vaccinations up and premes and other chicken prodtle warning last Thursday it was systems, based in Raleigh and the program’s inaugural year. ost everyone has finding truth but upon attending to the dollar reserve theirshortages. renminbi. more consumers venturing out to ucts duewith to supply NCEDA President Randall closing after nearlyas 60the years, with currency founded by Robert Luddy, is of- replace

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social grievances. Grievance scholars Johnson joined Past Presidents fering a $2,000 sign-on bonus bully students, administrators and other Patricia Mitchell and Charles along with 401(k) match, paid departments into adhering to their Hayes in presenting the program’s holidays, paid vacations, monthworldview.

The is inaugural class atworldview NCEDA’s they promote ly bonuses, perfect attendance neither scientific northis rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL annual meeting earlier award programs, gym member- | e studies consist disciplines month. The classof included: Cathysuch as ships, and discounted mobile sociology, anthropology, gender studies, Barr, Director of Ashe County wireless plans to attract workers queer studies, sexualityCliff and critical race Economic Development; to its manufacturing facility in studies.

Brumfield, Executive Director of Youngsville.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lincoln Economic Development In comments to NSJ, Luddy Lindsay andWill Boghossian started Association; Carter, Director views the current economic sitof Stokes County Economic submitting bogus academic papers to uation through a simple lens of Development; Mark Lawson, academic journals in cultural, queer, government vs. capital: “The job Vice President of Economic race, gender, fat and sexuality studies market is improving incremenDevelopment at the Cary to determine if they would pass peer tally.

Paying unemployment for Chamber of Commerce; Candice seriousness of the virus and the need review and be accepted for publication. long durations when the econoLowder, Director of the Stanly Acceptance of dubious y with how people who simplyresearch ask that County Economic Development editors found sympathetic to their en thingsjournal can start getting back to Commission. or postmodern leftist vision intersectional s with contempt.

The NC Certified Economic of the world would prove the problem of a societylow simply must accept without Developer program is a partnership academic standards. between NCEDA andto East ls us about when it’s safe begin thepapers Several of the fake research Carolina University’s Economic malcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat Development Academy launched us, and we have journal the partnership right to ask those Studies published in 2018. “Our witha hoax paper Since when did that argued the term bodybuilding was home orders are in place all over the ECU for the NC Certified Economic questioning andas should be replaced hem get exclusionary in states,program such Michigan, Developer has taken with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive NCEDA’s leadership role in about government eeling isolated and/or anxious politicized performance.” professional development to One new reviewer ng for their families, will demand at all levels said, “I thoroughly heights,” said NCEDAenjoyed Presidentreading this article believe has an important Randalland Johnson.

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But the dog rape attorneys and consultants.

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2% inflation rate the Fed typicalPolitical scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years.

He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,”

north STA

And as summer break kicks spend — on restaurant meals, airthe last date of service Saturday, June 19. In a statement posted to off, area beach towns starved for line fares, movie tickets and store the restaurant’s Facebook page, tourists during the lockdowns purchases — the economy seems Jason Price’s cited the labor shortage, of 2020 are now experiencing a to be rapidly recovering from STACEY MATTHEWS rising food costs, food quality swell in demand as vacationers the recession. All that renewed return. Up and down the coast, spending has fueled customer deand another coin shortage. mand and led many companies to and bars have been Lines quickly formed at the restaurants COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON venerable establishment with especially stretched thin, forced seek new workers, often at higher wait times of over 4 and 5 hours to reduce open times as the need wages, and avoid layoffs.

Some economists argue that for waiters, cooks, and other staff to get one last bite.

While Price’s decision was threaten to overwhelm existing the speed of the rebound from the recession has caught many busialso partly driven by ever-grow- staff.

The ripple effect is visible nesses off guard and touched off ing redevelopment in Charlotte, restaurants large and small are across nearly all sectors of the a scramble to hire. In May, emservice industry. Travelers at IS THE DAY the lord has made, let us r reporting similar issues.

“THIS WITH under either or stay-at-home fallen into place.

RDUshelter-in-place International Airport Mon- See WORKERS, Earlier MOST in May,STATES large regionpage B6 I understand th

VISUAL VOICES

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

in it” (Psalm 118:24). orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m unea this challenging time of soc are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”I know that during questions about the data, and wh working from home or losing a job, it may be diffi Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. as However, as aa Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated though we and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what the governmentofte have to be thankful and of hopeful for, even m a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process returning back in to the norm Lenten and pandemic. state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government works for me, my faith is an important part ofstay-at my da Easter seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked asFor to the questions.

And the longer making.

As I celebrated Easter with my family, justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI provide Corinthians 1:4, which reminds our Lord “com must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people,us sitting at home message of affliction, so that we may be able to comfort thos It will need to be explained in detailhope to the people of this state who when they can get back to provid that we will affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves a are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. once again enjoy God.” amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state l sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge are reliable. can be with those answers and reflect on this message and be comforted, so that concerts, family To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then with details that give their statem ly targets. Currently, however, the God’sabout example andWe comfort in need arou mandated thatto wepush do, but along the way I’ve also had questions shouldallallthose continue to do w gatherings, Fed is seeking inflation this difficult time.

Through faith and by helping o slightly above 2% to make upleaders for the data.

State Republican have, too. ourselves, and our communities s church services confident we will emerge out of this pandemic str theUnfortunately, roughly nine years that it has when certain types ofand questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b many more come in below that level. tendency among some this same spirit, I continue to be inspired th by sometimes a disturbing people to treatInthose measures are understandable, after our own Powell’s remarks follow a meetneighbors helping neighbors.

AP PHOTO simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back ThisSUSAN is allWALSH new| to Americans, a ing of the Fed’s policymaking temporary In Concord, a shape, high school senior named Tanne to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who or form.

So while committee last week, when cen- Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, right, testifies before we shou money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to make f sacrifices are sick. otherwise don’t care if theythey get themselves orBanking others time we shouldn’t get co tral bank officials signaled the Senate Committee on Capitolthe Hillsame in Washington, health care workers out of his own home.

Since did questioning at allDec. levels normal.” now may when increase the Fed’s bench-government D.C.,over.

Tuesday, 1, become 2020. a bad mark twice 2023. living in a free society were supposed thing?interest That israte what freeincitizens Not one little bit.

That’s than the time frame to do, earlier last I checked.

Bank President John stepsoflast year is tomy provide they outconcern in March, when no dented Myset first as we go along in all this, course, family.eral I’m Reserve Stacey Matthews has also written rate hike was expected until after extraordinary support to financial Williams, who also serves as vice worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After and is a regular contributor to R markets at the outset of the pan- chair of the Fed’s policymaking 2023. suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, Powell also said the Fed had demic, including the first purchas- committee, said that while the I’ve beenbegun tryingdiscussing to take extra precautions, because all of brings up economy is rapidly improving, es of corporate bonds inthis the Fed’s formally when way how too many memories a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat. “conditions have not progressed history. and the central bank of might enough for the (Fed) to shift its some Fedeveryone officials has reduce the current $120me billion But what also makes lose sleepSeparately, is how easily most

Powell says economy growing rapidly, inflation up ‘notably’

a month of Treasurys and mortgage-backed bonds that the Fed is purchasing each month.

Both moves were seen as evidence that the Fed wanted to signal it was prepared to keep inflation in check without initially taking any steps to pull back on its efforts to stimulate the economy.

Powell will testify Tuesday before a congressional oversight panel about the Fed’s unprece-

are also making it clear that they are ready to lift interest rates even earlier. On Friday, St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard said he favored lifting rates in 2022.

That caused a sharp stock market sell-off. Higher interest rates generally make stocks less attractive to investors and make bonds a more appealing investment.

But on Monday, New York Fed-

monetary policy stance of strong support for the economic recovery.”

“I expect that as price reversals and short-run imbalances from the economy reopening play out, inflation will come down from around 3% this year to close to 2% next year and in 2023,” Williams said.

U.S. stocks recovered most of their Friday losses on Monday.

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B6

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 6/18 Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$2,495,283,032 Add Receipts:

$74,755,406 Less Disbursements:

$89,511,238 Reserved Cash:

$577,103,800 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$5,321,680,248

WORKERS from page B5 ployers added a less-than-expected 559,000 jobs, evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy recovers faster than expected.

Though jobless claims have tumbled since the start of 2021, when they exceeded 900,000, they remain high by historical standards. Before the pandemic paralyzed the economy in March 2020, unemployment applications were running at about 220,000 a week.

Many Americans are contending with health and child care issues related to COVID-19 and with career uncertainty after the recession wiped out many jobs for good. Some who have lost work during the pandemic have decided to retire. Others are taking their time looking for work because, in some cases, supplemental federal jobless benefits, on top of regular state unemployment aid, pay them more than their old jobs did.

Many states, though, are set to begin dropping the supplemental federal jobless aid this month.

In North Carolina, House lawmakers passed a bill earlier this month that would remove the state from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

North Carolina Senate Bill 116 now sits in a Senate conference committee’s hands. If an agreement is hammered out, North Carolina would join 25 other states that have also canceled their benefits early. Withdrawing from the program early would mean the loss of around $500 million in federal aid by the program’s scheduled end September 6th.

According to the NC Department of Commerce, about a quarter million unemployed workers in North Carolina are currently receiving the benefit, worth $300 per week, adding up to between $72 and $75 million federal dollars pumped into the state’s economy each week.

The NC Chamber has lobbied for both Senate Bill 116 and Senate Bill 334, which contains a $1 billion grant to assist job creators.

“North Carolina job creators across multiple industries have reported their acute struggles to find willing, qualified talent during this unique rebalancing period for our economy. The NC Chamber team has been working hard along with others in the business community to engage with state leaders and urge them to take decisive action to solve this talent gap. We have been adamant in these discussions that businesses need solutions now, not months from now,” a May 27 statement from the North Carolina Chamber read.

Republican House Speaker Tim Moore argued the additional federal subsidies are keeping workers at home. He says a shortage of workers is slowing the state’s economic recovery and putting businesses in jeopardy at the very time they’re trying to get back on their feet.

“We should not have a system in place that has been thrust upon us by this federal program where folks are incentivized not to work,” Moore said. “It doesn’t make sense. It’s not how we can operate this economy.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hit by a ransomware attack?

Your payment may be deductible The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — As ransomware attacks surge, the FBI is doubling down on its guidance to affected businesses: Don’t pay the cybercriminals. But the U.S. government also offers a little-noticed incentive for those who do pay: The ransoms may be tax deductible.

The IRS offers no formal guidance on ransomware payments, but multiple tax experts interviewed by The Associated Press said deductions are usually allowed under law and established guidance. It’s a “silver lining” to ransomware victims, as some tax lawyers and accountants put it.

But those looking to discourage payments are less sanguine.

They fear the deduction is a potentially problematic incentive that could entice businesses to pay ransoms against the advice of law enforcement. At a minimum, they say, the deductibility sends a discordant message to businesses under duress.

“It seems a little incongruous to me,” said New York Rep. John Katko, the top Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Deductibility is a piece of a bigger quandary stemming from the rise in ransomware attacks, in which cybercriminals scramble computer data and demand payment for unlocking the files.

The government doesn’t want payments that fund criminal gangs and could encourage more attacks. But failing to pay can have devastating consequences for businesses and potentially for the economy overall.

A ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline last month led to gas shortages in parts of the United States. The company, which transports about 45% of fuel consumed on the East Coast, paid a ransom of 75 bitcoin — then valued at roughly $4.4 million. An attack on JBS SA, the world’s largest meat processing company, threatened to disrupt food supplies. The company said it had paid the equivalent of $11 million to hackers who broke into its computer system.

Ransomware has become a multibillion-dollar business, and the average payment was more than $310,000 last year, up 171% from 2019, according to Palo Alto Networks.

The companies that pay ransomware demands directly are well within their rights to claim a deduction, tax experts said. To be tax deductible, businesses expenses should be considered or-

SUSAN WALSH | AP PHOTO

In this photo March 22, 2013, file photo, the exterior of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C. dinary and necessary. Companies have long been able to deduct losses from more traditional crimes, such as robbery or embezzlement, and experts say ransomware payments are usually valid, too.

“I would counsel a client to take a deduction for it,” says Scott Harty, a corporate tax attorney with Alston & Bird. “It fits the definition of an ordinary and necessary expense.”

Don Williamson, a tax professor at the Kogod School of Business at American University, wrote a paper about the tax consequences of ransomware payments in 2017. Since then, he said, the rise of ransomware attacks has only strengthened the case for the IRS to allow ransomware payments as tax deductions.

“It’s becoming more common, so therefore it becomes more ordinary,” he said.

That’s all the more reason, critics say, to disallow ransomware payments as tax deductions.

“The cheaper we make it to pay that ransom, then the more incentives we’re creating for companies to pay, and the more incentives we’re creating for companies to pay, the more incentive we’re creating for criminals to continue,” said Josephine Wolff, a cybersecurity policy professor at the Fletcher School of Tufts Uni-

versity.

For years, ransomware was more of an economic nuisance than a major national threat.

But attacks launched by foreign cybergangs out of reach of U.S. law enforcement have proliferated in scale over the past year and thrust the problem of ransomware onto the front pages.

In response, top U.S. law enforcement officials have urged companies not to meet ransomware demands.

“It is our policy, it is our guidance, from the FBI, that companies should not pay the ransom for a number of reasons,” FBI Director Christopher Wray testified this month before Congress.

That message was echoed at another hearing this week by Eric Goldstein, a top official at the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Officials warn that payments lead to more ransomware attacks. “We’re in this boat we’re in now because over the last several years people have paid the ransom,” Stephen Nix, assistant to the special agent in charge at the U.S. Secret Service, said at a recent summit on cybersecurity.

It’s unclear how many companies that pay ransomware payments avail themselves of the tax deductions. When asked at a con-

gressional hearing whether the company would pursue a tax deduction for the payment, Colonial CEO Joseph Blount said he was unaware that was a possibility.

“Great question. I had no idea about that. Not aware of that at all,” he said.

There are limits to the deduction. If the loss to the company is covered by cyber insurance — something that also is becoming more common — the company can’t take a deduction for the payment that’s made by the insurer.

The number of active cyber insurance policies jumped from 2.2 million to 3.6 million from 2016 to 2019, a 60% increase, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ auditing arm. Linked to that was a 50% increase in insurance premiums paid, from $2.1 billion to $3.1 billion.

The Biden administration has pledged to make curbing ransomware a priority in the wake of a series of high-profile intrusions and said it is reviewing the U.S. government’s policies related to ransomware. It has not provided any detail about what changes, if any, it may make related to the tax deductibility of ransomware.

“The IRS is aware of this and looking into it,” said IRS spokesperson Robyn Walker.

Moderna’s president talks COVID-19 and vaccine technology The Associated Press SOON AFTER a new coronavirus began spreading around the world, little-known vaccine developer Moderna began working with the U.S. National Institutes of Health to create a vaccine using a new technology.

That vaccine is now one of the pillars of the U.S. COVID-19 response, with 130 million doses administered just six months after regulators authorized it for use.

Moderna is now testing its vaccine in younger people as well as potential boosters that may be needed in the future — along with vaccines and treatments for other diseases — all using similar technology based on genetic code called messenger RNA. The Associated Press spoke with company president Dr. Stephen Hoge, who oversees Moderna’s research.

Q: Will COVID-19 booster shots be needed in the future?

A: I believe that there’s going to be a chronic booster need. I definitely think they’re prudent to plan for. None of us want to be in a situation next November where we have to go into another lockdown. We’ve been updating our vaccine to make sure it boosts you back up. That’s the variant booster that we’re going to have available in the fourth quarter.

How long will it take to develop new vaccines to fight variants?

With the first version of the vaccine, we did it in about five months, but we had to do the

MODERNA VIA AP

This 2019 photo provided by Moderna shows the company’s President Stephen Hoge in his office in Cambridge, Mass. large clinical trials. We won’t have to do that now. For a booster targeting variants, we could do it in about three months.

What makes messenger RNA so useful?

Messenger RNA is really just an instruction manual. It’s no longer a medicine that somebody made. It’s instructions to your body. We can put anything we want into that manual to tell it what to make, such as the spike protein on the COVID-19 virus.

If you want to change a para-

graph, you just cut and paste.

What else can MRNA treat?

There’s no disease where we shouldn’t be able to eventually have a medicine.

What are you working on?

(Vaccines for) viruses like influenza and cytomegaloviruses and other viruses that are hard to go after, like HIV. Half of our pipeline is in therapeutics. We have programs in cancer and heart disease.

What will Moderna be doing 10 years from now?

We’ll be focused on cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. In cancer, we have a couple programs in mid-stage studies. We are trying to prevent recurrence of melanoma. We’re partnering with AstraZeneca to develop messenger RNA that could be injected into people undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, to grow heart cells. If we can do that, that would be transformative.

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B7

2021 Cadillac CT5

PHOTOS COURTESY CADILLAC

Great looks, giddy-up, and a nice price But is it enough?

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — For decades, Cadillac has been synonymous with The Best.

A running joke between John Travolta and Danny DeVito in Get Shorty was calling the Oldsmobile Silhouette “The Cadillac of minivans.” That was probably true (though these days, that title belongs to the new Kia Carnival) back then. In recent years, it’s been much harder to argue that Cadillac is the best of anything.

Actually, there’s the Escalade which is massive and terrific and definitely the Cadillac of huge SUVs. But other than that, vehicles from GM’s flagship brand have been a bit more hit-and-miss.

But I still love the Caddy. One of my earliest memories is of the “purple Cadillac” that my grandparents owned. I suspect it was actually maroon, but we always called it purple. They went through several big, floaty sedans over the years, and I remember the day I got to drive it for the first time: It felt like driving an aircraft carrier.

My test car this week was a 2021 Cadillac CT5, the flagship sedan of the Cadillac lineup, and it was anything but an aircraft carrier.

Priced at $49,455 for the wellequipped Premium Luxury trim,

it had all manner of luxury doodads like heated and ventilated seats and a 15-speaker Bose stereo.

I was particularly impressed with the 3-liter twin-turbo V6. It’s paired with a 10-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive, and it makes 335 horsepower. You can tell a CT5 with the engine by the “550T” badging.

What’s 550, you ask? Well, obviously, that’s the peak torque of the engine in newton-meters. Actual-

ly, that’s not obvious at all, but Cadillac is still slapping newton-meter measurements on the trunk of all its cars.

But the engine is terrific and makes the car much more fun than it would otherwise be. It’s a $3,500 option and worth every penny. The default is a 237-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder that is far less fun.

It’s also far less floaty than the Cadillac sedans of yore, which

helps eliminate the aircraft carrier-ness. It’s not as sporty as a similar BMW, but it gets the job done.

I love the exterior of modern Cadillacs. The sharp edges and bold shapes, plus that giant Cadillac crest on the grille (the wreath was dumped back in 2014), still carries a lot of oomph in the minds of many around the world.

The CT5 carries that design language well and was downright handsome in my car’s $625 Dark

Moon Metallic paint scheme.

That’s a deep, dark blue, which I’ve never seen on the moon, but it was a pleasing color all the same.

So it looked good, had some excellent features, leather, a terrific infotainment system, and a great engine. But it still didn’t stir my soul. I couldn’t get excited about it.

I know that GM knows how to make a fantastic car. It’s the same company that brought us the new Corvette after all, but the CT5 feels like it’s searching for something — that it’s not quite sure what it wants to be.

It feels like a great movie that’s been through too many writers and directors on its way to release.

It’s definitely fun, but it leaves you wanting more. There’s potential here with the CT5.

The platform is excellent, the engine is fantastic, and the looks are top-notch. But it fails to be more than the sum of its parts. It fails to be a Cadillac.

The enormous Escalade has presence and panache, bravado and balls — you know exactly what you’re going to get, and it delivers. The CT5 is confused and almost congenial. It’s the automotive equivalent of going to Olive Garden for Valentine’s Day. The salad and breadsticks are terrific, but the main course isn’t quite as good as it could be. You know in your heart that it could be better.

Anyone buying the CT5 will be getting a terrific car, and that Cadillac badge alone will pull people in. And I’m glad that there are still some big American sedans kicking around. But I know in my heart that there’s more to be had.

This isn’t the Cadillac of Cadillacs, but it’s a good start.

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B8

features

Wedding boom is on as vendors scramble to keep up

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press NEW YORK — Couples in the U.S. are racing to the altar in a vaccination-era wedding boom that has venues and other vendors in high demand.

With restrictions on large gatherings loosening, wedding planners and others who make the magic happen said they’ve started pushing their bookings into late 2022 and early 2023.

“We’ve run out of trucks for some dates this year and that hasn’t happened before,” said Ben Goldberg, co-founder and president of the New York Food Truck Association.

“Our phones have been ringing off the hook with clients looking to have the weddings they had to put off during COVID.” Also contributing to the rush are couples who went ahead and got hitched during stricter pandemic times with few or no guests and are now on their second go-arounds with larger groups. They’re competing for services with those who had always intended to marry this year.

“We’re seeing a lot of last-minute bookings with shorter planning windows,” said Anna Noriega, who owns the luxury Alorè Event Firm in Miami. “With vaccinations becoming more prevalent and on-site COVID testing available for events, we’ve seen an uprise in guest counts and a push for bookings.”

Namisha Balagopal, 27, in Em-

eryville, California, is among the double brides.

She and Suhaas Prasad, 33, met in 2014 and got engaged in May 2019. They planned a traditional South Asian Indian wedding last August in Utah, where Balagopal grew up, with 320 guests and events over five days. But they couldn’t make it happen under pandemic restrictions. They decided on a small sunset ceremony that month with fewer than 10 people in attendance on Muir Beach near San Francisco.

It’s where they had their first date and where Prasad proposed.

Now, their big celebration is on for Aug. 15 outdoors at their original venue in Park City, Utah, with about 230 guests and events over several days, including seven clothing changes for bride and groom.

Many of their closest loved ones in India aren’t permitted to travel to the U.S. “It’s just a really big part of our culture,” Balagopal said of the extravaganza. “In the end, it was really important to our parents.”

She’s mostly beyond the frustration phase of being a pandemic bride.

“The wedding is going to be so much fun. It’s just delayed gratification at this point,” Balagopal smiled.

The boom is on in bridal and bridesmaids dresses, too.

The budget-friendly David’s Bridal chain, with 282 stores in the U.S. and more in the UK, Canada and Mexico, has 300,000 dresses

in stock due in part to the wedding drought of 2020.

“Moving forward it’s going to be an unprecedented wedding season this year,” said Maggie Lord, a vice president at David’s whose online wedding planning guide, Rustic Wedding Chic, was acquired by the company. David’s has been tracking broad wedding data through the pandemic.

“Couples are getting super creative and having Thursday night ceremonies or Friday afternoon ceremonies just because of the amount of people getting married this year,” Lord said. “We do know that 90 percent of brides this year are looking to have their weddings at outdoor venues,” where there are fewer restrictions.

Lord said the pandemic has helped normalize non-traditional aspects of weddings: an end to passed hors d’oeuvres and buffets, for instance, more livestreaming to accommodate travel restrictions, and more online planning and shopping.

Competition for vendors has some upping their prices. “They know they have customers who will pay it,” she said. “Wedding vendors are making up for a year of limited if no work at all.”

Anna Price Olson, associate editorial director for Brides magazine, said many vendors in the wedding industry are small businesses.

“They’re trying to meet the demand of new clients and clients who

have postponed,” she said. “In order to do so, in many cases, they’re having to charge more. They’re having to hire additional resources, bring staff members back. Also the cost of goods is increasing. There are only so many linens, only so many rentals and only so many flowers that were planted this past season.”

One thing’s for sure, Lord said: Brides and grooms are “bringing back the big wedding, with guest lists that are a little bit more curated and maybe not 300 people on a crowded dance floor.”

Tirusha Dave is the owner and CEO of the upscale wedding planning company Bravura Brides used

by Balagopal. She handled 10 weddings in 2019, with just three in 2020. Dave already has 11 weddings booked this year with 250 to 300 guests planned at each.

“I think everybody’s ready for things to bounce back, but just in a safe way,” she said.

Lord’s online planning site has far more vendors with bookings two years out, rather than the more traditional 12-month planning period as couples hold out for venues they want and seek to distance their special days from the pandemic altogether.

Justin Warshaw is the creative director and CEO of the global Justin Alexander Group, a bridal design and manufacturing house with five core brands and more under licensing and white-labeling arrangements.

He’s seen wedding dress bookings increase by 593% from April 1-May 15 2020 compared to the same period this year. Eighty-eight percent of his 2,200 retailers in 80 countries are now open and operating, with the U.S. his largest market.

Comparing January through May 2019, before the pandemic began, with January through May this year, Warshaw experienced a 40% increase in sales of made-to-order gowns in the U.S. “A lot of that has to to do with pent-up demand and also what we envisioned would happen: So many COVID couples turning into COVID engagements, turning into weddings,” said Warshaw, who’s among the newly engaged. “With the optimism from vaccinations, people want to celebrate with family and friends, and get on with their lives.”

Chappall Gage, who with his mother runs Susan Gage Caterers in Washington, D.C., has seen a boom in special events overall, with 30% to 40% of their weekend business in weddings.

“It’s the one big event that’s coming back quickly,” he said. “Right now we’re at this transition point where micro-weddings are ending and now people are starting to get comfortable doing larger weddings.

When the mayor announced she was allowing dancing at weddings I could hear an audible cheer from the city.”

This photo shows bride Namisha Balagopal and groom Suhaas Prasad getting married in a small legal ceremony Aug. 15, 2020, on Muir Beach near San Francisco.

VELLORA PRODUCTIONS VIA AP

Florida beach town writes Amazon TV series to lure tourists

By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Remember that longing you felt after an episode of “Sex and the City” to shop at the characters’ favorite New York haunts and drink cosmopolitans at the same bars?

Or that sense of wanderlust for the seaside cliffs of Ireland after watching “Game of Thrones?”

Hollywood’s flattering spotlight has put small towns on the map, like Wilmington, North Carolina, from “Dawson’s Creek” and the woods of Senoia, Georgia, from “The Walking Dead.” And that’s exactly what travel marketers in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, were hoping to capitalize on when they commissioned an original, scripted TV series, seeking to draw quarantine-weary tourists to the area’s sugar sand beaches.

“Life’s Rewards” aired on Amazon Prime last month. The eight-episode show is based on a charming yet cavalier wealth manager who loses his money and uses travel rewards points to stay

at the posh, pink Don CeSar hotel while rebuilding his life.

Each episode is only eight to 14 minutes long, and was filmed using a local production company, director and actors. The series cost roughly a million dollars to create, split between the city and the state’s tourism arm.

Some of the “ad” spots woven throughout the dialogue are obvious, like the random episode about the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. But the characters quickly pivot back to plot-forwarding dialogue. It’s a quick-hit ad versus the sustained 15- to 30-second hard sell of conventional commercials.

At other times, the settings feel natural, like the gay nightclub Blur or a tour of the colorful WhimzeyLand “bowling ball house” in an episode featuring a scavenger hunt. Even the countless gratuitous beach shots mostly feel believable.

“I’m watching something and I’m drawn into the show because of the story line, but also the places I’m seeing in front of me,” said Steve Hayes, president of Visit St. Pete Clearwater, who noted that

CHRIS O’MEARA | AP PHOTO

Jared Wofford poses for photos outside of the Don Cesar hotel Thursday, June 17, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. he and his wife frequently talked about visiting Wyoming while watching their favorite show, “Yellowstone.”

While sometimes awkward, the characters in “Life’s Rewards” refer to every destination in the scene by name. There were no fake dive bars or coffee shops.

“You start to build, ‘Hey, this looks like a really cool place I want to visit,’ and it’s in the background,” said Hayes. “It’s not in the front where you want to go through and hit the fast-forward button.”

It’s too soon to gauge whether the series has impacted tourism, or even how widely it was viewed.

The hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, and tourist towns are eager to seize on the new willingness to travel. That’s put more pressure on destinations to market outside the box.

“Every single destination in the world is now looking for that tourism boom. I think it’s more important than it ever has been,” said Alexandra Delf, executive vice president for London-based Grifco, a travel marketing firm.

Movie- and TV-inspired travel is so popular that the firm is using pandemic binge shows to promote its biggest clients. Promotional ads note that scenes from Netflix’s “Bridgerton” were filmed near The

Gainsborough Bath Spa. “Game of Thrones” packages at Slieve Donard Resort and Spa tout tours where notable scenes were filmed nearby, including Robb Stark’s battle camp and “Red Wedding.”

With travel halted during the pandemic, scenic destinations felt even more aspirational.

“A lot of what we do in travel marketing is selling that dream of relaxation,” said Delf. “It gives them something to look forward to.”

The production company behind the Florida show said scripted shows are a new genre for travel marketing, and that they’re already in talks to shoot some for other cities in the state. They’re also making a full-length movie for Brand USA, a tourism marketing group that promotes tourism outside of the United States.

“We don’t want people to feel marketed to. We want them to feel lost in the story line and get invested in the characters like any other show on streaming or TV, but we’re providing a positive context for our destination,” said Brianne Maciejowski, director of film and video for Odyssey Studios.

Consumers retain far more from branded content compared to traditional advertising, she said. The Florida TV series ended with a cliffhanger, so a sequel is still possible.

“Part of our business model is to help destinations find a voice in this entertainment-first world,” said Maciejowski. “There’s a lot more in our future.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B9

Facebook launches podcasts, live audio service

By Barbara Ortutay The Associated Press FACEBOOK is launching podcasts and live audio streams in the U.S. on Monday to keep users engaged on its platform and to compete with emerging rivals.

Facebook says it is allowing public figures with verified accounts to

start live audio rooms and invite anyone else to speak. A handful of podcasts will be available to people in the U.S. at first and the company plans to add more down the line.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has appeared on the video streaming app Clubhouse in the past, hosted his own live audio room on his Facebook page last week.

“Live Audio Rooms and podcasts rolling out in the US is just the beginning of our audio journey,” wrote Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, in a blog post Monday. “Looking ahead, we are working with creators who will use our audio tools to further develop and launch Soundbites — short-form, creative audio clips.”

But podcasts and live audio have also been an outlet for racism, misinformation and extremist material. Live audio is particularly difficult to moderate, compared with traditional social media posts.

Facebook, which announced its audio plans to push into audio streams in April, says its rules apply to live audio and podcasts and

anyone can report offending material.

“In addition, our broader integrity and safety work and the tools we have built for proactively and automatically identifying harmful content are great building blocks, but we plan to adapt tech and processes as we learn more,” the company said in a prepared statement.

The company says that it may also retain live audio after it is no longer live to enforce its policies, which will be done both by human moderators and machine learning.

In this April 18, 2017, file photo, a conference worker passes a demo booth at Facebook’s annual F8 developer conference, in San Jose, Calif.

NOAH BERGER | AP PHOTO

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20 SP 438 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ERIC R. WHITMORE AND LINDA A. WHITMORE DATED OCTOBER 30, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7409 AT PAGE 589 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20SP499 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SARAH JUSTICE DATED APRIL 20, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7590 AT PAGE 504 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19sp1568 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARY A. AUTRY AND TRAVIS AUTRY DATED NOVEMBER 4, 1999 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5189 AT PAGE 40 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

18 SP 557 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin W. Heath and Anne J. Heath to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated June 5, 2006 and recorded on June 7, 2006 in Book 7260 at Page 202 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on June 7, 2018 in Book 10319, Page 305, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

18 SP 1217 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Hollie Butler and Daniel Butler to Holly C. Stevens, Trustee(s), which was dated August 5, 1999 and recorded on August 11, 1999 in Book 5144 at Page 0777, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 7, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: THAT CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 0.46 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN GRAY’S CREEK TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 7, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Eric R. Whitmore and Linda A. Whitmore, dated October 30, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $84,000.00, and recorded in Book 7409 at Page 589 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property:

1

9

1

7

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 7, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Sarah Justice, dated April 20, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $50,000.00, and recorded in Book 7590 at Page 504 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1 Stanberry St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 Tax Parcel ID: 0438-17-4779

9

1

8

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 9, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Mary A. Autry and Travis Autry, dated November 4, 1999 to secure the original principal amount of $71,912.50, and recorded in Book 5189 at Page 40 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Glenwick Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 0416-43-8516 Present Record Owners: Eric Whitmore and Linda A. Whitmore

R.

And Being more commonly known as: 1917 Glenwick Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Eric R. Whitmore and Linda A. Whitmore.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

Present Record Owners: Sarah Justice

The Heirs of

And Being more commonly known as: 1918 Stanberry St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Sarah Justice.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

9486-48-8662 Present Record Owners: and Travis Autry

Mary A. Autry

And Being more commonly known as: 7495 Beverly Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28314 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Mary A. Autry and Travis Autry.

Address of property: 7495 Beverly Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID:

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 7, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 61 OF SHERWOOD PARK, SECTION SIX, A PLAT OF WHICH SAID SUBDIVISION IS DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 27, PAGE 51, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Kevin Heath and wife, Anne Heath.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1871 Strathmore Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

CAROLINA; AND BOUNDED, NOW OR FORMERLY BY LANDS OWNED BY AND-OR IN THE POSSESSION OF PERSONS AS FOLLOWS: ON THE SOUTH BY PAVED SR 2234, ON THE WEST BY EDDIE M. MCKOY, JR., AND P.E. SHAW ET UX, AND ON THE NORTH AND EAST BY LANDS OF P.E. SHAW, ET UX; SAID TRACT OF LAND LYING APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF N.C. HIGHWAY NO. 87 AND PAVED SR 2234; AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY COURSES AND DISTANCES ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY ROACH & NOBLES, REGISTERED SURVEYORS, IN MARCH, 1971, AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT AN IRON PIPE AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE (30 FEET FROM CENTER) OF PAVED SR 2234 AND THE EASTERN LINE OF THAT LOT CONVEYED BY DEED TO EDDIE M. MCKOY, JR., AS RECORDED IN BOOK 2006 AT PAGE 681, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, SAID BEGINNING IRON PIPE BEING SOUTH 34 DEGREES 54 MINUTES WEST 111.92 FEET, N. 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES W. 553.25 FEET SOUTH 02 DEGREES 17 MINUTES W. 200.0 FEET AND N. 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES W. 182.0 FEET FROM THE BEGINNING CORNER OF THAT TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 584, PAGE 141, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, AND RUNS THENCE WITH AND BEYOND THE MCKOY LINE N. 02 DEGREES 17 MINUTES EAST 164.0 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE; THENCE S. 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES EAST 122.0 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE IN THE WESTERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE (30 FEET

FROM CENTER) OF STEELE LANE; THENCE WITH SAID WESTERN RIGHT WAY LINE (30 FEET FROM CENTER) OF STEELE LANE S. 02 DEGREES 17 MINUTES W. 164.0 FEET TO AN IRON PIPE IN THE NORTHERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE (30 FEET FROM CENTER) OF PAVED SR 2234; THENCE WITH THE NORTHERN RIGHT OF WAY LINE (30 FEET FROM CENTER) OF PAVED SR 2234 N. 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES W. 122.0 FEET TO THE BEGINNING IRON PIPE. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO KENNETH H. TART AND WIFE, FRANCES H. TART BY TRUSTEE’S DEED, DATED OCTOBER 27, 1988 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3434, AT PAGE 410 OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY AND BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO DANIEL BUTLER AND HOLLIE H. BUTLER BY DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 2265, AT PAGE 99 OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 2763 Blossom Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is March 12, 2021.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109977

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include,

bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Daniel Butler and wife Hollie H. Butler.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the

an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is March 18, 2021.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-110106

Parkway,

Suite

400

an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 1, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 13-040889

Parkway,

Suite

400

but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 18-04904-FC01

mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 16-20122-FC02

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

21 SP 233 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Michael E. Johnson, Jr. and Kamya M. Johnson to The Real Estate Law Firm, Trustee(s), which was dated April 29, 2005 and recorded on May 5, 2005 in Book 6871 at Page 079, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 195

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael W. Cates a/k/a Michael Cates, (Michael W. Cates a/k/a Michael Cates, Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Fred Dearl Cates and Mildred Mabe Cates) to Trustee Services, Inc., Trustee(s), dated the 6th day of July, 2007, and recorded in Book RE 2767, Page 3662-3671, in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Winston-Salem,

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 20SP408 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LARRY THOMAS PHILLIPS AND ROSALIND YVETTE HARRISON DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2000 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1905 AT PAGE 794 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 18sp203 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RALPH L VIEUX AND RACHELLE VIEUX DATED AUGUST 18, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3182 AT PAGE 534 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

19 SP 35 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Carl Degraffenried and Elizabeth Degraffenried to Hutchens & Senter, Trustee(s), which was dated February 21, 2007 and recorded on March 5, 2007 in Book 3298 at Page 304, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM, and will

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 19SP689 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DANA L. LETT DATED AUGUST 12, 2011 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4012 AT PAGE 411 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 21SP60 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMES F. COBLE AND TERESA LEE COBLE DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3493 AT PAGE 265 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

RANDOLPH 19 SP 294 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY

CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 21 SP 307 FOR THE ADOPTION OF A MALE MINOR TO: Biological Father of Baby Boy Carter

conducting the sale on June 30, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

Take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Cumberland County, North Carolina in the above entitled special proceeding.

The Petition relates to Baby Boy Carter, a minor male child born on May 14, 2021 in Cumberland County, NC. The Birth mother is Shirita Latrice Carter, a resident of Fayetteville,

and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

NC. The biological father is reported to be Rasheem Terion Barnett, who is reported to have a last known residence in Fayetteville, NC. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are required to file a response to such pleading not later than 40 days from the first day of publication of this notice, that date being June 23, 2021, and upon your failure to do so the Petitioner will apply to the Court for relief sought

agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

in the Petition. Any parental rights you may have will be terminated upon the entry of the decree of adoption. This the 23rd day of June, 2021. Kelly T. Dempsey, Attorney for Petitioners, 637 McNinch Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587

Said property is commonly known as 1917 Swann St, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Michael E. Johnson, Jr. and wife, Kamya M. Johnson.

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental

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.

Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on July 7, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Winston Salem, in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot No. 42, on the map of Coxwood, Section 2, a plat of which is recorded in Plat Book 16, Page 206, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description.

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.

THISISACOMMUNICATIONFROMADEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES

AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm LLP P.O. Box 12497 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 Phone No: (704) 362-9255 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1306063 (CFC.CH)

Creek Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577 Tax Parcel ID: 17K08031U Present Record Owners: L a r r y Thomas Phillips and Rosalind Yvette Harrison

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

BEING ALL OF LOT 29, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS A REVISION OF LOTS 29 & 30 OF MALLARD CREEK A REVISED MAP ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY BEING RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 60, PAGE 134, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on June 28, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Larry Thomas Phillips and Rosalind Yvette Harrison, dated February 4, 2000 to secure the original principal amount of $94,602.75, and recorded in Book 1905 at Page 794 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property:

301

Twin

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on June 28, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ralph L Vieux and Rachelle Vieux, dated August 18, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $150,320.00, and recorded in Book 3182 at Page 534 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 114 Lane, Smithfield, NC 27577 Tax Parcel ID: 15H07014B

Nicolet

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE WILDERS TOWNSHIP, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 8 OF THE SWIFT CREEK HILLS SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 57, PAGE 269, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: THE APN IS SHOWN BY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR AS 15I07035G; SOURCE OF TITLE IS BOOK 2940 PAGE 698. (RECORDED 07-22-2005).

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

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 6, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Dana L. Lett, dated August 12, 2011 to secure the original principal amount of $102,072.00, and recorded in Book 4012 at Page 411 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 73 Whitley Way, Smithfield, NC 27577 Tax Parcel ID: 04N13031G Present Record Owners: Dana L. Lett

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on July 6, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed James F. Coble and Teresa Lee Coble, dated February 8, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $90,578.00, and recorded in Book 3493 at Page 265 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 108 Sandee Dr, Angier, NC 27501 Tax Parcel ID: 13C04002J Present Record Owners: J a m e s

evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Douglas Wrightson and Robin Wrightson to Amy Mandart, Trustee(s), which was dated February 5, 2004 and recorded on February 12, 2004 in Book 1855 at Page 1775 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on March 10, 2020 in Book 2692, Page 408, Randolph County Registry, North Carolina.

BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 5 OF EARLFIELD ACRES AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 64, PAGE 29, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note

Said property is commonly known as 4464 Jerry St, Trinity, NC 27370.

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

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

And Being more commonly known as: 301 Twin Creek Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Larry Thomas Phillips and Rosalind Yvette Harrison.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

Present Record Owners: Vieux

Ralph

L.

And Being more commonly known as: 114 Nicolet Lane, Smithfield, NC 27577 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ralph L. Vieux.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and

Said property is commonly known as 375 Wildwood Lane, Smithfield, NC 27577.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are

And Being more commonly known as: 73 Whitley Way, Smithfield, NC 27577 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Dana L. Lett.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent

Fleming Coble And Being more commonly known as: 108 Sandee Dr, Angier, NC 27501 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are James Fleming Coble.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and

($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Douglas Wrightson and wife, Robin Wrightson.

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

File No.: 21-02742-FC01

The date of this Notice is May 25, 2021.

Andrew Vining Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-110415

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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

Carl Degraffenried and Elizabeth Degraffenried.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is May 26, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 17-096294

Parkway,

Suite

400

to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 18-23352-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior

(5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice

assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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

superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, 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

that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 15, 2021.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108452

Parkway,

Suite

400

may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 15, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111233

Parkway,

Suite

400

the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-08657-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY 21 SP 74 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John A. Jeffries II and Glenda L. Jeffries, in the original amount of $68,623.00, payable to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., dated July 25, 2011 and recorded on July 27, 2011 in Book RE2243, Page 667, Randolph County Registry.

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION RANDOLPH COUNTY 21SP76 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LORI LYNN HANKINS DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK RE2044 AT PAGE 106 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED ON OCTOBER 18, 2016 IN BOOK 2516, PAGE 505 IN THE RANDOLPH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or usual place of sale in Randolph County, North Carolina, at 10:00AM on July 1, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all that certain 5.001 acre tract of the property of Harold T. Lichtenberg and Analene Lictenberg per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 73 at Page 37, Randolph County Registry, North Carolina Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1824 Pine Hollow Drive, Randleman, NC 27317. Tax ID: 7773356581 Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, recording costs of Trustee’s Deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 1:00PM on June 30, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Randolph County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Lori Lynn Hankins, dated September 19, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $133,780.00, and recorded in Book RE2044 at Page 106 of the Randolph County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 158 Shaw St, Staley, NC 27355 Tax Parcel ID: 8734540443

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, 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 Substitute 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.

Present Record Owners: Hankins

assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

Lori

Lynn

And Being more commonly known as: 158 Shaw St, Staley, NC 27355 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Lori Lynn Hankins.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and

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

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kurtis M. Dziki and Rebecca E. Dziki (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kurtis M. Dziki and Rebecca E. Dziki) to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), dated April 28, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 6922, at Page 394 in Union 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 Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe,

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor

the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

WAKE

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against WILLIAM H BROOKS aka WILLIAM HENRY BROOKS, deceased, of Wake County, N.C. (21-E-1998),

are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before September 17, 2021, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against JUDITH GARRIS, deceased, of Wake County, N.C. (21-E-1960), are notified to exhibit the same to the

undersigned on or before September 17, 2021, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 16th day of June 2021.

Janice Cantey, Administrator, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner, Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 20 SP 1601

Donna Burt Wells, And The Unknown Heirs Of Hawkins Satterfield, Charlie Satterfield, James Oscar Satterfield, Harry Satterfield, Mazie Satterfield, Samuel L. Satterfield, Calvin Louis Satterfield, Mae Williams Satterfield To the unknown heirs named above: A petition has been filed claiming that you have no right, title or interest in the following property.

BEING that tract of land off of West Cornwall Street in the Town of Cary containing approximately 0.97 acres, with tax ID 0062303 as “Charlie Satterfield, Heirs” and bounded on the north by Lots 2 and 3 of the Edwin H.

Neville Property as recorded in BM 1995, page 717, WCR, on the east by Lots 22 and 23 of Block A of the Burtrose Subdivision as recorded in BM 1966, page 35, WCR, on the south by Lots 10, 11, and 12 of Burtrose Subdivision as recorded in BM 1960, page 45, WCR, and on the west by Lots 6, 7, and 8 of Additional to Burtrose Subdivision – Map 3 as recorded in BM 1972, page 127, WCR.

You must respond in writing to the address below by July 26, 2021, or your default will be entered and judgment rendered, declaring that you have no right, title or interest in this property.

The Date of this Notice is June 16, 2021.

HEMPHILL GELDER, P.C.

STAM LAW FIRM, PLLC

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 7, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 52, PHASE IV, PART THREE, ASHLEY HILLS SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON A MAP RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1982, PAGE 345, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 304 Sandy Run, Knightdale, NC 27545.

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

and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Tracey Clark.

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

superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 96

Petition for Partition and to Quiet Title Karen Michelle Bridges vs. Johnathan W. Anderson, Limited Personal Representative of the Estate of Bryant Steven Burt and Sharon Yvonne Burt, Hermelinda Burt,

20 SP 57 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Tracey Clark a/k/a Tracey G. Clark to Brock & Scott, PLLC, Trustee(s), which was dated October 31, 2005 and recorded on October 31, 2005 in Book 011661 at Page 01009, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

19 SP 2531 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on July 1, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lots 1 and 2 as shown on that plat entitled, “Boundary and Division Survey, the property of Helen R. Funderburk Estate” and recorded in Plat Cabinet M File 237 of the Union County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 510 Eubanks Road, Monroe, North Carolina.

a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Estate of Glenda L. Jeffries.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

510 Eubanks Road, Monroe, NC 28112 Parcel ID: 04132014A and 04132014

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.

immediate payment.

This 16th day of June 2021.

Patricia E. Heaps, Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner,

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee John P. Fetner, Bar #41811 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jfetner@mtglaw.com

may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 9, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 18-097230

Parkway,

Suite

400

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 2303 - 5178

Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502 North State Journal: June 16, 23, 30, July 7, 2021

North State Journal: June 16, 23, 30, July 7, 2021

Cameron Stanton

Paul Stam, Attorney for Petitioner Guardian Ad Litem for Unknown Heirs P.O. Box 1600 PO Box 31205

Apex, NC 27502 Raleigh, NC 27622 Tel: (919) 3628873 Tel: 888-443-1446 paulstam@stamlawfirm. com cameron@hemphillgelderlaw.com North State Journal: June 16, 23, 30, 2021

loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-18699-FC01

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 7, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot 254, Phase Two, Harvest Ridge, Edgehill Farm Subdivision, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1986, Page 102, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 130 Gold Meadow Drive, Cary, NC 27513.

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

EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Teresa Karen Whitley.

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-15054-FC01

substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on July 9, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed R. Brandon Starnes, dated August 10, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $183,515.00, and recorded in Book 11568 at Page 2365 of the Wake County Public Registry.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record.

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

Address of property: 6 4 1 6 Arrington Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 Tax Parcel ID: 0030132 Present Record Owners: R. Brandon

Starnes And Being more commonly known as: 6416 Arrington Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are R. Brandon Starnes.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent

(5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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

to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 4, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109537

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 21 SP 678

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on July 6, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING all of Lot No. 18, Kensington Meadows Subdivision, according to map of same recorded in Book of Maps 1981, Page 372, Wake County Registry. See Deed recorded in Book 3544, Page 408, Wake County Registry.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, 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 Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court

to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Zola A. Turner and James L. Smith, in the original amount of $146,000.00, payable to American General Financial Services, Inc., dated July 7, 2005 and recorded on July 7, 2005 in Book 011457, Page 00311, modified by Loan Modification recorded on May 6, 2011 in Book 14344, Page 3, Wake County Registry.

($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Zola Turner.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Teresa Karen Whitley a/k/a Teresa K. Whitley to Title Source, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated August 31, 2001 and recorded on October 18, 2001 in Book 9117 at Page 1081, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 20SP1319 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY R. BRANDON STARNES DATED AUGUST 10, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11568 AT PAGE 2365 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 20SP666 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LEONARD A. MIXON AND JANET MIXON DATED MAY 2, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11960 AT PAGE 2435 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3325 Banks Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Tax ID: 0133747 Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on July 2, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Leonard A. Mixon and Janet Mixon, dated May 2, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $263,000.00, and recorded in Book 11960 at Page 2435 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1 Ravenwing Dr, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 Tax Parcel ID: 0300861

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Present Record Owners: Leonard A. Mixon

The Heirs of

And Being more commonly known as: Ravenwing Dr, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

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The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Leonard A. Mixon.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee

__

By:

______________________________________

John P. Fetner, Bar #41811 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jfetner@mtglaw.com

an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is June 11, 2021.

Andrew Vining Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 17-092656

Parkway,

Suite

400

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North State Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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Stanly County Journal

JESSE DEAL | STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate — N.C. Sen. Jeff Jackson of Mecklenburg — visits Albemarle during his 100-county campaign tour.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Duke Energy building solar plant

Jackson is running to be Democratic nominee for 2022 US Senate

Cabarrus County Duke Energy has begun work on a solar plant that will be built on 185 acres in Midland.

The Speedway Solar Plant will produce 22.6 MW, which will power the equivalent of 5,000 homes. It should be in operation by the end of 2021.

The construction project will employ up to 70 workers.

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

WBTV

Former commissioner arrested on revenge porn Union County Former Union County commissioner Jonathan Ryan Thomas was arrested and charged with violating the state’s “revenge porn” laws. Thomas allegedly took video and photos of a woman engaged in sex acts without her knowledge. He was arrested in early June and charged with disclosure of private images, which is a felony.

WBTV

Mom made daughter bury sister, 4, in backyard Mecklenburg County A mother forced her 13-year-old daughter to help bury her sister in the backyard. CharlotteMecklenburg police charged Malikah Bennett, 31, with firstdegree murder, felony child abuse, inflicting physical injury and felony concealing a death.

Officers found the body of Miegellic “Jelli” Young buried outside her mother’s home in Charlotte. Bennett forced her to stand in a laundry room for three days as punishment for soiling her pants. She eventually became too weak to stand, fell and hit her head.

AP

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State Sen. Jeff Jackson visits Albemarle during 100-county campaign tour ALBEMARLE — For his 25th stop on his “100 Town Halls, 100 Days” tour, North Carolina state Sen. Jeff Jackson (D-37) visited Albemarle’s Rock Creek Park on June 17 to meet with potential voters for his 2022 U.S. Senate campaign.

The 38-year-old Charlotte resident and Chapel Hill native is now a quarter of the way through his goal of holding a town hall in every county in the state, a grassroots plan that commenced on May 22 and runs through Aug. 29.

“This is a true 100-county campaign which hasn’t been done in a long time,” Jackson told a crowd of around 60 people. “You can win statewide by just focusing on five

“One of the benefits of being the candidate with the most legislative experience is that you can look up where I’ve been on these issues the past seven years.”

NC Sen. Jeff Jackson or six counties, but is it the right thing to do? It is not.”

While Jackson has represented Mecklenburg County in the N.C. Senate’s 37th District during the last seven years, his latest mission is to replace retiring Republican Sen. Richard Burr in the U.S. Senate.

Former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley joins Jackson as one of the four Dem-

Albemarle fentanyl dealer receives 11 years in prison

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina announced June 21 that Amaud Jaquane Allen, known as “Bookie,” was sentenced to 11 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl.

Allen, who is from Albemarle, was arrested in December 2019 but sentencing may have been delayed like much of North Carolina’s court system in 2020 due to the global pandemic.

According to a press release, federal Homeland Security investigators worked with local law enforcement to set up two “controlled purchase” operations to build a case against the suspected fentanyl dealer.

In the first operation, law enforcement purchased about “two ounces of fentanyl and a .45 caliber

Stanly County had the second-highest rate of emergency room visits for opioid overdoses per capita in North Carolina, according to the latest NC DHHS data. handgun” from Allen in November 2019. In December 2019, they operated a “buy-bust” operation, arranging to buy “three bags containing approximately 24 grams of fentanyl.”

Allen, 29, was arrested at this point and charged with multiple offenses, including distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Allen pled guilty to the first charge, distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, on

ple Act” voting rights bill.

When asked where his political alignment stands within the Democratic Party, with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to the right and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (IVt.) on the left, Jackson said he is “in between them.”

“We are trying to run a highly transparent campaign to let you decide for yourself, based on specific questions, where you think I am — I also have a big record,” Jackson said. “One of the benefits of being the candidate with the most legislative experience is that you can look up where I’ve been on these issues the past seven years.”

The congressman took a question about the U.S. national debt, claiming that Republicans in Congress “have completely abandoned any attachment they’ve had to fiscal responsibility.”

ocrats campaigning for the spot.

Beasley has generally led in polls, but Jackson is often close behind — like in an April 22 Cardinal Analytics poll with Beasley at 32% and Jackson at 26%.

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep Ted Budd (R-NC13) has received Donald Trump’s endorsement, as well as other prominent North Carolina politicians like U.S. Rep Dan Bishop (RNC9. Former governor and Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory is another major candidate in the running for Burr’s seat and led in early polling.

“You deserve so much better than what you have gotten from your U.S. senators. I want to take your expectations and raise them while reversing everything you’ve seen,” Jackson said in a speech that covered topics as wide as healthcare-system reform and public education funding to climate change and the “For the Peo-

See JACKSON, page 2

March 4, 2021, and was held for sentencing.

The court determined Allen was a “career offender” for these and previous charges. In 2010, Allen was convicted of common law robbery, and in 2017, the Superior Court of Stanly County convicted him of conspiracy to sell a Schedule I controlled substance and two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance.

Because Allen was already a convicted felon at the time of the December 2019 operation, he was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles said that in addition to the 132 months in prison, Allen was ordered to “serve four years of supervised release and to pay a $100 special assessment to the United States.”

Multiple agencies were involved in the operation to arrest and convict Allen, including Homeland Security; the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Albemarle Police Department; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; and the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Principe prosecuted the case.

Allen has long been involved with illegal narcotics distribution networks in the area. He was arrested in October 2015 with 10 others on Arey Avenue in Albemarle by the city’s police department where heroin, cocaine, marijuana, a stolen firearm and $3,184 were found. He was charged with conspiracy to sell and deliver Schedule I and possession with the intent to sell and deliver heroin.

Fentanyl and other opioids continue to be a major cause of death in the United States and Stanly County.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which tracks opioid data by county, in April 2021 — the latest month for which they have complete information — Stanly County had the second-highest rate of emergency room visits for opioid overdoses per capita in North Carolina. For every 100,000 residents, McDowell County had 24 opioid overdose ER visits, and Stanly County followed with 20.7, well ahead of Robeson County, which was third with 16.1 ER visits for opioid overdose.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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Millennial Money: Should you take money advice from Reddit?

By Laura McMullen NerdWallet Should you take money advice from a stranger on the internet? In Reddit’s r/personalfinance channel, anonymous users exchange tips on buying homes, choosing insurance plans and managing very personal, nuanced money situations. (Think: “How do I handle my dying dad’s debts?”)

“It’s like crowdsourcing financial advice,” says Dana Eble, a public relations specialist based in Detroit, who regularly browses r/personalfinance.

If you’re not a “Redditor” like Eble, think of the site like an oldschool online forum. After signing up for free, you can share text, links and photos with an anonymous username. You can also upvote, downvote or reply to other people’s content. Posts and replies with the most upvotes rise to the top.

Reddit is organized by communities, called subreddits, based on interest. The r/personalfinance subreddit is home to 14.6 million members. Here’s what to consider if you’re one of those millions.

How Reddit can motivate and encourage Being active and intentional with money helps you make the most of it. But for many, money is confusing to manage and uncomfortable to discuss.

Scrolling through other people’s questions, problems and advice can make the topic feel more normal and less scary.

The subreddit can even be motivating, particularly for those

TALI ARBEL | AP PHOTO

This June 29, 2020, file photo shows the Reddit logo on a mobile device in New York. just starting to think about financial decisions, says Logan Murray, a Tempe, Arizona-based certified financial planner.

“Seeing peers move on with their finances may encourage you to do the same,” he says. “It can get the wheels turning.”

Murray also likes r/personalfinance for exchanging ideas, like brainstorming passive-income opportunities. With this strategy, he says, “people can choose what resonates with them.”

Millions of people sharing their money experiences may also help you feel less alone. After all, Eble says, the r/personalfinance subreddit is a positive community with “no shaming.”

She remembers the post of a distraught and embarrassed 20-something who had accumu-

lated tons of debt and had to file for bankruptcy. The top reply was from someone saying how they had to do the same in their 20s and that it will be OK. As for the advice — it’s a ‘mixed bag’ The r/personalfinance “Wiki” page is on Reddit but separate from the forum. It’s stuffed with useful, sound guidance on topics like how to budget and much more. Eble consulted it as she began building her emergency fund and learning about 401(k)s.

As for the posts and replies, the quality of advice is a “mixed bag,” says Jeff Ledford of Arlington, Virginia. He frequently browses and replies to r/personalfinance posts and is also a cer-

♦ Boone, Brandon Scott (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Brigman, William Eugene (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of False Report To Police Station (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 6/15/2021

Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 24/27, on 6/21/2021

Female, M (M), at303 N Broome St, Albemarle, on 06/19/2021

♦ Farmer, Cynthia Champion (W F, 60) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault (M), at 607 NFirst St, Albemarle, on 06/14/2021

♦ Kendrick, Christopher Dale (W /M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F) and 2) Fta - Release Order (M), at 1400 Nc 24-27 Bypp W, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021

♦ Fesperman, Bradley Malone (W /M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021

♦ Brislin, Seth Joseph R (W /M/27) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), at 126 W South St, Albemarle, NC, on 6/18/2021

♦ Garner, Mariah Terea (W /F/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021

♦ Burrow, Evelyn Mae (W /F/42) Arrest on chrg of Contempt Of Court (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 6/16/2021

♦ Goodman, Larry Ray J (W M, 50) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 411 SFourth St, Albemarle, on 06/14/2021

♦ Cagle, Cameron Lewis (W /M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 5518 Old Thompson Road, Albemarle, NC, on 6/17/2021

♦ Hathcock, Whitney Nicole (W F, 32) Arrest on chrg of Breaking Or Entering (m) (M),at 503 Old Charlotte Rd, Albemarle, on 06/16/2021

♦ Callahan, Robert Aaron (W M, 27) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F),at Highway 52, Albemarle, on 06/16/2021 ♦ Crump, Octerio Demond (B M, 19) Arrested on Citation of Carrying Concealed Gun(m) (21-02594), at 331 T E White Sr Dr/dr Martin Luther King Jr, Albemarle, on06/19/2021 ♦ Crump, Rico Millard (B M, 26) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), at 321 PouSt/coggins Av, Albemarle, on 06/14/2021 ♦ Dunning, Dakota Austin (W /M/30)

JACKSON from page 1 “I care about deficits and I know that not everybody seems to,” Jackson continued. “I’m 38 with young kids, and I have to assume that having these enormous debts is going to end up

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tified government financial manager.

Ledford says some posters must be professionals because their tips are “spot on.” But “there’s also a lot of advice out there that’s better off ignored.”

Curtis Bailey, a Cincinnati-based CFP, has also seen solid advice on the r/personalfinance subreddit, particularly when it comes to basics like managing debt and cash flow. But he’s also seen misinformation, about taxes, for example.

So it’s hard to tell which advice is worth following, and which is, well, garbage. In fact, Preston Cherry, a Green Bay, Wisconsin-based CFP, describes Reddit’s r/personalfinance as an unfiltered “data dump” with “a lot of unverified information.”

Cherry points out that the country has a low financial-literacy rate, which is likely reflected in a community-based platform.

So the community aspect of Reddit “lowers the quality of information,” he says.

So should you follow advice from r/personalfinance?

Aim to use r/personalfinance more as a source of motivation than concrete advice. In addition to the fact that much of the channel’s advice is unverified, Cherry points out that “personal finances are in fact personal.”

What works for one Redditor won’t necessarily work for you, given that your circumstances and experiences are different.

As Murray concludes: “You’re responsible for your own decisions and to do your own research.”

If you’re considering taking advice from Reddit, first try to verify it elsewhere. Start with a Google search and look for web pages that cite the source of the information or advice, Bailey says. For example, the page may describe a study supporting the advice, show a calculation, or quote an expert or organization.

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Almond, Richard Lee (W /M/21) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer (M), at 712 Berry Hill Dr, Norwood, NC, on 6/19/2021

TUESDAY

JUNE 28

JUNE 27

♦ Hodge, Taylor John (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Larc Merchant Prod Code Fraud (F), at 126 S. Third St., Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Jordan, Brian Wayne (W /M/50) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Controlled Sub Prison/jail (F), at Nc 24-27 Bypass W/s Second St, Albemarle, NC, on 6/16/2021 ♦ Jordan, Elizabeth Danielle (W /F/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Drive, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Kearns, Douglas Edward (W M, 32) Arrest on chrg of Assault On

mattering, especially if we don’t have the historically low interest-rate situation that we’ve enjoyed for the last decade.”

Back on Jan. 26, Jackson officially announced his U.S. senatorial bid and town hall tour — two days later, he reported that

♦ Lambert, Jerry Wayne (W /M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Simple Assault (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at 201 S Second St, Albemarle, NC, on 6/16/2021 ♦ Leblanc, Angela Stallings (W F, 50) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault (M), at 411 WSouth St, Albemarle, on 06/14/2021 ♦ Meadows, Breanna Nacole (W /F/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Morgenstern, Skyler Lugwig (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Safecracking (F), 2) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), and 3) Felony Larceny (F), at Albemarle, Albemarle, NC, on 6/18/2021 ♦ Pazur, Jessica Jade (W F, 38) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at 318 SBell Av/grigg St, Albemarle, on 06/19/2021 ♦ Presnell, Kristy Dawn (W F, 33) Arrest on chrg of Trafficking,opium Or Heroin (F), at207 Barney Poplin Dr, Albemarle, on 06/19/2021 ♦ Rupp, Brett Adam (W /M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Probation Violation (F) and 2) Parole Violation (F), at 14 Cherry St, Badin, NC, on 6/18/2021

his campaign had raised over $500,000 in less than 48 hours, with 90% of contributions coming from North Carolinians and 78% of donations being under $100.

Prior to entering the legislative branch of the state govern-

♦ Smith, Natalie Anne (W /F/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Financial Card Theft (F), 2) Financial Card Theft (F), 3) Financial Card Theft (F), 4) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 5) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 6) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 7) Identity Theft (F), 8) Identity Theft (F), and 9) Identity Theft (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 6/17/2021 ♦ Thomas, Bryon Ray (B /M/32) Arrest on chrg of Fugitive From Justice (F), at 24217 Nc 24-27 Hwy/sam Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 6/16/2021 ♦ Thompson, Victoria Michelle (W /F/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M) and 2) Drive Left Of Center (i) (M), at Norwood, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Waldroup, Justin Wayne (W /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Drive, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Wallace, Aaron Scott (W /M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Att Breaking Or Enter Bldg (f) (F) and 2) Injury To Real Property (M), at 35459 City Lake Drive, Albemarle, NC, on 6/21/2021 ♦ Watts, Doniell Marice (B M, 36) Arrest on chrg of Habitual Larceny, F (F), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 06/17/2021 ♦ Woody, Steven Oneal (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at Old Salisbury Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 6/15/2021 ♦ Ziegenmeyer, Joshua (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of Flee/elude Arrest W/mv (f) (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 6/15/2021

ment, Jackson graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law and became a Gaston County assistant district attorney. He is currently an attorney at the Charlotte office for the Womble Bond Dickinson law firm.

♦ Patris Lutricia McLendon, 69, of Norwood, passed away June 12. ♦ Michael Shane Taylor, Sr., 46, of Oakboro, passed away June 15. ♦ Sia Yang, 82, of Albemarle, passed away June 14. ♦ Chay Ko Thao, 86, of Albemarle, passed away June 14. ♦ Phyllis Elaine Marbry Furr, 85, of Albemarle, passed away June 15. ♦ Hazel Mae Mullis Smith, 85, of Stanfield, passed away June 17. ♦ Eddie Anthony Polk, 62, of Albemarle, passed away June 17. ♦ Marsha Carol Smith, 56, of Stanfield, passed away June 18. ♦ Donald Lewis Fincher, 75, of Albemarle, passed away June 18. ♦ Judy Shoemaker Furr, 72, of Norwood, passed away June 18. ♦ Barbara Blalock Almond, 79, of Norwood, passed away June 19.

See OBITS, page 7

Jackson also serves as a JAG Corps captain with the Army National Guard. This is only the latest stage of his military career, since Jackson enlisting in the United States Army Reserve and deployed to Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

OPINION

3

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Inflation, Putin, the border and the Second Amendment

Should this guidance go into effect, a disabled combat veteran who has chosen the best stabilizing brace for their disability is now a felon unless they turn in or destroy the firearm, destroy the brace, or pay a $200 tax.

LIKE FOR SO MANY OF YOU, being a parent is the greatest joy of my life. As we celebrate Father’s Day this week, I want to first say thank you to all the dads who provide for their family all throughout the year. My dad and grandfather taught me important lessons: like the value of hard work, the importance of keeping your word and a love for the outdoors. Today, it is an amazing blessing to be able to pass those values on to my own son. As you hopefully have enjoyed some time with family and the start of summer, things are heating up in Washington as well — but not for the better.

You’ve probably noticed that in grocery stores, hardware stores and at the gas pump, things cost more. Just last week, consumer prices rose 6.6%, the largest 12-month increase on record. The inflation we are seeing on everyday items like food, lumber and gas is a tax on every American and fueled by out-of-control spending in Washington. Also last week — seizures of the lethal drug fentanyl at our southern border jumped 300%. These numbers underscore the major problems caused by President Joe Biden’s economic and immigration policies.

While that was happening here at home, this past week President Biden met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva, Switzerland. Throughout the month, I was calling on President Biden to postpone the summit with Putin. Dialogue between our countries is important. However, following recent Russian cyberattacks on our critical energy infrastructure and food supply, I believe last week’s summit rewarded this bad behavior and sent the wrong message.

Prior to the summit, President Biden stopped an American pipeline that would create American jobs, yet approved the Russian Nord Stream II pipeline that would strengthen Russia’s stranglehold on Europe. The President also signed the New START nuclear treaty with Russia without securing any critically needed concessions.

I believe President Biden entered last week’s summit weakened because of these actions. Now following their summit, President Biden must do more to hold Russia accountable for its aggression in the U.S. and around the globe. I am hopeful our countries can find

ways to work together, but that will require a change of behavior from Putin. And we must show resolve. This summer, I will be leading the Security Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Since 2015, I have been a loud voice condemning Russian aggression in Europe. You can count on me to continue to hold Russia accountable.

In Congress, I am also focused on protecting our Second Amendment. Last week I led 140 Members of the House of Representatives urging the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to withdraw a new regulation that will punish disabled combat veterans who require stabilizing braces. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and acting director of the ATF Marvin Richardson, we warned this guidance will make millions of law-abiding citizens, including many disabled combat veterans, criminals overnight.

The ATF has repeatedly stated “the brace concept was inspired by the needs of disabled combat veterans who still enjoy recreational shooting but could not reliably control heavy pistols without assistance.” Despite this recognition, I was stunned the ATF would issue guidance that would take away the ability of a disabled veteran to use their firearm and tax them.

Should this guidance go into effect, a disabled combat veteran who has chosen the best stabilizing brace for their disability is now a felon unless they turn in or destroy the firearm, destroy the brace, or pay a $200 tax.

This move by the ATF is not an attempt to curb gun violence, but is a poor attempt to tax law-abiding gun owners and take away disabled veterans’ ability to enjoy recreational shooting. And the ATF knows it. In fact, the ATF had to withdraw similar guidance last year after I called them out for this disturbing anti-Second Amendment policy. We stood up to the ATF then, and I’m doing so once again.

Whether it’s defending our Second Amendment, protecting our national security, or growing our economy, you can rest assured I will always work hard for you.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

The myth of Republican obstructionism According to a Politico analysis, Bill Clinton faced a total of 15 filibusters by the Senate in his two terms.

Obama faced 175 in eight years.

Trump faced over 300 in only four.

THE POLITICAL MEDIA have spent the entire Joe Biden presidency up to this point pressuring holdout moderate Democrats to join the left’s efforts to destroy the legislative filibuster. One way they do this is by cobbling together revisionist histories that cast Republicans as uniquely obstructionist and undemocratic.

CNN’s White House correspondent John Harwood lays out that history in broad strokes: “0 Republican votes for Clinton’s 1993 deficit-reduction plan: 0 Republican votes for Obama’s 2010 national health care plan: 0 Republican votes for Biden’s 2021 covid-relief plan: 0 Republican votes the modern GOP response to Democratic governance is total resistance.”

What he fails to mention is that after President Bill Clinton’s “deficit-reduction” bill, the GOP, often in significant numbers, voted for a slew of big policy reforms: 16 Senate Republicans voted for the Family and Medical Leave Act; a telecommunications reform passed 81-18, with only one Republican voting nay; the welfare-reform compromise bill passed 78-21; the Brady Act gun-control bill only passed because of Republican support; the North American Free Trade Agreement passed 73-26; Biden’s crime bill passed 95-4; just to mention a few.

Of course, in those days, parties would bend over backward to compromise when writing wide-ranging bills so they could claim bipartisan support. This was often the case during the George W. Bush years as well. The Patriot Act was a bipartisan bill. No Child Left Behind, co-written by liberal “lion” Sen. Ted Kennedy, passed 87-10 in the Senate.

It was the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 that frayed the political order in ways from which we haven’t recovered. For the first time in contemporary history, a political party unilaterally crammed through a national reform without any buy-in from half the nation. So, while it’s true that not a single Republican supported President Barack Obama’s 2010 “national health care plan,” it’s also true that not a single Democrat has voted for any of the dozens of bills to repeal “Obamacare.”

Harwood is also right that Biden’s 2021 “covid-relief plan” garnered zero Republican votes. Yet, the CNN correspondent again seems to have forgotten that Democrats filibustered and blocked Republican coronavirus-relief bills dozens of times. You know how many Democrats voted for President Donald Trump’s tax-reform bill? Zero. Democrats filibustered Sen. Tim Scott’s criminal-justice reform bill. They used the filibuster to block funding of Trump’s border wall. They blocked Sen. Ben Sasse’s Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act — a bill that did not restrict abortion but merely compelled doctors to try to save

babies who survived them.

Perhaps Harwood is unaware that Trump faced more procedural delays in his four years in office than any president in history — actually, more than all other presidents in history combined. According to a Politico analysis, Bill Clinton faced a total of 15 filibusters by the Senate in his two terms. Obama faced 175 in eight years. Trump faced over 300 in only four.

I’ve noticed that many liberals attempt to circumvent this prickly reality by pre-writing history: “Is there any doubt that the GOP would end the filibuster for good — in a heartbeat — if it served their purposes?” asked ABC News senior national correspondent Terry Moran, rhetorically. Indeed, there is great doubt, considering that Trump had publicly pressed Sen. Mitch McConnell to blow up the legislative filibuster on numerous occasions, and the Senate leader refused.

Let’s not forget either that Democrats blew up the judicial filibuster. And when it backfired, and Republicans followed the new rules Sen. Harry Reid had instituted, Democrats tried to redefine judicial confirmations as “packing the Court.” There is a perpetually evolving set of rules, and the constant is that these rules must benefit Democrats.

It was also Democrats, led by Biden, who blew up the norms of decorum and bipartisanship in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings when they politicized the nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Only three Democrats voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch. Only one Democrat — Sen. Joe Manchin — voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh after Democrats smeared him with their unsubstantiated charges. And not one Democrat voted for Amy Coney Barrett. Five Republicans voted to confirm Elena Kagan, and nine voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor before Mitch McConnell followed the “Biden rule” on Merrick Garland.

There’s really nothing wrong with inaction in Congress if the country is fundamentally at odds over policy — which is clearly the case these days. The system is built — and political parties exist — to stop each other’s excesses. In that regard, the filibuster has been one of the most effective tools in preserving some semblance of proper constitutional governance.

Now, political parties might be right or wrong, but only one clamors to blow up the rules every time it doesn’t get its way.

And just because Harwood seems to be under the impression that the only vote that matters in Washington is one that propels liberal initiatives doesn’t entitle him to rewrite history.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at National Review and the author of the book “First Freedom: A Ride Through America’s Enduring History With the Gun.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NASCAR

NFL’s Kamara advising NASCAR on growing fan base Lebanon, Tenn.

All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara has gone beyond being just a fan of NASCAR and sponsoring a car. He’s now advising NASCAR on how to add more fans as its first “Growth and Engagement Advisor.” In this new role, Kamara will connect with fans and share his own fan experience digitally and on social media. The announcement came on Twitter, and he also will work with NASCAR’s marketing team. Kamara mentioned Michael Jordan and Pitbull becoming involved as owners of Cup teams as proof of the sport’s growing diversity.

NHL

Islanders sell out season tickets for 1st season in new arena New York In the midst of the New York Islanders’ second straight trip to the semifinal round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and nearly 4½ months before the opening of their new arena, season tickets for the first season in their new home are sold out. UBS Arena, under construction next to the racetrack at Belmont Park and expected to open in November with a capacity of around 17,000 for hockey, has sold its allotment of about 15,000 season tickets, the Islanders announced Monday. The Islanders plan to start a waiting list for season tickets, and individual game tickets will also be sold.

MARK HUMPHREY | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson crosses the finish line to win Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway.

Larson romps to yet another victory for Hendrick Motorsports The No. 5 won for the fourth straight week in NASCAR’s return to Nashville

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press LEBANON, Tenn. — Kyle Larson won again — that’s all he does these days — this time in the Cup debut at Nashville Superspeedway, where Hendrick Motorsports’ new star drove to Victory Lane for the fourth consecutive week.

Larson led 264 of 300 laps Sunday for his third consecutive win in a points race, fourth straight including last weekend’s AllStar race. That win at Texas Motor Speedway kicked off a stretch of four wins in seven days as Larson collected the $1 million All-

Star payout then traveled to Ohio to pocket the $6,000 purses in two sprint car races.

Rick Hendrick’s cars have won six consecutive weeks dating to Alex Bowman’s May 9 win at Dover.

Nashville Superspeedway reopened this weekend after a decade of dormancy to host its first Cup race. NASCAR’s top series last raced in the Nashville-area 37 years ago at the Fairgrounds, where Geoff Bodine won in the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick.

To celebrate his win in his new No. 5, Larson did burnouts along the entire Nashville frontstretch to put on a show for the sold-out crowd of 40,000.

“There’s a lot of fans out there, and we had enough rubber and enough fuel there to do a good

“My goodness, we don’t have anything for those Chevrolets right now.”

Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford driver on Chevrolet finishing 1-2-3 burnout at the end,” Larson said.

Next up for Larson is a trip to Brandon, South Dakota, for Monday and Tuesday night World of Outlaws races at Huset’s Speedway.

Larson’s fourth Cup points win of the season was the first with sponsor Valvoline on his hood, which marked just the third time

in 17 races so far this season that Larson featured a non-Hendrick company on his car. He’s largely unsponsored after missing all but four races last season during a NASCAR suspension for using a racial slur while participating in an online race.

Ross Chastain finished second for Chip Ganassi Racing and Hendrick driver William Byron was third in a Chevrolet podium sweep.

“My goodness, we don’t have anything for those Chevrolets right now,” said Ford driver Aric Almirola, who finished fourth after starting from the pole.

His Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick finished fifth in one of the better days for the slumping organization. The pair of top-fives came the same day team co-owner Tony Stewart was at his first Cup race since the start of the pandemic.

NASCAR races both Saturday and Sunday next weekend in a doubleheader at Pocono Raceway.

Harvick and Denny Hamlin split the two races last season.

NCAA President Mark Emmert told the organization's more than 1,200 member schools Friday that he will seek temporary rules as early as July to ensure all athletes can be compensated for their celebrity with a host of state laws looming and congressional efforts seemingly stalled.

GOLF

Korda wins in Michigan for 2nd LPGA victory of year Grand Rapids, Mich.

Nelly Korda became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season, closing with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory in the Meijer LPGA Classic. The Gainbridge LPGA winner in February, Korda finished at 25-under 263 to break the tournament record at Blythefield Country Club.

She shot a career-best 62 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round.The 22-year-old American, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, is the daughter of retired Czech tennis players Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova.

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

BICYCLING

Cavendish to return to Tour de France after 3-year absence Brussels Veteran sprinter Mark Cavendish will make a return to the Tour de France after a three-year absence from cycling’s biggest event, his team said on Monday. Cavendish was not expected to be among the eight riders selected

by Deceuninck-QuickStep but was a last-minute inclusion following Sam Bennett’s withdrawal. The three-week race starts on Saturday in Brittany from the port city of Brest. The 36-year-old Cavendish has won 30 Tour de France stages, putting him second in the all-time list behind only Belgian great Eddy Merckx. He last won a stage in 2016.

Emmert urges schools to act on NIL or he will The NCAA president is pushing the organization’s member schools to pass legislation that would allow student-athletes to be compensated

By Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press ROSEMONT, Ill. — NCAA President Mark Emmert told the association’s more than 1,100 member schools Friday that he will seek temporary rules as early as July to ensure all athletes can be compensated for their celebrity with a host of state laws looming and congressional efforts seemingly stalled.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Emmert urged members to pass legislation by the end of June that would for the first time make it permissible for college athletes to earn money off their names, images and likenesses.

All three divisions of NCAA athletics have been working toward reforming NIL rules and lifting restrictions on athletes since 2019.

“Since that time, many states have enacted NIL legislation and 10 state laws can take effect this July. It is therefore essential we now enact rules before the end of the month,” Emmert wrote in an email sent to presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, senior compliance administrators, conference commissioners and others.

“By July, all our athletes should be provided NIL opportunities regardless of the state they happen to live in.”

Mark Emmert, NCAA president The NCAA Division I Council meets Tuesday and Wednesday and could act on an NIL proposal that was expected to be voted on back in January.

Instead, Emmert encouraged membership at that time to put the vote on hold after the Justice Department notified the NCAA that it’s proposed rule changes could violate antitrust law.

Since spring, Emmert has encouraged membership to move forward on NIL reform and has said he was confident new rules would be in place before the start of next football season.

Six states have NIL laws set to go into effect July 1 that will permit college athletes to be paid for endorsements, personal appearances and social media posts, setting up the possibility of patchwork rules from coast to coast for thousands of athletes.

“By July, all our athletes should be provided NIL opportunities regardless of the state they happen to live in,” Emmert wrote in the memo.

The NCAA has asked Congress for help in the form of a federal NIL law that would set uniform standards and preempt state laws.

But it appears nothing will get done in Washington before the August recess.

Emmert wrote that if NCAA rules changes are not in place by July, he will take action.

“I have directed my staff to create proposals to this end. We will provide more details next week as this approach is reviewed by the NCAA Board of Governors and the divisional governance bodies,” he wrote.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

5

West Stanly softball coach announces retirement Assistant coach Emily Smith will take over for Craig Carter

76-4

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHOTO

Local fans will be allowed at the Tokyo Games but with strict limitations — including no cheering.

Tokyo Olympics to allow local fans — but with strict limits Japan’s top medical adviser had recommended that having no fans would be safest

By Stephen Wade The Associated Press TOKYO — A sharply limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the Tokyo Olympics, organizers announced Monday as they tried to save some of the spirit of the Games where even cheering has been banned.

Organizers set a limit of 50% capacity — up to a maximum of 10,000 fans, all of whom must be Japanese residents — for each Olympic venue, regardless of whether it is indoors or outdoors. Officials said that if coronavirus cases rise again the rules could be changed and fans could still be barred all together. Spectators from abroad were banned several months ago, and now some local fans who have tickets will be forced to give them up.

The decision comes as opposition among Japanese to holding the Games in July remains high, though may be softening, and as new infections in Tokyo have begun to subside.

Still, health officials fear that in

“We believe the risks of infections inside venues would be lowest by holding the event with no fans.”

Report from a group of experts led by top Japanese medical adviser Dr. Shigeru Omi a country where the vast majority of people have yet to be vaccinated, crowds at the Olympics could drive cases up. The country’s top medical adviser, Dr. Shigeru Omi, recommended last week that the safest way to hold the Olympics would be without fans. Allowing fans presents a risk not just at the venues but will also lead to more circulation on commuter trains, in restaurants and other public spaces.

It’s already become clear that these Olympics Games will be unlike any others, but organizers have said they are determined to hold them and billions of dollars in broadcast rights and ticket sales are at stake. Still, much of the fanfare that surrounds them — people from around the world rubbing elbows, a celebratory atmosphere in the host

city and the showcasing of the host country’s culture — will be off the table or far more muted this year.

Seiko Hashimoto, the president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, called the decision “the last piece for the Olympics” to proceed on July 23.

But as with everything about these Olympics — the first postponed in the history of the Modern Games dating from 1896, though previous ones were canceled during both World Wars — the decision raised many questions.

For one, it is not quite what it seems. Although a maximum of 10,000 fans will be allowed in any given venue, so-called stakeholders — including sponsors and sporting federation officials — will not be counted toward that total, according to organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto. Japanese media, for instance, reported that up to 20,000 people might attend the opening ceremony, over and above athletes, though Muto said he thought it would be less than that.

The decision on local fans was announced after so-called Five Party talks online with local organizers, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Japanese government and the government of metropolitan Tokyo. A decision on the Paralympics comes on July 16.

Officials say local fans will be under strict rules. They will not be allowed to cheer, must wear masks, and are being told to go straight home afterward.

OAKBORO — After capping off the 2021 season with conference and state championship victories, West Stanly’s Craig Carter officially announced his retirement Monday from high school softball coaching.

“It has been a wonderful 18 years coaching at the high school level and I have many treasured memories ... none more special than my last 4 years at West Stanly High School,” Carter said in a press release from the school.

During Carter’s four years leading the Colts, his teams compiled a 76-4 overall record — including a 36-0 record against Rocky River Conference opponents — and two state championships (2019 and 2021).

In May, eighth-seeded West Stanly (200, 10-0 RRC) defeated the second-seeded South Granville Vikings (14-2, 10-0 Northern Carolina Conference) in back-to-back games of a best-of-three championship series, marking the fourth state playoff title for the school’s softball program (1997, 2013, 2019, 2021).

That state championship came less than a month after the Colts claimed the RRC Tournament championship thanks to a 10-0 win over Mount Pleasant.

It was a dominant season for West Stanly — the Colts outscored their opponents 18819 in 20 games during the 2021 season.

West Stanly assistant coach Emily Smith will take Carter’s position as coach of the softball program.

“I am very excited and honored to be given the opportunity to be the head coach of West Stanly Softball,” Smith said. “This program is very special to me. It has so much tradition and success, and I am excited to keep that going. I have enjoyed coaching with Coach Carter and will cherish those memories forever. I look forward to getting back to work with our team.”

Smith has assisted the Colts’ coaching staff since 2017, although she left for a brief stint in 2019 to work for Catawba College’s softball program. Between 2011 and 2014, Smith was a leading pitcher for the Catawba Indians, finishing her collegiate career with a 2.43 career ERA (sixth-best in program history) and 38 victories (fifth-most in program history) from the mound.

Prior to that, Smith — now a fifth-grade teacher at Oakboro Choice STEM School — was a four-year varsity pitcher at West Stanly, where she won 85 games while garnering All-State and All-District honors.

The West Stanly softball team’s record in four seasons under coach Craig Carter

Trackhouse Racing aims to be Nashville’s newest pro sports team Daniel Suarez finished seventh at Sunday’s Cup Series race in Music City

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Trackhouse Racing introduced itself to Nashville outside of Tootsie’s, the famed honkytonk located in the shadow of the Ryman Auditorium. In two years, it hopes to be NASCAR’s newest professional sports team.

Trackhouse is in its first season of existence and based in North Carolina, the hub for almost every NASCAR team. But team owner Justin Marks is a Nashville resident and by 2023 wants Trackhouse operating in Music City in the heart of the downtown entertainment district.

“We really want to be Nashville’s racing team,” said Marks, who secured sponsorship from Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge for the No. 99 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Suarez.

The Chevy this week has been wrapped in purple and adorned with a pair of large orchids to match Tootsie’s iconic building located on Lower Broadway. Suarez finished seventh Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series’ return to Nashville.

Suarez, the 2016 Xfinity Series champion and only full-time Mexican driver in NASCAR, is in his fifth Cup season but happier with Trackhouse than his previous three teams. Pairing with Suarez and Pitbull, a musician and partner in the team, fits Marks’ goal to reach a demographic largely untouched in NASCAR. “A lot of what we’re doing with the 99 car is trying to tap into the United States’ Latin market, which has a spending power of $1.3 trillion a year,” Marks said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s a large group of people, passionate sports fans, and they are American consumers.

JENNA FRYER | AP PHOTO

Trackhouse Racing hopes to be operating from downtown Nashville by 2023.

There’s not really another team in NASCAR that has infiltrated that market.”

And he wants to do it from Nashville, but in the entertainment district and not the industrial park-type setup many NASCAR teams have built.

“We don’t want to build something the way they exist in Charlotte, we want something in downtown Nashville that is a public business open to the public every day that is a racing-themed attraction,” Marks said. “We want to incorporate entertainment, music, everything that is synonymous with Nashville but with that Americana-racing theme.”

There is still this first season to

“He doesn’t mind to take risks, and that’s why I am here with him right now in this ride.”

Driver Daniel Suarez on Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks get through on the track, as well as Marks’ search for a charter that guarantees Suarez a spot in the field each week. Trackhouse leased a charter from Spire Motorsports this year but NASCAR rules don’t

allow the team to lease the same charter in consecutive seasons.

Spire said Friday it has sold two of its three charters to Kaulig Racing for that team to move to Cup next season.

That leaves Marks scanning the market and trying to determine his best path.

Suarez is with his fourth team in four seasons but never happier than he is with Trackhouse.

“We have an amazing opportunity to do something different and I love the way Justin thinks, he thinks outside the box and has a lot of very cool ideas that I like,” Suarez said. “He doesn’t mind to take risks, and that’s why I am here with him right now in this

ride.”

He’s done well this year at tracks that have had a practice session, starting with the dirt track at Bristol where he led 58 laps and finished a season-high fourth.

“I feel like we have the speed.

We are still making mistakes as a new group,” said Suarez, who noted Trackhouse experimented last week at Texas and “we completely missed it.”

“Those are the things that we are paying the price once in a while of a new group not having practice or any testing,” he said.

“But we are really smart, we know what we have to do, we know what works for us and we’re trying to stick with that plan.”

ment. area.”

EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, Junethe 23,virus.

2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance 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 What 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 r city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they especially for those who ar dle of a predominantly black, on Monday Defense By Kathy Gannon have nosaid means of transpo see as a disturbing trend ofKirby the viincome residential neighborSecretary Lloyd Austin has reguThe Associated Press to stores located farther aw rus killing African Americans at a d has been chosen. larly reviewed the U.S. withdraw“For people who higher rate. ty and state officials are conal, which he said is “on pace” and don’t KABUL, Afghanistan — Talicar, by what they do?” ask Nutbush resident Patricia ed that ban an fighters influx took of patients willHarbe finished earlydo Septemcontrol of a key ber. “It is a dynamic situation, district Afghanistan’s ris, who spoke and to The Ass ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, as in well as nearbynorthern we’vethe said that from the very be- a bott province Press while lugging were “trying to contaminate” sissippi, Kunduz Arkansas andMonday rural and enginning,” Kirby said. circled the provincial capital, potergent, a package of bott neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospiAustin is “looking at the situalice said, as the insurgent group terwith andaother items Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears are echoed across tion every day fresh set of from t added to its recent battlefield vicADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car.

She note can American Memphis pastor, country:tories Governors, mayors eyes to see if, you know, the pace while peace talks have stalegrocery store recently clos understands the anxiety.we“This health mated. experts in numerous This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center are setting is the appropriate pace.”

Among the uncertainThe Taliban’s gains came as her house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. ties,said. officialstravel have said, is theto State Pentagon reaffirmed farther get to Gat cern and skepticism,” Fisher tructingthemakeshift medicalthe U.S. Department’s needs for embastroop withdrawal was still on pace “When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. to conclude by early September. sy security and its decisions about got to consider the black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New YorkFighting City, they’re turngetting interpreters and other Af- people around Imam Sahib neighborhood,” she said. “W skeptical of governmentalghans intersicbyCity Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center who worked with the Amerdistrict beganconvention late Sunday, and icans out of the country. need to make the neighb middaythe Monday, the TalibanChattanooga had with Locating a treatment center for vention that did not consult Convention Center, in Chicago, McCormick government overrunCenter; the district headquarters worsethe than it already is.” e Convention and in the Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.” Talks between andchief the Taliban taking in Cohen, in controlAmerof police headU.S. Rep.place Steve Doug McGowen, the city’s sites away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: dy, Utah,and thewere Mountain Qatar have stalemated. While quarters, said Inamuddin RahphissayDemocrat, said the d Gate-leaders It could potentially expose them operating officer, said theTaliban borhoods.

Expo Center. they are ready mani, provincial police spokesdoesn’t make sense. beThe Gateway Shopping Cen- to the virus amid concerns that way site was being considered he U.S. man.

Army Corps of Engito negotiate, observers familiar sure there are othe accomter in the Nutbush neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 cause it could potentially with s has beenTaliban scouting locations the talks “I’m say the insurgent militants were withmovement seems more anxious in half a mile of Kunduz, the prohundreds of beds. He said that would work,toand they Tennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate ABDULLAH SAHIL | AP PHOTO chalk up military vincial capital but had not entered have gains usedhoping thosetorather t compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment strengthen their negotiating posi- neighbo into the city, he said, although An Afghan army Humvee patrols in Kunduz city, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, site, it would hold only mildly ill into a residential backup sites. They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close. tion. there were reports of small bands June 21, 2021. said. bethisCohen Nutbush resident and commu- coronavirus patients who could ed the whole list, but Bill lyandDollar, a beauty supply shop, Later week, President Joe of Taliban nearGov. the outskirts

6

Taliban take key Afghan district, adding to string of gains

residents trying to leave for Kabul.

Dozens of districts have fallen or wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah to the Taliban since May 1, when U.S. and NATO troops began their Mujahed confirmed Imam Sahib final departure from Afghani- district was in Taliban hands.

Several other districts in Kunstan. Like Imam Sahib district in northern Kunduz, their signif- duz have also fallen to the insuricance often lies in their proximity gent group in the latest round of fighting, including Dasht-e-Arto roads and major cities.

Imam Sahib is strategically lo- chi, which neighbors Imam Sahib, cated near Afghanistan’s northern said Rahmani, further consolidatborder with Tajikistan, a key sup- ing local transportation links in the area. ply route from Central Asia.

In recent days, the Taliban have Rahmani said police and Afghan National Army soldiers had taken several districts across the three northern of Kunjointly tried to defend the district. bin Salman, a son ofprovinces King Salman, Associated Press He said it still wasn’t clear assented how duz,to Baghlan the deal.and Balkh, said casualties the Afghan Na- Mousavi. Significantly, witness“I go with the consent, so I UBAI, many United Arab Emirtional Security and Defense Forc- es said Doshi district in Baghlan agree,” the prince chuckling, — OPEC, Russia andprotracted other battle province was said, in Taliban hands, es suffered in the drawing a round of gives applause from roducing nations Sunday which if it true the insurgent or how manyon Taliban were killed

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

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.

This could be the largest re- on production cuts, sending pricion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply perhaps a decade, maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over said U.S. Energy Secretary what it described as comments Brouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which ident Donald Trump’s per- finds itself trying to appease l involvement in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic.

Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpout as soon as countries are ready Zeke Miller Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end By a price war between to receive the doses and the adThe Associated Press boost ministration prices as American shale di Arabia and Russia. sorts out logistical firms face far-higher production il prices have collapsed as the complexities, including vaccinaWASHINGTON, D.C. — Presition suppliestroops like syringes and alBiden is expected tocosts. fall American had been navirus dent andJoethe COVID-19 cohol cold-storage shorthave of hislargely commitment deployed toprep the pads, kingdom for thefor ss it causes halt- to shipthe since doses,the customs procedures ping and 80 million vac- time Sept. 11, 2001, lobal travel slowedCOVID-19 down first cine doses abroad by the end of and even language barriers. over concerns r energy-chugging Psaki said she was of not Iraniaware of June because of sectors regulatory attacks and regional tenas manufacturing.

It has how manyamid doses would be shipped other hurdles, officials said asan theyretaliation stated announced the oil industry in sions. new plans Monday for by the end of the month.

The excess not last needsharing thepumps shots globally.

“They’ve spent doses overarethe U.S., which now more ed in the U.S., where demand The White House announced month waging war on Americanfor e than any other country. the final allocations for the dos- vaccinations has plummeted in ut somees, producers have been oil producers while we are defendwith 60 million shots going to recent weeks as more than 177 This is not how ctant to the ease supply.

The vaccine-sharcar- ing theirs. million Americans havefriends received global COVAX treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday ing alliance and 20 million being at least one shot.

May 17, Biden announced directed to specific But aOnRepublican from North ed to allow Mexico to cut partners. only Cramer, “over the the next six weeks, fewer athan 10 million doses Dakota, have that before OPEC+ deal. the 000 barrels month, a stickStates have of America will been the world, U.S.United producers already point for anshipped accordaround initially including 2.5 million doses de- send 80 million doses overseas. been reducing output. The Amerhed Friday after a marathon livered to Taiwan over the week- This will be more vaccines than Institute laud-to o conference between 23 na-dosesican any country has actually shared end, and about 1 million de- Petroleum pact, saying it s. The nations agreed date —global five times more than any livered together to Mexico, Canada ed andSunday’s other more than RusSouth Korea earlierathis will help getcountry other — nations’ stateut 9.7 million barrels daymonth.

China, which have donatOfficials said that whileowned the sia oiland production to follow the ughout May and June. ed 15 million doses.”

U.S.-produced doses are ready, he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are tryEarlier this month, Biden andeliveries have been delayed due ing to adjust plunging s beforeto Asian markets re- counnouncedtothat on topdemand. of the 80 U.S. and the recipient Brouillette said the U.S.purchasing did not ned Monday and as internatries’ legal, logistical and regula- million, the U.S. was commitments itsPfizer ownto al benchmark Brent crude make 500 million doses of from tory requirements. globally coming to beproduction the donatecuts, butover wasthe able to ed at just“What over we’ve $31 afound barrel year, with the biggest challenge is not actualshow the obvious —first thatdeliveries plungingexAmerican shale producers the supply — we have plenty pected in August. demand Biden because of the pandemggle. ly initially committed to of doses to share with the world ic is expected toother slashnations U.S. oilwith pro-all ideo aired providing — by butthe thisSaudi-owned is a Herculean logistiduction. lite channel Al-Arabiya 60 million U.S.-produced doses of cal challenge,” said White House the AstraZeneca which secretary JenSaudi Psaki.

Iranian Oil Ministervaccine, Bijan Zanwed the press moment that to bestate authorized for use Psaki said Abdulaziz shipments willganeh go has alsoyettold television rgy Minister Prince

group control of the one road that links five northern provinces to the capital Kabul.

The Taliban have circulated videos on their website and to WhatsApp groups which they claim show government soldiers who have surrendered being told to return to their homes and receiving money from the Taliban. On Sunday, Taliban leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhunzada issued a statement ordering his soldiers to “treat those who surrender well and display good behavior with them.”

But the fighting has been bitter in some districts with both sides suffering casualties. A senior police official, speaking on condition

he not be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said the police fighting in the districts are mostly from poor families. Those families have remained poor despite the trillions of dollars spent in Afghanistan in the past 20 years. “They have not seen changes in their lives and are indifferent, so they see no difference. ... They want to save their lives just for today.”

Taliban gains and the steady withdrawal of the remaining 2,500-3,500 U.S. troops and 7,000 NATO forces have lent an urgency to efforts to find a negotiated end to Afghanistan’s protracted conflict.

Pentagon press secretary John

Biden will meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the country’s High Council for National Reconciliation, which oversees the government’s negotiation team.

Friday’s meeting in Washington, according to a White House statement, is intended to reaffirm America’s financial and humanitarian aid “to support the Afghan people, including Afghan women, girls and minorities.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday their conversation would also “continue to discuss how we can work together to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorist groups who pose a threat to the U.S. homeland.”

Biden outlines vaccine plan, set to miss global-sharing goal

SAUDI ENERGY

In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response to plummet prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem

that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés praise.

“The pure size of the cu the United Arab Emirates would Manuel López Obrador, had said cut another 2 million barrels of Friday that he had agreed with precedented, but, then ag FRANCISCO SECO | AP PHOTO oil a day between them atop the Trump that the U.S. will compen- is the impact the corona In this Monday, Jan.three 4, 2021, file photo, frozen vials of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are on demand,” said M sate what Mexico cannot add COVID-19 to having OPEC+ deal. The countries taken to thaw, at the MontLegia CHCthe hospital in Liege, med Ghulam, an energy an proposed cuts.Belgium. did notout immediately acknowledge “The big Oil Deal with OPEC Raymond James. the cut themselves, though ZanBut Ghulam and others hunganeh attended the video conferlaysia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, ping. Plus is done. This will save in the U.S. but is widely approved it mayand notthe bePacific enough. of thousands of energy jobsCambodia ence.

Taiwan, Ondreds Monday, it revealed plans around the world. The AstraZeneIslands; 10ismillion fora tempo for 55in million more shots. caOfficials doses have been held planned up for ex- cuts “This at least the United States,” Trump said and about said other countries COVAX, the latest port bystand a weekslong for theselected energyinindustry in a tweet.

“I would like toAfrica, thankwithlief would in thesafety deal,review meaning Through concert the global Africaneconomy.

Union. batchand of doses will include about by the Food and Drug Adminis- cut This i congratulate President Pu-withthe an 8-million-barrel-per-day About 14 million doses will be 14 million for Latin America and tration. is too big to be let to fail and tin of Russia and King Salman of from July through the end of the Given declining domestic de- the Caribbean, including Brazil, shared directly with Colombia, liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for mand, Biden was expected to be Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecua- Argentina, Haiti, Dominican Rethis agreement,” said Per M The Kremlin said President 16 months beginning inmillion 2021. dor, Paraguay, public, Costa Rica, Panama, AfBolivia, Uruguay, able to meet the full 80 ghanistan, Pakistan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honducommitment the AstraNysveen, the head of ana Vladimir Putin held a joint call Bangladesh, “This will without enable the rebalancPhilippines, Vietnam, Indoneras, Haiti, Dominican Zeneca doses.

The Whiteand House Energy.

“Even tho with Trump andRepublic, Saudi King Sal- Rystad ing of the oil markets the exunveiled plans earlier this month Panama and Costa Rica; approx- sia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, pected rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small for the first 25 million doses imately 16 million for Asia for In- Ghana, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Jorwhat Tunisia, the market needed a deal. Bangladesh, It also saidPakistan, Putin spoke per theexisting short term,” dan,sepIraq, Yemen, Oman, dia, Nepal, for barrel export in from federal said stock buildi arately Afghanistan, with TrumpMalaboutWest the oil astockpiles statement from Nigeria’s Bank postpone and Gaza, the Ukraine, Sri Lanka, of Pfizer, Moderna and oil andthe wor Bhutan,and Philippines, Viet- Kosovo, Georgia, Johnson & Johnson vaccines and dives,market straintsMoldova problem, other issues. ministry.

Bosnia. nam, Indonesia, Ma- cautious some have had already begun shipnow avoided.”

AnalystsThailand, offered Mexico initially blocked

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P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

7

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries Sia Yang

Eddie Polk

SIA YANG, 82, of Albemarle, EDDIE ANTHONY POLK, passed away on June 14, 2021 62, of Albemarle passed away on Jason Tony at her home. She was born on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Atrium September 21, 1938.

Health Cabarrus.

His funeral will Efird Smith Sia is survived by her loving be graveside on Monday, June spouse, Chay KoEUGENE Thao; six sons, ASON “GENE” SMITH, 72, of 21, at 11ONY AM MONROE at Stanly Gardens Chong Toua Thao94,ofwent Laos, Chia EFIRD, home to be withof Memory Rockwell, NC, went to be with Mausoleum with his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Neng Thao, Nyia Za Thao, Cha Megan Depasquale officiating. home in Stanfield. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Thao, Chou Thao of Albemarle, Entombment will follow.

The A Gene was of born October 9, 1925, in his home surrounded by family.

NC, Mai Ya Thao Clearwater, family will receive friends onheld.

County toand the late private family service will be FL; 38Cabarrus grandchildren; 53 SimeonSunday evening fromcan 6 until 8 PM Jason Efird and the late Sarah Ella Online condolences be made at great-grandchildren. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Burris Efird.

In addition to his stanlyfuneralhome.com Visitation and funeral services Albemarle. was preceded in death byCare ofTony was born August 11, 1947 will beparents, held athe Americans Born September 13, in his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, in Stanly County to the1958 late Pearlie Veterans Post 910, 29856 Bob County, was the Mary Lambert, Fannie Almond, Stanly Asbury SmithNC, andhe Emmer Lee son Cat Rd., Albemarle, NC 28001, Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and of the Smith. was the son in Polk law ofand Pat late He George Wayne Saturday, from 8am, June 26, HomerRubyand Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Mick Cagle worked at Ray Polk.

Hewhere was he a former 2021 until Sunday, June Efird,employee Efird,12noon, Getus Efird and Wayne the fishofhouse for many years until Clayton Homes 27, 2021.

Sr. opened House Seafood and he later ran Anchor his own business, Burial A will takefuneral placeservice at Stanly private will be Carolina in Rockwell.

He and his wife Becky Technical Services.

He Gardens ofon Memory, held Saturday,2001 April East 11, 2020 and operated Anchor House lovedowned riding motorcycles. at Love’ s Grove United Methodist for 25 years before retiring in 2009.

Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

Mr. Polk is survived by his Church Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith was a charter member Hartsell Funeral Home of fiancé Wanda Locklear of officiated

by Rev.the JimYang White. Burial and deacon Gail at Open Door Baptist Albemarle is serving Albemarle; daughters Hailey will follow at the Love’ s Grove United Church in Richfield.

He loved family. Online condolences can be Smith and husband Ben of the Church Cemetery, 4360 Lord and his family abundantly. Tony given atMethodist www.hartsellfh.com.

Albemarle and Bridget Kaylor;

Freddie Fink

FREDDIE FINK, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Thursday, Merle June 17, 2021 in her son’s home.

Her funeral Helms will be graveside at 3 PM on Monday, June 21, 2021 at ERLE LORRAINE Saint Stephen’s WesleyanAUSTIN Church HELMS, 72, of Marshville, Cemetery with Rev. Jody Wetta passed away Wednesday, April 8, officiating.

The family will receive 2020 at McWhorter Hospice House friends on Monday at Stanly in Monroe.

Funeral andwas Cremation of Lorraine born AprilCare 28, 1947 Locust from 2:30 PM. in Monroe to12:30 the lateuntil Homer David Born and August 1945 in Austin Jewell18, Delphia-Jane Cabarrus County, she was Austin. She was alsoNC, preceded in the daughter of the late Hermon death by brothers, A.D. and Teddy Austin;Griffin and sister, JoyHazel Austin.

Roscoe and The family receiveShe friends Virginia Kikerwill Griffin. was a from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, member ofpm Berea Baptist Church 10, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral inApril Stanfield.

She was a former Home of Albemarle. funeral employee of CannonThe Mills and servicefrom will bePhillip at 11:00Morris. am on retired Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist In addition to her parents, Church in Marshville, officiated Mrs. Fink was preceded inLeon death

by Rev. John Miller and Rev. byWhitley. her beloved husband Clement She will lie in state for 30 Eugene brothers Buck minutesFink, prior to the service.

She will Griffin, J. rest T. Griffin, and Larry be laid to in the church cemetery. sistersbyRuby Kiker and Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. was a wonderful husband, father, and Griffin She and is survived her beloved two grandfather sisters, Vivian Gregory and Evelyn Hatley.

Survivors include Survivors include son Gerald and could fix anything husband of 47 years, Paul Helms of on.

Norwood Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; husband he putBuddy his hands of the home; son,Voncannon Alex (Deanna) sons Rex Allan and daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartselland Crystal Mr. Smith is survived Helms of Pageland; daughter,and Paula Wooten and by his wife wife Jennifer of Oakboro, of Stanfield; granddaughters, BeckyMike Cagle of Smith of theNC; home, (CristinDale Brandt) Helms of Mint husband Dallas, six Robbie Voncannon andHill; Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren sons Walter Smith Robbie grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and grandchildren Cadie,and Caitlynn, wife Candy of Stanfield, sister Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and great-Camden, Smith;Cole, daughter Kayla Henderson Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, Nyoka and Winter Helen Huneycutt of Locust, grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and grandchildrenon Danielle, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, and (Brandon); one great-grandchild the grandchildren Brittany Hartsell, Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. way. He was preceded in death by Victoria Voncannon, Olivia Memorials may be made to Love’s and Ella Henderson; brother David Memorials may be made to the 2 brothers and a sister.

Voncannon and Rosie Voncannon, Grove United Methodist Church, PO Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park great-grandchildren Chase Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Hartsell, Paisley Hartsell, Sage Dorothy Smith (Nick).

Hartsell and Zoie Stegall.

He is preceded in death by

J

T

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brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

P

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, Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), Washington, DC. She will be greatly missed by her five grandchildren, Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as seven great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews.

The family expresses its sincere gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Trinity Place for the care they provided Pauline.

A private graveside service will be held on Monday, April 13, 2020. A celebration of Pauline’s life and legacy will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the BrightFocus Foundation at www. brightfocus.org.

L

S

Phyllis Furr

Donald Fincher

PHYLLIS ELAINE MARBRY DONALD LEWIS FINCHER, FURR, 85, of Albemarle, passed 75, of Albemarle passed away Danny Jerry on June 15, 2021 away peacefully June 18, 2021 in Atrium Health at herFincher home.

Stanly. Luther Phyllis was born on October Born September 17, 1945 in ANNY PAUL LUTHER, ERRY FINCHER from and 16, 1935 to the passed late Charles Stanly County, NC, he was the 65, of Norwood, passed away this life on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 the late Mary (Lowder) Marbry son of the late William Fincher unexpectedly Thursday, April 9, pm. He was surrounded his She family in Stanly County,by NC. lived a and Effie Baucom Fincher. He 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in and holding the hand of the love of full and interesting life focusing attended Dunn’s Grove Baptist Albemarle. his life. Jerry is preceded in death on her family friends, Church andwas was former Mr. Luther born Marchowner 27, by three siblings, twoand brothers, Billywho adored her.

She wasRichard a faithful andtooperator of Southern Marble Gilbert 1955 the late Robert Fulton and Fincher, and Larry member ofsister, Porter United Company Carolina Marble. Fincher, Helen Tuckerand Luther. and one Barbra Joyce Methodist Church and loved her He waswas a former employee of Danny survived by his wife, Moore. church family dearly.

Tradeway.

HeLuther lovedofold cars and Denise Burleson Norwood; He is survived by his wife, Eleanor She was also preceded in sons, Jeremy (Karen) Lutherattending and Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, motorcycles and loved Jody Cindy Fincher of Wingate death

by Jacobs daughters, Susan Furr carLuther; shows. step-sons, Bryan Whitley Gregg (Anita) Whitley; son and daughter law, Tommy andinCaroline Furr He and is survived by his wife of 56NC.,Underwood Grandchildren, Luther and of (Tiffany) Fincher of New London Norton; grandson Garry Lee years, NancyDaniel Almond Fincher Hunter Zado,son as well as his brother, Step Children, JimmyErnest (Lisa) (Ike) brother, the home, Todd Lewis FincherNC.,Lanham; Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Lanier of LocustJr.; NC,and Wanda (Bob) Isenhour, brother-in-law, of Albemarle, 2 grandsons, Luther and several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric Roland Anthony Furr.

Dustin Fincher and wife Lisa of nephews and cousins.

(Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., Phyllis is survived by her Albemarle andretired Matthew Danny recently fromLewis Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson loving husband of 66 years, Fincher of Albemarle, 2 greatCharlotte Pipe and Foundry after of Midland, Step-grandchildren, Lt. Colonel Reather (R.C.) and Kyler ZachRet. a grandchildren dedicated 37 yearsJillian and worked (Brittney) Washington, Aaron Furr, Jr.; daughter, Cornetha Fincher.

Three brothers, Bill, there with his sons and several other (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) (Kyle) Holcomb of Albemarle Jerry,and andfamily Larry Fincher and a Washington, friends members.

Beth (Robbie) Setzer, and son, Kelvin (Christina) sister Barbara Fincher preceded Danny loved spending time at Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step Furr of Whiteville; son-in-law, him his lakedeath. house with his family and great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Terry (Nina) friends asfamily well as vacationing RobertUnderwood; Setzer, Georgefour The requests with his Washington, family.

Danny and Denise enjoyed (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer Norton grandchildren, Brittany that memorials be made to listening to beach musicCare and loved Katie Underwood, (Matthew) Brady, Lauren E. Community Home andto Bumgardener, shag dance every they could Andrew Underwood, Step great Holcomb, Gabrielle C. Holcomb, Hospice, 1024chance Albemarle Rd., get.

He was an amazing father, loving greatand grandchild, George two Daniel Waylon J. Underwood; #904, Troy, NC 27371. grandfather and great friend to Setzer and brother Donald LewisMcCall great-grandsons, Liam many. He will never be forgotten.

Fincher Albemarle, NC.two greatandofIsaiah Brady; A celebration of life will be Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on granddaughters, Aurelia McCall announced once the current Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am and Rumi sister-inCOVID-19 restrictions are lifted. at Canton BaptistHolcomb; Church. Anyone laws, Pauline Furr and Frances Hartsell Funeral Home of interested in attending, please RSVP Furr; and aDr. niece nephews.

Albemarle is serving the Luther at 704-796-2412.

Philand McCray Memorials are suggested family. and Pastor Tommy Fincher will to Hospice of Stanly & The officiate.

Uwharrie, 960 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Furr family. Online condolences can be given at www.hartsellfh.com

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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. We know Brenda and Linda are in Heaven watching over us and laughing.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, and “Nana.” She was a very giving and loving person. Linda would always do anything she could for others, especially her family. She enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Locust. Linda will be forever loved and greatly missed.

Survivors include her son, Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, of Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker and wife, Linda, of Midland; granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 niece; and 2 nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle. Linda will be laid to rest during a private committal service at Bethel United Methodist Church, Midland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Bethel UMC, 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107.

Shirley Celebrate the life of your loved Haire

ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, of Albemarle passed away on April 11, 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly. The family will hold a private graveside service for Mrs. Haire.

Shirley was born December 12, 1946 in Washington, DC to the late Charles Richard Bateman and Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 30 years Vaughn Smith of Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter of Gainesville, VA; half-brother Robert Bateman of Stevensville, MD; step-children Heather Smith of Jacksonville, FL and David Smith of New London, NC; 4 step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandnieces and nephews; and Gus the dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Haire family.

Joanne Rowell

ON JUNE 15, 2021 Joanne Rowell, passed from this life to glory. She is walking with her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was met with open arms Celebrate the life of your loved

by John, Margie, Ralph, Roy, and ones. Submit obituaries and many friends and family. Her afflictions are gone. Her body is death notices to bemade published in is as always, new and she smiling.

SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Rowell family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.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, June 23, 2021

STATE & NATION

Supreme Court dismisses big challenge to ‘Obamacare’ case

By Mark Sherman The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as “Obamacare” last week.

The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire Affordable Care Act intact in ruling that Texas, other GOP-led states and two individuals had no right to bring their lawsuit in federal court. The Biden administration cheered the ruling, saying 31 million people have health insurance because of the law.

The law’s major provisions include protections for people with existing health conditions, a range of no-cost preventive services, expansion of the Medicaid program that insures lower-income people and access to health insurance markets offering subsidized plans.

“The Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land,” President Joe Biden, said, celebrating the ruling. He called for building further on the law that was enacted in 2010 when he was vice president.

Also left in place is the law’s now-toothless requirement that people have health insurance or pay a penalty. Congress rendered that provision irrelevant in 2017 when it reduced the penalty to zero.

The elimination of the penalty had become the hook that Texas and other GOP-led states, as well as the Trump administration, used to attack the entire law. They argued that without the

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Washington, D.C. mandate, a pillar of the law when it was passed, the rest of the law should fall, too.

But the third major attack on the law at the Supreme Court ended the way the first two did, with a majority of the court rebuffing efforts to gut the law or get rid of it altogether.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the states and people who filed a federal lawsuit “have failed to show that they have standing to attack as uncon-

stitutional the Act’s minimum essential coverage provision.”

In dissent, Alito wrote, “Today’s decision is the third installment in our epic Affordable Care Act trilogy, and it follows the same pattern as installments one and two. In all three episodes, with the Affordable Care Act facing a serious threat, the Court has pulled off an improbable rescue.” Alito was a dissenter in the two earlier cases in 2012 and 2015, as well.

Like Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas was in dissent in the two earlier cases, but he joined Thursday’s majority, writing, “Although this Court has erred twice before in cases involving the Affordable Care Act, it does not err today.”

Because it dismissed the case for the plaintiff’s lack of legal standing — the ability to sue — the court didn’t actually rule on whether the individual mandate is unconstitutional now that there is no penalty for forgo-

ing insurance. Lower courts had struck down the mandate, in rulings that were wiped away by the Supreme Court decision.

Chief Justice John Roberts said during arguments in November that it seemed the law’s foes were asking the court to do work best left to the political branches of government.

The court’s decision preserves benefits that have become part of the fabric of the nation’s health care system.

The health law is now undergoing an expansion under Biden, who sees it as the foundation for moving the U.S. to so-called “coverage for all.”

His giant COVID-19 relief bill significantly increased subsidies for private health plans offered through the ACA’s insurance markets, while also dangling higher federal payments before the dozen states that have declined the law’s Medicaid expansion. About 1.2 million people have signed up with HealthCare. gov since Biden reopened enrollment amid high levels of COVID cases earlier this year.

Most of the people with insurance because of the law have it through Medicaid expansion or the health insurance markets that offer subsidized private plans.

But its most popular benefit is protection for people with preexisting medical conditions. They cannot be turned down for coverage on account of health problems, or charged a higher premium. While those covered under employer plans already had such protections, “Obamacare” guaranteed them for people buying individual policies.

NOAH BERGER | AP PHOTO

In this Sept. 5, 2020, file photo, police use chemical irritants and crowd control munitions to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Portland, Ore.

Portland reels after tumultuous year

By Sara Cline The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. — The smell of fresh empanadas wafted through the stands at Portland’s Saturday Market. People talked through their masks with artists as others sifted through fork windchimes, crystal necklaces, tie dye dresses and clay mugs.

The weekly event was smaller than in years past, but longtime attendees say it was a sign of life being breathed back into downtown.

Nine blocks away, past businesses still shuttered with plywood boards, a panhandler leaned against a fence outside the federal courthouse in an area that was choked with tear gas last summer as thousands of protesters seized the streets. It’s now overwhelmed by a makeshift homeless camp.

The scenes are from a city trying to emerge from one of its most wrenching periods, one that saw its reputation go from quirky “Portlandia” to violent dystopia.

The Pacific Northwest city had best been known nationally for its ambrosial food scene, craft breweries and nature-loving hipsters.

But last year, as large portions of its downtown was consumed by nightly protests that often turned violent and resulted in clashes with federal agents, former President Donald Trump and his administration labeled Portland an “anarchist jurisdiction.”

“It does feel kind of like someone dropped a bomb in some areas (of Portland),” said Ocean Howell, a professor at the University of Oregon who teaches urban history and planning. “I think there’s likely some businesses that are gone and aren’t coming back. And there are just some people, generally, who are kind of spooked from everything.”

City officials insist Portland is resilient as they launch a revitalization plan — in the form of citywide cleanups of protest damage, aggressive encampment removals, increased homeless services and police reform — to repair its rep-

utation.

But even the city’s famously liberal locals grew weary of months of racial justice protests, increased shootings, a more noticeable homeless population and strict COVID-19 restrictions.

When the pandemic reached Portland in March 2020, businesses boarded up, turned off neon “open” signs and sent employees home.

“A year ago, when we were at the end of the longest economic expansion in post World War history in this country. We had 100,000plus individuals coming in and out of downtown daily,” said Andrew Hoan, president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance.

“And then, overnight, they disappeared.”

Portland’s signature events, such as its Rose Festival, brew fests and drag shows, were canceled, postponed or held virtually.

Tourists shied away. No other part of the city was so obviously altered as downtown, which saw an 80% decrease in foot traffic, based on a

study conducted by the Portland Business Alliance.

A year later there are still “pockets” in the city that seem frozen in a scene from six months ago. However, officials say there is hope and already noticeable signs of recovery.

Gov. Kate Brown has begun to lift some of the country’s strictest COVID-19 restrictions, and restaurants and bars have expanded capacity. The state has set a goal to completely reopen the economy by the end of June or early July.

While all cities have dealt with the impact of COVID, Portland faced additional challenges over the past year — from a large homeless population, to nearby “once-in-generation” wildfires, to winter ice storms that left tens of thousands without power. But the events that challenged the city’s reputation the most was political violence.

The Rose City was thrust into the national spotlight over the summer as people attended nightly protests against law enforcement.

As time passed, scenes of chaos emerged: violent clashes between protesters and federal agents. In late August, a Trump support-

er was shot and killed downtown when a large caravan of Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters clashed in the streets.

News of the mayhem stretched across the country.

Hoan said participants who were violent or damaged businesses negatively affected the city’s reputation.

“And we’re dealing with the consequences now,” he said.

Protests continue in the city and sometimes turn violent, but officials claim that activity is concentrated in small areas.

Based on a survey conducted by the city last month, 68% of people said their top reason for not visiting was due to riots and protests.

In recent months, Portland officials have committed millions of dollars to cleaning up downtown — removing graffiti, clearing large homeless encampments and restoring damaged buildings.

In addition, the mayor’s office has launched a reputation and rebranding effort.

“We’re doggedly determined to recover,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said in his State of the City address this year. “Our community has what it takes to move forward to a much greater future.”

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 39 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

Twin City Herald Aerial view of the Innovation Quarter's phase II master plan looking toward downtown WinstonSalem.

COURTESY PHOTO

WHAT’S HAPPENING Man pinned between truck, bulldozer at waste site Forsyth County A Stokes County man was killed last week when he was pinned between a truck and a bulldozer at a waste facility in Forsyth County, the N.C. Department of Labor said.

Thomas Michael Thompson, 63, of Pinnacle, was pronounced dead at the scene after the accident occurred on June 11 at a solid waste facility in Winston-Salem.

A preliminary investigation showed Thompson was pinned between the two vehicles. Police didn’t describe Thompson’s injuries. The department’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating what led to Thompson’s death. The investigation may take up to six months to complete.

AP

Police: Man hit police cars, sparked chase Forsyth County Multiple charges were filed against a man who led police officers on a chase after they attempted to arrest him for probation violations. WinstonSalem police officers as well as state probation and parole officers attempted to arrest James Isamu Stovall Jr., 31, on Wednesday. Stovall drove his car into two occupied police patrol cars and led officers on a chase through the southwestern part of the city.

The chase ended when Stovall stopped at a gas station just near the Davidson County line.

Police charged Stovall with assault with a deadly weapon on law enforcement and carrying a concealed weapon.

AP

School district offers free summer meals Forsyth County Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will offer free meals to anyone age 18 or younger this summer. There will be 23 sites distributing food spread throughout the county. There are also 40 mobile sites. The sites will operate Monday through Thursday and provide a 7-day meal kit with a gallon of milk.

Families do not need to fill out any paperwork to receive the meals.

FOX 8

Innovation Quarter announces master plan for innovation district New phase of development will allow for 1 million square feet of clinical/office/lab space and 15 acres of green space TCH staff INNOVATION Quarter announced a new master plan for the second major phase of development in the innovation district.

Featuring 10 proposed buildings and 2.7 million total square feet, the new phase of development will feature the same mixed-use, ground-level activation found in the existing district.

The 28-acre site for Innovation Quarter Phase II sits on either side of Research Parkway, the majority south of Third Street and north of Salem Parkway. Upon completion, it is anticipated that the development will allow for an additional 1 million additional square feet of clinical/lab/office space. The Innovation Quarter currently comprises 2.1 million square feet of similar space.

The new phase is centered around Fogle Commons—a linear park capable of hosting larger-scale activities like musical and arts performances, academic and corporate events, and casual play or recreation. In all, Phase II is anticipated to create 15 acres of new, programmable green space and extend the Long Branch Trail by almost half a mile, connecting it with the Third Street bridge which leads to neighborhoods in east

Winston-Salem.

The master plan also allows for up to an additional 450 residential units for the growing Innovation Quarter. An additional 30,000 square feet of ground-level activation space—which would include retail/restaurant—will allow the next phase of development to have the same mixed-use atmosphere that helped the Innovation Quarter gain the distinction of “Best Practice for Creating Integrated Places” by the Global Institute on Innovation Districts in 2020.

“This new phase of development will create the same feel and aesthetic found in the Innovation Quarter today,” said Graydon Pleasants, head of development for the Innovation Quarter. “This mix of science and business, recreation and retail, green spaces and residential will bring even more vibrancy to this section of downtown Winston-Salem.”

Since 2010, the Innovation Quarter has partnered with Wexford Science + Technology to transform this section of downtown Winston-Salem into a thriving innovation district. Wexford brings expertise in developing what it calls “knowledge communities” that feature major research anchor institutions like the Wake Forest School of Medicine to help spur collaboration.

“Innovation Quarter has become one of the foremost examples of how to create a comprehensive sense of place that integrates university research, academics, entrepreneurial activity, corporate engagement, workforce develop-

ment, and community inclusion,” said Thomas Osha, Wexford’s Senior Vice President, Innovation and Economic Development.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Innovation Quarter and Wake Forest University and expanding this globally recognized innovation district.”

In addition to planning building space, the Innovation Quarter team is working with Perkins and Will to design intentional, activated outdoor spaces that will add to the vibrancy of the new phase, similar to how Bailey Park and the Long Branch Trail provide tenants, visitors and community members with spaces to interact, recreate and relax.

As part of Phase II, the Innovation Quarter is also working with community leaders to increase and strengthen physical links between the district and neighborhoods immediately to the east across U.S. Highway 52. Connectivity across Highway 52 has long been a challenge and proposed infrastructure—including improved streetscapes, bridge enhancements and potential extension of Long Branch Trail—aims to improve the connectivity between Innovation Quarter and new developments like the Metropolitan Village which was announced in April.

“The establishment and growth of the Innovation Quarter over the last 20-plus years has been exciting to watch. This new master plan continues that momentum,” said Winston-Salem city council member Annette Scippio, who

represents the East Ward, where the Innovation Quarter is located. “I am encouraged about what this new phase means for the continued vitality of our great city and the jobs and resources it will bring to our community.”

Innovation Quarter is home to the largest historic redevelopment project in the history of the state of North Carolina, according to Preservation NC, a statewide non-profit dedicated to historic preservation. Its 2.1 million existing square feet of office, lab, educational, and community spaces are home to 3,700 people working and more than 1,600 degree-seeking students. Total public-private investment in the district to date is more than $841 million.

“Phase II of Innovation Quarter’s development represents great potential for growing our economy and workforce, both within the district itself and across greater Winston-Salem and Forsyth County,” says Mark Owens, President and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. “We continue to see increasing demand in our location, and this exciting announcement will expand our portfolio of available space for companies to locate and grow. When companies and talent consider Winston-Salem they are drawn to the vibrant atmosphere of the downtown core and the Innovation Quarter – the mix of creativity and innovation has become a symbol of Winston-Salem’s identity. This is a city where you can find your spot, and we are certain that many will find theirs in iQ’s Phase II.”

US Mint to issue quarters honoring Angelou, other notable women The Associated Press AP-POET and author Maya Angelou, America’s first woman in space and a revered Cherokee Nation leader are among female trailblazers whose likenesses will appear on the U.S. quarter.

The new four-year American Women Quarters Program celebrates women’s accomplishments and contributions to the United States’ development and history, according to the U.S. Mint.

Under the program, the mint will issue up to five new designs each year from 2022 to 2025.

Honorees will be from a variety of fields and from ethnically, racially and geographically diverse backgrounds, the mint says.

Those chosen for the first year are: — Angelou, celebrated poet and memoirist — Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation’s first female principal chief — Adelina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement — Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space — Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood film star Angelou taught at Wake Forest from 1981 to 2011 and was named the school’s first Reynolds Professor of American Studies Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Mankiller’s

In this July 19, 1985, file photo, Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected chief of the Cherokee Nation, poses in front of the tribal emblem at the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.

AP PHOTO, FILE

husband, Charlie Soap, expressed gratitude for Mankiller’s inclusion in the program, saying her influence and leadership made her a fitting choice.

Mankiller became one of the United States’ most visible Native American leaders during her 10 years as chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, from 1985 to 1995. She died in 2010.

“We thank the U.S. Mint for recognizing Wilma and the other recipients for such an honor,” Soap told Indian Country Today. “Wilma was a humble, spiritual, great leader whose leadership was not only for Cherokee people but for all women and races. The real value of this coin is the inspiration it brings to Indian people and women everywhere.”

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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♦ BOOKER, LESHAWNDRE MONTAND was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1608 N PATTERSON AV on 6/21/2021 ♦ BOZEMAN, LORNE PERNELL was arrested on a charge of COMMUNICATE THREATS at 1501 HARRIET TUBMAN DR on 6/19/2021 ♦ BRADSHER, TRAVIS LAMAR was arrested on a charge of FUGITIVE at 610 FOXCROFT DR on 6/19/2021 ♦ BURNS, DAVON ROOSEVELT was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at 3031 GREENWAY AV on 6/20/2021

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OPINION | DAVID HARSANYI

The myth of Republican obstructionism THE POLITICAL MEDIA have spent the entire Joe Biden presidency up to this point pressuring holdout moderate Democrats to join the left’s efforts to destroy the legislative filibuster. One way they do this is by cobbling together revisionist histories that cast Republicans as uniquely obstructionist and undemocratic.

CNN’s White House correspondent John Harwood lays out that history in broad strokes: “0 Republican votes for Clinton’s 1993 deficitreduction plan: 0 Republican votes for Obama’s 2010 national health care plan: 0 Republican votes for Biden’s 2021 covid-relief plan: 0 Republican votes the modern GOP response to Democratic governance is total resistance.”

What he fails to mention is that after President Bill Clinton’s “deficit-reduction” bill, the GOP, often in significant numbers, voted for a slew of big policy reforms: 16 Senate Republicans voted for the Family and Medical Leave Act; a telecommunications reform passed 81-18, with only one Republican voting nay; the welfare-reform compromise bill passed 7821; the Brady Act gun-control bill only passed because of Republican support; the North American Free Trade Agreement passed 73-26; Biden’s crime bill passed 95-4; just to mention a few.

Of course, in those days, parties would bend over backward to compromise when writing wide-ranging bills so they could claim bipartisan support. This was often the case during the George W. Bush years as well. The Patriot Act was a bipartisan bill. No Child Left Behind, co-written by liberal “lion” Sen. Ted Kennedy, passed 87-10 in the Senate.

It was the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 that frayed the political order in ways from which we haven’t recovered. For the first time in contemporary history, a political party unilaterally crammed through a national

reform without any buy-in from half the nation.

So, while it’s true that not a single Republican supported President Barack Obama’s 2010 “national health care plan,” it’s also true that not a single Democrat has voted for any of the dozens of bills to repeal “Obamacare.”

Harwood is also right that Biden’s 2021 “covid-relief plan” garnered zero Republican votes. Yet, the CNN correspondent again seems to have forgotten that Democrats filibustered and blocked Republican coronavirus-relief bills dozens of times. You know how many Democrats voted for President Donald Trump’s tax-reform bill? Zero. Democrats filibustered Sen. Tim Scott’s criminal-justice reform bill.

They used the filibuster to block funding of Trump’s border wall. They blocked Sen. Ben Sasse’s Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act — a bill that did not restrict abortion but merely compelled doctors to try to save babies who survived them.

Perhaps Harwood is unaware that Trump faced more procedural delays in his four years in office than any president in history — actually, more than all other presidents in history combined. According to a Politico analysis, Bill Clinton faced a total of 15 filibusters by the Senate in his two terms.

Obama faced 175 in eight years. Trump faced over 300 in only four.

I’ve noticed that many liberals attempt to circumvent this prickly reality by pre-writing history: “Is there any doubt that the GOP would end the filibuster for good — in a heartbeat — if it served their purposes?” asked ABC News senior national correspondent Terry Moran, rhetorically. Indeed, there is great doubt, considering that Trump had publicly pressed Sen. Mitch McConnell to blow up the legislative filibuster on numerous occasions, and the Senate leader refused.

Let’s not forget either that Democrats blew

up the judicial filibuster. And when it backfired, and Republicans followed the new rules Sen. Harry Reid had instituted, Democrats tried to redefine judicial confirmations as “packing the Court.” There is a perpetually evolving set of rules, and the constant is that these rules must benefit Democrats.

It was also Democrats, led by Biden, who blew up the norms of decorum and bipartisanship in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings when they politicized the nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Only three Democrats voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch. Only one Democrat — Sen. Joe Manchin — voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh after Democrats smeared him with their unsubstantiated charges. And not one Democrat voted for Amy Coney Barrett. Five Republicans voted to confirm Elena Kagan, and nine voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor before Mitch McConnell followed the “Biden rule” on Merrick Garland.

There’s really nothing wrong with inaction in Congress if the country is fundamentally at odds over policy — which is clearly the case these days. The system is built — and political parties exist — to stop each other’s excesses.

In that regard, the filibuster has been one of the most effective tools in preserving some semblance of proper constitutional governance.

Now, political parties might be right or wrong, but only one clamors to blow up the rules every time it doesn’t get its way. And just because Harwood seems to be under the impression that the only vote that matters in Washington is one that propels liberal initiatives doesn’t entitle him to rewrite history.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at National Review and the author of the book “First Freedom: A Ride Through America’s Enduring History With the Gun.”

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ BLAKLEY, MICHAEL KEIR was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 201 N CHURCH ST on 6/19/2021

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1800 N PATTERSON AV on 6/21/2021 ♦ Gilley, Kenneth Robert (M/20) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched I (F), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 435 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 6/20/2021 17:50. ♦ HAMPTON, RODNEY LEE was arrested on a charge of INTERFERENCE W/ ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEV at 339 AKRON DR on 6/20/2021 ♦ HARDISON, CAMILLA RENEE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 2747 SINK ST on 6/19/2021

10:14. ♦ Nottke, Dianne Eileen (F/53) Arrest on chrg of Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another State/ Indian Tribe (M), at 4495 Bashavia Wayside Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 6/17/2021 18:18. ♦ Oliver, Clayton Holmon (M/50) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault-simple (M), 2) Assault-simple (M), 3) Assault-simple (M), and 4) Assault-simple (M), at 8332 Tuscany Dr, Lewisville, NC, on 6/16/2021 01:23. ♦ PLATER, WILLARD BERNARD was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D MARIJUANA at E FIFTEENTH ST on 6/20/2021 ♦ Pratt, Tajun Ikean (M/27) Arrest on chrg of Fraudobt Property (F), at 6320 Amp Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 6/20/2021 02:55.

♦ HEMRICK, BRANDY LEE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at ♦ Cannon, Tashawn Denard 700 GRALIN ST on 6/19/2021 ♦ ROBINSON, BRITTANY (M/24) Arrest on chrg of NICOLE was arrested on a Communicate Threats, M ♦ Lim, Jin Huk (M/28) Arrest charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE (M), at 270 Moses Lucas on chrg of Abduction-children at 2420 S STRATFORD RD on Ct, Winston-salem, NC, on (F), at 42035 Loudoun 6/20/2021 Center Pl, Leesburg, VA, on 6/16/2021 16:48. ♦ ROSENBERG, ASHLEE 6/17/2021 11:00.

MONET NICOLE was arrested ♦ CARTER, FREDERICK ♦ Marshall, Keddrick Dequan on a charge of OFA-FTACHRISTOPHER was arrested SIMPLE ASSAULT at 201 N on a charge of IMPAIRED (M/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) CHURCH ST on 6/18/2021 DRIVING DWI at 2399 Fail To Appear/compl (M), 2) REYNOLDA RD/WAKE Ofa-fta-dwi - Level 1 (M), 3) ♦ Scott, William Coleman Probation Violation (M), and FOREST RD on 6/19/2021 (M/26) Arrest on chrg of 4) Probation Violation (M), at ♦ DISTEFANO, PETER JOSEPH Murder-first Deg (F), at 201 330 4 S West Wall St, Rural was arrested on a charge N Church St, Winston-salem, Hall, NC, on 6/18/2021 05:22. of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI NC, on 6/16/2021 10:05. at 399 N SPRUCE ST/W ♦ Mcbride, Jeffrey Marcus ♦ Severt, Chad Michael (M/29) FOURTH ST on 6/18/2021 (M/56) Arrest on chrg of Arrest on chrg of 1) B&e-prep/ Drugs-poss Sched I (F), at ♦ DOMENA, KENNETH poss Tool (F), 2) Breaking/ 1215 Tobaccoville Rd, Rural MICHAEL was arrested on a enter-misd (F), and 3) Hall, NC, on 6/17/2021 22:14. charge of CHILD ABUSE at Larceny-felony (F), at 201 N. 2615 TODDLER PLACE DR on ♦ MCCRAE, KENNETH Church St, Winston Salem, 6/20/2021 DECORUS was arrested on a NC, on 6/17/2021 15:00. charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST ♦ FINLEY, KENNETH BOYD ♦ SPENCE, CHRISTOPHER EMP at 105 N MLK JR DR on was arrested on a charge of JAY was arrested on a charge 6/20/2021 DRUGS-MFG SCHED I at 2616 of VAND-REAL PROPERTY BURGANDY ST on 6/20/2021 ♦ Mcfarlane, Leon Oneil (M/51) at 5291 JAY BIRD LN on Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To 6/19/2021 ♦ FLOYD, WENDELL LAMONT Appear/compl (M) and 2) was arrested on a charge ♦ STEWART, ROBERT RAY Probation Violation (M), at of TRESPASSING ON was arrested on a charge 200 N Main St, WinstonRAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY at of RESISTING ARREST at salem, NC, on 6/16/2021

5601 UNIVERSITY PW on 6/19/2021 ♦ UNDERWOOD, LEVERN LAMONT was arrested on a charge of LARCENYFELONY at 653 AKRON DR on 6/19/2021 ♦ WATSON, SHILOH ALEXIS was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at 1299 E SPRAGUE ST/E CLEMMONSVILLE RD on 6/20/2021 ♦ WELLS, INDIA LOUISE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1499 NEW WALKERTOWN RD on 6/19/2021

♦ Jeanne Wesley Aronson, 96, of Winston-Salem, died June 17, 2021. ♦ Virginia Haynes Bennett, 87, of Jonesville, died June 20, 2021. ♦ O. C. “Shorty,” “Blackie” Blackburn, 92, of Winston-Salem, died June 18, 2021. ♦ Crelly Leon Broom Jr., 78, of Clemmons, died June 17, 2021. ♦ Matthew Sell Chapman, 36, of Southern Pines, died June 20, 2021.

♦ WHICKER, JOSHUA PAUL was arrested on a charge of MV THEFT at 201 N CHURCH ST on 6/19/2021

♦ Joseph Alexander “Alec” Covington, 85, of Clemmons, died June 17, 2021.

♦ WILBORN, DERRICK JASHAWN was arrested on a charge of FALSE IMPRISONMENT at 887 UTAH DR on 6/20/2021

♦ James Howard Early, Jr., 82, died June 21, 2021.

♦ WILBORN, DERRICK JASHAWN was arrested on a charge of POSSESSION MARIJUANA at 800 UTAH DR/COLE RD on 6/20/2021 ♦ WILSON, GEORGE KEITH was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 5000 AMBERCREST DR/ BETHABARA PARK BV on 6/19/2021 WILSON, JOSHUA WINCHELL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 6/21/2021 Withers, Dantae Lamont (M/22) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-misd Poss (M), 2) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), 3) Reckless Driving (M), and 4) Speeding - Posted (M), at Thurmond St At 23rd St, Winston-salem, NC, on 6/20/2021 19:20.

YOUNG, TIMOTHY AARON was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 520 N SPRING ST on 6/20/2021

♦ Ruth Creson Granger, 89, of Forsyth County, died June 18, 2021. ♦ Janice Terry Harper, 66, of Pfafftown, died June 18, 2021. ♦ Deborah Lynne Powell Ivester, 61, of Forsyth County, died June 16, 2021. ♦ Athalee Gilmore Miller, 84, of Winston-Salem, died June 16, 2021. ♦ Lettie Doub Moore, 91, of Pfafftown, died June 16, 2021. ♦ Jerry Allen Shepherd, 83, of Winston-Salem, died June 16, 2021. ♦ Ben Lewis Sink, 85 of Midway, died June 18, 2021. ♦ Mildred Williams, 90, of Winston-Salem, died June 17, 2021. ♦ Oliver Williams, 54, died June 19, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, June 23, 2021

3

SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT NASCAR

NFL’s Kamara advising NASCAR on growing fan base Lebanon, Tenn.

All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara has gone beyond being just a fan of NASCAR and sponsoring a car. He’s now advising NASCAR on how to add more fans as its first “Growth and Engagement Advisor.” In this new role, Kamara will connect with fans and share his own fan experience digitally and on social media. The announcement came on Twitter, and he also will work with NASCAR’s marketing team. Kamara mentioned Michael Jordan and Pitbull becoming involved as owners of Cup teams as proof of the sport’s growing diversity.

NHL

Islanders sell out season tickets for 1st season in new arena New York In the midst of the New York Islanders’ second straight trip to the semifinal round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and nearly 4½ months before the opening of their new arena, season tickets for the first season in their new home are sold out. UBS Arena, under construction next to the racetrack at Belmont Park and expected to open in November with a capacity of around 17,000 for hockey, has sold its allotment of about 15,000 season tickets, the Islanders announced Monday. The Islanders plan to start a waiting list for season tickets, and individual game tickets will also be sold.

MARK HUMPHREY | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson crosses the finish line to win Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway.

Larson romps to yet another victory for Hendrick Motorsports The No. 5 won for the fourth straight week in NASCAR’s return to Nashville

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press LEBANON, Tenn. — Kyle Larson won again — that’s all he does these days — this time in the Cup debut at Nashville Superspeedway, where Hendrick Motorsports’ new star drove to Victory Lane for the fourth consecutive week.

Larson led 264 of 300 laps Sunday for his third consecutive win in a points race, fourth straight including last weekend’s AllStar race. That win at Texas Motor Speedway kicked off a stretch of four wins in seven days as Larson collected the $1 million All-

Star payout then traveled to Ohio to pocket the $6,000 purses in two sprint car races.

Rick Hendrick’s cars have won six consecutive weeks dating to Alex Bowman’s May 9 win at Dover.

Nashville Superspeedway reopened this weekend after a decade of dormancy to host its first Cup race. NASCAR’s top series last raced in the Nashville-area 37 years ago at the Fairgrounds, where Geoff Bodine won in the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick.

To celebrate his win in his new No. 5, Larson did burnouts along the entire Nashville frontstretch to put on a show for the sold-out crowd of 40,000.

“There’s a lot of fans out there, and we had enough rubber and enough fuel there to do a good

“My goodness, we don’t have anything for those Chevrolets right now.”

Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford driver on Chevrolet finishing 1-2-3 burnout at the end,” Larson said.

Next up for Larson is a trip to Brandon, South Dakota, for Monday and Tuesday night World of Outlaws races at Huset’s Speedway.

Larson’s fourth Cup points win of the season was the first with sponsor Valvoline on his hood, which marked just the third time

in 17 races so far this season that Larson featured a non-Hendrick company on his car. He’s largely unsponsored after missing all but four races last season during a NASCAR suspension for using a racial slur while participating in an online race.

Ross Chastain finished second for Chip Ganassi Racing and Hendrick driver William Byron was third in a Chevrolet podium sweep.

“My goodness, we don’t have anything for those Chevrolets right now,” said Ford driver Aric Almirola, who finished fourth after starting from the pole.

His Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick finished fifth in one of the better days for the slumping organization. The pair of top-fives came the same day team co-owner Tony Stewart was at his first Cup race since the start of the pandemic.

NASCAR races both Saturday and Sunday next weekend in a doubleheader at Pocono Raceway.

Harvick and Denny Hamlin split the two races last season.

NCAA President Mark Emmert told the organization's more than 1,200 member schools Friday that he will seek temporary rules as early as July to ensure all athletes can be compensated for their celebrity with a host of state laws looming and congressional efforts seemingly stalled.

GOLF

Korda wins in Michigan for 2nd LPGA victory of year Grand Rapids, Mich.

Nelly Korda became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season, closing with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory in the Meijer LPGA Classic. The Gainbridge LPGA winner in February, Korda finished at 25-under 263 to break the tournament record at Blythefield Country Club.

She shot a career-best 62 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round.The 22-year-old American, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, is the daughter of retired Czech tennis players Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova.

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

BICYCLING

Cavendish to return to Tour de France after 3-year absence Brussels Veteran sprinter Mark Cavendish will make a return to the Tour de France after a three-year absence from cycling’s biggest event, his team said on Monday. Cavendish was not expected to be among the eight riders selected

by Deceuninck-QuickStep but was a last-minute inclusion following Sam Bennett’s withdrawal. The three-week race starts on Saturday in Brittany from the port city of Brest. The 36-year-old Cavendish has won 30 Tour de France stages, putting him second in the all-time list behind only Belgian great Eddy Merckx. He last won a stage in 2016.

Emmert urges schools to act on NIL or he will The NCAA president is pushing the organization’s member schools to pass legislation that would allow student-athletes to be compensated

By Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press ROSEMONT, Ill. — NCAA President Mark Emmert told the association’s more than 1,100 member schools Friday that he will seek temporary rules as early as July to ensure all athletes can be compensated for their celebrity with a host of state laws looming and congressional efforts seemingly stalled.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Emmert urged members to pass legislation by the end of June that would for the first time make it permissible for college athletes to earn money off their names, images and likenesses.

All three divisions of NCAA athletics have been working toward reforming NIL rules and lifting restrictions on athletes since 2019.

“Since that time, many states have enacted NIL legislation and 10 state laws can take effect this July. It is therefore essential we now enact rules before the end of the month,” Emmert wrote in an email sent to presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, senior compliance administrators, conference commissioners and others.

“By July, all our athletes should be provided NIL opportunities regardless of the state they happen to live in.”

Mark Emmert, NCAA president The NCAA Division I Council meets Tuesday and Wednesday and could act on an NIL proposal that was expected to be voted on back in January.

Instead, Emmert encouraged membership at that time to put the vote on hold after the Justice Department notified the NCAA that it’s proposed rule changes could violate antitrust law.

Since spring, Emmert has encouraged membership to move forward on NIL reform and has said he was confident new rules would be in place before the start of next football season.

Six states have NIL laws set to go into effect July 1 that will permit college athletes to be paid for endorsements, personal appearances and social media posts, setting up the possibility of patchwork rules from coast to coast for thousands of athletes.

“By July, all our athletes should be provided NIL opportunities regardless of the state they happen to live in,” Emmert wrote in the memo.

The NCAA has asked Congress for help in the form of a federal NIL law that would set uniform standards and preempt state laws.

But it appears nothing will get done in Washington before the August recess.

Emmert wrote that if NCAA rules changes are not in place by July, he will take action.

“I have directed my staff to create proposals to this end. We will provide more details next week as this approach is reviewed by the NCAA Board of Governors and the divisional governance bodies,” he wrote.

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STATE & NATION

Supreme Court dismisses big challenge to ‘Obamacare’ case

earlier cases, but he joined Thursday’s majority, writing, “Although this Court has erred twice before in cases involving the Affordable Care Act, it does not err today.”

Because it dismissed the case for the plaintiff’s lack of legal standing — the ability to sue — the court didn’t actually rule on whether the individual mandate is unconstitutional now that there is no penalty for forgoing insurance. Lower courts had struck down the man-

date, in rulings that were wiped away by the Supreme Court decision.

Chief Justice John Roberts said during arguments in November that it seemed the law’s foes were asking the court to do work best left to the political branches of government.

The court’s decision preserves benefits that have become part of the fabric of the nation’s health care system.

The health law is now undergoing an expansion under Biden, who sees it as the foundation for moving the U.S. to so-called “coverage for all.”

His giant COVID-19 relief bill significantly increased subsidies for private health plans offered through the ACA’s insurance markets, while also dangling higher federal payments before the dozen states that have declined the law’s Medicaid expansion. About 1.2 million people have signed up with HealthCare.gov since Biden reopened enrollment amid high levels of COVID cases earlier this year.

Most of the people with insurance because of the law have it through Medicaid expansion or the health insurance markets that offer subsidized private plans. But its most popular benefit is protection for people with preexisting medical conditions. They cannot be turned down for coverage on account of health problems, or charged a higher premium. While those covered under employer plans already had such protections, “Obamacare” guaranteed them for people buying individual policies.

“A year ago, when we were at the end of the longest economic expansion in post World War history in this country. We had 100,000-plus individuals coming in and out of downtown daily,” said Andrew Hoan, president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance. “And then, overnight, they disappeared.”

Portland’s signature events, such as its Rose Festival, brew fests and drag shows, were canceled, postponed or held virtually.

Tourists shied away. No other part of the city was so obviously altered as downtown, which saw an 80% decrease in foot traffic, based on a study conducted by the Portland Business Alliance.

A year later there are still “pockets” in the city that seem frozen in a scene from six months ago. However, officials say there is hope and already noticeable signs of recovery.

Gov. Kate Brown has begun to lift some of the country’s strictest COVID-19 restrictions, and restaurants and bars have expanded capacity. The state has set a goal to completely reopen the economy by the end of June or early July.

While all cities have dealt with the impact of COVID, Portland faced additional challenges over the past year — from a large homeless population, to nearby “once-in-generation” wildfires, to winter ice storms that left tens of thousands without power. But the events that challenged the city’s reputation the most was political violence.

The Rose City was thrust into the national spotlight over the summer as people attended nightly protests against law enforcement.

As time passed, scenes of chaos emerged: violent clashes between protesters and federal agents. In late August, a Trump supporter was shot and killed downtown when a large caravan of Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters clashed in the streets.

News of the mayhem stretched across the country.

Hoan said participants who were violent or damaged businesses negatively affected the city’s reputation.

“And we’re dealing with the consequences now,” he said.

Protests continue in the city and sometimes turn violent, but officials claim that activity is concentrated in small areas.

Based on a survey conducted by the city last month, 68% of people said their top reason for not visiting was due to riots and protests.

In recent months, Portland officials have committed millions of dollars to cleaning up downtown — removing graffiti, clearing large homeless encampments and restoring damaged buildings.

In addition, the mayor’s office has launched a reputation and rebranding effort.

“We’re doggedly determined to recover,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said in his State of the City address this year. “Our community has what it takes to move forward to a much greater future.”

By Mark Sherman The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as “Obamacare” last week.

The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire Affordable Care Act intact in ruling that Texas, other GOP-led states and two individuals had no right to bring their lawsuit in federal court. The Biden administration cheered the ruling, saying 31 million people have health insurance because of the law.

The law’s major provisions include protections for people with existing health conditions, a range of no-cost preventive services, expansion of the Medicaid program that insures lower-income people and access to health insurance markets offering subsidized plans.

“The Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land,” President Joe Biden, said, celebrating the ruling. He called for building further on the law that was enacted in 2010 when he was vice president.

Also left in place is the law’s now-toothless requirement that people have health insurance or pay a penalty. Congress rendered that provision irrelevant in 2017 when it reduced the penalty to zero.

The elimination of the penalty had become the hook that Texas and other GOP-led states, as well as the Trump administration, used to attack the entire law. They argued that without the mandate, a pillar of the law when it was passed, the rest of the law should fall, too.

EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Washington, D.C. But the third major attack on the law at the Supreme Court ended the way the first two did, with a majority of the court rebuffing efforts to gut the law or get rid of it altogether.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the states and people who filed a federal lawsuit “have failed to show that they have standing to attack as unconstitutional the Act’s minimum essential coverage provision.”

In dissent, Alito wrote, “Today’s decision is the third installment in our epic Affordable Care Act trilogy, and it follows the same pattern as installments one and two. In all three episodes, with the Affordable Care Act facing a serious threat, the Court has pulled off an improbable rescue.” Alito was a dissenter in the two earlier cases in 2012 and 2015, as well.

Like Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas was in dissent in the two

Portland reels after tumultuous year

By Sara Cline The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. — The smell of fresh empanadas wafted through the stands at Portland’s Saturday Market. People talked through their masks with artists as others sifted through fork windchimes, crystal necklaces, tie dye dresses and clay mugs.

The weekly event was smaller than in years past, but longtime attendees say it was a sign of life being breathed back into downtown.

Nine blocks away, past businesses still shuttered with plywood boards, a panhandler leaned against a fence outside the federal courthouse in an area that was choked with tear gas last summer as thousands of protesters seized the streets. It’s now overwhelmed by a makeshift homeless camp.

The scenes are from a city trying to emerge from one of its most wrenching periods, one that saw its reputation go from quirky “Portlandia” to violent dystopia.

The Pacific Northwest city had best been known nationally for its ambrosial food scene, craft breweries and nature-loving hipsters.

But last year, as large portions of its downtown was consumed by nightly protests that often turned violent and resulted in clashes with federal agents, former President Donald Trump and his ad-

NOAH BERGER | AP PHOTO

In this Sept. 5, 2020, file photo, police use chemical irritants and crowd control munitions to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Portland, Ore. ministration labeled Portland an “anarchist jurisdiction.”

“It does feel kind of like someone dropped a bomb in some areas (of Portland),” said Ocean Howell, a professor at the University of Oregon who teaches urban history and planning. “I think there’s likely some businesses that are gone and aren’t coming back. And there are just some people, generally, who are kind of spooked from everything.”

City officials insist Portland is resilient as they launch a revitalization plan — in the form of city-

wide cleanups of protest damage, aggressive encampment removals, increased homeless services and police reform — to repair its reputation.

But even the city’s famously liberal locals grew weary of months of racial justice protests, increased shootings, a more noticeable homeless population and strict COVID-19 restrictions.

When the pandemic reached Portland in March 2020, businesses boarded up, turned off neon “open” signs and sent employees home.