North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 27

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 27

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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

CDC issues guidance on polio, measles for Afghan refugees Washington, D.C. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance on Tuesday to local health departments to maintain vigilance for measles and paralytic polio disease among arrivals from Afghanistan, according to a memo obtained

by North State Journal.

The CDC says that “individuals from Afghanistan are being resettled across the U.S. Afghanistan ranks 7th in the world for measles cases with a current outbreak and one of only two countries with both wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus in circulation.”

The memo indicates that many of those arriving are choosing to have documents processed at military bases in the U.S. The CDC says efforts are being made to deliver vaccination records as soon as possible, but local health leaders should review typical symptoms of measles and polio for any refugee and contact county health departments if cases are suspected.

NSJ STAFF

Higher age of NC juvenile prosecution becomes law Raleigh The minimum age for prosecution in North Carolina’s juvenile courts will rise later this year from 6 to 8 in legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper.

The increase will remove North Carolina’s status as the state with the lowest age for juvenile adjudication set by law in the country.

The juvenile justice law says that, starting in December, 8- and 9-year-olds subject to juvenile court adjudication will be limited to those who commit the most severe felonies or are repeat offenders.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New Hanover sheriff: Teen charged in shooting at high school Wilmington A teen has been charged after a student was shot during a fight at New Hanover High School on Monday, the sheriff’s office said.

Several students were fighting around 11 a.m. at the school when a 15-year-old shot another juvenile, Sheriff Ed McMahon said at a news conference. The wounded student was taken to a hospital and his injuries aren’t considered life-threatening, McMahon said.

Both teens are students at the school, which has about 1,500 students, according to county schools spokesman Russell Clark.

Authorities have arrested and charged the 15-year-old with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and weapons offenses, the sheriff’s office said.

“Our schools need to be the safest place for our children to be,” McMahon said. “We are not going to tolerate this kind of behavior in our school system.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cuomo legal woes continue, could cost public at least $9.5M Albany, N.Y. Resigning from office probably didn’t end former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legal problems, and no matter what happens next, taxpayers are likely to wind up with a hefty bill.

The state has already agreed to pay up to $9.5 million to lawyers representing and investigating Cuomo and his administration over sexual harassment allegations and other matters.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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20177 52016 $0.50

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SENIOR AIRMAN TAYLOR CRUL/U.S. AIR FORCE VIA AP

Biden troop withdrawal finishes in Afghanistan In this Aug. 30, 2021, photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, a soldier, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, boards a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of the final noncombatant evacuation operation missions at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

NORTH

NC Treasurer Folwell announces $252.6M in GARVEE bonds

JOURNaL

Marks 8th round of GARVEE bonds in past 14 years

STATE

More than 1M in NC have recovered from COVID-19 State leaders say they still need vaccine

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — As of Aug. 30, more than 1.1 million have recovered from COVID-19 since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020. State health leaders, however, say that despite recovering from the virus, those individuals should still get vaccinated.

During a press briefing on Aug. 18 with Gov. Roy Cooper and state leaders, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen indicated that the state wasn’t actively tracking the number of citizens who may possess immunity.

This type of antibody testing, which has been done locally by Wake Forest Baptist Health, for example, often shows a higher degree of antibodies in the community than just those with positive COVID-19 tests.

The Wake Forest study showed that before vaccinations began in late December 2020, 30% of those who took an antibody test showed antibodies against the virus. Now, as of Aug. 31, 54% of the state’s population has received at least one dose of vaccine, including 65% of those 18 or older.

In the United Kingdom, the Office of National Statistics shared an update in late July that showed 94% of the population in England had antibodies, but only 80% were fully vaccinated.

In response to a question

about how the state was handling those with natural immunity, Cohen said they should still get vaccinated.

“There’s a very different way in which your body builds immunity when you get COVID vs. when you get a vaccine. The vaccine is a supercharged way of teaching your body about COVID,” said Cohen in the briefing. “When you get COVID in the community, it potentially can just give you a limited type of immunity. Some people it can give extensive immunity, but often it is limited.”

That view, however, is not shared by all health leaders.

Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins physician and public health researcher, has written extensively on the benefit of natural immunity in addition to the national vaccination campaign.

In a recent question-and-answer with U.S. News & World Report, Makary says, “I’ve had debates with other public researchers about the effectiveness and durability of natural immunity. I’ve been told that natural immunity could fall off a cliff, rendering people susceptible to infection. But here we are now, over a year and a half into the clinical experience of observing patients who were infected, and natural immunity is effective and going strong.”

He continues, saying, “That’s because with natural immunity, the body develops antibodies to the entire surface of the virus, not just a spike protein constructed from a vaccine.”

See COVID-19, page A3

$1.1 billion.”

The project list provided by the state treasurer includes: Orange County, I-40 Widening, from the I-85 split at Exit 163

By A.P. Dillon to the Durham County line, widNorth State Journal ening approximately 11 miles from RALEIGH — State Treasur- four to six lanes to improve capacer Dale Folwell has announced ity and safety. It will also upgrade the NC 86 interchange $252.6 million in Grant (Exit 266).

Anticipation Revenue Forsyth County, I-74 Vehicle Bonds known as Winston-Salem NorthGARVEE bonds. ern Beltway, EastGARVEE bonds al- “We’re very ern Section, from US low for the state to pleased to be 311 to SR 2211 (Bauxpledge future federal able to help Mountain Road). Conhighway funds to pay in providing struction of a multidebt service. lane, divided freeway to “We’re very pleased funding for complete an additional to be able to help in segment of I-74. providing funding for much-needed Forsyth County, I-74 much-needed trans- transportation Winston-Salem Northportation projects ern Beltway, Eastern across the state,” Fol- projects across Section, from I-40 to well said in a press re- the state" US 421/NC150 (Salem lease. “I’m appreciaParkway), construction tive of the department’s of a multi-lane, divided staff with the State and State Treasurer freeway.

Local Government Fi- Dale Folwell Forsyth County, I-74 nance Division and Winston-Salem Norththe Local Government ern Beltway, WestCommission for their ern Section, constructhard work on this issuance. It’s an amazing and histor- ing a new interchange between the ical rate that they were able to get Winston-Salem Northern Beltway and existing US 52 north of Winfor these bonds.”

According to the press release ston-Salem to complete the conby Folwell’s office, the funds will nection of I-74 and provide connecbe used to accelerate construction tivity to the Northern Beltway.

Craven County, US 70 Havelock on a variety of N.C. Department of Transportation projects. The Lo- Bypass, from north of Pine Grove cal Government Commission and to south of Havelock, building a the Council of State approved the multi-lane, divided freeway to rebonds on Aug. 3, 2021. Additional- lieve congestion in and around the ly, the state’s GARVEE program is Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Starated A+ by Fitch, A2 by Moody’s tion and the city of Havelock, sepaand AA by S&P. This round of GARVEE bond See GARVEE, page A2 sales is the eighth spanning the last 14 years.

According to the statement, “The bonds were awarded to an underwriting syndicate led by BofA Securities. Barclays, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, Loop Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities are also members of the syndicate.»

The bonds will reach maturity in 15 years and the program is structured to achieve approximately level debt service. The 2021 GARVEE bonds are scheduled to close on Sept. 16, 2021. Folwell’s office says that including 2021 bonds, the “total amount of GARVEE Bonds outstanding will be approximately

Parents will want to read the K-12 COVID bill sent to Gov. Cooper

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A bill making changes to K-12 education policy, calendars and remote instruction has been sent to the governor.

Senate Bill 654, K-12 COVID provisions, was signed by Gov. Roy Cooper Monday, Aug. 30.

The bill went through multiple versions before a conference committee was assigned and produced a final proposed commit-

tee substitute (PCS). This version passed the Senate unanimously (44-0) and was nearly unanimous in the House, with a vote of 102-1.

The lone “no” vote was state Rep. Terence Everitt (D-Wake).

The measure contains a provision that will require school boards to “vote at least once a month on whether the face-covering policy should be modified.”

In a July 21 briefing, Cooper said the state was not making masks mandatory for K-12 stu-

dents for the current school year.

He indicated that N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen had updated the StrongSchoolsNC toolkit that aligned with Centers of Disease Control guidance for schools.

Following the July StrongSchoolsNC toolkit update, 62 districts voted for making masks optional and 52 districts made See BILL, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: ALL IS VANITY

9.1.21 #298

ECCLESIASTES 1:15-18

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

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“Liberty's story” 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

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PUBLIC DOMAIN

A detail of “The Judgment of Solomon” by Peter Paul Rubens (circa 1617).

The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.

GARVEE from page A1 rating through-traffic from military base traffic.

Cumberland and Robeson counties, Future I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop, from I-95 South in Robeson County to NC 24/87 (Bragg Boulevard). Construction of a multi-lane, divided freeway to relieve congestion in and around Fayetteville and improve access to the Fort Bragg military complex by separating through-traffic from local traffic.

Franklin and Wake counties, US 401 widening, from NC 96 in Wake County to SR 1103 (Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road) in Franklin County, widening the existing facility to a four-lane, divided roadway to improve capacity and safety of this key regional artery.

Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties, US 321 Widening, from north of US 70 in Catawba County to US 321A in Caldwell County, widening existing roadway to six lanes and constructing a new bridge over the Catawba River to improve the capacity and safety of this key regional artery.

Buncombe and Henderson counties, I-26 Widening, from US 25 Business in Henderson County to NC 280 in Buncombe County near the Asheville Regional Airport, adding lanes to improve the capacity and safety.

The book of Ecclesiastes is at once pessimistic, inconsistent and hopeful. The entire book reads like a study of human existence and the meaning of life. Solomon is traditionally noted as the author of Ecclesiastes, which fits with his pursuit of wisdom.

The opening poem in Ecclesiastes paints a bleak picture of the human condition. Wellknown statements like “that which is crooked cannot be made straight” and “there is no new thing under the sun” are found in the opening verses. The first chapter closes with the ominous “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

The key word in Solomon’s prelude is vanity.

His use of the word means futility, uselessness and nothingness. Some even use the book to argue that man ceases to exist after death.

But, the Christian knows that while there is nothing new under the sun, there is eternity awaiting for those who believe. The search for knowledge, wisdom and meaning can confound even the greatest minds when the investigator does not acknowledge that God is a higher power that exists beyond our understanding.

BILL from page A1

MARTA LAVANDIER

In this Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, file photo, students sit in an Algebra class on the first day of school.

them mandatory out of the 115 districts in the state. Prior to the announcement by Cooper and Cohen, districts were already rebelling, with Harnett voting in June to make masks optional; four other districts followed their lead in July.

Over the weeks that followed, 37 districts would reverse their mask-optional decision. During that time, Cooper sent a letter to districts that decided to make masks optional, urging them to reverse course.

As of Aug. 27, which marks the end of the first week of school for most districts, 89 school districts were requiring masks for students.

If signed, the bill will also authorize districts to make “dayto-day” decisions on whether or not to shift to remote instruction due to COVID-related issues like lack of staff and student quarantines. Districts would be required to report such a shift to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction within 72 hours.

Planned virtual instruction, such as the remote academies many districts set up during 2020, is authorized to continue, but the district must produce a

plan with a long list of accountability-related requirements.

Remote instruction is authorized for schools if severe weather is a factor. Districts can use 15 remote instruction days or 90 remote instruction hours when schools are unable to open for weather-related reasons.

The provision delaying implementation of the state’s social studies standards approved by the State Board of Education earlier this year was removed from the bill. The revisions drew criticism from Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson over the inclusion of social justice topics and themes drawn from the controversial Critical Race Theory.

“I think they are politically charged. I think they are divisive, and I think they, quite frankly, smack of a lot of leftist dogma,” Robinson said at a January State Board of Education meeting.

A provision delaying the implementation of class-size requirements for kindergarten classes was also removed from the bill.

Various other changes in the bill deal with restoration of student driver’s licenses, teacher evaluation reporting and other conforming changes.

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CEC CR 31965 Business NC half pages.indd 1

1/6/21 4:37 PM

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

A3

John Tyson running for another term on NC Court of Appeals Judge Tyson talks about the court, his family, teaching, and barbecue

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

MANUEL BALCE CENETA | AP PHOTO

First lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden walk onto a U.S. Air Force C17A Globemaster III for a prayer before a casualty return Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

War is over but not Biden’s Afghanistan challenges The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the final stream of U.S. cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden ended America’s longest war.

As the war ended with a chaotic, bloody evacuation that left stranded hundreds of U.S. citizens and thousands of Afghans who had aided the American war effort, the president kept out of sight. He left it to a senior military commander and his secretary of state to tell Americans about the final moments of a conflict that ended in resounding American defeat.

Biden, for his part, issued a written statement praising U.S. troops who oversaw the airlift of more than 120,000 Afghans, U.S. citizens and allies for their “unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve.”

“Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended,” Biden said in his statement.

The muted reaction was informed by a tough reality: The war may be over, but Biden’s Afghanistan problem is not.

The president still faces daunting challenges born of the hasty end of the war, including how to help extract hundreds of Americans and thousands of Afghans left behind, the resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees who were able to flee, and coming congressional scrutiny over how, despite increasingly fraught warnings, the administration was caught flat-footed by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government.

In his effort to end the war and reset U.S. priorities, Biden may have also undercut a central premise of his 2020 White House cam-

paign: a promise to usher in an era of greater empathy and collaboration with allies in America’s foreign policy after four years of President Donald Trump’s “America first” approach.

“For someone who made his name as an empathetic leader, he’s appeared ... as quite rational, even cold-hearted, in his pursuit of this goal” to end the war, said Jason Lyall, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth College.

Allies — including lawmakers from Britain, France and Germany — chafed at Biden’s insistence on holding fast to the Aug. 31 deadline as they struggled to evacuate their citizens and Afghan allies.

Armin Laschet, the leading conservative candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as Germany’s chancellor, called it the “biggest debacle that NATO has suffered since its founding.”

At home, Republican lawmakers have called for an investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the evacuation, and even Democrats have backed inquiries into what went wrong in the fateful last months of the occupation.

And at the same time, the massive suicide bombing in the final days of the evacuation that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 180 Afghans is raising fresh concern about Afghanistan again becoming a breeding ground for terrorists.

It remains to be seen if criticism of Biden’s handling of Afghanistan will resonate with voters.

An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted Aug. 27-28 found about 6 in 10 Americans disapproving of Biden’s handling of the situation in Afghanistan. That poll also found most said the U.S. should remain in Afghanistan until all Americans

and Afghans who aided the U.S. had been evacuated.

His opposition to the 2009 “surge” of U.S. troop deployed to Afghanistan when he was vice president put him on the losing side of conflicts with the defense establishment and within the Obama administration.

In July, Biden pushed back at concerns that a Taliban takeover of the country would be inevitable.

Weeks later, the group toppled the Afghan government.

The president also expressed confidence that Americans would not see images reminiscent of the U.S. evacuation from Vietnam at the end of that war in 1975, when photos of helicopters evacuating people from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon became gripping symbols of U.S. failure.

In fact, they saw images of desperate Afghans swarming the Kabul airport — at least one falling to his death after clinging to a departing U.S. aircraft.

Biden told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos during an Aug. 18 interview that the U.S. military objective in Afghanistan was to get “everyone” out, including Americans and Afghan allies and their families. He pledged American forces would stay until they accomplished that mission.

But Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that there was “a small number of Americans, under 200, likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and still want to leave.”

The swift military evacuation now yields to a murkier diplomatic operation to press the Taliban to allow Americans and their allies to depart peacefully by other means.

RALEIGH — N.C. Court of Appeals Judge John M. Tyson will be running to keep his seat in the upcoming 2022 election. Tyson was most recently elected to the N.C. Court of Appeals (COA) on Nov. 4, 2014.

The term duration for the state’s COA judges is eight years.

The 67-year-old Tyson tells North State Journal he is the “candidate with the most experience,” and that during his current term on the COA, he’s been a part of 2,523 appeals decisions with 99% of his decisions that went to the N.C. Supreme court being either been affirmed or left undisputed.

This is not Tyson’s first term on the COA, having served on that court from 2001 to 2009. He was reelected in 2000 but failed to win reelection in 2008. Tyson was appointed as a recall judge for the COA in 2009. Additionally, Tyson had also served as an emergency Superior Court judge and ran unsuccessfully for a Superior Court spot in the 12C Judicial District.

He was one of four candidates running.

Tyson described the COA as an “error-correcting court” that is an important part of the judicial process.

“We are an appeal-of-right court. We don’t get to choose what we take; and because we’re the intermediary court, we’re not a policy court,” explained Tyson. “The policy court is the Supreme Court because they get to interpret laws and statutes. They are the final arbiter of the North Carolina State Constitution.”

Tyson went on to say that “as an error-correcting court, our focus is narrow.” He elaborated, noting that the three-judge panels convened to review a case do not re-weigh the evidence and are not supposed to.

“Basically, did the trial judge commit an error that was prejudicial to the appellant? It’s that simple,” said Tyson.

Of his own personal view on the court system, Tyson believes the jury system is the best protection of freedoms.

“Well, the jury system that we have is the greatest bulwark for freedom that we have because otherwise, what do you get? You get some unelected bureaucrat judge sitting there making life and death decisions,” Tyson said. “Whereas if you put the government to the test of having to prove your guilt to 12 people disinterested beyond a reasonable doubt, that’s a very high standard for them to meet.

So, what protects the individual’s rights is a jury.”

The Cumberland County native has been married to his wife, Kir-

by, for 46 years. She is a commercial-real-estate broker in Fayetteville. Tyson said their first date was the prom in high school. They dated for five years before getting married and have been together ever since.

The couple has four children; three sons and a daughter.

“My youngest son, Henry, is a Campbell graduate. He was there when I was in law school at Campbell, so he’s a big Campbell fan,” Tyson said proudly. “And my daughter went to Wake Forest and met her husband there at Wake Forest; and then Jason, the oldest one, got his master’s at Wake Forest.”

When asked what he likes to do in his spare time, Tyson said he’s an avid reader and that he likes to restore antique automobiles.

“It’s always nice to fix something that’s broken and it didn’t run when you got it and all of a sudden you can take your skill and knowledge and make it run,” said Tyson.

Tyson also said teaching is something he really enjoys and that it is his version of golf.

“What I enjoy doing… I went to college to teach. I come from a family of teachers,” said Tyson. “My mother was one of nine, and four of her sisters were high school teachers.”

Tyson majored in English in college, and after he became certified to teach, he taught at New Hanover County High School. He’s currently a professor at Campbell University.

“I’ve been teaching at Campbell Law for 35 years,” said Tyson with a smile. “I’m teaching children of students. I’m teaching children of classmates.”

His education resume includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1974) and a J.D. from Campbell University School of Law (1979).

Cracking a grin, Tyson and said that his wife told him, “When I start teaching grandchildren, it’s time to quit.”

Tyson also has two master’s degrees. An LL.M. (Masters of Laws) from the University of Virginia (2004) and an MBA from Duke University (1988).

In addition to teaching, he is also a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville and has been served as chairman of the board of deacons.

Tyson also possesses military experience, serving as colonel and staff judge advocate for the North Carolina State Defense Militia from 1987 to 1996. The judge is currently in inactive reserve status.

On the often-crucial topic of barbecue preference, Tyson is a vinegar-based fan but said there is “no bad barbecue.”

“Well, I was raised in eastern North Carolina, so vinegar!” Tyson said. “Now, that’s not to say that I don’t like Lexington-style barbecue, which has a red sauce. I like it too. And let me go ahead and go further. I like to go to South Carolina and eat mustard-base barbecue.

There’s no bad barbecue.”

GEMUNU AMARASINGHE | AP PHOTO

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal to board a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

COVID-19 from page A1

ARIEL SCHALIT | AP PHOTO

An Israeli soldier conducts a COVID-19 antibody test on a child in Hadera, Israel, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.

Makary has also taken on blanket vaccination mandates, such as those from Gov. Cooper for some state employees and numerous businesses.

He cites a Cleveland Clinic study in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed that showed individuals who have had previous infection are unlikely to benefit from COVID-19 vaccination.

The study itself, conducted among over 5,000 employees of the health system, revealed that there was no scientific evidence or benefit to mandating the vac-

FILE PHOTO

John Tyson is pictured in this undated file photo.

cine.

Another aspect of the vaccination-only efforts coming under more scrutiny is the growing data that the efficacy of vaccines appears to wane quickly.

A lengthy study in Israel found that Israelis who were vaccinated were 6.72 times more likely to get infected after vaccination than after natural infection.

Bloomberg reported that the study, which the news organization says was the largest real-world analysis comparing natural immunity to the protection provided by the Pfizer shot, “contrasts with earlier studies,

which showed that immunizations offered better protection than an earlier infection, though those studies were not of the Delta variant.”

“This analysis demonstrated that natural immunity affords longer lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalization due to the delta variant,” the Israeli researchers said to Bloomberg.

Despite this data, it appears that state leaders will continue to emphasize the strategy of vaccinating everyone eligible to receive the shot.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

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Jones & Blount

Take a bite from an NC apple this weekend

Cooper vetoes repeal of pistol permit law

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

The four major varieties that make up the bulk of North Carolina’s apple production are red delicious, golden delicious, Rome beauty and Stayman.

Many others, including fuji, gala, and Cortland are also available at roadside stands and farmer’s markets across the state.

N.C. ranks seventh in apple production by state, with over 300 commercial apple operations, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Apples are indigenous to the state and have been harvested since the 1700s. The state’s top apple-producing county is Henderson, which hosts the annual N.C. Apple Festival in Hendersonville over Labor Day weekend.

RALEIGH — As most political observers expected, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 398, which would have ended the state’s pistol-purchase permit law.

It is the second bill he has vetoed that would have expanded the state’s Second Amendment rights this year. In June, he vetoed Senate Bill 43, 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.

H.B. 398 had the backing of the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association, whose general counsel Eddie Caldwell said, “The sheriffs feel like it was a very valuable system that has just outlived its use.”

In a veto message, Cooper said, “Gun permit laws reduce gun homicides and suicides and reduce the availability of guns for criminal activity. At a time of rising

gun violence, we cannot afford to repeal a system that works to save lives. The legislature should focus on combating gun violence instead of making it easier for guns to end up in the wrong hands.”

Senate Republicans countered that the permit law, which was enacted in 1919, was a relic of the state’s Jim Crow era and was used to deny black citizens their constitutional rights.

Following Cooper’s veto, state Sen. Chuck Edwards said, “Pistol purchase permits were created by Jim Crow Democrats to keep guns away from black people, and data shows that black applicants are still rejected at a higher rate than white applicants. In any other context, Democrats would view these facts and allege ‘systemic racism.’ That they refuse to do so on this issue is yet more evidence that they selectively wield such accusations for political ends.”

The bill marks the 60th veto of Cooper’s tenure, extending the record number he has issued since 2017.

Published Bearing Acreage Reported Bearing Acreage No Acres Reported

WEST

PIEDMONT

Writer releases new book ‘Seasons of a Magical Life’

Officials: 6th person found dead after flooding Haywood County A sixth and final victim has been found dead after flooding last week in western North Carolina from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. The body of John “Jack” Krolak, 74, of Cruso, was located by search teams and positively identified by his family. Torrential rains — with reports of over 20 inches in some areas — led to infrastructure damages estimated to exceed $20 million across the region.

Five others from the town of Cruso who were previously found dead were identified as: Frank Lauer Sr., 74; Frank Mungo, 86; Franklin McKenzie, 68; Judy Mason, 73; and Charlene Mungo, 83.

Buncombe County H. Byron Ballard, the self-proclaimed “Village Witch” of Asheville, has written six books. She published her latest, “Seasons of a Magical Life: A Pagan Path of Living” in July and has been promoting the book at signings throughout the region. She writes about Appalachian folk magic — ancient healing practices, or folk medicine. Ballard said her research for her books has mostly come from first-hand experience. She’s taught for years at The Organic Growers School, an Asheville-based nonprofit offering practical and affordable organic education. Ballard has practiced urban homesteading at her home in Asheville.

Man dead, officer hurt after shooting at police department Guilford County Police officers fatally shot Christopher Corey Moore, 41, of Greensboro after they said he set fire to a police vehicle and assaulted an officer. One officer was injured during the encounter. The incident took place in the parking lot of the Greensboro Police Department. The suspect entered the parking lot, set fire to a vehicle and assaulted an officer who approached him. Three officers discharged their weapon. The suspect was pronounced dead on scene. One officer was injured and brought to a hospital. An officer sustained injuries consistent with a “physical assault.”

AP

Henderson County Police are searching for the person that threw a cat out of a moving vehicle near the Dana community in late August. The cat was thrown from an unidentified pickup truck on the morning of Aug. 20 and sustained minor injuries. Authorities say the cat had also been abandoned without food, water or shelter for several days. Police have a photo of the truck from surveillance footage and are searching for the owner.

WLOS

AP

Former NBC News anchor, correspondent Lloyd Dobyns Jr. dies

Man arrested in online child sex case

Ex-prosecutor gets law license back after conviction

Henderson County Andrew Scott Brock, 22, faces seven counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after being arrested. Authorities got a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about Brock’s involvement in sharing material related to child sexual abuse online. They arrested Brock after obtaining a warrant and searching his home. Authorities said additional charges may be filed against him in the future.

Rockingham County A former district attorney who admitted a scheme with another prosecutor to hire each other’s wives to skirt ethics rules now has his law license back. Craig Blitzer’s license was restored when the disciplinary committee confirmed that he met the requirements to return to practicing law. Blitzer pleaded guilty in 2017 to failing to properly perform his job as Rockingham County district attorney. Last year, Blitzer was suspended from law for four years but got credit for the years prior. Blitzer’s wife had received $48,000 in unearned pay by claiming to work for the neighboring DA’s office.

WLOS

Gaston County A Gastonia man will honor his late wife by opening another recovery house for people battling addiction six years after the death of his wife in a car wreck. Cornell Thomas Sr., 66, has been sober for 13 years. His wife, Samantha, was sober for five years before she died in 2015 in a car wreck. Samantha, 34, and her unborn child did not survive.

Thomas operates three recovery houses to help those struggling with substance abuse, addiction and homelessness. Another recovery house will open for men and women veterans in Belmont in October.

AP

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Police looking for person who threw cat from vehicle

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Man opens recovery homes to honor late wife

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ECSU included in Apple/HBCU initiative Pasquotank County A dozen historically black colleges and universities will join Apple’s Community Education Initiative to expand technology and creative experiences at the other schools and communities. The new schools are Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters College, Elizabeth City State University, Florida A&M University, Harris-Stowe State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Lincoln University in Missouri, Simmons College of Kentucky, Virginia State University and Texas Southern.

The schools will join nearly three dozen universities across the country that are part of the initiative. Apple is supporting the HBCUs with equipment and professional development.

AP

Alamance County Lloyd Dobyns Jr., an award-winning NBC News correspondent who reported from places around the world and who anchored an innovative U.S. television newscast in the early 1980s, has died, his family said.

He was 85. Dobyns died Sunday in Mebane after suffering complications from a series of strokes. Dobyns worked for NBC News in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and was known in the U.S. for working with Linda Ellerbee on the late-night news series “NBC News Overnight” in 1982 and 1983.

AP

PHOTO VIA AP

Police: ‘Historical’ human bone found at dog park

Couple split jackpot thanks to 2 winning tickets Nash County A couple split a nearly $1 million lottery jackpot thanks to two identical tickets. Luther Cannon bought two tickets for Sunday’s Cash 5 jackpot at a convenience store in Rocky Mount. He punched in his numbers and gave one of the tickets to his wife, Constance. When they saw his numbers won a $997,400 jackpot, Constance Cannon said she started crying.

The odds of winning a Cash 5 jackpot are 1 in 962,598. The couple went to Raleigh last week to claim their prize. After taxes, the Cannons each got $352,830.

AP

Edgecombe County Police are investigating after a “historical” human bone was found at a dog park. The Rocky Mount Police Department said someone reported finding the bone Wednesday at the Best Friend’s Dog Park and a “preliminary investigation” revealed it was human. The nine-acre “off-leash” dog park is managed by the Parks and Recreation Department. Police have turned to an East Carolina University forensic anthropologist and the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate. Initial findings indicate the bone is close to 100 years old.

AP

Teacher sent home for refusing to wear mask Johnston County A high school teacher has been sent home for refusing to wear a mask as required by her school district. Aurora Preston, who teaches at South Johnston High School, said she doesn’t think masks are effective in slowing transmission of COVID-19. Preston argues it should be her constitutional right to decide whether to wear a face mask. Preston showed up maskless last week for a teacher workday.

She was told to stay alone in her classroom for several hours before being sent home. She is on leave without pay. After nine weeks, her job status will be reviewed.

AP

Gov. Roy Cooper delivers his State of the State address before a joint session of the North Carolina House and Senate on Monday, April 26, 2021 in Raleigh.

District Court Judge Freshwater Smith enters NC Court of Appeals race

By Matt Mercer North State Journal WILSON — District Court Judge Beth Freshwater Smith announced she is running for the N.C. Court of Appeals in 2022.

A former prosecutor, Freshwater Smith has 34 years of legal experience and is nationally recognized for her work in the area of juvenile law.

Judge Freshwater Smith said she is excited about running a statewide campaign and honored to kick off her campaign in Wilson with the support of her family, friends and colleagues.

“We need conservative judges on our appellate courts who will apply the law as written instead of using the law to create policy,” Freshwater Smith said in a statement announcing her candidacy.

“I look forward to traveling across North Carolina discussing my qualifications and taking my law and order and proConstitution message to the citizens of this great state.”

Freshwater Smith worked as a prosecutor for nearly 29 years, serving in

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98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

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Wilson, Nash and Edgecombe counties as a senior assistant district attorney.

She was one of only 14 prosecutors chosen nationwide to serve as a member of Georgetown University’s National Juvenile Prosecutors Leadership Network.

She was first elected as district court judge in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020.

Freshwater Smith says her commitment to serving others has given her the experience needed in our appellate judges.

“My experience has prepared me to be an effective judge on the Court of Appeals,” she said. “I have been, and will remain, true to the bedrock principle of equal justice under the law.”

Freshwater Smith was born in Morehead City. She received her J.D. from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and her undergraduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and her husband, Richard, reside in Wilson. They have been married for 28 years and have two children.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | SAINT NICHOLAS

Santa Claus is not coming this year

Everything the elves need to make toys for kids costs more this year. Lots more in many cases.

CHILDREN: you need to realize something. Santa Claus is not coming this year with a whole lot of toys and treats.

COVID business shutdowns have taken their toll everywhere, but nowhere has it hit harder than with dear old Saint Nick’s operations at the North Pole. After all, what other business goes to every single home in the world in one night?

We always have difficulty hitting our Dec. 24 deadline to deliver toys to good little boys and girls all over the world. This year, it appears to be near about impossible.

Santa’s elves have supply-chain management issues just like anyone else. When a toy manufacturing plant is shut down for six months in Malaysia, every business that sells toys made there has to wait for at least six months to get product — my elves can’t get delivery just because they are elves, you know.

They tried to find alternative sources, but every toy plant in Asia was shut down for six months so there was nowhere else to turn.

Vice President Kamala Harris said during her trip to Singapore that everyone should buy their Christmas presents early this year because of expected shortages. She was right, of course, but shouldn’t the Second-Person-In-Line-To-ThePresidency be in Washington helping get hostages out of Afghanistan?

Everything the elves need to make toys for kids costs more this year. Lots more in many cases. The cost of plastic is up; the cost of labor — if anyone can find willing workers — is up and the cost of wood for classic, safe and renewable toys…don’t get me started; it has gone through the roof!

Even in China, of all places! Ho-ho-ho.

We have been doing business in China for decades like every other business in the world because we could get toys from them cheaply. But no longer. We have discussed sourcing toys from other nations because of China’s horrific human rights record, but we just can’t find other places that can make so many toys at such a low cost.

My elves are fighting to find enough shipping containers to transport our products just like every other company in the world. There are bottlenecks galore in the harbors of China unlike anyone has ever seen. Even if we can get toys made somewhere else, we can’t get them to the North Pole because there are no shipping containers to put them in. We need delivery of toys, video games and sleds long before the night before Christmas when I take them out on my sleigh.

Many of the elves refuse to go back to work because they are getting government checks to stay at home. There is no incentive for them to work. They stay at home playing video games that they should be getting ready for me to deliver to you on Christmas Eve. The cost of gasoline has skyrocketed since America chose Joe Biden to lead their country. Every time gas at the pump goes up 10 cents per gallon, we have to raise the price of our toys because it costs so much to transport them to the North Pole.

We can’t print up trillions of dollars like they can at the Federal Reserve, you know.

On top of that, we fully expect further disruptions of shipping lanes and airplane transport flights due to the capitulation of American forces in Afghanistan. None of my elves want to get on an airplane now to visit our suppliers and distributors for fear of being hijacked and flown into a building like what happened on 9/11.

Yes, kiddies, real world problems affect even Old Saint Nick at the North Pole. I have been doing this for a very long, long time and the only other time I have seen anything like this was during the Great Depression when an orange was the only present I could put in your great-grandparents’ stockings, hung by the chimney with care.

If you were expecting a Spiderman or Paw Patrol toy, you might want to lower your sights some.

Merry Christmas, anyway. This Christmas might be a good time to remember what it is all about in the first place.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Reflections on the 1-year anniversary of my family’s COVID-19 experiences

We do still deal with some of the lingering side effects from COVID, like mom and I sometimes lose our sense of taste, so things that we used to enjoy sometimes taste like cardboard.

I WAS PERUSING Facebook recently when I came across one of their “memories” posts.

It was a photo I’d taken of some breakfast I’d fixed. The caption read, “May not seem like much, but mom and I had enough energy to cook a small breakfast. Good news is we could taste it. We’d lost the ability to taste some foods when we got the coronavirus, so this is a welcome development. Dad currently in hospital being treated for COVID. Keep praying.”

The photo surprised me. Not because I’d forgotten the three of us had gotten COVID, because that is something people who have battled COVID don’t forget. But it slipped my mind that August was the one-year anniversary.

I paused to reflect on our experiences and how fortunate and blessed we were in the scheme of things to have survived it. As we all know, so many have not, and unfortunately many continue to die from it.

Longtime readers may remember some of this because I wrote a column a year ago this week detailing my family’s bout with COVID and how terrified I was when mom and I had first gotten our CVS test results back. I’d read mine first, and I knew if I had it, that she had it, and very likely that my dad had it (he was tested in the hospital a few days later, and it was confirmed — fortunately, he didn’t have to stay in the hospital long).

My first worry was for them. They were extremely high risk for serious cases considering their age and my dad’s multiple health issues. I kept thinking about how careful we’d been all that time. We had even stopped visiting each other outside of me delivering groceries to mom’s doorstep. But the week I caught it was the first week I’d resumed my caregiver role since the pandemic started, which meant staying over for a few days at a time to help out with things around the house and to help care for dad.

To this day we still don’t know who caught it first, but we

believe it might have been my dad, who has to go to a medical facility three times a week and who is around a lot of other senior citizens and healthcare workers.

Considering what others have gone through, our cases were mild, but the next two weeks getting through it were a struggle. It completely and utterly zaps you of energy. Extreme fatigue and loss of taste were my main and ongoing symptoms throughout my battle, while coughing, sore throats and fatigue were the main issues mom and dad experienced. Because I’m a caregiver and because they felt worse than I did, I had to care for them while I was fighting COVID myself.

Auto-pilot kicked in for me, and I did what I needed to do for them and for me — fortunately, we made it through. We do still deal with some of the lingering side effects from COVID, like mom and I sometimes lose our sense of taste, so things that we used to enjoy sometimes taste like cardboard. We get fatigued more often than we used to.

For all I know, dad hasn’t dealt with any lingering effects from it, not that he’d admit to it if he did.

Though we got COVID and survived it, we all still got the vaccine as a precautionary measure. I have felt safer since I got it, but it’s scary to know that the Delta variant can still sneak through and infect someone who has been fully vaccinated, though at this point the cases are still rare.

I pray everyone is continuing to do what they need to in order to stay safe from this horrible disease.

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, September 1, 2021 COLUMN DAVID D. SNEPP

COLUMN | BRANDT IDEN

The time is now: why online sports betting is a must for North Carolina In April, Virginia collected more than $1.6 million in tax revenue from mobile and online sports betting.

NORTH CAROLINA LEGALIZED sports betting in July 2019 — 14 months after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018. It took another 20 months for the first sportsbook to open in the state, when the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians started offering sports betting at two Harrah’s-branded casinos.

July marked the two-year anniversary of legalized sports betting in North Carolina, and the state has yet to expand sports betting to additional retail locations and, most importantly, to the online domain, which has been the biggest driver of sports betting revenue in the country to date. However, this may change thanks to SB 688, a bipartisan bill that would expand North Carolina sports betting into the online market.

As is the case with any gaming legislation, questions will be raised from those who are in favor of the expansion of gaming, as well as from those who oppose it. Ultimately, there should be a common goal across the board: passing legislation that is safe, responsible and beneficial for all involved.

With legalized sports betting adoption growing considerably across the country, North Carolina can be the state that pushes online sports betting past the 50% mark — an amazing feat when you consider that PASPA was repealed just three years ago. There are several reasons why online sports betting adoption is so significant, and near the top of the list is the additional tax revenue it can bring into the state.

Fortunately, North Carolina has neighbors to look to for inspiration.

In April, Virginia collected more than $1.6 million in tax revenue from mobile and online sports betting. This was up from nearly $1.2 million the previous month. Meanwhile, West Virginia collected approximately $1.8 million in tax revenue from mobile and online sports betting in April. Tennessee, which only allows online sports betting, collected $2.8 million in tax revenue in April. Simply put, the demand for online sports betting is high.

It’s very likely that a fair percentage of those revenues in neighboring states comes from North Carolinians making the trip across state lines to place their bets. This is money that North Carolina will capture if SB 688 gets passed.

However, financial impact is just one aspect for North Carolina to focus on. The second should be player and consumer protections.

I have seen firsthand in Michigan the tremendous impact that proper regulation and general oversight can have on citizens, particularly related to online sports betting.

With incredible technology that’s constantly improving, bettors can have their wagering patterns monitored to protect them from potential issues, such as addiction or having their money stolen from untrustworthy sources.

These are very serious problems in the black and gray markets that we hope to improve across the country through regulation and oversight. If you make a bet with an offshore sportsbook, because of convenience or a lack of education, there’s no recourse if something goes awry.

Additionally, a benefit to establishing a regulated market for online sports betting is increased integrity protections. Again, because of the technology available to us, online betting patterns can be monitored in real-time and anomalies can be spotted instantly, keeping athletes and consumers protected from matchfixing and betting-related corruption.

North Carolina sees the light at the end of the tunnel and a regulated online sports betting market is well within reach. Passing SB 688 will open a plethora of opportunities for the state from a financial perspective, but it’s important to address consumer protections and integrity protocols as well. Now is the time for North Carolina to act for its citizens.

Brandt Iden is the head of government affairs in the U.S. for Sportradar, a leading global provider of sports betting and sports entertainment products and services.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

If we soak the rich, will everyone get wet?

Do we really want nearly 200 million people receiving free government services but not paying any income tax to support the government?

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN describes his $3.5 trillion spending scheme as a way to improve the economy and “build back better.”

The intention is a good one, but at its core, this plan isn’t so much about growing people’s wealth as it is redistributing it. The goal is to make the economy not more prosperous but more equitable — fairer.

The multitrillion-dollar spending plan offers lower-income and even middle-income people truckloads of free things: health care, dental care, food, pre-K, child care, rental assistance, student loan forgiveness and free community college. And we know that Americans love freebies.

But nothing the government doles out, including the proverbial “free lunch,” is ever really “free.” So to pay for the giveaways, the rich will pay more taxes under the Biden plan — a lot more. Tax rates would rise to 50% or more, and death taxes would increase by a record amount. As one liberal commentator recently put it, “It’s time to divide the spoils of the American economy.”

But our tax code already is highly progressive, and far more than most people have been told.

If you believe the media, you would think there are country clubs full of millionaires and billionaires who pay little or no taxes.

Some invest a lot of money in tax accountants and tax avoidance, but that isn’t because tax rates are not high enough. If someone has zero tax liability, raising the tax rate to 50% still means paying 50% of zero, which is zero.

Tax avoidance happens because Congress has affixed so many special interest loopholes onto the tax code, like barnacles on the hull of a ship.

But as a group, the top 1% carry a surprisingly hefty portion of the income tax burden on their backs, much more so than in the past. For example, in the 1970s and 1980s, the top 1% in income paid a little less than 20% of all federal income taxes. Amazingly, back then, tax rates were a lot higher than now.

Today, according to IRS data collected by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, the top 1% pay roughly 40% of income taxes. The Tax Foundation has found that this is close to a record share of taxes paid by the rich, and far higher than in most other nations. Even in the more socialist European nations, the rich don’t pay that large a share.

Here’s another way to think about it. The wealthiest 1% now pay more in federal income taxes than the bottom 90%. But as rich as Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z and Bill Gates are, they don’t make anywhere near the combined income of the tens of millions of

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people with incomes below $100,000 a year.

The Biden plan seeks to force the top 1% to pay almost half of all income taxes. But, even if that were possible, is that a good thing for a democracy? Is it good that one out of 100 people bear the burden of half of all the taxes? These are highly successful people for sure, and most are small-business owners and investors. Still, since when in America do we have an explicit policy of punishing success?

The other troubling trend in federal tax policy is that since the coronavirus hit, the share of people who pay no taxes at all has skyrocketed.

The Tax Policy Center shows that six of 10 households paid no federal income taxes during pandemic-stricken 2020. That’s right. Zero.

Suppose the Biden plan, which dramatically expands tax credits for children and offers other loopholes, is passed. In that case, this percentage could rise to two-thirds of households avoiding income taxes altogether.

It is a dangerous trend. Do we really want nearly 200 million people receiving free government services but not paying any income tax to support the government? If the government becomes essentially free for most people, then these citizens will tend to vote continuously for more free goods and services.

It is an outcome for which our forefathers issued warnings. They worried that if voters come to believe they can vote for spending policies that line their own pockets and make other people pay, our democracy will perish.

The temptation to plunder the wealth of the rich legally is called “the tyranny of the majority.” It is why every worker and voter should have skin in the game in how our government spends money. One way to ensure this is to have a tax system that requires everyone to contribute, even if it is only a few hundred dollars of taxes a year.

A simple flat tax rate of 19% without all the loopholes would force almost everyone to pay some tax each year. Moreover, it would preclude the millionaire and billionaire crowd from sheltering the bulk of their income in loopholes and exotic deductions.

The Democrats love to talk about how “we are all in this together,” and they are right.

This is why we must not tolerate an income-tax system with more than half of the public paying nothing. If only the rich pay the taxes, then a common lesson of history is that there are fewer and fewer rich people to soak over time.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at FreedomWorks. He is the co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and is a contributor to the Washington Examiner.

BE IN TOUCH

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 3101 Industrial Dr. Suite 105. Raleigh, N.C. 27609. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Defeat not victory PRESIDENT BIDEN IS RIGHT. No matter when we left Afghanistan, it was going to be a mess. A big one.

But in the last two weeks, we’ve witnessed a failure by the United States that extends far beyond the normal chaos and calamity that defines Afghanistan and one that could have been avoided by a more precise execution of long-laid plans.

The White House narrative blaming Afghans, the collapse of Afghan National Forces, and the traitorous, cowardly flight of President Ghani is diversionary, not too unlike the chaff being shot from our departing C-17s as a countermeasure to potential ground fire.

The simple fact is that the Departments of State and Defense have planned and trained for this exact moment for years in a complex set of plans and bureaucratic agreements bundled up in what is called a “Noncombatant Evacuation Order.” A NEO takes all manner of contingencies into consideration, including departure points, perimeter security, and whether we are operating in a permissive or hostile environment.

A NEO is the plan to get American citizens the hell out of Dodge when the proverbial crap hits the fan in any country where we operate. Delicately balanced and extensively developed, the objective of a NEO is to achieve what the classical military strategist Carl von Clausewitz says is to manage an operation by “doing neither too much nor too little.”

In my four years in Afghanistan, including as spokesperson to U.S. Embassy Kabul, I had a chance to weigh in on parts of a draft Emergency Action Plan that detailed the embassy’s response to a set of operational challenges, including a mass evacuation.

A classified document, the plan integrated into the overall NEO structure and acted as the embassy’s blueprint, providing the safety, security, and eventual “repatriation” of Americans and evacuation of Afghan allies from the country, if needed.

In fairness to the Biden administration, the retrograde of American forces and citizens began before the Taliban sauntered into Kabul on Aug. 15. At that point, the United States found itself in the unenviable position of conducting a NEO not in a permissive environment, but in a hostile one.

Herein lies the point where the Clausewitz dictum of “doing too little” led to multiple mistakes that defy the easy explanation that the Taliban magically appeared in Kabul.

The first was a result of the yet-explained decision by the Pentagon to abandon Bagram Air Base on July 5th. Insane in its shortsightedness, the decision left Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) as our only exit.

Imagine if RDU Airport was smackdab in the middle of the Crabtree Mall area in Raleigh. That’s HKIA. Only yards from its front door, you are literally in a dense, crowded city street. In fact, in my many times leaving the airport in an armored convoy for the 6.7 mile trek to the embassy, it wasn’t potential IEDs that scared me to death, but the prospect of terrorists mowing down pedestrians, poor Afghans simply trying to sell fruits in their rickety stalls.

By abandoning Bagram and putting all pressure on HKIA, the United States created an uncontrollable, unsecurable pressure point that tragically resulted in the very predictable attack that left 13 U.S. soldiers dead and many innocent Afghans killed and wounded.

In addition, and out of desperation — which is the exact state you should not be in during an NEO — the Biden administration literally made a deal with the devil. In an unconscionable move, it turned the safe passage of American citizens and others on the streets leading to HKIA over to the Taliban.

The immorality of such a decision cannot be overstated. The United States military with all of its might refused to muster Special Operations Forces to patrol, safeguard, and yes, possibly invoke rules of engagement in the solemn duty to conduct a NEO in a hostile environment. The Biden administration literally negotiated to put Americans behind enemy lines.

If that wasn’t insane enough, the Pentagon publicly acknowledged that in so doing, it handed over a list of American citizens and Afghans, including their passport numbers and other identifiable information, to the Taliban. Let that sink in for a moment.

In the weeks and months to come, we will be told by the Biden administration that the operation was so successful that it rescued 100,000 American citizens and deserving Afghans. But this too is a sham.

The truth is, in desperation, the gates at HKIA were open and closed haphazardly, and authorities issued parole to thousands of Afghans, many of whom had no documentation, no record of working for the United States, and nothing more than luck at being near an open gate. Meanwhile, thousands who could document close ties, including Afghans whom I know and worked with, have been abandoned.

In our after-action review of this operation, we as a nation must not accept the Benghazilike retort: “What difference at this point does it make!”

Our journalists, lawmakers of both parties, and the American people should demand to know why this administration shrugged its shoulders in handing over any security of our citizens to the Taliban and how any NEO operation planned and practiced for so long, ended up so tragically a mess.

David Snepp is a native of Charlotte and served in Kabul from 2010-2014 including a stint as spokesperson for U.S. Embassy Kabul.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

SPORTS

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs preview, B4

JAYLAN NASH | AP PHOTO

Running back Mataeo Durant and Duke, which beat the 49ers 53-19 last season, have a season-opening rematch at Charlotte on Friday.

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT NHL

Hurricanes tender $6.1M offer sheet to Canadiens’ Kotkanemi Raleigh The Hurricanes tendered an offer sheet Saturday to Canadiens restricted free agent Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a move that addresses both a need and serves as a response to Montreal trying to poach Carolina’s Sebastian Aho the same way two years ago. Kotkaniemi signed the offer sheet for $6.1 million for next season. The Canadiens have seven days to match or receive Carolina’s 2022 first- and third‑round picks as compensation.

Montreal signed Aho to a $42.3 million, five‑year offer sheet in the summer of 2019 that Carolina quickly matched. Kotkaniemi, who was selected by the Canadiens right after Andrei Svechnikov with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, scored five goals and added three assists during Montreal’s surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final, but he was scratched in the final two games against Tampa Bay. The 21-year‑old Finn has 62 points in 171 regular season NHL games.

NFL

Panthers trade for NC A&T’s Johnson Charlotte The Panthers bolstered their special teams Monday, sending a 2022 sixth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for defensive end Darryl Johnson. The 24-yearold was a seventh‑round pick out of North Carolina A&T by Buffalo in 2019 after being named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior with the Aggies.

The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Johnson was used sparingly on defense by the Bills but stood out on special teams.

He ranked second on the team in special teams tackles last season with eight and has one blocked kick in his career. He had two sacks in 31 games over the past two seasons.

Duke, Charlotte both look to move past 2020 in opener The Blue Devils and 49ers want to put their two-win seasons behind them

By Shawn Krest North State Journal DUKE OPENS the season with a very favorable nonconference schedule. The Blue Devils will face back-to-back in-state opponents to start the year in Charlotte and NC A&T. Over the years, playing neighbors has been the road to nonconference success at Duke. The Blue Devils are 11-0 against nonconference opponents from North Carolina since David Cutcliffe took over as coach.

They are just 25-13 against nonconference foes from other states.

The Blue Devils haven’t just beat-

en the Elons, A&Ts and Centrals.

They’ve dominated, winning by an average score of 51-12. By comparison, they’ve been outscored by an average of 30-27 in all other games.

In fact, the last time Duke lost a nonconference game to an in-state foe was back in 2005 against East Carolina. That was also the last time the Blue Devils went on the road in the state to face a nonconference opponent.

The Blue Devils will put that streak to the test on Friday at Charlotte. Duke beat the 49ers in Durham last year, one of just two wins the Blue Devils managed, running up a 53-19 win that produced 19% of all the points Duke scored last season.

Charlotte, meanwhile, will be looking for its first win over a Power Five team. In his third season at

the helm of the 49ers, coach Will Healy has already taken the team to its first bowl game and now looks to conquer the next level of success.

Unlike Duke, who will be using its fourth different starting quarterback in as many seasons, Charlotte has stability under center.

Chris Reynolds enters his fourth season as the 49ers’ starter and is on the watch lists for the Unitas and Maxwell awards. He might not be the best quarterback on the roster, however, as former top Texas A&M recruit James Foster is likely to see time as well.

Duke, meanwhile, will start Gunnar Holmberg, who battled back from a knee injury to serve as Chase Brice’s backup last season.

His main task will be to cut down on turnovers. The Blue Devils led the nation in giving the ball away

last year.

The Blue Devils will look to have improved protection for Holmberg from the offensive line. That starts at center where elder statesman Jack Wohlabaugh returns after missing most of last season with an injury.

“It’s been fun to watch him enjoy getting back full speed, scrimmaging and live. He’s playing really well,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s a big, powerful guy in there, and he brings something special.”

Wohlabaugh’s return allows Duke to shift personnel on the line to hopefully find a more cohesive unit than the one that had Brice on the run for much of last season.

Holmberg will have a deep, veteran wide receiving corps, led by Jake Bobo and Jalon Calhoun. The running back position doesn’t have much depth behind Mataeo Durant, who will be in his first year as the primary ballcarrier.

Duke’s defense loses two pass rushers to the NFL in Chris Rumph and Vic Dimukeje. An inexperienced front seven will put a great See DUKE, page B4

Tar Heels take high expectations to Blacksburg No. 10 UNC faces a tough opener against Virginia Tech

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal EXPECTATIONS have never been higher for North Carolina football. The Tar Heels are coming off their first Orange Bowl appearance and open the season at No. 10 in the country and the preseason pick to face Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

Carolina is led by quarterback Sam Howell, who is on the short list of favorites for the Heisman Trophy this season.

Before the Tar Heels collect their awards and accolades or start looking for a location to erect the statues, however, they need to get past their season opener in Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech.

“Opening games are really, really tricky,” UNC coach Mack Brown said. “This is my 33rd one, and you, as a head coach, have to make a lot of decisions. How much do you run? How much do you hit? How much do you stay out in the sun? You’ve got a night ballgame, it’ll be half-light and half-dark with a 6 o’clock starting time.”

It will also be in one of the toughest venues in the ACC, with a full house in Blacksburg that

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Quarterback Sam Howell and UNC head to Blacksburg for an early-season test against Virginia Tech on Friday. wants nothing better than to knock off the high-flying Heels before their season even gets on track.

“Unlike some people, I love going to stadiums that are full and have passionate fans like Virginia Tech,” Brown said. “Especially after last year, our young people didn’t get to experience full stadiums, and that’s just not the way college football is. … Virginia Tech’s got the great opening, they’ve got the tremendous fans and it’s a fun place to play. A challenging place to play, but it’s

a fun challenge.”

Florida State was a fun, challenging place to play last year, and the Tar Heels traveled to Tallahassee as the No. 5 team in the nation only to suffer an upset loss to the Seminoles. Brown and the Heels will look to avoid a similar fate in Blacksburg.

It won’t be easy. Like Florida State, Virginia Tech has a long history of winning and will want to serve as gatekeeper for an upand-coming ACC contender like Carolina. The Hokies return seven starters on offense behind

new starting quarterback Braxton Burmeister, a former Oregon Duck who spent last season as the Hokies’ backup.

“I think they do a really good job, probably as good a job as anybody we play, of creating conflict in the run game,” said UNC defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. “They’re committed to running the quarterback, and I think they’ve got a really talented kid running it.”

The Tar Heels will look to stop Tech’s offense with a deep but young defensive front. Carolina played several freshman defensive linemen last season to create experience heading into this year. Jeremiah Gemmel anchors a linebacker unit that lost Chazz Surratt to the NFL, and the Heels have an experienced group in the secondary.

On the other side of the ball, Howell will be facing a battle-tested Virginia Tech secondary and an all-conference candidate in linebacker Dax Hollifield.

The Hokies defense struggled at times last year, but it should be improved in 2021.

The Tar Heels got a glimpse of 2021 in the Orange Bowl, playing without explosive playmakers Michael Carter, Javonte Williams and Dyami Brown, who all sat out the bowl to prepare for the NFL. See TAR HEELS, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

9.1.21

TRENDING

Bob Huggins: The West Virginia basketball coach has agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes the option for him to step aside or continue coaching after the 2023-24 season.

Under the agreement announced Friday, Huggins, who turns 68 next month, will earn $4.15 million in each of the next three seasons. He is entering his 40th season as a head coach. The Mountaineers have gone to the NCAA Tournament in 10 of Huggins’ 14 seasons. He had previous stops at Akron, Cincinnati and Kansas State.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Kurt Busch has agreed to a multiyear deal with 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan and fellow driver Denny Hamlin. Hamlin released more details Saturday about the new partnership and said he is in the final stages of securing a charter for Busch’s No. 45 Toyota in 2022. Busch will join Bubba Wallace with the team and bring his sponsor, Monster Energy, with him to 23XI next year.

BRETT DUKE | AP PHOTO

“He’s a competitive maniac.”

Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer on former ECU quarterback Gardner Minshew, who the Jaguars traded to Philadelphia.

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Hilary Knight: The American forward had two goals and an assist to break Cammi Granato’s U.S. points record in women’s world hockey championship play, helping the Americans beat Japan 10-2 on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Knight tied Granato at 78 points with a goal in the first period and broke the mark with an assist in the second.

Knight added her record-extending 47th goal in the third. With 80 points, the eighttime world champion trails only former Canadian stars Hayley Wickenheiser (86) and Jayna Hefford (83).

“He always wanted to get his trophy.”

Jacques Rogge: The former IOC president, who brought stability to the organization during his 12-year reign after it was rocked by corruption in Salt Lake City’s successful bid for the 2002 Winter Games, died Sunday.

He was 79. Rogge, an orthopedic surgeon and three-time Olympian in sailing from Belgium, presided over six Olympics and enacted a zero tolerance policy on doping.

Total value of Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov’s new eight‑year contract extension, the richest in franchise history. The 21-year-old Russian’s deal is $2 million more than the 10-year, $60 million contract captain Jordan Staal signed back in 2012. Svechnikov has 59 goals in his career, the 10th most by a Whalers or Hurricanes player in their first three seasons in the NHL.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NFL

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHOTO

Frank Scott, the son of Wendell Scott, on NASCAR recognizing his father’s win in the 1963 Jacksonville 200, the only victory for a black driver in Cup Series history.

PRIME NUMBER

$62M

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

NELL REDMOND | AP PHOTO

Louisville suspended head basketball coach Chris Mack for six games for failing to follow procedures in handling an extortion attempt by one of his assistants, former Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio. Gaudio was sentenced in federal court Friday to probation and a $10,000 fine after pleading guilty in the attempted extortion.

The Panthers released kicker Joey Slye on Saturday in favor of Ryan Santoso, pictured, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Giants. Santoso connected on field goals of 52 and 27 yards and made all three extra points in Carolina’s 34-9 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night, while Slye missed from 49 yards.

PARALYMPICS

EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHOTO

Lex Gillette won his fifth straight silver medal in the T11 long jump at the 2020 Paralympics, posting a jump of 6.17 meters (20.24 feet) in his second attempt to finish behind China’s Dongdong Di (6.35 meters).

Gillette — a Raleigh native and ECU graduate — holds the world record at 6.73 meters. France’s Ronan Pallier won the bronze medal.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B3

‘Mature’ Wolfpack open season with high expectations Coach Dave Doeren will lead NC State against South Florida on Thursday night at Carter-Finley Stadium

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal NC STATE FOOTBALL coach Dave Doeren likened the opening game of a new season to “chasing ghosts” because of all the unknowns they present.

It’s a concept Doeren and his counterpart at South Florida, Jeff Scott, have taken to a new level this year by withholding their respective depth charts until just before their matchup at Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday.

The subterfuge has created an inconvenience, especially given all the opt-outs, transfers and other unusual circumstances associated with the coronavirus pandemic. But as far as Doeren is concerned, preparing for that first game is more about knowing what his Wolfpack will do rather than scouting the opposition.

“There’s a lot more games that are lost than won at the beginning of seasons,” Doeren said. “We’ve made that a major focus here, to be the best team we can. We need to get out of our own way and not beat ourselves, minimize presnap things, minimize the postsnap things from an emotional standpoint.

“In my career and for most head coaches, the turnover margin and explosive play battle tells a lot.

Those are major points of emphasis for us.”

Doeren and his staff can afford to pay more attention to their own team than the one on the other side of the ball in this particular opener. USF is coming off a 1-8 season in which it was outscored by an average of 17 points per game.

The Wolfpack, by contrast, returns 20 starters from a team that won eight games in 2020.

That includes quarterback Devin Leary, who missed the final seven games with a broken leg, linebacker Payton Wilson, the ACC’s leading tackler, all-conference offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, and two of the country’s best specialists in kicker Christopher Dunn and punter Trenton Gill.

Because of that veteran presence and the obstacles his team was forced to overcome under difficult circumstances last year, Doeren believes State has more than just experience going for it.

It also has maturity.

“It’s a team that has grown to-

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

The Wolfpack are hoping the return of quarterback Devin Leary, who played only four games last season after suffering a broken leg in NC State’s home opener against Duke, can lead the team to even more than the eight wins it posted in 2020. gether over time and definitely understands the commitment and what it’s like,” the coach said during a media session Monday.

“Just being at practice with them and seeing how they are handling game week, it’s a much more mature football team than we’ve had that way.

“It’s a one-day-at-a-time journey with these guys. That’s what they want it to be. We’re all about winning the day. It’s cliche, I guess, to stack days now. But that’s really the focus of this group. We’re trying to be the best version of ourselves each and every day.”

As much of an unknown quantity as USF is, especially with a roster bolstered by the addition of 10 transfers, there will be at least two familiar faces to State and its fans.

Scott, the second-year coach, is the former offensive coordinator at Clemson, while Cade Fortin, who was named as the Bulls’ starting quarterback last week, began his career at rival North Carolina.

Fortin saw action in only four games during his Tar Heels career, but one of them was a start against the Wolfpack in 2018. While State won the game 34-28 in overtime, Fortin played well. He completed 19 of 40 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a score.

“When we played him, obvious-

“It’s a one-day-at-a-time journey with these guys.

That’s what they want it to be.”

Dave Doeren, NC State coach

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Coach Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack open their season at home against South Florida. ly, it was a long time ago in his career. He’s going to be a much better player than he was that day,” Doeren said. “We have a lot of respect for him and know that he won a battle with another ACC quarterback (Miami’s Jarren Williams) that transferred in there.

Just reading as much as I could get

on their situation, it sounds like he really stepped up in their offseason program and in their spring and earned a lot of respect on that roster.”

Thursday’s game won’t just be the first of the season for the Wolfpack. It will also be the first since 2019 in which it will play before a

Deacons face the unknown in opener against ODU The Monarchs haven’t played a game since November 2019 after opting out of the 2020 season

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal WAKE FOREST is excited about playing its first football game after a long offseason on Friday.

The Deacons’ level of anticipation, however, pales compared to that of its opening night opponent, Old Dominion, which is even more excited about getting back onto the field after multiple offseasons.

It’s been 641 days since the Monarchs played their most recent game, a 38-22 loss to Charlotte on Nov. 30, 2019.

The long layoff is the result of ODU’s decision to join UConn and New Mexico State as the only FBS programs to opt out last season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our team has been waiting a long time for this game,” Monarchs coach Ricky Rahne said. “They’re ready to go. I’m sure the next (few) days are going to seem like forever for the players. It’s going to go too quickly for our coaches.”

Aside from the urgency of game week, ODU’s staff has already had plenty of time to prepare for Friday’s opener at Truist Field. The game will be Rahne’s first since being hired by the Conference USA school nearly two years ago.

That newness, combined with the Monarchs’ addition of five transfer starters, has made the job of preparing for the game more difficult than usual for Wake coach Dave Clawson.

“It’s an interesting opener when you play a team who hasn’t played football in two years,” Clawson said Monday at his first weekly press conference of the new season.

“There’s a lot of guesswork that goes into this.”

ADRIAN KRAUS | AP PHOTO

Coach Dave Clawson enters his eighth season at Wake Forest looking to get the Demon Deacons back to its winning ways after going 4-5 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

The Deacons and Monarchs were originally scheduled to meet in Norfolk during the opening week of last season before ODU made its decision not to play.

With no current video to scout, Clawson has had to rely on history to get at least some idea of what to expect from the Deacons’ first opponent. That includes watching games involving Penn State, where Rahne was offensive coordinator.

Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that ODU has not listed a starting quarterback on the depth chart it released Monday, leaving it up in the air as to whether Central Florida transfer D.J. Mack, redshirt freshman Hayden Wolff or senior Stone Smartt will be under center for the first snap.

The situation is at least somewhat like the one Wake faced in 2016 when it faced Tulane in the first game with its new staff.

“You had Willie Fritz, who had great success at Georgia Southern,” Clawson said. “Was he going to keep the Georgia Southern offense

or is he going to adapt something new? Who is the quarterback?

The gamesmanship of listing three quarterbacks … it’s not just what are they doing, but who are they doing it with? Whether it’s Smartt, Wolff or Mack, different parts of that Penn State offense will be emphasized.”

Regardless of the scheme and personnel employed by the Monarchs, Clawson said it’s more important for his team to execute its game plan and avoid the kind of mistakes that often make the difference in opening week games.

“We’re unsure what we’re going to see on offense and defense, but I know we’re going to have to play well and execute,” the Deacons coach said. “That’s the challenge in front of us. We have to make sure we take care of our execution and focus on us as we figure out what we’re doing. That puts the pressure on us as a staff to adjust appropriately.”

Wake returns a veteran team, especially on offense with the re-

turn of starting quarterback Sam Hartman, leading rusher Christian Beal-Smith and top receiver Jaquarii Roberson. Although the defense lost pass-rushing ace Carlos “Boogie” Basham to the NFL, there’s plenty of experience to go around there as well.

For the first time in recent memory, depth shouldn’t be an issue for the Deacons thanks to the presence of nine “Corona seniors” who decided to come back for the extra year of eligibility granted to all players by the NCAA to make up for a 2020 season disrupted by COVID-19.

“Our guys are excited to play.

They’re excited to have somewhat of a more normal season,” Clawson said. “We had a good fall camp. Everybody has a good fall camp. We’re all undefeated now.

“Not too many coaches do their opening game press conference and say their camp was awful, so I’ll join in on the cliches and say we had a good camp. We’re going to see how good that camp was in the next 12 to 13 weeks.”

packed house at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Weekday night games at State have traditionally produced an extra jolt of energy for the Wolfpack.

Doeren is hoping his team can use that home-field advantage to get the new season off to a winning start.

“We’re very excited for our team and for our fans to be back together at home on a Thursday night,” he said. “We need a four-quarter crowd. We need it rowdy. We’re asking for our fan base and our student section to be a 12th man that has one thing in mind, and that’s making life hell on the opponent and lifting the spirit of our team. I think we have a fan base that can do that.”

TAR HEELS from page B1 The Heels are still shallow at running back without the tandem of Carter and Williams, but Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler is expected to handle the bulk of the carries.

Freshman Caleb Hood is also expected to contribute, along with the group that struggled to move the ball in the bowl game.

At receiver, the Heels will also be down another playmaker as returning starter Beau Corrales has been ruled out for the opener.

Receiver Khafre Brown and starting offensive lineman Brian Anderson have struggled with injuries in the preseason, although UNC said both have been practicing and are expected to play at Virginia Tech.

With a reduced number of weapons on offense, Howell will get the chance to show he’s Heisman-worthy by taking on a heavier share of the offense.

Brown is willing to live with that.

“I thought to myself very honestly, if we could take Sam and Jeremiah Gemmel or Tomon Fox, and leave me and coach (Phil) Longo and coach Bateman here, they can coach the team. They know enough.

They’ve got respect of the guys.

‘Go, we’ll watch it on TV.’” Of course, with a possible season for the ages at stake, the coaching staff plans to make the trip. Now the only question is what the mood will be on the trip back to Chapel Hill.

“They were fifth in the country last year going to Florida State and laid an egg and stunk,” Brown said. “So they get it, they know that. They understand now that we went from fifth to 25th in 3 hours and 15 minutes. It didn’t take us long to get kicked out. So ol’ No. 10, if we leave Blacksburg on that bus disappointed, ol’ No. 10 is gonna die, and it’ll drop to 25 really fast.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B4

Larson the favorite heading into Cup Series Playoffs The Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 is in the driver’s seat with the postseason starting this weekend

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal THE GREEN FLAG drops on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Darlington on Sunday. The 16 drivers who qualified for the postseason will be trimmed by four after three, six and nine races, with the four cars left standing to race for the championship at Phoenix on Nov. 7.

Every Cup Series champion since 2012 other than the retired Jimmie Johnson is in the field, including 2020’s winner, Chase Elliott.

1 • KURT BUSCH Chip Ganassi Racing • Chevrolet

Path to the title: Busch will jump to 23XI Racing next year, taking sponsor Monster Energy with him. Maybe he and Chip Ganassi — who is on his way out of NASCAR — have one last run in them.

Standing in the way: Busch’s late-season win at Atlanta earned him a spot, but he had just four topfive finishes and nine top-10s in 26 races in the regular season.

2 • BRAD KESELOWSKI Team Penske • Ford

Path to the title: The 2012 champion is in his final 10 races at Penske before he takes part ownership at Roush Fenway Racing. He has just one win this season, but it’s at the site of the postseason’s fourth race, Talladega.

Standing in the way: Moving the championship race to Phoenix didn’t do Keselowski any favors. In 24 career Cup races at the track, Keselowski has no wins and has been outside the top 10 in half his trips to the desert.

4 • KEVIN HARVICK Stewart-Haas Racing • Ford

Path to the title: Harvick doesn’t have a win this season, but the No. 4 was in Victory Lane nine times a year ago and had 21 victories from 2018-20. He knows how to win, even if it hasn’t happened in 2021.

Standing in the way: Could the tread be worn off Harvick’s career?

He led just 109 laps all year and, unless he heats up, his six top-10s look like there’ll be his fewest since he had just five in 2012.

5 • KYLE LARSON Hendrick Motorsports • Chevrolet

Path to the title: It’s fitting Larson’s first championship could come in a title race at Phoenix. The 29-year-old, who was fired by Ganassi for using a racial slur during an iRacing event during the pandemic, has risen from the ashes and has been this season’s top driver.

Standing in the way: Everyone’s been gunning for Larson all season, but the stakes will get even higher in the playoffs. He’ll also need to find a way to win at the postseason tracks — his only career Cup wins at the 10 playoff sites were once each at Richmond and Las Vegas.

8 • TYLER REDDICK Richard Childress Racing • Chevrolet

Path to the title: Although he’s still looking for his first win at NA-

SCAR’s top level, Reddick did reach the postseason for the first time in his three-year Cup career. He does have a few Xfinity wins at postseason tracks.

Standing in the way: This will be a learning experience for Reddick, who has just two career topfives at the 10 playoff tracks. That said, he could make the first cut and, with some breaks, a little noise.

9 • CHASE ELLIOTT

Hendrick Motorsports • Chevrolet

Path to the title: The defending champ has taken a back seat to teammate Larson this year, but Elliott finished in the top eight in six of the last seven races and is the favorite at any road course.

Standing in the way: Last year felt like a coronation for NASCAR’s next big star, but Elliott learned this year that the talent pool is deep in the Cup Series. He might need three postseason wins again to hold onto his crown.

10 • ARIC ALMIROLA Stewart-Haas Racing • Ford

Path to the title: If Almirola can get to the title race at Phoenix, it’s arguably his best track — his 14.6 average finish there is his best at any Cup track he’s raced at more than once. He finished fifth in the 2018 postseason, just missing a spot in the championship race.

Standing in the way: No driver in the postseason has fewer top10s than Almirola’s three, and his average finish this season is 21st — worst among the playoff cars.

11 • DENNY HAMLIN Joe Gibbs Racing • Toyota

Path to the title: Hamlin somehow didn’t win a race this season, but he was second in top-fives (13), top-10s (17) and laps led (821). He led the Cup Series with an average finish of 9.1.

Standing in the way: Well, Larson. But Hamlin will also need to end a Victory Lane drought that dates back to last season’s playoff race at Talladega. Matt Kenseth (2003) is the last driver to win a title without winning a race, and that predates the win-friendly playoff format.

12 • RYAN BLANEY

Team Penske • Ford

Path to the title: No one’s hotter entering the postseason. Blaney won the last two races and was runner-up in the stop before that. At 27, Blaney is hitting his prime and his time may be now.

Standing in the way: Blaney’s won at only two of the 10 playoff tracks during his Cup career — Charlotte’s Roval and Talladega. He also has just one career top-five at the first three playoff tracks (fourth at Bristol in April 2019).

18 • KYLE BUSCH Joe Gibbs Racing • Toyota

Path to the title: After a disappointing 2020, Busch won twice this season and again looked like a title contender. No one competes harder than the man piloting the No. 18 — even if it means leaving carnage in his wake.

Standing in the way: Despite running near the front most of the year, Busch led just 247 laps through 26 races. For a driver that has led more than a thousand laps in a season 10 times — including 2,023 in 2017 — there has to be

some concern that, at 36, he’s slipping.

19 • MARTIN TRUEX JR. Joe Gibbs Racing • Toyota

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Path to the title: Truex tied for second in the Cup Series with three wins and has shown throughout his career he can win at any kind of track. Don’t rule him out.

Standing in the way: Truex finished outside the top 10 in six of the last 10 races and picked up his three wins in the first 12 weeks. Does the No. 19 have a second wind?

Ilya Ivashka reacts to his win over Mikael Ymer in the singles final of the Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University on Saturday.

20 • CHRISTOPHER BELL

First-time finalists take the singles and doubles crowns

Joe Gibbs Racing • Toyota

Path to the title: Bell earned his spot early with the Week 2 win on Daytona’s road course and then had four straight top-10s — including two seconds — in July and early August.

Standing in the way: Bell crashed out of two of the final three races. If you can’t get to Victory Lane in the playoffs, you can’t afford DNFs.

22 • JOEY LOGANO Team Penske • Ford

Path to the title: The 2018 champion has multiple victories at half of the playoff tracks and is seemingly always in contention for the title without putting up gaudy win totals. He’s reached the championship race in three of the last five years and made the final eight in seven of the last eight.

Standing in the way: Logano had just two top-fives in the final dozen regular season races, and his only win of the season came on the dirt at Bristol. It just hasn’t felt like 2021 is the No. 22’s year.

24 • WILLIAM BYRON

Hendrick Motorsports • Chevrolet

Path to the title: Byron matched his career total of top fives with nine through 26 races this season and, at 23, is starting to come into his own in his fourth Cup season.

Standing in the way: Byron is probably still fourth in the pecking order at Hendrick, but getting the stable’s youngest driver more experience is probably the top priority for the team.

34 • MICHAEL MCDOWELL Front Row Motorsports • Ford

Path to the title: McDowell shocked the world with his season-opening win at Daytona and had three straight top-10s to start the season. Maybe he can get hot again at the right time?

Standing in the way: The No. 34 spent half of the season finishing outside the top 20 and had just two more top-10s after his hot start.

48 • ALEX BOWMAN

Hendrick Motorsports • Chevrolet

Path to the title: Bowman had a sneaky good season, winning three times and banking 13 top-10s. He’s been one of the better drivers at the Charlotte Roval, one of the playoff stops.

Standing in the way: Like Keselowski, Phoenix has been unkind to Bowman. In 12 trips to the site of the championship race, Bowman has just one top 10 — a sixth back in 2016.

New faces dominate Winston-Salem Open

By Shawn Krest North State Journal WINSTON-SALEM — Coming a week before the U.S. Open, the Winston-Salem Open is often called a tuneup for the Grand Slam event.

This year, however, the tournament at Wake Forest’s tennis complex instead played the role of coming-out party.

For the first time in tournament history, the championship match pitted two players making their first appearance in an ATP event final. Both were also unseeded and outside the world’s top 50, also firsts in Winston-Salem Open history.

Ilya Ivashka took the tournament title, making short work of Mikael Ymer 6-0, 6-2 to win the 2021 Winston-Salem Open.

Ivashka, 27, became the lowest-ranked player to win the Open in the tournament’s history at No. 63 in the world entering the final. He also became the first player from Belarus to win an ATP Tour singles title in 18 years. Max Mirnyi was the last, in 2003.

“I grew up watching Max play,” Ivashka said. “He was like an idol for all of us. I’ve wanted this since I was a kid. I just can’t say how happy I am. We don’t have too many people in Belarus who have won an ATP title, so it’s a great feeling.”

The 22-year-old Ymer, who was No. 90 in the world, was also ending a drought for his home country, becoming the first Swedish player to reach a final since 2011.

He was no match for Ivashka, who seemed to get better as the tournament went on. Ivashka took out Pablo Carreno Busta, the tournament’s top seed, in the quarterfinals, then blew out Emil Ruusuvuori in the semis, breaking serve five times to win 6-2, 6-1. He broke Ymer three times in the final and wrapped up the title in 56 minutes, the shortest ATP final of the year.

Ivashka lost just one set in his entire run in the tournament, making a powerful statement in his first career tournament victory.

“This is an incredible feeling.

It’s something I’ve been dreaming of,” he said. “My coach and I were talking a few months ago about what my goal was. For me, it was to win an ATP title this year.”

The doubles side also featured a coming-out party. Marce-

DUKE from page B1

CHRIS SZAGOLA | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson, left, has been the driver to beat in this year’s Cup Series, but defending champion Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin, right, will both be looking to come out on top when the 10-race playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington.

deal of pressure on a secondary that returns most of its key pieces if the Blue Devils don’t find a way to produce pressure up front.

“One of the things we got to grade early is not just sacks but what kind of pressure you put a quarterback under,” Cutcliffe said.

Across the field, Charlotte will look very different from the team the Blue Devils pushed around last season. The 49ers have added several players through the transfer portal to add to a large group of fifth-year seniors and will have experienced depth to match up with Duke.

“We’re playing a team that is uniquely different,” Cutcliffe said.

“I think they’ve added, you don’t know anything for sure, but looks like seven to 10 transfers that could be starters. New punter, new snapper in the kicking game.

It’s truly an opener, and you have to adjust well as it goes on. … I mean, they have different players, so it’s really hard to have any idea what you’re going to see.”

lo Arevalo and Matwe Middlekoop reached their first tournament final, then beat Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-6 to take the crown.

Arevalo and Middlekoop earned their title by battling back from three match points in the first round to top Andrey Golubev and Andreas Mies in an epic match, 6-2, 5-7, 11-9.

They faced another match point the following day in the quarterfinals before winning another marathon, beating Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith, 3-6, 7-6(6), 10-7.

Dodig and Krajicek, meanwhile, didn’t lose a set before facing Arevalo and Middlekoop in the final.

“I feel amazing. The match was all over the place. I’m still processing it,” said Middelkoop after he took the final with firsttime partner Arevalo. “We had some hard moments this week, but we bounced back. The future looks very bright.”

The future is just as bright for Ivashka, the singles champion.

He vaulted 10 spots in the world rankings after winning in Winston-Salem. Of the previous 10 winners of the Open, nine eventually made it into the world’s top 20.

He credited the Winston-Salem crowd with providing energy as he advanced through the week.

“It’s amazing to play with a full crowd,” he said. “I love these guys. The support has been awesome. We have been playing a lot of empty stadiums, so I enjoy this much more.”

Ymer also enjoyed playing in Winston-Salem as he upset his way to the final, knocking off seeded players Francis Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz Garfia by coming from behind to take both matches. Tiafoe had earlier in the week sent former World No. 1 Andy Murray packing.

“I love the atmosphere here. I also really like the people working with the tournament. I feel very welcomed here,” Ymer said.

After a year away, the tournament saw the top names in its field dispatched early, opening the door for some new faces to get a chance to shine.

“We have always known this is a world-class event,” tournament director Jeff Ryan said.

“These are just more great stories coming out of our community. The bigger story, though, is the support our fans gave all week long. We can’t say thank you enough. This is really a great experience for everyone, not just tennis fans, and we look forward to being back in 2022.”

The transfers include the heart of a bulked-up front four that includes former Notre Dame end Kofi Wardlow and Iowa State tackle Joshua Bailey. They’re backed by a pair of fifth-year linebackers and an all-transfer secondary that includes former Blue Devil Antone Williams.

The offensive line could be a concern, especially with right tackle Jon Jacobs missing the season after tearing his ACL in the spring. Reynolds and Foster have a deep receiving corps to target, however, led by fifth-year Victor Tucker.

Both teams will be looking to start 2021 on the right foot and put a disappointing two-win 2020 pandemic season behind them.

“I don’t want to say survived, but it’s close to that a year ago,” Cutcliffe said of last season.

Charlotte, who had nearly half their games canceled, had just as rough an experience.

For at least one of the two teams on Friday night, the bad memories will fade into the distance.

A7

normal

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home hina lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which C orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans WEEK, virus, according to members theand fede ied to tell the world there were only “THIS ISofTHE DA around the globe and in the United will to pay forTHIS this covered up its spread t areStates, havingChina to adjust 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 led to wo Some of these orders extend at least through the end deaths of this has month. ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus thetoneed the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The e being thrown out of work.

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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 — but ayer 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. taxp 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 t state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. Since when did They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have tonot bethe thankful “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, we would be able toa Perhaps If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to We need WALTER E. WILLIAMS per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic.

1918 questioning “Spanish flu” pandemic also had for its origins in China. measures justification it. And the answers should not be vague onesimmediate like “we fea COVID-19 know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy. transparency According to the University of Washington Institu For me, my faith is Easter seasons government There is 100% agreement, outside of do China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must this out an 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 aberr asked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over and the unsanitary wet markets.

Trump administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians 1:4, whi Chernobyl. unregulated Some believe it came out of a economic financial means.

D from our are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined message of become a gue 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, orldones of 21st hygiene affliction, so that wew biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases hope that we13,000 will and bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the co Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of by nearly and fair trade.

Totalitarian are reliable.

— we need to once again enjoy of this state who when will demand August by nearly 12,000. rse, 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 otherthe state or express sincere To know date, what I’ve gone has asked andregret then and rem they along with ndetermined answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian do. The citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions 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, family for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders deliveryhave, too. they find in adversaries and keep the data.

StateasRepublican 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?

God’sback. example don’t and when reliability adversaries gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, there is and c AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were ked and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines whether certain nt happens such as the Chernobyl this difficult Th The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exogenous they to disaster corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thosetime. ev church some services questions about We should families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Star Warsall continue confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a to do what we can to keep our U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown 1986.

Some back experts what theythe questioning and asking when we caninstart getting and many more Sponsored

by Union and our communities safe. But we still continue more liberalized society that presumes wide spreat Sponsored by should also the dissolution of theourselves, Soviet In thisled same spirit bit of remediation.

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

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, directly to do, lastUnited I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who don’t. after our own asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock down further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors helping ne billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment otherwise don’t care if they get themselvesinor1989. others sick. title of a recent study, ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number of temporary In Concord, a high in China. Chinese direct investmentSince in thewhen U.S. did is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Cd questioning government at all levels become aisbad “Academic and to theAmericans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new the number of identified COVID-19 cases —aare but b eady about the possibility money to buy 3-D sacrifices are comparison.

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

The study was we should remain vigilant and are people who shape, or form.

So while stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong.

We don’t k debt we owe them as one way to get health care workers An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment in China over. of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysis the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “newbillion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing people have actually died coronavirus.

Some the so yick. have caused the US. Don’t hold your Lowe’s associates today, or $60 China to of “pay” damage digital magazine.

By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, isfor mythe family.

I’m see” become aAreopagitica, badbut ask normal.” number has been overestimated, given that classifi to happen your elected for a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion the in virus, and breath waiting Ifor a Chinese them$18 catching I’m worried will.

After “Jub step intofinancial disaster y were supposed Not one little bit. of death, particularly among elderly patients, untable in tangible ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion lost revenue hold Chinacan acc suffering fromin the H1N1 virusis(swine flu) representatives during the 2009topandemic, relief role Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. sources suggest the number is dramatically under decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan extra we areprecautions, now this disaster. been trying to take because all of this brings up Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah e, is my family.

Stacey Matthews manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they expect way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong MOORESVILLE — Lowe’s ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue how mn ation. past. the world like any other modern But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certain has announced it will donate 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists sugges China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields withintothe humanities.

They call $2 million support relief of this brings up of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of magnitude these fields “grievance studies,” where efforts after Hurricane Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion refer notscholarship to repeat. number of people who have had and n is not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and Ida devastated the Gulf ost everyone hastruth but upon attending to finding replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

Coast,grievances. causing catastrophic social Grievance scholars flooding and damage.

As and other bully students, administrators departments into adhering to their part of the effort, Lowe’s will worldview. worldview they promote is Jason donate $1 The million to disaster neither scientificincluding nor rigorous.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS relief partners the Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as American Red Cross, St. sociology, anthropology, gender studies, Bernard Project and others, COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race helping organizations to studies. provide shelter,Pluckrose, In 2017emergency and 2018, authors Lindsay andand Boghossian started food, relief rebuilding submitting bogus academic supplies and comfort to papers to academic journals cultural, queer, those affected byin Hurricane race, gender, fat and sexuality studies Ida. An additional $1 to determine if they would pass peer million willbe support “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let usthe r seriousness of and the virus andproduct the review accepted for need publication.

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

I understand donations.

Acceptance of dubious in it” (Psalm 118:24). y with how people who simplyresearch ask that orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m unea Thousands of associates editors found sympathetic to their this challenging time of soc n thingsjournal can start getting back to are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”I know that during questions about the data, and wh intersectional postmodern across Lowe’sorstores and leftist vision working from home or losing a job, it may be diffi with contempt.

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle of the world would prove the problem of distribution centers be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. AP However, as aasC a societylow simply must accepthave without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated though we BILL SYKES | as PHOTO academic standards. been helping customers and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me s us about Several when it’s safe to begin the Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what the governmentoftelj of the fake research papers Back-to-school supplies await shoppers at a store in Marlborough, Mass., in this Saturday, Julyhave 11, 2020, file photo. and Thishopeful year’s back-toprepare for Hurricane Ida, to be thankful for, even m alcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process of returning back in to the norm school shopping will include some aunwanted lessons in dealing with supply-chain challenges. providing essential supplies Lenten and pandemic. us, and we have journal the right to ask those Studies published a hoax paper No. The government works for Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. to DIYers that argued thePros term bodybuilding was me, my faith is an important part ofstay-atmy da home orders are inand place allwho overare the Easter seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked asFor to the questions.

And the longer questioning delivering critical services andas should be replaced making.

As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI provide with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive to communities.

Lowe’s government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds our Lord “comf eeling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people,us sitting at home message of politicized performance.”

One reviewer hasfamilies, shipped approximately affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those ng for their will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detailhope to the people of this state who when they can get back to provid said, thoroughly enjoyed reading this that we will 500 “I trucks with emergency affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important become a supplies to more than as 60 once again enjoy God.” vels should be as forthcoming contribution to make to thethey field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state le bad thing? stores directly in Hurricane sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” are reliable. can be with those answers and Ida’s path in Texas, “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect on this message and be comforted, that ents believability. concerts, family To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then with details that give theirso statem Louisiana, Mississippi and Reply to Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional God’sabout example andWe comfort in need arou at we can to keep as our free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions shouldallallthose continue to do w gatherings, Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” wasAs NC families try to resume Alabama. this difficult time.

Through faith and by helping o fe. But we should also still continue ply as is furniture.

A shortage of er positions open.

County leadfor many of local products we the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s church services living in a free accepted for

by Affilia, a “normal” school, sports Lowe’s is publication providing shipping containers is also drivers say they are working hard to love and know well, their acconfident we will emerge out of this pandemic str ecause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types ofand questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b feminist journal for social workers.

The more society were additional assistance to ing up the cost of shipping by recruiting local tual supply chains span thou- fill themmany and work schedules, many this same spirit, I continue to bedrainspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to from treatIn those measures are understandable, consisted in part of adate. rewritten matically which ultimately gets colleges and offering hiring bosands of miles across continents help associates affected after our own businesses and restaurants supposed neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not in any way,Two other passage from Mein Kampf. simply questioning the dataownand asking when wecounty can start Thisthe is consumer.” all new to Americans, a passed onto nuses.

Yet the alsogetting reports back and oceans.

Area business by the hurricane.

Lowe’s to stock temporary In Concord, high school senior named Tanne d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at includingare still struggling papers were published, to do, last I to normal as they though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who In a shape, or form.

So while addition to this retailwe shoul having 151 general teacher openers still say have the bestoffered associates with shelves and hire workers “Rape and Queer Performativity money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to make fa mfortable withCulture this so-called “new sacrifices are otherwise don’t if they get sick. same time we shouldn’t most restaurant patrons get co ings withora others vacancy rate at 1.5%. news, the case scenario oncare the demand sidethemselves checked. emergency at Urban Dogneeds Parks.”up This paper’s subject health care workers out of his own home. are aware of the current chickThere are 55 special education and the worst-case on the supSince when did questioning government normal.” over. at all levels become a bad was dog-on-dog But the dog rape to $500 to helprape. cover the spring, teaching positions and 130supposed Vir- en shortage. ply-chain side withfree supply bot- living thing?

That is what citizens in a free society were NotSince one little bit. lopaper eventually Boghossian, evacuation and forced preparation cal restaurants have been reporttual Academy teaching positions tlenecks, especially at ports, conBy Elizabeth Lincicome to do, last I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out expenses.

The company also tinuing to delay products of all also open. Officials say they des- ing disruptions in the supply and North State Journal under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m Stacey Matthews has also written themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer perately need instructional assis- processing of chicken products, kinds. is expanding its financial dState and Insurrection. hadLegal figured out what they were doing. worried about them catchingare the virus, I’m worried I will.

After affecting and isfavorites a regular contributor to Re fan like Bojantants and too with 103 regular vacanHere at home, the scarcities RALEIGH — Summer is assistance through the Some papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic,gles Chicken Supremes, Durhamcies and 184 Special Education affecting everything from ketchwinding down, which means it’s Lowe›s Employee in academic journalsRelief advocated training been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up based Zweli’s spicy chicken, and up packets, to paper products, to vacancies. time to go back to school. Unfor- I’ve Fund.

Lowe›s is doubling men like dogs and punishing white male the wings at Moe’s BBQ in the Andy Ellen I’ofd prefer the N.C. Retail hot too wings, tomemories school uniforms, tunately, teachers, parents, and way many of a painful experience not to repeat. college students for historical slavery by the company›s match, Merchants Association explains, certain recreational distracstudents say they are already feel- toBut what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone hasgreater Charlotte area. The price asking them to$2 sitfor in silence in contributing every on the floor ing the effects of certain product tions like popular video consoles, “Retailers are doing a very good of chicken wings increased 100 chains during class and to be expected to dollar an employee donates. shortages related to the lingering Xbox and Play Station 5. There is job trying to manage their in- percent in this timeframe, forclearn from the discomfort. Other papers impacts of COVID-19. The global also a severe labor shortage rip- ventory but are also experienc- ing many local business ownLowe›s will deploy its mobile celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life supply chain is an intricate web pling through the local hospital- ing supply chain issues with cer- ers to totally remove wings from disaster relief convoy to choice and advocated treating privately consisting of container ships, air- ity industry as well as certain lo- tain products such as products their menus or skimp on quality. provide personal relief conducted masturbation as a form of planes, trucks and trains, but the cal school districts. Certain area containing plastic or aluminum The chain-restaurant East Coast kits, showers, washers sexual violence against women. Typically, pandemic disrupted the entire pools had to cut back their oper- that can range from fishing lures Wings and Grill e-mailed cusacademic journal editorstosend submitted and dryers and meals system, which means those at the ating hours at the end of the sum- to spices due to the thin piece of tomers saying there’s was a manpapers out toinreferees for review. In associates the hardest-hit end of the chain — consumers — mer based on an inability to keep aluminum that seals the bottle. ufacturing crunch and apolorecommending acceptance for publication, areas. are facing a longer wait for basic enough lifeguards and food ser- Also, items that require semicon- gized for selling wings outside its many reviewers gave these papers glowing vice workers on staff. Wake Coun- ductor chips or multiple compo- “specs.” Officials with the North items and fewer options overall.

Additionally, Lowe’s will praise.

While North Carolina-based ty Public School System reports nent parts including automobiles deploy more than 240 Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran businesses are responsible having 206 in-person teach- and appliances are in short sup- See SHORTAGES, page B6 Emergency Response certain grievance studies concepts through Team (ERT) members the Lexis/Nexis database,this to see how often they in our press weekappeared to the region.

Theseover the years.

He found huge associates areincreases speciallyin the usages of “whiteand privilege,” “unconscious trained voluntarily leave bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” their home stores to serve All of this is being taught to college at storesmany affected by storms. students, of whom become primary They will provide additional and secondary school teachers who then could cause premiums to rise for as a result. The official, insist- at the consultancy RSM, has esBy Josh Boak customer support andpeople. give indoctrinate our young many Americans, but they’re also ing on anonymity to discuss the timated that the hurricane damThe Associated Press I doubt whether the coronavirusfellow associates impacted among the largest investors in notice, said the goal would be to age will cause a 0.2% drag in U.S. caused crunch will give college by the financial hurricane a chance WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a U.S. financial markets, with $4.7 make any data usable for consum- gross domestic product this quarand university administrators, a to focus on their families. who are season of daunting wildfires and trillion in assets as of the end of ers, companies, states and regula- ter. That drag should be made up crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, once rebuilding takes place. But flooding, the Biden administra- last year, according to the Trea- tors.

The Emergency Response the guts and backbone to restore academic The request for information economic costs could endure betion is taking an initial step to as- sury Department notice being Teams are deploying from respectability. Far too often, they get much comes as the United States is cop- cause of higher insurance costs. sess how climate change could posted in the Federal Register. stores of their across politicalFlorida, support from campus A senior Treasury official said ing with the costs of a string of The First Street Foundation esharm financial markets — planAlabama,people Texas,who Louisiana grievance are members of the ning to launch on Tuesday a 75- the information gathered would natural disasters, with wildfires timated in a report this year that faculty and diversity and multicultural and Mississippi.

Another 240 day comment period on how the help to more fully understand raging in western states and Hur- the 4.3 million homes at risk of administrative ERT membersoffices. are ready to impacts could reshape the insur- how climate change could poten- ricane Ida knocking out power substantial flooding would need The best hope lies with boards of deploy in the coming weeks. tially destabilize the stock, bond, for New Orleans and hundreds of to see their premiums for flood inance sector.

Business & Economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

Approved Logos

north STA

VISUAL VOICES

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

Supply and labor shortages still evident across North Carolina

Biden looking at climate change risks to financial markets

trustees, though many serve as yes-men Insurers face payouts from for the university president. I think that a wildfires and flooding risks that good start would be to find 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course offerings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies.

I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

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

commodities and housing markets and how to protect markets

thousands of people in Louisiana.

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist

See CLIMATE, page B6

2021 Ford Raptor, B7

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B6

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 8/26

US consumer confidence falls in August to 6-month low Delta variant spread seems to cool consumer spending, but analysts say it is likely temporary

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$2,431,471,416 Add Receipts:

$23,716,227 Less Disbursements:

$100,325,447 Reserved Cash:

$533,476,679 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$5,602,828,202 Disaster Aid Reimbursement:

$2,063,264

By Martin Crutsinger The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. consumer confidence fell in August to the lowest level since February amid rising concerns about the rapidly spreading delta variant of the coronavirus and worries about higher inflation.

The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index dropped to a reading of 113.8 in August, down from a revised 125.1 in July. It was the lowest level for the index since a reading of 95.2 in February.

The July index was revised from down from an initially reported 129.1 which followed a reading of 128.9 in June, the best showing since before the pandemic struck in February 2020.

The Conference Board said that concerns about the resurgence in COVID cases as well as worries

NAM Y. HUH | AP PHOTO

Consumers shop at a Walmart store in Vernon Hills, Ill., Sunday, May 23, 2021. about rising gas and food prices had contributed to the drop.

With the August decline, the overall index is 19 points below its pre-pandemic level. The drop in

August reflected a weakening in both the current conditions and expectations components of the index.

The report showed that spend-

ing intentions for purchases of homes, autos and major appliances cooled in August, but the percentage of consumers intending to take a vacation in the next six months continued to climb.

“While the resurgence of COVID-19 and inflation concerns have dampened confidence, it is too soon to conclude this decline will result in consumers significantly curtailing their spending in the months ahead,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators for the Conference Board.

The decline in the Conference Board’s monthly consumer confidence gauge follow a sharp fall reported Friday in the reading from the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey.

Kathy Bostjancic, chief U.S. financial economist for Oxford Economics, said the declines in consumer sentiment were occurring at a time when consumer spending has slowed from the sizzling gains seen in the first six months of the year. But many analysts said they still expect further gains in consumer spending in the coming months, given the high levels of savings households have currently.

“Americans overall are flush with cash and eager to spend it as the economy reopens,” said Robert Frick, corporate economist with Navy Federal Credit Union.

EU takes US off safe travel list; backs travel restrictions The Associated Press BRUSSELS — The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EU’s decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by

the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

“Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list) ... is subject to temporary travel restriction,” the council said in a statement. “This

is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers.”

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S. In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that “the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus.”

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across

federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesn’t apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britain’s “amber” travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. don’t have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EU’s executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that “reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.”

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

In this Friday, July 16, 2021 file photo, visitors enjoy the view from top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

MICHEL EULER | AP PHOTO

SHORTAGES from page B5 Carolina Poultry Federation admit it’s a result of supply chain issues caused by the lingering pandemic as well as certain bad weather events that have impacted the Gulf Coast region.

A lumber shortage is still rippling across the national and local economies though perhaps to a lesser extent than at the start of the pandemic. Lumber prices hit an all-time high back in May of $1,686 per thousand board feet, an increase of 406% from the $333 it was trading at the same time last year. As a result, the price of a new single-family home has increased by nearly $36,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

North Carolina State University Professor Robert Bardon, who teaches forestry and environmental resources and is the associate

dean for extension at the College of Natural Resources, says lumber is particularly important to the state’s local economy. “The production of lumber is important to North Carolina’s economy, in that lumber production is part of the forest sector, which is a major contributor to North Carolina’s economic well-being. In 2019, the forest sector in North Carolina contributed $34.9 billion in industry output to the North Carolina economy, supporting more than 148,000 fulltime and part-time jobs with a payroll of about $8.4 billion. The forest sector continues to be the top employer among manufacturing sectors in the state.”

As disappointing as these various shortages are, there is also some good news. Families can celebrate the back-to-school season in the form of a variety of neat gadgets and innovations to

excited kids of all ages. Whether they’re heading back to the classroom, or moving into a dorm, this is the stuff tech experts say students will want: Lenovo Smart Clock, Google-powered alarm clock, $49 AT WALMART. TCL 4 Series, A cheap but good basic smart TV, $334 AT BEST BUY. Roku Streaming Stick Plus, The ultimate streaming video accessory, $39 AT AMAZON. Stitch Fix gift card, Curated wardrobe, SEE AT STITCH FIX. HelloFresh meal kit delivery service, Meal plan upgrade, SEE AT HELLOFRESH. Apple MacBook Air M1, Best Mac for students, $999 AT APPLE EDUCATION. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, Top-notch Windows 2-in-1, $1,330 AT LENOVO. Google Nest Wifi Mesh Rout-

er, Wall-to-wall wireless, $257 AT AMAZON. Hyperlite face mask (5-pack) ,Personal protection, $20 AT HYPERLITE. Jabra Elite 75t, Excellent earbuds, $150 AT AMAZON. AmazonBasics Microwave, Dorm-friendly microwave, $75 AT AMAZON. Instant Pot, Do-it-all pressure cooker, $100 AT TARGET. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System coffee maker, Your own personal Starbucks, $194 AT AMAZON. Hydro Flask, The Lexus of water bottles, $36 AT AMAZON. Burton Spruce 26L Backpack, The ultimate backpack for campus and beyond, $129 AT AMAZON. Rocketbook Fusion notebook and planner, For anyone who still loves pen and paper, $35 AT AMAZON.

CLIMATE from page B5 surance rise 7.2 times over the next 30 years to cover the expense of the growing risks.

President Joe Biden has focused on the physical damage in virtual meetings this summer with state governors and local leaders, yet he signed an executive order on May 20 to make sure that financial institutions are specifically prepared to navigate the challenges from climate change.

Treasury’s Federal Insurance Office is following up on that order by publishing a request for information with 19 key questions. These questions include what types of data are needed to best measure the risks, how to standardize climate-related disclosures and which factors to consider for major market disruptions.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B7

2021 Ford Raptor

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORD

The Raptor shows why it’s still king of the desert Whether sand dunes or whoops, this truck can’t get enough

By Jordan Golson North State Journal MOJAVE DESERT, Calif. — There are few things more awe-inspiring than a desert sunrise.

I’m generally not one to wake up at 3:30 A.M., but when you’re headed to the middle of the desert where it’ll exceed 110 degrees by midday, it behooves one to start as early as possible.

That’s what had me in a brand new 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor ripping out of a hotel parking lot in Pahrump, Nevada at 4:15 in the morning last week — and boy, was it worth it.

We were headed south to Dumont Dunes for the first press drives of its new Raptor pickup.

For the three people who were up at that ungodly hour, it must have been quite a sight: An unbroken line of brand new trucks blazing down the two-lane blacktop in the dead of night.

The complete lack of light meant it was impossible to get a good photo, and maybe it’s better that way — some things keep better in our memories. Golden hour is always a special time, but it’s something else when you’re out on the sand. As truck after truck pulled to a halt in our staging area, the sky began to lighten, and chills ran down my spine. And all that was before I knew what challenges were ahead.

The Ford Raptor has been the performance truck to beat for more than a decade, challenged but not surpassed by competitors like the RAM TRX and... well, that’s really the only challenger for the giant beast, but Ford has responded well with this third-generation truck.

In 2016, Ford took a fully-stock second-gen Raptor (aside from a safety cage required by regulations) to the Baja 1000, a race across the Mexican desert that is brutally challenging for both man and machine. Not only did the truck finish third in its division, but the team drove it back to Phoenix afterward without issue.

Ford has outfitted the Raptor with a 450-horsepower, 510 lb-ft twin-turbo V6, mated to the most impressive suspension ever fit-

JORDAN GOLSON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ted to a Ford pickup. Instead of standard leaf springs out back — which is basically what the Model T used — Ford has equipped the new 2021 Raptor with a trophy truck-inspired five-link rear suspension.

It did terrific things for the Raptor when we had it out on the dunes, but it also made a massive difference for on-road driving. I couldn’t drive old-and-new backto-back, but I suspect the Raptor might be the most comfortable F-150 to drive on-road (which will be a comfort for the many Raptor buyers who’ll never get off the pavement).

The trick suspension (which all the knowledgable off-roaders seem very excited about) isn’t the only new thing. The FOX racing shocks have been upgraded and, perhaps more importantly for many buyers, so has the exhaust.

A not-infrequent complaint of the current Raptor is that its tur-

bocharged V6 engine just doesn’t sound as impressive as the V8 did in the first-generation truck.

In the development of this truck, Ford figured out that part of the issue was the length of the exhaust piping.

Because of where the exhaust system is located on the truck’s right side, the exhaust pipe from the left engine bank is a bit longer than that from the right engine bank. For various reasons mostly related to physics, the two sides are out of sync, making the exhaust note less impressive.

To fix it, Ford ran a “trombone loop” in the shorter exhaust to make both left- and right-pipes the same length. That means the exhaust sounds even better. And that means that a lot of Raptor owners are going to be waking their neighbors in the morning.

But Ford has thought of this too. There’s an adjustable butterfly valve in the exhaust, which al-

lows for four different loudness options depending on how ferocious you want your Raptor’s bark to be.

These change based on drive mode (turn to the on-road Sport or off-road Baja modes, and it gets much louder) or via a handy button on the steering wheel. Want to sneak home without waking up the kids? You can put the exhaust in Quiet Mode. Want to blast through a tunnel cackling madly like an eight-year-old? That calls for Baja Mode.

And I haven’t even gotten into the actual performance of the Raptor. Whether across some high-speed desert whoops or ripping down a wash (both at speeds that would be above the speed limit on many interstates), the Raptor was like a golden retriever puppy raring to get up and go.

It wasn’t exactly comfortable (though I got jostled a lot less than I expected), but that’s not entire-

ly what you’re looking for. Instead, you want a vehicle that lets you get to the limits of your ability — but keeps you from getting out of sorts if you get a little too enthusiastic.

When some Ford engineers asked what I thought of their new truck, the words that came to mind were predictable and controllable. That’s the Raptor in a nutshell, and exactly what you want when you’re really pushing things.

If you have the ability, you’ll be able to take the 2021 Raptor far, far beyond what I was able to do — even to compete in the Baja 1000 if that’s your jam.

But if you’re just a regular person looking to have a fantastic time exploring the sandy dunes of the Mojave? Head to your local Ford dealer, buy an F-150 Raptor and just go. It’s some of the best fun you’ll have in your life.

Just make sure to get an early start.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B8

features How Instagram star helped rescue dozens from Afghanistan N.C.-based company Raven Advisory assisted effort by coordinating an all-volunteer team consisting of former Special Forces soldiers and other veterans with expertise in Afghanistan The Associated Press DOZENS OF DESPERATE Afghans who had been trying to flee the Taliban before Tuesday’s deadline for the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul made it to safety with help from an unexpected place: Instagram influencer Quentin Quarantino.

Quarantino is the alter ego of 25-year-old Tommy Marcus of New York City, previously bestknown for his liberal memes and his jokes about opponents of COVID-19 vaccinations. Along with his followers, Quarantino raised $7 million within days on GoFundMe to launch rescue missions into Afghanistan to evacuate as many people as possible, many of whom said they had been threatened by the Taliban.

On Wednesday, their mission “Operation Flyaway” helped ferry 51 people from Afghanistan to Uganda on a privately chartered plane financed by the GoFundMe campaign.

More than 121,000 people had donated to the campaign after Marcus made an appeal to his 832,000 followers, making it one of the largest humanitarian fundraisers in GoFundMe’s history.

@JUJUSHOTME VIA AP

This photo provided by @JujuShotMe shows Tommy Marcus, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

“It’s beyond humbling that they have that faith in me, that they’re willing to put significant amounts of money into hands that I trust,” Marcus told The Associated Press.

Saraya International, a global development firm, and the Rockefeller Foundation, which both provided organizational support for the flight to Uganda, as well as

another company involved with the evacuation, confirmed to the AP that the flight was chartered by the emergency collaboration financed through Marcus’ Go FundMe campaign.

“I don’t know what word to use besides miraculous, because it’s restored a faith in humanity,” Marcus said. “We’ve shed the political divisions in this situation and really come together from all walks of life to rally together and save these people because .. they don’t deserve what their future holds if they stay in Afghanistan right now.”

Those who were evacuated, Marcus said, were women, children, humanitarians and others “who’ve been fighting for the greater good in Afghanistan for a long time,” as well as their families. The organizers had said they were seeking to rescue 300 people who, along with their families, were “at imminent risk of being executed by the Taliban.”

The team had been met with skepticism from experts who questioned whether they had the capability to pull of such a mission at a time when governments, corporations and charity groups were rushing to get their citizens and employees out of Afghanistan on whatever aircraft they could.

Marcus’ group said more than 350 people have been rescued, with nearly 300 leaving Kabul on other chartered flights that “Operation Flyaway” reimbursed for providing safe passage from the country. A spokesperson for the State Department wrote in an emailed statement that the department appreciates “community-led efforts to support the Afghan relocation and resettlement process, which reflects the generosity of the American people and the international community.”

“However, we are unable to ver-

ify the authenticity or effectiveness of these efforts,” the statement said.

The chartered flight that left Kabul early Wednesday morning is one of several private rescue efforts being organized by various groups, separately and through collaborations, to help Afghans flee. The flight from Kabul to Entebbe, Uganda, was organized by Sayara, which advised a company working with Marcus that it knew of a plane available for “Operation Flyaway.”

Representatives from that North Carolina-based company, Raven Advisory, said they were able to pay for the mission using money raised through Marcus’ GoFundMe campaign. The company, which says it performs subcontract work for the U.S. military, said “an all-volunteer team consisting of former Special Forces soldiers and other veterans with expertise in Afghanistan” were working with the military to coordinate their rescue efforts.

Raven Advisory CEO Sheffield Ford told the AP that in order to transport the people into the airport, the U.S. government has to be “comfortable with our organization saying these people are OK, and that they have actually done things to help their country, to help our country.”

Though crowdfunding has been a welcome tool to mobilize donations during crisis situations, Patricia McIlreavy, president of the Washington-based Center for Disaster Philanthropy, stresses that donors should also be cautious when donating to private efforts through these sites.

“There’s not necessarily going to be a public report on where these funds went and how they were used, in the way that a nonprofit — or a 501(c)(3) — is required to by law,” she said.

New this week: ‘Cinderella,’ Imagine Dragons, Selena Gomez The Associated Press HERE’S A COLLECTION curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

NG HAN GUAN | AP PHOTO

A child plays with a toy gun during a promotion for online games in Beijing on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020.

China limits children to 3 hours of online gaming a week The Associated Press BEIJING — China is banning children from playing online games for more than three hours a week, the harshest restriction so far on the game industry as Chinese regulators continue cracking down on the technology sector.

Minors in China can only play games between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, weekends and on public holidays starting Sept. 1, according to a notice from the National Press and Publication Administration.

That limits gaming to three hours a week for most weeks of the year, down from a previous restriction set in 2019 that allowed minors play games for an hour and a half per day and three hours on public holidays.

The new regulation affects some of China’s largest technology companies, including gaming giant Tencent, whose Honor of Kings online multiplayer game is hugely popular globally, as well as gaming company NetEase.

Tencent’s stock price closed down 0.6% at 465.80 Hong Kong dollars on Monday ahead of the regulator’s announcement. Its market capitalization of $573 billion is down more than $300 billion from its February peak, a decline equal to more than the total value of Nike Inc. or Pfizer Inc. New York-listed NetEase’s stock was down about 9% at the market’s open.

The gaming restrictions are part of an ongoing crackdown on technology companies, amid concerns that technology firms — many of which provide ubiquitous messaging, payments and gaming services — may have an outsized influence on society.

Earlier this month, Tencent said it would limit gaming time for minors to an hour a day and two hours during holidays, as well as ban children under the age of 12 from making in-game purchases.

The company issued the curbs hours after a state-affiliated newspaper criticized the gaming industry and called games “spiritual opium.”

Regulators said in Monday’s notice that they would strengthen supervision and increase the frequency of inspections of online game companies to ensure that they follow the regulations closely.

Chinese authorities in recent months have targeted e-commerce and online education, and have implemented new regulations to curb anti-competitive behavior after years of rapid growth in the technology sector.

Last month, authorities banned companies that provide tutoring in core school subjects from making a profit, wiping out billions in market value from online education companies such as TAL Education and Gaotu Techedu.

MOVIES — Michael Keaton leads the new Netflix film “Worth,” available starting Friday, about the lawyer tasked with putting a dollar value lives of those killed in the Sept.

11 attacks. Based on a true story, Keaton’s character is forced to reevaluate his priorities after meeting a widower played by Stanley Tucci. The cast also includes Amy Ryan and Tate Donovan. Also on Netflix starting Wednesday are “Blade Runner: The Final Cut,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “Labyrinth” and “Mars Attacks!”

— “Pose” star Billy Porter plays a non-binary Fairy Godparent named Fab G in the latest version of “Cinderella,” streaming Friday on Amazon Prime Video. Pop star Camilla Cabello stars as the glass slipper-loser and Idina Menzel plays the Stepmother. Naturally, both are providing original songs for the soundtrack. It’s a stacked cast, too, with Minnie Driver as the Queen, Pierce Brosnan as the King, and James Corden and John Mulaney as the mice/footmen. And it was written and directed by Kay Cannon, who wrote the “Pitch Perfect” movies. Also on Prime, “Apollo 13,” “Sleepless in Seattle” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Social Network” are available starting Wednesday.

— The Criterion Channel is hosting a series of quintessential New York films starting Wednesday from Charlie Chaplin’s “The Immigrant,” from 1917 through Noah Baumbach’s “Frances Ha,” from 2012. It is a murderer’s row of great films across the century.

There are ‘60s classics like “The Apartment” and “West Side Story” and ‘70s greats like “Sisters” and “The Panic in Needle Park.”

There are 1980s essentials like “After Hours,” “Moonstruck,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Stranger Than Paradise,” leading up to indie classics from the 1990s and beyond with “Metropolitan,” “Paris Is Burning,” “The Squid and the Whale” and “Margaret.” It might accidentally take up your whole month.

HULU/AMAZON/NETFLIX VIA AP

This combination of photos shows promotional art for the Hulu original series “Only Murders in the Building,” left, and the Amazon original movie “Cinderella,” right.

MUSIC — Imagine Dragons are releasing their fifth studio album on Friday called “Mercury — Act 1” with Rick Rubin producing. One song, “Wrecked,” was inspired by singer Dan Reynolds’ late sisterin-law, Alisha Durtschi Reynolds, who died following a cancer battle. Another, “Follow You,” is a love song written by Reynolds after re-marrying his wife following a separation. And there’s one of the edgiest tracks yet from the band — “Cutthroat,” an anthem about killing the critic inside of you.

— If you’re looking for something harder, look no further than Iron Maiden, whose 17th studio album “Senjutsu” drops Friday and is their first in six years.

Though just 10 tracks, each one is long — one song, “The Parchment,” clocks in at over 12 minutes — so “Senjutsu” will be a double CD, just as their last, “The Book of Souls.” This time, taking a nod to the East, the band’s mascot, Eddie, sports a samurai sword on the cover. The first single, “The Writing on the Wall,” is a metal banger with layers of guitar and wailing solos. It paints a bleak picture of life: “Now we are victorious, we’ve become our slaves/A land of hope and glory, building graveyards for the brave.”

TELEVISION — Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are the odd-triplet stars of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” and enticement enough to check out

the comedy-mystery. The premise: A trio of true-crime addicts and neighbors in a posh Manhattan apartment building team up to solve the gory death of a fellow tenant. As they document their sleuthing for a podcast, long-dormant secrets come to light and a killer gets perilously closer. The 10-episode series debuts Tuesday.

— Billie Eilish and the city of LA star in a Disney+ special described as a cinematic concert experience. Eilish will perform her new album, “Happier than Ever,” in “Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” debuting Friday. Her performance at the Hollywood Bowl is joined with animation to take viewers on a promised “dreamlike journey” thorough Eilish’s home and its landmarks. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and singer-songwriter Finneas, Eilish’s brother, are among those making guest appearances.

— After a pandemic-forced production break, Showtime’s “Billions” returns for the second half of season five on Sunday (9 p.m. EDT). There’s shifting alliances as the power struggle continues between hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and his prosecutor-nemesis Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). Among those along for the undoubtedly bumpy, five-episode ride, ahead of the announced season six: Corey Stoll as billionaire Mike Prince and Janeane Garofalo as Winslow, who owns a legit cannabis enterprise.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Actor Ed Asner, TV’s blustery Lou Grant, dies at 91

By Marcela Isaza The Associated Press LOS ANGELES— Ed Asner, the burly and prolific character actor who became a star in middle age as the gruff but lovable newsman Lou Grant, first in the hit comedy “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and later in the drama “Lou Grant,” died Sunday. He was 91.

Asner’s representative confirmed the actor’s death in an email to The Associated Press. Asner’s official Twitter account included a note from his children: “We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.”

Built like the football lineman he once was, the balding Asner was a journeyman actor in films and TV when he was hired in 1970 to play Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” For seven seasons he was the rumpled boss to Moore’s ebullient Mary Richards (He called her “Mary,” she called him “Mr. Grant”) at the fictional Minneapolis TV newsroom where both worked. Later, he would play the role for five years on “Lou Grant.”

Asner’s character had caught on from the first episode of “Mary Tyler Moore,” when he told Mary in their initial meeting, “You’ve got spunk. ... I hate spunk!” The inspired cast included Ted Knight as Ted Baxter,

the dimwitted news anchor; Gavin MacLeod as Murray Slaughter, the sarcastic news writer; and Betty White as the manipulative, sex-obsessed home show hostess Sue Ann Nivens. Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman, playing Mary’s neighbors, both saw their characters spun off into their own shows.

Asner is the third “Mary Tyler Moore” alum to die in recent months. Leachman died in January and MacLeod died in May. The 99-year-old White is the lone surviving main cast member from “Mary Tyler Moore.”

“Mary Tyler Moore” was still a hit when the star decided to pursue other interests, and so it was brought to an end in the seventh season with a hilarious finale in which all of the principals were fired except for the bumbling Baxter.

Asner went immediately into “Lou Grant,” his character moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to become city editor of the Tribune, a crusading newspaper under the firm hand of Publisher Margaret Pynchon, memorably played by Nancy Marchand.

Asner won three best supporting actor Emmys on “Mary Tyler Moore” and two best actor awards on “Lou Grant.” He also won Emmys for his roles in the miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man” (1975-1976) and “Roots” (1976-1977).

He had more than 300 act-

ing credits and remained active throughout his 70s and 80s in a variety of film and TV roles. In 2003, he played Santa Claus in Will Ferrell’s hit film “Elf.” He was John Goodman’s father in the shortlived 2004 CBS comedy “Center of the Universe” and the voice of the elderly hero in the hit 2009 Pixar release, “Up.” More recently, he was in such TV series as “Forgive Me” and “Dead to Me.” Nonetheless, Asner told The Associated Press in 2009 that interesting roles were hard to come by.

“I never get enough work,” he said. “It’s the history of my career.

There just isn’t anything to turn down, let me put it that way.”

“I’d say most people are probably in that same boat, old people, and it’s a shame,” he said.

As Screen Actors Guild president, the liberal Asner was caught up in a political controversy in 1982 when he spoke out against U.S. involvement with repressive governments in Latin America.

“Lou Grant” was canceled during the furor that followed and he did not run for a third SAG term in 1985.

“There have been few actors of Ed Asner’s prominence who risked their status to fight for social causes the way Ed did,” said actor Gabrielle Carteris, who is SAG-AFTRA’s president. She noted that his advocacy “did not stop with performers.

He fought for victims of poverty, vi-

olence, war, and legal and social injustice, both in the United States and around the globe.”

Asner discussed his politicization in a 2002 interview, noting he had begun his career during the McCarthy era and for years had been afraid to speak out for fear of being blacklisted.

Then he saw a nun’s film depicting the cruelties inflicted by El Salvador’s government on that country’s citizens.

“I stepped out to complain about our country’s constant arming and fortifying of the military in El Salvador, who were oppressing their people,” he said.

Former SAG President Charlton Heston and others accused him of making un-American statements and of misusing his position as head of their actors union.

“We even had bomb threats at the time. I had armed guards,” Asner recalled.

The actor blamed the controversy for ending the five-year run of “Lou Grant,” although CBS insisted declining ratings were the reason the show was canceled.

Although the show had its light moments, its scripts touched on a variety of darker social issues that most series wouldn’t touch at the time, including alcoholism and homelessness. Asner remained politically active for the rest of his life and in 2017 published the book “The Grouchy Historian:

B9 An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs.”

Asner, born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1929, almost became a newsman in real life. He studied journalism at the University of Chicago until a professor told him there was little money to be made in the profession.

He quickly switched to drama, debuting as the martyred Thomas Becket in a campus production of T.S. Eliot’s “Murder in the Cathedral.”

He eventually dropped out of school, going to work as a taxi driver and other jobs before being drafted in 1951. He served with the Army Signal Corps in France.

Returning to Chicago after military service, he appeared at the Playwrights Theatre Club and Second City, the famed satire troupe that launched the careers of dozens of top comedians.

Later, in New York, he joined the long-running “The Threepenny Opera” and appeared opposite Jack Lemmon in “Face of a Hero.”

Arriving in Hollywood in 1961 for an episode of television’s “Naked City,” Asner decided to stay and appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including the film “El Dorado,” opposite John Wayne; and the Elvis Presley vehicles “Kid Galahad” and “Change of Habit.” He was a regular in the 1960s political drama series “Slattery’s People.”

He was married twice, to Nancy Lou Sykes and Cindy Gilmore, and had four children, Matthew, Liza, Kate and Charles.

MATT SAYLES | AP PHOTO

In this March 7, 2010, file photo, actor Ed Asner arrives during the 82nd Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

TAKE NOTICE

BEING LOTS NOS. 26, 27 AND 28 IN BLOCK 6 AS SHOWN ON THE MAP OF ROYAL OAKS, A MAP OF SAID PROPERTY BEING ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, IN MAP BOOK 5, PAGE 82.

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

Said property is commonly known as 902 Virginia Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

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 Jason O. Collet.

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.: 17-10728-FC01

Tax Parcel ID: 5612499737 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Gloria A. Blount 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 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 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, for paying, if any. 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. 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.

For additional information, please see Auction.com The date of this Notice is August 9, 2021.

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 indebtedness thereby secured and failure to carry out and perform

the stipulation and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said deed of trust, 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 11:00 AM on September 10, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gloria A. Blount dated May 12, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $168,743.00, and recorded in Book 8247 at Page 129 of the Cabarrus 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: 385 Settlers Ridge Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081

18 SP 592 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit:

recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, N.C.

special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Doris G. Hubbard.

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.

CABARRUS 17 SP 515 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jason O. Collet to Dale Fussell, Trustee(s), which was dated November 2, 2007 and recorded on November 5, 2007 in Book 07894 at Page 0108, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 21SP274 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GLORIA A. BLOUNT DATED MAY 12, 2008 RECORDED IN BOOK 8247 AT PAGE 129 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Bobby G. Hubbard and Doris G. Hubbard to Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Trustee(s), which was dated December 10, 2004 and recorded on December 15, 2004 in Book 5704 at Page 150 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on March 18, 2005 in Book 5858, Page 60, Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 15, 2021 at 02:00 PM,

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 September 8, 2021 at 02:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

Lying in No. 4 Township and being Lots Nos. 25, 26, and 27 in Block G as shown on the map of West Brook, a map of said property being on file in office of the Register of Deeds in Map book 6 page 7.

Beginning at an iron stake in the Western edge of Woody Avenue at the front corner of Lots Nos. 27 and 28 in Block G, this beginning point being North 6-19 East 75 feet from the Northwestern corner of the intersection of Maywood Avenue and Woody Avenue, and runs thence North 8341 West 150 feet with the Northern line of Lot No. 28 to the back corner of Lots Nos. 27 and 28 in the back line of Lot No. 16; thence North 6-19 East 75 feet with the back line of Lots Nos. 27, 26, and 25 to the back corner of Lots Nos. 24 and 25 in the backline of Lot No. 18; thence South 8341 East 150 feet with the Southern line of Lot No. 24 to the front corner of Lots Nos. 24 and 25 in the Western edge of Woody Avenue; thence South 6-19 West 75 feet with the Western edge of Woody Avenue to the point of Beginning, and is the same property conveyed to Robert Lee Griffin by Cecil W McCombs et al by deed dated August 6,1956, and

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

Said property is commonly known as 112 McCray Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

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,

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

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for the INGLE LAW FIRM, P.A. 9541 Julian Clark Ave., Ste202 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980)771-0717 File# 1326

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.: 18-10071-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 522

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Norris F. Bonner and Janice Bonner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Norris F. Bonner) to Chicago Title, Trustee(s), dated December 4, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09776, at Page 0630 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 973

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Chance C.M. Waters and Jennifer Nicole McMillan (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Chance C.M. Waters) to H Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), dated July 31, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 10141, at Page 0734 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 13, 2021 and will sell to the

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 522

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Norris F. Bonner and Janice Bonner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Norris F. Bonner) to Chicago Title, Trustee(s), dated December 4, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09776, at Page 0630 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 383

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Donald W. Stoner and Jessica M. Stoner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Donald W. Stoner and Jessica M. Stoner) to Donald C. Hudson, Trustee(s), dated February 22, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 7510, at Page 540 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on September 13, 2021

21 SP 387 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 Stacie Duvall and David Duvall to Joel S. Jenkins, Jr., Trustee(s), which was dated September 4, 2008 and recorded on September 9, 2008 in Book 07980 at Page 0323 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on September 29, 2008 in Book 07992, Page 0835, 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

19 SP 741 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 Kaci H. Marcus to H. Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated January 7, 2011 and recorded on January 13, 2011 in Book 08565 at Page 0659, 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

DAVIDSON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 237

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Malinda A. Walser (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Malinda A. Walser, Heirs of Malinda A. Walser: Susan Osborne, Linda Jo Aldridge) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 1819, at Page 1786 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 21SP104 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILL FRANK TEAL AND JOSIE ANN D. TEAL DATED DECEMBER 26, 2001 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1289 AT PAGE 1725 IN THE DAVIDSON 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

19 SP 480 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kenneth B. Creech to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated June 29, 2018 and recorded on June 29, 2018 in Book 2320 at Page 1429, Davidson 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 September 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM,

12:00 PM on September 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Premises in Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina, described as follows: Being all of Lot 167, Southview, Section One, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 88, Page 178, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina. **FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY** The improvements thereon being known as 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

BEING the same property conveyed to Norris F. Bonner and Annette B. Bonner from Harrell Construction Company, Inc. by Deed dated November 15, 1996 and recorded November 18, 1996 in Book/Volume/Page Book 4578, Page 43, as Instrument # in the Land Records of Cumberland, NC Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the

highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 36 in a subdivision known as Lake Rim North Addition, Phase 1, and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 112, Page 94, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 907 Broadmore Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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

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

bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Premises in Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina, described as follows: Being all of Lot 167, Southview, Section One, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 88, Page 178, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina. **FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY** The improvements thereon being known as 800 Connaly Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

BEING the same property conveyed to Norris F. Bonner and Annette B. Bonner from Harrell Construction Company, Inc. by Deed dated November 15, 1996 and recorded November 18, 1996 in Book/Volume/Page Book 4578, Page 43, as Instrument # in the Land Records of Cumberland, NC Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third

and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BeingallofLot168inaSubdivisionknownasMontibello, Section Four, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 57, Page 14, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7012 Maracay Court, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days

representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice

but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3410 - 8796

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: 1278809 - 13003

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3410 - 8796

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.

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

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 September 8, 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: Being all of Lot 37 in a subdivision known as KING’S MILL and the same being duly recorded in Book 56, Page 69, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1141 Paddington Place, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

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 Stacie Duvall.

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.: 20-02305-FC01

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on September 8, 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: BEING all of Lot No. 29, Section 1, Welmar Heights, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 17, Page 47, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1103 Martindale Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

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 Kaci H. Marcus.

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.: 19-06676-FC01

for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on September 15, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron (set) on the northeastern right of way of Old Highway 64, common corner of Lots 14 and 15, Block A, Map of Edgewood recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 22, Davidson County Registry, thence North 43 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West along the right of way line of Old Highway 64 and crossing an iron (common corner of Lots 8 and 9) at 125.09 feet, and continuing for an additional 100.07 feet, for a total distance of 225.16 feet, to an iron (set), common corner of Lots 6 and 7; thence North 46 degrees 59 minutes 55 seconds East with the line of Lot 6, 445.84 feet to an iron (found); thence South 06 degrees 10 minutes 40 seconds East 62.23 feet to an iron (found); thence South 09 degrees 56 minutes 05 seconds West 83.34 feet to an iron (found); thence South 25 degrees 32 minutes 05 seconds East 131.13 feet to an iron (set) common corner of Lots 13 and 14; thence South 46 degrees 59 minutes 35 seconds West with the line of Lot 14, 302.69 feet, to the point and place of beginning and containing 1.847 acres more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3602 West Old Highway 64, Lexington, North Carolina.

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

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

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

Parcel ID No.: 18011C00A0007 Property Address: 3602 E. Old Highway 64, Lexington, NC 27295 Deed Ref: 751/765 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

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

existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued

pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4673 - 17371

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 September 13, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Will Frank Teal and Josie Ann D. Teal, dated December 26, 2001 to secure the original principal amount of $63,000.00, and recorded in Book 1289 at Page 1725 of the Davidson 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.

16-041-0-011-0005 Present Record Owners: Will Frank Teal

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.

Address of property: 509 St, Thomasville, NC 27360 Tax Parcel ID:

Salem

and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING: At an existing iron pipe in the Eastern right of way line of Koontz Avenue, the said beginning point being the common line of Lots 60 and 61, Block E of Royal Oaks Subdivision, as recorded in Plat Book 7 at Page 71 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Davidson County, North Carolina; thence along the right of way of Koontz Avenue North 22 degrees 05’ 50” East 78.87 feet to an existing railroad spike located at the curve of Koontz Avenue; thence again along the right of way of Koontz Avenue South 87 degrees 09’ 22” East 149.40 feet to an existing iron pipe in the common corner of Lots 1 and 63 of Block E of Royal Oaks Subdivision; thence along the lines of Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Block E of Royal Oaks Subdivision South 06 degrees 30’ West 79.71 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence North 85 degrees 26’ 45” West 170.40 feet to the point of BEGINNING, and being all of Lots 61, 62, and 63 and part of Lot 60 of ROYAL OAKS SUBDIVISION, Block E, a plat of whichisdulyrecordedinPlatBook7atPage71intheOfficeof the Register of Deeds for Davidson County, North Carolina.

The Estate of

And Being more commonly known as: 509 Salem St, Thomasville, NC 27360 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Will Frank Teal.

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

The above description being taken from a survey prepared

by Davis-Martin-Powell & Associates, Inc. dated 5-9-94 entitled “Survey for Sheila Dillon.”

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

Said property is commonly known as 211 Koontz Avenue, Thomasville, NC 27360.

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

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

all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Kenneth B. Creech.

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4506 - 16522

The date of this Notice is August 24, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111188

Parkway,

Suite

400

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.: 19-11748-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE 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 September 8, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ray Anthony Pressley and Barbara Jean Pressley, dated June 29, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $42,275.00, and recorded in Book 1711 at Page 104 of the Davidson 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: 705 Tussey St, Lexington, NC 27292

Tax Parcel ID: 6735-01-28-8127 Present Record Owners: Barbara Jean Pressley And Being more commonly known as: 705 Tussey St, Lexington, NC 27292 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Barbara Jean Pressley.

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 August 3, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111288

and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on September 8, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain property situated in the County of Forsyth and State of North Carolina, being more fully described in a deed dated 07/13/1999 and recorded 07/21/1999, among the land records of the County and State set forth above, in Deed Volume 2077 and Page 4547. Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 3425A-043. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2542 Wood Valley Road, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third

party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the

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

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

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

Any person who occupies the property

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3897 - 13389

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Virginia F. Mack and Patricia A. Hicks to The Title Company of North Carolina, Trustee(s), which was dated August 18, 2000 and recorded on August 21, 2000 in Book 1963 at Page 809, 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 September 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 2, Tyndall Crossing Subdivision, as depicted in Plat Book 52, Page 302, Johnston County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 815 West Watson Road, Benson, NC 27504.

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 Patricia F. Hicks.

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.: 19-17859-FC01

19 SP 586 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit:

conveyances of record.

of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are John M. Guzi, Jr.

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.

DAVIDSON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 21SP101 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RAY ANTHONY PRESSLEY AND BARBARA JEAN PRESSLEY DATED JUNE 29, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1711 AT PAGE 104 IN THE DAVIDSON 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

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 458

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Beatrice Patrick a/k/a Beatrice J. Patrick and Raymond Patrick a/k/a Raymond Patrick, Sr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Raymond Patrick, and Beatrice Patrick) to Carrie L. Hartsell, Trustee(s), dated June 1, 2006, and recorded in Book No. RE 2668, at Page 3122 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina

JOHNSTON 19 SP 649 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John M. Guzi, Jr. and Gary Lee Hollar, Jr. to William R. Echols,, Trustee(s), which was dated July 8, 2009 and recorded on July 13, 2009 in Book 3730 at Page 585, 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 September 14, 2021 at 12:00 PM,

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 260

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jonathan Wolfe and Kimberly L. Wolfe (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jonathan Wolfe and Kimberly L. Wolfe) to TRSTE, Inc., Trustee(s), dated July 14, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 3847, at Page 142 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, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 263

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Clementine Hall, Eddie Hall and Willie S. Hall (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): , Heirs of Willie Hall a/k/a Willie S. Hall: Anthony Hall, John Hall, Lewis Hall, Elbert Hall, Michael Hall, Carolyn Hall, Eddie Hall, Jr., Jacqueline Perry) to First American Title Insurance Company Trustee for Magna Cap MTG Corp., Trustee(s), dated April 30, 1998, and recorded in Book No. 1091, at Page 0115 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

BEGINNING at a stake in the eastern line of Massey Street, said stake being North 38 degrees 20 minutes East 147.75 feet along the eastern line of Massey Street from the intersection of the eastern line of Massey Street with the northern line of Oak Street, said stake cornering with the property of Willie Hill; thence along the eastern line of Massey Street North 38 degrees 20 minutes East 77.25 feet to a stake cornering with the property of Mr. Wall; thence along the line of Mr. Wall, South 51 degrees 40 minutes East 145 feet to a stake cornering with the lands of C.L. Richardson; thence along Richardson’s line, South 38 degrees 20 minutes West 77.25 feet to a stake cornering with the property of Willie Hill; thence along the line of Willie Hill, North 51 degrees 40 minutes West 145 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, according to a plat and survey of the property by William Ragsdale, Jr., Registered Land Engineer, dated December 17, 1959.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior

designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on September 16, 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: All of that certain property situated in the City of Monroe, County of Union, State of North Carolina and being described in a Deed dated 09/20/1994 and recorded 09/29/1994 in Book 739 at Page 762, among the land records of the county and state set forth above, and referenced as follows: BEING all of Lot 87 of SANDALWOOD II Subdivision, as shown on a map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet C at File 475 of the Union County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2717 Faircroft Way, Monroe, North Carolina.

Parcel Id. No.: 07-072-027 Property Address: 2717 Faircroft Way, Monroe, NC 28110 The Deed of Trust was modified by the following:

Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on September 16, 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 Lot 5 of ROLLING HILLS (REVISED) as shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 4 at page 218 in the Union Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1200 Memory Lane, Monroe, North Carolina.

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

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

Said property is commonly known as 310 North Massey Street, Selma, NC 27576-2517.

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

A Loan Modification recorded on December 28, 2016, Document No. 40697, in Book No. 06849, at Page 0568.

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

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

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

all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.: 19-06010-FC02

of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3548 - 9311

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1262876 - 10262

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Thyrza F. McClure, deceased, of Wake County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or

before December 3, 2021, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 1st day of September 2021.

Mary L. Hood, Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner, Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502

and

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION OF A PETITION FOR PARTITION NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY 3 BOYS CAPITAL, LLC, a NC limited liability company

CHATHAM CAPITAL GROUP, a NC limited liability company Petitioners, TRAVIS E. RICHARDSON; DEVONTE MORRIS COZART; ALEXIS DIAMOND COZART; TAQUAN MAURICE COZART; HEIRS OF RUSSELL BLAND whose identity or location are unknown; and any other HEIRS OF PAULETTE MIMMS whose Identity or location are unknown Respondents.

To the unknown heirs of Paulette Mimms: A

petition has been filed claiming that you have no right, title, or interest in the following property in Wake County, North Carolina, located on an easement leading to 0 Richardson Road, Apex, North Carolina (ID 0310486) and described as follows:

BEING all of Tract 1 containing 10.0218 acres, more or less, as shown on a survey entitled “Recombination and Division Survey for Fred W. Richardson, Jr. and the R.F. Richardson Heirs dated 09/08/01 and revised 11/20/02, prepared by James L. Peacock, Professional Land Surveyor for M.M. Weeks Land Surveying and recorded on 1/16/03 in the office of the Wake County Register in Book of

Maps 2003, Page 76. Together with an easement 30 feet in width shown on said Book of Maps.

You must respond in writing to the address below by September 28, 2021 or your default will be entered and judgment rendered declaring that you have no right, title or interest in this property.

This the 1st day of September, 2021.

HEMPHILL GELDER. P.C. S/ Cameron Stanton Guardian Ad Litem for Unknown Heirs P.O. Box 31205 Raleigh, NC 27622

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Diane Townsend Davis, aka, Diane Emelia Townsend, deceased, of Wake County, N.C., are notified

to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before December 3, 2021, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make

immediate payment.

This 1st day of September 2021.

Robert G. Myers, Jr., Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner,

Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502 North State Journal: September 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2021

15 SP 2958 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

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 September 8, 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 22, Phase 2, of The Meadows at Eaglechase Subdivision, recorded in Map Book 1986, Page 716, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 5205 Heelands Court, Raleigh, NC 27610.

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 Pamela Poynter.

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.: 15-20275-FC01

bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to is situated in the State of North Carolina, County of Wake, City of Raleigh, and described as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WAKE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 21 SP 952

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Pamela K. Poynter to John C. Morisey Jr. and Steven R. Mull, Trustee(s), which was dated October 10, 2003 and recorded on October 10, 2003 in Book 010490 at Page 01963, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 1086

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Bahram Pelattini and Leyla Peymandoust (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Bahram Pelattini and Leyla Peymandoust) to First American Title, Trustee(s), dated February 25, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 012997, at Page 01967 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on September 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest

Being all of Lot 4, Savannah At Wakefield Plantation Subdivision, Phase One (Cluster) as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1999, Pages 192 and 193, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 12713 Topiary Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Being all of that certain property conveyed to Bahram Pelattini and Lelya Peymandoust from William Barrett, Trustee under a certain Declaration of Agreement of Trust dated June 27, 2000 of The Cyrus Trust, by deed dated 10/03/03 and recorded 10/03/03 in Deed Book 010480, Page 01958 of official records.

APN # 1830147159

North State Journal: September 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2021

Tel: 888-443-1446 Email: cameron@hemphillgelderlaw.com STAM LAW FIRM, PLLC S/ Paul Stam, Attorney for Petitioner P.O. Box 1600 Apex, NC 27502 Tel: 919-642-8971 Fax: 919-387-7329 Email: paulstam@stamlawfirm.com

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: 2341 - 5310

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From August 25, 2021

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

NATION & WORLD

IAEA: North Korea appears to have resumed nuke reactor operation

By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea appears to have restarted the operation of its main nuclear reactor used to produce weapons fuels, the U.N. atomic agency said, as the North openly threatens to enlarge its nuclear arsenal amid long-dormant nuclear diplomacy with the United States.

The annual report by the International Atomic Energy Agency refers to a 5-megawatt reactor at the North’s main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang.

The reactor produces plutonium, one of the two key ingredients used to build nuclear weapons along with highly enriched uranium.

“Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor,” said the IAEA report dated Friday.

The report said there were indications of the operation of Yongbyon’s radiochemical laboratory from mid-February to early July this year. It said this period of operation is consistent with previous reprocessing campaigns announced by North Korea of irradiated fuel discharged from the reactor. The laboratory is a facility where plutonium is extracted by reprocessing spent fuel rods removed from reactors. “(North Korea’s) nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor and the radiochemical laboratory are deeply troubling,” the IAEA said.

The IAEA has not had access to Yongbyon or other locations

AHN YOUNG-JOON | AP PHOTO

People watch a TV screen showing a file image of a North Korean missile in a military parade during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. in North Korea since the country kicked out IAEA inspectors in 2009. The agency said it uses satellite imagery and open-source information to monitor developments in North Korea’s nuclear program.

The Yongbyon complex also produces highly enriched uranium, the other key nuclear fuel.

The IAEA report said “there were indications, for a period of time, that the reported centrifuge enrichment facility was not in operation” though regular vehicular movements were observed.

The complex, which North Korea calls “the heart” of its nuclear program and research, has been at the center of international concerns for decades. It’s not clear exactly how much weapons-grade

plutonium or highly enriched uranium has been produced at Yongbyon and where North Korea stores it.

In early 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle the entire complex if he won extensive sanctions relief during a summit with then-President Donald Trump. But the Americans rejected Kim’s offer because it would only be a partial surrender of his nuclear capability.

North Korea is believed to be running multiple other covert uranium-enrichment facilities.

According to a South Korean estimate in 2018, North Korea might already have manufactured 2060 nuclear weapons as well.

In recent months, North Ko-

rea has warned it would expand its nuclear program if the United States doesn’t withdraw its “hostile” policy on the North, in an apparent reference to U.S.-led sanctions and regular U.S.-South Korean military drills. Earlier this month, Kim’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, said North Korea would bolster “absolute deterrence” to cope with intensifying U.S. threats.

Lee Jong-joo, spokesperson of South Korea’s Unification Ministry, said Monday that South Korea was closely monitoring North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities along with the United States.

But she declined to comment on whether Seoul was seeing signs that the North was reactivating its nuclear facilities.

GOP’s Larry Elder looks for shock win in California recall

By Michael R. Blood The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — California’s next governor could be a black conservative who would erase state vaccine and mask mandates, is critical of gun control, disputes the notion of systemic racism in America and opposes the minimum wage because he says it tramples the free market.

The rapid ascent of Republican Larry Elder in the Sept. 14 recall election that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is a striking turn in a state regarded as a Democratic fortress and national showcase for liberal policies on climate change, immigration and health care.

Elder is a talk-radio host who Newsom identifies as his biggest threat in an election widely acknowledged as tight. Elder is promising to reverse California’s progressive drift that he blames for an unrelenting homeless crisis, high taxes, spiking crime rates and government creep into people’s lives and livelihoods — from “anti-science” coronavirus mandates to regulations he says slow-walk housing construction.

There is a saying that the future happens first in California, and Elder’s potentially historic victory could have broad implications, coming on the threshold of 2022 elections that will decide control of Congress.

An Elder win would also trigger a power struggle with Sacramento’s Democratic state legislative majority over everything from government appointments to how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars.

In California, “young families are leaving, the taxes are going up on gasoline and this governor is either incompetent or indifferent,” says Elder, who would become the first black governor of the nation’s most populous state. “He’s got to go.”

In another year, the charismatic Elder’s candidacy in heavily Democratic California might be a footnote — the GOP hasn’t won a statewide race since 2006 and Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1. Former President Donald Trump lost the state to Joe Biden last year by more than 5 million votes.

But the unusual math that un-

Protest on wheels in Thai capital seeks government’s ouster Bangkok A long line of cars, trucks and motorbikes wended its way Sunday through the Thai capital Bangkok in a mobile protest against the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha. The protesters on wheels hope their nonviolent action, dubbed a “car mob,” can help force the ouster of Prayuth, whom they accuse of botching the campaign against the coronavirus.

“There is only one message from this car mob, which is ‘Prayuth get out!’”

Sombat Boonngamanong, a veteran social activist who helped originate such protests in July, said ahead of the protest. “He has had a chance to run the country for seven years. He has proved that he is incapable of being the country’s leader, so we cannot let him continue.”

Prayuth initially took power in 2014, when as army commander he launched a successful coup against an elected government. He continued to hold power when he was named prime minister as head of a coalition government after a 2019 general election.

Organizers say the protest on wheels evades legal limitations on gatherings that are aimed at enforcing social distancing in order to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Keeping things moving also makes it more difficult for police to box demonstrators in, and lowers the possibility of violent clashes, they believe.

Large-scale protests against Prayuth’s government began last year, with three core demands: the resignation of Prayuth and his government, amending the constitution to make it more democratic and reforming the monarchy to make it more accountable.

Prayuth’s unpopularity increased this year over what was perceived to be his mishandling of the coronavirus crisis. Thailand managed to keep the virus in check for most of last year, but the government failed to secure timely and adequate supplies of COVID-19 vaccines.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mexican troops disrupt migrants heading north from border

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

In this July 13, 2021, file photo, radio talk show host Larry Elder speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Norwalk, Calif. derlies the rare, late-summer recall election could upend the expected.

For years, Republicans have envisioned that a confluence of crises might result in a pendulum swing in leadership in a state that was home to — and voted for — Republican Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

The recall was driven by weariness over Newsom’s whipsaw pandemic rules that closed businesses and schools, but it’s buttressed by grievances that range from frustration with sprawling homeless encampments to soaring housing costs.

The GOP’s chances rest in the atypical rules of the recall election.

There are two questions on the ballot: First, should Newsom be removed, yes or no? If a majority agrees to oust him, his successor is whoever gets the most votes on the second question. With 46 candidates, the winner could get 25% or less.

It’s a rare opportunity for the GOP in a state where Democrats hold every statewide office and dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation. Republicans account for only 24% of registered voters, but the dynamics of the recall have allowed Elder and other conservative candidates to target their campaigns at right-leaning voters who could provide a suffi-

cient winning edge.

Elder quickly overshadowed a field of GOP rivals that include businessman John Cox, state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer and former Olympian and reality TV personality Caitlyn Jenner.

Newsom was successful in keeping prominent Democrats off the ballot.

At 69, Elder is a latecomer as a first-time candidate and he’s far from a household name. However, he’s been a celebrity within conservative circles for years through his radio show, which for many stations is part of lineup of conservative voices that includes Elder’s mentor, Dennis Prager. Elder has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and counts nearly 2 million followers on social media.

The self-styled “Sage of South Central” — a reference to the rough Los Angeles neighborhood where he grew up — is taut with energy that belies his age. When arguing points, he can talk with the rapid-fire certitude of the lawyer that he is — Elder is a 1977 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and received an undergraduate degree from Brown University.

His political views reflect a libertarian mindset that would elicit cringes among progressive voters — he believes government has

grown too big, too intrusive, too costly.

He stands opposed to what he sees as government overreach, hence his opposition to sweeping mask mandates and the minimum wage. He’s been critical of Roe v.

Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, arguing that such restrictions should be left to states.

Elder is critical of the Black Lives Matter movement, and he has called racial quotas a “a crutch and a cop-out.” He opposes efforts to “defund” police. In a 1995 interview with The Orange County Register he said, “We have to stop bitching and moaning and whining and crying and blaming the white man for everything.”

The embattled Newsom has called Elder “more extreme than Trump in many respects.”

With mail-in ballots already being returned, the contest remains heavy with unknowns, including who will bother to vote in an election scheduled in what is normally an off-election year.

Elder says he considers the race a longshot, given Newsom’s ability to raise unlimited funds. But he believes he’s the only Republican likely to deliver a stunning surprise next month.

“I don’t think anybody can win except for me,” he says.

Mexico City Several hundred migrants, including many children, headed north from near Mexico’s border with Guatemala hoping to reach the U.S., but Mexican security forces dispersed the group several hours later this past weekend.

About 300 Haitians, Cubans and Central Americans set out on foot from the town of Tapachula, and a few hundred more migrants joined in as the walk progressed.

After about eight hours Mexican National Guard troops in riot gear blocked their way. Some of the migrants were arrested while others eluded capture and kept heading north.

The flow of migrants from Central America has increased since the beginning of the year especially among the Haitian community in Tapachula.

They began to demonstrate seeking to speed up immigration procedures and threatened to leave in a caravan if Mexican officials did not pay attention to them.

The group that started out Saturday was the biggest one this year and recalled the caravans that occurred in Mexico before the pandemic.

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Stanly County Journal

Hurricane Ida hits the Gulf Coast

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHOTO

Jerilyn Collins returns to her destroyed home with the assistance of a Louisiana National Guard high-water vehicle to retrieve medicine for herself and her father, and a few possessions, after she evacuated from rising floodwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Ida is now forecasted to pass west of North Carolina, hitting Tennessee and then traveling north.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Man hit, killed by train in second such accident in two days Davidson County For the second time in two days, a person was hit and killed by a passenger train.

Davidson County emergency personnel responded to a report of a person hit by an Amtrak train in Lexington.

The victim was identified as Gary Dale Beck, 37, whose body was found about a quarter-mile from where the northbound train hit him. On Monday, Mary Fowler, 43, of Thomasville was struck by an Amtrak train and pronounced dead at the scene. Fowler crossed in front of the train.

None of the 30 people on board were hurt.

AP

FAA fined vaping, drinking, mask-refusing passenger $17K Mecklenburg County Federal aviation officials fined a woman $17,000 for drinking alcohol not served by the airline, vaping and refusing to wear a mask on a flight to Charlotte. The Federal Administration Administration said the woman on a Republic Airways flight from Key West, Florida, on Feb. 28 was drinking alcohol that wasn’t served by the airline, interfering with crew members, trying to use a vape pen and was not complying with the federal face mask mandate. The FAA said the aircraft returned to the gate at the Key West airport and she was removed from the plane.

AP

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Atrium Health national leader in ‘health equity’ Hires Magic Johnson’s foodsupply company to improve supplier diversity

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Over the last five years, Atrium Health, which serves Stanly County and the greater Charlotte area, has put increasing focus on “health equity.” And in 2021, all this work paid off, with the American Hospital Association choosing Atrium as its Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award winner.

Health equity is a recent movement in the health care field aimed at reducing disparities in health outcomes regarding race, sex and other demographic categories.

According to the AHA, the award “is an annual recognition of outstanding efforts among hospitals and health care systems to advance equity of care to all patients and to spread lessons learned and progress toward diversity, inclusion and health equity.” The award is only award-

ed to one health provider per year across the nation, plus two honorable mentions. During his acceptance speech, Atrium CEO Eugene Woods indicated he was proud to share a stage with others who were able to “leverage their organizations as platforms for social justice and change.”

“Amidst the battle against this virus, this country also faced another pandemic — racial injustice — a pandemic that there’s no vaccine to cure,” Woods said, adding that Atrium was able to get more than 1,000 of its employees to mobilize for a #WhiteCoatsForBlackLives push.

But health equity has not been without controversy. Critics say health care resources should be focused on curing patients, not on trying to ensure “social justice” and a correct balance between the races and sexes for illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control, which under President Joe Biden has embraced this trend, recently released its “Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication.” The guide was immediately criticized by conservative websites, like Na-

Albemarle police officer on leave, charged with domestic violence Caller alleges Brown attacked her with his police baton Stanly County Journal staff ALBEMARLE — An Albemarle police officer has been placed on administrative leave by the APD after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a female.

Jeremy Brown, 27, was charged with domestic violence the evening of Aug. 24 after a female caller told a 911 emergency dispatcher that Brown had scratched her face and attempted to strike her with his police baton inside her home at the Chimney’s Apartments complex.

Officers from the Albemarle Police Department arrived at 905

Chimneys Ln. in Albemarle and took Brown to the Stanly County Jail, where he was held without bond until his first scheduled court appearance the following morning.

On Friday, Capt. Chris Huneycutt of the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Brown was released on bond Wednesday at 12:48 p.m.

“He made his appearance before a judge where his bond was set and he appears to have posted that bond,” Huneycutt told SCJ. “If you’re charged with a domestic violence offense, the magistrate cannot set a bond until after 48 hours. It’s a 48-hour hold or an appearance before a district court judge — whichever comes first.”

In the redacted audio of the 911 call made on Aug. 24 at 5:32 p.m.,

SCJ asked Atrium why hiring a company run by a multimillionaire athlete from Los Angeles helps social justice more than hiring a local company chosen without regard to race, but did not receive an answer. tional Review, for recommending replacing words like homeless with “persons experiencing unstable housing,” illegal immigrant with “people with undocumented status,” biological male with “assigned male at birth,” and gendered pronouns like “he” or “she” with the singular “they.”

Atrium received the national award in large part due to its focus on equity in how it used resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Community Immunity for All” program, which had a testing van that would target “communities of color,” was a spotlight of this effort.

provided to SCJ after a public-records request, the alleged victim told the emergency dispatcher, “Your Officer Brown assaulted me. He scratched up my whole face and broke my whole phone with my daughter in the apartment... He flicked his baton at me and tried to beat the s--- out of me with his baton.”

The caller said that she is a mother of a newborn and that Brown comes home from work and yells at her. She added that no drugs or alcohol were involved but alleged that he has “mental issues.” At the time of the call, she said Brown was in his police car with the intention of starting his nightly work shift at the police department.

“He told me if he gets locked up and comes out of jail, he’s coming after me because he has nothing to lose,” the caller said. “My neighbors know he has an anger problem because they hear him yell and scream at me for the past year and a half.”

On the same night of Brown’s arrest, the Albemarle Police Department released an official statement that confirmed that he had been placed on administra-

“By establishing our own Vaccine Equity Taskforce, we could best identify ways to address disparities and access to testing, and now to life-saving vaccines,” said Kinneil Coltman, senior vice president and Atrium Health’s chief community and social impact officer, in the release. “To receive this tribute from the American Hospital Association is a true testament to Atrium Health’s longstanding commitment to health equity, even in the wake of the most difficult times.”

SCJ asked Atrium in an email whether it was fair to dedicate certain resources only to nonwhite residents. SCJ also asked if it have any programs dedicated to alleviating health disparities when the white population is the group affected such as opioid overdose deaths, which disproportionately affect the white population. The Kaiser Family Foundation showed 1,460 opioid overdose deaths among whites out of 1,817 overall in North Carolina in 2019. This is 80% of the deaths despite non-HispanSee ATRIUM, page 2

“This type of behavior is something our police department will not tolerate, and we hold our officers to an extremely high standard.”

Albemarle Police Chief David Poston told SCJ tive leave within the department.

“This type of behavior is something our police department will not tolerate, and we hold our officers to an extremely high standard,” Albemarle Police Chief David Poston told SCJ on Friday.

“We will investigate this internally and deal with it appropriately. We want to be as transparent as possible within the law and without interfering with any legal process.”

SCJ reached out to Stanly County District Attorney Lynn Clodfelter for further information regarding Brown’s court appearance, but he was unable to comment on the legal matter at this time.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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Paul Tagliabue left his job as commissioner of the NFL in 2006 and didn’t get selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until last year.

If that seems odd for a man who guided the NFL for 17 years and oversaw labor peace, expansion, new stadiums, huge increases in broadcast-rights fees, a significantly enhanced international presence — and maneuvered the league through such crises and events as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans — well, Tagliabue doesn’t seem bitter about the delay.

In his memoir “Jersey City to America’s Game,” Tagliabue sticks to his journey and lets the facts speak for him. It’s a terrific ride, a look into the inner workings of the nation’s most popular sport.

While Tagliabue details his young life, including starring in basketball at Georgetown, the best material focuses on his years atop the NFL. In particular, his descriptions of the heart-wrenching scenes in New York after the

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terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and how he dealt with Saints owner Tom Benson’s desire to abandon New Orleans after Katrina are engrossing.

“As I reflected back on the attacks of Tuesday morning,” Tagliabue wrote of 9/11, “I concluded they were beyond ‘the unthinkable;’ an enemy, not clearly identified in the early moments, had seized private, commercial airplanes, carrying hundreds of civilians to domestic U.S. destinations, and converted the planes into the equivalent of intercontinental ballistic missiles to kill many thousands of civilians while destroying a huge section of our nation’s iconic city, and directly striking the military command center of the world’s leading super power.

“I was convinced that there was no real historical analogue for the attacks. ... On a conference call Wednesday with our working group of owners, I told them that `This is not the Kennedy assassination. This is not Pearl Harbor.

It’s worse.’ I knew that I could not support playing any games on that weekend.”

Every major sport in America followed the NFL’s lead, too.

When Katrina struck in 2005, Benson — a long-time supporter of Tagliabue — saw an opportunity to relocate the Saints permanently to San Antonio, the base for his non-football business. Benson’s attorney even threatened to sue the league if it prevented the move.

Tagliabue stood firm in one of his finest moments, saying there was not “a chance in hell you’ll prevail” to the attorney, adding it would be “destroying (Benson’s) remaining credibility” within the NFL and a Big Easy that was going through the toughest of times.

Keeping the Saints in New Orleans did, as Tagliabue predicted, aid immeasurably in the recovery of the city and region. But rather than take a large amount of credit — something many other team owners readily have sent his way — Tagliabue praised Roger Goodell, his eventual successor; Superdome executive Doug Thornton; then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana; NFL Players Association chief Gene Upshaw; NFL counsel Jeff Pash; and communications di-

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rector Joe Browne for their work.

Tagliabue vowed that the Saints would play a home game in September 2006 even as the team juggled its 2005 schedule to stage home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. He delivered.

Other fascinating topics Tagliabue deals with in his book are the development of the Rooney Rule — he is a powerful advocate for equality and diversity throughout the memoir; the 2001 Super Bowl in Tampa during the Gulf War; his productive relationship with Upshaw and the union; and how the league’s television deals were struck with a variety of partners.

Not quite as revealing is Tagliabue’s discussion of the concussion issue that has plagued pro and college football for decades. Indeed, his handling of that subject is considered a major reason the Hall of Fame didn’t come calling for so long.

Overall, though, Tagliabue’s memories and reflections, provided with help from author Michael MacCambridge, are revealing, provocative and entertaining.

“Reading back over this now,” he writes in concluding the 137-page memoir that he primarily published for family and friends. “I’m struck by the dedication of so many people in the world of the NFL. It remains the greatest game of all not simply because of the players who play it, but also because of the many people in and around it.”

In this Aug. 7, 2021, file photo, Paul Tagliabue, a former NFL commissioner and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, speaks during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Susan Chandler Hathcock, 65, of Albemarle, died Aug. 16. ♦ William Robert Bryant Jr., 55, of Badin, died Aug. 19. ♦ Kenneth David Spencer, 57, of Stanly County, died Aug. 19. ♦ Andrew William Thorne, 80, of Locust, died Aug. 20. ♦ James Hubert Metcalf, 57, of Albemarle, died Aug. 22. ♦ Larry Glenn Taylor, 77, of Oakboro, died Aug. 23.

DAVID RICHARD | AP PHOTO

♦ Joe MacElvais Good, 78, of Albemarle, died Aug. 24. ♦ Linda Hough Benson, 73, New London, died Aug. 24. ♦ Donald Lewis Barbee, 68, of Albemarle, died Aug. 27. ♦ Candy Harris Almond, 49, of Norwood, died Aug. 28.

See OBITS, page 7

ATRIUM from page 1 ic whites being 60% of the population. Atrium did not respond to this line of questioning.

Atrium is also celebrating an increase in its “supplier diversity.”

An Aug. 5 press release announced it had partnered with former L.A. Lakers superstar Magic Johnson and his food supply company, SodexoMAGIC. “Having a strong supplier diver-

sity program is an important part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as our effort to improve economic health and mobility in the communities we serve,” said Les Maginley, vice president of supplier diversity for Atrium Health.

Atrium says it “more than tripled its Minority Tier I spend between 2018 and 2020 and more than doubled its number of diverse suppliers. It projects to spend over

$100 million per year with minority suppliers by 2026.”

Johnson said, “SodexoMAGIC is excited to partner with Atrium Health.”

SCJ asked Atrium why hiring a company run by a retired multimillionaire athlete from Los Angeles helps the citizens of Stanly County more than hiring a local company chosen without regard to race but did not receive an answer.

In 2016, Atrium signed on to the AHA’s “Equity of Care Pledge.”

By 2019, it was already an honorable mention for the AHA’s Boone award. In its press release at the time, Kinneil Coltman, then vice president and chief diversity officer of Atrium Health, said, “We work hard to eliminate health disparities for our patients and communities and integrate diversity and inclusion into all aspects of our operations.”

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Vaughters, Christian Wondell (W /M/28) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at Huneycutt Mill Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 8/29/2021 ♦ Gallimore, Patrick Scott (W /M/29) Arrest on chrg of Assault By Strangulation, F (F), at 40014 Mattneal Rd, Norwood, NC, on 8/29/2021 ♦ Blalock, Walter Lewis (W /M/60) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F), at 20758 Nc 138 Hwy, Albemarle, NC, on 8/29/2021. ♦ Quirindongo, Angel Luis (B /M/38) Cited on Charge of Driving While Impaired (202100646), at 159 N Main St/e Whitley St, Norwood, NC, on 8/29/2021. ♦ Christopher, Donnie Grant (W /M/51) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 100 Willow St, Stanfield, NC, on 8/28/2021 ♦ Oxendine, Max Caleb (W /M/20) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault (M), at 13074 Robert Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 8/28/2021 ♦ Oxendine, Tadan Aubry (W /M/22) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault (M), at 13074 Robert Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 8/28/2021 ♦ Wright, Elizabeth Allyn (W /F/31) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 16002 Oak Grove Rd, Oakboro, NC, on

8/27/2021

Oakboro, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Harris, Justin Antonio (B M, 29) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at 155W South St, Albemarle, on 08/29/2021

♦ Brown, Joshua Ray (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Sex Offender/child Premises (F), at 40813 Stony Gap Road, Albemarle, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Teeter, Trent Allen (W /M/46) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Stolen Goods/prop (f) (F) and 2) Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 16002 Oak Grove Rd, Oakboro, NC, on 8/27/2021

♦ Lowery, Elbert Nathaniel (W /M/23) Arrest on chrg of Uttering Forged Instrument (F), at 20068 Silver Rd, Oakboro, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Corriher, George Lynell J (W /M/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Second Degree Kidnapping (F), 2) Assault

By Strangulation (F), 3) Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M), 4) Break/enter Terrorize/injure (F), 5) Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), 6) Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), 7) Intimidating Witness (F), 8) Surrender By Surety (M), and 9) Surrender By Surety (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 8/27/2021 ♦ Hill, Eddie Ward (W /M/60) Arrest on chrg of Felony Probation Violation, F (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 8/26/2021 ♦ Taylor, Allyson Marie (W F, 27) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer (M), at503 Aquadale Rd/reeves Av, Albemarle, on 08/28/202 ♦ Hill, James Wilson (W /M/40) Arrest on chrg of Parole Violation (F), at Nc 24/27 West Stanly High School,

♦ Dial, Ryan Zane (W /M/24) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female, M (M), at 201 S 2nd St, Albemarle, NC, on 8/25/2021

/M/37) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 8/24/2021 ♦ Perry, Billy Brian (W /M/46) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny Of Motor Vehicle (f) (F), 2) Possession Of Controlled Sub Prison/jail (F), 3) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 4) Fail Reprt New Address-sex Off (F), 5) Fta - Release Order (M), and 6) Fta - Release Order (F), at Anson County Line, Norwood, NC, on 8/24/2021

♦ Williams, Tracy Donitha (B /F/49) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F) and 2) Possession Of Controlled Sub Prison/jail (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Bowers, Kayla Danielle (W /F/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 2) Financial Card Theft (F), 3) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 4) Att Obtain Prop False Pretense (F), 5) Identity Theft (F), and 6) Felony Conspiracy (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 8/24/2021

♦ Poole, Jeremy Mark (W /M/38) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at Stanly Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Hill, Eddie Ward (W M, 60) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed Gun (m), M (M), at319 Aquadale Rd/eben St, Albemarle, on 08/24/2021

♦ Blair, Richard Michael (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Public Officer (M) and 2) Poss/rcv Stolen Prop Cert Fel (F), at 13074 Robert Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 8/25/2021

♦ Trent, Rocky Lynn (W M, 51) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed Gun (m) (M), at319 Aquadale Rd/eben St, Albemarle, on 08/24/2021

♦ Blair, James Keith (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Trespass (M), at 13084 Robert Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 8/25/2021 ♦ Shelton, James Immanuel (W

♦ Presutti, James Owen (W M, 22) Arrest on chrg of Stat Sex Off With Child <= 15 (F),at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, on 08/24/2021 ♦ Gonzalez, Jason Ray (W M, 23) Arrest on chrg of Felony Larceny

(F), at 155 W SouthSt, Albemarle, on 08/24/2021. ♦ Ingram, Elizabeth Macdade (W F, 28) Arrest on chrg of Larceny By Employee (F), at781 Leonard Ave, Albemarle, on 08/24/202 ♦ Brown, Jeremy Adam (W M, 27) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 905Chimneys Ln, Albemarle, on 08/24/2021 ♦ Verbos, Johnathan David (W M, 27) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Firearm ByFelon (F), at Pless Mill Rd, Red Cross, on 08/28/2021 ♦ Crocker, Salena-dianne Gibson (W F, 42) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M(M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 08/26/2021 ♦ Sinclair, Allen David (W M, 55) Arrest on chrg of Sexual Battery, M (M), at 2014 EMain St, Albemarle, on 08/27/2021 ♦ Johnson, Atiyah Yasmine (B F, 43) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at711 Thomas St, Albemarle, on 08/28/2021 ♦ Whitley, David Ryan (W M, 49) Arrest on chrg of Larceny By Employee, F (F), at 126S Third St, Albemarle, on 08/28/2021 ♦ Andino, William (W M, 40) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Marijuana (F), at 510 S First St,Albemarle, on 08/28/2021

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan

Tragically, Thursday was the deadliest day for our troops in Afghanistan in over 10 years. I am heartbroken and livid.

IT’S BEEN A TRAGIC WEEK FOR OUR COUNTRY. On Thursday, we lost 13 brave U.S. service members in the horrific attack on Kabul’s airport. These members of the Marines, Navy and Army were among those sent to Afghanistan to rescue our citizens and allies. They have been under extremely dangerous circumstances, and they have made our country proud.

Following last week’s attack, Renee and I join our nation in continuing to pray for the families of the fallen. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and is one so many in our community painfully know too well.

Tragically, Thursday was the deadliest day for our troops in Afghanistan in over 10 years. I am heartbroken and livid.

President Biden’s failed withdrawal put our troops back in harm’s way, as they were reliant on the Taliban for security around the airport and exposed to threats by ISIS terrorists. This danger was compounded by decisions to close Bagram Airfield and force all evacuation efforts into one indefensible position at the airport in the middle of Kabul.

Now as we continue to honor the fallen, our focus must also remain on completing the mission to ensure our troops on the ground in Kabul are safe and that every American and ally can get out safely.

Prior to Thursday’s attack, President Biden doubled down on sticking to his self-imposed deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan

by Aug. 31, despite global and bipartisan support for extending it.

President Biden’s own generals admit we cannot possibly complete evacuations by the 31st. However, the Taliban demanded President Biden adhere to this deadline, and I am infuriated the president of the United States bowed to them without securing the safety of our citizens and allies first.

Following a classified briefing I received last Tuesday, I called on President Biden to commit to leaving no American or ally behind — regardless of deadlines and regardless of what the Taliban and terrorists say. Otherwise, the president should level with the American people that he has signed the death warrants of our allies and their families we are leaving behind.

Last week, I continued my ongoing efforts to get hundreds of these former interpreters and family members out of Afghanistan.

Thursday’s attack is a tragic reminder of the danger they will face after our troops have departed. To date, I have initiated inquiries for more than 240 families needing assistance from the State Department. Many of them remain in danger, as the incompetence of the Biden administration has been staggering.

I called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring Congress back into session to get a comprehensive, classified briefing from the Biden administration following Thursday’s attack and to pass legislation by Congressman Mike Gallagher, a Marine veteran from Wisconsin. His bill requires daily reports on the status of evacuations and prohibits the president from withdrawing our troops until every American is out of Afghanistan safely.

Last week, Speaker Pelosi did bring Congress back to Washington for the first time since the Taliban took over Kabul.

Yet, shockingly, Pelosi blocked Republican attempts to address the crisis in Afghanistan or support our troops there. Pelosi’s sole focus was to advance Democrats’ reckless $3.5 trillion tax, borrow and spend budget scheme written by Bernie Sanders. Advancing this bill is not only bad news for you and your family, it was also extremely out of touch.

I will detail more of how Bernie’s budget will bankrupt our nation in the coming weeks. Yet for now, I would ask that you join Renee and me in praying for all those still on the ground in Afghanistan, including many troops from the 82nd Airborne.

While we have seen an abject failure in political leadership from the Biden administration, these troops have suffered losses and are still doing their job in very difficult circumstances. It did not have to be this way. There will be plenty of time later to hold the president and others accountable for this catastrophe For now, Speaker Pelosi must call Congress back and President Biden must do more to address this fallout and secure the safety of those on the ground.

Rest assured; I will hold this administration fully accountable.

Our troops and their families deserve nothing less.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Biden’s disastrous foreign-policy instincts As with the elimination of Osama bin Laden, Biden opposed taking out the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorist leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, accusing then-President Donald Trump of putting us on the precipice of an “endless war in the Middle East.”

THE UNFOLDING DISASTER in Afghanistan is a bipartisan, trans-administrational failure. It is a humiliation. The fact is that after 20 years, after thousands of lives were lost and hundreds of billions of dollars were spent on the military, police, training, infrastructure and education, the country fell in days.

Whatever your position is on the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, however, it is incumbent on President Joe Biden, and no one else, to competently conduct a military withdrawal of his choosing — and, at the very least, avoid humiliation. On this front, Biden catastrophically failed. Then again, the president has never shown a morsel of wisdom or proficiency on foreign policy. As one former Obama Pentagon official put it not long ago, Biden isn’t really a student of history; he is driven by “gut instincts.”

Indeed. The problem is that his instincts are complete garbage.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wasn’t kidding when he noted that Biden has “been wrong on nearly every major foreignpolicy and national-security issue over the past four decades.” As a senator, he voted against the Persian Gulf War in 1991. More than a decade later, he didn’t merely support the Iraq invasion in 2003, but he championed it.

Biden warned President George W. Bush, for example, that it was “unrealistic, if not downright foolish,” to claim victory against terrorism until Saddam Hussein was toppled from power in Iraq.

It was only after the campaign’s popularity began fading that he purported to have been hoodwinked by Bush. Biden was for a surge in Afghanistan before he wasn’t, and against the surge in Iraq, even though it was perhaps the most successful post-Saddam operation in that nation. And it was Biden who was charged with implementing Obama’s tragically incompetent withdrawal from Iraq, which was partially responsible for the rise of ISIS — or the “JV team,” as his boss called them.

Then there is the Libya debacle. Trying to untangle Biden’s evershifting positions on Authorization for Use of Military Force would take thousands of additional words. Put it this way: On numerous occasions, Biden praised Obama’s entry into the Libya conflict — calling it the “prescription for how to deal with the world as we go forward than it has in the past” in 2011. When the full extent of the failure was clear, Biden claimed to have “argued strongly” within the White House against getting involved.

In more recent times, Biden was a proponent of the failed Iran deal and a harsh critic of the successful Abraham Accords. As with the elimination of Osama bin Laden, Biden opposed taking out the

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorist leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, accusing then-President Donald Trump of putting us on the precipice of an “endless war in the Middle East.”

And, for the past 20 years, Biden has been on every side of nearly every position on Afghanistan — usually the wrong one at the wrong time. It’s surreal that a person so uncannily incompetent, so tenaciously wrong on foreign policy, could rise to the presidency, but here we are.

Early in the Afghanistan campaign, Biden would often hit the Bush administration for its failure to send more troops and increase nation-building efforts. In 2002, after Bush had proposed handing off more policing operations to allies, Biden excoriated the administration for not sending more troops. “Whatever it takes, we should do it,” Biden said at the time. “History will judge us harshly if we allow the hope of a liberated Afghanistan to evaporate because we failed to stay the course.”

In 2004, Biden called a tour of a new school in Kabul “a catalytic event” that defined his philosophy forevermore. We needed to export liberal democracy and embrace a “Prevention Doctrine,” Biden argued. And both were contingent on expansive American commitments abroad.

Many people will, no doubt, argue that Biden’s positions change to comport with the facts on the ground. Even if that were the case, Biden helped get into the war and then championed the nationbuilding and troop buildups.

In truth, the only “catalytic events” that really propel Biden are changes in public polling. By October 2009, when sentiment had shifted against nation-building, Biden had become a leading voice to get out of the Middle East. Despite Biden’s alleged skepticism on the matter, Obama had escalated American involvement soon after taking office, sending 30,000 additional military personnel there — a nearly 50% jump. Biden claimed to be leading voice in the administration. And yet, troops only peaked in 2010. In 2012, there were still 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. Obama and Biden claimed we could leave because there were hundreds of thousands of highly trained Afghan troops and policemen ready to defend the nation.

They weren’t. They still aren’t.

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.”

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Isner bounced in U.S. Open’s opening round New York John Isner was upset in the first round of the U.S. Open, losing in straight sets Monday to Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6), 6-3. It was the second straight year the Greensboro native, who was seeded 19th in this year’s draw, has failed to win a match at Flushing Meadows. The 36-yearold Isner had beaten Nakashima in the finals of the Truist Atlanta Open on Aug. 1, the sixth time he had won that tournament in his career. Nakashima has now won two of the three meetings between the fellow Americans.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Former UNC guard Rice gets 5-year extension from Monmouth West Long Branch, N.J. Monmouth University men’s basketball coach King Rice has been given a five-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season, the school announced Monday. Rice, who played for Dean Smith at UNC from 198791 and was co-captain on the Tar Heels’ Final Four team his senior year, was voted Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coach of the year last season for the third time, just the third coach in the conference’s history to accomplish the feat. He led the Hawks to a regular season title, his third, and has 161 wins in 10 seasons.

NFL

Fully vaccinated NFL players will get COVID-19 tests weekly New York Fully vaccinated players will be required to get tested for COVID-19 weekly instead of every 14 days as part of the revised protocols for the regular season agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA. The weekly testing applies also for fully vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 staff. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wait for results prior to entering a team’s facility. Each club must conduct its testing over a three-day period.

Unvaccinated players will continue to be tested daily.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hurricane Ida forces Tulane to travel to No. 2 Sooners Norman, Okla.

No. 2 Oklahoma and Tulane announced Monday that their season opener this weekend has been moved from New Orleans to Norman, Oklahoma, in the fallout from Hurricane Ida. The Sooners said conditions in New Orleans were not favorable to host a game this weekend. Tulane will be the designated home team and will retain all net proceeds from ticket sales. Kickoff was still set for 11 a.m. Central on Saturday and the game will be broadcast on ABC. The schools will work together on finding a date in a future season for a game in New Orleans.

DAVID GRAHAM | AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney nears the finish line and checkered flag to win Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona.

Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth The Cup Series playoffs begin next Sunday at Darlington

By Mark Long The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For all the potential outcomes that could have occurred at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale was somewhat predictable.

Ryan Blaney ended up in Victory Lane for the second straight week. Kyle Larson, the most dominant driver all year, took home the regular-season trophy. Tyler Reddick ended up with the 16th and final playoff spot. And the race ended in overtime with a fiery crash that involved nearly half the field.

“It’s Daytona. For me, it was no

different than any other race here,” said 2017 series champion Martin Truex Jr., who finished 30th. “I’m glad we’re done; I’m glad we’re out of here.”

He was hardly alone. Drivers ripped the revamped aerodynamics package and bemoaned the usual aggressive driving that caused three wrecks in the final 20 laps.

Reddick got caught up in the first one but rebounded to finish sixth. He needed only to beat Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon and hope for a repeat winner to earn his first playoff berth.

Reddick and Dillon were both in contention to make a desperate, last-gasp push for the win in the two-lap overtime sprint to the finish. But Blaney, who was second on the restart, cleared traffic thanks partly to a bump from Corey LaJoie and was well ahead of the pack

when a crash ended the race.

Daniel Suarez, one of 10 drivers in the front pack trying to win the race to earn the automatic playoff berth, turned Kevin Harvick to trigger the multi-car melee. Suarez seemed to be pushed into Harvick from behind by Kurt Busch.

Blaney, the winner in Michigan last week, heads into next week’s playoff opener at Darlington Raceway with three victories this season in his Team Penske Ford.

“Yeah, we’ve got good momentum,” Blaney said. “We’d like to make it three in a row, we’ll see.”

The regular-season finale had fairly low stakes since 15 of the 16 playoff slots were claimed beforehand. It meant only a first-time race winner could edge Reddick or Dillon for the final spot.

Neither had a smooth night: Reddick’s car suffered crash damage in an earlier incident and Dil-

lon was first flagged for speeding on pit road and also battled voltage issues in his Chevrolet.

“I don’t know how to smile at this point. It was a lot tonight,” Reddick said. “I’m excited to be past it.”

Dillon had still rallied to fourth on the final restart but was collected in the race-ending crash.

“We gave it all we could and fought until the end,” Dillon said.

“We’ll finish hard this year and build on next year.”

The only other competition at Daytona was for the regular season title, which went to Larson, a fivetime winner this season. The race for the regular-season championship and its playoff points was between Larson and Denny Hamlin, who entered Daytona trailing Larson by 28 points.

Hamlin held the regular season lead for 22 weeks until Larson claimed it two races ago at Indianapolis. Larson overcame a 166-point deficit to Hamlin to earn the title.

“What an awesome year he’s had,” said team owner Rick Hendrick, who gave Larson a job this season after he missed most of 2020 while suspended for using a racial slur.

Saints, displaced by Hurricane Ida, practice in Dallas The storm made landfall exactly 16 years after Katrina devastated New Orleans

The Associated Press DISPLACED by Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints went back to work Monday about 500 miles away in the home of another NFL team.

Saints players and staff, along with about 120 family members, relocated to North Texas in advance of the storm that made landfall south of New Orleans on Sunday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph, and left that entire area without power.

Coach Sean Payton said the team will practice through Wednesday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. That comes before a previously planned break leading into the start of the regular season.

“Left behind are obviously apartments, condominiums, homes.

Those are all physical things.

Nonetheless, they’re still home for so many people,” Payton said Monday. “We had a team meeting this morning, kind of hit on some topics. And then, you know, I think to some degree that going out and being able to practice today is going to be good for everyone, because from afar, there’s only so much you can do.”

The Saints are then scheduled to resume practice next Monday, though Payton said that it would be unrealistic to believe that would be at their headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana, even though initial reports from people there indicated that the facility handled the storm “overall pretty well.”

Payton said he had heard noth-

MAX BECHERER / THE ADVOCATE VIA AP

The Caesars Superdome is shown in New Orleans early Monday after Hurricane Ida became the latest storm to ravage the Gulf Coast. ing about the scheduled Sept. 12 season opener at home against the Green Bay Packers that is to be played in the Superdome.

“Obviously we’ll have a plan B. And, you know, there are a lot of other things probably from a priority standpoint that are more important for our city,” Payton said.

“But that all being said, you know, we fully anticipate starting the regular season with Green Bay and then the question would be where that game’s at.”

The office of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said damage to the area’s power grid appeared “catastrophic,” and officials warned

it could be weeks before power is fully restored.

When Ida was in the Gulf of Mexico with a projected path toward the Gulf Coast region, the Saints’ third and final preseason game that was supposed to be played in the Superdome last Saturday was canceled.

So they played only two preseason games and had to relocate for the final practices before the final roster reduction to 53 players has to be made Tuesday.

The arrival of Ida came 16 years to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans. The Saints were forced to move for the entire 2005

season, setting up operations in San Antonio while playing home games there and in Baton Rouge at LSU. New Orleans also played one “home” game at Giants Stadium.

That was before the current regime led by Payton joined the franchise. The Saints went 3-13 in 2005 but, spurred on by the quick restoration of the Louisiana Superdome, went 10-6 and won the NFC South the next year.

In 2012, the Saints evacuated to Cincinnati when Hurricane Isaac, a much less powerful storm, approached New Orleans and made landfall with winds of about 80 mph.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Volleyball season underway for Stanly County’s five teams 2 Losses for West Stanly and North Stanly already this season, more than either team had a year ago

Gray Stone Day is off to a perfect start with four wins to begin the season

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal WITH THE EARLY stages of the high school volleyball season in progress, here is a quick look at how the five teams in Stanly County shaped up during their slate of nonconference matchups in August.

West Stanly Colts (Rocky River Conference 2A/3A) 2020-21 Record: 13-1, 9-0 2021-22 Record: 4-2, 0-0 A year after sweeping the RRC regular season and conference tournament before advancing all the way to the third round of state playoffs, the Colts — six games into their new campaign — have already doubled the losses they had last year.

West opened the season with a 3-1 road victory over South Stanly (4-1, 0-0 Yadkin Valley) before taking down West Davidson (3-3, 0-0 Central Carolina) and Carson (1-5, 0-0 South Piedmont) with 3-0 road wins.

On Aug. 21, the Colts fell 3-2 to Reagan (6-0, 0-0 Central Piedmont) in their first home game of the year. West rebounded two days later with a 3-0 victory against East Rowan (4-1, 0-0 South Piedmont).

Former conference rival Mount Pleasant Tigers (5-0, 0-0 Yadkin Valley) then took the 3-2 edge over the Colts on Aug. 26.

Despite some early-season mishaps, the Colts will still look to repeat again as conference champions with six featured seniors and the leadership of third-year coach Stephanie Dutton.

North Stanly Comets (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A/2A) 2020-21 Record: 10-1, 8-0 2021-22 Record: 2-2, 0-0 Like the Colts, the defending conference champion Comets have

already eclipsed their loss total from the previous season with a mixed bag of nonconference performances so far.

Second-year coach Jamie Kimrey and his North squad started off the year on the right foot with a 3-2 road win over South Davidson (0-3, 0-0 Central Carolina).

However, the Comets then suffered consecutive losses to Piedmont (2-0, 0-0 Southern Carolina) and East Rowan (4-1, 0-0 South Piedmont) North returned to the win column on Aug. 26 after traveling to A.L. Brown (1-4, 0-0 Greater Metro) where the Comets picked up a 3-0 win over the Wonders.

The next stop on the schedule is a road matchup with Robinson (1-3, 0-0 Yadkin Valley).

Karson Phillips and Carley Carpenter are the only seniors on a Comets team that is less experienced than the group that advanced to the state playoffs last season.

South Stanly Rebel Bulls (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A/2A) 2020-21 Record: 4-7, 4-4 2021-22 Record: 4-1, 0-0 In her first season as coach for the Bulls, Allison Griffith has already gotten her team off to an improved start and matched South’s win total from last year.

While the Bulls were only victorious in one out of their first five games in 2020, they have gone 4-1 in that stretch this time around.

South began the season with a 3-1 win over Montgomery Central (34, 0-0 Mid-Piedmont) before suffering a home loss to West the following day.

Since then, the Bulls have defeated Anson (1-3, 0-0 Rocky River) twice and also notched a win over Forest Hills (2-3, 0-0 Rocky River).

Senior Keeli Crisco leads her team with 62 kills and 71 digs, while junior Kassie Swink has recorded a team-high 81 assists and five total blocks.

Gray Stone Knights (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A/2A) 2020-21 Record: 7-4, 6-2 2021-22 Record: 4-0, 0-0 Of the five volleyball teams in the county, only Gray Stone has a spotless record at this point. The Knights have started the year with a pair of home wins and a pair of road wins — all against members of the Catawba Shores Athletic Conference.

To date, the Knights have won 12 out of the 13 sets they’ve played.

That includes a 3-1 victory over Mountain Island Charter (1-4, 0-0) and 3-0 wins against Lincoln Charter (2-2, 0-0), Langtree Charter (01, 0-0) and Christ the King (5-3-1, 0-0).

Taking command of a team that previously finished third in the conference standings, first-year coach Rebecca Carter has an older Knights squad that features eight seniors and three juniors.

Seniors Olivia Eldrige and Margaret Huckabee join junior Piper Maudlin and sophomore Aniston Belk as the four Knights who have already reached double-digits in kills.

Albemarle Bulldogs (Yadkin Valley Conference 1A/2A) 2020-21 Record: 0-8, 0-8 2021-22 Record: 0-3, 0-0 With three losses this season, the Bulldogs are still in search of their first win since Oct. 10, 2019, with the hopes of also climbing out of the ninth place in their conference standings. Albemarle hasn’t had a winning season since 2014-15.

Coach Mariah Wright is back for her second season with the Bulldogs after her team was held without a single set victory (0-24) last year.

The Bulldogs have suffered a season-opening loss to North Rowan (1-3, 0-0 Central Carolina) before facing back-to-back losses to Salisbury (3-3, 0-0 Central Carolina). Albemale’s upcoming stretch of matchups includes South Stanly, Mount Pleasant and North Stanly.

5 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

ALBEMARLE (0-2, 0-0 YVC) VS. OWEN (0-1) Albemarle | Friday, Sept. 3 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs fell to 0-2 with a loss at home to cross-county rival West Stanly. Albemarle finished in the red in rushing yards while the Colts rolled up 330 yards on the ground.

Sophomore receiver Jaylen Pickney did have a 70-yard touchdown catch for the Bulldogs. Owen is coming off a 56-6 home loss to Chase.

The Warhorses from Black Mountain, who were 4-3 in the spring, feature a rushing attack led by two juniors: running back Kameron Moore and quarterback Alex Sanchez.

NORTH STANLY (1-1, 0-0 YVC) VS. NORTH ROWAN (1-0) New London | Friday, Sept. 3 7:30 p.m.

The Comets evened their record with a 28-6 win over East Rowan. North Stanly outscored the Mustangs 21-0 in the second half to pull away, with senior quarterback Luke Shaver passing for 116 yards and a touchdown and also getting another score on the ground to go with a team-best 82 rushing yards. The Comets get another Rowan County team this week in the Cavaliers. North Rowan defeated South Rowan 36-28 last Friday. In the spring, the Comets shut out the Cavaliers 15-0 in Spencer.

SOUTH STANLY (0-2, 0-0 RRC) AT CARSON (0-1) China Grove | Friday, Sept. 3 7 p.m.

The Bulls were blown out for the second straight week, losing 55-6 at Southwestern Randolph.

South Stanly has the second of three straight road games this with a trip to China Grove to face Carson. The Cougars had last week’s home game against North Mecklenburg canceled Monday because of COVID-19 issues on the Carson roster. The game will not be rescheduled.

A post on the Carson High Facebook page said the team hopes to play this week’s game against South Stanly.

CORY SIPKIN | AP PHOTO

Mets second baseman Javier Baez gestures to fans after his two-run home run Sunday in New York.

Reverse boo birds: Báez, Mets flip thumbs down on fans “When we don’t get success, we’re going to get booed.

So they’re going to get booed when we have success.”

Javier Báez, Mets second baseman

Mets President Sandy Alderson says the actions “will not be tolerated”

The Associated Press NEW YORK — Javier Báez and his New York Mets teammates turned the boos at Citi Field to cheers this weekend — and turned their thumbs upside down at frustrated fans.

Báez launched a 444-foot home run Sunday in a 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals, then flashed a double thumbs-down gesture toward the crowd on his way back to the dugout.

Later, he said Mets players have been making the hand signal after big hits in response to fans who have jeered the club during a rough August.

“When we don’t get success,

we’re going to get booed,” Báez said. “So they’re going to get booed when we have success.”

Báez, a two-time All-Star acquired from the Chicago Cubs last month, good friend Francisco Lindor and Kevin Pillar all were seen giving the thumbs-down during the win.

Mets President Sandy Alderson swiftly condemned those remarks and signs.

“These comments, and any gestures by him or other players with a similar intent, are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Alderson said in a statement.

“Mets fans are understandably frustrated over the team’s recent performance. The players and the organization are equally frustrated, but fans at Citi Field have every right to express their own disappointment. Booing is every fan’s right.

“The Mets will not tolerate any

player gesture that is unprofessional in its meaning or is directed in a negative way toward our fans. I will be meeting with our players and staff to convey this message directly,” he said.

The Mets are 8-19 this month, dropping them from the NL East lead to third place, 7½ games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves.

Báez, who is batting .210 with 22 strikeouts in 62 at-bats since being traded on July 30, said the booing doesn’t bother him but that it is discouraging.

“I love the fans and I like playing for the fans,” Báez said. “But we can’t have our fans against us.”

Manager Luis Rojas, who heard chants of “Fire Rojas” during a loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night, said he wasn’t aware what the downturned thumbs meant.

“I didn’t know there was any intention of giving anything back to the fans,” Rojas said. “We want to win for the organization. We want to win for ourselves, we want to win for our front office, our owner and we want to win for our fanbase. So that’s where the focus should be.”

WEST STANLY (2-0, 0-0 YVC) VS. MOUNT PLEASANT (2-0) Oakboro | Friday, Sept. 3 7:30 p.m.

The Colts beat their second straight Stanly County opponent, topping Albemarle 34-14 behind 330 total rushing yards that included 100-yard games for both senior Braden Hartsell and junior Shane Mecimore. Next up is a visit from the unbeaten Tigers. Mount Pleasant followed up a season-opening shutout win over Central Cabarrus with a tight 10-7 win over Forest Hills. The Tigers were doubled up in yardage but forced three turnovers and scored the lone second-half points with a thirdquarter field goal by sophomore David McEachern.

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 the virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 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, see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means of transpo income residential neighborrus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen.

“For people who don’t higher rate. ty and state officials are conNutbush resident Patricia Har- car, what do they do?” ask ed that an influx of patients ris wondered aloud if city officials ris, who spoke to The Ass m Memphis, as well as nearby were “trying to contaminate” the Press while lugging a bott sissippi, Arkansas and rural reverse the decision over the ongoThe Associated Press tergent, a package of bott neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospiing review period and that the Calter and other items from t Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears are echoed across BOSTON — Former congress- ifornia governor, if faced with the ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car. She note can American Memphis pastor, country:man Governors, mayors Joseph P. Kennedy II, the old- choice to release him, will keep grocery store recently clos understands the anxiety.

“This health est experts in numerous Aprilto3,serve 2020 him in prison outphoto, his full shows Gateway Shopping Center son of Robert F. Kennedy,This de- Friday, life sentence,” Kennedy wrote. nounced the possible parole of the is an honest and reasonable con- her house and she already es are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn.

Robert F. Kennedy was a U.S. man convicted of killing his father cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. travel farther to get to Gat tructing makeshift medical senator from New York and the in 1968.

“When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. in California “Two commissioners of the brother of President John F. Kengot to consider the people black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turn18-member California Parole nedy, who was assassinated in skeptical of governmental inter- neighborhood,” she said. “W Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center 1963.

RFK was seeking the DemBoard made convention a grievous errorsic lastCity Friday the in recommending re- ocratic presidential Locating a treatment center for vention that did not consult with need to make the neighb Conventionnomination Center, in Chicago, McCormick theChattanooga when he was gunned down the coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.” lease ofCenter; the manand who in murdered worse than it already is.” the Knoxville Expo Center —atall e Convention Ambassador Hotel in LosneighAngeles es two problems, residents say: Kennedy wrote insites the away U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Doug McGowen, the city’s chief from residential dy, Utah,my thefather,” Mountain Ameremailed statement released Sun- moments after delivering a victoCHARLES DHARAPAK | AP PHOTO, FILE phis Democrat, said the d operating officer, said the GateIt could potentially expose them borhoods.

Expo Center. day. “I understand that there are ry speech in the pivotal California doesn’t make sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. differing Army Corps of Engiviews about ending the primary. Five others were wound- This Aug. 28, 2009, file photo, shows former Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II speaking at the “I’m sure there are othe contracting COVID-19 ter in ed. the Nutbush neighborhood blacks s has been scouting locations sentence of this killer, including John F.are Kennedy Presidential Library, incause Boston.it could potentially accomJoe Kennedy II is one of RFK within my own family.

But emoTennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said that would work, and they and Ethel Kennedy’s children, some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used those rather t tionsa and do not change ter features a Save A Lot11grocery compiled listopinions of 35 possinoted. ill into a residential neighbo growinghold up without a minimum spend life in prison note, spoke nine of whom are still alive. Two of close. facts or history.” site, itof would only mildly backup sites. They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami“My mother, Ethel Kennedy, a father.

The board on Friday found that them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and without parole. “ Cohen coronavirus who could be uncle, Nutbush resident commu- “The ly Dollar, a beauty shop, ed the whole but 77, Gov. Bill poses and my Sen.said.

Edward M. prisoner leftpatients a pregnant “The prisoner killed and my father Douglas Kennedy,supply said they supSirhanlist, Sirhan, no longer

6

RFK’s oldest son condemns possible parole of Sirhan Sirhan

a threat to society, noting that he had enrolled in more than 20 programs including anger management classes, Tai Chi and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

The ruling will be reviewed over the next four months by the board’s staff. Then it will be sent to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it.

“I hope the full parole board will

ported the release of Sirhan.

Joe Kennedy and five of his siblings said Friday they oppose parole and pledged to fight the process every step of the way. He was joined by Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.

Joe Kennedy said Sunday that anyone who kills for political reasons should “know that he will at

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

because of his support of Israel,” Kennedy wrote in a separate statement. “The man was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Yet he now may walk free, no doubt to the cheers of those who share his views. Let there be no mistake, the prisoner’s release will be celebrated by those who believe that political disagreements can be solved by a gun.”

Kennedy, on a more personal

mother of ten without a husband and soon-to-be 11 children without a father.”

He added: “We miss him every moment of every day, and struggle to understand why the prisoner should be able to enjoy the golden years of his life when he so viciously stole them from our father.”

Sirhan was originally sentenced to death but that has already been reduced to life in prison, Kennedy

Kennedy, asked that his death sentence be reduced to life imprisonment as a demonstration of mercy.

He received that mercy,” Kennedy wrote. “No one should have the right to alter the lesser sentence requested by the person most affected by my father’s death — his wife, whose last child would never know a father’s touch. Nothing written, said or done will ever change that reality.”

bin Salman, a son of King Salman, assented to the deal.

“I go with the consent, so I UBAI, United Arab Emiragree,” the prince said, chuckling, — OPEC, Russia and other roducing nations on Sunday drawing a round of applause from Ryan J. Foley pro- those on the video call. ized anByunprecedented But it had not been smiles and ion cut The of Associated nearly 10Press million els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soIOWA CITY, Iowa — A man called OPEC+ group of OPEC opes of boosting crashing pricwas sentenced to life in prison members and other nations failed mid the coronavirus pandemic Monday in the stabbing death of March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said. student in University of Iowa Mollie Tibbetts, years sheproduction cuts, sending pricThis could be the three largest re-afteron disappearedfrom whileOPEC out for anes evetumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply ion in production run. maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over perhaps ning a decade, Judge Joel Yates sentenced said U.S. Energy Secretary Cristhian Bahena Rivera towhat life it described as comments of the kingdom, which Brouillette, credited of critical without who the possibility pafinds itself trying to appease ident Donald per-sentence role, theTrump’s mandatory for first-degree murder Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement in getting duel-in Iowa, which does not have the death Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpThe 27-year-old former Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end penalty. a price war between farmhand, who testified that he boost prices as American shale di Arabiacame and to Russia. the U.S. illegally from il pricesMexico have collapsed as thehas firms as a teenager, been face far-higher production arrest in August costs. American troops had been navirus jailed and since the his COVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY 2018.have largely halt- deployed to the kingdom for the ss it causes The sentence caps a case that lobal travel and slowed down first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist inflamed anger over illegal immiover concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister r energy-chugging sectors gration, fueled fears about attacks ranan retaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response to plummet as manufacturing.

It has dom violence against solo female sions. stated joggers, the oiland industry in noteprices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem took several worthy twists during and after “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which now pumps more Bahena Rivera’s trial in May. month waging war on American e than any other country.

At the center of the case was ut some Tibbetts, producers have been oil producers while we are defend- that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés praise.

20, who was remem“The pure size of the cu ing theirs. This is not how friends the United Arab Emirates would Manuel López Obrador, had said ctant to bered ease as supply. a kindThe and carbright young CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | APbut, PHOTO then ag precedented, Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday woman who was quick to help is 2021, the impact the corona Trumpthe that the in U.S. will compenothers and planned a career in Cristhian dayenters between them atop the Bahena Rivera watches asoil theajury the courtroom before announcing verdict his trial, Friday, May 28, at the Scott Cramer, a Republican from North ed to allow Mexico to cut only child a psychology.

County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa.

OPEC+ deal. The three countries sate what Mexico cannot add to having on demand,” said M before the OPEC+ deal.

000 barrels month, a stick- Dakota, vanished initially on a rural road med Ghulam, an energy an U.S. producers have already did not immediately acknowledge the proposed cuts. point for She an accord outside her hometown of BrookRaymond James.

“The big Oil Deal with OPEC been reducing output. The Amer- the cut themselves, though Zanhed Friday afterpopulation a marathon his trailer at gunpoint, made him came forward to tell police that lyn, Iowa, 1,700, while eo showing his Chevy Malibu ap- her body in his trunk.

But with Ghulam and others done.

This will hunattended the video conferInstitutedrive laudo conference na- ican a 21-year-old man a history drive Plus whileis they attacked Tib-save Prosecutors suggested Bahena pearing to repeatedly past ganeh out forbetween one of her 23 near-daily runs Petroleum it may not betoenough. of thousands of energy jobs had ed Sunday’s global pact, s. The nations of violence confessed them instructed him on where Rivera had a sexual motive, not- betts,dreds Tibbetts while she ran.saying it ence. on Julytogether 18, 2018.agreed Bahena Rivethatsaid he had killed Tibbetts.

Oth-a tempo to dispose her body, and told ing Tibbettssaid was wearing only cuts a lengthy ra led investigators her body “This is at least in theofUnited States,” Trump Officials other planned willa helpAfter get other nations’interrogastateut 9.7 million barrels a today information showingindustry quiet or“I that his young socks and a sports andmeaning that him to Bahena Rivera led authormonth later. lief surfaced for the energy instay a tweet. would like toerthank stand in thebra deal, ownedtion, oil production to follow the would ughout May and June. that Pua woman told police she This i daughter ex-girlfriend would her 8-million-barrel-per-day legs were spread when her cut a field where hadtrybur- an Family members thehad global economy. andand congratulate President lead ofities U.S.toproducers thatheare he group reached the dealand justco-workhad been kidnapped after meeters feared something was wrong ied Tibbetts’ body under leaves body was found. They built their be killed. is too to be let of Russia King July through the endvidof the Thetin ing to plunging s beforewhen Asian markets ing anofalleged sexbig trafficker at to a fail and defense soughtand to cast sus-Salman case around the surveillance and stalks.

Only her demand. bright run- from Tibbetts did not reshow up forto adjust liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internaher summer job at a daycare the ning shoes were visible. An au- eo, his partial confession and picion on several others who had Brooklyn gas station weeks before this agreement,” said Per M The Kremlin said President months beginning in 2021. commitments ofbeen its stabbed own 16 al benchmark Brent crude make topsy Tibbetts’ disappearance. by investigators, DNA evidence of Tibbetts’ blood been scrutinized found she had next morning. a July sentencing including Tibbetts’ boyfriend in“This his trunk. times.but was able to and severalcuts, Nysveen, the head of ana Vladimir Putin heldand a jointYates calldelayed will enable the rebalanced at justHundreds over $31ofa volunteers barrel production so the defense had time to invesa local deputy who and lives Saudi next toKing Rivera’s lawyers ar- extold investiga- ingBahena law enforcement officers searched Rystad Energy.

“Even tho with Trump Salof the oil markets and the show theBahena obviousRivera — that plunging American shale producers tigate. Earlier this month, he defor her for weeks but came up tors that he approached Tibbetts gued his confession was false and where Tibbetts’ body was found. man to called express support of the production cuts are small demand because of the pandem- pected rebound of prices by $15 Prosecutors ggle.

Bahena Ri- nied Bahena Rivera’s motion for a empty. Investigators say they be- because he found her attractive, had been coerced, and their cliwhatthethe market needed a It also saidofPutin in the short term,”at said ic is expected proideo aired byfocusing the Saudi-owned newseptrial, saying new informavera’sdeal. testimony a work fictionspoke ent barrel gave surprise testimony and thatto heslash foughtU.S. withoil her after per gan on Bahena Rivera, postpone stock with Trump jury abouttion thewas oil unreliable statement from Nigeria’s lite channel and the he saw no buildi and aarately unanimous 12-member sharing a different account. oil who workedAl-Arabiya under an alias duction. at a she threatened to call the police. atrial jury’s ver-the wor him guilty.

Bahena Rivera testified that two foundmarket He said then blacked and ministry. dairythat farm,Saudi after finding straintstheproblem, and other issues. reason to overturn Iranian Oil he Minister Bijanout Zanwed the nearby moment dict. The defense to appeal. people immediately menhad kidnapped him from as he was driving with masked a homeowner’s surveillance ganeh vid- came now plans avoided.”

Analysts offered cautious Mexico initially blocked But two also totold state television rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

Associated Press

Man gets life sentence in 2018 killing of Mollie Tibbetts

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

12115 University City Blvd.

P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

7

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries Walter Lawing

Peggy Marion

Peggy Jane Featherstone Marion, Walter Frank Lawing, 75, of 87, of Albemarle, passed away Badin, passed away Thursday, peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2021 peacefully Jasonat his Tony August 25, 2021 at Spring Arbor. Her funeral home.

Smith service will be 2pm Tuesday, August Walter was bornEfird November 31, 2021 in the Stanly Funeral and 30, 1945 in Georgia to the late ASON EUGENE “GENE” ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of Care Chapel with Garland Lawing the late Lucille EFIRD,and 94, went home to be withCremation Rockwell, NC, went to Pastor be with Ray Johnson officiating.

Burial will Hammond Lawing. his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ follow the Prospect Baptist Church Survivors include wife, Hilda home in Stanfield. onin Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Gene was born October 9, 1925, in his home surrounded family. A Cemetery.

The family willbyreceive Jarrett Lawing of Badin, NC, son, CabarrusLawing County to late Simeonfriends private family service willfrom be held. on Monday evening Ralph Andrew of the Badin, JasonJane EfirdBrotemarkle and the late Sarah condolences can be made at until 8pm at Stanly Funeral and NC, sisters, and Ella 6pmOnline Burris Efird.

In addition to his stanlyfuneralhome.com Care of Albemarle.

Jackie Jenkins and their families, and Cremation parents, was preceded death by She was Tonyborn was born 11, in 1947 AprilAugust 19, 1934 nephew, RobertheBurroughs andinhis his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, in Stanly County to the late Pearlie Gaston County, NC, to the late John family.

Mary Lambert, Fannie Almond, Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee and Dora Lea Earnhardt Services for the Lawing family will Walter Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and Smith. He was the son in law of Pat Featherstone.

She attended Shaver be announced at a later date.

Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer and Mick Cagle where he worked at School, graduated from Rockwell Walter will be remembered as a Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, the fish house for many years until HighheSchool and later House from Stanly wonderful, Sr. sweet man, who loved opened Anchor Seafood College for his Computer everyone A and would literally givewill be Community private funeral service in Rockwell.

He and wife Becky anyoneheld the on shirt off his back.

He2020 Science.

Saturday, April 11, owned and operated Anchor House She Enterprise loved sports and was United an avidMethodist golfer, at Love’ s Grove forretired 25 yearsfrom before retiring in 2009.

Rendering Co.was of Oakboro, she but theChurch most important thing in Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith a charter where member Burialstrived andtodeacon Open Door Baptist make at the company the very Walter’officiated s life wasby hisRev. loveJim forWhite. the Lord followfamily. at the Love’s Grove United in Richfield.

He loved best Church alongside her supervisor andthe and hiswill beloved Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 goodLord and“Bud”. his family abundantly. Tony friend, Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. was awas wonderful husband, father, Peggy a longtime member ofand Survivors include son Gerald grandfather couldand fix anything Prospect Baptistand Church of the Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; Stanly he County put his hands on.

DAV Ladies Auxillary. daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Peggy is preceded in death by her of Stanfield; granddaughters, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, loving husband 67 years, Donald Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren sons Walter of Smith and Robbie a brother Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and great- L. Marion Smith;and daughter KaylaClyde Henderson Featherstone. grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Survivors include Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Dustin, and Steeledaughter, Smith, Keaton four brother siblings,David Memorials may be made to Love’sPamela andJoy EllaGovier; Henderson; Eddleman, SueKriechbaum, Wiles, Hazel Grove United Methodist Church, POHelen Smith; sisters Kay Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.Poteat Karen Ruby Eudy, and andStevenson, Lewis Featherstone.

Dorothy Smith Danny and Lisa (Nick).

Featherstone He istopreceded in staff deathatbySpring would like thank the brothers Joe Smith, Smith, Arbor of Albemarle for Wayne all the love Claude Smith, Robert and care shown toWade PeggySmith, during her Smith, and sister Mary Morris. stay.

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Joseph Morton

Willma Banks Rummage Lowder, 92, of Albemarle, passed away Merle Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Trinity Place. Her funeral service will be Helms 1:30pm Friday, August 27, 2021 in ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN the Stanly Funeral and Cremation HELMS, 72, of Marshville, Care Chapel with Rev. Ron Loflin passed away Wednesday, April 8, officiating.

Burial willHospice follow in the 2020 at McWhorter House Bethesda Cemetery.

The family in Monroe. will receive from 12:30pm Lorrainefriends was born April 28, 1947 until 1:30pm at Stanly Funeral and in Monroe to the late Homer David Cremation of Delphia-Jane Albemarle.

Austin andCare Jewell Mrs. Lowder August Austin.

She waswas alsoborn preceded in 29, death brothers, 1928 in by Stanly, NC A.D. to theand lateTeddy Nathen Austin; and sister, JoyVera Austin.

Allen Rummage and Mae TheRummage. family will receive friends Curlee She was a nursing from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, assistant forpm Stanly Memorial April 10,for 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Hospital many years. Banks was a Home ofofAlbemarle.

The funeral member South Albemarle Baptist service will be at 11:00 am on Church.

Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Banks is preceded in death by her Church in Marshville, officiated husband, Robert Junior Lowder

by Rev. John Miller and Rev. Leonon October 2001.

She survived Whitley.12, She will lie inisstate for 30 byminutes her son,prior Robert Craige Lowder to the service.

She will and Vicki; Joellen be wife laid to rest indaughter, the church cemetery.

Lowder andby husband, Jeff; She Teeter is survived her beloved four grandchildren, Smith husband of 47 years,Kesha Paul Helms of the home; Alex (Chad), (Deanna) (Chris), Heidi son, Crayton Jill Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula Todd (Brad) and Abbey Burd (Jason) (Cristin Helms of Mint Hill; and sevenBrandt) great-grandchildren.

Mrs. grandchildren, Grant, and Lowder was alsoMason, preceded in death Helms; brothers, Boyce, byRaegan her brother, Charles Bryan Curlee.

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Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

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.

Joseph Vernon Morton, 93, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2021.

Mr. Morton was born August 28, 1927 in Stanly County to John G. and Jane (Burris) Morton. He Pauline was preceded in death by his wife L. Jeanette (Huneycutt) Morton; son Tucker David Anthony; sister Selma Bowers; AULINE ELIZABETH and brothers Rayvon and Loys.

ALMOND TUCKER, The family will receive friends98, passed away peacefully at Trinity Place, from 6:00-8:00 PM Monday Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020. at Hartsell Funeral Home in Pauline was born on March 22, Albemarle.

The funeral service and 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the burial with military honors will and Alice late John Richard Almond be on Tuesday, 31,Almond.

2021 at Shirley Ada AnnAugust Lambert 11:00 AM,She officiated

by Elder is survived by herDavid three Haire Tony Ray Tucker, 74, of Albemarle, Anderson at BearGay Creek Primitive daughters, Michel (Jack), passed away August 29, 2021, at his BaptistOak Church Cemetery, 22182 Island, NC; Pamela Rushing HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, County.

Canton(Foreman), Rd., Albemarle.

Oakboro, NC; Kathy home inofStanly Albemarle passed away on AtApril his request, Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, Joe served our country in theNC; her 11, 2020aatprivate Atriumgraveside Health son, Chris Tucker service will be held at Gardens Navy during WWII and(Chris in theLear), Stanly. The family Stanly will hold a private Washington, DC. She willHe be greatlyof Memory.

Army during the Korean War. graveside service for Mrs. Haire. missed by her five grandchildren, Mr. Tucker born September was South Central Oil’ s “Furnace Shirley waswas born December 12, 5, Heather Rushing Chaney in Albemarle, North in Washington, DCCarolina, to the Man” for decades and would tell(Shannon),1946,1946 Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel to Willard late Charles Richard and Ray and CoraBateman Lee Tucker. everyone how he had been either into Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. He served Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman. in the United States Navy or under most of the houses in the (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as Shirley is survived by her husband and was a retired police officer. county seven to keep their resident’s heat great-grandchildren.

She also of 30 years Vaughn Smith of cars His interests included family, working.

When he wasn’t working leaves behind cherished nieces and Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter and reading.

He devoted much of in his vegetable garden Joe played nephews. of Gainesville, VA; his time and energy ashalf-brother a caregiver to the guitarThe andfamily mandolin.

He was a expresses its sincere Robert Bateman of Stevensville, members. founding member gratitude to of theThe staffOld andHouse caregivers family MD; step-children Heather Smith Mr. Tucker is survived his Band and got together with at Trinity Place for thehis care they of Jacksonville, FL andby David partner Margaret Tucker; his Pauline. friends provided almost every Friday night to Smith of New London, NC;sister, 4 Eury; 2 daughters, Jennifer A private “pick a little music.”graveside service will beLinda step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi held on Monday, April 13,Connie 2020. A Vinton and Heather Tucker; Survivors include daughter Hentschel of Leesburg, VAand and celebrationand of Pauline’ s lifeRay and legacy grandchild Ryan Vinton.

Morton-Ewbank husband Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandwillMassachusetts; be held this summer. nieces and nephews; and Gus the of Lowell, grandson In lieu of flowers, the family dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Isaac Morton; brother Max and wife Care of Albemarle is serving the Myra ofrequests Locust.donations be made to the

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Tony Tucker

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BrightFocus Foundation at www. brightfocus.org.

Willma Lowder

Haire family.

Linda

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Larry Taylor Hatley

Larry Glenn Taylor,HATLEY, 77, of 69, of INDA TUCKER Oakboro, passedpassed away Monday, Albemarle, away Monday, August 23,2020.

2021 at Atrium Health April 13, Stanly in Albemarle.

Linda was born September 18, Larry borntoNovember 25, and 1950 inwas Concord the late Jacob Claris Tucker.Carolina She was also preceded 1943 in North to the late in death by herTaylor brother,and Terry Glenn Coolidge theLee late Tucker, her twin sister, Brenda Mae Belleand Crisco Taylor.

Tucker Strickland.

We know Brenda He was also preceded in death by and Linda are in Heaven watching wife, Sheila Efird Taylor, and son, over Russell us and laughing.

Larry Taylor.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, Survivors include daughter, and “Nana.” She was a very giving Kelly and husband Lewis andCornett, loving person.

Linda would Cornett, Jr. anything of Stanfield, NC, and always do she could for granddaughters, Cornett others, especiallyKeisha her family.

She Locy, Aleah Cornett, Jennah #5, enjoyed working at FastShop Fredrick, husband Robertloved Locust. and Linda will be forever Fredrick, andmissed. great-grandchildren, and greatly include her son,Damien EvanSurvivors Locy, James Fredrick, Alan Hatley wife, Angela, of Fredrick, and and Raisa Fredrick.

Albemarle; brother, RonnieWesterns, Tucker Larry enjoyed watching and wife,Gunsmoke.

Linda, of Midland; especially He loved granddaughter, Leslie “Little Debbie” cakes soHatley; much 1 niece; and“Little 2 nephews. they called Debbie” his The family will receive friends favorite daughter. One of Larry’s from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, greatest joys was spending time April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral with his in grandchildren and greatHome Albemarle. Linda will grandchildren. be laid to rest during a private

Betty Mauldin

Robert Bonti

Born April 26, 1930, to Katherine Robert Louis Bonti, 82, of Smith and Robert McCombs of New London, passed away on Kannapolis, Betty Mauldin passed Danny Jerry Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at into God’s loving arms on Aug 20, UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, Luther Fincher 2021, in Athens GA, aged 91.

NC. A celebration of life service Upon graduation from Cabarrus will be held at 3pm on Friday, ANNY PAUL LUTHER, ERRY FINCHER passed from School ofApril Nursing in 1951 Betty 65, of Norwood, passed away this life on 3, 2020 at 8:05 September 3, 2021 at Chandler’s Stanly County unexpectedly Thursday, April 9,Church pm. married He was surrounded by hisnative family Grove United Methodist G. Frank Mauldin and began 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in and holding the hand of the love of in New London. Visitation will be herJerry nursing career in Albemarle. is preceded inNew deathJersey held from 2-3 prior to the service his life. where her husband was serving wassanctuary. born March 27, by three siblings, two brothers, Billy in inMr. theLuther church 1955Robert to the late Robert and 15, Gilbert andUpon Larrytheir Richard theFincher, US Army. return was bornFulton October Helen Tucker Luther.

Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce to Albemarle in 1953 Betty spent 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to the Danny was survived by his wife, Moore.

40 years at Stanly Hospital, first late Viola McLaughlin Bonti Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; He hisnurse, wife, Eleanor asisasurvived surgicalby care then later and Louis Gerald Bonti.

Before sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and Katetransferring Fincher of the daughter, tohome, the newly opened moving to step-sons, New London, Jody Luther; BryanRobert Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

As was a and member Resurrection Whitley Greggat (Anita) Whitley; NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy a most devoted and caring nurse, Lutheran Church in Charlotte, Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and (Tiffany) Fincher of New London of her patients’ NC. After Hunter Zado,moving as well asto hisNew brother, NC.,many Step Children, Jimmyfamilies (Lisa) remembered herWanda decades after her London, he(Lorena), becameuncle a member Bob Luther Jr Jack Lanier of Locust NC, (Bob) retirement.

In addition to her nursing Luther and several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric at Chandler’s Grove United career, Betty a loving mother nephews and cousins.

Lanier ofwas Charlotte NC., Methodist Church and enjoyed (Sharon) to her two daughters, traveled the Danny recently Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson serving in any retired way hefrom possibly world with family and friends and Charlotte Pipehobbies and Foundry after of Midland, Step-grandchildren, could. His included a watching dedicated 37 years and worked Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron upon retirement became an avid football, fishing, and there with his several other (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb RummyKub player and(Nayeli) participant traveling tosons theand beach.

Robert friends and family members.

Washington, (Robbie) Setzer, in water Beth aerobics.

Betty was baptized, retired from the Mecklenburg Danny loved spending time at Matthew ( Apriland ) Wallace, Step confirmed married at Kimballs County Tax Accessors Office. his lake house with his family and great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Lutheran Church in Kannapolis NC. After retirement, Robert owned friends as well as vacationing with his Washington, Robert Setzer, After marrying, Betty George followed her and operated & D Bookstore family.

Danny andBDenise enjoyed (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer husband to West Albemarle Baptist in Albemarle for 15 years.

Robert listening to beach music and loved to Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Church where she was an active wasdance a loving father, shag everyhusband, chance they could and Andrew Underwood, Step great for more than 65 years. pawpaw. get.

He was an amazing father, loving greatmember grandchild, Waylon George Betty was preceded in death grandfather andis great friend to Setzer and brother Donald Lewis Mr. Bonti survived by by her parents, her husband of 45 many.

He will never be forgotten.

Fincher of Albemarle, NC. his wife of 63 years, Dorothy years, her sister Jackie Reynolds A celebration life will Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on of Gay Skinner of Bonti of be New Charlotte, her sister-in-law announced the current Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00Grace am London; once daughters: Teresa Mauldin whom she claimed as a COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. at Canton Baptist Church.

Anyone Wright (David) of Clemmons, Hartsell Funeral Home of of interested attending, please RSVP sister,in her cherished friend Pete NC, DeAnna Anderson Albemarle is serving the Luther at 704-796-2412.

Philtreasured McCray friends.

Whitley andDr. many Chattanooga, TN, and Lisa family. and She Pastor Tommy Fincher will is survived by her daughters, Folino (Anthony) of Harrisburg, officiate.

Teresa Mauldin (Jack Pannecoucke) NC; 11 grandchildren; 11 greatof Athens GA and Susan Welch grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother Gerald Bonti. (Patrick) of Burke VA; two brothers, Robert Earl McCombs Jr., of Greenwood SC and Dale McCombs of China Grove; an uncle, Lee Smith of Kannapolis, numerous nieces and nephews and several dear friends.

The family sends special thanks for the loving care administered to Betty during her last months

by St. Mary’s Hospice Nurse and Aide, Cindy Harrish and Chauntea Haynes; and in-home care givers Deborah Smith and Fredna Cannon. These four women were a tremendous blessing to Betty and her family.

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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.

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Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony.

When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care.

Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

Email: care@spcremation.com

8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

STATE & NATION

Rural North Carolina schools using COVID-19 funds for tech

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit their rural community, Weldon City Schools raced to give its pupils the tools they needed to quickly transition to virtual learning.

The district set up internet hotspots for those without connectivity at home and had staff deliver meals to students. It also drew on some of the funds to improve air quality in three schools, install touchless bathroom faucets and buy lots of cleaning supplies and protective equipment.

The public school system of less than 800 students is among North Carolina’s largest recipients of federal COVID-19 assistance since the start of the pandemic, securing nearly $11,000 per pupil, a total of more than $8.7 million.

Since March 2020, the federal government has provided $190 billion in pandemic aid to schools, an amount that is more than four times what the U.S. Education Department spends on K-12 schools in a typical year. The Associated Press, relying on data published or provided by states and the federal government, tallied how much money was granted to nearly every school district in the country.

The AP tracked about $155 billion sent to states to distribute among schools since last year, including general pandemic re-

PHOTO VIA AP

Sixth grade math teacher Lisa Martin talks to her students on the first day of school at Kernodle Middle School, in Greensboro, on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. lief that some states shared with their schools.

The aid averages nearly $2,800 per student, but it varies widely by district and state, according to the AP’s analysis. The latest and largest round of funding, totaling $123 billion, is still being distributed and gives schools enor-

mous flexibility in how to spend it over three years, a window that many district officials say is short for such a large amount of money.

In North Carolina, rural communities received substantially more money per student than heavily populated districts. Weldon was among three public

school districts in the state that received more than $10,000 per student, second only to Warren County, which took in more than $33 million, or almost $18,000 for every student.

While Warren County Schools Superintendent Keith Sutton believes there’s a discrepancy in the

amount the state has told the federal government it has distributed to the system, data his office shared with the AP shows it spent nearly $475,000 on computers and software. More than $684,000 went to workers who assisted with a summer extension program to address pandemic-fueled learning loss.

North Carolina’s largest district, Wake County Public Schools, got about $2,100 per student for a total of $347 million. Nationwide, high-poverty areas received much more under the funding formula.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which is similarly sized, got $488 million, or roughly $3,300 per child.

In Wake County, 28% of enrolled students qualified for free and reduced lunch last year.

The state’s third-largest district, Guilford County Schools, has less than half as many students as Wake but got nearly as much money, securing more than $306 million, or about $4,200 per pupil. More than 66% of students qualified for free and reduced lunch, as of April 2020, according to the district.

The largest share of its planned spending through fiscal year 2025 will go toward recruiting, retaining and rewarding staff. More than $50 million will be spent for those purposes, while another $46 million will go to accelerate learning, particularly through summer school and a longer school year to address learning loss. It also expects to spend $39 million on instruction materials and resources, $37 million to close the digital divide, $35 million to build out capacity at a professional development center and $26 million on ventilation and improved air quality.

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

This July 15, 2021, file photo shows Democratic gubernatorial candidate former Governor, Terry McAuliffe, right, and U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., during a tour of Norfolk State University Thursday July 15, 2021, in Norfolk, Va.

McAuliffe seeks dismissal of GOP lawsuit over paperwork

By Sarah Rankin The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Terry McAuliffe asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia Republicans that seeks to remove him from the ballot in this year’s closely watched race for governor over an alleged paperwork error.

In a filing Friday evening, attorneys for the former governor now running for a second term against GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin said the suit was based on a “legal lie” and would effectively invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes cast in the Democratic primary.

The complaint filed earlier this week by the Republican Party of Virginia against state election officials argued that McAuliffe should be disqualified from running in the November general election because of the omission of his signature on an official form declaring his candidacy.

The formal “declaration of candidacy” McAuliffe submitted to the state’s board of elections to enter the Democratic primary in March is indeed missing his signature — the box he was supposed to sign was left blank, along with lines asking for his phone numbers —- though two witnesses’ signatures were included on the form. The suit also argues the witnesses violated state law because they could not have witnessed a signing that didn’t happen.

The Virginia Department of Elections declined to comment.

McAuliffe argued in his filing that nothing in Virginia code requires a candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy.

Further, the filing said: “Even if there were a technical defect with the declaration of candidacy — and there is not — it would provide no basis for removing McAuliffe’s name from the general election ballot and preventing Virginia’s voters from choos-

ing him as their next Governor.

The declaration of candidacy is a prerequisite for placement on the ballot in the primary election, not the general election, and the primary election has already concluded.”

McAuliffe handily defeated four challenges in the June Democratic primary. He captured about 62% of the vote and was the top vote-getter in every city and county in the commonwealth.

“There is no basis for the Republican Party to now — almost three months later — contest the results of another party’s primary,” his filing said.

Several state election law experts told The Associated Press on Thursday, when the suit was filed in Richmond Circuit Court, that they would be surprised if it succeeds. Online court records do not show that a hearing has been set.

McAuliffe, a longtime fixture of Democratic politics, previously served as governor from 2014 to

2018 but was prohibited by state law from seeking a consecutive term. He announced his candidacy in December after deciding in 2019 to forego a run for president.

Youngkin is a former co-CEO of a private equity firm and a political newcomer seeking to end Virginia Republicans’ more than decade-long losing streak in statewide races.

Christina Freundlich, a spokesperson for McAuliffe’s campaign, called the lawsuit a “Trumpian” effort to distort the law and the will of the voters.

“We haven’t even made it to Election Day and Virginia Republicans are already trying to undermine the election results in court using Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s playbook,” she said in a statement.

In 2019, Nick Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was forced to run a write-in campaign after he was disqualified because of a paperwork snafu.

Virginia, the only state in the nation that does not allow its chief executive to serve consecutive terms, is also the only state with an open race for governor this year. The commonwealth’s unusual off-year elections routinely draw outsized national attention as a possible test of both parties’ strengths ahead of the midterms.

Rick Hasen, an election law expert who teaches at the University of California, Irvine, said that states have varying standards when it comes to enforcing election rules, with some states much more forgiving of “technical difficulties” than others.

But “as a general matter, it would be surprising to see a court knock a major candidate for office off the ballot for a technicality,” he said.

Third-party gubernatorial candidate Princess Blanding will also be on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 2 and early voting begins Sept. 17.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 49 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

Twin City Herald

COURTESY PHOTO

The world’s doughnut Krispy Kreme is branching out. The North Carolina based company opened its first store in Cairo, Egypt, the 31st country where the doughnut maker has set up shop

WHAT’S HAPPENING Middle school worker charged with exposing self to children … again Forsyth County Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools confirmed a man working at an area middle school was arrested for exposing his genitalia to children. Charles Edward Holland, 24, was a contracted employee at Lewisville Middle School working for a maintenance company. He was charged with a felony sex offense. Holland had previously been convicted of the same offense twice in Mecklenburg County.

MY FOX 8

Woman accused in death of unattended woman Guilford County Briea Askew, 29, of Greensboro was charged in the death of a 21-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who was left unattended in a car for nearly five hours. The woman, whose name was not released, was left in a car that didn’t have air conditioning for about five hours. Officers were called after the woman was brought to a local hospital with a temperature of over 110 degrees and was pronounced dead a short time later. Police said excessive heat and humidity contributed to the death.

Askew was arrested Monday and charged with seconddegree murder.

AP

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Winston-Salem Symphony announces resignation of music director Timothy Redmond TCH staff WINSTON-SALEM– The Winston-Salem Symphony announced the resignation of Music Director Timothy Redmond, on Aug. 24, effective immediately.

About his resignation, Maestro Redmond said, “Goodness, what a difference a pandemic makes.

I’ve been unbelievably fortunate to have had the opportunity to be so creative and to make so many projects happen in so many places, but this summer has made me realize that perhaps there’s such a thing as too much travel. And so, although it’s heartbreaking to have to do so, I’ve made the decision that commuting to Winston-Salem is not sustainable for me (or the planet) anymore. With the full support of the amazing

“I believe this will ultimately be the best for the Symphony and for me."

Former Winston-Salem Symphony music director Timothy Redmond

and dedicated team at the Symphony, I’m bowing out before I burn out. I shall miss everyone more than I can say, and I’m enormously proud of everything we’ve achieved together.”

In addition to directing the Winston-Salem Symphony, Redmond also is a professor of con-

ducting at the Guildhall School in London and a regular guest conductor of the London Symphony, which explains the impact that community between the two locations had on him.

“The dedication of this community, the commitment of our wonderful musicians, and the passion of the staff and many volunteers who support the Symphony were all things that drew me to this position and make it difficult to leave,” he said. “While I realize the timing of my decision is not ideal, I believe this will ultimately be the best for the Symphony and for me. I wish my many friends and colleagues the very best and will continue to celebrate the accomplishments of this fine organization as it begins its 75th Anniversary season.”

Board Chair Carol Reeve said, “Timothy Redmond has made significant contributions to the growth and visibility of the Winston-Salem Symphony since his appointment following an international search in June of 2019.

With his experience and commitment to artistic excellence, music education, and community engagement, Tim brought a renewed sense of excitement and energy to the Winston-Salem Symphony. He raised the profile of our orchestra and community through creative programming and artistic partnerships.”

President and CEO Merritt Vale added, “Tim’s leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic was critical to the Symphony’s ability to continue serving our local community and expanding our reach across the globe. He played an instrumental role in the tremendous expansion of our digital presence, something that we will continue to enhance for existing and new audiences. We have learned a great deal from Tim, and he will be missed.”

The Symphony will be announcing plans for 2021-2022 season guest conductors in the coming weeks.

Wake Forest statistics professor clarifies vaccine data Public, media often fall into statistical traps, she warns TCH staff THERE IS PLENTY of data about how effective the COVID-19 vaccines are, but, in general, people struggle with math. That makes it easy to misinterpret the information available to the public.

Wake Forest University statistics professor Lucy D’Agostino McGowan is trying to help with that by showing people how to interpret the data and put breakthrough cases of COVID among vaccinated people into perspective.

She’s been featured heavily in the media, in outlets ranging from USA Today to BBC Radio.

One simple area where people struggle with interpreting vaccine data is in using the wrong denom-

inator to quote rates.

For example, McGowan explains, say 18 of 20 people in a group got a vaccine. A total of four people eventually came down with COVID—the two unvaccinated people and two breakthrough cases among the 18 vaccinated.

The conclusion that many news outlets draw is that two of the four people who came down with COVID were vaccinated—Half of all cases were among vaccinated people. That sounds troubling and may cast doubt on the vaccine’s effectiveness.

That’s where McGowan tells you to look at the denominator.

The correct way to interpret the data is to look at the rates of vaccinated and unvaccinated people separately, instead of just the positive cases. Two out of two unvaccinated people in the example got COVID, or 100 percent. In the vaccinated group, two out of 18

“The vaccines are very effective but reports are not making this clear” Lucy D’Agostino McGowan did, or 11 percent. That paints a picture of a vaccine that drastically reduces the risks of contracting symptoms.

“We need to flip the conditional and look at the proportion of breakthrough cases among all vaccinated rather than among all infected,” she explained on Wake Forest’s website. “Breakthrough cases can and do happen, and the delta variant is certainly presenting new challenges, however when looked at correctly we see that the risk of severe illness is reduced for vaccinated individuals; the best

thing you can do to keep yourself and your community safer is get vaccinated.”

“Rather than reporting the percent of people who have gotten Covid-19 or been hospitalized among vaccinated people, the reporting tends to focus on the flip – the percent of vaccinated people among those who have gotten Covid-19 or been hospitalized,” she continued. “One is useful for thinking about vaccine effectiveness and the other isn’t. The vaccines are very effective but reports are not making this clear.”

Also, because members of highrisk groups may be more likely to get vaccinated, it makes a simple comparison of rates, without controlling for factors such as age and pre-existing conditions, problematic.

“To make claims about the effectiveness of the vaccines we need to make apples-to-apples comparisons,” she said.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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♦ BLACKBURN, LARRY KENARD was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 550 N MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR on 8/28/2021 ♦ Brown, Kewan Shanard (M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) P/w/i/s/d Marijuana (F), 2) Poss Cocaine Fel (F), 3) Drugs-maintain (M), 4) Alter, Destroy, Or Steal Evidence Of Criminal Conduct (F), and 5) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), at 2200 Griffith Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/26/2021 22:08. ♦ CARTER, DYLAN MICHAEL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT - STRANGULATION at 3890 OLD VINEYARD RD on 8/29/2021 ♦ DANZY, RAYQUAIN LUGENE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 282 HARRINGTON CR on 8/29/2021 ♦ DAVIS, SCOTTIE JUNIOR was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 300 WHEELER ST/E THIRD ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ Frazier, Jimmie Dale (M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Communicate Threats (M), 2) Communicate Threats (M), 3) Communicate Threats (M), 4) Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another State/ Indian Tribe (M), and 5) Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another State/ Indian Tribe (M), at 2513 Towergate Ct, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/25/2021 21:30. ♦ FRY, LARRY COSTON was arrested on a charge of FINANCIAL IDENTITY FRAUD at 201 N CHURCH ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ Garcia, Fidel Mata (M/21) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 404 Sunpath Cr, Clemmons, NC, on 8/28/2021 02:22. ♦ GARCIAVILLALVA,

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COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Biden’s disastrous foreign-policy instincts THE UNFOLDING DISASTER in Afghanistan is a bipartisan, trans-administrational failure. It is a humiliation. The fact is that after 20 years, after thousands of lives were lost and hundreds of billions of dollars were spent on the military, police, training, infrastructure and education, the country fell in days.

Whatever your position is on the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, however, it is incumbent on President Joe Biden, and no one else, to competently conduct a military withdrawal of his choosing — and, at the very least, avoid humiliation. On this front, Biden catastrophically failed. Then again, the president has never shown a morsel of wisdom or proficiency on foreign policy. As one former Obama Pentagon official put it not long ago, Biden isn’t really a student of history; he is driven by “gut instincts.”

Indeed. The problem is that his instincts are complete garbage.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wasn’t kidding when he noted that Biden has “been wrong on nearly every major foreign-policy and national-security issue over the past four decades.” As a senator, he voted against the Persian Gulf War in 1991. More than a decade later, he didn’t merely support the Iraq invasion in 2003, but he championed it.

Biden warned President George W. Bush, for example, that it was “unrealistic, if not downright foolish,” to claim victory against terrorism until Saddam Hussein was toppled from power in Iraq. It was only after the campaign’s popularity began fading that he purported to have been hoodwinked by Bush. Biden was for a surge in Afghanistan before he wasn’t, and against the surge in Iraq, even though it was perhaps the most successful post-Saddam operation in that nation. And it was Biden who was charged with implementing Obama’s tragically incompetent withdrawal from Iraq, which was partially responsible for the rise of ISIS — or the “JV team,” as his boss called them.

Then there is the Libya debacle. Trying to untangle Biden’s evershifting positions on Authorization for Use of Military Force would take thousands of additional words. Put it this way: On numerous occasions, Biden praised Obama’s entry into the Libya conflict — calling it the “prescription for how to deal with the world as we go forward than it has in the past” in 2011. When the full extent of the failure was clear, Biden claimed to have “argued strongly” within the White House against getting involved.

In more recent times, Biden was a proponent of the failed Iran deal and a harsh critic of the successful Abraham Accords. As with the elimination of Osama bin Laden, Biden opposed taking out the Islamic

Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorist leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, accusing then-President Donald Trump of putting us on the precipice of an “endless war in the Middle East.”

And, for the past 20 years, Biden has been on every side of nearly every position on Afghanistan — usually the wrong one at the wrong time. It’s surreal that a person so uncannily incompetent, so tenaciously wrong on foreign policy, could rise to the presidency, but here we are.

Early in the Afghanistan campaign, Biden would often hit the Bush administration for its failure to send more troops and increase nationbuilding efforts. In 2002, after Bush had proposed handing off more policing operations to allies, Biden excoriated the administration for not sending more troops. “Whatever it takes, we should do it,” Biden said at the time. “History will judge us harshly if we allow the hope of a liberated Afghanistan to evaporate because we failed to stay the course.”

In 2004, Biden called a tour of a new school in Kabul “a catalytic event” that defined his philosophy forevermore. We needed to export liberal democracy and embrace a “Prevention Doctrine,” Biden argued.

And both were contingent on expansive American commitments abroad.

Many people will, no doubt, argue that Biden’s positions change to comport with the facts on the ground. Even if that were the case, Biden helped get into the war and then championed the nation-building and troop buildups.

In truth, the only “catalytic events” that really propel Biden are changes in public polling. By October 2009, when sentiment had shifted against nation-building, Biden had become a leading voice to get out of the Middle East. Despite Biden’s alleged skepticism on the matter, Obama had escalated American involvement soon after taking office, sending 30,000 additional military personnel there — a nearly 50% jump. Biden claimed to be leading voice in the administration.

And yet, troops only peaked in 2010. In 2012, there were still 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. Obama and Biden claimed we could leave because there were hundreds of thousands of highly trained Afghan troops and policemen ready to defend the nation.

They weren’t. They still aren’t.

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.”

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Ayers, Douglas Byron (M/40) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), 2) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 3) Interference W/electronic Monitoring Devices (F), at 5054 Mcgee Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 8/25/2021 11:30.

MONDAY

DEATH NOTICES JONATHAN was arrested on a charge of OFA-FTA-FELONY POSSESSION SCH II CS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 8/29/2021 ♦ Goode, Rory Christopher (M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault-simple (M) and 2) Vand-personal Prop (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/29/2021 23:50 ♦ Gunnell, Kimberly Lynn (F/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fraud-obt Property (F) and 2) Fraudcredit Card (F), at 1109 W Academy St, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/25/2021 09:00. ♦ HARRIS, TONYA LEVETTE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 300 WHEELER ST/E THIRD ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ Hodges, Nathan Leigh (M/35) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi, M (M), at 4258 Clemmons Rd/riverside Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 8/25/2021 20:19. ♦ Holland, Charles Edward (M/24) Arrest on chrg of Indecent Exposure, F (F), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/25/2021 20:00. ♦ JIMENEZROCHA, ALAN EUSTACIA was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 4899 OLD RURAL HALL RD/MOTOR RD on 8/28/2021 ♦ JOHNSON, MARGRETTA DENISE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 300 WHEELER ST/E THIRD ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ Lawson, Mark Edward (M/44) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Ccw (M), 3) Consume Malt Bev/unf Wine On City/county Property (M), and 4) Resisting Arrest (M), at 5240 Sullivantown Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 8/27/2021 00:39.

LUV was arrested on a charge of CAUSE FALSE BRDCAST at 18 TIMLIC AV on 8/29/2021 ♦ MORRIS, MICHAEL DONNELL was arrested on a charge of DRUNK / DISRUPTIVE at 905 E SECOND ST on 8/29/2021 ♦ ORTEGA, MARCO ANTONIO was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 4899 OLD RURAL HALL RD/MOTOR RD on 8/28/2021 ♦ Parsons, Kaleb Mahlik (M/24) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Assault On Female (M), 3) Assault On Female (M), 4) Unauthorized Use Of Motor - Propelled Conveyance (M), 5) Vand-real Property (M), and 6) Probation Violation (M), at 5735 Phelps Cr, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/27/2021 18:56. ♦ Pedley, Christopher Todd (M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Controlled Substancemethamphetamine>less Than 1 (M) and 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 4300 Thomasville Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/26/2021 23:08. ♦ PERSINGER, JASON LEE was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 5713 UNIVERSITY PW on 8/29/2021 ♦ Pratt, Evonne Dorothy (F/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fraud-obt Property (F), 2) Fraud-obt Property (F), 3) Fraud-obt Property (F), 4) Fraud-obt Property (F), and 5) Fraud-obt Property (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/27/2021 10:50. ♦ RICHARDSON, AARON DWAYNE was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D COCAINE at 300 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 8/28/2021

♦ LEWIS, AKEEM ANDREW was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 408 SPAUGH ST on 8/28/2021

♦ ROCHADURAN, HECTOR EDUARDO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 4899 OLD RURAL HALL RD/ MOTOR RD on 8/28/2021

♦ Martinez, Haciel Aurelio (M/29) Arrest on chrg of Assaultsimple (M), at 385 Macy Grove Rd, Kernersville, NC, on 8/25/2021 23:46.

♦ SANTIAGO, ABEL ROCHA was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 4899 OLD RURAL HA on 8/28/2021

♦ MCILWAIN, KAROLYN ANNISE

♦ SIMMONS, THUMBILINA

MASHELLE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1599 N LIBERTY ST/E SIXTEENTH ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ Spease, Samuel Cleo (M/45) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 3) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 5) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 7) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 8) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 9) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 10) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), and 11) Fail To Appear/compl (F), at 1545 Langdon Village Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 8/28/2021 09:15. ♦ THOMAS, TYRIS NOEL was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1599 N LIBERTY ST/E SIXTEENTH ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ TOMAS, PASCUAL ANDRES was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 4417 S MAIN ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ WALKER, PAMELA SMART was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1599 N LIBERTY ST/E SIXTEENTH ST on 8/28/2021 ♦ West, Terrill Eric (M/25) Arrest on chrg of Vand-personal Prop (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 8/26/2021 15:15. ♦ WILKINS, THADDEUS LAMONT was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 3837 STERLING PARK CT on 8/28/2021 ♦ Williams, Austin Michael (M/20) Arrest on chrg of Rec/ poss Stole Mv, F (F), at 4355 Grubbs Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 8/27/2021 08:33. ♦ WILLAMS, RASHAUN MIKELL was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 725 FERNDALE AV on 8/29/2021 ♦ ZAPPIA, STEVEN ANDREW was arrested on a charge of POSS STOLEN GOODS at 100 SALEM VALLEY on 8/28/2021

♦ Dorothy Lee Arrington Allison, 82, of Kernersville, died August 26, 2021. ♦ Mabel Wiles Billings (Triplette), 101, of Clemmons, died August 26, 2021.

Rebecca Mears Daisey, 57, died August 25, 2021. ♦ Rev. Dr. Max Eugene Deal, 83, of Winston-Salem, died August 26, 2021. ♦ Mary Lee Mitchell Delp, 101, of Charlotte, died August 27, 2021. ♦ Michael “Mike” Thomas Elsner, 64, of Pfafftown, died August 27, 2021. ♦ Eunice “Tot” Smith Hailey, 93, of Forsyth County, died August 26, 2021. ♦ Edna Adeline Slate Hauser, 96, of Winston-Salem, died August 28, 2021. ♦ Rex Dale Jennings, 86, of Lewisville, died August 25, 2021. ♦ Jerry Donald Johnson, 87, of Wilkes County, died August 28, 2021. ♦ Anthony Wade Kirkman, 67, of Forsyth County, died August 29, 2021. ♦ Peggy Fishel Shuford Lewter, 86, of Winston-Salem, died August 29, 2021. ♦ Steven Craig Luloff, 78, died August 29, 2021. ♦ Beatrice “Bea” Deal Price, 84, of Rowan County, died August 28, 2021. ♦ Brent “Smitty” Lacy Smith, 57, of Winston-Salem, died August 25, 2021. ♦ June Dunlap Spence, 84, of Winston-Salem, died August 25, 2021. ♦ Marvin Clay Spencer, 89, of Randolph County, died August 25, 2021. ♦ Donald Glenis Still, 78, of Walnut Cove, died August 27, 2021. ♦ Glen Walter “Whit” Whitaker, 59, of Forsyth County, died August 18, 2021. ♦ Gary White, 68, of Kernersville, died August 26, 2021. ♦ Sally Glenn Williams, 80, of Winston-Salem, died August 27, 2021. ♦ Mamie Marie (Fulk) Wingate, 79, of Stokes County, died August 26, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

SPORTS

3 SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Isner bounced in U.S. Open’s opening round New York John Isner was upset in the first round of the U.S. Open, losing in straight sets Monday to Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6), 6-3. It was the second straight year the Greensboro native, who was seeded 19th in this year’s draw, has failed to win a match at Flushing Meadows. The 36-yearold Isner had beaten Nakashima in the finals of the Truist Atlanta Open on Aug. 1, the sixth time he had won that tournament in his career. Nakashima has now won two of the three meetings between the fellow Americans.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Former UNC guard Rice gets 5-year extension from Monmouth West Long Branch, N.J. Monmouth University men’s basketball coach King Rice has been given a five-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season, the school announced Monday. Rice, who played for Dean Smith at UNC from 198791 and was co-captain on the Tar Heels’ Final Four team his senior year, was voted Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coach of the year last season for the third time, just the third coach in the conference’s history to accomplish the feat. He led the Hawks to a regular season title, his third, and has 161 wins in 10 seasons.

NFL

Fully vaccinated NFL players will get COVID-19 tests weekly New York Fully vaccinated players will be required to get tested for COVID-19 weekly instead of every 14 days as part of the revised protocols for the regular season agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA. The weekly testing applies also for fully vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 staff. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wait for results prior to entering a team’s facility. Each club must conduct its testing over a three-day period.

Unvaccinated players will continue to be tested daily.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hurricane Ida forces Tulane to travel to No. 2 Sooners Norman, Okla.

No. 2 Oklahoma and Tulane announced Monday that their season opener this weekend has been moved from New Orleans to Norman, Oklahoma, in the fallout from Hurricane Ida. The Sooners said conditions in New Orleans were not favorable to host a game this weekend. Tulane will be the designated home team and will retain all net proceeds from ticket sales. Kickoff was still set for 11 a.m. Central on Saturday and the game will be broadcast on ABC. The schools will work together on finding a date in a future season for a game in New Orleans.

DAVID GRAHAM | AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney nears the finish line and checkered flag to win Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona.

Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth The Cup Series playoffs begin next Sunday at Darlington

By Mark Long The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For all the potential outcomes that could have occurred at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale was somewhat predictable.

Ryan Blaney ended up in Victory Lane for the second straight week. Kyle Larson, the most dominant driver all year, took home the regular-season trophy. Tyler Reddick ended up with the 16th and final playoff spot. And the race ended in overtime with a fiery crash that involved nearly half the field.

“It’s Daytona. For me, it was no

different than any other race here,” said 2017 series champion Martin Truex Jr., who finished 30th. “I’m glad we’re done; I’m glad we’re out of here.”

He was hardly alone. Drivers ripped the revamped aerodynamics package and bemoaned the usual aggressive driving that caused three wrecks in the final 20 laps.

Reddick got caught up in the first one but rebounded to finish sixth. He needed only to beat Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon and hope for a repeat winner to earn his first playoff berth.

Reddick and Dillon were both in contention to make a desperate, last-gasp push for the win in the two-lap overtime sprint to the finish. But Blaney, who was second on the restart, cleared traffic thanks partly to a bump from Corey LaJoie and was well ahead of the pack

when a crash ended the race.

Daniel Suarez, one of 10 drivers in the front pack trying to win the race to earn the automatic playoff berth, turned Kevin Harvick to trigger the multi-car melee. Suarez seemed to be pushed into Harvick from behind by Kurt Busch.

Blaney, the winner in Michigan last week, heads into next week’s playoff opener at Darlington Raceway with three victories this season in his Team Penske Ford.

“Yeah, we’ve got good momentum,” Blaney said. “We’d like to make it three in a row, we’ll see.”

The regular-season finale had fairly low stakes since 15 of the 16 playoff slots were claimed beforehand. It meant only a first-time race winner could edge Reddick or Dillon for the final spot.

Neither had a smooth night: Reddick’s car suffered crash damage in an earlier incident and Dil-

lon was first flagged for speeding on pit road and also battled voltage issues in his Chevrolet.

“I don’t know how to smile at this point. It was a lot tonight,” Reddick said. “I’m excited to be past it.”

Dillon had still rallied to fourth on the final restart but was collected in the race-ending crash.

“We gave it all we could and fought until the end,” Dillon said.

“We’ll finish hard this year and build on next year.”

The only other competition at Daytona was for the regular season title, which went to Larson, a fivetime winner this season. The race for the regular-season championship and its playoff points was between Larson and Denny Hamlin, who entered Daytona trailing Larson by 28 points.

Hamlin held the regular season lead for 22 weeks until Larson claimed it two races ago at Indianapolis. Larson overcame a 166-point deficit to Hamlin to earn the title.

“What an awesome year he’s had,” said team owner Rick Hendrick, who gave Larson a job this season after he missed most of 2020 while suspended for using a racial slur.

Saints, displaced by Hurricane Ida, practice in Dallas The storm made landfall exactly 16 years after Katrina devastated New Orleans

The Associated Press DISPLACED by Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints went back to work Monday about 500 miles away in the home of another NFL team.

Saints players and staff, along with about 120 family members, relocated to North Texas in advance of the storm that made landfall south of New Orleans on Sunday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph, and left that entire area without power.

Coach Sean Payton said the team will practice through Wednesday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. That comes before a previously planned break leading into the start of the regular season.

“Left behind are obviously apartments, condominiums, homes.

Those are all physical things.

Nonetheless, they’re still home for so many people,” Payton said Monday. “We had a team meeting this morning, kind of hit on some topics. And then, you know, I think to some degree that going out and being able to practice today is going to be good for everyone, because from afar, there’s only so much you can do.”

The Saints are then scheduled to resume practice next Monday, though Payton said that it would be unrealistic to believe that would be at their headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana, even though initial reports from people there indicated that the facility handled the storm “overall pretty well.”

Payton said he had heard noth-

MAX BECHERER / THE ADVOCATE VIA AP

The Caesars Superdome is shown in New Orleans early Monday after Hurricane Ida became the latest storm to ravage the Gulf Coast. ing about the scheduled Sept. 12 season opener at home against the Green Bay Packers that is to be played in the Superdome.

“Obviously we’ll have a plan B. And, you know, there are a lot of other things probably from a priority standpoint that are more important for our city,” Payton said.

“But that all being said, you know, we fully anticipate starting the regular season with Green Bay and then the question would be where that game’s at.”

The office of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said damage to the area’s power grid appeared “catastrophic,” and officials warned

it could be weeks before power is fully restored.

When Ida was in the Gulf of Mexico with a projected path toward the Gulf Coast region, the Saints’ third and final preseason game that was supposed to be played in the Superdome last Saturday was canceled.

So they played only two preseason games and had to relocate for the final practices before the final roster reduction to 53 players has to be made Tuesday.

The arrival of Ida came 16 years to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans. The Saints were forced to move for the entire 2005

season, setting up operations in San Antonio while playing home games there and in Baton Rouge at LSU. New Orleans also played one “home” game at Giants Stadium.

That was before the current regime led by Payton joined the franchise. The Saints went 3-13 in 2005 but, spurred on by the quick restoration of the Louisiana Superdome, went 10-6 and won the NFC South the next year.

In 2012, the Saints evacuated to Cincinnati when Hurricane Isaac, a much less powerful storm, approached New Orleans and made landfall with winds of about 80 mph.

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.”

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4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

STATE & NATION

Rural North Carolina schools using COVID-19 funds for tech

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit their rural community, Weldon City Schools raced to give its pupils the tools they needed to quickly transition to virtual learning.

The district set up internet hotspots for those without connectivity at home and had staff deliver meals to students. It also drew on some of the funds to improve air quality in three schools, install touchless bathroom faucets and buy lots of cleaning supplies and protective equipment.

The public school system of less than 800 students is among North Carolina’s largest recipients of federal COVID-19 assistance since the start of the pandemic, securing nearly $11,000 per pupil, a total of more than $8.7 million.

Since March 2020, the federal government has provided $190 billion in pandemic aid to schools, an amount that is more than four times what the U.S. Education Department spends on K-12 schools in a typical year. The Associated Press, relying on data published or provided by states and the federal government, tallied how much money was granted to nearly every school district in the country.

The AP tracked about $155 billion sent to states to distribute among schools since last year, including general pandemic re-

PHOTO VIA AP

Sixth grade math teacher Lisa Martin talks to her students on the first day of school at Kernodle Middle School, in Greensboro, on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. lief that some states shared with their schools.

The aid averages nearly $2,800 per student, but it varies widely by district and state, according to the AP’s analysis. The latest and largest round of funding, totaling $123 billion, is still being distributed and gives schools enor-

mous flexibility in how to spend it over three years, a window that many district officials say is short for such a large amount of money.

In North Carolina, rural communities received substantially more money per student than heavily populated districts. Weldon was among three public

school districts in the state that received more than $10,000 per student, second only to Warren County, which took in more than $33 million, or almost $18,000 for every student.

While Warren County Schools Superintendent Keith Sutton believes there’s a discrepancy in the

amount the state has told the federal government it has distributed to the system, data his office shared with the AP shows it spent nearly $475,000 on computers and software. More than $684,000 went to workers who assisted with a summer extension program to address pandemic-fueled learning loss.

North Carolina’s largest district, Wake County Public Schools, got about $2,100 per student for a total of $347 million. Nationwide, high-poverty areas received much more under the funding formula.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which is similarly sized, got $488 million, or roughly $3,300 per child.

In Wake County, 28% of enrolled students qualified for free and reduced lunch last year.

The state’s third-largest district, Guilford County Schools, has less than half as many students as Wake but got nearly as much money, securing more than $306 million, or about $4,200 per pupil. More than 66% of students qualified for free and reduced lunch, as of April 2020, according to the district.

The largest share of its planned spending through fiscal year 2025 will go toward recruiting, retaining and rewarding staff. More than $50 million will be spent for those purposes, while another $46 million will go to accelerate learning, particularly through summer school and a longer school year to address learning loss. It also expects to spend $39 million on instruction materials and resources, $37 million to close the digital divide, $35 million to build out capacity at a professional development center and $26 million on ventilation and improved air quality.

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

This July 15, 2021 file photo shows Democratic gubernatorial candidate former Governor, Terry McAuliffe, right, and US Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., during a tour of Norfolk State University Thursday July 15, 2021, in Norfolk, Va.

McAuliffe seeks dismissal of GOP lawsuit over paperwork

By Sarah Rankin The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Terry McAuliffe asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia Republicans that seeks to remove him from the ballot in this year’s closely watched race for governor over an alleged paperwork error.

In a filing Friday evening, attorneys for the former governor now running for a second term against GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin said the suit was based on a “legal lie” and would effectively invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes cast in the Democratic primary.

The complaint filed earlier this week by the Republican Party of Virginia against state election officials argued that McAuliffe should be disqualified from running in the November general election because of the omission of his signature on an official form declaring his candidacy.

The formal “declaration of candidacy” McAuliffe submitted to the state’s board of elections to enter the Democratic primary in March is indeed missing his signature — the box he was supposed to sign was left blank, along with lines asking for his phone numbers —- though two witnesses’ signatures were included on the form. The suit also argues the witnesses violated state law because they could not have witnessed a signing that didn’t happen.

The Virginia Department of Elections declined to comment.

McAuliffe argued in his filing that nothing in Virginia code requires a candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy.

Further, the filing said: “Even if there were a technical defect with the declaration of candidacy — and there is not — it would provide no basis for removing McAuliffe’s name from the general election ballot and preventing Virginia’s voters from choos-

ing him as their next Governor.

The declaration of candidacy is a prerequisite for placement on the ballot in the primary election, not the general election, and the primary election has already concluded.”

McAuliffe handily defeated four challenges in the June Democratic primary. He captured about 62% of the vote and was the top vote-getter in every city and county in the commonwealth.

“There is no basis for the Republican Party to now — almost three months later — contest the results of another party’s primary,” his filing said.

Several state election law experts told The Associated Press on Thursday, when the suit was filed in Richmond Circuit Court, that they would be surprised if it succeeds. Online court records do not show that a hearing has been set.

McAuliffe, a longtime fixture of Democratic politics, previously served as governor from 2014 to

2018 but was prohibited by state law from seeking a consecutive term. He announced his candidacy in December after deciding in 2019 to forego a run for president.

Youngkin is a former co-CEO of a private equity firm and a political newcomer seeking to end Virginia Republicans’ more than decade-long losing streak in statewide races.

Christina Freundlich, a spokesperson for McAuliffe’s campaign, called the lawsuit a “Trumpian” effort to distort the law and the will of the voters.

“We haven’t even made it to Election Day and Virginia Republicans are already trying to undermine the election results in court using Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s playbook,” she said in a statement.

In 2019, Nick Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was forced to run a write-in campaign after he was disqualified because of a paperwork snafu.

Virginia, the only state in the nation that does not allow its chief executive to serve consecutive terms, is also the only state with an open race for governor this year. The commonwealth’s unusual off-year elections routinely draw outsized national attention as a possible test of both parties’ strengths ahead of the midterms.

Rick Hasen, an election law expert who teaches at the University of California, Irvine, said that states have varying standards when it comes to enforcing election rules, with some states much more forgiving of “technical difficulties” than others.

But “as a general matter, it would be surprising to see a court knock a major candidate for office off the ballot for a technicality,” he said.

Third-party gubernatorial candidate Princess Blanding will also be on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 2 and early voting begins Sept. 17.

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 27 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

Randolph record

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Dixie III restaurant is pictured here on Dixie Drive, in Asheboro, on Aug. 28, 2021.

COUNTY NEWS Budd calls for Biden to fire officials over Afghanistan Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) on Tuesday called for President Biden to remove Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley over the deaths of U.S. soldiers and the stranding of American citizens in Afghanistan following the U.S. military pullout. “The incompetence and mismanagement displayed by Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and Chairman Milley in planning and executing this operation endangered the lives of American civilians and damaged America’s international standing.

There must be accountability for this poorly executed operation,” said Budd.

Students, staff quarantine after first week of school After the first week of school, the county’s two school districts have experienced impacts from COVID-related quarantines. Randolph County Schools reported 81 cases of COVID that impacted school operations.

Those 81 cases resulted in 530 students and staff members being required to quarantine. Randolph County Schools, which opened school with a maskoptional policy, had 6.5 people quarantined per positive case. In Asheboro, the city schools reported 62 total quarantines with one staff and 61 students in quarantine. The Asheboro total was due to 8 positive cases. The city schools, which opened with mandatory masks, had 7.75 people quarantined per positive case. Asheboro did not classify any of its positive cases as “school-related” on the system’s COVID-tracking dashboard.

5

20177 52016 $0.50

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Beloved Asheboro eatery orders final meals After filling appetites for decades, Dixie III to close doors

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO – On a recent afternoon at Dixie III, Mark Davidson was so busy he had to put off accepting a phone call until he could catch up on a few tasks.

That included making cornbread.

As owner of the long-time Asheboro diner, there have been countless items on Davidson’s todo lists.

That will suddenly cease this month when the family-owned eatery closes its doors after 39 years at the same location.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Davidson said. “We’ve been doing this all our lives. We’re just ready to retire.”

Davidson, 65, said it’s time to step away. His family has been in the local restaurant business for multiple generations, but a break is needed. He said his wife, Krista, and son, John, have been instrumental in the most-recent endeavors.

The last day of operation is set for Sept. 9.

“It’s not about a business closing because we don’t have enough business,” Davidson said shortly after the clamor of another busy lunchtime had died down. “If anything, it’s just the opposite.”

The family has been involved with area restaurants since the 1940s.

The current location on East Dixie Drive is along a busy street in Asheboro, yet in many minds it stands out among the countless choices for those seeking a meal.

Online reviews include a variety of comments through the years. Here’s a typical assessment

The pandemic might be related to other challenges that have been difficult to overcome. One day last week, the restaurant was closed because of what was described as a staff shortage. from one woman: “We love Dixie!

My family and I have eaten here for years, dating back to when I was a kid. Their fried okra is the best I’ve ever had.”

The restaurant has specialized in what Davidson and others refer to as “Meat and three” — meaning a main selection plus three side (vegetable) orders.

It’s Southern food. Among the specialties is homemade cobblers.

Most meals cost less than $10.

As word has spread about the

Daniel cites conservative values in entering county race

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO – Todd Daniel said he’s concerned about the reduction of certain liberties because of pandemic-related restrictions and that has caused him to enter the 2022 race for a seat among the Randolph County commissioners.

“This past spring I’ve had some people ask me to run, representing the values of the county,” Daniel said.

Daniel, 51, ran unsuccessfully for a county seat in 2014, part of a three-way race.

He’s aiming to take the seat of incumbent David Allen in District 3.

“It is time for conservative Americans to rise up and defend the values of our nation and heritage,” Daniel said. “The election for Randolph County commissioner is not about who is the White House or in the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh. It is about what is going on around your house.”

The primary is set for March 8.

It’s unclear if Allen will seek re-election. In a message to the

COURTESY PHOTO

Todd Daniel is pictured in this undated file photo.

Randolph Record, Allen said: “The filing period is still several months away. Therefore, I will announce a decision regarding re-election later this fall. I will be happy to let you know my intentions at that time.”

Daniel, while noting the severity of the coronavirus pandemic

that has claimed the lives of people he has known, said he was disturbed by some restrictions placed on churches among the pandemic-related regulations that were established.

“We must hold elected officials accountable for his/her votes,” Daniel said. “Whether those votes are for agendas that do not reflect the values of this county or if they are against the values of this county, we must say to local elected officials, ‘You must stand with the people that you represent.’ ” Daniel, a Baptist minister, has been a teacher and administrator at Faith Christian in Ramseur, where he’s also the boys’ basketball coach, for 25 years.

He said decisions made by commissioners in the largely Republican-leaning county should be more reflective of the constituents.

He wanted to make his intentions known early.

“I’m running against an incumbent,” he said. “Any help by getting out there in advance is something I want to do.”

Daniel has four children ranging in age from 12 to 24.

upcoming closing, there has been an outpouring of support regarding Dixie III. “We’ve had a tremendous response from this community,” Davidson said.

Even during the height of the pandemic with indoor dining restrictions, Dixie III maintained a brisk pace of business because of take-out orders, Davidson said. Yet he said that the See DIXIE III, page 2

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

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WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 9.1.21 7.7.21

WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

Randolph County Schools reverses course on masks

WEEKLY FORECAST

#3 #9 #1

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

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SATURDAY MONDAY THURSDAY SUNDAY JULY 24 JULY JULY 25 5 JULY 2 JULY 23 JULY 3 JULY JUNE 30 21 JULY 1JULY 22 JULY 4 System cites mandatory son public attendance.

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PRECIP 15% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal

North State Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North State Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Editor Publisher XxxRobbins Neal

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Sports Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

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Senior Editor Lauren Opinion Rose Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC

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Albemarle, N.C.Wednesday 28001 Lauren Rose Published each

by North State Media, LLC Published each Wednesday 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 (704) 269-8461

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DEATH NOTICES WEEKLY FORECAST SPONSORED BY

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, 40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES ♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his CALL OR TEXT home on Monday, July 12, 336-629-7588 2021 in a tragic house fire. ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at TUESDAY SEPT 1 Autumn Care in Biscoe.

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of HI 78 Asheboro, died July LOW 11, 642021.

PRECIP 85% ♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

TUESDAY SEPT 2

See OBITS, page HI7 77

LOW 57 PRECIP 16%

dent Stephen Gainey.PRECIP “Last week, PRECIP 57% 43% PRECIP 32% 17% kidsPRECIP need to24% be inPRECIP school.”

PRECIP 20% PRECIP 24% 5%

Randolph

Guide MONDAY

TUESDAY JULY Sept.

JULY 26 66

TUESDAY

JULY 27

HI 87° HI HI 89° Asheboro Summer Concert LO 67° LO 69° LO Series “The Entertainers” PRECIP PRECIP

24% 24%

PRECIP

88° 69° 24%

we sent 530 children home for 6pm — 8:30pm exposure to 81 cases … universal North State Journal staff cloth face coverings, we send only School Board Chair Gary Cook.

With selections from the ASHEBORO — Students, 81 children home.” Gainey latlatest Top 40 hits, Classic that the 81 total cases teachers and staff in the county er clarified RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Rock and Roll and Country, school system will be required to was students and staff combined. ees to wear masks when in work this group is rooted in “We’re in a situation where kids area alone, including offices or wear masks inside school buildR&B and Carolina Beach ings starting the week of Au- need to be in school,” said board classrooms. Extracurricular acgust 30. The Randolph County chair Gary Cook. “If the masks …, tivities are also exempt from the Music. The concert will be Board of Education met for a spe- if it keeps them in school can we mandate. Extracurricular activiat the Bicentennial Park in cial meeting on Sunday and a di- not try that for a few weeks and ties — whether they are inside or downtown Asheboro and is vided board voted 4-3 to require revisit it and if it works and the outside — will be mask-optionfree to the public. mask-wearing at all schools. The numbers come down, we get rid al for students, staff, parents or

By Bob Sutton sion, there’s enrollment of 915. before those classes start. spectators. of it.” change comes after one week of Randolph Record off slightly Williams said new mask rules willfrom be inthe usual Following almost twothere’s hours ofan ef-The That’s in-person classes and marks a number that ranges up to 1,000, “There has never been a fort to bolster enrollment.

He citchange to the board’s policy mak- discussion and debate, the board effect through October 15, 2021.

Williams said. ed the voted RCC to Commitment Enrollment The school system is also asking require clothGrant, ing ASHEBORO masks optional— in July.

The ultimately better opportunity to attend enrollment numprogram designed as a funding at Randolph Randolph County Board of parents toTraditional complete a technology by all students, meeting was heldCommunity at the R. Al-Col-facea coverings RCC and notMeeting have to worry flattened, but it’s the to when fill theinside gap that’s lege Cox isn’t likely to bounce back tostaffmechanism survey bers whichhave includes a question and visitors ton Learning Resources Commissioners number of high internet school students about how to pay for it.” not buildings covered byand federal or state on aidaccess pre-pandemic levels right awayschool to high-speed on buses.

Center Auditorium at Randolph homes. designed for dual enpolicy won’t require employ- in student Community Collegeofficial with in-perin programs students. despite a school pointingTheto 6pm “There has never been a bet- rollment that has dropped, out unprecedented financial inRCC president Dr. Robert The County Commissioners “We’re just not seeing the level ter opportunity to attend RCC centives for potential students.

Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford typically meet onJr.the first for student services at RCC, said a to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. Williams said.

Monday of the month for RCC held a one-week break decline in high school students in Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We regular business meetings. dual enrollment has been the big- meet students exactly where they earlier this month amid the sumThis meeting was moved are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip. to Tuesday, Sept. 7 to 24 and concludes July 26. Late “Overall, we’re still seeing a de- can possibly go.”

Beginning with the fall semes- registration for the fall semester cline in enrollment comparing to accommodate the Labor Day previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classHoliday on Monday, Sept. demic,” Williams said. “I don’t will be eligible for up to $1,000 es beginning Aug. 16.

6. The meeting will be held Still dealing with adjustments know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve per semester. at the Historic Courthouse That makes attending RCC made because of the coronavirus seen in previous fall semesters. …

Meeting Room, 145-C Worth We’re reaching out to every stu- the most enticing from a finan- pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesStreet, Asheboro, NC 27203 dent we can in every way we can.” cial standpoint in the 16 years ter classes will be in person. Some A fall semester at the two-year Williams has been at the school, will use a hybrid model with a school in Asheboro would often he said. He previously worked in mixture of face-to-faces sessions and virtual sessions. Many classhave 2,600 to 3,000 students en- RCC’s financial aid office.

“There’s never a better time to es provide students with options rolled. At the beginning of this Asheboro City School on how to attend and participate, week, that number stood at about go back to college,” he said.

Board Meeting For the current summer ses- Williams said.

1,900 with about a month to go

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag PJ Ward-Brown Matt Lauren Frank Cory Who is “Editor?”

Sept. 7

Sept. 9

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

7:30pm

♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) LOG Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 3) Possess X

The Asheboro City School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at the South Asheboro MiddleGeorge School.

The ♦ Whitehead, Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, on board will also hold its annual Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor 07/13/2021. retreatPossession on September 11, IV CS, of Schedule RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), 2021. Possession of Stolen motor

Arrest on charge of Resisting ♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39), Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Randleman, on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd, Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021.

Arrest on charge of Assault on a ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), The Randolph County School Board met Aug. 29, 2021, in Asheboro. vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer Female, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor ♦ Bolton McKee, James Henry tag, failure to deliver title, failure to Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick (M, 47), Arrest on charge of appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021.

Possession of Stolen Goods, at on 07/13/2021. ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on Asheboro Planning and be a part of this Generally, the restaurant of possession of marijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M,is40),serve youcharge DIXIE III from page 1 07/15/2021.

Board Meeting We also openArrest from 11 Mon- wonderful up community. to 1/2 oz., at Randolph ona.m.-8 chargep.m. of Misdemeanor Arrest on charge of Assault by thank our staff — curFriday. closing diningDaniel rooms on 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, want to Courthouse, ♦ Pugh,ofRobert (M,and 39),ca- day through 7pm pointing a gun, Discharging a When the announcement to rent and past — who have been pacity limits when those rePossessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple firearm to cause fear, Reckless like family to usJustin and have helped close for good this month was opened were devastating at ♦ Roark, Steven (M, 30), Due to the Labor Day holiday, Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, driving to endanger, Seagrove, on III successful for almade, the family expressed the make Dixie times.

Arrest on charge of Possession the regular first Monday of 07/13/2021.

Asheboro, on 07/14/2021.

07/12/2021. years.”

The pandemic might be relat- positives associated with the most 40 of Meth, Possession with intent the month meeting is moved owns the sell propered to other challenges thatJrhave to manufacture, or distribute ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35),Davidson ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint (M, restaurant. ♦second Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest to the Monday.

The “First, we want to thank our ty. Ideally, he said he’d lease the been difficult to overcome. One heroin, Simple possession of Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony on charge of Felony Sexual day last week, the restaurant loyal customers,” the statement restaurant to someone interestmeeting will be held at the Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintaining of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Possession of Stolensaid. “We Exploitation of a minor in the greatly appreciate all ed in operating an eatery in the wasLarceny closed and because of what was Asheboro Municipal Building.

Possession ofallowed drug paraphernalia, Goods, at Needhams second degree (10 counts), 727 you have us to location.Place, Possession of Drug described as 5471 a staff shortage. Trail, the years Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Failure to appeal on felony, failure Seagrove, on 07/14/2021.

McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, on 7/13/2021. to appear on misdemeanor, at 07/12/2021. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32),

Sept. 13

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Kirby Lee Latham, age 76, of Franklinville passed Monday, August 23, 2021 at his home.

Care Nursing & Rehabilitation in Biscoe.

August 25, 2021, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

♦ Virginia Carol Marley, 74, of Asheboro, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at Woodland Hill Center in Asheboro.

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 TUESDAY SEPT 3

HI 78

By Dan Gelston The AssociatedLOW Press56

PRECIP 9%

PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol —SEPT with his47-foot TUESDAY tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playHI 82 off game.

LOWmusic 59 His theme blared through the PRECIP arena, and 11%nearly 19,000 fans hanging from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofTUESDAY SEPT choice sledgehammer and5struck the bell.

Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a HI 85 match in the same building when LOW 64 the event was held there in 1999 — PRECIP 10% but for the superstar-turned-executive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16SEPT months6it ran TUESDAY without live events and raucous crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get HI 86 back into an arena packed full of LOW go 62nuts,” said fans and have them Triple H, known these6% days as PRECIP WWE executive Paul Levesque.

“That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.”

TUESDAY WWE hasn’t SEPT been the7 same without its “Yes!” chants or “This is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated HI 86the company to running empty LOW arena 62 matches every week with a piped-in PRECIP 12% soundtrack and virtual fans.

No more.

With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with

♦ James “Jimmy” Lowell Cockman, 86, of Snow Camp passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC.

♦ Patty Allred Maness, age 71, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021, at her home. ♦ Connie Denise Sanders, 44, of Asheboro, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at her home.

♦ Wiley Wayman Brown, 80, of Asheboro, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at Accordius Health in Lexington.

ple cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different ♦ William “Bill” Robert Campbell, directions over him,” have benefit49, of Robbins, passed away ♦ George William Leviner Jr., age ed, Levesque said. “But that’s the ♦ Albert Sidney Johnson, 93, of Saturday, August 21, 2021 at his 86, passed away on Monday, beautypage of what we do, to go be enSee OBITS, 7 Asheboro, died Wednesday, home.

August 23, 2021, at Autumn tertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.”

WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, WEEKLY CRIME LOG the lowest in the 28-plus year history of the show. ♦ Sturdivant, Deavon Tyrone (M, 8/24/2021.

(2 counts), larceny of a firearm, ♦ Blevins, Malcolm Allen (M, 25), Levesque, WWE EVP of glob32), Arrrest on charge of larceny resisitng a public officer, possession Arrrest on charge of Financial Card al talent strategy and develop♦ Shinglet, Rhoonda Welker (f, 53), of a firearm, assault on a female, of stolen goods, larceny after Theft, Obtaining Property by False ment, said the company would Arrrest on charge of second degree at Randolph County Jail, on B&E, at Randolph County Jail, on Pretenses, Simple possession of “take a hard look” at how it can trespass, at 5892 Quaker Dr, on 8/24/2021.

8/25/2021. a controlled substance, at 7085 attract more fans to the product 8/24/2021.

Reddy Fox Ln, on 8/25/2021. each week.

WWE can only ♦ Wyatt, Lacy Allen (M, 37), Arrrest on hope ♦ Fridline, Anthony Dwayn (M, 44), theof combination of live ♦ Soots, Chrystal Lynn (F, 45), Arrrest charge first degree trespass, at crowds Arrrest on charge of Cruelty to ♦ Boggs, Shania Lou (F, 31), Arrrest on return box office attracon charge of aid and abet DWLR, at 1281and Jakethe Pugh Dr, onof 8/24/2021. animals, assault to inflict serious charge of Breaking and or entering, tions such as Becky Lynch, Gold2107 Soapstone Mountain Rd, on injury, at 5002 Smokewood Rd, on Larceny after breaking or entering, berg, andJe’mal Cena(M, can ignite interest ♦ Pylant, Teddy 30), 8/24/2021.

8/25/2021.

Possession of Stolen Good, at 2962 andongrow ratings during Arrrest charge of Assault on a the build Burney Road, on 8/25/2021. ♦ Soots, Michael Wayne (M, 47), to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerFemale, at 4140 Mt. Gilead Church ♦ Rich, Anthony Ray (M, 43), Arrrest Arrrest on charge of DWLR, Slam at the home of the Las VeRd, on 8/23/2021. on charge of Felony Possession ♦ Brower, Donovan Cequan (M, 30), Failure to Yield, at 2017 Soapstone gas Raiders. of Cocaine, Possession of drug Arrrest on charge of Larceny of a ♦ Tatum,“It Kellie Renee (F, 30), Arrrest Mountain Rd, on 8/24/2021. never is one thing,” Levesque paraphernalia, at 401 E. Salisbury motor vehicle, at 1381 Ben Lambeth on charge of Misdemeanor said. “We see this asLarceny a moment in St, Asheboro, on 8/25/2021.

Rd, on 8/25/2021. ♦ Williams, Kathleen Okeefe (F, 37), (8 counts), Possession of Stolen I think time to shift everything.

Arrrest on charge of misdemeanor Goods (8 counts), at just Randolph ♦ Kimber, Meghan Michelle (F, 32), ♦ East, Ronnie Dwayne (M, 39), you’ll see it in the layout of evchild abuse, at Randolph Hospital, County Jail, on 8/23/2021.

Arrrest on charge of cyberstalkingArrrest on charge of possession erything, the set designs, the way PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP on 8/24/2021.

Threats by E-mail, at 626 Farr St, on of firearm by felon, safe cracking it’s presented. There’s a greater emphasis on utilizing the spacIn this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night es that we have and the TV aspect Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association Winter Press of it while still engaging the fans.

Tour in Pasadena, Calif.

A lot of that comes from the time we had to experiment inside the Do you a birthday, wedding, engagement or other WWE then moved to its milestone in-house ThunderDome.” former,” Reigns said.

“As a live pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and have The first start is putting fans Dallas on Monday for the flagship performer, that simultaneous re- performance center in Florida on toWWE celebrate? at celebrations@randolphrecord.com. sponseContact keeps youus sharp.

We had March 13, before setting up what — holding their homemade signs “Raw” TV show on USA. spruced up sets, brought back old to adjust and adapt to the times it dubbed The ThunderDome -- and wearing their catchphrase where fans registered for spots T-shirts — back in the seats. stars and hit the reset button on that were in front of us.”

“When we have that live crowd, With Hulk Hogan in the house, on LED digital videoboards — for TV programming humbled with record-low ratings and a strong WWE held their only Wrestle- stretches in Florida at the Amway sometimes they almost become Mania with fans this past April Center, Tropicana Field and the the cameras for a lot of the perneed for new stars. formers,” Reigns said. “But when “I do think if we were doing this 10 and 11 at Raymond James Sta- Yuengling Center.

“People like Roman have been you don’t have that real-time, flesh in front of the live crowd, it would dium. WWE last ran a weeknight have been a situation that would televised event with a paid crowd able to emotionally bring a per- interaction, the red light becomes

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan

Tragically, Thursday was the deadliest day for our troops in Afghanistan in over 10 years. I am heartbroken and livid.

IT’S BEEN A TRAGIC WEEK FOR OUR COUNTRY. On Thursday, we lost 13 brave U.S. service members in the horrific attack on Kabul’s airport. These members of the Marines, Navy and Army were among those sent to Afghanistan to rescue our citizens and allies. They have been under extremely dangerous circumstances, and they have made our country proud.

Following last week’s attack, Renee and I join our nation in continuing to pray for the families of the fallen. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and is one so many in our community painfully know too well.

Tragically, Thursday was the deadliest day for our troops in Afghanistan in over 10 years. I am heartbroken and livid.

President Biden’s failed withdrawal put our troops back in harm’s way, as they were reliant on the Taliban for security around the airport and exposed to threats by ISIS terrorists. This danger was compounded by decisions to close Bagram Airfield and force all evacuation efforts into one indefensible position at the airport in the middle of Kabul.

Now as we continue to honor the fallen, our focus must also remain on completing the mission to ensure our troops on the ground in Kabul are safe and that every American and ally can get out safely.

Prior to Thursday’s attack, President Biden doubled down on sticking to his self-imposed deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan

by Aug. 31, despite global and bipartisan support for extending it.

President Biden’s own generals admit we cannot possibly complete evacuations by the 31st. However, the Taliban demanded President Biden adhere to this deadline, and I am infuriated the president of the United States bowed to them without securing the safety of our citizens and allies first.

Following a classified briefing I received last Tuesday, I called on President Biden to commit to leaving no American or ally behind — regardless of deadlines and regardless of what the Taliban and terrorists say. Otherwise, the president should level with the American people that he has signed the death warrants of our allies and their families we are leaving behind.

Last week, I continued my ongoing efforts to get hundreds of these former interpreters and family members out of Afghanistan.

Thursday’s attack is a tragic reminder of the danger they will face after our troops have departed. To date, I have initiated inquiries for more than 240 families needing assistance from the State Department. Many of them remain in danger, as the incompetence of the Biden administration has been staggering.

I called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring Congress back into session to get a comprehensive, classified briefing from the Biden administration following Thursday’s attack and to pass legislation by Congressman Mike Gallagher, a Marine veteran from Wisconsin. His bill requires daily reports on the status of evacuations and prohibits the president from withdrawing our troops until every American is out of Afghanistan safely.

Last week, Speaker Pelosi did bring Congress back to Washington for the first time since the Taliban took over Kabul.

Yet, shockingly, Pelosi blocked Republican attempts to address the crisis in Afghanistan or support our troops there. Pelosi’s sole focus was to advance Democrats’ reckless $3.5 trillion tax, borrow and spend budget scheme written by Bernie Sanders. Advancing this bill is not only bad news for you and your family, it was also extremely out of touch.

I will detail more of how Bernie’s budget will bankrupt our nation in the coming weeks. Yet for now, I would ask that you join Renee and me in praying for all those still on the ground in Afghanistan, including many troops from the 82nd Airborne.

While we have seen an abject failure in political leadership from the Biden administration, these troops have suffered losses and are still doing their job in very difficult circumstances. It did not have to be this way. There will be plenty of time later to hold the president and others accountable for this catastrophe For now, Speaker Pelosi must call Congress back and President Biden must do more to address this fallout and secure the safety of those on the ground.

Rest assured; I will hold this administration fully accountable.

Our troops and their families deserve nothing less.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Biden’s disastrous foreign-policy instincts As with the elimination of Osama bin Laden, Biden opposed taking out the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorist leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, accusing then-President Donald Trump of putting us on the precipice of an “endless war in the Middle East.”

THE UNFOLDING DISASTER in Afghanistan is a bipartisan, trans-administrational failure. It is a humiliation. The fact is that after 20 years, after thousands of lives were lost and hundreds of billions of dollars were spent on the military, police, training, infrastructure and education, the country fell in days.

Whatever your position is on the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, however, it is incumbent on President Joe Biden, and no one else, to competently conduct a military withdrawal of his choosing — and, at the very least, avoid humiliation. On this front, Biden catastrophically failed. Then again, the president has never shown a morsel of wisdom or proficiency on foreign policy. As one former Obama Pentagon official put it not long ago, Biden isn’t really a student of history; he is driven by “gut instincts.”

Indeed. The problem is that his instincts are complete garbage.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wasn’t kidding when he noted that Biden has “been wrong on nearly every major foreign-policy and national-security issue over the past four decades.” As a senator, he voted against the Persian Gulf War in 1991. More than a decade later, he didn’t merely support the Iraq invasion in 2003, but he championed it.

Biden warned President George W. Bush, for example, that it was “unrealistic, if not downright foolish,” to claim victory against terrorism until Saddam Hussein was toppled from power in Iraq.

It was only after the campaign’s popularity began fading that he purported to have been hoodwinked by Bush. Biden was for a surge in Afghanistan before he wasn’t, and against the surge in Iraq, even though it was perhaps the most successful post-Saddam operation in that nation. And it was Biden who was charged with implementing Obama’s tragically incompetent withdrawal from Iraq, which was partially responsible for the rise of ISIS — or the “JV team,” as his boss called them.

Then there is the Libya debacle. Trying to untangle Biden’s evershifting positions on Authorization for Use of Military Force would take thousands of additional words. Put it this way: On numerous occasions, Biden praised Obama’s entry into the Libya conflict — calling it the “prescription for how to deal with the world as we go forward than it has in the past” in 2011. When the full extent of the failure was clear, Biden claimed to have “argued strongly” within the White House against getting involved.

In more recent times, Biden was a proponent of the failed Iran deal and a harsh critic of the successful Abraham Accords. As with the

elimination of Osama bin Laden, Biden opposed taking out the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps terrorist leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, accusing then-President Donald Trump of putting us on the precipice of an “endless war in the Middle East.”

And, for the past 20 years, Biden has been on every side of nearly every position on Afghanistan — usually the wrong one at the wrong time. It’s surreal that a person so uncannily incompetent, so tenaciously wrong on foreign policy, could rise to the presidency, but here we are.

Early in the Afghanistan campaign, Biden would often hit the Bush administration for its failure to send more troops and increase nationbuilding efforts. In 2002, after Bush had proposed handing off more policing operations to allies, Biden excoriated the administration for not sending more troops. “Whatever it takes, we should do it,” Biden said at the time. “History will judge us harshly if we allow the hope of a liberated Afghanistan to evaporate because we failed to stay the course.”

In 2004, Biden called a tour of a new school in Kabul “a catalytic event” that defined his philosophy forevermore. We needed to export liberal democracy and embrace a “Prevention Doctrine,” Biden argued.

And both were contingent on expansive American commitments abroad.

Many people will, no doubt, argue that Biden’s positions change to comport with the facts on the ground. Even if that were the case, Biden helped get into the war and then championed the nation-building and troop buildups.

In truth, the only “catalytic events” that really propel Biden are changes in public polling. By October 2009, when sentiment had shifted against nation-building, Biden had become a leading voice to get out of the Middle East. Despite Biden’s alleged skepticism on the matter, Obama had escalated American involvement soon after taking office, sending 30,000 additional military personnel there — a nearly 50% jump. Biden claimed to be leading voice in the administration.

And yet, troops only peaked in 2010. In 2012, there were still 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. Obama and Biden claimed we could leave because there were hundreds of thousands of highly trained Afghan troops and policemen ready to defend the nation.

They weren’t. They still aren’t.

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.”

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Isner bounced in U.S. Open’s opening round New York John Isner was upset in the first round of the U.S. Open, losing in straight sets Monday to Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6), 6-3. It was the second straight year the Greensboro native, who was seeded 19th in this year’s draw, has failed to win a match at Flushing Meadows. The 36-yearold Isner had beaten Nakashima in the finals of the Truist Atlanta Open on Aug. 1, the sixth time he had won that tournament in his career. Nakashima has now won two of the three meetings between the fellow Americans.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Former UNC guard Rice gets 5-year extension from Monmouth West Long Branch, N.J. Monmouth University men’s basketball coach King Rice has been given a five-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season, the school announced Monday. Rice, who played for Dean Smith at UNC from 1987-91 and was co-captain on the Tar Heels’ Final Four team his senior year, was voted Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coach of the year last season for the third time, just the third coach in the conference’s history to accomplish the feat. He led the Hawks to a regular season title, his third, and has 161 wins in 10 seasons.

NFL

Fully vaccinated NFL players will get COVID-19 tests weekly New York Fully vaccinated players will be required to get tested for COVID-19 weekly instead of every 14 days as part of the revised protocols for the regular season agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA. The weekly testing applies also for fully vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 staff. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wait for results prior to entering a team’s facility. Each club must conduct its testing over a three-day period.

Unvaccinated players will continue to be tested daily.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hurricane Ida forces Tulane to travel to No. 2 Sooners Norman, Okla.

No. 2 Oklahoma and Tulane announced Monday that their season opener this weekend has been moved from New Orleans to Norman, Oklahoma, in the fallout from Hurricane Ida. The Sooners said conditions in New Orleans were not favorable to host a game this weekend. Tulane will be the designated home team and will retain all net proceeds from ticket sales. Kickoff was still set for 11 a.m. Central on Saturday and the game will be broadcast on ABC. The schools will work together on finding a date in a future season for a game in New Orleans.

DAVID GRAHAM | AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney nears the finish line and checkered flag to win Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona.

Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth The Cup Series playoffs begin next Sunday at Darlington

By Mark Long The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For all the potential outcomes that could have occurred at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale was somewhat predictable.

Ryan Blaney ended up in Victory Lane for the second straight week. Kyle Larson, the most dominant driver all year, took home the regular-season trophy. Tyler Reddick ended up with the 16th and final playoff spot. And the race ended in overtime with a fiery crash that involved nearly half the field.

“It’s Daytona. For me, it was no

different than any other race here,” said 2017 series champion Martin Truex Jr., who finished 30th. “I’m glad we’re done; I’m glad we’re out of here.”

He was hardly alone. Drivers ripped the revamped aerodynamics package and bemoaned the usual aggressive driving that caused three wrecks in the final 20 laps.

Reddick got caught up in the first one but rebounded to finish sixth. He needed only to beat Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon and hope for a repeat winner to earn his first playoff berth.

Reddick and Dillon were both in contention to make a desperate, last-gasp push for the win in the two-lap overtime sprint to the finish. But Blaney, who was second on the restart, cleared traffic thanks partly to a bump from Corey LaJoie and was well ahead of the pack

when a crash ended the race.

Daniel Suarez, one of 10 drivers in the front pack trying to win the race to earn the automatic playoff berth, turned Kevin Harvick to trigger the multi-car melee. Suarez seemed to be pushed into Harvick from behind by Kurt Busch.

Blaney, the winner in Michigan last week, heads into next week’s playoff opener at Darlington Raceway with three victories this season in his Team Penske Ford.

“Yeah, we’ve got good momentum,” Blaney said. “We’d like to make it three in a row, we’ll see.”

The regular-season finale had fairly low stakes since 15 of the 16 playoff slots were claimed beforehand. It meant only a first-time race winner could edge Reddick or Dillon for the final spot.

Neither had a smooth night: Reddick’s car suffered crash damage in an earlier incident and Dil-

lon was first flagged for speeding on pit road and also battled voltage issues in his Chevrolet.

“I don’t know how to smile at this point. It was a lot tonight,” Reddick said. “I’m excited to be past it.”

Dillon had still rallied to fourth on the final restart but was collected in the race-ending crash.

“We gave it all we could and fought until the end,” Dillon said.

“We’ll finish hard this year and build on next year.”

The only other competition at Daytona was for the regular season title, which went to Larson, a fivetime winner this season. The race for the regular-season championship and its playoff points was between Larson and Denny Hamlin, who entered Daytona trailing Larson by 28 points.

Hamlin held the regular season lead for 22 weeks until Larson claimed it two races ago at Indianapolis. Larson overcame a 166-point deficit to Hamlin to earn the title.

“What an awesome year he’s had,” said team owner Rick Hendrick, who gave Larson a job this season after he missed most of 2020 while suspended for using a racial slur.

Saints, displaced by Hurricane Ida, practice in Dallas The storm made landfall exactly 16 years after Katrina devastated New Orleans

The Associated Press DISPLACED by Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints went back to work Monday about 500 miles away in the home of another NFL team.

Saints players and staff, along with about 120 family members, relocated to North Texas in advance of the storm that made landfall south of New Orleans on Sunday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph, and left that entire area without power.

Coach Sean Payton said the team will practice through Wednesday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. That comes before a previously planned break leading into the start of the regular season.

“Left behind are obviously apartments, condominiums, homes.

Those are all physical things.

Nonetheless, they’re still home for so many people,” Payton said Monday. “We had a team meeting this morning, kind of hit on some topics. And then, you know, I think to some degree that going out and being able to practice today is going to be good for everyone, because from afar, there’s only so much you can do.”

The Saints are then scheduled to resume practice next Monday, though Payton said that it would be unrealistic to believe that would be at their headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana, even though initial reports from people there indicated that the facility handled the storm “overall pretty well.”

Payton said he had heard noth-

MAX BECHERER / THE ADVOCATE VIA AP

The Caesars Superdome is shown in New Orleans early Monday after Hurricane Ida became the latest storm to ravage the Gulf Coast. ing about the scheduled Sept. 12 season opener at home against the Green Bay Packers that is to be played in the Superdome.

“Obviously we’ll have a plan B. And, you know, there are a lot of other things probably from a priority standpoint that are more important for our city,” Payton said.

“But that all being said, you know, we fully anticipate starting the regular season with Green Bay and then the question would be where that game’s at.”

The office of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said damage to the area’s power grid appeared “catastrophic,” and officials warned

it could be weeks before power is fully restored.

When Ida was in the Gulf of Mexico with a projected path toward the Gulf Coast region, the Saints’ third and final preseason game that was supposed to be played in the Superdome last Saturday was canceled.

So they played only two preseason games and had to relocate for the final practices before the final roster reduction to 53 players has to be made Tuesday.

The arrival of Ida came 16 years to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans. The Saints were forced to move for the entire 2005

season, setting up operations in San Antonio while playing home games there and in Baton Rouge at LSU. New Orleans also played one “home” game at Giants Stadium.

That was before the current regime led by Payton joined the franchise. The Saints went 3-13 in 2005 but, spurred on by the quick restoration of the Louisiana Superdome, went 10-6 and won the NFC South the next year.

In 2012, the Saints evacuated to Cincinnati when Hurricane Isaac, a much less powerful storm, approached New Orleans and made landfall with winds of about 80 mph.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

5

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Adam Cole #2 Southwestern Randolph | Running Back/Defensive Back Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole is the first-ever Strider “Best Overall” Athlete of the Week. The junior tailback scored six touchdowns for the Cougars who defeated South Stanly Friday night 55-6. Three of those came on receptions, two on rushing plays and another on an interception return. Cole had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Cole has scored nine touchdowns through two games and not played in the fourth quarter in either game.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Eastern Randolph’s Malachi Letterlough carries the ball as teammates block Asheboro’s Arhman Tyson on Friday night.

Wildcats showcase variety of weapons Quarterback’s precision adds to firepower on offense

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO – Eastern Randolph has so many ways to be productive on the football field.

With highly recruited playmakers dotting recent rosters for the Wildcats, now it’s clear that it’d be wise not to overlook Stratton Barwick.

The junior quarterback is slinging the ball in the right directions these days.

“It’s a joy to see the ball going through the air and the crowd cheers,” Barwick said.

That happened numerous times last week when visiting Eastern Randolph thumped Asheboro 49-7 on Friday night.

“We just came out and played football,” Barwick said.

Veteran coach Burton Cates of Eastern Randolph said Barwick has been impressive with efficiency.

“Last year as a sophomore he had some tough games,” Cates said. “But we saw what he could do in that comeback against Clinton (in a road upset in the state playoffs). We know we have a good one.

He works hard.”

Barwick was 7-for-7 for 259 yards in the Asheboro game. That

was a nice complement to go with standout running back Nahiem Lilly, who rushed for 95 yards on 15 carries.

With receivers making moves after receptions, there’s no shortage of options on the offense. It’s worth paying attention to.

“They should be,” Barwick said.

“It’s something to watch.”

The Blue Comets saw too much of it in the non-conference matchup. Barwick was leading the charge.

“They did a fantastic job protecting him,” Asheboro coach Blake Brewer said. “When he hit them in stride, they (showed) really good team speed.”

Eastern Randolph scored on a pair of 1-yard runs by Davonte Brooks in the first quarter, but those possessions were drastically different. The first one came on a short field after Delonte Glover blocked an Asheboro punt. The next touchdown capped a 95-yard drive after the Blue Comets were halted on a scoring chance.

Then Barwick took command on scoring plays. He connected with D.J. Thomas for a 65-yard play in the opening minute of the second quarter.

In the last 4 ½ minutes of the first half, the Wildcats tacked on three touchdowns to build a 41-7 bulge.

Barwick hit Elias Alston for a 29-yard touchdown play and

hooked up with Alston again for a 30-yard touchdown – with Lilly’s 2-yard run coming in between those plays.

The game’s last points came in the third quarter, with Barwick’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Glover followed by Lilly’s two-point conversion run.

“They got it all going,” Brewer said.

Cates has lost only twice to Asheboro across more than a quarter-century worth of games covering two stints as Eastern Randolph’s coach.

It’s still a big deal when the Wildcats conquer Asheboro. After the latest result, the postgame congratulations came pouring in.

Even Kaemen Marley, a highly recruited athlete who’s on the Tennessee roster, came back on a brief break and was on the field for a postgame hug for Cates.

The potential for the Wildcats could be soaring this season.

“We just got to stay healthy,” Cates said.

The Blue Comets (1-1), whose lone touchdown came on Qamelo Butler’s 1-yard run in the second quarter, wasted several scoring chances in the first half. By then, the tone had been set.

“You score early when we were down there and maybe it’s a different game,” Brewer said.

The Wildcats didn’t hesitate to take advantage.

“We didn’t get stops,” Brewer said, referring to no Eastern Randolph punts until late in the game.

Asheboro has a week off on the schedule, so that’s time for the Blue Comets to adjust. They’ll have to look at special teams as well after having two punts blocked by Eastern Randolph.

Asheboro’s Charles Perry makes a catch in front of Eastern Randolph’s Elias Alston, left, and Nahiem Lilly on Friday night.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Wheatmore aims to sustain athletics excellence

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record TRINITY – Wheatmore has set a standard in recent years for overall excellence in its athletics department.

Now with a slightly different mix of conference membership, the Warriors want to keep it going.

“We’ve been fortunate enough,” athletics director Rick Halo said.

“You know this goes in peaks and valleys. When one program is down a little bit, there’s another that comes along and moves up.”

Wheatmore was the past school year’s Wells Fargo Conference Cup winner for the PAC-7. It marked the fifth year in a row that the school was atop the Conference Cup standings for its league.

“I think it’s a combination of good coaches and good players,”

Halo said. “We’ve won five years in a row and we’re very proud of that. It’s pretty much a judgement on your overall program.”

During the 2020-21 school year, the Warriors won league championships in boys’ golf, boys’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ swimming and diving and volleyball.

So in the final Conference Cup standings, that helped Wheatmore to 98.5 points, with Providence Gove next at 85. The list

also included Randleman (69), Trinity (67.5), Jordan-Matthews (60.5), Eastern Randolph (41) and High Point Andrews (27.5).

With new conference alignments in place, the Piedmont Athletic Conference now includes Southwestern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy. Gone are Jordan-Matthews and High Point Andrews.

“It’s definitely tougher,” Halo said of the league additions.

“They’ll be better than the two we lost.”

There are a few coaching changes for the Warriors for this school year. Michelle Hinson becomes the swimming and diving coach, while Trey Byrd will be the baseball coach. There’s also a vacancy for a wrestling coach, with Philip Yarbrough stepping aside. Yarbrough remains the school’s football coach.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs 65 yards for a touchdown after catching the pass from Keaton Reed against South Stanly at Southwestern Randolph.

Big point totals become area theme Randolph Record staff

Southwestern Randolph also scored 55 points in a victory two years ago against South Stanly.

BIG POINT TOTALS were the order of the week for area high PROVIDENCE GROVE 42, school football games.

Each of the Friday games in- SOUTHERN GUILFORD 26: At Greensboro, Luke Thomvolving Randolph County teams had at least one team reaching the as threw three touchdown passes and Zane Cheek scored three 40-point mark. touchdowns.

Other than the Cheek caught a scoronly intra-couning pass from Thomas ty matchup that THIS WEEK’S and added two rushing involved Eastern GAMES touchdown runs. Chase Randolph’s 49-7 Whitaker, who made a whipping of host Thursday’s game touchdown grab, was Asheboro, here’s a North Forsyth at credited with 17½ tackrecap of games: Randleman, 7 les on defense for the Patriots (2-0).

EAST DAVIDSON Friday’s games 37, WHEATMORE Walkertown at Eastern Randolph, 7:30 CENTRAL DAVIDSON 22: 62, RANDLEMAN 33: Thursday at Jordan-Matthews at At Randleman, JayTrinity, the War- Providence Grove, 7:30 lyn Smith and Cory Casriors (1-1) couldn’t Trinity at East ilac each ran for four keep up in the Davidson, 7:30 touchdowns and all of home game despite Spartans’ offense came 241 passing yards Randleman at on the ground to the and two touch- Montgomery Central, tune of 606 rushing down throws from ppd.

Ben Walker. Cade Ledford at Wheatmore, yards. Central Davidson (2-0) didn’t attempt Hamilton was ppd. a pass. charted with 102 It didn’t need to as Smith receiving yards in the loss. gained 262 yards and Casilac picked up 252 yards.

SOUTHWESTERN Randleman’s Thomas Dobias RANDOLPH 55, rushed for touchdowns from 4 SOUTH STANLY 6: Adam Cole scored six touch- and 23 yards out. Quarterback downs for the Cougars. Three of Christian Long was 10-for-16 for those came on receptions, two on 100 yards and a touchdown, while rushing plays and another on an he also ran for a touchdown for the Tigers (0-2). interception return.

Cole had two pick-offs and a fumble recovery. Three of Keaton FORBUSH 56, TRINITY 6: At East Bend, the Bulldogs (1Reed’s seven completions went for touchdowns to Cole. Easton Clapp 1) dropped the non-league road game. produced two touchdowns.

LOCAL BRIEFS

York wins feature race at Caraway Speedway Sophia Jason York posted a victory in the Late Models division at Caraway Speedway on Saturday night.

York was ahead among seven drivers when the 56-lap event came to a close. Division points leader Blaise Brinkley was the runner-up, while Jamie York finished third.

Johnny Baker won among 11 entries in the Mini Stocks.

In other races, Justin Smith topped a 14-driver field to capture the U-Cars feature, Mike Chambers claimed the Challenger race and Rich Hunter won in the 602 Modifieds.

There are Labor Day races at the track scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Monday. Divisions on the docket include Late Models, Challenger, Mini Stock, U-Car, Bowman Gray Stadium Street Stocks and Legends.

Out-of-state women top Asheboro golf qualifier Asheboro The top three spots from a U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur qualifier at Pinewood Country Club went to out-of-state golfers Sunday.

Ann Marie Costello of Longs, S.C., Mariah Hopkins of Danville, Va., and Samantha Perrotta of Bordentown, N.J., all shot 2-over-par 74s to share medalist honors.

The other three to advance to the national tournament Sept. 25-30 at Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, S.C., were Courtney Stiles (75) of Pinehurst, Jessica Younts (76) of Greensboro and Katie Kirk (77) of Charlotte.

Kirk used a birdie on the first playoff hole to separate from Caroline Ellington of Raleigh and Katie-Rose Higgins of Charlotte for the final spot.

There were 22 entrants.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

6 6

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

In step to shut Guantanamo, President Now is the time to try 4-H Biden transfers Moroccan home

Finding peers with shared interests is a

By Dino Hazell big part of the The Associated Pressprogram

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The

By Ryan J. Foley took a step Biden administration The Associated Press toward its goal of shutting down the Guantánamo Bay detention MY is McKenna center forNAME international terror Gardsusner and I am thrilled to into begin pects on Monday, releasing working as the 4-H Program the custody of his home country Asa sistant for County.

Moroccan who’Randolph d been held with- I up in this since countythe and am outgrew charge almost U.S. grateful to have the opportunity opened the facility 19 years ago. to give back to the expansive comThe transfer of Abdullatif Nassmunity. er was the first by the Biden adI graduated from North Carministration, reviving an Obama olina State University in 2020 administration effort that had with a Bachelor of Science in Scibeen stymied, in part, by conserence Education with a Concenvative opposition and by the diffitration in Biological Sciences and culty of finding sites toDuring send a minor in secure Psychology. some of the detainees. the school year, I worked primarA review board had recomily within the recreation center mended for Nasser, at N.C. repatriation State as a Personal Trainwho is in his mid-50s, in July 2016, but he had remained at Guantánamo under President Donald Trump, who opposed closing the site.

In announcing Nasser’s transfer, the Pentagon cited the board’s determination that his detention was no longer necessary to protect U.S. national security.

Nasser, also known as Abdul Latif Nasser, arrived Monday in Morocco. Police took him into custody and said they would investigate him on suspicion of committing terrorist acts.

Nasser’s attorney in Morocco, Khalil Idrissi, said the years Nasser spent in Guantánamo “were unjustified and outside the law, and what he suffered remains a stain of disgrace on the forehead of the American system.”

The State Department said in a statement that President Joe Biden’s administration would continue “a deliberate and thorough

er and Strength and Conditioning Assistant. During my summers in college, I spent two of them working for the Randolph County Cooperative Extension as one of the Summer Program Assistants leading primarily the 5-7 year old age group. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, I was unable to continue the position for the final summer of my college career.

Upon graduation, I began teaching sixth grade science at Southeastern Randolph Middle School and was awarded the Randolph County Middle School Beginning Teacher of Excellence Award. Although being in the classroom and interacting with my miniature scientists brought me incredible joy, I was eager to return to the Cooperative Extension to pursue a more holistic model of learning for a broader audience.

In this position, I am look-

ing forward to interacting with the youth of the county and sharing the “Learn By Doing” attitude with our 4-Hers. I hope to assist our youth in identifying their passions, cultivating their leadership skills, and improving their self-esteem with hands-on, creative activities that all ages can immerse themselves into.

Although I did not grow up involved in 4-H, in the short amount of time that I have been active within the organization I have learned more than what I have taught. These 4-Hers, veteran or not, have shown me the true spirit of 4-H. At such a young age, these youths are interacting with both peers and adult leaders with enthusiasm and respect. They are excited to begin the tasks in front of them and have a true desire to learn about whatever it is that is on topic that day. They approach

obstacles with an open mind and a good attitude.

When I think about my vision for this program, I think about this young age group. I want to nourish their hunger to learn. I want to guide them to identify what sparks their interest and continue nurturing that as they grow. I see our 4-Hers finding peers that share their interests and these kids taking their passions and knowledge into the community. I would love to see our 4-Hers give back to those that helped raise them in the sense that one day they will be the volunteers that mentor and guide the youths that are yet to come.

I am excited to bring my experiences to this position and cannot wait to meet all of our 4-Hers, volunteers, and leaders of this beloved community. I look forward to working and learning from you all!

McKenna Gardner is a 4-H program assistant with the the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Randolph County Center.| AP PHOTO ALEX BRANDON

In this Wednesday, April 17, 2019, file photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. process” aimed at reducing the detainee population at Guantánamo.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki had said in February it was the “intention” of the Biden administration to close the detention facility, something President Barack Obama pledged to do within a year shortly after he took office in January 2009.

Almost 800 detainees have passed through Guantanamo. Of the 39 remaining, 10 are eligible to be transferred out, 17 are eligible to go through the review process for possible transfer, another 10 are involved in the military commission process used to prosecute detainees and two have been convicted, another senior administration official said.

The Biden administration didn’t

address how it would handle the ongoing effort to prosecute five men held at Guantánamo for the Sept. 11 attacks. It also has to resolve what it will do with detainees that the Obama administration particularly struggled with, either because their home countries were not considered secure enough to return them to, or because they were refused by third-party countries.

The detention center opened in 2002. Bush’s administration transformed what had been a quiet Navy outpost on Cuba’s southeastern tip into a place to interrogate and imprison people suspected of links to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The Obama administration, seeking to allay concerns that some of those released had “returned to

the fight,” set up a process to ensure those repatriated or resettled in third countries no longer posed a threat. It also planned to try some of the men in federal court.

But the closure effort was thwarted when Congress barred the transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo to the U.S., including for prosecution or medical care.

The prisoner transfer process stalled under Trump, who said even before taking office there should be no further releases.

“These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield,” Trump said.

Under Trump, only one prisoner, a Saudi, was transferred to Saudi Arabia to serve the remainder of his sentence after he agreed to a

plea bargain.

Under Obama, 197 were transferred to other countries.

The possibility that former Guantánamo prisoners would resume hostile activities has long been a concern that has played into the debate over releases. The office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a 2016 report that about 17% of the 728 detainees who had been released were “confirmed” and 12% were “suspected” of reengaging in such activities.

But the vast majority of those reengagements occurred with former prisoners who did not go through the security review that was set up under Obama. A task force that included agencies such as the Defense Department and the CIAlooking analyzed who wastoheld at “I am forward Guantánamo and determined who interacting withand thewho youth of could be released should continue in detention. the county and sharing the The U.S. thanked Morocco for “Learn

By Doing” attitude facilitating Nasser’s transfer. with ourUnited 4-Hers.”

“The States commends the Kingdom of Morocco for its long-time partnership in securMcKenna Gardner ing both countries’ national security interests,” the Pentagon statement said.

In a statement, the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat said the National Division of the Judicial Police in Casablanca had been instructed to open an investigation into Nasser “on suspicion of committing terrorist acts.”

Idrissi, Nasser’s attorney, said judicial authorities should not “take measures that prolong his torment and suffering, especially since he lived through the hell of Guantánamo.”

Nasser’s journey to the Cuban prison was a long one. He was a member of a nonviolent but illegal Moroccan Sufi Islam group in the 1980s, according to his Pentagon file. In 1996, he was recruited to fight in Chechnya but ended up in Afghanistan, where he trained at an al-Qaida camp. He was captured after fighting U.S. forces there and was sent to Guantánamo in May 2002.

Garland lets immigration judges put off deportation cases court calendar following Sessions’ decision.

Since the 2018 fiscal year, the number of cases pending in the U.S. ATTORNEY General Merimmigration courts has risen 74%, rick Garland tossed a Trump adto 1.3 million, according to data ministration policy that barred from the Transactional Records immigration judges from putting Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse off the deportation cases of immiUniversity. grants waiting on green cards and Gene Hamilton, a key architect visas. of many of Trump’s immigration Garland overruled a decision by policiesCHARLES who served in| the Justice then-Attorney General Jeff SesDHARAPAK AP PHOTO, FILE Department, said he believes Garsions that judges could not temThis Aug. 28, 2009, photo, in Boston. decision will let immigrants porarily shelve those file cases — ashows former Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II speaking at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library,land’s stay in the country indefinitely depractice known as administrative spite facing deportation. closure.

But some immigration judges Immigration judges, who are “The a pregnant Joe Kennedy and five of his sib- said days to decide whether to grant it, theyprisoner can only left use the practice employees of Garland’s Departmother of ten without husband lings said Friday they oppose pa- in reverse it or modify it. a limited number ofacases and ment of Justice, said the practice and it soon-to-be children with“I hope the full parole board role and pledged to fight the pro- that makes the11courts more efhelps them manage their dockets out a father.” will reverse the decision over the cess every step of the way. He was ficient, not less. Without it, some more efficiently by letting them foHe added:have “We miss himup every ongoing review period and that joined by Courtney Kennedy, Ker- immigrants wound filcus on cases that are ready to go to moment of everyfor day,asylum and struggle the California governor, if faced ry Kennedy, Christopher G. Ken- ing applications or apcourt and avoid dragging in immito understand why thetime prisoner with the choice to release him, nedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and peal simply to buy more while grants and attorneys for unnecesshould be enjoy card the golden will keep him in prison to serve Rory Kennedy. waiting onable theirtogreen applisary hearings. That’s critical in a years ofMarks his lifesaid. when he so viciousJoe Kennedy said Sunday that cation, out his full life sentence,” Kennebacklogged system where immily stole them from oursystem father.”with anyone who kills for political ready wrote.

“It clutters up the grants already wait years to get a Sirhan wasfilings originally Robert F. Kennedy was a U.S. sons should “know that he will at unnecessary andsentenced unnecescourt date.

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO to death but that already been spend life in prison senator from New York and the a minimum sary hearings,” shehas said.

“It helps us clear our dockets reduced to lifealso in prison, Kennedy without parole. “ conference on brother of President F. Kenviews about Associated The move restores autonsoThe we’re dealing Press with cases that Indiffering this June 25, 2021 fileending photo,the Attorney General MerrickJohn Garland speaks during a news noted.to the country’s immigra“The prisoner killed my father omy nedy,inwho was assassinated in sentence of at this including are really ready for hearings,” said voting rights thekiller, Department of Justice Washington, D.C. “My mother, Ethel Kennedy, within my own family. But emo- 1963. RFK was seeking the Dem- because of his support of Israel,” tion BOSTON Judge — Former judges over how they manage Immigration DanacongressLeigh and my uncle, Sen. Edward M. man Joseph P. Kennedy II, the tions and opinions do not change ocratic presidential nomination Kennedy wrote in a separate state- their dockets, said Jeremy McKinMarks, president emerita and exwhen he was gunned down at the ment. “The man was tried, con- Kennedy, asked that his death oldest son of Robert F. Kennedy, facts or history.” ecutive vice president of the Na- said immigration judges too often migrants fleeing violence to quali- courts, is making rules related to ney, president elect of the AmeriThe board on Friday found that Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles victed and sentenced to death. Yet sentence be reduced to life imdenounced the possible parole of administrative closure and will al- can Immigration Lawyers Associtional Association of Immigration let people stay in the country lon- fy for asylum. the man convicted of killing his Sirhan Sirhan, 77, no longer poses moments after delivering a victo- he now may walk free, no doubt to prisonment as a demonstration In the decision on immigration low the practice in the meantime, ation. Immigration judges clashed ger than they should in a sort of leJudges. a threat to society, noting that he ry speech in the pivotal California the cheers of those who share his of mercy. He received that mercy,” father in California in 1968. repeatedly with the Trump adjudges, Garland wrote that three the attorney general wrote.

For many immigrants, admin- gal purgatory.

“Two commissioners of the had enrolled in more than 20 pro- primary. Five others were wound- views. Let there be no mistake, the Kennedy wrote. “No one should During the Trump administra- ministration, decrying measures The decision is one of several federal appeals courts had already istrative closure was seen as a lifeprisoner’s release will be celebrat- have the right to alter the lesser 18-member California Parole grams including anger manage- ed.

Sessions’ 2018 policy, say- tion, the number of cases in the they said limited their indepenline that shielded them from de- recent Biden administration re- rejected Joe Kennedy II is one of RFK ed by those who believe that polit- sentence requested by the person Board made a grievous error last ment classes, Tai Chi and Alcoholcourts can surged, part- dence. judges had the versals of former President Don- ing portation while they awaited the word most affected by my father’s death ical disagreements be solved andthe Ethel Kennedy’s 11 authorichildren, immigration Friday in recommending re- ics Anonymous meetings. say the immigration judgly as some of the hundreds of thouty to decide how they wanted to ald Trump’s immigration policies. onlease theirof applications for legal sta— “To his wife, whose last child would The ruling will be reviewed nine of whom are still alive. Two of by a gun.” the man who murdered es never possessed this power was sands of cases that had been put handle cases.

The Justice DepartLast month, Garland ended two tusmyfrom other agencies, such as Kennedy, on a more personal never know a father’s touch. Nothfather,” Kennedy wrote in the over the next four months by the them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and ridiculous,” hold were back on the simply which runs thesaid immigration made it harder green cardsstatement or other visas.

Critics ing written, said orMcKinney done will said. ever note, spoke of added growing up without Douglas Kennedy, they sup- on board’sthat staff.

Then it will for be imsent ment, emailed released Sun- policies

By Amy Taxin The Associated Press

RFK’s oldest son condemns possible parole of Sirhan Sirhan

day. “I understand that there are

to the governor, who will have 30

ported the release of Sirhan.

Subscribe today (704) 269-8461 randolphrecord.com/subscribe

a father.

change that reality.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

7

obituaries

Clifton Gyles Ward 1930 - 2021

Clifton Gyles Ward, age 91, formerly of Asheboro, died Sunday, August 22, 2021.

He was born April 17, 1930 the son of John Randolph and Sallie York Ward in Chatham County, near Staley. He was a graduate of Siler City High School and entered the US Navy and served during the Suez Canal Conflict in 1956. He continued his education with radio technology at Gaston Technical College.

He worked as a radio engineer and as a technician for commercial sewing machines for more than 38 years. He was retired from Glenville Mfg. and Shana Knitwear. He was devoted to Mary Lee, his wife of 54 years.

He loved Duke sports and enjoyed the local sports scene including high school and American Legion baseball. He was a devoted and active member of his church and community.

Surviving members of the family include sister Elizabeth Ward Stephenson Dale of Henderson; nephews James Benjamin Stephenson, II of Apex and Randolph Michael Stephenson of Greenville; Nieces Doris Jeanette of Philadelphia and Edith Ward Boys of Sanford; special sister-in-law Katheryn Nichols, and other loved great nieces and nephews.

Members of the family that are predeceased include his wife Mary Lee Burns Ward, siblings Randolph Wayne Ward, Grace Ward Vickery, and nephew John Wayne Ward.

Howard William Kerns 1929 - 2021

Howard William Kerns, age 91, of Climax died Monday, August 23, 2021 at Universal Health Care of Ramseur.

Mr. Kerns was born September 21, 1929 in Madison, WI to Fred and Theresa Kerns.

Mr. Kerns served as a medic in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division. He retired with Sears as a TV repairman after 36 years of service. Mr. Kerns was a very active member of Grays Chapel United Methodist Church where he served the Boy Scout Troop 518 since 1961. After his retirement Mr. Kerns enjoyed playing golf and traveling.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Berniece Routh Kerns; sons, Allen Kerns and wife Elaine of Grays Chapel, Rodney Kerns and wife Nancy Kerns of Oxford, Gary Kerns and wife Lauren of Grays Chapel; daughter, Teresa Hyatt and husband Robert of Southport, grandchildren, Matthew Kerns and wife Apryl, Michael Kerns, Andrew Kerns and wife Meghan, Hannah Wyrick, Will Hyatt, Thom Hyatt, Steven Kerns; 4 great grandchildren.

William Clay Hunt, of Randleman passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro.

Mr. Hunt was born March 17, 1937 the son of Guy and Mamie Hunt. Clay was a native of Randolph County and served in the US Army. He retired from Energizer with 32 years of service. Clay enjoyed beach trips, cruises, working on his classic car and playing corn hole. In addition to his parents, Clay is preceded in death by his first wife, Doris Hunt, sister, Peggy Ann Lewis, aunts, Emma Thomas and Nelle Jane Hunt, uncles, Arnold, Coy, Reid, Raymond, Harlen, John, Jerry, and Robert Hunt.

He is survived by his wife: JoAnn Yow Hunt of the home; step children: Trisha Yow Henderson and Greg Yow; step grandchildren: Macey Nikole Henderson, Kynley Anna Henderson and Will Reece Henderson; niece, Tina Laballee; aunt, Mary Ann Hunt Green; uncle W.E and Paulette Hunt.

Alva Jean Leach Scott, 88, died at Woodland Hills Nursing Home on August 25, 2021.

She retired from GE/Black & Decker after 42 years.

She is survived by husband Horace Wayne Scott and daughter Betty Scott Derr. She is also survived by sister Vernece Willett (Bub), daughter-in-law, Beth Blevins Scott, 2 grandchildren Shelly Cook (Chad), Stacy Ulrick (Kevin) and 3 great grandchildren, McKenzie Cook, Jackson Cook, and Austin Ulrick.

She was preceded in death by son Jackie Wayne Scott, parents James Leach and Nellie Leach Ellington, sister Inez Teague, and brother James Leach.

Jonna Lee Busey Libbert 1945 - 2021

Jonna Lee Busey Libbert, age 75, of Asheboro passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital in Greensboro.

Mrs. Libbert was born in Muncie, Indiana on November 9, 1945. She retired as a Librarian with the Asheboro/Randolph Public Library after 25 years of service. Jonna was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church. Jonna formerly served on both the Randolph Economic Board and the Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County Board. In addition to her parents, Jonna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Libbert II. Jonna loved her family, friends, food, and wine, and was a doting grandmother.

She is survived by son, Rob Libbert and wife Stacey of Elkin; granddaughter, Harper Lee Libbert; and grandson, Isaac Libbert.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 4, 2021 from noon-1:00 pm in the Westminster Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Avenue in Asheboro.

Funeral services will follow on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the Westminster Chapel of First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brian Rummage officiating.

Burial will be held in Oaklawn Cemetery.

June 27, 1946 August 25, 2021

December 16, 1942 August 26, 2021

1937 - 2021

1933 - 2021

Bob Brown

Rebecca “Brownie” Freeman

William Clay Hunt

Alva Jean Leach Scott

Rebecca Brown Freeman (Brownie), went to Heaven on August 26, 2021, at the age 78 while residing at Clapp’s Nursing Home in Asheboro, NC. Brownie was born on Dec. 16, 1942, in Randolph County to Joseph Lester Brown and Edith Claudine Brown Hunter, who both preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her step father, Harry Hunter; and brothers, Stephen Lester Brown and Johnny Lloyd Hunter - all of Asheboro.

Brownie is survived by her two children, daughter, Tammy Freeman Mabe and husband Jimmy; son, Timothy Freeman and wife Tonia; four wonderful grandchildren, Amber Mabe, James Mabe and wife Lora, Kelli Freeman, Kasey Freeman and wife Olivia; and 11 adorable great grandchildren, Alex, Ryan, Jake, Liam, Lealand, Gabe, Lyndon, Kaiden, Aryella, Aaleah, and Adelynn.

Robert Michael “Bob” Brown, Sr., 75, of Asheboro, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Memorial services will be held at a later date at Pisgah United Methodist Church.

Born June 27, 1946, in Shenandoah, PA, Mr. Brown was the son of the late William and Anna Madacanis Brown.

He had worked as an auto mechanic and worked last at the Randleman ABC store.

He was a member of Pisgah United Methodist Church and enjoyed wood working and wood burning. Mr. Brown was proud for being sober for over 10 years.

Mr. Brown is survived by his sons, Robert Michael Brown, Jr., of Randleman, Kenneth William Brown of Middlesex, NC; sister, Michelle Melborne of Shenandoah Heights, PA; and grandson, Jacob Craven.

2

2

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7.21.21

WEDNESDAY

7.7.21 #3 #1

“Join the

Celebrate “Join the thelife conversation” of your loved ones. conversation” Submit obituaries and death notices to County be published Stanly Journal in Randolph ISSN: 2575-2278 Record at

North State Journal obits@randolphrecord.com (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Editor

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Design Editor Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

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Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001

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Published each Wednesday

Debbie Sue Key Cox 1957 - 2021

Debbie Sue Key Cox, age 63, of Asheboro passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at her home.

Mrs. Cox was born in Randolph County on November 6, 1957 to Brady and Margaret Briles Key. Debbie was retired from Energizer after 30 years of service and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Cox. Debbie had a great sense of humor and never met a stranger. Debbie loved animals, enjoyed traveling, and spending time at the beach with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Tinia Murphy Duty (Kennith) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Makayla, Savannah, Makenzie, and Mason; siblings, Roger Key (Rhonda) of Burlington, Virginia Foust of Sophia, James Key (Donna) of Asheboro, and Phillip Key (Peggy) of Asheboro; and numerous nieces and nephews who were very special to her.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 12:00 noon-1:45 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Funeral services will follow on Friday at 2:00 pm in the Pugh Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be held in Randolph Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Keri Elizabeth Turner 1978 - 2021

Patsy Ann Porter

Keri Elizabeth Millikan Randolph Record for Wednesd 1940 - 2021 Turner,42, passed away unexpectedly due to an unknown Patsy Ann Haithcock Treece medical condition on Thursday, Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, Porter, age 81, of Randleman August 26th, 2021. passed away Tuesday, August 24, Keri was preceded in death by 2021 at Randolph Hospice House, her grandparents, Blanche and WEEKLY FORECAST Asheboro.

Bob Allred, Mary Coltrane and Mrs. Porter was born July 18, Frank Millikan, as well as her WEEKLY FORECAST 1940 the daughter of Riley and father, Bernard Millikan.

Rola Mae Wilkerson Haithcock.

She is survived by her children Patsy was a native of Randolph Eliza Beth and Kenan Turner, County. She had worked in husband Brandon Turner, textiles, furniture and a cook at mother Robyn Millikan of North Point in her later years.

Franklinville, sister Tori (Jason) FRIDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY being outdoors Shina of Canfield, OH, nieces FRIDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Patsy enjoyed 23SATURDAY JULY 21Emily and 22 gardening her vegetables and Siena, Sophia a 1JULY JULY 2 JULY JULY 3 JUNE 30 and JULY flowers and loved going to the multitude of family and friends.

In addition to her parents, The will 88° receive HI78° HIfamily91° HI 91° beach.

88° HI HI89° 81°H HI HI Patsy is preceded in death by her friends Thursday, September LO 66° LO68° 62°LO LO LO 70° 67° LO LO LO 70° 67° husbands, Ed Treece and Harvey 2, 2021 from 9:30 -10:30 PRECIP 57% PRECIP 43% PRECIP 15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP 15% PRECIP 20% P PRECIP 5% Porter, son, Anderson Lee Treece am at Mt. Lebanon United and daughter, Kimberly Dawn Methodist Church. The service Treece and 5 siblings. will follow at 11:00 am with She is survived by her Rev. Jenna Grogan, Rev. Dr. daughter, Rhonda K. Ratcliffe Kathryn Campbell, and Rev. and husbandCOLLEGE Steve of Joel Bartz. The burial willCOMMUNITY follow RANDOLPH Randleman; son, Donnie Treece at Randolph Memorial Park, and wife Sandy of WinstonAsheboro.

Salem; grandchildren: Jason Lee In Lieu of flowers, donations Treece (Heather), Scott Smith, can be made to The Partnership Cassie Van Nuys (Doug), Alicia for Children of Christians United Lee Farrar (Jason), Ashlee A. Outreach Center, P.O. Box 784, Treece and Angel Cole (Cecil); 24 Asheboro, NC 27204. great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; life classes long

By Bob Sutton before those start. friend, Faye Chriscoe of Cedar Randolph Record Williams said there’s an Falls; special k-9’s Bitsy and Jake. fortmay to bolster H Memorials be madeenrollment. to edRandolph, the RCC416 Commitment G ASHEBORO — Enrollment Hospice Of Vision a program designed at Randolph Community Dr., ColAsheboro, NC 27203, www. as a fun hospiceofrandolph.org lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap t

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFF

PJ Ward-Brown Matt Lauren Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or stat Coryto students. despite a school official pointing “There has never been a out unprecedented financial inter to attend centives for potential students.

Who isopportunity “Editor?”

Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about for student services at RCC, said a decline in high school students in dual enrollment has been the big-

to pay for it,” RCC presiden Robert Shackleford Jr. said. meet students exactly where

8

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

STATE & NATION

Rural North Carolina schools using COVID-19 funds for tech

By Bryan Anderson The Associated Press RALEIGH — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit their rural community, Weldon City Schools raced to give its pupils the tools they needed to quickly transition to virtual learning.

The district set up internet hotspots for those without connectivity at home and had staff deliver meals to students. It also drew on some of the funds to improve air quality in three schools, install touchless bathroom faucets and buy lots of cleaning supplies and protective equipment.

The public school system of less than 800 students is among North Carolina’s largest recipients of federal COVID-19 assistance since the start of the pandemic, securing nearly $11,000 per pupil, a total of more than $8.7 million.

Since March 2020, the federal government has provided $190 billion in pandemic aid to schools, an amount that is more than four times what the U.S. Education Department spends on K-12 schools in a typical year. The Associated Press, relying on data published or provided by states and the federal government, tallied how much money was granted to nearly every school district in the country.

The AP tracked about $155 billion sent to states to distribute among schools since last year, including general pandemic re-

PHOTO VIA AP

Sixth grade math teacher Lisa Martin talks to her students on the first day of school at Kernodle Middle School, in Greensboro, on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. lief that some states shared with their schools.

The aid averages nearly $2,800 per student, but it varies widely by district and state, according to the AP’s analysis. The latest and largest round of funding, totaling $123 billion, is still being distributed and gives schools enor-

mous flexibility in how to spend it over three years, a window that many district officials say is short for such a large amount of money.

In North Carolina, rural communities received substantially more money per student than heavily populated districts. Weldon was among three public

school districts in the state that received more than $10,000 per student, second only to Warren County, which took in more than $33 million, or almost $18,000 for every student.

While Warren County Schools Superintendent Keith Sutton believes there’s a discrepancy in the

amount the state has told the federal government it has distributed to the system, data his office shared with the AP shows it spent nearly $475,000 on computers and software. More than $684,000 went to workers who assisted with a summer extension program to address pandemic-fueled learning loss.

North Carolina’s largest district, Wake County Public Schools, got about $2,100 per student for a total of $347 million. Nationwide, high-poverty areas received much more under the funding formula.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which is similarly sized, got $488 million, or roughly $3,300 per child.

In Wake County, 28% of enrolled students qualified for free and reduced lunch last year.

The state’s third-largest district, Guilford County Schools, has less than half as many students as Wake but got nearly as much money, securing more than $306 million, or about $4,200 per pupil. More than 66% of students qualified for free and reduced lunch, as of April 2020, according to the district.

The largest share of its planned spending through fiscal year 2025 will go toward recruiting, retaining and rewarding staff. More than $50 million will be spent for those purposes, while another $46 million will go to accelerate learning, particularly through summer school and a longer school year to address learning loss. It also expects to spend $39 million on instruction materials and resources, $37 million to close the digital divide, $35 million to build out capacity at a professional development center and $26 million on ventilation and improved air quality.

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

This July 15, 2021 file photo shows Democratic gubernatorial candidate former Governor, Terry McAuliffe, right, and US Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., during a tour of Norfolk State University Thursday July 15, 2021, in Norfolk, Va.

McAuliffe seeks dismissal of GOP lawsuit over paperwork

By Sarah Rankin The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Terry McAuliffe asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia Republicans that seeks to remove him from the ballot in this year’s closely watched race for governor over an alleged paperwork error.

In a filing Friday evening, attorneys for the former governor now running for a second term against GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin said the suit was based on a “legal lie” and would effectively invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes cast in the Democratic primary.

The complaint filed earlier this week by the Republican Party of Virginia against state election officials argued that McAuliffe should be disqualified from running in the November general election because of the omission of his signature on an official form declaring his candidacy.

The formal “declaration of candidacy” McAuliffe submitted to the state’s board of elections to enter the Democratic primary in March is indeed missing his signature — the box he was supposed to sign was left blank, along with lines asking for his phone numbers —- though two witnesses’ signatures were included on the form. The suit also argues the witnesses violated state law because they could not have witnessed a signing that didn’t happen.

The Virginia Department of Elections declined to comment.

McAuliffe argued in his filing that nothing in Virginia code requires a candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy.

Further, the filing said: “Even if there were a technical defect with the declaration of candidacy — and there is not — it would provide no basis for removing McAuliffe’s name from the general election ballot and preventing Virginia’s voters from choos-

ing him as their next Governor.

The declaration of candidacy is a prerequisite for placement on the ballot in the primary election, not the general election, and the primary election has already concluded.”

McAuliffe handily defeated four challenges in the June Democratic primary. He captured about 62% of the vote and was the top vote-getter in every city and county in the commonwealth.

“There is no basis for the Republican Party to now — almost three months later — contest the results of another party’s primary,” his filing said.

Several state election law experts told The Associated Press on Thursday, when the suit was filed in Richmond Circuit Court, that they would be surprised if it succeeds. Online court records do not show that a hearing has been set.

McAuliffe, a longtime fixture of Democratic politics, previously served as governor from 2014 to

2018 but was prohibited by state law from seeking a consecutive term. He announced his candidacy in December after deciding in 2019 to forego a run for president.

Youngkin is a former co-CEO of a private equity firm and a political newcomer seeking to end Virginia Republicans’ more than decade-long losing streak in statewide races.

Christina Freundlich, a spokesperson for McAuliffe’s campaign, called the lawsuit a “Trumpian” effort to distort the law and the will of the voters.

“We haven’t even made it to Election Day and Virginia Republicans are already trying to undermine the election results in court using Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s playbook,” she said in a statement.

In 2019, Nick Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was forced to run a write-in campaign after he was disqualified because of a paperwork snafu.

Virginia, the only state in the nation that does not allow its chief executive to serve consecutive terms, is also the only state with an open race for governor this year. The commonwealth’s unusual off-year elections routinely draw outsized national attention as a possible test of both parties’ strengths ahead of the midterms.

Rick Hasen, an election law expert who teaches at the University of California, Irvine, said that states have varying standards when it comes to enforcing election rules, with some states much more forgiving of “technical difficulties” than others.

But “as a general matter, it would be surprising to see a court knock a major candidate for office off the ballot for a technicality,” he said.

Third-party gubernatorial candidate Princess Blanding will also be on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 2 and early voting begins Sept. 17.