North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 28

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 28 | WWW.NSJONLINE.COM | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

AP PHOTOS

Former President George W. Bush stands with firefighter Bob Beckwith on a burnt fire truck in front of the World Trade Center during a tour of the devastation of the World Trade Center, Friday, Sept. 14, 2001.

Right, in this Sept. 11, 2001 file photo, a shell of what was once part of the facade of one of the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center rises above the rubble that remains after both towers were destroyed in the terrorist attacks.

9/11: As the decades pass, the quiet act of remembering evolves

Manchin seeks ‘strategic pause’ on Biden bill, opposes $3.5T

By Ted Anthony The Associated Press

Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin said Congress should take a “strategic pause” on more spending, warning that he does not support President Joe Biden’s plans for a sweeping $3.5 trillion effort to rebuild and reshape the economy.

The West Virginia Democrat’s pointed opposition was stronger than his past statements and taps into a grab-bag of arguments over inflation, national security and other concerns on the emerging package. The timing of his comments comes as lawmakers are laboring behind the scenes to draft the legislation ahead of this month’s deadlines.

“Instead of rushing to spend trillions on new government programs and additional stimulus funding, Congress should hit a strategic pause on the budget-reconciliation legislation,” Manchin wrote in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taliban says they took Panjshir, last holdout Afghan province Kabul, Afghanistan The Taliban said they seized the last province not in their control after their blitz through Afghanistan last month, overrunning forces who had opposed their takeover.

Thousands of Taliban fighters charged into eight districts of Panjshir province, according to witnesses from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the province, which is north of the capital, was now held by their fighters.

“We tried our best to solve the problem through negotiations, and they rejected talks and then we had to send our forces to fight,” Mujahid said late Monday.

The resisting forces were led by the former vice president, Amrullah Saleh, and son of the iconic anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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20177 52016 $0.50

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SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — Across the vast field where the plane fell out of the sky so many years ago, all is quiet.

The hills around Shanksville seem to swallow sound. The plateau that Americans by the millions ascend to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial, to think of those who died in this southwestern Pennsylvania expanse, sits just above much of the landscape, creating a pocket of quiet precisely where quiet needs to be.

It is a place that encourages the act of remembering.

Twenty years have passed since

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITT HARRIS

Spc. Christopher Harris (right) of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne is pictured here with his wife, Britt, before his deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in July 2017, where he and a comrade were killed a month later.

Gold Star widow reflects on husband’s sacrifice in Afghanistan Harris learned of pregnancy 3 weeks into husband’s deployment, 1 week before he is killed

By David Larson North State Journal

Britt recalled. “We weren’t trying to get pregnant. I was actually very against it. As soon as we got married, he said, ‘Let’s have a baby,’ but I was like, ‘No, not if you’re deploying; that’s not happening.’”

Britt was already reeling from the death of her grandfather a couple months earlier, who had raised her, when, on the first day of Chris’ deployment, her best friend died due to pregnancy complications. Britt spent much of that week grieving and attending services. Then two weeks later, she found out she was pregnant herself.

“I was pretty nervous; I was panicking; I was upset. I was like, ‘I told you I didn’t want to do this.

I told you I didn’t want to be alone.

God forbid something happens and you don’t come home and I have to raise the baby by myself.’

I was always the worrier of our relationship.”

She told Chris over FaceTime, and they talked every day for the next week — his last week of life — about their plans, about names and all the other details of starting a family. Britt said, while she was worried about the pregnancy, Chris was ecstatic.

“Chris has always wanted to be a dad. He loved kids and kids loved him and ran to him. So he was just head-in-the clouds, happy, excited to be a dad, already picking out names. I was trying to crunch numbers and figure out what we were going to do.”

RALEIGH — Britt Harris still vividly remembers the first moment she saw her now-deceased husband, Spc. Chris Harris, a U.S. Army paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.

“Chris and I met in Southern Pines, where we both are from, through some mutual friends,” she told NSJ in a Sept. 1 interview.

“It was like one of those scenes from a movie — and I know that sounds so cheesy — where someone walks into a room and everything else kind of fades into the background, and everyone else gets really blurry and the focus is on that one person.”

That spark from their first meeting in January of 2016 quickly led to an engagement and then marriage in October of the same year.

But their time together after the wedding would be short, with Chris’s unit deploying to Afghanistan in July of 2017. Britt says Chris was excited for his mission.

He was largely raised by his uncle Bruce in Florida, who had served in the military and was a father-figure to him, and Chris was inspired to follow in his footsteps.

“I actually didn’t know I was pregnant until three weeks into the deployment. I had no idea,” See GOLD STAR, page A2

United Flight 93 made its final descent, chaos unfolding aboard as buildings burned 300 miles to the east. Nearly one-fifth of the country is too young to remember firsthand the day that changed everything.

At the edge of the memorial’s overlook, a burly man in a leather Harley Davidson vest talks to two companions. He points toward the patch where the plane hit. It is an intimate conversation, and it is hard to hear what he’s saying.

But his first two words are clear: “I remember …”

Remembering is not merely a See REMEMBERING, page A2

Few school districts remain mask optional, one is pushing back Yancey County School Board chair pushes back against Cooper’s ‘intimidating,’ ‘coercive’ letter

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Only a handful of the 64 North Carolina school districts that originally voted to make masks optional for K-12 students for the upcoming year are still following that policy.

As of Sept. 6, the school districts continuing mask-optional policies are Avery, Camden, Onslow, Polk Union and Yancey counties, as well as Newton-Conover City Schools.

There are a total of 115 school districts in the state.

Most of the reversals came after a letter was sent urging mask-optional districts to reverse course despite updates to the StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit giving districts the choice of making masks optional.

The letter was issued and signed

by Gov. Roy Cooper, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Dr. Betty Tilson.

Cooper’s letter urges districts to “fully implement” the toolkit and to employ masks despite being a “recommended” option and the final decision left to each district.

“Because children under 12 cannot yet get the vaccine and the percent of children 12-18 years old who are vaccinated is low, all students, teachers and staff in grades K-12 should wear a mask,” Cooper’s letter reads.

Cooper said the urgency is due to “rapidly increasing spread” attributed to the Delta variant and “increasing rates of infection in children.”

Yancey County Schools is one of the few remaining districts that is mask optional, and the board’s chairman, Edwin Fortner, penned a letter rebuking Cooper’s letter.

Fortner noted the small numSee MASKS, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

9.8.21 #299

THE WORD: PLEASURE IS FLEETING

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

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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

“Luncheon Of The Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1881) is a painting in The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.

The book of Ecclesiastes opened with Solomon, the teacher, undertaking an investigation into the question that has vexed humanity since the dawn of time: what is the meaning of life?

In the second chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon undertakes his investigation first with the hypothesis that pleasure is the meaning of life.

Solomon entertained himself with comedies and drank wine.

He built great structures and accumulated possessions great and small. His pursuit included whatever his eyes desired.

When he added up the value of his pleasure, the sum was zero.

“There was no profit under the sun.” His only takeaway from his pursuit of pleasure was that the wise man and the fool meet the same end, so the long-term value — and meaning — of pleasure is nothing. Even if he passes his possessions to the next generation, it won’t matter if his heirs are wise or foolish, they will all die.

Solomon realized that death defeats all of our work, our pleasure and our possessions.

The end result is that pleasure cannot define us when God’s grace is all that we can rely on for eternity.

MASKS from page A1 ber of cases and quarantined students in the district, as well issues with the StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit, which he said is “exhaustive and reaches into areas of legalities that require legal counsel.”

“The issue that has been created over the requiring of masks or making them optional has divided those of us among the community,” Fortner’s letter reads. “At most, we have students and staff 40 hours a week.

For the remaining 120 hours per week, we have no control over travel, vacation, athletic activities outside of school, or personal choices.”

Fortner then described the letter he received from Cooper, calling it intimidating and coercive.

“Upon receiving a personal letter from Gov. Roy Cooper, I have chosen to publicly share the intimidating and coercive nature of his letter towards us for the decision that we unanimously made,” Fortner wrote.

The Yancey school board chair also said that Cooper was offloading his duties onto local school boards.

“You direct the path of this state 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at this point in time,” Fortner wrote.

“Yet Gov. Cooper, because of the negativity you experienced by mandating masks statewide, closing public schools, ceasing all athletic activities, and financially destroying local businesses, you are neglecting your duties and placing them on the shoulders of local school boards.”

“I will not attempt to intimidate or coerce board members to abandon their convictions. We are elected to represent the people of Yancey County solely,” wrote Fortner in closing. “For these reasons, Mr. Cooper, I will not attempt to assume your elected duties. While you may not agree with my decision, I do ask this one thing. Please continue to pray for Yancey County Schools.”

NCDHHS’ most recent school and childcare clusters report posted prior to the Labor Day holiday weekend shows one cluster in Yancey County at Genesis Academy, which is a private non-profit Christian school and not a K-12 Public School as NCDHHS has labeled it.

Of note, the cases in the NCDHHS school cluster the report “represent the cumulative number of cases during the cluster and do not necessarily represent active cases.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of Aug. 25, 2021, a total of 385 children ages 0-17 have died of COVID in the United States. For the same age range and time period, 887 have died from pneumonia.

The number of positive tests in North Carolina children ages 0-17 is 168,593 or just under 14% of all cases in the state to date. The dashboard demographics view also shows a total of 5 total deaths for children of that age range, none of which have been attributed to schools.

Hospitalization of children ages 0-17 between Oct. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021, has been very low — registering statistically between 0 and 1%, even in recent weeks.

GOLD STAR from page A1 But these hopeful moments looking towards a future and a family together would be extinguished only a few short days later.

“I saw a news article go out; I got a notification on my phone,” Britt said of the day she heard of Chris’s passing. “I was really upset and I couldn’t get in touch with him. I thought I was just being crazy.”

She then went out to lunch with a friend to calm down. But then another military news site sent out a notification saying that two soldiers had died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where Chris was stationed. Because they had been texting and video chatting constantly since discovering the pregnancy, the sudden halt to communications coming at the same time as this story made her assume the worst.

“They say the worst thing you can do is set up a routine when someone is deployed, because if it changes, you’re going to panic.” she said.

Britt’s friend and everyone at work thought she was overreacting and jumping to conclusions, but they let her take the rest of the day off.

“And I went home and called every single person I could think of.

I demanded that somebody tell me that it was Chris, so I could start my grieving.”

She said nobody with the military knew, or was authorized to tell her, so she paced the house and yard “trying to convince myself that I wasn’t losing my mind. I was like, ‘I’m overreacting. Chris is going to be so embarrassed when he

turns his phone on and sees how nuts I went.’ And then there was the other half of me that was like, ‘You’re not crazy. It is Chris.’”

“And then as I was standing there, a government car pulls up in my driveway. Two soldiers in their dress blues, and one of them walked up to me and said, ‘Are you the wife of Spc. Christopher Harris?’ And I don’t remember anything he said after that. I kind of just have blocked out that entire conversation and that memory.”

Chris died just two months before their one-year anniversary.

Britt said the community completely rallied around her.

“It was enormous. It was overwhelming, to say the least,” she said of the support she received.

“I went from being an absolute nobody in town — I mean, I had friends, but I was just a normal person — to constantly having messages on my phone, companies, organizations, people wanting to make food for me, people wanting to give me baby things, people from all over the county, the state, letters just started to pour in, cards, donations, GoFundMe’s for my pregnancy.”

Then later, Britt made a video for the gender reveal, with Chris’s unit in Afghanistan revealing the pink signifying she was to have a girl, and then she began receiving international attention. The video went viral, so she had interviews on German television and CMT’s Pickler and Ben Show, among many others. People would send notes of support and presents from around the world.

“It was bizarre, but it was definitely a comfort to not feel so alone

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRITT HARRIS

Left are pictured Spc. Christopher Harris and a member of his unit in full gear. To the right is pictured Christian, Harris’s 3-year-old daughter, visiting his gravesite.

after the most horrible, tragic event of my life,” she said of the impact of that support. “I couldn’t think that I could possibly fathom any more heartache at that point, so I was desperate for people to be there for me.”

Britt then decided to change the name they had planned, and instead went with “Christian” to honor Chris, saying she was “so desperate to find ways to tie him into the pregnancy.”

Now that Christian is 3 years old, Britt still tries to tie Chris into their lives every way she can, telling her stories and showing her pictures of “Daddy Chris.”

“She was actually born the exact same day that his unit came home from Afghanistan — St. Patrick’s Day,” Britt said. “It’s heartbreaking, and I feel like she’s not getting the same experiences as other children her age. It seems unfair. And I so desperately wish I didn’t have to take her to a cemetery to say, ‘Here’s your dad.’ I try really hard to explain it to her, and she doesn’t grasp it.”

She hopes Christian can be proud of her father’s sacrifice. Britt hopes the same for the other families that have lost people on 9/11 and the 20 years of the War on Terror since — including those close to the 13 who died in the recent Kabul Airport bombing.

“I am not an emotional person. I do not cry very often, and I cried,” she said of the recent bombing. “I was so heartbroken. It brought back every single memory.”

She had many other military families reach out to her, including one mother who said her son was working that gate and hadn’t heard

from him yet.

“And I cried so much for her, because I know how painful that is to sit around and wait for a notification and think that it’s for you and hope it’s not for you.”

She said one of the families of the slain lives right down the street from her in the military-heavy area around Fort Bragg.

“And once again our small community is heartbroken about another service member that has fallen, and I’m sure that I’ll be seeing them at Gold Star events,” she said. “It was supposed to be a withdrawal, not adding more names to a memorial.”

But through all the pain, Britt Harris hopes people can find peace in the fact that their loved ones passed while trying to help people achieve a better life.

“And that’s what helps me find a way to view all of this and not get upset and not get angry,” she said.

“They gave their lives to a bigger and better cause, and there’s nothing ever wrong in doing the right thing.”

She said she pushes back hard on any suggestion that it was “all for nothing.”

“I feel that just because the end result was not what we had hoped for, it doesn’t negate 20 years of progress and freedom for little girls,” Britt said. “I’m obviously not excited or happy with the withdrawal and the way it was handled, though I understand that we had to leave at some point. But you can’t rip ideas out of people. They’ve experienced it; they’ve lived it; they know that this is what they want.

And I’m hopeful that those people find their freedom again.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Navigating the StrongSchoolsNC toolkit quarantine process

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Last month, the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit produced by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) updated its COVID-19 quarantine processes for K-12 public schools.

Parents have often found those changes confusing and, in some cases, district communications about the changes were unhelpful.

Here’s a quick look at the process, with masks playing a key role in the toolkit’s changes.

Based on the toolkit’s update, mask wearing can reduce or eliminate the need to quarantine when it comes to the question of exposure, or “close contact” with a person who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

The toolkit defines “close contact” as being “physically exposed within 6 feet of another person for 15 minutes or longer cumulatively, within a 24-hour period.”

The toolkit lists three exceptions to quarantining: Individuals who are fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms do NOT need to quarantine after a close contact. Individuals should get tested three to five days after exposure and wear a mask around others until receiving a negative test result.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered and do not have symptoms do NOT have to quarantine.

Students who are not fully vaccinated, after a close contact in a classroom or other school setting if masks were being worn appropriately and consistently by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person, do NOT need to quarantine. This is based on updated CDC guidance and studies that have shown

extremely low risk of COVID-19 transmission in classroom settings when face masks were being used appropriately by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person, as well as multiple layers of prevention measures in place to prevent transmission in school settings. This applies to exposures in classrooms, other in-school settings, and school transportation but does not apply to exposures during extracurricular, including athletic, activities. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.

What does all of that mean for K-12 students and staff?

If students are/were all wearing masks when exposure occurred, the CDC and the toolkit say there is no need for those students to quarantine.

What parents and the public have found confusing is that, without explanation, the same set of quarantine rules for masked students who were exposed does not apply to teachers, staff or adults. As of yet, NCDHHS has not explained this discrepancy.

There has also been confusion around the toolkit’s expansive chart with multiple types of quarantining scenarios based on diagnosis, symptoms and exposure.

The NCDHHS quarantine chart, which begins on page 17, states that “NCDHHS recommends that schools not require an individual who is fully vaccinated (at least two weeks after getting their second dose in a two-dose series or one-dose of a single-dose series) or tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three months to quarantine if they have had no symptoms after being a close contact to someone with COVID-19, and they do not live in a congregate setting (such as a shelter).”

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When do students and staff need to quarantine?

Were both students masked?

Were both staff members masked?

Yes

No

Neither student quarantines

Both students quarantine or produce a negative PCR test

Diagnosis #1 Positive antigen test, no symptoms, no known exposure •Negative repeat PCR/molecular test? Return to school immediately •Positive repeat PCR/molecular test? Return to school 10 days after positive test date #2 Positive PCR/molecular test but no symptoms •Return to school 10 days after positive test date Symptoms #1 Symptoms and has tested positive (antigen or PCR) •Return to school 10 days after first day of symptoms; AND at least 24 hours without fever while not using fever reducing medicine AND other symptoms improving. #2 Symptom but has not been tested nor visited a doctor (person presumed positive) •Return to school 10 days after first day of symptoms; AND at least 24 hours without fever while not using fever reducing medicine AND other symptoms improving. #3 Symptoms but has received a negative test or an alternate diagnosis from a doctor.

•Return to school following 24 hours of feeling well, including no fever and no use of fever-reducing medicine.

Exposure #1 Not fully vaccinated and in

Yes

No

Both members of staff quarantine

close contact with a confirmed case?

•Return to schools after 14 days •Return to school after 10 days if no symptoms •Return to school after seven days of no symptoms AND a negative antigen or PCR/molecular test taken no earlier than day five of quarantine. #2 Fully vaccinated persons and do not have any symptoms after a close contact?

•No quarantine #3 Persons who tested positive in the last three months?

•No quarantine #4 K-12 student not fully vaccinated, had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, all parties masked the entire time?

•No quarantine #5 K-12 staff, faculty not fully vaccinated, had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, all parties masked the entire time?

•Exposure quarantine #1 applies While the quarantining chart repeatedly states that the “person is not required to have documentation of a negative test in order to return to school,” parents have reported some districts are requiring proof of a negative test to return.

Getting put into quarantine is easy, getting out is quite a bit harder, usually involving proof of a negative PCR/molecular test.

The toolkit says that someone with symptoms of COVID-19 “may return to school IF the negative test was either (1) a negative PCR/mo-

lecular test or (2) a negative antigen test AND the person has a low likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The low likelihood of infection is defined as no known or suspected exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the last 14 days or is fully vaccinated or has had a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last three months.

Many districts, like Wake County Schools, have lengthy “return to school” procedures and are sending kids home if they display any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, many of which are vague and symptoms of other illnesses.

“Someone experiencing any symptom of illness not related to an already documented medical condition must be sent home, even if they don’t have a COVID-19 diagnosis,” reads the Wake County Schools website.

Wake County schools allows students back in the classroom if they receive an alternate diagnosis and/or a negative PCR test. Antigen home tests kits are not being accepted on their own by the district in order for students to return to class. In Wake County schools, if neither an alternate diagnosis nor negative test are provided, the student has to quarantine for at least 10 days.

Parents should refer to their own district websites for information on quarantining and return to school policies.

Elizabeth Holmes’ trial to dissect downfall of a tech star The Associated Press JUST SIX YEARS ago, Elizabeth Holmes seemed destined to fulfill her dream of becoming Silicon Valley’s next superstar. She was the subject of business magazine cover stories describing her as the youngest self-made female billionaire in history, former President Bill Clinton was reverently quizzing her about her thoughts on technology, and then Vice President Joe Biden was hailing her ideas as an inspiration.

Now Holmes is about to head into a San Jose, California, courtroom to defend herself against criminal allegations depicting her as the devious mastermind of a fraud that duped wealthy investors, former U.S. government officials and patients whose lives were endangered by a blood-testing technology that never came close to fulfilling her bold promises.

If convicted by a jury in a trial that begins Wednesday, Holmes could be sentenced to 20 years in prison — a stunning reversal of fortune for an entrepreneur whose wealth once was pegged at $4.5 billion. That amount represented her 50% stake in Theranos, a Palo Alto, California, biotech startup she founded in 2003 after dropping out of Stanford University at the age of 19.

Besides rehashing Holmes’ stunning rise and fall, the three-month trial may also shine a light on how style sometimes overshadows substance in Silicon Valley, which prides itself on an ethos of logic, data and science over emotion.

Holmes’ saga has peeled back the curtain on a “fake it until you make it” strategy that’s been adopted by other ambitious startups who believe that with just a little more time to perfect their promised breakthroughs they can join the hallowed ranks of Apple, Google, Facebook and other tech pioneers that sprang up in the 50-mile corridor from San Francisco to San Jose.

“I came away thinking she was just a zealot who really believed her technology would really work so maybe she could fudge just a little bit,” said author Ken Auletta, who was given behind-the-scenes

NIC COURY | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos, arrives at the federal courthouse for jury selection in her trial, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. access to Holmes for a 2014 profile in The New Yorker magazine.

“I came away thinking she really believed what she was doing was a public good. And if it had worked, it would have been a public good.”

If nothing else, Holmes proved to be a master marketer while pitching the premise that Theranos would help people avoid having to tell their loved ones “goodbye too soon.”

Theranos — a name derived from the words “therapy” and “diagnosis”— claimed to be perfecting a technology that could test for hundreds of diseases by extracting just a few drops of blood from a quick finger prick done at “wellness centers” across the U.S. Holmes promised the samples would be tested in a specially designed machine named after famed inventor Thomas Edison. In her spiel, they would cost a fraction of traditional tests that require a doctor’s referral and vials of drawn blood before lab processing that could take days to deliver results.

Told in Holmes’ husky voice, the story sounded so compelling that she could assemble a well-connected board of directors that helped burnish Theranos’ credibility. The board included former U.S. Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz, former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, former Sen. Sam Nunn, former Wells Fargo Bank CEO Richard Kovacevich, and her former adviser at Stanford, Channing Robertson, who quit his tenured job as a chemical engineering professor after deciding she had Beethoven-like qualities.

Holmes tried to cast herself in the mold of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, even adopting his habit of wearing mostly black turtlenecks.

Besides recruiting an impressive board, Holmes also raised nearly $900 million before Theranos’ collapse, triggered by a series of explosive Wall Street Journal articles that revealed serious flaws in the company’s technology.

The Journal articles spurred an inquiry by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration and a civil lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC case resulted in a $500,000 settlement without an admission of wrongdoing, but still proved to be the end of Theranos, which shut down in 2018.

Significant amounts of the money pouring into Theranos came from billionaire investors, including media baron Rupert Murdoch, Walmart’s Walton family, the DeVos family that included former U.S. Education Secretary Becky DeVos, Mexico business mogul Carlos Slim and former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison.

Some of those investors, as well some of Theranos’ former board members, are expected to testify during the trial.

Holmes may take the witness stand, based on court documents filed leading up to the trial. If she does, her lawyers have indicated in recently unsealed filings that she will testify that some of her statements and actions while running

Theranos were the result of “intimate partner abuse” inflicted by the company’s chief operating officer and her secret lover, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, who faces multiple fraud charges in a separate trial scheduled to begin next year.

“That will be extraordinary,” predicted Auletta, who observed and interviewed Holmes and Balwani together on multiple occasions while he was writing his profile. “My impression was she was the dominant one in that relationship. If she started a sentence, he would wait for her to finish it.”

Balwani’s lawyer has denied Holmes’ allegations.

It remains to be seen if the license plate on the car that Balwani used to drive to Theranos’ former headquarters will be become part of the evidence submitted during the trial. It read: “VDVICI,” an abbreviation for the triumphant words Julius Caesar is supposed to have once written to the Roman Senate, “veni, vidi, vici” — Latin for “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

NC remembers Sept. 11

Jones & Blount Late NC budget to take longer as GOP, Cooper seek consensus

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Many communities have established memorials to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. In Jacksonville, part of a beam from the World Trade Center rests in the community to honor the victims.

Three souls who called the state home perished in the attacks.

We remember and honor all who were lost that day.

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By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

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Never Forget 9/11 Monument 1 Cornelius 2

Eighth Annual 9/11 Stair Climb Greensboro

9/11 Memorial at Lejeune 6 Memorial Gardens Jacksonville 7

Alamance County 9/11 Memorial 3 Alamance County 4

Chatham County 9/11 Memorial Pittsboro

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Service Memorial Apex

WEST Man in critical condition after police shooting Caldwell County Officers shot and wounded a man who investigators believe stole a vehicle from a parking lot. The Lenoir Police Department said two undercover officers and a patrol officer confronted Joshua Alan Kirby, 25, in response to a 911 call. Officers perceived a threat from Kirby and shot him. Police didn’t say if Kirby fired at officers, but one of the officers suffered a graze wound.

Kirby was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The officer who was grazed was treated at a local hospital and released.

AP

Rains from Fred force shutdown of Asheville water source Buncombe County Rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Depression Fred forced Asheville to shut down a reservoir and a water treatment plant because of poor water conditions. The rains swelled streams that feed a lake that serves as a primary drinking water source.

Cloudy water in the Bee Tree Reservoir increased dramatically on Aug. 17, leading to the shutdown of the William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant. Water service has not been affected because of the large capacity of other sources. The reopening of Bee Tree and the water treatment plant should happen within the next two weeks.

AP

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9/11 Memorial Havelock Lt. Cmdr. Eric Allen Cranford, 32, of Drexel Sandra W. Bradshaw, 38, of Greensboro Christopher Lee Burford, 23, of Hubert

PIEDMONT

Staff shortages close schools Polk County Three schools in the Polk County district had an extended break for Labor Day due to staff shortages and COVID 19 positive cases. The district announced that Polk Central Elementary, Polk County Middle School and Polk County High School will all close on Friday, Sept. 3 and Tuesday Sept. 7. The schools were already closed on Monday, Sept. 6 for the holiday. The extra days off will help the district recover from staff shortages and attempt to stop the increase in COVID cases.

WLOS

DOT, local families rebuild bridge Yancey County In August, Tropical Storm Fred washed away a bridge on Highway 197, causing traffic to take a one-hour detour on gravel roads in order to reach Pensacola and Burnsville. But crews from the state Department of Transportation worked with two local families and a contractor to reconnect the communities. The group built a low-water bridge to allow traffic to continue on its original route. Engineers are working on repairing the permanent bridge and reinforcing the river banks to prevent future washouts.

WLOS

EAST

Greensboro police investigate fatal hit-and-run crash

2 teens charged after student brings 2 guns to high school Wake County Two teenage boys are facing charges after a Raleigh high school student brought two guns to school. Enloe High School Principal Jacqueline Jordan said a school employee was alerted about a student with a weapon on campus. The teenager was found to be in possession of two firearms, Jordan said.

Investigators determined that two students may have handled or seen the firearms. The Raleigh Police Department obtained juvenile petitions charging two 16-year-old boys with carry conceal, possession of firearm on school grounds and possession of a firearm by a minor.

AP

Duke Energy sued by family that lost five in tubing accident Rockingham County A family that lost five members in a tubing accident is suing Duke Energy, saying the utility failed to adequately warn people that its dam poses life-threatening risks with barricades, barriers and buoys. Nine relatives from Eden and Indiana were floating down the Dan River in inflatable tubes on June 16 when they went over the 8-foot dam.

Emergency crews rescued Ruben Villano, 35; his children Irene, 18, and Eric, 14; and his nephew Karlos Villano, 14. Rescuers found the bodies of Bridish Crawford, 27; Antonio Roman, 30; Sophie Wilson, 14; Isiah Crawford, 7; and Teresa Villano, 35.

Guilford County Police in Greensboro are investigating an early-morning hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian dead. The Greensboro Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a call about the crash in a commercial area southwest of downtown around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are searching for a black Lexus sedan. “The vehicle should have damage to the left side, including a missing piece of bumper, fog light, and wheel well,” the news release said.

AP

Town clerk abused position, according to audit

Authorities: Prison inmate dies of apparent suicide Scotland County Authorities are investigating a prison inmate that died from an apparent suicide. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety said the man died Sunday at Scotland Correctional Institution in Laurinburg. The man was identified as Tyler Lanier, 26. He was found unresponsive in his cell around 9:30 p.m.

First responders from the prison and local paramedics performed lifesaving measures, but Lanier was pronounced dead at about 10 p.m. The department said Lanier was serving a 12-year sentence for robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was admitted to prison in December 2016.

AP

Mom, 2 daughters all teach at same school Gaston County Teaching not only runs in the Hill family, but has also brought Elizabeth Hill and her two daughters, Marie and Tori, under the same roof this school year. Tori began teaching third grade at Bessemer City Central on Aug. 23. Marie teaches fourth grade, and Elizabeth teaches fifth. Tori landed her first teaching position at Bessemer City Central Elementary, where her mother has taught for three decades and her elder sister began teaching last year. Tori, 22, graduated from Belmont Abbey College — where both Elizabeth and Marie also earned their degrees — in May.

Farm sells for $25.7 million Pamlico County A farm in Vandemere sold for $25.7 million last week. The 4,528-acre property is known for producing high quality chipping potatoes.

Promised Land Opportunity Zone Farms, LLC bought the farm, which will be managed

by Farmland Partners Inc. The sale was finalized after a nationwide marketing effort.

Kander LLC, National Land Realty and Murray Wise Associates served as brokers and transactional advisors in the sale.

PR NEWSWIRE

Northampton County A forensic accounting audit found that the town clerk of Gaston abused her position in a variety of ways. The former clerk, who was not named in the audit report, loaned herself more than $11,000 on two separate occasions and also issued loans of more than $13,000 to others before the town board learned of the practice. She also received $4,400 in vacation pay she wasn’t eligible to receive, and a town commissioner frequently signed blank checks for her to use without any review of amounts or how the money was spent.

Key figure in ballot probe gets prison for benefit fraud Bladen County A key player in a ballot fraud probe that led to a new congressional election was sentenced to six months in prison for obtaining illegal Social Security benefits. Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr., 65, of Bladenboro, pleaded guilty to two counts. Dowless must pay $8,600 in restitution. He still faces state charges involving ballot fraud during the 2016 and 2018 elections. Dowless received at least $135,000 for work on state and federal campaigns during 2017 and 2018. He applied for Social Security retirement benefits in 2018, claiming he had not worked for the past two years.

AP

AP PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) speaks at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh with House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Gov. Roy Cooper.

NSJ staff remembers 9/11 Neal Robbins The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, my wife, Beth, was getting a root canal at the dentist office in Asheboro. I was sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine — there were no smartphones back then — when someone came in and said the World Trade Center had been bombed.

The dentist had a VCR/mini-TV combo for kids to watch movies. Those televisions still had tuners in them to pick up broadcast TV. I procured a paper clip from the receptionist to use as an antenna and was able to tune into the live broadcast.

On that morning, before I knew about the other planes or the magnitude of the injuries, my first impression was that the event would define the presidency of George W. Bush.

Matt Mercer

Honor guards carry wreaths at the Pentagon Memorial, marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly is two months beyond its traditional deadline on the two-year budget, even as the state expects to take in billions of dollars more than it had earlier forecast.

Getting the state government’s spending plan enacted depends first on disentangling competing House and Senate proposals. The unexpected billions in tax collections, as well as unallocated COVID-19 stimulus money, have only made the process more difficult.

“It is a much more complex budget this time,” Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Forsyth County Republican and a senior House Appropriations Committee co-chairman, said this week.

Once Republican leaders have agreed to a joint plan, they’ll aim to reach a compromise with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper that he’s able to sign into law.

But Cooper has never signed a traditional omnibus state budget bill into law — a reflection of the political parries between him and the GOP-controlled General Assembly since he was sworn in to office in 2017. As has happened before, there will likely be significant differences between Cooper and Republicans over tax cuts, teacher and state-employee pay and education spending.

A new budget was supposed to be in place by July 1. The governor’s office said this week that Republicans were needlessly slowing the process by debating a bill to weaken his emergency powers.

But Cooper tempered his critique to reporters, sounding optimistic that a final budget he could sign was still quite possible.

“We need to take whatever time we need to make the transformational changes that are going to be so important to this state,” Cooper said last Thursday.

“Yes, it’s a little more complicated. And we all have to come to an agreement on how this is going to work.”

There are enough Democrats in each chamber to uphold a Cooper budget veto if party members remain united. That

happened in 2019, causing a budget stalemate with Republicans that never got fully resolved. But with several Democrats already voting earlier this year for preliminary versions of the budget, there’s no guarantee a veto would stand this time.

House and Senate Republican leaders took until early June to agree on spending caps for state funds — $25.7 billion this year and $26.7 billion for next year.

And with income-tax deadlines delayed due to COVID-19, legislators didn’t learn until mid-June the state would take in $6.5 billion more in taxes and fees through mid-2023 than previously predicted. And that’s on top of $5.4 billion in federal funds earmarked for North Carolina in the federal COVID-19 aid package.

“We have an unprecedented amount of resources here,” Cooper said.

The Senate passed its plan in late June, and the House followed in early August. There was no threat of a state government shutdown because state law directs government to keep operating.

But the budget overtime delays projects and pay raises. While the House, Senate and Cooper all agree federal COVID-19 money should be spent on high-speed internet access and water and wastewater system projects, for example, that money can’t be spent until there’s an enacted law.

Legislators had made some progress by the week’s end.

House Speaker Tim Moore said Friday that he and Senate leader Phil Berger had resolved their differences on the remaining top-level issues they were negotiating — a tax package and capital spending amounts.

Moore declined for now to provide details about the tax agreement, saying he wants to share them first with House Republican colleagues. But he said Thursday’s agreement enables rank-andfile negotiators to begin meeting next week.

Berger had no immediate comment on Friday. Earlier in the week, Berger said a possible agreement with the governor was likely weeks away: “I don’t see us getting to the finish line before the end of September.”

WRAL

AP

CHARLES DHARAPAK | AP PHOTO

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I was 14 years old on Sept. 11, 2001. I’m firmly in a generation of kids who learned a lot more about the world on that warm latesummer day. World War II and the Cold War were things we read about in social studies and listened to stories about from

grandparents.

The world felt much different after those attacks.

Barely a year earlier, the 2000 election played out across six weeks, and, at that time, nothing felt more important than questions like: Who is going to be the next president? What’s a chad?

George W. Bush won the 2000 election, of course, and was tested in a way that few other presidents have been.

I don’t know that I grew up more as a result of Sept. 11, but I became more aware.

There are people in this world who want to do Americans harm, and we shouldn’t ever forget that.

Coming up on 20 years, I’m at times dismayed at the lack of importance that day holds for some. It is hard to swallow that there’s a generation who don’t remember a pre-9/11 world.

As I’ve graduated college, entered the workforce and started a family, I sometimes imagine what the people would have been thinking in that moment. Would I have the courage of the United 93 passengers, who fought to save their fellow citizens on a highjacked plane? Would I have had the

bravery to help others in the burning World Trade Center towers?

20 years later, I still ask myself these questions and pray I’ll never find out.

A.P. Dillon That morning, I had stopped by to pick up bagels and coffee for my bosses. As a result, I was late getting into the office — late enough that I was unaware a plane had already hit one of the towers. Our receptionist mobbed me at the entrance and rushed me to the conference room where there was a television.

Except for a news-outlet broadcaster speaking, it was silent in that room. It was standing room only with all eyes transfixed on the image of a smoking North WTC tower. I had not even had time to process what was happening and had only been in the room for a few minutes when the second plane impacted the south tower. I remember hearing cries, gasps and yelling all around me. Even today, 20 years later, I can’t be sure I wasn’t one of the ones yelling. I do know I was one of the ones hyperventilating and that a colleague had pulled me from the

room and walked me to the ladies’ bathroom to get a little air and compose myself.

Of all the horrific images that cascade through my memories of that day, what still rises up inside me is the anger — actually, it’s beyond anger; it’s raw outrage, the kind of outrage that chokes you into silence, makes your eyes and throat sting, and your adrenaline pump like a locomotive with a head of steam. That outrage juxtaposed with what I had just been doing that day, normal things like getting coffee and being late — again — for work. It makes the outrage thicker and somehow, sadder, even 20 years later. The 9/11 moniker is “Never Forget.” As if anyone could.

Cory Lavalette My most enduring memory following the Sept. 11 attacks was a feeling — numbness.

It was an almost out-of-body dullness that lasted weeks and left me paralyzed wondering how something so horrifying could happen.

My wife and I were 24 and seven months away from marrying, and we have since raised two children in a post-9/11 world.

Until last month, they lived their entire life in a nation that was at war because of the events of that day. It’s surreal to think they’ve never known the simple joy of seeing a family member emerge from the jet bridge to meet them at an airport gate because of it.

I think everyone went through similar emotions following Sept. 11: disbelief, anger, sorrow and, for me the most profound, numbness. Twenty years later, it’s impossible to erase that feeling. And we never should.

Brett Friedlander I’d already taken my kids to school, and my wife was out on the road at an appointment, so I decided to head back to bed and catch up on some sleep on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

I barely nodded off when my wife called to tell me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. That, however, isn’t my most vivid memory of that tragic event. Rather, it happened three nights later at a high school football stadium in Whiteville.

I was working for the Fayetteville Observer at the time and the game between Whiteville and East Bladen was one of the few that was still being played that Friday night, so they sent me there to cover it.

I don’t recall much about the game, but I do remember fondly that they handed out small American flags to everyone as they entered the gates and that during the national anthem, everyone in attendance — including the players — stood and waved the flags. It was a stirring sight and an emotional tribute that brought tears to a lot of eyes. Mine, too.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

9/11 then and now

America destroyed the immoral equivalent of radical Islamist terrorists today — the Nazis and the Imperial Japanese army — in less than four years during World War II.

I WAS WALKING out of the door to go to a meeting in downtown D.C. on Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2001, when my wife told me a plane had just crashed into one of the Twin Towers in New York. “It probably was a guy who had a heart attack flying a Cessna. I wouldn’t worry about it,” I said somewhat casually before I said goodbye.

As I was driving down Route 50 in Northern Virginia with the top down on that glorious late summer morning, I noticed a puff of black smoke around 9:40 a.m. in the sky to my right. A newsbreak interrupted Tony Kornheiser’s radio show about the Redskins to report that a helicopter had crashed at the Pentagon.

“That musta been one helluva big helicopter!” I thought as the black cloud of smoke grew ever larger to my right as I drove by the Pentagon.

But it was such a beautiful late summer morning that I kept on driving and didn’t give it a second thought.

Everything seemed “normal” until I went over Memorial Bridge and stopped dead in traffic on Constitution Avenue. I heard explosions behind me to my right emanating from the Pentagon and the roar of jet fighters scrambling overhead. Women were running out of the White House across the Ellipse with high heels flying. Police mounted on horseback were galloping like cowboys trying to restore some sense of order while directing panicked White House employees to safe places.

It finally dawned on me that something really bad was going on and I better switch to a news channel. Reports said the Twin Towers and the Pentagon had been attacked by hijacked airplanes and a fourth jetliner was still in the air headed for Washington, probably aimed at the Capitol or the White House which was about a block away to my left as I sat in stuck traffic.

I made it back home four hours later somehow and started to shake from the realization America was at war with someone. The last thing on my mind that afternoon was that I would be named chief of staff to Sen. Elizabeth Dole 14 months later and would go back to work on Capitol Hill, this time on the Senate side in a post-9/11 world.

Young people need to know there was a good reason why American soldiers were in Afghanistan in the first place. We were either going to fight radical Islamist terrorists over there or risk continued deadly attacks on innocent Americans here.

Things were decidedly different on Capitol Hill than a decade earlier.

A Senate security officer issued a Blackberry and a cell phone to me on the first day and said sternly “never turn them off, night or day!”

He might as well have said: “We expect to be attacked again, and soon.”

The feeling of danger working on Capitol Hill after 9/11 was palpable. One late afternoon, I was escorting Sen. Dole across Constitution Avenue to the Russell Senate Office Building (SOB). At the stop light, all I saw were a lot of cab drivers at the stop light who were wearing turbans and had heavy beards. My first thought was “Elizabeth Dole is one of the most famous people in the world.” My second thought was: “I am not a secret service agent. I don’t have a bullet-proof vest. I better do something about this.”

Other indications of imminent danger were the evacuation training sessions every Senate office had to undertake. My job was to guide Sen. Dole out of the Senate in case of an attack. They took me through a series of tunnels and paths from the Russell SOB which ultimately came out near Union Station.

I still have no idea how I got there. I could never find it again.

We evacuated the Senate three times in six months. The first was for anthrax. The second was for ricin. The third time, the cop said: “Son, you don’t even want to know what we think that one was.” I later found out they thought it was a dirty bomb.

Washington changed dramatically after 9/11. One would have thought after 20 years of war, the threat of terrorism would have been eliminated from the face of the earth. America destroyed the immoral equivalent of radical Islamist terrorists today — the Nazis and the Imperial Japanese army — in less than four years during World War II. We did not succeed this time. Everyone now knows the Taliban, Al Qaeda and ISIS have gotten their ruthless band back together to pick up where 9/11 left off. We are going to rue the day we left Afghanistan in such disarray soon enough.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a reminder that the pain never really goes away

I was riddled with guilt for months — I still feel it sometimes — for the petty things I let myself get irritated over that day, considering what all had happened.

THEY SAY THAT TIME heals all wounds. While I’ve found that to be a true statement, the scars remain. The pain, too, never really goes away.

On the issue of 9/11, that is definitely true for millions of Americans, undoubtedly for the survivors of the terrorist attacks and the family members of the victims who lost their lives on a warm summer morning 20 years ago — a horrific day that will be etched into people’s minds for decades to come.

I was in New York City on 9/11. It was my first ever trip up north, and this born and bred southern girl experienced quite the culture shock.

On the Tuesday the attacks happened, I was supposed to fly home that afternoon as was my close friend with whom I had been vacationing the week prior. While my destination was Charlotte, hers was Florida. We’d both enjoyed our time in the city, but we were ready to get home.

We were in Times Square, taking photos of each other at the Rockefeller Center when the first plane hit the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. Not aware of what had happened, we laughed and joked as we tried to appear in a camera shot during a live Today show segment and then headed to get breakfast at a place called Roxy’s Delicatessen.

Along the way, I remember seeing a digital news ticker on a building (maybe it was the Fox News building?) about a plane hitting the WTC. At the time, reports were vague and it was initially believed it was some sort of small commuter plane that maybe had veered off course.

I remember that as we ate our breakfast, a man ran into the restaurant at one point exclaiming “they got the Pentagon!” or something along those lines. My friend and I, along with other patrons, looked at the guy like he was crazy, and we went back to eating. I was also annoyed at the time because I had a voice mail on my Nokia phone that I couldn’t retrieve.

I went outside hoping to be able to get a better signal to retrieve the message, thinking it was another friend who might be needing to

change lunch plans. As I tried in vain, numerous fire trucks flew by, their sirens blaring, and frustratedly I said to myself, “Can I not go anywhere in this damn place without it being so loud?”

As it turned out, the man shouting about the Pentagon was not crazy.

And the voice mail was from my mom, who while at work had heard the reports about the towers being hit and was frantic to make sure we were okay.

I didn’t know at the time that those emergency vehicles I saw were headed to the WTC. I couldn’t get the quietness I desired because those vehicles were headed off to try to save people. I couldn’t hit the buttons on my phone to check my voice mail because the WTC had been hit and as a result just about all forms of phone communication had gone down.

Shortly after, the WTC went down, too, with thousands of lives lost.

I was riddled with guilt for months — I still feel it sometimes — for the petty things I let myself get irritated over that day, considering what all had happened.

Fortunately, we were able to check back into our hotel, and later that week we ended up driving home, where I literally kissed the ground at my mom and dad’s house.

The memories are still fresh for me, along with the pain of what happened that day. As long as the good Lord blesses me with having a memory, I will remember that day, and the terrifying unfiltered images that were flashed on TV. Never forget.

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 8, 2021 COLUMN ZI AZIZI

COLUMN | CATHERINE TRUITT

A military wife reflects on Afghanistan

As an American, I am angry and frustrated that many of our citizens and incredible allies were left behind after the final military transport departed.

NOW THAT American troops have fully withdrawn from Afghanistan, a lot of thoughts have been flooding my mind this week. I want to express those thoughts not just as an education leader but as a wife, mother and American.

As a wife to a service member who has contributed more than 28 years of active and reserve service to the U.S. military — and still counting — my heart breaks for all the loss of life we have seen. This relates not only to the past few days but for the last twenty years.

When I married my husband in 1994, I knew that his service could take him from me.

This awareness always stayed with me during his deployments. Unfortunately, the worries I personally experienced as a spouse became, for many wives and husbands, a horrific reality.

I pray for the thousands of Gold Star families that were created by this conflict. I pray that these spouses, parents and children will have the strength to endure the loss of their loved ones and gratefully acknowledge their sacrifices.

Perhaps I even have a little “survivor’s guilt.”

I am also aware that, after the longest war in our nation’s history, we will have an ongoing need to support the veterans living among us who bear the scars of war. A lot of those scars are very visible, but many of the scars of war are much different today than they were in the 20th Century.

Our veterans and their families have wounds from deployments that you may not see. Many of our youngest veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain Injuries and contemplate suicide. It’s been reported that 20 veterans a day take their lives.

That is unacceptable for our country.

Our government must take a proactive role in addressing these invisible scars of war.

Although the war has ended, we must continue to honor all our veteran heroes, and when you meet one, thank them for their service.

As a mother to two young women and a young man, my thoughts are with the children of Afghanistan. The reports and videos that are leaking out are gut-wrenching. Girls, younger than my daughters, are being kidnapped to

be married off to men that will treat them like property. Boys, younger than my son, are already being recruited and even forced into terrorist service to the Taliban. For those children, if history repeats itself, which it mostly likely will, they will be executed if they do not comply with the terrorists. These harsh realities really should make all of us, as Americans, reflect on how grateful we should be to raise our families in this nation.

As an American, I am angry and frustrated that many of our citizens and incredible allies were left behind after the final military transport departed. I have not seen any of our leaders accept responsibility for a patently obvious and massive failure, and many continue to deny that any problems existed at all. The countless Afghani interpreters and others that aided American troops over the last two decades should not have been abandoned, nor should sophisticated military hardware been left in the hands of a regime that will in all likelihood attack us again.

As a country, we promised these people safety and security as they risked their and their family’s lives for us, and now we left them to fend for themselves. I am also saddened by the massive loss of life over these last few days of our citizens and the lives of the Afghanis.

Seeing these images of life in Afghanistan now should reemphasize how thankful we should all be to live in a country that gives us so many freedoms that many in the Middle East are not granted. If anything positive can come from what we’ve seen transpire in Afghanistan, it is my hope that all Americans can see that even on our worst days, our lives are far better than the situations many around this world find themselves in.

While we continue to strive to be a more perfect nation, we should remain grateful for living in this exceptional country that allows us freedom of religion and speech and the opportunity to vote and raise our families without fear.

people.

Not only is Taiwan obstructed from civil participation, but Taiwanese passport holders are also discriminated against daily. Taiwanese citizens are denied access to UN premises for tours or meetings. Journalists are not allowed to cover UN events.

This jingoism runs counter to the idealistic goals of multilateralism and protecting fundamental rights that the UN represents. By arbitrarily barring Taiwan’s civil society from international cooperation, the UN actively holds back international cooperation.

Taiwan stands ready to offer helping hands and minds. The World Happiness Report 2021 ranked Taiwan the happiest country in East Asia. The citizenry greatly wants to work with global partners and pass on the communitybased solutions and experiences that have benefited its society.

In his oath of office this year, UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres urged that everyone needed a seat at the table to build inclusive, fair and sustainable developments for the future.

Now is the time for Taiwan to sit at that table.

Joseph Wu is Minister in the Taiwan Embassy in Atlanta, Georgia

Zi Azizi is a realtor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in St. Petersburg, Florida

Catherine Truitt is the State Superintendent for Public Instruction in North Carolina

MARY ALTAFFER | AP PHOTO

Posters protesting Taiwan’s continued exclusion from the UN and the international community are seen near the United Nations headquarters during a march and rally, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in New York.

Time for Taiwan at the table The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has placed undue pressure on UN countries and agencies to continue to reject Taiwan.

Broken hearts, Afghanistan NEVER HAS MY HEART been so far from home.

America has been good to me, and I am forever grateful. As a younger man back in Kabul, I worked with much pride for a U.S. defense contractor, and for me, this country always represented the hopes and dreams for my entire family.

In fact, my nickname back home was “Omid,” which in my native language means “Hope.”

I came to America nine years ago, alone.

Now, after the heart-wrenching two weeks in Afghanistan, I am struggling to come to the realization that I may never see my family again. You see, like millions of other Afghans, they supported America and were in a common fight against the terror of the Taliban.

My family, like so many others, now are hidden at home. They went to the airport one day, waited for 20 hours, became dehydrated, suffered intimidation by Taliban thugs, and with my sister-in-law six months pregnant, fled back home for their safety.

From my perspective, America’s fight against the Taliban was the right one.

My nickname The Pakistan-supported back home was terrorists used my native “Omid,” which country to not only kill and harm Afghan families in my native like my own, but to give language means shelter to international “Hope.” terror groups like alQaeda and the Islamic State that seek to harm all Americans.

These tragic losses should have been avoided.

Despite what some in the U.S. are saying, it is not true that the Afghan military refused to fight. More than 60,000 Afghan soldiers have died in the last 20 years. And Afghans fought too. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 innocent Afghan women, men and children have lost their lives. It is painful to watch what has happened in Afghanistan and what is going to happen now under the control of the Taliban.

My heart is shattered for all the Afghans and American families who have lost their loved ones in fighting for freedom in Afghanistan, and we all are heartbroken to watch how this all has ended.

It did not have to end like this.

Shortly before I left Kabul for my new life, the Afghan government was considering allowing the United States to build a number of permanent military bases. Such a move would have benefited both countries.

For America, permanent bases would be militarily strategic beyond South Asia. For Afghanistan, the bases would have been a stabilizing force, providing local economies, the strongest deterrent to Taliban recruitment and support. Like Germany, Japan or Korea, the troop presence on fortified bases would have served the “shona ba shona” ‎— shoulderto-shoulder partnership — the United States military had sewn into patches on their uniforms to demonstrate unity with their Afghan allies.

But politics in both Kabul and Washington ruined that prospect. Over the years, America’s “enduring partnership” weakened as the whole effort was defined as a “war” rather than a model similar to Europe after World War II. The result was the type of rush for the door that destabilized Afghanistan and strengthened the Taliban to the point that it took over Kabul on Aug. 15.

Besides the loss of what could have been for our two countries, what else will be the result of the Taliban’s victory?

For one, Afghan women will lose 20 years of empowerment, progress and education. My mother was a banker in Kabul prior to the original Taliban take-over in 1996. She was forced to quit, wear a burqa and forever lose her own hopes and dreams.

Millions of other young Afghan girls will also lose the opportunities that America built in grade schools, universities, healthcare and in the simple dignity of knowing they too can achieve success. All of that will be lost.

But the 20 years of achievements cut across all parts of Afghan society. Girls and boys learned for the first time since before the Taliban that they could play musical instruments, sing, dance, play sports, and talk to people all over the world on the internet. All of that will be lost.

Finally, for the last 20 years, America helped us build a free and open press with the right to speak up, speak out and freely debate our opinions and ideals. All of that will be lost.

So for me, the beautiful world I have here in America is certainly a comfort. But, seeing the unfolding world before us this week breaks my heart for all Afghans and the Afghanistan that the United States fought so hard to win as they attempted to build a better future.

COLUMN | JOSEPH WU

THE DAUNTING TASK of pandemic response and post-pandemic recovery requires input and assistance from all nations if international efforts are to succeed. It is time for the international community to welcome Taiwan as a full member of the United Nations.

There is no compelling reason to obstruct Taiwan’s participation. The country has already proven that it can offer value as a productive global partner.

Taiwan has contributed to the achievement of several global goals and collaborative efforts among allied partners to tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic.

The nation has fulfilled its UN Sustainable Development Goals in gender equality, clean water, sanitation and health. Taiwan is also spearheading the transition towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In recent history, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has placed undue pressure on UN countries and agencies to continue to reject Taiwan, citing the 1971 UN Resolution that specifies who represents China. However, that resolution does not authorize China to claim sovereignty or representation over Taiwan, despite the PRC’s assertions to the contrary.

This deceptive coercion is restricting the representative freedoms of over 23 million

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

NATION & WORLD US expects to admit more than 50,000 evacuated Afghans

By Ben Fox The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — At least 50,000 Afghans are expected to be admitted into the United States following the fall of Kabul as part of an “enduring commitment” to help people who aided the American war effort and others who are particularly vulnerable under Taliban rule, the secretary of homeland security said last week.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have already made it through security vetting and arrived in the U.S. to begin the process of resettlement. Exactly how many more will come and how long it will take remain open questions, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said as he outlined the effort.

“Our commitment is an enduring one,” he told reporters. “This is not just a matter of the next several weeks. We will not rest until we have accomplished the ultimate goal.”

Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials are providing the most detailed look to date at what began as a frantic and chaotic effort to evacuate U.S. citizens, permanent residents and Afghans before the Aug. 30 withdrawal of American troops and the end of the country’s longest war.

Jack Markell, former governor of Delaware, will serve as coordinator of what the White House is calling “Operation Allies Wel-

come.” He will work alongside the National Security Council, Domestic Policy Council, DHS, and other federal agencies “to ensure vulnerable Afghans who pass screening and vetting reviews are safely and efficiently resettled here in the United States,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House principal deputy press secretary.

The appointment is expected to run through the end of the year.

Nearly 130,000 were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history. Many of those people are still in transit, undergoing security vetting and screening in other countries, including Germany, Spain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Mayorkas said there have been some evacuees who have been stopped at transit countries because of “derogatory information,” though he provided no details. It is unclear what happens to any Afghans who don’t make it through the security screening at the overseas transit points, though the secretary said the U.S. is working with its allies to address the issue.

More than 40,000 have arrived in the U.S. so far. Mayorkas said about 20% are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The rest are people who have received or are in the process of receiving what’s known as a Special Immigrant Visa — for those who worked for the American military or NATO as interpreters or in some other capacity — and Afghans considered

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas updates reporters on the effort to resettle vulnerable Afghans in the United States, in Washington, Friday, Sept. 3. particularly vulnerable under Taliban rule, such as journalists and employees of nongovernmental organizations.

“We have a moral imperative to protect them, to support those who have supported this nation,” said Mayorkas, who as a child came to the U.S. as a refugee from Cuba with his family.

While he said the U.S. expected to admit at least 50,000 Afghans, he suggested there was no set limit or a specific time frame.

“Our mission is not accomplished until we have safely evacuated all U.S. citizens who wish to leave Afghanistan or lawful

permanent residents, all individuals who have assisted the United States in Afghanistan,” he said.

“This effort will not end until we achieve that goal.”

Though the U.S. airlift has ended, Taliban officials have said they would allow people with valid travel papers to leave, and they may feel compelled not to backtrack as they seek to continue receiving foreign aid and run the government.

Most of the Afghans who have arrived in the U.S. are being housed on military bases around the country, receiving medical treatment, assistance with submitting immigration applications

REMEMBERING from page A1 state of mind. As those who beseech us to never forget the Holocaust have long insisted, it is an act. And when loss and trauma are visited upon human beings, the act of remembering takes many forms.

Remembering wears many coats. It arrives in ground zero ceremonies and moments of silence and prayers upon prayers, both public and private. It shows itself in folk memorials like those erected at the sides of lonely roads to mark the sites of traffic deaths. It is embedded in the names of places, like the road that leads to the Flight 93 memorial — the Lincoln Highway.

It surfaces in the retrieval of “flashbulb memories” — those wherewere-you-when-this-happened moments that stick with us, sometimes accurately, sometimes not.

There are personal memories and cultural memories and political memories, and the line between them often blurs.

And for generations, remembering has been presented to us in monuments and memorials like Shanksville’s, negotiated and constructed and fine-tuned to evoke and provoke the memories and emotions of people and moments in certain ways.

“Monuments are history made visible. They are shrines that celebrate the ideals, achievements and heroes that existed in one moment in time,” architectural historian Judith Dupre writes in her 2007 book about them — a book she first pitched to her publisher on, of all dates, Sept. 10, 2001.

What, then, does remembering come to mean on a 20th anniversary, or at any juncture when an event like 9/11 starts to recede into the past — starts to become history — even as its echoes are still shaking the foundations of everything?

“Our present influences how we remember the past — sometimes in ways that are known and sometimes in ways that we don’t realize,” says Jennifer Talarico, a psychology professor at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania who studies how people form personal memories of public events.

Evidence of that is obvious in the events of the past five weeks in Afghanistan, where a 20-year war waged in direct response to 9/11 ended pretty much where it began: with the repressive and violent Taliban in charge once more.

“If we were still in Afghanistan and things were stable, we would be remembering 9/11 in probably a very different way than how we will remember it this year,” says Richard Cooper, a vice president

AP PHOTO

In this Sept. 11, 2020, file photo tribute in Light, two vertical columns of light representing the fallen towers of the World Trade Center shine against the lower Manhattan skyline on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, seen from Jersey City, N.J. at the nonprofit Space Foundation who worked for the Department of Homeland Security for several years after the attacks and has watched many remembrances over the years.

“That heartbreak and pain we felt on the morning of Sept. 12, 2001, is resurrecting itself,” Cooper says, “and that impacts how we remember it today.”

Even within more static forms of memory, such as the Flight 93 National Memorial, the question of how remembering changes and evolves hangs over so much.

In the visitors’ center, visceral, painful artifacts of the moment still bring back the past with astonishing efficiency; twisted, scarred cutlery from in-flight meals is a particularly breathtaking sight. But the variety of remembering that is presented yards away at the quiet overlook and its thoughtful memorial feels more permanent, more eternal — and now, 20 years on, more befitting of something that happened a generation ago.

Paul Murdoch of Los Angeles, the lead architect on the memorial, says it was carefully calibrated to resonate across multiple stages of memory about the event and its implications.

“You can imagine a memorial approach that sort of freezes anger in time, or freezes fear. And that can be a very expressionistic piece of art. But I feel like for something to endure over a long period of time, I think it has to operate a different way,” says Murdoch, who

co-designed the memorial with his wife, Milena.

“Now we have a generation of people who weren’t even alive on 9/11,” Murdoch says. “So how do you talk to people of this new generation — or of future generations?”

That question is particularly potent on this 20th anniversary. Society tends to mark generations in two-decade packages, so there’s an entire one that has been born and come of age since the attacks. That hardly means they haven’t been paying attention, though; they “remember” too, even if they weren’t around.

Krystine Batcho, a psychology professor at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, studies how nostalgia works. She found something interesting a couple years ago when she was researching how young people encountered stories that resonated with them — both personally and through the news.

Even those who lacked living memories of 9/11, Batcho says, responded with stories about the event. It was remembering as shared experience.

And no wonder. So many first encounters with 9/11 on the day it happened were, in the tradition of an information age, both separate and communal. People in different parts of the country and world, under vastly different circumstances, watched the same live camera angles on the same few feeds and saw the same, now-indelible views of the destruction in the same way.

They experienced it apart, but together.

That formed a communal mem-

ory of sorts, even if sometimes people who saw the same things didn’t remember them the same way — a specific camera angle or vantage point, a key figure’s comments, the exact sequence of events. Remembering can be like that, experts like Talarico say, particularly with intense flashbulb memories like 9/11 that carve deep grooves but aren’t necessarily accurate in the details.

“We reconstruct the event through our own lens, and part of that lens is very social,” Batcho says.

“You would think that the memories would be more cohesive and homogeneous. It turns out that it’s much more complicated than that.”

May 31, 2002, less than a year afterward. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani tells high school students in Shanksville at their commencement: “A hundred years from now, people are going to come and want to see it. And they are going to want to know what happened.”

Sept. 11, 2016, the 15th anniversary. President Barack Obama says: “Fifteen years may seem like a long time. But for the families who lost a piece of their heart that day, I imagine it can seem like just yesterday.”

That fundamental tension — it feels like yesterday, yes, but it is also becoming part of history for the long haul — is what confronts us in the coming days as many revisit and consider 9/11 and commit their own acts of remembering.

For those who were not at the nucleus of 9/11’s horror and its pain but experienced it as part of the

and other services aimed at helping them settle in the country.

There were more than 25,000 Afghan evacuees at eight bases with capacity for twice as many, said Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, who heads U.S. Northern Command.

So far, few have tested positive tested positive for COVID-19 and there have been no security problems, but VanHerck said the military has designated an officer to act as a “mayor” of the emerging communities.

“I’m building eight small cities, we’re going to have challenges,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.

culture in which they live, it can somehow manage to feel like both yesterday and a long time ago all at once. And as with so many acts of remembering, it is still being debated and contested — and will be for a long time to come.

“Sober ceremonies should not mislead us into thinking the public remembrance of this horrific event is a settled matter,” 9/11 historian John Bodnar wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece in May. At a hinge point like a major anniversary, particularly with something as seismic as 9/11, it’s easy to fall back on an aphorism like this one from William Faulkner: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” But the saying has endured for a reason.

Memory becomes history. And history — shared history — is held onto tightly, sometimes rabidly. It’s why so many people grasp tightly to comforting, nostalgic historical narratives — even when they’re shown to have been as destructive as they were productive.

The act of remembering something like 9/11 involves exactly that delicate balance. When memory does become history, it can become more remote, like a Revolutionary War memorial for people whose passions and sacrifices have been sanded down by time. With distance, it can calcify.

That’s not going to happen with 9/11 for a long time, of course. Its politics are still roiling. The arguments that it produced — and the ways they sent society hurtling in a different direction — are just as intense as in those early days.

And when a nation pauses to remember the morning 20 years ago when it was attacked, it is not only looking over its shoulder. It is also looking around and wondering: What does this mean to us now?

“What is important in making a memorial, in what you remember and in how you remember it?”

J. William Thompson wondered in his elegant 2017 book, “From Memory to Memorial: Shanksville, America and Flight 93.”

Any answers to that are, understandably, complex. But behind all the formal words and ways to commemorate a day that upended the world, something more fundamental lurks: a simple imperative to hold onto a sense of what changed things, and how.

On the cover of Thompson’s book, a man stands looking at the Shanksville crash site, his right arm raised. In his left he holds a hand-painted sign etched with four words, one declarative sentence: “I did not forget.”

Hurricanes land Jesperi Kotkaniemi, B4

Quarterback Sam Darnold will make his regular season debut with the Panthers on Sunday against his old team, the New York Jets.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Darnold looks to exorcise past ghosts in opener

UNC falls to 24th, NC State, App State receive votes in AP poll

The quarterback faces his old team — and old fears — in his Panthers debut

Indianapolis UNC slid 14 spots to No. 24 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll released Tuesday coming off its loss to Virginia Tech, while NC State got closer to the entering the rankings after its season‑opening shutout of South Florida. The Hokies moved into the poll at No. 19 after they beat the Tar Heels 17-10 in Blacksburg last Friday. The Wolfpack received 69 votes in the latest poll, the 27th‑most and just 14 shy of No. 25 Auburn, after beating USF 45-0 last Thursday at Carter‑Finley Stadium. Appalachian State received one 25th-place vote in this week’s poll after its 33-19 win over in‑state foe East Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Classic last Thursday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Alabama remained No. 1 after its convincing 44-13 win against Miami in Atlanta, and Georgia jumped three spots to No. 2 after its 10-3 win over Clemson in Charlotte.

FIELD HOCKEY

Matson set goals, points record for Heels Princeton, N.J. Senior Erin Matson became the UNC field hockey team’s career leader in goals in the Tar Heels’ 9-1 win Sunday over Penn in a nonconference matchup at Princeton’s Bedford Field. Matson had four goals in the game, equaling the single-game high she achieved twice during the 2019 season. UNC improved to 2-0 on the season over the weekend, and Matson — a forward from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania — has 87 career goals and 221 points in her fourth season as a Tar Heel, breaking the records of 84 goals and 212 points by fellow two-time Honda Award winner Cindy Werley, who played for the Tar Heels from 1993-97.

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE GHOSTS are still there.

The play the Panthers didn’t want you to see occurred on the second snap of the second quarter in the final preseason game.

Sam Darnold took the snap and began going through his reads. He’d been accurate up until that point, completing 9 of his first 11 passes for 66 yards. Most of his throws were close to the line of scrimmage and released quickly. Pro Football Focus would calculate that he was releasing the ball after an average of 2.6 seconds and throwing it

within 4½ yards of the line.

There were signs of trouble near the end of the first quarter, however. He cut bait and scrambled on a snap near the end of the last drive, and he was sacked on the last play of the first quarter. He opened the second quarter with a miscommunication with Robby Anderson on an incompletion that was far off the mark.

Then it happened.

Steelers end Cassius Marsh stunted and got free between the center and guard. Suddenly, he was in Darnold’s face.

Darnold spun away from him, turning his back to the line briefly. When he finished his spin and faced forward, linebacker Jamir Jones was there, ready to wrap him up if Marsh didn’t finish the job.

Sandwiched between the two

defenders, Darnold did the unthinkable. He jumped and threw the ball blindly as he was hit from two sides. The ball hit offensive lineman Cam Erving and bounced backward, where players from both teams fell on it.

It was ruled an incompletion, not a fumble. Darnold famously said that he “saw ghosts” while under pressure in a game against the Patriots during his New York Jets days. Perhaps the referees saw one as well because Darnold was not called for grounding despite the fact no eligible receiver was visible in the television shot of the play.

The Panthers kept running back Christian McCaffrey off the field for the entire preseason. After he missed most of last season with ankle, shoulder and thigh injuries, there was no reason to risk him physically in games that didn’t count.

The team also left Darnold off the field for the first game and played him in an extremely limited role in the second week of preseason. The damage they were hoping to avoid wasn’t to his body, however, but rather to his psyche.

Darnold endured three nightmare years in New York, seeing ghosts and running for his life behind a shaky line. Now, as he and

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

“I’m trying to keep calm in the pocket.”

Sam Darnold, Panthers quarterback the Panthers prepare to face his old team in the season opener, the question remains: How will he react under pressure?

“For me, I’m learning from what works and what doesn’t,” Darnold said of the makeover his game has undergone over the offseason, one that includes a new mindset. “I’m keeping things that work and getting rid of bad habits.”

What habits would those be?

“I’m trying to keep calm in the pocket,” he admitted. “I mean my feet. Keep my feet calm. Understand my progressions. If a guy’s in my face or I feel like I need to get out, I’m able to do that. But stay calm, go through progressions, hit the open guy.”

Even in his description of how he’s supposed to be doing things, he interrupted himself with concerns over pressure from the pass rush, See DARNOLD, page B3

Wolfpack hit the road against SEC foe NC State travels to Mississippi State on Saturday looking to build off its opening win

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal RALEIGH — NC State took care of business with a 45-0 shutout of South Florida last Thursday to help salvage at least a sliver of pride for the ACC in what was an overall dismal start to the 2021 football season for the conference.

This week, the Wolfpack don’t just have a chance to give the ACC an even bigger boost, it can also help its own cause considerably by going on the road against an SEC opponent and beating Mississippi State.

“To play against a coach like Mike Leach, who has done nothing but win everywhere he’s coached, in a stadium that has — I’ve been reading about it all day — just the fanfare, the noise, the whole thing,” State coach Dave Doeren said at his regular weekly press conference Monday. “It’s going to be an awesome opportunity.”

It’s an opportunity that will undoubtedly be discussed at length between now and Satur-

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

The NC State defense posted a shutout in a season-opening win over South Florida, but the Wolfpack will have their hands full with Mississippi State and coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense on Saturday in Starkville. day’s kickoff in Starkville. And not just among the Wolfpack, who are looking for their first regular season victory against an SEC foe since beating a South Carolina team that went winless in 1999.

As a league, the ACC went 0 for 3 in head-to-head matchups against the nation’s top conference last week.

“I don’t really have to say a lot

with that,” Doeren said of the SEC’s traditional dominance of the ACC, a subject he brought up briefly at his team’s meeting on Sunday. “We are playing another Power 5 team from a conference that gets a lot of notoriety. It’s an opportunity for us to continue to earn respect.

“Obviously playing on the road against a team like that from their

league, to find a way to win that game, it’s good for your team. It’s good for your program. Our guys are aware that we are playing an SEC team. It won’t be something I talk about five days in a row, I can tell you that. But it is something that is worth a conversation.”

State let its play do the talking for it on Thursday with an impressive opening-night performance at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Ricky Person scored three touchdowns and combined with Zonovan Knight to become the first Wolfpack duo since 2015 to rush for more than 100 yards in the same game, while quarterback Devin Leary threw for 232 yards and a pair of scores in his return from a broken leg last October.

Defensively, Drake Thomas, Tanner Ingle and Florida State transfer Cyrus Fagan all collected interceptions to help a vastly improved unit keep the opposition off the scoreboard and get 2021 off to a flying start.

More importantly, State committed only three penalties, didn’t turn the ball over and came out of the game injury-free. Based heavily on its performance against USF, the Wolfpack have opened as a 2½-point favorite for this week’s See NC STATE, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

9.8.21

TRENDING

Jimmy Lambert: The 26-year-old White Sox pitching prospect was recalled from the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on Monday. The right-handed Lambert was set to make his third career big league start Tuesday night. He is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three appearances with the White Sox this season. Lambert was 3-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 18 starts with Charlotte, striking out 78 in 59 2/3 innings. Right‑hander Matt Foster, 2-1 with a 6.06 ERA in 33 appearances with Chicago this year, was optioned to Charlotte to make room on the roster.

Randy Edsall: The UConn football coach left the program a day after he announced he would retire at the end of the season. Defensive coordinator Lou Spanos will serve as interim coach for the Huskies, who lost 38-28 to FCS opponent Holy Cross to fall to 0-2. Edsall, 63, went 74-70 during his first go-around at UConn from 1999 to 2010, winning Big East titles in 2007 and 2010. But he has won just six games since he returned to the Huskies for a second stint as coach in 2017. He was rehired by UConn after going 22-34 at Maryland.

Jean-Pierre Adams: The former France and Paris Saint-Germain soccer defender who spent 39 years in a coma has died. He was 73. Adams, cared for by his wife Bernadette, has been lying in a coma at his home in the southern French city of Nimes since 1982. He was injured in a match and required knee surgery. During the operation at Lyon Hospital, an anesthetic error saw him fall into a coma.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NFL

David Patten, the undrafted receiver out of Western Carolina who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, died in a motorcycle accident near Columbia, South Carolina, last Thursday. He was 47. Patten had 324 receptions and 4,715 yards with 24 touchdowns during his 12-year NFL career. He caught an 8-yard touchdown against the Rams in Super Bowl 36 to help New England to the first of its six titles.

JOHN RAOUX | AP PHOTO

“I tried to video game it.”

Kyle Larson on his against-the-wall move in the final turn of the Southern 500 at Darlington that came up just short in Denny Hamlin’s win in the Cup Series playoff opener.

J.B. FORBES | ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH VIA AP

MLB

SOCCER

SETH WENIG | AP PHOTO

“I’m going to have 9 million death threats and whatnot.”

American Shelby Rogers, who received social media praise after beating No. 1 seed Ash Barty at the U.S. Open, after she lost 6-2, 6-1 to Emma Raducanu on Monday.

CHRIS O’MEARA | AP PHOTO

Rays rookie Wander Franco has reached base safely in 36 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors. The former Durham Bull was tied with Mickey Mantle (1951-52) for the best by an AL player under age 21 heading into Tuesday’s game. Frank Robinson reached base safely in 43 consecutive games for the Reds in 1956.

STEVE LUCIANO | AP PHOTO

Jill Ellis, the former NC State assistant coach who led the U.S women’s national soccer team to two World Cup victories, was hired by FIFA to be lead adviser on the future of women’s soccer. The governing body is trying to prepare for the impact of the men’s and women’s World Cups being turned into biennial events.

PRIME NUMBER

10 Touchdown passes for Presbyterian quarterback Ren Hefley against St. Andrews, an NAIA team from Laurinburg, on Sunday, an FCS record. Hefley, a transfer from Michigan, completed 38 of 50 passes for 538 yards in the Blue Hose’s 84-43 win.

GOLF

DAVID DERMER | AP PHOTO

Europe never trailed and won their second straight Solheim Cup, defeating the host Americans 15-13 in Toledo, Ohio, for their fourth win in the event’s last six meetings. The Europeans were led by rookie Leona Maguire, the 26-year-old former Duke standout who went unbeaten (4-0-1) and was the only player on either side to participate in all five sessions.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B3

Duke, NC A&T both looking for elusive win after 0-1 starts The Aggies and Blue Devils suffered mistake-filled opening losses

By Shawn Krest North State Journal HEAD COACH Sam Washington had a long list of what went wrong in NC A&T’s season-opening loss to Furman. Many of them boiled down to one factor.

“We were rusty,” he said.

That’s understandable. While many FCS teams played in the spring, A&T opted out of last season entirely and was playing its first game since Dec. 21, 2019, when the Aggies won the Celebration Bowl.

That led to some unusual things going wrong — including a play call that didn’t get heard because the people on the sideline receiving the message from upstairs only listened on one headset earphone.

There were also on-field issues.

“We dropped two extra point snaps,” he said. “We didn’t make good choices on run-pass options.”

Now A&T will get the chance to even its record against another team that is pointing at a long list of mistakes that kept it from getting a victory in a winnable opener — the Duke Blue Devils.

The Aggies head to Duke on Friday night with both teams needing a win badly.

A&T has a bye week followed by its annual rivalry game against NC Central before starting its league schedule in its new conference, the Big South.

Duke faces an even more daunting schedule with Northwestern following the Aggies to Durham.

Duke then concludes its nonconference schedule with Kansas before leaping into the ACC slate against the rival Tar Heels. Other than the Aggies, Kansas and possibly Georgia Tech appear to be Duke’s best chances to get a win

this season. While coach David Cutcliffe is still praised by Duke athletic department officials for rebuilding the program, back-toback losses to Charlotte and A&T, on the heels of a 2-9 season, could put anyone on the hot seat.

Normally, a game against an FCS team would be a chance for a Power Five team to get well, but nothing is assured for the Blue Devils, who became the first major conference team to lose to Charlotte in the opener.

A&T won the HBCU national championship in its last game before Furman, and the Aggies will address their biggest weakness simply by having played a game more recently than 20 months ago.

“We’ll be better prepared this upcoming week,” Washington said.

They’ll also be much more complete. The Aggies were playing without a host of key players in the opener, including the entire defensive line.

“Our front four — our legit front four — will be back this coming Saturday,” Washington declared, knocking on the wood lectern just to be safe. “We were missing all four of them (against Furman). That’s tough. But Devin Harrell, Jermaine (McDaniel), Karfa (Kaba) and Michael Branch — we’re happy to have those guys back.”

Three of the four — everyone except Kaba — played for the 2019 championship team, combining for 26.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.

They were certainly missed last week.

“We weren’t able to get pressure on the quarterback,” Washington said. “If he’s sitting there patting the ball, they’re going to have big plays. … If you lose your front four, there’s going to be a slippery dropoff. I don’t care who you are.”

Several other key defensive players also missed the game,

although it won’t be clear until closer to game time how many will return. The list includes rover William Jones, defensive backs Janaz Sumpter and Herbert Booker, and receiver Zach Leslie.

Two players that did see time in the opener are also likely to miss time. Linebacker Jacob Roberts was ejected in the second half for targeting and has to sit out the first half against Duke. Cornerback DJ Crossen left the game with an injury, and Washington confirmed he’s in the concussion protocol.

Duke will need to limit explosive plays on defense after allowing Charlotte to score twice in the final three minutes to pull out an upset win. Cutcliffe pointed out that the 49ers gained 218 yards on six plays.

One area where the Blue Devils could have an advantage is in the ground game.

“We had a lot of emphasis on stopping the run,” Washington said of the Furman game, “and when we needed to stop them most, we did not.” The Aggies gave up 125 yards on the ground in the loss.

Duke running back Mataeo Durant set a Blue Devils single-game rushing record with 255 yards on the ground against Charlotte, including a pair of 50-plus yard touchdown runs.

“They are faster,” Washington said of Duke’s personnel when compared to Furman’s. “No. 21 (Durant) can fly. … Speed is going to be the significant difference between those two teams.”

While rust was the story of Week 1 and speed appears to be the big difference this week, the game could come down to one of the most common culprits in losing football games — mistakes.

A&T and Duke made plenty in season-opening losses. The team that limits them this week could be the one to come away with a crucial win.

BRIAN WESTERHOLT | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coach David Cutcliffe will be looking for a bounce-back performance from the Blue Devils in Friday’s home game against North Carolina A&T.

DARNOLD from page B1 likely not a good sign.

“It’s just understanding, being confident in my protections — the offensive line — trust in the guys running routes. Trust that all 11 people will do their job,” he said, then immediately went back to concerns over what may go wrong.

“It’s peace of mind, just going through the progressions. If I feel something or feel like it’s not there, being able to escape and make a play.”

While Darnold will likely feel motivated facing his old team, the truth is the Jets have undergone a transformation since he left. Anderson, whose departure preceded Darnold’s by one season, said, “It’s just another opponent to me. It’s

not really my old group anyway.

There’s two, maybe three guys left that I played with.”

In their place is a new regime, led by coach Robert Saleh, a defensive mastermind during his days as the 49ers’ coordinator.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule has been watching tape of the 49ers defense to see what to expect from Saleh’s Jets — and none of it bodes well for a quarterback looking to build confidence in the pocket.

“They’re gonna get after you,” Rhule said. “Be physical, run to the football. They’re well put together defensively. They always will have a good rush, tremendous defensive linemen that they’ve drafted over the last few years.”

Also not a good sign — Carolina hasn’t exactly been a model of sta-

bility on the offensive line in recent years, and the team took a hit up front this week when right guard John Miller was ruled out for the game after being placed on the COVID list. Dennis Daley will get the start instead.

“We’re really comfortable with Dennis,” Rhule said. “We feel like he should be starting. He has the skill set of a starter. He’s just had some bumps along the way.”

And when an offensive lineman “has bumps along the way,” it’s usually the quarterback who ends up feeling them, both in their body and in their mind.

As much as the Panthers have tried to hide them, the ghosts are still there. The question remains: What will Sam Darnold do when he sees them?

JACOB KUPFERMAN | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed most of last season with an injury, did not play at all in the preseason but will be ready for Sunday’s opener against the Jets.

CHRIS CARLSON | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tight end Miller Gibbs and Appalachian State will look to build off last week’s win over East Carolina and pull off an upset when the Mountaineers play Saturday at Miami.

App State prepared for Hurricanes’ speed The Mountaineers will try and earn a Power Five win when they visit Miami

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal THERE’S A BUZZ around college football that Miami should be on upset alert against Appalachian State on Saturday based on the results of last week’s season-opening games.

Mountaineers coach Shawn Clark isn’t buying it.

While he’s confident in his team and its chances against the Hurricanes in the nationally televised matchup at Hard Rock Stadium, he understands there’s no comparison between a win against East Carolina — no matter how impressive it might have been — and a blowout loss to the best team in the country.

“I know the score didn’t look good for Miami,” Clark said Monday of the Hurricanes’ 44-13 dismantling at the hands of No. 1 Alabama. “But they have an unbelievable football team with a lot of talent.

“I can’t tell you how fast they are. They’ve got big guys up front, great running backs, great receivers, their quarterback is outstanding, their kicking game is great.

There are really no holes that I see on their team except that they played Alabama. We have our work cut out for us on Saturday.”

As respectful as Clark is of the Hurricanes, neither he nor his team will be intimidated by either the opposition or the surroundings Saturday.

The Mountaineers have a long history of playing on even terms with Power Five teams, including road victories at UNC and South Carolina as recently as 2019.

They’re also an experienced group, with 13 players — including nine starters — returning for a second senior season thanks to the extra year of eligibility given to them by the NCAA in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Included in that group is receiver Corey Sutton, a first-team preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection last year before opting out as a COVID precaution, and offensive lineman Baer Hunter, a member of this year’s preseason first-team.

App State ranked in the top 20 nationally last season in both scoring defense and total defense, and its running game is explosive. The duo of Camerun Peoples and Nate Noel averaged better than 7 yards per carry against the Pirates last week while rushing for more than

NC STATE from page B1 showdown against Mississippi State.

“I don’t know about what message we sent, but we tried to put on display what our brand of football is,” said linebacker Thomas, who also led the team with eight tackles. “We’re trying to play hard, fast, tough and disciplined. I think we did that (Thursday). It was a good start.”

As impressive as State’s performance against the Bulls might have been, Doeren and his players understand it was only a dress rehearsal for the first real test to come.

They’re not taking Mississippi State lightly, even after it had to rally from 20 points down in the final 12 minutes to avoid an upset at the hands of Louisiana Tech in its opening game on Saturday.

According to Doeren, the late comeback that produced a 3534 win only shows how dangerous the Bulldogs can be when Leach’s pass-happy Air Raid offense starts gaining momentum and clicks into high gear.

Mississippi State rushed for only 65 yards against Louisiana

100 yards each.

From a statistical standpoint, the disparity in the teams isn’t that wide. The biggest difference, according to Clark, is speed.

“That’s the main thing I keep talking about all the time,” the App State coach said. “They can run sideline-to-sideline and some of those 50-yard gains you might see turn into 10-yard gains because they can track you down from the backside.”

Preparing for that kind of speed is the most challenging aspect of pregame preparations for Clark and his staff.

“We’ll come up with a great plan for that, but you can’t replicate team speed,” Clark said. “We have a fast football team. They have a faster football team. Our guys see it, they know what’s going on. It’s one of those situations that you have to know what you’re getting into before the game starts.”

At least some of the Mountaineers already have experience in what they’re going to face against Miami. Several team members, including receivers Thomas Hennigan and Malik Williams, played against the Hurricanes in 2016 when the ACC team came to Boone.

Despite a record crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium for the highly anticipated game, things didn’t go well for App State. Miami scored a touchdown on the opening play and never looked back on the way to a 45-10 victory.

Quarterback Chase Brice has also seen action against the Hurricanes, both as a backup at Clemson and as a starter last season at Duke. Although he completed 20 of 25 passes in that game, he managed just 94 passing yards and the Blue Devils were shut out in a 45-0 loss.

Brice got off to an encouraging start with his third team in three years, throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns in his App State debut. The key to his success was his ability to limit turnovers, something that plagued him last season with the Blue Devils.

Ball protection will be especially important this week against a team the caliber of Miami.

“One thing we talked about with Chase all through the summer and last week is, ‘You don’t have to win the football game.’

We have to manage the football game,” Clark said. “If you look at our games from years past, what gets us in trouble are when we turn the football over and presnap penalties. I’m very pleased with where he is right now, but he has a lot of room for improvement like we all do.”

Tech while quarterback Will Rogers threw the ball 47 times, completing 39 for 370 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

“It’s really like playing third down on first and second down in a lot of ways,” the State coach said. “(Leach’s) passing game and playbook is the same on first down, second down and third down, with the exception of short yardage. They’re very good at what they do.

“We have to be able to tackle in space. As a defensive coach, you’ve got to have answers and you can’t be one-dimensional.

You have to be able to do a lot of different things against him because if you sit in one thing, he can just pick you apart.”

Other than the style of play and the conferences they represent, Doeren said there are a lot of similarities between the Wolfpack and Bulldogs.

“I have great respect for Mississippi State’s program, and I have for a long time,” he said.

“They are a blue-collar, tough group. They’re very similar, passionate, tough. I like what they are about. I’ve always respected how they play.”

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Quarterback Holton Ahlers and the Pirates host South Carolina on Saturday in East Carolina’s home opener.

ECU expects ‘electric’ crowd for visit from Gamecocks The Pirates are favored over their SEC opponent in Saturday’s home opener

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal SOUTH CAROLINA is a brand-name opponent from the most powerful conference in college football.

But that doesn’t impress East Carolina all that much. Not after what the Pirates experienced against Appalachian State in their season opener Thursday in Charlotte.

“I’m telling you, Appalachian State is a top-25 team nationally, so we’ve faced a quality opponent,” coach Mike Houston said Tuesday of the Mountaineers, who put a 33-19 hurting on his ECU squad in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. “We’re facing another quality opponent.

Everybody puts a lot of attention on them because of the conference they come from, but there’s good

teams across this country everywhere.”

There just happens to be a greater concentration of those top teams in the SEC, as the Pirates have experienced firsthand over the years.

ECU is 4-19 all-time against SEC opponents. On the plus side, all four of those wins have come against South Carolina.

While it’s been nearly 22 years since the most recent of those victories, circumstances surrounding Saturday’s home opener at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium give the Pirates their best shot at beating the Gamecocks since a 21-3 triumph in Columbia on Sept. 18, 1999.

At least the folks in Las Vegas think so.

ECU, despite its loss to App State, is a two-point favorite against a South Carolina team that put a 46-0 walloping on Eastern Illinois in its opener last week. The Gamecocks, however, are coming off a 2-8 season and will be play-

“Most teams have some mistakes in game one and they get fixed. That’s why you see the improvement from game one to game two.”

Mike Houston, ECU coach ing on the road for the first time in just their second game under new coach Shane Beamer.

Regardless of the records and the conference affiliation, Houston said his team will have to protect quarterback Holton Ahlers better than it did last week to have any chance at winning.

The Pirates gave up four sacks and five hurries against the Mountaineers. Among their seven penalties for 90 yards was a holding call that nullified a 59-yard run by

Ahlers and an offensive interference infraction that wiped out a touchdown pass to tight end Shane Calhoun.

To make matters worse, starting right tackle Bailey Malovic was lost to a season-ending injury in the game.

“The frustrating thing is that it just wasn’t one guy. It was maybe six or seven guys one time,” Houston said of ECU’s offensive issues.

“You put all that together and it looks like you had more issues than you had. But I do feel like those issues are fixable. Most teams have some mistakes in game one and they get fixed. That’s why you see the improvement from game one to game two.”

As solid as South Carolina looked in its opening game, it also figures to be improved with the addition of leading rusher Kevin Harris.

The sophomore running back rushed for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.15 yards per carry last season. He’s been recovering from what has been reported as “a minor procedure on his back” over the summer, but he is expected to be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game.

He might not be the only addition for the Gamecocks.

There’s also a chance start-

CHRIS CARLSON | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ing quarterback Luke Doty will be ready to return after missing much of preseason camp with a foot injury. Zeb Noland, a graduate assistant who was pressed into service at quarterback when Doty was sidelined, filled in well against Eastern Illinois, throwing for 121 yards and four touchdowns.

As for which quarterback will start and how much each might play, Beamer isn’t tipping his hand.

“I’m sure Houston would love that, and he knows he’s got to get ready for Dakereon Joyner, they’ve got to get ready for Luke Doty and Zeb,” Beamer said of his three quarterbacks. “We do a lot of different things offensively, so no. I don’t know why I would.”

Regardless of who ends up under center, there’s at least one thing ECU has going for it. For the first time since 2019, it will enjoy a true home-field advantage.

“It’s going to mean a lot,” Houston said. “It’s probably going to be the biggest crowd since I’ve been here. So I think they’re excited about it. It will obviously be electric.

“It’s one of the reasons so many of them came here to East Carolina, because of Pirate Nation and the way Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is on game day. It should be a great home-field advantage and something for them to feed off.”

Kotkaniemi ‘felt the confidence’ upon signing with Hurricanes With the weeklong offer sheet saga over, attention now shifts to Carolina getting the most out of their newest player

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — Better, stronger, faster — that was the goal in rebuilding Steve Austin, the fictitious Air Force colonel-turned-cyborg from 1970s TV and film.

On Saturday, the Hurricanes added a $6 million man of their own after the Montreal Canadiens decided not to match Carolina’s offer sheet on 21-year-old forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi and relinquished the 2018 third overall pick in exchange for first- and thirdround picks in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Now the Hurricanes will look to rebuild Kotkaniemi — not with cybernetic enhancements but rather by untapping his potential.

“We were looking to add to our top group there, and to be able to add a player like Jesperi, at 21 years old, it’s only going to continue to get better.” Hurricanes GM Don Waddell said Sunday in a call with the media.

And who better to help Kotkaniemi regain his confidence and justify his inflated one-year, $6.1 contract than Jack Adams Award-winning coach Rod Brind’Amour? In three years, Brind’Amour has already gained a reputation as one of the NHL’s top coaches and has a track record of turning young talent into NHL productivity.

There’s also a built-in support system with a franchise known for acquiring Finnish players — one that already has Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen among its

WINSLOW TOWNSEND | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jesperi Kotkaniemi joined the Hurricanes after Montreal decided not to match Carolina’s offer sheet on the 21-year-old forward. forwards.

Aho also knows what it’s like to be part of an offer sheet. Two years ago, he signed one from Montreal — a significantly less-lethal offer than Carolina’s — and stayed with the Hurricanes on a five-year, $42.27 million contract.

Aho’s response to the pressure?

He posted a 38-goal season in 2019-20 and followed it up with a point-per-game campaign last year that solidified his spot as one of the NHL’s top young stars.

“I just knew Carolina has a great team,” Kotkaniemi said of signing the offer sheet with the Hurricanes while acknowledging that two of his nation’s top players are now his teammates.

Unlike Aho and Teravainen though, Kotkaniemi hasn’t yet

proven he is on a road to stardom. He had just five goals and 20 points for the Canadiens last season while mostly toiling on Montreal’s third line. His postseason was much better — five goals and three assists in 19 games — but it was overshadowed by the fact he was scratched in the last two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

“I had my role the last few years, but you can say I felt the confidence from the first second from Carolina,” Kotkaniemi said. “So like I said, that feels good.”

Either way, Kotkaniemi hasn’t done enough — and likely won’t do enough — to produce $6 million in value for the Hurricanes in 202122. But that isn’t the bet made by owner Tom Dundon, Waddell and Carolina’s front office. The

Hurricanes’ brass is counting on Kotkaniemi becoming at least a 50-point player for the long haul.

That’s the risk and everyone knows it, including the Hurricanes. Even if the team and Kotkaniemi have already discussed an extension beyond this coming season that lowers his Lee Majors-sized contract — Waddell said the two sides hadn’t — the just-turned 21-year-old will need to show that in the pantheon of recent third overall selections he’s closer to Jonathan Huberdeau than Alex Galchenyuk.

That will start with Kotkaniemi — who played almost exclusively at center from Day 1 in Montreal — in a different role when he joins the Hurricanes.

“We know his skill level, we

know what he brings to the table,” Waddell said. “We actually think, right now, we’ll probably start him on left wing. We’ve got Aho, (Vincent) Trocheck and (Jordan) Staal down the middle, and he’ll get to play with some very good players.

We think he’s got the skill to be able to do that.”

That wasn’t always the case in Montreal, where Kotkaniemi was limited to an average ice time of 14:48 and was often put with checkers like Joel Armia, Arthur Lehkonen or Paul Byron. That said, he also played frequently with skilled players like Jonathan Drouin and Josh Anderson last season and struggled to find success.

Carolina will make room for Kotkaniemi’s contract by putting defenseman Jake Gardiner on long-term injured reserve. Waddell said Gardiner will have back and hip surgery and “not be ready to go this year.”

The focus now turns to Kotkaniemi and, in the big picture, the Hurricanes’ pursuit of a Stanley Cup. “I think they’re one of the Cup contenders next year,” Kotkaniemi said, “so it’s always an honor to be part of a team like that.”

Kotkaniemi likely doesn’t have any idea who “The Six Million Dollar Man” is, but he will learn the pressure of living up to the expectations that come with that investment. The kettle will boil early for him with Carolina’s third game of the regular season in Montreal on Oct. 21, and it will continue to simmer as the Hurricanes try to do what the Canadiens couldn’t — both help Kotkaniemi realize his potential and win a Stanley Cup. The answer might not come for years, but it likely won’t take a bionic eye to determine whether Saturday’s big investment in Kotkaniemi was worth it.

A7

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So while worker are in aor better there or were no plans to re-we shoul areasstill widely available, pandemic. A housekeeper “Rape and Queer Performativity money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to make fa mfortable withCulture thisand so-called “new sacrifices are systems, center-pivot don’t carewill if they others sick. thethe same shouldn’t get co evaluate end time of thewe unemploymany of Americans faceget La-themselves Hilton Hawaiian Village resort otherwise checked. positionorgoing into Labor at Urban Dog Parks.”on This paper’s subject health care workers out of his own home. sprinkler irrigation ment benefits.

Day with a suddenly shrunkin Honolulu, the single mother of bor Since when did questioning government normal.” over. at all levels become a bad was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape Day in 2021 than theywere weresupposed on “Twenty-two-trillion-dollar en social safety net. free citizens living two saw her income completely thing? approximately half of the That is what a free society Not one little bit. paper eventually forced Boghossian, economies work in no small part “This be a double wham- Labor Day 2020.” vanish as the virus devastated the to do, tillable acres. Promised lastwill I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out on momentum and we have strong my of hardship,” said Jamie Conhospitality industry. under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah Land›s planned capital 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 momentum going in the right ditreras, secretary-treasurer of the For more than a year, Taboniar dState and Legal Insurrection. improvements include had figured out what they were doing. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After is a regular contributor to Re U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh rectionand on behalf of the American depended entirely on boosted un- SEIU, a union that represents Some papers accepted drainage, irrigation, andfor publication from H1N1buildings virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic,workforce,” said Jared Bernstein, custodians in the office employment benefits and a net- suffering in academic journals advocated training grain storage projects. take extra precautions, because all of this brings up a member of the White House andbeen foodtrying servicetoworkers in airwork of local foodbanks to feed I’ve men like dogsPartners and punishing Farmland Inc., white male Council of Economic Advisers. back?” ports.

“We’re not anywhere near her family. Even this summer as way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. college students for historical slavery by She’s planning to apply for the People still need help. ...

For the vaccine rollout took hold and done. a leading farmland REIT, But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has Labor Secretary Marty Walsh asking them to sit in silence on the floor in tourists began to travel again, her millions of people nothing has newly expanded SNAP assistance said he believed the country’s laserves as Promised Land’s chains during class and to be expected to work was slow to return, peaking changed from a year and a half program, better known as food bor force was ready for the shift. property Promised learn frommanager. the discomfort.

Other papers “Overall the economy is movstamps, but doubts that will be at 11 days in August — about half ago.”

Land’s collaboration celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life For Taboniar, 43, that means enough to make up the difference. ing forward and recovering,” her pre-pandemic workload. choice and advocated treating privately with Farmland Partners Taboniar is one of millions of her unemployment benefits will “I’m just grasping for anything,” Walsh said in an interview. “I conducted masturbation as a form of creates a uniquely scalable think the American economy and Americans for whom Labor Day completely disappear — even as she said. sexual violence against women. Typically, opportunity zone platform President Joe Biden’s admin- the American worker are in a bet2021 represented a perilous cross- her work hours vanish again. A academic journal editors send submitted roads. Two primary anchors of fresh virus surge prompted Ha- istration believes the U.S. econo- ter position going into Labor Day for socially minded papers out to referees for review. In the government’s COVID protec- waii’s governor to recommend my is strong enough not to be rat- 2021 than they were on Labor Day investment in an underrated, recommending acceptance for publication, tion package expired on Monday, that vacationers delay their plans. tled by evictions or the drop in 2020.” inflation-protected asset many reviewers gave these papers glowing Walsh and others point to en“It’s really scaring me,” she said. unemployment benefits. Officials affecting an estimated 8.9 million class. Farmland Partners praise. people who will stop receiving all “How can I pay rent if I don’t have maintain that other elements of Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran and Promised Land quickly unemployment benefits. A federal unemployment and my job isn’t the safety net, like the Child See COVID, page B6 certain grievance studies concepts through sourced, underwrote, the Lexis/Nexis database, leased, and financed thisto see how often they appeared in our press over the years. portfolio centerpiece.

He found huge increases in the usages Promised Land was of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” created to acquire, improve, “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” andofstimulate economic All this is being taught to college students, manyassociated of whom become primary development and teachers who then withsecondary farmlandschool located June and July had followed wide- sufficient to lower the unemploy- to work in August because their The Associated Press indoctrinate our young people. in qualified opportunity spread vaccinations that allowed ment rate to 5.2% from 5.4% in employer closed or lost business to I doubt whether the coronavirusWASHINGTON, D.C. — Amer- the economy to fully reopen from July. With consumers willing the pandemic than said so in July.

United zones in the caused financial crunch will give college Hiring in the category that inica’s employers added just 235,000 pandemic restrictions. Now, with to spend and companies trying States («QOZs»), as and university administrators, who are a jobs in August, a surprisingly Americans buying fewer plane to hire, the U.S. economy looks cludes restaurants, bars and hodescribed by the Tax Cuts crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, tels sank to zero in August after weak gain after two months of ro- tickets, reducing hotel stays and healthy. andguts Jobs Act of 2017.to QOZs the and backbone restore academic The details of Friday’s jobs re- those sectors had added roughbust hiring and the clearest sign to filling fewer entertainment venrespectability.

Far too often, they get much are economically distressed date that the delta variant’s spread ues, some employers in those ar- port showed how the delta variant ly 400,000 jobs in both June and of their politicalinsupport communities which from campushas discouraged some people from eas have slowed their hiring. held back job growth last month. July. Restaurant dining, after havgrievance people who are members of the new investments, under Still, the number of job open- The sectors of the economy where ing fully recovered in late June, flying, shopping and eating out. faculty and diversity and multicultural The August job growth the gov- ings remains at record levels, with hiring was weakest — restau- has declined to about 9% below certain conditions, administrative offices.may be ernment reported Friday fell far many businesses eager for work- rants, hotels and retailers — were pre-pandemic levels, according to eligible for preferential tax The best hope lies with boards of short of the sizable gains of rough- ers, and hiring is likely to rebound mainly those that require face-to- reservations website OpenTable. treatment. trustees, though many serve as yes-men

business & economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

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VISUAL VOICES

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

Two anchors of COVID safety net ending, affecting millions

US hiring slows as delta variant weakens travel and tourism

ly 1 million in each of the previous for the university president. I think that a two months. The hiring jumps in 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.

in the coming months. Even last month’s modest job growth was

face contact with the public. More Americans said they were unable

See TRAVEL, page B6

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B6

Legal shield for Purdue Pharma owners is at heart of appeals For the week ending 8/26

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 COVID from page A1 couraging job numbers; as of Friday the unemployment rate was down to a fairly healthy 5.2%. But Andrew Stettler, a senior fellow with the Century Foundation, a left-leaning think tank, says the end of the expanded unemployment benefits is still coming too early.

Rather than setting an arbitrary deadline, Stettler says the administration should have tied the end of the protections to specific economic recovery metrics.

He suggests three consecutive months with nationwide unemployment below 5% as a reasonable benchmark to trigger the end of the unemployment benefits.

Biden and the Democrats who control Congress are at a crossroads, allowing the aid to expire as they focus instead on his more sweeping “build back better” package of infrastructure and other spending. The $3.5 trillion proposal would rebuild many of the safety net programs, but it faces hurdles in the closely divided Congress.

The COVID-19 response has been sweeping in its size and scope, some $5 trillion in federal expenditures since the virus outbreak in 2020, an unprecedented undertaking.

Congressional Republicans had supported some of the initial COVID-19 outlays but voted against Biden’s $1.9 trillion recovery package earlier this year.

Many argued against extending another round of unemployment aid, and Republicans vow to oppose Biden’s $3.5 trillion package lawmakers are expected to consider later this month.

There are still multiple avenues of support available, although in some cases the actual delivery of that support has been problematic.

States with higher levels of unemployment can use the $350 billion worth of aid they received from the relief package to expand their own jobless payments, as noted by an Aug. 19 letter by Walsh and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Federal rental assistance funds remain available, though the money has been slow to get out the door, leaving the White House and lawmakers pushing state and local officials to disperse funds more quickly to both landlords and tenants.

The investment bank Morgan Stanley estimated Thursday that the economy will grow at an annual pace of 2.9% in the third quarter, down sharply from its prior forecast of 6.5%. That decline largely reflects a pullback in federal aid spending and supply chain bottlenecks.

And the economy still faces hurdles. Union officials says sectors like hotel housekeepers and office janitorial staffs have been the slowest to recover.

Taboniar’s hotel in Hawaii for example has shifted to cleaning rooms every five days unless the guest specifically requests otherwise in advance. Even as the hotel was at more than 90% occupancy in August, she was only employed for half her usual pre-pandemic number of days.

The delta variant of the coronavirus also poses a challenge, threatening future school closures and the delay of plans to return workers to their offices.

Walsh called the delta variant “an asterisk on everything.”

By Geoff Mulvihill The Associated Press THE END of the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case has left a bitter taste for those who wanted to see more accountability for members of the Sackler family.

The Sacklers will give up ownership of the company, go out of the international opioid business and pay $4.5 billion in cash and charitable assets under the settlement. But they also will escape any future liability over the nation’s addiction and overdose crisis as part of the deal that was given preliminary approval this week by a federal bankruptcy judge.

Some state attorneys general and one federal government office are planning appeals.

The question at the heart of their arguments: Is it appropriate for members of a wealthy family that did not file for bankruptcy themselves to get such a broad protection?

Attorneys and victim advocates involved in a case that included lawsuits from some 3,000 governments and other entities said the members of the Sackler family who have owned Purdue played instrumental roles in overseeing the company and marketing OxyContin. Critics say the company’s best-selling prescription painkiller helped fuel the opioid crisis in the U.S. “They get to retain literally billions of dollars they took out of Purdue Pharma while it was causing addiction and death all across our country and all across the world,” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh told The Associated Press in an interview.

Frosh said he was considering an appeal.

Lawyers for Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Washington state and the U.S. Bankrupt-

AP PHOTO

In this Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 file photo, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, left, wipes a tear from the face of Wendy Werbiskis, of East Hampton, Mass., one of the protesters gathered outside a courthouse in Boston cy Trustee, an arm of the federal Department of Justice tasked with protecting the bankruptcy process, have said they intend to appeal.

Under the settlement, Sackler family members are getting what’s known in the bankruptcy world as a “third-party release.”

It’s one of the most contentious issues in bankruptcy law.

The releases have been used in complicated bankruptcy cases involving multiple parties to encourage settlements that might be difficult or impossible to reach otherwise. Dow Chemical, an owner of Dow Corning, was released from lawsuits in the 1990s over dangers of the latter company’s silicone breast implants.

Owners of companies that produced asbestos were protected from lawsuits over cancer risks associated with their products that began in the 1980s.

Some federal appeals courts have rejected the releases, but

the majority have accepted them.

That includes the 2nd Circuit, which could handle appeals of decisions from U.S Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain, who ruled in the Purdue case from his courthouse in White Plains, New York.

Longshot legislation pending in Congress, titled “The SACKLER Act,” would ban third-party releases. Even if it were adopted, it would be too late to affect its namesake case.

In his preliminary ruling from the bench earlier this week, Drain discussed at length the reasons he was allowing the protection for family members as part of the settlement.

“I wish the plan had provided for more” from Sackler family members, he said, “but I will not jeopardize what the plan does provide by denying confirmation.”

The settlement forces the Sacklers to give up ownership of Purdue and turns it into a new company with a board of directors

appointed by government officials. Money from the family, company accounts and future profits are to be used to pay some individual victims of the opioid crisis and to fund treatment, education programs and other efforts to combat the epidemic.

The crisis has been linked to more than 500,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. since 2000 involving either prescription painkillers or illicit ones such as heroin or illegally made fentanyl.

Purdue Pharma, based in Stamford, Connecticut, has estimated that the settlement could be worth $10 billion, including the value of overdose antidote and addiction treatment drugs it’s been developing. family members, Sackler whose combined wealth has been estimated at over $10 billion, have been clear that without protection from lawsuits, they would not contribute to the settlement.

During a hearing on the reorganization plan last month, experts said it could be impossible to force payments without a settlement because much of the family’s fortune is overseas. The bankruptcy judge said some family members are foreign citizens, potentially putting their assets further out of reach.

A further complication: Purdue pleaded guilty last year to federal criminal offenses, agreeing to a $2 billion forfeiture. Under their plea deal, the company has to pay only $225 million of that to the federal government as long as it settles its other opioid lawsuits and uses proceeds to fight the crisis. If the bankruptcy settlement is upended, Purdue would have to pay the federal government another $1.7 billion — and that would leave far less money to divide between the states, local governments and opioid victims.

“If they continue to appeal, if they win, what do they get?” said Lindsey Simon, an assistant law professor at the University of Georgia School of Law who teaches bankruptcy law. “The answer is, probably complete chaos and less money.”

How 9/11 changed air travel: more security, less privacy, new technology

By David Koenig The Associated Press DALLAS — Ask anyone old enough to remember travel before Sept. 11, 2001, and you’re likely to get a gauzy recollection of what flying was like.

There was security screening, but it wasn’t anywhere near as intrusive. There were no long checkpoint lines. Passengers and their families could walk right to the gate together. Overall, an airport experience meant far less stress.

That all ended when four hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

The worst terror attack on American soil led to increased and sometimes tension-filled security measures in airports across the world. The cataclysm has also contributed to other changes large and small that have reshaped the airline industry — and, for consumers, made air travel more stressful than ever.

Two months after the attacks, President George W. Bush signed legislation creating the Transportation Security Administration, which required that all checked bags be screened, cockpit doors be reinforced, and more federal air marshals be put on flights.

There has not been another 9/11. Nothing even close. But after that day, flying changed forever.

Security measures evolved with new threats, and so travelers were asked to take off belts

TRAVEL from page A1 Some live shows, including the remaining concerts on country star Garth Brooks’ tour, have been canceled. Businesses are delaying their returns to offices, threatening the survival of some downtown restaurants, coffee shops and dry cleaners.

“The delta variant has taken a bigger toll on the job market than many of us had hoped,” said Sarah House, a senior economist at Wells Fargo. “It’s going to take workers longer to come back to the labor market than we expected.”

As a consequence, many economists now predict that the

and remove some items from bags for scanning. Things that clearly could be wielded as weapons, like the box-cutters used by the 9/11 hijackers, were banned. After “shoe bomber” Richard Reid’s attempt to take down a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001, footwear started coming off at security checkpoints.

Each new requirement seemed to make checkpoint lines longer. To many travelers, other rules were more mystifying, such as limits on liquids because the wrong ones could possibly be used to concoct a bomb.

“It’s a much bigger hassle than it was before 9/11 — much bigger — but we have gotten used to it,” Ronald Briggs said as he and his wife, Jeanne, waited at Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport for a flight to London last month.

The long lines created by post-attack measures gave rise to the PreCheck and Global Entry “trusted-traveler programs” in which people who pay a fee and provide certain information about themselves pass through checkpoints without removing shoes and jackets or taking laptops out of their bag.

But that convenience has come at a cost: privacy.

On its application and in brief interviews, PreCheck asks people about basic information like work history and where they have lived, and they give a fingerprint and agree to a criminal-records check.

Privacy advocates are particularly concerned about ideas that

TSA has floated to also examine social media postings (the agency’s top official says that has been dropped), press reports about people, location data and information from data brokers including how applicants spend their money.

“It’s far from clear that that has any relationship to aviation security,” says Jay Stanley, a privacy expert at the American Civil Liberties Union.

More than 10 million people have enrolled in PreCheck. TSA wants to raise that to 25 million, with the goal of allowing officers to spend more time on passengers considered to be a bigger risk.

At the direction of Congress, the TSA will expand the use of private vendors to gather information from PreCheck applicants. It currently uses a company called Idemia, and aims to add two more — Telos Identity Management Solutions and Clear Secure Inc. Clear plans to use PreCheck enrollment to boost membership in its own identity-verification product by bundling the two offerings.

That will make Clear’s own product more valuable to its customers, which include sports stadiums and concert promoters.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske, though, sees Clear’s strategy as helping TSA: “We have allowed the vendors to bundle their offerings together with the idea that would be an incentive for people to sign up for the trusted-traveler programs.”

The TSA is testing the use of ki-

osks equipped with facial-recognition technology to check photo IDs and boarding passes.

Despite the trauma that led to its creation, and the intense desire to avoid another 9/11, the TSA itself has frequently been the subject of questions about its methods, ideas and effectiveness.

Critics, including former TSA officers, have derided the agency as “security theater” that gives a false impression of safeguarding the traveling public. Pekoske dismisses that notion by pointing to the huge number of guns seized at airport checkpoints — more than 3,200 last year, 83% of them loaded — instead of making it onto planes.

This summer, an average of nearly 2 million people per day have flowed through TSA checkpoints. Most travelers accept any inconvenience as the price of security in an uncertain world.

With all the different ways that deadly chaos could happen on airplanes after 9/11, the fact remains: Most of the time, it hasn’t. And while the post-9/11 global airport security apparatus has grown to what some consider unreasonable proportions, it will never neutralize all threats — or even be able to enforce the rules it has written.

“You can’t catch everything,” says Nathan Dudney, a sales executive for a sporting goods manufacturer in Nashville who says he occasionally forgets about ammunition in his carry-on bag.

“They’re doing things to the best of their ability.”

Federal Reserve won’t make a long-awaited announcement that it will begin dialing back its low-interest rate policies until November or later.

The August jobs report “slams the door” on the prospect of the Fed announcing a pullback when it meets later this month, House said. Fed Chair Jerome Powell made clear last week that the central bank would begin to reverse its ultra-low-rate policies later this year if the economy continued to improve.

A lack of available workers remains a major hurdle to robust hiring. A few months ago, many economists had expected a fading pandemic to encourage

more people to resume their job searches. Worries about getting sick on the job would fade, they hoped. And as schools reopened, more parents, particularly women, would return to the workforce.

So far, that hasn’t happened.

But the demand for workers remains strong. The job listings website Indeed says the number of available jobs grew in August.

And the National Federation for Independent Business said its surveys show that half of small businesses have jobs they cannot fill.

Across the economy, that difficulty is compelling employers to offer higher pay. Average hourly

wages rose a robust 4.3% in August compared with a year earlier.

Walmart announced this week that it will hire 20,000 people to expand its supply chain and online shopping operations, including jobs for order fillers, drivers, and managers. Amazon said Wednesday that it is looking to fill 40,000 jobs in the U.S., mostly technology and hourly positions.

And Fidelity Investments said Tuesday that it is adding 9,000 more jobs, including in customer service and IT. In such sectors, where face-to-face contact with the public isn’t generally required, hiring remains strong.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Do we need humans for that job?

Automation booms after COVID The Associated Press ASK FOR A roast beef sandwich at an Arby’s drive-thru east of Los Angeles and you may be talking to Tori — an artificially intelligent voice assistant that will take your order and send it to the line cooks.

“It doesn’t call sick,” says Amir Siddiqi, whose family installed the AI voice at its Arby’s franchise this year in Ontario, California.

“It doesn’t get corona. And the reliability of it is great.”

The pandemic didn’t just threaten Americans’ health when it slammed the U.S. in 2020 -- it may also have posed a long-term threat to many of their jobs. Faced with worker shortages and higher labor costs, companies are starting to automate service sector jobs that economists once considered safe, assuming that machines couldn’t easily provide the human contact they believed customers would demand.

Past experience suggests that such automation waves eventual-

ly create more jobs than they destroy, but that they also disproportionately wipe out less skilled jobs that many low-income workers depend on. Resulting growing pains for the U.S. economy could be severe.

If not for the pandemic, Siddiqi probably wouldn’t have bothered investing in new technology that could alienate existing employees and some customers. But it’s gone smoothly, he says: “Basically, there’s less people needed but those folks are now working in the kitchen and other areas.”

Ideally, automation can redeploy workers into better and more interesting work, so long as they can get the appropriate technical training, says Johannes Moenius, an economist at the University of Redlands. But although that’s happening now, it’s not moving quickly enough, he says.

Worse, an entire class of service jobs created when manufacturing began to deploy more automation may now be at risk. “The robots escaped the manufacturing sec-

tor and went into the much larger service sector,” he says. “I regarded contact jobs as safe. I was completely taken by surprise.”

Improvements in robot technology allow machines to do many tasks that previously required people -- tossing pizza dough, transporting hospital linens, inspecting gauges, sorting goods. The pandemic accelerated their adoption. Robots, after all, can’t get sick or spread disease. Nor do they request time off to handle unexpected childcare emergencies.

Economists at the International Monetary Fund found that past pandemics had encouraged firms to invest in machines in ways that could boost productivity -- but also kill low-skill jobs. “Our results suggest that the concerns about the rise of the robots amid the COVID-19 pandemic seem justified,’’ they wrote in a January paper.

The consequences could fall most heavily on the less-educated women who disproportionate-

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ly occupy the low- and mid-wage jobs most exposed to automation -- and to viral infections. Those jobs include salesclerks, administrative assistants, cashiers and aides in hospitals and those who take care of the sick and elderly.

Employers seem eager to bring on the machines. A survey last year by the nonprofit World Economic Forum found that 43% of companies planned to reduce their workforce as a result of new technology. Since the second quarter of 2020, business investment in equipment has grown 26%, more than twice as fast as the overall economy.

The fastest growth is expected in the roving machines that clean the floors of supermarkets, hospitals and warehouses, according to the International Federation of Robotics, a trade group. The same group also expects an uptick in sales of robots that provide shoppers with information or deliver room service orders in hotels.

Restaurants have been among the most visible robot adopters. In late August, for instance, the salad chain Sweetgreen announced it was buying kitchen robotics startup Spyce, which makes a machine that cooks up vegetables and grains and spouts them into bowls.

It’s not just robots, either --

software and AI-powered services are on the rise as well. Starbucks has been automating the behindthe-scenes work of keeping track of a store’s inventory. More stores have moved to self-checkout.

The uptick in automation has not stalled a stunning rebound in the U.S. jobs market -- at least so far.

The U.S. economy lost a staggering 22.4 million jobs in March and April 2020, when the pandemic gale hit the U.S. Hiring has since bounced back briskly: Employers have brought back 17 million jobs since April 2020.

In June, they posted a record 10.1 million job openings and are complaining that they can’t find enough workers.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, expects employers are likely to be scrambling for workers for a long time.

For one thing, many Americans are taking their time returning to work -- some because they’re still worried about COVID-19 health risks and childcare problems, others because of generous federal unemployment benefits, set to expire nationwide Sept. 6.

In addition, large numbers of Baby Boom workers are retiring.

“The labor market is going to be very, very tight for the foreseeable future,” Zandi says.

JACQUELYN MARTIN | AP PHOTO

Drinks surround a barcode attached to the table at Bartaco, that patrons use to order and pay at the restaurant in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.

Until 2023? Parts shortage will keep auto prices sky-high The Associated Press TOLEDO, Ohio — Back in the spring, a shortage of computer chips that had sent auto prices soaring appeared, finally, to be easing. Some relief for consumers seemed to be in sight.

That hope has now dimmed. A surge in COVID-19 cases from the delta variant in several Asian countries that are the main producers of auto-grade chips is worsening the supply shortage. It is further delaying a return to normal auto production and keeping the supply of vehicles artificially low.

And that means, analysts say, that record-high consumer prices for vehicles — new and used, as well as rental cars — will extend into next year and might not fall back toward earth until 2023.

The global parts shortage involves not just computer chips. Automakers are starting to see shortages of wiring harnesses, plastics and glass, too. And beyond autos, vital components for goods ranging from farm equipment and industrial machinery to sportswear and kitchen accessories are also bottled up at ports around the world as demand outpaces supply in the face of a resurgent virus.

“It appears it’s going to get a little tougher before it gets easier,” said Glenn Mears, who runs four auto dealerships around Canton, Ohio.

Squeezed by the parts shortfall, General Motors and Ford have announced one- or two-week closures at multiple North American factories, some of which produce their hugely popular full-size pickup trucks.

Late last month, shortages of semiconductors and other parts grew so acute that Toyota felt compelled to announce it would slash

TOM KRISHER | AP PHOTO

The new car lot at the Jim White Toyota just outside of Toledo, Ohio, is depleted on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, with only a few new vehicles available for sale. production by at least 40% in Japan and North America for two months. The cuts meant a reduction of 360,000 vehicles worldwide in September. Toyota, which largely avoided sporadic factory closures that have plagued rivals this year, now foresees production losses into October.

Nissan, which had announced in mid-August that chip shortages would force it to close its immense factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, until Aug. 30, now says the closure will last until Sept. 13.

And Honda dealers are bracing for fewer shipments.

“This is a fluid situation that is impacting the entire industry’s global supply chain, and we are adjusting production as necessary,” said Chris Abbruzzese, a Honda spokesman.

The result is that vehicle buyers are facing persistent and once-unthinkable price spikes. The average price of a new vehicle sold in the U.S. in August hit a record of just above $41,000 — nearly $8,200 more than it was just two years ago, J.D. Power estimated.

With consumer demand still high, automakers feel little pressure to discount their vehicles.

Forced to conserve their scarce computer chips, the automakers have routed them to higher-priced models — pickup trucks and large SUVs, for example — thereby driving up their average prices.

The roots of the computer chip shortage bedeviling auto and other industries stem from the eruption of the pandemic early last year.

U.S. automakers had to shut factories for eight weeks to help stop the

virus from spreading. Some parts companies canceled orders for semiconductors. At the same time, with tens of millions of people hunkered down at home, demand for laptops, tablets and gaming consoles skyrocketed.

As auto production resumed, consumer demand for cars remained strong. But chip makers had shifted production to consumer goods, creating a shortage of weather-resistant automotive-grade chips.

Then, just as auto chip production started to rebound in late spring, the highly contagious delta variant struck Malaysia and other Asian countries where chips are finished and other auto parts are made.

In August, new vehicle sales in the U.S. tumbled nearly 18%,

mainly because of supply shortages. Automakers reported that U.S. dealers had fewer than 1 million new vehicles on their lots in August — 72% lower than in August 2019.

Even if auto production were somehow to immediately regain its highest-ever level for vehicles sold in the U.S., it would take more than a year to achieve a more normal 60-day supply of vehicles and for prices to head down, the consulting firm Alix Partners has calculated.

“Under that scenario,” said Dan Hearsch, an Alix Partners managing director, “it’s not until early 2023 before they even could overcome a backlog of sales, expected demand and build up the inventory.”

For now, with parts supplies remaining scarce and production cuts spreading, many dealers are nearly out of new vehicles.

Chip orders that were made nine months ago are now starting to arrive. But other components, such as glass or parts made with plastic injection molds, are depleted, Hearsch said. Because of the virus and a general labor shortage, he said, auto-parts makers might not be able to make up for lost production.

Some tentative cause for hope has begun to emerge. Siew Hai Wong, president of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, says hopefully that chip production should start returning to normal in the fall as more workers are vaccinated.

Though Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore and the United States all produce semiconductors, he said, a shortage of just one kind of chip can disrupt production.

“If there is disruption in Malaysia,” Wong said, “there will be disruption somewhere in the world.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

2021 Genesis GV80

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GENESIS

If you’re a luxury SUV buyer, you need to read this Don’t sleep on the Genesis GV80, it’sone of the best out there

By Jordan Golsonr North State Journal SAN DIEGO — It’s not often that existing, successful carmakers create a brand new car brand.

And it’s even less often that those new brands are successful.

Remember Scion? Toyota figured out that it could just sell young people Toyotas instead of creating an entire “hip” brand to cater-slash-pander to them.

And then there’s Saturn, which many former owners still miss more than a decade later. GM tried to recreate the entire car buying experience, and it worked for a while. But then GM realized it was setting money on fire for no good reason and killed it off during its financial crisis bankruptcy.

And Hummer! GM tried to sell us the H2 (which was a fancy Chevy Suburban) and the H3 (which was less fancy) for a while, but that didn’t work, so it got killed off in bankruptcy too.

Now Hummer is being resurrected as an electric truck label for GMC. That’ll probably work, though, because the new EV trucks look fantastic, which is something the H2 didn’t have going for it.

But some brands do well.

Where Toyota failed with Scion, it succeeded beyond imagination with Lexus, created back in the 90’s to compete with expensive German luxury cars but made reliable and more affordable. Then Japanese car brands like Honda and Nissan followed with Acura and Infiniti.

With that history lesson over, we return to the 2020s, and Hyundai is wading into the luxury car world some 30 years after Toyota did. Hyundai isn’t some upstart carmaker, however. It’s making some wickedly good automobiles these days, so one would think it could make some wickedly good luxury automobiles too.

And one would be correct.

The new brand is Genesis, and it’s been around for a few years now. I’ve driven most of the company’s luxury sedans (which I found to be excellent). But we live in an SUV world, much to the consternation of many an auto journalist, and while I’m a little surprised that Genesis started with sedans rather than an SUV, the Genesis GV80 is here.

It’s a midsize luxury SUV competing with stalwart competitors like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and the Mercedes GLE. And Genesis is cribbing from the Lexus playbook: The GV80 is just as comfortable, luxurious, and feature-packed as its German rivals — for less.

My very well-equipped GV80

priced out to a very reasonable $58,475, a price point lower than some of the competition’s most barebones models. The BMW X5 starts at $59,400, and then you have to load it up with optional extras.

As is typical with Hyundai, it’s easy to buy a Genesis. Pick your engine, then add a couple of options packages, and you’re off. Mine featured the definitely-add-this $3,900 Advanced Package, which adds a massive panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, and a 21-speaker audio system, among other things.

The luxury-focused Prestige Package is less necessary for $4,250 but includes leather seats, a 360-degree camera that’s excellent, more comfortable seats, and other stuff.

There’s a ton of standard safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, Hyundai’s most advanced lane-centering tech, and a bunch more. The headlights are excellent; there’s a self-leveling rear suspension and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that feels much larger than it is and makes 300 horsepower and 311 torque. Have no worries about being short on oomph with this thing.

But what’s really wild is the after-sales support. Genesis includes a 5-year/60K bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a 10-year/100K powertrain warranty, just like its Hyundai brethren. BMW includes a 4-year/50K bumper-to-bumper warranty... and that’s it.

Now that doesn’t matter for many new BMW buyers who are just going to lease the thing and then get rid of it after 39 months for another one. But if you’re a thrifty luxury SUV buyer who is planning for the long haul, the Genesis is awfully tempting on warranty alone even before you consider the price.

And I haven’t even gotten into the car itself. It’s wonderfully laid out inside, with a large central touchscreen and terrific touchpoints all around the vehicle. It feels far more expensive than it is and looks like it too. There are quilted leather, clever storage options and a general sense of luxuriousness everywhere.

The GV80 is perhaps best known as the car that Tiger Woods crashed a while back, and somehow this ended up as good PR for Genesis. If he’d been more seriously injured, it might have been a terrible day, but now it’s “this is the SUV that saved Tiger Woods.”

Tiger or not, the Genesis GV80 might be the best luxury SUV on the market today, and the fact that it’s more affordable is just icing on the cake. If been in a new Hyundai in the past few years, none of this will surprise you. But if you’re new to the Hyundai family, the Genesis GV80 might convert you.

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B9

features

Three men guided millions through horror of Sept. 11, 2001

By David Bauder The Associated Press NEW YORK — “Turn on your television.”

Those words were repeated in millions of homes on Sept. 11, 2001.

Friends and relatives took to the telephone: Something awful was happening. You have to see.

Before social media and with online news in its infancy, the story of the day when suicide terrorists killed 2,996 people unfolded primarily on television. Even some people inside New York’s World Trade Center made the phone call.

They felt a shudder, could smell smoke. Could someone watch the news and find out what was happening?

Most Americans were guided through the unimaginable by one of three men: Tom Brokaw of NBC News, Peter Jennings of ABC and Dan Rather of CBS. “They were the closest thing that America had to national leaders on 9/11,” says Garrett Graff, author of “The Only Plane in the Sky,” an oral history of the attack. “They were the moral authority for the country on that first day, fulfilling a very historical role of basically counseling the country through this tragedy at a moment its political leadership was largely silent and largely absent from the conversation.”

On that day, when America faced the worst of humanity, it had three newsmen at the peak of their powers.

They were far from the only journalists on the air — CNN’s Aaron Brown memorably narrated

AP PHOTOS

Dan Rather poses in a CBS studio in New York on Feb. 20, 2001, left, Peter Jennings poses on the set of ABC’s “World News Tonight” in New York on Feb. 5, 2001, center, and “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw delivers his closing remarks during his final broadcast, in New York on Dec. 1, 2004. the scene from a New York rooftop, Univision’s Jorge Ramos brought the story to Spanish-speaking viewers, an array of anchors sat at the desks of other outlets.

But Brokaw, Rather and Jennings were the kings of broadcast news on Sept. 11, 2001. Each had anchored his network’s evening newscasts for roughly two decades at that point. Each had extensive reporting experience before that.

“The three of us were known because we had taken the country through other catastrophes and big events,” Brokaw recalled this summer. “The country didn’t have to, if you will, dial around to see who knew what.”

Each man was in New York that morning and rushed to their re-

spective studios within an hour of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.

“It was clear that it was an attack on America,” says Marcy McGinnis, who was in charge of breaking news at CBS that day. “You want the most experienced person in that chair because they bring so much.”

Brokaw, author of the just-published “The Greatest Generation,” about those who fought World War II, was instantly able to put the event into context: We were witnessing history, he explained, and not just news.

He called it a declaration of war on the United States and said dayto-day life had changed forever.

Looking back, Brokaw says it was

his primary job to give viewers more than they could see for themselves onscreen.

“Throughout my career, I was constantly trying to think, ‘What’s the big picture here?’” he says. “I think that was especially true that day.”

Rather would tap his foot on the brakes, reminding those watching to distinguish between fact and speculation. He told viewers that “the word of the day is steady, steady.”

“Emotions and tensions were high that day,” Rather told The Associated Press recently. “In order to cut through the noise, to help calm the panic, you have to be clear, concise and transparent. People will know exactly where they stand and

can assess for themselves.”

Surprisingly few false reports slipped through in those early hours, most prominently that a car bomb had exploded at the State Department in Washington. One group falsely claimed responsibility for the attack.

Jennings was the consummate anchorman. He skillfully weaved all of the elements — eyewitness accounts, expert analysis, fast-breaking bulletins and what viewers saw with their own eyes — into a compelling narrative.

“That’s what he was born to do,” says Kayce Freed Jennings, widow of the ABC anchorman, who died of lung cancer in August 2005.

“He was in a zone. He was a great communicator and, perhaps, great communication was the most important thing he could offer that day.”

Each of the anchors, trained in the old school, kept emotions in check. The exception was Jennings, whose eyes were moist when the camera returned to him following a report by ABC’s Lisa Stark.

He revealed that he had just checked in with his children, who were deeply stressed. “So if you’re a parent and you’ve got a kid in some other part of the country, call ‘em up,” he advised.

At first, talk of casualties was kept at a minimum. No one knew.

That changed when the second tower imploded, still the morning’s most breathtaking moment. The anchors prepared viewers for the worst. The loss of life is going to be high, Rather said.

It’s going to be horrendous, Brokaw told viewers. The damage is beyond what we can say.

“We’re all human,” Brokaw said this summer, “even those of us who are journalists who spend our lives trying to put things into context and add to the viewers’ understanding. We have to be both empathetic and help the viewer through what they are seeing.”

New this week: ‘Kate,’ ‘Come From Away’ and MTV’s VMAs 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.

— The upcoming 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 has brought with it a flood of documentaries and specials looking back on the tragedy.

Some of what will be streaming, though, are celebrations, too. On the Criterion Channel, a 63-film series salutes New York and its rich cinematic history, from subway thrillers (“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three”) to unsung post9/11 modern masterworks (“Margaret”). Included here are Big Apple classics like Jules Dassin’s “The Naked City” and Billy Wilder’s “The Apartment,” and filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch, Norman Jewison and Noah Baumbach. One standout, as always, is “Do the Right Thing,” Spike Lee’s prescient and still-potent landmark. Along with the Brooklyn drama-comedy (which was recently re-released in a 4K restoration) are a number of supplemental features, like interviews with the cast and filmmakers.

— “Come From Away,” a filmed version of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, is connected to two eras of adversity for New York. Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s musical is about the 7,000 people who were stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, when all U.S. flights were grounded after the attacks. A live performance of the production was staged and filmed in May at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater for an audience that included 9/11 survivors and frontline workers. It debuts Sept. 10 on

PHOTOS VIA AP

This combination of photos shows promotional art for the series “Lucifer,” premiering Sept. 10 on Netflix, “Come From Away,” a film premiering on Sept. 10 and “Kate, A film premiering on Sept. 10.

Apple TV+.

— Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars in the brutal assassin thriller “Kate,” streaming Sept. 10 on Netflix. Winstead has co-starred in action films like “Gemini Man” and “Birds of Prey” in recent years, but she takes the starring role in French director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan’s “Kate.” In it, her assassin character is poisoned on a mission in Tokyo, giving her 24 hours for revenge.

Woody Harrelson co-stars.

MUSIC — The MTV Video Music Awards will get a dose of “Bieber fever” for the first time in six years.

Justin Bieber returns to the VMA stage for an all-star caliber event

held Sept. 12 at the Barclays Center in New York. The pop star leads this year’s show with seven nominations, including video of the year and artist of the year. Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, BTS and Drake are other top nominees.

Bieber last took the VMAs stage when he performed “What Do You Mean” in 2015. Other performers include Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello, Chloe, Kacey Musgraves, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo, Machine Gun Kelly and Doja Cat — who will also serve as the show’s host. Foo Fighters will receive the first-ever MTV VMAs’ Global Icon Award.

— K-pop sensation BTS are set to appear on a special episode of YouTube Originals’ “Released.”

The band will be joined by Cold-

play frontman Chris Martin on the weekly music series that will premiere on Sept. 10 at midnight. An intimate conversation will be held about their shared experiences as musicians and BTS’ inspiration for the #PermissiontoDance challenge.

The three-week challenge, which began July 23, had BTS encouraging people to make 15-second YouTube short videos incorporating the international sign gestures for joy, dance and peace. The episode will also feature a “Permission to Dance” music video, which will be remixed by BTS.

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

relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Doris G. Hubbard.

TELEVISION — A PBS showcase for short films begins its new season with a

trio of projects that explore family roots and how strong their hold can be. “Sing Me a Lullaby,” directed by Tiffany Hsiung, “A Broken House” from Jimmy Goldblum, and “Joychild” from Aurora Brachman are part of “POV Shorts,” airing Monday (check local stations for times) and available at POV.org. Homesickness permeates the multiple prize-winning “A Broken House,” in which Syrian architecture student Mohamad Hafez realizes he must recreate in the U.S. what he’s left behind.

— Crime and punishment is different in small towns vs. the big city. That’s the premise of “It Couldn’t Happen Here,” a docuseries that examines how rural communities and legal systems are affected by violent crimes and burdened by a lack of resources. Actor Hilarie Burton Morgan (“One Tree Hill,” “The Walking Dead”) delves into cases in the six-part series debuting 10 p.m. EDT Sept. 9 on SundanceTV and AMC+. The first stop is Adel, Georgia: Has a wrongly convicted man been imprisoned for more than two decades for a crime he didn’t commit?

— “Lucifer” is coming to an end?

The devil you say! But Netflix, which rescued the show after it was canceled by Fox, has cautioned that it’s “real this time.” The six-season journey of Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who traded his digs in hell for Los Angeles, will wrap with 10 episodes out Sept. 10. Issues to be settled: why is Lucifer balking at taking over for now-retired God, and how will he respond as a godless world frays at the edges.

Ex-LAPD detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German), now Lucifer’s consultant, is along for the final ride.

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS 18 SP 592 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 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, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: 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 83-41 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 83-41 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

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

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.: 18-10071-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 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

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,

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

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 and agreements therein

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,

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 469

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Bowman (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Bowman, Heirs of James Bowman: Kameko L. Walls a/k/a Kameko Leon Walls Bowman) to Peebles Law Firm, Trustee(s), dated November 22, 2005, and recorded in Book No. RE 2620, at Page 2881 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the

JOHNSTON AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY 20 CVS 3160 Under and by virtue of that Judgment filed on May 24, 2021 in Johnston County by the presiding superior court judge, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the Deed of Trust recorded on May 2, 2003 in Book 02443, Page 0212, Johnston County Registry, and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been appointed as Commissioner in this case, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Johnston County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on September 23, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Selma, Selma Township, Johnston County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: FIRST TRACT: BEGINNING on Anderson Street at Romley’s line; thence a Southerly course along Romley’s Line 140 feet to an alley; thence a Westerly course along said alley 50 feet to Lot No. 5; thence along Lot No. 4 a Northerly course 140 feet to Anderson Street; thence along said street an

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 98

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Robert A. Beasley and Peggy R. Beasley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Robert A. Beasley and Peggy R. Beasley, Heirs of Peggy R. Beasley: Ricky A. Romanger, Willie J. Romanger, Jr.) to PRLAP, Inc., Trustee(s), dated October 12, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 3435, at Page 498 in Johnston 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 Johnston 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

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 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 168 in a Subdivision known as Montibello, 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.

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.

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.

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

the customary location designated 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

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.

Address of property: 509 Salem St, Thomasville, NC 27360 Tax Parcel ID: 16-041-0-011-

0005 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Will Frank Teal 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 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 24, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111188

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 which is duly recorded in Plat Book 7 at Page 71 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Davidson County,

North Carolina.

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 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.

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

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 22, 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: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED at Lot(s) 186, as shown on the map of EASTON, which map is recorded in Plat Book 14, page 23(4), in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which map is herby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3512 Tyler Street, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

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

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the

mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Easterly course 50 feet to the beginning, and being Lot No. 4 in Block A on map of the Graves’ property as surveyed and platted by Lore and Fore, surveyors, Map Book No. 1, Page 142.

SECOND TRACT: BEGINNING at the west corner of Worley and Company’s lot on south side of Anderson Street and runs South 140 feet to an alley; thence West 50 feet to D. H. Graves, trustee, line; thence North 140 feet to Anderson Street; thence East 50 feet to the beginning, and being the same lot deeded to W. F. Lancaster by Dewitt Kates and wife by deed dated October 14, 1919, and registered in Book U-11, Page 538, Registry of Johnston County, to which deed reference is hereby made.

THIRD TRACT: BEGINNING at a stake on Anderson Street in suburbs of Selma at Dewitt Cates’ line and runs South with Cates’ line 143 feet to an alley; thence with said alley West 50 feet to a stake in Pilkington’s line; thence with said Pilkinton’s line 143 feet to Anderson Street; thence with Anderson Street 50 feet to the point of beginning, and being the same lot conveyed by B. A. and J. H. Worley to J. H. Parker on January 3, 1920, and recorded in Book 66, Page 571 in the Register of Deeds Office for Johnston County, and after the decease of said J. H. Parker, allotted to the said Sarah E. Pate as one of his heirs, said allotment being shown on plat on file in Register of Deeds Office for Johnston County.

Registry, and more fully described as follows:

that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2) or other applicable statute).

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Commissioner 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 Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, 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.

LESS AND EXCEPT that property deeded to William Karl Henry from Ida Henry by deed dated September 14, 1998, recorded in Book 1750, Page 899, Johnston County

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 905 W Anderson Street, Selma, NC 27576. Tax ID: 14025019

Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, costs of recording the commissioner’s deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is William Karl Henry.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 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

will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on September 21, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Newton Grove in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on October 8, 2014, in Book No. 4509, at Page 28.

BEING all of Lot 3 as shown on plat entitled “Property of RTE Investments, LLC”, dated March 31, 2006 and recorded in Plat Book 68, Page 181, Johnston County Registry, to which reference is made for a more complete description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 514 Mill Creek Church Road, Newton Grove, 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.

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: 4484 - 16389

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

at 12:00 PM on September 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 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).

BEGINNING AT A POINT IN THE SOUTHERN RIGHT OF WAY OF WEST ANDERSON STREET, SAID POINT MARKING THE NORTH WEST CORNER OF “ROMLEY’S OLD LINE” ACCORDING TO SURVEY BY BOYD L. SHOOK, FOR FRANK HENRY ET UX, DATED 7/8/81; THENCE, WITH ROMLEY’S LINE, S. 39 DEG. 57’ W. 140.00’ TO A POINT IN THE NORTHERN LINE OF AN ALLEY; THENCE, WITH SAID ALLEY N. 50 32’ W. 90’ TO A POINT; THENCE, WITH A NEW LINE OF FRANK AND IDA HENRY, N. 39 DEG. 57’ E. TO A POINT SET IN THE SOUTHERN RIGHT OF WAY OF W. ANDERSON STREET; THENCE WITH SAID RIGHT OF WAY, S. 49 DEG. 23’ E. 90.00’ TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, BEING A 90’ X 140’ LOT RECOMBINED FROM THE PROPERTY DEEDED AT BOOK 775, PAGE 319, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY. PERSONAL EASEMENT IDA HENRY GRANTS TO WILLIAM KARL HENRY THE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN THE MOBILE HOME CURRENTLY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE PROPERTY AS RECORDED IN DEED BOOK 775, PAGE 319, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY. IN THE EVENT WILLIAM KARL HENRY FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE SAME AS HIS PERSONAL RESIDENCE, THEN THE HOME SHALL BE REMOVED WITHIN 90 DAYS.

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

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

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: 4264 - 15478

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Commissioner By: ________________________________________ Goddard & Peterson, PLLC 125-B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565 Phone: (919) 755-3400

North State Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

JOHNSTON 19 SP 649 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by 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

19 SP 586 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by 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

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 247

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jonathan E. Nelson and Amanda Lee Nelson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jonathan E. Nelson) to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated August 5, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 4493, at Page 491 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed,

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

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

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: 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 conveyances of record.

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 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. 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.: 19-06010-FC02

the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on September 23, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 28 in Block P as depicted on plat entitled “Montclair Park, Section IV”, recorded in Map Book 17, at Page 52 to which reference is made for complete description, being the property conveyed to Catherine G. Parrish (now Catherine G. Fleming) by Deed recorded in Book 2562 at Page 422, Onslow County. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 609 Duke Court, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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.

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

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:

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 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.

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).

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

WAKE

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 8th day of September 2021.

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 21 SP 952 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION OF A PETITION FOR PARTITION NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY 3 BOYS CAPITAL, LLC, a NC limited liability company and

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 8th 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 8th 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

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 11:00AM on September 24, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Elizabeth E. Dabney and Jamaine A. Dabney, dated August 2, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $125,000.00, and recorded in Book 11509 at Page 331 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Present Record Owners: Dabney and Jamaine A. Dabney

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 18SP2419 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ELIZABETH E. DABNEY AND JAMAINE A. DABNEY DATED AUGUST 2, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11509 AT PAGE 331 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein

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

20 SP 1919 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Legacy of TAS, Inc., a Delaware Corporation to T. D. Service Company, Trustee(s), which was dated February 26, 2019 and recorded on February 26, 2019 in Book 017369 at Page 01163, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Address of property: Dr, Cary, NC 27513 Tax Parcel ID:

803 Roanoke 0094532

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: 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

conducting the sale on September 22, 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: BEGINNING AT A STAKE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD, 195 FEET IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION MEASURED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERN SIDE OF NORTH STATE STREET; RUNS THENCE SOUTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES WEST 136.70 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF LOT 131 ON MAP TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREINAFTER MADE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 76 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 65.20 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 134.50 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD; RUNS THENCE ALONG THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD SOUTH 78 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST 65.0 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE WESTERN PART OF LOT 131 AND THE EASTERN PART OF LOT 132 OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS, RALEIGH, N. C., ACCORDING TO

Elizabeth E.

And Being more commonly known as: 803 Roanoke Dr, Cary, NC 27513 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Elizabeth E. Dabney and Jamaine A. Dabney.

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

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: 4439 - 16106

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

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

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

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 10, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 14-057783

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.

SURVEY BY D. C. SHEARIN; DATED OCTOBER 31, 1969.

FOR MAP OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS SEE BOOK OF MAPS 1945, PAGE 113, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 714 Penn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to

all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Legacy of TAS, Inc. 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.: 20-05873-FC01

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 8, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From September 1, 2021

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 28 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Providence Grove starts strong Providence Grove’s head coach Calvin Brown reacts after Zander Cheek took the opening kickoff back 97 yards for a touchdown against Jordan-Mathews on September 3. Providence Grove won the game 54-0. More high school sports on Page 5.

COUNTY NEWS

Area businesses try to cash in

Asheboro native releases third murder mystery Christopher Swann was born in Asheboro and lived in Winston-Salem and Asheville before moving to Atlanta at age 18. He recently released his third novel, “A Fire in the Night” which is set in Cashiers, N.C. His previous novels are “Never Turn Back” and “Shadow of the Lions.” All of his novels fall in the murdersuspense genre. His work has been recognized by Amazon as an editor’s pick, and he’s appeared on several lists of top Southern authors.

Zoo working to save vultures Last Saturday was International Vulture Awareness Day, and the NC Zoo is working to stop the drop in the world vulture population. According to the zoo, vultures serve an important role in the environment, eating the meat of dead animals so that it doesn’t rot and threaten to poison other animals or water supplies. Zoo workers have started a program that fits vultures with solar powered backpacks to track them and monitor the health of the population.

Sheriff’s office remembers Sept. 11 The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is remembering the first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, with special decals on two patrol vehicles.

The sheriff’s office is also remembering N.C. native and Eastern Randolph High School graduate Sandy Bradshaw with a decal on the side of the vehicles. Bradshaw was a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93. Bradshaw was part of a group that fought back against the terrorist who hijacked the plane on Sept. 11.

The plane ultimately crashed into a field in Pennsylvania killer Bradshaw and the other forty-three people on board.

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

Chamber chief says finding workers remains a challenge

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Area businesses have endured countless challenges during the pandemic, but Linda Brown with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce said there are signs of brighter days.

“Our organization has done OK. We’ve held our own,” said Brown, the group’s president. “We’re planning on holding our regular events this fall.”

Brown said businesses in the region are doing their best under difficult circumstances to make things

click.

She was on a recent tour of industries with other area leaders and she noted that some of the companies had to turn down sales opportunities because they can’t meet demand. That’s largely due to a reduced workforce.

“It’s hard to find employees in every sector,” Brown said, something she said has been the theme stemming from many of the Chamber’s members. “Right now, I think that’s the main (issue).”

That even stems to the Chamber. The group has an opening for a membership and events coordinator.

As of last week, that opening had enticed just seven applicants compared to about 200 who applied

the last time that job was open. “It’s a lot different atmosphere,” Brown said.

Brown said one of the primary messages from the Chamber is to “remember that local businesses are short of staff, so be kind” to the workers who are out there.

Despite the trouble spots, numbers provided through the Chamber show certain positives. Brown said retail spending in Randolph County was up 7.1 percent in 2020 compared to 2019.

She said the reason for that increase might be based on federal stimulus money provided to many residents along with panic buying early in the pandemic.

The Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce lost 111 members from last year, while picking up 45.

Regarding the reduction, Brown identified 40 of those coming because of closed businesses and another 35 related to financial concerns (though some might rejoin).

Another dozen of the losses came because of mergers and others resulted from Randolph County locations closing.

Yet the NC Rural Center reported that there were 62.5 percent more business startups in Randolph County compared to the previous year, something Brown identified as an encouraging trend.

“A lot of people are trying to find different ways to make a living,” she said.

The local Chamber held a virtual annual meeting in January, but largely resumed many of its normal activities by April. Brown said plenty of autumn events are on the docket.

She said an Oct. 5 gathering to recognize elected officials for their contributions as part of a thankyou session should attract about 100 honorees. The Chamber’s annual retreat is set for Oct. 21-23 at Wrightsville Beach.

Brown, who’s a member of the board for the Asheboro Regional Airport, said there are signs of growth coming for the airport. She said a new hanger will be built to help accommodate about 15 on a waiting list for spots.

“We’re really poised to take off,” she said.

Restaurants suffering from labor shortages Ted Budd visits Asheboro to speak out against additional federal unemployment subsidies

Randolph Record staff ASHEBORO — North Carolina’s restaurant industry is suffering from labor and supply shortages which affect service and prices.

Two restaurants in Asheboro and Burlington received a visit from Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC13) Friday as “Help Wanted” signs have become an increasingly more prevalent sight across the state.

Budd talked with owners and workers at the Golden Corral in Asheboro and the Biscuitville in Burlington about the ongoing labor shortage and the importance of ending the current federal stay at home unemployment bonus.

“The federal government’s enhanced unemployment payment of $300 extra dollars each week has incentivized workers to stay at home and not get back into the workforce. Essentially, these additional payments constitute a stayat-home bonus,” said Budd in a statement. “Worse yet, it forces local restaurants to compete against the federal government for wages.

That’s not a fair fight.”

Recently, Asheboro restaurant Dixie III was unable to open due to a worker shortage. The 40-year mainstay has announced its closing next week.

Joining Budd on his visits were members of the N.C. Restaurant

and Lodging Association, as well as State Senator Amy Galey (R-Alamance).

Budd’s visit coincides with the report on U.S. Job figures for August, which fell far short of the estimated 750,000 mark, with only 235,000 jobs added for the month.

“The federal government should be on the side of our job-creators, not competing against them,” said Budd. “The best thing we can do for our workers and our economy is to end this backwards incentive and help get folks back into good-paying jobs.”​ A federal subsidy providing additional unemployment subsidies of $300 per week as part of the American Rescue Plan ended Sept. 6. In a letter to Congressional leaders on behalf of President Joe Biden, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh called the emergency unemployment benefits “critical lifelines” and asked Congress for reforms to the unemployment system. The leaders stated the $300 additional weekly payments would end but the letter outlined recommendations from the Biden administration on ways states could continue to provide unemployment benefits beyond the Sept. 6 cutoff.

The August job growth the government reported Friday fell far short of the sizable gains of roughly 1 million in each of the previous two months. The number of job openings remains at record levels, with many businesses eager for workers. Last month’s modest job growth was sufficient to lower the

unemployment rate to 5.2% from 5.4% in July.

More Americans said they were unable to work in August because their employer closed or lost business to the pandemic than said so in July. Hiring in the category that includes restaurants, bars and hotels sank to zero in August after those sectors had added roughly 400,000 jobs in both June and July.

A lack of available workers remains a major hurdle to robust hiring. A few months ago, many economists had expected that as schools reopened, more parents, particularly women, would return to the workforce.

So far, that hasn’t happened.

But the demand for workers remains strong. The job listings website Indeed says the number of available jobs grew in August. And the National Federation for Independent Business said its surveys show that half of small businesses have jobs they cannot fill.

In North Carolina, the labor force participation rate — the percentage of the adult civilian population that is employed — held basically steady in July at 59.7, up from June’s 59.6. North Carolina trails the national rate of 61.7% in July.

Last week North Carolina-based Bojangles announced it would close all of its company-owned establishments on two upcoming days, Aug. 30 and Sept.

13. The company said the temporary closures were “in response to industry wide labor shortages and other stresses put on its employees

who’ve worked hard through the pandemic.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

22

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

2

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 9.8.21 7.7.21

WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

Hunting season opens with a bang

WEEKLY FORECAST

#3 #10 #1

North State Journal staff WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

ASHEBORO —THURSDAY Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial FRIDAY SATURDAYend of summer WEDNESDAY SUNDAYfor

23 JULY 3 JULY 24 2 JULY JULYseason 4 many but it’s also the beginning of JULY hunting season. The first hunt of the JULY JUNE 30 21

JULY 1JULY 22

SUNDAY

MONDAY

JULY 25 5 JULY

sportsmen is day of dove81°hunting the Labor HI78° HI HI North 88° HI HI 91° 88° 86° HIoften opening HI89° 88° HI for 91° Carolina HI on86° 84° HI HI LO 66° LO68° 62°LO 65° LODay 70° 67° LO LO 69° 62° LO LO LO LO Saturday.

LO 70° 67° 69° PRECIPinto 57% PRECIP 43% PRECIP 32% 17% PRECIP 15% Dove15% hunting season is separated three segments: Sept.

4PRECIP through Oct. PRECIP PRECIP 20% PRECIP 24% 24% PRECIP 13% PRECIP PRECIP 5%

“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

Neal Robbins Sports Editor Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Matt Mercer

Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor

Sports Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Design Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Editor Lauren Opinion Rose Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC

Frank Hill Editor Design

Lauren Rose 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor

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

by North State Media, LLC Raleigh, N.C. 27609 INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online onlineat atnsjonline.com nsjonline.com TOorSUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price:$50.00 $50.00 Annual Subscription Price: Periodicals Postage atRaleigh, Raleigh, N.C. Periodicals Postage Paid Paid at N.C. Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 and additionalmailing mailing offices. and atatadditional offices.

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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,SEPT 2021, at WEDNESDAY 8 Autumn Care in Biscoe.

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of HI 82 Asheboro, died July LOW 11, 662021.

PRECIP 53% ♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY SEPT 9

See OBITS, page HI7 79

LOW 56 PRECIP 24%

2, Nov. 6 through Nov. 27 and Dec. 9 through Jan. 31. All hunters must follow applicable migratory game bird licensing requirements and hunting regulations.

The daily bag limit is 15 mourning or white-winged doves, either as single species or combined, and shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Hunting of migratory game birds by any method is not allowed on Sundays.

Here’s a look at a few Randolph County hunters on the first day of the season.

If you have a trophy to show off, send it to hunting@northstatejournal.com.

Randolph

Guide MONDAY

TUESDAY

TUESDAY JULY Sept.

JULY 26 69

JULY 27

HI 87° School HI HI 89° Asheboro City LO 67° LO 69° LO Board Meeting PRECIP PRECIP

7:30pm

24% 24%

PRECIP

88° 69° 24%

The Asheboro City School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at the South Asheboro Middle School. The board will also hold its annual retreat on September 11, 2021.

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag

PJ Ward-Brown before those classes start. said there’s an efMattfortWilliams to bolster enrollment. He cited the RCC Commitment Grant, ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren at Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a funding lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap that’s Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or state aid Coryto students. despite a school official pointing “There has never been a betout unprecedented financial inter opportunity to attend RCC centives for potential students.

Who is “Editor?”

Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how

September 10

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

sion, there’s enrollment of 915.

That’s off slightly from the usual Deer“There Seasonhas Evenever Party been a number that ranges up to 1,000, Williams said.

5pm better — 9pmopportunity to attend Traditional enrollment numRCC and not have to worry bers have flattened, but it’s the Harpley’s Taxidermy will host number of high school students about how to pay for it.” s block party to celebrate in programs designed for dual enthe start of deer season. The rollment that has dropped, Robert eventRCC will president be held atDr. 467 East “We’re just not seeing the level of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Dorsett Avenue,Jr. Asheboro. for student services at RCC, said a to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. Williams said.

More information is available RCC held a one-week break decline in high school students in Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We at harpleystaxidermy.com dual enrollment has been the big- meet students exactly where they earlier this month amid the sumare and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip.

24 and concludes July 26. Late “Overall, we’re still seeing a de- can possibly go.”

Beginning with the fall semes- registration for the fall semester cline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classAshetoberfest demic,” Williams said. “I don’t will be eligible for up to $1,000 es beginning Aug. 16.

Still dealing with adjustments know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve per semester.

All Day That makes attending RCC made because of the coronavirus seen in previous fall semesters. …

Downtown Asheboro We’re reaching out to every stu- the most enticing from a finan- pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesdent we can in every way we can.” cial standpoint in the 16 years ter classes will be in person. Some will host the fifth-annual a A fall semester at the two-year Williams has been at the school, will use a hybrid model withAshetoberfest presented school in Asheboro would often he said. He previously worked in mixture of face-to-faces sessions by Four Saints Brewing.

The and virtual sessions. Many classhave 2,600 to 3,000 students en- RCC’s financial aid office. event will kick-off at noon “There’s never a better time to es provide students with options rolled. At the beginning of this with food trucks, a kids zone on how to attend and participate, week, that number stood at about go back to college,” he said.

Williams said.

For the current summer ses1,900 with about a month to go (L-R) Colton McKee, 11, Hudson Daniel, 9 months, Lucas Connor, 12, Tate McKee, 8, and and a beer garden. At 12:30 Anderson Ingold, 4, at an opening day hunt on Saturday, Sept. 4, in Randolph County.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG the band 80s Unplugged will

September 11

♦ 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

♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd, Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Bolton McKee, James Henry (M, 47), Arrest on charge of Possession of Stolen Goods, at 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on 07/15/2021. ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Simple Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, Asheboro, on 07/14/2021.

perform in Bicentennial Park.

Cory Luetjen & The Travelling Blues Band will perform at 3:30.

Arrest on charge of Resisting Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Randleman, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule VI CS, Possessiong of Stolen Motor Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on 07/13/2021.

♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule IV CS, ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), No TiePossession Affair of Stolen motor Arrest on charge of Assault on a vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer Female, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, 6pm tag, failure to deliver title, failure to Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021. appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, The Asheboro/Randolph on 07/13/2021. ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on County Chamber’s Annual No charge of possession of marijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), Tie Affair Oyster Roast and up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Arrest on charge of Assault Low Country Boil will be held by Courthouse, on 7/13/2021. pointing a gun, Discharging a 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, on 07/13/2021.

September 11

at the N.C. Zoo’s Solar Pointe

firearm to cause fear, Reckless ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Plaza. Entertainment will be driving to endanger, Seagrove, on Arrest on charge of Possession provided by DJ Gary Hunt.

07/12/2021. of Meth, Possession with intent Tickets are $60 per person to manufacture, sell or distribute ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest and can be purchased from (L-R) Trey Bunn, 8, Weston Reeder, 11, Landry heroin, Simple possession of Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony on charge of Felony Sexual Reeder, 7, and Jackson Peele, 13, after their Maddie Strider, 13, with her opening day take the Chamber of Commerce.

Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintaining of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Larceny and Possession of Stolen Exploitation of a minor in the opening day hunt in Eastern North Carolina on following a hunt in Southern Randolph County Place, Possession of Drug Possession of Sept. drug paraphernalia, Goods, second degree (10 counts), 727 4. on Sept.

4.at 5471 Needhams Trail, 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),

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Larry Donald Thurman, 76, of Staley, died September 6, 2021, his home in Staley.

Hospitals, Chapel Hill.

Seagrove died Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

Asheboro, died August 31, 2021, at his home.

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY SEPT 10

HI 82

By Dan Gelston The AssociatedLOW Press57

PRECIP 4%

PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature DegeneraSATURDAY 11 7-foot tion X symbol — SEPT with his tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playHI 84 off game.

LOWmusic 57 His theme blared through the PRECIP arena, and 6% nearly 19,000 fans hanging from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofSUNDAY SEPTand 12 struck choice sledgehammer the bell.

Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though HI 87Triple H lost a match in the same when LOWbuilding 63 the event was held there in 1999 — PRECIP 13% but for the superstar-turned-executive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost MONDAY during the 16 months SEPT 13 it ran without live events and raucous crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get HI 89 back into an arena packed full of LOW go 62nuts,” said fans and have them Triple H, known these15% days as PRECIP WWE executive Paul Levesque.

“That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.”

TUESDAY 14 same WWE hasn’t SEPT been the without its “Yes!” chants or “This is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated HI 88the company to running empty LOW arena 63 matches every week with a piped-in PRECIP 16% 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

♦ Rosetta Carver Oldham, 88, of Goldston, died September 2, 2021, at her home in Goldston.

♦ Debbie Sue Key Cox, age 63, of Asheboro, died August 31, 2021 at her home. ♦ Thelma Luther Strider, 90, of Asheboro, died August 31, 2021 at Randolph Hospital.

♦ Linnie Jane Hall Frye, 83, of Asheboro, died Monday, August 30, 2021 at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home in Asheboro.

♦ Jessie Sue Tillman Rhodes, 42, of Randleman, died September 3, 2021, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro.

ple cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different ♦ Stephen Mark Bevis, age 61, of directions over him,” have benefitRandleman, died August 31, 2021, at ed, Levesque said. “But that’s the ♦ Paul Leonard Tice, 85, of Siler City, Randolph Hospital. beautypage of what we do, to go be enSee OBITS, 7 died September 5, 2021 at UNC ♦ Everette Wayne Swaim, 86, of tertained, however you want to ♦ Bobby Lee Spivey, age 80, of 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. on charge of PWIMSD Schedule ♦ Hill, Andrew Michael (M, 35), Arrrest ♦ Schaefer, Raymond John III (M, 29), ♦ Chauncey, Andrew William (M, Levesque, WWE EVP of globII CD, Simple Possession of IV Arrrest on charge of Misdemeanor on charge of Larceny of motor 26), Arrrest on charge of Resisting al talent strategy and developCS, Possession of up to 1/2 oz of Possession of Schedule VI CS, at Vehicle Parts, at Old Farmer Rd a Public Officer, Possession of ment, said the company would Marijuana, at 405 S. Main St, on 4434 Rockie River St, on 9/1/2021. and Cheyenne Dr, Asheboro, on Paraphernalia, at 1660 Greendale “take a hard look” at how it can 8/31/2021.

9/1/2021.

Rd. Ext., on 9/1/2021. attract more fans to the product ♦ Bell, Joshua Alan (M, 33), Arrrest each week.

WWE ♦ Staley, Michael George (M, can 54), only hope on charge of PWIMSD Schedule II ♦ McManaway, Dustin McCoy (M, ♦ Hicks, Nicole Anne (F, 26), Arrrest theoncombination of live Arrrest charge of Possession of crowds CS, Possession of up to 1/2 oz of 26), Arrrest on charge of PWISMD on charge of possession of heroin, and the return of box office Meth, Maintaining a place for CS, attracMarijuana, at 405 S. Main St, on Cocaine, Maintaining a Place for Simple Possession of Schedule IV tions such Meadow as Becky Goldat 7205 Langley Rd,Lynch, on 8/31/2021.

Controlled Substances, Possession CS, at Cedar Falls Rd. and Farm berg, and Cena can ignite interest 8/31/2021. of Paraphernalia, at 1660 Greendale Creek Dr, on 9/1/2021. and grow ratings during the build ♦ Harmon, Erica Nicole (F, 33), Arrrest Rd. Ext, on 9/1/2021. to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerSlam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“It never is one thing,” Levesque said. “We see this as a moment in time to shift everything. I think you’ll see it in just the layout of everything, the set designs, the way PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP it’s presented. There’s a greater In this Jan. 9, 2018, file Do photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night you have a birthday, wedding, engagement or other milestoneemphasis on utilizing the spaces 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.to celebrate? Contact us at celebrations@randolphrecord.com.

A lot of that comes from the time we had to experiment inside the pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and former,” Reigns said. “As a live WWE then moved to its in-house ThunderDome.”

The first start is putting fans Dallas on Monday for the flagship performer, that simultaneous re- performance center in Florida on “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE sponse keeps you sharp. We had March 13, before setting up what — holding their homemade signs 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 ♦ Geraldine Byrd McKinnon, 96, died September 1, 2021, at Westchester Harbour, High Point, NC

♦ Betty Jean Yates McElreath, 83, of Trinity, died August 31, 2021, at Woodland Hill Center in Asheboro.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Out-of-control spending undermines our labors

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ reckless borrow, tax and spending spree undermines the pocketbooks of the very workers this day was intended to celebrate.

ANOTHER LABOR DAY WEEKEND has come and gone, signaling the unofficial end to summer. While the past few months have been overshadowed by multiple crises — in Afghanistan, on our southern border and from inflation that has impacted every American — I do hope you have been able to enjoy time with family and reflect on all the blessings in our lives.

Since 1894, we have observed Labor Day to honor the hard work this country was built upon. This year, we again recognize all of you who work hard and strive every day to provide, care for and support your family.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ reckless borrow, tax and spending spree undermines the pocketbooks of the very workers this day was intended to celebrate. Their $3.5 trillion budget scheme, drafted by Bernie Sanders, will bankrupt our nation on the backs of every worker and family.

Bernie’s budget adds an astounding $17 trillion to the national debt. That is more than the yearly net worth of any country in the world, except the United States. This spending is on top of previous Democrat spending bills that are already driving up inflation and making everything you buy more expensive.

Under this bill, our state alone would be on the hook for an additional $560 billion in debt. At the same time, small businesses that employ 12.5 million Americans would see an average 33% tax increase. That means fewer jobs and lower wages. Additionally, this legislation would open the door to amnesty for 325,000 illegal immigrants in our state, which would lower worker wages here by an average $800 per year.

Thanks to the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, families in North Carolina received an average tax cut of $1,900.

Now, Bernie’s budget would totally reverse that tax relief, and as I mentioned, fuel even more crippling inflation already on pace to be the highest in 40 years.

Inflation has increased every month since Joe Biden became

president. Rather than repeating the same failed policies, liberal politicians in Washington need to stop recklessly spending your money.

I am extremely concerned about the cost to you and your family, and this is the last thing Congress should be focused on right now.

President Biden has repeatedly misled the American people for months about his disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. In March, he said withdrawal would be done “in a safe and orderly way.” In July, he stated it was “highly unlikely” for the Taliban to take over the country. And just a few weeks ago, he committed to staying in Afghanistan until all Americans were out safely. All of these were clearly false.

Somehow, last week the president called the withdrawal an “extraordinary success.” This is an extreme insult to 13 new Gold Star families, as well as thousands of American citizens and Afghan allies currently stranded. Just my office alone is working around the clock with over 1,200 citizens and Afghan partners who have been left behind. Additionally, billions of dollars of military equipment funded by American taxpayers is now in the hands of the brutal Taliban regime. We must hold the president accountable for these failures.

President Biden may declare the long War on Terror over, but the terrorists whose hateful ideology compels them to kill Americans and seek to end our way of life haven’t stopped. Our dedication to protecting Americans and our allies must not stop either.

Last week, I helped introduce legislation demanding a plan from the Biden administration to bring every American home, requesting an accounting of all equipment left behind, and prohibiting any federal funding for the Taliban regime.

Instead of Democratic spending sprees, these are the solutions on which Congress should be focused. I am resolved to continue working for you and your family and pushing back against the misplaced priorities of Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden is no Jimmy Carter Most Americans today don’t realize it, but Carter-era deregulations squeezed enormous costs from the prices of goods of just about every kind.

“THE WORST PRESIDENT since Jimmy Carter.”

You see a lot of that sort of thing if you regularly read conservative commentary, as I do. But as a conservative writer, I think it’s unfair to the 39th president. I think it’s time to say some good words for Carter.

And if some of his accomplishments provide stark contrasts with his only-18-years-younger successor President Joe Biden, well, draw your own conclusions.

I start off by noting that Carter came to the presidency with almost no relevant experience. For the voters of the mid-1970s, that was a feature, not a bug.

Two of the most experienced men to become president — Lyndon Johnson, with a quarter-century in Congress, and Richard Nixon, a nationally prominent politician for 21 years — had, in voters’ opinions, forfeited their trust with Vietnam and Watergate.

Their successor, Gerald Ford, with his own 25 years in Congress, nearly lost the Republican nomination to Ronald Reagan — an eight-year governor of California who glided over his years of reading and writing about national policy. He then lost the presidency to a former one-term governor of Georgia who stumped for Democratic candidates in what turned out to be the very Democratic off-year of 1976.

What Carter brought to the White House was a willingness to adjust to events and change his views. A product of segregationist southern Georgia, he installed a portrait of Martin Luther King in the Georgia Capitol, leaving segregation behind and endorsing the civil rights revolution.

As a presidential candidate, he took on George Wallace, who was previously unbeatable in the South, and beat him 34% to 31% in Florida. There’s a lesson there perhaps for Republicans who would like to be president but are hesitating to take on Donald Trump.

On domestic policy, unlike Biden, who already had four years’ Senate seniority when he took the oath of office, Carter refused to endorse his party’s leftmost positions. He signed the tax bill that included former Wisconsin Republican Rep. William Steiger’s cut in the capital gains tax from 49% to 25% — a growth stimulator in the decades ahead.

Just as important, he supported deregulation, with some considerable support from Ralph Nader and Ted Kennedy. Carter appointee Alfred Kahn pushed through airline deregulation, which transformed flying from luxury transportation to a way for the masses to vacation and stay in touch with far-flung family and friends.

Carter supported the Staggers Act, passed by a solidly Democratic Congress in 1980, which deregulated railroad rates. He backed trucking deregulation as well. Most Americans today don’t realize it, but Carter-era deregulations squeezed enormous costs from the prices of goods of just about every kind. It’s the main reason prices for private sector products such as food and clothing have fallen in real terms over the last 40 years, while prices for public sector-affected things such as health care and higher education have soared.

Carter also, in time, got two of the very biggest issues right.

Inflation had been raging since Nixon abolished the peg to gold one August weekend in 1971 and especially during Middle East-imposed oil shocks in 1973 and 1979. With inflation hitting 13% by July 1979, Carter yanked his former appointee from the Federal Reserve and installed civil servant and Nixon appointee Paul Volcker.

Over the next several years, Volcker squeezed out inflation by keeping interest rates high, even during a sharp recession. Reagan gets credit for supporting him, but Carter deserves credit for appointing him.

Another Carter accomplishment was executing a U-turn on foreign policy. Conservatives scoffed when, days after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Carter said his “opinion of the Russians has changed more drastically in the last week than even the previous two and a half years.”

But he changed not only his mind but his policy, ordering a sharp increase in defense spending. Reagan and Caspar Weinberger raised spending even higher, and a decade later came the collapse of the Soviet Union and victory in the Cold War. Carter deserves some of the credit for that.

What about the Iran hostage crisis? There’s plenty to criticize about Carter’s policy toward Iran, but it’s important to put it in context.

Iran’s hostage-taking violated the first principle of international law — diplomatic immunity. The United States was entitled to treat it as an act of war.

But four years after the fall of Saigon, Americans, who in a single decade had lost 58,000 in Vietnam (compare that to 4,500 in Iraq and 2,200 in Afghanistan over 20 years), had no appetite for military retaliation. They tied yellow ribbons around trees, after a popular song about a criminal about to be released from prison.

Few, if any, conservatives were echoing what I remember as Pat Moynihan’s comment that we should “bring fire and brimstone to the gates of Tehran.” Carter did order a perhaps overly intricate hostage rescue mission, which failed after one too many helicopters became inoperative.

The contrast is stark between Carter, who became president with minimal relevant experience, and Biden, who had 44 years in the Senate and as vice president. Carter pushed innovative policies with bipartisan support. Biden hasn’t. Carter learned on the job and changed policies in response to events. From Biden, we’ve seen nothing so far but stubborn persistence.

Carter has been a former president for 40 years — the longest in history — constructive in charitable work though not, in my view, in foreign policy interventions. He is the only president to have reached the age of 96, and on Oct. 1, he turns 97. Happy birthday, Mr. President.

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

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Clemson WR Williams will miss 4-5 weeks with thumb injury Clemson, S.C. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday that starting wideout E.J. Williams sustained a thumb injury in the loss to Georgia and will miss four or five weeks, including the Tigers’ Sept. 25 game at NC State. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound receiver from Phenix City, Alabama, will need surgery. He had one catch in the 10-3 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Swinney said if surgery and the recovery go well, Williams could return when the Tigers go to Syracuse on Oct. 15.

GOLF

Cantlay wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup Toledo, Ohio Patrick Cantlay fended off the world’s No. 1 player for a one-shot win in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and claim the FedEx Cup. Cantlay hit his 218-yard approach on the 18th hole to 12 feet to deny U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm.

Cantlay shot a 1-under 69 in the final round and earned a $15 million pay day. He had outlasted Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff at the BMW Championship a week before and held a four-shot lead on Rahm heading into the Tour Championship.

SOCCER

U.S. manages 2 draws in World Cup qualifying Nashville, Tenn.

The U.S. men’s national team managed two draws in its first two World Cup qualifying matches, following up Thursday’s goalless match against El Salvador with a 1-1 draw at home against Canada on Sunday. The Americans play their third match in seven days Wednesday night at Honduras. The U.S. hasn’t won a qualifier since 2013 in Central America, where it has one win and three draws in its last eight matches. The USMNT did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and has not advanced past the Round of 16 in soccer’s biggest tournament since 2002.

HOCKEY

NWHL rebrands to Premier Hockey Federation New York The National Women’s Hockey League is changing its name to the Premier Hockey Federation. North America’s first women’s professional hockey league to pay players a salary adopted a new title Tuesday as part of a rebranding to reflect sweeping changes made to its management structure coupled with an influx of private ownership entering its seventh season. The sixteam league’s new season opens on Nov. 6. The federation’s logo is black and white and features three stars forming the silhouette of a crown overtop the initials “PHF.”

JOHN AMIS | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday night's NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Darlington.

Hamlin opens Cup playoffs with 1st win of season Darlington proved “Too Tough to Tame” for many of the postseason qualifiers

By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin shook off a difficult week in the best way possible — ending his season-long winless drought with a victory at the Southern 500 to open the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The week’s problems included some personal issues and continued at the track Saturday when Hamlin was in line to win the Xfinity event here until a pit penalty dropped him back.

This time Hamlin had to hold off the season’s top playoff seed in Kyle Larson, who closed to Hamlin’s bumper racing to the finish line Sunday night.

“It’s certainly significant,” Hamlin said. “This one’s big for us and our team and our momentum.”

And it moved him into the second round without having to scrape for points with close finishes as he did to qualify seventh for the playoffs this season.

“It wasn’t a perfect night,” Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart said. “It is hard to be perfect at the Southern 500. But it was good enough.”

Hamlin won for the first time this season after entering the week seeded seventh in the 16-driver postseason field and vowing if he kept running strongly up front, he’d reach Victory Lane before the year ended.

“It’s as good a time as any right?”

Hamlin said after the win. “My favorite race of the year.”

He looked like a comfortable winner before the top-seeded Larson charged up on his back bumper on the final turn, smoke pouring

out of Larson’s car. But Hamlin held firm up near the wall to take the checkered flag “He was going to have to go through me,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin’s personal life became a topic earlier this week, with the mother of his two daughters seeming to use social media this week to end their relationship. Her account has since been deactivated.

Hamlin, when asked about any distractions, said, “I’m a professional and do my job the best I can and today I thought we did as good as we could.”

Hamlin came out second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. during a caution with 45 laps to go and moved in front when Truex was penalized for going too fast in the pits.

Hamlin broke out ahead of Larson on the restart 36 laps from the end.

The win was Hamlin’s fourth at Darlington Raceway and moved

WCU great, 3-time Super Bowl champion Patten dies in motorcycle accident

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age.”

Bill Belichick, Patriots coach

The South Carolina native was part of New England’s first three NFL titles

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — David Patten, the wide receiver who went from undrafted out of Western Carolina to a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, died Saturday night following a motorcycle accident in Columbia, South Carolina, according to Richland County officials. He was 47. Patten was pronounced dead at the scene of the three-vehicle accident in his hometown.

Patten played 147 NFL games for five teams, totaling 324 receptions and 4,715 yards with 24 touchdowns, and he had his greatest success with the Patriots. As a target for Tom Brady, Patten had 40-plus receptions and more than 700 yards receiving in three of his four years in New England. The Patriots won three titles during his time in New England and he played in two Super Bowls — he was injured in the seventh game of 2003 and missed the remainder of that season.

He had 13 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in New

him into the round of 12 in the knockout format in a grueling race where several playoff contenders struggled at the track “Too Tough To Tame.”

The past two series champions, Kyle Busch in 2019 and Chase Elliott last year, were in the garage before the race ended. Busch slammed the wall — to the delight of large crowd back at Darlington — and drove straight to his hauler.

Elliott was caught in a threewide sandwich where he was next to the wall. He came away with tire and brake problems.

Larson was second for the third straight time racing at Darlington.

He led the most laps, 156 out of 367.

He made it crazy at the end.

“I didn’t want to wreck him. I just wanted to get to his outside,” Larson said. “He did a great job, not really making any mistakes on that last run.”

Ross Chastain finished third, the only non-playoff driver among the top eight. Truex was fourth, followed by Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, Chris Buescher and Austin Dillon.

The NASCAR Cup series playoffs continue at Richmond on Saturday. Brad Keselowski won there in September 2020 while Alex Bowman won this past April.

WILL DICKEY | THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION VIA AP

David Patten holds up a newspaper claiming victory for the Patriots after their 24-21 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Patten, a Western Carolina standout, was killed in a motorcycle accident last Thursday night outside of Columbia, South Carolina. He was 47.

England’s three playoff games on its run to the 2001 season title, including an 8-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl 36 against the Rams in the Patriots’ 20-17 win — the first of six titles won by the franchise over the last two decades. He also had a touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe in that year’s AFC Championship game against the Steelers after

Brady was injured.

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I am grateful to have coached David. He is an essential person and player in Patriots history, without whom we would not have been Super Bowl champions.”

Before turning pro, Patten

starred at Western Carolina and made the All-Southern Conference team as a senior when he had 59 catches for 881 yards. He went undrafted in 1996 and played for Albany of the Arena Football League that season. He caught on with the Giants the next year and spent three seasons in New York, totaling 33 receptions, 460 yards and three touchdowns in 44 games.

His breakout season came in 2000 when he had 38 catches for 546 yards and a touchdown with the Browns. He then signed with the Patriots as a free agent.

Following his successful fouryear stint in New England, Patten had two-year stops in Washington and New Orleans. He signed again in both Cleveland (in 2009) and New England (2010) but didn’t play another game with either team.

He retired in July 2010 and later returned to Western Carolina to complete his degree and work as an assistant on the football team at his alma mater. He had also become a Christian minister and motivational speaker in his post-playing career. His son, Daquan, is a senior receiver on the Catamounts.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Hannah Hinshaw Randleman, volleyball The senior middle blocker led the team in multiple categories as the Tigers won twice. Randleman swept Montgomery Central and then topped Wheatmore in four sets to improve its record to 7-2.

In the Montgomery Central match, Hinshaw collected 16 kills and 21 digs, both the top numbers for the team. Against Wheatmore, she chipped in with 16 kills to go with a team-best six blocks.

COURTESY PHOTO

Catch him if you can PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Freshman Cameron Letterlough has been a force early in his career for Asheboro’s soccer team.

Asheboro freshman kicks in right away Blue Comets welcome huge contributions from Letterlough

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Cameron Letterlough says one of the best parts about the opening weeks of the season has been forging relationships with his new teammates.

He’s a freshman on the Asheboro boys’ soccer team.

It seems like he has made quite an introduction on the high school scene.

“I’ve just been scoring,” Letterlough said. “My team is really good and I have confidence to know when to shoot and not to shoot.”

Letterlough racked up five goals in a 9-0 victory against Randleman. He followed that last week with two more goals in a 7-1 triumph against Northwood.

“He’s something special,” Ashe-

boro coach Nick Arroyo said. “He has no fear of anyone on the field.”

Arroyo said he didn’t know anything about Letterlough until he arrived for preseason practice. It didn’t take long for him to realize the newcomer would make an immediate impact.

“I never heard of him until he showed up,” Arroyo said. “The way he moves, you don’t see very often on the soccer field.”

Letterlough didn’t play for South Asheboro Middle School last year, saying he needed to concentrate on academics. However, he has been a member of NC Fusion, a Greensboro-based club team.

That gave him a good background. He said he wants to fit in with the Blue Comets.

“I was ready to step in and show them how I play,” he said.

Along with senior striker Jose Cortes, Letterlough’s spot in the lineup has provided a productive combination along the front line.

“We’ve got quite a bit of talent

Providence Grove builds early success Randolph Record staff ASHEBORO — Providence Grove’s football team is in a groove early in the season.

The Patriots attempt to match a school record for the best start to a season when Asheboro visits Friday night.

For just the second time in school history, Providence Grove holds a 3-0 record. The most-recent result was last week’s 54-0 whipping of visiting Jordan-Matthews.

The only time Providence Grove – a school that opened in 2008 – began a season with four consecutive victories came in 2009.

Combined with winning their last two games of the past season (played in the spring), the Patriots hold a five-game winning streak overall.

In the Jordan-Matthews game, Zander Cheek set the tone by returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

Cheek also scored on a reception and a rushing play. He gained 138 rushing yards on three carries.

Luke Thomas threw two first-half touchdown passes. Caleb Rogers

FRIDAY’S AREA SCHEDULE Eastern Randolph at Burlington Williams, 7 Asheboro at Providence Grove, 7:30 West Davidson at Southwestern Randolph, 7:30 Jordan-Matthews at Trinity, 7:30 Wheatmore at Chatham Central, 7:30

had touchdowns with a reception and a rushing play.

Here’s a look at other area football: NORTH FORSYTH 30, RANDLEMAN 27: Thursday night at Randleman, the Tigers dropped their third home game to fall to 0-3, equaling the team’s number of losses from the three previous seasons combined.

North Forsyth (1-2) never trailed despite failing to cash in on a conversion play following any of its five touchdowns.

Christian Long threw two touch-

top to bottom,” Arroyo said, noting that Letterlough has been a key piece to the lineup.

Letterlough, who turns 15 years old later this month, said he knows there will be challenges ahead. After all, he’s on the scouting reports.

“Ever since that Randleman game, people noticed,” he said.

He said he wants to maintain the high level of production.

“My biggest strength is to have good runs and be able to finish,” he said. “(I want to continue) getting to know my teammates and to have fun.”

There’s also a bit of friendly competition between Letterlough and Cortes.

“He’s catching up,” Letterlough said.

Arroyo is a 2006 Asheboro graduate in his second season as school’s coach as well as directing the under-13 squad for the Asheboro City Football Club. He said the Blue Comets, who went 4-3-1 in the spring (when the 2020 season was shifted because of the pandemic), could be in line for a breakthrough season.

Asheboro entered this week with a 4-0-1 record.

“There’s a lot that’s going to be on the positive side,” he said. “We’re not a team of one. We’re a team together.”

down passes and Ervodd Cassady, who scored on a 27-yard run, picked up 107 rushing yards on 20 carries for Randleman. Thomas Dobias scored on a 34-yard pass and Jozey Akines made a 13-yard touchdown grab for the game’s last touchdown prior to a two-point conversion.

Chris Gentry kicked field goals from 20 and 33 yards out. The Tigers were charged with all four of the game’s turnovers.

Randleman was supposed to play Montgomery Central for last week’s game, but that was scrapped because of COVID protocols involving the Montgomery Central team.

Southwestern Randolph’s Cole off to blazing start

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Adam Cole doesn’t need an encore, though after a six-touchdown performance in Southwestern Randolph’s most-recent game that would be difficult.

But the versatile junior has more to accomplish.

With the Cougars off to a 2-0 start going into Friday night’s home game against West Davidson, Cole figures to be at the forefront of the game plan.

“There’s a decent number (of plays called) for me,” Cole said.

Just determining how he might be used could be the tricky part. He’s considered a running back, but his hybrid role often calls for him to be lined up in the slot.

“He’s definitely a unique talent,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said. “We’re trying to utilize him the best we can. Anytime he touches the ball, we feel he can take it the distance.”

He has scored nine touchdowns in two games without playing in the fourth quarter in either romp. His six-TD outing in the most-recent game against South Stanly came with an array of different types of scoring plays.

His favorite?

“Probably the pick-6,” he said of an interception return. “Got the crowd really excited. I feel like I read the play pretty well.”

Cole, also an outfielder and lead-off batter for the school’s baseball team, is listed at 6-foot and 165 pounds. He plays as a

defensive back when the Cougars don’t have possession.

He has the speed to be a difference maker.

“I think that’s what it is,” Cole said. “Even with baseball, that’s my main thing.”

Cole is regularly praising others, even with his scoring numbers.

“I think with our (offensive line) and my receivers and other running backs block for me, that lets me get to the outside,” he said. “I always knew I was capable.”

Baxter said: “He’s always complimenting those around him.

He constantly deflects attention.”

The Cougars have other playmakers, including running back Easton Clapp, receiver/tight end Eli Gravely and quarterback Keaton Reed.

Last season, Cole scored six touchdowns – all on offense – during the abbreviated six-game spring session. Back then, the Cougars were able to build their offense around then-senior Jacob Jarrell.

But Baxter said it has been apparent for quite some time that Cole would make a huge impact.

Prior to his freshman season, he suffered a broken ankle, so that limited him to four junior varsity games.

Despite the speed component for Cole, Baxter said there’s a toughness element that’s present. That became clear when he absorbed brutal hits last season in the Southeast Guilford game.

He was mostly running away from opponents in the South Stanly game. He had 14 touches in the contest (counting the interception) in producing the six touchdowns.

“He makes all of us look good,” Baxter said.

EAST DAVIDSON 50, TRINITY 19: The visiting Bulldogs lost a lopsided game for the second week in a row to drop their record to 1-2.

POSTPONED: Last week’s games sending Ledford to Wheatmore along with Walkertown going to Eastern Randolph were called off because of COVID protocols.

This week’s game for Eastern Randolph (2-0) is at Burlington Williams. Some initial schedules had that game listed for a home game in Ramseur, but athletics director Foster Cates said that was adjusted to help balance schedules so it’s a road game.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Adam Cole of Southwestern Randolph has scored in various ways in two games this season.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

In step to shut Guantanamo, President Safely sharing Biden transfers the road with farmMoroccan home

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 acthat most farm equipment crashtivities. es involve a non-farm vehicle. The But the vast majority of those Farm Bureau also says that an acreengagements occurred with cident involving a farm vehicle is former prisoners who did not go five-times more likely to result in through the security review that a fatality than other road acciwas set up under Obama. A task dents. force that included agencies such When a motorist interacts with as the Defense Department and a farm vehicle on a road, there are the CIA analyzed who was held at several key principles to insure Guantánamo and determined who safety. It may seem easier to pass could be released and who should a tractor without slowing down continue in detention. than to follow the slower vehicle.

The U.S. thanked Morocco for But, sight lines on large equipfacilitating Nasser’s transfer. ment are not optimized for high“The United States commends speed traffic so the operator may the Kingdom of Morocco for its not be able to see a passing vehilong-time partnership in securcle. A safer way to pass is to first AP secuPHOTO ing both countries’ national slow down to give the farmer a ALEX BRANDON | AP PHOTO rity interests,” the Pentagon statechance to be aware that a vehicle A farmer drives a combine in Engelhard, N.C. in this 2011 file photo. ment said.

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It also has to rePsaki had said in February it was they may veer off to the side of the is turning left and another vehicle of accidents during harvest sea- way to make that happen. acts.”

Idrissi, Nasser’s attorney, said thePresidents men in federal court. whatto it pass. will do with detain- of the “intention” of the Biden the adminson, since Franklin D. attempts road just before making turn. solve authorities should But thein closure effort was judicial Obama administration istration to close fa- ees that Blake Szilvay is a Field Crops not 1944 have declared Newthe equipment may come with Roosevelt Mistaking this the fordetention pulling over “take measures that prolong his thwarted when Congress barred particularly struggled with, eicility, something President Barack could be costly. Left turns are es- traffic signals, but older equip- the third week of September as and Forestry Agent for N.C. andExtension, suffering, Randolph especially transfer prisoners from torment because their home countries Obama pledged to do for within a year Cooperative National FarmofSafety and Health ment may require the operator to the pecially dangerous farm vehi- ther heCenter lived through the hell of to the U.S., including since considered secure shortly after he took office in Bureau Janu- were County Week. use not hand signals. Hill andenough curves Guantánamo cles. According to the U.S. Guantánamo.” to return them to, or because they for prosecution or medical care. ary 2009.

Nasser’s journey to the Cuban The prisoner transfer process Almost 800 detainees have were refused by third-party counstalled under Trump, who said prison was a long one. He was a passed through Guantanamo. Of tries.

The detention center opened in even before taking office there member of a nonviolent but illethe 39 remaining, 10 are eligible to be transferred out, 17 are eligible to 2002. Bush’s administration trans- should be no further releases. gal Moroccan Sufi Islam group in go through the review process for formed what had been a quiet Navy “These are extremely dangerous the 1980s, according to his Pentapossible transfer, another 10 are in- outpost on Cuba’s southeastern tip people and should not be allowed gon file. In 1996, he was recruited volved in the military commission into a place to interrogate and im- back onto the battlefield,” Trump to fight in Chechnya but ended up in Afghanistan, where he trained process used to prosecute detain- prison people suspected of links to said. an al-Qaida camp.

He party was capUnder Trump, only one prison- at ees and two have been convicted, al-Qaida and the Taliban. sions are pushed by the out after fighting U.S. forces The Obama administration, er, a Saudi, was transferred to Sau- tured another senior administration ofof power. was sent to Guantánaseeking to allay concerns that some di Arabia to serve the remainder there ficial said.

In and Michigan, where Republiinhad Mayfull 2002.

The Biden administration didn’t of those released had “returned to of his sentence after he agreed to a mo cans control of state government in 2010, groups with ties to Democrats in 2018 pushed a ballot measure taking the pen from the GOP legislature and giving it to a nonpartisan commission.

In Virginia, when Republicans controlled the state legislature in 2019, Democrats in that body voted to calendar put a commission measure court following Sessions’ on the ballot. The following year, decision. after Democrats of Since the 2018 took fiscalcontrol year, the the legislature, some in Demnumber of casesonly pending the ocrats took courts the required second immigration has risen 74%, vote place the measuretobefore to 1.3tomillion, according data voters,the nowTransactional aided enthusiastically from Records by out-of-power Republicans.

Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse The initiative passed overUniversity. whelmingly in November of 2020, Gene Hamilton, a key architect as many voters of handed Biden a 10-perof Trump’s immigration centage-point win. in the Justice policies who served Half of the 16 Department, saidcommission’s he believes Garmembers are state If land’s decision will letlegislators. immigrants the in commission deadstay the countryformally indefinitely delocks,facing the deportation. state Supreme Court spite BOB BROWN | RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH VIA AP draws a prospect that But the somemaps, immigration judges alarms Democrats given its lack of In this March 2, 2020, file photo, Del. Martha Mugler, D-Hampton, second from right, and Del. Danica said they can only use the practice progress so far.

Roem, D-Prince William, right, walk past a group of demonstrators as they head to the House of Delegates in a limited number of cases and “We have made a mistake,” inside the Virginia state Capitol in Richmond, Va. that it makes the courts moresaid efLashrecse Aird, a Democratic delficient, not less. Without it, some egate who voted immigrants haveagainst woundtheupmeafilsureapplications both times for it came up or in apthe ers are worried the bipartisan Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio by quiring nonpartisan commissions ing asylum statesimply legislature. commission could deadlock, kick- pulling in more voters of his party, to draw lines in every state as peal to buy more time while In Colorado, 2018 ing control of redistricting to the and creates a safe Democratic dis- part of a sweeping federal election waiting on theirDemocrats green cardinapplibackedMarks a ballot measure to hand state Supreme Court, dominat- trict west of Portland for Oregon’s takeover, which Senate Republi- cation, said. control of redistricting to a noned by GOP-appointed judges. The sixth and newest district. The Re- cans unanimously oppose.

“It clutters up the system with partisan commission thatunnecesdoes not Currently, 10 states have redis- unnecessary court would likely hire experts to publican version keeps both disfilings and PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO include legislators.

The initiative that draw sary draw the maps determining the tricts competitive. A deadlock tricting commissions hearings,” she said. first proposed by a wealthy lines for congressional districts, was kicks the process to the Democratpolitical composition of the state’s The move also restores autonIn this June 25, 2021 file photo, Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on businessman and former Repubincluding reliably Republican omy 11 congressional districts and its ic secretary of state. to the country’s immigravoting rights at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. lican. Some Democrats signed on Democratic worries about the Montana and swing state Arizona. tion state legislative seats. judges over how they manage However, six of the commis- enthusiastically, others grudgingAnd in Oregon, a solidly blue Colorado and Virginia commistheir dockets, said Jeremy McKinstate that is gaining a congressio- sions expose the party’s hypocri- sion states are ones whose gov- ly, but eventually the party threw said immigration judges too often migrants fleeing violence to quali- courts, is making rules related to ney, president elect of the Amerinal seat, the Democrats who con- sy, said Adam Kincaid, executive ernments are controlled by Dem- its full backing behind it. administrative closure and will al- can Immigration Lawyers Associlet people stay in the country lon- fy for asylum.

“This looks like a 4-3-1 map trol a supermajority in the state director of the National Repub- ocrats, including the nation’s In the decision on immigration low the practice in the meantime, ation. Immigration judges clashed ger than they should in a sort of lelegislature agreed to evenly divide lican Redistricting Trust, which biggest state, California, with its in a state that went for Biden by repeatedly with the Trump adjudges, Garland wrote that three the attorney general wrote. gal purgatory. their redistricting committee be- oversees line-drawing for the 52 congressional seats. That’s part 13.5,” said Craig Hughes, a veterministration, decrying measures During the Trump administraThe decision is one of several federal appeals courts had already tween Democrats and Republi- GOP. “It’s as if they see these com- of the reason the GOP controls the an Colorado Democratic stratethey said limited their indepention, the number of cases in the rejected Sessions’ 2018 policy, sayrecent Biden administration remissions as an extension of the redistricting process in states rep- gist. “That’s not a good result for cans. surged, partthe judges hadand thenot authoriversals former DonDemocrats.” resenting 187courts congressional seats, dence.

Democratic Party as the immigration On of Friday, thePresident two parties re- ing “To say Democrats the immigration as some of the hundreds of thouto decide how they wanted to lyand ald Trump’s immigration Some have judgbeen Democrats in ones with only independent bodies leased dueling maps for policies. the state. tyfair-minded es never possessed this power sands of cases that had been put handle cases.

The Justice DepartLast month, Garland ended two grumbling that the party erredwas in 75 seats.

The Democratic map shores up they say they are.” ridiculous,” McKinney said. hold were added backcommison the simply which runs the immigration policies that made it harder for im-by ment, backing the commission. nonpartisan Democrats have proposed re- on Often, one swing district represented

equipment

By Dino Hazell The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration took a step

By Blake Szilvay toward its goal of shutting down For the Randolph Record the Guantánamo Bay detention center for international terror susDuringinto the pectsASHEBORO on Monday, — releasing Spring and Fall, the volume the custody of his home country aof farm equipment appearing on the Moroccan who’d been held withroad increases significantly.

In the out charge almost since the U.S. Fall, farmers are working hard to opened the facility 19 years ago. harvest crops in a narrow winThe transfer of Abdullatif Nassdow of time with unpredictable er was the first by the Biden adweather. They rely on large equipministration, reviving an Obama ment designed to aid them in administration effort that had these tasks, equipment that is not been stymied, in part, by conserdesigned to match the speed of a vative opposition and by the difficommon automobile on the road. culty of finding secure sites towill sendbe Generally, this equipment some of the detainees. travelling no more than 30 mph.

A Public review roads board are had dangerous recommended repatriation for and Nasser, with passenger vehicles comwho is in his mid-50s, in July 2016, mercial vehicles interacting.

Addbut hefarm had remained atincreases Guantánaing equipment acmocident under risks President for farmersDonald and for Trump, who Studies opposedinclosing motorists.

N.C. inthe the site.

1960s resulted in new laws to proIn announcing transtect everyone onNasser’s our roadways. fer,Those the Pentagon cited the board’s laws include special markdetermination that on hisslow-moving detention ings and lighting was no longer necessary to protect equipment.

U.S. According national security. to the N.C. Farm Nasser, between also known Abdul Bureau, 2015asand 2019, Latif Nasser, arrived Monday there were more than 1,000 in acMorocco. took him intoinvolvcuscidents Police on N.C. roads tody said they would investiingand farm vehicles.

Studies show gate 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.”

TheNicholas State Department By Riccardi said in a The statement thatPress President Joe Associated Biden’s administration would continueDENVER “a deliberate and thorough — Democrats argue that the once-a-decade process of redrawing political maps shouldn’t be a partisan cage match. They’ve pushed for so-called independent commissions to do the work of rebalancing population changes into congressional districts.

They’re about to see less than ideal results of their focus on what Bysome Amygroups Taxin say is “fairness.”

In Democratic-controlled ColThe Associated Press orado, Virginia and Oregon, new congressional maps drawn U.S. ATTORNEY General Mer-by commissions or bipartisan powrick Garland tossed a Trump ader-sharing agreements unlikeministration policy thatarebarred ly to give the partyfrom the sort of poimmigration judges putting advantagescases someofnow wish offlitical the deportation immiit could have on enjoyed. grants waiting green cards and visas.“There should be concern within the Democratic thatbywe Garland overruled aParty decision may have been too quick seek then-Attorney General Jeff toSesreform without really looking sions that judges could not tem-at the long-term implications,” porarily shelve those cases — said a Rick Ridder, Democratic stratepractice knownaas administrative gist in Denver. closure.

To be sure, judges, not all DemocratImmigration who are ic states have sacrificed power for employees of Garland’s Departreform.

Democratic-controlled ment of Justice, said the practice states likemanage Illinois their and Maryland helps them dockets are heavily gerrymandered.

And more efficiently by letting them focusDemocratic-controlled on cases that are readystate to golegisto latures overrule commissions court and can avoid dragging in immiin New Mexico and especially grants and attorneys for unnecesNew York, where party in could sary hearings.

That’sthe critical a erase several GOP House seats if it backlogged system where immicontrols the map. grants already wait years to get a courtBut date.given the narrow margins, the commission mat“It helps us clear ourstates dockets ter.

In Colorado, where President so we’re dealing with cases that Biden won by 13 percentareJoe really ready for hearings,” said age points last year, the nonparImmigration Judge Dana Leigh tisan commission released a preMarks, president emerita and exliminary map on Friday which ecutive vice president of the Nacould lead the two parties to eventional Association of Immigration ly split the state’s eight congressioJudges. nal seats. In contrast, some DemoFor many immigrants, admincratic maps split 6-2 in their favor. istrative closure was seen as a lifeThe difference, a net of four conline that shielded them from degressional seats, is half the current portation whilemargin they awaited word Democratic in the House. on their applications for legal staIn Virginia, where Democrats tuscontrol from other agencies, such as the legislature and hold green or other visas.

Critics the cards governor’s office, party lead-

Democrats see consequences from redistricting reform push

Garland lets immigration judges put off deportation cases

Subscribe today (704) 269-8461 randolphrecord.com/subscribe

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

7

obituaries

Betty Jane Kramic 1928 - 2021

Betty Jane Truman Kramic, age 93, passed away Friday, September 3, at The Randolph Hospice House.

Mrs. Kramic was born April 21, 1928, in Howell, MI. She was the daughter of the Joseph and Mildred (Miller) Truman.

Betty Jane left behind a memory of a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.

Mrs. Karmic was loved by many for her beautiful heart of gold.

Betty was a Homemaker for many years.

She is survived by her 4 children: Mary Johnson of Ramseur, NC, Judy N Rowlison of Homer, MI, Glenn Welton of Russsellville, AL, and Frank Benjamin Kramic of Waldon, MI. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michelle Cook, Tammy Duty, Stacey Hughs, Frankie Kramic, Jonathan Kramic, Mellisa Kramic, Robbie Rawlison, and Kim Rawlison, along with 9 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Clarence Ray Bell 1957 - 2021

Clarence Ray Bell, age 64, of Asheboro died Friday, September 3, 2021 at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

Mr. Bell was born April 15,1957 in Randolph County, NC, the son of Adrian Price and Frances Ella Marshburn Bell. He was retired from the Army National Guard and also from Adam Pierce Furniture in High Point.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Shannon Bell, sister, Kathy Hicks, and brothers, Dean Bell and Jerry Bell.

He is survived by his Wife, Mary Evers Bell; Daughters, Chrystal Lynn Bell and Melanie Boling and her husband Jeff of Asheboro; Grandchildren, Eli and Nathan Bean, Amber Murphy, Jared Manning, Alex, Katie, Justin, and Zane Boling; Great Grandchildren, Freya, Elsie, And Khleo; Sisters, Sherry Brady of Sophia, Joan Pittman of Asheboro, and Gloria Pace of Charlotte.

The family will receive friends Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. The funeral will follow at 2:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Thompson officiating.

Burial will be in Giles Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Ronald Ward Garlick 1938 - 2021

Ronald Ward Garlick, age 82, of Randleman died Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in High Point.

Mr. Garlick was a native of Riverside, CA but made his home here in Randleman.

Ronald served 36 years in the US Military and was proud of his service.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathy M. Ellerbe of Randleman, Melinda Rhodes of High Point, Penny P. Rhodes of High Point, Michelle D. Garlick of Georgia and Nanette Coleberg of Chicago; sons, Jack Edward Rhodes and his wife Katherine of Milton, Florida, Darrin Lee Rhodes and his wife, Zina of Climax, and Wesley Garlick of Washington, DC; grandchildren: Ricki R. Phelps and her husband Chris of Pensacola, Florida, Shelli Charles and her husband Jason of High Point, and Elliott hays and his wife Billie of Randleman. Along with many many grandchildren!

Ronald Garlick was a loving, kind and caring man.

A wonderful father and grandfather. Nicknamed Papa to all who knew him. God has called him home to His Kingdom where her will be reunited in Heaven with his wife Joyce and daughter, Aprilbeth who preceded him in death.

A graveside service will be held September 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Country Holiness Cemetery in Randleman with Bishop Alexander officiating.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Carolyn Carlisle

Marion Paisley Auman 1920 - 2021

Marion Elizabeth Paisley Auman of Asheboro passed away on September 4th surrounded by her family at Clapps Convalescent Nursing home after a short illness.

Mrs. Auman was born January 11, 1920, in Asheboro. She spent much of her early adult life in Asheboro and became a member of West Bend United Methodist Church. Her family moved to Indiana in 1964 where she had a career in retail and was an active member of Cambridge City First United Methodist Church. In 1986 Mrs. Auman and her husband returned to Asheboro to retire. She continued her membership at West Bend UMC, as a member of the United Methodist Women and the Fellowship Sunday School class.

Mrs. Auman was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Martin C. Auman Jr., and by her son, Randy Auman of Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as 5 sisters and 3 brothers. She is survived

by Randy’s wife Betty Auman of Fuquay Varina, NC; by a son Jim Auman (Susie) of Richmond, IN; and two daughters, Betsy Prosser (Ray) of Waxhaw, NC; and Jean Auman (Lysle Hollenbeck) of Southport, NC. She also leaves 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 11:30 am on Saturday, September 11th, at West Bend UMC, 1124 Albemarle Rd., Asheboro, NC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Rev. Kari Howard will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends and family at the church before the service from 10:30-11:30 am.

Memorials may be made to West Bend United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1845, Asheboro, NC, 27204.

The family has requested the people attending the service to please wear a face covering.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the family.

Peggy Louise Brookshire 1931 - 2021

Peggy Louise Yow Brookshire, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 31, 2021.

Mrs. Brookshire was born in Randleman on January 11, 1931 to Herbert and Rena Yow. Peggy was a 1949 graduate of Randleman High School and retired from Laughlin Hosiery Mill in Randleman after many years of service. Peggy attended First United Methodist Church in Randleman where she sang weekly in the church choir and was an active member of the United Methodist Women. In addition to her parents, Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Azel Brookshire, infant son, Joseph William Brookshire, brother, Donald Yow, and sonin-law Gary Richardson. Peggy’s beautiful singing voice, and her cheerful, kind demeanor will be remembered by all who knew her.

Peggy is survived by her daughter, Karen Brookshire Richardson of Sophia, siblings Glen Yow of Asheboro, Jean McCollum of Randleman, and Bobby Yow of Asheboro, grandchildren, Brent Richardson of Sophia, Kelly Patton (Ryan) of Asheboro, and Mandy Pearce (Matthew) of Randleman, greatgrandchildren, Keylin Gamboa, Reychell Gamboa, Madeline Richardson, Ella Pennington, Eva Vuncannon, David Richardson, Berkley Pennington, Marcus Pearce, Bethany Pearce, and Micah Pearce, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who were very special to her.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Randleman, 301 S. Main Street, Randleman, NC 27317.

1945 - 2021

1941 - 2021 Darrell Rayvon Allred, age 79, of formerly of Asheboro, NC died Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Carteret Health Care Home Health, Morehead City.

Mr. Allred was born November 4, 1941 the son of Christopher S. and Pearl Bailey Allred.

Darrell was a native of Randolph County and served in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam Era. He founded Allred Seafood of Asheboro and ran it for 16 years. He then moved to Beaufort, NC where he started Carolina Utility Buildings, where he worked for more than 25 years.

He was an avid skeet shooter and a member of a registered skeet club.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Fields Allred; son, Ryan Allred and wife Amy of Beaufort, NC; one sister, Layrelnia Brewer of Asheboro, NC and 3 grandchildren.

A private family service will be held.

Michael “Mike” Hamilton Pugh, age 65, of Asheboro died Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Kindred Hospital, Greensboro.

Mr. Pugh was born May 28, 1956 the son of Clarence and Inez Small Pugh Dicks. Mike read his bible first thing every morning to start his day off right. He enjoyed drag racing, motorcycles, cars and trucks and loved to tinker. Family and friends was very important to him. He was employed as a lineman with Pike Electrical but retired from Bishop Trucking. In addition to his parents, Mike is preceded in death by his sister, Patsy Brim and step father, John “Pop” Dicks.

He is survived by his wife: Sharon Masters Pugh of the home; son, Jeff Pugh (Tracy) of Greensboro, daughter, Becky Brady (Scott) of Lexington, son, Sean Walker (Kim) of Sophia, son, Dyyeun Walker (Michelle) of Greensboro, daughter, Jhordan Wagner (Brian) of Randleman and daughter, Kendall Williams of Lexington; step brother, Bill Dicks of Randleman; 17 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren.

December 5, 1948 September 1, 2021

Sandra Metz Redding Parris

Darrell Rayvon Allred

1956 - 2021

Jane Freeman

1951 - 2021

Carolyn Palmer Carlisle, age 69, of Asheboro died Thursday, September 2, 2021 at GrayBrier Nursing and Retirement Center, Trinity.

Mrs. Carlisle was born September 8, 1951 the daughter of Joe John and Mary Palmer. Carolyn was a native of Randolph County and a member at C-4 Church.

She was a graduate of Eastern Randolph High School and Asheboro Business College.

She had worked at Sew Special.

Carolyn loved the Atlanta Braves and the Carolina Tar Heels.

She enjoyed gardening flowers, especially roses and lantana.

Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Carlisle, sisters, Odette Cagle and Nadine Tucker.

She is survived by her sons: Jason Carlisle (Kelly) of Whitsett, and Damon Carlisle (Melissa) of Randleman; grandchildren, Hallie Gail and Aiden; sister, Jodi Sibbett of Randleman; numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 am at Randolph Memorial Park, 4538 US Hwy 220 Bus. North, Asheboro with Pastor Ed Arroyo officiating.

Memorials may be made to Randolph County Honor Guard, P.O. Box 1672, Asheboro, NC 27204.

Michael Hamilton “Mike” Pugh

Sandra Metz Redding Parris, age 76, of Franklinville passed Friday, September 3, 2021 at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro.

Mrs. Parris was born January 28, 1945 the daughter of Dallas Lester and Rachel Dennis Redding. Sandra was a native of Randolph County. In addition to her parents, Sandra is preceded in death by her son, Timmy Parris.

She is survived by her husband: Thomas Parris of the home; daughter: Candace Parris; daughter-in-law Beth Parris; grandchildren:, Whitney Smith (Michael) Kelsey Parris, Salem Parris, Holden Parris (Anna) and Kinley Parris; great grandchild, Sarahbeth Smith; sisters, Nella Lilly and Rose Parsons; brothers; J.B Redding, Dennis Redding and Thom Redding.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 am at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, 3650 Bethany Church Rd., Franklinville with Rev. Jeff Joyce officiating.

Carolyn Jane Jordan Freeman, 72, of Asheboro, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at her home.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 6, 2021, at Center Cross Baptist Church, Asheboro, with Pastor Rick Miller and Pastor Grant Hoffman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Jane was born on December 5, 1948 in Randolph Co., to the late Ernest Ray Jordan and Mary Virginia Graves Jordan.

She retired from Klaussner Furniture and was a member of Center Cross Baptist Church, where she was a former Sunday school teacher. She loved her Lord and her family.

She was a caregiver for her great granddaughter and her grandchildren and her great grandchildren were her world.

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Ray Freeman; and brother, Sam Jordan.

She is survived by her daughters, Tisha Wallace of Asheboro, Tammy Millikan (Eddie) of Asheboro; sisters, Evelyn Purvis (Carl) of Hartsville, SC, Tresia Jordan of Asheboro; brother, Ronald Jordan (Libby) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Eddie Millikan Jr. (CJ), Bianca Speer (Michael), Holly Rose (Brian); great grandchildren, Rylee Speer, Carson Rose, Gracie Rose; and her faithful canine companions, Snowball and Sophie.

Memorials may be made to Center Cross Baptist Church, 1789 Center Cross Church Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

8

Randolph Record for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

NC appeals court stops voting restoration for felons

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — A North Carolina appeals court on Friday blocked an order that had allowed tens of thousands of felony offenders who aren’t serving prison or jail time to immediately register to vote and cast ballots.

The state Court of Appeals agreed to halt last week’s decision by trial judges to expand when North Carolina residents convicted of felonies have the right to vote again.

The plaintiffs immediately appealed Friday’s decision to the state Supreme Court to seek a reversal.

Otherwise, the stay would remain in place until the merits of pending litigation filed by civil rights groups and ex-offenders challenging state law on the restoration of voting rights is heard by the appeals court.

The decision by the intermediate-level appeals court means that — if left in place — the offenders could not vote in this fall’s municipal elections. It also likely would bring confusion, since some felons affected by last week’s trial court order almost certainly would have registered to vote by now. Voting rights groups have already started registration drives targeting the estimated 56,000 people affected by the decision.

The North Carolina Constitution forbids a person convicted of a felony from voting “unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.” A 1973 law laying out those restoration rules requires the “unconditional discharge of an inmate, of a probationer, or of a parolee.”

The trial court order, however, said that election officials can’t deny voter registration to any convicted felon who is only on probation, parole or post-release supervision. An attorney for the plaintiffs said the trial court’s decision represented the largest expansion of North Carolina voting rights since

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, file photo, stacks of ballot envelopes are waiting to be mailed at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh. the 1960s.

“The collective will of the state is stifled when so many of our citizens are unjustifiably not able to participate in our democracy,” the plaintiffs said in a news release announcing the Supreme Court appeal.

“That exclusion of our neighbors’ voices is morally and constitutionally wrong.”

Last year, the same trial judges ruled felony offenders couldn’t be denied the right to vote if the reason their rights hadn’t been restored was due to unpaid fines or restitution. That small expansion of voting access remains enforceable, although the plaintiffs’ lawyers wrote Friday to the Supreme Court that it can’t be carried out ac-

curately by elections officials.

Republican legislative leaders, some of whom were defendants in the lawsuit, were pleased with Friday’s decision. They had earlier accused the majority of the three trial judges who approved last week’s ruling of judicial activism.

“The decision to block the lower court’s ruling affirms that judges can’t just replace laws they don’t like with new ones,” Sen. Warren Daniel, a Burke County Republican, said in a news release.

During a four-day trial last month, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argued the current law needed to be struck down because it was racially discriminatory by disproportionately affecting Black offenders and

violated the state constitution.

Their witnesses included a historian who said felony disenfranchisement had origins from a Reconstruction-era effort to intentionally prevent black residents from voting. The two judges who issued last week’s order wrote there was no denying the “insidious, discriminatory history” surrounding efforts at restoring voting rights in North Carolina.

“The overwhelming and undisputed effect of this law is to disproportionately disenfranchise Black people by wide margins throughout the entire state,” plaintiffs’ lawyer Daryl Atkinson wrote in urging the Court of Appeals to keep the trial court ruling enforced. Changing

the rules again “now would cause chaos” in the first round of municipal elections in October.

But attorneys for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said the trial court went too far with its order and that there’s no evidence the 1973 law — which actually eased obstacles for ex-felons to vote — is discriminatory in practice today.

“The trial court panel has thrown (voting) rules into disarray for no discernible reason,” attorney Nicole Moss wrote this week, adding the injunction “contravenes the well-established equitable principle that courts should not change election laws on the eve of elections.”

After unrelenting summer, Biden looks to get agenda on track

By Zeke Miller The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The collapse of the Afghan government, a surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant, devastating weather events, a disappointing jobs report. What next?

After a torrent of crises, President Joe Biden is hoping to turn the page on an unrelenting summer and refocus his presidency this fall around his core economic agenda.

But the recent cascade of troubles is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable weight of the office and fresh evidence that presidents rarely have the luxury of focusing on just one crisis at a time. Biden’s unyielding summer knocked his White House onto emergency footing and sent his own poll numbers tumbling.

“The presidency is not a job for a monomaniac,” said presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “You have to be multitasking 24 hours a day.”

Never has that been more true than summer 2021, which began with the White House proclamation of the nation’s “independence” from the coronavirus and a massive infrastructure package. Then COVID-19 came roaring back, the Afghanistan pullout devolved into chaos and hiring slowed.

Biden now hopes for a post-Labor Day reframing of the national conversation toward his twin domestic goals of passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill and pushing through a Democrats-only expansion of the social safety net.

“I think you can expect the president to be communicating over the coming weeks on a range of issues that are front and center on the minds of the American people,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

During the chaotic Afghanistan evacuation, the White House was central in explaining the consequences of Biden’s withdrawal decision and the effort to evacuate Americans and allies from the country. Now, officials want to put the State Department and other agencies out front on the efforts to assist stranded Americans and support evacuees, while Biden moves

MANUEL BALCE CENETA | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden leave St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., after attending a Mass, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. on.

It’s in part a reflection of an unspoken belief inside the White House that for all the scenes of chaos in Afghanistan, the public backs his decision and it will fade from memory by the midterm elections.

On Friday, in remarks on August’s disappointing jobs report, Biden tried to return to the role of public salesman for his domestic agenda and claim the mantle of warrior for the middle class.

While Biden may want to turn the page, though, aides are mindful that the crises are not done with him.

Biden is planning to speak this week on new efforts to contain the Delta variant and protect kids in

schools from COVID-19. And his administration continues to face criticism for his decision to pull American troops from Afghanistan before all U.S. citizens and allies could get out.

“President Biden desperately wants to talk about anything but Afghanistan, but Americans who are hiding from the Taliban, ISIS, and the Haqqani network don’t give a damn about news cycles, long weekends, and polling — they want out,” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. He called on the Biden White House to provide a public accounting of the number of Americans and their allies still stuck inside Afghanistan.

Biden also will soon be grap-

pling with fallout from the windup of two anchors of the government’s COVID-19 protection package: The federal moratorium on evictions recently expired, and starting Monday, an estimated 8.9 million people will lose all unemployment benefits.

According to White House officials, even as other issues dominated headlines, Biden and his team have maintained regular conversations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., about the president’s legislative agenda. His legislative team held more than 130 calls and meetings with members of Congress, their chiefs of staff and aides on the

infrastructure bill and spending package, and his administration has held over 90 meetings with legislative staff on crafting the reconciliation bill.

Responding to concerns raised by pivotal Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., over the price tag on the roughly $3.5 trillion social spending package, White House chief of staff Ron Klain told CNN on Sunday that he was convinced that the Democrat was “very persuadable” on the legislation.

Cabinet officials have also been engaged with lawmakers, officials said, and traveled to 80 congressional districts to promote the agenda across the country while Biden was kept in Washington.

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Stanly County Journal

School shooting in Winston-Salem

WALT UNKS | THE WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL VIA AP

Parents gather in prayer at the corner of Petree and Polo roads after a shooting at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, that left one student dead, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Retired officer, town councilman dies Stanly County Retired Oakboro assistant police chief and Red Cross town council Jack Johnson “JJ” Curlee died, according to a statement from police department.

Curlee served the town of Oakboro for over 20 years in law enforcement, in addition to working as a Locust police officer, and Stanly County sheriff’s deputy.

SCJ STAFF

Albemarle offering third vaccine shots Stanly County The Albemarle Regional Health Service has started taking appointments to receive the third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Shots were first made available at the end of August for moderately to severely immunocompromised people in the area or seven surrounding counties. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not currently being offered for an additional booster shot.

WAVY

Number of quarantined students nearly triples in week

WCNC

20177 52016 $0.50

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District also in need of cafeteria workers, bus drivers

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Schools has posted repeated calls for applicants for a number of positions — especially substitute teachers, cafeteria workers and bus drivers — over the last couple months. The posts direct those interested to reach out to Brittany McIlwaine, an ESS account manager. ESS is a school staffing company that contracts with SCS. Substitute teachers have been a particularly vital position in districts across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic because of frequent quarantines that take full-time teachers out of their classes for extended periods. The inability to fill these extra sub

positions has left many districts short staffed.

“Due to the pandemic, we’ve “A normal year we’d have got COVID challenges all around, 160, but now we’re down and there’s a huge need for substitutes this year,” SCS Superinten- 30. But really we need even dent Dr. Jarrod Dennis told SCJ more than that in a COVID in a Sept. 3 interview. “And it’s not just us; it’s all across North Caro- year, because then we have lina, especially when I talk to oth- even more people out than er superintendents in other disusual.” tricts.”

Dennis said that while they were able to fill all 160 substi- SCS Superintendent Dr. Jarrod tute positions they wanted to car- Dennis on the district’s substitute ry last year, it has been more difficult this year to find people to teacher numbers hire.

“This year it’s gone down drastically, and it’s been declining people out than usual.”

According to the COVID case since the beginning of school,” Dennis said, adding they’d ide- and quarantine data on the disally want at least 40 more than trict’s website, for the week of the 130 they have now. “A normal Aug. 22 to 28, there were 418 stuyear we’d have 160, but now we’re dents quarantined for exposure, down 30. But really we need even with 65 of them testing positive, more than that in a COVID year, and 67 staff are quarantined, with because then we have even more 18 of them positive.

See SCS, page 2

New London rehab project hoping $1M in proposed funds survives NC budget process

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Union County More than 5,000 students and staff members at Union County schools were reported to be in quarantine at the end of last week. That’s nearly a threefold increase in one week. A total of 1,800 people were quarantined the previous week. The majority of quarantined students are in elementary school, but the highest number of positive COVID cases — about 1,600 — are high school students. Nearly one in every eight students in the county are currently in quarantine.

5

Stanly schools seeking at least 40 more substitute teachers

Dennis said some of the drop in hiring was due to the labor shortages seen across the board right now, but a lot of it is also down to fear from potential applicants.

“You’ve got to realize too that with subs, we have a lot of retired individuals that are subs as well, retired teachers,” Dennis said.

“And these older individuals, being at an advanced age, they don’t want to work in a pandemic because it puts them at a greater risk of contracting COVID, maybe in a breakthrough case, even if they’re vaccinated.”

In addition to substitutes, which are the biggest need, SCS also has other positions that are going unfilled.

“We have a great need in really all of our classifieds [support roles within a school] — so bus drivers are a big need and so are child nutrition workers,” said Dennis.

McIlwaine, the ESS staffing professional, has been hard at work to help fill some of these roles.

“It’s not uncommon for school systems to use third parties to help fill positions in a lot of classified areas,” Dennis said of the district’s contract with ESS. “But Brittany works in our office, so it’s

NEW LONDON — If all goes according to plan, the upcoming state budget produced by the North Carolina General Assembly will provide $1 million to build Stanly County’s first longterm addiction rehabilitation facility.

SCJ recently talked with Pastor Larry Wilkins — founder of the Gateway of Hope Addiction Recovery Center — and House District 67’s Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly) to discuss the plans, origins and motivations behind Wilkins’ goal to build a rehab center on a 26-acre property in New London.

Four years ago, Wilkins decided to transition his form of ministry from a traditional church setting into a home-based format, while also becoming a certified substance abuse counselor. Along the way, he gained two years of counseling experience at the Bridge to Recovery clinical addiction resource center in

Monroe.

With Stanly County consistently ranking as one of the state’s highest-rated areas of opioid overdoses, a persistent and unresolved issue presented itself with few routes of change for the victims caught up in the cycle.

Wilkins recognized this local pattern, so he developed the Gateway of Hope non-profit group and created the Legacy Sober House program, which has culminated in three sober houses in downtown Locust with one new house in the works. Although the number of overall occupants is down to six people right now, each home contains five beds.

During this period of setting up the halfway houses in Locust, Wilkins’ long-term vision has been to build a facility in New London where individuals searching for recovery assistance can live for eight to 12 months while improving their lives mentally, physically and spiritually.

“Programs that last 28 days can serve a purpose, but for the

impact that we want to have, we’re looking for a lasting commitment from our end to help them,” Wilkins said. “Another aspect of what we want to do out here is a jail-diversion program working with the courts — instead of a judge sending you to jail for the fifth time in two years, you could have the option of going to rehab for your sentence.”

Wilkins mentioned that a rehab facility in Stanly County would not only benefit the individuals searching for an escape from drug and alcohol abuse but would also be a relief on the county’s legal system that “sees a revolving door” of the same people being charged with the same drug-related crimes repeatedly.

If Gateway of Hope receives the funding it needs to formulate the environment that has been envisioned, a lodge-style building overlooking a four-acre pond on Fish Camp Road will be built “hopefully within a year,” Wilkins estimates.

The history of the area includes a former campground

as well as Pat and Mick’s Fish House, a seafood restaurant that closed its doors in 2014.

The good news for Wilkins is that the proposed $1 million in assistance for the project is in the state budget proposed by the NC House of Representatives; the bad news is that the state’s House and Senate have yet to come to an agreement on a two-year budget that is now two months overdue.

“The state of North Carolina has $14 billion dollars in a checking account. Why do we need that much money that we can’t spend to help our citizens? Either spend it or give it back to them, and I’m willing to do some of both,” Rep. Sasser told SCJ. While the funding for the project is not yet secured, Sasser is optimistic that the large bulk of funding for local projects will likely carry on in the final budget that passes through Raleigh. He explained that the primary hangup with the political comproSee REHAB, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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The Associated Press MORRISTOWN, Vt. — Tom and Cynthia Cloutier treasure spending time on their porch, eating dinner on their deck with a view of the mountains, and generally just enjoying the quiet of living in rural Vermont in the home they bought in 2018 after retirement.

That all changed the following year, when a section of road that abuts their property was opened to all-terrain vehicles that previously were not permitted on roads.

Frequently, when they’d go outside, noisy ATVs would be coming down the road, he said.

“Overnight our Silver Ridge (Road) became a superhighway of ATVs,” Tom Cloutier said. “We could hear these machines inside our home, but when we went outside we could not have a conversation, sit on our front porch quietly with our coffee, or eat dinner on our deck or enjoy watching the sunset.”

What started as a trial run in Morristown in 2019 ended last year after a complaint, a town official said. Now, an ATV group is asking the town to again open up a section of the road and parts of other roads so that riders can get gas, stay or park at a local motel and eat at local restaurants. The access would connect them to a neighboring community where ATVs are legal on roads.

Their town has joined a small but growing list of rural communities across the country that have opened or are considering wheth-

Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

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DEATH NOTICES ♦ Willma Banks Rummage Lowder, 92, of Albemarle, died Aug. 24. ♦ Peggy Jane Featherstone Marion, 87, of Albemarle, died Aug. 25. ♦ Larry Scott Blankenship, 59, of Albemarle, died Aug. 27. ♦ Derick Lynn Poplin, 30, of Albemarle, died Aug. 29. ♦ Rodney Brian Foreman, 50, of Norwood, died Aug. 30. ♦ James Richard Hazelwood, 55, of Albemarle, died Aug. 30. ♦ Wayne Walter Rush, 83, of Locust, died Aug. 31. ♦ Maria Dalisay Espina, 73, of Norwood, died Aug. 31. ♦ Katheryn Oneil Griffin, 95, of Locust, died Sept. 3.

Mary Carolyn Britt Lowder, 84, of Albemarle, died Sept. 3. ♦ Betty Gibson Lee 88, of Norwood, died Sept. 4. ♦ Ronald Lee Russell, 62, of Albemarle, died Sept. 4.

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Do ATVs belong on roads? Towns are abuzz on perks, drawbacks

Editor Sports Editor

SEPT 10

SEPT 9

Neal Robbins David Larson

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

REHAB from page 1 mise as it stands now involves the Senate wanting tax breaks and the House wanting to give state employees raises.

“We need some treatment facilities in Stanly County, because there are problems here that we will continue to have until we

SCS from page 1 not like there’s somebody we have to teleconference with. She’s actually embedded in central office and,” he said speaking to McIlwaine, “you live around here.”

He added that McIlwaine has the highest fill-rate of anyone in ESS. When it comes to substitute teachers in particular, they are

LISA RATHKE | AP PHOTO

Two all-terrain vehicle riders travel onto an ATV trail, in Gorham, N.H., Friday, July 23, 2021.

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field-McCoy Trails in West Virginia last year sold its highest number of annual trail permits at nearly 65,000, according to the office of Gov. Jim Justice, and ATV permits for Maine residents jumped 6%, officials said.

It’s a great economic driver for those communities, Schloegel said of the Hatfield-McCoy trail network, “It’s everything from the mom-and-pop gas stations to the motels and hotels to the fast-food joints and the power sports dealerships and service locations that they’ve got across the state.”

Officials with the Open Space & Trails Department in Summit County, Colorado, have noticed an increase in off-highway vehicle use of trails in recent years. ATV trails are also accessible to hikers, bikers and equestrians, the department said.

In northern New Hampshire, Gorham opened some roads to ATVs about eight years ago, and on summer weekends the town of under 3,000 is bustling with the machines.

On a Friday in July, riders from as far away as North Carolina had rented machines and were touring the trails. Others from Connecticut and Rhode Island, their ATVs in tow, were staying at a local motel.

Residents of Morristown, Vermont, are expected to vote on the ATV proposal this fall. In July, riders testified that opening up sections of certain roads would boost the economy and give them access to food and fuel, while other residents raised concerns about safety, noise and the environment.

“We’re not asking to drive through town, all your other roads right now. Probably won’t,” said rider Mike Putvain. “Have you ever paid for four-wheeler tires?

We don’t want to ride blacktop.

We’d rather be on a dirt road or a trail and hopefully we get more.”

er to open up their roads to ATVs, with some taking advantage of the economic benefits that come with outdoor tourism.

ATV interest has only intensified as more people got outdoors during the pandemic. But their popularity has sometimes pitted riders against residents, with communities struggling to balance the perks with a loss of tranquility.

“Our vision for our town should be for everybody,” said ATV rider Lisa Desjardins at a July public meeting about the Morristown proposal. “It shouldn’t just be for people who are riding bikes, who

are runners. It should be for everybody, whether you like ATVs or not.”

Last year, sales of ATVs rose over 33%, according to Scott Schloegel, senior vice president for government relations for the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, which opposes on-road use of ATVs unless they are trail connectors. That jump in sales creates more interest in access to public lands where trails exist and additional demand for new trails and for trail maintenance, he said.

Even though it was closed for two months last year during the pandemic, the 1,000-mile Hat-

start addressing them,” Sasser said. “Hopefully we do a better job with the opioid settlement money than we did with the tobacco settlement money because we need it to get people off drugs and hopefully save lives. The opioid crisis doesn’t differentiate between economic status, community status, what sex you are or

what color you are — it’s an equal opportunity offender.”

Sasser has stayed in touch with Wilkins and his plans for Gateway of Hope, with both sharing confidence that the quiet, serene property in New London would be an ideal spot to launch an extended-stay rehab facility to get personalized, dedicated help for

those stuck in a cycle of narcotic abuse.

“People need to go somewhere where they can reconnect with their soul,” Sasser said, reflecting on the land where Gateway of Hope could be built upon.

“It’s God’s country out there, and that’s a beautiful place to do it.”

now trying to incentivize new applicants by offering an $100 bonus to the first 15 hires upon completing “10 days in the first month of ESS employment.”

“We found that we are starting to get more applicants through our applicant tracking system,” McIlwaine said of how the $100-bonus offer was going so far. “So, yes, we are generating more interest.”

Dennis said, even with the large staffing needs, when comparing Stanly County Schools to other districts, “we’re in a lot better shape than they are — a lot better shape.”

“When I’ve talked to some of the retired folks when they’re nervous about coming into the schools, I let them know that this is the cleanest the schools have ever been,” McIl-

waine said. “They’re cleaning them every single day, making sure our staff stays monitored and our students.”

Dennis added, “We sanitize the schools, and we use all the mitigating strategies that we can to keep our employees safe.”

Those interested in applying to be a substitute teacher in SCS, can apply at the link here.

♦ Glover, Megan Lynn (W /F/22) Arrest on chrg of 1) Reckless Driving To Endanger (M), 2) Speeding (M), and 3) Aggressive Driving (M), at Pinion/highway 52, Norwood, NC, on 9/1/2021

♦ Beck, Lori Ann (W /F/45) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault, M (M), at Albemarle, NC, on 9/1/2021

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Wall, Xavier Markieth (B /M/20) Arrest on chrg of Mal Conduct By Prisoner/throw (F), at Stanly County Jail, Albemarle, NC, on 9/5/2021 ♦ Wilson, David Lawrence (W /M/65) Arrest on chrg of Detainer (M), at Hwy 138 Hazard Road, Albemarle, NC, on 9/4/2021 ♦ Smith, David Wayne (W /M/56) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/4/2021 ♦ Beachum, Robert Dillon (W /M/23) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M) and 2) Poss Opn Cnt/ cons Alc Psg Area (i) (M), at 600 Anchor Rd/island Cove Rd, Norwood, NC, on 9/4/2021 ♦ Moua, Fuchee Matt (A /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Surrender By Surety (F), 2) Surrender By Surety (F), 3) Surrender By Surety (F), 4) Surrender

By Surety (F), 5) Surrender By Surety (F), and 6) Surrender By Surety (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/3/2021 ♦ Medley, Christopher Demetrious (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Release Order, M (M), at 533 N Main St/doody Av, Norwood, NC, on 9/3/2021 ♦ Richardson, Timothy Eugene (B /M/46) Arrest on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Cocaine (F), 2) Pwimsd Cocaine (F), 3) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 4) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), and

5) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 1120 Elm Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/3/2021 ♦ Hatley, Kristen Grey (W /F/34) Arrest on chrg of Probation Violation (F), at 123 South 3rd Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/2/2021 ♦ Chambless, Jacob Lee (W /M/29) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer (M), at 24352 St Martin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 9/2/2021 ♦ Bruer, Robert Harold (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Surrender By Surety (F) and 2) Surrender By Surety (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 9/2/2021 ♦ Bruer, Robert Harold (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fta - Release Order (F), 2) Fta - Release Order (M), 3) Fta - Release Order (M), 4) Fta Release Order (F), 5) Fta - Release Order (F), 6) Fta - Release Order (F), 7) Fta - Release Order (M), 8) Fta Release Order (M), 9) Fta - Release Order (M), 10) Fta - Release Order (M), 11) Fta - Release Order (M), 12) Fta Release Order (F), 13) Fta - Release Order (F), 14) Fta - Release Order (M), and 15) Fta - Release Order (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 9/1/2021 ♦ Wright, Elizabeth Allyn (W /F/31) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at 126 S.second Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/1/2021

♦ Gaddy, Trevon Desmon (B /M/23) Arrest on chrg of Poss Marij >1/2 To 1 1/2 Oz, M (M), at N. Main St./ Fork Rd/, Norwood, NC, on 9/1/2021 ♦ Gaddy, Trevon Desmon (B /M/23) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fta - Criminal Summons Or Citation (M) and 2) Fta Criminal Summons Or Citation (M), at Ford Rd, Norwood, on 9/1/2021 ♦ Pinkston, Preston Carl (W /M/38) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Forcible Rape (F), at 401 W South St, Albemarle, NC, on 9/1/2021 ♦ Bruer, Robert Harold (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Communicate Threats (M), 2) Threatening Phone Calls (M), 3) Misd Prob Viol Out Of County (M), 4) Conspire To Commit Felony Larceny (F), 5) Conspire B&e Bldg-felony/larceny (F), 6) Fta - Release Order (F), 7) Fta - Release Order (M), 8) Fta - Release Order (M), 9) Fta - Release Order (M), 10) Fta Release Order (M), 11) Fta - Release Order (M), 12) Fta - Release Order (M), 13) Fta - Release Order (M), 14) Fta Release Order (M), 15) Fta - Release Order (M), and 16) Fta - Release Order (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 9/1/2021

♦ Peterson, Maurice Antoine (B /M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Probation Violation (F), 2) Felony Probation Violation (F), 3) Felony Probation Violation (F), and 4) Felony Probation Violation (F), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 8/31/2021 ♦ Wright, Elizabeth Allyn (W /F/31) Arrest on chrg of Surrender By Surety (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 8/31/2021 ♦ Lowery, James Ervin (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at 44673 Bailey Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 8/31/2021 ♦ Lilly, Toni Aleese (B F, 18) Arrest on chrg of Poss Mtbv/u-wn Not 19/20, M (M), at143 Nc 740 Bypass/hilco St, Albemarle, on 08/30/2021 ♦ Dunlap, Carlos Rashad (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired, M (M), at143 Nc 740 Bypass/hilco St, Albemarle, on 08/30/2021 ♦ Hall, Fabion Jammalle (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed Gun (m), M(M), at 551 Coble Av/liberty Av, Albemarle, on 08/30/202 ♦ Hall, Fabion Jammalle (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Assault By Pointing A Gun (M), at551 Coble Av/liberty Av,

Albemarle, on 08/30/202 ♦ Bullock, Jesse Houston (W M, 34) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M (M), at400 Brown Av/n Fifth St, Albemarle, on 08/30/2021 ♦ Sells, Brandon Todd (W M, 36) Arrest on chrg of Shoplifting Concealment Goods, M(M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 09/05/2021. ♦ Sells, Brandon Todd (W M, 36) Arrested on Citation of Second Degree Trespass(21-03682), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 09/05/2021 ♦ Taylor, Reggie Dale (W /M/40) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 9/6/2021 ♦ Clagett, Jammie Roger (W /M/38) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 2) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), and 3) First Deg Tresp Enter/remain (M), at 36576 Nc 8-49 Hwy, New London, NC, on 9/6/2021 ♦ Weaver, Timothy Allen (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, NC, on 9/6/2021 ♦ Blalock, Walter Lewis (W /M/60) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at 20758 Nc 138 Hwy, Albemarle, NC, on 9/6/2021

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Out-of-control spending undermines our labors

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ reckless borrow, tax and spending spree undermines the pocketbooks of the very workers this day was intended to celebrate.

Another Labor Day weekend has come and gone, signaling the unofficial end to summer. While the past few months have been overshadowed by multiple crises — in Afghanistan, on our southern border and from inflation that has impacted every American — I do hope you have been able to enjoy time with family and reflect on all the blessings in our lives.

Since 1894, we have observed Labor Day to honor the hard work this country was built upon. This year, we again recognize all of you who work hard and strive every day to provide, care for and support your family.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ reckless borrow, tax and spending spree undermines the pocketbooks of the very workers this day was intended to celebrate. Their $3.5 trillion budget scheme, drafted by Bernie Sanders, will bankrupt our nation on the backs of every worker and family.

Bernie’s budget adds an astounding $17 trillion to the national debt. That is more than the yearly net worth of any country in the world, except the United States. This spending is on top of previous Democrat spending bills that are already driving up inflation and making everything you buy more expensive.

Under this bill, our state alone would be on the hook for an additional $560 billion in debt. At the same time, small businesses that employ 12.5 million Americans would see an average 33% tax increase. That means fewer jobs and lower wages. Additionally, this legislation would open the door to amnesty for 325,000 illegal immigrants in our state, which would lower worker wages here by an average $800 per year.

Thanks to the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, families in North Carolina received an average tax cut of $1,900.

Now, Bernie’s budget would totally reverse that tax relief, and as I mentioned, fuel even more crippling inflation already on pace to be the highest in 40 years.

Inflation has increased every month since Joe Biden became

president. Rather than repeating the same failed policies, liberal politicians in Washington need to stop recklessly spending your money.

I am extremely concerned about the cost to you and your family, and this is the last thing Congress should be focused on right now.

President Biden has repeatedly misled the American people for months about his disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. In March, he said withdrawal would be done “in a safe and orderly way.” In July, he stated it was “highly unlikely” for the Taliban to take over the country. And just a few weeks ago, he committed to staying in Afghanistan until all Americans were out safely. All of these were clearly false.

Somehow, last week the president called the withdrawal an “extraordinary success.” This is an extreme insult to 13 new Gold Star families, as well as thousands of American citizens and Afghan allies currently stranded. Just my office alone is working around the clock with over 1,200 citizens and Afghan partners who have been left behind. Additionally, billions of dollars of military equipment funded by American taxpayers is now in the hands of the brutal Taliban regime. We must hold the president accountable for these failures.

President Biden may declare the long War on Terror over, but the terrorists whose hateful ideology compels them to kill Americans and seek to end our way of life haven’t stopped. Our dedication to protecting Americans and our allies must not stop either.

Last week, I helped introduce legislation demanding a plan from the Biden administration to bring every American home, requesting an accounting of all equipment left behind, and prohibiting any federal funding for the Taliban regime.

Instead of Democratic spending sprees, these are the solutions on which Congress should be focused. I am resolved to continue working for you and your family and pushing back against the misplaced priorities of Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden is no Jimmy Carter Most Americans today don’t realize it, but Carter-era deregulations squeezed enormous costs from the prices of goods of just about every kind.

“THE WORST PRESIDENT since Jimmy Carter.”

You see a lot of that sort of thing if you regularly read conservative commentary, as I do. But as a conservative writer, I think it’s unfair to the 39th president. I think it’s time to say some good words for Carter.

And if some of his accomplishments provide stark contrasts with his only-18-years-younger successor President Joe Biden, well, draw your own conclusions.

I start off by noting that Carter came to the presidency with almost no relevant experience. For the voters of the mid-1970s, that was a feature, not a bug.

Two of the most experienced men to become president — Lyndon Johnson, with a quarter-century in Congress, and Richard Nixon, a nationally prominent politician for 21 years — had, in voters’ opinions, forfeited their trust with Vietnam and Watergate.

Their successor, Gerald Ford, with his own 25 years in Congress, nearly lost the Republican nomination to Ronald Reagan — an eightyear governor of California who glided over his years of reading and writing about national policy. He then lost the presidency to a former one-term governor of Georgia who stumped for Democratic candidates in what turned out to be the very Democratic off-year of 1976.

What Carter brought to the White House was a willingness to adjust to events and change his views. A product of segregationist southern Georgia, he installed a portrait of Martin Luther King in the Georgia Capitol, leaving segregation behind and endorsing the civil rights revolution.

As a presidential candidate, he took on George Wallace, who was previously unbeatable in the South, and beat him 34% to 31% in Florida. There’s a lesson there perhaps for Republicans who would like to be president but are hesitating to take on Donald Trump.

On domestic policy, unlike Biden, who already had four years’ Senate seniority when he took the oath of office, Carter refused to endorse his party’s leftmost positions. He signed the tax bill that included former Wisconsin Republican Rep. William Steiger’s cut in the capital gains tax from 49% to 25% — a growth stimulator in the decades ahead.

Just as important, he supported deregulation, with some considerable support from Ralph Nader and Ted Kennedy. Carter appointee Alfred Kahn pushed through airline deregulation, which transformed flying from luxury transportation to a way for the masses to vacation and stay in touch with far-flung family and friends.

Carter supported the Staggers Act, passed by a solidly Democratic Congress in 1980, which deregulated railroad rates. He backed trucking deregulation as well. Most Americans today don’t realize it, but Carter-era deregulations squeezed enormous costs from the prices of goods of just about every kind. It’s the main reason prices for private sector products such as food and clothing have fallen in real terms over the last 40 years, while prices for public sector-affected things such as health care and higher education have soared.

Carter also, in time, got two of the very biggest issues right.

Inflation had been raging since Nixon abolished the peg to gold one August weekend in 1971 and especially during Middle East-imposed oil shocks in 1973 and 1979. With inflation hitting 13% by July 1979, Carter yanked his former appointee from the Federal Reserve and installed civil servant and Nixon appointee Paul Volcker.

Over the next several years, Volcker squeezed out inflation by keeping interest rates high, even during a sharp recession. Reagan gets credit for supporting him, but Carter deserves credit for appointing him.

Another Carter accomplishment was executing a U-turn on foreign policy. Conservatives scoffed when, days after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Carter said his “opinion of the Russians has changed more drastically in the last week than even the previous two and a half years.”

But he changed not only his mind but his policy, ordering a sharp increase in defense spending. Reagan and Caspar Weinberger raised spending even higher, and a decade later came the collapse of the Soviet Union and victory in the Cold War. Carter deserves some of the credit for that.

What about the Iran hostage crisis? There’s plenty to criticize about Carter’s policy toward Iran, but it’s important to put it in context.

Iran’s hostage-taking violated the first principle of international law — diplomatic immunity. The United States was entitled to treat it as an act of war.

But four years after the fall of Saigon, Americans, who in a single decade had lost 58,000 in Vietnam (compare that to 4,500 in Iraq and 2,200 in Afghanistan over 20 years), had no appetite for military retaliation. They tied yellow ribbons around trees, after a popular song about a criminal about to be released from prison.

Few, if any, conservatives were echoing what I remember as Pat Moynihan’s comment that we should “bring fire and brimstone to the gates of Tehran.” Carter did order a perhaps overly intricate hostage rescue mission, which failed after one too many helicopters became inoperative.

The contrast is stark between Carter, who became president with minimal relevant experience, and Biden, who had 44 years in the Senate and as vice president. Carter pushed innovative policies with bipartisan support. Biden hasn’t. Carter learned on the job and changed policies in response to events. From Biden, we’ve seen nothing so far but stubborn persistence.

Carter has been a former president for 40 years — the longest in history — constructive in charitable work though not, in my view, in foreign policy interventions. He is the only president to have reached the age of 96, and on Oct. 1, he turns 97. Happy birthday, Mr. President.

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

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Clemson WR Williams will miss 4-5 weeks with thumb injury Clemson, S.C. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday that starting wideout E.J. Williams sustained a thumb injury in the loss to Georgia and will miss four or five weeks, including the Tigers’ Sept. 25 game at NC State. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound receiver from Phenix City, Alabama, will need surgery. He had one catch in the 10-3 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Swinney said if surgery and the recovery go well, Williams could return when the Tigers go to Syracuse on Oct. 15.

GOLF

Cantlay wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup Toledo, Ohio Patrick Cantlay fended off the world’s No. 1 player for a one-shot win in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and claim the FedEx Cup. Cantlay hit his 218-yard approach on the 18th hole to 12 feet to deny U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm.

Cantlay shot a 1-under 69 in the final round and earned a $15 million pay day. He had outlasted Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff at the BMW Championship a week before and held a four-shot lead on Rahm heading into the Tour Championship.

SOCCER

U.S. manages 2 draws in World Cup qualifying Nashville, Tenn.

The U.S. men’s national team managed two draws in its first two World Cup qualifying matches, following up Thursday’s goalless match against El Salvador with a 1-1 draw at home against Canada on Sunday. The Americans play their third match in seven days Wednesday night at Honduras. The U.S. hasn’t won a qualifier since 2013 in Central America, where it has one win and three draws in its last eight matches. The USMNT did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and has not advanced past the Round of 16 in soccer’s biggest tournament since 2002.

HOCKEY

NWHL rebrands to Premier Hockey Federation New York The National Women’s Hockey League is changing its name to the Premier Hockey Federation. North America’s first women’s professional hockey league to pay players a salary adopted a new title Tuesday as part of a rebranding to reflect sweeping changes made to its management structure coupled with an influx of private ownership entering its seventh season. The sixteam league’s new season opens on Nov. 6. The federation’s logo is black and white and features three stars forming the silhouette of a crown overtop the initials “PHF.”

JOHN AMIS | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday night's NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Darlington.

Hamlin opens Cup playoffs with 1st win of season Darlington proved “Too Tough to Tame” for many of the postseason qualifiers

By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin shook off a difficult week in the best way possible — ending his season-long winless drought with a victory at the Southern 500 to open the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The week’s problems included some personal issues and continued at the track Saturday when Hamlin was in line to win the Xfinity event here until a pit penalty dropped him back.

This time Hamlin had to hold off the season’s top playoff seed in Kyle Larson, who closed to Hamlin’s bumper racing to the finish line Sunday night.

“It’s certainly significant,” Hamlin said. “This one’s big for us and our team and our momentum.”

And it moved him into the second round without having to scrape for points with close finishes as he did to qualify seventh for the playoffs this season.

“It wasn’t a perfect night,” Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart said. “It is hard to be perfect at the Southern 500. But it was good enough.”

Hamlin won for the first time this season after entering the week seeded seventh in the 16-driver postseason field and vowing if he kept running strongly up front, he’d reach Victory Lane before the year ended.

“It’s as good a time as any right?”

Hamlin said after the win. “My favorite race of the year.”

He looked like a comfortable winner before the top-seeded Larson charged up on his back bumper on the final turn, smoke pouring

out of Larson’s car. But Hamlin held firm up near the wall to take the checkered flag “He was going to have to go through me,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin’s personal life became a topic earlier this week, with the mother of his two daughters seeming to use social media this week to end their relationship. Her account has since been deactivated.

Hamlin, when asked about any distractions, said, “I’m a professional and do my job the best I can and today I thought we did as good as we could.”

Hamlin came out second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. during a caution with 45 laps to go and moved in front when Truex was penalized for going too fast in the pits.

Hamlin broke out ahead of Larson on the restart 36 laps from the end.

The win was Hamlin’s fourth at Darlington Raceway and moved

WCU great, 3-time Super Bowl champion Patten dies in motorcycle accident

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age.”

Bill Belichick, Patriots coach

The South Carolina native was part of New England’s first three NFL titles

By Cory Lavalette Stanly County Journal DAVID PATTEN, the wide receiver who went from undrafted out of Western Carolina to a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, died Saturday night following a motorcycle accident in Columbia, South Carolina, according to Richland County officials. He was 47. Patten was pronounced dead at the scene of the three-vehicle accident in his hometown.

Patten played 147 NFL games for five teams, totaling 324 receptions and 4,715 yards with 24 touchdowns, and he had his greatest success with the Patriots. As a target for Tom Brady, Patten had 40-plus receptions and more than 700 yards receiving in three of his four years in New England. The Patriots won three titles during his time in New England and he played in two Super Bowls — he was injured in the seventh game of 2003 and missed the remainder of that season.

He had 13 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in New

him into the round of 12 in the knockout format in a grueling race where several playoff contenders struggled at the track “Too Tough To Tame.”

The past two series champions, Kyle Busch in 2019 and Chase Elliott last year, were in the garage before the race ended. Busch slammed the wall — to the delight of large crowd back at Darlington — and drove straight to his hauler.

Elliott was caught in a threewide sandwich where he was next to the wall. He came away with tire and brake problems.

Larson was second for the third straight time racing at Darlington.

He led the most laps, 156 out of 367.

He made it crazy at the end.

“I didn’t want to wreck him. I just wanted to get to his outside,” Larson said. “He did a great job, not really making any mistakes on that last run.”

Ross Chastain finished third, the only non-playoff driver among the top eight. Truex was fourth, followed by Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, Chris Buescher and Austin Dillon.

The NASCAR Cup series playoffs continue at Richmond on Saturday. Brad Keselowski won there in September 2020 while Alex Bowman won this past April.

WILL DICKEY | THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION VIA AP

David Patten holds up a newspaper claiming victory for the Patriots after their 24-21 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Patten, a Western Carolina standout, was killed in a motorcycle accident last Thursday night outside of Columbia, South Carolina. He was 47.

England’s three playoff games on its run to the 2001 season title, including an 8-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl 36 against the Rams in the Patriots’ 20-17 win — the first of six titles won by the franchise over the last two decades. He also had a touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe in that year’s AFC Championship game against the Steelers after

Brady was injured.

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I am grateful to have coached David. He is an essential person and player in Patriots history, without whom we would not have been Super Bowl champions.”

Before turning pro, Patten

starred at Western Carolina and made the All-Southern Conference team as a senior when he had 59 catches for 881 yards. He went undrafted in 1996 and played for Albany of the Arena Football League that season. He caught on with the Giants the next year and spent three seasons in New York, totaling 33 receptions, 460 yards and three touchdowns in 44 games.

His breakout season came in 2000 when he had 38 catches for 546 yards and a touchdown with the Browns. He then signed with the Patriots as a free agent.

Following his successful fouryear stint in New England, Patten had two-year stops in Washington and New Orleans. He signed again in both Cleveland (in 2009) and New England (2010) but didn’t play another game with either team.

He retired in July 2010 and later returned to Western Carolina to complete his degree and work as an assistant on the football team at his alma mater. He had also become a Christian minister and motivational speaker in his post-playing career. His son, Daquan, is a senior receiver on the Catamounts.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

ALBEMARLE (0-3, 0-0 YVC) VS. ANSON (0-1, 0-0 RRC) Albemarle | Friday, Sept. 10 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs slid to 0-3 on the season with a 34-21 home loss to Owen last Friday. Albemarle trailed 14-0 after one quarter but scored 21 unanswered points in the second to lead at halftime. But that was all the offense the Bulldogs could muster, and the Warhorses outscored them 20-0 in the second half to earn the win. Next up for Albemarle is a visit from Anson, which fell to 0-3 on the year after a 39-8 loss at Piedmont.

NORTH STANLY (1-2, 0-0 YVC) VS. TBD TBD | Friday, Sept. 10 TBD The Comets lost a 36-32 heartbreaker at home to North Rowan last Friday. With West Stanly canceling two weeks of games due to COVID-19 protocols, North Stanly is still looking to find an opponent for this coming Friday.

SOUTH STANLY (0-3, 0-0 YVC) AT SOUTH DAVIDSON (0-3) Denton | Friday, Sept. 10 7:30 p.m.

The Bulls’ struggles continued last Friday with a 40-6 loss at Carson.

South Stanly ends its three-game road trip with a visit Denton this Friday to play South Davidson. The Wildcats, who haven’t played since their season-opening 20-0 loss at North Stokes, are also seeking their first win of the season after not being able to play their past two games, at home against Chatham Central and at North Moore.

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North Stanly comes up short in home thriller against North Rowan The Comets had a late call go against them in a 36-32 loss

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal NEW LONDON — Facing a 12-point deficit in the closing minutes of Friday’s home matchup against North Rowan, North Stanly nearly pulled off an improbable comeback victory.

The Comets (1-2, 0-0 Yadkin Valley) drove down the field with ease, adding eight points to the board with a touchdown and twopoint conversion via senior running back Karee Dykes.

Three plays later, the Cavaliers (2-0, 0-0 Central Carolina) seemingly fumbled the ball near their own end zone into the hands of the Comets, a miscue that would have set up North for some possible late-game heroics.

After further review, officials ruled that North Rowan’s player was down before the ball slipped out of his hands. The Cavaliers went on to convert a first down and run out the clock to hold onto a 36-32 road win.

“If we had the ball at the end, I feel that we may have had a shot,” North Stanly coach Scott Crisco said. “I give credit to North Rowan — they did a really good job running their game plan. Our boys fought hard and didn’t give up. As a coach, that’s what I’m proud of because we can build from that.”

Crisco said he “could hang his hat on” his team’s resiliency in a game where North had four players and two coaches missing due to quarantine protocol and two

more players out with injuries.

Although it was a back-andforth matchup, the first score of the night gave the Comets their only lead of the game. Quarterback Luke Shaver scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown run at the 5-minute mark in the first quarter. The senior later added three touchdown passes in the loss.

The Cavaliers responded with consecutive touchdown drives to take the lead. On the second score, junior wide receiver Amari McArthur eluded multiple Comets during a routine 15-yard catch that he turned into an 81-yard run to the end zone.

Freshman quarterback Jeremiah Alford connected with McArthur on three touchdown passes on the night that all surpassed 50 yards in post-catch yardage.

Shortly before halftime, North Stanly was able to pin down North Rowan at the 1-yard line after a perfectly executed punt, leading to a safety on a sack that narrowed the Cavaliers’ lead to 12-10 after two quarters.

North Rowan opened up the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown dash by Jaemias Morrow that was followed up by a 33yard score by North Stanly’s Stefan Harris. Comet senior wideout Clay Hatley was then had a touchdown catch that narrowed the gap to four, but North Stanly was unable to close the gap.

The Comets are still searching for an opponent for this week’s game because West Stanly announced last week that both their varsity and junior varsity teams will be unable to play for two weeks because of COVID-19 protocols.

EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHOTO

The flag of the United States enters the stadium during Sunday’s closing ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo’s 8-year Olympic saga A record 4,405 Paralympians competed in the 13-day event that followed the Summer Games

The Associated Press TOKYO — The final act of the delayed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics came Sunday, almost eight years to the day after the Japanese capital was awarded the Games.

The Paralympics ended a 13day run in a colorful, circus-like ceremony at the National Stadium overseen by Crown Prince Akishino, the brother of Emperor Naruhito. The Olympics closed almost a month ago.

These were unprecedented Olympics and Paralympics, postponed for a year and marked by footnotes and asterisks. No fans

were allowed during the Olympics, except for a few thousand at outlying venues away from Tokyo.

A few thousand school children were allowed into some Paralympic venues.

“There were many times when we thought these games could not happen,” Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said on Sunday. “There were many sleepless nights.”

Like the Olympics, the Paralympics went ahead as Tokyo was under a state of emergency due to the pandemic. Like the Olympics, testing athletes frequently and isolating them in a bubble kept the virus largely at bay, though cases surged among a Japanese population that is now almost 50% fully vaccinated.

“I believe that we have reached the end of games without any major problems,” said Seiko Hashimoto, the president of the

Tokyo organizing committee.

But there was fallout, however.

Lots of it.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced Friday — two days before the closing — that he would not continue in office. Suga hoped to get a reelection bump from the Olympics. He got the opposite as his approval rating plummeted after a slow vaccine rollout in Japan, and a contentious decision to stage the Games during the pandemic.

Suga succeeded Shinzo Abe, who resigned a year ago for health reasons. It was Abe who celebrated in the front row of a Buenos Aires hotel ballroom on Sept. 7, 2013, when then-IOC President Jacques Rogge announced Tokyo as the 2020 host — ahead of Istanbul and Madrid.

In a sad coincidence, Rogge died a week ago at 79 after being in poor health.

The Paralympics involved a re-

cord number of athletes — 4,405 — and a record number of countries won medals. They also saw two athletes from Afghanistan compete, both of whom arrived several days late after fleeing Kabul.

The costs also set records.

A study by the University of Oxford found these to be the most expensive Games on record. Japan officially spent $15.4 billion to organize the Olympics and Paralympics, double the original estimate. Several government audits suggested the real costs are twice that. All but $6.7 billion is public money.

The pandemic probably cost organizers almost $800 million in lost ticket sales, a budget shortfall that will have to be made up by more government funds. In addition, local sponsors contributed more than $3 billion to the operating budget but got little return with few fans.

“There were many times when we thought these games could not happen.”

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee

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 8, 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. anything else related to the corothe Gateway facility was In this majority-black citynavirus alongpandemic.

What some Memphis, TenIf tothey did,people’s shopping wo the Mississippi River, lawmakers e, residents don’t get is why in “We’ve got protect moreDeSantis difficult for re and community leaders have been ability to livecome their lives,” r city, a shopping center in the said.they “My philosophy is, for as athose gov- who ar especially sounding the alarm over what dle of a predominantly black, ernor, my job is to protect your of transpo see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means inincome residential neighbordividual freedom.” to stores located farther aw rus killing African Americans at a d has been chosen.

The governor’s appeal came af“For people who higher rate. ty and state officials are conter Cooper issued a written ver- don’t do they Nutbush resident Patricia ed that an influx of patients sionHarof his car, orderwhat delivered oral-do?” ask ly last week. found ris,The whojudge spoke to The Ass ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, as well as nearby that the the Parents of lugging Rights a bott Press Bill while were “trying to contaminate” sissippi, Arkansas and rural law exemptstergent, government actions of bott COVID-19 virus makes it all the The Associated Press a package neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospithat are needed to protect pubmore important that school disterare and other items Activist Earle Fisher, an Their fears echoed across lic Afrihealth and reasonable and from t ST.are PETERSBURG, Fla. — The tricts be permitted to decide stuADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car.

She note can American Memphis pastor, country:battle Governors, mayors limited in scope — such as maskover blanket mask require- dent mask mandates for themgrocery store recently clos understands the anxiety.

“This health ments experts in numerous This ing students to prevent the spread selves. April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center in Florida schools heads for Friday, “If the automatic stay remains of COVID-19 in schools. a new legal phase following an apher house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn.

by Republican Gov. Ron De- in place, defendants would be perthat the DeSantravel farther to get to Gat cern and skepticism,” FisherCooper said. wrote tructingpeal makeshift medical Santis of a judge’s ruling that a mitted during the duration of the tis order itself“When violates the we Pardo things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. ban on mask mandates exceeds appeal to enforce the executive ents Bill of Rights by illegally congot 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 turnorder and freely expose students the state government’s authority. straining the actions of school MARTA LAVANDIER | AP PHOTO skeptical of governmentalboards. inter- neighborhood,” she said. “W sic15City in Nashville, o the Javits Center convention andCenter school staff to increasedthe risk businesses.

The case heads next to the needdoes to not make the neighb infection, which InLocating judges the on the 1st District Court of of delta variant support vention that withstatute this Wednesday, Aug. 18,center 2021, file Florida Gov.did Ronnot consult“This a treatment forphoto, Chattanooga Convention Center, in Chicago, McCormick is a continuing Appeal Center; in Tallahassee and could order orthan action interDeSantis speaks at the opening a monoclonal site in first.”a statewide worse it already is.” peopleantibody on the ground patients there ofposthe Knoxville Expo constitutional Center — allvi- coronavirus e Convention and in olation,” Gallagher wrote.

“Com- esPembroke wind upAmerin the statesites Su- away fering with the constitutionally Pines, Fla.residents say: U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Doug McGowen, the city’s chief two problems, from residential neighdy, Utah,ultimately the Mountain preme Court. The issue is wheth- pelling circumstances are clearly provided authority of local school phis Democrat, said the d Gate- to provide It could potentially expose them operating officer, said thedistricts Expo Center. er the Parents Bill of Rightsborhoods. law present here.” for the safety doesn’t make sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. means Army parents Corps have of EngiCooper set a hearing for had imposed mask mandates de- law.” sole authoriand health of the children based “I’mon sure cause who it could potentially accomaregovernor’s contracting ter ain Wednesday the Nutbush neighborhood s has been locations DeSantis, is gearing up for on spite the orderCOVID-19 that a morning on the par- blacks ty toscouting decide if their child wears the unique facts the there groundare othe a 2022 re-election campaign and parental opt-out must be includents’ request that the stay be liftmask or permits a school board in a particular county,” Cooperand they Tennessee, 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, a possible 2024 presidential run, ed.

Most have only an opt-out for ed.

Jacob Oliva, public schools to impose a broad mask requirewrote. compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used those rather t has dismissed the recommendamedical reasons. at the state Depart- close. ment. They haven’t re- store, chancellor In ill addition, judge said neighbo into the a residential site, it would hold only mildly a Rent-A-Center, a Famibackup sites.

The rebel districts showed no tion from the Centers for Disease school boards must be afforded Because that will likely take ment of Education, said in a nocoronavirus patients who could be to Cohen Nutbush resident and some commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole but for Gov.parents Bill chalControl and Prevention that peoof backing down, with tice last Thursday to local su- signs time, list, lawyers a chance contest said. any penalties

6

Florida school mask debate headed for appeals court battle

lenging the ban on mask requirements want Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper to immediately lift an automatic stay that effectively allows the ban to continue to be enforced during the appeal.

Plaintiff attorney Charles Gallagher said in a court filing that the rise of the Delta variant of the

perintendents that “enforcement must cease if the stay is lifted.”

Under the DeSantis executive order, state education officials have been seeking to penalize defiant school boards by withholding salaries of board members.

As of Friday, 13 districts representing more than half of Florida’s 2.8 million public school students

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

hiring lawyers to defend their decisions that often came after raucous public meetings pitting proand anti-mask parents against each other.

The judge’s ruling against the DeSantis order, she said in a statement, “confirms what we’ve said all along, which is that our mask mandate does not violate Florida

ple generally wear masks to prevent coronavirus spread in certain situations. In particular, he contends that masks are less essential for young people and carry risks of their own for children.

At a news conference Friday in Pensacola, DeSantis said he opposes broad government or business mandates on masks or

levied against them for adopting a student mask mandate.

The appeals court did not immediately indicate when it would take up the governor’s appeal, which first must be filed in a full written document. The action taken Thursday night was a notice to the court that a detailed appeal of Cooper’s order is coming.

Democrats see consequences from redistricting reform push

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 Riccardi and other sions are pushed by the party out

By Nicholas roducing onPress Sunday drawing a round of applause from of power.

Thenations Associated In Michigan, where Republiized an unprecedented pro- those on the video call. cans had full control of state gov— Democrats But it had not been smiles and ion cut ofDENVER nearly 10 million argue ernment in 2010, groups with process of laughs for weeks after the soels, or a that 10ththe ofonce-a-decade global supply, ties to Democrats in 2018 pushed redrawing political maps shouldn’t called OPEC+ group of OPEC opes of boosting crashing pric- They’ve a ballot measure taking the pen be a partisan cage match. members and other nations failed mid the coronavirus pandemic from the GOP legislature and givpushed for so-called independent inreMarch to reach an agreement a price war, officialstosaid. ing it to a nonpartisan commiscommissions do the work of sion. balancing population intoproduction cuts, sending pricThis could be the largest changes re- on In Virginia, when Republicans congressional districts. ion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply controlled the state legislature in They’re about to see than Russia days earlier over perhaps a decade, maybe lon-less criticized 2019, Democrats in that body votideal results of their focus on what said U.S. Secretary ed to put a commission measure someEnergy groups say is “fairness.” what it described as comments of the kingdom, which Brouillette, who credited critical on the ballot. The following year, In Democratic-controlled Colafter Democrats took control of ident Donald Trump’s orado, Virginia and perOregon, finds new itself trying to appease the legislature, only some Demcongressional maps drawnTrump, by a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement in getting duelocrats took the required second commissions or bipartisan powEven U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpvote to place the measure before er-sharing agreements are unliketo end ly a to price war between Saudi Arabia to find a way to voters, now aided enthusiastically give the party the sort of podi Arabialitical and advantages Russia. some now boost by out-of-power Republicans. wish prices as American shale il pricesithave as the firms face far-higher production The initiative passed overcouldcollapsed have enjoyed. whelmingly in November of 2020, “There should be concern withcosts. American troops had been navirus and the COVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY as voters handed Biden a 10-perin the Democratic we to the kingdom for the ss it causes have largely Party halt- thatdeployed centage-point win. may have been too quick to seek 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 Half of the commission’s 16 reform without really looking at over concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit members r energy-chugging sectors attacks of the Group of 20 energyIfminister are state legislators. the long-term implications,” said an retaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, tothe as manufacturing.

It has stratecoordinate a response to plummet commission formally deadRick Ridder, a Democratic stated gist theinoil industry in sions. prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn inlocks, globalthedemand due to the pandem state Supreme Court Denver.

BOB BROWN | RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH VIA AP draws the maps, a prospect that Tonow be sure, not more all Democrat“They’ve spent over the last U.S., which pumps alarms Democrats given its lack of ic states have sacrificed power for In this March 2020, file photo, Del. Martha Mugler, D-Hampton, second from right, and Del. Danica month waging war2, on American e than any other country. so far. reform.

Democratic-controlled Roem, D-Prince William, right, walk past a group of demonstrators as they head to the House of Delegates praise.

Andrés ut some states producers have been oil producers while we are defend- that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, progress “We have made a mistake,” said like Illinois and Maryland inside the Virginia state Capitol in Richmond, Va. pure size Manuel López Obrador, had said the United Arab Emirates would ing theirs.

This is not how friends ctant to are easeheavily supply.

The carLashrecse Aird,“The a Democratic del-of the cu gerrymandered. And precedented, but, Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday egate who voted against the mea- then ag Democratic-controlled state legissure both times it came up inthe the corona quiring nonpartisan commissions Democratic Rep. Peterthem DeFazio by the is the impact ersa Republican are worried from the bipartisan Trump that the U.S. will compenlatures can overrule commissions a day between atop Cramer, North oil ed to allow Mexico to cut only in Mexico every state as state pulling indeal. moreThe votersthree of his countries party, to draw commission could deadlock, in New Mexicoa and especially satelines what cannot add legislature. to having on demand,” said M Dakota, before the OPEC+ deal.kick- OPEC+ 000 barrels a month, stickIn Colorado, Democrats inan 2018 a sweeping federal andnot creates a safe Democratic dis- part of control of redistricting to the did New whereinitially the party could med Ghulam, energy an the proposed cuts.election immediately acknowledge U.S.ingproducers have already point for anYork, accord erase several GOP House seats if it state Supreme Court, dominat- trict west of Portland for Oregon’s takeover, which Senate Republi- backed a ballot measure to hand Raymond James.

“The big Oil Deal with OPEC the cut themselves, though Zanoutput. Thejudges.

Amerhed Friday after marathon been reducing control of redistricting to a noned by GOP-appointed The sixth and newest district. The Re- cans unanimously oppose. controls theamap.

But Ghulam Plus is10done. will save hun- commission attended the video confer- Currently, ican Petroleum Institute laud-to ganeh o conference na- marpartisan that doesand not others statesThis have redispublican version keeps both discourt would likely hire experts But between given the23narrow it may not enough. dreds of thousands of energy jobslegislators. global saying it s. The nations together agreed include The be initiative commissions that draw tricts competitive. A deadlock tricting draw the mapspact, determining the ence. gins, the commission states ed mat-Sunday’s wassaid first proposed lines in forthe congressional districts, the process the Democratpolitical composition of the state’s kicks ter. In Colorado, “Thisbyisaatwealthy least a tempo United States,” Trump Officials said to other planned cuts will help get other nations’ stateut 9.7 million barrels where a dayPresident and Repub-industry including reliably“I would Republican ic secretary of in state.

Joe Biden won by 13 percentforformer the energy in a tweet. like tobusinessman thank lief stand the deal, meaning owned11oilcongressional production districts to followand theits would ughout May and June. lican. Some the on This i Montana swing state Arizona. worries about the cut seats. points the last deal year, just the nonparglobal signed economy. andand congratulate President Pu- Democrats 8-million-barrel-per-day lead ofstate U.S.legislative producers that are try- an Democratic he groupage reached However, six of the commis- enthusiastically, others grudgingAnd in Oregon, a solidly blue Colorado and Virginia commistisan commission released a preis toothe bigparty to bethrew let to fail and tin of are Russia King through thehypocriend of the ing to adjust to isplunging s beforeliminary Asian map markets re- which ly, but of eventually sion states ones and whose gov-Salman sions July expose the party’s state that gaining ademand. congressio- from on Friday liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internacould lead the two parties to even- nal seat, the Democrats who con- sy, said Adam Kincaid, executive ernments are controlled by Dem- its full backing behind it. thislike agreement,” said Per M Kremlin said President months 2021. ocrats, The “This looks a 4-3-1 map make trol commitments of initstheown including the nation’s al benchmark crude director of beginning the NationalinRepuba supermajority state 16 ly split the Brent state’s eight congressioin a call state that went forthe Biden by of ana state, California, with its lican Redistricting Trust, which biggest legislature to evenly nal seats. contrast, some DemoNysveen, head Vladimir Putin held a joint “This will enable the rebalancproduction cuts,agreed but was abledivide to ed at just over In $31 a barrel 13.5,” said Craig Hughes, a veter52 congressional seats.

That’s partKing oversees for the their redistricting committee be- ing cratic shale maps split 6-2 in their favor.

Rystad Energy.

“Even tho with Trump and Saudi Salof the line-drawing oil markets and the exshow the obvious — that plunging American producers The difference, a net of four con- tween Democrats and Republi- GOP. “It’s as if they see these com- of the reason the GOP controls the an Colorado Democratic straterebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small demand because of the pandem- pected ggle. missions as an extension of the redistricting process in states rep- gist. “That’s not a good result for gressional seats, is half the current cans. deal.187 It congressional also said Putin sep- what the market needed a barrel inParty the and short ic is expected to slash oil pro-re- per ideo aired by the Saudi-owned Democrats.” resenting seats,spoke Democratic notterm,” as the said On Friday, the U.S. two parties Democratic margin in the House. postponehave the stock arately with Trump about the oil Democrats statementindependent from Nigeria’s duction. lite channel Al-Arabiya Some been buildi and Democrats in ones with only bodies oil leased dueling maps for the state. afair-minded In Virginia, where Democrats the party erred inthe wor 75 seats. they say they are.”

The Oil Democratic shores the that legislature straints problem, market and other issues. grumbling that Iranian Ministermap Bijan Zan-up ministry. wed the control moment Saudiand hold backing the now commission.

Often,Analysts nonpartisanoffered commis- cautious Democratshad haveinitially proposedblocked reswing the governor’s office, party leadavoided.”

Mexico ganeh one also tolddistrict staterepresented televisionby rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

Associated Press

& 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 8, 2021

7

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries Michael Edward Carrick

Barbara Moul

Barbara Moul, 52, of Concord, NC, passed away Saturday, Michael Edward Carrick August 28, 2021 in Atrium Jason Tony passed away on August 29 at the Health Union, Monroe, NC. Her age of 73.

Efird Smith funeral service will be 2pm on Mike is survived by Brenda, Sunday, September 5, 2021 in the ASON EUGENE “GENE” ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of loving wife of almost 55 years.

Stanly Funeral Cremation EFIRD,and 94, went home to be with Rockwell, NC, went to be with Mike is lovingly remembered by Care Chapel of Locust with Rev. his Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tonya Carrick Lea Jeremyhome Brackett officiating. Burial his daughter in Stanfield. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at and his husband Jeff of Richfield and Gene bornUnited October 9, 1925, in home surrounded by family.

A will follow in was Bethel Jacob and Cabarrus County to the late Simeongrandchildren private family service willKassia; be held.

Methodist Church Cemetery, great-grandchild Jacen; by at Jason Efird and the latewill Sarah Ella and Online condolences can be made Midland, NC. The family his son Kevin Michael Carrick Burris Efird.

In addition to his stanlyfuneralhome.com receive friends prior to the funeral Kathy of Hampstead, NC he was preceded Tony was born August 11, 1947 serviceparents, from 12:00pm until in death byand wife his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, in Stanly County to the late Pearlie and grandchildren Brynn, Blaine 1:30pm at the funeral home.

Lambert, Fannie Almond, and Asbury Smith Emmer Brooke; andand by his son Lee Jamie SheMary was born March 19, 1969 Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and Stephen Smith.

He was and the son in law of Pat Carrick wife Jenny in Mecklenburg County, NC to the Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homerof Albemarle and Mick Cagle where he worked at and grandchildren late Archie Morrison and Efird, Efird, Allen Getus Efird and Wayne the fish house for Hannah. many years until Tanner, Avery and Marie Sr. “Betty” Brown Morrison. he opened Anchor House Seafood Mike was born in Badin, NC on She formerly worked at service the AMC A private funeral will be in Rockwell. He and his wife Becky August 23, 1948.

He graduated Movieheld Theater, Concord, on Saturday, AprilNC. 11, 2020 owned and operated Anchor House fromforNorth Stanly School in She enjoyed andMethodist loved at Love’shopping s Grove United 25 years beforeHigh retiring in 2009.

1966.

He worked as an electrician talkingChurch to people on the internet.

Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith was a charter member Aluminum officiated Rev. Jim White.for Burialfor Alcoa and deacon at OpenCompany Door Baptist She was a salesbyrepresentative in Badin. enjoyed will follow at theCompany.

Love’s Grove United ChurchMike in Richfield.

Hetalking loved the Scentsy and 31 Bag about Jesus and sharing his faith, Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 Lord and his family abundantly.

Tony Barbara is survived by her spending time withhusband, his family, PolkKelsey Ford Road, Stanfield. was a wonderful father, and daughter, Moul of include son Gerald fix anything and grandfather working onand hiscould farm.

Midland,Survivors NC; husband, Mark Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; he put his hands on.

Daniel Mouol of the home and daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell Mr. Smith is survived by his wife two sisters, Sharon Stiller (Vic) of Stanfield; granddaughters, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, of Lexington, NC and Debra Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren sons Walter Smith and Robbie Morrison of Kannapolis, NC. Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatSmith; daughter Kayla Henderson

J

T

grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Memorials may be made to Love’s Grove United Methodist Church, PO Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

(Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton and Ella Henderson; brother David Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Dorothy Smith (Nick).

He is preceded in death by brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Rodney Brian Foreman

Merle Rodney Brian Foreman, 50, of Norwood, passed away at home Helms on Monday, August 30, 2021 ERLEby LORRAINE surrounded his lovingAUSTIN family.

HELMS, of Marshville, Rodney was 72, born July 19, 1971 Wednesday, 8, inpassed Stanlyaway County, NC toApril Frank 2020 at McWhorter Hospice House Douglas Foreman and Elaine in Monroe.

Hudson Foreman.

Lorraine was born April 28, 1947 The funeral service to celebrate in Monroe to the late Homer David his life will be at 2:00 pm on Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane Thursday, 2, 2021 Austin. SheSeptember was also preceded in at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler death by brothers, A.D. and Teddy Memorial Chapel in Albemarle, Austin; and sister, Joy Austin. officiated

by Pastor James The family will receive friends Laurence. from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday, April 10, 2020 at Funeral In addition toHartsell his parents, of Albemarle. funeral heHome is survived by hisThe beloved service willBrafford be at 11:00 am on wife, Lori Foreman; SaturdayBryce at Pleasant Hill Baptist children, Midgett, Bella Church inKimball Marshville, officiated Foreman, Midgett,

by Rev.Foreman; John Millerbrother, and Rev. Leon Walker Skee Whitley. She Foreman; will lie in state for 30and (Maryvette) nieces minutes prior to the service. She will nephews, Tatiana (Jesse) Garmon, be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

Lexan Foreman, Foreman; She is survived Noah by her beloved and his dog, Cha. husband of 47Cha years, Paul Helms preceded death by ofHe thewas home; son, Alexin (Deanna) his nephew, Dallasdaughter, Foreman; Helms of Pageland; Paula maternal grandparents, Wrendy (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; and Cannie Hudson; paternal grandchildren, Mason,and Grant, and Raegan Helms;Giff brothers, Boyce, grandparents, and Emma Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Foreman.

Patricia Mullis, Tarleton.

Rodney lovedand hisAngel family, Memorials mayand be made to the golfing, working, helping Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park others.

M

Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Wayne Walter Rush

Roderick Dale Funk

Wayne Walter Rush, 83, of Roderick Dale Funk, 66, Danny Jerry Locust, passed away Tuesday, of Albemarle passed away on August 31, 2021 at McWhorter Fincher Saturday,Luther July 24, 2021 at his Hospice House in Monroe. home.

A private celebration of life ERRY ANNY PAUL LUTHER, FINCHER passed from Wayne was born September 9, service held passed on August 65, of was Norwood, away 22, this lifein onNorth April 3,Carolina 2020 at 8:05 1937 to the late 2021 in Dewitt, Michigan with unexpectedly Thursday, April 9, pm. He was surrounded by his family Lacy Walton Rush and the late family and friends.

2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in and holding the hand of the love of Carra Rush.

Rod was born May 7, 1955 in Albemarle. his life.

JerryMadge is preceded in death was also preceded in death Mr. Luther was born March 27, by threeHe siblings, two brothers, Billy Cheboygan County, Michigan by his wife Brenda of 50 years and 1955 to the late RobertKeetch Fulton and Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard to Merla Virginia and his sister Trish.

Helen Tucker Luther.William Funk. Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce the late Howard Danny was from survived by his wife, He retired General Motors Moore.The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Sunday, Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; He is survived by his wife, Eleanor in Michigan. After he retired, sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther andas a KateSeptember Fincher of the 5,home, 2021 daughter, at Hartsell he continued employment Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan FincherHome Jacobs of Funeral ofWingate Midland. The supply chain professional with Cindy Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; NC.,funeral son and daughter in law, service will beTommy on Tuesday Alcoa, Honeywell, and Thermal Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and (Tiffany) Fincher of New London at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Windows.

Rod enjoyed traveling, Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, NC.,Church Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) of Midland, officiated by boating, spending quality Bob Luther and Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Lanier of Locust NC, Thomas Gibbs.Wanda Burial(Bob) will follow time with his son, family, and Luther and several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric at the church cemetery. friends.and cousins. nephews (Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., SNAP paid (Gera) w/pic;Whitson Stanly He isrecently survived by his wife Danny retired from Grandchildren-Trey Journal; Alb. radio Dana Dean Kessler; son: Nathan of Midland, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after Step-grandchildren, Wayne Washington, was a lovingAaron husband, a Funk; dedicated 37 yearsMerla and worked Zach (Brittney) mother: Keetch; father, grandfather friend to there with his sons and several other (Kinsey) Washington, Caleband (Nayeli) stepchildren: Jason (Ellen) all. He was proud Setzer, navy veteran friends andJamie family(Meghan) members. Bright; Washington, Betha(Robbie) Bright, of 30( years devoted loved spending time at Matthew April )and Wallace, Step man of 3Danny step grandchildren; siblings: his lake house withFunk, his family and(Jim) great-grandchildren, God who lovedBritlyn-Eve his church and Ralph (Carla) Robin friends as wellRuth as vacationing with his Washington, RobertWayne Setzer, George community. was a man Hastings, (Jack) Barber; family. Danny and Denise enjoyed (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer who was committed to family and 7 nieces and nephews; 12 great listening to beach music and loved to Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, church life. nieces and nephews; mother shag dance every chance they could AndrewSurvivors Underwood, Step great include daughter, and A. get.

Hefather-in-law: was an amazingGerald father, loving greatTara grandchild, Waylon George (Sean) Norton; (Mercedes) Dean. grandfather and great friend to Setzer and brother Donald Lewis (Billy) granddaughter, Angelica Memorial contributions many.

He will never be forgotten.in Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Moody; grandson, Nathan and Rod’s name may made A celebration of lifebe will be to Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on granddaughter Kate Cornett; Community announced onceHomecare the current and Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am great-grandson, SJ Moody; COVID-19 are lifted. Road at Canton Baptist Church. Anyone sister, Hospice restrictions at 1024 Albemarle Madge many beloved Hartsell Funeral Home of interested in Tucker, attending,and please RSVP #904 Troy, NC 27371. nieces and nephews and extended Albemarle serving the Luther Dr. Phil McCray StanlyisFuneral and Cremation at 704-796-2412. members. family.

Pastor Tommy Fincher will Care of Albemarle is serving the and family officiate.

Funk family.

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Sue Deese Almond

Sue Deese Almond, 83, of Albemarle, passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021 at her home in Albemarle.

Pauline Sue was born November 22, Tucker 1937 in North Carolina to the late Hurley Deese and the late AULINE ELIZABETH John Stanly Hartsell, 74, of Kathleen Deese. She was also TUCKER, 98, passed Wingate, ALMOND passed away Saturday, preceded in death by sisters, Janet away peacefully at Trinity Place, September 4, 2021 at his home.

Albemarle, NCApril on April 11, 2020. Cassell and Shirley Bowen.

Butch was born 9, 1947 The family will receive wastoborn March in North Pauline Carolina theon late John22, 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to thefriends from 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm, William Hartsell and the late late John Richard Almond and Alice Wednesday, September 8, 2021 Bessy Mildred Hartsell.

Shirley Ada Ann Lambert Almond. at Hartsell Funeral Home of He wasShe also preceded in death is survived by her three Albemarle.

The funeral service Haire by wife,daughters, Diane Hartsell; and Gay Michel (Jack), will immediately follow on brothers, Hartsell, OakTommy Island, NC; PamelaRandy Rushing Wednesday, HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, September 8, 2021 Haigler.

(Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy at 2:00ofpm Albemarle passed away on at Hartsell Funeral Butch never metAlbemarle, a stranger.

Hunt (Marc), NC; her AprilLefler 11, 2020 at AtriumChapel Health Home’s Memorial If you look around, you will Lear), see son, Chris Tucker (Chris Stanly. Theofficiated family willby hold a private in Albemarle Dr. Phil Washington, DC. She the work of his hands.

Hewill wasbe greatly graveside service for Mrs. Haire.

McCrae.

Burial will follow at the by her five grandchildren, a hard missed working, and very loved Shirley was born December 12, Canton Baptist Church Cemetery Chaney by (Shannon), man byHeather many, Rushing but especially 1946 in Washington, DC to the , 24615 Endy Rd, Albemarle.

Michael his family.

TheRushing, love of Elizabeth his Lord Michel late Charles Richard Bateman and Survivors husband, Hartzog (Craig), Michel, Elizabethinclude Mae Mulligan Bateman. was prominent as he Jack served as aJr. Donald “Gene” Almond (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as Shirley is survived byofher husband Deacon of Pecan Baptist Church seven great-grandchildren. She also children, Danny of 30 years Vaughn Smith of for several years. Although he has Albemarle; leaves behind cherished nieces and Michael (Rhonda) Almond, Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter passednephews. on, and will be missed Ginger Almond (finacé of Gainesville, VA; half-brother by many, The we now peace familyhave expresses its sincere Leamond “Bubba” Love; Robert BatemanBraley) of Stevensville, knowing he is reunited with the gratitude to the staff and caregiversgrandchildren, MD; step-children Heather Smith Suzann Almond, love of at his life ofPlace 50 years, Diane, Trinity for the care they Matthew of Jacksonville, and David (Tabitha)FLAlmond, in heaven. provided Pauline.

Smith of New London, 4 Brandy (Russell) Strawn,NC; Adrian Survivors include sons,service Johnny A private graveside will be step-grandchildren; niecesLove; Cyndi (fiancé Daniel Ridenhour) on Monday, April 13, 2020.

(Misty)held Hartsell of Albemarle, NC A Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and great-grandchildren, Jacob celebration of Pauline’ s life and legacy and Chris Hartsell of Wingate, Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, 16 grandWatkins, Jaden Watkins,VA; Brady will be held thisLogan summer.

NC; grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and Gus the Ridenhour, Zachary Almond, In lieu ofofflowers, the family Grant Hartsell, Concord, NC, dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Almond, Waylon Strawn, requests donations be made of Albemarle is serving the Zechariah Jordan Hartsell of to the ArielCare Hank Strawn; and sister, Carol BrightFocus Foundation at www.

Haire family.

Concord, NC, Kristen Danielle brightfocus.org.

(Jim) Hitchens of Wilmington, Honeycutt, Freddie Furr. He DE. is also survived by numerous

John Stanly Hartsell

P

S

L

Linda Hatley

INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020.

Linda was born September 18, 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Claris Tucker. She was also preceded Doris Barbee, 75,Lee of in death“Lynn” by her brother, Terry Concord, passed away Thursday, Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda September 2, 2021.We know Brenda Tucker Strickland. and Linda are inwas Heaven watching Mrs. Barbee born June 30, overto usthe and late laughing.

1946 Albert Lee and Linda was a loving mother, sister, Emma Cranford.

In addition to and “Nana.” she She was was aalso verypreceded giving her parents, loving Linda would inand death by person. her husband, Herman always Sr. do anything she could for Wayne, others, especially her family. She Lynn was a retired teacher’s enjoyed working at FastShop #5, assistant and school driver Locust. Linda will be bus forever lovedat Mt. Pleasant Elementary School and greatly missed. where she worked years.

Survivors includefor her28 son, The Hatley funeral service will be Alan and wife, Angela, of held on Saturday, Albemarle; brother,September Ronnie Tucker 11,and 2021, 11:00ofam, at St. wife,atLinda, Midland; granddaughter, LeslieChurch Hatley; 1in Stephens Wesleyan niece; and 2 nephews.

Concord officiated

by Pastor Gary The family will will receive friends Morrison.

Burial follow in the from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, church cemetery.

April at Hartsell Funeral Lynn16,is2020 survived by her son, HomeBarbee, in Albemarle.

LindaMelony; will Wayne and wife be laid to rest during a private daughters, Nona Barbee-Barrier, committal service at Bethel United and husband Michael, Mona Methodist Church, Midland.

Stevenson; grandchildren, Aliviaa In lieu of flowers, please consider Barrier, Hunter Wayne Barbee; memorial donation to Bethel UMC, sister, Mullis 12700Joyce Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107.

Doris “Lynn” Barbee

Maria Dalisay Espina Maria Dalisay Espina, 73, of Norwood, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Maria was born December 4, Celebrate the life 1947 to the late Carlos Duran, Sr. of your loved ones. and the late Josefina Duran.

Submit obituaries The Memorial Mass will be 2:30 pm on Saturday, September and death notices 11, 2021 at Our Lady of the to be published in Celebrate the life Annunciation Catholic Church in of your loved SCJ at Albemarle, ones. officiatedSubmit

by Father obituaries and obits@stanlyjournal.com Peter Fitzgibbons. death by notices to be published in She is survived her husband, Done Montano Espina; son, SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com Jose D. Espina; granddaughter, Kirsten Zamantha Espina; sisters, Teofista D. Floyd and Josefina Duran II; and many nephews, nieces and in-laws here and abroad.

cousins.

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8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

NC appeals court stops voting restoration for felons

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — A North Carolina appeals court on Friday blocked an order that had allowed tens of thousands of felony offenders who aren’t serving prison or jail time to immediately register to vote and cast ballots.

The state Court of Appeals agreed to halt last week’s decision by trial judges to expand when North Carolina residents convicted of felonies have the right to vote again.

The plaintiffs immediately appealed Friday’s decision to the state Supreme Court to seek a reversal.

Otherwise, the stay would remain in place until the merits of pending litigation filed by civil rights groups and ex-offenders challenging state law on the restoration of voting rights is heard by the appeals court.

The decision by the intermediate-level appeals court means that — if left in place — the offenders could not vote in this fall’s municipal elections. It also likely would bring confusion, since some felons affected by last week’s trial court order almost certainly would have registered to vote by now. Voting rights groups have already started registration drives targeting the estimated 56,000 people affected by the decision.

The North Carolina Constitution forbids a person convicted of a felony from voting “unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.” A 1973 law laying out those restoration rules requires the “unconditional discharge of an inmate, of a probationer, or of a parolee.”

The trial court order, however, said that election officials can’t deny voter registration to any convicted felon who is only on probation, parole or post-release supervision. An attorney for the plaintiffs said the trial court’s decision represented the largest expansion of North Carolina voting rights since

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, file photo, stacks of ballot envelopes are waiting to be mailed at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh. the 1960s.

“The collective will of the state is stifled when so many of our citizens are unjustifiably not able to participate in our democracy,” the plaintiffs said in a news release announcing the Supreme Court appeal.

“That exclusion of our neighbors’ voices is morally and constitutionally wrong.”

Last year, the same trial judges ruled felony offenders couldn’t be denied the right to vote if the reason their rights hadn’t been restored was due to unpaid fines or restitution. That small expansion of voting access remains enforceable, although the plaintiffs’ lawyers wrote Friday to the Supreme Court that it can’t be carried out ac-

curately by elections officials.

Republican legislative leaders, some of whom were defendants in the lawsuit, were pleased with Friday’s decision. They had earlier accused the majority of the three trial judges who approved last week’s ruling of judicial activism.

“The decision to block the lower court’s ruling affirms that judges can’t just replace laws they don’t like with new ones,” Sen. Warren Daniel, a Burke County Republican, said in a news release.

During a four-day trial last month, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argued the current law needed to be struck down because it was racially discriminatory by disproportionately affecting Black offenders and

violated the state constitution.

Their witnesses included a historian who said felony disenfranchisement had origins from a Reconstruction-era effort to intentionally prevent black residents from voting. The two judges who issued last week’s order wrote there was no denying the “insidious, discriminatory history” surrounding efforts at restoring voting rights in North Carolina.

“The overwhelming and undisputed effect of this law is to disproportionately disenfranchise Black people by wide margins throughout the entire state,” plaintiffs’ lawyer Daryl Atkinson wrote in urging the Court of Appeals to keep the trial court ruling enforced. Changing

the rules again “now would cause chaos” in the first round of municipal elections in October.

But attorneys for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said the trial court went too far with its order and that there’s no evidence the 1973 law — which actually eased obstacles for ex-felons to vote — is discriminatory in practice today.

“The trial court panel has thrown (voting) rules into disarray for no discernible reason,” attorney Nicole Moss wrote this week, adding the injunction “contravenes the well-established equitable principle that courts should not change election laws on the eve of elections.”

After unrelenting summer, Biden looks to get agenda on track

By Zeke Miller The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The collapse of the Afghan government, a surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant, devastating weather events, a disappointing jobs report. What next?

After a torrent of crises, President Joe Biden is hoping to turn the page on an unrelenting summer and refocus his presidency this fall around his core economic agenda.

But the recent cascade of troubles is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable weight of the office and fresh evidence that presidents rarely have the luxury of focusing on just one crisis at a time. Biden’s unyielding summer knocked his White House onto emergency footing and sent his own poll numbers tumbling.

“The presidency is not a job for a monomaniac,” said presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “You have to be multitasking 24 hours a day.”

Never has that been more true than summer 2021, which began with the White House proclamation of the nation’s “independence” from the coronavirus and a massive infrastructure package. Then COVID-19 came roaring back, the Afghanistan pullout devolved into chaos and hiring slowed.

Biden now hopes for a post-Labor Day reframing of the national conversation toward his twin domestic goals of passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill and pushing through a Democrats-only expansion of the social safety net.

“I think you can expect the president to be communicating over the coming weeks on a range of issues that are front and center on the minds of the American people,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

During the chaotic Afghanistan evacuation, the White House was central in explaining the consequences of Biden’s withdrawal decision and the effort to evacuate Americans and allies from the country. Now, officials want to put the State Department and other agencies out front on the efforts to assist stranded Americans and support evacuees, while Biden moves

MANUEL BALCE CENETA | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden leave St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., after attending a Mass, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. on.

It’s in part a reflection of an unspoken belief inside the White House that for all the scenes of chaos in Afghanistan, the public backs his decision and it will fade from memory by the midterm elections.

On Friday, in remarks on August’s disappointing jobs report, Biden tried to return to the role of public salesman for his domestic agenda and claim the mantle of warrior for the middle class.

While Biden may want to turn the page, though, aides are mindful that the crises are not done with him.

Biden is planning to speak this week on new efforts to contain the Delta variant and protect kids in

schools from COVID-19. And his administration continues to face criticism for his decision to pull American troops from Afghanistan before all U.S. citizens and allies could get out.

“President Biden desperately wants to talk about anything but Afghanistan, but Americans who are hiding from the Taliban, ISIS, and the Haqqani network don’t give a damn about news cycles, long weekends, and polling — they want out,” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. He called on the Biden White House to provide a public accounting of the number of Americans and their allies still stuck inside Afghanistan.

Biden also will soon be grap-

pling with fallout from the windup of two anchors of the government’s COVID-19 protection package: The federal moratorium on evictions recently expired, and starting Monday, an estimated 8.9 million people will lose all unemployment benefits.

According to White House officials, even as other issues dominated headlines, Biden and his team have maintained regular conversations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., about the president’s legislative agenda. His legislative team held more than 130 calls and meetings with members of Congress, their chiefs of staff and aides on the

infrastructure bill and spending package, and his administration has held over 90 meetings with legislative staff on crafting the reconciliation bill.

Responding to concerns raised by pivotal Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., over the price tag on the roughly $3.5 trillion social spending package, White House chief of staff Ron Klain told CNN on Sunday that he was convinced that the Democrat was “very persuadable” on the legislation.

Cabinet officials have also been engaged with lawmakers, officials said, and traveled to 80 congressional districts to promote the agenda across the country while Biden was kept in Washington.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 50 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Twin City Herald

WALT UNKS | THE WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL VIA AP

Kiwannie James Sr. wipes his eyes as he waits to get word about his son, Kiwannie James Jr. as he waits near the intersection of Polo Road and Petree Road after a shooting that left one student dead at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. James got word that his son was safe about 10 minutes later.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Gun discharge in Winston-Salem home kills 2-year-old boy

By Tom Foreman Jr. The Associated Press

Forsyth County A two-year-old boy died of injuries after a gun was discharged inside of a home. The Winston-Salem Police Department said that officers were sent to a report of a shooting in the residential neighborhood east of downtown. Officers who came to the home were told that the victim was being driven to a hospital in a car.

Police found the car on a local highway and called an ambulance. The two-yearold child was taken to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries. No suspects are being sought.

AP

Hospital infectious disease expert recovering from COVID Forsyth County Dr. Christopher Ohl, an expert on infectious diseases at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, is recovering from COVID-19 and completed his isolation period at the start of the week. Dr. Ohl was one of the first people to get the Pfizer vaccine at Wake Forest Baptist when it was first approved last December. Despite being vaccinated, he still contracted a breakthrough case of COVID. He announced that he was fully recovered from the illness by the time his quarantine period ended and credited the vaccine for his quick recovery.

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Leaders offer compassion, few answers after school shooting WINSTON-SALEM — State and local leaders offered encouragement and compassion last Thursday to students and the mother of a high school boy fatally shot on campus the day before, but released no new details about the suspect, including whether he knew the victim or attended the school.

“This is a pain and a fear that no child or parent should ever have to confront, simply by having a child go to school,” Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference that began moments after he spoke with the family of William Chavis Raynard Miller Jr., the victim of the shooting at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem on Wednesday.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s

Office announced on its Twitter page that the suspect, who was not identified, was apprehended Wednesday evening. District Attorney Jim O’Neill provided no additional information at Thursday’s news conference, such as whether the suspect and the victim knew each other, whether the gun used in the shooting had been recovered or if criminal charges had been filed against the suspect.

The suspect was believed to have been a student at the high school, but O’Neill wouldn’t confirm it.

The district attorney also referred to the influence of gangs on young people and how there was a need for more after-school programs and volunteer workers to lure teenagers away from violent behavior. He didn’t say whether the shooting was related to gang activity, however.

Cooper also said steps need to

“This is a pain and a fear that no child or parent should ever have to confront, simply by having a child go to school.”

Gov. Roy Cooper

be taken to keep guns away from school campuses. Installing metal detectors in high schools is a “pretty dramatic step” but “you cannot take it off the table,” he said.

“You have to be ready to use any tool that you have to make sure that schools are safe,” the governor said.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby

Reynolds Trust grant helps boost COVID resources in Hispanic communities The Associated Press ASHEVILLE — A nonprofit will bring more COVID-19-related resources to western North Carolina’s Spanish-speaking immigrant communities.

Hola Carolina has received a $308,000 grant.

The grant was awarded by the Winston-Salem-based Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. The goal of the grant is to improve the dissemination of information about COVID-19 and expand access to virus-related health resources.

The area’s immigrant communities have been been gravely and disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says that 8% of North Carolinians who have died from

COVID-19 have been Hispanic.

The Equity in Health for Immigrant Communities in Western North Carolina Project will build a strong network of collaborating partners at the local and regional level. The four goals will be • To distribute culturally responsive communications to enhance community education, information, and resources on the virus.

• To reduce inequities related to testing, treatment, and vaccination.

• To capitalize on our network of on the ground community health workers to mobilize communities to engage in health improvement efforts.

• To create a referral network between partners to secure basic human rights and distribute pandemic relief funding for the immi-

grant community.

Hola Carolina will act as the fiscal agent for a community-based network of eight partners in WNC, who are aligning and coordinating activities to support immigrants and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The partners are: Hola Carolina, Vecinos, Centro Unido Latino-Americano (CULA), High Country Community Health Center, Pisgah Legal Services, Beloved Asheville, De Mujer A Mujer, and Mountain Area Health and Education Center’s (MAHEC).

“Health equity is when all members of society enjoy a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” Hola Carolina Executive Director Adriana Chavela said.

“We are committed to understanding and appropriately addressing the needs of the Latino communi-

Kimbrough Jr. said he cried with Miller’s mother after the shooting, and he brought a message from her to the news conference to be delivered to parents.

“She said to tell the mothers to tell their babies to put the guns down because it’s senseless,” Kimbrough said.

Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson, visibly moved on Wednesday when she announced that Miller had died as a result of the shooting, had her own message for students.

“What you experienced yesterday at Mount Tabor, no one should ever experience at all, ever, in their lives,” Thompson said. “I can only imagine how traumatic that experience could have been, and I want you to know that it is OK not to be OK today.”

The chief said officials will provide all the services needed, included therapists, to help students get through the experience. She also encouraged parents to pay attention to their children and seek help for them if they need it.

Mount Tabor, with an enrollment of more than 1,500 students, canceled classes on Thursday and Friday, officials announced.

ty, according to specific cultural, linguistic, and environmental factors.”

Hola Carolina builds bridges between cultures, embraces diversity, and creates more economically vibrant communities across 18 counties in western North Carolina. Its vision is for immigrant communities and people of color to live in a just, multiracial society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which they can thrive with power and purpose. It is an immigrant led organization that operates by and for the Latinx community.

The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and is now one of the largest private trusts in North Carolina. Its mission is to improve the health and quality of life of financially-disadvantaged residents in North Carolina. The Health Improvement in North Carolina program area supports community-wide health solutions across the state.

TCH Staff contributed to this report

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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♦ Beckom, Gabriel Sebastian (M/29) Arrest on chrg of Aid And Abet Larceny ($1,000 Or Less), M (M), at 2901 Main St/ old Hollow Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 9/1/2021 11:41. ♦ Bradley, Aaron Elijah (M/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Vand-personal Prop (M), 3) Vand-personal Prop (M), and 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 2584 Crosland Hill Dr, Winstonsalem, NC, on 9/5/2021 02:34. ♦ BYRD, LAKIDA ONASIS was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 2024 DRYDEN RD on 9/6/2021 ♦ CABRERA, RANDI NICHOLE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 399 N CHERRY ST/W FOURTH ST on 9/4/2021 ♦ CAMERON, VINCENT ARNESS was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1172 WAUGHTOWN ST on 9/4/2021 ♦ Camp, Thomas Lee (M/31) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female, M (M), at 5951 Immanuel Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 9/5/2021 12:36 ♦ CASTEEN, GARY ALAN was arrested on a charge of LARCENY-FELONY at 3719 INDIANA AV on 9/4/2021 ♦ CONRAD, JOSE ELMO was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1599 N LIBERTY ST/E SIXTEENTH ST on 9/4/2021 ♦ DOBSON, TAYLOR NICHOLE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 318 E HANES MILL RD/ SUMMIT SQUARE BV on 9/3/2021

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COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden is no Jimmy Carter “THE WORST PRESIDENT since Jimmy Carter.”

You see a lot of that sort of thing if you regularly read conservative commentary, as I do. But as a conservative writer, I think it’s unfair to the 39th president. I think it’s time to say some good words for Carter. And if some of his accomplishments provide stark contrasts with his only-18-yearsyounger successor President Joe Biden, well, draw your own conclusions.

I start off by noting that Carter came to the presidency with almost no relevant experience. For the voters of the mid-1970s, that was a feature, not a bug.

Two of the most experienced men to become president — Lyndon Johnson, with a quarter-century in Congress, and Richard Nixon, a nationally prominent politician for 21 years — had, in voters’ opinions, forfeited their trust with Vietnam and Watergate.

Their successor, Gerald Ford, with his own 25 years in Congress, nearly lost the Republican nomination to Ronald Reagan — an eight-year governor of California who glided over his years of reading and writing about national policy. He then lost the presidency to a former one-term governor of Georgia who stumped for Democratic candidates in what turned out to be the very Democratic off-year of 1976.

What Carter brought to the White House was a willingness to adjust to events and change his views. A product of segregationist southern Georgia, he installed a portrait of Martin Luther King in the Georgia Capitol, leaving segregation behind and endorsing the civil rights revolution.

As a presidential candidate, he took on George Wallace, who was previously unbeatable in the South, and beat him 34% to 31% in Florida.

There’s a lesson there perhaps for Republicans who would like to be president but are hesitating to take on Donald Trump.

On domestic policy, unlike Biden, who already had four years’ Senate seniority when he took the oath of office, Carter refused to endorse his party’s leftmost positions. He signed the tax bill that included former Wisconsin Republican Rep. William Steiger’s cut in the capital gains tax from 49% to 25% — a growth stimulator in the decades ahead.

Just as important, he supported deregulation, with some considerable support from Ralph Nader and Ted Kennedy. Carter appointee Alfred Kahn pushed through airline deregulation, which transformed flying from luxury transportation to a way for the masses to vacation and stay in touch with far-flung family and friends.

Carter supported the Staggers Act, passed by a solidly Democratic Congress in 1980, which deregulated railroad rates. He backed trucking deregulation as well. Most Americans today don’t realize it, but Carterera deregulations squeezed enormous costs from the prices of goods of just

about every kind. It’s the main reason prices for private sector products such as food and clothing have fallen in real terms over the last 40 years, while prices for public sector-affected things such as health care and higher education have soared.

Carter also, in time, got two of the very biggest issues right. Inflation had been raging since Nixon abolished the peg to gold one August weekend in 1971 and especially during Middle East-imposed oil shocks in 1973 and 1979. With inflation hitting 13% by July 1979, Carter yanked his former appointee from the Federal Reserve and installed civil servant and Nixon appointee Paul Volcker.

Over the next several years, Volcker squeezed out inflation by keeping interest rates high, even during a sharp recession. Reagan gets credit for supporting him, but Carter deserves credit for appointing him.

Another Carter accomplishment was executing a U-turn on foreign policy. Conservatives scoffed when, days after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Carter said his “opinion of the Russians has changed more drastically in the last week than even the previous two and a half years.”

But he changed not only his mind but his policy, ordering a sharp increase in defense spending. Reagan and Caspar Weinberger raised spending even higher, and a decade later came the collapse of the Soviet Union and victory in the Cold War. Carter deserves some of the credit for that.

What about the Iran hostage crisis? There’s plenty to criticize about Carter’s policy toward Iran, but it’s important to put it in context. Iran’s hostage-taking violated the first principle of international law — diplomatic immunity. The United States was entitled to treat it as an act of war.

But four years after the fall of Saigon, Americans, who in a single decade had lost 58,000 in Vietnam (compare that to 4,500 in Iraq and 2,200 in Afghanistan over 20 years), had no appetite for military retaliation. They tied yellow ribbons around trees, after a popular song about a criminal about to be released from prison.

Few, if any, conservatives were echoing what I remember as Pat Moynihan’s comment that we should “bring fire and brimstone to the gates of Tehran.” Carter did order a perhaps overly intricate hostage rescue mission, which failed after one too many helicopters became inoperative.

The contrast is stark between Carter, who became president with minimal relevant experience, and Biden, who had 44 years in the Senate and as vice president. Carter pushed innovative policies with bipartisan support. Biden hasn’t. Carter learned on the job and changed policies in response to events. From Biden, we’ve seen nothing so far but stubborn persistence.

Carter has been a former president for 40 years — the longest in history — constructive in charitable work though not, in my view, in foreign policy interventions. He is the only president to have reached the age of 96, and on Oct. 1, he turns 97. Happy birthday, Mr. President.

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

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ ALBRIGHT, JALEN LEEAHMAD was arrested on a charge of WEAP-POSS BY FELON at 201 N CHURCH ST on 9/4/2021

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DEATH NOTICES ♦ Douthit, James Haywood (M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Adw - Inflict Injury (M) and 2) 1st Degree Trespass (M), at 4200 Pine Hall Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 9/1/2021 21:37 ♦ GARY, KYLE ESTEVEZ was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 207 N GREEN ST on 9/3/2021 ♦ GUO, MINZHI was arrested on a charge of PROMOTING PROSTITUTION at 1451 TRADEMART BV on 9/3/2021 ♦ HARMON, KRISTY NIKOLE was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 1650 SILAS CREEK PW on 9/3/2021 ♦ HEDRICK, KATLYN REICH was arrested on a charge of LARC-SWITCH PRICETAG at 3475 PARKWAY VILLAGE CR on 9/5/2021 ♦ HENDERSON, TARYAN JOSEF was arrested on a charge of REC/POSS STOLE MV at 2115 PETERS CREEK PW on 9/5/2021 ♦ HESS, MICHAEL AARON was arrested on a charge of SEXUAL BATTERY at 3333 SILAS CREEK PW on 9/5/2021 ♦ HILL, TRISTAN JAMES was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D SCHED II at 200 MERCANTILE DR on 9/6/2021 ♦ James, Booker Thomas (M/61) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 9/6/2021 14:25 ♦ JIMENEZ, VALDEMAR E was arrested on a charge of FUGITIVE ARREST (MAGISTRATE`S ORDER) at 600 SILAS CREEK PW on 9/5/2021 ♦ Joyce, Christian Lee (M/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) Mv Theft (F) and 2) Poss Stolen Goods

(F), at 3070 Old Hollow Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 9/1/2021 10:20. ♦ KRONBERG, CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of POSS COCAINE FEL at 900 WAUGHTOWN ST on 9/2/2021 ♦ Lopezzarate, Erbin Octavio (M/26) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 200 N Main St, Winston-salem, NC, on 9/2/2021 16:20. ♦ MASON, DAVID MESHACH was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1018 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 9/3/2021 ♦ Mccrae, Timmothy Antwone (M/43) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny By Check (F), 2) Larceny By Check (F), 3) Forgery-bank Notes (F), 4) Possesses Count/ instrument/currency (F), 5) Fraud-obt Property (F), and 6) Fraud-obt Property (F), at 200 N Main St, Winston-salem, NC, on 9/3/2021 12:00. ♦ MCKOY, KADEJA AALIYAHSALAY was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 5318 SILAS CREEK PW/ROBINHOOD RD_SB SILAS CREEK PW RA on 9/3/2021 ♦ MUNOZ, FRENUEL was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 10 HOSKINS DR on 9/4/2021 ♦ OGLESBY, JEFFERY LORINZE was arrested on a charge of ATT ROBBERY-DANGEROUS WEAPON at 653 AKRON DR on 9/5/2021 ♦ OGUNMOLA, SAMUEL OLAOLUWA was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 9/5/2021 ♦ PITTMAN, JASON CHARLES was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 324 S PEACE HAVEN RD on 9/4/2021

♦ Ramsey, Erraull Larone (M/37) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 1545 Langdon Village Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 9/5/2021 00:01. ♦ Reich, Amy Elizabeth (F/38) Arrest on chrg of Assaultsimple (M), at 5951 Immanuel Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 9/5/2021 12:36. ♦ SIDES, CORBAN ISAAC was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1599 N LIBERTY ST/E SIXTEENTH ST on 9/4/2021 ♦ SIMS, ANTONIO DONNELL was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 105 N MLK JR DR on 9/6/2021 ♦ SIMS, ANTONIO DONNELL was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 100 N MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR/E FIRST ST on 9/6/2021 ♦ SULLIVAN, MICHAEL CHANNING was arrested on a charge of LARCENY-FELONY at 430 SUMMIT SQUARE BV on 9/6/2021 ♦ THOMPSON, SHERMAN ALPHONZO was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 139 WEATHERWOOD CT on 9/5/2021 ♦ TUTTLE, BRIAN PRINCE was arrested on a charge of DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED at HANES MALL AT I 40 on 9/4/2021 ♦ TUTTLE, CHRYSTAL DAWN was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 9/6/2021 ♦ VERNON, STEPHEN EUGENE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 799 WACHOVIA ST on 9/3/2021

♦ Jane Hunter Barnhill, 52, of Clemmons, died Sept. 1, 2021. ♦ Ruth Yvonne Caudle, 64, of Winston-Salem, died Sept. 1, 2021. ♦ Robert Michael Conlee, 74, of Hendersonville, died Sept. 3, 2021. ♦ Richard Howard Creed, Jr., 91, of Clemmons, died Sept. 6, 2021. ♦ Susan Fleming, 69, of WinstonSalem, died Sept. 3, 2021. ♦ David Bruce Freedman, 64, of Winston-Salem, died Sept. 3, 2021. ♦ Harding “Bud” Eugene Freeman, 96, of WinstonSalem, died Sept. 5, 2021. ♦ Janet Bailey Gordon, 77, of Forsyth County, died Sept. 2, 2021. ♦ Robert Emmet Hottel, Sr., 78, died Sept. 3rd, 2021. ♦ Tonia Darga Keeton, 44, died Sept. 4, 2021. ♦ David Lindsey Knight, 85, of Colfax, died Sept. 3, 2021. ♦ Dr. Kathleen Arvella Gray Larson, 95, of Winston Salem, died Sept. 3, 2021. ♦ Ann Marie Rose Rojeski Lombardi, 72, died Sept. 5, 2021. ♦ Malcolm Wayne “Sonny” Minton, 76, of Winston-Salem, died Sept. 4, 2021. ♦ Pansy Jewel Bodenheimer Moore, 95, of Kernersville, died Sept. 4, 2021. ♦ Lonnie Vernon Ring, 85, of Forsyth County, died Sept. 2, 2021. ♦ Donald O. Smith Jr., 53, of Mocksville, died Sept. 2, 2021. ♦ Dorothy I. Tilley, 95, of Kernersville, died Sept. 2, 2021. ♦ Donna Anne Crumpler Willard, 73, of Forsyth County, died Sept. 3, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Clemson WR Williams will miss 4-5 weeks with thumb injury Clemson, S.C. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday that starting wideout E.J. Williams sustained a thumb injury in the loss to Georgia and will miss four or five weeks, including the Tigers’ Sept. 25 game at NC State. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound receiver from Phenix City, Alabama, will need surgery. He had one catch in the 10-3 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Swinney said if surgery and the recovery go well, Williams could return when the Tigers go to Syracuse on Oct. 15.

GOLF

Cantlay wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup Toledo, Ohio Patrick Cantlay fended off the world’s No. 1 player for a one-shot win in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and claim the FedEx Cup. Cantlay hit his 218-yard approach on the 18th hole to 12 feet to deny U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm.

Cantlay shot a 1-under 69 in the final round and earned a $15 million pay day. He had outlasted Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff at the BMW Championship a week before and held a four-shot lead on Rahm heading into the Tour Championship.

SOCCER

U.S. manages 2 draws in World Cup qualifying Nashville, Tenn.

The U.S. men’s national team managed two draws in its first two World Cup qualifying matches, following up Thursday’s goalless match against El Salvador with a 1-1 draw at home against Canada on Sunday. The Americans play their third match in seven days Wednesday night at Honduras. The U.S. hasn’t won a qualifier since 2013 in Central America, where it has one win and three draws in its last eight matches. The USMNT did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and has not advanced past the Round of 16 in soccer’s biggest tournament since 2002.

HOCKEY

NWHL rebrands to Premier Hockey Federation New York The National Women’s Hockey League is changing its name to the Premier Hockey Federation. North America’s first women’s professional hockey league to pay players a salary adopted a new title Tuesday as part of a rebranding to reflect sweeping changes made to its management structure coupled with an influx of private ownership entering its seventh season. The sixteam league’s new season opens on Nov. 6. The federation’s logo is black and white and features three stars forming the silhouette of a crown overtop the initials “PHF.”

JOHN AMIS | AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin does a burnout after winning Sunday night's NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Darlington.

Hamlin opens Cup playoffs with 1st win of season Darlington proved “Too Tough to Tame” for many of the postseason qualifiers

By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin shook off a difficult week in the best way possible — ending his season-long winless drought with a victory at the Southern 500 to open the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The week’s problems included some personal issues and continued at the track Saturday when Hamlin was in line to win the Xfinity event here until a pit penalty dropped him back.

This time Hamlin had to hold off the season’s top playoff seed in Kyle Larson, who closed to Hamlin’s bumper racing to the finish line Sunday night.

“It’s certainly significant,” Hamlin said. “This one’s big for us and our team and our momentum.”

And it moved him into the second round without having to scrape for points with close finishes as he did to qualify seventh for the playoffs this season.

“It wasn’t a perfect night,” Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart said. “It is hard to be perfect at the Southern 500. But it was good enough.”

Hamlin won for the first time this season after entering the week seeded seventh in the 16-driver postseason field and vowing if he kept running strongly up front, he’d reach Victory Lane before the year ended.

“It’s as good a time as any right?”

Hamlin said after the win. “My favorite race of the year.”

He looked like a comfortable winner before the top-seeded Larson charged up on his back bumper on the final turn, smoke pouring

out of Larson’s car. But Hamlin held firm up near the wall to take the checkered flag “He was going to have to go through me,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin’s personal life became a topic earlier this week, with the mother of his two daughters seeming to use social media this week to end their relationship. Her account has since been deactivated.

Hamlin, when asked about any distractions, said, “I’m a professional and do my job the best I can and today I thought we did as good as we could.”

Hamlin came out second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. during a caution with 45 laps to go and moved in front when Truex was penalized for going too fast in the pits.

Hamlin broke out ahead of Larson on the restart 36 laps from the end.

The win was Hamlin’s fourth at Darlington Raceway and moved

WCU great, 3-time Super Bowl champion Patten dies in motorcycle accident

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age.”

Bill Belichick, Patriots coach

The South Carolina native was part of New England’s first three NFL titles

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal DAVID PATTEN, the wide receiver who went from undrafted out of Western Carolina to a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, died Saturday night following a motorcycle accident in Columbia, South Carolina, according to Richland County officials. He was 47. Patten was pronounced dead at the scene of the three-vehicle accident in his hometown.

Patten played 147 NFL games for five teams, totaling 324 receptions and 4,715 yards with 24 touchdowns, and he had his greatest success with the Patriots. As a target for Tom Brady, Patten had 40-plus receptions and more than 700 yards receiving in three of his four years in New England. The Patriots won three titles during his time in New England and he played in two Super Bowls — he was injured in the seventh game of 2003 and missed the remainder of that season.

He had 13 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in New

him into the round of 12 in the knockout format in a grueling race where several playoff contenders struggled at the track “Too Tough To Tame.”

The past two series champions, Kyle Busch in 2019 and Chase Elliott last year, were in the garage before the race ended. Busch slammed the wall — to the delight of large crowd back at Darlington — and drove straight to his hauler.

Elliott was caught in a threewide sandwich where he was next to the wall. He came away with tire and brake problems.

Larson was second for the third straight time racing at Darlington.

He led the most laps, 156 out of 367.

He made it crazy at the end.

“I didn’t want to wreck him. I just wanted to get to his outside,” Larson said. “He did a great job, not really making any mistakes on that last run.”

Ross Chastain finished third, the only non-playoff driver among the top eight. Truex was fourth, followed by Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, Chris Buescher and Austin Dillon.

The NASCAR Cup series playoffs continue at Richmond on Saturday. Brad Keselowski won there in September 2020 while Alex Bowman won this past April.

WILL DICKEY | THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION VIA AP

David Patten holds up a newspaper claiming victory for the Patriots after their 24-21 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Patten, a Western Carolina standout, was killed in a motorcycle accident last Thursday night outside of Columbia, South Carolina. He was 47.

England’s three playoff games on its run to the 2001 season title, including an 8-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl 36 against the Rams in the Patriots’ 20-17 win — the first of six titles won by the franchise over the last two decades. He also had a touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe in that year’s AFC Championship game against the Steelers after

Brady was injured.

“It breaks my heart to hear of David’s tragic passing at such a young age,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I am grateful to have coached David. He is an essential person and player in Patriots history, without whom we would not have been Super Bowl champions.”

Before turning pro, Patten

starred at Western Carolina and made the All-Southern Conference team as a senior when he had 59 catches for 881 yards. He went undrafted in 1996 and played for Albany of the Arena Football League that season. He caught on with the Giants the next year and spent three seasons in New York, totaling 33 receptions, 460 yards and three touchdowns in 44 games.

His breakout season came in 2000 when he had 38 catches for 546 yards and a touchdown with the Browns. He then signed with the Patriots as a free agent.

Following his successful fouryear stint in New England, Patten had two-year stops in Washington and New Orleans. He signed again in both Cleveland (in 2009) and New England (2010) but didn’t play another game with either team.

He retired in July 2010 and later returned to Western Carolina to complete his degree and work as an assistant on the football team at his alma mater. He had also become a Christian minister and motivational speaker in his post-playing career. His son, Daquan, is a senior receiver on the Catamounts.

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, September 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

NC appeals court stops voting restoration for felons

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — A North Carolina appeals court on Friday blocked an order that had allowed tens of thousands of felony offenders who aren’t serving prison or jail time to immediately register to vote and cast ballots.

The state Court of Appeals agreed to halt last week’s decision by trial judges to expand when North Carolina residents convicted of felonies have the right to vote again.

The plaintiffs immediately appealed Friday’s decision to the state Supreme Court to seek a reversal.

Otherwise, the stay would remain in place until the merits of pending litigation filed by civil rights groups and ex-offenders challenging state law on the restoration of voting rights is heard by the appeals court.

The decision by the intermediate-level appeals court means that — if left in place — the offenders could not vote in this fall’s municipal elections. It also likely would bring confusion, since some felons affected by last week’s trial court order almost certainly would have registered to vote by now. Voting rights groups have already started registration drives targeting the estimated 56,000 people affected by the decision.

The North Carolina Constitution forbids a person convicted of a felony from voting “unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.” A 1973 law laying out those restoration rules requires the “unconditional discharge of an inmate, of a probationer, or of a parolee.”

The trial court order, however, said that election officials can’t deny voter registration to any convicted felon who is only on probation, parole or post-release supervision. An attorney for the plaintiffs said the trial court’s decision represented the largest expansion of North Carolina voting rights since

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, file photo, stacks of ballot envelopes are waiting to be mailed at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh. the 1960s.

“The collective will of the state is stifled when so many of our citizens are unjustifiably not able to participate in our democracy,” the plaintiffs said in a news release announcing the Supreme Court appeal.

“That exclusion of our neighbors’ voices is morally and constitutionally wrong.”

Last year, the same trial judges ruled felony offenders couldn’t be denied the right to vote if the reason their rights hadn’t been restored was due to unpaid fines or restitution. That small expansion of voting access remains enforceable, although the plaintiffs’ lawyers wrote Friday to the Supreme Court that it can’t be carried out ac-

curately by elections officials.

Republican legislative leaders, some of whom were defendants in the lawsuit, were pleased with Friday’s decision. They had earlier accused the majority of the three trial judges who approved last week’s ruling of judicial activism.

“The decision to block the lower court’s ruling affirms that judges can’t just replace laws they don’t like with new ones,” Sen. Warren Daniel, a Burke County Republican, said in a news release.

During a four-day trial last month, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argued the current law needed to be struck down because it was racially discriminatory by disproportionately affecting Black offenders and

violated the state constitution.

Their witnesses included a historian who said felony disenfranchisement had origins from a Reconstruction-era effort to intentionally prevent black residents from voting. The two judges who issued last week’s order wrote there was no denying the “insidious, discriminatory history” surrounding efforts at restoring voting rights in North Carolina.

“The overwhelming and undisputed effect of this law is to disproportionately disenfranchise Black people by wide margins throughout the entire state,” plaintiffs’ lawyer Daryl Atkinson wrote in urging the Court of Appeals to keep the trial court ruling enforced. Changing

the rules again “now would cause chaos” in the first round of municipal elections in October.

But attorneys for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said the trial court went too far with its order and that there’s no evidence the 1973 law — which actually eased obstacles for ex-felons to vote — is discriminatory in practice today.

“The trial court panel has thrown (voting) rules into disarray for no discernible reason,” attorney Nicole Moss wrote this week, adding the injunction “contravenes the well-established equitable principle that courts should not change election laws on the eve of elections.”

After unrelenting summer, Biden looks to get agenda on track

By Zeke Miller The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The collapse of the Afghan government, a surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant, devastating weather events, a disappointing jobs report. What next?

After a torrent of crises, President Joe Biden is hoping to turn the page on an unrelenting summer and refocus his presidency this fall around his core economic agenda.

But the recent cascade of troubles is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable weight of the office and fresh evidence that presidents rarely have the luxury of focusing on just one crisis at a time. Biden’s unyielding summer knocked his White House onto emergency footing and sent his own poll numbers tumbling.

“The presidency is not a job for a monomaniac,” said presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “You have to be multitasking 24 hours a day.”

Never has that been more true than summer 2021, which began with the White House proclamation of the nation’s “independence” from the coronavirus and a massive infrastructure package. Then COVID-19 came roaring back, the Afghanistan pullout devolved into chaos and hiring slowed.

Biden now hopes for a post-Labor Day reframing of the national conversation toward his twin domestic goals of passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill and pushing through a Democrats-only expansion of the social safety net.

“I think you can expect the president to be communicating over the coming weeks on a range of issues that are front and center on the minds of the American people,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

During the chaotic Afghanistan evacuation, the White House was central in explaining the consequences of Biden’s withdrawal decision and the effort to evacuate Americans and allies from the country. Now, officials want to put the State Department and other agencies out front on the efforts to assist stranded Americans and support evacuees, while Biden moves

MANUEL BALCE CENETA | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden leave St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., after attending a Mass, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. on.

It’s in part a reflection of an unspoken belief inside the White House that for all the scenes of chaos in Afghanistan, the public backs his decision and it will fade from memory by the midterm elections.

On Friday, in remarks on August’s disappointing jobs report, Biden tried to return to the role of public salesman for his domestic agenda and claim the mantle of warrior for the middle class.

While Biden may want to turn the page, though, aides are mindful that the crises are not done with him.

Biden is planning to speak this week on new efforts to contain the Delta variant and protect kids in

schools from COVID-19. And his administration continues to face criticism for his decision to pull American troops from Afghanistan before all U.S. citizens and allies could get out.

“President Biden desperately wants to talk about anything but Afghanistan, but Americans who are hiding from the Taliban, ISIS, and the Haqqani network don’t give a damn about news cycles, long weekends, and polling — they want out,” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. He called on the Biden White House to provide a public accounting of the number of Americans and their allies still stuck inside Afghanistan.

Biden also will soon be grap-

pling with fallout from the windup of two anchors of the government’s COVID-19 protection package: The federal moratorium on evictions recently expired, and starting Monday, an estimated 8.9 million people will lose all unemployment benefits.

According to White House officials, even as other issues dominated headlines, Biden and his team have maintained regular conversations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., about the president’s legislative agenda. His legislative team held more than 130 calls and meetings with members of Congress, their chiefs of staff and aides on the

infrastructure bill and spending package, and his administration has held over 90 meetings with legislative staff on crafting the reconciliation bill.

Responding to concerns raised by pivotal Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., over the price tag on the roughly $3.5 trillion social spending package, White House chief of staff Ron Klain told CNN on Sunday that he was convinced that the Democrat was “very persuadable” on the legislation.

Cabinet officials have also been engaged with lawmakers, officials said, and traveled to 80 congressional districts to promote the agenda across the country while Biden was kept in Washington.