North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 35 by North State Journal

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 35 | WWW.NSJONLINE.COM | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

General Assembly still working on state budget, redistricting Raleigh The General Assembly is still in session as legislators wait on negotiations between House and Senate leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper over the state’s two-year budget. The three leaders involved: Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) continue to remain tight-lipped over the process. All three say they remain hopeful to reach a compromise agreement. Meanwhile, public comment meetings on proposed maps for state legislative and congressional districts were held on Monday and Tuesday as legislators work to finish the drawing process this week. One source tells NSJ that the final maps should be voted on either late this week or next week. NSJ STAFF

NTSB chair wants Tesla to limit where Autopilot can operate Washington, D.C. The head of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is calling on Tesla to act on recommendations to limit where its Autopilot driver-assist system can operate and to put a system in place to make sure drivers are paying attention. In a letter sent to CEO Elon Musk, Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy says the electric vehicle maker has not responded to the agency’s recommendations issued four years ago. The letter comes as federal agencies step up pressure on Tesla over its partially automated driving systems. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Howling coyotes signals pups are moving, not Halloween Raleigh Wildlife officials in North Carolina are advising residents to expect to hear some howling this week, not because Halloween is approaching but instead because young coyotes are leaving their parents to strike out on their own. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission said in a news release that people could see and hear more coyotes in the coming weeks. The commission said the pups may travel up to 300 miles before they settle down in a place not already occupied. According to the commission, littermates often travel together before splitting off in search of a mate. Young coyotes will yip, howl and bark to keep track of each other, as well as other coyotes whose territories they are passing through. The hollow tone of their howl and a tendency to vocalize rapidly in a constant stream of sounds can make two coyotes sound like twenty, the commission said. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sudan’s military takes power in coup, arrests prime minister Cairo Sudan’s military seized power Monday, dissolving the transitional government hours after troops arrested the prime minister, and thousands flooded the streets to protest the coup that threatened the country’s shaky progress toward democracy. The takeover, which drew condemnation from the United Nations, United States and European Union, comes more than two years after protesters forced the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and just weeks before the military was supposed to hand the leadership of the council that runs the country over to civilians. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

20177 52016 $0.50

PHOTO VIA AP

Redrawing the maps

Top state redistricting legislators, Sen. Ralph Hise, top left, and Rep. Destin Hall, top right, listen as several dozen members of the public address state lawmakers during a public comment hearing on Senate and House legislative redistricting maps Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.

Vaccine mandates create conflict with defiant workers By David Sharp The Associated Press

NC fishing industry takes wait-and-see approach on coastal wind projects By David Larson North State Journal

Carolinians have been affected by windmills is actually far to the north, in New England. “The ones up north, talking about the wind farms off New England, though they’re not off North Carolina, we have a substantial interest in that area because we have several boats that participate in a number of fisheries up there; the most important in dollar value is the sea scallop fishery,” Schill said. He said that each permit to fish in these New England scallop fisheries costs millions of dollars, and that “doesn’t include the cost of the boat.” Because these wind farms are more ingrained in areas used for fishing, fishermen there have complained that the turbines negatively impact their work. Many fishermen are looking to the Responsible Offshore Development Association (RODA) to represent them in Washington, D.C., on this issue, according to Schill. He said they work to prevent wind-energy projects from negatively affecting fisheries and have had some success. “They’ve been very effective on Capitol Hill and with regulatory agencies letting their views be known,” Schill said. “And there has been legal action on behalf of commercial fishermen up north of here, where it’s definitely going to affect commercial fishing interests.” NSJ also spoke with Glenn Skinner, the current executive director of the NCFA, on Oct. 26, who reiterated that their organization is not sounding any alarm bells on the issue yet. “What we’ve been doing in terms of here in North Carolina is we just monitor it and work with anybody to make sure we don’t have an issue, so they’re not throwing this [wind turbines] right in the middle of current fishing grounds,” Skinner said. Skinner said if they put wind farms in areas they do fish, “we’d see that as a problem if they were going to have a major impact,” and “we’d do whatever we could to address it.” Schill agreed they would “absolutely” be concerned in that

RALEIGH — There has been a lot of recent discussion on major wind-energy projects along the North Carolina coast, and the state’s fishing industry has been watching closely to see how any announcements may affect their fisheries. This year has had a lot of big headlines about wind-power on the N.C. coast. On June 9, Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order saying that the state would strive for development of 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind-power generation by 2030, ramping up to 8 GW by 2040. Then on Oct.13, there were two separate major developments. At the Governor’s Mansion, Cooper signed a compromise clean-energy bill, which will lean heavily on renewable energy, likely including offshore wind projects. That same day, President Joe Biden’s administration announced a major wind-power plan that would span much of the country’s seaboard, with one of the seven proposed sites being off the Wilmington coast. Biden wants to have 30 GW of wind-energy production in place by 2030, in large part using these sites. Currently, the projects being proposed do not affect areas of the North Carolina coast that fishermen rely on, but representatives of the state’s fishing industry say they are taking a wait-and-see approach to the impact of any future plans. “The things that are being proposed right now off the coast of North Carolina, those windmills would not be in an area that we actively participate in fishing,” said Jerry Schill, former executive director and current government relations director for the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a trade organization representing the state’s commercial fishermen. “There might be some transit interest, boats going back and forth, but off North Carolina, it would not negatively affect our fisherman in terms of where they fish.” Schill said one area that North See WIND, page A2

JOSH “CHEVY” CHEVALIER is a third-generation shipbuilder who hasn’t missed a day of work during the pandemic in his job as a welder constructing Navy warships on the Maine coast. But he’s ready to walk away from his job because of an impending mandate from President Joe Biden that federal contractors and all U.S. businesses with 100 or more workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “People are fighting for their

constitutional rights — the way they think their life should be,” said Chevalier, one of hundreds of employees at Bath Iron Works threatening to leave. Chevalier is among a small but significant number of American workers deciding whether to quit their jobs and careers in defiance of what they consider intrusive edicts that affect their freedoms. The defiant workers make up a small fraction of the overall workforce, with many cities, states and businesses reporting that more See MANDATES, page A2

National School Boards Association apologizes for letter that sparked U.S. attorney general memo New emails show White House communicated with school boards group; NC congressmen press for answers By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The National School Board Association is now apologizing for a letter it sent to the Biden administration. That letter, which drew comparisons between parents protesting school boards and “domestic terrorism,” was used by the U.S. Attorney General to direct the FBI to intervene in local school board affairs nationwide. On Friday, Oct. 22, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) issued an apology to its members for the letter sent to the White House by the NSBA President and CEO. “On behalf of the NSBA, we regret and apologize for the letter,” reads the NSBA board’s letter. “To be clear, the safety of school board members, other school officials and educators, and students is our top priority, and there remains important work to be done on this issue. However, there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter. We should have had a better process in place to allow for consultation on a communication of this significance. We apologize also for the strain and stress this situation has caused you and your organizations.” According to Parents Defending Education, as of Oct. 22, at least 21 state members of the NSBA have distanced or withdrawn their membership following the Sept. 29 letter, among them is North Carolina. The North Carolina School

Board Association’s response said in part that they had “no role in creating the National School Boards Association’s letter to President See LETTER, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

10.27.21 #305

“Liberty’s story” Visit us online nsjonline.com

THE WORD: FOLLOWING CHRIST MEANS COUNTING THE COST AND PAYING THE PRICE

Luke 14: 28-33

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 28

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday by North State Media, LLC 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609

the site, he said. Some states, including Texas, than 9 out of 10 of their workers Montana and Florida, are gearing up to fight or undercut the are complying with mandates. But they have the potential to Biden mandates. Texas Gov. Greg create disruptions in a tight labor Abbott issued an executive order market and have become the lat- barring any entity from requiring est roadblock in overcoming the vaccines. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said vaccine hesitancy that allowed the COVID-19 crisis to take a dev- last week he will call a special sesastating turn over the summer. In sion to pass legislation to combat many cases, the reasons for the vaccine mandates, saying that, “in objections are rooted in misinfor- Florida, your right to earn a living is not contingent upon whatever mation. The refusers come from all choices you’re making in terms of these injections.” types of occupations — Melissa Aldefense industry workfieri-Collins, a ers, police officers, fire44-year-old mother fighters, educators and “In Florida, of two, said she rehealth care workers. In your right to signed from her job Seattle, a group of city as a nurse at Jersey firefighters turned in earn a living is Shore Medical Centheir boots at City Hall not contingent ter in Neptune, New on Tuesday to protest Jersey, rather than a vaccination require- upon whatever undergo regular ment. choices you’re COVID-19 testing. Thousands of people She said the hoshave sought religious making in pital recognized her or medical exemptions terms of these request for a medical that were rejected; oth- injections.” exemption, but she ers won’t stand to be told objected to the rewhat to do and have quit Florida Gov. or been fired. quirement that only Nick Rolovich, the Ron DeSantis unvaccinated people football coach at Washget tested, arguing ington State University, that even vaccinated was let go from his $3.2 million- people can spread disease. a-year job on Monday, along with “My family and I, we had a long four assistants. Rolovich, the first talk, and I basically don’t want to major college coach to lose his job compromise my values anymore,” over vaccination status, claimed said Alfieri-Collins, who hopes to a religious exemption but has de- become a nurse practitioner and clined to elaborate. He is suing. pursue her own holistic practice. The conflict over mandates “I am very sad because I am the is likely to grow in the coming type of nurse that loves my paweeks. The Biden administration tients and my patients love me,” is expected to move forward any she said. day with the mandate that emAnthony Polenski, director of ployers with 100 or more workers strategic partnerships for tech require all employees be vacci- recruiting company Jobfuture.ai, nated or undergo weekly testing, said he’s seeing candidates who though enforcement likely won’t want to know, “Will this company start for several weeks. The rule force me to take a jab?” Polenski for federal contractors goes into said they are often leaving previeffect in December, with no test- ous employers because of a vacing option, but many businesses, cine mandate. governments and schools are al“They don’t want their vaccinaready implementing mandates. tion status attached to their emThe U.S. Chamber of Com- ployment,” he said. merce and other groups that At the shipyard in Maine, frusrepresent large employers have tration is rising among union warned workers might simply mi- members. grate to jobs at smaller businesses On Friday, some 100 shipbuildwhere they don’t face vaccination ers gathered outside the shiprequirements. That could cre- yard during their lunch break to ate challenges for large retailers protest being forced to get vaccigoing into the holiday season, nated. They marched down the among other disruptions, the street, holding signs decrying chamber warned. the mandate and using choice Individuals who’ve left their four-letter words that made clear jobs and are seeking work that what they think of the president doesn’t require vaccinations are and his vaccine mandates. sharing information on social The union fears it could lose media. Small employers looking more than 1,000 workers, or 30% for workers are turning to online of its membership, over the federjob boards such as RedBalloon, al contractor mandate. where employers sign a pledge Dean Grazioso, a 33-year Bath that they won’t make vaccines a Iron Works employee, said he’s not condition for hiring. anti-vaccine but that he knows Andrew Crapuchettes, RedBal- vaccinated coworkers, friends loon’s founder and chief execu- and family members who’ve contive, said he started the online job tracted breakthrough COVID-19 board more than two months ago infections. for people “who just want to work The 53-year-old is still decidand don’t want to get into poli- ing whether to get the shot. tics in the office.” More than 800 “I’m still up in the air,” he said. companies have posted, and more “But I’ve got a huge decision to than 250,000 people have visited make.” MANDATES from page A1

MATTHEW BRADY | PUBLIC DOMAIN

View of the partially completed Washington Monument circa 1860, which stood unfinished for 25 years.

LETTER from page A1 Biden—we were not privy to any drafts of or conversations about the letter prior to its release. The Association does not agree with the tone or language in the letter nor the request for federal agencies to intervene in our communities.” The North Carolina School Board Association (NCSBA) was penned by its executive director, Leanne Winner, which she confirmed to North State Journal in an email. Winner told North State Journal that “To date, NCSBA’s Board of Directors has not discussed its membership status with NSBA.” The NCSBA’s response also claimed to have seen examples of criminal acts or threats in North Carolina. Winner included links to five news reports of alleged incidents involving school boards in the state, one of which included a Stanly County school board member who resigned after claiming he received death threats. North State Journal has reached out to Stanly County for more information. Winner said that five examples were publicly shared already but said she was “unable to share examples with you that have not been publicly released, as the board member or board may have their reasons as to why they have not publicly done so.” She also reiterated that the “NCSBA strongly believes that students, parents, and community members should and need to be able to voice their opinions to their elected officials.” North Carolina congressional representatives have been pressing various officials for more details

on Garland’s memorandum. During a congressional hearing on Oct. 21, Garland admitted that he based his claims of “violent threats” to school boards and education staff using the now infamous letter from the National School Board Association (NSBA) sent to President Biden on Sept. 29. N.C. Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) questioned Garland if FBI strategy meetings against parents were already taking place. Garland could not answer that question nor questions about his son-in-law’s involvement in a company that produces Critical Race Theory education materials. On Oct. 15, Bishop issued a letter to North Carolina-based U.S. Attorneys demanding full transparency related to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s memorandum instructing the FBI to investigate local state school board protests. “We believe the Attorney General’s premise to be utterly false,” the letter says in reference to Garland’s claims. Other Republican congressional members co-signing the letter include U.S. Reps. Ted Budd (NC13), Greg Murphy (NC-03) and David Rouzer (NC-07). “Attorney General Garland owes America’s parents answers as to why he’s targeting them for trying to protect their own children,” said Bishop in a statement. “If there’s evidence of widespread violent threats on behalf of moms and dads, Garland certainly hasn’t shown it.” “In the meantime, if the FBI is already conducting ‘strategy’ meetings with U.S. Attorneys for

In Luke 14, Christ teaches several lessons to his followers, which included the famous reference to “counting the cost” of following Christ. Jesus compares following him to building a tower. He rhetorically asks whether one would make sure he had enough resources to complete a tower before beginning construction. Here Jesus is asking whether his would-be disciples have the wherewithal to be a disciple lest they try and fail. The second part of his lesson is about paying the costs of believing in Jesus. Christ talks of warring kings who count the strength of their own forces and those of their adversary. But, unlike kings who might seek conditions of peace to preserve their positions, Christ does not desire conditions of peace with spiritual adversaries. Christians cannot make peace with the sin or the desires of the world.

North Carolina against our parents, I’m demanding to be notified about it and be allowed to attend,” Bishop said. “It is emphatically not the role of federal law enforcement to stigmatize and chill a political movement disfavored by the incumbent President,” the letter reads and goes on to say that even protests deemed “confrontational or offensive” are protected by the U.S. Constitution. The representatives also chided Garland’s mobilization of the FBI against parents and the public after the government “turned a blind eye” to violent protests in 2020. This is the second letter on the subject of Garland’s memorandum involving North Carolina congressional members in as many weeks. On Oct. 7, Bishop, along with around 30 other House Republicans, sent a letter to Garland and the DOJ demanding more information on the training and about the alleged threats referred to by Garland. The congressmen may find themselves sending more letters, but this time to the White House. According to emails obtained through records request by Parents Defending Education, NSBA’s president and CEO did not seek nor obtain approval from the organization’s board before sending Biden the letter on Sept. 29. Additionally, the emails include communications from the White House to the NSBA that “requested additional information on some of the specific threats.” Within days of that White House request, Garland issued his memorandum directing the FBI to have meetings with local education officials and investigate school board protests.

WIND from page A1 case. Both men directed NSJ to another member of the NCFA, Dewey Hemilright, who has been keeping a close eye on the topic. Hemilright said there are two main concerns from the fishing industry when windmills go up in areas they fish. One is “being able to have access to the area, particularly if you’re trolling, squidding, scalloping or clamming, and what that effect would be in the area.” The second issue relates to potential difficulty that the National Marine Fisheries Service will have in getting their large ships in the area to do surveys and research. These surveys are vital for regulating the health of fish populations in different fisheries and setting catch-limits and other rules for fishing in those areas. “There’s a good possibility, and they’ve stated on the record, that some of these areas, they will not be able to access with their vessels because of the structures and close proximity to the structures in that area,” Hemilright said. A less clear topic is whether the presence of the wind turbines themselves, and any vibrations

AP PHOTO

In this Aug. 15, 2016 file photo, three wind turbines from the Deepwater Wind project stand off Block Island, R.I. they create, may negatively impact fishing, as anecdotal reports from further north have suggested. Hemilright said that is “above his pay grade,” and Skinner said he isn’t sure, because “One report will say one thing, and another report will say another.” Skinner said the main concern on wind energy from his members at the moment is navigation, saying, “if you put a bunch of wind turbines right in the area where you work, that’s a problem.” The main N.C. wind project at the moment is off of Kitty Hawk

in the Outer Banks, but Biden’s announcement proposed another off the coast between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. The NCFA members said they were not aware of any major issues with either of those projects but would be monitoring any new updates. “These things take a lot of years, and it’s kind of hard tracking them,” Hemilright said, adding that he just asks that “folks pay attention,” and that anything that negatively affects the fishing industry will also affect those who rely on their products.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

East Laurinburg audit finds thousands in questionable spending By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina State Auditor’s Office has found that the former Finance Officer for the Town of East Laurinburg used town funds for “personal and questionable expenses.” State Auditor Beth Wood’s office found the East Laurinburg’s finance officer spent $8,542 on 42 transactions in funds that came from the town’s bank account that were questionable during the time period spanning February 2017 through February 2018. According to the audit, there were 14 purchases totaling $4,102 made via a gas card, six checks

written to the finance officer totaling $905 with “petty cash” in the memo line, six checks written to various vendors totaling $895, seven checks written to the finance officer totaling $880 with various explanations in the memo line including “supplies,” and four checks written to the finance officer totaling $585 for additional time worked. Additionally, the audit found checks written to the finance officer for $500 with “parts & labor for repair for street” in the memo line, two checks totaling $400 with “insurance” in the memo line, and two bank withdrawals totaling $275. None of the 42 transactions

have the appropriate support documentation for the expenses. “Of the 42 transactions noted above, 28 were checks written and signed by the Finance Officer. Of those 28 checks, 22 were also signed by a Town Commissioner who is the Finance Officer’s mother,” the audit findings read. The audit also says that because the finance officer used town funds to make “personal utility payments and other questionable expenses,” it caused the town to lack money to pay for its other bills. “In fact, the Town’s bank account was over drafted in August 2017 and February 2018, demonstrating the impact of the Finance

Officer’s personal use of Town funds,” the audit says. “These instances where the Town’s bank account was over drafted resulted in the Town incurring $444 in fees.” The audit concludes that the town council for East Laurinburg failed to provide oversight and did not conduct an annual financial audit which could have caught the misspending. The audit recommended the town institute annual audits as a corrective measure. According to the report, “Specifically, Town Council allowed the Finance Officer’s mother (a Town Commissioner) to provide the second signature on checks written by the Finance Officer.” Wood’s office asked about the

review process in place for signing checks and reported that the mother/commissioner stated, “I can’t tell you if she had receipts or not. I just made a butt of myself and assumed that she had a receipt. I did not ask for one… Finance director [Finance Officer] was in charge of that, and I just took it for granted that that’s what it was.” Recommendations made by Wood’s office for East Laurinburg include the town seeking reimbursement from the former finance officer for the amount put to questionable use and that the town “should consider pursuing legal action against the former Finance Officer.”

NC House passes emergency powers bill as Cooper’s state of emergency could reach 600 days House Bill 264 requires Council of State approvals on certain statewide emergency orders By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

LYNN SLADKY | AP PHOTO

Student Winston Wallace, 9, raises his hand in class at iPrep Academy on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Miami.

Parents report medical mask exemption denials in state’s largest district ABC Science Collaborative memo advises Wake school board to make “approximately zero mask exemptions” By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Parents across North Carolina’s largest public school district, Wake County, have reported their attempts to obtain medical mask exemptions for their children are being denied by principals and administrators despite having the appropriate medical documentation. Multiple Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) parents report receiving a form letter from school principals denying their claim. The denial letters have been coming from the student’s school because the district placed the onus on individual schools for approving or denying masks exemptions. A parent, who wished their name to remain off the record at this time, tells North State Journal that their requests were denied despite submitting a medical doctor’s examination report of their children and the doctor making himself available for questions. The school never contacted the doctor. Additionally, the parent reported his children, who attend different schools, both received the same denial letter. He also said that in conversations with administrators, it was admitted there were no guidelines for rendering a decision on a mask exemption request. Parents have noticed that the language on the exemption request form had been changed as of Sept. 16. The original form did not specify consulting a medical doctor, whereas the updated version does. The new added language reads “Update: Form must be completed by a medical provider licensed in North Carolina. ‘Medical provider’ is deﬁned as a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), a Nurse Practitioner, or Physician’s Assistant practicing under supervision of a licensed physician.” “The language states licensed medical provider. This change was made to clarify that opinions from chiropractors, nutritionists or physical therapists will not be considered,” WCPSS communications director Lisa Luten told North State Journal.

Another parent recorded her mask exemption request conversation with Curtis M. Brower, principal of Powell Elementary School, a magnet school in Raleigh. The recording of the call, reported by Carolina Journal, shows the principal dismissing pediatrician recommendations and demanding more medical data on the child. “I have the power to make a decision whether this is approved or denied in my school, yes ma’am,” Brower told the parent. “The doctor can give me whatever information. If I don’t feel like it would suffice, I deny it. It is my choice.” The form required to be completed by parents has language that forces parents to allow the district to talk to their child’s doctor directly. The form also has a line for the doctor to check, which says they will make themselves “available to meet with school officials and potentially other physicians to review the student’s medical needs.” In an email, WCPSS chief of communications Tim Simmons told North State Journal that “Mask exemptions are not tracked by the district” and referred to the district’s guidance for applying for an exemption. While it is unclear just how many denials have occurred in the 2021-22 school year, Luten did give some “mask accommodations” numbers the prior school year. “In the 2020-21 school year, principals approved over 200 requests for mask accommodations from parents. The accommodations range from providing students with mask breaks to granting exceptions for students who are unable to wear a mask for the entire school day or parts of the school day,” Luten wrote in an email to North State Journal. While it is unclear how many exemption requests have been submitted, an ABC Science Collaborative (ASC) memo may be the foundation for mask exemption rejections. “There should be approximately zero mask exemptions in the mainstream curriculum,” reads the ASC memo included in WCPSS board meeting materials for Sept. 7. ASC’s memo also seems to imply masking should remain until mass child vaccinations can occur. “We view masking as a bridge to widespread vaccination and can work with districts to leverage to relax (or strengthen) masking

based on the district’s own data,” the ASC memo reads. North State Journal has requested more information about the ASC memo from WCPSS and is awaiting a response. The ASC was also asked to clarify the statements made in the memo pertaining to mask exemptions and responded in an email that mask decisions “are up to each school district,” but then later said there are “few reasons not to wear a mask.” “According to CDC guidance, there are only a few reasons to not wear a mask: Masks should not be worn by children under 2 years of age, or by individuals with a disability who cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to the disability,” the ASC wrote in its response. “Therefore, in the general school population, there should be few medical exemptions, typically less than 1 percent of mainstream curriculum student.” ASC also said, “mask exemptions in the mainstream curriculum student population” should be documented by “a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the state, board-certified in the relevant specialty, and who has personally examined the child.” Alternatively, in their response, the ASC said that students in “adapted curriculum, meaning those with special needs, have more exemptions and that those students and staff should get vaccinated for COVID-19, if and when they are eligible.” The ASC was not unclear in their position that masking should remain in place until mass vaccination of children ages 5 and up can take place. “Until a COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5-11, universal masking in schools remains a critical mitigation strategy against the transmission of COVID-19. Widespread vaccination will be possible with the anticipated emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for children ages 5-11 later this fall,” the ASC wrote. “This would allow many children in the 5-11 age group the opportunity to receive the two-dose vaccine by the end of 2021. Once families have the opportunity to protect their children via vaccination, school districts throughout the country should revisit mitigation policies—this includes policies related to masking.”

RALEIGH — North Carolina General Assembly House members voted to pass a bill requiring the governor to seek concurrence with the Council of State on future emergency orders on Oct. 20. The bill has been sent to Gov. Roy Cooper, but it is anticipated he will veto the measure. The concurrence vote on the House Bill 264, The Emergency Powers Act, passed almost completely down party lines by a vote of 65-45. A single Democrat, state Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax) voted in favor along with Republicans. “During the pandemic, our governor ignored his statutory duty to seek the concurrence of the bipartisan council of state before declaring a state of emergency,” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said in a statement. “With no end date in sight, North Carolina has remained in a perpetual state of emergency.” Moore continued, “The need for checks and balances is arguably most crucial during a statewide emergency. No one individual should have the ability to exercise unilateral power during such an emergency.” House Bill 264 requires the governor to obtain concurrence from the Council of State 48 hours prior to issuance of a statewide emergency or imminent hazard declaration. All documentation pertaining to the request for concurrence are deemed public records. The bill defines “statewide emergency” as any area equal to at least two-thirds or more of the state’s counties. “The legislature must address the endless duration of power that has been granted to the Governor during a self-declared and boundless state of emergency,” said Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort), the primary sponsor of House Bill 264. “Simply put, there is no unilateral rule in a constitutional republic. This legislation reinstates much needed checks and balances over the Governor’s unlimited emergency powers.” Additionally, the bill would require a statewide state of emergency order (SOE) to expire within seven calendar days unless the Council of State approved an extension and can be for no more

than 45 days without the General Assembly by enacting an extension legislatively. Under the measure, the governor cannot try to issue an extension of a current order or a new order similar to any that have been rejected by the Council of State. The governor was asked multiple times by North State Journal about his COVID-19 SOE, but has refused to answer when he will lift it. Cooper said that the SOE was necessary to “draw down federal funds.” In a June 2021 press release, Cooper claimed that under an SOE, North Carolina has “easier access to federal funding including FEMA Public Assistance reimbursements, and schools can follow uniform safety guidance under the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.” North State Journal was unable to find a basis for Cooper’s statements related to the SOE being necessary to retain federal funding. After digging into the governor’s claim, it appears that FEMA reimbursements only require a presidential disaster declaration, not a state-level state of emergency declaration. The governor’s office to date has not supplied any additional specifics. Last July, Cooper vetoed a similar bill, Senate Bill 105, which would have made clarifications to the state’s Emergency Management Act by including a requirement the governor seek concurrence on such orders from the Council of State. “The Emergency Management Act clearly provides the governor with statutory authority to direct the state’s response to a public health emergency that could affect the entire state’s population,” Cooper said of his veto on Senate Bill 105. Cooper said requiring concurrence would place “additional bureaucratic and administrative obligations on the declaration of a state of emergency” and would be “a substantial change in the law.” If Cooper vetoes the bill, it will be his 65th since taking office in January of 2017. Cooper currently holds 65 percent of all vetoes issued by North Carolina governors. Prior to Cooper, only 35 gubernatorial vetoes have been issued spanning the terms of four governors going back to former Gov. Jim Hunt in 1997. While Hunt did not issue any vetoes, the governors who followed him did. Former governor’s issuing vetoes include Mike Easley with nine, Beverly Perdue with 20 and Pat McCrory with six.

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Kings Mountain, gavels in a session.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

Spooky NC Ghosts? Haunted buildings? When things go bump in the night, it might be something… or it might not. Across North Carolina, you’ll find tales and first-hand encounters at Biltmore, the Carolina Inn and even Roanoke Island. Read the details on the page, and visit… if you dare.

The earliest reports of the strange lights that appear at Brown Mountain go all the way back to the Catawba Native Americans in the early 19th century. The lights are small dots that can be seen moving in odd patterns above the mountain. The lights have been studied by students at Appalachian State and by the United States government, but no explanation has been found.

2. Brown Mountain Lights Linville 3. The Duke Mansion Charlotte 4. Gravity Hill Richfield

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Mitchell County Twelve counties were granted requests for a disaster designation after excessive rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Fred, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack announced. The designation makes farm operators eligible for assistance, including emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months to apply. The declarations cover Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey counties, and the contiguous counties of Avery, Burke, Graham, Polk, Rutherford and Swain. The storm dumped heavy rain, causing flooding, landslides and six deaths.

Transylvania County Carolina Panthers Charities donated $50,000 in flood relief grants to two schools that suffered damage from Tropical Storm Fred. Pisgah High School and Rosman High School will use the money to help repair equipment and athletic infrastructure lost or damaged in the storm. Both schools held ceremonies to accept the money from the Panthers at last Friday’s home games. Pisgah has been playing its home games at another school in Asheville due to storm damage.

North State Journal staff

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6. Lydia’s Bridge Jamestown

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9. The Carolina Inn Chapel Hill

5. Payne Road Rural Hall

RALEIGH — Seven cities and towns will ask residents to approve bonds in their municipal elections next week. The majority are in Wake County, where Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Morrisville are asking for a total of 10 bonds for voters to approve. The bonds, if approved, would go towards a variety of street and sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities improvements, public-safety improvements, and stormwater and drainage improvements.

10. The Governor’s Mansion Raleigh

13. Teach’s Hole Ocracoke Island

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14. Roanoke Island

Cherokee County A private pilot and a passenger were killed when their small plane collided with pine trees, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its report. The single-engine plane was flying from Liberty, Texas, to Franklin when the unidentified pilot diverted to Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews due to weather conditions. The pilot was too fast in his first landing approach and had to try again. After successfully landing, the pilot purchased fuel and left for Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Soon after departing, the plane collided with tall pine trees. It continued for another 600 feet before hitting another tree.

Buzzards settle in Bunn despite scare tactics Franklin County Bunn is under siege by buzzards, and attempts to scare them off haven’t worked. There were 28 buzzards perched on a cellular tower and another 21 at the high school across the street. One woman counted 58 buzzards in her yard. They perched on her chimney and pecked at the bricks, pulling them down. Buzzards ate the roof vents off a restaurant. Various attempts to evict them have failed. Bunn High School fired a propane cannon, but the birds returned. The school also hung vulture effigies to deter the birds from gathering. That didn’t keep them away, either.

Airplane makes emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham Airport

Body found in river for second time in month Buncombe County A body has been found in a river, the second such instance in just under three weeks. The Asheville Police Department said the body of Benjamin Lee Hoffman II, 40, of Asheville, was found on Monday in the Swannanoa River. Police believe foul play was involved. On Oct. 2, the body of Jose Reynoso Ramirez, 19, of Woodfin was found near the same location. Two people were charged in Ramirez’s death but have not been arrested. A police spokeswoman said investigators don’t believe the two deaths are related. AP

Guilford County A black judge went too far discouraging black residents from avoiding jury duty when one of them cited religion as a reason he should be excused from serving, the Court of Appeals ruled. A majority on the threejudge panel ordered a new trial for Allen Anthony Campbell, who was convicted in 2019 of several motor vehicle violations and pleaded guilty to being a habitual felon. He was sentenced to seven to 10 years in prison. Superior Court Judge Lora Cubbage’s comments during jury selection “improperly injected race and religion,” violating Campbell’s right to a trial before an impartial jury.

Wake County A Frontier Airlines flight from Norfolk, Virginia, to Orlando made an emergency landing at RDU Airport due to fumes or an odor in the cabin. All 102 passengers and crew were evacuated safely, but one passenger was taken to WakeMed. The passenger’s condition was not reported. Frontier Flight 1159 contacted RDU and requested the emergency landing about 5:45 p.m. When the plane landed, RDU Fire Rescue responded along with units from Wake EMS, Raleigh Fire, Wake County Fire Service and Wake County HazMat. The passengers and crew were evacuated from the plane onto the airfield. AP

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By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

EAST

Court: Judge erred mentioning race, faith to possible jurors

Sheriff’s office: Former worker tried to set fire at plant

Shipwreck along beach to be removed Dare County An abandoned vessel that ran aground over a year ago will finally be removed. Initially, most of the former scallop boat was visible along the shoreline. But it has been slowly sinking in sand along the beach south of Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Oregon Inlet Campground. Now, more than half of it is buried. The 72-foot-long ship ran aground in March 2020. The National Park Service has been warning people to stay away. The removal project is expected to cost around $295,000. It is expected to begin on Oct. 25 and take roughly a month to complete.

Emerald Isle bridge work to pause for events

Sheriff’s office looks for police impostor Catawba County The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office wants the public’s help in finding a man impersonating a law enforcement officer. A teenage girl was stopped by a man claiming to be an officer. The teenager asked to see his badge. The man let her go, and she reported the incident. Police in Hickory said a man matching the description of the fake officer stopped a motorist on 321. While the man was wearing a uniform and carrying a firearm, there was no evidence he had a badge. His black SUV didn’t have any law enforcement insignia, though blue lights were installed.

Bladen County A woman is facing attempted arson charges after she tried to set fire to a Smithfield Foods plant and vandalized five cars belonging to management. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office said Latasha Bittle, a former employee, threw a plastic jug filled with accelerant onto a canopy in the break area of the plant in Tar Heel. Two days later she broke the windows of five vehicles in the management parking lot with a hammer and said she would “burn the plant down and shoot it up.” After Bittle turned herself in on unrelated charges, she confessed to attempted arson. AP

Elsewhere, Bald Head Island residents in Brunswick County are asked to approve $54 million in bonds in order to fund public transportation improvements. The Cleveland County city of Shelby is asking voters to approve $10 million in bonds in order to fund street and sidewalk improvements and in neighboring Gaston County, Mount Holly voters are asked to permit $13.55 million in bonds in order to fund parks and recreation facilities. The bond information was compiled by the National Taxpayers Union as part of their 2021 national ballot guide.

NC treasurer opposes IRS surveillance of citizen bank accounts over $10k

15. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 7. The Biltmore Hotel Outer Banks 11. The Country Squire Greensboro Restaurant Kenansville 8. Devil’s Tramping Ground 12. Fort Fisher Bear Creek Wilmington

Panthers donate $50 to schools for flood relief

$261 million in bonds on Nov municipal ballots

NTSB: Small plane wrecked, hit pine trees

USDA OKs disaster declarations for western counties

There are believed to be two ghosts haunting the Biltmore Estate. George and Edith Vanderbilt, who were husband and wife, are said to stalk the grounds of the estate. It is rumored that Edith’s voice can still be heard speaking to George in the library.

1. The Biltmore Estate Asheville

Jones & Blount

The Governor’s Mansion was said to be haunted by the ghost of Gov. Daniel Fowle, who died shortly after moving into the home in 1891. Fowle’s bed was removed by Gov. Robert Scott in 1969, and shortly thereafter Scott and his wife reported hearing a strange knocking from inside the walls at the same time every evening. Fowle’s bed has since been moved back by Gov. Roy Cooper, whose family hasn’t reported anything out of the ordinary.

Carteret County The work to improve the Emerald Isle Bridge will pause for three events over the Halloween weekend. The coastal town will host the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Oct. 29-31. The NCDOT says daytime lane closures will begin Nov. 1, while nighttime closures will continue. The department contractor will be allowed to have one lane closed at any time during the weekdays, except 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Daytime lane closures are scheduled to last through early April, but will continue to pause during high travel times, including holidays

Two killed, two hurt in small plane crash Onslow County Two people were killed and two people were injured after a small plane crashed on Thursday. The identities of the victims weren’t released. Onslow County emergency management said the plane went down between Holly Ridge and Surf City. The crash site was located around 6:30 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration said a single-engine Mooney M20J crashed after departing from Holly Ridge-Topsail Island Airport around 5 p.m. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

RALEIGH — State Treasurer Dale Folwell is unimpressed with a change to the proposed legislation by congressional Democrats that would surveil U.S. citizen bank account deposits. The original proposal would grant the IRS the power to require banking and credit union institutions to annually report on accounts and withdrawals at the $600 level. After backlash from financial institutions, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as state treasurers and auditors, the Democrats are backtracking by raising the requirement to $10,000 in annual deposits or withdrawals. “Today’s new proposal reflects the administration’s strong belief that we should zero in on those at the top of the income scale who don’t pay the taxes they owe, while protecting American workers by setting the bank-account threshold at $10,000 and providing an exemption for wage earners like teachers and firefighters,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. U.S. Senate Republicans are not impressed with the overhaul, which they say is still far too invasive. Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo illustrated those concerns by tweeting, “The average American runs $61,000 through their account. The average American will be picked up by this plan.” Folwell agrees, saying, “the increase to $10,000 does little to change my concerns about this legislation.” “This is a cumulative number, meaning any bank account with $10,000 of activity, in total, would have to be reported by the financial institution to the IRS. The average American has over $50,000 in activity every year,” Folwell said. “This would still have a chilling effect on those who are ‘unbanked’ and ‘underbanked’ in America.” Folwell was asked earlier in October about the sweeping

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IRS surveillance and he expressed concern that it was an invasion of privacy of the average citizen. The treasurer signed onto a coalition letter opposing the move, which was sent to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Sept. 17. “While the stated goal of this vast data collection is to uncover tax dodging by the wealthy, this proposal is not remotely targeted to that purpose or that population. In addition to the significant privacy concerns, it would create tremendous liability for all affected parties by requiring the collection of financial information for nearly every American without proper explanation of how the IRS will store, protect, and use this enormous trove of personal financial information,” the coalition letter reads. Folwell mentioned another letter sent to President Joe Biden and Secretary Yellen that opposes the surveillance of bank accounts by the IRS. The letter is signed by 23 other state treasurers, auditors and financial officers. The move to allow the IRS to monitor private and public bank accounts was first brought to light May 2021 and is a part of the Biden Administration’s heavily debated $3.5 trillion spending plan. “I believe that everyone should pay their fair share of taxes,” Folwell said in a statement on the matter. “However, this proposal is an unprecedented invasion of privacy that could actually increase the problem of the ‘unbanked’ and ‘underbanked’ in America.” Folwell highlighted that a reported 25% of all U.S. households are either unbanked or underbanked. As chairman of the State Banking Commission, Folwell is concerned that compliance with the IRS’ surveillance regulations will be too cumbersome and expensive for small community banks serving rural North Carolina communities.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Will Dave Chappelle and Enes Kanter be on a second Mount Rushmore?

Free speech in statement and in rebuttal is what makes Americans “American” in the first place.

FUTURE HISTORIANS may look back 200 years from now and target October 2021 as the time when comedian Dave Chappelle and pro basketball player Enes Kanter saved American free speech, freedom of thought and freedom of expression from extinction. After years of political correctness, cancel culture and downright suppression of conservative free speech, Chapelle, a well-known comedian with a history of controversy; and Kanter, a Turkish-born Boston Celtics basketball player who has taken on the presidents of Turkey and China and now Nike, slammed massive flaming spears in the ground for free speech when almost every academic, business and political leader couldn’t, wouldn’t, hasn’t or didn’t. Chappelle’s special, which even the president of Netflix Ted Sarandos tried to walk back from by saying he probably made mistakes in how he handled the controversy, was designed to end a running battle Chapelle has had with the transgender community for years. Chappelle ended a very thoughtful and organized presentation, if you can mute his many vulgarities, of which you are now forewarned, with a final closing argument which was a profound and touching plea for understanding and freedom of expression after relating a story about what happened to a transgender friend of his who was a comedian. Comedians have long enjoyed special protection under the First Amendment to say what many people want to say and think are true but are afraid to say out loud in public. Mark Twain did it. So did Will Rogers. In doing so, Chappelle underscored the fact that no one has to agree with anything he or anyone else says. The great thing for Americans is they have the freedom, and many times the obligation, to say why people like Chappelle are wrong and say why with facts, eloquence and, hopefully, some humor. Free speech in statement and in rebuttal is what makes Americans “American” in the first place. Former Congressman Alex McMillan, with whom I worked for a decade in Washington, used to say that he wished certain politicians on the opposite side would use more of their right to free speech, not less. “The more they speak, the more foolish they look. As more people see

how ridiculous their policies really are, we might not have to say a word to rebut them.” Kanter has spoken out forcefully against oppression by Turkish authorities — he called President Erdogan “the Hitler of our century” — and has been targeted for extradition by his opponents in Turkey. He put his career and the fortunes of the Boston Celtics and the NBA on the line when he called Chinese President Xi Jinping “a brutal dictator” and tweeted out his concerns that the communist Chinese authorities are repressive towards the people of Tibet, which they are, and the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan as well. The Chinese authorities promptly banned Celtics games from being televised in China this year. To their credit, Celtics president Brad Stevens issued a statement in full support of Kanter, which was unthinkable a year ago. Contrast the Celtics response with 2019 when Houston Rockets GM Dale Morey tweeted “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Lakers star LeBron James were shocked anyone would criticize the government of their largest foreign market and put billions of dollars of revenue at risk. They must not know China is a murderous regime with an abysmal record on human rights. Not satisfied by taking on two powerful geopolitical leaders, the 6’ 10” giant Kanter called upon footwear giant Nike to stop its “modern day slavery” partnership with China on Monday. Kanter might be Turkish by birth but not only is he a Celt by action, he is a “fighting Irish” by conviction. The perfect irony in these days of “identity politics” based solely on a person’s skin color or gender would be if a black comedian and a Turkish-born basketball-playing immigrant became known as the two leaders in 2021 who rescued America from losing its freedom, independence and its telos — its essence and purpose. At least they wouldn’t be “two old white guys who owned slaves in the 18th century” telling us what to do. They are two Americans doing what Americans have always done — telling the truth as they see it and speaking truth to power.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Democrats setting themselves up for 2022 catastrophe with war on parents

We now know that at a certain point before that Garland/ DOJ memo was issued, the NSBA and members of Biden’s administration colluded together on the letter that was sent to Garland.

WE’RE STILL DAYS AWAY from Halloween, but the masks are slipping off of Democrats to expose yet another unseemly side — and just as campaigning for the all-important 2022 midterm primaries and subsequent general elections begins to heat up. In 2020, Democrats wholeheartedly embraced the “Defund the Police” movement, if not by actions, then with words. Prominent Democrats — including numerous members of Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, thenSen. Kamala Harris, and then-presidential nominee Joe Biden — all took gratuitous swipes at the men and women whose job it is to faithfully protect and serve their communities and put their lives on the line. The Democrats’ embrace of “Defund the Police” backfired spectacularly in House races across the country, with losses in the double digits. It left Pelosi with only a razor-thin majority to work with as Biden and Harris were sworn in. Regardless, Biden still promised an ambitious agenda and a return to the good ol’ days of “bipartisanship” — which is Democratspeak for, “Shut up, Republicans, while we ram our agenda through unimpeded.” The 2021 Democrat war on parents — which has seen concerned parents across the country mocked, demeaned and treated as dangerous “threats” by Democrats for showing up to school board meetings and strongly opposing radical left-wing ideas like Critical Race Theory — could be in 2022 what their coddling of

“Defund” was to them last year. We see the war taking shape on two fronts: the first one being at the state level with Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe providing a perfect example. His campaign imploded in the aftermath of his admission during a late September debate with Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin: “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” Since that time, McAuliffe has repeatedly doubled down on his admission while also insinuating that parents who are concerned about the implementation of Critical Race Theory, which he falsely claims is not being even considered for Virginia public school classrooms, are “racists.” The second front in this Democrat war on parents is of course at the federal level, where the Biden administration through his Attorney General Merrick Garland is also attempting to silence parents who speak out. In response to a National School Boards Association letter urging federal involvement in investigating supposed “domestic terrorist” parents, Garland issued a concerning “memo” earlier this month that directed the FBI to, in concert with each U.S. Attorney, “convene meetings with federal, state, [and] local” officials “within 30 days of the issuance” of the memo in order to “facilitate the discussion of strategies for addressing threats against school administrators, board members,

teachers, and staff, and will open dedicated lines of communication for threat reporting, assessment, and response.” We now know that at a certain point before that Garland/DOJ memo was issued, the NSBA and members of Biden’s administration colluded together on the letter that was sent to Garland. While the NSBA has since apologized for using the words “domestic terrorists” in their letter, there’s been no word yet from Garland as to whether or not he’ll rescind his directive. As it stands now, the polls don’t look good for Democrats, including Biden. With that in mind, you’d think they’d at least pretend as though they care about what parents have to say at these meetings. But instead, Democrats are ripping those masks off at a rapid-fire pace, once again showing us who they really are when they think no one is paying attention. That’s perfectly fine, in my view, because I’ve always believed that it’s best to only judge the full measure of a person, and Democrats at all levels of government sure have given us plenty of opportunities to do just that in recent weeks, haven’t they? 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, October 27, 2021

COLUMN | ALGENON CASH

More restaurants closing permanently reveals significant headwinds ahead for the struggling industry PHILLIP OPIE KIRBY, owner of Finnigan’s Wake, took to Facebook announcing the wildly popular Irish pub in downtown Winston-Salem that he founded and operated for the past 15 years is closing permanently. The announcement comes on the heels of veteran restaurant owner Kris Fuller making the decision to shut down Crafted, also located in downtown Winston-Salem. The news of both restaurants closing is unrelated and most likely driven by different variables, but they reveal an industry that is still roiling after nearly two years of coping with COVID-19 disruptions. Between rising costs for raw materials, staffing shortages and changes in consumer habits — restaurants have significant headwinds ahead as they navigate an entirely new environment. COVID-19 touched down in America somewhere around March 2020 and unleashed a perfect storm of challenges for all food-and-beverage operators. Initially the business shutdowns were swift and unexpected, which led to unprecedented panic and anxiety. Fear subsided as government stepped in to provide massive federal aid to small businesses and out of work individuals. Nevertheless, business owners believed the global pandemic would be short-lived and business as usual would resume quickly. Of course, Monday morning is a great time to play a Sunday night game. We all turned out to be deeply incorrect. The emergence of a vaccine around early 2021 did provide a glimpse of “normal” as the fog of COVID-19 felt like it was lifting. Only to see ourselves caught in another “surge” once the summer arrived. However, it’s no longer the virus and restrictions placed on communities that is challenging restaurants — it’s the after-effects of the public-health nightmare that appear to be far more harmful. Unemployment skyrocketed in the early days of COVID-19 and sidelined workers received enhanced benefits to ensure they would be covered for the long haul. Couple those benefits with a moratorium on evictions, utility cutoffs and student loan payments — the average household’s financial obligations dropped suddenly. For those who used to cook, wash dishes, or serve impatient customers, they possibly were now earning more not working than pre-COVID-19. Naturally as vaccinations increased and the economy started to reopen, many displaced workers were not eager to return to high stress and at-risk work environments such as restaurants and bars. Not to mention many of these people actually used their time out of work wisely. Some returning to school for skills training while others accepted new positions in alternative industries. Amazon and Walmart, beneficiaries of a public health crisis that caused people to stay home and shop online, hired nearly 100,000 workers during the pandemic. Average starting wages of $17-to-$22/hour with benefits is a non-starter for your local corner grill owner slinging burgers and fries to price- conscious guests. They simply cannot compete with the tech giants.

Restaurant employees fed up with low pay, long hours and unappreciative managers, found their way to the “gig” economy, a term used to describe the labor market of shortterm contracts and freelance work. The pandemic induced spike in online orders to Uber Eats, Door Dash, and GrubHub were filled by former line cooks, dishwashers, and bartenders. Additional labor shortages at suppliers to the food and beverage industry have only exacerbated the pain for restaurant owners. The price of raw materials such as chicken, beef, pork, produce and disposables have climbed month after month with some distributors unable to provide basic food items such as okra or green beans. Recently at a local bakery, they literally did not have cake boxes for to go purchases. In a recent market survey with restaurant owners across various service categories, nearly all participants expected to raise menu prices 15 to 20% in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately the story doesn’t end there but is further conflated by shifting consumer behavior. Some customers remain apprehensive of entering a restaurant, either out of fear other guests are not vaccinated or that restaurant employees, often working in close quarters, may transmit the virus. So a higher-than-average percentage of customers still rely on takeout meals or third-party delivery service. Neither option is ideal for local fine-dining restaurants that are designed more for customers to dine in and not carry out. COVID-19 triggered more consumers to embrace technology when considering meal choices. Nearly 50% of all Door Dash users have no idea what they want to eat when they login. Customers now use third-party apps simply to search and discover new restaurants in a virtual space. For less tech-and-branding savvy “mom and pop” owners, the change in buying habits may result in their obsolescence. Kirby and Fuller’s announcements do have one thing in common. Both owners shared they were not closing out of necessity; the choice was voluntary. They just didn’t want to do it any longer. I’ve spoken with longtime restaurant veterans who are thinking about shutting the grill off a final time after being in business for decades. A common theme amongst them is pure mental and physical exhaustion with an industry that has been in what feels like a never-ending transition. Undoubtedly more restaurants will shutter before all this is comes to a complete end, and that’s unfortunate for those owners, loyal customers and surrounding communities. Local residents must remain mindful of the adversity these small business owners, staff, and families are facing — so be patient, tip larger and dine in frequently. You never know if your favorite restaurant might be the next one with an announcement. Algenon Cash is the founding director of Triad Food & Beverage Coalition, a program dedicated to promoting a healthy food and beverage community.

OPINION | VIEW FROM THE CHIEFS

Navigating recusal and disqualification issues Hon. James G. Exum Jr., Chief Justice, 1986-1994, Associate Justice, 1974-1986 Hon. Burley B. Mitchell Jr., Chief Justice, 1995-1999; Associate Justice, 1982-1995 Hon. Mark D. Martin, Chief Justice, 2014-2019, Associate Justice, 1999-2014 SERVING AS A JUDGE is challenging. We know from experience. Among the three of us, we have more than seventy years of experience on the bench. Collectively, we’ve served at every level of our State’s judiciary. Each of us has served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. We’re all too familiar with the challenges our judges face every day— whether resolving tough legal questions or navigating thorny ethical dilemmas. Sound judicial ethics are critical to our system of justice. They promote the institutional legitimacy of our courts and bolster the rule of law. Judges must exhibit fairness and maintain impartiality when deciding cases. They must apply neutral principles of law to resolve the legal questions before them. In short, we all want to have confidence that the women and men wearing black robes are faithfully applying the law. But questions of judicial ethics can be—and often are— complicated and nuanced. The Supreme Court of North Carolina faces an especially complicated question in NAACP v. Moore: who gets to decide the answer to these questions? Who—if anyone—has the power to disqualify democratically elected justices from carrying out their constitutional duties? It might surprise you to learn that North Carolina law does not provide a definitive answer. Our constitution is silent on the issue of disqualification and recusal. A statute (G.S. 15A1223) tells us that judges must recuse themselves under some circumstances in criminal cases. But there is no such statute for civil cases like the one before the Supreme Court. So, what should the Court do? There is no single “correct” process for courts to adopt when deciding questions of recusal and disqualification. When faced with such questions, judges must balance their duty to hear and decide cases—their core duty—with the concomitant duty to recuse. Courts in other states handle recusal and disqualification in a variety of ways. Each process has its virtues and its flaws. The Supreme Court of North Carolina

has asked the parties in NAACP v. Moore for guidance on how to approach this delicate question, and we trust that the able advocates on both sides of the case will sharpen and clarify the issues at stake. As former and retired jurists, it is not our place to tell the Court what it should do in this instance. There may be facts and circumstances involved of which we are not aware. And we express no opinion on whether the affected Justices should recuse or be disqualified from hearing this specific case. But what we can do is offer our perspective on how the Court has historically handled this issue and why. After all, our collective tenure on the high court spans from 1974 to 2019. It’s fair to say that recusal came up more than a few times in those forty-five years. In our collective experience on the Court, the Court deferred to the judgment of the individual Justice or Justices being asked to recuse. Without exception, recusal was not considered a matter for the whole Court to resolve. The reason for this policy is simple: only the individual Justice can examine her or his conscience. Only the individual Justice knows whether she or he can overcome any bias and render a fair and objective decision. Any approach to recusal and disqualification is bound to have its shortcomings. This approach to recusal and disqualification—an “honor system” approach—assumes that our affected colleagues will act in good faith. It assumes that our colleagues will base their decisions on the best interests of the parties, the Court, and the State. It requires trust, respect, and collegiality among members of our Supreme Court. Our confidence in this approach remains strong, in part because our Court was hardly alone in adopting it. In fact, our nation’s highest Court, the Supreme Court of the United States, employs a similar system of individual accountability for issues of recusal. When confronted with a recusal question, each justice balances the duty to execute the office against the parallel duty to step aside, and that justice renders an individual decision. Only the seven members of our Supreme Court can determine whether this should remain the policy on recusal and disqualification. We trust our successors to resolve this difficult question in a way that promotes fundamental fairness, protects the integrity of our judiciary, and, above all else, preserves the rule of law. North Carolinians deserve nothing less.

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A7 COLUMN CHARLES BLAHOUS

Gerrymandering reform should empower voters, not political parties ON JULY 22, I was honored to testify, before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Committee on State Government, about congressional redistricting. My testimony drew heavily from my 2019 study on gerrymandering for the Mercatus Center. Most Americans across the political spectrum oppose gerrymandering — that is, the warping of legislative districts for the purpose of political advantage. Unfortunately, most efforts to fix gerrymandering don’t bear fruit because too many reform advocates equate reform with settling political scores. This approach is both counterproductive and lacks a sound constitutional basis. Real gerrymandering reform would shift the focus away from how political parties fare under alternative maps, back to the foundational purpose of geographical districting — namely, that we form constituencies with those who live nearest to us. My testimony focused on four primary points. First, gerrymandering is a genuine problem with observable adverse consequences. Gerrymandering reduces the accountability of elected officials, disadvantages some voters relative to others and fosters political polarization. Moreover, there is evidence that these adverse effects may be self-reinforcing, because they reward voters for clustering with others who share their political opinions and distort the information flow through which voters and candidates move. A supposed remedy is no remedy at all if it leaves these problematic effects unchecked — for example, if it simply redistributes the gains of districting to a different set of equally partisan actors. Second, our representational system is based on where we live. This organizing principle is neither inevitable nor accidental. We could have arrived at a very different system; for example, one based on proportional representation of opposing political parties. Instead, we formed a national consensus for districting by residence, and both federal and state apportionment law have often codified requirements that districts be “compact” — that is, not wildly irregular in shape. Future efforts to constrain gerrymandering in the manner most consistent with this longstanding consensus would focus on compactness, a characteristic that can be objectively measured and controlled — rather than on divining or circumscribing mapmakers’ subjective considerations. Third, fixing gerrymandering is not about politics or process. It has become too common for advocates to define gerrymandering reform in terms of redistributing power between parties. This is problematic for many reasons. Although our political opinions, affiliations and allegiances may be dear to many of us, the blunt truth is that the U.S. Constitution is indifferent to them. In fact, many of the drafters of the Constitution were abidingly fearful of political factions of any kind, and the last thing they would have done would have been to structure our Constitution to protect or institutionalize them. So, while we have rights as individuals to equal treatment under election law, we do not have the right to demand proportional representation of any particular political group to which we might attach ourselves. Perhaps the most important reason not to conceive of gerrymandering reform as a partisan rebalancing act is that doing so is unresponsive to its adverse consequences. If a purported reform simply results in balancing one party’s advantage in one district, with another party’s advantage in a different district, all of gerrymandering’s problematic effects will continue. Finally, there are simple mathematical tools available to constrain gerrymandering. All that is needed is to establish and observe a minimum compactness standard. Experts have developed many standards that could be employed; the ones I find most intuitive simply limit the ratio of the square of a district’s perimeter to its area. An important attribute of such a standard is that it is objective. It reduces the scope for subjective judgments of all kinds, whether one regards those judgments as malicious, benign or necessary. Neutrality and objectivity are important guarantors of legitimacy, especially given that what one political interest sees as vital and good, another may see as partisan mischief. To the extent a compactness standard is observed, it takes off the table any political agenda that requires dramatic warping of district shapes to achieve. No doubt this is unsatisfying to those looking to assert their cherished objectives in the redistricting process, but then, that is precisely the point. Objective standards of compactness force all political interests to compete on a leveled playing field. The sooner we get the focus of districting reform off of the stakes for political parties and back onto the interests of voters, the sooner we can make real progress in constraining gerrymandering. Guaranteeing the compactness of congressional districts would fulfill the only criterion rooted directly in the foundational purpose of geographical districting itself. Charles Blahous holds the J. Fish and Lillian F. Smith Chair at the Mercatus Center, and is a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

NATION & WORLD South Korea’s leader vows final push for talks with North

AP PHOTOS

Left, Brandon Brown celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. Right, President Joe Biden speaks at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Storrs, Conn.

‘LET’S GO BRANDON’ Viral chants take social media, sporting events, by storm By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — Chances are, you’ve seen a photo, meme, or video saying “Let’s go Brandon” used in criticisms of President Joe Biden. The phrase is a viral phenomenon that is both a shot at the mainstream media and G-rated stand-in for its origin. In football stadiums, especially those in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), student sections spontaneously began to say “F*** Joe Biden” during their return to stadiums in September. This

followed a 2020 season in which teams played in either empty stadiums or at a severely reduced capacity. Since its inception, the anti-Biden chanting has grown in size. Videos posted to social media earned millions of hits and conservative personalities such as Donald Trump Jr. boosted the chants, urging supporters to start them nationwide. Radio show host Clay Travis used the chants and full stadiums to proclaim that college football was leading the fight against COVID-19 restrictions. By October, the chants spread to the biennial Ryder Cup and country music concerts. However, it was a NASCAR Xfinity Series race that would launch the new

iteration. On Oct. 2, Brandon Brown, the driver of the No. 68 car, would win his first career race at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway in the sport’s second-tier division. As Brown celebrated, NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast interviewed Brown on the front stretch as audible “F*** Joe Biden” chants came from the grandstands. Stavast was mid-interview with an ecstatic Brown, and started her sentence saying, “Brandon, as you can hear the chants from the crowd, ‘Let’s go Brandon!’ You told me you were going to hang back and watch and learn. What did you learn that helped you in the closing laps?” In that instant, the anti-Biden chant was doused with gasoline. Immediately after, conservatives and fans expressed amusement — and exasperation. Intentional or not, the misquoting of the chant was just the latest

example of a media narrative that conservatives claim goes to great lengths to protect the 46th president and silence opposition. At that point, for some, it didn’t matter if the NBC Sports reporter actually mistook the chants as being in support of Brown. In the days and weeks since that Saturday evening, “Let’s go Brandon” has appeared on t-shirts, hats and social media profiles, and has become a top applause line at conservative events. At the just completed, N.C. State Fair, the North Carolina Republican Party even sold “Let’s go Brandon” bumper stickers. A rap song titled “Let’s go Brandon” by an artist named Bryson Gray overtook Adele on the iTunes chart earlier this week. Gray tweeted on Oct. 25 saying, “Our LGB song is still #1 in the US and #1 rap song in AUS and the UK on iTunes. Thank y’all so much. God is GOOD!”

Hostage families to Biden: ‘Bring our fellow Americans home’ The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Relatives of more than two dozen American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas told President Joe Biden in a letter on Monday that they questioned his administration’s commitment to bringing their loved ones’ home. In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, the family members complained that the administration seemed to be getting “bogged down in burdensome processes or policy debates that keep our loved ones from coming home and keep us uninformed of what you can and cannot do to help us.” “We need to be shown that the promises of your administration to prioritize the return of our family members are not empty. Now is the time for action. Now we need you to bring our fellow Americans home,” the letter states. The letter reflects growing concerns within the hostage community that the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda does not prioritize the release of hostages, and that legal and political actions have complicated rather than advanced efforts to get captives released. In some cases, the letter to Biden asserts, the families feel as if they’re in a “worse” situation now than eight months ago. The U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan without bringing home Mark Frerichs, an American contractor abducted there in early 2020, and six American oil executives who’d been under house arrest in Venezuela were ordered back to jail this month following the extradition to the U.S. on corruption charges of a businessman who prosecutors say was a major conduit for corruption by President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle. The Biden team has been short on high-profile detainee and hostages releases so far. It was an area of keen interest to President Donald Trump, who in keeping with his

AP PHOTO

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. unconventional approach to foreign policy appeared open to outside-the-box machinations with regard to hostage negotiations, such as a high-level but ultimately unsuccessful trip to Damascus aimed at getting journalist Austin Tice home. He also invited American captives who’d been freed during his administration to appear with him at the 2020 Republican National Convention. The families note in the letter that they were optimistic following a February call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Since then, though, they say they have been unable to meet with Biden or with his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, “which leads us to believe that your administration is not prioritizing negotiations and other methods to secure their release. “When we do meet with other officials we feel we are being kept in

the dark about what the U.S. government intends to do to free our loved ones,” the letter says. The White House had no immediate comment Monday. The letter was signed by family members of 26 American hostages and detainees held in countries across the world. That includes the mother of Trevor Reed, a Marine imprisoned in Moscow on charges of assaulting a police officer in Russia; the sister of Frerichs, and the wife of Jeffrey Woodke, an aid worker taken from his home in Niger in 2016. Others who signed include the families of nine Americans jailed in Venezuela, who joined together more than a week ago in a separate critical letter of the White House approach to their cases. The lack of urgency is especially troubling to the family of José Pereira, the former president of

Houston-based CITGO, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company. Over the weekend, Pereira was rushed from jail to a private clinic in Caracas for emergency treatment for a cardiac condition that his family says hasn’t received medical treatment since his detention four years ago. John Pereira says that although the Biden administration isn’t to blame for his father’s arrest, he expected more from the new U.S. president. “Our feeling is that they do more,” said Pereira, who along with the families of eight other American detainees in Caracas sent their own letter to Biden a week ago urging U.S. officials to sit down and talk directly with Maduro’s government. “This goes beyond politics. It’s a humanitarian issue. They have to sit down to talk.”

Seoul, South Korea South Korea’s president said Monday he’ll keep striving to promote peace with North Korea through dialogue until the end of his term next May, after Pyongyang raised animosities with a resumption of provocative weapons tests. While launching a spate of newly developed weapons in recent weeks, North Korea has also slammed Washington and Seoul over what it calls hostility toward the North. Its actions indicate North Korea wants its rivals to ease economic sanctions against it and accept it as a legitimate nuclear state, experts say. In his final policy speech at parliament, President Moon Jae-in said he’ll “make efforts to the end to help a new order for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula be established through dialogue and diplomacy.” Moon, a champion of greater reconciliation with North Korea, once shuttled between Pyongyang and Washington to help facilitate now-stalled nuclear diplomacy between the two countries. Pyongyang turned a cold shoulder on Moon after its diplomacy with Washington broke down in early 2019 amid bickering over the sanctions. In part of his efforts to ease tensions, Moon has recently been pushing for a symbolic declaration to end the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. When Moon meets Pope Francis at the Vatican during his European tour, they’ll discuss a possible North Korea trip by Pope Francis, according to Moon’s office. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Endangered whale population sinks close to 20-year low Portland, Maine A type of whale that is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world lost nearly 10% of its population last year, a group of scientists and ocean life advocates said. Once abundant, the North Atlantic right whale numbered only 366 in 2019, and its population fell to 336 in 2020, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium said. The estimate is the lowest number in nearly two decades. The whales have suffered high mortality and poor reproduction in some recent years. There were more than 480 of the animals as recently as 2011. They’re vulnerable to fatal entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with large ships, and even when they survive, they often emerge less fit and less able to feed and mate, said Scott Kraus, chair of the consortium. “No one engaged in right whale work believes that the species cannot recover from this. They absolutely can, if we stop killing them and allow them to allocate energy to finding food, mates and habitats that aren’t marred with deadly obstacles,” Kraus said. The whales feed and mate off New England and Canada. They then travel hundreds of miles in the fall to calving grounds off Georgia and Florida before returning north in the spring. The whales, which can weight 135,000 pounds have been a focus of conservationists for generations. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hornets’ Bridges off to fast start, B4

AP PHOTOS

The World Series between the Astros and Braves will be a family affair between two baseball lifers, with Atlanta manager Brian Snitker, center, facing his son Troy, left, who is a hitting instructor on Houston manager Dusty Baker’s coaching staff.

Baseball lifers Baker, Snitker make World Series family affair COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Wake Forest up to 13th in AP poll, highest ranking since ’47 Indianapolis Wake Forest moved up three more spots to No. 13 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll Sunday, the school’s highest ranking since it was 11th in 1947. The Demon Deacons won 70-56 at Army on Saturday to improve to 7-0 on the season. NC State’s loss at Miami dropped it out of the rankings, though the Wolfpack still received 28 votes — the 28th-most in the poll. Appalachian State also received five votes after it upset then-No. 14 Coastal Carolina 30-27 in Boone last Wednesday. Georgia and Cincinnati remained 1-2, while Alabama slipped past Oklahoma for third. Ohio State rounded out the top five for the second straight week.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Cardinal Gibbons RB sets state single-game rushing mark Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons senior running back Donovan Shepard rushed for 539 yards on 19 carries in the Crusaders’ 56-14 win over Athens Drive on Friday, breaking the state record for the most rushing yards in a game. Shepard, who had six touchdowns, topped the 510 yards Northern Guilford’s T.J. Logan rushed for in the 2012 Class 3AA championship game against Charlotte Catholic. Logan was a fifth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2017 NFL Draft and played two NFL seasons after playing four collegiate seasons at UNC. Shepard helped Cardinal Gibbons, 7-2 this season, reach the NCHSAA 4A championship game in the pandemicdelayed 2020 season last spring.

The Astros and Braves managers have passed their love for the game down to their sons By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE LAST TIME Dusty Baker was in the World Series, his son nearly got run down. Darren Baker, then 3 years old, was helping his dad’s San Francisco team as a very small batboy when Dusty led the Giants to the 2002 World Series. The younger Baker came out to retrieve a bat during Game 5. The only problem was the play was still going on, and there was the possibility of a play at the plate. J.T. Snow scored for the Giants, then scooped up Darren and carried him to safety as the trailing runner and ball were both headed for the plate.

Now, as Dusty Baker leads another team — the fifth he’s taken to the MLB postseason — back to the Fall Classic, Darren will be watching, having just completed his first pro season in the Washington Nationals organization. “Time passes very quickly,” the elder Baker said. “And we are remembering that time. Everybody remembers that except him. He’s the only one that doesn’t remember it. People remind him of it all the time. Sometimes he gets tired of talking about it, but it is part of my history, Giants history, baseball history, and his history. Now he’s trying to make his own history with the Nationals as a player, and I’m just glad that he was able to be here for this. “I got to see him before the game. I think this is only the second time that he hasn’t been able to be in the dugout because he was in the dugout in other organizations. People sent me pictures of

“Time passes very quickly.” Dusty Baker, Astros manager him when he was small with the Cubs and a little bit older with the Reds and a little bit older with Washington.” Baker, a true baseball lifer, will be looking for his first world championship as a manager, having been brought in by the Astros to clean up the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal that tainted Houston’s 2017 title. The Astros are back in the World Series, and the prospect of getting Baker a ring is the only thing keeping the nation from rooting against Houston this time around. Meanwhile, Houston’s opponent has its own father-son story,

thanks to another baseball lifer at the helm. Brian Snitker has been with the Braves organization for 44 years and has managed at every level of the minor leagues — more than 2,700 games — before he finally got the chance to take over the big club. “I definitely think there was a time where he thought the ship had sailed,” Snitker’s son Troy said of his father’s MLB ambitions. “I know it was a dream of his to be able to do this and be able to manage in the big leagues, and I think he always knew that he could do it. But I definitely think there was a point where he probably didn’t think it was going to happen anymore, which makes this very special.” The elder Snitker will be facing his son in the Series. Troy is a hitting instructor on Baker’s Astros’ staff. Despite growing up in the oldest of old-school baseball households and serving on another old-school manager’s staff, Troy has incorporated the analytical movement that the Astros helped popularize. “I love the fact that he’s meshed because I raised him in a dugout, See WORLD SERIES, page B4

Thrust into role, Hellems looks to lead NC State to NCAAs The versatile junior upped his game when leading scorer Devon Daniels was injured last season

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal IF JERICOLE HELLEMS played football instead of basketball, NC State coach Kevin Keatts knows exactly what position he’d play. Think Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, or Jimmy Graham. “He’s my tight end,” Keatts said recently at the ACC’s Basketball Tipoff media event in Charlotte. “A tight end can run, he can block, he can pass. Jericole is a combo forward. He can shoot, he can drive, he can defend. “He can do a lot of things, and he brings so much to our team. The stuff that we don’t see is what he does in the locker room. He’s a tremendous leader. He’s been through the fire of NC State. He understands what we’re about.” The Wolfpack’s longest-tenured player, Hellems has always been known as a scorer. He ranks third on the all-time list at his high school, Chaminade in St. Louis, behind only NBA stars Jayson

PHOTO VIA AP

NC State junior Jericole Hellems was thrust into a leadership role last season and emerged as the Wolfpack’s most versatile player. Tatum and Bradley Beal, and he’s increased his average in each of his three seasons at State. Along the way, the 6-foot-7 junior has added other elements to his game, improving his rebounding, learning to stay out of foul trouble and becoming an aggressive defender capable of guarding multiple positions. Offensively, he’s played power

forward when Keatts has gone small and shooting guard when the Wolfpack go big. He’s manned the high post against Syracuse’s zone and filled in at both the point and center in a pinch. “The thing I need to focus on is doing whatever I need to do to kind of get back to the team so we can win games,” Hellems said, “because that’s the overall goal.”

While Hellems continues to work on “enhancing anything that I need to do as far as ball handling, shooting the ball, playing defense and just being an all-around player,” his leadership skills come naturally. Those instincts kicked into overdrive last Feb. 9, when DevSee HELLEMS, page B3

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

10.27.21

TRENDING

Isaiah Moore: The NC State linebacker will miss the rest of the season after getting injured in the Wolfpack’s loss Saturday at Miami, coach Dave Doeren said Monday. Moore went down holding his knee during the game and briefly returned before exiting again. He is the Wolfpack’s fourth defensive starter lost to a season-ending injury this season. Doeren announced starting left guard Chandler Zavala is also out for the rest of the year. Ken Griffey Jr.: The Hall of Fame slugger has bought an ownership stake in the Seattle Mariners, the team announced Monday. Griffey was the No. 1 overall pick by the Mariners in 1987 and quickly grew into one of the best players of his generation. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Mariners before engineering a trade to Cincinnati following the 1999 season. He returned to Seattle for the conclusion of his career in 2009 and part of the 2010 season before retiring at age 40. Matt Nagy: The Chicago Bears coach has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Monday. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will run meetings that Nagy, who is vaccinated, can’t conduct virtually. League rules say vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic can return to the practice facility once they have two consecutive negative PCR tests taken at least 24 hours apart. If they are symptomatic, they need two negative tests taken at least 24 hours apart and must be symptom-free for 48 hours.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NFL

Charlotte is one of six schools from Conference USA making the jump to the American Athletic Conference. The American is also adding UAB, UTSA, Rice, North Texas and Florida Atlantic to replace three schools that are poised to eventually leave for the Big 12. It’s uncertain when Charlotte and the other schools will move to the AAC. The domino effect of the NCAA’s latest conference realignment started when Oklahoma and Texas announced they were joining the SEC.

ADAM HUNGER | AP PHOTO

“It’s his decision and I live with it.” Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold on coach Matt Rhule benching him in Carolina’s 25-3 loss Sunday to the Giants.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST | AP PHOTO

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

DRAG RACING

BILL KOSTROUN | AP PHOTO

“Sam’s got to take care of the football.” Panthers coach Matt Rhule after replacing quarterback Sam Darnold with P.J. Walker on Sunday. PRIME NUMBER

126 Points scored in the Wake Forest‑Army football game on Saturday, the second‑highest scoring game involving an ACC team, according to Elias Sports. Pittsburgh’s 76‑61 win over Syracuse in 2016 is the most. The Army and Wake Forest point total, while looking like a basketball score, wasn’t enough to top the two teams’ one meeting on the hardwood, a 109‑80 win for the Demon Deacons in 2017.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Suns point guard Chris Paul scored his 20,000th career point in Phoenix’s 115‑105 win over the Lakers on Friday. The 36-year-old Winston-Salem native and former Wake Forest standout, who is in his 17th NBA season, is the first player in league history with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their career.

AJ MAST | AP PHOTO

Gonzaga’s Drew Timme was the lone unanimous selection by a 63-person media panel on The Associated Press preseason All-America men’s basketball team. He was joined by Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn, UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, Villanova point guard Collin Gillespie and Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis.

NBA

COLIN E. BRALEY | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson won his third straight NASCAR Cup Series playoff race, going to Victory Lane at Kansas on Sunday for his series‑leading ninth win of the season. Only Larson has secured one of four spots for the championship-deciding race at Phoenix in two weeks. The other three spots will be determined at Martinsville on Halloween.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

B3 HELLEMS from page B1

PHOTO VIA AP

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams accounted for 144 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in the Fighting Irish’s 31-17 win over UNC last season. The Tar Heels had three players enter the transfer portal during their bye week.

Tar Heels battle turmoil, Notre Dame UNC’s bye week sees three players transfer By Shawn Krest North State Journal NORTH CAROLINA travels to South Bend for the chance to get a statement win over No. 11-ranked Notre Dame. Before worrying about the opponent across the field, however, the Tar Heels appear to need to resolve some internal conflict. The team entered the season ranked in the top 10 but then suffered an opening week upset loss at Virginia Tech. Even bigger surprise losses at Georgia Tech and home against Florida State have left the Heels 4-3 on the year and 3-3 in the ACC. As the team hit its bye week last week, UNC fans were very vocal in their displeasure over how things have gone. Coach Mack Brown’s comments following the FSU loss, about how the media overrated them coming into the year, did nothing to calm the storm. Fans can be expected to fly off the handle when things don’t go well. But as the team’s goals of a College Football Playoff berth, a chance to compete for the ACC title or even a return trip to the

Orange Bowl have faded, there appears to be plenty of hard feelings inside the locker room as well. While the team has denied persistent rumors of a “rift” among the players, the time off from game prep for the bye week appears to have given some of the disgruntled Tar Heels a chance to think about the future. The team had three players leave via the transfer portal in the one-week span. Wide receiver Khafre Brown — the younger brother of Dyami, who starred for the Tar Heels before entering the NFL Draft last season — was the first to leave. The speedy playmaker got few opportunities on the field in the early going. He played in just two of the first seven games and had one catch — a 75-yard touchdown — after getting 15 for 337 yards as a freshman last year. Defensive lineman Clyde Pinder was next to go. After playing in five games last year as a freshman, Pinder had seen the field just once this year as a host of young linemen have passed him on the depth chart. On Monday, running back Josh Henderson entered the portal. Like the first two transfers, Henderson has seen his playing time shrink this year. He’s gotten into just two games and carried the

ball five times. The team has also landed commitments from two big-time running back recruits for next season and anticipate having six running backs on the roster. Someone claiming to be Henderson’s uncle took to social media, criticizing the coaching staff on UNC Facebook groups following the news about Henderson’s departure. “My nephew didn’t leave because of (any) recruits,” Daniel Candya, who has posted about being Henderson’s uncle for several years, said on Facebook. “People do not believe the hype. It’s a lot of politics going on in the program, and kids being lied to. Please respect the young kids and the decisions they make, and for the future players THAT WILL BE LEAVING.” He later said the UNC coaching staff “are like car salesmen.” With that hurricane of a distraction swirling, the remaining Tar Heels are preparing for a trip to one of college football’s toughest venues. Mack Brown addressed Henderson’s transfer, although Candya didn’t post his comments until later in the day. “We said last week what we would do is sit down with every young man and go over exactly where we feel like he is right now

in our program and the projections for him,” Brown said. “So most of the guys that leave are leaving because they want to get more playing time or they want to be the featured player at their position. And it’s our job to be honest. And tell them exactly how we feel about where they are right now and where they are moving forward.” Brown also appeared to hint at a rift, twice mentioning players not being on board when discussing Henderson’s transfer. “Josh is a great young man,” he said. “And he’s done everything right in this program. And I told him yesterday that I understand completely and that we will help him go where he would like to go. And at the same time, if a guy’s not totally into trying to win the game at Notre Dame, then he shouldn’t be on the trip, either. So that’s what you do with the transfer portal, you try to handle it. … If someone’s not completely bought in and it helps, you know, at the end of the year how many scholarships you’ve got available with this crazy roster management. … So we wish Josh luck.” So, coming out of a week off that seemed far from restful, the Tar Heels will try to get on the same page against the Fighting Irish.

on Daniels’ knee buckled as he drove to the basket midway through the second half of a game against Wake Forest. Daniels was the team’s leader — and leading scorer — and his loss to an ACL tear was a crushing blow to a young team that had already endured its share of misfortune thanks to a pair of COVID-related pauses and an assortment of other injuries. State held on to win that night but lost to Syracuse a few days later to drop to 8-8 overall (4-7 ACC). With six regular season games remaining to be played, rock bottom still seemed a long way off. Instead, the setback became a turning point that helped the Wolfpack finish on a high note. Hellems thrived in the role of go-to guy once Daniels went out, adding nearly six points to his scoring average while improving his shooting percentage from 45% to 51% to lead a late resurgence that saw State win its final five regular season games to finish above .500 and earn an NIT invitation. He finished the season averaging 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. “He’s what you want in a program guy who has gotten better and is the hardest worker on the team,” Keatts says. “He’s the guy that lives in the gym the most, he’s our most vocal guy. He became a leader for us last year.” Hellems downplayed his role in saving State’s 2020-21 season, calling it “just an opportunity that God placed in front of me.” He acknowledged the experience was good practice for this season now that the Wolfpack have officially become his team. His most important lesson is a good leader doesn’t always need to use words to be effective. “I would say leading by example is the first thing, just trying to do whatever I can to help guys along the way if they need somebody to talk to or just be there for the team,” he said. “It’s the little things, actually. Focus on little things that people don’t notice and just spreading love.” With the return of star big man Manny Bates and the expected improvement of second-year freshmen Cam Hayes and Dereon Seabron, along with the addition of transfers Casey Morsell and Greg Gantt and the freshman duo of Terquavion Smith and Breon Pass, Hellems is confident this will be the year he helps State get to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his career. “Us, as a team, we have the pieces,” he said. “At the end of the day, we just have to go out there and play ball.”

Last dance? Cutcliffe, Clawson square off again The Duke and Wake Forest coaches could be headed in different directions By Shawn Krest North State Journal TWO OF THE MOST respected coaches in the ACC will meet on Saturday when David Cutcliffe takes his Duke Blue Devils to Winston-Salem to face Dave Clawson and unbeaten Wake Forest. Both coaches have found football success at small private schools often thought to be incapable of competing with the huge football factories in their league. That’s not all Clawson and Cutcliffe have in common: Both may be participating in their final Duke-Wake Forest game. As impossible as it may have seemed a few years ago when Cutcliffe was the toast of the sport for winning at Duke — a place long thought to be incapable of competing in the sport — the Blue Devils’ most successful head coach in more than a half-century may be on the hot seat. Duke may have hit a low point in the Cutcliffe tenure in its last game, a 48-0 loss in Charlottesville that saw the Blue Devils overwhelmed by Virginia. It dropped Duke to 0-3 in the conference this year, 1-12 in its last 13 ACC games and 2-16 in the last 18 league contests. It’s also the second time in the last five ACC games that Duke has lost 48-0 — Miami dropped that score on them near the end of last season. Complaints from Duke fans have

begun to crop up on social media, and, while the administration has steadfastly supported Cutcliffe, it’s possible Duke may consider a change following the year — or that Cutcliffe will choose to step down before the administration has to intervene. A win over the undefeated Demon Deacons could help to turn the tide that’s beginning to build against Cutcliffe. And Duke’s players and coaches know what a victory could do. “They’re very aware and that should be more motivation,” Cutcliffe said. “That should create a lot of energy. It’s a huge challenge, but with huge challenges come huge opportunities. Wake is not going to give you anything. What it means is that you’re going to have to go get it done.” Meanwhile in Winston-Salem, Clawson has taken his Deacs past the heights that Cutcliffe reached a half decade ago. The Blue Devils won the Coastal Division and advanced to the ACC Championship Game. At the moment, the Demon Deacons appear to have passed Clemson as the best team in the entire ACC. Wake is leading the Atlantic Division by a game and a half and is the ACC’s lone remaining unbeaten team. The Deacons are also the highest-ranked team in the conference, at No. 13 in the most recent AP poll. At 7-0 for the first time in 77 years, Wake is one of five unbeaten Power Five teams remaining. The Deacs are also 4-0 in the ACC for the first time in school history.

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, once the ACC’s poster child for overachieving coaches, has seen in-state peer Dave Clawson take Wake Forest to even greater heights while the Blue Devils struggle to stay relevant in the ACC. Clawson has built an intriguing and prolific offense. The Deacs are averaging 43.1 points per game, which would break the school record — set last year — by more than seven points. Wake’s defense, often the team’s Achilles’ heel under Clawson, has also improved significantly. The Deacons are fourth in the nation in turnover margin and rank in the top 25 nationally in sacks, interceptions, tackles for loss and fourth-down defense. Back when Cutcliffe was the toast of the ACC, Tennessee came calling, giving Duke fans and administration some tense moments before Cutcliffe turned down the chance to return to the Vols as

head coach. Now, Wake’s success is earning Clawson some attention in searches for major jobs across the country. USC, which fired Clay Helton earlier this season, has been rumored to be considering a run at Clawson. LSU also reportedly has him on their list of candidates once Ed Orgeron leaves following this season. Even if Clawson doesn’t land either of those two diamond-level coaching vacancies, the resulting domino effect when USC and LSU find their men could allow Clawson to check in on the gold or silver level. Online speculation has Clawson finding a seat everywhere

from Penn State to Virginia Tech as coaches and programs play musical chairs following this season. Admittedly, both coaches are still secure in their current spots, and the odds are against even one of them not being around for next season’s Wake-Duke game in Durham. But the chances of both moving on are still higher than they’ve been at any point in recent memory. Both coaches have done the impossible, winning where no one thought they could. It’s the type of achievement they erect statues to commemorate. The question is: how soon will the sculptors be called upon to start work?

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Wake, NC State control destinies in ACC Atlantic While it’s a long shot, UNC could still win the Coastal Division — if the Tar Heels take care of business and get a lot of help By Brett Friedlander North State Journal WAKE FOREST opened some eyes by putting up a basketball score against Army on Saturday, while NC State did what the Wolfpack often does by losing a game it should have won at Miami. Neither result, however, changed the status of the race to determine the Atlantic Division’s representative in the ACC Football Championship Game on Dec. 4. Barring any further hiccups, the road to Charlotte will run directly through Winston-Salem when the Deacons and Wolfpack meet at Truist Field in three weeks. For that, the two surprise Atlantic frontrunners can thank Clemson. Or more specifically, Pittsburgh. By losing to the Coastal Division-leading Panthers on Saturday, coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers didn’t just cripple their chances of winning a seventh straight conference title, they gave State a virtual “get out of jail free” card for its self-inflicted disappointment in South Florida. The reason is tiebreakers. The Wolfpack already holds one over Clemson on the strength of its double-overtime victory earlier this season. It would also gain one on Wake by winning the upcoming showdown. So even though State, at 2-1, currently trails the 4-0 Deacons by a game in the loss column of the Atlantic Division standings, the Wolfpack would earn the division

CHUCK BURTON | AP PHOTO

NC State coach Dave Doeren and Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson, pictured in 2015, have their teams atop the ACC’s Atlantic Divison, and the matchup between the two teams Nov. 13 could decide who will play in the ACC Championship Game. crown and the trip to Charlotte if both teams were to win the rest of their games and finish with 7-1 conference records. “We still control our own destiny,” said Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren, whose 5-2 team faces a key divisional test at home against Louisville this Saturday. “I know a lot of fans were disappointed, upset or whatever you may say about the loss we just had. So were we. But we still have it all in front of us. We’ve got to win one game at a time to make that a reality.” The same is true for Wake, which improved to 7-0 for the first

time since 1944 and just the second time in school history by outscoring Army 70-54 last week. Coach Dave Clawson’s 13thranked Deacons don’t figure to have much trouble extending their winning streak to eight on Saturday against struggling Duke. That will be the last gimme on a schedule that closes with trips to Chapel Hill and Clemson’s Death Valley sandwiched between the State game before finishing with yet another road trip, this one to Boston College. The North Carolina game, however, is officially a nonconference matchup — which means the Dea-

cons could afford to lose to the Tar Heels and Tigers and still win the division as long as they take care of business in the other two games. But what happens if Wake doesn’t lose, running the table through the ACC title game and finishing with a perfect 13-0 record? Would a win against a ranked Pittsburgh team and its Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kenny Pickett in the ACC title game be enough to make the Deacons the most unlikely participant in the short history of the College Football Playoff? Maybe, maybe not.

Then again, there’s still no guarantee the Panthers will get to Charlotte. They’re certainly sitting pretty with at least a two-game lead over everyone else in the Coastal. But with five conference games remaining, anything can happen. Especially in a division with as whacky a history as theirs. There’s even a scenario in which North Carolina could somehow sneak in and steal the title. The Tar Heels would have to win at Pitt on Nov. 11 to have any chance of that happening. They also can’t afford another conference loss. Coach Mack Brown’s team would then need the Panthers to lose to Virginia and at least one of the other teams remaining on their schedule — Florida State, Duke and Syracuse. Oh yes, UVA would also have to lose at least once along the way, while Virginia Tech — which beat UNC in the season opener — would have to cooperate by losing twice in its five remaining conference games. But if that were to happen and the division ended with multiple teams tied at 5-3, UNC would get the nod over Pitt, UVA and Miami because of wins in their head-tohead matchups. “We can’t just put our heads down and just give up on the rest of the season,” Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell said. “So from an expectation standpoint, we’re just going to give it everything we’ve got every single game. We’re not worried about bowl games or anything like that, we just want to try to win the next game, try to go 1-0 every single week.” Is it a long shot? Absolutely. Farfetched? Of course. But it’s the ACC and the Coastal Division, so anything is possible.

Hornets’ Bridges looks to continue early-season success Charlotte’s longest-tenured player, in just his fourth NBA season, is emerging as a nightly threat By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — Just four games into his fourth year in the league, the Charlotte Hornets’ longest-tenured player has shown that his increased offensive production during the final months of last season was no fluke. Miles Bridges earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award on Monday for his efforts in the first week of the regular season, becoming just the 13th player in franchise history to win it. “It validates his work — where his career’s at, how hard he’s worked to get to this point,” Hornets coach James Borrego said of Bridges’ latest achievement. “I know the award is probably recognized for the offense, but he’s doing as much defensively for us as the offense. So he deserves a ton of credit and I’m very proud of him.” With last year’s leading scorer Terry Rozier largely absent due to a lingering ankle injury, Bridges has emerged as a leader for a youthful group that is talented but still searching for an identity. During Charlotte’s 3-1 start to the season, Bridges has led his team in scoring in wins over Cleveland and Brooklyn, as well as Monday’s overtime loss to Boston. Bridges has averaged teamhighs in points (25.0) and minutes (35.3) while also ranking second on the Hornets with 8.5 rebounds — all improvements over the 29.3 minutes, 12.7 points and six rebounds he averaged last season. “He’s one of our best snap drivers to the rim right now,” Borrego said. “He’s finishing at a high level, competing on the other end. Guarding Kevin Durant, James Harden, (Malcolm) Brogdon — he’s taken on the challenge defensively as well.” The former Michigan State star got off to a slower start last year and led Charlotte in scoring just seven times during the 2020-21 campaign, all within the final three months of play.

WORLD SERIES from page B1 on a bus, on the field a long, long time ago before analytics were ever invented,” the elder Snitker said. “I think he’s a good blend of the old-school way of doing things and he’s very open and gets all the

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

Miles Bridges’ improved play at both ends of the floor has helped the Hornets to a 3-1 start and earned him the season’s first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. Following the Hornets’ 111-95 win over Brooklyn on Sunday, Bridges said the team’s intensity and strengthened scoring attack — Charlotte currently ranks second in the NBA in points per game with 121.5, just trailing the 123.3 points averaged by Memphis (2-1) — were fueling its success. “You can feel a different vibe from this year,” Bridges said. “We just have a willingness to win. We all want to win, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes.” The win over the Nets made this year’s Hornets the first in franchise history to start the season with three straight wins, and

Bridges joined Kemba Walker as only the second Charlotte player to score 30 points or more twice in the team’s first three games of a season. Charlotte fell short of making it to 4-0, succumbing to a 14-0 run in overtime by the Celtics on Monday for its first loss of the season. With 1:21 left on the clock, Boston’s Jaylen Brown went up for an athletic one-handed dunk over Bridges to extend the Celtics’ lead to 134-129. The Hornets went on to lose by 11 points. “Miles is one of the best athletes in the league, and I know that if I try to lay it up, he’s going to send me back to Boston,” Brown said.

“So I went up with bad intentions.” Bridges acknowledged Brown’s posterizing dunk after the game on Twitter, adding that he had no regrets about jumping up to guard Brown in the paint: “Tough loss!! We’ll bounce back!! Also imma jump every time down 3 in an overtime game or anytime the game is on the line!! Helluva play!!” Rozier responded to the tweet with some encouragement for his teammate, saying Bridges had “no need to explain” his reasoning for challenging a dunk in a tight game. That competitive nature Bridges possesses is just one component of his breakout star potential

in what has become an important season for his career trajectory. The Hornets’ front office decided late in the offseason to hold off on a contract extension for the small forward, choosing to make this a “prove-it year” for him. So far, Bridges has passed the test with flying colors. It’s unclear if Borrego will give him 38 minutes on the court every night — like he did while Rozier and sixth-man P.J. Washington both were out of the lineup — but Bridges has demonstrated that he can pick up the slack for the Hornets on both sides of the court as one of the league’s emerging players.

new information that’s out there. I think it’s a good mix.” While the two men being in opposite dugouts make it hard on mom and sister — the two Snitker women are busy trying to find a way to wear both jerseys to the games — Brian and Troy have em-

braced the chance to share this trip to baseball’s pinnacle. “I remember going to spring training really young,” Troy said. “I remember going to old West Palm Beach back when the Braves were there. I remember going in the clubhouse and seeing Chipper

(Jones). I think that was probably around ’93, ’94 when I was young. My first concrete memories were that summer in Durham in ’95 (when Brian managed the Bulls), which was my first summer being at the field with him when he dragged me in every day. But I

have a lot of special memories of spending a summer at the baseball field.” Now, fathers and sons will be spending one autumn in the same place. And, as the Bakers learned 19 years ago, anything can happen.

nc state fair wrap up The 2021 N.C. State Fair marked a successful return this year with over 821,000 fairgoers in attendance, nearly 314,000 pounds of canned goods donated during Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day and more than a million smiles recorded. Organizers counted a preliminary final Sunday total is 102,135 for a preliminary total of 821,463 pending the outcome of final weekend outlet sales. Other highlights included hosting the first “AccessAbility Day” for people with different abilities, the dedication of the James Robert “Bob” Stanfield Natural Resources Center, receiving bids totaling $183,000 in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions; having two site records for largest pumpkin and largest watermelon – 1,965.5 pounds for the pumpkin and 341 pounds for the watermelon and receiving over 18,500 general competition entries. “The 2021 State Fair was absolutely wonderful and exceeded expectations. It took a lot of hard work by a lot of people to put this on, but it was absolutely worth it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Seeing people enjoying themselves and experiencing a bit of normalcy was a great feeling.”

PHOTOS BY LAUREN ROSE AND PJ WARD-BROWN

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The best SUV in the world By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — As someone who reviews cars for a living, I’m frequently asked, “what’s the best car you’ve ever driven?” The answer is easy: any RollsRoyce. No other automaker even comes close. Maybach and Bentley are both lovely, but the Bentayga starts in the $180,000 range. A Rolls-Royce Cullinan — my review vehicle this week — starts at $335,000, and my tester weighed in at an impressive $417,800. But why bother testing a car that costs almost 50 percent more than the average new home in the US? The Cullinan is a car most people will never even see in person (unless they live in Orange County), never mind owning or even driving one. I would write about an impressive sculpture or engineering achievement for the same reason that I’m interested in Rolls-Royce. I find the level of artistic and creative expression in the Rolls lineup to be fascinating. The leather comes from male cows living at high altitudes, so there aren’t any mosquito bites, and the leather doesn’t have stretch marks from female cows getting pregnant. This sort of fanatical attention to detail is commendable. Perfectionism is celebrated when Apple does it, and we should do the same when Rolls-Royce builds a car — even if it’s fabulously expensive. There’s a reason Americans love the Kardashians (and Kris Jenner bought the first new Ghost in North America a couple of years ago), Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and MTV Cribs. These days there is a strong undercurrent of ‘Tax The Rich,’ but Rolls-Royce can’t be dismissed as mere pointless ostentatiousness. As a car journalist friend said the other day, the two things in life that are free are dreaming and test drives. Americans are an aspirational group, and Rolls-Royce cars aren’t just for rich, old white men anymore. The modern era of Rolls-Royce has given the company an entirely new clientele. My test Cullinan was a glorious bright red called “Hell Rot,” and the most frequent comment I got from folks when I drove it around — and many peo-

ple came up to talk about it — was that they didn’t even know RollsRoyce sold cars in that color. And that’s precisely why the Rolls-Royce PR team spec’d it that way. The company will happily build a car in any color you want. If you bring in a flower, they can color match it. Or your dog’s collar. Or your private jet. Rolls-Royce is the car brand for dreamers. And the Black Badge lineup of cars takes things even further, attracting an even more unexpected clientele. Athletes, rappers, and movie stars have flocked to the Black Badge, where the entire attitude of the car is turned upside down. Black Badge turns chrome surfaces into a darkened chrome, and the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament on the front is available in black carbon fiber. When Black Badge was unveiled a few years ago, I said that the craftsmen and women at Rolls-Royce “turned murdering out a ride into an art form.” My Cullinan was unexpected. Sure, it’s large and luxurious, but it’s incredibly capable off-road as well. And I mean incredibly capable. It’s been designed so oil barons can take it pounding through the sand dunes. Even if you never plan to go off-road, it’s nice to know that you could. The Cullinan was the best SUV I’ve ever driven. It was the most comfortable by far and definitely the reddest. It was also the most expensive. But so what? It’s an aspirational bedroom wall poster car. It’s an engineering and artistic achievement, hand-crafted by hundreds of wildly talented people in England and around the world at all Rolls-Royce’s suppliers. Buying a $400,000 SUV doesn’t set that money on fire — it pays for rent and mortgages, it puts food on tables. It pays talented people a fair and equitable wage for their labor. But most importantly, it’s a dreamer’s car. It’s something to aspire to, for entrepreneurs to hustle for and athletes to swing for. It’s an achievement for the owners, and we should be excited that it exists. A world without Rolls-Royce is slightly less fun, somewhat less interesting, and slightly less aspirational. And, after the last year and a half, don’t we all need some of that?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE

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COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home hina lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans WEEK, virus, according to members theand fede ied to tell the world there were only “THIS ISofTHE DA around the globe and in the United will to pay forTHIS this covered up its spread t areStates, havingChina to adjust what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, Americans have rldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24) catastrophe one way or another. 3,341 related led to wo Some of these orders extend at least through the end deaths of this has month. ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus thetoneed the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. The e being thrown out of work. I know that durin Inand order put the crisis causedVirginia’s by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly orders go into June. ty of at Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends can easily reverse — but ayer least $2.4 trillion in added working from home worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, United States over Gov.The hasstated cost the U.S. tax Here in North Democratic Roycrisis Cooper during normal.” questions back to have abided by recommendations and orders. The Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, and when things can start getting be glad” as the Bible our 231-year history. 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WILLIAMS per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. 1918 questioning “Spanish flu” pandemic also had for its origins in China. measures justification it. And the answers should not be vague onesimmediate like “we fea COVID-19 t know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy. transparency According to the University of Washington Institu For me, my faith i Easter seasons government There is 100% agreement, outside of do China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must this out an abundance of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through making. 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D from our are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined message of become a gue likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000 orldones of 21st hygiene affliction, so that wew biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases hope that we13,000 will and bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the c Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of by nearly and fair trade. Totalitarian are reliable. — we need to once again enjoy of this state who when will demand August by nearly 12,000. orse, because that is not whatthey can get back to providing for their families,their God.” That is what food safety and health protocols, American business has nowhat otherthe state or express sincere To know date, what I’ve gone has asked andregret then and rem they along with ndetermined answers. Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian do. 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God’sback. example don’t and when reliability adversaries gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, there is and c AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were kedhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines whether certain ent such as the Chernobyl this difficult T The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exogenous they to disaster corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thosetime. ev church some services Billionaire tax runs questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Star Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown 1986. 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Not in any way, North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new the number of identified COVID-19 cases —aare but b eady about the possibility money to buy 3-D sacrifices are comparison. Senators inwere Washington alr thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society supposed Corruption of Scholarship.” The study wasAssociated The are people who shape, or form. So while we shouldPress remain vigilant and stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong. We don’t k debt we owe them as one way to get health care workers An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment in China over. of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in toon do,half lastof I checked. done by Areo, an opinion and analysis Billionaire tax runs sick. same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new people have actually died coronavirus. Some th so y have caused US. the Don’t hold your China to of “pay” damage digitalthe magazine. By the way, Areo is short WASHINGTON, D.C.— The today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated My first American concern asmanufacturing we go along in all this, of course, isfor mythe family. I’m ls become a bad normal.” number has been overestimated, given that classi lee” to happen but ask your elected into criticism as for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by the U.S.about Treasury billion the in virus, and breath waiting Ifor a Chinese Democrats’ idea for a new billion- investment to the U.S. would costworried them$18 catching I’m worried will. 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Stacey Matthews alsochange written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they expect way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong into criticism as too cumbersome, ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. Even more importantly, we have no clue how mn ation. past. the world like any other modern But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certainwith some lawmakers preferring WESTROCK COMPANY 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists sugges China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. 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The departments into adhering to their up negotiations on Biden’s overall companyThe will worldview invest more worldview. they promote is Jason package. But party leaders insistthan $47 million torigorous. expandGrievance neither scientific nor ed Tuesday a broad deal remains | STACEY MATTHEWS EDITORIAL studies consist of disciplines its manufacturing facilitysuch in as within reach as they rush to show sociology, anthropology, gender studies, progress before the president deClaremont. COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race parts later this week to global overHeadquartered in Atlanta, studies. seas summits. WestRock is 2018, a leading In 2017 and authors Pluckrose, House Speaker Nancy PeloJ. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO Lindsay and si told lawmakers during a caucus provider ofBoghossian paper andstarted submitting academic packagingbogus solutions withpapers tomeeting they were on the verge of Sen. 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McConnell called itstated a “hareregardless if theyCarolina, show any proffoodservice, have to be thankful and hopeful for, even in the m alcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat However, vast differences aits. progressprocess that could help Democrat andknow warned recent briefingbrained that “wescheme” just don’t yet”of if the of returning back to norm Thosecoronavirus both appear press to be gainpackaging forpublished some the Lenten and pandemic. us, and we have journal the right to askofthose Studies a hoax paper Terry McAuliffe win a neck-andrevenue drying up during downing traction with another pivotamong Democrats remain over No. The government works for Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. world’s brands. that argued the term was Nov. 2isgubernatorial election turns. Some Republicans Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin, the basic contours of the sweep- al If me,neck my faith an important part ofstay-at my da home orders are leading in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked indicatasFor to the questions. And the longer questioning andas should be replaced This expansion includes a in Virginia. ed such a tax plan could be chalD-W.Va., who told reporters he ing proposal and how to pay for it. justification making. As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI provide with bodybuilding, a fat-inclusive After monthsreminds of start-and-stop It’s now estimated to total at least supported new ways to ensure the lenged in court. new“fat building that willas add government Corinthians 1:4, which us our Lord “com eeling isolated and/or anxious about must dotothis out of“fair an abundance of But caution.” the more people, sitting at home message of Democrats are negotiations, politicized performance.” One reviewer disputes remain. key fellow wealthy pay their share.” $1.75 trillion over 10 years, and 285,000 square feet to affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those ng for their families, will demand at all levels It will needon to be in detail to the people of this state when can get back said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thethey unresolved provi-to provid also hope raising concerns, saying thewho Among Democrats theexplained Senate Ficould still be more. that we will affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar the current manufacturing being told to remain jobless atof home forundoing an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important From the White plans to expand Medicare idea simply the 2017 tax sions: nance Committee, led by Sen. Ron and House, become a Press are once again enjoy God.” vels should be as forthcoming footprint. contribution to make to as thethey field and Secretary this coverage with dental, vision cuts by hiking top was more of Oregon, time whyare models predicting hundreds ofrates thousands of cases Leaders at the localand and state l Wyden of prepared Jen Psaki said Biden’s amount bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” hearing aidbe benefits for seniors; straightforward and transparent. to roll out the tax revenue plan in preference was still to have a deal are reliable. “WestRock is proud to can with those answers and Is My Struggle: Solidarity is what care assistance; free pre-kinthehas House’s fromon child of I’ve days.gone It is along likely with to in-whatUnder in hand before That departing, but she a matter reflect this message and be comforted, that ents believability. concerts, family To date, the state askedbill and then with details that give theirso statem be“Our partStruggle of the Claremont Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply acknowledged to dergarten; a new program of fourtheway Ways and had Means Commitclude otherthat revenue-raising tax the that not hap- mandated God’sabout example andWe comfort allallthose in need arou hat we can to keep as our freemight citizens we do, but along I’ve also questions should continue to do w gatherings, community, and weFeminism,” look Neoliberal and Choice was weeks paid family faith leave;and andbyahelping o income pen, forcing him to keep working measures, including a plan to beef tee, the top individual this difficult time. Through afe. But we should also still continue the data. State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s church services living in a free forward growing our team in accepted for publication by Affilia, a on the package from afar. up the IRS to go after tax scofflaws. tax rate would rise from 37% to more limited plan than envisioned confident we willtoemerge out of this pandemic strb ecause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is ask questions about the data, feminist journal for social workers. The to lower prescription drug costs. 39.6%, on those earning more “Here’s the heart of it: Ameri“There are phones on Air Force the area,”an said Patrick Kivits, and many more society were this same I continue to be inspired th by y shouldpaper also have expiration a disturbing some people to treatInthose measures are understandable, consisted in part of adate. rewrittenOne and also in Europe,” Psaki sometimes Thespirit, climate change provisions than $400,000, or $450,000 for cans read over the last fewtendency months among president of WestRock after our own supposed neighbors helping neighbors. nd it is not normal. Not in any way, passage from Mein Kampf. Two othertold reporters. may be resolving now thattoWhite couples. The we corporate rategetting would back simply questioning data and when can start that billionaires werethe paying lit- asking This is all new Americans, a Consumer Packaging. temporary InThe Concord, high school senior named d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at“This papers were published, including In the meantime, aor new strategy. It in- weTanne increase from 21% 26.5%. tle normal or no taxes for years onare end,” saidI more to to do,she last as though they conspiracy theorists orto are people whoHouseafloated shape, form. So while shou facility is anso-called important part “Rape and Queer Performativity volves beefing up clean energy inbill also proposed a 3% surtax on Wyden saiddon’t at thecare Capitol. lawmakers were heading to the otherwise money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to make f mfortable withCulture this “new sacrifices are if they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shouldn’t get co checked. at Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject centives after Manchin rejected a wealthier Americans with adjustThe billionaires’ tax is beWhite House for negotiations and ofUrban WestRock’s production health care workers out of his own home. Since when did questioning government normal.” over. at all levels become a bad was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape insisted talks were progressing: ing modeled on a 2019 bill from ed income beyond $5 million a more punitive approach. of sustainable, fiberthing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed bit. an paper eventually forced Boghossian, “We are almost there.” Pelosi Not said one shelittle expected Wyden to treat assets as income. year. based packaging, and we do, last I checked. Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out The panel’s chairman, Rep. agreement by week’s end, paving Another idea, up to a 3% ultra-rich Resolving the revenue side is key to under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah are pleased make this My first as weby goSen. along Richard in all this, of D-Mass., course, issaid myMonfamily. the I’mwayStacey Matthews themselves. A to Wall Street Journal writer for a House vote onhas thealso $1 written Neal, has concern been proposed as the Democrats scale back what surtax, dState and Legal Insurrection. had figured out what they bipartisan infrastructure day evening he told Wyden them catching the virus, and I’mthat worried I will. Aftertrillion and Elizabethabout Warren, D-Mass. investment in Catawbawere doing.had been a $3.5 trillion plan, in- worried is a regular contributor to R Some papers accepted for publication thatflu) theduring implementation of the bill that stalled during deliberaUnder Wyden’s plan,(swine sisting all the new spending will suffering from theemerging H1N1 virus the 2009 pandemic, County.” in academic journals advocated training tions on the broader Biden bill. senator’s proposed billionaire’s the billionaires’ tax would hit the be fully paid for and not pile onto I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up Although will vary men like dogs wages and punishing white male plan is “a bit more challenging.” wealthiest of Americans, fewthe debt. Biden vows any new taxes way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.But Rep. Pramila Jayapal, by position, the college students foraverage historical slavery would by Neal suggested that the House’s D-Wash., the chair of the Congreshit only the wealthy, those er than 1,000 people. It would reBut those what also lose sleep is howwas easily asking to sit silence in annualthem salary forinthe newon the floor proposal not most off theeveryone table de-hassional Progressive Caucus whose with makes assets me of more earning more than $400,000 a quire

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

chains during class and to be expected to or $450,000 for couples. year, positions is $48,422, learn from the discomfort. Other papersThe White House had to recreating a potential payroll celebrated morbid obesity as a healthythink life its tax strategy after one key impact ofadvocated more than $2.4 privately choice and treating Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, million per year. The overall conducted masturbation as a form of D-Ariz., objected to her party’s inisexual violence against Typically, tial proposal to raise tax rates on average annual wagewomen. in academic journal editors send submitted Catawba County is $43,920. wealthy Americans by undoing the papers out to referees for review. In Trump-era tax cuts on those earnA performance-based recommending acceptance for publication, ing beyond $400,000. Sinema grantreviewers of $125,000 frompapers the glowing many gave these also opposed lifting the 21% corpraise. porate tax rate. With a 50-50 SenOne North Carolina Fund Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran ate, Biden has no votes to spare in will help with WestRock’s certain grievance studies concepts through his party. expansion in North Carolina. the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often Instead, to win over Sinema Theappeared One NC in Fund provides they our press over the years. He found huge increasestoinlocal the usages financial assistance of “white privilege,” “unconscious governments to help attract bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” economic and to All of this is investment being taught to college create jobs. students, many of whom become primary and“This secondary teachers who then is an school outstanding indoctrinate our young win for the people ofpeople. I doubt whether the coronavirusClaremont andcrunch the entire caused financial will give college state of North Carolina,” who are a and university administrators, crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, said N.C. Representative the guts and backbone to restore academic Mitchell S. Setzer. “We’re respectability. Far too often, they get much The Associated Press proud that our region of their political support from campus continues to bewho theare topmembers of the grievance people WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kidchoiceand fordiversity companies that faculty and multicultural size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vacadministrative offices. cine may be getting closer as govserve the global market and The best hope lies with boards of ernment advisers on Tuesday began that WestRock sees the trustees, though many serve as yes-men deliberating whether there’s enough value operating in ourI think that for the of university president. a evidence that the shots are safe and state.” good start would be to find 1950s or 1960s effective for 5- to 11-year-olds. catalogs. Look athas the been course offerings at A study of elementary school“WestRock aan time when college graduates knew how children found the Pfizer shots are outstanding corporate to read, write and compute, and makenearly 91% effective at preventcitizen to Catawba them today’s curricula.County Another helpful ing symptomatic infection -- even for 25 years,” N.C. consideration tool would be to said give careful though the youngsters received just to eliminating allProctor. classes/majors/minors a third of the dose given to teens Senator Dean “We containing the word “studies,” appreciate the work of thesuch asand adults. women, Asian, black or queer studies. In a preliminary analysis last outstanding economic I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalweek, Food and Drug Adminisdevelopment leaders, academic mission to colleges, they would tration reviewers said that protecput a serious dentofficials into the COVID-19 tion would “clearly outweigh” the local and state budget shortfall. risk of a very rare side effect in althat helped the company increase their investment in of most all scenarios of the pandemWalter E. Williams is a professor ic. Now FDA’s advisers are combour community.” economics at George Mason University. ing through that data to see if they agree.

than $1 billion, or three-years consecutive income of $100 million, to pay taxes on the gains of stocks and other tradeable assets, rather than waiting until holdings are sold. A similar billionaire’s tax would be applied to non-tradeable assets, including real estate, but it would be deferred with the tax not assessed until the asset was sold. Overall, the billionaires’ tax rate has not been set, but it is expected to be at least the 20% capital gains

spite Sinema’s objections. In fact, he said, “our plan looks better every day.” Once Democrats agree to the tax proposals, they can assess how much is funding available for Biden’s overall package to expand health care, child care and other climate change programs. Democrats were hoping Biden could cite major accomplishments to world leaders later this week. They are also facing an Oct. 31 deadline to pass a related $1 tril-

FDA advisers review Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids If the FDA authorizes the kidsize doses, there’s still another step: Next week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have to decide whether to recommend the shots and which youngsters should get them. While children are at lower risk of severe COVID-19 than older people, 5- to 11-year-olds still have faced substantial illness -- including over 8,300 hospitalizations, about a third requiring intensive care, and nearly 100 deaths, FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks told the advisory panel. Also, “infections have caused many school closures and disrupted the education and socialization of children,” he said. “I want to acknowledge the fact that there are strong feelings” among the public for and against child vaccinations, Marks added, noting that the discussion would be

on scientific data “not about vaccine mandates, which are left to other entities outside of FDA.” Full-strength shots made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech already are recommended for everyone 12 and older but pediatricians and many parents are clamoring for protection for younger children. The extra-contagious delta variant has caused an alarming rise in pediatric infections -- and families are frustrated with school quarantines and having to say no to sleepovers and other rites of childhood to keep the virus at bay. States are getting ready to roll out shots for little arms -- in special orange-capped vials to distinguish them from adult vaccine -as soon as the government gives the OK. More than 25,000 pediatricians and other primary care providers have signed up so far to offer vaccination.

support will be crucial for both bills, said lawmakers want more than just a framework for Biden’s plan before they give their votes for the smaller infrastructure package. “We want to vote on both bills at the same time,” Jayapal told The Associated Press. Democrats also want to make progress that could help Democrat Terry McAuliffe win a neck-andneck Nov. 2 gubernatorial election in Virginia.

The kid dosage also proved safe, with similar or fewer temporary side effects — such as sore arms, fever or achiness — that teens experience. At FDA’s request, Pfizer more recently enrolled another 2,300 youngsters into the study, and preliminary safety data has shown no red flags. The study isn’t large enough to detect any extremely rare side effects, such as the heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second dose, mostly in young men and teen boys. The FDA’s panel of independent experts will weigh whether Pfizer’s shot is likely to prevent more COVID-19 hospitalizations in young kids than might be caused by that rare side effect. The FDA analysis calculated that in most scenarios of the continuing pandemic, the vaccine would prevent roughly 200 to 250 COVID-19 hospitalizations for every 1 million youngsters vaccinated, with about 58 hospitalizations for the heart inflammation. The side effect risk is based on levels in teens, and Pfizer expects it to be far lower in youngsters getting the kid-size dose. Moderna also is studying its vaccine in young children.

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

US details new international COVID-19 travel requirements The Associated Press

For the week ending 10/22

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,747,327,558 Add Receipts

$62,237,028 Less Disbursements

$119,578,132 Reserved Cash

$739,626,750 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$5,520,292,917 Loan Balance

$480.3M

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Children under 18 and people from dozens of countries with a shortage of vaccines will be exempt from new rules that will require most travelers to the United States be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Biden administration announced. The government said Monday it will require airlines to collect contact information on passengers regardless of whether they have been vaccinated to help with contact tracing, if that becomes necessary. Beginning Nov. 8, foreign, non-immigrant adults traveling to the United States will need to be fully vaccinated, with only limited exceptions, and all travelers will need to be tested for the virus before boarding a plane to the U.S. There will be tightened restrictions for American and foreign citizens who are not fully vaccinated. The new policy comes as the Biden administration moves away from restrictions that ban non-essential travel from several dozen countries — most of Europe, China, Brazil, South Africa, India and Iran — and instead focuses on classifying individuals by the risk they pose to others. It also reflects the White House’s embrace of vaccination requirements as a tool to push more Americans to get the shots

by making it inconvenient to remain unvaccinated. Under the policy, those who are vaccinated will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of travel, while the unvaccinated must present a test taken within one day of travel. Children under 18 will not be required to be fully vaccinated because of delays in making them eligible for vaccines in many places. They will still need to take a COVID-19 test unless they are 2 or younger. Others who will be exempt from the vaccination requirement include people who participated in COVID-19 clinical trials, who had severe allergic reactions to the vaccines, or are from a country where shots are not widely available. That latter category will cover people from countries with vaccination rates below 10% of adults. They may be admitted to the U.S. with a government letter authorizing travel for a compelling reason and not just for tourism, a senior administration official said. The official estimated that there are about 50 such countries. The U.S. will accept any vaccine approved for regular or emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization. That includes Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca and China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines. Mixing-and-matching of

approved shots will be permitted. The Biden administration has been working with airlines, who will be required to enforce the new procedures. Airlines will be required to verify vaccine records and match them against identity information. Quarantine officers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will spot-check passengers who arrive in the U.S. for compliance, according to an administration official. Airlines that don’t enforce the requirements could be subject to penalties of up to nearly $35,000 per violation. The new rules will replace restrictions that began in January 2020, when President Donald Trump banned most non-U.S. citizens coming from China. The Trump administration expanded that to cover Brazil, Iran, the United Kingdom, Ireland and most of continental Europe. President Joe Biden left those bans in place and expanded them to South Africa and India. Biden came under pressure from European allies to drop the restrictions, particularly after many European countries eased limits on American visitors. “The United States is open for business with all the promise and potential America has to offer,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said after Monday’s announcement. The main trade group for the U.S. airline industry praised the

administration’s decision. “We have seen an increase in ticket sales for international travel over the past weeks, and are eager to begin safely reuniting the countless families, friends and colleagues who have not seen each other in nearly two years, if not longer,” Airlines for America said in a statement. The pandemic and resulting travel restrictions have caused international travel to plunge. U.S. and foreign airlines plan to operate about 14,000 flights across the Atlantic this month, just over half the 29,000 flights they operated during October 2019, according to data from aviation-research firm Cirium. Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst in San Francisco, said the lifting of country-specific restrictions will help, but it will be tempered by the vaccination and testing requirements. “Anyone hoping for an explosion of international inbound visitors will be disappointed,” he said. “Nov. 8 will be the start of the international travel recovery in the U.S., but I don’t believe we see full recovery until 2023 at the earliest.” The Biden administration has not proposed a vaccination requirement for domestic travel, which the airlines oppose fiercely, saying it would be impractical because of the large number of passengers who fly within the U.S. every day.

“Buy it when you see it.” Retailers dread holiday shortages The Associated Press NEW YORK — The Perfect Pigg, a gift shop owned by Ginger Pigg, is the go-to place for residents of Cumming, Georgia, to pick up gift items like kids toys and home goods. But this year, store shelves might be a little sparse. Because of bottlenecks in the global supply chain, many stores like Pigg’s are scrambling to try to get all the inventory they can ahead of the crucial holiday shopping season. “I’m a little stressed,” said Pigg, who has about 60% of the Christmas inventory she usually has at this time. Some stock she ordered in July hasn’t arrived yet. “I feel like I’ve done everything I could do,” she said. “I’m hoping and praying it all comes in.” The global supply chain has been buffeted by a multitude of problems, from factories having to close due to COVID-19 surges, a lack of containers to ship items in, backups at ports and warehouses, and a shortage of truckers. While bigger retailers like Walmart and Target have the power to buy their own containers, use air freight and take other steps to make sure they get inventory, smaller retailers are at the mercy of their vendors, who are increasingly suspending delivery guarantees and sometimes not communicating at all. For Pigg, a pepper jelly she sells usually has a two-week turnaround time; now it takes four to six weeks to arrive, with no guarantee it will arrive at all. An order she placed for the jelly in July got delivered in October. And she’s having trouble getting miscellaneous things, like shopping bags, and candles, due to shortages of the wicks and glass

BEN GRAY | AP PHOTO

Ginger Pigg moves boxes of shopping bags in the storage room of her gift boutique The Perfect Pigg in Cumming, Ga. on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2021. The bags should have been delivered in four weeks, but took 14 weeks. jars the candles come in. “It’s just been one thing after another,” she said. Meanwhile, prices are rising due to a surge in shipping costs. At this time last year, ocean freight rates from China to the U.S. West Coast were $3,847 per 40-foot container. Now, the same container will cost $17,377 to ship, according to Freightos, a Hong Kong-based online freight marketplace. Most of the delays involve inventory coming from China, and to a

lesser extent Thailand, she said. Her vendors have told her the delays stem from ports being backed up. The average time it takes for ocean freight to go door-to-door has increased 45% over the last year, from 51 days to 74 days, according to Freightos. Ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, account for 40% of all shipping containers entering the United States. As of Monday evening, 73 container ships were at anchor,

waiting to unload. Normally, there’s no wait for container ships to unload, said Kevin Ketels, a lecturer in global supply chain management at Wayne State University. “These are major delays,” he said. Some retailers have shifted production or created their own private label products to try to have more control over the stock they have on shelves. Chris Lynch is co-founder of Everyday California, in La Jolla, Cal-

in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on November 8, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Paul R. Lambert and Tammy C. Lambert, dated May 4, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $160,000.00, and recorded in Book 8147 at Page 856 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Tax Parcel ID: 0100Present Record Owners: Lambert and Tammy C. Lambert

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.

ifornia, a clothing brand with an online store and retail store, along with an adventure tour business. He has been experiencing supply chain issues “across the board,” he said. COVID-19 cases surged in Vietnam in July and August, forcing some factories that make hats and other headwear to shut down. And there have been transportation problems with manufacturers in China, where he gets items like hoodies and sweatshirts. Lynch shifted some production closer to home. He’s making popular items like hats and T-shirts in Tijuana, Mexico. But he’s still facing delays due to a shortage in raw materials. Christine Noh, CEO of Nohbles, an independent chain of five shoe and apparel stores in New York and New Jersey, says she is terrified about the upcoming holiday season. Her inventory is down 58% and half the shelves in her warehouse are empty. Big shoe brands like Nike and Adidas were heavily affected when factories in Vietnam closed. Noh started a private label line to help make sure to have enough stock in stores. The line makes fleece athletic sets and basic tees. It’s manufactured in Bangladesh, where she has a relationship with the factory. “When we’re placing an order with them, we have more communication and visibility,” she said. And she elected to air freight some of the clothes to make sure they come in. Timing is key because of the short holiday window. “If everything shows up in January, that’s not really helpful,” she said. “Hence, there’s a feeling of everyone holding their breath collectively.”

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19SP256 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PAUL R. LAMBERT AND TAMMY C. LAMBERT DATED MAY 4, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8147 AT PAGE 856 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default

20 SP 117 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Larry Dee Lindsey, Jr. and Angie Simmons Lindsey to Robert W. Kraft, Trustee(s), which was dated October 17, 2012 and recorded on October 31, 2012 in Book 09031 at Page 0185, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

Address of property: Sunning Ct, Saint Pauls, NC 28384

0 4 3 0 - 0 2Paul

And Being more commonly known as: 8500 Sunning Ct, Saint Pauls, NC 28384 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Paul R. Lambert and Tammy C. Lambert. 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

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

BEING ALL OF LOT 31 IN BLOCK C IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS, PLAT OF WHICH IS DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 11, PAGE 55, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 921 Chester Cir, Fayetteville, NC 28303. A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

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 October 19, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 18-102762

Parkway,

Suite

400

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

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.: 20-00917-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

TAKE NOTICE

19 SP 1647 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot Number 52 in a subdivision known as A REVISED PLAT OF LAKE RIM SHORES, SECTION ONE and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 89, at page 144, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Joseph D. Keuter to Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated November 30, 2011 and recorded on December 1, 2011 in Book 08776 at Page 0145, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

Parcel Identification No. 9487-80-1519 Property Address: 1227 Skyline Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1227 Skyline Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314-6055. 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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1656

situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 1 in a Subdivision known as FAIRWAY FOREST, EAST according to a map of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 89, Page 113, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5503 Heather Street, Hope Mills, North Carolina.

CUMBERLAND

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Briana Chantel Lassiter and Christian Canopen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Christian Canopen and Briana Canopen) to Donna Bradford, Trustee(s), dated May 2, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 10084, at Page 626 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on November 1, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate

18 SP 1214 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Donavan Fabien and Romonia Fabien a/k/a Ramonia Fabien to David W. Allred, Trustee(s), which was dated February 5, 2004 and recorded on February 11, 2004 in Book 6424 at Page 865 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on May 21, 2004 in Book 6531, Page 005 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on May 8, 2015 in Book 9644, Page 412, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual

18 SP 47 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jose Alexander Parrilla and Camelitha L. Parrilla to H Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated June 15, 2011 and recorded on June 16, 2011 in Book 08663 at Page 0093 and rerecorded/ modified/corrected on July 6, 2016 in Book 09894, Page 0492 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on June 2, 2017 in Book 10104, Page 0172, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20sp421 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ROSIE D. GRANT DATED OCTOBER 25, 1999 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5181 AT PAGE 0848 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 15SP1338 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM F. LUTHER, III AND MICHELLE B. LUTHER DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7754 AT PAGE 155 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 70 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David Hudson and Laura Mary Hudson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Laura M. Hudson and David M. Hudson) to Frances Jones, Trustee(s), dated April 5, 2010, and recorded in Book No. 8368, at Page 182 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,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 83 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James E. Taylor and Cori L. Taylor (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James E. Taylor and Cori L. Taylor) to Kenneth C. Praschan, Trustee(s), dated September 10, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 8243, at Page 487 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,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1453 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Julian Ogden (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Julian P. Ogden) to Gilliam Law Firm, Trustee(s), dated February 16, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 08834, at Page 0387 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on November 1, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate

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 Joseph D. Keuter. 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

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.

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 4, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS JACKS FORD, SECTION 5, PART 1, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 89, PAGE 169, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1993 Wheeling Street, Fayetteville, NC 28303. 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 Donavan Fabien and Romonia Fabien. 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.: 09-12079-FC03

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 November 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 10 of the re-recording of the ACORN RIDGE, SECTION 8 SUBDIVISION, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 124, Page 143, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2223 Puffin Place, Fayetteville, NC 28306. 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 Jose Alexander Parrilla and wife, Camelitha L. Parrilla. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental

agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return

the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 17-19706-FC01

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 November 12, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Rosie D. Grant, dated October 25, 1999 to secure the original principal amount of $57,600.00, and recorded in Book 5181 at Page 0848 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1332 Essex Pl, Fayetteville, NC 28301 Tax Parcel ID: 0 4 2 8 - 8 24488 Present Record Owners: Rosie D. Grant

And Being more commonly known as: 1332 Essex Pl, Fayetteville, NC 28301 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Rosie D. Grant. 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 September 30, 2021.

perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on November 3, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed William F. Luther, III and Michelle B. Luther, dated November 16, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $159,200.00, and recorded in Book 7754 at Page 155 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 4591 Mill St, Hope Mills, NC 28348

Tax Parcel ID: 0 4 24 -1 15668Present Record Owners: William F. Luther, III and Michelle B. Luther And Being more commonly known as: 4591 Mill St, Hope Mills, NC 28348 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William F. Luther, III and Michelle B. Luther. 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

or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on November 8, 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 62, in a subdivision known as Woodland Village, Section Two, Part A, according to a plat of the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 112, Page 6, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2059 Broadman Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Parcel ID Number: 9496-45-2795 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: 1742 - 3570

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on November 8, 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 104 in a subdivision known as Hawthorne, Section Two, Part One, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 73, Page 16, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6837 St. Julian Way, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Parcel Identification Number: 9487-13-3268 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

situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Cumberland County Parcel # 0405-93-1846, being more commonly known as 2455 George Owen Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306, and being more particularly described as:BEING all of Lot 53 in a subdivision known as CUMBERLAND TERRACE ADDITION NO. 2 according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 17, Page 49, Cumberland County, NC Registry; and being the same property conveyed to Adam F. Hales and wife, Dorothy M. Hales, by a deed dated March 15, 1963, recorded in Book 976, Page 651, Cumberland County, NC Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2455 George Owen Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.LESS AND EXCEPTED the land conveyed to the N.C. Department of Transportation and recorded in Book 6269, Page 76, Cumberland County, NC Registry.Adam Fletcher Hales died December 6, 1982, in Cumberland County, North Carolina (Death Book 139, Page 29), and Dorothy F. Hales became the owner of the aforesaid property as the surviving tenant by the entireties.Dorothy Fryar Hales (aka Dorothy Mae Fryar Hales) died November 27, 2010 in Cumberland County, North Carolina (Death Book 274, Page 292), and the Last Will and Testament of

Dorothy M. Hales dated May 10, 2007, was admitted to probate on July 13, 2011 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Estate File 11-E-884. By this Last Will and Testament the property described above was devised to Linda H. Priest and Donald F. Hales.See also deed recorded in Book 8820, Page 450, Cumberland County, NC Registry. 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: 1287211 - 10358

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.

Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-19255-FC01

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: 1253 - 2017

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109043

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 15-073809

Parkway,

Suite

400

Attorney at Law Hutchens Law Firm LLP Attorneys for Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. PO Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Telephone: (910) 864-6888 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: 1659 - 14020

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 20 SP 118 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kathy H. Parker to Joel S. Jenkins Jr., Trustee(s), which was dated March 10, 2015 and recorded on March 16, 2015 in Book 09611 at Page 0315, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as

DAVIDSON AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 586 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Anthony Robert Ellington (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Anthony Robert Ellington) to Devan L. Shumway, Trustee(s), dated August 20, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 2192, at Page 444 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,NorthCarolinaandtheholderofthenoteevidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 567 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jaime K. Davis, Rhea Davis and John W. Davis (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jaime K. Davis and John W. Davis) to Dennis P. Schwartz, Trustee(s), dated September 29, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 1888, at Page 633 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on November 10, 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 found at the edge of the right of

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 299 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Allen McNulty (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Allen McNulty) to PRLAP, Inc., Trustee(s), dated December 21, 2007, and recorded in Book No. RE 2804, at Page 807 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on August 7, 2019, in Book No. RE 3475, at Page 1754 , 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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 527 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Valerie D. Triplett (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Valerie D. Triplett, Heirs of Valerie D. Triplett: Gabriel Gaines, Christopher Gaines a/k/a Chris Gaines) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated May 27, 2005, and recorded in Book No. RE 2569, at Page 43 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 undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 811 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Karen D. Mitchell and Rodney D. Mitchell (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Karen D. Mitchell and Rodney D. Mitchell) to Andrew J. Rogers, Attorney, Trustee(s), dated October 28, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 2293, at Page 3483 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on December 15, 2009, in Book No. 2925, at Page 1844, 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 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

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 19SP651 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LILLIE M. HOLDER DATED JUNE 21, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3147 AT PAGE 656 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 670 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Tabitha Kinch (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Tabitha Kinch) to Moore & Alphin, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated November 2, 2018, and recorded in Document No. 2018590707, in Book No. 5244, at Page 499 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 will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at

RANDOLPH ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Deborah Lynn Shope, AKA Deborah Sparks Shope, AKA Deborah Sparks Garner, deceased, of Randolph County, N.C. (2021-E-3715), are notified to exhibit the same

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 November 3, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BeingallofLot108,inasubdivisionknownasGREENVALLEY ESTATES,SECTIONTHREE,PARTONEandthesamebeing duly recorded in book 40, page 38, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 704 Maxine St, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

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 All

lawful heirs of Kathy H. Parker. 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

for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on November 10, 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 a pk nail set near the center of Parks Road, the point of beginning being the southeast corner of this tract and the southwest corner of Lot Number 1 as shown on unrecorded plat of Rodney B. Owens and SBG Enterprises prepared by David A. Craver, RLS 2857, on February 19, 1988; thence with the approximate center of Parks Road South 65 deg. 26 min. 45 sec. West 20.90 feet to a point; thence South 61 deg. 27 min. 22 sec. West 50.00 feet to a point; thence South 58 deg. 29 min. 10 sec. West 19.10 feet to a PK nail. corner to Lot Number 3; thence with the line of Lot Number 3, North 24 deg. S 1 min. 05 sec. West crossing an iron set at 30.20 feet and a second iron set at 255.93 feet and continuing a total distance of 286.07 feet to a PK nail set near the center of Hill Top Road; thence with the approximate center of Hill Top Road. North 59 deg. 38 min. 50 sec. East 6.79 feet to a point; thence continuing with the approximate center of Hill Top Road, North 52 deg. 56 min. 25 East 84.93 feet to a PK nail set. corner of Lot Number 1; thence with the line of Lot Number 1, South 24 deg. 51 min. 05 sec. East crossing an iron set at 30.69 feet and a second

iron set at 270.76 feet and continuing a total distance of 299.35 feet to the point and place of beginning, the same being and containing .600 acre, more or less, and being Lot Number 2 as shown on unrecorded plat of Rodney B. Owens and SBG Enterprises dated February 19, 1988, and prepared by David A. Craver, RLS 2857, and revised December 2, 1988. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 276 Lake Drive #10, Lexington, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for

sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued

pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1190632 - 19384

way of Happy Hill Road (NCSR 1231), said iron found also being located in the southern line of the tract of Harold G. Shook as described in Deed Book 745, Page 1233, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Davidson County, North Carolina; thence with the line of the tract of Harold G. Shook the following Two (2) courses and distances: North 84 deg. 49’ 15” East crossing an iron found at 433.04 feet and continuing on for an additional 438.55 feet for a total distance of 871.59 feet to an iron found and South 6 deg. 22’ 10” West 79.09 feet to an iron found at the northwestern corner of the tract of Coney V. Leonard as described in Deed Book 475, Page 589 and also being a new northeastern corner to the tract of R.C. Koonts and Sons Masonry as described in Deed Book 1158, Page 1737; thence the following two (2) new lines to R.C. Koonts and Sons Masonry South 82 deg. 55’ 50” West 445.09 feet to an iron set and thence South 64 deg. 37’ 50” West crossing an iron set at 339.86 feet and continuing on for an additional 28.59 feet for a total distance of 368.45 feet to an iron set in the right of way of Happy Hill Road (NCSR 1231); thence within the right of way of Happy Hill Road (NCSR 1231) North 25 deg. 22’ 10” West 233.70 feet to a point calculated in the right of way of Happy Hill Road, corner to Harold G. Shook as described in Deed Book 745, Page 1233; thence with the line of the tract of Harold G. Shook North 84 deg. 49’ 15” East

15.57 feet to the point and place of beginning and containing 2.320 acres, more or less, as surveyed by David A. Craver, RLS L-2857, under date of December 14, 2006. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2434 Happy Hill Road, Lexington, North Carolina. The above-described is subject to the right of way of Happy Hill Road (NCSR 1231).The above-described is a portion of that tract as more particularly described in Deed Book 1158, Page 1737, Davidson County Registry. 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

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 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 November 3, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Kernersville in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot Number 39 as shown on the map of DOE RUN, SECTION ONE, as recorded in Plat Book 32, Page 71 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a particular description. Together with improvements, located thereon; said property being located at 656 Doe Run Drive, Kernersville, North Carolina.

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.

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.

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: 2657 - 6158

in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on November 3, 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 as Lot No. 26, as shown on the plat of Pinebrook Manor, Section No. 1, as recorded in Plat Book 32, Page 124, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. For further reference see Deed Book 1841, Page 4082, Forsyth County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5708 Haweswater Road, Winston Salem, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars

($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3043 - 7431

PM on November 10, 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: Lying and being in Forsyth County, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron stake marking the Southwestern intersection of Franklin Street and Granville Drive, and running thence with the Western right of way line of Granville Drive, South 11 deg. 55’ 24” East 49.93 feet to an iron stake; running thence South 78 deg. 01’ 00” West 120.04 feet to an iron stake; running thence North 11 deg. 48’ 04” West 50.44 feet to an iron stake in the Southern right of way line of Franklin Street, running thence with the Southern right of way line of Franklin Street, North 78 deg. 15’ 27” East 119.93 feet to the point and place of Beginning, according to a survey prepared by W. Lee Comer, R.L.S. dated December 22, 1993, entitled “Survey for Rodney E. Austin,” bearing Job No. 93043 for further reference, see Deed Book 1218, Page 930, Forsyth County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 430 Granville Drive, Winston Salem, North Carolina. Being informally known as Tax Lot 109, block 606, Winston Township, Forsyth County Tax records. Also known as 430 Granville Drive, Winston-Salem

N.C. 27101

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

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

the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on November 9, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Lillie M. Holder, dated June 21, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $205,500.00, and recorded in Book 3147 at Page 656 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 423 Pecan Dr, Selma, NC 27576 Tax Parcel ID: 14A04004 Present Record Owners: Lillie M. Holder Trust, Dated May 21, 2007 And Being more commonly known as: 423 Pecan Dr, Selma, NC 27576 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Lillie M. Holder Trust, Dated May 21, 2007. 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

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 October 20, 2021.

11:00 AM on November 9, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clayton in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in the Wilders Township, JOHNSTON County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: All of Lot 27 in River Dell East at Flowers Plantation, Phase One, as shown on the plat recorded in Plat Book 83, Pages 466-467, Johnston County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 11 Pearsall Farm Lane, Clayton, North Carolina. PIN/PARCEL NUMBER: 16K05098F 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

of Charles Gregory Johnson, deceased, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Diane C. Cooper and Bridget Scarlett on

or before the 13th day of January, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment. This 27th day of October, 2021.

Diane C. Cooper and Bridget Scarlett, Administrators, 7063 Farmer Denton Rd, Denton, NC 27239. 2021 E 000863 — North State Journal: October 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2021.

This 27th day of October 2021.

Asheboro, NC 27205

Laura Ann Cain 1742 Panther Creek Rd

Executor Of the Estate of

Deborah Lynn Shope AKA Deborah Sparks Shope AKA Deborah Sparks Garner

Having qualified as executor or administrator on the estate to the undersigned on or before January 21, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108162

Parkway,

Suite

400

North State Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION RANDOLPH COUNTY 19sp120 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY THOMAS W. MCGEE AND MITZI B. MCGEE DATED JANUARY 31, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1909 AT PAGE 1303 IN THE RANDOLPH COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default

UNION 19 SP 396 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James D. Wyatt to Clint Bonkowski, Trustee(s), which was dated September 29, 2017 and recorded on September 29, 2017 in Book 07025 at Page 0165, Union 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

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 1435 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Allan McManus and Emma Day McManus (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Allan McManus and Emma Day McManus) to Dave Brunk, Trustee(s), dated November 1, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 012253, at Page 01976 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

GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 19 CVS 5276 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee, f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee for SACO1 Inc. Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1999-2, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/ Judgment entered in the above-captioned case on September 13, 2021 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 849 Rawls Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust

20 SP 763 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 Dung Dinh Dang to Seay & Horne, Trustee(s), which was dated April 10, 2014 and recorded on April 10, 2014 in Book 015626 at Page 02580, 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

15 SP 2160 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 Doug Alumbaugh and Stephanie A. Page to Mlchael Lyon, Trustee(s), which was dated May 8, 2012 and recorded on May 21, 2012 in Book 014771 at Page 02100 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on December 8, 2014 in Book 015859, Page 00931, 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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 18 SP 2696 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Connie Nichole Cheek (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Connie Nichole Cheek) to McCullers & Whitaker PLLC, Trustee(s), dated July 24, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 014856, at Page 01002 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following:A Loan Modification recorded on April 16, 2014, in Book No. 015631, at Page 02288 A Loan Modification recorded on August 16, 2017, in Book No. 016878, at Page 02522, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 20sp403 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LA VERNE J. CARTER DATED JANUARY 30, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11798 AT PAGE 2262 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained

WAKE

in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on November 12, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Randolph County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Thomas W. McGee and Mitzi B. McGee, dated January 31, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $207,000.00, and recorded in Book 1909 at Page 1303 of the Randolph County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3898 Nelson Rd, Sophia, NC 27350

Tax Parcel ID: 7725360449 Present Record Owners: Thomas W. McGee And Being more commonly known as: 3898 Nelson Rd, Sophia, NC 27350 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Thomas W. McGee. 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 September 28, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 07-95543

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 2, 2021 at 12:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Union County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING at a point northeast center of the intersection of Turner and Confederate Streets in the curb line, and runs thence N. 71 deg, 30 min, E., along and with the curb line of Confederate Street 150 feet to a point, the intersection of Lots No. 16, 150 feet to a point corner of Lot No. 16 and 17, and runs thence N. 18 deg. 30 min. W. along with tile edge of Lot No. 16, 150 feet to a point corner of Lot No. 16, playground area, and Lot No. 19, and runs thence with the line of Lot No. 19, S. 71 deg. 30 min. W. 150 feet to a point the curb line of Turner Street; thence with the curb line of Turner Street S. 18 deg. 30 min. E, 150 feet to the point of BEGINNING, and being Lots No. 17 and 18 of the Vann V. Secrest Jr., property and as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 3 page 95, Registry of Union County to which reference is hereby made for further description. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 400 Turner Street,

Monroe, NC 28110. 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 James D. Wyatt. 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

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 November 8, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Garner in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land, situated in Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

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.

executed by Darryl B. Thompson and Penny E. Thompson, dated December 13, 1993 and recorded on December 17, 1993 in Book 5928 at Page 0705 and rerecorded/ modified/corrected on May 3, 1994 in Book 6114, Page 0753 of the Wake County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Darryl B. Thompson and Penny E. Thompson, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee, f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee for SACO1 Inc. Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1999-2. The Commissioner will offer for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Wake County, North Carolina and described as follows: BEING ALL OF LOT 59 OF PHASE II OF NOTTINGHAM WOODS SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN ON A MAP RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1986, PAGE 2151 AND RE-RECORDED IN BOOK 1987 PAGE 76, WAKE COUNTY

REGISTRY. The above-described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, 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. 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. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the WAKE COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Darryl B. Thompson and wife Penny E. Thompson. A cash deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law. The sale will be reported to the court and will remain open for advance or upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. 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 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. TRUSTEE SERVICES OF CAROLINA, LLC, Commissioner c/o 5431 Oleander Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 202-2800 Phone (888) 207-9353 Facsimile File No.: 10-18823-JUD01 Plaintiff, vs. Darryl B. Thompson; Penny E. Thompson; The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; EMC Mortgage LLC f/k/a EMC Mortgage Corporation; Springcastle Credit Funding Trust; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 49, GRANITE RIDGE SUBDIVISION AS RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 2007, PAGE 1779, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 313 Morgan Brook Way, Rolesville, NC 27571. 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 Dung Dinh Dang. 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

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 November 10, 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: Land Situated in the City of Morrisville in the County of Wake in the State of NC BEING ALL OF LOT 103, DOWNING GLEN AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 2001, PAGE 1823, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF SAME. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 103 Downing Brook Court, Morrisville, NC 27560.

Stephanie A Page. 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

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 November 8, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Situated in Wake County and being described as follows:Being all of Lot 89, Phase I, Griffis Glen subdivision, as depicted in Map Book 2005, beginning at or including pages 1132-1137. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3954 Griffis Glen Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.Tax parcel identification number 0334825 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

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 November 5, 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 La Verne J. Carter, dated January 30, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $133,200.00, and recorded in Book 11798 at Page 2262 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3075 Settle In Ln, Raleigh, NC 27614

Tax Parcel ID: 0312750 Present Record Owners: LaVerne J. Carter And Being more commonly known as: 3075 Settle In Ln, Raleigh, NC 27614 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are LaVerne J. Carter. 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 September 17, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108438

Being all of Lot 15, Lynnshire Subdivision, Phase II, as shown on that plat recorded in Book of Maps 1986, Page 1900, Wake County Registry. Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 0163582. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 125 Chillingham Road, Garner, North Carolina.

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Marilyn Louise Pellegrini, deceased, of Wake County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 7, 2022, or this notice will

be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 27th day of October 2021.

Robert Stanley Wally, Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner, Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502

North State Journal: October 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2021

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against JIMMY EUGENE WOOD, deceased, of Wake County, N.C. (2021-E-3715), are notified to exhibit the same

to the undersigned on or before January 21, 2022, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 27th day of October 2021.

Angela Wood Olive, Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner, Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502

North State Journal: October 20, 27, November 3 and 10, 2021

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications)

Telephone: (704) 269-8461 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher: Neal Robbins, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 Editor: Matt Mercer, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 Managing Editor: Cory Lavalette, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 10. Owner: North State Media LLC, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total

Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: North State Journal 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: 09/29/2021 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months / No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date a. Total Number of Copies: 5198 / 5760 b. Paid Circulation: (1) Mailed Outside County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 2964 / 2987 (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 712 / 1196 (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales

Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 804 / 952 (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0 / 0 c. Total Paid Distribution: 4480 / 5135 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 / 0 (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 / 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 0 / 0 (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 135 / 205 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 135 / 205

f. Total Distribution: 5198 / 5760 g. Copies not Distributed: 583 / 420 h. Total: 5198 / 5760 i. Percent Paid: 97.07 / 96.16 16: Total circulation does not include electronic copies. I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price. 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/ or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). Neal Robbins, Publisher 10/20/2021

1. Publication Title: North State Journal 2. Publication Number: 20451 3. Filing Date: 10/07/2020 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 52 6. Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609-7577 Contact Person: Neal Robbins

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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 4 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OAKBORO POLICE DEPT.

A procession of police and fire vehicles leaves the Oakboro Fire and Rescue station heading towards the Oakboro Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. The procession was in honor of Ted Lilly Jr., dubbed the “town ambassador,” who was “the town’s heart and soul,” according to the Oakboro Fire Department. Lilly, a 66-year-old black man with disabilities, would walk the downtown daily, greeting everyone he met and helping however he could.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Conveyor company gets grant for plant expansion Stanly County Industrial Products, Conveyors and Drives, Inc. received a $120,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. The grant was one of nine awarded across the state to existing businesses looking to expand or renovate their current buildings. The company will use the money to add 10,000 square feet to its existing facility. IPCD designs and manufactures conveyors. The renovations will create 15 jobs in the county and will include an investment of $1.7 million from the company. NSJ

Orlando fire chief resigns citing NC charges Mecklenburg County The Orlando fire chief has resigned his post citing a legal case where he is accused of punching two people inside a North Carolina restaurant. Chief Benjamin Barksdale sent an email to the city’s chief administrative officer saying his decision was in the “best interest” of the city. He resigned Friday. Barksdale is accused of punching a 55-yearold man and his daughter after going inside a restaurant in Charlotte, seemingly drunk, in late July. He demanded to use the bathroom when the business was closed. Barksdale had served as Orlando’s fire chief since September 2019. AP

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra coming back to Albemarle The Stanly County Arts Council announced that they, along with First Bank and Corning, will be hosting the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at the Stanly AgriCivic Center for the first time in two years. The release said, “With this year’s concert being held just prior to Veteran’s Day, it presented itself as a perfect opportunity to perform a patriotic concert called ‘Spirit of America.’” Patriotic offerings will be chosen from Aaron Copland, Percy Grainger, Leroy Anderson, John Williams, and John Philip Sousa. The concert will take place on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m., and tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for students, children and groups. SCJ

Oakboro remembers Ted Lilly, town ambassador By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Ted Lilly Jr., dubbed the Town of Oakboro’s ambassador, passed away on Oct. 19 at 66 years old, and tributes to the beloved downtown fixture continue to pour in, honoring his life and the sense of love and welcoming that he brought to anyone he encountered. Lilly was famous for walking the town two or three times a day, going into each establishment, greeting and hugging everyone he met and telling them he loved them. The town had a procession from the fire department to the Oakboro Cemetery on Oct. 23, followed by a viewing. Police and fire vehicles led the way in the procession, which the Oakboro Police Department shared online using aerial drone footage. Accompanying the video, the department said, “Today we said goodbye to our friend and Town Ambassador, Ted Lilly. We will miss you, rest easy now and

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE OAKBORO POLICE DEPT.

Ted Lilly Jr. is shown here riding in a police vehicle and waving to onlookers at an earlier event. stroll the streets in heaven. God was waiting to greet you and give you your angel vest. Watch over Oakboro, Ted. We love you!” Reuben Jones, who made an “Everyday Heroes” piece on Lilly for Spectrum News in 2019, said Lilly’s sister told him that Lil-

Industrial pipe manufacturer announces Badin as location for new plant Custom Alloy Corp. investing $8.1M, creating 40 jobs By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Gov. Roy Cooper announced last Wednesday that Custom Alloy Corporation (CAC) has decided to locate a new facility in Stanly County. The Badin plant will manufacture industrial products for the U.S. Navy. CAC makes pipe fitting and forgings. “North Carolina’s rural locations provide the perfect home for manufacturers of every stripe,” Cooper said in the release. “It’s great that Custom Alloy Corporation has chosen to continue their important work for our U.S. Navy right here in North Carolina, the most military-friendly state in the nation.” The plant is expected to create 40 jobs, and CAC says they are investing $8.1 million to make the facility a reality. According to the release, the pipe products CAC manufactures are “for many specialized markets, including power generation, petrochemical, refining,

gas transmission, subsea, aerospace, mining, nuclear marine, and defense and military. Some of the company’s forgings can reach up to 100,000 pounds in size. CAC also manufactures critical components for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers.” “We would like to thank all North Carolina economic development members for their hospitality and hard work,” said CAC president Adam M. Ambielli. “Custom Alloy has a rich history of manufacturing, and we are a proud family-owned business. We’re excited to be part of the North Carolina family.” The Badin facility is going to be home to CAC’s “Navy Fitting Product Line” and its “Specialty Pipe Product Line.” The location in Stanly County will allow CAC to quickly deliver to military facilities in the area with “less turbulence in the supply chain for these important components.” “We welcome Custom Alloy Corporation to Stanly County,” said N.C. Rep. Ben Moss Jr., a Republican who represents the area in the state House. “We’re See BADIN, page 2

ly had died of a heart attack on Tuesday, Oct. 19 “after one of his regular walks.” Some in the community have changed their social media profile pictures to a picture of Ted in his iconic yellow vest. “We are deeply saddened by the

passing of Ted,” the Town of Oakboro said in a statement. “He was always walking around town, he made friends with everyone, was a kind, gentle soul and had no enemies. He would often stop by Town Hall along with many other places in Oakboro just to check in. On his way out, he would always tell us he was going to go ‘take him a good bath & watch Dr Phil.’ He would never leave without saying ‘I love you, I love everybody.’ Ted will be missed. Our love & prayers go out to the family.” Oakboro Fire and Rescue also posted about Lilly’s passing, saying, “Our OFD family is saddened at the passing of the town of Oakboro’s heart and soul Ted Lilly. The streets of Oakboro will never be the same. We will truly miss him and when we meet again we will all walk those golden streets with you. Please pray for Ted’s family and our community.” Uwharrie Bank told SCJ that they are organizing donations for the Lilly family’s expenses, and people can stop in any branch and tell them that the funds are for Ted Lilly. The bank said, “On behalf of Uwharrie Bank we send our sincerest condolences to the Ted Lilly family and Oakboro community. You will be missed, Ted!”

Stanly Board of Ed votes to make masks optional beginning Oct. 25 Dustin Lisk sworn-in to replace Jeff Chance By David Larson Stanly County Journal

over a 14-day period. The current numbers from the county health department seemed to indicate this bar had been met. “Currently, the Stanly County percent positive is below 7.9%, it was at 7.7 based on the metric I just gave you,” Dennis told the board. “And if you look at our internal numbers, and I don’t have them exactly right now, they’re even lower than they were at the last meeting — they’re low.” Dennis went on to say that in terms of positive COVID cases within the district’s schools themselves, “We’re only looking at a positive or two at most schools, and some schools have none.” He told the board that according to the parameters they had set earlier in the year, they are in the range to void the mandate for masking. But Dennis did warn the board that, because of the toolkit put in place by the state Department of Health and Human Services, getting rid of masking “could increase quarantines; it has increased them in other counties.” Dennis then said that whether or not the board made masks op-

ALBEMARLE — In a special called meeting of the Stanly County Board of Education on Oct. 21, the board members voted to make masks optional. The change went into effect on Monday, Oct. 25. Before getting to the topic of the day, mandatory masking in schools, which has been hotly debated during the pandemic, Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly) swore in the new member, Dustin Lisk. Lisk was appointed the previous week by the Stanly County GOP to replace former board Chair Jeff Chance, who resigned only days earlier. Once Lisk was sworn in and seated, Superintendent Jarrod Dennis went into the COVID-19 positive-test percentages, which the board was using as a barometer for when to lift the mandatory masking. The board had earlier said that they would lift the mask mandate if the county’s percent-positive rate fell below 7.9% See MASKS, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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“The foundation of the state Republican Party in the southern states is actually former slaves. Black Americans helped establish and create the North Carolina GOP.” Forsyth County GOP Chairman Ken Raymond

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DEATH NOTICES ♦ Brendon Redfearn, 18, of Norwood, died October 18. ♦ Angel Chavez, 50, of Locust, died October 18. ♦ Keith James Efird, 78, of Locust, died October 19. ♦ Theodore Roosevelt Lilly Jr., 66, of Oakboro, died October 19. ♦ Sarah Cranford Morris, 92, of Albemarle, died October 19. ♦ Larry P. Jenkins, 81, of Albemarle, died October 20. ♦ Linda Bowers, 81, of Albemarle died October 20. ♦ Darlene Gwinn, 63, of Albemarle, died October 20. ♦ Kevin Duane Morton, 50, of Norwood, died October 21. ♦ Kelly Lamar Haithcock, 63, of Albemarle, died October 23. ♦ Teresa Caron Biles, 63, of Norwood, died October 23. ♦ Paul Lee Thompson Jr., 79, of Albemarle, died October 24. ♦ Joseph Carlyle Stein Jr., 77, of Richfield, died October 24. See OBITS, page 7

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Black conservative coalition members host Stanly GOP meeting

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By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Five members of the North Carolina Republican Party’s Black Conservative Voices Coalition served as the keynote speakers at Thursday night’s Stanly County GOP meeting in Albemarle. Addressing a full crowd inside the Stony Mountain Vineyards event venue, the guest hosts held a question-and-answer panel where they shared their testimonies, anecdotes and outlooks pertaining to the current status of the GOP in North Carolina. Cabarrus County GOP Chairman Addul Ali — a co-founder of The Urban Conservative website and podcast — moderated the panel and provided his personal background relating to how he joined the party and learned about prominent black Republican leaders throughout America’s past. Ali specifically reflected on the moment he discovered that renowned social reformer and statesman Frederick Douglass was a devoted Republican and loyalist to the party’s platform. “We have, ladies and gentlemen, a historical backdrop. I love

you all, but this party begins with us,” Ali said. “Here’s what I mean by that: abolitionism is the root of Republicanism.” Forsyth County GOP Chairman Ken Raymond spoke to the crowd next, echoing Ali’s admiration for Douglass while describing how he had ardently researched the Douglass Papers on the Library of Congress website over the years. Raymond’s deep-dive study of the abolitionist’s work provided the genesis for his new book, “Black Political History: From the Arch of Safety into the Mouth of the Lion,” which was available for sale at the meeting. In the book, Raymond chronicled the extended civil rights efforts by black Americans with an emphasis on their connection to the political world. “The foundation of the state Republican Party in the southern states is actually former slaves. Black Americans helped establish and create the North Carolina GOP,” Raymond said. “The state GOP organizations throughout the south are basically the legacy of former slaves so that they can keep their freedom.” Durham County GOP Chairman Immanuel Jarvis appraised

the present state of the party and told the crowd that the power of the federal government has outgrown its constitutional scope because Republicans have failed to live up to their values of “personal freedom and responsibility” when it comes to helping the poor. Jarvis delivered a prognosis: “The government says, ‘Guess what? We have to fill the gap.’ But when they fill the gap, they take three times more money and they’re a third as effective. So for the people in this room, I need for us to be better Republicans.” U.S. Army veteran Shamike Bethea and coalition board member Justice Early Payton closed out the meeting with a discussion about “The New North Carolina Project,” an initiative founded by former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams that is designed to increase minority voter turnout during the 2022 elections. The panel members concluded with their belief that increased support for black Republican politicians, such as N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is crucial to eliminating the cultural stigma around conservative leaders and ideals in the black community.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Brock, Bethany Amber (W F, 23) Arrest on chrg of Child Abuse (m) (M), at 126 SThird St, Albemarle, on 10/18/2021 ♦ Hopkins, Jonathon David (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 2) Larceny Of Motor Vehicle (f) (F), and 3) Injury To Personal Property (M), at 126 South Third Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 10/19/2021 ♦ Watson, Chad Alan (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Surrender By Surety (F), 4) Surrender By Surety (F), and 5) Surrender By Surety (F), 6) Larceny Motor Vehicle Parts (F), 7) Larceny Motor Vehicle Parts (F)at 126 South 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 10/19/2021 ♦ Brown, Eric Lamar (B M, 20) Arrest on chrg of Poss Marij >1/2 To 1 1/2 Oz, M (M),at 1329 E Main St/leonard Av, Albemarle, on 10/19/2021. ♦ Morton, Stacie Wynette (W F, 35) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine, F (F),at 701 Us 52 North, Albemarle, on 10/20/2021 ♦ Garcia, Kaila Marie (W F, 28) Arrest on chrg of Child Abuse (m) (M), at 126 S ThirdSt, Albemarle, on 10/20/2021 ♦ Polk, Jevaughn Jerrell (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed Gun (m), M(M), at 1044 Gibson St/colston St, Albemarle, on 10/20/2021 ♦ Poplin, Joshua Jay (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), 2) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), 3) Larceny After Break/ enter (F), 4) Injury To Personal Property (M), and 5) Injury To Personal Property (M), at 1606 Liberty Av, Albemarle, NC, on 10/20/2021 ♦ Shamblee, Kennyaha Virginia (B F, 38) Arrest on chrg of Assault And Battery, M(M), at 1130 E Main St, Albemarle, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Cleary, Jeremy Scott (W M, 37) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer, M (M), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Huntley, Tracy Glenn (B /M/55) Arrest on chrg of Misuse Of 911 System (M), at 42414 Moss Ln, New London, NC, on 10/20/2021 ♦ Morris, James Matthew (W M, 33) Arrest on chrg of Awdw Intent To Kill (F), at 1012Wood St, Albemarle, on 10/23/2021. ♦ Garcia, Kaila Marie (W /F/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Speeding

(M), 2) Dwlr Not Impaired Rev (M), 3) Flee/elude Arrest W/ mv (f) (F), 4) Reckless Driving To Endanger (M), and 5) Fict/ alt Title/reg Card/tag (M), at Love Chapel Rd, Stanfield, NC, on 10/20/2021

41131 S Stanly School Rd/ brickyard Rd, Norwood, NC, on 10/22/2021

♦ Barnes, Cheryl (W /F/51) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine (F), at Old Concord Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 10/21/2021

♦ Deans, Joseph Earl Jr (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwisd Cocaine (F), 2) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 4) Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F), at 728 South Fifth Street, Albemarle, NC, on 10/22/2021

♦ Nganga, Sozinho Bindo (B M, 39) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine(F), at Nc 24/27/s Beverly, Locust, on 10/24/2021

♦ Leonard, Jarrett Allan (W /M/44) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at Hwy 73 Millingport Rd, Millingport, NC, on 10/22/2021

♦ Manseka, Herve Ndosimau (B M, 37) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine(F), at Nc 24/27/s Beverly, Locust, on 10/24/2021

♦ Mauldin, Douglas Wayne (W /M/28) Arrest on chrg of Common Law Robbery (F), at Endy Rd, Endy, NC, on 10/22/2021

♦ Balling, Kane E. (W M, 35) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 720Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 10/24/2021

♦ Auman, Dylan Brent (W /M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny Of Motor Vehicle (f) (F) and 2) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), at 20037 Nc 73 Hwy, Albemarle, NC, on 10/22/2021

♦ Martinez-estrada, Jorge Luis (W /M/20) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Public Officer (M), 2) Other - Free Text (M), 3) Speeding (M), 4) Fail To Stop-steady Red Light (i) (M), 5) Drive Left Of Center (i) (M), 6) Flee/elude Arrest W/mv (f) (F), 7) Reckless Drvg-wanton Disregard (M), 8) Fail Stop Stopsign/flsh Red Lt (i) (M), and 9) Fail To Heed Light Or Siren (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 10/24/2021 ♦ Roberts, William Lee (W /M/55) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M), 2) Dwlr Not Impaired Rev (M), and 3) Hit/run Leave Scene Prop Dam (M), at Pva Valero Mart, Norwood, NC, on 10/24/2021 ♦ Wilson, Raheen Marctrez F (B /M/27) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at Locust, Locust, NC, on 10/24/2021 ♦ Lewis, Jacob Andrew (W /M/24) Cited on Charge of Reckless Drvg-wanton Disregard (202100819), at 1160 Berry Hill Dr/high Shores Rd, Norwood, NC, on 10/23/2021. ♦ Lewis, Jacob Andrew (W /M/24) Cited on Charge of Driving While Impaired (202100818), at 1160 Berry Hill Dr/high Shores Rd, Norwood, NC, on 10/23/2021. ♦ Roberts, William Lee (W /M/55) Cited on Charge of Driving While Impaired (202100822), at 533 N Main St/doody Av, Norwood, NC, on 10/23/2021. ♦ Young, Stephanie Renee (W /F/36) Arrest on chrg of Possess Heroin (F), at

♦ Thomas, Teon Trevareus (B /M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) First Degree Murder (F), 2) Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M), 3) Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F), 4) Discharge Firearm In City (M), and 5) Go Armed To Terror Of People (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Dye, James Chase (W /M/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Govt Official/emply (M) and 2) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), at 8346 Candy Street, Norwood, NC, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Dennis, Alexander Joseph (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Maintain Veh/ dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 3) Conspire Sell Methamphetamine (F), at 34892 Locust Ln, New London, NC, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Richardson, Frank Nmn (B /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F) and 2) Conspire Sell Methamphetamine (F), at 34892 Locust Lane, Locust, NC, on 10/21/2021 ♦ Carter, William Brian (W /M/53) Arrest on chrg of 1) Maintain Veh/dwell/ place Cs (f) (F), 2) Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F), 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 4) Conspire Sell Methamphetamine (F), at 34892 Locust Ln, New London, NC, on 10/21/2021

MASKS from page 1 tional, they would continue to be required during conveyance, like on school buses, because of federal requirements. When Dennis’ report was complete, Chair Glenda Gibson — who stepped into the role after the resignation of Chance — said, “At this time, board members, I would like to have a motion to move to make masks optional now that the 14-day percent positive is 7.9%, and I would like for this to be effective Monday, Oct. 25.” The motion was made and seconded. There was no debate. In a voice vote, members unanimously passed the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.

BADIN from page 1 excited to see these new jobs come to our region and we appreciate the important work this company will be undertaking in support of our nation’s defense.” N.C. Sen. Carl Ford, who represents the area in the state Senate, also commented on the announcement, saying, “Many people and local organizations worked together behind the scenes to make this project possible. Everyone in Stanly County now stands ready to offer continued support for Custom Alloy Corporation as they begin manufacturing operations in Badin.” The N.C. Department of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership of N.C. said they worked with a wide variety of partners in facilitating the deal with CAC, including: the state General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Stanly Community College, the Town of Badin, Stanly County and the Stanly County Economic Development Commission. A $100,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund was also provided to make the Badin site more competitive with other possible locations. According to the release, “Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.” CAC says the jobs they are bringing will average $42,458, though the salaries will vary depending on the position. This is more than $7,000 over the average Stanly County salary of $32,420.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Americans shouldn’t accept the status quo

Instead of lowering expectations, we need to demand better and start to address our challenges head on.

ON FEB. 2, 1977, President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation from the White House. He had been in office for two weeks and inflation was already beginning to impact American families. Famously wearing a cardigan sweater, he said energy shortages would be permanent while urging Americans to lower their thermostats to 55 degrees and make sacrifices. This address was followed by several years of hyperinflation, gas lines, and as President Carter called it, “a crisis of confidence.” By 1980, America was fed up and sent an eternal optimist and problem solver to the White House. President Ronald Reagan didn’t accept that America’s best days were behind us and the next generation would have to make more sacrifices than the last. He worked to lower taxes and address the inflation, energy and economic crises facing our nation, inspiring millions of young Americans like me to believe in our country. Nearly 40 years later, our country is once again facing inflation, energy and economic crises. Gas prices are at their highest in seven years. Consumer goods cost the most in 13 years. We have a stagnant economy with a record 10 million jobs available. Now labor shortages and supply-chain issues are leading to empty shelves around the country. In the face of these challenges, last week the Washington Post published an op-ed that said “Don’t rant about short-staffed stores and supply chain woes. Try to lower expectations.” It went on to say Americans have been spoiled, but “now it’s our turn to make adjustments.” This sums up what many Washington Democrats believe. The Biden administration has called our current inflation crisis “transitory” and a “high class problem.” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said supply-chain problems are simply something Americans will have to endure into the next year. These Washington Democrats dismiss the challenges you and your family are facing while telling you to just deal with higher costs at the gas pump and empty shelves in the stores. Like President Reagan, I know we don’t have to accept this status quo. Americans are exceptional and we always rise to every challenge. Instead of lowering expectations, we need to demand better and start to address our challenges head on. You sent me to Washington to solve problems and get things done.

It’s not always easy amid the current partisanship and radical agenda of Democrats in Washington. But I have never stopped working on common-sense solutions for you and your family. Last week, I was proud to have two bills passed by the U.S. House to address some of our current problems. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of relying on foreign countries, especially when it comes to needed medical supplies. I introduced the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act to reduce our foreign dependence for critical supplies like PPE by boosting our manufacturing to make those products here in the United States. It also makes needed improvements to our national PPE stockpile to ensure it is full and items are ready for the next public health emergency. I introduced the Open RAN Outreach Act to strengthen our telecommunications supply chains. It also helps protect small and rural communications providers from Chinese-backed companies like Huawei. Providers backed by the Chinese Communist Party have tried to undercut their prices and expand their outreach, particularly in our rural communities. My legislation encourages a competitive market so we can expand network access across our country without Chinese interference. Strengthening our PPE stockpile, domestic manufacturing and supply chains and standing up to China have never been more important for our economy and our national security. Now that these bills have passed the House, I will continue to work until they are passed by the Senate and signed into law. There are many other challenges facing our nation. Last week, data revealed border agents apprehended the highest number of illegal migrants at our border in at least 35 years. I’m concerned by a plan from the Biden administration to monitor your bank account. The Department of Justice has threatened to treat concerned parents at school board meetings as domestic terrorists. And Washington Democrats are determined to pass trillions in new spending and tax increases that will make our inflation crisis even worse. While I will fight against these measures, the bipartisan bills I had passed last week are a model of how Washington and your government should operate. I’ll continue to work on your behalf and perhaps we don’t have to lower our expectations after all.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Republicans gain big in blue-collar elections but narrowly in affluent state legislative elections Republicans hailed this as a big victory, but it was more a sign that, after eight months of President Joe Biden, highincome disgust with Trump had crested.

STATE LEGISLATIVE special elections provide an interesting index of partisan sentiment these days. That wasn’t so in the late 20th century, when clever local candidates and notables often got voters to cross party lines. But in this century of increasing partisan polarization and straightticket voting, local special elections are a proxy for opinion on national issues. In that light, consider the results of the two special legislative elections that have resulted in a change of parties so far this year. The first was in Connecticut’s 36th state Senate district on Aug. 17. This is the richest state Senate district in Connecticut and may be the richest in all of America. It includes the super-rich town of Greenwich, where Prescott Bush, father and grandfather of presidents, served as moderator of the Representative Town Meeting for 17 years, plus nearly as rich New Canaan and the northern half of Stamford. The 36th district is ancestral Republican country that trended Democratic during Donald Trump’s presidency. Republican Scott Frantz won it by 59% to 39% in 2016, then lost 50% to 49% to Democrat Alex Kasser in 2018, who held it 51% to 49% over Republican Ryan Fazio in 2020. Not atypical results for a seat packed with affluent college graduates. But in 2021, Kasser resigned, and Fazio regained the seat by a bare 50% to 48% margin. Republicans hailed this as a big victory, but it was more a sign that, after eight months of President Joe Biden, highincome disgust with Trump had crested. The other party flip happened this month in the demographically dissimilar Iowa 29th state House district, which includes most of Jasper County and industrial Newton, the former longtime home of Maytag. It’s an area with many blue-collar workers and union members and was long a safe Democratic district. Democrat Wesley Breckenridge won it twice by double digits -- 51% to 38% in 2016 and 59% to 41% in 2018 — but by only 52% to 48% in 2020. After he resigned in 2021, Republican Jon Dunwell won on Oct. 12 by a 60% to 40% margin. Trump lost in 2020 because he fell behind his 2016 showing among upscale voters and did not make sufficiently compensating gains among downscale white and minority voters. The Greenwich and Newton legislative results suggest Republicans have staunched the bloodletting among the affluent and have regained momentum with downscale voters. This is in line with CNN analyst Harry Enten’s observation that,

since April 2021, Republicans have been running well-ahead of their November 2020 levels. It’s consistent with the widespread sense that Democrats are likely to lose — and may lose by a lot — the narrow 222 to 213 House majority they won in 2020. The wild card in this is, as always in years ending with “2,” redistricting. Democrats control redistricting in relatively few states but seem to be bent on aggressively eliminating the few Republican seats in Illinois and New York, and are even targeting the single Republican seats in Maryland and New Mexico. Note the deafening silence of the liberals who have been lamenting that Republican redistricting threatens the end of democracy. Similarly, liberals were nonplussed by gerrymandering when Democrats controlled most redistricting in the 1962, 1972 and 1982 cycles. Sauce for the goose but not for the gander. But as the Cook Political Report’s Dave Wasserman points out, redistricters can be incompetent or too clever by half. If you create a bunch of 52% districts for your party, you’re liable to lose all of them when your party’s numbers go down a few points. Over the long run, it’s probably smarter to shore up your incumbents, as Texas Republicans are doing, and to concede to the other side some seats where the tide has been going their way. In the 1980s, the affluent north Dallas and west Houston districts were the most Republican in the country. But they flipped Democratic in 2018, and now Republicans are making them more Democratic for 2022. One more note on redistricting. The supposedly nonpartisan redistricting commissions enacted in some states and lavishly praised by liberal commentators aren’t working out so well. Inevitably, they’ve become partisan slugfests, for who other than partisans would want to spend their time drawing district lines on maps? Political science professors? More than 95% are Democrats. Think tankers? All committed to one side or the other. Journalists? You’ve got to be kidding. The plain, though perhaps unpalatable, fact is that there always will be politics in politics, especially in times of close partisan competition — even, or especially, in special elections to state legislatures. 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.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT AUTO RACING

Part-time Gibbs wins 4th Xfinity race Kansas City, Kan. Ty Gibbs picked up his fourth Xfinity victory of the season Saturday and stopped title contenders AJ Allmendinger, Austin Cindric and anyone else from advancing to the championship round. Gibbs isn’t eligible for the Xfinity Series championship, so all four spots in the finale remained open headed into next week’s race at Martinsville Speedway. The grandson of Joe Gibbs, the 19-year-old will be in the Xfinity Series next season. He passed reigning champion Cindric with 10 laps remaining at Kansas to become the second nonplayoff driver to win in this round of the Xfinity Series playoffs.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Gamecocks QB Noland to have knee surgery Columbia, S.C. South Carolina’s graduate assistant coach-turnedquarterback Zeb Noland will have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Noland was scheduled to have the procedure Tuesday and be available for the Gamecocks’ next contest against Florida on Nov. 6. South Carolina (4-4, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) is off this week. Noland turned in his whistle for a spot on the roster in August when starting quarterback Luke Doty sustained a foot injury. Noland started the first three games before Doty took in the middle of South Carolina’s 40-13 loss at Georgia.

BASKETBALL

Dempsey back as USA Basketball chair; Barnes on board Colorado Springs, Colo. Retired Gen. Martin Dempsey was reelected chairperson of USA Basketball on Monday, while former UNC forward Harrison Barnes was among those added to the federation’s board of directors. Dempsey, who was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Barack Obama, is the second person to be elected chair for backto-back Olympic cycles, following Jerry Colangelo. He will remain in the role through the 2024 Paris Olympics.

DRAG RACING

2 kids killed when drag car crashes into crowd Kerrville, Texas A driver lost control during a Texas drag racing event and slammed into a crowd of spectators, killing two children and injuring eight other people, authorities said. A 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy were killed in the crash Saturday afternoon at an event at the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport, police said in a news release. The organized event was attended by thousands and involved drivers speeding down a runway as they competed for cash. The driver “lost control and left the runway, crashing into parked vehicles and striking spectators who were observing the races,” Kerrville police said.

COLIN E. BRALEY | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson (5) does a burnout after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.

Larson wins on 17th anniversary of Hendrick plane crash The Cup Series’ leader in wins in 2021 took first at Kansas for his third straight victory By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kyle Larson has only heard stories about the late Ricky Hendrick, the son of his team owner who was killed 17 years ago in a plane crash on the way to a NASCAR race. The anniversary is a difficult day for Rick and Linda Hendrick, neither of whom made the trip Sunday to the playoff race at Kansas Speedway. Rick Hendrick instead texted Larson before the race and told his driver what a win would mean to the Hendrick Motorsports organization. Larson delivered with his ninth win of the season — his most meaningful victory to date in his new job with Hendrick Motorsports. Larson crossed the finish line

and as part of his celebration stood on the window ledge of the No. 5 Chevrolet and pointed to the sky for Ricky Hendrick and the nine others killed in the 2004 crash of a team plane en route to a race in Virginia. “To lose your child and so many other people that day, I can’t imagine what the feeling may have been for everybody at that time,” Larson said. “So to come here 17 years to the day and win in this paint scheme, with this number, it’s just pretty surreal. I’ve heard lots of good stories about Ricky, and I wish I could have met him.” The victory was Larson’s third consecutive and fourth over the last six playoff races. Larson has won three straight races twice this season and is the first driver to do that since the late Dale Earnhardt in 1987. Larson is locked into the Nov. 7 championship finale, and the remaining three spots in the winner-take-all title race will be settled next Sunday at Martinsville

1987 The last time a driver won three straight races twice in a season, when Dale Earnhardt Sr. did it, until Kyle Larson did with his win Sunday at Kansas. Speedway in Virginia — where the Hendrick flight was headed on that 2004 race morning. Larson beat reigning Cup champion and Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott by 3.619 seconds for the win, but Elliott focused on the importance of the day for the organization over his defeat. “This is a day that nobody is ever going to forget. Just thinking about Mr. Hendrick and all the families that were affected 17 years ago today,” Elliott said. “Just proud to be a part of their family and hope we can make them proud these next

two weeks.” Elliott last year swept Martinsville and then the finale at Phoenix to win his first Cup title. He’ll go to Martinsville seeking the win. “I am not sure that any amount of points is safe,” Elliott said. “I think anyone in this round can win next week. So we are really going to have to be on it, but looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the challenge.” In finishing second, Elliott moved above the cutline and is second in the standings heading to Martinsville. Denny Hamlin is third and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch fourth, a single point above the elimination line. Kevin Harvick finished third n the race followed by Kurt Busch and Hamlin. The penultimate race of the season is at Martinsville, where the final three spots in the championship finale will be decided. Elliott is the defending race winner, and Martin Truex Jr. won at Martinsville in the spring.

MLB work stoppage almost certain on Dec. 2 Players and owners are at an impasse on several collective bargaining issues By Ronald Blum The Associated Press HOUSTON — Baseball’s ninth work stoppage and first in 26 years appears almost certain to start Dec. 2, freezing the free-agent market and threatening the start of spring training in February. Negotiations have been taking place since last spring, and each side thinks the other has not made proposals that will lead toward an agreement replacing the five-year contract that expires at 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 1. The luxury tax system that started with the 2003 season sunsets with the expiration of the labor contract, with the exception of completing accounting and payments for the 2021 tax year. Uncertainty over the 2022 season probably will cause high-spending clubs to delay reaching pricier player agreements. Free agents can start signing with any team on the sixth day following the World Series, and this year’s group includes Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Freddie Freeman, Trevor Story, Max Scherzer, Marcus Semien, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Michael Conforto and Kevin Gausman. MLB may attempt a signing freeze with the start of a lockout, or the marketplace might grind to

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Major League Baseball is on a collision course with its first work stoppage since a strike in 1994-95. a halt on its own, even more pronounced than the slowdowns of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 offseasons. Agents say they have received no guidance from the players’ association. Some have braced for a twoweek scramble to sign next March or later, whenever a lockout ends. This lack of pace in negotiations is similar to what occurred in 1989-90, when the agreement expired Dec. 31 and owners announced on Jan. 9 that a lockout would begin Feb. 15 absent an agreement. A deal was reached March 1 and opening day was delayed a week until April 9, causing 78 games to be postponed and rescheduled. Teams have proposed eliminat-

ing salary arbitration and allowing players to become free agents in the offseason after they turn 29½ rather than the six seasons of major league service in place since 1976. They have proposed a lower luxury threshold along with a payroll floor. Players have refused for decades to consider a payroll floor, feeling it would lead to a salary cap. Concerned with “tanking” by rebuilding teams and a slide in spending on major league payrolls, players want changes in the current deal, which calls for payrolls to be taxed above $210 million (using average annual values plus benefits) and includes surtaxes that went into place for 2017. Management’s proposal called for the threshold to be dropped to $180 million, anoth-

er factor that may gridlock many free agent negotiations. The average major league salary dropped from $4,097,122 in 2017 to $3,881,021 in 2020, before accounting for prorated pay caused by the pandemic, according to the players’ association. Based on this year’s opening-day payrolls, the final figure for 2021 is projected to be about $3.7 million. Baseball was interrupted by eight work stoppages from 197295, the last a 7½-month strike in 1994-95 that wiped out the World Series for the first time in 90 years. The closest the sport has come to another stoppage was in 2002, when an agreement was reached on Aug. 30 about 3½ hours before players had been set to strike. That marked the first agreement without a stoppage since 1969. Agreements were reached before the expiration on Oct. 24 in 2006, on Nov. 22 in 2011 and on Nov. 30 in 2016. As bargaining sputtered this year, the union began a grievance hearing before arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman on Sept. 27 on its claim that the 60-game schedule in the 2020 pandemic-affected season was too short. Jeffrey L. Kessler, the Winston & Strawn co-executive chairman, gave a four-hour opening argument on behalf of the union, a person familiar with the hearing said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the sides have not commented on the session. Kessler declined to comment.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Redhawks rout Colts on homecoming night

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

ALBEMARLE (2-6, 2-2 YVC) AT NORTH STANLY (4-4, 3-1 YVC) New London | Friday, Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs evened their Yadkin Valley Conference record last Friday with a 46-20 win over winless Union Academy. Albemarle closes its regular season on the road against county rival North Stanly. The Comets have won two straight after a tight 21-18 win at Mount Pleasant last week. Senior quarterback Luke Shaver threw for three touchdowns in the win. North Stanly won 43-7 when the teams played in the spring. SOUTH STANLY (1-7, 0-4 YVC) AT UNION ACADEMY (0-9, 0-4 YVC) Monroe | Friday, Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. The Bulls dropped their fourth straight game last week, losing 54-7 at home to Robinson. South Stanly did, however, score on a touchdown run by Taewan Morris for its first points since Sept. 10. They close out the regular season Friday at Union Academy. The Cardinals have struggled even more than South Stanly this season, losing all nine of their games and being outscored 512-72 on the season. The teams last played in 2019, a 36-13 season-opening win by the Bulls. WEST STANLY (2-5, 0-3 RRC) VS. ANSON (3-6, 0-3 RRC) Oakboro | Friday, Oct. 29 7 p.m. The Colts lost their fifth straight game last Friday, a 48-0 shutout loss at home to Monroe. Like West Stanly, Anson is also looking for its first Rocky River Conference win of the season. The Bearcats lost 26-20 at home to Parkwood after the Wolf Pack scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a win. Anson shut out West Stanly back in 2019, a 34-0 decision that was the first loss of the year for the previously 8-0 Colts.

next game. “I’d really like to see them come out and end the season with a bang,” he said. “We’ve been trying to fight through and move a lot of pieces all year, so I’d like to see them jell on the last game of the year.” By Jesse Deal Against the Redhawks, the Stanly County Journal Colts’ defensive line failed presOAKBORO — West Stanly’s sure quarterback Khamoni Robfootball woes continued Friday as inson, who carried his team down the Colts surrendered seven unan- the field with repeated connecswered touchdowns and suffered tions to wide receivers Elliott Reed, Shaleak Knotts a 48-0 loss to Monroe. and Jaikhob Covington. During the homeNearing the end of coming shutout that the first quarter, Covingextended the Colts’ “Rally, finish ton gave the Redhawks a (2-5, 0-3 YVC) losing 14-0 lead after a 78-yard streak to five games, strong, and touchdown run. Three West Stanly crossed do what you minutes later, Knotts’ 12midfield only twice have to do yard catch pushed Monand generated just 114 to finish the roe’s lead to three scores. yards of offense. Running back Nate The Redhawks (5- year out the Crosby added a touch1, 3-0 Yadkin Valley down on the next drive Conference) now lead right way.” before Knotts had his the conference standsecond touchdown catch ings, while the Colts Brett Morton, of the night. By the fourth have fallen into a lastWest Stanly quarter, Monroe held a place tie with the An41-0 lead as the running son Bearcats (3-6, coach time clock counted down. 0-3 YVC). The Colts In a desperate final opened their season effort, West Stanly atwith back-to-back wins but have since been out- tempted and failed an onside kick, scored 160-26 during the five- placing the Redhawks back in scoring range for their final touchgame skid. West Stanly coach Brett Mor- down drive. Colts quarterback Jett Thomton had a simple message for his players after the game: “Rally, fin- as converted just 1 of 3 passes in ish strong, and do what you have the game as West Stanly focused to do to finish the year out the on establishing the running game. Senior Carter Miller led the Colts right way.” His squad will get a chance to with 42 yards on 11 carries, while end its season with a victory when senior Braden Hartsell finished the Bearcats travel to Oakboro with 10 carries for 36 yards. West Stanly, which entered the on Friday for a matchup of two teams that are winless in confer- game averaging 209 yards per ence play. Morton said he wants game on the ground, managed a his offensive linemen to have an season-low 84 rushing yards in encouraging performance in their the loss.

West Stanly was dominated on both sides of the ball in the penultimate game of the regular season

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme was a unanimous choice for The Associated Press preseason All-America team.

Timme headlines AP preseason basketball All-Americans Gonzaga’s star forward was a unanimous choice for the No. 1 Bulldogs The Associated Press GONZAGA’S Drew Timme was the lone unanimous selection by a 63-person media panel on The Associated Press preseason All-America team released Monday. He was joined by Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn, UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, Villanova point guard Collin Gillespie and Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. Timme transformed from a freshman backup to one of the nation’s best big men last season, earning second-team All-America honors. He was a key cog in Gonzaga’s return to the NCAA title game, averaging 19 points and 7.0

rebounds while creating matchup problems for nearly every team the Zags faced. The 6-foot-10 forward can shoot from the perimeter, post up smaller players, is an adept passer and has excellent footwork, attributes that had him projected to go late in the first round or early in the second of the NBA Draft. Timme’s return was a key to Gonzaga being voted No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 despite losing several key players. Cockburn faced a similar decision before opting to return to the Illini after weighing the NBA for a second straight year. The 7-foot center averaged 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore last season to earn a second-team spot on the AP All-America team. He was projected to be taken in the late first round or early second

round of the NBA Draft but returned to cement his legacy at Illinois. Juzang’s stock rose after UCLA’s improbable run to the Final Four last season. The 6-foot-6 guard was one of the breakout stars in March Madness, shooting 51% while averaging 22.8 points. His 137 points were the second-highest NCAA tournament total in UCLA history. “I’m just trying to get better across the board,” he said. “Keep growing as a leader and really all aspects of the game.” Gillispie was honored on senior night at Villanova and seemed to be on his way to a professional career before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the season. He was cleared for workouts in August and is raring to go after missing out on the NCAA Tourna-

ment. “He’s almost like a freshman, itching to come back,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. Jackson-Davis has been Indiana’s best player the past two seasons, leading the Hoosiers in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. After considering a jump to the NBA, the 6-9 junior opted to stay to round out his game and, hopefully, lead the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. “My freshman year I didn’t have a say in anything,” Jackson-Davis said. “I just kind of just held my tongue. I felt like last year I did it better, not to the best of my abilities, but I spoke up a lot more in the locker room. This year I think I’m taking the full pledge to try to lead guys on our team, especially the younger guys.”

“I’m just trying to get better across the board.” Johnny Juzang, UCLA guard

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 the27, virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients. In this majority-black city along the Gateway facility was What some Memphis, Tenthe Mississippi River, lawmakers If they did, shopping wo e, residents don’t get is why in and community leaders have been come more difficult for re r city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they especially for those who ar dle of a predominantly black, see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means of transpo income residential neighborrus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen. “For people who don’t higher rate. ty and state officials are conNutbush resident Patricia Har- car, what do they do?” ask ed that By anJuly influx patients of abortion clinics. The other re- to Health and Human Services in Carrof Smyth quired them to refrain from refer- May warning the Biden adminisThe Associated Press ris wondered aloud if city officials ris, who spoke to The Ass m Memphis, as well as nearby tration against reversing the rules. ring patients for abortions. were “trying to contaminate” the Press while lugging a bott sissippi, Arkansas and rural The prohibition against family He said both rules were intendCOLUMBUS, — Ohio’s tergent, a package of bott neighborhood. Tennessee, will strainOhio hospitop lawyer filed suit against the ed as firewalls between clinics’ planning clinics funded under Titer and other items from t Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears are echoed across fundsSAINZ for aborBiden administration on Mon- family planning services, which tle X using public ADRIAN | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car. She note can American Memphis pastor, country:dayGovernors, mayors seeking to restore a Trump- can receive taxpayer funding, and tions was contained in the Family grocery store recently clos understands the anxiety. “This health era experts in numerous This April 3,services, 2020 photo, Gateway Center Planning ServicesShopping and Population their abortion which shows ban on abortion referrals by Friday, Research Act of 1970, Yost said. cannot. family-planning clinics that Presis an honest and reasonable con- her house and she already es are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. States joining the challenge “You can’t ‘follow the money’ ident Joe Biden reversed earlier cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. travel farther to get to Gat tructing makeshift medical when all the money is dumped are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkanmonth. “When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. thisThe action filed by Republi- into one pot and mixed together,” sas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, got 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 turncan Attorney Dave Yost in U.S. Yost said in a statement. “Feder- Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, skeptical of governmental inter- neighborhood,” she said. “W Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center convention South Carolina and West Virginal law prohibits taxpayer funding District Court in Cincinnati sic wasCity Not all states participatecenter in Ti- for vention that did not consult with need to make the neighb of abortion — and that law means ia.Locating joined by other states. a treatment Chattanooga Convention Center, in Chicago, the11 McCormick tle X. nothing ifExpo the federal money isn’t coronavirus At issue are new federal worseCOLLINS than| itAPalready is.” patients there pos- people on the ground first.” the Knoxville Center — all e Convention Center; and in reguJEFFREY PHOTO representingresidents the clinics say: kept separate.” set by the AmerDepartment of away U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Doug McGowen, the city’s chief two problems, sites from residential neigh- es Groups dy, Utah,lations the Mountain The administration’s rever- said they hoped this month’s re- In this Feb. 17, 2021, file photo, Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, Health and Human Services that operating officer, said the Gate- phis Democrat, said the d could potentially borhoods. Expo Center. would lead someexpose 1,300 lo-them sal of both rules came as political Itversal take the Title X federal family speaks against an abortion bill at a news conference in the way site was beingS.C. considered be- doesn’t make sense. to the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. planning Army Corps of Engiprogram back to the way and legal battles over abortion are cal facilities that left in protest to Statehouse in Columbia, “I’m sure there are othe cause it could potentially accomter in growing the Nutbush s has been return. are contracting COVID-19 sharperneighborhood amid burgeon- blacks it ranscouting under thelocations Obama adminisThe program makes available ing efforts by Republicans to overtration, when clinics were able to 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, and they medical organizations it arather t Trump, a Republican, prompted more of than million yearon to turn thea landmark Roe grocery v. Wade at some referawomen abortions have usedcalled those if it were converted to aa treatment the$250 stores they arely tertofeatures Save A Lot compiled list ofseeking 35 possiviolation of the clinician-patient exit byit service providers afto clinics to provide birth control mass site, the U.S. Supreme Court. a provider. would hold only mildly ill into a residential neighbo backup sites. They haven’t restore, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close. Yost emphasized that his law- and basic health care services, filiated with Planned Parenthood, relationship. But religious and The two rules Yost wants reinCohen said. coronavirus patients who could Nutbush resident and commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Gov. Bill social be conservatives praised the and other stated were passed in 2019. One suit does not challenge the right mainly to low-income women, as well as several states

Biden sued over reversal of Trump-era abortion referral ban

required federally funded family-planning clinics to be physically and financially independent

to an abortion as guaranteed under Roe. The litigation follows a letter he and 20 other states sent

many of them from minority communities. The rules established under former President Donald

independent organizations. Women’s groups labeled the Trump policies a “gag rule,” and

policy for imposing a strict separation between family planning services and abortion.

PEC, oil nations agree Lawsuits: Jailed lawyer Alex Murdaugh may be hiding millions o nearly 10M barrel cut By Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press

S.C. — Attorneys bin Salman, a son of King Salman, AssociatedCOLUMBIA, Press in three different civil lawsuits assented to the deal. against Alex Murdaugh want the “I go with the consent, so I UBAI, United Arab Emircourt to have independent repreagree,” — OPEC, Russia and other sentatives take control of the mon- the prince said, chuckling, drawing a round of applause from roducingey nations Sunday and otheron assets of the South lawyer involved in a on the video call. ized an Carolina unprecedented pro- those police investigaBut it had not been smiles and ion cut half-dozen of nearly state 10 million els, or a tions. 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soThe court motions in the casOPEC+ group of OPEC opes of boosting crashing es, all filed last week,pricsaid theycalled fear members and other nations failed mid the coronavirus pandemic Murdaugh is trying to hide milin March to reach an agreement a price war, lionsofficials of dollarssaid. they could possibly collect lawsuits shiftproduction cuts, sending pricThis could be in thetheir largest re- by on ing money between unknown esactumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply ion in production from OPEC and potentially selling off Russia days earlier over perhaps acounts decade, maybe lon- criticized property and a boat after he turned what it described as comments said U.S. Energy Secretary all his affairs over to his surviving Brouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which son, Buster Murdaugh. finds itself trying to appease ident Donald Trump’s per- invesState police first started tigatinginAlex Murdaugh his a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement getting duel- andTrump, family in June, when he found his Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpand other son shot to death to end awife price war between Saudi Arabia to find a way to at their home. No one has been boost prices as American shale di Arabiacharged and Russia. in that case. il prices have as the infirms The collapsed similar motions the face far-higher production include severalcosts. doc- American troops had been navirus three and lawsuits the COVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY uments: photo ofhaltBuster deployed Murto the kingdom for the ss it causes havea largely daugh that lawyers said was taken 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 in October at a Las Vegas casiattacks over concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister r energy-chugging sectorsmortgage no, a nearly $1 million retaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response to plummet as manufacturing. has a property ownerItpaid off toan Alex stated the oil industry in sions. prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem Murdaugh, an online listing asking $114,000 for Murdaugh’s “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which now pumps more boat, andother a nearly 2-year-old unpaid tax month waging war on American e than any country. LEWIS M. LEVINE | AP PHOTO bill that could lead to the auction the deal but its president, Andrés praise. that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and oil producers while we are defendut some of producers have been Murdaugh’s beach home on Ed- Alec Murdaugh awaits the beginning of his bond hearing in the Richland Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. “The pure size of the cu ctant to isto easeIsland. supply. The car- ing theirs. This is not how friends the United Arab Emirates would Manuel López Obrador, had said precedented, but, then ag Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday Murdaugh’s attorneys have not missing from their Trump own finances, at- compenThe lawsuits noted them well over half the is Murdaugh’s the impactformer the corona killed andfrom a man on the oil a that the thepower U.S. of will responded have woman day between atop a Republican North ed to allow Mexicototothe cutrequest only to Cramer, was founded by his said M torney alsowhat provides a mechanism the settlement money remained who said Murdaugh two lawyers review and catalog having on demand,” sate Mexico cannot law addfirm to that deal. The three countries Dakota,boat before the the OPEC+ deal.fam- OPEC+ 000 barrels a month, a sticka 2015 hit-andMurdaughcuts. to transfer, great-grandfather, unaccounted for in the prosecu- for Buster tried to pin have him asalready the boat’s did of Murdaugh’s assets, bank acmed Ghulam, an energy an the proposed not immediately acknowledge U.S. ilyproducers point forallan accord initially sell or otherwise handle Alex Mur- run death and whether Murdaugh tion’s presentation. counts, insurance policies and ex- driver. Raymond James. “The big Oil Deal with OPEC the “Certainly, cut themselves, Zanbeen reducing output. Amerhed Friday after aand marathon daugh’s assets in a manner that di- and his family obstructed the inif Alex though Murdaugh The third lawsuitThe asking for conpenditures approve his spendGhulam is done. This said. will save hun- intoBut attended the video conferInstitute laudo conference vestigation the boat crash.and others verts Plus the assets,” the motion is capable of apparently diverting trol of Murdaugh’s money was filed ganeh ing. between 23 na- ican Petroleum may not be enough. of someone thousands energyMurdaugh jobs it insists ed Sunday’s pact, saying it s. The nations agreed he had nothOndreds Sept. 23, who of owed stolen assets in this manner, he is by the global family of Murdaugh’s late ence. “Alextogether Murdaugh has engaged to do with“This the June deaths a nearly $1 United million mortgage to ing said also capablesaid of diverting legitimatecuts housekeeper in repeated dishonesty, is at leastofa tempo in the States,” Trump Officials other planned will help get other Gloria nations’Satterfield. stateut 9.7 million barrels a daydeception wife, Maggie, and their Murdaugh 2013 like paid tohis assets,”stand the attorneys their Alex in died after a to 2018 fall in and fraud. He has shown that he She lief for 52; the energy industry a tweet.from “I would thank in thewrote deal,inmeaning owned oil production follow thethe would ughout May and June. son Paul, 22. Murdaugh said he This i it off. Records don’t indicate how lawsuits. family’s home. will go to extraordinary lengths and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are try- an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut returned to their rural Colleton Murdaugh, 53, was first arrest- much money changed hands. Murdaugh has been charged to misappropriate, steal, transfer is too bigthem to beshot let to to fail and tin of Russia and King ofhome July the end of the The inginto adjust to plunging demand. s beforeor Asian markets re-money County to find motions also include a pho-Salman ed Sept. 16 through and was accused of trywith illegally pocketing nearly $3 from otherwise dispose of liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internaa manner that benefits him or his million worth of insurance settle- ing to arrange his own death so to that the lawyers said is Buster death. Tight-lipped state police agreement,” said Per M Theat aKremlin said atPresident months beginning 2021.a Murdaugh make of its to own have neitherthis named any suspects gambling table al benchmark Brent crude Murdaugh couldincollect ments that were supposed go to 16Buster family, with complete disregard for commitments nor ruled out. the head of ana Hotel in October. $10 million insurance policy. the Venetian the over interests persons,” the Satterfield’s Nysveen, Vladimir Putin held The a joint call anyone “This willlife enable the rebalancproduction cuts, estate. but was able to ed at just $31of athird barrel remainsEnergy. in jail withdocuments say how photoKingMurdaugh That day,markets the fatherand signed his bond hearing, prosecu- ing lawyers wroteproducers in their motions. “Even tho with don’t Trump andthe Saudi Sal- Rystad ofsame the oil thea exshow the At obvious — that plunging American shale out bond on the charges he stole Two of the lawsuits involve a fa- tors detailed how Murdaugh stole power of attorney for all his affairs was obtained. to express support of the production cuts are small demand because of the pandem- pected rebound of prices by $15 In man ggle. addition to the investigations money from his late housekeeptal February 2019 boat crash where the money by diverting it to his ac- over to his son, according to court needed a It alsoinsurance said Putin spoke barrel in the short term,” said is expected to slash oil paid pro-off per ideo aired by Murdaugh the Saudi-owned er’ssepestate. Awhat judgethe last market week asked into deal. the stolen monrecords. counts. They said U.S. he then Paul was chargedic after themental stock buildi arately with Trump about for thea report oil postpone from ofNigeria’s duction. lite channel on Murdaugh’s ey and the insurance fraud, state “While the power attorney oil a $100,000 credit card bill, trans- a statement investigatorsAl-Arabiya said he was driving considering whether tothe wor continue to other investigate the state before straints may have some legitimate purpos- policemarket ferred than $300,000 to his ministry. and that recklessly. They were problem, and issues. Iranian Oilmore Minister Bijan Zanwed the drunk moment Saudi set bond. now avoided.” shootingAnalysts deaths, millions of dollars cautious esMexico for someone to manage to himself. filed by the family of a 19-year-old offered hadunable initially blocked ganeh father also and told$735,000 state television rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

& 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, October 27, 2021

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

obituaries Paul Lee Thompson

January 23, 1942 – Jason October 24, 2021

Jason Christopher Lovelace

May 17, 1974 – October 14, 2021 Smith

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.

Linda “Kay” Bowers Pauline

Joseph Carlyle Stein Jr.

Merle June 5, 1945 – October 20, 2021 Helms

March 21, 1958 – October 20, 2021

Danny Jerry May 21, 1940 – October 20, 2021 Darlene Gwinn, 63, of Albemarle Efird Luther Fincher passed away October 20, 2021 in Paul Lee “P. L.” Thompson Jr., 79, Dr.FINCHER Larry P. passed Jenkins, M.D. ASON EUGENE “GENE” ONY MONROELovelace, SMITH, 72, of ERLESmith LORRAINE AUSTIN ANNY PAUL ERRY from Gayzelle Simpson, 76, of Atrium Main in LUTHER, Charlotte. Her Jason Christopher of Albemarle passed away Sunday, EFIRD, 94, went home to be with47, of Mount Rockwell, NC, went to beaway with HELMS, 72, ofaway Marshville, 65, ofwill Norwood, passed away this April 3, 2020 at 8:05away 81,life ofon Albemarle, passed Mt. Pleasant passed October funeral be 6 PM on Sunday Gilead, passed October 2021 in hisApril home. His at his his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ his24, Lord Tuesday, 7, 2020, passed Wednesday, AprilHer 8, unexpectedly Thursday, April 9, was surrounded by his20, family Wednesday, October 2021 20, 2021away in Bethany Woods. evening October 24, 2021 at Full pm. He Thursday, October 14, 2021. funeralhome will be Thursday October in Stanfield. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 2020 atservice McWhorter Hospice House 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in and holding the hand of the love of in at Atrium Health Pineville funeral will be Tuesday at 10 Gospel Mission Church with Rev. Lovelace was born May 17, 28, 2021 at 11 AM in theOctober Stanly9, 1925, in Mr. Gene was born his home surrounded by family. A in Monroe. his life. Jerry is preceded in death Charlotte. AM in Fairview Memorial Park with Albemarle. Mitchell Cook The in Maryland to Mary Funeral Home Chapel with Cabarrus County to the Jay late Simeon 1974, private family service will beLouise held. Lorraine was born April 28,There 1947 Mr. Luther waspresiding. born March 27,familyby threeDr. siblings, two brothers, Billy Jenkins was born May 21, Pastor Ron Loflin officiating. willto receive 5-6 PM Gilbert Fincher, the latecan JaybeClarence PhillipsJason officiating. Efird and the late Sarah Ella Lovelace Onlineand condolences made at in Monroe to the late Homer David 1955 the latefriends Robertfrom Fulton and and Larry Richard 1940, in Knoxville, Tennessee, will be no formal visitation. at the church prior to the service. Lovelace. P. L.Burris was preceded in deathto his Efird. In addition stanlyfuneralhome.com Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane Helen Tucker Luther. Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce to the late Astor Layfette and Born June 5, 1945 in Stanlyin Entombment will beby athis Stanly loved spending parents, heSue wasFesperman preceded in death by Jason Tony was born Augusttime 11, 1947 Austin. She was also preceded Danny was survived wife, Moore. by his wife Rita Elisabeth Jenkins. In County, NC she was the daughter of Gardens of Memory and family. HePearlie also his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, withinfriends Stanly County to the late death by brothers, A.D. and Teddy Denise Burleson LutherMausoleum of Norwood; on He is survivedSpahr by his wife, Eleanor Thompson. Survivors include addition to his parents, he was the late Leland Smith and Benner Monday at 11 AM. Mary Lambert, Fannie Almond, Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee Austin; and sister, Joy Austin. sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, enjoyed listening to music and son Allen Thompson (Lauran) of also preceded by his first Morris Shereceive was retired Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson Smith. Heguitar. was the son in law of Pat TheSmith. family will friendsfrom JodyBorn Luther; step-sons, Bryan Cindy Fincher Jacobsin of death Wingate March 21, 1958 in the Albemarle, daughters Beth Efird and playing wife, Doris Glenz Jenkins; son, textiles and formerly attended New Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer and Mick Cagle where he worked at from 6:00 pm 8:00 pm, Friday, Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy Richmond County, NC she was the A memorial service will be held (Anthony) of Albemarle and Traci Stephen Glenz Jenkins; grandson, Bethel Lutheran Church in Richfield. Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, the fish house for many years until April 10, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and (Tiffany) Fincher of New London daughter of the late James Henry on Saturday, October 30, 2021, Thompson (Larry) of New London, JosephJimmy Austin(Lisa) and brother, She isofsurvived byThe a friend he opened House Seafood Home Albemarle. funeral Hunter wellSmith as his brother, Step Children, GwinnZado, and as Ruby Gwinn. SheNC.,Jacob at 1:00 PM atAnchor Hartsell Funeral brotherSr.Willie Thompson (Valerie) A private funeral service will be Home’s in Rockwell. He and his wife Becky service willofbeAlbemarle, at 11:00 am on Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob) Jim Jenkins. Ann Coley was a homemaker and an active Lefler Memorial Chapel, of Albemarle, 7 grandchildren: held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 operated Anchor House grandson Saturday Thomas at Pleasant Hill Baptist Luther andof several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locustpracticed NC., Eric Dr. Jenkins Munford and member Full Gospel Mission. 522owned N. 2ndand Street, Albemarle. AshleyatBowers (B.J.),United Cathryn Love’s Grove Methodist for 25 years before retiring in 2009. Church in Marshville, officiated nephews and cousins. (Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., ophthalmology in Albemarle for granddaughter Ashley Karolczak She had a kind and gentle spirit and Jason is survived by his Clayton (Brett), Sarah Efird, Adam Church Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith was a charter member by Rev. John Miller and Rev. Leon Danny recently retired from Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson 50 years. He was a dedicated and a great-granddaughter dearly loved her family and church mother, Mary Louise Lovelace; Efird, Jake Thompson, Ryan officiated by Rev. Jim White. Burial and deacon at Open Door Baptist Whitley. She will lie inand stategreatfor 30 Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after of Midland, Step-grandchildren, member of Albemarle First Katherine Mundford family. Robin (Terry) Pack; son, Thompson and Rita will follow at theThompson, Love’s Grove Unitedsister, Church in Richfield. He loved the minutes prior to the service. She will a dedicated 37 years and worked Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron Assembly for 40 years, where he grandson Frank Karolczak. Darlene is survived by niece Lovelace; daughter, Haley Tony be laid to rest in the church cemetery. there with his sons and several other step grandson Justin Smith, 4 4360 JakeLord Methodist Church Cemetery, and his family abundantly. (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) served as a board member, usher, She was preceded in death by Betty Denise Wilson (Ken) of Mt. Lovelace; wife, Amy Lovelace; great-grandchildren: Ben Bowers, Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. was a wonderful husband, father, and She is survived by her beloved friends and family members. Washington, Beth (Robbie) Setzer, and choir member. her husband Mitchell Simpson, Pleasant, andspending nephewstime J.R.atGwinn Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step nephews, Shane (Lindsay) Pack, Survivors include son Gerald grandfather and could fix anything husband of 47 years, Paul Helms Danny loved Chloe Bowers, Isaac Bowers, and Larry is survived by his wife, daughter Ellen Munford and a son at his of lake Oakboro Gwinn of (Gail) of Albemarle; he put his hands on. Leah (Nick) of the home; son, Alex (Deanna) house and withRoy his family and great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Pack; nieces, JasperWayne Bowers andEfird numerous nieces Jeremy Karen Jenkins; daughter, childbirth. daughterHe Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula friends as well as avacationing his Washington, Robert Setzer, GeorgeLaura Charlotte and roommatewith Stella Starnes and great-nieces and and nephews. was preceded in J.Setzer, (Russ)Tracy Stevwing; son, Paul of Stanfield; granddaughters, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; family. Danny and Denise enjoyed (Sara) (Rob) Setzer Thomas. nephews. death by a sister Eloise Wilson. E. (Wendy) Jenkins; daughter, Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren sons Walter Smith and Robbie grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and listening to beach music and loved to Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Sissy J. (Dale) Austin, daughter, Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatSmith; daughter Kayla Henderson Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, shag dance every chance they could Andrew Underwood, Step great J. (Ryan) Story; stepson, grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, get. He was an amazing father, loving greatMary grandchild, Waylon George Elliot Jacob Simmons. Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. grandfather and great friend to Setzer and brother Lewis Carole Mike Banta;Donald stepdaughter, Memorials may be made to Love’s and Ella Henderson; brother David Memorials may be made to the many. He will never be forgotten. Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Banta; grandchildren, Garrett, Grove United Methodist Church, PO Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park A celebration of life will be Jerry Fincher willWill, be laidSydney, to rest on Seth, Parker, Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276. Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209. announced once the current Wednesday 8,2020 11:00 am Vance,April Olivia, Eli,at Kiley; greatDorothy Smith (Nick). COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. at Canton Baptist Church. Anyone grandchildren, Bayley, Micah; He is preceded in death by Hartsell Funeral Home of interested in attending, please RSVP brother, Alvin (Marjorie) Jenkins; brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Albemarle is serving the Luther at 704-796-2412. Dr. Phil McCray sister, Sylvia Harlow; sister-inClaude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert family. and Pastor Tommy Fincher will law, Barbara Jenkins. Smith, and sister Mary Morris. officiate.

Tony

Dr. Larry P. Jenkins

Darlene Gwinn

Gayzelle Smith Simpson

Keith James Efird December 2, 1942 – October 19, 2021 Linda

Hatley On October 19, 2021 at 3:40 am, KeithINDA James Efird, 78, of Locust TUCKER HATLEY, 69,was of called home to be withaway his Lord and AULINE ELIZABETH Albemarle, passed Monday, Savior. His funeral service will be at ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed Joseph Carlyle Stein Jr., 77, of Linda “Kay” Bowers, 81, April 13, 2020. 3 PM on Sunday, 24, 2021 away peacefully at Trinity Linda was bornOct. September 18,at Richfield passed away on October of Albemarle passed away on Place, Albemarle, NC on 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Church of God with Rev. Wednesday, October 20,April 202111,at2020. 24, 2021 in Atrium Health Stanly. Providence Pauline was born onHer March 22, His funeral service will be at 11 Claris Tucker. was also preceded Jerry Ingle andShe Rev. Torben Stroupe Spring Arbor in Albemarle. in Cabarrus County, NC to the AM Friday, October 29, 2021 in death byVisitation her brother, Terry Lee officiating. will be on funeral1922 service will be held at 11AM late John Richard Almond and Alice Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda Saturday, Oct 23 at the church from in the Stanly Funeral Home on Saturday, October 23, 2021 Shirley Ada Ann Lambert Almond. We know Brenda 5Tucker until 7Strickland. PM. Chapel with Rev. Mike Lambert at Poplin Grove Baptist Church She is survived by her three and Linda are in Heaven Keith was born Dec. 2,watching 1942 in will follow at followed by burial at Stanly Gardens officiating. Burial Haire daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), over us and laughing. Stanly County, NC to the late Willie Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery of Memory. Visitation will be held Oak Island, NC; Pamela Rushing Linda was a loving mother, sister, HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, P.and Efird and Gladys Efird. The family will73, from 10-11AM prior to theNC; service in in Richfield. (Foreman), Oakboro, Kathy “Nana.” She wasBarbee a very giving of Albemarle passed away on He was also preceded in death receive friends at Stanly Funeral the sanctuary. Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her and loving person. Linda wouldby 11, 2020 at Atrium Health his brother Wayne Efird andfor sister andApril Cremation Care of Albemarle Kay son, wasChris bornTucker June 18, 1940 in (Chris Lear), always do anything she could Stanly. The family will hold a private Wanda Morgan. Keith was aShe family evening from 6 until Stanly County to the late William Washington, DC. She will be greatlyon Thursday others, especially her family. graveside service for Mrs. Haire. man whose passion was watching Monroemissed Owens Pauline byand her five grandchildren, 8 PM. enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Shirley was born December 12, supporting his be grandchildren 5, 1944, Stanly and HeatherShe Rushing (Shannon), Born Locust. Linda will forever loved Davis Owens. was aChaney member 1946October in Washington, DC in to the Michael and greatly missed. and great-grandchildren play sports. NC, he was the son of at Poplin GroveRushing, Baptist Elizabeth Church. Michel County, late Charles Richard Bateman and Hartzog (Craig),inJack Michel, Jr. include her son, cars, His Survivors hobbies involved racing the late Joseph Stein Sr. Mrs. Bowers worked daycare Elizabeth MaeCarlyle Mulligan Bateman. (Jenn), Woody Hunt Alan Hatley and wife, and raising hisAngela, cattle. of Stein. for most of herand career and sheas well as and Lorean ShirleyClayton is survived by herHe husband fishing, great-grandchildren. She also attended Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker Keith is survived by his wife of Antioch Baptist of 30 years Vaughn SmithChurch of touchedseven many children’s lives. She leaves behind cherished nieces and and wife, Linda, of Midland; Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter 59 years, Doris Almond Efird of and was former employee of was affectionately known as “Miss nephews. granddaughter, Hatley; 1 of Gainesville, VA; half-brother the home. OtherLeslie survivors include Homes by Oakwood. Kay”. Kay was a loving mother and The family expresses its sincere niece; and 2 nephews. Robert Bateman of Stevensville, two daughters, Vicki Love (Phil) He is survived by his wife of grannygratitude and enjoyed time to thespending staff and caregivers The family will receive friends MD; step-children Heather Smith and Angie Haigler (Michael) all of 55 years Sharri Elaine Barringer with her at family. Trinity Place for the care they from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, of Jacksonville, FL and David Locust,NC; a brother, Doyle Efird Stein, son Carl Stein (Angie) of Mrs.provided BowersPauline. is survived by April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Smith of New London, NC; 4 (Dianne) of Stanfield,Linda NC; awill sister, Grove, daughters Cindi her husband Junior Bowersservice of A private graveside will beChina Home in Albemarle. step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi Linda Wensil of New (Bill) of New London, Albemarle; sons: SteveApril Bowers held on Monday, 13, 2020. A Tipton be laidEfird to rest during(Terry) a private Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and London, NC, sister in law, Freida Lomax of Denton, (Crystal) of Albemarle; Todd celebration of Pauline’ s life and legacySandra committal service at Bethel United Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandEfird of Oakboro, brother in law, Steinand of Rockwell be held summer.Randy brothers Methodist Church,NC; Midland. Bowerswill (Tracy) of this Albemarle; niecesJimmy and nephews; Gus the Garry Morgan of Albemarle, NC; a In lieu of the family In lieu of flowers, please consider anddog. sisters Pat Aldridge of Badin, Bowers (Krista) offlowers, Albemarle; Stanly Funeral and Cremation requests donations be made to the Sylvia memorial donation Bradley to BethelLove UMC, five grandchildren, Smith of Albemarle, grandchildren: Teryn Morgan Care of Albemarle is serving the BrightFocus Foundation at www. Linda IdlebrookSC, Rd,Allysan Midland,Love, NC of12700 Simpsonville, Little of Albemarle, five (Miller), TJ Bowers, Jessup Bowers, Haire family. brightfocus.org. 28107.Griffin (Devin), Dylan Haigler Randi Colby Bowers, Elizabeth Smith; and grandchildren, and four greatand Ashlyn Haigler all of Locust, grandchildren. He was preceded great-grandchildren: Parker and NC and three great grandchildren, in death by brother-in-law Tony Miles Morgan. She was preceded in Jordan Love, Bentley Griffin and death by her granddaughter Christy Smith and son-in-law Eric McKynlee Griffin. Lomax. Kay Bowers. October 5, 1944 – October 24, 2021

June 18, 1940 – Tucker October 20, 2021

Sarah Cornelia Cranford Morris May 22, 1929

Sarah Cornelia Cranford Morris was born May 22, 1929 in Gastonia, NC to the late Zim Franklin Cranford and the late Nelia Adeline Lowder Cranford. In addition to her husband of 66 years, Bobby Morris, she was October 1, 1971 – also preceded in death by her October 18, 2021 brothers, Glen, Marvin, Frank, JC, Willard and Carroll Cranford; Angel Chavez, 50, of Locust, and sisters, Edna Morrow and passed away Monday, October Viola Harris. 18, 2021 at Novant Health She attended Pfeiffer College, Presbyterian Medical Center, the University of NC at Chapel Charlotte, NC. His Memorial Hill, and graduated from service will be 1pm Saturday, Women’s College in Greensboro, October 23, 2021 at the Stanly NC with a degree in Home Funeral and Cremation Care Economics Education. After a Locust with Pastor brief career in education, she Celebrate the life ofChapel yourinloved Salapiel Chue officiating. There worked beside her husband at will be noand visitation. ones. Submit Morris Super Market, and later obituaries Mr. Chavez was born October retired as a seamstress at Dunrite published in Caltepantla 1971 in San Miguel Laundry.death notices to be 1, Hgo, Mexcio to the late Tomas She isSCJ survived daughters, atbyobits@stanlyjournal.com Chavez and Celedonia Arteago. Gina Morris (Jimmy) Watlington, He was a auto mechanic with Wendy Morris (Cavin) Holbrook, Charlie’s Auto Repair in Concord, Mitzi Morris (Darin) Helms; NC, He was a good father, who grandchildren Ginger (Jeff) was always courageous and strong Stokes, William (Jamey) and protected his family. Watlington, Hunter Holbrook, He is survived by his wife, Caroline Holbrook, Cameron Nancy Alvarado of the home. Helms, Allison Helms; great Other survivors include three grandchildren, Hailey Stokes, sons, Hever Chavez, Thomas Beckett Watlington, and Charlie Chavez and Brandon Chavez and Watlington. a daughter, Mia Chavez all of the home.

Angel Chavez

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony. When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care. Phone: 704-985-4851

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

STATE & NATION

Democrats still critical of Republican redistricting proposals despite increased transparency By Adriana Gomez Licon The Associated Press RALEIGH — A decade ago, North Carolina Republicans redrew their legislative districts to help their party in a way that a federal court ruled illegally deprived black voters of their right to political representation. A partisan state court later struck down Republican-drawn maps as based on pure partisanship. As the once-a-decade redistricting process kicks into high gear, North Carolina is one of at least three states where Republicans say they are drawing maps without looking at racial and party data. Democrats are incredulous, noting that veteran lawmakers don’t need a spreadsheet to know where voters of various races and different parties live in their state. Plus, under certain scenarios, the Voting Rights Act requires the drawing of districts where the majority of voters are racial or ethnic minorities. “This is the first redistricting round I’ve ever heard of this,” said Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which is suing Texas Republicans over maps that the GOP said it drew without looking at racial data. “I suspect they’re trying to set up a defense for litigation. Because they know the race data — they know where the black community lives. They know where the Latino community lives.” Jason Torchinsky, general counsel to the National Republican Redistricting Trust, said ignoring racial data is proper in certain circumstances, as in the cases of North Carolina and Texas. “It depends on where you are,” Torchinsky said. The drawing of legislative lines is often a raw partisan fight because whichever party controls the process can craft districts to maximize its voters’ clout — and scatter

PHOTO VIA AP

In this Sept. 12, 2019, file photo, state Rep. John Szoka, of Fayetteville, looks over a redistricting map during a committee meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh opposing voters so widely they cannot win majorities. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts cannot overturn unfair maps on the basis of partisanship. But state courts became the latest battleground, in some states voiding maps for being “too partisan.” If mapmakers explicitly try to weaken voters’ power based on race, they may violate the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. But the Voting Rights Act requires them to consider race if the state has “racially polarized” voting, in which white people consistently vote against candidates backed by a minority racial or ethnic group. The mapmakers must then create a district in which that minority comprises a plurality or majority of voters so they can elect their preferred candidates.

Republicans say they cannot win. “It’s truly a conundrum and has been for the last decade for the GOP, because when we look at race, we were told we shouldn’t have, and those maps were struck down,” said North Carolina state Sen. Paul Newton, who co-chairs that state’s redistricting committee. “Now that we’re not looking at race, the Democrat Party is telling us, ‘Oh, you should be looking at race.’” North Carolina’s redistricting legal fight is part of why the new race-blind approach caught on. The Republican-controlled legislature has complete control of redistricting; its maps cannot be vetoed by its Democratic governor. A federal court in 2016 ruled North Carolina Republicans improperly crammed black voters into two congressional districts to dilute

African American votes elsewhere. It ordered the map redrawn, and in a separate case another panel of judges found that dozens of state legislative districts were illegal racial gerrymanders as well. The updated congressional map was the basis of the 2019 Supreme Court case. But, barely two months later, a North Carolina state court found the GOP advantage in some of the redrawn state legislative maps still violated the state constitution. Based on this and other rulings, Republicans redrew the maps once again in late 2019, this time saying they weren’t looking at racial or partisan data, and they passed legal muster. Then, in August, the legislature formally adopted a rule that it wouldn’t consider race or partisanship in its latest line-drawing that would begin after the U.S. Census

Bureau released data on population changes over the past decade. Lawmakers noted that, during the epic litigation of the prior decade, a federal court had found the state didn’t have racially polarized voting and didn’t require special attention to racial data. Democrats and left-leaning civil rights groups strenuously objected. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice wrote Republicans a letter warning they would be disenfranchising black and Latino voters. “They’re not listening,” said Allison Riggs, head of the group’s voting rights program. Other GOP-controlled states have followed North Carolina’s example. For the past five decades, Texas has been found to have violated federal law or the U.S. Constitution in redistricting, including by shortchanging black and Latino voters. This time, Republicans who control the state Legislature said they wouldn’t consider racial data and their lawyers said that was OK. “I’ve stated it, and I’ll state it again — we drew these maps race blind,” Texas state Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican who drew that state’s maps, said in one Senate hearing. Ohio Republicans are also enmeshed in litigation over their state legislative plan, which they said was drawn with no racial or partisan data. “It’s illegal to use race in drawing districts. That’s a violation of federal law,” Republican state Senate President Matt Huffman told reporters last month. Ohio Republicans said that even though they didn’t use partisan data, they were targeted in a suit by several community and anti-gerrymandering groups for drawing a partisan map anyway. “The way the map performs is to really skew partisan outcomes in Ohio,” said Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, one of the plaintiffs. “It’s very likely they did use partisan data.”

Youngkin’s school warnings intensify the GOP’s suburban push By Steve Peoples The Associated Press ASHLAND, Va. — Glenn Youngkin wants voters in Virginia to hear an urgent message: Your children are in danger. In a speech in Northern Virginia’s suburbs last week, the Republican candidate for governor highlighted the murky case of a student who allegedly committed sex crimes in two area schools. He said the incidents, which have sparked community outrage, are the result of failed Democratic leadership. “What other tragedy awaits Virginia’s children?” Youngkin asked from the podium, flanked by a collection of parents and schoolchildren. On the eve of the Nov. 2 election, Youngkin’s message represents a new front in his monthslong push to repair the Republican Party’s standing in the suburbs, where college-educated moms and dads turned against Donald Trump’s GOP. Shying away from Trump and his divisive rhetoric for much of the year, Youngkin has adopted a suburban strategy that instead emphasizes an approachable image and “kitchen table” issues like taxes, public safety and education. He’s also tried to link his education platform to the frustrations of Virginia activist groups already upset by school coronavirus pandemic restrictions and transgender policies, as well as classroom curricula they see as too liberal and un-American. Youngkin’s final-days focus on sexual predators in schools will test the limits of his suburban outreach and provide lessons for Republicans aiming to retake control of Congress next year. Less than two weeks before Election Day in Virginia, there are signs that Youngkin’s strategy is working. Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s campaign privately concedes the race is a toss-up, despite built-in advantages in a state President Joe Biden carried by 10 percentage points last fall. New polling from Monmouth University, which has the race tied, suggested that Youn-

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

In this Oct. 11, 2021, file photo Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin greets supporters during a meet and greet at a sports bar in Chesapeake, Va. gkin may be gaining some support among those deciding between the two candidates in the final months of the campaign, including in the Northern Virginia suburbs. Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, also cited a shift in voters’ top issues away from the pandemic, which tends to favor Democrats, and toward the economy and education. A pair of recent cases of alleged high school sexual assault have allowed Youngkin to connect his education platform to the prospect of violence in schools. The first occurred in a restroom at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, in Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County, on May 28. The father of the victim was arrested during a school board meet-

ing the following month, as officials were discussing transgender school bathroom policies, after an altercation with another parent. On Oct. 6, a separate incident occurred at Broad Run High School, about 3 miles from Stone Bridge. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that a 14-year-old male was arrested in connection with the May 28 assault and charged with two counts of forcible sodomy. Police have since announced that the same suspect has been charged with sexual battery and abduction of a fellow student in the Oct. 6 incident. In response to outrage from parents that the same student allegedly was allowed to commit two assaults in different schools, Loudoun County Public Schools

Superintendent Scott Ziegler apologized last week and said school officials will review disciplinary procedures. “It’s less about ideology. Now we’re talking about a parent’s role as it influences the safety of their child,” said Alleigh Marré, a Virginia mother who leads an organization called Free to Learn Coalition. “I think most parents, when they look at what occurred in Loudoun, they see a father who was sticking up for his daughter who was a survivor of sexual assault and yet the repercussions came back to the dad.” On the ground in northern Virginia, Briana Howard, a 32-yearold mom of a second grader in Fairfax County schools, said her family struggled during last year’s classroom closures. She supported

them initially, but felt they went on for far too long. Howard said she typically votes for Democrats and voted for Biden last year but is supporting Youngkin because of his stance on education and her frustration with Democrats, who she feels have catered to teachers unions instead of families. She attended one of Youngkin’s recent rallies and described being “very moved” to hear that he was taking the alleged sexual assaults seriously and demanding an investigation. “He was very passionate about what he said and just really made me feel like he’s going to listen to parents and he’s going to listen to our voices,” she said. “And he’s going to not just listen to us but change what is happening.”

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Twin City Herald

PHOTOS COURTESY WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS

Fall in Western NC Fog settles on Price Lake as Grandfather Mountain glows in morning light while the sun rises along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Ex-tennis coach to plead guilty in college admissions case

The Associated Press

Forsyth County A former Georgetown University tennis coach is expected to plead guilty Monday in Boston federal court in the college admissions bribery case. Gordon Ernst was accused of accepting more than $2 million to help the children of wealthy parents get into the school in Washington. Prosecutors, in a plea deal announced last month, said they will recommend Ernst serve no more than four years in prison. Ernst has agreed to plead guilty to multiple counts of federal programs bribery and one count of filing a false tax return. He’s also agreed to forfeit $3.4 million earned from the scheme. Several other coaches have also admitted to taking bribes, including former Wake Forest University coach William Ferguson. Federal prosecutors earlier this month promised to drop their case against Ferguson if he pays a $50,000 fine. All told, 57 people have been charged in the case. Nearly four dozen have pleaded guilty. AP

Man charged after woman found dead in home Davie County A man has been charged after deputies found a woman dead inside a home. The Davie County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a location on Tuesday after being told someone had been shot. Inside the home, the deputies found the body of Tiffany Dawn Robertson, 29, of Mocksville. According to the sheriff’s office, the caller, Jonathan Edward Myers, 30, of Mocksville, was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is continuing. AP

20177 52016 $0.50

North Carolina’s $25 reward helped boost COVID vaccinations RALEIGH — What works and what doesn’t when it comes to encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19? A new study in North Carolina shows that offering $25 to people getting their first shot was an important factor, while long odds at a big lottery prize made little difference. The study released on Monday examined a pilot program offering $25 to residents in four counties. Of the 401 vaccine recipients surveyed, more than two-fifths cited the prepaid cash cards as an important reason they went in for a shot. Hispanic people, other racial minorities and residents making less than $40,000 a year were more likely than white and wealthier residents to view the cash cards as a key reason to get the vaccine, according to the report published online in JAMA Internal Medicine. Roughly 1 in 11 respondents said they would not have come in for a COVID-19 shot if the $25 perk was not being offered at participating sites in Mecklenburg, Guilford, Rowan and Rockingham counties. About 1 in 7 people surveyed said they waited to get vaccinated until they learned they could get a cash card or other incentive. “With hundreds of millions of

WILFREDO LEE | AP PHOTO

This May 13, 2021, file photo shows syringes filled with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, if so, who should get them and when. dollars being spent to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine uptake, these study findings suggest that this strategy for increasing vaccination merits greater investment,” the authors wrote. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services authored the study in collaboration with researchers at North Carolina Central University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After the pilot program ended in June, Gov. Roy Cooper and DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen decided to offer a $100 financial reward and make the perk more widely available throughout the state. Less successful, however, was North Carolina’s rollout of a $4.5 million lottery package ultimately won by just eight residents. Four kids aged 12 to 17 who got vaccinated each qualified for $125,000

college scholarships, while four adults 18 or older each got $1 million before taxes. Within the first two weeks of the state announcing the lottery in June, about 118,000 residents got their first shot, but weekly vaccination counts were flat throughout much of June and July before rising in late-July and early-August amid substantial spread of the more contagious delta variant. “These large but uncertain financial prizes benefit only a few lucky winners and do not broadly address access barriers to vaccination,” the authors wrote, adding that financial rewards should be considered in conjunction with other methods to promote an equitable distribution of shots. The latest data from the state health department shows eight consecutive weeks of weekly declines in the number of North Carolinians receiving a first dose. While more data is pending, numbers released on Monday show only 19,000 or so residents got their first COVID-19 shot last week, which represents the lowest weekly count to date. State health officials ended their $100 vaccine reward in August. The incentives section of the NCDHHS website now directs visitors to find a nearby vaccine location.

Catawba College receives record $200 million gift The Associated Press SALISBURY — An anonymous donor has given a North Carolina college $200 million for its endowment, the largest gift in its 170-year history, officials announced. Catawba College, with an enrollment of 1,200, announced the gift on Thursday of last week. “This extraordinary gift is an affirmation of the quality of education at Catawba College and reflects the donor’s ambition for Catawba to flourish for generations to come,” David P. Nelson, Catawba’s president, said in an announcement from the school. “Students at Catawba benefit from the personal attention they receive from faculty and staff.

They have rich opportunities for personal formation and exploration of vocation,” said Constance Rogers-Lowery, Catawba’s provost. “This gift advances our college’s position as a destination for exceptional and visionary faculty who value this kind of learning community.” One-third of the gift will provide recurring funding to support and enhance Catawba’s programs in environment and sustainability. Two-thirds of the gift is dedicated to supporting strategic initiatives, strengthening student scholarships, enhancing student success programming, promoting a thriving workplace and investing in faculty excellence, the school said. “This is cause for celebration

for our entire community,” Catawba’s vice president of development, Meg Dees, said. “The donor hopes this gift will inspire and catalyze additional philanthropic contributions that support Catawba’s high-impact programs and initiatives.” “It is impossible to adequately express our gratitude,” added Nelson. “Our donor’s generosity funds our imagination, enabling us to provide a liberal arts education that frees students to create the world where we all want to live.” Earlier this year, Catawba received gifts totaling $18 million to retire the college’s entire debt. That included a $13.7 million gift from a single anonymous donor. “It allows us to create even

greater opportunities for thousands of students in the years ahead by accelerating our strategic goals and providing lasting financial stability and flexibility while we continue to transform our campus,” Dees said at the time. “This gift increases our capacity to shape the future.” “This extraordinary gift alters the future of Catawba College,” Dr. Nelson added, “positioning us for financial sustainability that enables us to better provide access and opportunity for students who seek a college experience focused on personal formation as they prepare for meaningful life and work.” TCH Staff contributed to this report

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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“Join the conversation” Twin City Herald Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal. 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 (704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

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was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at 519 GRANVILLE DR/W ACADEMY ST on 10/23/2021

♦ Conrad, Michael Leon (B /M/70) Arrest on chrg of 1) Adw - Inflict Injury (M), 2) Assault On Female (M), and 3) Communicate Threats (M), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 10/22/2021 09:00.

♦ Jackson, Traquan Deonte (B /M/22) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Resisting Arrest (M), at 205 Woodbriar Path, Rural Hall, NC, on 10/21/2021 01:23.

♦ Cooper, Montieth Cortez (B /M/45) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 4063 Sawmill Rd, Winstonsalem, NC, on 10/23/2021 18:30.

♦ JOHNSON, DEMON DEMOND was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 625 W SIXTH ST on 10/23/2021

♦ Crosby, Dallas Vance (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 208 Park Creek Ct, Winstonsalem, NC, on 10/21/2021 09:28.

♦ Johnson, Gilbert Alfonso (B /M/44) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female, M (M), at 301 N Church St, Winstonsalem, NC, on 10/23/2021 00:00.

♦ DAVIS, PATRICK CORNELIUS was arrested on a charge of AWIK/SERIOUS INJURY at 2008 S HAWTHORNE RD on 10/21/2021

♦ JOHNSON, KENDU MICHAEL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-POINT GUN at 2000 E TWENTYFIFTH ST on 10/22/2021

♦ Edwards, Marshall Jerome (W /M/21) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 700 Woodbriar Path, Rural Hall, NC, on 10/20/2021 17:10.

♦ JONES, JAMIE LEE was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARC-FELONY at 5034 RAVEN RD on 10/23/2021

♦ HELTON, ALEXANDER JASON was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 1307 REVERE RD on 10/22/2021 ♦ INGRAM, JEFFEREY TODD

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County and industrial Newton, the former longtime home of Maytag. It’s an area with many blue-collar workers and union members and was long a safe Democratic district. Democrat Wesley Breckenridge won it twice by double digits -- 51% to 38% in 2016 and 59% to 41% in 2018 — but by only 52% to 48% in 2020. After he resigned in 2021, Republican Jon Dunwell won on Oct. 12 by a 60% to 40% margin. Trump lost in 2020 because he fell behind his 2016 showing among upscale voters and did not make sufficiently compensating gains among downscale white and minority voters. The Greenwich and Newton legislative results suggest Republicans have staunched the bloodletting among the affluent and have regained momentum with downscale voters. This is in line with CNN analyst Harry Enten’s observation that, since April 2021, Republicans have been running well-ahead of their November 2020 levels. It’s consistent with the widespread sense that Democrats are likely to lose — and may lose by a lot — the narrow 222 to 213 House majority they won in 2020. The wild card in this is, as always in years ending with “2,” redistricting. Democrats control redistricting in relatively few states but seem to be bent on aggressively eliminating the few Republican seats in Illinois and New York, and are even targeting the single Republican seats in Maryland and New Mexico. Note the deafening silence of the liberals who have been lamenting that Republican redistricting threatens the end of democracy. Similarly, liberals were nonplussed by gerrymandering when Democrats controlled most redistricting in the 1962, 1972 and 1982

cycles. Sauce for the goose but not for the gander. But as the Cook Political Report’s Dave Wasserman points out, redistricters can be incompetent or too clever by half. If you create a bunch of 52% districts for your party, you’re liable to lose all of them when your party’s numbers go down a few points. Over the long run, it’s probably smarter to shore up your incumbents, as Texas Republicans are doing, and to concede to the other side some seats where the tide has been going their way. In the 1980s, the affluent north Dallas and west Houston districts were the most Republican in the country. But they flipped Democratic in 2018, and now Republicans are making them more Democratic for 2022. One more note on redistricting. The supposedly nonpartisan redistricting commissions enacted in some states and lavishly praised by liberal commentators aren’t working out so well. Inevitably, they’ve become partisan slugfests, for who other than partisans would want to spend their time drawing district lines on maps? Political science professors? More than 95% are Democrats. Think tankers? All committed to one side or the other. Journalists? You’ve got to be kidding. The plain, though perhaps unpalatable, fact is that there always will be politics in politics, especially in times of close partisan competition — even, or especially, in special elections to state legislatures. Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics.

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♦ JACKSON, BRANDAN NICHOLAS was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2520 PETERS on 10/25/2021

♦ HALL, RAHNARD AMUND was arrested on a charge of REC/POSS STOLE MV at 5999 UNIVERSITY PW/E HANES MILL RD on 10/22/2021

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♦ BROWN, DWAYNE PATRICK was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 406 N PATTERSON AV on 10/22/2021

♦ GREEN, PATTY ROSE was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 10/22/2021

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WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ BEASLEY, AUTUMN MARIE was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 418 W FOURTH ST on 10/23/2021

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♦ JORDAN, STEPHON BERNARD was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 3022 WALSH ST on 10/25/2021 ♦ Kennedy, John Edward (B /M/20) Arrest on chrg of Interfering With Emergency Communication (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 10/21/2021 20:30. ♦ Lane, David Patrick (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 2) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4)

Fail To Appear/compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Probation Violation (M), and 7) Probation Violation (M), at 6501 Armindale Av, Rural Hall, NC, on 10/24/2021 12:50. ♦ LEWIS, BARRON BERNARD was arrested on a charge of FALSE IMPRISONMENT at 2008 S HAWTHORNE RD on 10/21/2021 ♦ Lineback, Brenda Hartgrove (W /F/76) Arrest on chrg of Affray, M (M), at 1335 Lynndale Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 10/20/2021 11:33. ♦ LYONS, DOMINIQUE NICOLE was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 1345 HOLLY CT on 10/24/2021 ♦ Martinez, Oscar Gustavo (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Battery On An Unborn Child (M), 2) Assault On Female (M), 3) Breaking/enter-misd (M), and 4) Resisting Arrest (M), at 1705 Remington Point Ct, Walkertown, NC, on 10/20/2021 19:19. ♦ Perry, John Henry (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault-simple (M) and 2) Disorderly Conduct (M), at 6353 Cephis Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 10/22/2021 03:00.

♦ SAWYER, WILLIAM LEE was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-POSS SCHED II at 1308 N PATTERSON AV on 10/25/2021 ♦ SIMPSON, TREJON TYMIL was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 100 HANES MALL BV on 10/23/2021 ♦ SMITH, RENARD LEJUAN was arrested on a charge of ADW MINOR PRESENT at 2754 E SPRAGUE ST on 10/22/2021 ♦ Staples, Justin (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 2nd Degree Trespass, M (M), at 1667 Banbridge Rd, Kernersville, NC, on 10/21/2021 15:18. ♦ Sutton, Kahlid Jeremiak Ak (B /M/18) Arrest on chrg of Disch Fa/occ Dwell (F), at 2918 N Glenn Av, Winstonsalem, NC, on 10/22/2021 11:00. ♦ TABER, JOSEPH DUANE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 5032 PETERS CREEK PW on 10/22/2021 ♦ THOMAS, COMEKA YVETTE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 1930 FRANCISAN DR on 10/24/2021

♦ PITTMAN, TAMARA MCINNES was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 10/21/2021

♦ THOMAS, VICTOR ANTOINE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 10/24/2021

♦ Ream, Richard Kyle (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Vand-personal Prop (M), at 201 N Church St, Winstonsalem, NC, on 10/22/2021 09:00.

♦ UPCHURCH, LAMAR XAVIER was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 418 W FOURTH ST on 10/23/2021

♦ RICHARDSON, KWELI MALIK was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 3333 SILAS CREEK PW on 10/23/2021 ♦ RORIE, CHRISTOPHER LEE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1600 N LIBERTY ST on 10/24/2021

♦ Vaughters, Tomorrow Domoinque (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats, M (M), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 10/20/2021 00:00. ♦ WILSON, JUSTIN DEVON was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 3921 SOUTHDALE AV on 10/21/2021

♦ Timothy “Timmy” George Abel, 34, died Oct. 23, 2021. ♦ John Lawrence Angle, 64, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Timothy “Timmy” Steven Billiter, 62, of King, died Oct. 22, 2021. ♦ Sherry Cheek Boyles, 65, of Forsyth County, died Oct. 22, 2021. ♦ Helen Marie Davis Coon, 93, of Lexington, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Jerry Dane Davis, 76, of Forsyth County, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Sue Wilson Denny, 77, died Oct. 23, 2021. ♦ Yvonne Depperschmidt, 66, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Major Madeline Edwards, 85, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Lillian Marie Pettyjohn Fesperman, 87, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 23, 2021. ♦ Carolyn Pleasants Harris, 95, of Brighton Gardens, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Annie Smith Howell, 86, died Oct. 24, 2021. ♦ Corena Idol Lako, 87, of Kernersville, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Michael “Mac” Shannon McDonald, 49, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 22, 2021. ♦ Carolyn Ferguson Mills, 77, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Michael David Panzano, 27, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Betty Sue Collins Royal, 79, of Mt. Airy, died Oct. 21, 2021. ♦ Margaret Castley Simon, 91, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Darrell Eugene Stephens, 62, of Kernersville, died Oct. 23, 2021. ♦ Harold Tedford, 88, of WinstonSalem, died Oct. 20, 2021. ♦ Charlie James Tilley, 93, of Winston Salem, died Oct. 22, 2021. ♦ Robert “Bob” Lee Whitley, 83, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 23, 2021. ♦ Arvella Brown Williams, 94, of Winston-Salem, died Oct. 20, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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