North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 41

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 41 | WWW.NSJONLINE.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

2022 election filing begins Candidates running in the 2022 election file for office. See more about candidate filing in Jones & Blount on page A5.

Gov Cooper names new NC ABC chairman Raleigh Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Hank Bauer to be the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission chairman following the resignation of former chairman Zander Guy. “Hank Bauer has over thirty years of valuable experience in the industry,” said Gov. Cooper in a statement. “He will be an asset to the ABC Commission and I am grateful for his willingness to serve.”

Bauer is a former general manager at Empire Distributors, where he also served as the director of sales and on-premise director. He was previously with Boston Beer Company and Blue Ridge Beverage. Bauer earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University.

The N.C. ABC Commission controls the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of all alcoholic beverages in the state.

Top row: John Szoka (U.S. House), John Bradford (N.C. House) Bottom row: DeVan Barbour (U.S. House), Warren Daniel (N.C. Senate)

COURTESY PHOTOS

Toyota chooses North Carolina megasite for major batterymanufacturing plant

NSJ STAFF

No currency manipulator labels from US, China on watch Washington, D.C. The Biden administration will not designate any country as a currency manipulator, but it did name China, Vietnam and Taiwan among the nations that have failed to live up to global agreements not to use their currencies to gain unfair trade advantages.

In a report to Congress, the Treasury Department cited China for a number of failures that prevent trading partners from gaining full knowledge of how it manages its currency.

The Treasury plans to closely monitor the foreign exchange activities of China’s stateowned banks to get a clearer picture of China’s currency practices, according to the report.

Being named as a currency manipulator under U.S. law does not carry any immediate penalties but it does require Treasury to engage in negotiations with the foreign country in an effort to get it to alter its currency practices.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Major outage hits Amazon Web Services; many sites affected New York Amazon Web Services suffered a major outage Tuesday, the company said, disrupting access to many popular sites.

The company provides cloud computing services to many governments, universities and companies, including The Associated Press.

Amazon said in a post after the outage began that it had identified the root cause and was “actively working towards recovery.” The issue primarily affected its services in the Eastern U.S. It did not disclose any additional details about the cause. ″The outage also affected Amazon’s ability to provide status updates,” it said.

According to DownDetector, a clearinghouse for user reports of outages, Southwest was also affected, but not American, United, Alaska or JetBlue.

People trying to use Instacart, Venmo, Kindle, Roku, and Disney+ have reported issues.

The McDonald’s app was also down.

It wasn’t immediately clear how, or whether, the outage was affecting the federal government. The White House referred questions to the nation’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a component of the Department of Homeland Security, which directed queries to Amazon.

Project will bring over 1,700 jobs, $9.5 billion to state economy

Cooper hits veto No. 66 on election day integrity bill

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper added veto No. 66 to his list of record-breaking vetoes with his veto of Senate Bill 326, The Election Day Integrity Act. Since veto power was granted to North Carolina governors in 1996, Cooper’s four predecessors had only issued 35 vetoes combined.

“The legislature ironically named this bill ‘The Election Day Integrity Act’ when it actually does the opposite,” Cooper wrote in his veto message. “Election Integrity means counting every legal vote, but this bill virtually guarantees the opposite.”

Cooper’s message appears to conflict with much of the content of the bill. One of the key provisions is shoring up the date ballots are accepted to Election Day instead of continued acceptance three days later. Additionally, not only does Senate Bill 326 count every legal vote, but the bill would also have extended the Election Day deadline for absentee by-mail ballots.

Except for military and overseas voters, the bill would have added hours for those applications and mail-in absentee ballots to be returned to boards of election, going from the current 5 p.m. deadline to 7:30 p.m. on the day of the election, regardless of postmark.

Additionally, If the N.C. State Board of Elections were to extend the closing time of the polls, ballots could be received and counted by the extended

closing time.

During the 2020 election, ballots were to be accepted nine days beyond Election Day, causing delays and controversy in certifying race results.

The nine-day extension was the result of a secret settlement entered into by the N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE), N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein, and Democratic-aligned activist groups. Dubbed a “collusive settlement agreement” by lawmakers, it made the changes to ballot-acceptance dates just 41 days before Election Day and while absentee voting was already underway.

“Election Day should be the election deadline because it boosts confidence in elections to have results as close to the end of voting as possible. Election Day is the election deadline in plenty of Democrat-run states, yet Gov. Cooper and Democrats keep peddling this bizarre theory that the policy is an attempt at voter suppression,” the bill’s primary sponsor, state Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) said in a statement.

The statement from Newton notes that the bill would have aligned North Carolina with “Democratic-controlled states like Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and others,” that have “identical policies” recognizing Election Day deadlines for ballots.

Newton went on to ask, “Will the press finally ask Gov. Cooper or Democratic legislators whether they believe Democrats See VETO, page A2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

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20177 52016 $0.50

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Gov. Roy Cooper briefs media from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh in this undated file photo.

By David Larson North State Journal LIBERTY — After years of planning and negotiations, the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite landed a partner that more than satisfied what organizers had dreamed of for the site. On Dec. 6, Toyota Motor North America announced they were investing $1.29 billion to build their first battery plant on the continent, which will also be the largest private investment in state history. The manufacturing site is predicted to bring $9.5 billion to the state economy over the next two decades, and the initial 1,750 jobs are just the very early impact on the region’s employment.

NSJ was on site for the 2 p.m. announcement, which took place in a packed tent in a windblown field at the Greensboro-Randolph

Megasite. The site is in the small town of Liberty in Randolph County, but is only minutes from Guilford, Alamance and Chatham counties. The tent held a who’swho of North Carolina government officials (local, state and federal) as well as major business and nonprofit interests. In the speeches of those presenting, as well as in interviews with those present, two themes frequently surfaced — the transformational nature of the project to the region and the firm belief that this announcement was only the first of many.

During the event, the loudest applause seemed to come for Toyota Motor North America chief administrative officer Chris Reynolds. He gave Gov. Roy Cooper two gifts on behalf of the company — one an aluminum race car with the number 21 on it, representing 2021 starting a race to the future, and the other a figure of a battery, like those that will be manufactured on the site. Cooper had moSee TOYOTA page A2

Wake Forest Baptist Health concludes antibody portion of COVID-19 study Top findings include 30% had antibodies pre-vaccines, 95% post vaccine rollout; 91% ‘real world effectiveness’ in preventing disease

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In mid-April of 2020, an antibody study, to be conducted by Wake Forest Baptist Health and Atrium Health, was given $100,000. Almost a year later, the study had enrolled over 23,000 individuals to log daily symptoms, and nearly 11,000 of those enrolled have taken at least one antibody test. The antibody portion of the study concluded at the end of October.

Dr. John Sanders, chief of infectious diseases at Wake Forest Baptist Health, who led the study, tells North State Journal they ended up doing 222,968 antibody tests over the course of the study.

There are 29 different research papers related to the study which have either already gone through the process and are ready for publication, have already been published, or are still being worked on.

Sanders said that as of mid-tolate December 2020, of the 20,000 plus people in North Carolina who were being regularly tested, about 30% had had antibodies at some point before the vaccines became See ANTIBODY, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

12.8.21 #311

THE WORD: MAKING JOYFUL NOISES

Psalm 100:1-2

North State Christmas — available on Spotify at nsjonline.com/ Christmas

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

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As the Christmas Season kicks into high gear, carols and hymns are filling the air. We are reminded that joyful noises are appreciated by God. Christmas tunes — new and old — bring us together in celebration of the season and the salvation that came through the birth of Jesus Christ.

We polled the writers and editors of the North State Journal to share a collective playlist of Christmas classics and personal favorites from our staff to your family. You’ll see North Carolinaborn like James Taylor and Far Too Jones (find that Crabtree Valley Mall reference in “Christmas Time”) and native sons Charlie Daniels and Ronnie Milsap. We hope this list lets you explore some arrangements you haven’t heard and possibly discover a new holiday favorite.

able dedication by our volunteers to be doing that.”

Doug McGlasson, a clinical reavailable.

“Well, the thing about antibody search manager with Wake Forest tests are that natural infection will Baptist Health involved with the trigger a positive test and vaccines study, said that they have been getwill trigger a positive test,” said ting in excess of 10 billion daily reSanders. “So, one of the things that sponses since the study started.

McGlasson also said that there we could show after the vaccines came out was that the vast majori- are over 2,000 pediatric-aged indity of people who got vaccinated had viduals participating in daily syna positive antibody test and there’s dromic reporting. Of those, 1,900 over 95% of people, of all ages, who are part of serology and virology got a vaccine demonstrated positive studies, both of which will have antibody within six weeks of having concluded at the end of November.

“We are collecting data out of the gotten vaccinated.”

Sanders, a graduate of Tulane Atrium-Charlotte area, the WinUniversity’s School of Medicine who ston-Salem area, and the WakeMed R a leigh-Durha m earned his undergraduate area,” McGlasson degree from N.C. State, said. “Out of those noted that there were pediatric participants 65,000 people who volunages 2 through 18, but teered for the study across “The risk for that’s a whole other 10 sites in multiple states. breakthrough in set of interesting data Six of those sites are in that we’re just now North Carolina. He also North Carolina starting to take a look said that they ended up was inverse to at to interpret what with close to 50,000 who age, meaning are we finding.” persisted in the study.

There have been “Over 40,000 of them that the 18- to increasing reports were getting antibody 40-year-olds of fully vaccinated tests,” said Sanders of the individuals experistudy participants. “Of were more encing breakthrough that 30,000 of those were likely to have a cases. Sanders said in North Carolina. So, we their study also found do feel very good about breakthrough breakthrough cases the data up until the vac- infection than and found younger cines came out.” the 40to cohorts seemed to be North Carolina sites more at risk. included Wake Forest, 65-year-olds Sander said their Atrium, WakeMed in and those 65 most unique findRaleigh, Vidant in Greening contradicts most ville, New Hanover, and older.” studies which have Wilmington and Campfound that the older bell University. Other Dr. John Sanders, one is, the more likesites include Delaware, chief of infectious ly they are to have a University of Mississipbreakthrough infecpi, Tulane University, diseases at Wake tion.

University of Maryland Forest Baptist “We actually found and MedStar, which is in Health it was the other way Georgetown in Washingaround,” said Sanders. ton, D.C. Sanders said one thing the study “That’s an exposure issue, we think, was able to show is that in North not a not an immunologic issue.”

Speaking about a related paper Carolina, before the vaccine came out, about a third of the population currently in review with a medical had been infected and about two- journal, Sanders said they were able thirds of those who were infected to show that, “the risk for breakthrough in North Carolina was inhad mild to no symptoms.

“We were able to look at their verse to age, meaning that the 18- to daily symptom reporting, their 40-year-olds were more likely to self-reporting of comorbidities, have a breakthrough infection than their electronic health record of the 40- to 65-year-olds and those comorbidities, their exposures, and 65 and older.”

“Now biologically, we know that look at real world effectiveness and show that in North Carolina, out they’re not at more risk in terms of 32 weeks after two weeks out of of their immune response. So, this [getting] either of the two mRNA really reflects their exposures,” said vaccines is the study that we that Sanders. “They are young people. we reported on, we had 91% real They’re more likely to have unvacciworld effectiveness for preventing nated kids. They are more likely to disease,” said Sanders, adding that be going out and doing things.”

He also said that people in rural result “is very consistent with the clinical trials, very consistent with counties were more likely to have a breakthrough infection even if they what’s been reported.”

Sanders later said that 18 months were vaccinated. Sanders added in, over 50% of our volunteers were those breakthrough infections were mild and moderate. still participating.

“So, we are still looking at about 30,000 people [who] are still doing Look for additional installments daily symptom and exposure check- of North State Journal’s interview ins more than five times a week,” with Dr. Sanders in the coming said Sanders. “And really remark- weeks.

ANTIBODY from page A1

VETO from page A1 in states with an identical policy are vote suppressors, or will they continue carrying water for the Democratic Party?”

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) also issued a statement, noting that “Senate Bill 326 would further secure the integrity of our elections by requiring absentee ballots to be received by Election Day, rather than three days later.”

“Sadly, this veto will undermine North Carolina voters’ confidence in the outcome of future elections,” Moore said. “Most states already have the same requirement for ballots to be received in a timely manner. Why shouldn’t North Carolinians be given the same confidence in our

Election Day process?”

Senate Bill 326 is one of multiple election-related bills that were considered by legislative committees in the last weeks of November. One of the other bills, Senate Bill 725, was also passed by the General Assembly and sent to Cooper for signature on Dec. 1.

Senate Bill 725, titled Prohibit Private Money in Election Admin., bars county commissioners, as well as the state and county boards of elections, from accepting private funds, either directly or indirectly, to hire individuals on a temporary basis or for use in the processes of conducting elections.

North State Journal reported on outside money in North Carolina elections from the

“All I Want for Christmas is You” — Mariah Carey “Baby It’s Cold Outside” — James Taylor “Silent Night” — Sarah McLachlan “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” — Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters “Twelve Days of Christmas” — John Denver and The Muppets “We Three Kings” — Dolly Parton “Joy to the World” — Nat King Cole

Schwarzenegger Institute. The former California governor’s organization dropped almost $190,000 into 10 counties prior to the November 2020 election.

Additionally, Mark Zuckerberg, through the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CLTC), funneled over $419 million into around 2,500 counties in 49 states during the 2020 election cycle.

Some 35 North Carolina counties received CLTC funds and the state received over $5.395 million overall. The N.C. State Board of Elections and Wake County received a million each and Durham received over $1.46 million. Many of the areas receiving CLTC funds showed notable increases in Democrat voter turnout.

NCDOT TO HOLD VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING US-1 CAPITAL BOULEVARD UPGRADE BETWEEN I-540 AND HARRIS ROAD/PURNELL ROAD IN WAKE COUNTY

STIP Projects: U-5307 RALEIGH - The public is invited to a virtual public meeting with the N.C. Department of Transportation this month to discuss the proposed project to make improvements to U.S. 1 (Capital Boulevard) in Wake County.

The proposed improvements include conversion of U.S. 1 (Capital Boulevard) to a controlled access highway from I-540 in Raleigh to Purnell Road/Harris Road in Wake Forest. Controlled access means access is provided only via ramps at interchanges.

Some cross-streets will be grade-separated, and no driveway connections will be allowed.

Project details, including maps and a video can be found on the NCDOT project web page: (ncdot.publicinput.com/capital-boulevard-upgrade ).

A project presentation will begin at 6 pm on Dec 9, 2021. Interested persons are encouraged to register by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/3944497283958451981. To listen to the presentation by phone, call (415) 930-5321 and enter audio pin 268-435-629.

People may also submit comments by phone 984-205-6615 project code 3243, email (capital-boulevard-upgrade@publicinput.com) or mail at the address shown below

by Jan 7, 2022.

By Mail:

Terry Farr, PE NCDOT Project Management Unit 1582 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1582

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this virtual hearing. Anyone requiring special services should contact Diane Wilson, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center in Raleigh; 919-707-6073; or pdwilson1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Those who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Aquellas personas no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan llamando al 1-800-481-6494.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Chuck Edwards discusses run for NC’s new 14th Congressional District The state senator seeks to fill seat Madison Cawthorn will vacate

By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — Chuck Edwards, a Republican state senator representing Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties, announced Nov. 30 that he is running for North Carolina’s new 14th Congressional District. The district largely resembles the old 11th Congressional District, which is represented by the young conservative Congressman Madison Cawthorn.

Cawthorn has decided not to run in the district covering Edwards and Cawthorn’s mutual hometown of Hendersonville, though, and will instead run further east in the new 13th Congressional District.

“Our congressman has moved on and that has left an empty seat, and I’m anxious to fill it,” Edwards told NSJ on Dec. 3.

“With our congressman moving on, I recognized that this district, District 14, requires stability.

We’ve not seen it in several years.

I am a person with a proven track record of standing for the values that we hold in western North Carolina. I understand mountain people because I am a mountain person. And I know what’s important to mountain people.”

Asked if he spoke with Cawthorn before the latter’s decision not to run in their home district, Edwards said, “The only information I have is what I have seen in the news media.”

It was rumored for months that Edwards was encouraged by powerful state Republican leaders to primary Cawthorn, and he had not been shy about criticizing the first-term representative.

Edwards was particularly critical of Cawthorn speaking at the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally and of Cawthorn saying a crowd should “lightly threaten” their legislators. Cawthorn has maintained that the “threat” was political — like to vote them out of office — not physical, but Edwards saw it as dangerous rhetoric.

“There’s a right and wrong way to conduct yourself as a legislator, and I’m extremely concerned about Congressman Cawthorn’s conduct,” Edwards tweeted on Jan. 12. “As a legislator, I don’t need to be threatened to do the job the voters hired me to do.”

But now with Cawthorn out of the way, Edwards likely has an easier path.

“Every election is a contest, and I have no doubt this one will be heavily contested as well,” he said. “I certainly have the background and the team for a definite win, without taking anything for granted.”

Edwards went on to say that

TOYOTA from page A1 ments earlier presented Reynolds with a commemorative plate with the state seal and motto, “Esse quam videri” on it, but after the gifts from Toyota, Cooper joked that “We’ve got to get better gifts.”

Reynolds said that by 2030, he expected 70% of Toyota’s sales will come from electric vehicles, adding, “Why am I giving you all these figures? I want you to know the future looks bright for this site in North Carolina,” since the N.C. site will be making batteries for electric vehicles.

Reynolds said production on the batteries is slated to begin in 2025 and gave five reasons why they chose North Carolina — its highways and railways, its air and seaports, being consistently chosen as a top state for doing business, its “world-renowned education system,” and “most importantly, North Carolina has an outstanding and diverse workforce,” one he said Toyota intends to hire from, train and develop.

Reynolds also noted the site’s failed bid four years earlier, joking that there are many classic songs about how “Good things come to those who wait” and about “the second time around.”

He said, though, that “It was really due to the North Carolina leadership’s enthusiasm, cooperation across party lines, and perseverance that we’re here today.”

Alluding to big announcements to come, Reynolds said to loud applause, “I’ll try to be as clear as I can: This is only the first chapter of our story in North Carolina. And it’s a very long book.”

A possible hint at what’s to

NC superintendent gives updates on Operation Polaris, work ahead Truitt talks about progress in literacy, changes in teacher recruitment and retention, revisions to standards writing and a focus on math on the horizon

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

State Sen. Chuck Edwards is shown in this official photo from the N.C. General Assembly. after the announcement, “The reaction has been incredibly positive. I’ve received so much support from folks who have supported my [state] Senate candidacy and some of those that didn’t.”

After five years in the state General Assembly, Edwards said that experience will greatly help if he transitions to Washington, D.C. “I’m confident that every moment that I’ve spent in the last five years that I’ve spent in the North Carolina General Assembly prepares me to take on the bureaucrats of Washington, D.C., and make a difference for the folks in western North Carolina.”

He said his main priority would be standing up to the “Biden agenda,” which he said would mean fighting for the Second Amendment, border security and election security.

“The people in the mountains are extremely troubled with how Washington is behaving today,” he said. “Under the Biden administration, we have open borders, we have debt that’s out of control, gas prices are climbing, grocery bills are becoming unaffordable, and the security of our country is at risk.”

Before going into politics, Edwards was a successful busi-

nessman, spending much of his career working for the McDonald’s fast-food chain. He started working there at 16 and then worked his way into their corporate structure. He eventually was able to buy multiple franchises of his own.

In terms of his family upbringing, Edwards said, “I was born and raised here in the very mountains that I’m now asking to represent. As a child, I was a member of a very religious but poor family. My mom was a waitress; my dad was a truck driver.

We didn’t have much, but we had love and togetherness.”

Cawthorn released a video on social media Nov. 11 explaining why he was going to switch from his home district to one further east, saying, “I have every confidence in the world that regardless of where I run, the 14th Congressional District will send a patriotic fighter to D.C. But, knowing the political realities of the 13th District, I’m afraid that another establishment, go-alongto-get-along Republican would prevail there. I will not let that happen.”

He continued: “In my heart, I represent North Carolina as a whole, not some arbitrary line that some politician drew this cycle.”

come came during Cooper’s speech, when he said, “We hope, in the future, everything that goes around the battery will be part of this as well.”

NSJ was able to connect with a number of public officials before and after to get their reactions to the big announcement.

Rep. Jon Hardister, a Republican who represents Guilford County, told NSJ that “Something like this will be a real shot in the arm. [Guilford County] needed to land a major victory, and this is it. And I think there’s more to come.”

When pressed on what the more to come will be, Hardister said, “I will say, keep your eye on Piedmont-Triad International.

Keep your eye on the airport, and very soon, we’re hoping to hear something.”

He added that just like there were $300 million in incentives that helped close this deal with Toyota, there was a big incentive package in the budget that could help seal the deal with an unnamed airplane manufacturer looking to set up shop at the PTI airport.

“I can’t speak specifically about that, but if that happens, that would be transformational just like this project is transformational,” Hardister said. “So we’re looking at here in a short span of time two very big companies making investments in this area. That really validates the fact that, I believe, we have made North Carolina the most business-friendly state in the country.”

U.S. Congressman Ted Budd, a Republican who is seeking North

Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2022, also told NSJ he was also excited about Toyota’s announcement and the impact it would have on the region.

“At a start, first of all, we’re proud to be part of the global supply chain here in North Carolina,” Budd said, alluding to the supply-chain difficulties the country is currently seeing. “This is going to bring about 1,750 jobs to start, not including the construction...

We want jobs in general here, but manufacturing jobs seem to have the biggest downstream effect for the add-on jobs for the people that support manufacturing.”

As was noted by many of the speakers at the event, which included Gov. Roy Cooper, N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), there was disappointment four years ago when Toyota passed on the site when looking for a home for a different project, instead landing in Alabama. But Budd praised the state for continuing to pursue Toyota and other big players despite the setback.

“Remember, there was a big runup, and we hoped that we would have this announcement four years ago, but it was not to be,” Budd said. “But our state didn’t give up at any level, and now we’re reaping the rewards of that. And now we’re having a large manufacturer still take a look and select our state here.

That’s good news, and nothing breeds success like success, so there’s probably more announcements in the future. We’re certainly going to work towards that end.”

A3

RALEIGH — North State Journal sat down with N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt to check on the status of Operation Polaris and to see what work is on the horizon for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

Operation Polaris is Truitt’s long-term roadmap transforming North Carolina’s public schools, including a goal of having “a highly-qualified, excellent teacher in every classroom.” At the core of Operation Polaris is the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration (OLRC). Other key components include literacy, human capital, accountability and testing, and student support services.

Truitt told North State Journal that Operation Polaris is proceeding and that the project’s hub, the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration, has been the “nerve center of everything that happens on a day-to-day basis here.”

“We have some immediate things that we need to do in light of pandemic recovery, not the least of which is be good stewards of the $3.6 billion dollars that the state has received from the ARP or ESSER-Three that is supposed to be spent by 2024,” said Truitt.

ARP is the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan which was enacted in March of 2021. Part of that plan is ESSER, which stands for the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund. The ESSER funding in ARP represents the third round of ESSER money, the first two were part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

“We don’t want to lose sight of the fact that we cannot get caught up in finite thinking,” said Truitt of her department’s work. “We must work on short-term fixes while we are laying the groundwork for strategic long-term thinking, and that’s what the office of learning recovery does.”

Truitt said OLRC has been working with districts who might not have the human capacity to figure out the best way to spend tens of millions of dollars in a short period of time.

OLRC and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will also be looking at the kind of research the department needs to see how relief money is being spent and what educational programs worked and which didn’t.

When asked if there was any current indication of where districts were spending their current relief funds, Truitt said they don’t know yet and that some districts haven’t spent all of their ESSER-One and Two funds yet.

“So, we know that ESSER-One dollars largely went to COVID mitigation strategies — HVAC, getting rid of water fountains in favor of water-bottle fillers, PPE equipment, etcetera,” said Truitt.

“ESSER-Two went for summer school.” She added that “We think that there will be summer school again” and that it will be required for some students.

Truitt said DPI will be submitting a report in early spring to the General Assembly on summer school that occurred in 2021. The report will include attendance rates as well as programs used during summer school that worked and/or didn’t work.

The Science of Reading (SOR) is a major part of Operation Polaris

in terms of increasing literacy performance in the state. Training in the Science of Reading is already underway, and some districts, like Moore County, are already engaged in its use.

“The implementation plan [for SOR] is required as part of Excellent Public Schools Act, which required us to contract with LETRS,” Truitt said. She added that DPI started off with three staggered cohorts for LETRS training. Cohort one began in early fall, cohort two will begin in January and cohort three will start during the summer of 2022.

Senate Bill 387, the Excellent Public Schools Act, was signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper earlier this year. That law states that the “Science of Reading” means evidence-based reading-instruction practices that address the acquisition of language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension that can be differentiated to meet the needs of individual students.

LETRS stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, which is a product of Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. (VSL, Inc.).

“About 3,000 teachers have already started the [SOR] training,” Truitt said. “My estimate is that there are about 11,000 people who will be trained when all is said and done.”

Truitt remarked that districts “overwhelmingly reached out to have special education and English Language Learner teachers added to the training. She said DPI included those in the contract even though the legislation did not require it.

“I would say, overall, we’re really pleased with how districts have jumped into this,” Truitt said, adding that “implementation, actually, is ongoing.”

On the horizon, Truitt said that the N.C. Standard Course of Study manual will be revised.

“One of the things that’s happening at the state board, which will be presented at the December board meeting, is that I have tasked an internal team at DPI to rewrite the North Carolina Standard Course of Study manual, which is right now an internal-only used document,” said Truitt.

According to Truitt, the standards lack uniformity, with “no two templates that are the same.”

She said that for both drafting standards and standards revisions, an updated manual will provide “some semblance of consistency and coherence to this process.”

“What came out during that process of getting those standards passed was that our districts are spending anywhere between $0 and $1.1 million dollars on helping teachers unpack new standards,” said Truitt on the state’s history standards, which she referred to as an “inherited mess” from her predecessor.

Truitt also indicated that the state’s math standards will be up for revision during her term and said that that DPI will be “looking carefully at the sequencing of the standards, because I think that’s where the most heartburn is.”

“I think that math specifically is a microcosm of the problem at large about public education in North Carolina and in this country,” said Truitt. “And that is when the brain struggles; it’s lit up. And we don’t ask kids to struggle with solving problems.”

“I think literacy does have something to do with kids struggling in math,” Truitt said. “You can’t do higher-order math and real-world math if you can’t read. But we also know that our post-pandemic data show that our students are further behind in math than they are in reading.”

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State Superintendent Catherine Truitt talks to students in this undated file photo.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount

‘Carolina Core’ lands electric battery plant

NC filing period opens following manic Monday scramble

The N.C. Carolina Core, an economic development region comprised of a 10-county region, is celebrating the news of Toyota bringing its electric vehicle battery plant to the area.

Established in 2017, the Core, led by the Piedmont Triad Partnership, has worked to align the four megasites in the central part of the state to work together to bring major manufacturing to the area. Part of the need to work together, the PTP leadership has said, is to win. They were unable to secure a win when Toyota and Mazda ultimately chose Alabama for a manufacturing facility in 2018. But with this announcement, they can now claim a significant victory.

The Core also has momentum on its side after part of Highway 421, which links most of the 10 counties, earned a future U.S. interstate designation in November.

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By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — The 2022 election filing period began with excitement, then confusion, as a surprise N.C. Court of Appeals decision temporarily blocked filing for congressional and legislative districts. By Monday evening, however, filing was back on and began at 8 a.m.

Tuesday with a flurry of activity.

In an order posted minutes before 12 p.m. Monday, an expedited review conducted by a secret panel of COA judges stayed filing, initially giving legislators until Dec. 9 to respond.

A memo from House Speaker Tim Moore’s office obtained by North State Journal said at the time that the legal team was “preparing our response and will fight vigorously to ensure that candidate filing resumes at the earliest possible date.”

By Monday evening, an en banc review, which comprises all 15 judges on the appellate court, reversed the earlier decision.

Monday’s order did not affect filing for U.S. Senate, judicial and local races.

Many of the candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals filed on the first day of the period.

A pair of races already will feature primaries: a Supreme Court seat and chief Court of Appeals Judge Donna

DURHAM

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SANFORD DUNN PTI Aerospace Megasite Greensboro-Randolph Megasite

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Chatham Advanced Manufacturing Megasite Triangle Innovation Point

WEST

Henderson County A small earthquake struck a county in western North Carolina on Sunday morning, geologists said. The 2.3-magnitude earthquake was reported right before 8 a.m. in Laurel Park in Henderson County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake was too small for most people to feel it. Only two people reported the tremor to the USGS. Henderson County isn’t known for earthquakes, but there have been six earthquakes in the past year in the county, according to Earthquake Track. The largest was a 2.5-magnitude earthquake in Marshall on Sept. 25.

AP

UNC building renamed for Native American activist Swain County UNC announced that two buildings will be renamed to remove the names of people with racist backgrounds. The former Aycock residence hall is now named after Durham social worker Hortense McClinton, and the student affairs office is now named after Native American Henry Owl, who testified before Congress about discrimination he encountered when trying to register to vote in Swain County.

WRAL

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Ashe County Jeff Simpson’s daughter Rebecca was diagnosed with leukemia at age 13, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation gave the family a Christmas trip to New York City. Rebecca died four years later, but Simpson, of Ashe County, is still working with Make-A-Wish.

He plans to hike the Mountains-to-Sea trail to raise money for the organization.

SPECTRUM

Sheriff’s office worker charged with rape Macon County An employee with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office was arrested and charged with second degree forcible rape. Authorities received a sexual assault complaint in mid-November and investigated the claim. Later in the month, Kevin Sanchez was fired and charged with the crime. Sanchez was not on duty at the time the crime was alleged to have been committed.

WPDE

Stroud’s seat will be contested in the March 2022 primary.

Beth Freshwater Smith, who serves as a judge in Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties, told North State Journal she is a battle-tested judge with 28 years of experience as a prosecutor.

“I have experience in the courtroom and on the bench. Now more than ever, we need conservative, law-and-order judges who can provide leadership for our courts,” said Freshwater Smith.

Several dozen candidates for Congress and the General Assembly filed Tuesday, primarily Republicans, based on the latest filing list from the State Board of Elections.

Among those filing were Johnston County businessman DeVan Barbour, one of many candidates who declared their intent to run in the new Fourth Congressional District shortly after new redistricting maps were drawn.

“Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi are laying waste to our country. We can’t afford it.

We shouldn’t tolerate it. And I’ll fight to stop it,” Barbour said in a statement to NSJ. As of Tuesday afternoon, the State Board of Elections has not indicated if it will extend the filing period by any length of time following the one-day delay. Currently, the last day of filing is set for 12 p.m. on Dec. 17.

NC’s 1st female Senate majority leader to retire in 2022

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Man hiking mountains to sea for Make A Wish

Small earthquake reported in western NC

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Jury awards man $6M after finding police fabricated evidence

Shots fired in carjacking attempt at NC State University Wake County A man attempting to rob North Carolina State University students early Sunday morning fired multiple shots as they fled the scene, according to a campus safety alert. It happened just after 3:20 a.m. in the parking lot of the Avent Ferry Complex. A man approached multiple students in a car and attempted to steal their vehicle at gunpoint.

When the students drove away, the man fired multiple shots at their car and then ran away. No one was injured during the incident and no items were stolen. The man was last spotted running toward Greek Village and Varsity Drive.

Durham County A federal jury awarded a man $6 million after finding a detective made up evidence and performed an inadequate investigation that led to convictions that sent him to prison for more than 20 years. The jury found former Durham police detective Darryl Dowdy fabricated evidence in the case that resulted in Darryl Howard being convicted in 1995 of killing a woman and her daughter in 1991. Howard’s 80-year sentence was cut short in 2016 when a judge vacated his convictions, citing police and prosecutorial misconduct.

EAST 1 dead after a shed collapsed in Goldsboro Wayne County A person has died after a shed he was moving fell on top of him near Goldsboro. Wayne County officials said the incident was reported near Elroy township at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Alex Economy, 64, died in the incident. A neighbor said that a portable storage shed was delivered earlier Saturday to go in the backyard of the home where Economy lived. The victim was trying to move the shed into his backyard by using jacks and concrete blocks. One of the jacks slipped because of soft ground and the shed fell on the victim, trapping him.

AP

The Associated Press

Officials: Manatee stranded on beach dies Dare County A manatee found stranded on the coast has died. The nearly 10-foot-long female was still alive when it was found by a woman walking the beach around sunrise near Kill Devil Hills.

The OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responded.

Arrangements were made for a box truck to take the manatee for treatment at a Florida facility. A local motel donated a mattress.

There were no visible signs of trauma, but the manatee appeared to have been malnourished.

It was taken to N.C. State’s lab in Morehead City for a necropsy.

AP

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Police charge teenager in fatal shooting

3 detention officers attacked at county jail Guilford County Three Guilford County jail officers have been attacked by inmates in an eight-day span, but all three are back at work after they were briefly hospitalized. The inmates behind the attacks were placed in isolation. One inmate struck an officer in the head four times on Nov. 24 after she asked him to wear a mask and he refused. The next day, a federal inmate became enraged when he couldn’t connect his tablet for a video visit. He broke the tablet and hit the officer who responded in the head nine times. Another assault occurred Wednesday.

Alamance County A 15-year-old has been charged with murder after a fatal shooting, police said. The Burlington Police Department said officers responding to a call on the city’s north side found Jaquan Lennel Boyd, 28, suffering from a gunshot wound. Police pronounced Boyd dead at the scene. On Wednesday, police identified a suspect and arrested the 15-year-old, whose name wasn’t released because of his age. He is charged with firstdegree murder and is in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, police said.

AP

Man sentenced to prison for fatal shooting over $20

Police: 3 killed in Elizabeth City shooting

Onslow County Malcolm Lambert was sentenced to prison in a fatal shooting over a $20 debt. Lambert entered a plea to second-degree murder and discharging a firearm into occupied property.

Leroy Quinn of Jacksonville was shot and killed at an apartment complex on Nov. 19, 2018. Lambert went to Quinn’s apartment and demanded $20 that he was owed. Quinn refused to pay the debt, and Lambert fired four shots at the apartment, one of which hit Quinn in the heart and killed him. The district attorney’s office dismissed a first-degree murder charge and recommended 18 to 23 years in prison.

Pasquotank County Three people, including a 3-year-old girl, were killed in a shooting, according to Elizabeth City police. Officers responded to a report of gunshots at Perry and Jordan streets around 5 p.m. Thursday and found several people with gunshot wounds. Three people died from their injuries, police said. Officials identified the three who were killed as Jaquan White, 18, of Elizabeth City; De‘Shay Berry, 39, of Manteo and Allura Pledger, 3, of Manteo. Police didn’t specify how many people in total were shot.

RALEIGH — North Carolina Senate Majority Leader Kathy Harrington, the first woman to hold the job since it was created over 40 years ago, announced she won’t seek reelection to her Senate seat next year.

Harrington is a Gaston County Republican now in her sixth two-year Senate term. She was elected last year by current GOP senators to the position, which usually runs caucus meetings in which colleagues discuss policy issues and votes. She’s also a top leader of the Senate’s budget-writing committee.

The chamber’s most powerful position belongs to Sen. Phil Berger, the president pro tempore. Still, Harrington’s elevation to such a key spot marked a historic moment.

“Looking back at my tenure I can say for a fact that I’ve accomplished all my goals and worked tirelessly on behalf of my constituents,” Harrington said in a

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news release, citing lower taxes, balanced budgets and expanded school choice.

“With that in mind, I felt like it was the right time to retire.”

Berger called Harrington “the epitome of a public servant, always working to make life better for her constituents and thoughtfully addressing issues facing the state.”

Shortly after announcing her retirement, Harrington endorsed a fellow Republican for the seat.

In a tweet from the NC Senate Republican Caucus Twitter account, she endorsed Brad Overcash, a Gaston County attorney who has held several leadership positions within the Republican Party.

“I encourage the citizens of Gaston County to vote for the person who is most able to continue fighting for our shared values and priorities, my dear friend Brad Overcash. Brad has my full and complete endorsement for the state Senate,” said Harrington.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Tearing down Berlin Walls to liberation and prosperity

75,000 students left the North Carolina public education system in the last year.

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN famously inserted his signature “Mr. Gorbachev: Tear Down This Wall!” line in his Berlin Wall speech in June of 1987 over the objections of his bureaucratic State Department advisors.

There are two government programs that are “Berlin Walls” to prosperity and liberation of the American spirit today — public education at the state level and Social Security at the national level.

American life is defined by every individual’s right to choose. Many government programs, even though administered by bureaucrats, allow individuals to use government money and resources to get what they want, not what the government tells them to get. The GI Bill allows military personnel and veterans the choice to decide where to go to college or grad school, and then pays for it in full. The VA loan program helps veterans who want to buy a house wherever they choose to get a loan at slightly discounted interest rates. Food stamps can be used at any grocery or food store by recipients. Medicare and Medicaid recipients don’t have to go to a government hospital or physician — they get to choose which provider to use, as long as they take Medicare or Medicaid, of course.

One place where there is very little choice is in our nation’s public schools. Corey A. DeAngelis, a senior fellow at Reason Foundation and the National Director of Research at American Federation for Children, has pointed out that COVID forced parents to look very closely at what their children were being taught during the lockdowns of public schools. In many cases, when it came to Critical Race Theory or social indoctrination, they did not like it very much at all in terms of content and quality, as evidenced in the recent Virginia elections.

Around 75,000 students left the North Carolina public education system in the last year. They are now either in private schools or homeschooled by resourceful parents, many of whom are now teaching their kids in pod systems, whether online or in the neighborhood.

Republican leaders in the N.C. General Assembly significantly expanded Opportunity Scholarships in the most recent budget to help more lower-income families afford to send their kids to schools outside of the public education system. There are 1.34 million children in North Carolina public schools today, 127,000 of which are in public charter schools, which have much more flexibility to meet the needs of

students than traditional schools. There are 107,000 students in private schools and 162,000 in home schools.

Why shouldn’t every parent and child have the ability to decide where to go get educated just like the Opportunity Scholarship recipients?

In a similar manner, Boomers are trapped in an archaic, soviet-style defined-benefit retirement plan, Social Security, which has the added detriment of being in technical bankruptcy. Boomers now retiring can expect to see a return of maybe, possibly 1% or less after decades of paying big taxes to Social Security.

I hate to break this to you Gen-Xers and Millennials, but you are not going to get any positive financial return on your “contributions” (aka “forced payroll taxes”) to Social Security when you retire. You will be lucky to get back all of the money that you put in Social Security in the first place. Welcome to your own “Berlin Wall” of forced governmentmandated retirement insecurity.

Everyone should have choice when it comes to public education or Social Security. President Reagan said it best a long ago: Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe. . . . Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar. . . . As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind. . . .

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.

Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

CNN fires Chris Cuomo, but his terrible legacy will not be forgotten

Cuomo began hosting Gov. Andrew Cuomo on his show as questions were being raised about the deadly nursing-home order he put in place that led to thousands of senior deaths. Chris Cuomo never questioned his brother on it.

IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD me in December 2020 that a year later the Cuomo brothers would be out of work — with one resigning in disgrace and the other being fired for abusing his position as a cable news anchor to aid his brother in the scandal that would eventually bring him down — I would have laughed.

But that is indeed the state of things now for former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in August rather than face the possibility of impeachment over sexual harassment allegations and his disastrous management of the pandemic outbreak, and ex-CNN “Prime Time” host Chris Cuomo, who was fired from the struggling network Saturday.

He was booted not quite a week after New York state Attorney General Tish James’ office released a new batch of transcripts, texts and emails that revealed the extent in which Chris Cuomo advised his older brother as the sexual harassment scandals unfolded.

The documents revealed that both Chris Cuomo and CNN were dishonest with viewers and readers about the depth of his involvement in crafting an expansive and targeted response strategy to the allegations.

Previously, Chris Cuomo had suggested that while it was “inappropriate” for him to be advising his powerful brother, that the extent of it was being “looped in” to a few strategy phone calls. That wasn’t true, based on the

information released last week. He was heavily involved in not just helping draft statements for his brother but also in abusing his position as a journalist to be on the lookout for potentially damaging stories as well as using journalistic sources to seek out information on some of Andrew Cuomo’s accusers.

From both ethical and moral perspectives, what Chris Cuomo did was indefensible and inexcusable. He has said before that he puts his family first, something most people do.

But he should have taken a leave of absence from CNN in order to advise his brother. It would have been the responsible thing to do.

Unfortunately, Chris Cuomo has demonstrated often in his career, especially over the last 20 months, that he is not a very responsible person.

In late March 2020, Cuomo tested positive for the coronavirus. He lectured other virus sufferers during basement broadcasts about staying home and away from others to keep people safe, and yet he was caught breaking quarantine when he visited his underconstruction East Hampton home. When a senior-citizen bicyclist rode by and happened to see him standing outside, he called out Cuomo for breaking his brother’s COVID protocols. Chris Cuomo’s response was to allegedly threaten the man with bodily harm.

A week later, he staged a “basement emergence” video which aired on CNN and in

which he claimed to be coming out for the first time since catching COVID, a lie based on what was known about his East Hampton outing.

Soon after, Cuomo began hosting Gov. Andrew Cuomo on his show as questions were being raised about the deadly nursing-home order he put in place that led to thousands of senior deaths. Chris Cuomo never questioned his brother on it. Instead, he brought him on to sing his praises and to joke about the size of his nose with oversized cotton swab props.

During this time, CNN did not run a single story on the nursing home scandal.

Concurrently, Cuomo brought on a discredited critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — a frequent target of CNN — to allege he was fudging COVID death case numbers. It was a lie, but Cuomo brought her on anyway, trying to make his brother look like a hero in comparison.

In the summer of 2020, Cuomo encouraged demonstrators at the Black Lives Matter protests to riot.

Chris Cuomo may be gone from CNN, but he leaves a disgraceful legacy that won’t be forgotten.

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, December 8, 2021 COLUMN DAVID HARSANYI

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Will Congress take away your credit card?

Merchants and retailers sponsor roughly 355 million rewards cards in the U.S. market because the benefits of accepting them exceed the cost.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL about Congress snatching away your credit card or preventing you from participating in credit card reward programs?

Don’t laugh. Left-wing groups in Washington are declaring that the plastic card in your wallet is the financial villain that needs to get reined in.

A new study from researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston finds that credit card reward programs are unfair because they create “an implicit money transfer” to wealthy cardholders from lower-income people who buy things with cash or debit cards.

The study infers that consumers who pay with plastic and rack up reward points receive a $756 “subsidy” per year, while the poorer people who pay with cash pay $23 more. Egads. That’s the price of a movie ticket.

Left-wing agitators have asked the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to do something about these inequities. Don’t be surprised if congressional members who hate credit card companies, including Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, call for regulations or cancellations of reward programs.

These groups have invented a clever new term for this supposed injustice: the “reverse Robin Hood” effect.

But reward programs are the ultimate winwin marketing invention. First, they are popular with consumers — millions diligently accumulate points so they can win free vacations, home appliances, first-class upgrades on airline flights and other freebies. They are a modern version of the old S&H Green Stamps program that was popular with shoppers for almost 100 years until the late 1980s, in which the more things you bought, the more green stamps you were awarded for purchasing other items.

Merchants love the programs because they encourage people to buy more goods and services at their stores. And the credit card companies get more fees.

So what, exactly, is the problem?

Nowadays, credit cards are relatively ubiquitous. Merchants and retailers sponsor roughly 355 million rewards cards in the U.S. market because the benefits of accepting them exceed the cost. These 355 million cards aren’t all in the hands of the wealthiest 1%.

Limiting or even outlawing these award programs would only ensure that credit cards would be less available to families and that only more affluent people could access credit cards.

This would only make the poor worse off. Credit cards are popular because pulling out the plastic is convenient as we move closer every day to a cashfree digital society. That’s especially true when a family is temporarily short of cash and needs to make emergency purchases.

Many rewards cards have no annual fee, and the only hurdle is whether one has a good credit score. There are millions of high earners with poor credit scores, and millions of middle-class people with excellent scores.

An International Center for Law & Economics study rejected the idea of a “reverse Robin Hood” effect. The ICLE reports that “86% of credit cardholders have active rewards cards, including 77% of cardholders with a household income of less than $50,000.” It is entirely wrong to argue that one must be rich to have a rewards credit card.

Liberals in Congress may seize upon the “reverse Robin Hood” narrative to enact price controls on credit card fees. That has been tried before, and those controls haven’t worked to lower prices for anyone.

As part of the Dodd-Frank Act boondoggle, Durbin successfully attached an amendment that placed price controls on debit card transactions.

At the time, many, including Durbin and merchants, argued that the price caps would result in retailers lowering prices.

Unsurprisingly, Durbin was wrong. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond found that 77% of merchants kept prices the same, and 22% actually increased costs after the price controls went into effect.

Other studies have shown that these regulations resulted in consumers losing access to free checking accounts, and the number of people without a bank account increased by about 1 million. According to a Boston University study, the loss of free checking accounts costs lowincome customers about $160 per year.

The policy goal in Congress should be to make it easier for everyone — rich and poor — to have access to credit and reward cards if they want to participate.

This new assault on the plastic card in your wallet would achieve the opposite result. And that would create a real reverse Robin Hood effect.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at FreedomWorks.

He is also a co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and a Washington Examiner columnist.

COLUMN | EMILY FULGHUM ROBERSON

Adoption should always be an alternative

People of good faith can and will continue to disagree, but such frantic entreaties from people of influence such as Justice Sotomayor, Ms. Spiers and Dr. Zahedi seem to indicate the loss of a sound logical position.

OUR SON’S BIRTH MOTHER had every reason in the world to terminate her pregnancy.

She is a former opioid abuser who had fought her way back into recovery, likely made more precarious by the stress of an unplanned pregnancy; she has four other children, three of whom had been placed with other family members, and one of whom she continues to care for despite his developmental delays and her struggle to pay monthly bills; she was in a violently abusive relationship with our son’s biological father, from whom she hid her entire pregnancy by wearing baggy clothes and attending doctor’s visits in secret. Upon release from the hospital after giving birth to our healthy baby boy, his father beat her so brutally she was readmitted.

By nearly any measure, she had compelling and defensible reasons not to risk her own safety by nurturing and protecting the growing baby that would one day complete our family. While I do not fully know her reasons for taking that path, I am eternally grateful that she bravely chose adoption when she could have justifiably chosen abortion. In the end, against so many odds, she carried this child to term knowing she would give him up to give him a chance. He is a thriving, happy, healthy blessing to all of us.

This is the outcome hoped for by an estimated 2 million U.S. couples each year who are waiting to adopt. And while this is not the case in all states, we were legally able to provide financial support to help her with expenses up to six weeks after the birth, in the hopes of getting her back on her feet and out of danger. While she continues to face obstacles in her life, the considerable financial and emotional burden of parenting another child is not one.

This notion of “burden,” and where it exists within a legal context, is what Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett sought to clarify last week during oral arguments in Dobbs v.

Jackson’s Women’s Health, a case that will decide the viability of a Mississippi law seeking to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. If the court rules in favor of the existing Mississippi law, abortion legislation may be fully returned to the state level, overturning federal law decided in Roe v. Wade, which found that a woman’s right to an abortion was constitutionally protected.

Barrett said “[I]t doesn’t seem to me to follow that pregnancy and then parenthood are all part of the same burden, and so it seems to me that the choice, more focused, would be between say the ability to get an abortion at 23 weeks, or the state

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requiring the woman to go 15, 16 weeks more, and then terminate parental rights at the conclusion.”

Predictably, Justice Barrett has been excoriated for daring to suggest a woman might consider adoption as a viable, equal alternative to abortion, proving again that many have placed abortion upon an untouchable, near-sacred pedestal.

Fellow Justice Sonia Sotomayor suggested that the very institution of the Supreme Court might not “survive the stench” of such an outcome. Dr. Leilah Zahedi, a Tennessee-based maternal fetal medicine specialist and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health said, “I’m unfortunately not surprised that adoption was brought up so much … It’s very infuriating to be honest.”

Democratic strategist Elizabeth Spiers wrote in the New York Times last week, “She [Barrett] may not realize it, but what she is suggesting is that women don’t need access to abortion because they can simply go do a thing that is infinitely more difficult, expensive, dangerous and potentially traumatic than terminating a pregnancy during its early stages,” later suggesting that the process of a pregnancy is a “kind of biological brainwashing” for creating a physical bond between mother and child.

But perhaps if more expectant mothers were made aware of and encouraged to take advantage of existing programs (grants for pre- and postnatal medical expenses, loss of employment, existing child assistance, education scholarships, post-natal counseling, etc.), we could reset our course as a culture and a country, which currently keeps company with China and North Korea in allowing elective abortion after 20 weeks.

People of good faith can and will continue to disagree, but such frantic entreaties from people of influence such as Justice Sotomayor, Ms. Spiers and Dr. Zahedi seem to indicate the loss of a sound logical position. Their unified presentation of abortion as the nobler, less traumatic choice for strong women who won’t be hoodwinked by biology is simply backwards. When so many are fighting so hard to not only support the right to abortion, but also to actively promote it over adoption, that is a bridge too far.

I have witnessed at least one woman’s tremendous courage in the face of this choice first-hand. While it certainly will not be the right choice for every woman, there was something — a beautiful mystery — that gave her pause. May we all be so brave.

Ms. Roberson is the Business and Features editor for the North State Journal.

AOC’s ugly delegitimization of SCOTUS THE FACT that the Supreme Court hasn’t ruled on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health abortion case didn’t stop Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from attempting to delegitimize the decision, accusing Brett Kavanaugh of being “credibly accused of sexual assault on multiple accounts” with “corroborated details.” Yet the court, says Ocasio-Cortez, “is letting him decide on whether to legalize forced birth in the US.” Of course, “credibly accused” is not any kind of legal standard, unlike, say, liberal notions about due process and the presumption of innocence.

Indeed, there is nothing for the FBI to investigate because there are no “corroborated details” that sustain Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations against Kavanaugh.

Ford alleged to have “100%” certitude that Kavanaugh had assaulted her in the 1980s, yet she possessed 0% memory of any details that could have substantiated her claim — not even a time nor a place. Every witness the accuser maintained had been at the suburban Maryland party where the alleged attack occurred has, under threat of felony, denied knowledge of the assault and stated they have no recollection of the get-together. This includes Ford’s then-best friend Leland Keyser.

There is not even a witness who could corroborate that Blasey Ford had ever met Kavanagh.

In the hierarchy of “rights,” abortion apparently sits above all others. In the mind of Democrats, then, originalist justices who may potentially overturn Roe v. Wade aren’t merely wrong, they’re nefarious extremists and thus any smear or tactic is justified in the campaign to stop them.

The groundwork for Ocasio-Cortez to delegitimize the Court was laid by Democratic senators before Blasey Ford or Julie Swetnick emerged and then-Sen. Kamala Harris was reading wholly unsubstantiated gang-rape charges against Kavanaugh into the Congressional Record. There were ludicrous hearings about yearbook jokes and drunken parties that were only meant to discredit any future decisions by the Court.

Then there were the extraconstitutional standards Democrats kept inventing. Any nominee of a president who was even “under suspicion” of criminality — these were the days when Russian collusion was a thing — were “illegitimate.” Ed Markey argued that the nominee was “illegitimate” because the president was “all but named as a co-conspirator.”

Ah, the constitutional “all but” standard.

CNN’s lascivious chief legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, who has a personal stake in liberal abortion laws, would go on to claim that “40% of the Republican appointees to the Supreme Court have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct,” which is a good reminder that Justice Clarence Thomas was also smeared in much the same way.

Despite hagiographic accounts of the incident, Anita Hill was not a “credible” accuser either.

To this day, no credible person — and Thomas has had scores of subordinates working for him during his years in government, before and after his confirmation — has corroborated that Thomas had acted in the ways Hill described. And yet, Democrats continue pushing the revisionist histories.

Today, many Democrats demand that President Joe Biden pack the courts and destroy the judicial system, or they threaten justices on the steps of the Supreme Court. “I want to tell you, Gorsuch! I want to tell you, Kavanaugh!” Chuck Schumer said last year. “You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price! You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions!”

Whatever does Schumer mean? And what exactly are justices supposed to do? Take orders from back-benchers and hyperventilating pundits on how they should rule?

There is no ex post facto clause in the Constitution. Kavanaugh was nominated by the duly elected president and confirmed by the duly elected Senate in the same constitutional manner that every Supreme Court justice in history has been nominated and confirmed. Even if you believe that the president’s behavior in January 2021 was an attempt “to overthrow the U.S. government,” that has absolutely no bearing on the appointments he made in the years 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Ocasio-Cortez also points out that Trump was “elected via minority,” which is either another extraconstitutional demand or a sign that the congresswoman is simply unaware that presidents have never been elected by the majority but rather by the Electoral College.

Furthermore, Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion that overturning Roe would necessitate “forced birth” — a new talking point among pro-abortion advocates — is both factually wrong and morally repugnant.

Increasingly, progressives talk about pregnancy as if it were a gruesome affliction and unborn children as if they were malignant tumors.

Whatever the case, a world without Roe would merely allow voters to decide when or how lethal force can be used against the unborn — because the issue has nothing to do with constitutional law.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at National Review and author of “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

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

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

A8

NATION & WORLD Trump-tied group pushing for voting changes in Wisconsin

CHAD J. MCNEELEY/OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VIA AP

In this photo provided by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivers the keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Austin: Allies, innovation key to US competition with China The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pentagon intends to work better with private industry to develop high-tech systems and to strengthen relations with allies in the Indo-Pacific region in order to maintain a competitive edge over China, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday.

Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, Austin said recent military activity and aggressive moves by China in the region, including near the self-ruled island of Taiwan, are disturbing. And while he said the U.S. is still committed to the longstanding “One China” policy, it is working to bolster Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.

“We’re clear eyed about the challenge that China presents. But Chi-

na is not 10 feet tall. This is America,” said Austin. “America isn’t a country that fears competition.

And we’re going to beat this one with confidence and resolve and not panic and pessimism.”

Austin’s speech comes as the U.S. struggles to counter China’s growing military and economic power, and its advancements in space, cyber and nuclear capabilities, while also avoiding direct conflict. Tensions between the two nations have spiked as China has dispatched an increasing number of fighter jets toward Taiwan, fueling worries about a possible invasion, even as the U.S. and its allies sail warships though the Taiwan Strait.

America’s “One China” policy recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Tai-

pei.

Asked whether China’s moves around Taiwan appear to be training for potential future military operations, Austin said it certainly “looks a lot like them exploring their true capabilities and, sure, that it looks a lot like rehearsing.”

But, he added that the U.S. doesn’t want a conflict with China, so it’s important for the nations’ militaries to communicate more and be transparent.

Austin arrived in California after a visit to South Korea, his third trip to the Indo-Pacific region since taking over as defense chief earlier this year.

He told the defense forum that private companies struggle to get through Pentagon red tape when developing new technologies, and the department has to make it easier to break through the barriers.

He said the Pentagon needs to get advances in unmanned systems, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence into the hands of U.S. forces more quickly.

Austin said the U.S. must also strengthen its network of allies and partners in the Pacific region.

“We’re not seeking an Asian version of NATO or trying to build an anti-China coalition. And we’re not asking countries to choose between the United States and China,” Austin said. “Instead, we’re working to advance an international system that is free and stable and open.”

The Pentagon just released its new global posture review, which made no immediate major changes in the global positioning of U.S. forces, but it did include plans to improve infrastructure in some parts of the Pacific, including Guam and Australia. In September the U.S. announced a new partnership with Australia and Britain to deepen security, diplomatic and defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of that AUKUS partnership, Australia is to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, and the U.S. is to increase rotational force deployments to Australia.

Deal to make Scholz German chancellor clears final hurdle The Associated Press BERLIN — A three-party deal to form a new German coalition government under center-left leader Olaf Scholz cleared its final hurdle Monday, setting the scene for him to succeed longtime Chancellor Angela Merkel this week.

Germany’s environmentalist Greens said their members approved the agreement reached last month, with 86% voting for it in a ballot. The other two parties — Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats and the pro-business Free Democrats — overwhelmingly backed the agreement at weekend conventions.

“We are going into a strong new government, with a very strong and diverse Cabinet, with strong tailwind from the ballot,” said Green co-leader Annalena Baerbock, who is set to become Germany’s first female foreign minister.

Her party made it clear that it sees efforts to curb climate change as the next government’s top priority. Other priorities include modernizing Europe’s biggest economy and introducing more liberal social policies.

Scholz will be elected as chancellor in parliament on Wednesday, ending the center-right Merkel’s 16-year tenure. He will needA the support of at least 369 lawmakers in the 736-seat lower house. The three coalition partners have 416 seats between them, so he should be assured of a comfortable majority.

Hours before the Greens cleared the path for that vote, Scholz pre-

sented his party’s nominees for the Cabinet, completing his 17-member team.

The most closely watched appointment was that of health minister, as Germany struggles to bring down its highest coronavirus infection rates of the pandemic so far. Scholz chose Karl Lauterbach, an epidemiologist and media-savvy lawmaker who lacks executive experience but has been one of Germany’s most prominent voices urging caution and strict measures against COVID-19.

“The pandemic is far from over,” said Scholz. “Most people in this country certainly wanted the next health minister to be a specialist who can really do it well, and for him to be called Karl Lauterbach.”

German federal and state leaders last week announced tough new restrictions that largely target unvaccinated people. In a longer-term move, parliament will consider a general vaccine mandate.

Asked about the Christmas holidays, Lauterbach said “an important aim must be to bring the case numbers down so far that we can recommend travel without endangering people.”

Announcing his choices for the interior and defense portfolios, Scholz said Germany’s “security will be in the hands of strong women.”

Nancy Faeser, a lawyer who heads the party’s branch in the central state of Hesse, was an unexpected choice to become Germany’s first female interior minister, a post that includes oversight

MARKUS SCHREIBER | AP PHOTO

Designated German new chancellor Olaf Scholz, second left, presents the ministers of his Social Democratic Party, SPD, during a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. of federal police forces and the domestic intelligence agency. Faeser said a major focus will be fighting far-right extremism, which she called “the biggest threat” to the country.

Outgoing Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht will become the new defense minister.

The Greens and the Free Democrats already have named their ministers. Scholz’s vice chancellor will be Robert Habeck, who leads the Greens along with Baerbock.

He will head an economy and climate ministry, a new combination.

The Greens’ five Cabinet members include Cem Ozdemir, who will become the first federal minister of Turkish origin six decades after guest workers began coming to Germany from Turkey after World War II. A long-time vegetarian, Ozdemir said that as agriculture minister he had no plans to force a meat-free lifestyle on others and emphasized that cutting Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions should be the overarching goal for

the next government.

“That’s what we’re going to be measured by,” he said.

The Greens, however, will have to overcome resistance from the Free Democrats, whose leader Christian Lindner will become finance minister and effectively the No. 3 official in the new government. Lindner’s party has a strong free market approach and successfully blocked putting a universal speed limit on German highways in the coalition agreement.

Habeck, the Greens’ co-leader and future climate minister, acknowledged he would have liked to have seen a speed limit, which experts say would be an easy way to cut emissions. But in return for allowing Germans to speed along the Autobahn, the new coalition government is committed to measures that amount to ending the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles in the 2030s, he said.

Scholz had pledged a gender-balanced Cabinet — which it is, if one doesn’t count the chancellor.

Madison, Wisc.

A group formed to support former President Donald Trump’s agenda is working with Wisconsin Republicans on a ballot measure that would bypass the state’s Democratic governor to change how elections are run in the battleground state.

The backing for a possible route around Gov. Tony Evers was revealed during a private meeting on elections hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, which advocates conservative policies to state lawmakers in voting and other areas. Trump’s former White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told attendees that his new organization, the Center for Election Integrity, was working with elected officials and business leaders in Wisconsin “to figure out the best path” around Evers, who has said he will block GOP-backed election measures.

“We feel as though the governor can’t do anything about it and it will become law,” Gidley said in a recording of the session obtained by The Associated Press.

The strategy is similar to one already underway in Michigan. State Republicans there are gathering signatures to place a measure on the ballot that would tighten that state’s voting laws, an effort to get around Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of a similar bill that passed the GOP-controlled state legislature.

Bill McCoshen, head of the policy board for the conservative group Common Sense Wisconsin, said he met with Gidley in Milwaukee six weeks ago to discuss getting an elections proposal on the ballot.

“I think they thought it was a good idea,” McCoshen said. “They haven’t made a commitment to us one way or the other.”

McCoshen’s proposal would require elections to be run the same way across Wisconsin; early voting hours and days would have to be the same in every community, and some would have to change how they count absentee ballots.

The proposal would also bar private groups from making large donations to the state’s heavily Democratic cities.

Wisconsin Republicans have been angry about more than $10 million in election grants that went to more than 200 municipalities last year, the bulk of it going to the state’s five largest cities, which are all Democratic strongholds. The money came from $350 million in election donations from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Under the amendment, money like that would have to be shared by all municipalities in the state.

Gidley’s group is part of America First Policy Institute, an organization created during the Trump administration to promote the former president’s policies.

The session where Gidley spoke occurred during the conservative council’s state and national policy summit in San Diego, California.

The session reflects how election integrity has moved to the heart of the GOP agenda since Trump blamed his 2020 loss on fraud. During the session, participants heard from Cleta Mitchell, a prominent conservative attorney who advised the former president earlier this year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NCHSSA football title games preview, B3

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman, right, had his toughest outing of the year in the Demon Deacons’ 45-21 loss to Pitt in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday, completing 21 of 46 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Hartman, Brice come up short in title games

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Purdue atop AP poll for first time, Duke down to No. 3 Indianapolis Purdue is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time. The Boilermakers were a unanimous No. 1 in the poll released Monday, moving up one spot from last week.

Reigning national champion Baylor moved up to No. 2, with Duke, UCLA and Gonzaga rounding out the top five. The Blue Devils, last week’s No. 1, suffered their first loss of the season last Tuesday when they were beaten by an unranked Ohio State squad that is now No. 21. UNC received 55 votes, 29th-most in this week’s poll, after beating then-No. 24 Michigan last Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NC State puts five players on AP’s All-ACC first team Greensboro NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu and Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba were unanimous picks on The Associated Press All‑ACC team released Monday. Both teams had six selections on the first or second teams, one behind Pittsburgh and Clemson for the most in the conference. The Wolfpack had four other players make the first team: defensive tackle Cory Durden, linebacker Drake Thomas, safety Tanner Ingle and punter Trenton Gill. Demon Deacons coach Dave Clawson was chosen as the league’s top coach, and offensive tackle Zach Tom joined Sciba on the first team.

Duke running back Mataeo Durant and UNC wide receiver also received first-team honors. ACC champions Pitt had quarterback Kenny Pickett named offensive player of the year, and Florida State end Jermaine Johnson II was selected as defensive player of the year. Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was chosen as newcomer of the year.

The Wake Forest and App State quarterbacks each guided powerful offenses this season, but neither could replicate their regular season success last Saturday

“I don’t want him to blame himself. … He’s had a great year, and this one game and a few throws do not take away from that.”

MARK WALLHEISER | AP PHOTO

Coach Dave Doeren will lead the Wolfpack in their first game in California in more than six decades when NC State faces UCLA in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Diego.

Bowls taking NC teams coast-to-coast Five schools are headed to college football’s postseason

By Shawn Krest North State Journal NORTH CAROLINA’S five bowl-eligible teams will be playing coast-to-coast this December.

Here’s a look at where they are headed.

Appalachian State vs.

Western Kentucky RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl FAU Stadium; Boca Raton, Florida Dec. 18, 11 a.m., ESPN Appalachian State will get North Carolina’s bowl season started with the first game of the five.

At stake: App and quarterback Chase Brice want to get the bad taste of a disappointing Sun Belt Championship Game loss out of their mouths, and the Mountaineers will be looking to reach 11 wins for the third time in four seasons.

Background: It’s the seventh straight year that App has played in a bowl game and the first time the Mountaineers have played one in Florida. It’s App State’s second trip to the Sunshine State this season. App lost at Miami in the second week of the season.

App State and Western Kentucky have met five times in their histories, most recently in 2000.

App has won four of the five

matchups, including the last three — in 1984, 1985 and 2000.

East Carolina vs.

Boston College Military Bowl Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium; Annapolis, Maryland Dec. 27, 2:30 p.m., ESPN The East Carolina Pirates will look to snap a two-game losing streak against the ACC in the Military Bowl.

At stake: East Carolina will end a six-year bowl drought, heading to the postseason for the first time since the 2014 season.

That was also the last time ECU reached eight wins.

Background: This is ECU’s second-ever trip to the Military Bowl. The Pirates lost to Maryland, 51-20, following the 2010 season.

NC State vs. UCLA San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl Petco Park; San Diego Dec. 28, 8 p.m., Fox The NC State Wolfpack will travel the farthest this postseason, heading to San Diego.

At stake: State can win 10 games for just the second time in program history.

Background: It’s State’s second straight bowl game and the first trip to California for the See BOWLS, page B4

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal SATURDAY’S ACC Football Championship Game against Pittsburgh wasn’t just an opportunity for Wake Forest to bring home a conference title for only the third time in its history.

It was also a chance at redemption for Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman.

Playing in his hometown at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium for the first time since the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last December, the fourth-year sophomore was hoping to erase the memory of a four-interception performance in a loss to Wisconsin.

Instead, history repeated itself. Hartman was picked off four more times and the Deacons were shut out over the final three quarters on the way to a convincing 45-21 setback.

“We really didn’t execute offensively in the second half at all,” a somber Wake coach Dave Clawson said afterward. “We gave our defense too many short fields. We had four turnovers.

You play a good football team, you lose the turnover battle 4-0” and things aren’t usually going to end well.

Three of those four turnovers, all interceptions, came within a six-pass stretch midway through the second half and played a major role in Pittsburgh scoring 31 unanswered points to erase a 2114 Wake lead after one quarter.

Each led directly to a Panthers touchdown, including a 19-yard pick-six by championship game MVP Erick Hallett II. Because quarterbacks, like pitchers in baseball, often get more credit when they deserve when their teams win, Hartman’s teammate Jaquarii Roberson made it a point in his postgame comments to deflect some of the blame for Saturday’s loss off Hartman’s shoulders.

He finished the night complet-

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson on quarterback Sam Hartman ing 22 of 46 passes for 213 yards, but most of that came during the opening 15 minutes.

“Sam has played well all year,” said Roberson, who had a team-leading nine catches for 54 yards. “They put a lot of pressure up front, and he couldn’t really do much. It’s been tough on him, but we rally around him. We support him and love him and appreciate everything he’s done for us this year.”

The Deacons (10-3) gained 219 yards on their opening 27 plays against Pitt, getting into the end zone on each of their first three drives. They managed only 106 yards on 58 plays the rest of the way.

“Sometimes when you fall behind, you force things,” Clawson said. “This does not take away from the year he had. He’s disappointed. He puts a lot on himself.

I’m confident he’ll bounce back.

He’s mentally tough and he’s our leader, and he’s a great quarterback.”

Hartman, a second-team AllACC selection, has already set single-season team records for passing yardage (3,711) and passing touchdowns (34) with one game still to play.

He was not made available to the media after Saturday’s loss.

Another quarterback whose dream season took a nightmarish turn in a conference championship game Saturday was Appalachian State’s Chase Brice.

Although the former Clemson and Duke transfer managed to avoid the kind of turnovers that plagued Hartman and haunted his ill-fated 2020 season with the Blue Devils, he was ineffective with the Sun Belt ConferSee TITLE, page B3

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

WEDNESDAY

12.8.21

TRENDING

Brent Venables: The Clemson defensive coordinator was hired

by Oklahoma as its next head coach on Sunday night, bringing back a former Sooners assistant with a long track record of success.

Venables will replace Lincoln Riley, who left Oklahoma for USC. The 50-year‑old Venables was on Oklahoma’s staff under Bob Stoops from 1999 to 2011.

He was co‑defensive coordinator when the Sooners won the 2000 national title and won in 2016 and 2018 with Clemson.

Deion Sanders: Jackson State’s first‑year coach led the Tigers to a 27-10 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday.

The victory gave the Tigers their first SWAC title since 2007 and a spot in the Celebration Bowl against MEAC champion South Carolina State. Jackson State improved to 11-1 after going 4-3 in the COVID-shortened spring season with Sanders. Sanders was named SWAC coach of the year, and his son Shedeur, the team’s quarterback, was named conference freshman of the year.

Alain Vigneault: The Philadelphia Flyers coach was fired Monday following eight straight losses, two shy of matching a team record of 10 in a row.

Assistant Mike Yeo, who has previously been head coach with the Blues and Wild, was named interim coach.

The Flyers overhauled their roster this past offseason with the intention of contending but are seventh in the Metropolitan Division at 8-10-4. Vigneault lasted just two-plus seasons in Philadelphia, going 74-54-19 in the fourth stop of his coaching career.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NFL

The Carolina Panthers relieved offensive coordinator Joe Brady of his duties, the team announced Sunday. Offensive assistant Jeff Nixon will take Brady’s place for the rest of the season. Brady, 30, was hired by coach Matt Rhule before the 2020 season after he helped LSU to a national championship in the same role. But his offense has struggled in Carolina — the Panthers ranked 28th with 308.7 yards per game and 23rd in scoring at 19.7 points per game entering their bye week.

MATT SLOCUM | AP PHOTO

“Get some goals and the boys are smiling again.”

Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen after he had two of Carolina’s six goals in the team’s win Saturday over Buffalo, ending a three-game losing streak.

DOUG MURRAY | AP PHOTO

NHL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

AMY DAVIS | THE BALTIMORE SUN VIA AP

“Complete and utter shock.”

Danny Manning, who was named Maryland’s interim basketball coach, on his reaction to Terps coach Mark Turgeon’s resignation.

JONATHAN HAYWARD | THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

The Vancouver Canucks dismissed GM Jim Benning and coach Travis Green on Sunday and hired Bruce Boudreau, above, as their next coach. Boudreau has coached 13 combined seasons with Washington, Anaheim and Minnesota.

Joining Boudreau’s staff is Scott Walker, a former Hurricanes forward who played 17 NHL seasons.

JEFF DEAN | AP PHOTO

The College Football Playoff is set.

Unbeaten Cincinnati, the first nonPower Five team to make the playoff, will face top-ranked Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. Big Ten champion Michigan will play Georgia in the other semifinal in the Orange Bowl.

The national championship game on Jan. 10 will be played in Indianapolis.

PRIME NUMBER

5 Charlotte Hornets who are currently in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. LaMelo Ball, Jalen McDaniels, Terry Rozier and former Duke player Mason Plumlee were all placed in the league’s protocol on Saturday, and Ish Smith was added before Monday’s loss to the 76ers.

SOCCER

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

The NWSL’s North Carolina Courage made interim coach Sean Nahas their permanent head coach last week. Nahas replaced Paul Riley, who was fired in September after two former players accused him of sexual harassment and coercion.

Riley denied the allegations.

Nahas has been with the Courage organization since 2004, serving as director of the girls’ development academy, and with the first team staff since 2017.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B3

Wolfpack women battle-tested heading into conference play NC State lost its opener to No. 1 South Carolina but beat two other top-10 opponents during an 8-1 start

“I feel like this is the year, so I’m glad Coach Moore has us playing good competition.”

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

Kayla Jones, NC State forward

’TIS THE SEASON for college coaches losing their jobs.

Several have bitten the dust already, mostly in football. But at least one prominent basketball coach, Maryland’s Mark Turgeon, has also joined the list.

To hear NC State women’s coach Wes Moore talk before the season, he was worried about becoming one of the casualties because of the nonconference gauntlet he arranged for his team to play.

“Our schedule is brutal,” he said at the ACC Tipoff in October, “so I just hope I still have a job at Christmas.”

Moore was joking about his job security, of course. But his Wolfpack’s early-season schedule really was no joke, with tests against preseason No. 1 South Carolina and fellow top-10 opponents Maryland and Indiana on the slate within the first eight games.

Things didn’t start well.

With one key player sidelined by injury, another playing her first game since undergoing knee surgery and a talented transfer still trying to figure out her role, State looked disjointed at times in an opening night 66-57 loss to South Carolina at Reynolds Coliseum.

After the game, Moore called his team a “work in progress.” If recent results are an indication, that progression is already well underway.

TITLE from page B1 ence title on the line in a 24-16 loss to Louisiana.

Brice averaged 241.8 passing yards per game during the regular season, but he was only able to complete 12 of 30 passes for 119 yards against a Ragin’ Cajun defense that sold out to keep the Mountaineers (10-3) from beating it through the air. He was also sacked three times.

App State coach Shawn Clark said afterward that he knew “it’s going to be a long day” when his offense struggled to run the ball against an opponent playing two deep safeties.

“We just couldn’t get into the rhythm that we’re used to,”

On Thanksgiving Day, the Wolfpack didn’t just beat No. 2 Maryland, it dominated the game from start to finish, getting 20 points and 10 rebounds from All-American center Elissa Cunane to beat the Terrapins 78-60 at the Baha Mar Hoops tournament in the Bahamas.

It was a win that catapulted State up to No. 2 in the national polls.

Seven days later, the Wolfpack validated that ranking by going to Indiana and beating the sixth-rated Hoosiers 66-58 in a game that also avenged a heartbreaking loss in last year’s NCAA Sweet 16.

One of the deciding factors in the victory was the play of Kayla Jones, one of three super seniors who decided to return for their extra year of eligibility.

The 6-foot-1 power forward, her damaged knee back to nearly full strength, scored all 17 of her points in the second half to help State pull away. She also had 11 rebounds for her ninth career double-double.

Her performance — and the result — were especially satisfying for Jones since she wasn’t able to contribute to the previous Indiana game because of the injury she suffered earlier in the NCAA Tournament.

Clark said. “(Louisiana has) a really good defense,” added Mountaineers wide receiver Thomas Hennigan. “That didn’t intimidate us going into it. I thought we played hard, but you have to give them credit. They came to play hard too.”

The good news for Brice and Hartman is that both will have an opportunity to bounce back quickly and finish the season on a positive note.

App State will play Western Kentucky in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18, while the Deacons were selected to take on Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Eve. For Hartman, the healing process began even before he and his teammates left the

“Going in, we all felt that it was personal,” Jones said afterward.

“For me, I just felt like all the rehab and everything has paid off. I was excited for sure.”

Jones’ return isn’t the only reason for the improvement the Wolfpack has made since the South Carolina game.

Talented wing Jada Boyd is also back after missing the first five games with a torn tendon in her hand. She scored a season-high 17 points on Sunday in a lopsided win against Elon.

State, which is 8-1 heading into its ACC opener at Pittsburgh on Thursday, has also gotten a major boost from newcomer Diamond Johnson.

The highly rated transfer from Rutgers struggled against the Gamecocks, going 2 for 12 from the floor in her Wolfpack debut, but she has quickly learned to fit in and become a difference-maker on both ends of the court. She leads the team in scoring at 13.4 points per game and is tied with fellow point guard Raina Perez for the lead with 26 assists.

“I knew it was gonna be a good fit to be surrounded by good basketball players, good people and good coaches, so I think it’s going as well as I envisioned. Probably even better,” Johnson said after a 62-34 demolition of Washington State on Nov. 27.

“I just needed to adjust, and the coaches put me in a good position for me to score, assist, still rebound, whatever I need to do. My teammates also have a lot of confidence too as they cheer me on, to shoot well and they just bring me up and bring a lot of energy to the table.”

field at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday. It came in the form of a pep talk from his coach following the fourth interception.

Clawson told the Deacons leader that the loss was a team effort, not an individual one.

“Sometimes you leave a game and you’re mad and you feel you lost to a lesser football team. I thought Pitt outplayed us today,” Clawson said.

“They outplayed us at the line of scrimmage. They executed better than we did. They deserved to win that game.

“Sam … I don’t want him to blame himself. This was not like the bowl game a year ago.

He’s had a great year, and this one game and a few throws do not take away from that.”

MATTHEW HINTON | AP PHOTO

Chase Brice had a bounce-back season with Appalachian State after transferring from Duke, but the Mountaineers quarterback struggled against Louisiana in the Sun Belt Championship Game.

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

The addition of Diamond Johnson to NC State’s lineup has made the Wolfpack an even deeper team this season.

That energy, combined with the experience of two straight ACC Tournament titles and the hunger of falling short of its Final Four goal last season, promise to make the Wolfpack a dangerous team come March.

State should be even better prepared for this postseason thanks to the difficult tests Moore set up for it before embarking on an even more challenging conference schedule.

“I feel like it shows us what we need to work on just to get to our final goal at the end of the season,”

Jones said. “We want to win another conference championship, but we want to make it to the Final Four and do something big. I feel like this is the year, so I’m glad Coach Moore has us playing good competition.

“You’re not winning a championship in this part of the season, but you can learn. I feel like that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to learn, and we’re sticking together.

Every night is not going to be the best night, but we’re learning from it and we’re just going to keep pushing.”

High school football titles to be decided Saturday The four NCHSAA championship games will be split between Kenan Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal SPRING. FALL. It doesn’t seem to matter.

Regardless of when the high school football season is contested in North Carolina, there’s a good chance Tarboro will finish it by playing for a state championship.

The Vikings will make their fifth straight appearance in a final on Saturday when they play Mitchell County for the 1A crown at Kenan Stadium.

Coach Jeff Craddock’s top-seeded team has won three of the past four titles and seven overall, including a 25-7 win against East Surry just seven months ago.

Tarboro, which beat Pender 2212 in the Eastern Regional final last Friday, is one of only two teams to make it back to a state championship game this fall after playing for a title last May as part of a 2020 season postponed until last spring because of COVID-19.

Cardinal Gibbons, which lost to Grimsley, will get another shot at bringing home a trophy in the 4A final Saturday against Chambers at Carter-Finley Stadium. J.H Rose will play Dudley in the 3A game in Chapel Hill while Wallace-Rose Hill takes on Shields for the 2A title in Raleigh in Saturday’s other state finals.

Titles will be contested in only four classifications this season, down from eight in previous years.

The more things change, though, the more they stay the same for Tarboro.

This year’s team has reeled off 13 straight wins since an opening week 12-0 loss to Rocky Mount back on Aug. 19. It has outscored its opponents by a whopping 555-142 margin.

Despite that disparity, it took until the final four minutes of last week’s victory against Pender for the Vikings to earn their latest title shot.

They took a 14-12 lead when Joshua Bradley tackled a Patriots ballcarrier in the end zone. Running back Tobias Joyner then sealed the victory with an 11-yard touchdown run three minutes later.

Mitchell County (13-2) earned a shot at its first state championship by beating Robbinsville 34-21 in a rematch of a second round playoff game last spring.

Quarterback Ty Turbyfill rushed for 207 yards and threw for 93 on 8 of 11 passing while scoring all five of the Mountaineers’ touchdowns in the game. Dalton Hollifield intercepted a

pass to lead a defense that held Robbinsville to just a single touchdown through the first three quarters before holding on to clinch the second state final appearance in school history.

Mitchell County lost to Wallace-Rose Hill in the 2015 1A final.

That title was one of seven Wallace-Rose Hill has won in its history, with the most recent coming in 2017.

Now classified as 2A, the Bulldogs (132) are one win away from championship No. 8.

They advanced to Saturday’s title game by beating Princeton 34-25 in the Eastern Region final. Kanye Roberts rushed for 355 yards and five touchdowns as Wallace-Rose Hill broke open a tight game by scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Like the Bulldogs, their opponent Shelby is no stranger to state championships. The Golden Lions (14-1) have won six 2A and 2AA titles since 2013 and 11 overall.

After falling short of a final in the spring, Shelby made it back this season by unseating defending 2A champion Reidsville last Friday. It did by putting its opponent away early, exploding for 39 points in the second quarter behind a 261-yard, two-touchdown passing performance by quarterback Daylin Lee. The 3A game between Dudley (14-1) and Rose (11-4) is a matchup between a dominant team and a hot team.

The West Regional champion Panthers from Greensboro have outscored their opponents by a whopping 682-87 margin this season. That includes a 187-20 edge since the start of the playoffs, capped by a 38-0 whitewash of South Point last week. R.J. Baker ran for 122 yards and four touchdowns in the game.

The East champion Ramparts from Greenville, meanwhile, got off to a shaky start by losing their first three games. But they have caught fire since, winning their last three playoff games on the road — earning their trip to Chapel Hill with a 35-28 win against Jacksonville. NC State commit Michael Allen ran for 154 yards and four touchdowns.

For Raleigh’s Cardinal Gibbons (13-2), the 4A final represents a shot at redemption after a 28-8 championship game loss to Grimsley in May. The Crusaders will face a tough task against Chambers, which won the 4AA title in May in its final season under its former name, Vance.

Cardinal Gibbons beat defending 4AA finalist Rolesville 36-28 for the Eastern Region title last Friday while the Cougars from Charlotte (14-1) won the West by beating 35-21. Saturday’s showdown is a rematch from the season’s opening week, a game won by Chambers 35-29 behind a pair of rushing touchdowns from Dylan Smothers.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B4

Oubre signing paying dividends for Hornets The free agent addition is averaging 16.5 points in just over 28 minutes a game

“I would just say it’s me getting more confident in my role.”

By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — In early August, Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak made his largest move of the offseason and gambled on Kelly Oubre Jr., signing the small forward to a two-year, $26 million deal.

Although the No. 15 pick from the 2015 NBA Draft had played for three different teams in six seasons, the Hornets needed rotational depth to make up for the free agency departures of Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk, who combined for more than 25 points per game last year.

Nearly a third of the way through the season, Kupchak’s decision to bet on Oubre has paid its dividends for the 14-12 Hornets.

The former Kansas Jayhawks star has scored 20 or more points in six of the Hornets’ past seven games, including 28 points in Sunday’s win in Atlanta and a 35-point performance in an overtime loss to Philadelphia on Monday.

With Charlotte missing five players — LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Ish Smith, Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels — due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Oubre has emerged as a reliable producer with the best shooting rate of his career to supplement established scorers Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington.

Oubre is currently posting career-highs with 46.6% shooting from the field and 39.4% shooting from the 3-point line, cracking

Kelly Oubre Jr., Hornets forward

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Kelly Oubre Jr. has proven to be a good fit for the Hornets since signing as a free agent with Charlotte in the offseason. the NBA’s top-10 in 3-pointers made per game with an average of 2.9. He said Monday night that his offensive success over the past month can be attributed to Hornets coach James Borrego defining what he needs from the 6-foot7 forward.

“I would just say it’s me getting more confident in my role,” Oubre said after playing a season-high 43 minutes. “Also, me just going out there and not expecting anything, just trying to flow with the offense and everything that coach calls. I know I can do a lot of things bet-

ter, of course, so I’ll focus on those things instead of the positives.”

When the Hornets get their five missing players back in the lineup, Borrego has the option to either continue starting Oubre or hope his momentum will translate to valuable minutes coming off the bench once again.

“When Kelly plays like that and our bench plays with that type of efficiency, we’re a different team,” Borrego said. “We’re going to need that. We’re going to need a spark off the bench. I believe every win we’ve had, someone off the bench

has had a big game. We’re always going to need a spark to bring us home. I’m really proud of him. He stuck with it even through some adversity throughout the season.”

The adversity Borrego is the times Oubre’s 3-point shooting has turned ice-cold — he missed all seven of his 3s in a 115-105 road loss to Atlanta three weeks ago and was just 2 of 10 from long range in a 146-143 road loss to Houston two weeks ago.

Those games resembled the first half of his 2020-21 season in Golden State when he had the

lowest percentage from behind the arc in the entire league.

Even in games like his 13-for‑24 shooting effort Monday, Oubre has struggled at times coming up empty on high percentage shots in the paint, particularly when he puts the ball on the floor for an isolation dribble-drive.

In Monday’s overtime loss, he turned an overtime jump ball against 76ers 7-footer Joel Embiid into a fast break, but he missed a wide-open layup that would have given the Hornets a quick lead.

Still, those types of mishaps are becoming more infrequent for the seventh-year player who is showing flashes of true star potential.

“It’s next man up and we all try to feed off each other. We didn’t have any positions out there today,” Oubre said of his experience playing without Ball and Rozier on the court. “We try to get out there and run in transition. That’s something that we will continue with that lineup out there.”

While the New Orleans native’s connection to Charlotte began this year, his link to the Hornets goes back to Oct. 30, 2002, when thenNew Orleans Hornets played their first regular season home game.

Despite being 700 miles away in a different city, Oubre is currently making the most of his opportunity to play for a team that he grew up watching.

Not over yet: Panthers still in playoff mix in muddled NFC The odds are long, but Carolina has multiple paths to the postseason

By Shawn Krest North State Journal AT A FIRST GLANCE, it would appear the Carolina Panthers are just playing out the string.

Recent developments are more fitting for a second-division team looking to improve draft positioning rather than a contender for the NFC playoff field. The team has shut down star running back Christian McCaffrey for the rest of the season following another injury. Over last week’s bye, the team also dismissed offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who spent less than two seasons in the position. Head coach Matt Rhule was also rumored to be a candidate for the (since filled) Notre Dame job, and there was also speculation he might be on the hot seat.

Despite what the eye test may indicate, the Panthers ship is not sinking — at least not quite yet. In fact, as Week 14 opens, Carolina is just one game out of the final playoff spot.

Part of that is thanks to the NFL’s decision to expand the playoff field by one team, taking seven teams from each conference instead of six. But even under the old system, the Panthers would be just a game out of the money.

Here’s a look at the crowded NFC playoff picture and where the Panthers fit in the mix.

NFC South Division: A division title is all but out of reach for the

Panthers. The defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a four-game lead with five games to play. The Panthers get the Bucs twice over the final month of the season, which would allow them to make up ground quickly, but with a magic number of two, Tampa appears on the verge of wrapping things up and joining fellow division winners the Cardinals, Packers and Cowboys in the first four postseason spots.

The Wild Card leaders: At 8-4, the Rams have a firm grip on the first Wild Card spot, with a twogame lead over the rest of the field.

Los Angeles has a tough remaining schedule, including the Cardinals this week as well as games against the Vikings, 49ers and Ravens. But the Rams are still in the most enviable spot of the Wild Card contenders.

Washington is currently holding the sixth spot at 6-6. Ron Rivera’s crew has a win over the Panthers already this season. The Football Team still has a shot at overtaking the Cowboys with two head-t-head games in the final five weeks. Of course, it also makes Washington vulnerable to falling out of the playoff picture if the Cowboys take care of business. Washington also has two games against the Eagles, which won’t be easy. ESPN’s analytics team gives the Washington Football Team just a 40% chance of making the postseason.

San Francisco holds the final spot at 6-6. The 49ers might have the toughest remaining schedule, with games at Cincinnati, Tennessee and the L.A. Rams remaining.

Their two home games are very

BOWLS from page B1 Pack since a 7-0 loss at UCLA on Oct. 29, 1960.

“A lot of my guys have never been that far west,” said coach Dave Doeren, who pointed out that he was born in San Diego.

The game will be played in the home of the MLB San Diego Padres.

“I’ve never played in a professional baseball stadium,” said Doeren.

“Part of bowl games is the life experience,” he continued. “Getting a chance to go out to a city most of our guys haven’t seen, on the Pacific Ocean, get to see the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, tour a navy ship.”

Doeren is hopeful the game will help expose new fans to NC State,

“A lot of my guys have never been that far west.”

Dave Doeren, NC State coach although San Diego should be familiar with the team.

“They’ve seen Phillip Rivers,” he said. “So they should have a little bit of an idea what Wolfpack football is all about.”

North Carolina vs.

South Carolina Duke’s Mayo Bowl Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte Dec. 30, 11:30 p.m., ESPN

winnable — against Atlanta and Houston — but, like Washington, the Niners are vulnerable.

The Wild Card challengers: The Panthers are third in line of the teams currently on the outside looking in. Ahead of current 10thseed Carolina are the Eagles and Vikings.

Philadelphia hasn’t had its bye yet, so the 6-7 Eagles have one more win than a quartet of 5-7 teams. The Eagles have two against Washington and one against Dallas in the final four. Carolina will have to hope for a split between the Eagles and WFT to open the door.

The Vikings are coming off a loss to previously winless Detroit and have Pittsburgh on a short week on Thursday night. Minnesota also has games against the Rams and Packers, as well as two against the lowly Bears. A run to a playoff berth seems unlikely at best.

The Panthers are next in the pecking order. Carolina has games against the two other 5-7 teams in the division — Atlanta and New Orleans — which could allow them to emerge as a contender for a spot.

Even if the Panthers win both, however, their remaining three games are a home-and-home against the Bucs and a trip to Buffalo in December. ESPN gives them a 3.5% shot at getting into the field.

To crash the party, Carolina won’t even need to win out. If the Panthers go 4-1 and get an assist from the Cowboys, who can hang losses on the two NFC East contenders, they’d be 9-8. That, combined with a Washington-Philadelphia split, would leave both Philly and Washington at 8-9 at best. If

North Carolina will play in familiar surroundings against a familiar face.

At stake: After high expectations entering the season, UNC is hoping to salvage a winning record for the season.

Background: The Tar Heels beat South Carolina in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium to open the 2018 season in Mack Brown’s first game back in Chapel Hill. Carolina also lost to the Gamecocks to open the 2015 season in Charlotte.

This is UNC’s fifth visit to this bowl game, which has now gone by four different names when hosting the Tar Heels. UNC lost to Boston College in 2004 in the Continental Tire Bowl, lost to West Virginia in 2008 and Pitt in 2009 in the Meineke Car Care

BRIAN WESTERHOLT | AP PHOTO

Despite losing running back Christian McCaffrey for the rest of the season and firing offensive coordinator Joe Brady during the bye week, Matt Rhule and the Panthers could still make the playoffs. the Vikings lose to the Rams and Packers, they’d also fall to 8-9, as would the Niners if they drop the three road games where they’ll be underdogs.

If any of the other contenders suffer further upset losses, the Pan-

thers may even be able to squeeze in by winning three of the final five and finishing 8-9.

The odds are long, but there’s still a pulse, despite all the bad news coming from the Panthers headquarters this past week.

Bowl, and beat Cincinnati in 2013 in the Belk Bowl.

“It’s perfect for a large portion of our roster because their family and friends will easily be able to attend,” said Brown.

back‑to‑back losses.

Background: The Deacs played the Aggies in the Belk Bowl in the 2017 season, winning a wild 55-52 contest. That was part of Wake’s current bowl streak, which reaches six games this year, although the Deacs have lost the last two. It’s Wake’s first Florida bowl game since winning the ACC and playing in the Orange Bowl following the 2006 season. Wake won the ACC Championship Game that year in their most recent trip to Jacksonville. The Deacs won the first ever Gator Bowl, following the 1945 season.

“The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is a perfect fit for this team and our fans,” said Wake coach Dave Clawson. “That week and game will cap a memorable season for our program.”

Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M TaxSlayer Gator Bowl TIAA Bank Field; Jacksonville, Florida Dec. 31, 11 a.m., ESPN After winning the ACC Atlantic Division and losing in the conference championship game, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will head to the Gator Bowl.

At stake: It has been one of the most successful seasons in Wake Forest history, and the Deacs don’t want to end with

The 3 big questions nob

A7

normal

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

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

The e eing thrown out of work.

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

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1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures immediate fear justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we COVID-19 know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy.

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— we need to once again enjoy of this state who when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand August by nearly 12,000. rse, because that is not what God.” That is what their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other or express sincere regret and rem To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with ndetermined answers.

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Through faith and by fe. But we should also still continue the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s churchwith services living in a free potentialfor sites for economic accepted publication

by Affilia, a asserted. reduce out-of-pocket costspandemic for private insurance while the pain of rising costs is fit people confident we will emerge out of this str cause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b feminist journaland for social workers. The But first the development provides those who are privately insured. and many more bill has to pass real and present. Democrats will as well. society were this same spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration a disturbing tendency some people to treatInwith those measures are understandable, consisted incompletion part of adate. rewritten Congress, where plenty of obsta- sometimes A Kaiser Foundation poll from —after Medicare recipients have to point to promised, not ac- among funds to enable our own neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not in any way,Two other cles remain insupposed passage from Mein Kampf. simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Americans, an tual, savings in next year’s mid- high drug costs would finally October found that more than 8 its path. of due diligence onsafe, sites In Concord, high school senior named remainhoax vigilant and stay at including Biden triedtotodo, papers were published, Americans favor get temporary a cap on their annual finanlast I focus toterm elections. shift the normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who in 10a shape, or form.

Soallowing while weTanner shoul already identified or to “Rape and Queer Performativity moneyinto buy a 3-D printer andwe plastic to make fa mfortable withCulture this so-called “new Medicare negotiate prices, incialsacrifices exposure, $2,000 are The biggest — athemselves to pocketbookchecked. provisions over- otherwise don’tpolicy care ifchange they get or others sick.starting the to same time shouldn’t get co at Urbanpublic Dog Parks.”

This subject extend utilities topaper’s or 95% 82% 2024.

Medicare to negotiate looked in the political machina- system health carecluding workers outofofDemocrats, his own home.

Since for when did questioning government at all levels become a bad normal.” over. was dog-on-dog But and the dog rapetions over his $2 trillion legis- prices for prescription drugs — —in Shingles vaccines andsupposed other of independents and 71% of Reconduct roughrape. grading That is what free citizens living a free society were Not one little bit. paper eventually forced Boghossian, lation, which deals with issues thing? publicans. Most in the poll agreed shots covered under Medicare’s won’t begin to deliver lower costs clearing of sites for which to do, last I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurelyfrom out climate to family life and until 2025, and then only for a se- “Part D” pharmacy benefit would with a statement that “even if under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah due diligence has been My first concern as we go this, ofto course, is my startfamily. I’m Stacey Matthews hascomalso written themselves.

A Wall Street Journal writer U.S. prices were lower, drug beall cost-free consumers, set of 10 medicines, as along well in taxes. Even before concerns over lected dState and Legal Insurrection. had figured out what they were doing. rising inflation, polls consistently worried completed. about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After and is a regular contributor to Re panies would still make enough as insulin products. The number ing in 2024.

Some accepted for publication social the legislation has money to invest in the research of drugs from subject negotiations showed support from Americans suffering thetoH1N1 virus (swineThe flu) during 2009 pandemic, “The papers need for industrial in academic journals advocated training needed to develop new drugs.” passed the Houseall and pending would build with reaching across the political spectrum for I’ve been trying totime, take extra precautions, because of is this brings up sites, especially in rural men like dogs and punishing white male Biden said the industry has the Senate, wherenot the to goal 100 too in six yearsmemories and continuing to before government action to lower drug way many of a painful experience I’ d prefer repeat. areas, students was a gap college foridentified historical slavery by remains to pass it before Christ- lost the pricing debate with the grow by 20 a year. costs.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has asking to sitplanning in silence on the floor in in our them strategic American people.

Other provisions would take mas.

“It’s safe to say that all of us can chains during class andT.to be expectedagree to that prescription drugs are effect earlier.

“Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, canThe powerful pharmaceutiprocess,” said Scott learn from the discomfort. Other papers cer — so many other diseases. cal industry is maneuvering to — Copays for insulin would be outrageously expensive in this Hamilton, Golden LEAF celebrated morbid obesity as a healthycountry,” life Biden said at the White limited to $35 a month, starting strip out as much as possible of They don’t care whether you are President, Chief Executive choice and advocated treating privately in 2023. Biden called the high the prescription drug provisions, a Democrat or Republican,” said House.

Officer. “The Golden LEAF conducted masturbation as a form of “I’m committed to using every cost of insulin “one of the most even block the entire bill. They Biden. sexual against “We need Congress to finish tool I have to lower prescription egregious examples” of over- argue that limits on their ability Boardviolence was excited to women. award Typically, academic journal editors send submitted to set prices would stifle investpriced medicines.

He was introdrug costs for Americans conthe first round of SITE papers out to referees for review. In sistent with the drug companies duced at the White House by a ment that fuels innovation.

See INSULIN, page B6 Program projects that will recommending acceptance for publication, help increase many reviewerseconomic gave these papers glowing praise. opportunity in North Politicalby scientist Zach Goldberg ran Carolina establishing or certain grievance studies concepts through readying available industrial the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often sites.

Golden LEAF will over the years. they appeared in our press He founda huge increases launch second roundinofthe usages of “white privilege,” the SITE Program“unconscious in 2022.” bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” The Associated Press Golden LEAF AllThe of this is being taught to college Foundation Board of become primaryLONDON — Instagram on students, many of whom and secondary schoolnearly teachers who then Directors awarded Tuesday launched a feature that indoctrinate our young people. urges teenagers to take breaks $5 million for 11 projects I doubt whether the coronavirus- from the photo-sharing platthrough the Golden LEAF caused financial crunch will give college form and announced other tools SITEuniversity Programadministrators, in Macon, and who areaimed a at protecting young users crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, Montgomery, Halifax, from harmful content on the Facethe gutsAlexander, and backbone to restore academic book-owned service.

Nash, Yancey, respectability. Far too often, they get much The previously announced Cumberland, Duplin, of their political support from campus“Take A Break” feature encourages Franklin, people McDowell, andmembers of the grievance who are teens to stop scrolling if they have Rockingham counties. faculty and diversity and multiculturalbeen on the social media platform administrative The Goldenoffices.

LEAF for a while, Instagram head Adam The best hope lies with boards of Mosseri said in a blog post. It Foundation is a nonprofit trustees, though many serve as yes-men rolled out to the U.S., United Kingorganization established for the university president. Iinthink that a Ireland, Canada, New Zeadom, 1999start to receive a portion good would be to find 1950s or 1960s land and Australia on Tuesday and catalogs. at the course offerings at of NorthLook Carolina’s funding would reach the rest of the world afrom timethe when college graduates knew how early next year, he said.

1998 Master to read, write and compute, and make Young users will see notificaSettlement Agreement with helpful them today’s curricula.

Another tions about the feature and be AP PHOTO cigarette manufacturers. tool would be to give careful consideration urged to set reminders to take to eliminating all classes/majors/minors For 20 years, Golden LEAF more breaks going forward, the This Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, file photo shows the Instagram app icon on the screen of a mobile device in containing thetoword “studies,” such as post said. It’s one of the efforts that New York. has worked increase women, Asian, black or queer studies. Facebook, renamed Meta Plateconomic opportunity I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalforms, has touted on its platforms in North Carolina’s rural they would academic mission to colleges, and set time limits. as it weathers backlash about not gram has led to mental health and on social media platforms. put a serious dent into the COVID-19 doing enough to rein in harmful body-image problems in young usand tobacco-dependent The social media platform also Haugen also has offered guidbudget shortfall.through content and faces new legislation ers, especially girls, and in some ance on new online rules that are said it’s developing features that communities looking to impose restrictions on cases, eating disorders and suicid- much further along in the U.K. and will stop people from tagging or leadership in grantmaking, Walter E. Williams is a professor of tech giants.

European Union, which has pio- mentioning teens that don’t follow al thoughts. collaboration, innovation, economics at George Mason University. Former Facebook product manShe spoke again last week to neered efforts to rein in big tech- them, nudge young users to other and stewardship as an things if they have been focused on ager turned whistleblower Fran- Congress, urging U.S. lawmakers nology companies.

On Tuesday, Instagram also an- one topic for a while and be strictces Haugen has testified to U.S. to move forward with proposals independent and perpetual and European lawmakers working introduced after her first appear- nounced that its first tools for par- er about what posts, hashtags and foundation.

business & economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

Approved Logos

north STA

VISUAL VOICES

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

Biden touts savings on insulin and other drugs for Americans

Instagram launches tool urging teens to take a break

on those measures, citing internal company research suggesting that peer pressure generated by Insta-

ance in October. That includes restrictions on the long-standing legal protections for speech posted

ents will roll out early next year, allowing them to see how much time their teens spend on Instagram

accounts it recommends to try to cut down on potentially harmful or sensitive content.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B6

For the week ending 12/3

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,621,673,384 Add Receipts

$240,870,834 Less Disbursements

$125,070,608 Reserved Cash

$644,032,881 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$6,038,819,780 Loan Balance:

$440.3M Disaster reimbursements:

$2,313,871 ALEX BRANDON | AP PHOTO

Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines, speaks with reporters after a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows at the White House, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Washington, D.C. INSULIN from page B5 the job,” he emphasized.

Core provisions of the Biden bill draw from earlier legislation that was supported by then-President Donald Trump but failed to advance. Those include the cap on out-of-pocket costs for seniors and penalties on drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation.

The $35 monthly copays were also introduced under Trump through regulation, and are now available in a limited though growing number of Medicare prescription plans. Biden would greatly expand access and benefits.

Meanwhile, Medicare recipients are about to get an unwelcome illustration of the impact of high drug costs.

About half of next year’s $21.60 increase to Medicare’s “Part B” monthly outpatient premium is due to the program’s need to financially prepare for a pending coverage decision on a $56,000-a-year Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm. Notices have already gone out to millions of seniors telling them their cost in January will jump to $170.10.

American CEO Parker becomes latest airline chief to exit The Associated Press DALLAS — American Airlines CEO Doug Parker will retire in March and be replaced by its current president, Robert Isom, as the airline seeks to rebuild after massive losses caused by the pandemic.

Parker, 60, has led Texas-based American since late 2013, when he engineered a merger with smaller US Airways. He will remain as chairman, American said Tuesday.

Isom, 58, has been the heir apparent since becoming American’s president in 2016 after Scott Kirby was forced out and joined United Airlines, where he now serves as the CEO. Isom has overseen American’s operations, including sales and pricing, and its alliances with other airlines.

American struggled through most of the summer with high

numbers of canceled and delayed flights. The disruptions were due in large part to staffing issues after American persuaded thousands of employees to leave last year, only to be caught short when air travel recovered faster than expected from the depths of the pandemic.

American posted a profit of $169 million in the third quarter, thanks to nearly $1 billion in federal pandemic relief that covered most of the airline’s payroll costs. Yet its debt has ballooned to more than $36 billion as it borrowed to get through the worst of the pandemic. Airline officials say they will be able to pay down debt once business and international travel recover.

American faces other challenges, including a Justice Department lawsuit that seeks to cancel an agreement to work with JetBlue Airways in setting sched-

ules and service in the Northeast. Relations with unions, particularly that of the pilots, have worsened under the pressure of the airline’s operational shortcomings.

“Over the past several years, our airline and our industry have gone through a period of transformative change, and with change comes opportunity,” Isom said in a prepared statement.

Parker, who will step down as CEO on March 31, said American is “well-positioned to take full advantage of our industry’s recovery” from the collapse in travel caused by the pandemic, “and now is the right time for a handoff we have planned and prepared for.”

Parker is the latest CEO of a major U.S. airline to announce his retirement this year. In June, Southwest Airlines Gary Kelly said he would step down, with

How to holiday shop at the last minute

cal product.

Buy a gift card While gift cards aren’t the most personal gift, they may be the most practical gift of 2021.

“If there’s any year to give a gift card, this is it,” says Darrin Duber-Smith , senior lecturer of marketing at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Gift cards allow for digital delivery, which can circumvent shipping logistics completely. And there’s little to no risk of a gift card being out of stock.

But while gift cards and certificates will be less of a headache for the gift giver, they could present limitations for the recipient — particularly if empty shelves persist into January. Those you give gift cards to might have to hang onto them for a while before cashing them in.

“Consumers are going to have to be patient in terms of redeeming their gift cards,” Duber-Smith says.

NerdWallet SUPPLY CHAIN snags. Soldout merchandise. Empty shelves.

Hefty shipping fees. Inflation.

There are plenty of complications working against you this holiday shopping season.

And despite warnings to shop early because of pandemic-related delays, some of us didn’t prioritize holiday shopping in October and November.

But all hope isn’t lost. Here’s what to do if you still have gifts left to purchase this month.

Watch for restocks Keep checking back with retailers — both online and in stores — over the next few weeks, and you could be pleasantly surprised.

“Typically retailers get multiple deliveries in throughout a holiday season, so even if something is sold out earlier in the season, there’s always a chance that it could come back in stock in December,” says Katherine Cullen , senior director of industry and consumer insights for the National Retail Federation.

And remember all of those deliveries that were supposed to arrive weeks ago? Well, they may finally make their way onto U.S. soil — and onto store shelves in the weeks ahead.

“With some of these delays that are impacting retailers at ports, we need to consider those holiday shipments they’ve scheduled for November. Maybe they’ll be coming in December,” Cullen says.

Besides physically visiting stores or manually checking websites for product availability, you can also let technology do the work for you. On many retail sites,

longtime executive Robert Jordan taking over. Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden was succeeded

by Ben Minicucci in April.

Parker has spent two decades as an airline CEO since becoming the head of America West Airlines just days before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Phoenix carrier survived a downturn in travel with help from a federal loan.

In 2005, Parker engineered a merger with larger but bankrupt US Airways, and he repeated the same strategy in December 2013 with American, which was just emerging from bankruptcy protection. Parker enlisted the support of American’s labor unions to dump the bigger airline’s management after the merger.

American is led by a tight-knit group of executives — including Isom — most of whom have been together with Parker since their America West days.

Isom was previously American’s chief operating officer and held the same job under Parker at US Airways, where he was responsible for improving the airline’s on-time performance.

Wait until the very last minute AP PHOTO

A consumer shops at a retail store in Mount Prospect, Ill., Dec. 3, 2021. you can enter your email address and sign up to be notified when a particular item comes back in stock .

Check delivery deadlines Once you find something you want to buy, make sure you’ll get it in time for holiday gatherings.

If you’re unsure if something will arrive when you need it, Cullen recommends checking a retailer’s website and social media accounts, or calling your local store.

Cullen says retailers typical-

ly advertise order-by deadlines on their websites. These are the last days to order if you want your online purchases to come by Christmas. If you pass the deadline, you may have to pay extra for expedited shipping. Or, you could miss Christmas delivery altogether.

The United States Postal Service has already announced its holiday shipping deadlines. Dec. 15 is the cutoff for retail ground shipping in the contiguous U.S. for delivery before Christmas. You can expect major retailers to advertise a similar date.

Sometimes, specific products are backordered or have shipping estimates that differ from the overall website. Always pay attention to notes about the product as well as the estimated delivery date when you’re navigating the online checkout process.

If you don’t want to cut it too close, you could always shop in person at a local small business instead. And if something you ordered doesn’t arrive when expected, consider taking a picture of the gift and giving that as a place holder for the forthcoming physi-

If you’re not the type of person who gets stressed out by waiting until the very, very, very last minute, there’s one more path to securing presents — and at a discount.

Super Saturday is the nickname for the last Saturday before Christmas. This year, that’s Dec. 18. Cullen expects stores to host sales on this major shopping day, just as they do every other year.

Last year, department stores, makeup brands, shoe stores and more offered discounts as high as 70% off.

If you go this route, be aware that you’ll likely need to go to the store or order online for store pickup. And inventory may be low, reducing your choices.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B7

2021 Toyota Sienna

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOYOTA

Minivans aren’t cool, but they are great Sliding doors and lots of room!

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — There has to be some interesting social science research into why people think the cars their parents drove are uncool.

I grew up in the ‘90s, which meant I rode around in a minivan a lot. Now, this wasn’t a fancy van with rear-seat A/C vents or anything nice. Instead, it was just the typical Dodge Caravan released after Chrysler figured out that putting doors on either side of a van would result in a massive increase in sales.

It was a glorious thing, though.

Plenty of room for everyone, and I could stretch out in the third row and listen to music on my Walkman whilst ignoring the rest of the world. And that third row was easy to access because the doors were huge, and there was plenty of space for (a kid, at least) to get around.

Behind that third row was a lot of cargo space, and even more could be acquired by removing the third row entirely (and the second row too, if you needed to relocate a small town for some reason).

That brings us back to the Toyota Sienna, my test van this week.

If I were a parent, this would be at the very top of my shopping list, far above comparable SUVs and crossovers. And this new Sienna is even better because it has Toyota’s terrific hybrid system installed.

The system is derived from more than two decades of hybrid expe-

rience with the Prius and delivers around 36 MPG in all drive modes.

That’s impressive in any vehicle these days, never mind an enormous minivan that weighs close to 4,800 pounds.

The driving experience is unremarkable, which is precisely what you want in a minivan. It’s comfortable. It’s roomy. There are power sliding doors and a kick-open rear liftgate. It can tow 3,500 pounds, and there’s an optional power inverter so you can plug stuff into a 1,500-watt 120V home power outlet.

The interior has clearly been de-

signed by a company that knows its target market well. Everything has been built for long-term durability, and things seem to have been improved from the prior generation.

It’s not a revolution by any means.

Why mess with success? But it’s a solid evolution of what already worked exceptionally well.

The exterior design is much improved, inspired by the iconic Shinkansen bullet train in Japan to, according to Toyota at least, “appear sleek, speedy and confident.”

It still looks like a van, but it has curves and nips and tucks that... well, I wouldn’t call it sexy, but it’s

nice-looking.

I asked a friend who has owned a Sienna for the better part of a decade for his thoughts, and he said, “they’re not cool, but they’re great.”

This is exactly right, and the perfect summation of the Sienna and the whole crop of minivans available today.

If you have a family and want the most pleasurable vehicle to own, a minivan is a terrific choice whether you opt for the Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, or the Sienna.

Toyota is one of the best carmakers when it comes to including standard safety features, and that’s

true with the Sienna too. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 platform has all the essentials, including automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure assist, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.

There’s also a new Rear Seat Reminder feature that notes when the rear doors are opened and will prompt drivers with a reminder to check the rear seats for passengers. It’s an easy fix for the very real problem of children forgotten in cars that every parent says they’d never do, but it still somehow happens occasionally.

There’s also a built-in PA system called Driver Easy Speak that allows the driver to have the voice of God, or at least that of a fed-up mother, boomed to disruptive rearseat passengers to quell any disturbances.

It’s also worth noting that the hybrid Sienna has an all-wheel-drive option, critical for buyers in colder climes. The system is an “electric on-demand,” meaning there’s an electric motor (powered by the hybrid battery) that drives the rear wheels when needed.

The Sienna starts at $35,635, though my fully-loaded Platinum trim priced out to $54,138, so there are more than a few options depending on your needs. Want a moonroof or fancier stereo or an ultra-fancy reclining second-row with a built-in ottoman? Toyota has it for you.

I don’t know why folks who grew up riding in minivans don’t want to drive minivans themselves, but here we are. People will willingly buy an SUV or crossover that is objectively worse for their needs because they’re concerned about how their vehicle looks to the outside world. So please, if you have kids, at least consider a minivan.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B8

features DoorDash’s technological know-how offers help to food banks The Associated Press IN THE EARLY days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan Goodell, CEO of the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, would look out the window at the long line of clients picking up the food available that day, while she and others answered calls from others who couldn’t travel to a distribution point.

“We were getting just horrible phone calls from our seniors, from people with disabilities, people who were COVID-positive and couldn’t leave their homes to get food,” Goodell said. “We were distributing food here at the site and other sites from about 6 a.m. till about 7 at night. Then, at the end of the day, the staff would pack up food and deliver it to people’s homes.”

So, earlier this year, when the food delivery service DoorDash approached the food bank, offering help, Goodell was elated by the support, and demand quickly ramped up. The program, in El Paso, Texas, now delivers 2,100 orders of food banks supplies each week, and there’s a waiting list to join.

It’s just the result that DoorDash had intended. By offering its delivery platform technology to food banks for free, DoorDash, like a growing number of companies, is providing something that many nonprofits say is even more valuable than cash — know-how.

Corporate donations of “noncash” — which includes a company’s own products, services and technology — grew to 22% of all

AP PHOTO

Volunteer Linda Nordin places a meat package into a box with other food at the Northern Illinois Food Bank to be delivered

by DoorDash drivers for area residents who are homebound Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in Park City, Ill. community investments in 2020, according to the Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, a coalition of business leaders. Over the past five years, the coalition says, noncash is the fastest-growing segment of corporate giving.

Corporations “know that they have unique ways to leverage some of their value,” said Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas, a managing director of the group.

During 2020, food banks distributed 6 billion meals in America. In 2021, they are serving about 55% more people than they did in 2020 before the pandemic, according to Feeding America. The increased demand is straining many

food banks, a problem that is worsening as supply chain disruptions, diminished inventories and labor shortages magnify food costs.

“Food banks have really had to rise to the occasion with innovating and definitely changing the way that they’re engaging with their clients and the way that they’re distributing food,” said Brittany Graunke, DoorDash’s general manager of government and nonprofit. The company modified one of its existing programs, Project DASH, to help them out.

Project DASH had emerged in 2017 from an idea that originated with employees, who proposed it as a way to pick up excess food

from restaurants and distribute it to community organizations.

When COVID-19 hit, Graunke said, DoorDash saw how much demand food banks across the country were facing and realized that Project DASH could be modified to help. DoorDash began reaching out to food banks across the country through Feeding America and was surprised by the intensity and ingenuity of the responses.

Julie Yurko, Northern Illinois Food Bank’s CEO, said she recognized how DoorDash’s technology could enhance its programs. DoorDash brought its technological expertise and platform for last-mile delivery. Her food bank brought its online communication skills and the networks to connect people with the food they need.

“Just like that,” Yurko said, “the world changes for us.”

Previously, Northern Illinois Food Bank’s My Pantry Express program was unavailable to its homebound clients because someone had to go to a collection point to pick up the food. But with DoorDash’s technology, homebound clients can go to the My Pantry Express website and choose from the available food — including macaroni and cheese, cereals, potatoes and apples, on a recent day — just as shoppers do on Amazon Fresh or a local supermarket site and then schedule a time for delivery.

“There’s so much dignity in not just being able to say yes to what I want, but also to say no to what I don’t want,” Yurko said. “I can’t tell you how many neighbors say, ‘I don’t want anything I can’t use.

There’s somebody else who needs

it.’ “ At this point, DoorDash provides the technology as well as the delivery people.

“The only cost that we incur is the cost of running the program, which is what we do anyway,” Yurko said That support is also making an impact nationally. DoorDash says Project DASH has made more than a million deliveries, the equivalent of about 21 million meals, in more than 900 cities across the United States and Canada..

Iskeisha Stuckey, executive coordinator for the Food Bank of Delaware, said she reached out to DoorDash after reading about its program and was pleasantly surprised when the company responded with help. Her food bank had managed to deliver to homebound clients only once a week. Project DASH enabled her to get food out to emergency cases.

“I was getting a lot of phone calls from people saying, ‘I need food today. I’m hungry today,’ “ Stuckey said. “Nobody should have to wait a week just to get food delivery.”

Stuckey was heartened by her ability to use the system to help an older woman who had called the food bank after returning home from spinal surgery. She was unable to go to the store and didn’t know how to use the Internet to order groceries to her home. Stuckey checked the woman’s address and found she was eligible for the food bank’s program.

“I was like, ‘We can get you delivery in about an hour’,” Stuckey said. “She was really excited. And she got her delivery.”

AP PHOTO

This combination of 2021 photos shows Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce,, left, and Billie Eilish in London. The grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and Eagles center have something in common, broadcasters have difficulty pronouncing their names. Both Eilish and Kelce, as well as “omicron” made it onto this year’s list of most mispronounced words as compiled by the U.S. Captioning Company, which captions and subtitles real-time events on TV and in courtrooms.

‘Cheugy,’ ‘omicron’ among 2021′s most mispronounced words The Associated Press “CHEUGY” is apparently a lot to chew on. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce have something in common — broadcasters butcher their names.

And virtually everyone is having trouble with “omicron.”

All four made it onto this year’s list of most mispronounced words as compiled by the U.S. Captioning Company, which captions and subtitles real-time events on TV and in courtrooms.

The list released Tuesday identifies the words that proved most

challenging for newsreaders and people on television to pronounce this year.

The caption company said it surveyed its members to generate the list, which is now in its sixth year and was commissioned by Babbel, a language-learning platform with headquarters in Berlin and New York.

“Newscasters in the U.S. have struggled with 2021′s new words and names while reporting on key sporting events, viral internet trends and emerging celebrities,” said Esteban Touma, a standup comedian and teacher for Babbel Live.

“As a language teacher, it’s al-

ways interesting to see that some of these terms are usually new colloquialisms, or are rooted or borrowed from another language,” he said. “As a non-native speaker, I must confess it’s fun to see English speakers stumbling a bit for a change.”

Here’s how Touma breaks down the proper pronunciations for the most commonly misspoken words: — Cheugy (CHOO-gee): A trendy term popularized by Gen Z and used to mock an outdated and unfashionable aesthetic typically associated with millennials, such as “Live, Laugh, Love” signs.

— Chipotle (chih-POHT-lay): The American fast food chain became the center of a viral trend this year challenging Baby Boomers to pronounce the name.

— Dalgona (tal-goh-NAH): A Korean treat made with melted sugar and baking soda, popularized in Netflix’s “Squid Game.” (Touma notes that some speakers seem to produce a ”K” instead of the ”G” in the middle syllable.)

— Dogecoin (DOHJ-coin): A di-

visive cryptocurrency that began somewhat ironically before being popularized by Elon Musk, causing its value to dramatically increase.

— Eilish (EYE-lish): The singer Billie Eilish, whose album “Happier Than Ever” was released this year to critical acclaim and nominated for the Grammy Awards’ Album of the Year.

— Ethereum (ih-THEE-reeum): Another cryptocurrency that skyrocketed in value this year amid the decentralized-currency boom.

— Ever Given (EV-er GIV-en): The name of the ship that blocked the Suez Canal in March, costing billions of dollars in lost trade.

Many newscasters mistook the name of the ship as “Evergreen,” the name of the company that owns the vessel, which was printed on its hull.

— Glasgow (GLAHZ-go): The host city of November’s United Nations Climate Conference was mispronounced by both President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama.

— Kelce (KELs): The Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce re-

vealed on radio this year that his teammates and the media had been mispronouncing his name for years.

— Omicron (AH-muh-kraan / OH-mee-kraan): A new variant of COVID-19 first identified in November, named in keeping with the World Health Organization’s system of identifying variants with Greek letters. (Touma notes it’s pronounced differently in the U.S. and the U.K.) — Shein (SHEE-in): The Chinese fast fashion company at the center of the “Shein haul” trend, in which participants record themselves trying on numerous different outfits from the company.

— Stefanos Tsitsipas (STEHfuh-nohs TSEE-tsee-pas): Currently ranked as the world’s No. 4 tennis player, the Greek athlete rose to international prominence when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final of the French Open in June.

— Yassify (YEAH-sih-fai): A popular trend in which multiple beauty filters are applied to wellknown pictures or portraits for comic effect.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B9

Film review: Spielberg’s West Side Story a modern masterpiece N.C.’s Ariana DuBose reprises pivotal role of Anita The Associated Press WE’RE SO RIFE with reboots and remakes today that it can take a moment to gauge just what Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” is.

It isn’t a papered-over modernizing or a thinly disguised retread. It’s a feat of reconstruction. Spielberg, Tony Kushner and Steven Sondheim have taken the original play and reworked it from the inside, burrowing into the DNA of “West Side Story” and its characters to recast, reconsider, deepen and clarify one of the 20th century’s most iconic musicals.

It is, I think, a better movie than the 1961 original, by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, in almost every respect. The Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang who squares off with the white Jets in 1950s New York, have been a given a new and fuller life, bringing “West Side Story” into balance and righting some of the wrongs of the original in its stereotyped depictions. Rachel Zegler’s María, Ariana DeBose’s Anita and David Alvarez’s Bernardo are, to remarkable degree, what makes this “West Side Story” sing. And the story, as scripted by Kushsner, is more emotional and complex than ever, fully realizing the “Romeo and Juliet” tragedy while shading the ’50s gang strife with notes of today’s divisions and battles of gentrification.

And, yet, as fully realized and impeccably crafted as this “West Side Story” is, I’m not sure it matches the power and force of the original. As problem-filled as that movie was 60 years ago, with Natalie Wood as the Latina Maria, its potency is impossible to shrug off.

There was Robbins’ electric choreography, the expressionist Panavision color and Rita Moreno — my god, Rita Moreno — a dynamo of almost overwhelming tal-

NIKO TAVERNISE | 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS VIA AP

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Ariana DeBose as Anita, foreground left, and David Alvarez as Bernardo in “West Side Story.” ent. The 1961 “West Side Story” was propelled by a teeming, lurching mid-century America energy — a surge of bodies in motion, syncopated with finger snaps. This “West Side Story” comes out of a different cultural moment, one of tasteful renovation — three 20th century titans of the arts, like master remodeling craftsmen, shifting and rearranging the play’s latticework of scaffolding, brick and fire escape.

Delayed a year by the pandemic, “West Side Story” (Dec. 10 in theaters) arrives with a glow of eulogy, coming on the heels of Sondheim’s death at 91. “West Side Story,” originally staged in 1957, was Sondheim’s first musical. (Robbins conceived it, with music by Leonard Bernstein, book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Sondheim.) Six decades later, it’s Spielberg’s first

musical, too. Spielberg, naturally, doesn’t finally wade into song and dance with some little one-act but with possibly the most beloved musical there is. (He does, after all, know a thing or two about sharks.)

When it comes to big-screen grandeur, there’s still nobody who does it better.

What’s immediately apparent is that Spielberg, with his regular cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, has elected for a paler, desaturated palette and a slightly grittier, more grounded sense of place. The opening shot skims over a giant pile of rubble — “slum clearance” to make way for the Upper West Side’s Lincoln Center. (That bit drew chuckles at the screening I attended, at Lincoln Square’s Walter Reade Theatre.) With the wrecking ball coming for San Juan Hill and a

new, wealthier New York to build, the days are numbered for both the Sharks and the Jets. Their turf war is misguided from the start; they’re both about to have no turf, at all.

Corey Stoll’s Lieutenant Schrank (superior of Brian d’Arcy James’ Officer Krumpke) spells it out for them: A remade neighborhood is coming that won’t have room for Puerto Ricans like the Sharks or “the last of the can’t-make-it Caucasians.”

It’s narrative, context and authenticity that give Spielberg’s “West Side Story” its own verve. It most definitely still plays the hits, but the film feels less like a Broadway-to-screen transfer than a cinematic staging of a classic. The set pieces are often extraordinary. “In America” moves from the sound stage to the street in an on-

air showstopper. “One Hand, One Heart,” in which Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria speak their private wedding vows, has been uprooted to the Cloisters, where it shines with a holy tenderness. Some classics — “I Feel Pretty,” performed inside Gimbels department store (where Maria works as a cleaner) — may be too familiar to sound new again. But songs like “Cool” are thrillingly alive, in part because Spielberg’s nimble camera is in on the dance, an eager partner to Justin Peck’s choreography.

But as much as these are set pieces — and as beautiful as Zegler’s voice is — what makes them work so well is that they aren’t isolated, but come out of the more fully formed interiors of the characters.

Tony is just out of prison and staying in the drugstore basement of a new character, Valentina (Moreno, connecting movie past and present). His best friend, Jets leader Riff (Mike Faist, terrific), is itching for a fight with the Sharks, and Faist plays him with a hint of mean, knowing despondency. Looking down on Puerto Ricans, he seems to realize, is all he has.

The Sharks, meanwhile, are led

by Alvarez’s Bernardo: boyfriend to Anita and older brother to Maria.

There is more talking in this “West Side Story,” and that includes Spanish without subtitles that intermingles with English. It’s one of many details that endeavor to add authenticity to a drama with new layers of meaning. Not only are Bernardo, Anita and Maria wrestling with their standing in America, they are seizing a place in this deeply American musical. (Each actor does so, beautifully.) The blade-gleaming ethnic war at the heart of “West Side Story” is here less of a ready substitute for the Montagues and Capulets than a metaphorical battleground for today’s discord, with plenty of pain and injustice to go around, and maybe some measure of hope.

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 21SP151 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RYAN SMITHSON AND STACIE SMITHSON DATED DECEMBER 20, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7975 AT PAGE 95 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 618

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael Davis and Donna Davis (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Walton Organization LLC) to Hutchens, Senter & Britton, P.A., Trustee(s), dated April 2, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 8116, at Page 68 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 314

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Dennis D. Hammond and Judy Mae Hammond (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Dennis D. Hammond and Judy Mae Hammond, Heirs of Dennis D. Hammond a/k/a Dennis Dale Hammond: Shiela Renee Brown, Kasey Holmes) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated September 30, 2004, and recorded in Book No. 6675, at Page 628 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on December 18, 2017, in Book No. 10221, at Page 567, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21sp676 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JEAN ADAMS BENSON DATED MARCH 24, 2014 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9404 AT PAGE 623 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21 SP 648 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Justin A. Petersen, in the original amount of $168,445.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Carolina Mortgage Co. of Fayetteville, dated July 15, 2008 and recorded on July 17, 2008 in Book 7940, Page 471, Cumberland County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of 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

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 December 13, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ryan Smithson and Stacie Smithson, dated December 20, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $127,500.00, and recorded in Book 7975 at Page 95 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record.

Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

8 Address of property: 2 Paddington Drive SW, Concord, NC 28025 Tax Parcel ID: 55395873080000 R y a n Present Record Owners: Smithson and Stacie L. Smithson And Being more commonly known as: 82 Paddington Drive SW, Concord, NC 28025 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ryan Smithson and Stacie L. Smithson.

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 October 28, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109332

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 December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 16 in the subdivision known as Brookwood Court as shown on plat of same by Sol C. Rose, dated October, 1951, and recorded in Book of Plats 13, Page 71, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1338 Taylor Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 0438-63-7448 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: 3175 - 7860

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 December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Stedman in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: ALL of Lot 22, Rosewood Park, Section I, as shown recorded in Book of Plats 34, Page 64, Cumberland County Registry.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 516 Hillsboro Street, Stedman, 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.

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 December 20, 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 Jean Adams Benson, dated March 24, 2014 to secure the original principal amount of $163,500.00, and recorded in Book 9404 at Page 623 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: 1809 Spruce St, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Tax Parcel ID: 0428-54-

courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on December 21, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEINGALLOFUNIT101,BLDG.1922,OFAPLATENTITLED “WOODLAND VILLAGE VILLAS CONDOMINIUMS”, AND THE SAME BEING DULY RECORDED IN CONDOMINIUM BOOK 7, PAGE 140, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. ALSO, GRANTOR IS HEREBY CONVEYING TO THE GRANTEE A LIMITED COMMON AREA, TO BE CONVEYED AT ALL TIMES WITH THE UNIT HEREIN DESCRIBED, ALL OF THAT CERTAIN COVERED GARAGE SPACE KNOWN AS GARAGE NUMBER G01 AS SHOWN ON A PLAT ENTITLED “WOODLAND VILLAGE VILLAS CONDOMINIUM”, AND RECORDED IN CONDOMINIUM BOOK 7, PAGE 140, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1922 Harcourt Circle, Unit 101 & Garage 1926 B #1, Fayetteville, NC 28304. Tax ID: 949637-7214-005

1091 Present Record Owners: Jean Adams Benson And Being more commonly known as: 1809 Spruce St, Fayetteville, NC 28303 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jean Adams Benson.

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

Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

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

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

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

transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Justin A. Petersen.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the

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: 2393 - 5426

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 November 30, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-112006

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

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: ________________________________________ John P. Fetner, Bar #41811 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jfetner@mtglaw.com

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21 SP 649 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Frank Ehlinger and Valerie Ehlinger, in the original amount of $107,000.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Mortgage Investors Corporation, dated January 5, 2009 and recorded on January 14, 2009 in Book 8051, Page 895, Cumberland County Registry.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substitutedasTrusteeinsaidDeedofTrustbyaninstrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the

21 SP 586 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 Jerel B Foster and Angelia Foster to Michael J. Broker, Trustee(s), which was dated October 21, 2004 and recorded on October 27, 2004 in Book 6694 at Page 696 and rerecorded/modified/ corrected on March 28, 2005 in Book 6828, Page 592, 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

20 SP 176 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 Wilbert Lee Jones, Jr. to Donald W. Courtney, Trustee(s), which was dated August 26, 2011 and recorded on August 29, 2011 in Book 08710 at Page 0354, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1682

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kenneth Johnson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kenneth R. Johnson and Angela Parker Jones, Heirs of Kenneth R. Johnson a/k/a Kenneth Johnson: Angela Parker Jones a/k/a Angela P. Jones) to Law Offices of Miranda McCoy, Trustee(s), dated September 25, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 10380, at Page 0682 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

JOHNSTON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 237

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Algernon Parker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Algernon Parker) to CTC Real Estate Services, Trustee(s), dated September 20, 2000, and recorded in Book No. 1972, at Page 647 and re-recorded in Book No. 3878, at Page 404 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 19SP673 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RANDY J. JEFFCOAT AND EVELYN I. JEFFCOAT DATED MARCH 18, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK3678ATPAGE207ANDMODIFIEDBYAGREEMENT RECORDED AUGUST 26, 2014 IN BOOK 4491 AT PAGE 1 AND FURTHER MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED AUGUST 1, 2017 IN BOOK 5001 AT PAGE 879 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 332

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Donald Allen and Beatriz Allen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Donald Allen and Beatriz Allen) to WFG National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 4522, at Page 57 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder

RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 254

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Larry G. Cox and Peggy C. Cox (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Larry G. Cox and Peggy C. Cox) to Richard M. Pearman, Jr., P.A., Trustee(s), dated December 7, 2006, and recorded in Book No. RE2002, at Page 1686 in Randolph 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 Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

21 SP 161 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on December 21, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO-WIT: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 4 OF BLOCK J OF SCOTTY HILLS HOMES A PLAT OF WHICH IS DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS NO. 22, PAGE 14, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO FRANK EHLINGER AND WIFE, VALERIE EHLINGER BY DEED FROM JOHN J. DATES AND WIFE, ANA DATES RECORDED 02/22/2007 IN DEED BOOK 7509 PAGE 6, IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 819 Marchland Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Tax ID: 0418-74-7238-

Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

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

the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Frank Ehlinger and Valerie J. Ehlinger.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but

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

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: ________________________________________ John P. Fetner, Bar #41811 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jfetner@mtglaw.com

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 December 15, 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: Lot 155, Saddleridge Subdivision, Section Three, in Plat Book 110, Page 4 of the Cumberland County Records.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3135 Totley Dr, 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 Jerel B. Foster and Agelia D. Foster.

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.: 21-06010-FC01

conducting the sale on December 15, 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:

Chapel Church Rd, Linden, NC 28356.

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All lawful heirs of Wilbert L. Jones, Jr.

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.

BEING all of Lot 18 as shown on plat entitled “SUBDIVISION AND RECOMBINATION MAP FOR SUNTREE FARMS” accordingtoplatofsamebeingdulyrecordedinBookofPlats 90, Page 10, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

It is the intention of this deed of trust to convey with the above described property that certain manufactured home located on said property which home has been converted to real estate and is more particularly described as one 1996 Clayton Limited Edition Skyline with vehicle identification number 8L141087I. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 10500 Colliers

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

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.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for

File No.: 20-01362-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior 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

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.

sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on December 14, 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: BEGINNING at a point in the northern right of way line of Hickory Drive, said point being a common corner between Lot #106 and Lot #107, said beginning point is located 588.87 feet from a point where the northern right of way line of Hickory Drive intersects the western right of way line of N.C.S.R. #1501; thence from the above-described beginning point, the line runs as the northern right of way line of Hickory Drive, North 28 degrees 50’ 46” West 120 feet to a point, a common corner between Lot #106 and Lot #105; thence the line runs as the line between Lot #105 and Lot #106, North 66 degrees 43’ East 200 feet; thence the line runs as the line between Lot #106 and Lot #96, South 25 degrees 29’ East 119.9 feet; thence the line runs as the line between Lot #106 and Lot #107, South 63 degrees 51’ 30” West 192.83 feet to the BEGINNING, and being all of Lot #106 of the Whitley Heights subdivision (not recorded); according to a survey of the property of Algernon Parker

by Vernon Wayne Johnson dated September 15, 2000,

and containing 0.52 acre, more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 120 Hickory Drive, Clayton, 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: 3417 - 8821

in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on December 14, 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 Randy J. Jeffcoat and Evelyn I. Jeffcoat, dated March 18, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $144,900.00, and recorded in Book 3678 at Page 207 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: 3244 Medlin Rd, Clayton, NC 27527 Tax Parcel ID: 16J02044B Present Record Owners: Randy J. Jeffcoat and Evelyn I. Jeffcoat And Being more commonly known as: 3244 Medlin Rd, Clayton, NC 27527 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Randy J. Jeffcoat and Evelyn I. Jeffcoat.

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

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 Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on December 16, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Richlands in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Richlands Township, Onslow County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 36, Rolling Meadows Subdivision, Section 2, as shown on map entitled, final plat Rolling Meadows Subdivision, Section 2, dated June 25, 2007 and recorded in Map Book 53, Page 189, Slide 63, of the Onslow County Register of Deeds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 204 High Meadow Court, Richlands, 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: 2963 - 7161

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on December 14, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Asheboro in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Grant Township, Randolph County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:BEING ALL of Lot No. 21, of Indian Wells Subdivision, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 25, Page 19, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 849 Sonora Drive, Asheboro, North Carolina.

This property is subject to the following restrictions:(1) The above described lot shall be used for residential purposes only.(2) No junked automobiles or other unsightly materials or conditions shall be allowed or maintained on said property.(3) The above described property is subject to all restrictions covenants and easements of record.(4) No single wide mobile homes allowed on the above described lot.

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.

courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 40, in a subdivision known as “EVERGREEN SOUTH” according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 37, Page 44, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4114 Dellwood Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.Property Address: 4114 Dellwood Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304PIN: 0416-62-1276

NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY

conducting the sale on December 14, 2021 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: Level Cross Township, Randolph County, North Carolina:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sandra Gaile Small to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated January 10, 2005 and recorded on January 14, 2005 in Book RE 1903 at Page 2578, Randolph County Registry, North Carolina.

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

BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe, said iron pipe being in the northern line of T.T. Adams Estate and also being in the westernmost edge of a road; thence North 86 degrees 55 minutes 25 seconds West 322.69 feet along the northern edge of T.T. Adams Estate to a point in the eastern edge of a road; thence along the eastern edge of a road North 21 degrees 42 minutes 18 seconds East 688.21 feet to a point in the intersection of a fork road; thence South 16 degrees 23 minutes 50 seconds East 86.99 feet along the western edge of a road to a point; thence along the western edge of a road South 04 degrees 55 minutes 58 seconds East 523.01 feet to a point; thence leaving the westernmost edge of a road, only slightly, traveling South 01 degree 59 minutes 47 seconds West 52.25 feet to the point and place of Beginning, and containing 2.573 acres, more or less, as

described and depicted on an unrecorded plat entitled “Survey for R.C. Adams and C.B. Adams” dated August 13, 1991 as prepared by Surveying Services.

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

Said property is commonly known as 4448 Old Walker Mill Rd, Randleman, NC 27317.

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

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

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 Sandra Gaile Small.

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

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: 1288732 - 10371

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.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108251

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: 1278076 - 20350

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.: 21-04785-FC01

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 204

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kimberly S. Canter (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kimberly S. Canter) to Jim Jones, Trustee(s), dated February 15, 2007, and recorded in Book No. RE2012, at Page 2355 in Randolph 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 Randolph 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 Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on December 14, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Asheboro in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All of that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Asheboro Township, Randolph County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an existing iron pipe in the northern right of way of NC Secondary Road No. 1424, also known as the Old Farmer Road, said iron pipe being M. A. Moodys southwest corner and said iron pipe

UNION 19 SP 444 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 Jennifer Ghera to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated January 16, 2015 and recorded on January 16, 2015 in Book 06368 at Page 0315, 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 SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division 21CVS-8359

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division 21CVS-8360

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 2726

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Eric Bryant and Danielle Bryant (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Danielle A. Bryant and Eric J. Bryant) to Bagwell, Holt, Smith, Jones & Crowson PA, Trustee(s), dated April 14, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 14327, at Page 513 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Knightdale in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 2526

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Stanesha R. Harris (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Stanesha R. Harris) to CB Services Corp., Trustee(s), dated September 7, 2004, and recorded in Book No. 11008, at Page 2543 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on November 1, 2016, in Book No. 16589, at Page 1270 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 2426

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Dwayne M. Williams (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Dwayne M. Williams) to Matheson Law Firm, P.A., Trustee(s), dated June 6, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 017151, at Page 01300 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fuquay

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 1230

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Julie A. Orr and Scott W. Orr (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Julie A. Orr and Scott W. Orr) to Coastal Federal Financial Group, LLC, Trustee(s), dated November 17, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 016980, at Page 02088 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County,

being located South 75 deg. 22 min. 53 sec. West 111.92 feet from an existing iron pipe; thence from the point and place of beginning and along the northern right of way line of NC Secondary Road No. 1424, South 65 deg. 26 min. 29 sec.

West 64.50 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence continuing along the northern right of way of NC Secondary Road No. 1424, South 64 deg. 45 min. 27 sec. West 20.24 feet to an existing iron pipe, Homer Hammonds southeast corner; thence leaving the right of way of NC Secondary Raod No. 1424 and along Hammonds line the following courses and distances: North 4 deg. 40 min. 51 sec. East 107.69 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence North 83 deg. 22 min. 49 sec. West 23.75 feet to a new iron rod; thence North 05 deg. 19 min. 43 sec. East 22.63 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence North 82 deg. 59 min. 12 sec. West 101.52 feet to an existing iron pipe, the southeast corner of Lot No. 103 of Rushwood Park No. 2 as shown in Plat Book 1, Page 233 Randolph County Registry; thence leaving Hammonds line and along the eastern line of Lot No. 103, North 08 deg. 09’ 03” East 232.86 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence leaving the eastern line of Lot No. 103 South 83 deg. 14 min. 53 sec. East 94.19 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence South 06 deg. 35 min. 29 sec. West 50.06 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence South 82 deg. 48 min. 13 sec. East 97.76 feet to an existing iorn pipe, M.A. Moodys northwestern corner; thence along Moodys western line, South 05 deg. 51 min.

00 sec. West a total 268.41 feet crossing a new iron rod at 182. 32 feet to an existing iron pipe located in the northern right of way of NC Secondary Road No. 1424, the point and place of beginning and containing 1.133 acres, more or less, to an unrecorded plat entitled survey for Kimberly Robbins Brown, prepared by Surveying Services, Roland D. Ward, R.L.S., and dated June 10, 1992, as revised July 21 1992. The above description consists of Lots 104-111 of Rushwood Park No. 2, as shown in Plat Book 1, Page 233, Randolph County Registry, and a portion of Lots 1 and 2

of The Parrish-Ross Subdivision as shown on a plat in Plat Book 2, Page 47, Randolph County Registry, together with a portion of land lying between said subdivisions. Being the same property conveyed by Kimberly Robbins Brown (a Fee Trader) to Jeffrey G. Canter and Kimberly S. Canter

by Deed dated 05/09/1994 and recorded on 05/10/1994 in Book 1392 Page 1190 by fee simple Deed the said Jeffrey G. Canter having conveyed its interest to the said Kimberly S. Canter, dated 09/08/2004 recorded on 09/13/2004 in Book RE 1886, Page 436 in Randolph County Records, State of NC. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1628 Old Farmer Road, Asheboro, 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: 3814 - 12669

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on December 14, 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: Being know and designated as all of Lot 101 of that subdivision known as Wesley Woods, Phase II, as shown on a plat thereof recorded in the Union County Public Registry in Plat Cabinet C, File 466; Reference to which is hereby made for a more particularly description. Being the same property conveyed to the Borrower(s) herein by Deed recorded contemporaneously herewith. Parcel #: 07096259 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 908 Woodhurst Drive, 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 Jennifer Ghera.

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

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

that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403

PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-10858-FC01

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division 21CVS-8295 TOWN OF APEX, Plaintiff, v. PATRICIA M. BECKWITH, et al., Defendants.

Notice of Service of Process by Publication: Amended Complaint, Amended Declaration of

Taking,andNoticeofDeposit,andAmendedMemorandum of Action To: Larry Mangum, Brian C. Mangum, and the Unknown Heirs of Hoover Lee Mangum TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: the plaintiff seeks to condemn and

appropriate certain property for public use related to sidewalk and sidewalk facilities and for the other facilities and appurtenances thereto, to improve the public systems of the Town of Apex.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than 12 months following the first publication of this Notice and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you

will apply to the court for the relief sought herein.

This the 8th day of December, 2021.

Signed: David P. Ferrell, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, Nexsen Pruet PLLC, 4141 Parklake Ave, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612.

TOWN OF APEX, Plaintiff, v. DANIEL EPPS, JR., et al., Defendants.

Notice of Service of Process by Publication: Complaint, Declaration of Taking, and Notice of Deposit, and Memorandum of Action To: Unknown Heirs of Eva Jane Burt and Unknown Heirs of

Ruby Louise McNeill TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: the plaintiff seeks to condemn and appropriate certain property for public use related to

sidewalk and sidewalk facilities and for the other facilities and appurtenances thereto, to improve the public systems of the Town of Apex.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than 12 months following the first publication of this Notice and upon your failure to do so the

party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought herein.

This the 8th day of December, 2021.

Signed: David P. Ferrell, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, Nexsen Pruet PLLC, 4141 Parklake Ave, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612.

TOWN OF APEX, Plaintiff, v. FRANCES E. CHAVIS, et al., Defendants.

Notice of Service of Process by Publication: Complaint, Declaration of Taking, and Notice of Deposit, and Memorandum of Action To: Unknown Heirs of Eva Jane Burt and Unknown Heirs of

Ruby Louise McNeill TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: the plaintiff seeks to condemn and appropriate certain property for public use related to

sidewalk and sidewalk facilities and for the other facilities and appurtenances thereto, to improve the public systems of the Town of Apex.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than 12 months following the first publication of this Notice and upon your failure to do so the

party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought herein.

This the 8th day of December, 2021.

Signed: David P. Ferrell, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, Nexsen Pruet PLLC, 4141 Parklake Ave, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612.

described as follows: Being all of Lot 94, Brookfield Station Subdivision, per plat and survey thereof recorded in Book of Maps 2007, Pages 2248-2250, inclusive, Wake County Registry, to which plat reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 113 Cinder Street, Knightdale, North Carolina. Less and Excepting from this conveyance any and all subsurface resources as defined and described in that Mineral Deed from D.R. Horton, Inc., to DRH Energy, Inc., recorded in Book 13997, Page 2389, Wake 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 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.

4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1192930 - 12376

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028

door,theSalisburyStreet entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on December 13, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wendell in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Located in the Marks Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina and being described as Lot 19, Woodtrace Subdivision, as shown on that plat recorded in Book of Maps 1997, Page 1240, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6824 Woodtrace Drive, Wendell, North Carolina.

Street address: 6824 Woodtrace Dr., Wendell, NC 27591 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.

Varina in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Middle Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 45, Sunset Forest Subdivision, Phase 1, as recorded in Map Book 1996, page 1694 of the Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1401 East Stonemason Drive, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina.

Property Address: 1401 E Stonemason Drive, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 Tax ID: 0230401 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.

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 December 17, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Elizabeth E. Dabney and Jamaine A. Dabney, dated August 2, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $125,000.00, and recorded in Book 11509 at Page 331 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 803 Roanoke Dr, Cary, NC 27513 Tax Parcel ID: 0094532

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

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

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

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an 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 November 3, 2021.

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

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on December 15, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Holly Springs in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 58, Holly Glen East, Phase 2, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 2005, Pages 19981999 (1998), Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 101 Rivendell Drive, Holly Springs, North Carolina.

the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be

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

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred 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

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: 1223755 - 10213

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: 1284862 - 9779

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: 4757 - 17824

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From December 1, 2021

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 41 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Gov. Roy Cooper (top right) announced on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Randolph County, that Toyota Motor North America would be investing $1.29 billion into a batterymanufacturing plant at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite. Public officials and business leaders (bottom) gathered for the announcement in a tent on site.

COUNTY NEWS

Toyota brings major opportunity for Randolph County

Chase leads to injuries, arrest Randolph County deputies arrested Larry Dean Land after an attempted traffic stop led to a chase. Land had several outstanding warrants for arrest when police saw him on US 64. He refused to stop and a pursuit ensued with Dean fleeing eastbound in the westbound lanes off of the new Zoo Connector. He eventually caused a head-on collision with another vehicle. Everyone in the crash was taken to area hospitals. Land was served with over 40 warrants from six different counties across the state.

Officials say fire at Pilot Mountain finally contained A fire that burned 1,050 acres on Pilot Mountain in Surry County is finally 100% contained, the N.C. Forest Service reported Saturday.

Smoke from the mountain will still be visible periodically, but firefighters plan to remove “excess hose and equipment” over the next few days, according to a Forest Service Facebook post. With more dry conditions expected across the state, Forest Service officials on Saturday urged residents to take precautions against unintentionally causing a fire.

November saw 799 forest fires on state or private lands across North Carolina, according to the Forest Service, more than doubling the average of the 10 previous years. The N.C. Forest Service issued a burn ban over the past week and canceled all burn permits, citing dry and windy conditions that could cause flames to spread quickly.

5

20177 52016 $1.00

Global manufacturer will produce batteries in Liberty

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record LIBERTY – Manufacturing has been a foundation of Randolph County’s economy for generations.

Monday, a new wave of manufacturing was announced with statewide fanfare. Toyota, the world’s largest automobile producers announced it would build a battery plant at the long-planned Greensboro-Randolph Megasite.

For the Megasite project to become a reality, support from Randolph County was essential. And when the announcement came Monday, the rewards for Randolph County were touted as well.

With Toyota Motor North America announcing plans to build a large-scale battery manufacturing plant, this could provide the largest economic plug in the history of the county. Toyota will invest $1.29 billion in the site, which initially will be used as part of production for hybrid electric vehicles.

This comes with considerable investment, particularly from the county. Two resolutions were approved Monday in what was a culmination of years of studies and marketing to bring a major industry to the location.

“I think the people of Randolph County have spoken,” county commissioner Kenny Kidd said. “It’s your money. It’s your megasite.”

County commissioners approved property tax rebates along with the transfer of property owned by the county and the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite Foundation.

This was an undertaking of near-epic proportions – and it didn’t come without skepticism.

Yet when Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.), Speaker Tim Moore (R-King’s Mountain), Sen. Phil Berger (R-Eden) and other state and business leaders gathered on what’s now a field in Liberty off N.C. 421 and will become a bustling site, it was clear that this project should have widespread impact.

Greensboro leaders approved their end of the package shortly after the Randolph County reso-

lutions were passed. That Guilford County city is waiving fees associated with water and sewer lines to the megasite, something that comes with an estimated cost of $31.8 million.

“This will continue to serve our region very well,” Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughan said. “This is just the beginning.”

That was the sentiment from the Randolph County as well.

It’s here where the seeds were sowed. Darrell Frye, chair of the Randolph County commissioners, said much of the credit belongs to past commissioners who set the project in motion, even at times amid opposition.

“This is exactly the kind of end-result envisioned by commissioners” in 2015, Frye said.

“There are much-needed job opportunities for local citizens.”

That foresight, Frye said, was the key to gaining momentum for the project.

“If we weren’t going to put money into it, nobody else was,” Frye said. “I’m so appreciative to be a part of this process.”

Eventually, the possibilities became more apparent to what this

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

8

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) addresses the audience on site at the GreensboroRandolph Megasite.

will bring the county and the region. The economic impact could come in many forms that will be difficult to measure, but the 1,750 jobs could be just the start.

Salaries for the new jobs at the battery plant will vary by position, but average $62,234, increasing the regional payroll by more than $100 million every year. Randolph County’s overall average annual wage is $37,865.

Loren Hill of the Piedmont Triad Partnership called it “a transformational project.” The scope of the impact is what excites his group.

“It will generate additional growth in Randolph County,” he said.

County commissioners entered into an economic development inSee MEGASITE, page 2

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 22

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 12.8.21 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST WEEKLY FORECAST

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88° HI 70° 67° LO 91°

JULY 1JULY 22 HI 91° LO 70°

LO LO PRECIP 15% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North NorthState State Journal Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

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Neal NealRobbins Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Editor

Matt Mercer Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Sports Editor

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JULY 2

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The Randolph is a HI 87° GuideHI HI 89° quick look at what’s going LO 67° LO 69° LO PRECIP 24% onPRECIP in Randolph 24% County.

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Dec. 11-12

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Christmas at the Zoo

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag 9am – 4pm

PJ Ward-Brown before those classes start. said there’s an efMattfortWilliams to bolster enrollment. He cited the RCC Commitment Grant, ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren at Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a funding lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap that’s Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or state aid Coryto students. despite a school official pointing “There has never been a betout unprecedented financial inSanta to town ter to attend RCC centives for comes potential students.

Who isopportunity “Editor?”

Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

Celebrate the magic of the season at the North Carolina Zoo’s holiday event sion, there’s enrollment of 915.

Believe...In the Magic of That’s off slightly from the usual the Season. The Zoo will be number that ranges up to 1,000, “There has never been a decorated for the holidays Williams said. betterClaus opportunity to attend and Santa and Mrs. Traditional enrollment numRCC nothand. have to worry Claus willand be on bers have flattened, but it’s the

number of high school students about how to pay for it.” in programs designed for dual enrollment that has dropped, “We’re just not seeing the level RCC president Dr. Robert of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. Santa throws candy theaairtoaspay they topresident town during Randleman Williams said. forcame it,” RCC Dr. the for student services at RCC,insaid Asheboro City Council RCC held a 2, one-week Robert Shackleford Jr. said.

“We decline in high school students in Christmas Parade on Main Street in downtown Randleman on December 2021. break Meeting dual enrollment has been the big- meet students exactly where they earlier this month amid the sumare and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip.

7pm 24 and concludes July 26. Late “Overall, we’re still seeing a de- can possibly go.”

The Asheboro City Council Beginning with the fall semes- registration for the fall semester cline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classwill have their regular es beginning Aug. 16. will value be eligible for up to $1,000 demic,” Williams said.

MEGASITE from page 1 “I don’t The meeting at 146 N. Church of property trans- tives expressed concerns in the Still adjustments per semester. know if we’ll get to numbers we’veferred butdealing he said with his town’s is about $21.8 million. rural area, St. in Asheboro. made because the coronavirus That makes attending seen incontract previousand fallauthorized semesters. …That accounts endorsement comes ofwith its for 626.45 acres RCC centive pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesenticing from a finanreaching outfortoeconomevery stu-(outthe elected leaders largely lifelong of amost site that will encompass aWe’re property transfer ter classes will be in person. Some cial standpoint in the 16 years we can in every way we can.” more residents. than 1,800 acres). icdent development.

The state legiswill the use textile a hybridindustry model with a Williams has of been at the school,When A fall semester at the two-year The possibility a Phase 2 of lature kicked in $300 million in of face-to-faces said.could He previously workedfaded, in mixture school in toAsheboro would oftenthe he it put Liberty in a bind. sessions project boost full-time incentives spur the project. and virtual sessions. financial office. have 2,600 ato major 3,000 students “Liberty has worked hardMany for classcreated to moreaid than 3,800 “Finding manufac-en-jobsRCC’s Carolina Classic Cars years to attract new busiprovide students with options investment $3 bil“There’s never a of better timemany to es rolled.forAt the the Randolph beginningMegof thisand capital turer Cruise in with Santa ness,” on York said.

“We hope asite has been a priority foratme,” how to attend andthat participate, week, that number stood aboutlion.go back to college,” he said. this possible project Col- sessaid Sen. Dave Carven (R-RanWilliams said. will bring For the Community current summer 1,900 with about a month to go Randolph 3pm dolph). “OverCRIME the pastLOG decade lege president Bob Shackle- new energy and quality jobs to WEEKLY the Republican-led legislature ford said reaching this stage of Liberty and Randolph County.”

Carolina Classic Cars is Liberty won’t be the lone benhas made North Carolina one such a major announcement ♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren brining the Christmas spirit eficiary. seems like a milestone.

He said of(Bthe best states to do business /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME LOG Some of the financial impact for years county commissioners’ in.

Our new state budget and with a toy drive and Santa 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) today’s reflects meetings were often dominated for the region will blossom beMaintainannouncement Veh/dwell/place Cs Claus meet and greet. that.

It3)isPossess my sincere hope that by the megasite topic, with pros cause of the battery manufac(f) (F), X ♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury Asheboro, on Arrest on charge of Resisting turing plant. ♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39),and cons It’s whatSt,leaders discussed. investments like the one Toyoregularly have referred to as the ThePublic Golden Leaf321 Foundation Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor 07/13/2021.

Officer, Kings Ridge Rd, ta Arrest is making will result in more on charge of Misdemeanor a $25 on million pledge supply chain, meaning that it’s folks like me deciding toWhite moveRd,has made Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at 2587 Wayne Millikan, (M, 33), benefitBobby more Wayne than just back to or relocate to Randolph Possession of Stolen motor Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021. to assist Randolph Community bound♦to on charge of Assault or Randolph County or on a ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), Liberty Arrest College to help with training.

County.” vehicle,on imporoper use of a dealer Christmas Eastside “We’ll beon the leadofcollege in Greensboro. ofJames having ToyoFemale, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Arrest chage Misdemeanor ♦ Projections Bolton McKee, Henry tag, failure to deliver title, failure to Randolph providing training,” Shackleford ta’s(M, presence in Randolph NC,Community on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick For Bennett, 47), Arrest on chargeCounof 3pm appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, College, this could be a boon for ty is expected to boost the state’s Possession of Stolen Goods, at said. Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021. on 07/13/2021. school. economy by atKing leastRd, $9.5 billion on There are numerous partner- the two-year ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 6469 Clyde Seagrove, A free event put together this is a genships, including with(M, the across 20 years. charge said of possession of marijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), ♦ Lynch, Detrickone Lamont 40), Shackleford 07/15/2021.

by The Hope of Eastside erationalup to opportunity.

While Greensboro.

“It’s a great day for Randolph City of 1/2 oz., at Randolph Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor on charge of Assault by there have been what might be Frye said the connection with County and the state of North for theArrest families in the Courthouse, on 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), pointing a gun, Discharging a characterized as small victories, Greensboro was always a critical Carolina,” Rep. Ted Budd said. community.

Bring your Possessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple firearm to cause fear, Reckless on aJustin largerSteven scale. (M, 30), “I’m extremely proud to have element for the project to move this comes ♦ Roark, family to take a free Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, driving to endanger, Seagrove, on RCC will beon in charge line to of provide partnered with both state and forward. He said Triad business Arrest Possession photo with Santa. The 07/13/2021.

Asheboro, 07/12/2021. for workers. realized the impact that trainingof local officialson as 07/14/2021. well as econom- leaders Meth, Possession with intent event will be held at the “We have that opportunity,” ic development organizations to can stem from this. to manufacture, sell or distribute ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest “We’ve had good partners,” Shackleford said. “It’s our turn.” get this project across the finish Washington Carver Simple possession of George Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony on charge of Felony Sexual The heroin, Greensboro-Randolph Frye said. “Randolph County line.”

Community Enrichment II, III, IV CS,when Maintaining of Marijuana upbeing to 1/2where oz., Larcenywill andhave Possession of Stolen has benefitted MegasiteSchedule was bypassed Exploitation of a minor in the from Toyota responsibiliCenter,second 950 Martin Luther Possession of Drug Possession of the drug paraphernalia, at 5471 leaders Place, pursued other projects. and having neighbors tiesGoods, in addition toNeedhams minimumTrail, job we are degree (10 counts), 727 1029the High Point Failure Seagrove,The on 07/14/2021.

King Jr. Drive, Asheboro.

So this Paraphernalia, one finally fellatinto do.” to appeal on felony, failure creations. company must that we McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, onwith 7/13/2021. to appear on misdemeanor, another step Kidd said, “We wouldn’t beat win column invest at least $1 billion in real 07/12/2021. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32), and personal property at the fa- here today without all the part- for those with the big-picture visions. cility in the county. The county ners.”

“Thank you for your unreMayor Filmore York of Liberresolution provides significant tax incentives along with waiv- ty offered support. He said it’s lentless efforts,” York told coununderstandable that many na- ty leaders. ing of permitting fees.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY FORECAST ♦ Christopher Enos Burris, SPONSORED BY

40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES

♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, CALL OR TEXT 2021336-629-7588 in a tragic house fire. ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe.

WEDNESDAY DEC 8 ♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of HIJuly 4811, 2021.

Asheboro, died

LOW 28

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, PRECIP 38% age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY DEC 9 See OBITS, page 7

HI 50 LOW 37 PRECIP 4%

Dec. 9

Dec. 11

Dec. 18

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY DEC 10

By Dan Gelston 56 The AssociatedHIPress

LOW 55

PHILADELPHIA Triple H PRECIP—60% walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot SATURDAY DECEmbiid, 11 tag-team partner, Joel to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

HI 71 His theme music blared through the LOW arena,46and nearly 19,000 fansPRECIP hanging48% from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck SUNDAY DEC 12 the bell.

Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a HI 53 match in the same building when the event was held there LOW 30in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exPRECIP 45% ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran MONDAY DEC 13raucous without live events and crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena HI 57packed full of fans and have them go nuts,” said LOWthese 32 days as Triple H, known PRECIP 5% WWE executive Paul Levesque.

“That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.”

WWE hasn’t been the same TUESDAY 14or “This without its “Yes!”DEC chants is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company HI 60arena matchto running empty es every weekLOW with36a piped-in soundtrack and virtual fans.

PRECIP 4% No more.

With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Odell Elizabeth Hancock Cranford, age 99, died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Sandy Ridge Assisted Living in Candor, NC.

wife, mother, and grandmother died on December 4, 2021.

November 29, 2021 at High Point Regional Medical Center.

ple cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different directions over him,” have benefit♦ Jane “Betsy” Skeen, age 67, died ♦ Saye Rentz “Rick” Campbell, Jr., 74, Do you have a birthday, wedding, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at of Sophia, NC died on Nov 28, 2021. ed, Levesque said. “But that’s the engagement or other milestone to ♦ Ruby Gray Gibson Hunsucker, Moses Cone Hospital. beauty of what we do, to go be encelebrate? Contact us at ♦ Betty Dayvault Grant, 81, of 89, of Troy, died on Wednesday, tertained, however you want to celebrations@randolphrecord.com. ♦ Brenda Faye Auman Fisher, 73, Statesville, died on Saturday, December 1, 2021, at FirstHealth be entertained.

As a performer, of Asheboro, NC, died Monday, November 27, 2021.

Montgomery Memorial Hospital, sometimes that’s difficult.”

November 29, 2021, at Moses Cone Troy, NC. WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA ♦ Charles Colon Danyus Lassiter, Jr., Hospital in Greensboro.

81, of Trinity, North Carolinadied on Network hit 1.472 million viewers, ♦ Jay Leroy Williams, 46, of Mt. Gilead ♦ Catherine Ann “Cathy” Hoover November 24th, 2021, at Westwood the lowest in the 28-plus year hisdied on Monday, November 29, Robbins, 75, of Asheboro, died Health and Rehabilitation after a 2021, at his home. tory of the show.

Monday, November 29, 2021 at brief illness.

Levesque, WWE EVP of glob♦ Sherrie Fanette Rives, 60, of Siler The Randolph Hospice House in al talent strategy and develop♦ Holly Joan Atkins Pugh, age 41, died City, died on November 30, 2021 at Asheboro. ment, said the company would Saturday, December 4, 2021 at her Siler City Center. “take a hard look” at how it can ♦ Mark Miller Gazaway, 92, died home. attract more fans to the product ♦ Gary Lee Louk, Jr., 33, of Bear Thursday, December 2, 2021 at each week. WWE can only hope Creek, died on November 28, 2021.

Randolph Hospice. the combination of live crowds See OBITS, page 7 ♦ Teresa Ann Caddell, 68, beloved ♦ Linda Auman, 68, died on Monday, and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldberg, and Cena can ignite interest and grow ratings during the build to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerWEEKLY CRIME LOG Slam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. ♦ Austin, Tonya Edwards (F, False Pretense, at RCJ, on Email (2 counts), at 5118 Misdemeanor “It never Child is oneAbuse, thing,” Levesque 40), Arrrest on charge of 12/1/21.

Jordan Valley Rd Lot 94, on Contributing said. “We to seeDeliquency this as a moment in Communicating Threats, 12/1/21. of atime Juvenile, at RCJ, on to shift everything.

I think ♦ Driver, Martin Earl (M, at 5634 Robacco Rd, on 11/30/21. you’ll see it in just the layout of ev34), Arrrest on charge of ♦ Barnes, Lisa Ann Riggins 12/1/21. erything, the set designs, the way

BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP Obtaining Property Under (F, 54), PHOTO Arrrest on charge of ♦ Jefferson, Brandon Trevor it’s presented. There’s a greater ♦ Chambers, Ethan Bradford False Pretense, at RCJ, on Misdemeanor Child Abuse, (M, 49), Arrrest on charge emphasis on utilizing the spacIn this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul12/1/21.

“Triple H” Levesque participatesatin4253 the “WWE Monday (M, 30), Arrrest on charge Hillcrest Ln, on Night of Trafficking in Cocaine (2 es that we haveConcealed and the TV aspect Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association Winter Press of Possession of Meth, at 11/30/21. counts), Carrying of it while still engaging the fans.

Tour in Pasadena, Calif. ♦ Gahagan, Sierra Rose McDowell Rd, on 12/1/21.

Gun, at Racine Rd & Robin Ln, A lot of that comes from the time (F, 21), Arrrest on charge ♦ Ford, Rebecca Ann (F, on 11/30/21. we had to experiment inside the ♦ Dickerson, Kenneth Todd, of Possession of Drug 34), Arrrest on charge of ThunderDome.”

WWE then moved to its in-house former,” Reigns said. “Asofa live Misdemeanor pay-per-view Sunday in Texas (M, 43), Arrrest on charge of and Paraphenalia, Possession Child Abuse, ♦ McGriff, Tyera Lenea (F, 22), Resisting Public Officer, at McDowell Rd, on to center Deliquency on charge of Identity The first start is putting fans performance in Florida onArrrest performer, that simultaneous re- Contributing Dallas on Monday for the at flagship Heroin, RCJ, on 12/1/21. a Juvenile, at RCJ,setting on Driving with — holding theirLicense homemade signs 13, before up whatTheft, sponse keeps you sharp. We had of March “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE 12/1/21. at 4632 Ogles and wearing their catchphrase it dubbed The ThunderDome --Revoked, spruced up sets, brought back old to adjust and adapt to the times 11/30/21. ♦stars Driver, Leslie Annreset (F, button on ♦ Wardell, Leeof(M, St, on— 11/30/21.

T-shirts back in the seats. where fans registered for spotsCreek that wereAdam in front us.” and hit the 43),programming Arrrest on charge of with 38),With Arrrest onHogan chargeinofthe house,♦ Giles, Curtis Earl videoboards (M, “When we have that live crowd, on LED digital — for Hulk TV humbled Obtaining Property Under Cyberstalking - Threats by 34), Arrrest on charge of record-low ratings and a strong WWE held their only Wrestle- stretches in Florida at the Amway sometimes they almost become Mania with fans this past April Center, Tropicana Field and the the cameras for a lot of the perneed for new stars. formers,” Reigns said. “But when “I do think if we were doing this 10 and 11 at Raymond James Sta- Yuengling Center.

“People like Roman have been you don’t have that real-time, flesh in front of the live crowd, it would dium. WWE last ran a weeknight have been a situation that would televised event with a paid crowd able to emotionally bring a per- interaction, the red light becomes have made me an even better per- on March 9, 2020, in Washington. formance that, maybe with peo- the focal point for the performer.”

4” Ad

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

An ‘abundance of caution’ mentality leads to tyranny Our political class has failed throughout the pandemic; perhaps their only real success was in assigning a grab bag of cash for pharmaceutical companies that developed vaccines.

THIS WEEK, governments around the globe spun into full-scale panic thanks to the revelation of the so-called omicron variant of COVID-19. As of this writing, we know that omicron is likely more transmissible than prior variants.

We have no evidence, however, that omicron is more deadly.

To the contrary, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, explained that the symptoms associated with omicron were “mild,” explaining, “we don’t see severely ill patients.”

Were that true, that would make omicron a cause for optimism. That’s because delta is already highly infectious and herd immunity seems to be a pipe dream — which means that if someone has the choice between an omicron infection and a delta infection, one would wish for the omicron infection. If omicron was to crowd out a deadlier variant, that would be a positive development for global health.

Yet the reaction from our institutional leaders has been completely unhinged. We have been told by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that every American above the age of 18 ought to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, despite scant evidence that boosters lower the hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19 for the young (they certainly do for those over age 60). Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged to nod gravely at the possibility of vaccine mandates for air travel and new mask mandates.

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced a state of emergency allowing for the suspension of elective surgeries.

The predictable result: markets have plunged. They’ve plunged not because of omicron itself, but because the private sector knows that the public sector may hammer away at economic freedom again. Our political class has failed throughout the pandemic; perhaps their only real success was in assigning a grab bag of cash for pharmaceutical companies that developed vaccines. Other than that, nearly all public policy measures have been ineffective.

The same will hold true of omicron. Omicron is already present in nations around the world. Lockdown policies were ineffective in curbing the pandemic outside of isolated countries around the globe; the return of lockdown won’t be any more successful. Mask mandates have been markedly disassociated from actual disease replication rates. And vaccines are already widely available; those who are afraid of omicron will get vaccinated, and those who aren’t won’t.

Now would be a good time to take a breath.

And yet our public officials are pathologically incapable of humility. This time, they suggest, will be different; this time, they’ll prevent disease from spreading. It seems that the most powerful in our society have a vested interest in the lie that they can stop disease, death and privation. They won’t let go of that lie, lest citizens see through the veil and seize back power over their own lives.

Instead, we’re told that we must hand over more control to our authoritarian-minded leaders, to the self-appointed Scientific Experts (TM) — all out of an “abundance of caution,” of course. Strangely, that abundance of caution never seems to extend to unprecedented interventions in everyday life or the global economy. In those areas, our elites throw caution to the wind.

A true “abundance of caution” mentality would suggest that before we destroy our institutions again — before we overthrow free markets in the name of welfarism, checks and balances in the name of health authoritarianism, and individual liberty in the name of safety — we see some data.

Otherwise, heavy-handed “solutions” will always be the measure of first resort, long before we even know whether a crisis has materialized.

Ben Shapiro, 37, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

Reversing Roe The chief problem with Roe v. Wade is that no one can find it in the Constitution.

This past Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In the case, Mississippi is seeking Court approval on a law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks, but Mississippi also argues Roe v. Wade itself should be reversed by the Court. It appears there are six votes on the Court for gutting Roe and five for reversing it altogether.

One must remember that in major cases like this, the justices of the Court need no persuasion from the lawyers. Instead, it is through the lawyers that the justices have an initial conversation with each other about the case.

Chief Justice Roberts, who is pro-life but also the chief justice, takes a restrained view of reversals. He sees it as his duty to protect the Court. He wants to end the so-called “viability standard” the Court maintains that prohibits banning abortion prior to the nebulous point of fetal viability.

Roberts seemed to argue that 15 weeks is fine as a standard.

Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch suggested such a standard would not work. Gorsuch, along with Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas seem fully prepared to end Roe. The newest justice, Amy Coney Barrett, was more obtuse, but seemed inclined to end Roe, though possibly inclined to just gut it with Roberts.

The chief problem with Roe v. Wade is that no one can find it in the Constitution. In fact, Roe is not just one degree removed from the Constitution, but two degrees away from the Constitution. To get to Roe, one must first get through Griswold v. Connecticut, which found that within the right to privacy was a marital right of privacy. It removed privacy to the penumbras of the constitution. Only from there can one get to Roe. One can fairly well gather from the Constitution’s Fourth and Fifth Amendments that there is a right to privacy of some kind. Griswold finds an explicit right to marital privacy related to, for example, the use of contraception, within that right to privacy. Roe then goes a step further to find, as a right to privacy, a woman’s right to kill her unborn child.

No reasonable reading of the Constitution suggests that right exists within the Constitution and almost all states had bans on abortion when those states ratified the 14th Amendment. The plain reading of the Constitution suggests no abortion right at all, let alone one broken down into trimesters: no state can ban abortion in the first; states can impose restrictions during the second; states can prohibit in the third with reasonable exceptions. The subsequent case of Casey v. Planned Parenthood moved the standard from trimesters to viability.

Where the Constitution is silent, the 50 states are supposed to speak. Each state should be able to set its own laws regulating abortion. Seven men on the United States Supreme Court, in 1973, conjured up a right to an abortion within the penumbras of other penumbras of various amendments to the Constitution. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg acknowledged the shoddiness of the decision even as she supported the right to kill children.

Roe takes the Constitution, a document written so American citizens could understand their rights and government, and hands it over to a professional class of lifetenured judges and lawyers who can conjure at will their coveted requests from the constitutional framework. We are, with Roe, a nation of judges and lawyers, not men and women. It began a series of cases that separate citizens from the Constitution, requiring a near-divine and always infallible intermediary in a black robe to tell the citizen what his Constitution actually says.

With the Second Amendment, the average citizen can ascertain the right of gun ownership in America. With abortion, no citizens not trained in the dark arts of liberal legal interpretation and how to read the breath of a living piece of paper can even understand and so can never truly respect the rule of law. The law becomes not the compact of governance, but the possession of the great “Says Who” -- who says what the law is, regardless of what the law plainly means.

It is time to reverse Roe.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Young, Hutchinson, Pickett, Stroud named Heisman finalists New York Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud were announced Monday as finalists for the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman will be presented Saturday in New York, returning to its usual routine and date — second Saturday in December — after it was forced to delay and go virtual last year due to the pandemic. The process by which Heisman finalists are determined has been modified. The Heisman Trust announced that starting with this season, there will be four finalists — no more, no fewer — invited to the award presentation ceremony.

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Chase Elliott was named NASCAR's most popular driver for the fourth straight week last week.

NFL

Browns star Glass dead at 86 Cleveland Bill Glass, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end with Cleveland and member of the Browns’ 1964 NFL championship team, died Sunday at his home in Waxahachie, Texas. He was 86. Glass spent seven seasons with the Browns, who acquired him from the Detroit Lions. Glass spent four seasons with Detroit before going to Cleveland, where he became a star. He was credited with 16½ sacks in 1965 and finished with 87½, getting 77½ in his seven seasons with the Browns. He retired after the 1968 season and was inducted into the Browns Legends program in 2007.

COLLEGE SOCCER

Florida State women beat BYU in PKs for 3rd national title Santa Clara, Calif.

Yujie Zhao rocketed home the game-winning penalty kick and Florida State edged BYU 4-3 in PKs on Monday to win its third women’s national championship in program history and second in the last four years.

Sophomore goalkeeper Cristina Roque made two saves during penalty kicks for the Seminoles, who, ironically, lost last year’s national championship game in PKs. BYU’s All-American midfielder Mikayla Colohan was carried off the field with an apparent ankle injury following a collision in the 32nd minute with Florida State’s Jaelin Howell, who was assessed a yellow card.

TENNIS

2019 US Open champ Andreescu takes time off Toronto Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, will take a mental break from tennis and sit out the start of next season, including the Australian Open, saying Monday she wants to “reset, recover, and grow” after a challenging two years that included getting COVID-19.

The 21-year-old from Canada wrote in a posting on Twitter that she was affected mentally and physically by “multiple weeks in isolation quarantining” and that her grandmother’s stay for several weeks in a hospital’s intensive care unit because of the coronavirus “really hit me hard.”

Chase Elliott extends run as NASCAR’s most popular driver It’s the fourth straight year the Hendrick Motorsports driver has won the honor

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chase Elliott held on to one of his NASCAR titles last Thursday night when fans voted him most popular driver for the fourth consecutive year.

Elliott was both the reigning Cup champion and most popular driver this season, but he was ultimately beaten by new Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the Cup title. At the season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center, the Na-

tional Press Association declared Elliott winner of the fan-decided most popular award.

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough,” said Elliot. “I was really mind-blown on a few occasions this year of that support, and to see it firsthand, you know, I see the T-shirts and all that stuff is noticed. Looking forward to ‘22 to make all those folks proud.”

Elliott began his run as NASCAR’s most popular driver in 2018, the first year of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement. Earnhardt had won the most popular award every year since 2003, the season Bill Elliott asked for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Elliott was beloved and voters selected “Awesome Bill From

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough.”

Chase Elliott Dawsonville,” Georgia, their favorite a record 16 times. Earnhardt won it 15 times and Chase Elliott claimed the throne when Earnhardt retired.

His fourth victory was again backed by a legion of Elliott fans in their Georgia hometown, and it staved off a challenge by teammate Larson. Elliott has remained extremely popular — his fans vilify any rival who dares to tangle with Elliott — but Larson has built a strong legion of sup-

porters in his first year driving for Hendrick.

Larson won 11 times in the Cup Series, broke Jeff Gordon’s 20year record for most laps led in a season and won Rick Hendrick’s record-extending 14th championship. Larson dethroned Elliott to claim his first Cup. Larson couldn’t knock Elliott from most popular, though, as Elliott’s ardent supporters turned out even in a new voting format.

The NMPA only opened voting on Nov. 9 — after Larson had already won the championship — and the brief voting period ended Dec. 1. Fans could vote once daily online or via mobile app, but votes shared on Facebook and/or Twitter counted twice.

The most popular driver award was first presented in 1949, to Curtis Turner, at the end of NASCAR’s inaugural season. The award has been administered by the NMPA and presented annually by the organization since 1983, and it is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by a fan vote.

Manning named Maryland interim coach after Turgeon’s exit The former Wake Forest coach was in “shock” that the Terps’ longtime coach stepped down

By Noah Trister The Associated Press COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Danny Manning’s reaction to the coaching change at Maryland was pretty similar to the rest of the college basketball world’s.

“Complete and utter shock,” Manning said.

On Sunday, Manning led the Terrapins for the first time since taking over as interim coach, and the challenge he faces was evident during a 67-61 loss to Northwestern.

Although he has plenty of experience as a head coach, Manning is fairly new to the Maryland program. He was hired in April as an assistant to Mark Turgeon — his former teammate at Kansas — and when Turgeon abruptly stepped down Friday, Manning was put in charge.

Turgeon’s departure was described by the school as a mutual decision. The timing — less than a month into the season — was jarring. Manning released a statement that day, but Sunday’s postgame news conference was his first chance to discuss the matter at length.

“I came to Maryland because of him,” Manning said. “I can’t speak

for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Guard Eric Ayala said Friday seemed like a pretty normal day of film until Turgeon gave the news to the team.

“We came in, and he said he loved us, and that he felt it was best that he step down as our coach,” Ayala said. “At first, it didn’t seem as real, but that’s kind of how it went.”

Manning said he thought his team showed fight Sunday, but the Terps ultimately lost their third straight game. Maryland shot just 29% from the field and an abysmal 7 for 36 inside the arc.

Manning, who was 116-140 at Wake Forest from 2014-20, did say he wants the ball to keep going inside. The Terps had a significant edge in free throws that helped keep it close.

“I am a big believer in paint touches,” he said. “I’m a big believer in ball reversal. I thought paint touches led us to 22 free-throw attempts. We want that to be part of our formula for scoring points.”

Before Manning spoke, Northwestern coach Chris Collins addressed reporters and quickly offered a few words about Turgeon.

“I hope Coach Turgeon is being celebrated for what he did here. For 10 years, I’ve competed against that guy. A couple at Duke when I was an assistant, and then eight years here in the Big Ten,”

AMY DAVIS | THE BALTIMORE SUN VIA AP

Maryland interim head coach Danny Manning reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in College Park, Md., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

Collins said. “He’s a good basketball coach and a good man.”

The Terrapins are in Manning’s hands now. He was a head coach at Tulsa and Wake Forest before coming to Maryland.

He inherits a team that’s been relying on a couple of significant transfers, so it’s certainly possible that the Terps simply need time to build more cohesion. But it’s been a disappointing start for a team that began the season in the Top 25. Even Maryland’s victories haven’t been all that convincing.

Manning will have plenty of time to focus on that. On Sunday, his thoughts were about Turgeon.

“You go through a lot, our families go through a lot and it gets tough at times,” Manning said.

“He just made the decision that he felt was best for himself, for his family, but more importantly, for this team. He thought that our team needed a different voice, and that was one of the lasting things that he said to me.”

“I can’t speak for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Maryland interim coach Danny Manning on Mark Turgeon leaving the program

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Eastern Randolph’s Na’heim Lilly carries the ball against Randoleman during the regularseason finale at Randleman.

Ethan Hines PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Eastern Randolph’s Lilly wants to make most of showcase game

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record RAMSEUR — Na’heim Lilly is glad to be playing in a football game this weekend. He just wishes it was a different game.

But the Eastern Randolph standout said he’ll aim to make the most of his opportunity in the Carolina Bowl Senior Showcase on Sunday in Gaffney, S.C. “I had a good year,” Lilly said.

“Didn’t get as far as I wanted. I didn’t get the job done.”

Lilly is one of the running backs for the North Carolina team, which takes on a South Carolina team.

For Lilly, who says he likely won’t sign with a college this month, this is a chance to showcase his skills.

“Hopefully, I get way more exposure,” he said.

He has been in contact with coaches from Charleston Southern and Mercer, but he said there might be other possibilities.

The all-star event replaces the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas,

which was scrapped for the second year in a row because of the pandemic. It had been played in Spartanburg, S.C. Sunday’s game will include players from public and private schools.

Because North Carolina’s state finals are slated for this weekend, selected players from teams in those four games won’t be able to compete in the showcase event. That means players from Greensboro Dudley will have to skip the game as the Panthers play in the Class 3-A state final.

Lilly has trained with quarterback Alonza Barnett of Greensboro Grimsley, so he’ll have some familiarity with a member of the roster.

Eastern Randolph was the West Region’s top seed in Class 1-A with an undefeated record. The Wildcats exited with a third-round loss to Murphy.

Coach Burton Cates of Eastern Randolph said Lilly put together a stellar season despite limited playing time in some situations because the Wildcats blew out several oppo-

nents.

Lilly racked up 1,600 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, with 33 coming on the ground. He said his favorite play was something simple.

“Dive right up the middle and I’d read the nose guard (and make a move),” he said.

Lilly had a four-year career with the Wildcats, though he was mostly an outside linebacker as a freshman. He moved to running back as a sophomore. For his career, he amassed almost 5,900 rushing yards and 85 rushing touchdowns.

“That makes me proud that I tried to do my part,” Lilly said.

Those numbers came with a reduced schedule for his junior season because of the reconfigured season based on the pandemic.

This year, the Wildcats had a regular-season game cancelled and then had a first-round bye in the state playoffs.

Lilly, who turns 18 years old next week, also plays basketball and is a member of the track and field team at Eastern Randolph. Players were to report to Gaffney by midweek for practices, so he’ll miss some basketball activity in advance of the football all-star game.

Eastern Randolph’s Elias Alston at cornerback and John Maness at defensive end were listed as alternates but they hadn’t been added for the game by the beginning of the week.

PREP BASKETBALL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Ethan Hines holds down an East Davidson opponent during a season-opening match last month.

Uwharrie Charter Academy, wrestling Hines went undefeated in Saturday’s Rumble in the Jungle dual-team event at Carrboro. Hines was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler among lightweights.

Hines, a sophomore, improved his season’s record to 11-0. He’s primarily a 106-pounder.

The Eagles defeated Granville Central 84-0, Kernersville Glenn 69-10, Seaforth 72-12, South Granville 84-0 and Oxford Webb 70-6.

Also going undefeated during the day for UCA were Jack McArthur, Aldo Hernandez, Byan Lackey, Carson Robinson, Grayson Roberts, Doug Bowles, Jaden Maness, Jaden Marion and Jake Morin.

MID-PIEDMONT CONFERENCE ALL-CONFERENCE Randolph Record staff

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Asheboro’s Sion Murrain shoots a 3-pointer over host Southwestern Randolph’s Carly Ward in a girls’ basketball game last week at Jack Castelloe Gymnasium. Southwestern Randolph won 67-37.

Here’s a list of the MidPiedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for fall sports: Boys’ cross country

Coach of the Year: Trey Cook (Central Davidson) Asheboro: Seth Hydiak, Brandon Aguilar Girls’ cross country Runner of the Year: Jillan Parks-Wooten (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Daniel Parker (North Davidson) Asheboro: Malakia Khan, Sophia Roman Football Lineman of the Year: Arhman Tyson (Asheboro) Offensive Player of the Year: Nate Carr (Ledford) Defensive Player of the Year: Tanner Jordan (North Davidson) Coach of the Year: Brian Flynn (North Davidson) Asheboro: Hakemme Butler, Qamelo Butler, Darius Headen, Charles Perry, Arhman Tyson Girls’ golf Southwestern Randolph’s Marcus Robertson lays the ball up against Asheboro, which won 43-41.

Coach of the Year: Vaughn Black (Oak Grove) Asheboro: Emma Dobbins, Salem Lee. Girls’ tennis

Runner of the Year: Issac Reyna (Ledford)

Above left, Asheboro’s Hakeem Butler shoots the ball against Southwestern Randolph’s Landon Williamson in a boys’ game. At right, Southwestern Randolph’s Katie Mull shoots the ball against Asheboro’s Maggie Allred in a girls’ game.

Lee (Asheboro)

Player of the Year: Salem

Player of the Year: Jessica Fuchs (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Andy Majors (Ledford) Asheboro: Katelyn Thomas Boys’ soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Carlos Contreras (Ledford) Defensive Player of the Year: Parker Cheek (Ledford) Coach of the Year: John Blake (Ledford) Asheboro: Matthew Alvarez, Jose Cortes, Alexander Cruz, Cameron Letterlough, Irvin Velasquez Luna, Diego Valdez Platta, Calvin Smith.

Volleyball Most Valuable Player: Madison Tate (Central Davidson) Defensive Player of the Year: Olivia Dixon (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Monica Parsons (Central Davidson) Asheboro: Kaylen Nance

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SWR ATHLETICS

NCHSAA State Invitational The Southwestern Randolph cheerleaders participated in the NCHSAA State Invitational Competition in Raleigh on Saturday, December 4, 2021. SWR finished second in the Small Varsity D2 division and Eastern Randolph finished third in the Medium Varsity D2 division. Right, senior Avery Combs received the 2A Cheerleading Scholarship from the NCHSAA. She plans to attend East Carolina University in the fall.

Plumber’s find possibly tied to 2014 Texas megachurch theft

By Juan A. Lozano The Associated Press HOUSTON — For more than seven years, no one has known what happened to $600,000 in checks and cash that was stolen from a safe at Pastor Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch, which has one of the largest congregations in the country.

Now, there’s a possible plot twist in the case: The money might never have left the church and a plumber could have helped solve the mystery.

Houston police are investigating whether cash and checks discovered by a plumber during repair work that was being done at Lakewood Church is connected to the money that was stolen in 2014.

The revived investigation comes after a plumber on Thursday called “The Morning Bullpen with George, Mo & Erik on 100.3 The Bull” during a segment on the Houston radio station in which people were asked to talk about the

most unusual things of value they had ever found.

Some callers talked about finding $100 or a ring before the plumber went on the air with his story of what he found while repairing a leaky toilet at the church about four weeks ago.

“I went to go remove the toilet and I moved some insulation away and about 500 envelopes fell out of the wall. I was like ‘oh wow.’ I got my flashlight, shined up in there,” the plumber said in audio provided by the Houston radio station.

The plumber, who only identified himself as Justin, told the radio program he thought the envelopes full of money were connected to the 2014 theft and immediately told the church’s maintenance supervisor, who then contacted police. KPRC-TV first reported the plumber’s story to the radio station.

George Lindsey, one of the show’s hosts, called the plumber’s story “the most out-there, is-thisreal kind of moment that we’ve

AP PHOTO

Flags fly in front of the Lakewood Church June 28, 2005 in Houston. ever had as part of our show.”

“It really seemed like this is a movie. This is a movie plot. This is not something that happens in everyday life. We were just absolutely blown away by it,” Lindsey said.

“You speculate. What is this? What happened? Why didn’t somebody come back and get this money? What’s it doing in a wall? Why didn’t somebody discover it before now?”

Lakewood Church did not confirm the plumber’s account of what he found.

In a statement, Lakewood Church said an undisclosed amount of cash and checks were recently found during repair work but did not offer additional details about the discovery or whether it could be tied to the missing $600,000.

“Lakewood immediately notified the Houston Police Department and is assisting them with their investigation. Lakewood has no further comment at this time,” the church said in its brief statement.

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Kenny J Kidd

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Financial Advisor 211 Worth St Asheboro, NC 27203-5557 336-328-0416

edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

In a statement Friday, Houston police said officers were called to the church on Nov. 10 after cash, checks and money orders were found inside a wall.

While the investigation continues, evidence from checks that were found suggests the money discovered in the wall is connected to the 2014 theft, police said.

The undisclosed amount of money found in the wall was inventoried and “left in the custody of Lakewood Church since it was property found on its premises,” police said.

In March 2014, the church had reported the theft of $200,000 in cash and $400,000 in checks.

The church had reported that the money and checks taken, as well as some envelopes with written credit card information, were limited to funds given during Saturday and Sunday services days before.

The church had said the stolen funds were fully insured.

Shortly after the burglary, a $25,000 reward was offered for information on solving the theft. No arrests were made in the case.

Lindsey said the plumber should get some sort of reward for what he found.

About 43,500 people attend weekly services at Lakewood, making it the largest megachurch in the U.S., according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Osteen’s televised sermons reach about 100 countries.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

7

obituaries

Donald “Don” Ray Foster 1939 - 2021

Donald Foster age 82, of Asheboro passed away on December 4, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.

Born November 12, 1939 in Randolph County, NC, the son of Colon Foster and Ruby Spencer Foster. In addition to his parents, Don was also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Carolyn Robbins Foster.

Don was employed in his younger years with A & P Grocery, Greensboro News and Record in the Circulation Department, Pugh Oil Company and later was the owner and operator of Don’s Tank and Tummy in Asheboro. He enjoyed NASCAR Racing, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was very much a people person. Don spent many hours studying the teaching of the Bible and was of Baptist Faith. He loved his family very much and will be truly missed.

He is survived by his children: Keith Foster of Murrells Inlet, SC, Jeffrey (Rosanah) Foster of Van Wert, OH, Sharon Reed of Murrells Inlet, SC and Karen Foster of Greensboro, NC; eight grandchildren: Tabatha Lewis, Carrie Knox, Austin Reed, Brittany Reed, Joseph Foster, Leslie Anne Shore, Marwan Harouach and Rachel Franks; six great grandchildren: Cayson Lewis, Blythe Lewis, Connor Knox, Gavin Knox, Cillian McClain and Lucian McClain.

Mr Foster’s family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Hospice of Randolph and All Generation Home Care for their care and support.

Raymond Dale Simpson 1942 - 2021

Raymond Dale Simpson, 79, of Asheboro passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Randolph Hospice House.

Mr. Simpson was born in Springfield, AR on February 28, 1942 to William Arthur and Della Mae Wheeler Simpson.

His love of math led him into a career in accounting. His first job was doing payroll during the 3 years he proudly served in the Army. After retirement, he spent time with family, bowling on a senior league, shooting pool, and at the local senior center. He loved to laugh, to make people laugh, and he never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers.

He is survived by his 3 daughters, Shaleena (John) Messer, Lynetta (Bill) Watts, and Siobhan Kiva Simpson; 4 grandchildren, Nia, Korick, Dallas, and Sidney; 1 great granddaughter, Lyla; and extended family and friends.

Harold Austin 1927 – 2021 William Harold Austin, age 94, died Friday, December 3, 2021, at the Randolph Hospice House, Asheboro, NC. Harold was born June 10, 1927, in Durham, NC to William and Hattie Welch Austin.

He was a self-made man as a builder and real estate owner and manager. He was the family comedian and loved to be the life of the party. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Harold is preceded in death by his wife: Louise Redding Austin; siblings: Hazel Dunn, Ruth Lowe, Bobby Austin, Theodore Welch, and Marvin and Everette Henson He is survived by his daughter: Pat Austin of Asheboro, NC; son: Larry E. Austin of Cary, NC; and one sister: Shirley Phillips of Bear Creek, NC.

Vera Routh Davis 1935 - 2021

Vera Routh Davis, age 86, of Asheboro passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Randolph Hospice House.

Mrs. Davis was born in Asheboro on February 12, 1935 to Gurnie and Ruth Trotter Routh. She was a homemaker and a superb cook and her specialty was chicken & dumplings and biscuits. In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Leon Davis, grandson, Jason Leon Davis, and sister, Betty Gordon.

She is survived by her sons, Gary Davis (Ruth) of Asheboro and Larry Davis of Asheboro; daughter, Tammy Baldwin (Jason) of Pinkerton, OH; 2 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; step sister, Peggy Newton; ans step brother, Gurnie Routh, Jr. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Randolph Memorial Park with Gary Davis officiating.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 181, Asheboro, NC 27204 or Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

1956 - 2021

Michael Ray Mason, 65 years old, of Randleman, NC passed peacefully due to complications of Covid-19 on November 27, 2021 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Mason was born in Los Angeles, CA on November 13, 1956. Michael was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was preceded in death by his stepson, Jesse Sutphin, brother, Frank Mason, Jr., mother, Mattie Jean Burleson, and father, Frank Mason, Sr. Michael enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, the mountains, the beach, camping, and bonfires. Michael brought a lot of joy to us all. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Deanna Osborne SutphinMason; step daughter, Rachel King (Ron); grandchildren, Sophie, Justin, and Khloe; brothers, Daniel Mason (Linda) and Jim Mason (Angie); sisters, Deborah Mason and Judy Mason; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Katherine Risley 1921 - 2021

Mary Katherine Risley, age 100, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the Hospice House in Asheboro.

Katherine was born May 5, 1921, in New Bern, NC to Silas Pratt and Alice Noble Reaves Risley.

She was a graduate of Central High School in Charlotte, NC worked as a payroll clerk for Belk’s, and with The Pilgrim Tract Society in Randleman, as well as with the daycare at the Randleman Church of God for many years.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by siblings: Alice, Donna, Gloria, Bub, David, and Paul.

She is survived by one brother: J.B. “Sonny” Risley (Barbara) of West Columbia, SC; niece: Beverly Smith and her many family at the Randleman Church of God.

Ronald Neil Arrington

1969 - 2021

1948 - 2021

Harold Livingston Richardson, Jr., 52, of Asheboro passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at his home.

Harold was a native of Randolph County and was formerly employed with Pike Electric. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Livingston Richardson, Sr., brothers, Harold Steven (Stevie) Richardson, Kevin Richardson, and Terry Richardson.

He is survived by his mother, Vonnie Brady and husband Harold Eugene Brady of Asheboro; Linda Richardson of Tennessee; brother, Timmy Brady of Randleman; sisters, Tammy Swaney of Charleston, SC, Donna Mason and husband Clyde Kimrey of Liberty, Lura Mae and husband James Booth of Tennessee, and Teresa Kirkman of Randleman; aunt, Betty Lou Richardson of Seagrove; and several nieces and nephews.

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, Neil Arrington, loving husband, beloved father and grandfather, and loyal friend, passed away at age 73.

Neil was born in Thomson, GA to Earl and Maudie Arrington.

He married his high school sweetheart, Anne Johnson Arrington, and had two children, Amy and Matthew.

He graduated from Thomson High School in 1966. In service to his country, he became a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. Neil received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia in 1971. Upon graduation, Neil accepted a position with Deering Milliken Textiles in Robbins, NC. Soon thereafter, he joined Burroughs Business Machines, Forms Division, as a salesman in Greenville, NC. Neil eventually formed and managed his own company, Business Forms South, for over 30 years. In 2007, he sold his company to South Data, Mt. Airy, NC and became a Senior Account Executive. He retired in 2014.

Neil was always active in his church, especially the choir. He loved his ministry of singing baritone in his gospel quartet, New Wine. He was active in National Business Forms Association, Jaycees, and managing Alamance Little League baseball. He was an avid runner, running the Asheboro Fall Festival 5K over 20 years.

He enjoyed surf fishing, boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and especially riding his motorcycle all over the USA with his good friends.

Neil was preceded in death by his father, Earl, his mother, Maudie, and his sister Diane. He is survived by his wife, Anne; daughter, Amy Denton (Brad) of Belmont, NC; son, Matthew Arrington (Anna) of Marietta, GA; granddaughters, Brooke, Emma, and Avery Denton of Belmont and Peyton and Tyler Arrington of Marietta; sister Judy Butts (Doug) of Gibson, GA; and brother, Rodney Arrington (Beth) of Thomson, GA. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 1:00-1:45 at Cross Road Baptist Church, 1566 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC. A memorial service celebrating Neil’s life will follow at 2:00pm. Memorials may be made to Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, 2101 Sardis Rd North, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28227 or Cross Road Retirement Community, Memory Care Unit, 1302 Old Cox Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205.

Vera Mae Chriscoe Jenkins 1927 - 2021

Debbie Moore 1959 - 2021

Michael Ray Mason

Harold Livingston Richardson, Jr.

Deborah “Debbie” Sue Smith Moore, age 62 of Youngsville, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021, surrounded by her loved ones at her home.

Debbie was born November 2, 1959, the daughter of W. Laverne and Bois Parsons Smith.

Debbie was a special education teacher in Wake County for 33 years. It is countless the number of lives she touched of these families and students over her time as a teacher. She was a member at Woodland Baptist Church in Wake Forest and enjoyed traveling with her family.

The role Debbie was most proud of was that of being a Nana. She spoke often of this time being cut short and what it meant to her to be the best Nana she could be. Debbie was a very outgoing and friendly person who was loved by all that knew her.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Ron Moore; daughter, Jennifer Sanchagrin and her husband Stephen of Austin, TX; son, Matthew Wesley Moore of Creedmoor; grandchildren, Landon, Finley, Noah and Luke Sanchagrin; sister, Linda Smith Lindsey and husband Clifford of Youngsville; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Debbie is preceded in death by her brother, Mark Wesley Smith.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Parson’s Grove United Methodist Church, 3431 Pekin Rd., Candor, NC 27229. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm with Pastor Chris Walker officiating. Burial will be in the Parson’s Grove United Methodist Church cemetery.

Vera Mae Chriscoe Jenkins passed away Sunday, November 28th, 2021 at the age of 94, in the presence of her loved ones.

She was born November 7th, 1927, in Marston, North Carolina to the late Walter and Laura Rose Chriscoe. Vera was the third of seven children, and the oldest daughter. As well as her parents, her brother Broadus Chriscoe and his wife Clara Belle, her brother Colwell Chriscoe and his wife Geraldine, her brother John Wesley Chriscoe, and her brother-inlaw Lowell Whatley have all preceded her in death.

Vera is survived by her two sisters, Kathleen Whatley and Julia Ann Chriscoe Marsh, both of Asheboro, NC and her brother Bobby Neal Chriscoe and his wife Mona Rae of Erect, NC; Vera’s children son Ivan Chester Jenkins and his wife Jerri of Tucker, GA; her daughter Sharon Rose Jenkins Brosseau and her husband Daniel of Plymouth, MA with their children Yobhel Brosseau and his wife Shua, Basemath Forehand and her husband Ayil, Ben Brosseau and his wife Courtney, Ozziel Brosseau and his wife Huldah, and their youngest Anah Brosseau; as well as Vera’s daughter Vicki Jenkins Eaton and her daughter Zoë Vera Mia Eaton both of of Asheboro, NC. She is also survived by her 10 greatgrandchildren and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to her incredible caregivers, Eve Fenberg and Cheryl Gonzalez, as well as Regional Consolidated Services and Hospice of Randolph, for their genuine kindness and dedication to providing her the very best quality of care and life.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

Bob Dole to lie in state at Capitol as nation honors senator

By Calvin Woodward The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Bob Dole’s casket will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as congressional leaders honor the former Republican presidential candidate and World War II veteran who served in Congress for 36 years.

Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharptongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, died Sunday. He was 98.

His wife, Elizabeth Dole, said in an announcement posted on social media that he died in his sleep.

He was a leader known for his caustic wit, which he often turned on himself but didn’t hesitate to turn on others, too. He shaped tax and foreign policy and worked vigorously to help the disabled, enshrining protections against discrimination in employment, education and public services in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The U.S. Capitol has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state. The commemoration will include a formal arrival and departure ceremony.

“Senator Dole was an extraordinary patriot, who devoted his entire life to serving our nation with dignity and integrity,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Dole, representing Kansas, served four terms in the House and more than four terms in the Senate.

He won the Republican nomination in 1996, but was defeated when President Bill Clinton won a second term. He was also 1976 GOP vice presidential candidate on the losing ticket with President Gerald Ford.

“Those of us who were lucky to know Bob well ourselves admired him even more,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate. “A bright light of

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

Former Sen. Bob Dole, right, and his wife Elizabeth Dole acknowledge well-wishers during a Memorial Day ceremony, Monday, May 27, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. patriotic good cheer burned all the way from Bob’s teenage combat heroics through his whole career in Washington and through the years since. We look forward to honoring his life and legacy at the Capitol.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he didn’t get to serve with Dole, but “his reputation and his achievements, and most of all his character preceded him.”

For all of his bare-knuckle ways, he was a deep believer in the Senate as an institution and command-

ed respect and even affection from many Democrats. Just days after Dole announced his dire cancer diagnosis, President Joe Biden visited him at his home to wish him well.

The White House said the two were close friends from their days in the Senate.

Biden recalled in a statement Sunday that one of his first meetings outside the White House after being sworn-in as president was with the Doles at their Washington home.

“Like all true friendships, re-

gardless of how much time has passed, we picked up right where we left off, as though it were only yesterday that we were sharing a laugh in the Senate dining room or debating the great issues of the day, often against each other, on the Senate floor,” Biden said. “I saw in his eyes the same light, bravery, and determination I’ve seen so many times before.”

Biden ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds until sunset Thursday.

Dole received two Purple Hearts for his valor in World War II. Throughout his political career, he carried the mark of war. Charging a German position in northern Italy in 1945, Dole was hit by a shell fragment that crushed two vertebrae and paralyzed his arms and legs. The young Army platoon leader spent three years recovering in a hospital and never regained use of his right hand.

Dole announced in February 2021 that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Energy secretary: Offshore wind brings ‘gust’ of job growth

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that the administration’s goal for offshore wind and the projects being developed now represent a “gust of job growth throughout the country.”

Granholm visited a new offshore wind manufacturing hub in Providence to talk about the Biden administration’s plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and to promote the investments in the $1 trillion infrastructure deal.

“More offshore wind means more jobs for iron workers, line workers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters,” she said.

“Jobs in mining and manufacturing and management and operations and sales, not to mention of course the benefit to surrounding communities.”

At the Port of Providence, Orsted, a Danish energy company, and the utility Eversource are constructing a building for the fabrication and assembly of large, advanced components for turbine foundations. Orsted officials gave Granholm and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee a tour. The group met union workers who are building the facility.

McKee said he envisions Rhode Island as the “base camp” to support the offshore wind supply chain along the East Coast. Granholm said looking at the building reminded her of a proverb: “When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.”

“And we know which side of that Rhode Island falls on,” she said.

Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan said the Biden administration’s support of offshore wind is a “breath of fresh air” after the Trump administration. Both Nolan and Orsted Offshore North America CEO David Hardy said such support is critical while the U.S. industry is still in the fragile, early stages.

“The momentum is happening,” Nolan said. “We need it to continue.”

JENNIFER MCDERMOTT | AP PHOTO

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, center, speaks with workers, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, left, Thursday Dec. 2, 2021.

“It’s a young industry,” added Hardy. “We need help getting the first projects off the ground.”

Their manufacturing hub at the port is scheduled to be finished this spring to support two offshore wind projects, Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind.

Revolution Wind is a planned offshore wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to provide power for Connecticut and Rhode Island. The federal government is currently reviewing the construction and operations plan.

The South Fork Wind project will be located off the coast of Rhode Island. Its transmission system will connect to the electric grid on Long Island, New York, making it the state’s first offshore

wind farm and jumpstarting the offshore wind industry there.

The interior department announced last week that the administration approved the construction and operations for South Fork Wind, as part of a plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. It was the administration’s second approval of a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the United States. The first commercial-scale project is off the coast of Massachusetts.

The first U.S. offshore wind farm began operating off Block Island, Rhode Island, in late 2016. But at five turbines, it’s not commercial-scale. Orsted acquired the developer, Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind, and

now operates that wind farm.

Granholm also visited a manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers and a clean energy technology company in Connecticut Thursday. On Friday, she’s hosting a roundtable discussion in Boston about the transition to clean energy.

Granholm has been making stops around the country to talk about how investments in infrastructure incentivize companies like these to open and expand, driving the transition away from fossil fuels, creating jobs and helping people save money on energy. She is visiting areas that are proactive in reducing emissions and areas where more work needs to be done.

President Joe Biden signed his

hard-fought $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law in November, declaring that the new infusion of cash for roads, bridges, ports and more is going to make life “change for the better” for the American people. It has $100 million for wind energy research and development, $2.5 billion for transmission lines, including transmission from offshore wind farms, and $20 million to ensure offshore wind is built sustainably, Granholm said.

The companion piece of legislation, the social and environment bill under consideration in the Senate, has $600 million for port infrastructure, as well as significant tax credits to incentivize offshore wind development and turbine manufacturing, she added.

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Stanly County Journal

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Toyota coming to the Piedmont

Gov. Roy Cooper (top right) announced on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Randolph County, that Toyota Motor North America would be investing $1.29 billion into a battery-manufacturing plant at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite. Public officials and business leaders (bottom) gathered for the announcement in a tent on site.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Stanly commissioners pass resolution against Biden’s employer vaccine mandate

Missing two-year-old found safe

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Stanly County A two-year-old girl who had been reported missing in Albemarle was found safe a short time later.

Elaina Lynn Marie Lanza was reported missing to Albemarle police at about 11 a.m. on Friday morning.

About two hours later, she was found in South Carolina. She was with a person police term as a “non-custodial parent.”

She was taken into custody by law enforcement to be returned to her home.

ALBEMARLE — With a 6-1 vote, the Stanly County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Monday night that formally opposes a national COVID vaccine mandate on employers.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), at the direction of President Joe Biden, recently released an emergency temporary standard requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to mandate the COVID vaccine or require weekly COVID testing and masks by Jan. 4.

Chairman Tommy Jordan — appointed as the board’s new chair earlier in the meeting — said that employers have the right to make their own vaccine policies for their workers and that forcing a business to comply with this mandate is government overreach.

“I do not think we as a gov-

WBTV

3 charged with death by distribution Stanly County On Nov. 27, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to an address for an overdose death. During the course of the investigation warrants were issued for three individuals for 2nd Degree Murder, death by distribution of a dangerous narcotic, and felony conspiracy.

A search warrant was conducted by the Narcotics Division and SWAT team at 528-1 East Main Street, Albemarle, as a result of the investigation. Investigators seized 2.6 grams of methamphetamine, 6.6 grams of cocaine as well as paraphernalia.

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ernment need to be making that decision. I’m more for personal responsibility and personal freedoms, so I have no problem supporting that resolution,” Jordan said on the board’s Individual Freedom over Personal Vaccine Status resolution. “We’ve talked about it for quite a while now, and it managed to get on this week’s agenda. I’m glad that was one of the first things I got to do as chairman.”

The resolution states that neither OSHA nor the federal government plan to provide funding to employers to offset the cost of implementing the mandate — a predicament that County Manager Andy Lucas referred to as a “nightmare” for the county staff.

Commissioner Peter Ascuitto’s lone nay vote on the issue prevented a unanimous voting tally. In his explanation, he asserted that the board was prioritizing convenience over the safety of the county’s workers in a “partisan effort.”

“COVID is real and literally killing people in Stanly County,” Ascuitto said. “The county staff is against this [mandate] because more paperwork is more important than promoting good health and preventing death.”

With his approval of Biden’s mandate, Ascuitto — a registered Republican — holds a belief contrary to the majority of his party members, according to a Morning Consult-Politico poll conducted Nov. 5-7 and released on Nov. 10.

The poll found that 79% of Democrats but only 30% of Republicans either strongly or somewhat support requiring large firms to mandate vaccinations.

In a decision that could ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the implementation of the mandate is currently on hold and has been stayed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Kentucky, and recently the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Kentucky via a multi-jurisdictional

Few cases in Stanly schools 1 month after masks made optional

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Schools made masks optional effective Oct. 25, and in data released for late November, a month without masks has not seemed to return the district to its higher positive COVID numbers from early in the school year.

The school district’s COVID dashboard numbers for Nov. 21-27 show 237 students and 19 staff are now quarantined. In early September, these numbers were 1,498 students and 82 staff quarantined.

The number of positive cases has also dropped precipitously, from 143 students and 14 staff in the week of Sept. 5-11 to only

nine students and three staff testing positive now.

Masks were made optional after the Stanly County Board of Education determined the county had dropped below a 7.9% positive rate on COVID testing over a 14-day period.

This allowed the county to forgo the stricter quarantine and mask requirements in the N.C. Strong Schools Toolkit guidance given by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Following this guidance led to large numbers of students being quarantined every week, including the approximately 1,500 in the week of Sept. 5-11.

Parents turned up the pressure on board members to relax the requirements as soon as possible, as many of them had to take

The number of positive cases has also dropped precipitously, from 143 students and 14 staff in the week of Sept. 5-11 to only nine students and three staff testing positive now.

time off work to care for children out for quarantines of up to two weeks at a time.

“Currently, the Stanly County percent positive is below 7.9%; it was at 7.7 based on the metric

lottery that was chosen to decide the mandate’s legality.

Commissioner Lane Furr said that the mandate limits individual choice: “I just want to go on record to say that I have never ever tried to take rights away from the people. I think that’s their choice.

I took my shot, but if they don’t want them, fine. If they don’t want to wear a mask, fine. I’m not taking that away from them.”

Commissioners Bill Lawhon, Scott Efird, Mike Barbee and Zach Almond joined Jordan and Furr in their votes against the mandate. Almond was appointed to the board’s new vice chairman position during the meeting, replacing the role that Jordan previously held; Jordan’s new chairman position was held by Lawhon prior to the dual change.

The Stanly commissioners’ upcoming 2022 schedule will commence with the first two meetings of the new year scheduled for Jan. 3 and Jan. 17.

I just gave you,” Dennis told the board at the Oct. 21 meeting.

“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. ... We’re only looking at a positive or two at most schools, and some schools have none.”

In the month since, the numbers have dropped further, with most schools now having zero cases. The school with the highest COVID case numbers in the district at the moment is Endy Elementary, with three students and one staff testing positive.

Some in the community worried that relaxing the rules around quarantining and masks would lead to a spike in cases.

But the low numbers across the district have started to relieve these concerns. As has been the case in other districts, though, any new outbreaks in district schools can rekindle the debate.

The Stanly County Board of Education’s latest meeting was on Dec. 7.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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Virginia GOP completes sweep of elections with House win The Associated Press VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A three-judge panel overseeing a recount in a close Virginia state House race upheld the Republican candidate’s victory, a decision that also reaffirms the GOP’s takeover of the chamber and completes the party’s sweep of last month’s elections.

Republicans also claimed the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general in the Nov. 2 balloting. Those wins were a dramatic turnaround in a state where the GOP had not won a statewide race since 2009.

Democrats still hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate — where elections won’t be held until 2023 — splitting control of Virginia’s state legislature.

The certified results from the election showed Republicans leading in 52 districts and the Democrats leading in 48. The recount in the 85th District race resulted in Democratic incumbent Alex

Askew gaining 12 votes, but he still trailed Republican challenger Karen Greenhalgh by 115 votes. There was one contested ballot. The panel found that the intent of the voter was unclear, so that ballot was not counted for either candidate.

The 85th District covers a portion of the city of Virginia Beach.

After Democrats requested recounts in two races with razor-thin margins, that left open the remote possibility of a 50-50 split.

Though the second recount, in the 91st District, is still expected to proceed this week, Democrats no longer have a shot at undoing the GOP’s majority. Askew is an incumbent freshman first elected in 2019, when Democrats flipped both the House and Senate.

After the recount results were announced, Askew thanked his supporters, campaign staff and volunteers.

“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, I continue to be filled with optimism for the future of our Commonwealth and of the city of

Virginia Beach,” he said in a statement.

House Republicans — who won 52 districts, according to the certified results — had said they were confident their candidates’ leads would hold.

“With only one recount outstanding, House Republicans are excited to begin working for the people of Virginia. Now that the majority is official, we can move forward with a timely transition as to be prepared to work on day one,” Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert said in a statement after the results were announced.

Outgoing House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn praised Askew for his work in the House and congratulated Greenhalgh on her victory.

“While the results of the recount did not change the initial outcome of the election, it was a necessary step to ensuring faith in our Democratic process. And a similar, necessary process to ensure every vote is counted will occur next week in House District 91,” Filler-Corn

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said in a statement.

Minnesota is the only other state with Democrats and Republicans splitting control of legislative chambers. In Alaska, Republicans have the majority in both chambers, but the state House is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, independents and two Republicans. Nebraska has just a single state legislative chamber.

Throughout the day Thursday and into Friday, people packed into a room in the second floor of an elections building in Virginia Beach as the ballots were fed into two scanning machines. Groups of people sat at tables and scrutinized any ballots that were determined by the machines to have writein candidates, were not clearly marked or had some other issue.

There were no discussions or arguments during the hearing about who the winner of the race would be. Once the panel of judges ruled that the contested ballot — which had both bubbles filled in for the candidates but a slash through Greenhalgh’s name — was too unclear to be counted, they called for a tally of the votes from the registrar’s office. Virginia Beach Chief Circuit Court Judge Leslie Lilley then quickly found that Greenhalgh would be the 85th District’s next delegate.

Election officials begin the process of recounting one of two unresolved races that will settle whether Virginia Republicans have reclaimed the majority in the House of Delegates, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 in Virginia Beach, Va.

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Stanly County Journal STEPHEN M. KATZ/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT VIA AP

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ Philmore Junior Lilly, 80, of Albemarle, died November 22.

♦ Mewborn, Roy Miguel (B /M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fta - Release Order (M) and 2) Fta - Release Order (F), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 12/6/2021

♦ Allon Harold Thompson, 78, of Albemarle, died November 24. ♦ Malcolme Ibrahima Bodian, 62, of Locust, died November 29. ♦ Carlotta Ann Taylor Efird, 74, of Albemarle, died November 30. ♦ Amy Hinson Almond, 50, of Norwood, died December 1. ♦ Vickie Elaine Harwood, 66, of Albemarle, died December 1. ♦ John Edward Galliher, 71, of Norwood, died December 2. ♦ Larry Gene Hinson, 69, of Albemarle, died December 2. ♦ Judy Medlin Olivares, 67, of New London, died December 2. ♦ Willie James Wilson, 84, of Norwood, died December 2. ♦ Ruby Forrest Lambert, 93, of Richfield, died December 5.

♦ Clark, William Lewis (B /M/66) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 12/6/2021 ♦ Cole, Richard Dukane (W /M/42) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 36488 South Main St, Denton, NC, on 12/5/2021 ♦ Taylor, Reggie Dale (W /M/41) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/3/2021 ♦ Johnson, Adam Colt (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Release Order (M), at 901 Center Ave, Locust, NC, on 12/3/2021 ♦ Madden, Gregory Alan (W /M/44) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 901 Central Av, Albemarle, NC, on 12/3/2021 ♦ Jones, Javannie Javazia`e

(B /M/20) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fta - Release Order (M) and 2) Fta - Release Order (F), at 126 South Second Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/2/2021 ♦ Jones, Donald Blair (B /M/60) Arrest on chrg of Attempted Larceny (m) (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/2/2021 ♦ Collins, Devonte Devon (B /M/26) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Release Order (M), at 201 South Second Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/2/2021 ♦ Perkins, Domincue Laquay (B /M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Statutory Rape Of Child <= 15 (F), 2) Statutory Rape Of Child <= 15 (F), and 3) Statutory Rape Of Child <= 15 (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Adams, Melinda Sue (W /F/27) Arrest on chrg of Surrender By Surety (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Thompson, Brandon Michael (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Criminal

Summons Or Citation (M), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Lindsay, Kenneth Rae (B /M/62) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M (M), at 201 S 2nd St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Aldridge, Joshua Shane (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Misdemeanor Larceny (M) and 2) Second Degree Trespass (M), at 201 S 2nd St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Sturdivant, Marcus Dewayne (B /M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Resisting Public Officer (M), 2) Intoxicated And Disruptive (M), and 3) Contempt Of Court (M), at 48380 Us 52 Hwy N, Misenheimer, NC, on 12/1/2021 ♦ Jackson, Dominque (U /M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M) and 2) No Operators License (M), at Nc 49 Hwy, Albemarle, NC, on 11/30/2021 ♦ Melvin, Sterlin Bahil (B /M/30) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Release Order (M), at 123 South 3rd

Street, Albemarle, NC, on 11/30/2021 ♦ Green, Garry Lane (W /M/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault By Pointing A Gun (M), 2) Simple Assault (M), and 3) Communicate Threats (M), at Friendly Mart, Albemarle, NC, on 11/30/2021 ♦ Pinkston, Carl Lee (W /M/55) Arrest on chrg of 1) Attempted Common Law Robbery (F), 2) Assault On Female (M), and 3) Felony Probation Violation (F), at 20991 Bear Creek Church Rd, New London, NC, on 11/30/2021 ♦ Oakes, Eddie Winslow (B /M/48) Arrest on chrg of Obtain Property False Pretense (F), at N Main St, New London, NC, on 11/30/2021 ♦ Lanza, Theresa Rose (W /F/23) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest Child Support (M), at 126 South 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 11/30/2021

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

An ‘abundance of caution’ mentality leads to tyranny Our political class has failed throughout the pandemic; perhaps their only real success was in assigning a grab bag of cash for pharmaceutical companies that developed vaccines.

This week, governments around the globe spun into fullscale panic thanks to the revelation of the so-called omicron variant of COVID-19. As of this writing, we know that omicron is likely more transmissible than prior variants. We have no evidence, however, that omicron is more deadly. To the contrary, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, explained that the symptoms associated with omicron were “mild,” explaining, “we don’t see severely ill patients.”

Were that true, that would make omicron a cause for optimism. That’s because delta is already highly infectious and herd immunity seems to be a pipe dream — which means that if someone has the choice between an omicron infection and a delta infection, one would wish for the omicron infection. If omicron was to crowd out a deadlier variant, that would be a positive development for global health.

Yet the reaction from our institutional leaders has been completely unhinged. We have been told by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that every American above the age of 18 ought to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, despite scant evidence that boosters lower the hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19 for the young (they certainly do for those over age 60). Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged to nod gravely at the possibility of vaccine mandates for air travel and new mask mandates. Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced a state of emergency allowing for the suspension of elective surgeries.

The predictable result: markets have plunged. They’ve plunged not because of omicron itself, but because the private sector knows that the public sector may hammer away at economic freedom again. Our political class has failed throughout the pandemic; perhaps their only real success was in assigning a grab bag of cash for pharmaceutical companies that developed vaccines. Other than that, nearly all public policy measures have

been ineffective.

The same will hold true of omicron. Omicron is already present in nations around the world. Lockdown policies were ineffective in curbing the pandemic outside of isolated countries around the globe; the return of lockdown won’t be any more successful. Mask mandates have been markedly disassociated from actual disease replication rates. And vaccines are already widely available; those who are afraid of omicron will get vaccinated, and those who aren’t won’t.

Now would be a good time to take a breath.

And yet our public officials are pathologically incapable of humility. This time, they suggest, will be different; this time, they’ll prevent disease from spreading. It seems that the most powerful in our society have a vested interest in the lie that they can stop disease, death and privation. They won’t let go of that lie, lest citizens see through the veil and seize back power over their own lives.

Instead, we’re told that we must hand over more control to our authoritarian-minded leaders, to the self-appointed Scientific Experts (TM) — all out of an “abundance of caution,” of course.

Strangely, that abundance of caution never seems to extend to unprecedented interventions in everyday life or the global economy. In those areas, our elites throw caution to the wind.

A true “abundance of caution” mentality would suggest that before we destroy our institutions again — before we overthrow free markets in the name of welfarism, checks and balances in the name of health authoritarianism, and individual liberty in the name of safety — we see some data. Otherwise, heavyhanded “solutions” will always be the measure of first resort, long before we even know whether a crisis has materialized.

Ben Shapiro, 37, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

Reversing Roe The chief problem with Roe v. Wade is that no one can find it in the Constitution.

This past Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In the case, Mississippi is seeking Court approval on a law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks, but Mississippi also argues Roe v. Wade itself should be reversed by the Court. It appears there are six votes on the Court for gutting Roe and five for reversing it altogether.

One must remember that in major cases like this, the justices of the Court need no persuasion from the lawyers. Instead, it is through the lawyers that the justices have an initial conversation with each other about the case.

Chief Justice Roberts, who is pro-life but also the chief justice, takes a restrained view of reversals. He sees it as his duty to protect the Court. He wants to end the so-called “viability standard” the Court maintains that prohibits banning abortion prior to the nebulous point of fetal viability.

Roberts seemed to argue that 15 weeks is fine as a standard.

Justices Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch suggested such a standard would not work. Gorsuch, along with Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas seem fully prepared to end Roe. The newest justice, Amy Coney Barrett, was more obtuse, but seemed inclined to end Roe, though possibly inclined to just gut it with Roberts.

The chief problem with Roe v. Wade is that no one can find it in the Constitution. In fact, Roe is not just one degree removed from the Constitution, but two degrees away from the Constitution. To get to Roe, one must first get through Griswold v. Connecticut, which found that within the right to privacy was a marital right of privacy. It removed privacy to the penumbras of the constitution. Only from there can one get to Roe. One can fairly well gather from the Constitution’s Fourth and Fifth Amendments that there is a right to privacy of some kind. Griswold finds an explicit right to marital privacy related to, for example, the use of contraception, within that right to privacy. Roe then goes a step further to find, as a right to privacy, a woman’s right to kill her unborn child.

No reasonable reading of the Constitution suggests that right exists within the Constitution and almost all states had bans on abortion when those states ratified the 14th Amendment. The plain reading of the Constitution suggests no abortion right at all, let alone one broken down into trimesters: no state can ban abortion in the first; states can impose restrictions during the second; states can prohibit in the third with reasonable exceptions. The subsequent case of Casey v. Planned Parenthood moved the standard from trimesters to viability.

Where the Constitution is silent, the 50 states are supposed to speak. Each state should be able to set its own laws regulating abortion. Seven men on the United States Supreme Court, in 1973, conjured up a right to an abortion within the penumbras of other penumbras of various amendments to the Constitution. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg acknowledged the shoddiness of the decision even as she supported the right to kill children.

Roe takes the Constitution, a document written so American citizens could understand their rights and government, and hands it over to a professional class of lifetenured judges and lawyers who can conjure at will their coveted requests from the constitutional framework. We are, with Roe, a nation of judges and lawyers, not men and women. It began a series of cases that separate citizens from the Constitution, requiring a near-divine and always infallible intermediary in a black robe to tell the citizen what his Constitution actually says.

With the Second Amendment, the average citizen can ascertain the right of gun ownership in America. With abortion, no citizens not trained in the dark arts of liberal legal interpretation and how to read the breath of a living piece of paper can even understand and so can never truly respect the rule of law. The law becomes not the compact of governance, but the possession of the great “Says Who” -- who says what the law is, regardless of what the law plainly means.

It is time to reverse Roe.

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Young, Hutchinson, Pickett, Stroud named Heisman finalists New York Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud were announced Monday as finalists for the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman will be presented Saturday in New York, returning to its usual routine and date — second Saturday in December — after it was forced to delay and go virtual last year due to the pandemic. The process by which Heisman finalists are determined has been modified. The Heisman Trust announced that starting with this season, there will be four finalists — no more, no fewer — invited to the award presentation ceremony.

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Chase Elliott was named NASCAR's most popular driver for the fourth straight week last week.

NFL

Browns star Glass dead at 86 Cleveland Bill Glass, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end with Cleveland and member of the Browns’ 1964 NFL championship team, died Sunday at his home in Waxahachie, Texas. He was 86. Glass spent seven seasons with the Browns, who acquired him from the Detroit Lions. Glass spent four seasons with Detroit before going to Cleveland, where he became a star. He was credited with 16½ sacks in 1965 and finished with 87½, getting 77½ in his seven seasons with the Browns. He retired after the 1968 season and was inducted into the Browns Legends program in 2007.

COLLEGE SOCCER

Florida State women beat BYU in PKs for 3rd national title Santa Clara, Calif.

Yujie Zhao rocketed home the game-winning penalty kick and Florida State edged BYU 4-3 in PKs on Monday to win its third women’s national championship in program history and second in the last four years.

Sophomore goalkeeper Cristina Roque made two saves during penalty kicks for the Seminoles, who, ironically, lost last year’s national championship game in PKs. BYU’s All-American midfielder Mikayla Colohan was carried off the field with an apparent ankle injury following a collision in the 32nd minute with Florida State’s Jaelin Howell, who was assessed a yellow card.

TENNIS

2019 US Open champ Andreescu takes time off Toronto Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, will take a mental break from tennis and sit out the start of next season, including the Australian Open, saying Monday she wants to “reset, recover, and grow” after a challenging two years that included getting COVID-19.

The 21-year-old from Canada wrote in a posting on Twitter that she was affected mentally and physically by “multiple weeks in isolation quarantining” and that her grandmother’s stay for several weeks in a hospital’s intensive care unit because of the coronavirus “really hit me hard.”

Chase Elliott extends run as NASCAR’s most popular driver It’s the fourth straight year the Hendrick Motorsports driver has won the honor

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chase Elliott held on to one of his NASCAR titles last Thursday night when fans voted him most popular driver for the fourth consecutive year.

Elliott was both the reigning Cup champion and most popular driver this season, but he was ultimately beaten by new Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the Cup title. At the season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center, the Na-

tional Press Association declared Elliott winner of the fan-decided most popular award.

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough,” said Elliot. “I was really mind-blown on a few occasions this year of that support, and to see it firsthand, you know, I see the T-shirts and all that stuff is noticed. Looking forward to ‘22 to make all those folks proud.”

Elliott began his run as NASCAR’s most popular driver in 2018, the first year of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement. Earnhardt had won the most popular award every year since 2003, the season Bill Elliott asked for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Elliott was beloved and voters selected “Awesome Bill From

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough.”

Chase Elliott Dawsonville,” Georgia, their favorite a record 16 times. Earnhardt won it 15 times and Chase Elliott claimed the throne when Earnhardt retired.

His fourth victory was again backed by a legion of Elliott fans in their Georgia hometown, and it staved off a challenge by teammate Larson. Elliott has remained extremely popular — his fans vilify any rival who dares to tangle with Elliott — but Larson has built a strong legion of sup-

porters in his first year driving for Hendrick.

Larson won 11 times in the Cup Series, broke Jeff Gordon’s 20year record for most laps led in a season and won Rick Hendrick’s record-extending 14th championship. Larson dethroned Elliott to claim his first Cup. Larson couldn’t knock Elliott from most popular, though, as Elliott’s ardent supporters turned out even in a new voting format.

The NMPA only opened voting on Nov. 9 — after Larson had already won the championship — and the brief voting period ended Dec. 1. Fans could vote once daily online or via mobile app, but votes shared on Facebook and/or Twitter counted twice.

The most popular driver award was first presented in 1949, to Curtis Turner, at the end of NASCAR’s inaugural season. The award has been administered by the NMPA and presented annually by the organization since 1983, and it is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by a fan vote.

Manning named Maryland interim coach after Turgeon’s exit The former Wake Forest coach was in “shock” that the Terps’ longtime coach stepped down

By Noah Trister The Associated Press COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Danny Manning’s reaction to the coaching change at Maryland was pretty similar to the rest of the college basketball world’s.

“Complete and utter shock,” Manning said.

On Sunday, Manning led the Terrapins for the first time since taking over as interim coach, and the challenge he faces was evident during a 67-61 loss to Northwestern.

Although he has plenty of experience as a head coach, Manning is fairly new to the Maryland program. He was hired in April as an assistant to Mark Turgeon — his former teammate at Kansas — and when Turgeon abruptly stepped down Friday, Manning was put in charge.

Turgeon’s departure was described by the school as a mutual decision. The timing — less than a month into the season — was jarring. Manning released a statement that day, but Sunday’s postgame news conference was his first chance to discuss the matter at length.

“I came to Maryland because of him,” Manning said. “I can’t speak

for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Guard Eric Ayala said Friday seemed like a pretty normal day of film until Turgeon gave the news to the team.

“We came in, and he said he loved us, and that he felt it was best that he step down as our coach,” Ayala said. “At first, it didn’t seem as real, but that’s kind of how it went.”

Manning said he thought his team showed fight Sunday, but the Terps ultimately lost their third straight game. Maryland shot just 29% from the field and an abysmal 7 for 36 inside the arc.

Manning, who was 116-140 at Wake Forest from 2014-20, did say he wants the ball to keep going inside. The Terps had a significant edge in free throws that helped keep it close.

“I am a big believer in paint touches,” he said. “I’m a big believer in ball reversal. I thought paint touches led us to 22 free-throw attempts. We want that to be part of our formula for scoring points.”

Before Manning spoke, Northwestern coach Chris Collins addressed reporters and quickly offered a few words about Turgeon.

“I hope Coach Turgeon is being celebrated for what he did here. For 10 years, I’ve competed against that guy. A couple at Duke when I was an assistant, and then eight years here in the Big Ten,”

AMY DAVIS | THE BALTIMORE SUN VIA AP

Maryland interim head coach Danny Manning reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in College Park, Md., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

Collins said. “He’s a good basketball coach and a good man.”

The Terrapins are in Manning’s hands now. He was a head coach at Tulsa and Wake Forest before coming to Maryland.

He inherits a team that’s been relying on a couple of significant transfers, so it’s certainly possible that the Terps simply need time to build more cohesion. But it’s been a disappointing start for a team that began the season in the Top 25. Even Maryland’s victories haven’t been all that convincing.

Manning will have plenty of time to focus on that. On Sunday, his thoughts were about Turgeon.

“You go through a lot, our families go through a lot and it gets tough at times,” Manning said.

“He just made the decision that he felt was best for himself, for his family, but more importantly, for this team. He thought that our team needed a different voice, and that was one of the lasting things that he said to me.”

“I can’t speak for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Maryland interim coach Danny Manning on Mark Turgeon leaving the program

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Veterans committees choose 6 for Baseball HOF O’Neil, Miñoso, Hodges, Kaat, Oliva and Fowler will be enshrined in July

Late-game surge boosts Colts past winless Bulldogs West Stanly earned a one-point win to improve to 4-1

By Ben Walker The Associated Press Buck O’Neil never uttered a single word of bitterness or regret about not being elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. Till the end, he urged those who loved and rooted for him to do the same.

Now, long after a near miss that left many wondering if he’d ever make it, they can rejoice.

O’Neil, a champion of black ballplayers during a monumental, eight-decade career on and off the field, joined Minnie Miñoso, Gil Hodges and three others in getting chosen for the Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Former Minnesota Twins teammates Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat also were elected along with Bud Fowler by a pair of veterans committees.

“Jubilation,” said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, that O’Neil helped create.

“While we’re all sad that Buck is not here, you just cannot not be happy for all of those who continued to beat that Buck O’Neil drum,” he said.

Oliva and Kaat, both 83 years old, are the only living new members. Longtime slugger Dick Allen, who died last December, fell one vote shy of election.

The six newcomers will be enshrined in Cooperstown, New York, on July 24, 2022, along with any new members elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Passed over in previous Hall elections, the new members reflect a diversity of accomplishments.

This was the first time O’Neil, Miñoso and Fowler had a chance to make the Hall under new rules honoring Negro League contributions. The Major League Baseball color barrier wasn’t broken until 1947 by Jackie Robinson.

O’Neil was a two-time AllStar first baseman in the Negro Leagues and the first black coach in the National or American leagues.

O’Neil played 10 years in the

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By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

WILLIAM SEAMAN / STAR TRIBUNE VIA AP

Minnesota Twins teammated Tony Oliva, left, and Jim Kaat, center, will be enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in July, along with four others selected by veterans committees.

“I was looking for that phone call a long time.”

Tony Oliva Negro Leagues and helped the Kansas City Monarchs win championships as a player and manager. His numbers were hardly gaudy — a .258 career batting average, nine home runs.

Miñoso was a two-time AllStar in the Negro Leagues before becoming the first black player for the Chicago White Sox in 1951. Born in Havana, “The Cuban Comet” was a seven-time All-Star while with the White Sox and Indians.

Fowler, born in 1858, is often regarded as the first black professional baseball player. The pitcher and second baseman helped create the popular Page Fence Giants barnstorming team.

Hodges became the latest Brooklyn Dodgers star from the pennant-winning “Boys of Summer” to reach the Hall, joining Robinson, Duke Snider, Roy

Campanella and Pee Wee Reese.

An eight-time All-Star with 370 home runs and a three-time Gold Glover at first base, Hodges enhanced his legacy when he managed the 1969 “Miracle Mets” to the World Series championship, a startling five-game win over heavily favored Baltimore.

Hodges was still the Mets’ manager when he suffered a heart attack during spring training in 1972 and died at 47.

Oliva was a three-time AL batting champion with the Twins whose career was cut short by knee problems.

“I was looking for that phone call a long time,” Oliva said on MLB Network. “I had so many people work so hard for me to be elected. They said I should have been elected 40 years ago. To be alive to tell the people means a lot me.”

Kaat was 283-237 in 25 seasons and a 16-time Gold Glove winner.

“I never thought I was the No. 1 pitcher,” he said. “I wasn’t dominant. I was durable and dependable. I am grateful they chose to reward dependability.”

ALBEMARLE — Just 11 days after opening the basketball season with a narrow win over Albemarle, West Stanly topped the Bulldogs once again last Friday with a 42-41 victory.

The Bulldogs (0-4, 0-0 Yadkin Valley) entered the fourth quarter with a 32-29 edge after leading the visiting Colts (4-1, 0-0 Rocky River) from the start.

With the score tied five minutes into the final quarter, momentum swung the Colts’ way after a technical foul called on Albemarle led to a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer for West Stanly.

“You could just see and feel the energy on the bench,” West Stanly coach John Thompson said.

“It’s amazing when the ball goes through the basket how much that helps. We struggled offensively all night, so when you hit one of those big shots it does give you a lift because that was the turning point of the game.”

Colts junior Matthew Parker’s free throw gave his team the 42-36 lead before Bulldog senior Ali Currie scored five quick points during a 15-second stretch.

Albemarle pressured the Colts’ inbounds pass with under a second left, but West Stanly’s pass sailed over the heads of the Bulldog defenders.

Despite a posting season-low in points, West Stanly walked off the court with its fourth win of the season.

“I think both teams played really good defense but were out of sync offensively,” Thompson said. “We got a little bit impatient at times on offense. As inexperienced as we are, we’ve done that a couple of times. When we slowed it down, we started getting better shots, and there were a few really good looks that just didn’t fall.”

Parker led the Colts in scoring with eight points. Senior Jacob Lisk added seven, and sophomores Jared Barbee and Jesse Boone each had six.

Currie had a team-high 13 points for Albemarle, while senior Jabari Brooks scored 10 points and senior Omare Price notched nine.

Thompson told SCJ that his team’s plan of sticking to a zone defense paid off. “(The Bulldogs) were wanting us to come out of that zone and we didn’t want to come out,” he said. “I told my guys during the timeouts that I would let them know when to come out and to just sit back and take advantage of this.”

West Stanly was set to host the Piedmont Panthers of the 4A West Region’s Southern Carolina Conference on Tuesday.

Coach Chauncey Bruton and the Bulldogs hosted Anson on Tuesday in search of their first win.

“I think both teams played really good defense but were out of sync offensively.”

John Thompson, West Stanly boys’ basketball coach

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout Monday at Santa Anita.

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses, dies in California Trainer Bob Baffert said the 3-year-old horse suffered a heart attack after a workout

By Beth Harris The Associated Press MEDINA SPIRIT, a 3-year-old colt whose Kentucky Derby victory in May came under scrutiny because of a positive drug test, collapsed and died after a workout Monday at Santa Anita in Southern California.

Trainer Bob Baffert said in a statement that the horse suffered a heart attack. The colt had just completed five furlongs in his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic a month ago at Del Mar. “My entire barn is devastated by

this news,” Baffert said. “Medina Spirit was a great champion, a member of our family who was loved by all, and we are deeply mourning his loss. I will always cherish the proud and personal memories of Medina Spirit and his tremendous spirit.”

Santa Anita said in a statment that the track veterinary team took blood, hair and urine samples from Medina Spirit and sent them to the California Horse Racing Board.

The colt will undergo a full necropsy, as required by the racing board, to try to determine the exact cause of death.

No timeline for completing the necropsy has been given.

Medina Spirit tested positive after his May 1 Kentucky Derby win for betamethasone, a legal medication that is not allowed on race day.

The victory was Baffert’s record seventh win in the Derby.

But in the wake of Medina Spir- “Medina Spirit was a great it’s failed test, Baffert was suspend- champion, a member of our ed by Churchill Downs and barred from entering horses in the 2022 family who was loved by all, and 2023 Kentucky Derbies. He and we are deeply mourning also was banned by the New York Racing Association from entering his loss.” horses at its Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct tracks.

Bob Baffert Last Friday, Craig Robertson, Baffert’s attorney, released a statement saying that tests done by a ing that could possibly disqualify New York lab have “definitely con- Medina Spirit.

In the $6 million BC Classic last firmed” Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid — not through month, Medina Spirit couldn’t musan injection but due to an ointment ter the necessary late kick to threaten winner Knicks Go. used to treat a skin rash.

“I’m very proud of him. He ran a The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been investigating great race,” Baffert said last month. the case, and has yet to hold a hear- “To me, he’s the best 3-year-old. He

showed it today. That’s what racing is all about, proving it on the racetrack. And he proved it today that he’s the real deal.”

Baffert was allowed to enter horses in the season-ending world championships, but the event’s money-leading trainer had to meet certain conditions, including stricter out-of-competition testing of his horses and greater security at his barn. He agreed to the extra scrutiny and was required to pay for it out of his own pocket.

Medina Spirit had five wins in 10 career starts and earnings of $3,545,200, according to Equibase.

The colt was owned by Amr Zedan, who competes as Zedan Racing Stables.

“Our most sincere condolences go out to Mr. Amr Zedan and the entire Zedan Racing Stables family,” Baffert said in his statement Monday. “They are in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time.”

ment. area.”

EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th the 8, virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 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, in the no great state of of transpo By Jeff Amy means see as a disturbing trend oftial thevictory vi- have income residential neighborGeorgia.”

The Associated Press rus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen.

Born in Macon, Perdue was a “For and people higher rate. ty and state officials are conbusiness consultant then who an don’t ATLANTA — Former U.S. Sen. what doshifting they do?” ask Nutbush resident Patricia Har- atcar, ed that David an influx patients executive companies Perdueof will challenge Georclothing production Asia. to He The Ass gia Gov. Kemp for governor, ris, whotospoke ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, as Brian well as nearby became of Reebok, textile a bott announcedand Monday, setting up Press while lugging were “trying to contaminate” theCEO sissippi, heArkansas rural firm PillowTex and discount re- of bott a bitter 2022 Republican tergent, a package neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospi- primatailer Dollar General. The cousin ry fight while Democrat Stacey ter andand other Activist Earle Fisher, an Afri- governor Their fears areisechoed of former U.S.items Ag- from t Abrams likely toacross await the winADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot Sonny to herPerdue, car. She note can American Memphis riculture pastor, Secretary country:ner.Governors, mayors grocery storetorecently clos understands the anxiety.David “This health experts This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center Perdue was elected the Perdue in hadnumerous been flirting with Senate in 2014, beating Democrat the bid for months, encouraged her house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn.

Michelle by former President Dontravel farther to get to Gat cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. Nunn. tructingpublicly makeshift medical Perdue joins a slate of Trumpald Trump. The 71-year-old for“When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. mer senator said he was running backed candidates in Georgia 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 turnRepublican primaries, including to stop Abrams from becomneighborhood,” she said. “W skeptical of governmentalHerschel inter- Walker sic City Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center convention running against ing governor and claimed Kemp Warnock, needSen. to Burt makeJones the neighb would lose her in NovemberChattanooga bewith state Locating a treatment center for vention that did not consult Convention Center, in Chicago, the toMcCormick lieutenant cause some hard-core Re- Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.”running for worse thangovernor it already is.” e Convention Center; and Trump in the andchief Rep. Jody U.S. Hice Rep. running for Cohen, oppose Kemp.

Steve Doug McGowen, the city’s dy, Utah,publicans the Mountain Amer- sites away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: secretary of state.

“To fight back, we simply have phis Democrat, said the d It could potentially expose them operating officer, said the Gateborhoods.

Expo Center.

Abrams, whose narrow loss to to be united,” Perdue said. “Look, I doesn’t make sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. like Army Corps of EngiKemp in 2018 vaulted her to naBrian. This isn’t personal. It’s “I’m sure there cause it could potentially accoms has been scouting tional fame as a voting rights ac-are othe simple: He has locations failed all of uster andin the Nutbush neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 and party leader, work, has noand they cannot in November.” that would He said Tennessee, andwinofficials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. tivist declared opponents on the Demo-rather t Kemp is promising an all-out compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used those cratic side. into a residential neighbo brawl as he tries to win a secsite, itJOHN would hold backup sites. They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close.

BAZEMORE | APonly PHOTO mildly ill Some Republicans fear a bitter ond term, with Kemp spokespersaid. coronavirus patients who could be Cohen Nutbush resident and commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Gov. Bill Perdue-Kemp primary will enable son Cody Hall saying Perdue is Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., speaks during a rally in Augusta, Ga., on Dec. 10, 2020.

6

Trump-backed Perdue challenges Kemp in Georgia GOP primary

running only to “soothe his own bruised ego” over losing his Senhard feelings over Trump’s elecate seat.

“The man who lost Republi- toral loss, as well as January Sencans the United States Senate ate losses by Perdue to Democrat and brought the last year of sky- Jon Ossoff and by Republican Kelrocketing inflation, open borders, ly Loeffler to Democrat Raphael runaway government spending, Warnock.

Perdue blamed Kemp for the and woke cancel culture upon the American people now wants to losses, with a spokesperson pointlose the Georgia governor’s office ing to a settlement agreement Secto the national face of the radical retary of State Brad Raffensperger and the State Election Board left movement,” Hall said.

Perdue said he would campaign made with the state Democratic on a platform of entirely eliminat- Party in March 2020 in which the state agreed uniform staning the state income tax, enhancbin Salman, a son to of set King Salman, Associated Press dards for deal. examining signatures ing public safety and empowering assented to the is on mail-in absentee ballots. Kemp go with the consent, so I UBAI, parents’ Unitedability Arabto control Emir- what “I was not a party to the lawsuit. taught in public schools. agree,” the prince said,how chuckling, — OPEC,ButRussia “Think about different he hitand mostother strongly on

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

roducing nations on Sunday drawing a round of applause from ized an unprecedented pro- those on the video call.

But it had not been smiles and ion cut of nearly 10 million els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soopes of boosting crashing pric- called OPEC+ group of OPEC mid the coronavirus pandemic members and other nations failed in March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said.

This could be the largest re- on production cuts, sending pricion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply perhaps a decade, maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over said U.S. Energy Secretary what it described as comments Brouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which ident Donald Trump’s per- finds itself trying to appease l involvement in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic.

Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpand about 500 envelopes fell out of Juan A. Lozano Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end aBy price war between the wall. I was like ‘oh wow.’ I got The Associated Press boost my prices as American di Arabia and Russia. flashlight, shined up inshale there,” firms face far-higher il prices have collapsed as the the plumber said in production audio provided HOUSTON — For more than by the Houston radio had station. no one has known costs. American troops been navirus seven and years, the COVID-19 The who only whathave happened to halt$600,000 in deployed to plumber, the kingdom for identithe ss it causes largely fied since himselfthe as Sept.

Justin,11, told2001, the rachecks and cash that was stolen first time lobal travel and slowed down from a safe at Pastor Joel Osteen’s dio program he thought the enveover of connected Iranir energy-chugging sectors full concerns of money were Houston megachurch, whichattacks has lopes amid tenas manufacturing.

It has aninretaliation to the 2014 theftregional and immediately one of the largest congregations stated the thecountry. oil industry in sions. told the church’s maintenance supervisor, who then poNow, there’s a possible “They’ve spent overcontacted the last U.S., which now pumps moreplot twist lice.

KPRC-TV first reported the in the case: The money might never month waging war on American e than any other country. have left the church and a plumb- plumber’s story to the radio staut some erproducers have been oil producers while we are defendcould have helped solve the mys- tion.

This isLindsey, not how friends ctant to tery. ease supply. The car- ing theirs.

George one of the treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other Houston nations police on Sunday are investigat- show’s hosts, called the plumber’s “the most out-there, is-thising whether and checksCramer, dis- story a Republican from North ed to allow Mexico cash to cut only kind the of moment covered by a plumber duringDakota, re- real before OPEC+that deal.we’ve 000 barrels a month, a stickhad as part have of our show.” pair that was being done U.S. at ever producers already point for anwork accord initially “It really seemed like this is a Lakewood Church is connected to been reducing output. The Amerhed Friday after that a marathon the money was stolen in 2014. movie. This is a movie plot. This is laudo conference na- ican Petroleum not somethingInstitute that happens in evThe between revived 23 investigation ed Sunday’s pact,just saying it s. The nations together agreed eryday global life. We were absolutecomes after a plumber on Thursly blown away by it,” Lindsey said. day calledbarrels “The Morning will help get other nations’ stateut 9.7 million a day Bullpen speculate. What is this? the What with George, Mo & Erik on 100.3 owned“You oil production to follow ughout May and June. happened?

Why didn’t someThe Bull” during a segment on the he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are tryHouston radio station in which body come back and get this moning to plunging s beforepeople Asian re-about ey? What’s it doing in demand. a wall? Why weremarkets asked to talk theto adjust Brouillette said thediscover U.S. did not ned Monday and as internait before most unusual things of value they didn’t somebody commitments of its own al benchmark Brent crude make now?” had ever found.

Lakewood Church not conabout production findcuts, but wasdidable to ed at justSome overcallers $31 atalked barrel firmobvious the plumber’s account of what ing $100 a ring beforeshow the the — that plunging American shaleor producers plumber went on the air with his he found. demand In because of the pandemggle. a statement, Lakewood story of what he found while reic is expected slashan U.S.undisclosed oil proideo aired by the Saudi-owned Church tosaid pairing a leaky toilet at the church duction. lite channel Al-Arabiya amount of cash and checks were about four weeks ago. recently during repair work “I went tothat go remove Iranian Oil found Minister Bijan Zanwed the moment Saudithe toilet not offer deand I Prince moved some insulation ganeh away but alsodidtold state additional television rgy Minister Abdulaziz

it would be if Kemp had fought Abrams first before the election instead of fighting Trump,” Perdue said. “Kemp caved before the election and the country is paying the price today.”

Trump-aligned Republicans say the changes led to a smaller share of absentee ballots being rejected statewide, allowing President Joe Biden to win.

Perdue’s entry could drag Kemp to the right as he vies for primary support. Kemp had hoped to use Abrams’ Wednesday entry to the governor’s race to rally Republicans to his side.

Trump’s political action com-

mittee commissioned a poll claiming that with Trump’s endorsement, Perdue could beat Kemp in a Republican primary. The former president added fuel to that fire at a Sept. 25 rally in Perry, Georgia, when he pointed out Perdue among a clutch of party leaders.

On Monday Trump issued a new statement lauding Perdue as a “great senator.”

“I can’t imagine that Brian Kemp, who has hurt election integrity in Georgia so badly, can do well at the ballot box (unless the election is rigged, of course),” the former president said. “He cost us two Senate seats and a presiden-

Abrams to win. State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler of Rome tweeted Perdue’s entry is “Good news for Stacey Abrams. Bad news for Republicans.”

Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie said that it’s unclear if a Kemp-Perdue primary would be “demobilizing or demoralizing in a general election” for Republican voters, with some staying home.

The national environment in 2022 appears likely to be strong for the GOP, and Gillespie said “Republican voters are going to go vote for a Republican candidate, and they’ll put whatever differences they have aside to support that Republican candidate.”

Plumber’s find possibly tied to 2014 Texas megachurch theft

SAUDI ENERGY

In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response to plummet prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem

that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés praise.

“The pure size of the cu the United Arab Emirates would Manuel López Obrador, had said cut another 2 million barrels of Friday that he had agreed with precedented, but, then ag the corona oil a day between them atop the Trump that the U.S. will compen- is the impact AP PHOTO OPEC+ deal. The three countries sate what Mexico cannot add to having on demand,” said M Flags in front of theacknowledge Lakewood Church June 28, 2005 in Houston. med Ghulam, an energy an the proposed cuts. did notflyimmediately Raymond James.

“The big Oil Deal with OPEC the cut themselves, though Zandone. This will save hun-servicesBut ganeh attended the video conferSunday daysGhulam before. and others were Plus foundissuggests the money tails about the discovery or whethit may not the be enough. dredsinof of energyThe jobs ence. church had said stolen thethousands wall is connected er it could be tied to the missing discovered funds were fully“This insured. to thein 2014 policeStates,” said. $600,000. is at least a tempo thetheft, United Trump said Officials said other planned cuts Shortly after thethe burglary, Thein undisclosed amountlike of to thank “Lakewood immediately notilief for energy aindustry a tweet. “I would would stand in the deal, meaning $25,000 reward was offered for in- This i money found in the wall was infied the Houston Police Departan 8-million-barrel-per-day cut and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. ment and is assisting them with ventoried and “left in the custody formation on solving the theft. No too in bigthe tocase. be let to fail and tin of Russia from through the endhas of the arrestsof wereis made of Lakewood Church and sinceKing it wasSalman their July investigation.

Lakewood liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Lindsey said the plumber should no further comment at this time,” property found on its premises,” agreement,” said Per M The Kremlin said President 16themonths in 2021. get some sortthis of reward for what he church beginning said in its brief state- police said. found.

March 2014,Putin the church ment. heldhad a joint call Nysveen, the head of ana “This will enable the rebalanc- In Vladimir attend reported theft of $200,000 statement Friday, and Houston Rystadpeople Energy.

“Even tho withthe Trump and Saudi KingAbout Sal- 43,500 ingIn ofathe oil markets the expolice said officers were called to in cash and $400,000 in checks. weekly services at Lakewood, pected rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small the church on Nov. 10 after cash, The church had reported that the making it the largest megachurch what thetomarket needed a deal.

It alsotaken, saidas Putin sepper barrel the short term,” in the U.S., according the Hartmoney and checks well asspoke checks andinmoney orders weresaid postpone the stock Trumpcredit about ford the oil afound statement from Nigeria’s oil Institute for Religion Re- buildi some arately envelopeswith with written inside a wall. televised sermonsthe wor limited to search. Osteen’s While the investigation con- card information, straints problem, market andwere other issues. ministry. reach about now 100 countries. during Saturday tinues, evidence checks blocked that funds given avoided.”

Analysts offeredand cautious Mexico had from initially

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P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Could others be charged, liable obituaries in Michigan school shooting?

The Associated Press A PROSECUTOR continues to criticize the decision to keep a teenager in a Michigan school before a shooting that killed four students last week, raising questions about whether staff and the school district will face liability — criminal or civil — in the tragedy.

“We should all be looking at the events that led up to that horrific event,” Karen McDonald told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“And as a community, as a school, as a nation talk about what we could have done different so that didn’t happen. And in this case a ASONhave EUGENE lot could been“GENE” done different.”EFIRD, 94, went home to be with his Lord Crumbley, Tuesday, April at his Ethan 15,7,is2020, charged homeshooting in Stanfield. with fellow students at GeneHigh was born October in Oxford School after9,a 1925, meetCabarrus County to the late Simeon ing with counselors and his parJasonAEfird and the latetroubled Sarah Ellaby ents. teacher was Burris Efird.

In addition to his and a drawing of a gun, a bullet was appeared preceded into death by a parents, person he who have his wife, Jewell Littlewith Efird;messagsisters, been shot, along Lambert, Fannie Almond,and esMary stating “My life is useless” Minnie Furr, and “The world is Wilma dead,”Burleson investigators Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer said.

Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, Sr. school staff face Could A private funeral service will be charges? held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at Love’s Grove United Methodist The prosecutor has sharpened Church Cemetery in Stanfield her comments about the school. officiated by Rev. Jim White. Burial Two days after the Nov. 30 shootwill follow at the Love’s Grove United ing, she said she hadn’t seen any Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 “criminal culpability” by staff and Polk Ford Road, Stanfield.

Survivors include son Gerald Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell of Stanfield; granddaughters, Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatgrandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and Elliot Jacob Simmons.

The Memorials Associatedmay Press be made to Love’s Grove United Methodist Church, PO KAILLIE HUMPHRIES is Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276. now, officially, an American.

And just like that, the U.S. medal hopes in bobsledding at the Beijing Olympics just got much stronger.

The reigning world champion in both monobob and women’s bobsledding was sworn in as a citizen in San Diego last weekend, ending her long saga to become an American and have the right to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics.

She does not yet have her passport, but that is likely to be little more than a formality. Without the passport, there was almost no chance the Canadian-born Humphries would have been allowed to slide at the Olympics.

AULINE ELIZABETH “Most stressful morning ever, ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed but it’s done,” Humphries told The away peacefully Trinity Associated Pressatfrom thePlace, plane as Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020. she was leaving San Diego.

Pauline was born on March 22, Her citizenship meeting was 1922 in Cabarrus NC to the Thursday, and notCounty, long afterward late John Alice she was onRichard a planeAlmond headedand back to Ada Ann Lambert Almond.

Europe. is survived by her three U.S. “IShe think she’s super excited,” daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), bobsled coach Mike Kohn said in Island, NC; Pamelafrom Rushing a Oak telephone interview Ger(Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy of many. “She’s had a great couple Huntwith (Marc), NC; her to years us. IAlbemarle, think she’s going son, Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), just really shine now. I think, the Washington,it’s DC. Sheher willback be greatly uncertainty, held a litby her it’s fiveheld grandchildren, tlemissed bit. I think us all back.”

Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), Humphries — a two-time Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel Olympic champion and threeHartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. time Olympic medalist, all won for (Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as Canada — lives in San Diego, has seven great-grandchildren. She also held a green card and is married leaves behind cherished nieces and tonephews. an American, former bobsledder Travis Armbruster.

The family expresses its sincere She wonto the right tocaregivers slide for gratitude the staff and the U.S. in September 2019 at Trinity Place for the care they afterprovided a lengthy and ongoing dispute Pauline. withA Canadian bobsled officials private graveside service will be over claims of verbal abuse, menheld on Monday, April 13, 2020.

A talcelebration abuse and harassment.

Humof Pauline’ s life and legacy phries the Canadian will beleft held this summer. team, she said,Intolieu seek a safer the work environof flowers, family ment. requests donations be made to the Joining theFoundation U.S. teamat was BrightFocus www.not anbrightfocus.org. easy decision, especially since she knew it did not come with a guarantee of being able to slide

J

Jason Efird

T

Tony Smith

M

Merle Helms

JAKE MAY/THE FLINT JOURNAL VIA AP ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN NC, went to beembraces with HELMS, 72, ofExecutive Marshville, Gov.Rockwell, Gretchen Whitmer Oakland County his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ passed Wednesday, April 8, Dave Coulter as the two leave flowers andaway pay their respects on Wednesday, April 8,Dec. 20202, at 2021 at 2020 at McWhorter Hospice Thursday morning, Oxford High School in House his homeMich. surrounded by family. A in Monroe.

Oxford, private family service will be held.

Lorraine was born April 28, 1947 Online condolences can be made at in Monroe to the late Homer David stanlyfuneralhome.com Austin Jewell Delphia-Jane the and shooting.

They concludwas reluctant to blame anyone be- of Tony was bornand August 1947 Austin.

Shenot wasaalso preceded in or ed he was risk to himself sides Crumbley his 11, parents. inBut Stanlyher County to the late different Pearlie death byaccording brothers, A.D. Teddybut others, to and Throne, tone was Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee Austin; and sister, Joy Austin.Crumbtold James and Jennifer Monday.

Smith.

Hean wasinvestigative the son in lawprocess of Pat family will receive counseling friends leyThe to get him outside “That’s and Mick Cagle where he worked at from 6:00 pm 8:00 pm, Friday, that I’ll leave to law enforcement. within 48 hours or they would call many years until April 10, 2020 officials. at Hartsell Funeral child welfare Ithe canfish tellhouse you for that there is outrage he opened Anchor House Seafood Home of Albemarle. funeral The Crumbleys The “flatly refused” in the community,” said McDonin Rockwell.

He and his wife Becky service will be at 11:00 am on said ald, questioning why Crumbley’s to take their son home, owned and operated Anchor House Saturday who at Pleasant Baptist inplansHill a separate parents were allowed to make the Throne, for 25 years before retiring in 2009.

Church in Marshville, officiated ultimate decision to keep him in vestigation of what happened that Mr. Smith was a charter member

by Rev. John Miller and Rev. Leon day. school that day. and deacon at Open Door Baptist Whitley. She will lie in state for 30 “I see a lot of negligence, but I Oxford Superintendent Tim Church in Richfield. He loved the minutes prior to the service. She will Throne said counselors met with don’t foresee charges against anyLord and his family abundantly. Tony be laid to rest in the church cemetery. in the school,” said David Stethe boy and his parents on the day oneShe was a wonderful husband, father, and is survived by her beloved grandfather and could fix anything husband of 47 years, Paul Helms he put his hands on. of the home; son, Alex (Deanna) Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula Becky Cagle Smith of the home, (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; sons Walter Smith and Robbie grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and Smith; daughter Kayla Henderson Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. and Ella Henderson; brother David Memorials may be made to the Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Dorothy Smith (Nick).

He is preceded in death by brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

ingold, a Detroit-area defense attorney. “You would have to show specific intent. No one on the staff intended to commit a crime.”

Meanwhile, the Oakland County sheriff’s office said it continues to investigate a Detroit artist, Andrzej Sikora, who was interviewed Monday. Ethan Crumbley’s parents were arrested last weekend in his Detroit commercial space.

They have been charged with involuntary manslaughter under a theory that their actions contributed to the school shooting.

Investigators were examining Sikora’s electronic devices. His attorney, Clarence Dass, said the artist didn’t know the couple was in his studio.

As for others, the gun was legally sold by a local dealer to James Crumbley, according to investigators. The gun manufacturing industry is protected from civil lawsuits for its products, according to the Giffords Law CenPAUL LUTHER, ter, ANNY which tracks gun issues.

65, of Norwood, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 9, What is a counselor’s role?

2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in Albemarle.

When faced with the drawing Mr.writings Luther was born March 27, a and found in Oxford, 1955 to the late Robertbe Fulton and counselor would concerned Helen Luther. aboutTucker suicidal thoughts, not signs was survived by his wife,said of Danny a possible mass homicide, Denise Burleson of Norwood; Carolyn StoneLuther of the Universisons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and in ty of North Florida, an expert Jody Luther; Bryan ethical and step-sons, legal issues for school Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; counselors.

Grandchildren, Lutheryou andcall “When youDaniel see that, Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, parents, and that’s what this Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), counselor did,” Stoneuncle said.Jack “When Luther and several other loved nieces, we share, the parents then exnephews and cousins. ercise custody and control over Danny recently retired from the child and get them help. Our Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after job is to make sure parents know a dedicated 37 years and worked their child is in trouble.” there with his sons and several other Crumbley’s parents never told friends and family members.

Danny loved spending time at his lake house with his family and friends as well as vacationing with his family. Danny and Denise enjoyed listening to beach music and loved to shag dance every chance they could get. He was an amazing father, loving grandfather and great friend to many. He will never be forgotten.

A celebration of life will be announced once the current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Luther family.

D

Danny Luther

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counselors about buying a gun just days earlier, the superintendent said.

“The counselors made a judgment based on their professional training and clinical experience and did not have all the facts we now know,” Throne said, referring to keeping Crumbley in school instead of sending him home to an empty house.

Could the school face civil lawsuits?

The shooting left four students dead and injured six more students and a staff member. Students barricaded themselves in classrooms and even fled through a first-floor window. The prosecutor said the entire school was “terrorized.”

Personal-injury lawyers expressed doubt that the Oxford district could be successfully sued for letting Crumbley stay in ERRY FINCHER passedMichigan from school.

That’s because this lifeaonhigh Aprilbar 3, 2020 at 8:05 law sets to wring liabilpm. surrounded by his family ity He outwas of public schools and other and holding the hand of the love of arms of government. his life.

Jerry is preceded death “You have to show in that the adby three siblings,or two brothers, Billy ministration faculty members Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard were grossly negligent, meaning Fincher, andaone sister, Barbra Joycefor they had reckless disregard Moore. whether an injury was likely to He is survived byattorney his wife, Eleanor take place,” said A. Vince Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, Colella.

Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate Even if gross negligence can be NC., son and daughter in law,who Tommy demonstrated, someone sues (Tiffany) Fincher must also showofitNew wasLondon a proximate NC., Step cause ofChildren, death orJimmy injury,(Lisa) he said.

Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob)hold “Because the staff didn’t Krimminger Locust NC.,be Eric the trigger,ofthey can’t held li(Sharon) Lanier of NC., imable because ofCharlotte government Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson munity. … They knew he was of Midland, Step-grandchildren, distraught. Immunity is counterZach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron intuitive to public safety,” Colel(Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) la said.

Washington, Beth (Robbie) Setzer, Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Washington, Robert Setzer, George (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Andrew Underwood, Step great great grandchild, Waylon George Setzer and brother Donald Lewis Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am at Canton Baptist Church. Anyone interested in attending, please RSVP at 704-796-2412. Dr. Phil McCray and Pastor Tommy Fincher will officiate.

J

Jerry Fincher

Beijing bound: Bobsledder Kaillie Humphries now an American

P

Pauline Tucker

L

Linda Hatley

INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020.

Linda was born September 18, 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Claris Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Terry Lee Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda and Linda are in Heaven watching over us and laughing.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, and “Nana.” She was a very giving of Albemarle passed away on ROBERT MICHAEL/DPA VIA AP and loving person. Linda would April 11, 2020 at Atrium Health always do anything she could for Stanly. TheKaillie family will hold a private Canada’s Humphries, competing for the United States, speeds down the track in the women’s monobob race at the world cup in others, especially her family. She graveside service for Mrs.Saturday, Haire.

Altenberg, Germany, Dec.4, 2021. enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Shirley was born December 12, Locust. Linda will be forever loved 1946 in Washington, DC to the and greatly missed. late Charles Richard Bateman and behalf. for the Americans at the Beijing pic Committee and no fewer than to three medals at the games.

Survivors include her son, Elizabeth Mulligan Now, the U.S. is likely heading Humphries won the world tiGames — Mae but was still aBateman. move she five members of Congress — Rep. Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, of Shirley is survivedfor by her deemed necessary herhusband mental Mike Levin (D-Calif.) and Sens. tles last season for the U.S. and to the Olympics with two drivers Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker of 30 years Vaughn Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mitt Rom- has been allowed to compete in that can win medals — Humphries and physical safety.Smith of and wife, Linda, of Midland; Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter She could have pursued the ney (R-Utah), Mike Lee (R-Utah) World Cup and world champi- and Elana Meyers Taylor. The adgranddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 of Gainesville, VA; half-brother onship events for the Americans dition of monobob to the women’s Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). chance to slide for another coun- and niece; and 2 nephews.

Robert Bateman of Stevensville, “Kaillie didwill everything she was because different rules apply in Olympic program means female try at these Olympics, but made The family receive friends MD; step-children to do to pm, earnThursday, her citi- those situations. Canada’s federa- bobsledders have two chances for the decision long Heather ago thatSmith if she supposed from 4:00 pm - 6:00 of Jacksonville, FL and David and my staff and I were tion released her in 2019, clearing medals now at the games, like the was going to Beijing she was go- zenship, April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Smith of New London, NC; 4 the path for her to slide for anoth- men have had for decades. very proud to assistLinda her throughing as an American.

Home in Albemarle. will step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi The U.S. has won at least one er country. But the Olympic rules out that process, “ said Levin, who Which, as of Thursday, she is. be laid to rest during a private Hentschel Leesburg, VA and Humphries’ home dis- are tighter and mandate that, in medal in bobsledding in each of “It was aoflong journey, this has represents committal service at Bethel United Cheryl Hardyeffort of Aylett, 16amazgrand- trict. nearly every instance, an athlete the last five Olympics. been a team andVA; feels Methodist Church, Midland. nieces and nephews; and Gus the “It’s going to inject some enthuhave a passport of the country Humphries’ resume is one of ing to have the pot of gold at the In lieu of flowers, please consider a dog.of Stanly andHumphries Cremation siasm into the team,” Kohn said. the best indonation the sport’s history: five they are representing. end the Funeral rainbow,” memorial to Bethel UMC, Care of Albemarle is serving the The International Olympic “It’s going to let Kaillie be herself world championships, 54 World said.

12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC Haire family. medals — 27 of them gold — Committee could have waived again. She’s had this on her mind Humphries had a legal team Cup 28107. guiding her, plus got support from and she’s the only women’s pilot to that rule, but gave no indication it all year. And now such a weight is the U.S. Olympic and Paralym- win two Olympic golds and drive would do anything on Humphries’ off her shoulders.”

S

Shirley Haire

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony.

When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care.

Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

Email: care@spcremation.com

8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

Bob Dole to lie in state at Capitol as nation honors senator

By Calvin Woodward The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Bob Dole’s casket will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as congressional leaders honor the former Republican presidential candidate and World War II veteran who served in Congress for 36 years.

Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharptongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, died Sunday. He was 98.

His wife, Elizabeth Dole, said in an announcement posted on social media that he died in his sleep.

He was a leader known for his caustic wit, which he often turned on himself but didn’t hesitate to turn on others, too. He shaped tax and foreign policy and worked vigorously to help the disabled, enshrining protections against discrimination in employment, education and public services in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The U.S. Capitol has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state. The commemoration will include a formal arrival and departure ceremony.

“Senator Dole was an extraordinary patriot, who devoted his entire life to serving our nation with dignity and integrity,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Dole, representing Kansas, served four terms in the House and more than four terms in the Senate.

He won the Republican nomination in 1996, but was defeated when President Bill Clinton won a second term. He was also 1976 GOP vice presidential candidate on the losing ticket with President Gerald Ford.

“Those of us who were lucky to know Bob well ourselves admired him even more,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate. “A bright light of

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

Former Sen. Bob Dole, right, and his wife Elizabeth Dole acknowledge well-wishers during a Memorial Day ceremony, Monday, May 27, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. patriotic good cheer burned all the way from Bob’s teenage combat heroics through his whole career in Washington and through the years since. We look forward to honoring his life and legacy at the Capitol.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he didn’t get to serve with Dole, but “his reputation and his achievements, and most of all his character preceded him.”

For all of his bare-knuckle ways, he was a deep believer in the Senate as an institution and command-

ed respect and even affection from many Democrats. Just days after Dole announced his dire cancer diagnosis, President Joe Biden visited him at his home to wish him well.

The White House said the two were close friends from their days in the Senate.

Biden recalled in a statement Sunday that one of his first meetings outside the White House after being sworn-in as president was with the Doles at their Washington home.

“Like all true friendships, re-

gardless of how much time has passed, we picked up right where we left off, as though it were only yesterday that we were sharing a laugh in the Senate dining room or debating the great issues of the day, often against each other, on the Senate floor,” Biden said. “I saw in his eyes the same light, bravery, and determination I’ve seen so many times before.”

Biden ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds until sunset Thursday.

Dole received two Purple Hearts for his valor in World War II. Throughout his political career, he carried the mark of war. Charging a German position in northern Italy in 1945, Dole was hit by a shell fragment that crushed two vertebrae and paralyzed his arms and legs. The young Army platoon leader spent three years recovering in a hospital and never regained use of his right hand.

Dole announced in February 2021 that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Energy secretary: Offshore wind brings ‘gust’ of job growth

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that the administration’s goal for offshore wind and the projects being developed now represent a “gust of job growth throughout the country.”

Granholm visited a new offshore wind manufacturing hub in Providence to talk about the Biden administration’s plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and to promote the investments in the $1 trillion infrastructure deal.

“More offshore wind means more jobs for iron workers, line workers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters,” she said.

“Jobs in mining and manufacturing and management and operations and sales, not to mention of course the benefit to surrounding communities.”

At the Port of Providence, Orsted, a Danish energy company, and the utility Eversource are constructing a building for the fabrication and assembly of large, advanced components for turbine foundations. Orsted officials gave Granholm and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee a tour. The group met union workers who are building the facility.

McKee said he envisions Rhode Island as the “base camp” to support the offshore wind supply chain along the East Coast. Granholm said looking at the building reminded her of a proverb: “When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.”

“And we know which side of that Rhode Island falls on,” she said.

Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan said the Biden administration’s support of offshore wind is a “breath of fresh air” after the Trump administration. Both Nolan and Orsted Offshore North America CEO David Hardy said such support is critical while the U.S. industry is still in the fragile, early stages.

“The momentum is happening,” Nolan said. “We need it to continue.”

JENNIFER MCDERMOTT | AP PHOTO

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, center, speaks with workers, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, left, Thursday Dec. 2, 2021.

“It’s a young industry,” added Hardy. “We need help getting the first projects off the ground.”

Their manufacturing hub at the port is scheduled to be finished this spring to support two offshore wind projects, Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind.

Revolution Wind is a planned offshore wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to provide power for Connecticut and Rhode Island. The federal government is currently reviewing the construction and operations plan.

The South Fork Wind project will be located off the coast of Rhode Island. Its transmission system will connect to the electric grid on Long Island, New York, making it the state’s first offshore

wind farm and jumpstarting the offshore wind industry there.

The interior department announced last week that the administration approved the construction and operations for South Fork Wind, as part of a plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. It was the administration’s second approval of a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the United States. The first commercial-scale project is off the coast of Massachusetts.

The first U.S. offshore wind farm began operating off Block Island, Rhode Island, in late 2016. But at five turbines, it’s not commercial-scale. Orsted acquired the developer, Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind, and

now operates that wind farm.

Granholm also visited a manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers and a clean energy technology company in Connecticut Thursday. On Friday, she’s hosting a roundtable discussion in Boston about the transition to clean energy.

Granholm has been making stops around the country to talk about how investments in infrastructure incentivize companies like these to open and expand, driving the transition away from fossil fuels, creating jobs and helping people save money on energy. She is visiting areas that are proactive in reducing emissions and areas where more work needs to be done.

President Joe Biden signed his

hard-fought $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law in November, declaring that the new infusion of cash for roads, bridges, ports and more is going to make life “change for the better” for the American people. It has $100 million for wind energy research and development, $2.5 billion for transmission lines, including transmission from offshore wind farms, and $20 million to ensure offshore wind is built sustainably, Granholm said.

The companion piece of legislation, the social and environment bill under consideration in the Senate, has $600 million for port infrastructure, as well as significant tax credits to incentivize offshore wind development and turbine manufacturing, she added.

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 11 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

Twin City Herald

SHAWN KREST | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

K9 officer Deva, with her handler Deputy Acosta (left) and K9 officer Kimbo, with handler Deputy II Money (right) are sworn in at Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office headquarters. (photo by Shawn Krest)

WHAT’S HAPPENING Officials say fire at Pilot Mountain finally contained

K9s Kimbo and Deva will work at courthouse, detention center

Surry County A fire that burned 1,050 acres on Pilot Mountain in Surry County is finally 100% contained, the N.C. Forest Service reported Saturday.

Smoke from the mountain will still be visible periodically, but firefighters plan to remove “excess hose and equipment” over the next few days, according to a Forest Service Facebook post. With more dry conditions expected across the state, Forest Service officials on Saturday urged residents to take precautions against unintentionally causing a fire.

November saw 799 forest fires on state or private lands across North Carolina, according to the Forest Service, more than doubling the average of the 10 previous years. .

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE FORSYTH COUNTY Sheriff’s Office held a swearing in ceremony for its two newest officers last Thursday.

With the help of their handlers, K9 officers Kimbo and Deva took an oath to uphold the constitution as they joined the Sheriff’s Office’s K9 unit.

“We wanted to increase our presence as relates to our K9s,”

AP

Man charged after 44 shots fired at apartments Forsyth County A man has turned himself in to police after more than 40 shots were apparently fired at an apartment complex. The High Point Police Department said Lorenzo Antonio Aguilar, 18, was charged Tuesday with possession of a stolen firearm, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police officers went to Aguilar’s apartment complex after reports of gunfire, according to police. Several apartments were struck by gunfire. Officers entered to determine if anyone inside was injured. Once inside, police found drug paraphernalia, vacuum-sealed bags, a firearm and a ballistic vest. They also found a pistol that had been reported stolen, a militarystyle rifle, a shotgun, numerous firearm parts, marijuana, ammunition, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.

Officers also found 44 rifle casings in the yard of the apartment building. Police believe the incident is gangrelated.

AP

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20177 52016 $0.50

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Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office swears in two new K9 officers said sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr., who presided over the ceremony. “I want to pause to explain—a lot of people might come in with a negative connotation. The K9s that we have here are highly trained, with highly-trained deputies. They perform a plethora of services and skill sets.”

The county already had seven K9 officers, which increases to nine with the addition of Kimbo and Deva.

K9 Kimbo is a patrol dog certified in article search and obedience, narcotics detection, tracking and trailing, and apprehension.

He will be assigned to the Forsyth County courthouse along with his

Clawson: NCAA should review rules on fake slides The Wake Forest coach took issue with Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett’s tactic in Saturday’s ACC Championship Game

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said the NCAA needs to review its rules on whether quarterbacks should be allowed to “fake slide” after escaping the pocket.

Clawson’s statement came after his team’s 45-21 loss to Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night in which Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett used a fake slide to freeze defenders and run for a 58-yard touchdown on the game’s first possession.

After Pickett broke containment on a third-down run, he briefly stutter-stepped and pretended to slide after picking up the first down. Two Wake Forest defenders froze, figuring Pickett was giving himself up. Instead, Pickett made a quick cut and raced another 40 yards for a touchdown before blowing kisses to the crowd in the end zone.

While Clawson acknowledged after the game there is no rule preventing Pickett from doing what

he did, he said the NCAA should consider such a rule.

“If that is the rule, I will just have my guy fake knee all the way down the field and really, what do you do?” Clawson said. “So it’s something the NCAA is going to have to look at, and you know, you can’t fake a slide.”

Clawson said he’s never seen a play where a quarterback pretended to give himself up, only to keep running.

“You just train your players, as soon as your quarterback starts sliding, you stop because if you touch him it’s going to be a penalty,” Clawson said. “He started his slide and our kids stopped playing.

I don’t think he did it intentionally, but if he did, he’s brilliant. I just think he reacted as an athlete.

But what do you tell your players?

The quarterback is protected, and there are two guys there who could have made a play but stopped playing because he started to slide.”

Pickett admitted after the game that he did do it on purpose.

“Yeah, it was intentional,” said Pickett, the ACC player of the year, who accounted for three touchdowns on Saturday night. “I just kind of started slowing down and pulling up and getting ready to slide and I just kind of saw their body language and they just pulled up as well. ... I have never done that before. I just kind of kept going after I initially started to slide.”

“The K9s that we have here are highly trained, with highly-trained deputies.”

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. handler, Deputy II Money.

“We thought it was time to invest in a case for the protection of the judges, the men and women that work there, and the men and women citizens that go in and out of our courthouse,” said Kimbrough, who admitted he was partial to Kimbo, because of the

similarity of their names. “We have the ability to have a K9 that can sniff narcotics and things like that that are coming in and out of the building—things that have the ability to harm us. And so what you see is just extra layers of security that we have put together.”

K9 Deva is certified in tracking and trailing, and narcotics detection. Deva will be assigned to the jail with his handler, Deputy Acosta.

“A lot of people may be asking why we need a K9 inside the detention center,” Kimbrough said.

It’s no secret drugs find their way into the detention center. And so it’s just another added extra layer of trying to deter narcotics.”

The ceremony included the reading of a poem that honored the work of police dogs, which is traditionally recited at each K9 swearing-in ceremony. The dogs and their handlers were then presented with their badges.

Virginia GOP completes sweep of elections with House win The Associated Press VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A three-judge panel overseeing a recount in a close Virginia state House race upheld the Republican candidate’s victory, a decision that also reaffirms the GOP’s takeover of the chamber and completes the party’s sweep of last month’s elections.

Republicans also claimed the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general in the Nov. 2 balloting. Those wins were a dramatic turnaround in a state where the GOP had not won a statewide race since 2009. Democrats still hold a 21-19 majority in the Senate — where elections won’t be held until 2023 — splitting control of Virginia’s state legislature.

The certified results from the election showed Republicans leading in 52 districts and the Democrats leading in 48. The recount in the 85th District race resulted in Democratic incumbent Alex Askew gaining 12 votes, but he still trailed Republican challenger Karen Greenhalgh by 115 votes. There was one contested ballot. The panel found that the intent of the voter was unclear, so that ballot was not counted for either candidate. The 85th Dis-

trict covers a portion of the city of Virginia Beach.

After Democrats requested recounts in two races with razor-thin margins, that left open the remote possibility of a 50-50 split.

Though the second recount, in the 91st District, is still expected to proceed this week, Democrats no longer have a shot at undoing the GOP’s majority. Askew is an incumbent freshman first elected in 2019, when Democrats flipped both the House and Senate.

After the recount results were announced, Askew thanked his supporters, campaign staff and volunteers.

“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, I continue to be filled with optimism for the future of our Commonwealth and of the city of Virginia Beach,” he said in a statement.

House Republicans — who won 52 districts, according to the certified results — had said they were confident their candidates’ leads would hold.

“With only one recount outstanding, House Republicans are excited to begin working for the people of Virginia. Now that the See GOP, page 4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

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COLUMN | JOYCE KRAWIEC

Straight talk: Surprising survey results re social engineering in classrooms

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

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POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Elsie Smith Black, 97, of Lewisville, died December 3, 2021. ♦ Bertha Ann Willard Carlyle, 72, of Oak Ridge, died December 4, 2021. ♦ Anna Beroth Doub, of Clemmons, died December 5, 2021. ♦ Aristides “Harry” George Elefantis, 87, of Winston-Salem, died December 6, 2021. ♦ Edna Marie Ferguson Emerson, 90, of Yadkin County, died December 1, 2021. ♦ Jane Kyle Garnett, 72, died December 2, 2021. ♦ Norma West Thompson Harless, 94, died December 3, 2021. ♦ Betty Lou Doby Higgins, 91, of Clemmons, died December 1, 2021. ♦ Craig Alan Holder, 62, of Forsyth County, died December 3, 2021. ♦ Thomas Reith Holland, 81, of Kernersville, died December 4, 2021. ♦ Marsha Clinard Jones, 64, of Winston-Salem, died December 1, 2021. ♦ Kristin Leigh Yokley Kent, 53, of Winston-Salem, died December 2, 2021.

Ninety four percent (94%) of survey respondents believe that, in America, individuals should be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin.

I’VE SAID IT BEFORE and I’m doubling down on it now. I love the Heritage Foundation. When I die, I’m going to leave them all of my money, the entire $650. They have been doing great work for many years and have recently caught my attention with another interesting finding.

Note to some readers: Please don’t bother to write me and try to discredit this organization. If you have a criticism of inaccuracies, give me facts. Don’t just blabber about how it’s a right wing organization and we can’t believe what they say. Address the message, not the messenger. Just the facts, m’am.

Political activism has been growing within classrooms around our country. I don’t think anyone would dispute that. Lately, it has been a hot topic of conversation since the discovery of Critical Race Theory is being taught in our classrooms. Parents have been outraged at some of the material being taught to their children. Some officials still deny that it’s happening, while parents are reading the material from their children’s book bags. Then the Biden administration tried to discredit parents by calling them “domestic terrorists”. They’ve finally had enough.

Reports still keep pouring in about teachers being political activists in the classroom. In Sacramento, California, an advanced placement teacher was taped professing support for Antifa and proclaiming that his goal was to indoctrinate students and “turn them into revolutionaries”. There were classrooms in Los Angeles that were decorated with signs that read “F-- The Police” and “F--- AmeriKKKa” The St. Louis area had emails discovered in which school administrators were conspiring to hide controversial lesson plans from parents. A teacher in Blacksburg, Va. released a video accusing the districts student discipline plan as one of white supremacy. So obviously, there’s some crazy stuff going on. I think most of us agree the role of teachers is to teach our children and not to indoctrinate or revolutionize them. Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic would be nice.

Now parents can feel a little comfort with the results of a survey by The Heritage Foundation. The results of the survey were pleasantly surprising to me. The survey was broad and encompassing. It measured parents, the general public and educators. Teachers were slightly left of center in many areas, but their responses were not close to positions held by average liberals.

Teachers and parents agreed, overwhelmingly that more class time should be devoted to civics education.

On CRT, only 30% of teachers and 26% of parents view it in a favorable light. That appears to be a positive finding.

Teachers and administrators self identified as 43%

♦ Adams, Derwin Joshua (M/23) Arrest on chrg of 1) Mv Theft (F), 2) Trespassing On Railroad Right-of-way (M), 3) Violation Of A Valid Protective Order (M), 4) Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another (M), and 5) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), at 700 E Twenty-seventh St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/3/2021 13:00. ♦ ALBERT, TYREE JAVON was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 599 LOCKLAND AV/W ACADEMY ST on 12/5/2021 ♦ ARRINGTON, CRYSTINA JASMINE was arrested on a charge of FUGITIVE at 875 SILAS CREEK PW on 12/5/2021

♦ Rachel Hazelene Snow McGee, 94, of Kernersville, died December 4, 2021. ♦ James Franklin (Frank) McHone Sr., 73, of WinstonSalem, died December 2, 2021.

♦ Campbell, Shawn Andrew (M/35) Arrest on chrg of Child Abuse (M), at 101 Polo Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/1/2021 16:35.

♦ John Alfred Reynolds, 92, died December 5, 2021.

♦ Cappadona, David Sean (M/48) Arrest on chrg of Vio. Protective Order By Courts Another (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/2/2021 23:57.

♦ Edward Kirkland Shelmerdine IV, 93, of Advance, died December 5, 2021. ♦ Barbara Ann Combs Tucker, 78, of Greensboro, died December 3, 2021. ♦ Marion “Sonny” Chambers Whitener, Jr., 91, of Walkertown, died December 2, 2021. ♦ Philip Cleatus Wiles, 59, of Winston-Salem, died December 4, 2021. ♦ John Mack Williams, 94, of Rural Hall, died December 02, 2021.

Joyce Krawiec has served in the North Carolina Senate from the 31st district since 2014.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ CAMERON, COREY JEVON was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 5790 INDIANA AV on 12/5/2021

♦ Betty Lou Richardson, 100, of Winston-Salem, died December 4, 2021.

moderate, 29% liberal and 27% conservative. Fifty two percent (52%) of teachers expressed the view that black and Hispanic students have an equal educational opportunity as whites. Thirty one percent (31%) of parents and thirty nine percent (39%) of teachers indicated that students were becoming more divided about civics topics.

Ninety four percent (94%) of survey respondents believe that, in America, individuals should be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin. More than half of the total participants agreed that there is no better place in the world for minorities to succeed than in America. Seventy five percent (75%) of conservatives believe this, compared to forty one (41%) of teachers and only twenty seven (27%) of liberals.

Findings also indicate that school board members are even more conservative than parents. Only 16% of school board members think that students should be taught that the birth of America was 1619, the year that African slaves first landed in the colonies, compared to 33% of parents.

A refreshing statistic from the survey, in my view, was the disagreement on the comments from Ibram X. Kendi (a controversial anti-racist CRT promoter).

Only 10 percent of respondents agreed with Kendi’s notion: “The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” Never mind that this theory violates the Constitution and previously decided cases. Many of us are still clinging to our “Guns, Bibles and the Constitution.” We also cling to the belief that racism is defined as judging one by the color of ones’ skin rather than the content of their character. And we believe that’s WRONG. Remember when we were all encouraged, and educators were required to reinforce every child’s’ self esteem. Not doing so would be detrimental to the psychological and emotional development of every child.

Now the message is, only minority children deserve positive reinforcement and white children need to feel ashamed.

Some of the positive take aways from the Heritage report are that teachers are generally moderate, local school boards are generally conservative and and most of the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) issues have little support in the public. Particularly parents who are dealing with it on a daily basis with their children. An even more positive result would be to see a movement in education to stick to teaching and to forget attempts at social engineering.

♦ CAVE, MICHELLE LYNN was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 1899 N PEACE HAVEN RD/ROBINHOOD RD on 12/4/2021 ♦ Clinton, Anthony Rachun (M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Adw Minor Present (M), 2) Hit & Run - Pd (M), 3) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), 4) Reckless Driving (M), and 5) Speeding - Failure To Decrease To Avoid Accident (M), at 3305 N Liberty St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/3/2021 11:17. ♦ CRAVER, DEALYNN ELIZABETH was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 1899 N PEACE HAVEN RD/ ROBINHOOD RD on 12/4/2021 ♦ DAVIS, KIVA T was arrested on a charge of OFA-FTA-M-SIMPLE POSS

SCHED VI CS at 1728 FRANCISCAN DR on 12/3/2021 ♦ Ebert, Jonah Lee (M/40) Arrest on chrg of Drugs-poss Sched Ii, F (F), at 1750 Kernersville Medical Pw, Kernersville, NC, on 12/3/2021 22:41. ♦ ENALOZAJAR, ALEXIS FIDEL was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 859 E TWENTY-FIFTH ST/N LIBERTY ST on 12/3/2021 ♦ Galloway, Kailin Donri (M/19) Arrest on chrg of Malicious Conduct By Prisoner, F (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/1/2021 13:35. ♦ Gilbert, Herbert Ranger (M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Rec/poss Stole Mv (F), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Ccw (M), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 7) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 8) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 9) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 10) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), 11) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), and 12) Reckless Driving (M), at 2493 N Nc Hwy 150, Lexington, NC, on 12/4/2021 11:11. ♦ Gray, Dwayne Aaron (M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 2) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 3) Probation Violation (M), at 4520 Effie Ln, Walkertown, NC, on 12/2/2021 14:56.

on 12/4/2021 ♦ JARQUIN, KEVIN VALENTIN was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at E 25TH ST on 12/3/2021 ♦ JIMENEZ, EDWARD ANTHONY was arrested on a charge of CCW at E 25TH ST on 12/3/2021 ♦ JOHNSON, LESHA RENEE was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 1324 C.E. GRAY DR. on 12/3/2021 ♦ JOHNSON, MARGRETTA DENISE was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 608 N CAMERON AV on 12/4/2021 ♦ Keller, Laquan Mercedes (M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-ctft Sched I (F) and 2) Create/sell/deliver/poss Counterfeit Controlled Substance (F), at 700 E Twenty-seventh St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/3/2021 13:00. ♦ LOPEZ CHAVEZ, ALEXANDER was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 1029 E CLEMMONSVILLE RD/THOMASVILLE RD on 12/4/2021 ♦ MASSEY, CALVIN LAMONT was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 4835 TIFFANY AV on 12/5/2021 ♦ MOORE, KENTORAI RASHAD was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 4835 TIFFANY AV on 12/5/2021

♦ HILLARD, ERIC EUGENE was arrested on a charge of DRUNK / DISRUPTIVE at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 12/4/2021

♦ MYERS, ADAM CHARLES was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/ LARC-FELONY at 1295 SILAS CREEK PW on 12/4/2021

♦ Hiller, Matthew Brent (M/42) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 160 Montauk Ct, Clemmons, NC, on 12/1/2021 19:42.

♦ Noble, Antonio Tarrel (M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Fcso - Out Of Custody (M), at 725 Highland Av, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/1/2021 15:02.

♦ HINSHAW, MICHAEL KYLE was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 3256 SILAS CREEK PW on 12/5/2021 ♦ IULIUCCI, VINCENZO JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D SCHED VI at 2339 MONTROSE AV

♦ OWENS, FLETCHER SYLVESTER was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 100 N STRATFORD RD on 12/5/2021 ♦ PHILLIPS, CARLTON R was arrested on a charge of MISUSE OF 911

SYSTEM at 2851 FAIRLAWN DR on 12/6/2021 ♦ RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER LAMONT was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/S/D COCAINE at 4000 N LIBERTY ST on 12/4/2021 ♦ ROBINSON, CHANELL MONIQUE was arrested on a charge of CHILD ABUSE at 3830 COUNTRY CLUB RD on 12/5/2021 ♦ RUCKER, ANTWON RAMON was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 1499 NEW WALKERTOWN RD on 12/4/2021 ♦ THOMAS, VICTOR ANTOINE was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 12/5/2021 ♦ VALENTINJARQUIN, JOVANNI JOVANNIE was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 859 E TWENTY-FIFTH ST/N LIBERTY ST on 12/3/2021 ♦ WALLS, SAMANTHA JO was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 3256 SILAS CREEK PW on 12/5/2021 ♦ White, Bryant Lamont (M/53) Arrest on chrg of Mv Theft - Automobile, M (M), at 2410 Lewisville-clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 12/1/2021 14:08. ♦ White, Bryant Lamont (M/53) Arrest on chrg of 1) Mv Theft - Automobile (M), 2) Fraud-obt Form Of Id By Use Of False/ficitious/fradulnt Info (M), 2) Order For Arrest (M), 3) Rec/ poss Stole Mv (F), 4) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (F), 6) Ofa-fta-conspire To Traffic In Cocaine (M), 6) Fail To Appear/ compl (F), 7) Resisting Arrest (M), 7) Ofa-fta-conspire To Traffic In Concaine (M), and 8) Ofa-fta-pwisd Cocaine (M), at 2410 Lewisvilleclemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC, on 12/1/2021 14:08. ♦ WILLIAMS, JERRY WAYNE was arrested on a charge of PROBATION VIOLATION at 4751 MAIN ST on 12/5/2021

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

SPORTS

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SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Young, Hutchinson, Pickett, Stroud named Heisman finalists New York Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud were announced Monday as finalists for the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman will be presented Saturday in New York, returning to its usual routine and date — second Saturday in December — after it was forced to delay and go virtual last year due to the pandemic. The process by which Heisman finalists are determined has been modified. The Heisman Trust announced that starting with this season, there will be four finalists — no more, no fewer — invited to the award presentation ceremony.

NFL

Browns star Glass dead at 86 Cleveland Bill Glass, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end with Cleveland and member of the Browns’ 1964 NFL championship team, died Sunday at his home in Waxahachie, Texas. He was 86. Glass spent seven seasons with the Browns, who acquired him from the Detroit Lions. Glass spent four seasons with Detroit before going to Cleveland, where he became a star. He was credited with 16½ sacks in 1965 and finished with 87½, getting 77½ in his seven seasons with the Browns. He retired after the 1968 season and was inducted into the Browns Legends program in 2007.

COLLEGE SOCCER

Florida State women beat BYU in PKs for 3rd national title Santa Clara, Calif.

Yujie Zhao rocketed home the game-winning penalty kick and Florida State edged BYU 4-3 in PKs on Monday to win its third women’s national championship in program history and second in the last four years.

Sophomore goalkeeper Cristina Roque made two saves during penalty kicks for the Seminoles, who, ironically, lost last year’s national championship game in PKs. BYU’s All-American midfielder Mikayla Colohan was carried off the field with an apparent ankle injury following a collision in the 32nd minute with Florida State’s Jaelin Howell, who was assessed a yellow card.

TENNIS

2019 US Open champ Andreescu takes time off Toronto Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, will take a mental break from tennis and sit out the start of next season, including the Australian Open, saying Monday she wants to “reset, recover, and grow” after a challenging two years that included getting COVID-19.

The 21-year-old from Canada wrote in a posting on Twitter that she was affected mentally and physically by “multiple weeks in isolation quarantining” and that her grandmother’s stay for several weeks in a hospital’s intensive care unit because of the coronavirus “really hit me hard.”

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Chase Elliott was named NASCAR's most popular driver for the fourth straight week last week.

Chase Elliott extends run as NASCAR’s most popular driver It’s the fourth straight year the Hendrick Motorsports driver has won the honor

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chase Elliott held on to one of his NASCAR titles last Thursday night when fans voted him most popular driver for the fourth consecutive year.

Elliott was both the reigning Cup champion and most popular driver this season, but he was ultimately beaten by new Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the Cup title. At the season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center, the Na-

tional Press Association declared Elliott winner of the fan-decided most popular award.

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough,” said Elliot. “I was really mind-blown on a few occasions this year of that support, and to see it firsthand, you know, I see the T-shirts and all that stuff is noticed. Looking forward to ‘22 to make all those folks proud.”

Elliott began his run as NASCAR’s most popular driver in 2018, the first year of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement. Earnhardt had won the most popular award every year since 2003, the season Bill Elliott asked for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Elliott was beloved and voters selected “Awesome Bill From

“I just can’t thank the fans across the country enough.”

Chase Elliott Dawsonville,” Georgia, their favorite a record 16 times. Earnhardt won it 15 times and Chase Elliott claimed the throne when Earnhardt retired.

His fourth victory was again backed by a legion of Elliott fans in their Georgia hometown, and it staved off a challenge by teammate Larson. Elliott has remained extremely popular — his fans vilify any rival who dares to tangle with Elliott — but Larson has built a strong legion of sup-

porters in his first year driving for Hendrick.

Larson won 11 times in the Cup Series, broke Jeff Gordon’s 20year record for most laps led in a season and won Rick Hendrick’s record-extending 14th championship. Larson dethroned Elliott to claim his first Cup. Larson couldn’t knock Elliott from most popular, though, as Elliott’s ardent supporters turned out even in a new voting format.

The NMPA only opened voting on Nov. 9 — after Larson had already won the championship — and the brief voting period ended Dec. 1. Fans could vote once daily online or via mobile app, but votes shared on Facebook and/or Twitter counted twice.

The most popular driver award was first presented in 1949, to Curtis Turner, at the end of NASCAR’s inaugural season. The award has been administered by the NMPA and presented annually by the organization since 1983, and it is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by a fan vote.

Manning named Maryland interim coach after Turgeon’s exit The former Wake Forest coach was in “shock” that the Terps’ longtime coach stepped down

By Noah Trister The Associated Press COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Danny Manning’s reaction to the coaching change at Maryland was pretty similar to the rest of the college basketball world’s.

“Complete and utter shock,” Manning said.

On Sunday, Manning led the Terrapins for the first time since taking over as interim coach, and the challenge he faces was evident during a 67-61 loss to Northwestern.

Although he has plenty of experience as a head coach, Manning is fairly new to the Maryland program. He was hired in April as an assistant to Mark Turgeon — his former teammate at Kansas — and when Turgeon abruptly stepped down Friday, Manning was put in charge.

Turgeon’s departure was described by the school as a mutual decision. The timing — less than a month into the season — was jarring. Manning released a statement that day, but Sunday’s postgame news conference was his first chance to discuss the matter at length.

“I came to Maryland because of him,” Manning said. “I can’t speak

for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Guard Eric Ayala said Friday seemed like a pretty normal day of film until Turgeon gave the news to the team.

“We came in, and he said he loved us, and that he felt it was best that he step down as our coach,” Ayala said. “At first, it didn’t seem as real, but that’s kind of how it went.”

Manning said he thought his team showed fight Sunday, but the Terps ultimately lost their third straight game. Maryland shot just 29% from the field and an abysmal 7 for 36 inside the arc.

Manning, who was 116-140 at Wake Forest from 2014-20, did say he wants the ball to keep going inside. The Terps had a significant edge in free throws that helped keep it close.

“I am a big believer in paint touches,” he said. “I’m a big believer in ball reversal. I thought paint touches led us to 22 free-throw attempts. We want that to be part of our formula for scoring points.”

Before Manning spoke, Northwestern coach Chris Collins addressed reporters and quickly offered a few words about Turgeon.

“I hope Coach Turgeon is being celebrated for what he did here. For 10 years, I’ve competed against that guy. A couple at Duke when I was an assistant, and then eight years here in the Big Ten,”

AMY DAVIS | THE BALTIMORE SUN VIA AP

Maryland interim head coach Danny Manning reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in College Park, Md., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

Collins said. “He’s a good basketball coach and a good man.”

The Terrapins are in Manning’s hands now. He was a head coach at Tulsa and Wake Forest before coming to Maryland.

He inherits a team that’s been relying on a couple of significant transfers, so it’s certainly possible that the Terps simply need time to build more cohesion. But it’s been a disappointing start for a team that began the season in the Top 25. Even Maryland’s victories haven’t been all that convincing.

Manning will have plenty of time to focus on that. On Sunday, his thoughts were about Turgeon.

“You go through a lot, our families go through a lot and it gets tough at times,” Manning said.

“He just made the decision that he felt was best for himself, for his family, but more importantly, for this team. He thought that our team needed a different voice, and that was one of the lasting things that he said to me.”

“I can’t speak for him, but I know that our team will continue to follow the direction that his leadership provided for so many years.”

Maryland interim coach Danny Manning on Mark Turgeon leaving the program

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4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 8, 2021

STATE & NATION

Bob Dole to lie in state at Capitol as nation honors senator

By Calvin Woodward The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Bob Dole’s casket will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as congressional leaders honor the former Republican presidential candidate and World War II veteran who served in Congress for 36 years.

Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharptongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, died Sunday. He was 98.

His wife, Elizabeth Dole, said in an announcement posted on social media that he died in his sleep.

He was a leader known for his caustic wit, which he often turned on himself but didn’t hesitate to turn on others, too. He shaped tax and foreign policy and worked vigorously to help the disabled, enshrining protections against discrimination in employment, education and public services in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The U.S. Capitol has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state. The commemoration will include a formal arrival and departure ceremony.

“Senator Dole was an extraordinary patriot, who devoted his entire life to serving our nation with dignity and integrity,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Dole, representing Kansas, served four terms in the House and more than four terms in the Senate.

He won the Republican nomination in 1996, but was defeated when President Bill Clinton won a second term. He was also 1976 GOP vice presidential candidate on the losing ticket with President Gerald Ford.

“Those of us who were lucky to know Bob well ourselves admired him even more,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate. “A bright light of

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

Former Sen. Bob Dole, right, and his wife Elizabeth Dole acknowledge well-wishers during a Memorial Day ceremony, Monday, May 27, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. patriotic good cheer burned all the way from Bob’s teenage combat heroics through his whole career in Washington and through the years since. We look forward to honoring his life and legacy at the Capitol.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he didn’t get to serve with Dole, but “his reputation and his achievements, and most of all his character preceded him.”

For all of his bare-knuckle ways, he was a deep believer in the Senate as an institution and command-

ed respect and even affection from many Democrats. Just days after Dole announced his dire cancer diagnosis, President Joe Biden visited him at his home to wish him well.

The White House said the two were close friends from their days in the Senate.

Biden recalled in a statement Sunday that one of his first meetings outside the White House after being sworn-in as president was with the Doles at their Washington home.

“Like all true friendships, re-

gardless of how much time has passed, we picked up right where we left off, as though it were only yesterday that we were sharing a laugh in the Senate dining room or debating the great issues of the day, often against each other, on the Senate floor,” Biden said. “I saw in his eyes the same light, bravery, and determination I’ve seen so many times before.”

Biden ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds until sunset Thursday.

Dole received two Purple Hearts for his valor in World War II. Throughout his political career, he carried the mark of war. Charging a German position in northern Italy in 1945, Dole was hit by a shell fragment that crushed two vertebrae and paralyzed his arms and legs. The young Army platoon leader spent three years recovering in a hospital and never regained use of his right hand.

Dole announced in February 2021 that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Energy secretary: Offshore wind brings ‘gust’ of job growth

Rhode Island falls on,” she said.

Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan said the Biden administration’s support of offshore wind is a “breath of fresh air” after the Trump administration. Both Nolan and Orsted Offshore North America CEO David Hardy said such support is critical while the U.S. industry is still in the fragile, early stages.

“The momentum is happening,” Nolan said. “We need it to continue.”

“It’s a young industry,” added Hardy. “We need help getting the first projects off the ground.”

Their manufacturing hub at the port is scheduled to be finished this spring to support two offshore wind projects, Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind.

Revolution Wind is a planned offshore wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to provide power for Connecticut and Rhode Island. The federal government is currently reviewing the construction and operations plan.

The South Fork Wind project will be located off the coast of Rhode Island. Its transmission system will connect to the electric grid on Long Island, New York,

making it the state’s first offshore wind farm and jumpstarting the offshore wind industry there.

The interior department announced last week that the administration approved the construction and operations for South Fork Wind, as part of a plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. It was the administration’s second approval of a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the United States. The first commercial-scale project is off the coast of Massachusetts.

The first U.S. offshore wind

farm began operating off Block Island, Rhode Island, in late 2016.

But at five turbines, it’s not commercial-scale. Orsted acquired the developer, Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind, and now operates that wind farm.

Granholm also visited a manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers and a clean energy technology company in Connecticut Thursday.

On Friday, she’s hosting a roundtable discussion in Boston about the transition to clean energy.

Granholm has been making stops around the country to talk about how investments in infrastructure incentivize companies like these to open and expand, driving the transition away from fossil fuels, creating jobs and helping people save money on energy.

She is visiting areas that are proactive in reducing emissions and areas where more work needs to be done.

President Joe Biden signed his hard-fought $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law in November, declaring that the new infusion of cash for roads, bridges, ports and more is going to make life “change for the better” for the American people. It has $100 million for wind energy research and development, $2.5 billion for transmission lines, including transmission from offshore wind farms, and $20 million to ensure offshore wind is built sustainably, Granholm said.

The companion piece of legislation, the social and environment bill under consideration in the Senate, has $600 million for port infrastructure, as well as significant tax credits to incentivize offshore wind development and turbine manufacturing, she added.

tory.

“While the results of the recount did not change the initial outcome of the election, it was a necessary step to ensuring faith in our Democratic process. And a similar, necessary process to ensure every vote is counted will occur next week in House District 91,” Filler-Corn said in a statement.

Minnesota is the only other

state with Democrats and Republicans splitting control of legislative chambers. In Alaska, Republicans have the majority in both chambers, but the state House is controlled by a coalition of Democrats, independents and two Republicans. Nebraska has just a single state legislative chamber.

Throughout the day Thursday and into Friday, people packed into a room in the second floor of

an elections building in Virginia Beach as the ballots were fed into two scanning machines. Groups of people sat at tables and scrutinized any ballots that were determined by the machines to have write-in candidates, were not clearly marked or had some other issue.

There were no discussions or arguments during the hearing about who the winner of the race would

be. Once the panel of judges ruled that the contested ballot — which had both bubbles filled in for the candidates but a slash through Greenhalgh’s name — was too unclear to be counted, they called for a tally of the votes from the registrar’s office. Virginia Beach Chief Circuit Court Judge Leslie Lilley then quickly found that Greenhalgh would be the 85th District’s next delegate.

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that the administration’s goal for offshore wind and the projects being developed now represent a “gust of job growth throughout the country.”

Granholm visited a new offshore wind manufacturing hub in Providence to talk about the Biden administration’s plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and to promote the investments in the $1 trillion infrastructure deal.

“More offshore wind means more jobs for iron workers, line workers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters,” she said.

“Jobs in mining and manufacturing and management and operations and sales, not to mention of course the benefit to surrounding communities.”

At the Port of Providence, Orsted, a Danish energy company, and the utility Eversource are constructing a building for the fabrication and assembly of large, advanced components for turbine foundations. Orsted officials gave Granholm and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee a tour. The group met union workers who are building the facility.

McKee said he envisions Rhode Island as the “base camp” to support the offshore wind supply chain along the East Coast. Granholm said looking at the building reminded her of a proverb: “When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.”

“And we know which side of that

GOP from page 1 majority is official, we can move forward with a timely transition as to be prepared to work on day one,” Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert said in a statement after the results were announced.

Outgoing House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn praised Askew for his work in the House and congratulated Greenhalgh on her vic-

JENNIFER MCDERMOTT | AP PHOTO

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, center, speaks with workers, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, left, Thursday Dec. 2, 2021.