North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 42

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 42 | WWW.NSJONLINE.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

$1B economic development challenge includes 2 from NC Washington, D.C. U.S. Comomerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced 60 finalists for $1 billion in economic development grants tied to the Biden administration’s coronavirus relief package and aimed at improving job training and regional industry partnerships.

The Biden administration will ultimately choose 20 to 30 regional coalitions for up to $100 million in grants that could shape manufacturing, clean energy and life sciences hubs around the country.

The finalists will receive $500,000 each to help plan for the next round, with applications due in March. The deadline for choosing the winners is September.

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Piedmont Triad Regional Council both moved to the next round for plans involving advancedmanufacturing initiatives.

PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Gov. Roy Cooper briefs media from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.

Cooper vetoes three more bills, reaching 69 total

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panel sets dates to hear state redistricting case Raleigh A three-judge panel will soon hear a case challenging North Carolina’s legislative and congressional maps, according to court filings.

Arguments are scheduled to be heard in Wake County Superior Court between Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, with closing arguments planned for Jan. 6. The N.C. Supreme Court has directed the panel to reach a decision by Jan. 11.

The losing side would then almost assuredly file an appeal to the high court.

Left-aligned groups argue the maps were gerrymandered for partisan advantage, while Republican legislative leaders say the maps should pass legal muster since the boundaries were drawn without looking at election or racial data.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Court won’t allow reversal of Trump remain-inMexico policy New Orleans A federal appeals court has dealt another blow to the Biden administration’s attempt to undo former President Donald Trump’s policy requiring people seeking asylum in the United States to remain in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed.

In a Monday night ruling, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld a Texasbased federal judge’s decision maintaining Trump’s policy, formally known as the “Migrant Protection Protocols.”

President Joe Biden’s administration had appealed the August decision, but also began working to reimplement the policy while the legal battle continued. Earlier this month, U.S. authorities sent the first two migrants back to Mexico under the reinstated policy.

Biden suspended the program on his first day in office.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NY ethics board tells former Gov. Cuomo to return book money Albany, N.Y. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was ordered by New York’s ethics commission Tuesday to give up millions of dollars a publisher paid him to write a book about his response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cuomo was directed to turn over proceeds earned from “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic” within 30 days.

The order came after the commission voted to rescind the ethics approval it had given Cuomo before he entered into the $5.1 million deal.

Cuomo has acknowledged state employees helped with tasks including editing the manuscript.

Bill blocking outside money in state elections among vetoes

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

NC Supreme Court delays 2022 primaries to May

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court ordered all of the state’s scheduled March 8 primaries to move to May 17, 2022, last week. The delay will allow an evidentiary hearing to be held by a three-judge panel on the multiple lawsuits filed in connection with the state redistricting maps.

The order — which followed action earlier in the week from the N.C. Court of Appeals that first delayed filing in races for U.S. House of Representatives, N.C. Senate and N.C. House of Representatives — requires the three-judge panel in Wake County Superior Court to rule on the cases by Jan. 11, 2022.

Notably, the order moved all of the scheduled primaries to May, not just those conducted under new districts following the General Assembly’s redistricting session last month.

Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), a co-chair of the Senate Elections Committee, said in response to the court’s order, “The court didn’t even articulate a legal or factual basis for suspending elections. The Democrats on the Supreme Court want districts that elect more Democrats, so they’re blocking every election in the state until they get their way.”

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said, “To throw this process into chaos in the middle of filing leaves North Carolinians with uncertainty ahead of the election. Despite this delay, we are confident that we will prevail at trial and our maps will stand.”

The state’s top elected Democrats — Gov. Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein — were pleased with the outcome.

The two filed an amicus brief with the top court before the order in support of the plaintiffs’ case, urging the justices to hear and decide the cases.

“Voters are stripped of their voices by technologically diabolical and unconstitutionally partisan districts,” Cooper said at the time.

Following the order, the governor said, “Today’s order restores faith in the rule of law and it is necessary for the Court to rule on the constitutionality of these unfair districts before the next election.”

“In a representative democracy, the voters choose their representatives,” said Attorney General Stein. “Partisan gerrymandering distorts our democracy by discriminating against certain voters based on their political views and allowing representatives to cling to power no matter the will of the voters.”

The order makes clear that all candidates who filed for office Monday through Wednesday will not need to file again. The court authorized the trial court to make any administrative decisions necessary in regards to timing, filing, and withdrawal of candidates.

The decision capped a tumultuous three days both in Raleigh and around the state.

In an order posted minutes before the start of filing on Monday, Dec. 6, an expedited review conducted by a secret panel of See PRIMARIES page A2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

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In this June 5, 2021, file photo, former President Donald Trump, right, announces his endorsement of North Carolina Rep. Ted Budd, left, for the 2022 North Carolina U.S. Senate seat.

RALEIGH — On Dec. 9, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper issued three more vetoes, bringing his overall total to 69 since taking office in January of 2017.

The three bills Cooper vetoed were House Bill 220 (Choice of Energy/Add’l Provisions), House Bill 294 (Sale of Salvage Vehicles) and Senate Bill 725 (Prohibit Private Money in Elections Admin.).

Amid his mounting vetoes, the Democratic Governors Association (DGS) has elected Cooper to be its new chairman. The DGA announced the move in a Dec. 11 tweet.

Cooper’s veto message of House Bill 220 said the measure “undermines North Carolina’s transition to a clean energy economy,” and that is “wrong-

ly strips local authority” and “hampers” the public’s access to information.

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) responded to two of the governor’s vetoes, noting that House Bill 220 would “prohibit local governments from adopting any ordinance that prohibits connection, reconnection, modification, or expansion of an energy service based on the type or source of energy to be delivered to the end-user of the energy service.”

Moore said the bill also would “expand an exemption from public records for detailed plans and drawings of public buildings and infrastructure facilities, and add a new exemption for specific engineering, vulnerability, or detailed design information about proposed or existing critical infrastructure for energy, water, and wastewater utilities.”

“Gov. Cooper again fails to provide a substantive reason for vetoing common sense legSee VETOES page A2

Exclusive: UNC Chapel Hill responds to NC Rep Hardister on diversity training Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz says training is ‘under review’ and ‘on hold’

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — UNC Chapel Hill has responded to a state legislator’s inquiry regarding “diversity training” that took place earlier this fall.

In early November, State Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) sent a letter to UNC Chapel Hill and UNC System officials inquiring about “equity, diversity and inclusion” training that members of school’s Greek System were allegedly forced to attend.

Hardister’s letter describes the training as having an oppressor versus oppressed theme, which is a core tenet of the controversial Critical Race Theory. One part of the training, which went viral, was about how right-handed people are privileged while left-handed people are “disempowered.” Other topics Hardister included in his inquiry involved “white privilege” and how “whiteness” pervades society.

In a Nov. 30 letter obtained

by North State Journal, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said the Oct. 18 event was “sponsored” by the office of UNC-CH Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL).

Guskiewicz wrote that the session “focused on intellectual wellness” and confirmed the guest speaker was Christina Parle and said she was paid “$4,000”

using FSL member fees.

The chancellor’s description of See DIVERSITY, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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12.15.21 #312

THE WORD: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

Luke 2: 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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

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DIVERSITY from page A1 the training is similar to that of Cassie Hughes Thomas, the assistant director of FSL. “Fraternity and Sorority Life is hosting an ongoing educational programming series based on eight dimensions of wellness, which range from financial skills to career building,” Thomas said in a statement. “Our recent meeting focused on intellectual wellness, and guest speaker Christina Parle presented on the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

Parle is the co-founder of Social Responsibility Speaks (SRS), which offers a variety of services related to “diversity challenges” in companies and organizations.

“Social Responsibility Speaks™’ mission is to create a culture of belonging and mattering through a focus on equity, inclusion, and justice,” reads SRS’ mission statement.

“I have been assured that this was the only contact the University has had with the speaker’s organization in the past three years,” Guskiewicz wrote.

Sometime after the UNC-CH training went viral, SRS deactivated Parle’s bio. The bio, however, is preserved on the Internet Wayback Machine and lists Parle as an “equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) speaker, consultant, and instructional designer.”

Guskiewicz’s letter goes on to say the program had been “mischaracterized as mandatory” and that it was “exclusively offered” to members of UNC Chapel Hill’s Greek System. He also said attendance was not required but that Greek chapters sent a

PRIMARIES from page A1 COA judges stopped filing for races conducted with the new district lines.

By Monday evening, an en banc review, which comprises all 15 judges on the appellate court, reversed the earlier decision. The full COA consists of 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, over 1,100 candidates had filed for office from U.S. Senate down to local town council across the state.

Yet by Wednesday evening, the Supreme Court’s order halted all filing, saying those who had their paperwork accepted would not need to file again and authorized the trial court to make any administrative decisions necessary for the resumption of the filing period.

The two-month delay created additional uncertainty in the Republican U.S. Senate primary and whether former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker would back out of the race and seek a return to the U.S. House in a Triad-centered district without an incumbent.

In an Associated Press interview, Walker acknowledged he was thinking of switching but

AP PHOTO/ABC, 1965 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.,FILE

In this promotional image provided by ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The animated special was created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in 1965.

“percentage of their members” to the event.

“You should know that I have now met with several students who attended the session to help me better understand the nature of the session and the students’ response to it,” the chancellor wrote. “There were mixed reactions to the content presented and while many found it useful, clearly others did not.”

Guskiewicz added that “Regardless, the series is now on hold and under review.” He also said the series would be “reevaluated” in 2022 before any new sessions were offered.

Hardister tells North State Journal he appreciates Chancellor Guskiewicz taking the time to respond and that he is glad that the program is on hold and under review.

“I am hopeful that leadership at UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as leadership across the UNC System, will take steps to address matters of this nature,” said Hardister. “There is more work to do to ensure that students are not subjected to ideological programs that cause mistrust and division.”

“I will be following-up with Chancellor Guskiewicz and other leaders in the UNC System to determine what actions, if any, have been taken to address these concerns,” Hardister said. “Our objective must be to bring students together, promote respect and embrace diversity, rather than driving students apart. I am also exploring options for the General Assembly to take action to provide a framework as to what type of mandatory training programs are permissible.”

brushed off earlier reports that he had already made the decision to switch.

“Even before I had walked back in the meeting with President Trump, some of the reports were already saying that we had made a decision to do all this just wasn’t factual,” Walker said.

Should Walker indeed leave the Senate race, it would set up oneon-one matchups in both the Republican and Democratic fields.

Following the retirement of longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Erica Smith jumped into that race, and subsequently endorsed former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley over Mecklenburg-area state Sen. Jeff Jackson.

The impetus for Walker’s possible departure from the Senate primary would be to allow three-term U.S. Rep. Ted Budd to compete against former Gov. Pat McCrory directly.

Budd, who was endorsed in June by former President Donald Trump, has methodically closed the gap with McCrory, with most recent polling showing just a three-point deficit between the two.

As the advent season draws to a close this Sunday, the celebration of Christmas is upon us. As we hustle for potentially outof-stock presents and wait on delayed packages, we hear a similar refrain about knowing the true meaning of the season.

One of the simplest examples of this almost cliché time of the year was recited in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” when the eponymous lead, Charlie, says to his buddy Linus, “I guess I don’t really know what Christmas is all about.

Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Cue Linus, who says, “Lights, please.” The blanket-toting intellectual then recites the familiar story of the arrival of Jesus from Luke 2. He ends with the ever-popular Luke 2:14. This verse begins the Greater Doxology and is integrated into the carol “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Just as the angels heralded the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds, we too should be singing glory to God… in the highest.

AP PHOTO

In this Sept. 20, 2016, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, smile as they prepare for a speech in San Francisco.

VETO from page A1 islation,” said Moore. “Energy choice and ensuring our elections process is not in any way inf luenced by outside individuals — the bills vetoed today address the concerns of consumers and voters across all of North Carolina. Unfortunately the Governor prefers partisanship over common sense.”

“House Bill 220 specifically addresses energy choices for consumers, leaving household decisions like whether or not to have a gas stove in their home to consumers themselves,” said Rep. Dean Arp (R-Union) in the statement. “The heavy hand of government has no place in the personal decisions North Carolinians make for their households.”

Additionally, Moore said in a statement that Senate Bill 725 would “prohibit the State Board of Elections, county boards of elections, and county boards of commissioners from accepting private monetary donations, directly or indirectly, for conducting elections or employing individuals on a temporary basis.”

In his veto message, Cooper said money from outside entities were “needed for necessities” like masks, single-use pens and “other protective

equipment” during 2020. He also accused the legislature for not properly funding elections board so outside grants would not be needed.

In a statement on Senate Bill 725, Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), co-chair of the Senate Elections Committee, said, “Private interests paying for vote collection and counting raises natural suspicions about election integrity. Gov. Cooper is setting a dangerous standard by not doing everything in his power to increase voter confidence.”

“There is nothing more quintessential to the role of government than funding and administering elections. Strangely, Gov. Cooper wants them funded by private interests,” said Newton. “The amount of legislative funding for elections is not the issue. This is potentially the beginning of a destabilizing era in which a core function of democracy — counting the votes — is funded by private interests.”

Outside grants and funds were not all put towards protective measures, as Cooper claims. A yet-undetermined amount of funds landed in hiring more temporary poll workers, but other grants went towards a mail-in ballots designs, and an online absentee ballot

portal.

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.

Thirty-five North Carolina counties received CLTC funds.

Overall. The state received over $5.395 million from the group.

The N.C. State Board of Elections and Wake County received a million each and Durham received over $1.46 million.

Some of the CLTC grant money went towards making the “design of the request form and mail-in envelopes more user-friendly,” per the State Board of Elections (NCSBE).

A number of the areas receiving CLTC and other outside funds showed notable increases in Democrat voter turnout.

According to the NCSBE, 2020 saw the highest voter-turnout rate in recent history at 75.4 percent. In 2016, the voter turnout rate was 69% and it was 68% in 2012.

North State Journal previously reported on outside money in North Carolina elections from the Schwarzenegger Institute. The former California governor’s organization dropped almost $190,000 into 10 counties prior to the November 2020 election.

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NC superintendent talks about human capital, redefining school quality and teacher pay NIAID-RML VIA AP

This 2020 electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19.

Wake Forest Baptist Health study finds herd immunity ‘a complex question’ Vaccinations, variants had impact on study

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In November, North State Journal interviewed Dr. John Sanders, the primary investigator involved in the Wake Forest Baptist Health COVID-19 antibody study that launched in spring of 2020.

In a previous report on the conversation with Sanders, the topline findings included the fact that 30% in North Carolina had antibodies pre-vaccines, which rose to 95% post vaccine rollout. Additionally, the antibody study portion showed 91% “real world effectiveness” in preventing disease following vaccination.

On the topic of herd immunity, Sanders said that is “obviously a very complex question” and that “it’s a much more complex question than we had hoped it would be 18 months ago.”

“You know, my hope for society was that a simple antibody test like this would predict protective immunity, and it does not,” Sanders said. “So, we have not been able to show that it does based on the tests that we’ve been using, and really nobody’s been able to show this sort of simple antibody test as a predictive, correlative protection.”

He then said that people can have been vaccinated or had an infection can have a negative or positive antibody test and still be protected.

“We should not look to these simple antibody test as a correlate of protection… as a biological indicator that they are protected,” Sanders said. “And you know, going along with that, that means that we can’t use the test to say, ‘Oh, I took the vaccine, I checked my antibody, it was positive. Now my antibody is drifted low enough that it’s negative, I have to have a booster.’”

“We have not been able to show that clear correlation,” Sanders added.

“Now going into herd immunity, we had hoped that we would get to something like, you know, 70, 80% combination of natural infection and vaccinations and that would

decrease the efficiency of spread so much that we would have population protection,” said Sanders.

“A couple of things, some of which we’ve shown but we have to take it with a big grain of salt, are really simple antibody tests,” Sanders said. “We were able to show that people who have been naturally infected, that 50% of them went from a positive test to a negative test within about just a little over two months.”

Sanders said that, with the simple antibody test, within a few months after a natural infection they could see antibody decay and that the individual’s levels “dropped low enough that the test became negative.”

“With the better test that we tend to LabCorp, we still see that decay, but the test can stay positive a lot longer,” said Sanders. “That instead of within a couple of months, it’s more like six and 12 months we start to see that that decay.”

“We had hoped we would get to about 70 to 80% and that we would have heard immunity,” Sanders said. “And frankly, looking at our data, we had about 30% of North Carolinians infected at the end of December and then lots of people went out and got vaccinated and, so, probably by February to March — certainly in our data — we showed a steep increase in the presence of antibodies in our cohort following vaccination because lots of our people got vaccinated.”

Sanders added that his guess is that between natural immunity and vaccination, “we were at that 70 to 80% by late spring, maybe mid spring.”

When there was a more contagious variant introduced, Sanders said our protection was “not quite as good.”

When it comes to natural immunity, Sanders said there have been mischaracterizations reported by media.

“I should say for the record, because I hear people pop on the news all the time, not usually vaccinologists, not usually immunologists, not usually positions of any breed,” said Sanders. “[They] pop on the news all the time and say, ‘It’s been shown over and over again natural immunity is better.’

That is a mischaracterization of

the data. That is a gross mischaracterization of the data. That is not the case.”

“There are advantages to natural immunity, but it is not clearly better and it is not clearly more protective than vaccine immunity,” Sanders said. “But, with either vaccine immunity or natural immunity, you’re going to have breakthrough cases and in the best situation, which right now, the best situation looks to be people who have had a mild-moderate infection followed by vaccination.”

Sanders said severity of infection and age both seem to play a part in longer lasting antibodies.

Those with moderate-to-severe symptoms have antibodies that “lasted longer,” and “the older you get the quicker it goes down.”

“People who are relying on natural immunity, that is going to wane,” said Sanders. “People are relying on vaccines; it is going to wane.”

“But what we are seeing out of both, and especially a combination of both, is that when people are getting reinfected and reinfected, they are less likely to spread and they have fewer symptoms,” Sanders said.

“The more people we get vaccinated, the more we will move into that herd immunity, which does not mean, we will go to zero,” said Sanders. “It means that we will evolve with the virus to the point that just like the other human coronaviruses, just like all the cold and flu viruses circulating out there, almost all of us will get infected at some time or times in our lives and it will move towards most of the time.”

“There is a misconception that keeps getting reported out trying to treat vaccines as if you put them on and you’re completely invulnerable, you’re completely encased,” said Sanders. “And really, it’s like having a raincoat and an umbrella.

You’re still going to get wet, but if it’s a mild rainstorm and you’ve got an umbrella and a raincoat, you might come out hardly wet at all.”

He added that “If you’re in a downpour, even with a raincoat and umbrella, you’re going to get wet. You’re not going to be as wet as the person without the raincoat and umbrella, but you’re going to get wet.”

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — North State Journal sat down for a check-in with N.C. state Superintendent Catherine Truitt to see how things are progressing in her first year in office.

One of the pieces in Operation Polaris that Truitt touched on was human capital.

“The human capital work continues alongside other efforts to both improve recruitment and retention,” said Truitt. “And then you also have the governor’s Drive Task Force, which is about diversification of the teaching profession, because 80% of the teaching profession in North Carolina is white and female.

“The Human Capital Roundtable, which predates me coming into office, is now the work of PEPSC, the Professional Educator Preparation Standards Commission that sits in legislation,” Truitt said. “And this group within PEPSC is divided into various subcommittees. I serve on the compensation committee.”

Truitt said that they are “looking at new ways to both recruit and retain teachers into the profession without lowering standards that will provide teachers with a pathway to promotion that doesn’t involve going into administration.”

According to Truitt, the recruitment and retention issue “is not just about the quote-unquote teacher pay conversation.”

When asked if DPI was looking at a revamp of the step system for teacher compensation, Truitt said “yes.”

“It’s about not compensating teachers solely for years of experience but competencies demonstrated,” said Truitt. “So, you could be compensated for being a high achieving teacher, through demonstration of competencies and outcomes, you could be compensated more for mentoring and other leadership roles.”

“It’s huge,” Truitt said, “It’s a paradigm shift, because, again, we’re not just paying teachers solely based on the number of years they have in the classroom.

No other industry compensates people in that way.”

North State Journal asked what Truitt through about those who might call the change a step towards a merit-based pay system.

“When I think of merit-based, what I think about is test scores and this is not about test scores,” Truitt replied. “In fact, what I would say is that this is all part of what I consider to be something that needs to be done in public

education, which leads into the next [Operation Polaris] satellite of testing and accountability.”

Truitt also said there is a need to “redefine school quality.”

“Right now, in North Carolina, we define school quality with an algorithm that looks at 80% achievement and 20% growth,” Truitt said. “There are lots of other ways and other things that we should be looking at to determine whether or not a school is a good quality school.”

Some ways Truitt thinks school quality should be determined include teacher attrition at an individual school and after-school opportunities for enrichment. She also mentioned high school level engagement with community colleges to engage students in career exploration.

“The extent to which they engage parents, should be a metric of school quality,” Truitt said.

“If we’re going to redefine what school quality is, then we have to figure out how we’re going to measure it. And then if we do that, we need to redefine what high-quality instruction looks like,” said Truitt. “And if we’re going to do that, we have to think about how we’re going to measure that, because high-stakes ‘one-and-done testing’ is not the way to measure student learning.”

In terms of how Operation Polaris along with related compensation and testing work this year started and where it is now, Truitt said that “what’s interesting about all of these things is that they require legislation.”

“Operation Polaris is very much an ever-evolving playbook. It can’t be static. It has to be a living document,” said Truitt.

“The literacy piece, we can check that box,” said Truitt “And that’s great, because that was the most important thing that we could have done, both pre-pandemic and post pandemic. There’s no daylight between the two.”

Truitt said that, overall, she is “pleased with the progress that’s been made.”

“In all of the kind of big-picture items or big-ticket items that I ran on — literacy, testing and accountability, a highly qualified teacher in every single classroom — everyone’s pretty much in agreement with prioritizing those things,” said Truitt. “I think there’s bipartisan support there within the education community.”

She added that how certain items get done will be up to the legislature and that legislators were important stakeholders included in their discussions.

“We’re going to get the ball into the end zone, and then it’s going to be up to them,” said Truitt.

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for our 2.5 million members and local communities.

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BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

CEC CR 31965 Business NC half pages.indd 1

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount

NC’s new economic tiers unveiled for 2022

NC Chamber releases state legislative rankings

The N.C. Department of Commerce released its annual county tier designations for 2022 at the end of November. The designations, which are mandated by state law, play a pivotal role in several programs that assist in economic development including the One North Carolina Fund, building reuse, water and sewer infrastructure, and the downtown revitalization Main Street program.

Perhaps the most well-known of these is the state’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program, which directs funds for infrastructure improvements into more economically distresses areas of the state.

Eleven counties will change tier designations for 2022.

Counties moving to a less distressed tier ranking include Alexander, Brunswick, Buncombe, New Hanover, Randolph and Rowan.

Counties moving to a more distressed tier ranking include Chowan, Jones, Macon, Polk, and Watauga.

Every year, 40 counties are designated as Tier 1, 40 counties are designated as Tier 2, and 20 counties are designated Tier 3.

The tier system ranks Tier 1 as most economically distressed followed by Tier 2 and Tier 3.

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — The North Carolina Chamber, one of the most influential business groups in the state, released its annual scorecard and “Jobs Champions” from the 2021 General Assembly long session.

The scorecard details the voting performance of state legislators on priorities identified by the organization as critical to protecting and enhancing North Carolina’s highly competitive business climate.

“In an era of widespread economic uncertainty, North Carolina’s job creators need to know which of our leaders are willing to act to give them more of the certainty they need,” said N.C. Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido.

“With this report, the NC Chamber is honored to showcase the Jobs Champions from both sides of the aisle who share our commitment to nurturing a diverse,

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

Grant allows cleanup company to create 25 jobs Caldwell County The town of Granite Falls received a grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the 16 grants totaling $4.1 million issued by the organization in December. A $200,000 grant will support the reuse of a 22,000-squarefoot building, where SERVPRO plans to locate its operations. The company specializes in mass and individual disaster cleanup and restoration, and offers a variety of services that include fire, smoke and soot restoration; mold mitigation and remediation; and general cleaning and deodorizing services. This project is expected to create 25 jobs, with an investment of $500,000 by the company.

PIEDMONT

Morganton receives two jobcreating grants Burke County The Rural Infrastructure Authority also awarded a pair of grants to Morganton. A $240,000 grant will support the renovation of a 40,000-square-foot building occupied

by Toner Machining Technologies, Inc., which specializes in milling and machining operations for the energy, automotive, transportation, and nuclear fields. It’s expected to create 30 jobs, with an investment of $672,000 by the company. A $240,000 grant will support the renovation of a 195,000-square-foot building occupied

by E J Victor, Inc., a locally-owned, highend furniture manufacturer. It’s expected to create 30 jobs with an investment of $1,617,880 by the company.

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Two grants create jobs in Troutman, Statesville Iredell County Troutman received a $125,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority to expand a building occupied by CR Onsrud, Inc., which manufactures industrial machinery in a variety of markets including aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, military and defense. The company will add 9,000 square feet to the existing facility, creating 25 jobs while investing $4,805,058. Statesville received $350,000 to renovate Parker Hannifin’s newly purchased manufacturing building. The Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies manufactures fluids and filtration products for industrial use. The project will create 30 jobs, with an investment of $3,823,041 by the company.

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Grant creates new state park unit McDowell County gets $1.2 million to preserve land McDowell County The N.C. Land and Water Fund made a total of 16 grants of more than $1 million to help set aside land for preservation. McDowell County received one of them. The $1,203,486 award will be used by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina to acquire land in the Pinnacle Mountain, Wilderness Gateway location. The land will be part of local parks and preserves in the county. A total of 9,900 acres in 15 counties were set aside for this purpose.

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Buncombe County Two million dollars of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund went to preserve land in Buncombe County in four separate grants. The largest—$1.2 million—will be used by the N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation to create one of the state’s newest park units, at Pisgah View. It’s part of over 1,330 acres of land added to the state park system by the awards, spanning six counties.

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competitive, first-in-class business climate here in our state.”

In total, 112 legislators were awarded the title of Jobs Champion. According to the criteria in the rankings, lawmakers who voted with the N.C. Chamber’s position at least 80% of the time were awarded the title of Jobs Champion.

The N.C. Chamber also said it was pleased with the bipartisanship on display during this year’s legislative session, saying it is honored to advocate for business and showcase the lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle who share their values.

The rankings were determined primarily on votes on 22 bills, including the state compromise budget, the comprehensive energy bill, the annual farm bill, and the education-reform overhaul.

The N.C. Senate had 36 total members awarded the title of Jobs Champion and 76 N.C. House members were awarded the title. By party, 94 Republicans and 18 Democrats won the awards.

Union County officials pass resolution calling on state to end K-12 contact tracing, quarantines

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

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Grant lures frozen food company, two dozen jobs Granville County The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority awarded 16 grants totaling $4.1 million, including funding a project in Granville County. A $150,000 grant will support the reuse of a 25,000-square-foot building, where Meel Corp, a frozen food company, plans to locate its operations.

The company processes and packs organic conventional fruits, vegetable and frozen convenience products. Meel Corp plans to invest $5,584,000 in the project and create 24 jobs.

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Conover will create 90 jobs as furniture company expands

Grant allows graphics company to create 70 jobs

State gives half million dollars to protect land

Catawba County The Rural Infrastructure Authority also directed an award to Conover. A $440,000 grant will support the renovation of a 145,000-square-foot building occupied by Sherrill Furniture, a 75-year-old upholstery and case goods manufacturer offering midto high-end home furnishing products.

The overall project is expected to create 90 jobs and attract an investment of $2.9 million, while 80 jobs and an investment of $2,543,000 by the company are tied to this grant.

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Bertie County Just over half a million dollars of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund in December went to preserve land in Bertie County. The county received a pair of grants from the fund for acquisition projects.

The first project will protect game lands by adding acreage to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as setting aside land for local parks and preserves. $314,800 went to the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust for the Chowan River Initiative. Another $250,000 went to the Land Trust for Cashy Land and Timber—Hoggards Mill Run. The latter is to preserve land as a military buffer.

Greene County The town of Snow Hill received a grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the 16 grants totaling $4.1 million issued by the organization in December. A $325,000 grant will support the reuse of a 55,000-square-foot building in Snow Hill. At this location, Precision Graphics, Inc. will establish its operations. The company provides electronic manufacturing solutions to customers in the audio, telcom, automotive, military and medical industries. The company is expected to create 70 jobs while investing $5.1 million in the project, with 40 jobs and an investment of $2,295,000 tied to this grant.

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Kings Mountain gets job-creating grant for renovations Cleveland County The Rural Infrastructure Authority also directed an award to Kings Mountain. A $50,000 grant will support the expansion of a building occupied by Carolina Piping Services, a division of Saftcart, Inc. The company is a provider of bulk and micro-bulk gas equipment and oxygen cleaning services, and plans to add 5,000 square feet to the existing facility. With this project, the company expects to create 6 jobs while investing $205,000.

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Columbia receives grant for oyster bar

Drug treatment facility being built in Grimesland

Tyrrell County The town of Columbia received a grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the 16 grants totaling $4.1 million issued by the organization in December. A $25,000 grant will support the reuse of a 9,048-square-foot building, where Waypoint Oyster Bar, LLC, will establish a full-service restaurant and bar specializing in local domestic seafood. Through this project, the company expects to create 5 jobs, with an investment of $618,673.

Pitt County The Rural Infrastructure Authority also directed a grant to Grimesland. A $500,000 grant will support the new construction of a 109,208-square-foot residential chemical dependency treatment facility in Grimesland.

At this location, Haven at Blue Creek, a wellness center for those experiencing substance-use disorders, plans on creating 70 adult chemical dependency treatment beds along with 12 beds for detoxification. The organization expects to create 80 jobs, with a private investment of $37,940,000 in the project.

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RALEIGH — At its Dec. 7 meeting, the Union County School Board voted 8-1 to approve a resolution that calls for the state to end contact tracing and quarantining processes for K-12 students on or before Jan. 19, 2022.

The Union County Board of Commissioners had unanimously passed the resolution at a meeting a day earlier on Dec. 6.

“The presence of COVID-19 in our state and county is likely to persist well into the future without a known or defined end,” the resolution reads. It goes on to say they will still work to support local health officials going forward.

Union County Schools and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen clashed earlier in the school year when the district proposed dropping the contact tracing and quarantining procedures.

Cohen threatened legal action against the district which had the effect of exposing the district’s objections to the overburdensome nature of the process as well as lack of authority related to quarantining.

Last week, a hearing on COVIDfund spending was held by a legislative subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.

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The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

ncfb.org

Cohen was questioned during a COVID-fund spending oversight hearing about the past conflict with Union County Public Schools by state Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union).

Johnson asked Cohen about the state health department’s schools toolkit and whether or not districts really had any local control. He cited the Cooper administration moving from statewide orders to more “local control.”

“I am going to need to put local control in parentheses because it’s more like ‘local control as long as you do what the toolkit says,’” said Johnson, who has two K-12 aged children. “I don’t know that that’s actually local control.”

Johnson also asked, “For the record, is the toolkit a recommendation, a law, or simply a suggestion?”

Cohen deferred, saying only how “critical it is to keep our kids in the classroom and learning.”

She added that quarantining was “an absolute last resort.”

“If kids are vaccinated, they don’t need to quarantine. If they are wearing masks, they don’t need to quarantine,” said Cohen. “They [schools] need to be using quarantine as a last resort.”

Cohen added that “the places that are using those tools” of masking and vaccination have “had to quarantine very few kids.” She said that “we disagree” with using quarantine as a “first resort.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The Political Misery Index for Democrats in 2022

The Political Misery Index for Democrats in 2022 is going to be the inflation rate plus the number of retirements they see at every level of government.

NO SCIENTIST OR BIOLOGIST can prove it in the lab — yet — but elephants in tropical areas have been seen fleeing the low country near beaches before a tsunami caused by an earthquake thousands of miles away hits shore. The conjecture is that animals have a “sixth sense” that can detect impending danger.

Veteran elected politicians on both sides have a “sixth sense” when it comes to their political future. They can just “feel” when the political tectonic plates are shifting against them and their party. They don’t want to be on the beach when the 100-foot wave hits and swallows up everything in sight.

Many voluntarily choose to retire. It is more dignified than getting defeated at the polls. They say they want to “spend more time with the family.” Behind closed doors, this is what they say in all honesty: “Man. I really do not want to get embarrassed by losing big in the next election! I have been a great Congressman!”

As of today, 20 Democrats in Congress have announced their retirement versus 17 Republicans. In North Carolina, up to 15 Democrats in the General Assembly will retire or run for other offices even before the new redistricting maps are finalized.

Research has been done to correlate the number of retirements with net losses of seats in Congress since 1938. The number of retirements on each side is essentially useless in presidential election years since presidential politics swamps almost every other factor in such years.

However, in off-year congressional years such as the one we are about to enter in 2022 — as hard as that is to be believed — retirements are helpful indicators of what might happen in the upcoming elections. It is not the absolute number of retirements that makes a difference, but rather it is the net number of retirements relative to the other party that can be the canary in the mineshaft for either party.

In 2018, 37 Republicans and 18 Democrats decided to retire from Congress for a net retirement difference of +19 Republicans. Democrats rode a blue wave of progressive socialism and hatred against President Donald Trump and gained 40 seats from Republicans. Statistical analysis predicted about 50 seats would be lost, so Republicans actually did better than expected in 2018.

In 1994, 25 Democrats in Congress retired versus only nine Republicans, which included the congressman I worked with, Alex

McMillan of Charlotte (NC9), who retired after five terms in office because he simply had had enough. Republicans rode the wave of sentiment against Bill Clinton’s version of national health care, which was affectionately dubbed “HillaryCare” since Hillary Clinton was the point-person for the effort, and picked up 54 seats.

The most glaring anomaly was 2010 when almost an equal number of Democrats (14) retired as Republicans (13), but Republicans picked up an astounding 63 seats in Obama’s first mid-term. It must have been because Obamacare was passed after filing deadlines had passed in many states. Obamacare, which really was HillaryCare on steroids, ignited the nationwide Tea Party revolt against centralized control of health care when signed into law on March 23, 2010.

Retirements means more open seats for challengers. In the world of politics, that is of enormous consequence since 90-95% of all incumbents everywhere get re-elected due to the equally enormous advantages of incumbency. Incumbents raise more money because they are incumbents. Incumbents get to announce big projects for their districts because they are incumbents. Unless an incumbent commits a felony — although dozens have been convicted of various charges and still gotten re-elected by their constituents — they usually win easily simply because their name ID is higher than their opponent.

The Misery Index invented by LBJ economic advisor Arthur Okun measures the sum of the unemployment rate and inflation rate at a given time. The Political Misery Index for Democrats in 2022 is going to be the inflation rate plus the number of retirements they see at every level of government.

It could be a tsunami building that they are feeling under their feet.

Just like the elephants.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

The big lesson that should be learned from the Jussie Smollett case

“We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie.”

Last week, we learned the fate of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct for lying to the police and detectives.

The charges stemmed from what he said was an attack that happened in Chicago in the wee hours of the morning on Jan. 29, 2019, where he alleged that two men in pro-Donald Trump “MAGA” hats assaulted him and yelled racist and homophobic slurs.

The so-called “attack” turned out to be a hate-crime hoax staged by the actor himself with the two “attackers” being brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, who were extras from the “Empire” set.

After listening to both sides make their respective cases, the jury found Smollett guilty on five of the six charges.

Though the saga isn’t over — the city of Chicago is still in the midst of a lawsuit against Smollett for the time spent on the investigation, and the Osundairo brothers also have a pending lawsuit against the actor and his legal team — now is as good a time as any to discuss the big lesson that should be learned from this case.

After the media got word of the alleged attack back in January 2019, the ink wasn’t even dry on the papers the story was printed on before opportunistic politicians, celebrities, media types, and other prominent public figures weighed in with outrage over the

reports.

None of them bothered to wait for the investigation to play out before rushing to Smollett’s defense, with some also taking the opportunity to smear all Trump supporters as harboring the same racist and homophobic tendencies as Smollett’s alleged attackers.

Then-Sen. Kamala Harris, who had just declared her candidacy for president a week prior, weighed in by tweeting that Smollett “is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.”

“This was an attempted modern-day lynching,” she continued. “No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”

Joe Biden, who was three months away from throwing his hat in the ring, was also quick to share his thoughts on what had allegedly happened to Smollett.

“What happened today to Jussie Smollett must never be tolerated in this country,” his tweet read. “We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie.”

Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America” gave a very sympathetic interview to Smollett, treating the story of his alleged attack as though it was true, although skepticism at the time was widespread and police and

investigators already suspected Smollett had lied to them.

Many other media outlets treated the story as factual as well without using the standard qualifiers like “alleged” and “he said happened,” etc.

Anyone who expressed doubt over Smollett’s story was also lumped in with his supposed attackers. You were either with Jussie Smollett or you were okay with hate crimes being committed and going unpunished.

Smollett’s case wasn’t just an indictment of the once-beloved actor but also an indictment of the tendency many people have to rush to judgment before waiting for more information.

Though this tendency isn’t restricted to the left and the media, when it comes to stories like this, generally they are the first ones out of the gate to be quick on the draw.

It happened with Smollett and it also happened in the Kyle Rittenhouse case out of Wisconsin, which I wrote about in a prior column.

The lesson to be learned? Wait for the facts.

How hard can it be, really? As it turns out, very hard for people with political axes to grind.

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 15, 2021

A7 COLUMN NAN MILLER

COLUMN | MIKE LONG

Why does the education establishment keeping attacking Opportunity Scholarships?

WE LIVE IN AN ERA of deep division and hyperpartisanship. To borrow a cliché, it is what it is.

That is why it is so encouraging to see an issue where North Carolinians broadly come together with the same conclusion. Support for the Opportunity Scholarship Program is one of those issues.

Our new poll of 500 likely voters in the General Election found a 62% support level for these scholarships, which allow low- and middle-income families to send their child to an educational choice that’s right for them. This program establishes the ideal that we should fund students, not systems and bureaucracies. North Carolinians realize this and overwhelmingly support the program.

School choice also polled as very popular in our survey.

In response to the question on where parents would want to send their children to school if cost and distance were not factors, 52% chose a non-traditional public-school option and 38% chose traditional public school. The breakdown on the school choice options was 22% choosing a religious private school, 10.9% choosing a non-religious private school, 10.5% choosing a charter school, and 8.6% choosing a homeschool.

Even while more and more parents are clamoring for options, the real and substantial progress we are seeing continues to be fought tooth-and-nail by the education establishment, which wants parents to only have one option

Somebody go getta man!

— their centrally planned locally zoned public school.

For years now, Opportunity Scholarships have been in the crosshairs of the N.C. Association of Educators.

This self-described teacher’s union filed a lawsuit in 2020 seeking to overturn the program. Our state’s highest court already declared the scholarships constitutional in 2015, but opponents of parental choice are having another go at it.

Crucially, two elections for open seats on the N.C. Supreme Court in 2022 could decide whether scholarships remain or are taken away from thousands of working-class families in our great state. Here again, the public is on the side of school choice. Respondents to our poll opposed the idea of the state’s highest court striking down Opportunity Scholarships by a two-to-one margin.

Here is what parents and voters are telling us: A one-sizefits-all approach to education does not reflect the varied options and demands of our 21st century life. Particularly since the pandemic emerged, our state has experienced a breakout moment for school choice. Our state’s new budget reflects this reality by expanding and improving not only the Opportunity Scholarship Program, but our state’s two school-choice programs designed for students with special needs.

School choice is here to stay. When will the education establishment get it?

COLUMN | JAMES CAPRETTA

A refresher on inflation’s budgetary and macroeconomic effects THE RATE OF INFLATION in the U.S. is at its highest level in three decades, breaking a long stretch of modest pressure that predates the service of most naational policymakers (with some notable exceptions, of course). Fortunately, the staff running the Penn Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) have provided a timely and accessible refresher for the uninitiated of what it could all mean. Their modeling is a useful reminder that price stability should never be taken for granted.

The inflation environment was shifting even before Congress passed the highly stimulative $1.8 trillion COVID response bill in March 2021. Last year, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell engineered a modest loosening in inflation targeting by announcing that periods of average price-rises below the 2.0% target could be offset, temporarily, by inflation above the target. The goal is now a multi-year average that is close to the agreed-upon objective. It was adopted in response to the sustained spell of very low inflation that followed the 20082009 financial crisis.

A main concern during those years was deflation and the difficulty of spurring growth when interest rates are already near zero. If inflation is persistently low, and the economy falls into a recession, there is a risk that prices will fall nominally and that breaking the cycle will be difficult because central banks are reluctant to force lenders to pay borrowers for holding their money. Allowing growth to run high during expansions, even if it means higher inflation, protects against this risk and provides more flexibility for monetary authorities during downturns.

However, as the PWBM team shows, higher inflation has economic costs too, even beyond the obvious effects on real consumption for income-constrained households. They modeled the effects of four inflation expectation scenarios — 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0% annually — over three decades to assess how a lasting shift in the pricing environment would affect key budgetary and macroeconomic indicators. Overall, the government benefits financially, but at the expense of the private economy.

Debt Service. At the time of a shift in inflation expectations, there would be a one-time loss of wealth for existing holders of public debt because they purchased the instruments assuming an inflation rate that is below the updated forecast.

The government’s interest-rate payments are mostly specified in nominal, not real, terms. Holders of inflation-indexed bonds would be protected, but they account for only 7.5% of outstanding federal debt instruments. Many foreign investors and sovereign governments own sizeable portfolios of federal bonds and notes, and they would experience losses if inflation rose unexpectedly, and permanently.

Once a higher rate of inflation resets expectations, the price of non-indexed federal debt instruments will adjust accordingly. In other words, the wealth transfer affects only current holders of federal debt and not future purchasers.

Taxes. Higher inflation would increase federal tax revenue too, first through so-called “bracket creep.” Much of the tax code is indexed automatically to reflect inflation. For instance, the individual income tax has income thresholds delineating its progressive rates that rise each year with the chained CPI-U.

However, other important parameters are not indexed. The income thresholds determining liability for the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) are fixed at $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for joint filers. As inflation rises, so too does the number of taxpayers affected by the NIIT. Similarly, Social Security recipients owe taxes on their benefits if they have other income above thresholds not tied to inflation. With rising prices, more retirees will have non-Social Security incomes sufficient to make them liable for paying taxes on their benefits.

Some important tax credits are not indexed to inflation either. Notably, the child tax credit is fixed at $1,500 annually, and so its value erodes more quickly when inflation accelerates.

Capital gains tax liabilities also are sensitive to nominal price changes. The taxes owed are based on nominal prices when the assets are sold. Taxpayers pay higher real capital gains taxes during periods of higher inflation because there is an erosion in the relative real value of the nominal prices at acquisition.

Businesses also depreciate their capital stock based on their nominal costs, which means the real value of the write-offs will lessen during periods of higher inflation.

The PWBM forecast estimates that inflation of 3.0% annually instead of 2.0% would increase overall federal tax revenue in 2031 from 17.1% of GDP to 17.3 percent. With 5.0% inflation, taxes would jump to 17.6% of GDP. Debt Burden. Higher revenue and lower real costs for servicing debt would lessen the overall debt burden for the federal government. With inflation of 3.0 instead of 2.0%, the debt burden in 2031 would fall by 7.9 percent. This benefit from higher inflation would erode over time, however, as the effects of higher nominal prices slowed economic growth. By 2051, inflation of 3.0% annually instead of 2.0% would lower the federal debt burden by only 6.2 percent.

The Overall Economy. While the federal government’s financial position improves with higher inflation, the same is not true for the real incomes of American households. The shift in wealth from bondholders to the government, and the higher real taxes many households and businesses would pay, reduce their real, after-tax incomes. The PWBM projects higher inflation would reduce capital investment, and thus lower the productivity of the work force. In three decades, the hourly wage of workers would be lower in real terms by 0.5% if inflation were to rise from 2.0% annually to 3.0 percent. The capital stock would be 1.0% smaller in 2051, and total output would be lower too, by 0.3 percent.

Inflating away the real burden of government debt is a longstanding temptation. It has been tried many times, but the story never ends well. Inflation expectations are tough to control once the reins are loosened. Moreover, while higher inflation lowers the real cost of outstanding debt and produces more revenue for the government, the gains come at the expense of the well-being of the private economy, which, in the end, is the only reliable source of a government’s long-term financial stability.

James C. Capretta is a Contributor at RealClearPolicy and is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. This article first appeared in RealClearPolicy.

IN THE FALL OF 1977, a local college hosted what had been billed as a Fellini film festival, an all-day event featuring three films plus analysis by an expert on Fellini. I signed up for what promised to be a great day for movie fans, never guessing that the price of admission would include lessons in male treachery and female victimhood — interrupted by one moment of utter hilarity.

Our first lesson came before the showing of La Strada, which stars a male predator who traps, then abandons an innocent young woman.

Our assignment was to note the similarities in Fellini’s villain and the men in our own lives, and my classmates did not disappoint. During intermission, they gave testimonials about controlling fathers and offish boyfriends while I sat mute, wondering if I was the only woman present who did not see men as the enemy.

My answer came about 30 minutes into the showing of Nights of the Cabiria when suddenly the projector stalled, leaving us fidgeting in the dark while our leader struggled to restart it. A good 10 minutes passed before my fellow skeptic identified herself by belting out, “SOMEBODY GO GETTA MAN!” Laughter erupted, and a guy from tech services was summoned to fix the glitch — and to break the spell that only moments before had cast him as the enemy.

I replayed that scene in my own classes because it was the perfect antidote for a new wave of feminism that cast all men as predators, engaged in what Ti-Grace Atkinson had called the “metaphysical cannibalism” of women. That scene also supported my claim that humor had been the first casualty in feminism’s war on men — and debunked Gloria Steinem’s claim that “a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

Feminism’s mission to enlist young women to swear off men, that is, to overrule human nature, has failed spectacularly, so feminist ideologues put the “patriarchal family” in their crosshairs.

Steinem dismissed “family values” as “a right-wing trip,” while Betty Friedan likened housewives to “the millions who walked to their own death in the concentration camp” and “suffered a slow death of mind and spirit.” Mere contempt wasn’t enough for NYU professor Linda Gordon, who decided that “the nuclear family must be destroyed” and that “the break-up of families now is an objectively revolutionary process.”

No sane person thought that a band of wouldbe revolutionaries could persuade women to forgo the joys and challenges of family life or to redefine “love” as “a pathological condition.” But what feminist militants failed to accomplish by hectoring women, the Biden administration would accomplish with legislation that penalizes marriage and makes single motherhood a profitable enterprise. By creating entitlements for single mothers — if they kick their baby daddies out of the house — and by docking benefits for married couples, Biden’s Build Back Better plan offers a master class in social engineering and, if it passes, a big win for radical feminism.

Biden’s other gift to radical feminism is a fait accompli. Catherine Lhamon’s reinstatement as head of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights means the revival of Obama era guidelines that deny due process and a presumption of innocence for college men who’re accused of sexual misconduct. When Republicans confronted Lhamon with the high number of guilty verdicts that were handed down, then overturned during her former stint as head of the OCR, Lhamon denied the “need to coursecorrect” and equated Trump-era policies with permission for young men “to rape and sexually harass with impunity.”

Despite her colleague’s admission that universities will “find against the defendant, the male defendant, no matter what,” Lhamon was reconfirmed by the Senate on Oct. 20, 51-50.

Small wonder that young men are deserting our universities in record numbers.

Small wonder that feminist activists discount research that quantifies happier, healthier outcomes for children raised in two-parent homes, while they discount men who don’t fit the definition of “natural predator.” Back in 1977, I did not dare say out loud that I noticed something predatory in a professor who would stage a film festival to recruit young women as allies in her war against men.

Noting the in-roads feminist radicals have gained into a left-leaning Congress, you might be thinking it’s time for donors to withhold funding from universities that rally young women to vilify men. Me too.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

The greatest financial swindle of all time ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR provisions of the 1994 Contract with America was a rule requiring Congress to live by the same laws that families and businesses are subject to.

So, why doesn’t Congress live by the financial and accounting standards required of the rest of us?

I’m speaking of the multitrillion-dollar “Build Back Better” law, a giant financial masquerade. No one knows what it costs. None of the Democrats in Congress who are hellbent on passing it seem to care. That may be because, as the House Budget Committee chairman has pronounced, “We can pay for whatever we want to pay for.”

Uh-huh. Don’t hire this man as your accountant.

The bookkeeping gambits in this bill are so brazen that it’s hard to believe they think they can get away with it.

One of the tricks is to hide the actual cost by counting 10 years of revenue to pay for five years of new spending programs. But, amazingly, even with this sleight of hand, they can’t make the numbers add up. Another is to assume that Congress can pass the most significant increase in U.S. history and it won’t hurt the economy.

The Congressional Budget Office has to score whatever Congress sends its way, so it shows massive deficits in the first five years of the Build Back Broker bill and then, magically, the next five years generate significant surpluses.

Is there any human being on the planet who believes these surpluses will emerge or that these new entitlement programs will disappear? They won’t. Congress is planting seeds in the budget that we know from experience will grow into mighty (expensive) oak trees. We will let the children worry about that in 10 or 20 years.

Yet, President Joe Biden still reads off the teleprompter that the bill “costs nothing” and it “won’t raise the debt by a penny.” I wonder if he even believes that.

It is closer to a $4 trillion tax, spend and borrow blitzkrieg with honest accounting, not $2 trillion. Under the process of reconciliation, legislation typically expires after 10 years unless Congress votes to make such provisions permanent, as it did, for example, with former President George W. Bush’s tax-cut bill. Using reconciliation allows the president and Democratic leaders to mask the actual cost of BBB. As former

President Ronald Reagan said, “Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this Earth.”

If a CEO of a major corporation or the manager of a small business did accounting the way Congress does, they would get thrown in jail. Bernie Madoff doesn’t hold a candle to the Democrats in Congress. And for full disclosure, Republicans pull from this bag of tricks, too.

The one man who can rescue us is West Virginia’s Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. He’s been calling out his colleagues for their chicanery.

But will he stick to his guns and force Congress to use generally accepted accounting principles and real numbers?

We can only hope. If he doesn’t, he too will be a coconspirator in one of the greatest financial swindles of all time.

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.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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NATION & WORLD NYC lawmakers pass bill giving noncitizens right to vote

VIRGINIA MAYO | AP PHOTO

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, center, speaks with Portugal’s Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, left, and Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Anze Logar, right, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.

EU has little appetite to join US diplomatic Games boycott The Associated Press BRUSSELS — Several European Union nations have made it clear they have little appetite to join the U.S. initiative for a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Games because of concerns over China’s human rights record.

EU foreign ministers were seeking a united front on how to handle the issue, following France’s position last week that a no-show of leaders and dignitaries at the opening of the Olympics would have little true impact.

“Politicizing sporting events like the Winter Olympics does not seem useful to me,” said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told ZDF broadcaster that as little as possible should be taken away from the participants themselves. “Athletes prepare for years, sometimes half their lives, for this, and that’s why it should not be used for political issues.”

China has dismissed the decision by Canada and the United Kingdom to join Washington’s diplomatic boycott as a “farce” and was not expecting the initiative to garner a worldwide following.

Even though the 27 EU nations will send individual teams and the bloc as such will not have its own athletes, the EU foreign ministers want to streamline

their participating in the largely symbolic diplomatic dance preceding and at the Feb. 4 opening ceremony for the games.

A joint no-show of the 27 nations would add gravitas to U.S. President Joe Biden’s initiative, but the EU nations appear hesitant.

China has vowed to respond to the U.S. with “firm countermeasures” over the boycott, but has given no details on how it plans to retaliate.

Rights groups have called for a total boycott of the Beijing Winter Games, citing Chinese human rights abuses against its Uyghur minority in the northwest Xinjiang region, which some have called genocide. They also point

to Beijing’s suppression of democratic protests in Hong Kong and a sweeping crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous territory.

Schallenberg said it was doubtful that such a diplomatic boycott would benefit the average Chinese much. “Let’s keep things in proportion.”

Baerbock insisted that China would still remain an important partner to solve global challenges like the climate crisis.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said the problem was the EU nations that failed to launch a successful bid for the Winter Games.

Stockholm and Krakow, Poland, were two EU cities that withdrew bids, while Munich rejected it in a voter referendum.

“So we also have to realize that it is indirectly our fault,” that the games went to Beijing instead.

Asselborn also backed the position of French President Emmanuel Macron, who said last Friday that “the pain such a boycott could inflict was questionable.”

Harvard professor’s trial a test of DOJ’s China prosecutions The Associated Press BOSTON — The trial of a Harvard University professor charged with hiding his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program is the latest bellwether in the U.S. Justice Department’s effort to crackdown on economic espionage

by China.

Jury selection started Tuesday in Boston federal court in the trial of Charles Lieber, the former chair of Harvard’s department of chemistry and chemical biology.

Lieber’s is among the highest-profile cases to come from the U.S. Department of Justice’s “China Initiative,” which was launched in 2018 under former President Donald Trump but has faced criticism by some for its impact on academic research and concerns that it amounts to racial profiling of Chinese researchers.

Lieber’s lawyer, Marc Mukasey, didn’t comment ahead of the trial but has said his client maintains his innocence.

“The government has this wrong,” he said last year. “When justice is done, Charlie’s good name will be restored.”

Lieber was arrested last January on allegations that he hid his involvement in China’s Thousand Talents Plan, a program designed to recruit people with knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property to China.

Lieber, prosecutors said, was paid $50,000 a month by the Wuhan University of Technology in China, given up to $158,000 in living expenses and awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to establish a research lab at the Chinese university.

In exchange, prosecutors say, Lieber agreed to publish articles, organize international conferences and apply for patents on behalf of the Chinese university.

He’s pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include two counts of making false statements to authorities and four tax offenses for failing to report income from the Wuhan university.

At the time, Lieber was one of the biggest names — and one of the few not of Chinese origin — swept up in the wide-ranging China Initiative, which was ostensibly launched to prosecute trade-secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage.

The effort also focuses on threats to national infrastructure and “efforts to influence the American public and policymakers without proper transparency,” according to the Justice Department’s website.

The department hasn’t provided a comprehensive list of all the cases prosecuted under the initiative and their outcomes, but said Tuesday that the tally includes at least nine economic espionage prosecutions, seven theft-of-trade-secrets cases and 12 matters involving fraud on universities or other grant-making institutions.

Hundreds of faculty members at Stanford, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Temple and other prominent colleges, meanwhile, have signed onto letters to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland calling on him to end the initiative.

The academics say the effort is harming the nation’s competitiveness in research and technology and has had a chilling effect on recruiting foreign scholars. The letters also voice concerns of racial

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Harvard University professor Charles Lieber departs federal court, in Boston, Jan. 30, 2020, following his arrest on allegations he hid his involvement in a program designed to recruit people with knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property to China. profiling, arguing investigations have disproportionally targeted researchers of Chinese origin.

Andrew Lelling, a former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts who was an early leader on the nationwide effort and whose office brought charges against Lieber, believes the initiative needs reform.

“The Initiative has drifted and, in some significant ways, lost its focus,” he wrote in part on LinkedIn last week. “DOJ should revamp, and shut down, parts of the program, to avoid needlessly chilling scientific and business collaborations with Chinese partners.”

Lelling, who is now in private practice, declined to comment directly on the Lieber case Tuesday, but argued that cases like it were important in bringing attention to the growing threat of economic espionage by the Chinese government.

“There was widespread concern that the Chinese government was using research collaborations to siphon off U.S. technology, so researchers failing to disclose their China connections to U.S. grant-makers was concerning,” he said. “If the U.S. government

doesn’t know the extent of U.S. research collaboration with China, it can’t properly develop policy in that area.”

At the same time, Lelling argued that prosecutors should play out the remaining cases to their conclusion and focus on only the most serious cases against academics going forward.

“Three years later, the academic community is fully aware of the issue,” he said. “Schools have tightened their disclosure requirements in this area and researchers are very worried about government enforcement. In short, deterrence has been achieved.”

Wyn Hornbuckle, a DOJ spokesperson, said Tuesday that the department is reviewing its approach to countering threats posed by the Chinese government and will provide additional information in the coming weeks.

Garland, in October, told lawmakers that China remains a “serious threat” to American intellectual property in terms of espionage, cyber incursions and ransomware.

But he also stressed that “cases will not be pursued based on discrimination, but only on facts justifying them.”

New York Noncitizens in New York City would gain the right to vote in municipal elections under a measure approved by the City Council that would give access to the ballot box to 800,000 green card holders and so-called Dreamers.

Only a potential veto from Mayor Bill de Blasio stood in the way of the measure becoming law, but the Democrat has said he would not veto it. It’s unclear whether the bill might face legal challenges.

More than a dozen communities across the United States already allow noncitizens to cast ballots in local elections, including 11 towns in Maryland and two in Vermont. But New York City is the largest place by far to give voting rights to noncitizens.

Noncitizens still wouldn’t be able to vote for president or members of Congress in federal races, or in the state elections that pick the governor, judges and legislators.

The law would direct the Board of Elections to draw up an implementation plan by July, including voter registration rules and provisions that would create separate ballots for municipal races to prevent noncitizens from casting ballots in federal and state contests. Noncitizens wouldn’t be allowed to vote until elections in 2023.

City Councilman Joseph Borelli, the Republican leader, said a legal challenge is likely.

Opponents say the council lacks the authority on its own to grant voting rights to noncitizens and should have first sought action by state lawmakers.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Harris announces private investments in Central America Washington, D.C. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday announced $1.2 billion in commitments from international businesses to support the economies and social infrastructure of Central American nations, as she works to address what the White House terms the “root causes” of migration to the United States.

Harris was tapped in March by President Joe Biden to work to counter the social, economic and political forces that drive migrants and asylum seekers to the U.S., including many who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

In May, Harris appealed to the private sector to invest in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in an effort to improve stability and opportunity in the Central American countries.

Monday’s announcement builds on that “call to action,” as she announces new commitments and encourages other companies to continue their investment.

Among the new initiatives announced Monday are a push by Nespresso to support coffee-growing in Honduras and El Salvador, a Microsoft initiative to connect millions of people to the Internet and a $100 million commitment to the region by Mastercard to promote digital payments and e-commerce.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NCHSSA football title game recap, B3

TRAVIS LONG | THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Mike Elko looks on during a press conference Monday introducing him as Duke’s new football coach.

Duke introduces Mike Elko as new football coach

NHL

Hurricanes’ COVID outbreak grows; game in Minnesota postponed Minneapolis The Carolina Hurricanes added four more players to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday, forcing the league to cancel the team’s scheduled game Tuesday against the Wild in Minnesota. Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov, Ian Cole and Steven Lorentz joined Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis as players who have tested positive for the coronavirus this week. Aho and Jarvis, along with a member of the team’s training staff, were left to quarantine in Vancouver after entering the protocol Monday, while the other four remain in Minneapolis.

Defenseman Ethan Bear was the first player to test positive and was followed by fellow defensemen Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo. Pesce and DeAngelo were set to join Bear back in the lineup Tuesday before the game against the Wild was postponed.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

The Blue Devils made their first coaching change in 14 years

By Shawn Krest North State Journal ORLANDO RAMIREZ | AP PHOTO

Postseason football games like the Holiday Bowl are looking to find ways to take advantage of college sports’ new name, image and likeness rules.

Swag season: Bowls navigating options with addition of NIL The college football postseason adds a new wrinkle as postseason games try to find ways to maximize exposure and utilize the NCAA’s new rules

Baylor latest men’s No. 1; Duke up to No. 2

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

Indianapolis Baylor took advantage of Purdue’s last-second loss to Rutgers last week to become the fourth different team at No. 1 in the past four weeks in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll. Last season’s national champions earned every vote from a 61-member national media panel Monday to reach the top spot in the poll for the first time since a four‑week run ended on Feb. 17, 2020. The Bears were followed by former No. 1s Duke and Purdue along with UCLA and Gonzaga, which began the season atop the poll and spent the first two weeks there before losses to the Blue Devils and Alabama in a span of three games. Duke remained the only ACC in the rankings, though UNC inched closer to returning to the poll with a fourth straight win, earning 85 votes to receive the 27th‑most in this week’s poll.

THICK AS A Manhattan phone book and as confusing as a set of IKEA assembly instructions, the NCAA rules manual is a publication filled with contradictions.

Among the most confounding are regulations that could render an athlete ineligible for accepting a free lunch yet allow postseason football bowls to lavish that same player with up to $550 in gifts just for being selected to play in their games.

At least some of the hypocrisy was eliminated last summer when the NCAA Council adopted legislation that allows college athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. It’s a change bowl committees have quickly embraced by finding creative new ways to compensate their participants while also promoting both their events, as well as those of their corporate sponsors.

“NIL has created unique promotional opportunities for bowl games to work alongside college athletes,” said Blake Lawrence,

CEO of Opendorse, a third-party company that works to enhance the endorsement value of those athletes. “The players are the most relevant, influential ambassadors available to these games.”

Each of the 43 Division I postseason games sanctioned by the NCAA this year continue to reward their participants with a variety of swag, ranging from shirts and hats with the bowl’s logo on them to gift suites stocked with popular electronics.

Some, however, have gone even further thanks to the latitude afforded them by NIL. Charlotte’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl, for instance, has announced a program that will compensate selected members of the two participating teams — North Carolina and South Carolina — to tell the story of their experience leading up to the game at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 30.

In addition to documenting sponsored team activities such as the traditional ride-along at Charlotte Motor Speedway and a shopping spree at Belk’s flagship store in SouthPark Mall, the players will also use their social media accounts to promote the title sponsor and the bowl.

Afterward, a member of the winning team — not necessarily the game MVP — will be offered a $5,000 contract as a “Duke’s Mayo See BOWLS, page B4

DURHAM — For the first time since Dec. 14, 2007, Duke introduced a new head football coach.

While 45 men have served as head coach of other ACC schools over that span, Mike Elko became just the second man at the helm of the Blue Devils. The former defensive coordinator for Wake Forest, Notre Dame and, most recently, Texas A&M was introduced in the Duke practice facility in front of a crowd of media, current and former players, and the Duke and Durham community on Monday morning.

“We got our guy,” said Duke director of athletics Nina King, “and I could not be more thrilled.”

Elko replaces David Cutcliffe, who was let go following the season. Cutcliffe inherited a program that was one of the worst in FBS and rebuilt Duke football, going to six bowl games in seven years and winning an ACC Coastal Division title.

Elko is hoping to take the program to even loftier heights.

“We will win championships on the field in the fall,” Elko told the crowd, to rousing applause.

“I want to make sure I say that again — we will win championships on the field in the fall.”

Elko praised Duke’s brand and world-renowned accomplishments in research as well as the success of the school’s sports teams, particularly basketball.

“Now it’s time for football to get on that level,” he said. “It’s time for football to hold its end of the bargain and elevate itself to being a national brand and a nationally recognized program.”

Elko summed up his coaching philosophy with five key components.

“We’re gonna have to learn to embrace the grind,” he said.

“That is a word that gets thrown around by every student-athlete that I’ve ever played with or played or coached in my tenure.

We’re gonna turn it into an acronym.”

The GRIND consists of Grit, Relentless effort, Integrity, living

“It’s time for football to hold its end of the bargain and elevate itself to being a national brand and a nationally recognized program.”

Mike Elko, Duke football coach in the Now and being Dependable.

“The beauty of these five pillars is that they require zero talent,” he said. “There’s no level of excellence that you need in your athleticism, it’s simply a mindset. It’s a mindset that we have to change. It demands us to make a choice that we will not settle for anything else but excellence in anything we do. Once we truly understand that and truly embrace these five pillars, success will follow, and success will follow on the field.”

Elko promised the current players that he wasn’t working toward a long-term rebuild. He intended to win right away with the players currently on the roster. He also expressed confidence that the budget King and the Duke administration promised him would allow him to build a staff with salaries competitive in the ACC and nation.

Hiring a staff has taken a back seat in the early going, however, as Elko has worked to try to hold together the recruiting class Cutcliffe and his staff assembled.

The early signing period begins on Wednesday.

“They’ve been through a tough two weeks trying to find out who they are going to send their son to play for, their son trying to figure out the man they are going to play for,” Elko said of the class of 2022 and their families.

“So I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of days trying to make sure we get to Wednesday and get this class signed and part of this community.”

While Elko praised Wake Forest’s Dave Clawson — the man he coached under for a dozen years at four different schools — for helping him reach the heights he See ELKO, page B3

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

WEDNESDAY

12.15.21

TRENDING

Bryce Young: The Alabama quarterback on Saturday became the first Crimson Tide signal-caller to win the Heisman Trophy, receiving 684 first-place votes and 2,311 points to easily outdistance Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (78, 954).

Hutchinson became the third defensive player to be Heisman runner-up and first since Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o in 2012. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (28, 631) finished third.

Anton Khudobin: The Stars goalie was placed on waivers Monday, a move that indicates the 2020 Stanley Cup Final starter is the odd-man out in Dallas. Khudobin is in the second year of a three-year contract that has an annual salary cap hit of $3.3 million. Khudobin has been relegated to the third option behind 22-year-old Jake Oettinger and veteran Braden Holtby, who signed as a free agent in the offseason. The 35-year-old Khudobin is with his fifth NHL team, having played with the Hurricanes from 2013‑15.

Brennan Armstrong: Virginia’s starting quarterback announced he was returning to the Cavaliers next season, giving a boost to new coach Tony Elliott in his first days since leaving Clemson to take over in Charlottesville after Bronco Mendenhall’s resignation. Armstrong averaged 404 passing yards per game this season, ranking second nationally. Elliott comes to Virginia after seven years running the Tigers offense, contributing to two national championships.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu has been named to The Associated Press All‑America first team, and East Carolina cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian was named to the second team. Ekwonu, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound sophomore from Charlotte, is considered a potential lottery pick in 2022 NFL Draft. McMillian, a 5-foot-8, 183-pound junior, has five interceptions and 15 passes defended for the Pirates this season.

MATT KELLEY | AP PHOTO

“The feeling is kind of surreal.”

Hornets rookie guard James Bouknight after he scored 24 points, hitting 6 of 8 3-pointers, in shorthanded Charlotte’s win Saturday over the Kings.

WILFREDO LEE | AP PHOTO

NFL

AUTO RACING

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

“We’ll continue to play both guys.”

Panthers coach Matt Rhule after he used both Cam Newton and P.J. Walker at quarterback in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta.

PRIME NUMBER

2 Triple-doubles in Wake Forest men’s basketball history after Alondes Williams had 16 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to join Demon Deacons legend Tim Duncan as the only players in school history to officially accomplish the feat. Len Chappell had 12 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in 1960, before assists were an official statistic.

DAVID RICHARD | AP PHOTO

Ravens’ superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a low ankle sprain in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Jackson had further tests Monday and Baltimore coach Jim Harbaugh said he’s hopeful his quarterback will be able to play when the Ravens host Green Bay on Sunday.

HASSAN AMMAR | AP PHOTO

Max Verstappen won his first Formula One title Sunday, passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a controversial finish that denied the Mercedes driver a record eighth world title. Mercedes lost its initial protests at the track, which included Verstappen passing Hamilton before the safety car period had ended.

NHL

JEFF MCINTOSH | THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho was named the NHL’s Second Star on Monday — the same day he was put in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol — for the week ending Dec. 12. Aho had five goals and two assists in three games, all wins, last week and received the honor despite missing Sunday’s game in Vancouver.

Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and Colorado defenseman Devon Toews were selected as first and third star, respectively.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B3

NCHSAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cardinal Gibbons brings state title back to Raleigh 2A: Shelby 55, Wallace-Rose Hill 34

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Cardinal Gibbons running back Donovan Shepard rushed for 119 yards in the Crusaders’ 14-2 win over Chambers in the NCHSAA 4A state football championship game Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

The NCHSAA crowned four champions in games in Raleigh and Chapel Hill

Dudley defeated J.H. Rose 69-40 in a high-scoring 3A fi‑ nal, while Shelby pulled away in the second half to outscore Wallace-Rose Hill 55-34 in the 2A game. Tarboro successfully

By Brett Friedlander defended its 1A championship North State Journal with a 25-7 victory against RALEIGH – Cardinal Gib‑ Mitchell County.

Gibbons’ win didn’t just end bons coach Steven Wright re‑ ceived several encouraging a half-century drought for the phone calls and emails in the state’s capital city, it also com‑ week leading up to his team’s pleted a three-year journey for NCHSAA 4A state football the Crusaders, who fell short in championship game against the 4A final in each of the past Chambers High School on Sat‑ two seasons.

The fact the game urday. was played across the One came from an street from Gibbons’ unexpected source, a campus, with a large member of the 1970 contingent of family, Broughton High team “It’s nice fans and fellow stu‑ that was the most re‑ to bring one dents in the stands, cent squad from Ra‑ made it all the more leigh to win a state back home.” special. The team football title. walked to the game “Go win one for Steven Wright, rather than riding on Raleigh,” the message Cardinals buses. said.

“There was such “It reminded me Gibbons a close distance be‑ of the 51‑year hiatus football coach tween us and the for Raleigh proper,” school, we knew we Wright said. “There have been a lot of cities that had could create almost a home en‑ a lot of success over the years, vironment for what was essen‑ and it’s nice to bring one back tially supposed to be a neutral game,” said senior running back home.”

The Crusaders did just that Donovan Shepard, who gained on Saturday, overcoming both 76 of his game-high 119 rushing the defending state champion yards in the fourth quarter to Chambers Cougars and a tor‑ help his team salt away the vic‑ rential downpour that turned tory. “That helped give us a lot the field at Carter-Finley Stadi‑ of momentum.”

The Crusaders (14-2) cashed um into a swamp to win the first in on that momentum with state crown in school history.

Quarterback Connor Clark a pair of scoring passes from connected with game MVP Clark to Shotwell.

The first came on a 34-yard Maverick Shotwell for two long touchdown passes and the Cru‑ strike late in the first quarter saders defense shut down a just before the monsoon-like powerful Chambers attack for a conditions hit. The second 14-2 victory in one of four title came after the rain stopped just after halftime — a 74-yard con‑ games held last weekend.

3A: Dudley 69, J.H. Rose 40

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Shelby wide receiver Ja’Keith Hamilton leaps for a touchdown reception over Wallace-Rose Hill defender Reid Page during the Golden Lions’ 55-34 win in the NCHSAA 2A state football championship game Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. nection on which Shotwell ad‑ justed his route to get a step on his defender.

Chambers scored its only

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Players on the Wallace-Rose Hill football team hold up the jerseys of four teammates who weren’t able to play in Saturday’s NCHSAA 2A state football championship game against Shelby due to COVID-19.

ELKO from page B1 has, he said that he expected his experience at Notre Dame to be more relevant to what he hopes to do with the Blue Devils.

“I just think Duke means some‑ thing,” he said. “Anywhere you go across this country, Duke means something, and it means an aw‑

Sophomore quarterback Daylin Lee passed for 313 yards and five touchdowns, and Marquis Adams scored four times to lead Shelby to the 2A championship, its 12th state title and third in the past four seasons.

“That has been a journey,” Shelby coach Mike Wilbanks said of a title quest that began last spring, three days after a second-round playoff loss to Hendersonville. “This is our 25th game of 2021, so to go from April 26 right after we played a nine-game sea‑ son, get right back to work, go right back into June, seven-on-sevens, hit August wide open and to make this 16-game run … I’m so happy for them.”

As tumultuous as the past year has been for Shelby, it’s been just as chal‑ lenging for Wallace-Rose Hill, which was seeking its first state champion‑ ship since 2017.

The Bulldogs were faced with an added obstacle this week when four of their players — senior wide re‑ ceiver James Smith, senior tackle/ nose guard Tylique Hall, sophomore Deashawn Taylor and freshman line‑ backer Irvin Brown — tested positive for COVID-19 and weren’t able to make the trip to Raleigh.

Despite the absences, Wallace-Rose Hill (13-3) held its own for the first two quarters.

With star Kanye Roberts rushing for the first four of his five touch‑ downs, the Bulldogs matched Shelby score-for-score until the Golden Lions (15-1) punched it in with 11 seconds remaining in the half to take a 34-27 lead.

But while Shelby adjusted to Wal‑ lace-Rose Hill’s wing-T offense in the second half, the Bulldogs had no an‑ swer for their opponent’s passing at‑ tack. The Golden Lions scored three unanswered touchdowns to start the second half — two on Adams runs and one on a 42-pass from Lee to Ad‑ ams – to break the game open.

ful lot in terms of excellence. … I can get on the phone with any kid across this country. And I can talk to him and I can say, ‘What does Duke mean to you?’ And in about 30 seconds, I’ll figure out whether he’s the right fit for us. And if he’s the right fit for us, we can recruit him against any school in the coun‑ try because there’s no school in the

points on a safety created by a bad punt snap by Cardinal Gib‑ bons during the height of the storm.

The Cougars (14-2) threat‑ ened to score later in the second quarter when star running back Daylan Smothers broke free for a 56-yard gain. But he was stopped at the 5-yard line when Blake Raphael ran him down from behind. One play later, Chambers turned the ball over on a bad snap of its own.

Smothers finished the game with 91 rushing yards on a night in which his team could only manage 114 total yards. After‑ ward, Smothers admitted that the Cougars — who won the past two 4AA titles under their school’s former name, Vance – did a better job of dealing with the messy conditions than he and his teammates.

“The conditions were bad, but at the end of the day it’s football and you’ve got to deal with it.

You’ve got to play through it,” he said. “It’s wet out there, your feet get heavy and cold. They just had bigger plays than we did.”

country that matches our balance of academics and athletics.”

Elko is a former quarterback but made his coaching reputa‑ tion on the defensive side of the ball. That doesn’t mean, howev‑ er, he wants to win grind-it-out, low-scoring affairs.

“We’re going to score points,” he promised. “For some reason, there

CHAPEL HILL – Michael Shaw ran for 191 yards and quarterback Jahmier Slade scored three rushing touchdowns to lead the Panthers from Greensboro to the 3A state champi‑ onship at Kenan Stadium in the high‑ est-scoring state final in NCHSAA history.

Dudley’s 69 points were also a state record for a single team in a neutral site state title game.

The Panthers (14-2) got off to a fly‑ ing start by scoring touchdowns the first three times they touched the ball, including a 79-yard run by Shaw.

Rose (11-5) answered back with a 13-yard pass from Will Taylor to Jayden Grimes and a 59-yard inter‑ ception return by Jameer Roach to get back into contention and trailed only 27-14 with less than a minute remain‑ ing in the half.

But Dudley scored twice in the fi‑ nal 43 seconds before halftime, on a 5-yard run by Mehki Wall and a 14yard pass to Slade from R.J. Baker surrounded by a fumbled kickoff, to open up some separation and cruise to its sixth state title and first since 2016.

“We’ve been doing that all year, so it was very expected,” Wall said of the late first-half surge. “Against us, the best team in the state, teams don’t al‑ ways fold under the pressure, so that’s what we had to do — keep putting our foot on their necks.”

1A: Tarboro 25, Mitchell County 7 CHAPEL HILL – The Vikings (14‑1) won their second state championship this calendar year and fourth in the past five seasons by riding the punish‑ ing running of Tobias Joyner to victory in the NCHSAA 1A title game at Ke‑ nan Stadium on Saturday.

“This one, being with these guys, is special because of the group that I have,” Tarboro coach Jeff Craddock said. “I just love seeing these guys cel‑ ebrate, knowing they accomplished something that many people thought we couldn’t.”

Joyner rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while teammate Trevon White added 79 yards and two more scores for Tarboro, which de‑ feated East Surry for the 2020 crown during the delayed season last spring.

Ty Turbyfill ran for 101 yards and passed for a touchdown to provide the bulk of the offense for Mitchell (13-3).

appears to be this belief that de‑ fensive coaches don’t want to score points. So I’m going to make sure that’s clear. We’re going to run a multiple offense system that really allows us to utilize who we are.…

I think our offensive philosophy is going to be very simple. We want to get (the ball) into the hands of our best playmakers as much as

we can, and we want to allow them to be successful and make plays.”

Flanked by his wife and three children, Elko presented a high-energy, focused face of Duke football, the first new face the pro‑ gram has seen in 14 years.

“I believe that now is the time for Duke football,” the new coach concluded.

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Hurricanes’ Slavin showing Norris potential Carolina’s workhorse defenseman has taken his game to another level this season

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — Jaccob Slavin’s path to winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy took several years. He had to overcome being the rare defenseman worthy of the award and the even rarer Hurricanes player considered for one of the NHL’s top honors.

But enough about gentlemanly play. It’s time to rev up Slavin’s Norris Trophy candidacy.

“In my opinion, he’s one of the best in the league for sure,” Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho said of Slavin.

The past few weeks have underlined how important Slavin — who went from being considered one of the most underrated players in the league to some believing Dougie Hamilton helped carry his play — is to not only the Hurricanes’ defense but the team as a whole.

“I always thought he was a great defenseman,” said Ian Cole, who has been partnered with Slavin during the team’s COVID outbreak. “Not just offensively, not just defensively but all the way around. Two-way, can do everything, can skate, can play hard — can do it all. And in my mind, those are the types of defensemen that are the best in the league, that really anchor a team. And he very much is that anchor for us.”

Since Ethan Bear entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol on Nov. 22, followed a handful of days

later by the team’s two other usual right-handed defensemen, Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo, joining him, Slavin has picked up the slack in more ways than one.

The most obvious has been Slavin’s ice time. While Slavin has consistently averaged 22-23 minutes a night throughout his NHL career, in five of six games this month he’s played at least 27 minutes, eclipsing 29 in four of those games. That included a career-high 32:28 in last Thursday’s overtime win in Calgary.

“I can’t be more impressed about an individual,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the win over the Flames. “This is just kind of icing on the cake that he can do this.”

Part of the bump in ice time has been Slavin taking on power play responsibilities with the point men on both units, DeAngelo and Pesce, on the shelf.

It was another assignment he took in stride, helping Carolina get out of a seven-game power play drought with an assist against Ottawa and another in Winnipeg.

The increased workload hasn’t diminished Slavin’s bread and butter. Slavin has continued to draw the toughest assignments each night and remains the backbone of the league’s second-ranked penalty kill.

The Hurricanes have an 88% success rate on the penalty kill and have allowed just two goals in December — and one came on a five-minute major in Winnipeg.

They killed off the entirety of a five-minute major three nights earlier in Buffalo.

“The penalty kill is something that we take pride in as a group,”

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, right, is on pace for career‑highs in points and time on ice.

Slavin said after the win in Winnipeg. “I know (assistant coach Tim) Gleason takes a lot of pride in it and how we do things. So when you step over those boards, you got a job to do.”

Although many of the aforementioned improvements came out of necessity — whether it was because of Carolina’s coronavirus outbreak or its propensity to take penalties — Slavin has also elevated other parts of his game.

While he is known for having one of, if not the best defensive

sticks in the league, Slavin has shown a willingness to lay the body when the opportunity arises this season.

A perfect example was Sunday in Vancouver. With goalie Antti Raanta on the bench for an extra attacker as the Hurricanes trying to score a late tying goal, Vancouver forward Vasily Podkolzin tried to collect the puck for an empty-net goal. While in past seasons he probably would have swept away the puck with his stick, Slavin instead stepped up and de-

livered a thunderous check. It was one of many big hits Slavin has had this, adding another wrinkle to his defensive game.

“I don’t know if it’s a conscious decision. I never necessarily look for it,” Slavin said before Tuesday’s postponed game in Minnesota. “I never try to take myself out of the play to look for a big hit, but when the opportunity presents itself and it seems like that’s my only option.

I’m not afraid to use the body.”

One obstacle for Slavin getting serious Norris consideration is he’s never been a top point producer.

His best offensive season was in 2019-20 when he had six goals and 30 assists for 36 points in 68 games. It’s not a coincidence he had his best showing in the Norris vote — he’s appeared on ballots each of the past five seasons — that year, finishing fifth.

Slavin’s offense has increased this season as well. Despite having only one goal so far this season, he’s on pace for the most points of his career. Through 27 games, he has 14 points, which project to a 42-point season if he plays all 82 games. The goals should come as well since he’s on pace for a career-high 179 shots this year but has just a 1.7% shooting percentage compared to a 4.4% career average coming into 2020-21.

With Pesce and DeAngelo both set to return and Bear working his way back into shape, Slavin will probably settle back into his usual role of 22-minute shutdown defender. The last few weeks have shown just how high his ceiling is.

“Slavo’s really picking up a lot of the slack there,” Brind’Amour said. “Power play, extra minutes — that’s why he is what he is.”

UNC’s defensive improvement to be tested in game vs. UCLA The Tar Heels have made leaps since an early-season slump

By Shawn Krest North State Journal CHAPEL HILL — Not that long ago, North Carolina’s biggest problem was its defense.

The Tar Heels had a brutal trip to Connecticut, losing to Purdue and Tennessee on consecutive days and giving up 182 points in the process. Five games into the season, UNC sat at 3-2 with four straight teams scoring 83 or more against the Heels.

“We have no identity on defense,” coach Hubert Davis complained. “It will change.”

Davis wasn’t lying. Since returning from the Connecticut casino, the Tar Heels have been a different team on defense. Carolina gave up 53 points to UNC Asheville and 51 to Michigan, marking the first time in 15 years UNC has allowed 53 points or fewer in backto-back games.

In four games, no one has put up more than 63 against the Heels, the first time they’ve done that in four straight since 2012.

Carolina has allowed an average of 57.3 points over that span.

The improvement has been dramatic, immediate and widespread. Just about every aspect of

BOWLS from page B1 Bowl Ambassador” to continue telling the story of the event into the offseason.

“We think it’s going to be an excellent opportunity and platform to have players engaged in telling the stories about their experiences at the bowl,” said Danny Morrison, executive director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, the organization that runs the state’s only bowl game.

“We think this can be an inside look from a players’ standpoint, so we’re excited about the possibilities. It’s a way to talk about the bowl and about Duke’s Mayo, and hopefully we’ll have fun with it as well.”

Thanks to the efforts of marketing director Miller Yoho, the Charlotte bowl has raised its profile nationally since partnering with Duke’s last year. Among its most popular gimmicks is an offer to donate $10,000 to charity if the winning coach allows himself to get doused with mayonnaise at the

defense has improved.

Through five games, UNC had allowed at least 0.9 points per possession to every opponent and more than one point per possession in three games. In the last four, the Tar Heels have allowed less than 0.83 points per possession in three games.

After allowing four of their first five foes to have an effective field goal percentage of .500 or above (and two at over .600), the Heels have held to of the last four below .400.

The Tar Heels are better on the inside. The first five opponents shot 117 of 219 (.534) on two-point shots. That’s fallen to 62 of 139 (.446) in the last four.

They’re better on the outside.

Always a thorn in Carolina’s side, defending the 3-pointer appeared to be another weak spot this year.

The first five foes hit 44 of 117 (.376) from three. That’s fallen to 26 of 98 (.265) since.

The Tar Heels are defending cleaner. Carolina’s rate of sending opponents to the free-throw line has been cut to almost one-third of its level to start the season.

That doesn’t mean the defense has backed off, however. Turnover rate on defense has almost doubled to 20% of opposing possessions in the last three games after never being above 13.5% in the five previous.

“We’ve been more active on the

defensive end,” Davis said, “which has allowed us and put us in positions to get steals and deflections.

And then also, you know, how you get out in transition is when a team misses. And so over the last two and a half weeks, our defense has been better.

“It’s hard to get out in transition, when you’re allowing 90 some points in the paint the way the way we did in Connecticut, that’s hard to get out and transition there. But when you get stops and you’re active defensively, you put yourself in a position to get steals and deflections that allow you get out in transition.”

Normally, a team can cut down on the points it’s allowing by slowing the pace, but Carolina is playing as fast as ever.

“We want to run at our pace, and what starts our pace is how we play on a defensive end,” Davis explained.

UNC is averaging 81.1 points per game, its highest scoring level in three years. Five players are scoring in double figures for the first time in four years.

The Tar Heels have embraced the 3-point shot like never before this season, helping boost their scoring. Carolina is on pace to set a team record for made threes per game, and the Tar Heels have hit at least seven treys in every game this season, their longest streak since 2004.

Currently, UNC ranks No. 6 in the nation in 3-point accuracy, 256 spots higher than it ended last year.

Carolina’s improvement will be put to the test as the Tar Heels make a return trip to the casinos with a game in Las Vegas against UCLA. The Bruins were 8-1 at press time with a win over Villanova. They have the ninth-most efficient offense in the country and have hit 24 of their last 57 threes for a .421 rate.

UCLA has also clamped down on the perimeter, allowing its last three opponents to hit just 19 of 81 (.234) from outside. The Bruins are also No. 10 in the country in ball security on offense.

The Bruins are also just as good

at Carolina on the offensive and defensive boards, ranking No. 26 and No. 8 nationally, respectively, on the two ends.

The Tar Heels passed a big test against Michigan to help spark their current hot streak. The UCLA game will be the last challenge of the nonconference schedule before heading into ACC play.

The players are confident that their newfound improvement will hold up as the competition ramps up.

“Once we lock down on defense, and we just stick to our plays on offense and just doing what Coach Davis tells us to do day in and day out,” Caleb Love said. “We play as a team playing hard and playing together. We’ll just be great.”

end of the game rather than the usual Gatorade shower.

“Our philosophy is that we take what we do every day seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Morrison said. “We want the game to be a bowl that has energy and shows people that it’s a fun brand and a great brand.”

Not everyone has been as quick or as decisive in implementing NIL programs.

Steve Beck, executive director of the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland, said he and his staff are still in the brainstorming stage and trying to determine how best to use their new freedom to market their game, sell tickets and, most importantly, call attention to Patriot Point.

Proceeds from the bowl, which will be played on Dec. 27 between East Carolina and Boston College, go to benefit the 290-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“I’m hoping my people get really creative as they figure out how to

approach this,” Beck said. “It’s interesting and exciting to see how it might impact this next generation of fans and the connectivity they have with the players. You just have to look at each team and try to determine who has a good following and try to create a promotion that goes along with that. That’s what we’re trying to determine now.”

One idea that is strictly off the table is crossing the line into playfor-pay by offering draft-eligible stars appearance fees to prevent them from opting out. Even if it was legal, Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli said it wouldn’t be financially feasible for a game or its sponsor to pay the kind of money it would take to change a potential first round draft pick’s mind about playing.

Still, speculation on the subject was raised recently when UNC quarterback Sam Howell announced his decision to play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl with a social media post featuring a gif of Homer Simpson guzzling a jar of mayonnaise.

Howell debunked that conspiracy theory by saying he “thought it would be something funny” to show his excitement about playing another game with his teammates.

“Anybody who tries to make the case that he’s playing because there’s some NIL incentives out there for his entire team is mistaken,” said Carparelli, whose organization binds all 42 postseason games into a single entity.

Because each state has different laws concerning NIL and the NCAA hasn’t yet instituted its own blanket guidelines, Carparelli said that there’s no single format for how it should be used. As such, the session on NIL at Bowl Season’s annual meeting last summer — which included a representative of Opendorse as well as other experts on the subject — drew by far the most interest among its members.

But as Gator Bowl executive director Greg McGarity notes, NIL arrangements aren’t for everyone.

“Every situation is unique,” said McGarity, whose New Year’s Eve game in Jacksonville, Florida,

matches Wake Forest and Texas A&M. “It’s another tool in the tool chest, but we felt that with the teams we have this year, it’s not a wise investment for us considering the dynamics that are in play.”

NC State (Holiday Bowl vs.

UCLA) and Appalachian State (Boca Raton Bowl vs. Western Kentucky) are the other state teams participating in the postseason this year.

“NIL is such a new thing for all of us in college athletics. I think we’re learning as we go,” Carparelli said. “The bowl organizations are no different than the college and universities and the student-athletes themselves in terms of figuring out what they can and can’t do, how to use it to their advantage and how the entire system works.

“We still don’t have all the answers, but it got everybody thinking. This year for us, just like everybody else, there’s going to be a steep learning curve. As we get into subsequent years, we will have a lot more to go on.”

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

After struggling at the start of coach Hubert Davis’ first season, the Tar Heels’ defense has been more effective as ACC play approaches.

The 3 big questions nob

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That can suffering frombelow the H1N1 (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, even scraped zero virus during is close to as bad as it gets.

Better Challenge Nela Richardson, in academic journals advocated trainingConsumer prices rose 6.8% for I’ve help drive inflation higher, as departs of 2015. bigger danger been tryingThe to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up grant will enable us to chief economist at ADP men like dogs and punishing white male mand outstrips supply. thentoo wasmany too-low inflation,ofwhich the 12 months ending in Novem- way memories a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. connect and strengthen our college students for historical slavery by also lead to a weak economy. ber, a 39-year high. Many econo- can But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has The U.S. government will also asking themmanufacturing to sit in silence on the floor in expect inflation to remain advanced potentially offer less aid to house“This is not going to be an easy mists chains class and to to this level a few more months fix,” said Nela Richardson, chief at Ameriprise, expects inflation holds in 2022, whether that’s assetsduring and resources tobe expectednear learn from the discomfort. Other papers but to then moderate through economist at ADP. “Just because to peak at 7.1% in December and through child tax credit payments achieve transformational celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy2022 life for a variety of reasons. And inflation will eventually moderate January, for example. After that, or beefed-up unemployment bensuccess the global choice andinadvocated treating privately they don’t see a repeat of the 1970s doesn’t mean that prices are going he expects the inflation rate to fall efits. That could also lead to fewer competition for jobs and conducted masturbation as a form of or early 1980s, when inflation ran to go down. They’re up. We’re just toward 4% by the summer and be- purchases by Americans, further sexual violence against women. economic growth” said Stan Typically, above 10% for frighteningly long lowering the rate of change, not low 3% by the end of the year, but lessening the pressure on inflaacademic journal editors send submitted to stay above 2% through 2023. the level of prices.” stretches.

Kelly, CEO of the Piedmont papers out to referees for review. In One reason for the modera- See INFLATION, page B6 Russell Price, chief economist Households could even see relief Triad Partnership. recommending acceptance for publication, Phase 1, of the Build many reviewers gave theseBack papers glowing praise.

Better Regional Challenge, Political scientistto Zach Goldberg ran invited coalitions apply certain grievance studies concepts through for Lexis/Nexis funding to implement the database, to see how often a collection to over the years. they appearedofinthree our press He found huge increases in the usages eight distinct but related of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” projects in their region.

Nation’s largest grocery “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”

Kroger employs almost a half Projects need to be in All of this is being taught to college chain, and owner of N.C.’s million people who interact with Harris Teeter stores, coordination industry students, manywith of whom become primary as many as 9 million customers changes policy as vaccines and school teachers who then andsecondary community partners, daily. indoctrinate younga people. and boosters become widely While President Joe Biden’s and alignedour around I doubt whether the coronavirus- available. vaccine mandate is facing legal holistic vision to build and caused financial crunch will give college opposition, many companies are scale a strategic industry who are a and university administrators, still trying to get as many of their crossbreed between a parrot sector. EDA received 529 and jellyfish, employees vaccinated as possible.

The Associated Press the guts and backbone to restore academic It is legal for businesses to require applications from regions respectability. Far too often, they get much the vaccines, and they could fire Kroger, the country’s biggest in all 50 states and five of their political support from campustraditional grocery chain, is endemployees who don’t comply. In territories, and who the 60 grievance people are members of the other cases, workers might be reing some benefits for unvaccinated finalists represent regions faculty and diversity and multiculturalworkers as big employers attempt quired to wear masks or get regadministrative offices. that formed extraordinary ular tests for the virus. Compato compel more of their workforce The best hope lies with boards of to become vaccinated with cases nies are also allowed to withhold coalitions, demonstrated trustees, though many serve as yes-men perks or charge extra for health inof COVID-19 again rising. regional needs, president. and for the university I think that aUnvaccinated workers will no surance for those workers who represented bold be proposals to or 1960s good start would to find 1950s fuse shots. longer be eligible to receive up to catalogs.

Look at the course offerings at grow their target industry Kroger is not the first company two-weeks paid emergency leave aclusters. time when college from graduates to steer clear of an outright manif they become infected, a compaRanging ruralknew how AP PHOTO to read, write and compute, and makeny spokesperson confirmed Tuesdate, instead trying to coerce emcommunities and coastal them today’s curricula.

Another helpful ployees through company-sponday. That policy was put into place A shopper loads his car with groceries at the Kroger in Novi, Mich on towns to major metros, the tool would be to give careful consideration sored health plans. last year when vaccines were un- Jan. 23, 2021. to eliminating classes/majors/minors finalists makeallup a diverse Delta Airlines announced it Auavailable. containing the word “studies,” gust that it would charge employcross-section of the United such as The Cincinnati company also women, Asian, black or queer studies. confirmed changes in benefits first to unvaccinated salaried employ- able to fully vaccinated associates. ees on the company health plan States.

I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalreported by The Wall Street Jour- ees that are enrolled in a company Early last year Kroger imple- $200 a month if they fail to get “The Randolph academic mission toCounty colleges, they would nal for non-union or management. healthcare plan. It will not apply mented emergency leave that al- vaccinated against COVID-19. put a serious dent intothe the COVID-19 Unvaccinated workers in that cat- to hourly associates enrolled in a lowed paid time off for any work- The airline also said at that time EDC is thrilled that budget shortfall. egory will pay a monthly $50 sur- company healthcare plan or those er diagnosed with COVID-19. All that it would stop extending pay region will take another step charge for their company health covered by a collective bargaining employees were eligible to receive protection to unvaccinated workforward with the Build Back Walter E. Williams is a professor of plan. their standard pay for up to 14 ers who contract COVID-19 on agreement.

Better Regional Challenge. economics at George Mason University. The Journal, which viewed Sept. 30, and would require unKroger said in an email that it days.

Regional collaboration is As Kroger modifies some of its vaccinated workers to be testa company memo outlining the will still offer various leave options changes, said that the leave and for employees who contract the vi- policies, the company said that it ed weekly beginning Sept. 12, alone of the things we do health insurance surcharge poli- rus, including earned paid time off will continue to encourage work- though Delta will cover the cost. best in the Triad” said cies are effective in the new year, and the ability to apply for unpaid ers to get vaccinated with $100 Unvaccinated employees also have Kevin Franklin, President leave. What Kroger called a “spe- payments given to all fully vacci- to wear masks in all indoor comjust over two weeks away.

Randolph County EDC. pany settings.

The surcharge will only apply cial” leave will only remain avail- nated employees.

business & economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

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north STA

VISUAL VOICES

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

Inflation is painfully high, but some relief may be coming

Kroger ending some COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated staff

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B6

For the week ending 12/3

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,738,530,377 Add Receipts

$49,110,869 Less Disbursements

$19,268,667 Reserved Cash

$607,030,487 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$5,744,422,176 Loan Balance:

$440.3M

INFLATION from page B5 tion.

Most immediately, Americans should see swings in inflation via energy costs.

A gallon of regular gasoline has fallen about 2.4% over the last month, to a little less than $3.35 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA. That’s progress, though drivers are still paying far higher prices than last year, when a gallon of regular was only $2.16.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts gasoline will drop again to an average of $3.13 in December and to $2.88 for all of 2022 after averaging $3.39 last month, the highest since 2014.

“That should provide some relief for consumers when they go to fill up their tanks. Now how much relief? That’s really hard to tell,” said Andrew Gross, spokesman for AAA. “It’s really hard to gauge what sort of world events are happening. And it really doesn’t take much to spike oil prices.”

Oil prices have dropped for a number of reasons. On one side, nations have made agreements to boost oil supplies. On the other, the omicron variant of the coronavirus dented expectations for demand on worries it would cause lockdowns and canceled travel.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil has fallen nearly 15% since the start of November.

Home heating costs are also likely to be lower than projected, although bills will still likely be higher than last year, as prices for natural gas fall with other fuels on global markets.

The average cost to heat a home this winter will be an estimated $972, according to Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. That’s less than the $1,056 his group was projecting in October, but still higher than the $888 consumers paid to heat their homes last year.

“This is a consumer beware situation,” Wolfe said. “Don’t get your hopes up that prices are going to come down to last year’s levels.”

Perhaps the biggest wildcard in where inflation is heading is what happens with workers’ wages.

Workers across the country are fighting for higher pay. Deere & Co. employees recently won a deal that will deliver 10% raises immediately, for example.

Usually, companies will try to pass such increases along to their customers through higher prices.

And with the unemployment rate low and companies chasing after workers — there were nearly 1.5 job openings at the end of October for every person on unemployment — the pressure may be building for faster wage gains.

On top of that is whether the spike already seen in inflation will scare U.S. households into speeding up purchases to get ahead of any further price increases. That could create its own feedback loop, driving prices higher.

“We’ve seen a real awareness on Main Street that prices have gone up,” ADP’s Richardson said.

“It’s a concern because when you’re battling inflation on multiple fronts — it’s not just the supply chain, it’s not just the labor market shortages, but now you’ve got the consumer who’s in the mix — it just increases the difficulty in bringing inflation under control.”

PHOTO VIA AP

CEO and Chairman of the Bank of America Brian Moynihan speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 2, 2021.

BofA CEO: Consumers spending at fastest pace he’s seen The Associated Press NEW YORK — The head of the nation’s second-largest bank said consumers are spending “at a faster rate” than he’s ever seen but he remains concerned about how inflation and supply-chain issues will influence the economy going into the winter.

In an interview this month with The Associated Press, Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan said spending on the bank’s debit and credit cards has surged as the economy recovered from recession.

But Moynihan also said a recent decline in consumer sentiment — by one measure to the lowest point in a decade — may indicate higher costs are adding to Americans’ frustration with the ongoing pandemic. “(The consumer) is earning more money, but now they are worried that these costs are going to go up faster than their wages,” he said. “Also, frankly, the constant ebb and flow of this virus weighs on people’s minds over time.”

On Friday, the government said prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.8% in November compared with a year earlier as surging costs for food, energy, housing and other items left Americans enduring

their highest annual inflation rate in 39 years.

For now, consumer spending is holding up, which gives Moynihan confidence in the economy.

In addition, unemployment is at post-pandemic lows, wages are rising and GDP growth is expected to top 5% this quarter.

Moynihan took over Bank of America in 2010, at a time when the bank was posting billions of dollars in losses from bad bets on the housing market as well as its ill-timed purchase of Merrill Lynch. He’s been largely credited with cleaning up the banking giant’s troubles and returning it to record profitability and fewer losses.

More recently, Moynihan has had to navigate the bank through a second far-reaching crisis: the coronavirus pandemic. The bank had to set aside billions of dollars to cover troubled mortgages and credit card accounts, as millions of Americans suddenly could no longer pay their bills.

Now, nearly two years into the pandemic, Moynihan said he’s feeling confident about where the economy stands. He said debit and credit card spending for Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday rose 13% from 2019 levels. For the month of November, spending on the bank’s credit and

debit cards was up 27% compared to November 2019.

“The U.S. consumer is spending money a lot of money, spending at a faster rate than I have ever seen, and I’ve been tracking this data for 15 years,” he said.

These remarks echoed similar comments made by Al Kelly, CEO of payments processer Visa, last month in an interview with the AP. Moynihan says the increase in consumers spending on BofA’s network is happening mainly in entertainment, travel, and restaurants. While gasoline prices are sharply higher from a year ago, gas purchases make up on 5% of the total spending on the bank’s credit and debit cards. Supply-chain problems, which have caused businesses to scramble for raw material and finished goods, are also not translating into a restraint on consumers’ willingness to go shopping.

“I’m not sure ‘lack of opportunity to spend’ is the consumers’ issue right now,” he said. “Are they buying exactly what they wanted? No, there’s shortages on some items.

But they’re finding things to buy.”

Moynihan attributes a good part of the strong economic recovery to the trillions of dollars in government intervention that came as a result of the pandemic. The

rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in a year’s time, as well as government support through stimulus, has allowed economies to reopen and consumers to keep their balance sheets healthy. The Federal Reserve also cut interest rates to near-zero levels and restarted its Great Recession bond-buying program to keep up economic demand as well.

“We flooded the zone with all this fiscal stimulus and accommodative monetary policy and we were able to bring this huge economy back out of recession relatively quickly,” Moynihan said.

He also attributes part of the recovery to the banking industry.

Banks were financially healthy heading into the pandemic and able to withstand hundreds of billions of dollars in losses without putting any of them at risk of failing, due in large part to the DoddFrank Act passed after the financial crisis.

“You had a financial services industry really stepped in this time to do its part to make sure everything got where it supposed do,” he said, referring to stimulus payments as well as the Paycheck Protection Program. The program to aid small businesses was administered by the Small Business Administration but run through the banking industry.

Pfizer confirms COVID pill’s results, potency versus omicron The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pfizer said Tuesday that its experimental pill to treat COVID-19 appears effective against the omicron variant.

The company also said full results of its 2,250-person study confirmed the pill’s promising early results against the virus: The drug reduced combined hospitalizations and deaths by about 89% among high-risk adults when taken shortly after initial COVID-19 symptoms.

Separate laboratory testing shows the drug retains its potency against the omicron variant, the company announced, as many experts had predicted.

Pfizer tested the antiviral drug against a man-made version of a key protein that omicron uses to reproduce itself.

The updates come as COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalization are all rising again and the U.S. hovers around 800,000 pandemic deaths. The latest surge, driven by the delta variant, is accelerating due to colder weather and more indoor gatherings, even as health officials brace for the impact of the emerging omicron mutant.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon rule on whether to authorize Pfizer’s

pill and a competing pill from Merck, which was submitted to regulators several weeks earlier. If granted, the pills would be the first COVID-19 treatments that Americans could pickup at a pharmacy and take at home.

Pfizer’s data could help reassure regulators of its drug’s benefit after Merck disclosed smaller-than-expected benefits for its drug in final testing. Late last month, Merck said that its pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by 30% in high-risk adults.

Both companies initially studied their drugs in unvaccinated adults who face the gravest risks from COVID-19, due to older age or health problems, such as asthma or obesity.

Pfizer is also studying its pill in lower-risk adults — including a subset who are vaccinated — but reported mixed data for that group on Tuesday.

In interim results, Pfizer said its drug failed to meet its main study goal: sustained relief from COVID-19 for four days during or after treatment, as reported by patients. But the drug did achieve a second goal by reducing hospitalizations by about 70% among that group, which included otherwise healthy unvaccinated adults and vaccinated adults with one or more health

PFIZER VIA AP

This undated image provided by Pfizer in November 2021 shows the company’s COVID-19 pills. issues. Less than 1% of patients who got the drug were hospitalized, compared with 2.4% of patients who got a dummy pill.

An independent board of medical experts reviewed the data and recommended Pfizer continue the study to get the full results before proceeding further with regulators.

Across both of Pfizer’s studies, adults taking the company’s drug had a 10-fold decrease in virus levels compared with those on placebo.

The prospect of new pills to fight COVID-19 can’t come soon enough for communities in the Northeast and Midwest, where many hospitals are once again being overloaded by incoming virus cases.

Both the Merck and Pfiz-

er pills are expected to perform well against omicron because they don’t target the coronavirus’ spike protein, which contains most of the new variant’s mutations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky, appearing on NBC’s “Today” on Tuesday, said the best way for people to protect themselves against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and get a booster shot. She said the Pfizer pill, if authorized by the FDA, “will be another great tool, but we need to diagnose people early.”

The U.S. government has agreed to purchase enough of Pfizer’s drug to treat 10 million people and enough of Merck’s to treat 3 million, pending FDA authorization.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B7

Giving Pledge adds 14 billionaires to philanthropist list The Associated Press THE GIVING PLEDGE announced Tuesday that 14 more billionaires, including the CEOs of DoorDash and Pinterest, had promised in 2021 to donate more than half their fortunes, raising the total to 231 philanthropists from 28 countries.

Founded in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, the Giving Pledge aims to foster a culture of philanthropy among the world’s wealthiest to tackle the world’s biggest problems.

“I’ve always believed that if you’re in a position to help somebody, you should do it,” Gates said in a statement. He said the new group will “continue to learn from each other and find new ways to maximize the positive impact of our philanthropy.”

This year’s new Giving Pledge philanthropists include Tony Xu, the CEO and co-founder of DoorDash, and his wife, Patti Bao; Ben Silbermann, CEO and co-founder of Pinterest, and his wife, Divya; and Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, co-founders of design platform Canva.

Jon Ayers, former CEO of veterinary services firm IDEXX Laboratories and current chairman of Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization, also signed the pledge with his wife, Helaine. He said they wanted to learn from other philanthropists to be more effective with donations.

HEJUNG KIM/COURTESY OF SUSAN SHEPPARD VIA AP

In this undated photo provided by Susan Sheppard, Jon and Helaine Ayers pose for a picture.

“I think it’s a commitment of not just money, but it’s a commitment of time to be good,” said Ayers, 65. “I think it’s a very, very important responsibility.”

Ayers and his wife have become the largest private supporters of lion conservation in the world.

Earlier this year, Ayers pledged

$20 million over the next ten years to Panthera to preserve wild cats and their ecosystems around the world. After joining the Giving Pledge, he said, plans to donate even more to Panthera and other nonprofits that are dedicated to wild cats and nature conservation.

Ayers, who became a quadriplegic after a bicycling accident in 2019, said that his work in trying to protect wild cats, who are vital to their ecosystems, has become inspirational to him.

“The challenges of my condition are pretty significant,” he said. “It’s not an easy condition to

endure, but, by having a purpose, it helps me be excited every day.”

Other new Giving Pledge philanthropists have found singularly important causes for them.

Jack Schuler, former president of Abbott Laboratories and a founding investor of Ventana Medical Systems, and his wife, Renate, plan to give all his wealth to the Schuler Education Foundation that he founded to help send underserved students to selective colleges.

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, and his wife, Monica, signed the pledge after Isaacman made a $100 million commitment to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He helped raise millions more for St. Jude through a threeday private spaceflight in September for himself and three other space tourists.

India’s Anil Agarwal, The Netherlands’ Steven Schuurman, Brazil’s David Vélez and Mariel Reyes, and the South Korean couples Bongjin Kim and Bomi Sul, and Miseon Hyeong and Beom-su Kim, also committed to the Giving Pledge. Americans Ric and Brenda Elias, Jeff T. Green, and Byron and Tina Trott also signed it in 2021.

“I’m inspired to see how the Giving Pledge has grown into a movement of over 230 philanthropists from around the world who are committed to giving away the vast majority of their wealth to address some of the most pressing issues in our society,” French Gates said in a statement.

LOWES VIA AP

This image provided by Lowe’s shows CEO Marvin Ellison in 2019.

Lowe’s CEO addresses race, inflation and vaccine mandates The Associated Press NEW YORK — Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison personally knows about racism.

He grew up in segregated rural Tennessee. His father was a sharecropper-turned-insurance salesman and his mother was one of the first in their family to graduate from high school. Both parents taught him and his six siblings to never allow their surroundings to limit their expectations or their vision of what they could be.

Today at 55, Ellison stands out as one of only three Black Fortune 500 CEOs, bringing with him 35 years of retail experience including as the former CEO of J.C. Penney and various senior operations roles at rival Home Depot.

When he took over the helm of Lowe’s in 2018, Ellison diversified the company’s ranks to better reflect its customer base. Now, 55% of its executive leaders and 60% of its board are female or ethnically diverse.

Following the police killing of George Floyd, Lowe’s began holding meetings with employees to create “comfortable” settings to have “uncomfortable” conversations about race; it also invested $55 million in minority-owned businesses.

Ellison’s decision three years ago to overhaul an antiquated website and increase Lowe’s business with

professional customers like electricians helped the company to pivot during the pandemic, when more people were relying on online services. And even as Lowe’s now deals with industrywide supply chain issues and higher costs, it’s using its clout to keep holiday shelves stocked while trying to tame inflation at its stores.

The Associated Press interviewed Ellison on a wide variety of topics, including his thoughts on racial diversity in Corporate America, the federal mandate to vaccinate-or-test workers, its online business and inflation. Lowe’s hasn’t required vaccines or testing ahead of the mandate, but Ellison says he’ll comply with any federal regulations. His responses have been edited for clarity and length.

Q. Why aren’t there more Black Fortune 500 CEOs? A. I think it screams missed opportunity. I don’t believe I am one of the three most talented Black executives in America. There are plenty of uniquely talented individuals out there that simply need an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership ability and their ability to make a contribution to their company or to their industry. I think that part of the solution should be companies, including Lowe’s, should continue to improve how they develop

talent, how they source talent, and how they evaluate individuals for upward mobility.

Q. You had publicly said that you felt exhausted in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing. Can you talk about that?

A. I think I can speak for any Black person, CEO or otherwise, that when you see an episode like the murder of George Floyd and the social unrest that occurs around the country, it is exhausting. We all, as citizens of this country, want to see our environment, the places we live and the people we love protected. And we want to see a better life for our children and grandchildren from what we have had. But within that exhaustion, I want to make sure that I take the lead within my own company to make sure that I educate and I put leaders in position that can allow us to be a better company.

Q. Do you think Corporate America has done enough in the aftermath of Floyd?

A. I don’t judge Corporate America. I judge Lowe’s. I’m not going to get out and start to criticize or educate other companies because I’ve got my hands full right here with 350,000 associates that stretch all

50 states and have tons of complexity. What I can tell you about is what Lowe’s has done, and I think we’ve made incredible progress. I think we’ve done it because it’s the right thing to do, and it’s good for business.

Q. How concerned are you about the omicron variant?

A. We control what we control.

So I can’t control the current variant. I can’t control future variants, but I can control the health and safety of the associates and the customers. I can control what we do to support our associates. We’re trying to stay laser focused on that. We’re just trying to continue to learn, be as agile as possible and try to manage the business throughout these uncertain times.

Q. What’s your vision for online?

A. We want to serve a customer any way they choose to shop. We had an inability to do that when I started over three years ago because our online infrastructure was built on a decade-old platform. If we’ve learned nothing from the pandemic, we’ve learned that customers require options and choices on how they choose to shop and any retailer that doesn’t provide those options and choices in a way that take fric-

tion points out the customer is going to lose.

Q. How has inflation affected shopping habits?

A. Earlier in the year, we saw record inflation where lumber prices were spiking so high that the typical do-it-yourself customer just basically said, ‘I will delay this project because it’s just too expensive to build that deck.’ Then later in the year we saw record deflation. Prices dropped almost as fast as they rose.

And so the moment that happened, you saw the do-it-yourself customers come back into the marketplace and start to buy again.

Q. Do you think the government should require vaccine mandates and testing at companies?

A. What we’re going to do at Lowe’s is we’re going to be compliant to any government requirement. If the mandate comes from OSHA for us as a retailer, we’re going to spend zero time debating whether or not the government has the right to do it. We’re just going to execute it because that’s the role we have to play. Thus far, we don’t have any concerns relative to this impeding our staff or limiting our ability to run our business or serve our customers.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B8

2021 Volkswagen Arteon

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VOLKSWAGEN

A delightful European sedan An Audi in disguise

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — I’m a big “buyit-for-life” proponent, also known as “buy once, cry once.”

For example, the other day, I dropped off a years-old and somewhat beat up Briggs & Riley suitcase at a luggage shop to be repaired. One zipper pull was entirely ripped off, and another was severely damaged. If it were any other brand of luggage, I might be thinking about replacing it.

But it cost many hundreds of dollars and, in addition to being a well-designed suitcase, includes a lifetime warranty that includes damage from airline handling. The luggage store happily took my bag and promised it would be all back together within a few weeks. This experience is part of why I have several other Briggs & Riley bags and will continue to add to the collection even though the bags are pretty pricey.

Now, there’s no lifetime warranty in the car world, and there’s no “buy once, cry once.” But there are still solid deals to be had on products that punch above their weight. I’m a particular fan of vehicles from consumer carmakers that feel like one from their more luxury-focused brands.

The Toyota Avalon is a good example. Aside from the interior touchpoints (an industry term that encompasses all the stuff you can touch in the car: leather seats or window switches or the shift knob,

for example) being from the Toyota parts bin, the Avalon looks and feels almost entirely like a pricier Lexus.

Another one: the Hyundai Palisade. Also, the new C8 Corvette.

The Avalon is an excellent choice if you aren’t focused on buying a logo and want an almost-luxury car for a solid price. And so it is with the Volkswagen Arteon, which happens to be my test car this week.

The Arteon has a weird name, which Volkswagen loves, but it has sleek four-door coupe lines. It reminds me of an Audi A5 a bit, and when I saw one pass me on the highway the other day, at first glance, I thought it was an Audi.

It has lovely LED lighting front and rear and something called Poor Weather Lights, which I think everyone else calls fog lights.

But the slippery design is fantastic if you’re into the sports-sedan four-door coupe aesthetic, which you should be.

It feels like an Audi on the inside too. The dash cluster is an all-digital unit that would be familiar to many an Audi driver, and the leather and other touchpoints feel very premium.

Of course, the Arteon isn’t cheap. My top-trim SEL Premium R-Line priced at $48,595, but it feels competitive with other cars in the mid-$40k price range. It doesn’t have a lifetime warranty like my suitcase, but it comes with 4-year/50k of bumper-to-bumper coverage.

And all the luxury features you’d expect are here. Automatic wipers and headlights, a separate climate

zone for the roomy backseats, all the safety features including adaptive cruise and 360 camera, and even driver seat massaging, which isn’t technically a safety feature, but I’ll pretend it is. It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also something called Emergency Assist which can detect if you’re not paying attention to the road, either because of a medical emergency or simple inattentiveness. It will slow the car within the lane and use heavy and sudden braking to try and jerk you to attention. It’ll activate the hazard lights and finally bring the car to a stop if you still don’t respond.

Somewhat predictably, under the hood is a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 268 hp and 258 torque, mated to an excellent 8-speed transmission and all-

wheel drive. For 2022, a new engine boosts things to 300 hp and 295 torque, by the way.

The ride is what I’ve come to expect from Volkswagen: firm and sporty. It’s evident that this car was designed with smooth German asphalt in mind, and it can be a bit of a solid ride on our inferior roads here in the states, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it jarring.

The engine is torquey and reminds me of the wonderful-to-drive but emissions-happy TDI engines that Volkswagen no longer offers. Ahem. Sorry VW. Given that everyone else was cheating on emissions tests, it’s probably time to move on from that. Still, I miss those engines.

Volkswagen sold just shy of 5,000 Arteons in the first nine months of 2021, though that is an 84 percent increase from 2020 and

a 97 percent increase in the third quarter alone. Still, the all-electric ID.4 outsells it by 3x.

It seems like everyone wants crossovers and SUVs these days, but if you have a hankering for a sporty European sedan that doesn’t break the bank (or show too much flash), Volkswagen has built the Arteon for you. If you want four rings, I understand kind of. But do you really need a brand name?

Well, given how many high-powered Audi RS and BMW M and Mercedes-AMG rigs are sold to folks who have never even sniffed a racetrack, I suppose branding is more than a little important.

Still, give the Arteon a look. It‘s maybe the most surprising car I drove this year. But don’t expect to buy-it-for-life; save that for your suitcases.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B9

features Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” is Elon Musk The Associated Press NEW YORK — Calling him a “clown, genius, edgelord, visionary, industrialist, showman,” Time magazine has named Tesla CEO Elon Musk as its Person of the Year for 2021.

Musk, who is also the founder and CEO space exploration company SpaceX, recently passed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as the world’s wealthiest person as the rising price of Tesla pushed his net worth to around $300 billion. He owns about 17% of Tesla’s stock, which sold for almost $1,000 each on Monday.

Time cited the breadth of Musk’s endeavors, from his founding of SpaceX in 2002, to his hand in the creation of the alternative energy company SolarCity in addition to Tesla, the most valuable car company in the world. The magazine emphasizes that its annual acknowledgement is not an award, but rather, “recognition of the person who had the most influence on the events of the year, for good or for ill.”

The magazine also noted the sway Musk holds over an army of loyal followers (and investors) on social media, where he skewers the powerful and also regulators attempting to keep in check an

executive that is far from traditional. Before his 66 million followers on Twitter, he offers outlandish assistance to the world and drives even his own followers and investors mad by roiling markets.

Though it only became profitable in recent years, Tesla is far and away the world’s most valuable car company, at one point this year crossing the $1 trillion market capitalization threshold.

Detroit heavyweights Ford and General Motors are worth less than $200 billion combined.

Musk said last month that SpaceX will attempt to launch its futuristic, bullet-shaped Starship to orbit in January. NASA has contracted with SpaceX to use Starship for delivering astronauts to the lunar surface as early as 2025. Musk said he plans to use the reusable ships to eventually land people on Mars.

Time highlighted Musk’s recent admission to his 66 million Twitter followers that half his tweets were “made on a porcelain throne.” In its profile of the provocative CEO, Time went on to chronicle one of those toilet tweet storms in detail before concluding: “This is the man who aspires to save our planet and get us a new one to inhabit.”

This photo provided

by Time magazine shows Elon Musk on the cover of the magazine’s Dec. 27 - Jan 3 double issue announcing Musk as their 2021 “Person of the Year.”

TIME VIA AP

PHOTO VIA AP

Moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News speaks as President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Sept. 29, 2020.

Fox anchor Chris Wallace makes his own news with move to CNN The Associated Press NEW YORK — Veteran anchor Chris Wallace has left Fox News after 18 years for CNN, dealing a blow to Fox’s news operation.

Wallace delivered the surprising news that he was leaving at the end of the “Fox News Sunday” show he moderates, and within two hours CNN announced he was joining its new streaming service as an anchor. CNN+ is expected to debut in early 2022.

“It is the last time, and I say this with real sadness, we will meet like this,” Wallace, who is 74, said on his show, which airs on the Fox network and is later rerun on Fox News Channel. “Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere

with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise.”

Wallace was a veteran broadcast network newsman, working at both ABC and NBC News, before the late Roger Ailes lured him to Fox with the promise of his own Sunday show. Methodical and never showy — in contrast to his father Mike, the legendary “60 Minutes” reporter — Chris Wallace was known for his willingness to ask hard questions of all guests no matter their politics.

He was the first Fox News personality to moderate a presidential debate, doing it in 2016 and 2020.

The debate he moderated last year went off the rails when then-President Donald Trump repeatedly interrupted Democratic challenger

Joe Biden.

“He is the most tenacious interviewer in the television business, based on intense preparation and plain old persistence,” said Howard Kurtz, host of Fox’s “Media Buzz.” “He has the kind of seasoned judgment that only comes from so many years of covering political issues and he may be the best debate moderator ever.”

Kurtz said it was “a major loss for Fox News, no question about it.”

Wallace generally co-existed with Fox’s opinion side and infrequently took them on publicly, although in 2017 he said it was “bad form” when opinion hosts bashed the media.

But he had grown privately frustrated with the overall tenor at Fox, where conservative opinion hosts have been elevated and amplified, particularly after the network’s ratings took a brief hit following the 2020 election. The network ousted two news executives involved in the controversial — but correct — Election Night declaration that Biden had won in Arizona, a call that infuriated Republican Trump.

Wallace had expressed his concern about the strident opinion programming to Fox executives

multiple times, including recently after Tucker Carlson’s documentary on the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, “Patriot Purge,” aired on Fox’s streaming service. Two Fox News contributors, Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes, cited that program in choosing to quit the network.

Wallace was one of a prominent triumvirate of straight-news anchors at Fox who offered a contrast to popular opinion hosts such as Carlson and Sean Hannity. Shepard Smith left in 2019 and is now doing a news show at CNBC. Bret Baier remains at Fox as host of a Washington-based evening news program.

His track record had given Wallace a large measure of independence at Fox, despite the network’s overall tilt. “I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account,” he said on Sunday.

“It’s been a great ride.”

His announcement came as a surprise; even guests on his show Sunday hadn’t been tipped off they were seeing his finale.

In contrast to when Smith left, Wallace was coming to the end of his contract with Fox. But he

turned down an offer for a multiyear extension and pay raise to leave for CNN. “We are extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years,” Fox said on Sunday. “The legacy of ‘Fox News Sunday’ will continue.”

Until a successor is named, Fox said Wallace will be replaced by a rotating series of guest anchors, including Baier, John Roberts, Shannon Bream, Martha MacCallum, Jennifer Griffin, Neil Cavuto, Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer.

Wallace said that he wanted to “try something new, to go beyond politics to all the things I’m interested in.”

In CNN’s announcement, he said, “I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape — and finding new ways to tell stories.”

CNN said more details about Wallace’s new role will be forthcoming. He’s the biggest name among the hires at CNN+, which has also brought on former NBC News anchor Kasie Hunt and business journalist Scott Galloway.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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Miss America turns 100. Will she last another 100 years?

The Associated Press UNCASVILLE, Conn. — As Miss America turns 100, a major question remains unanswered: Is she still relevant?

The glitzy competition was born from a 1921 Atlantic City beauty contest, just a year after women were given the right to vote, and maintains a complicated presence in an American culture that has since undergone multiple waves of feminism. Participation and viewership has dropped since its 1960s heyday — when the next Miss America is crowned Thursday, her coronation will only be available to stream via NBC’s Peacock service, shunted from her primetime broadcast throne.

Faithful Miss America organizers and enthusiasts contend the annual ritual is here to stay and will keep changing with the times. And even though they may not have indeed devised a plan for world peace, many participants say the organization — billed as one of the largest providers of scholarship assistance to young women — has been life-altering, opening doors for them professionally and personally. And they believe others should have the same opportunities.

“I think that people have the wrong idea about what Miss America is all about because it’s not just about getting dressed up and being prim and proper and being perfect on stage,” said Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, who graduated from college debt-free, founded a public relations firm and become a TV personality.

Fans of Miss America often cheer on their state’s contender like they would for a local sports team.

Yet some have voiced disappointment about some of the competition’s attempts to adapt to contemporary mores and evolve from its beginnings.

AP PHOTO

Contestants in the first Miss America pageant line up for the judges in Atlantic City, N.J., in September 1921.

“It’s in kind of a bind because as it tries to progress, it not only loses its original identity, but becomes less entertaining to the people who like to watch it,” said Margot Mifflin, author of “Looking for Miss America: A Pageant’s 100– Year Quest to Define Womanhood.”

Fans, she said, are split over the trajectory of the competition — no longer “pageant.” Some want it to be about “beauty and fitness” while others embrace the move toward focusing on leadership, talent and communication skills, she said.

It wasn’t until 2018 that the judging on physical appearance was

eliminated, with the help of former Miss America Gretchen Carlson, who ended up having to step down as board chair. Carlson was part of an all-female leadership team that took over following an email scandal in which male leaders insulted former Miss Americas, denigrating their appearance and intelligence.

While some welcomed the changes as a way to make the event more relevant, many state organizations rebelled against the new leadership team.

This year, the nonprofit organization — run by an ardent group of volunteers at the national, state

and local levels — announced the top scholarship awarded at the Dec. 16 finale will double to $100,000.

The change was made possible by a donation from Miss America 1996 Shawntel Smith Wuerch and her husband Ryan Wuerch. According to the organization, a total of $435,500 in scholarship money will be distributed in this year’s competition, while more than $5 million is awarded annually through national, state and local programs.

Dunlap hopes that instead of looking for what she calls an “it girl” who can attract hits on social media, the Miss America organization

in the coming years focuses on the promoting the “longevity of the organization.” Krebs says organizers are doing just that, noting the number of annual participants increased from about 5,000 to 6,500 after the 2018 changes.

“I just feel like there’s mixed messaging on whether or not you can be beautiful and attractive and also still be intelligent. And I just think that’s silly to me,” Dunlap said. “It’s like women can only do one thing, so pick a side. And that’s not true.”

It’s unclear if the decision to move the competition online says more about the fate of broadcast television than Miss America. NBCUniversal Media has been bullish about its streaming service and Krebs insisted the move to streaming was the organization’s decision and it had nothing to do with viewership numbers.

In 2019, the Miss America finale on NBC drew 3.6 million viewers, an all-time low. In contrast, the 1954 competition attracted 27 million viewers when there was much less competition for eyeballs.

“If you say you want to be around the next 100 years, we absolutely had the desire to be streamed because that is where our future is,” Krebs said, noting how younger people — and keep in mind, Miss America contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 25 — are less likely to have access to broadcast television.

While reactions have been mixed, some fear moving online may spell the downfall of what’s often dubbed “the first reality TV show,” which started airing live in 1954.

“We have witnessed the demise of a historic event that helped shape Americans’ lifetimes,” one fan proclaimed on Facebook. But another agreed with Krebs, predicting “the audience we can reach is greater than ever now!”

White House group’s annual Christmas ornament honors LBJ The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Luci Baines Johnson recalls December 1967 as a hectic time in her father’s White House.

Her sister Lynda, the eldest of President Lyndon B. Johnson’ s two children, was about to get married at the White House, and the president spent the days leading up to Christmas racking up miles on a last-minute trip to Australia, southeast Asia and Europe.

He also looked forward to spending the holiday with his infant grandson, Patrick, Luci’s child.

Those memories and more come rushing back when Luci Baines Johnson looks at this year’s annual Christmas tree ornament from the White House Historical Association. It honors her father.

The holidays are a time for “remembering, remembering the people you love, trying to make sure you reach out to them,” she told The Associated Press. “So to have the White House Historical Association remember the people my sister and I loved and say that they value them is a extraordinary gift to us.”

The 2021 official White House ornament — 41st in the series — honors President Johnson with its reproduction of a painting of the Blue Room tree the family had in December 1967. Johnson’s wife, Lady Bird, had commissioned the watercolor for that year’s White

AP PHOTO

The White House Historical Association’s 2021 Christmas tree ornament that honors President Lyndon Johnson hangs on a tree in the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

House Christmas card.

The back of the ornament features Johnson’s quote that “our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man.”

Every year since 1981, when first lady Nancy Reagan first gave approval, the historical association

has designed an ornament honoring a president or a key White House anniversary.

The association is working its way through all 46 presidents; Johnson was the 36th.

The 2022 official ornament will honor Richard Nixon, the 37th president, with a design set to be unveiled at his presidential library

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 29, 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:

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.

in Yorba Linda, California, on Presidents Day. Ornament sales are a major source of money for the nonprofit, nonpartisan historical association, which was created in 1961 — 60 years ago — by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy to help pay for White House restoration and acquisition projects.

The ornaments have become collectibles, with about 1 million now sold annually, the association said. Sales figures were not provided.

Stewart McLaurin, president of the association, said it used to be that people in Washington would pop into the association’s gift shop near the White House to buy ornaments to give away as Christmas presents.

That still happens, he said. But with the reach of the internet, “now we get orders from literally all over the country and around the world with people buying them. And once you start giving them to someone, it’s really hard to stop. They always expect to get the one the next year.”

The White House is not involved in designing the ornaments, which since 1981 have been made by ChemArt, a veteran-owned company in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

So what happens when the association runs through every president? McLaurin speculated that the series would be reset to George Washington and start over with a

new set of ornaments.

The ornaments that go on to become best-sellers depict either the White House or a Christmas tree.

“Those have been the two icons that seem to be the most popular,” McLaurin said.

The 2019 White House Christmas ornament is one of those that depicts the White House, specifically the south side, to honor President Harry Truman. He added the Truman balcony to the top floor as part of a major renovation and expansion of the executive mansion during his presidency.

Clifton Truman Daniel, Truman’s oldest grandson, told the AP that his grandfather took some flak over the balcony addition. But it has become very popular with first families.

First lady Jill Biden said she sometimes hides behind a pillar on the balcony to watch her husband, President Joe Biden, come and go on the presidential helicopter.

Johnson’s daughters, Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb, recently joined Jill Biden to hang the ornament for their father at the White House.

Truman, of course, is known for more than a balcony. Among his accomplishments is a plan to aid the economic recovery of western Europe after World War II. But as Daniel noted, “it’s very hard to put the Marshall Plan on an ornament.”

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

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 18 SP 1340 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jose R. Ramos-Pellot and Olga F. Ramos to Trustee Services Of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated April 9, 2009 and recorded on April 14, 2009 in Book 08123 at Page 0725, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21SP674 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LINDA JOYCE COUNCIL DATED MARCH 29, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9492 AT PAGE 222 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the

Being all of Lot 20 in a subdivision known as Williamsburg Plantation, Section 4 and being duly recorded in Book of Plats 112, Page 30, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1917 Nuthatch Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

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

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 27, 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 Linda Joyce Council, dated March 29, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $180,000.00, and recorded in Book 9492 at Page 222 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: Farm Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 1843 Present Record Owners:

7307 Roslin 0 4 2 1- 07Linda Joyce

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

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.

Council And Being more commonly known as: 7307 Roslin Farm Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Linda Joyce Council.

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

File No.: 16-16816-FC03

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.

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 December 7, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111915

Parkway,

Suite

400

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

B11

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 note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the

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 substitutedasTrusteeinsaidDeedofTrustbyaninstrument 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 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

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 holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 356

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Nicole Denice Ledet (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Nicole Denice Ledet, Heirs of Nicole Denice Ledet: Michael Ledet, Sr.) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated March 9, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 3742, at Page 449 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 211

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jeffrey A. Dunaway (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jeffrey A. Dunaway) to Donna Bradford, Trustee(s), dated September 5, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 4669, at Page 387 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, 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 30, 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: Being an individual tract of land on the east side of Fire Tower Road and lying south of Murrill Brown Road near the Fire Tower and being more particularly described as follows:

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 to Creditors Having qualified as Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Rowe Penny a/k/a Betty Lou Penny (Wake 21-E-4755), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 19SP2936 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PAUL E. ADAMS JR. DATED DECEMBER 21, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 015079 AT PAGE 02005 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 21SP809 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GENE NYANDORO DATED JULY 31, 2019 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17525 AT PAGE 1175 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

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: 0418-74-7238Third 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

bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING ALL OF UNIT 101, BLDG. 1922, OF A PLAT ENTITLED “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: 9496-37-7214005 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 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 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

cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of saidcountyat10:30AMonDecember20,2021thefollowing 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: 0428-541091 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 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 30, 2021.

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

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 30, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property:

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

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

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

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 12B, as shown on that revised Plat entitled “Pinewood Downs Subdivision Section I” dated June 29, 1983, and recorded in Map Book 21, Page 207, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 353 West Frances Street, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Assessor’s Parcel No: 041355

Beginning at a new iron stake on the eastern right of way line of Fire Tower Road (60 foot right of way), NCSR 1211, said iron stake being located South 84 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds East 30.00 feet from a new P.K. Nail in the centerline of Fire Tower Road, said nail being located South 05 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds West 266.18 feet along said centerline from the centerline extended of Murrill Brown Road (60 foot right of way), NCSR 1204; thence from the true point of beginning and leaving said right of way line South 84 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds East 210.00 feet to a new iron stake; thence South 05 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds West 90.00 feet to a new iron stake; thence North 84 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds West 210.00 feet to a new iron stake on the eastern right of way line of Fire Tower Road; thence with said right of way line North 05 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds East 90.00 feet to the point and place of beginning. Containing 0.43 acres, more or less, and being that tract shown as the Likens lot on a map shown in Deed Book 916, Page 934 and also being described in Deed Book 631, Page 275.

The above description being prepared by Parker & Associates, Inc. on May 11, 1993 from a survey completed on May 11, 1993. All courses are correct in their angular relationship to North per Deed Book 631, Page 275.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 207 Fire Tower Road, North Carolina.

County, State: Onslow, North Carolina PIN #: 05482 Commonly known as: 207 Fire Tower Rd Richlands, NC 28574 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

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: 4388 - 15932

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: 2996 - 7253

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 15th 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 15th 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 15th day of December, 2021.

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

claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of March 2022 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 15th day of December 2021.

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner

Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

P.O. Box 446

(For publication: 12/15, 12/22, 12/29, 2021 and 1/5/2022

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 28, 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 Paul E. Adams Jr., dated December 21, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $224,400.00, and recorded in Book 015079 at Page 02005 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: Divide Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Tax Parcel ID:

1739

Main

0355600

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 28, 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 Gene Nyandoro, dated July 31, 2019 to secure the original principal amount of $471,750.00, and recorded in Book 17525 at Page 1175 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: Sparhawk Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587

7

3

3

6

Melanie L. Penny, Melinda P. Canady and Melissa P. Murphy Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Rowe Penny a/k/a Betty Lou Penny

Present Record Owners: Jr.

Paul Adams,

And Being more commonly known as: 1739 Main Divide Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Paul Adams, Jr. 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

Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: Nyandoro

0298620 G e n

e

And Being more commonly known as: 7336 Sparhawk Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gene Nyandoro.

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

114 Raleigh Street

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

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

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 11, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-108328

Parkway,

Suite

400

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 10, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-111014

Parkway,

Suite

400

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From December 8, 2021

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 42 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Derrick Isley of Ramseur stands over the football during a timeout in the Class 2-A state championship game between Shelby and Wallace-Rose Hill on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Isley said working the game was one of his officiating highlights.

COUNTY NEWS Zoo welcomes new grizzly bear After the death of a 31-yearold grizzly named Tommo in July, the N.C. Zoo’s grizzly bear habitat has sat empty awaiting a new resident. That time is over as the zoo welcomed 740-lb Ronan to the zoo this week. The 9-yearold grizzly is being relocated from Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Ronan and his twin sister Finley were rescued in 2013 and relocated to the Reid Park Zoo when they were just barely one year old. That decision was made after wildlife officials in Yellowstone deemed their mother a “nuisance” bear. Since arriving at the Reid Park Zoo, Ronan and Finley have shared a habitat. But like their counterparts in the wild, grizzlies need to live separately as they get older because they are solitary animals.

McNeill won’t run for re-election Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) announced last week that he won’t seek reelection for another term in N.C. House in 2022. McNeill is in his fifth full term in the House after replacing long-time Randolph County representative and former Speaker of the House, Harold Brubaker. Neal Jackson, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennet, announced last week that he would run as a Republican to replace McNeill.

Grant preserves land in Randolph As part of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund, Randolph County received an award of more than $600,000. The money will be used by the Conservation Fund at the Expansion Tract—Ridges Mountain SNA location to acquire land that will be preserved.

Statewide, the awards will protect 51,478 acres, of which 48,619 will eventually be made open to the public for hiking, hunting, boating, birding and other recreational uses.

Calling it an honor Ramseur man works high school state final as game official

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record RALEIGH — Derrick Isley had a grand experience at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s football championships and it didn’t even matter who won.

Isley, a Ramseur man, held an officiating assignment for the Class 2-A final between Shelby and Wallace-Rose Hill in Raleigh.

“There’s only a few who get this shot,” Isley said. “I’m very honored with this because I never saw it coming.”

Isley completed his 21st year of officiating. This was the first time it concluded in the state championships.

“That’s 21 years being on the field doing what I love,” he said.

He’s an umpire, meaning he lines up on the defensive side of the ball, usually near the linebackers. That’s often an area where a game official might encounter some contact as it’s a busy part of the field.

But that’s where Isley, 47, said he’s most comfortable.

“I’ve been blessed to have some quick feet,” he said. “I get in there and I just roll with the punches.”

Isley is a 1993 Eastern Randolph graduate. He began officiating in area recreation leagues and worked his way up to the semi-professional level.

He has found his niche at the high school levels. During the regular season, he works throughout the region, often calling games in Alamance, Guilford and Forsyth counties.

“What has made me have a longer career is it makes you have tougher skin,” Isley said, noting verbal jabs often directed toward

officials. “I’m just going to call my game and stay focused.”

With the NCHSAA reducing its football classifications back to four instead of eight that had been used for more than a decade, it limited the number of available assignments for the championship weekend.

Isley found out at the beginning of the postseason that he had been selected for one of the spots.

The crew for the Class 2-A title game worked together in the Class 4-A West Regional final between Chambers and Hough.

“I think the best part of the experience was meeting the other guys,” Isley said.

He already knew line judge Keith Williams, who had worked the Mount Tabor-Greensboro Page game with him in September.

Isley had logged numerous postseason assignments in previous years. In the reconfigured football season for the 2020-21 school year, he also worked a regional final in the spring.

Yet there was some gameweek anxiety prior to the state finals. Just days before the game,

reports came out that the Wallace-Rose Hill team was dealing with COVID issues.

“We were all on pins and needles,” Isley said as uncertainty loomed regarding the game.

But it was contested as scheduled at North Carolina State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.

There was other good fortune as well. The rain held off – though precipitation was a big factor for the Class 4-A title game later Saturday night. It was windy earlier in the day, even on the field.

“It felt nice outside,” Isley said.

Shelby won the game, 55-34.

Wallace-Rose Hill was reportedly without at least five starters, stemming from illnesses or injuries.

It was a fast-paced game, something that Isley said he expected and embraced. He referred to it as a clean game.

“It was like a track meeting starting out,” he said. “Most of the year I’ve had a bunch of track meets.

By the time Isley returned home after midnight, there was still some game-day adrenalin.

“It took me a little bit to wind down,” he said.

Another agriculture center proposal coming to Randolph

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — County leaders will again be considering an agriculture center proposal which could bring development to a county-owned parcel on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro. The county bought land in 2016 with a potential agriculture center in mind.

Plans for that facility were presented and considered after the land was acquired with costs estimates at $58 million. That earlier proposal would have resulted in tax increases to fund both the construction and operation of the facility.

The county commissioners passed a resolution in 2019 asking the state for up to $10 million in funding to support a “first phase” of an agriculture center. This

year’s state budget included $16 million in funding for a Randolph County Farm, Food, and Family Education Center.

Kenneth Sherin, the director of the county’s cooperative extension, says an ag center would have far-reaching impact. The current proposal comes with a potential $25 million development price tag, though $18 million of that funding has been secured. The state budget did not include recurring funds to cover operating the facility.

“This looks like our next big project,” said Darrell Frye, chairman of the county commissioners. “… I think this is something you can put on the top burner.”

“It’s something that Randolph County has been needing and wanting for a long time,” Sherin said.

Sherin said the proposed facility would have various components. “We’ll be able to develop farmers and growers, gardeners and consumers,” he said.

He said it could also boost to farm education. Sherin said the region’s school systems have strong agriculture programs, and this will provide more support for those. “We want to be able to help them do things they aren’t able to do,” said Sherin.

There will also be a space for youth to show livestock.

There’s an economic development component because with aging farmers it’s imperative that a foundation is set for “where are those young farmers going to come from?” Sherin said.

The proposed center would See AG CENTER, page 2

5

20177 52016 $1.00

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 15, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

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“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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10am A drive-thru event allowing visitors to see historical and modern airplanes up close.

Admission: $20/car | $30/car with NC Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame sion, there’s enrollment of 915. admission. A visit with That’s off slightly from the usual Santa is included in both number that ranges up to 1,000, “There has never been a admission prices.

Williams said.

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag

PJ Ward-Brown before those classes start. said there’s an efMattfortWilliams to bolster enrollment. He cited the RCC Commitment Grant, ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren better opportunity to attend Traditional enrollment numat Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a funding Christmas on Eastside lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap that’s bers have flattened, but it’s the RCC and not have to worry Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or state aid number of high school students 3pmabout how to pay for it.”

Coryto students. in programs designed for dual endespite a school official pointing A free event put together “There has never been a bet- rollment that has dropped, out unprecedented financial inRCCHope president Dr. Robert “We’re just not seeing the level ter opportunity to attend RCC centives for potential students.

by The of Eastside Who is “Editor?” that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. and not have to worry about how of engagement Chad Williams, vice president cheerleaders Providence Grove participate in ACC

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

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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 5711, 2021.

Asheboro, died

LOW 36

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, PRECIP 6% age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY DEC 9 See OBITS, page 7

HI 66 LOW 50 PRECIP 7%

for student services at RCC, said a to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. football decline in high championship school students in Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We

for the families in the

Williams said. community. Bring your RCC held a one-week break family to take a free dual enrollment has been the big- meet students exactly where they earlier this month amid the sumThe cheerleaders from Providence Grove High School were part of photo with Santa. The are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip. the“Overall, pre-game performance the ACCgo.” Football Championship in July 26. Late 24 and Game concludes can possibly we’re still seeing a de- at event will be held at the registration for Pitt the fall semester Beginning with the fall semescline in enrollment comparing4. toFollowing George Washington Charlotte on December their on-field opportunity, which previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classCarver Community won over Wake said.

Forest capture 2021forACC the Aug. PG 16. will bethe eligible up toChampionship, $1,000 es beginning demic,” Williams “I to don’t Enrichment Center, 950 Still dealing with adjustments per semester. know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve cheerleaders received team awards at a banquet on December 6. Alyssa Martin Luther King Jr. That makes attending RCC made because of the coronavirus seen in previous fall semesters. …

Beasley and Kinley Fergusion were named co-most valuable cheerleaders.

We’re reaching out to every stu- the most enticing from a finan- pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesDrive, Asheboro.

The theway year Thomas,inmost dedicated Ashley classes will be in person. Some cial standpoint the 16 years terwas dent rookie we can inof every we was can.” Alexis will use James a hybrid model with a has been at the school, Ashlyn A fall and semester the two-year Spivey theatcoach’s awardWilliams went to Madilyn Hopkins. school in Asheboro would often he said. He previously worked in mixture of face-to-faces sessions and Thorpe received honorable for theand all-region team.Many classvirtual sessions. financial mentions aid office. have Addison 2,600 to 3,000 students en- RCC’s Academic All-Conference were: Kinley Ferguson, provide students with options “There’s neverAlyssa a betterBeasley, time to es rolled. At the beginning of thisWinners how toMaggie attend and participate, go back to college,” he said. week, that number stood at about Ramseur Town Board Destini Harmon, Haylee Sodlink, Katelyn Smith, Jennifer on White, For the current summer ses- Williams said.

1,900 with about a month to go Meeting

Dec. 21

Mackie, Alexis Thomas.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

6:30pm

♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) LOG Maintain Veh/dwell/place AG CENTER from page 1Cs get. “I hope the state funding will (f) (F), 3) Possess X

The board meets for its regular meeting at the Ramseur Municipal large on a state level in terms of ♦ Whitehead, GeorgeSt., Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, onBuilding, Arrest on charge of Resisting ♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39),help the 724 Liberty county get this project agriculture.

Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor to data provided 07/13/2021.

Officer, 321 Ridge Rd,According said Craven.

“I’veKings requestArrest on charge kitchen, of Misdemeanor have a commercial pro- going,”Public Ramseur.

the countyoncommissiongrams to help farmers Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, 07/14/2021. by Sherin, the county’s impact Larceny, at 2587 Waynemarket White Rd,ed that ♦ Millikan, Bobby (M, 33), 1 statewide inWayne beef cattheir products, provide instruc- ers figure out how to operate the ranks No. Possession of Stolen motor Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021.

Arrest on charge of Assault on a ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), tle, No. 2 in dairy cows (behind without increasing taxes tion in food safety and training, facility vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer Iredell County), No. 2 inCurtis goats, County’s provide background nutri- on Randolph Female, at 8300 Power Rd, Arrest on chage ofcitizens.”

Misdemeanor ♦ Boltona McKee, Jamesfor Henry tag, failure to deliver title, failure to hay production and No. That leavesat$7 million “for No. 6 in Bennett, tional a makNC, on 07/14/2021.

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Stolento Goods, at what IRodk on 07/13/2021.

Hindsight Bluegrass “We♦are a top Casey go-to Lynn, county ment) and house a Rd, digital skills onwhere we want to go,” Sherin Passmore, Arrest on 6469 Clyde King Seagrove, New Year’s Eve Concert sales of to possession consumers of formarijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia hoping Lamont to find ways lab07/15/2021. that could be critical for ru- said.♦ “We’re charge Lynch, Detrick (M, 40),for direct Spinks (F, 64), foods,” he said.

“This ag center that gap and go forward ral communities to adopt to to fillArrest up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph on charge of Misdemeanor Arrest on charge of Assault by 8pm that ability.” with this proposal.” the waysRobert business is conducted Courthouse, on 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, will enhance ♦ Pugh, Daniel (M, 39), pointing a gun, Discharging a Sherin listed more than a dozSherin said the next steps around the world.

Possessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple Sunset Theatre in fear, Reckless firearm to cause or organizations that Local House members, par- would be forming a committee to en groups ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, driving to endanger, Seagrove, on downtown Asheboro. would beArrest anticipated users of a ticularly Rep. Allen McNeill develop designs and details. on charge of Possession Asheboro, onhelped 07/14/2021.

07/12/2021.

“I’m07/13/2021. excited to see where we go new facility.

(R-Randolph), create an of Meth, Possession with intent Tickets are $10.

The proposed center will proavenue to $16 million, while an- from here,” commissioner Kenat to manufacture, sell or distributeMore♦ information ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest other $2 million could be in ny Kidd said. “We want to max- vide more space and amenities to hindsightbluegrass.com heroin, Simple possession of Arrest on charge of Possession 31), Arrest on charges of Felony on charge of Felony Sexual place through a loan stemming imize the private funding sourc- assist farmers, something comSchedule II, III,an IV CS, Marijuana upthat to 1/2 Larceny and Possession Stolenes for of and tickets available at in the Exploitation of a minor have had eyeMaintaining on this project so weoz., don’t missioners from Randolph Electric. ofSen. Possession of drug paraphernalia, Goods, at 5471 Needhamssaid Trail, have to tax property owners for for years.Place, Possession of Drug David Craven (R-Randolph), Hindsightbluegrass@ second degree (10 counts), 727 Paraphernalia, 1029 High Point Seagrove, is still kingatin Ranhe was happyon to 07/14/2021. advocate for the it.” Failure to appeal on felony, failure “Farming McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on gmail.com or call 336Rd, on 7/13/2021. to appearCounty’s on misdemeanor, Frye said.

Randolph role is at dolph County,” state funding in the recent bud07/12/2021.

302-2274. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32),

Dec. 31

DEATH NOTICES

Uwharrie Charter celebrates homecoming

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY DEC 10

By Dan Gelston 72 The AssociatedHIPress

♦ Lori Underwood Thompson, 59, died on December 11, 2021, at High Point Regional Hospital in High Point, NC.

died Saturday, December 4, 2021, peacefully at the home of his sister.

♦ James Glenn Havner, 71, died on Friday, December 3, 2021 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

Siler City, died on December 10, 2021 at Siler City Center.

♦ Philip Randall “Phil” Brown, 81, of Asheboro, died Monday, December 6, 2021.

Uwharrie Charter Academy held ple homecoming cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different activities last week prior directions over him,” have benefitto the varsity basketball ed, Levesque said. “But that’s the games against Chatham beauty of what we do, to go be enCharter on December tertained, however 3. you want to The varsity girls wonAs47be entertained. a performer, sometimes that’s 37 and the boys wondifficult.”

57WWE’s JulyDuggins 5 “RAW” on USA 56. Senior Carter Network hit 1.472 million viewers, was crowned homecoming the lowest in the 28-plus year hisqueen and Joseph tory of the show.

Phetmixay was named Levesque, WWE EVP of global talent king. strategy and develophomecoming

♦ Anita (Anne) Southern Coltrane, 88, of Trinity, NC LOW 57 died Sunday, December 5, PHILADELPHIA Triple H 2021.

PRECIP—10% walked with his arms crossed like See OBITS, page 7 ♦ Tammy Lynn Staley, 54, of an X — his signature Degenera- ♦ Michael James Boyd, 54, tion X symbol — with his 7-foot SATURDAY DECEmbiid, 11 tag-team partner, Joel to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playWEEKLY CRIME LOG off game.

HI 71 His theme music blared through the LOW arena,43and near- ♦ Hooker, Falcaro (M, 49), ♦ Parson, Roxanne Michelle 3183 Rose Ave, on 12/3/21. ly 19,000 fansPRECIP hanging53% from the Arrrest on charge of Sex (F, 34), Arrrest on charge ♦ Land, Larry Dean (M, ment, said the company would rafters roared when the wrestler Offender/Child Premesis, at of Abduction of Children, at 36), Arrrest on charge of “take a hard look” at how it can hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofRCJ, on 12/8/21.

Berry Ln and Sussex Trail, on 9th Grade Felony Larceny (2 counts), 12/7/21. attract more fans to the product choice sledgehammer and struck SUNDAY DEC 12 ♦ Thomas, Brian Keith Jr (M, Possession of Stolen Goods, each week. WWE can only hope the bell.

Annalisa Brewer 34), Arrrest on charge of ♦ Hughes, Jonathen Sherman Breaking or Entering, Injury combination Sure, the setting wasn’t WresAbbiethe Gudino - Winner of live crowds Resisting Public Officer, (M, 32), Arrrest on charge to Personal Property, and the return of box office attractleMania — though Triple H lost a Jazmin Palma at 1836 US HWY 64 W, on of Failure to Appear on Possession Stolen Motor HI 50 tions such as Becky Lynch, Goldmatch in the same building when 12/8/21.

Misdemeanor, Possession Vehicle, at RCJ, on 12/3/21. berg, and Cena can ignite interest the event was held there LOW 33in 1999 — 10th Grade of Meth, Posession of Drug and grow ratings during the build but for the superstar-turned-ex- ♦ Calhoun, Wesley Eugene Land, Larry Dean (M, 36), Paraphernalia, Carrying PRECIP 24% Sydney to Duggins the marquee Aug. 21 Summerecutive, the frenzied atmosphere (M, 31), Arrrest on charge Arrrest on charge of Concealed Gun, at 6327 Savannah Murray Winnerof the Las VeSlam at the- home was a reminder of what WWE of Identity Theft, Resisting Felony Larceny (3 counts), Davis Country Rd, on Abby Myers gas Raiders. lost during the 16 months it ran Public Officer, Driving with Possession of Stolen Goods 12/6/21.

MONDAY DEC 13raucous License Revoked, Failure to “It never is one thing,” Levesque without live events and (3 counts), Felony Larceny said. “We see this as a moment in crowds.

Appear (4 counts), at Beeson ♦ Crayton, Cory Scott (M, 24), (4 counts), Larceny of Motor 11th Grade Farm Rd and Beckerdite Rd, Arrrest on charge of Failure Vehicle Parts (5 counts), time to shift everything. I think “It was a fun opportunity to get Daciayou’ll Lowery on 12/7/21. to Report Accident, Hit/Run Possession of Stolen Goods see it in just the layout of evback into an arena packed full of HI 46 Olivia Mabe Leave Scene, Driving with (2 counts), Breaking or erything, the set designs, the way fans and have them go nuts,” said PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP Ashara - WinnerThere’s a greater LOWthese 37 days as ♦ Davis, Stan Millikan Jr (M, License Revoked, at RCJ, on Entering a Motor Vehicle it’sSpruill presented.

Triple H, known 46), Arrrest on charge 12/2/21.

(3 counts), Misdemeanor PRECIP 35% emphasis on utilizing the spacWWE executive Paul Levesque. In this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night of PWISD Marijuana, Attemp to Break/ es that we have and the TV aspect “That adrenaline rush, there’s Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal TelevisionLarceny, Critics Association Winter Press12th Grade Possession of Firearm by ♦ Doerle, Bret Thomas (M, Enter Motor Vehicle, Injury it while still engaging the fans. nothing like it.”

Tour Alijah of Barker Felonin(2Pasadena, counts), atCalif.

RCJ, on 30), Arrrest on charge of to Personal Property (2 A lot of that comes from the time WWE hasn’t been the same Aiden Carter Possession of Meth, Driving TUESDAY 14or “This 12/7/21. counts), Failure to Appear we had to- Queen experiment inside the without its “Yes!”DEC chants Carter Duggins with License Revoked, on Felony (6 counts), ThunderDome.”

WWE then moved to its in-house former,” Reigns said.

“As a live Texas and Failure is Awe-some!” singsongs once the ♦pay-per-view Lafountaine,Sunday DelbertinDennis to Appear on Felony, Keri Massie Felony Probation center Violation, first start is putting fans performance in Florida on simultaneous reonArrrest Mondayonfor the flagship pandemic relegated the company Dallas (M, 44), charge of atperformer, Theyer Rd that and Cashatt ShauntelThe Matthews – Runner-up Misdemeanor Larceny HI 49arena match- “Raw” — holding their homemade signs sponse keeps you sharp. We had March 13, before setting up what show Larceny on USA.ofWWE Rd, to running empty FelonyTV Larceny, on 12/2/21.

Kendall McCaskill (3 counts), Breaking or Motor Vehicle Injury and wearing their catchphrase it dubbed The ThunderDome -up sets,Parts, brought back old to adjust and adapt to the times es every weekLOW with30a piped-in spruced Blake Mixon Entering (7 counts), Larceny to Personal Jason T-shirts — back in the seats. fans registered that were inPeter front (M, of us.” stars and hitProperty, the reset at button on♦ Pugh, soundtrack and virtual fans.

Joseph Phetmixay - King afterwhere Breaking/Entering (3 for spots PRECIP 24% 3117programming Bingham Loflin Rd, on with 37), With Arrrest on Hogan charge in of the house, on LED digital videoboards — for “When we have that live crowd, Hulk TV humbled No more. counts), at HWY 64 W Loop, Kaiya Whitehurst 12/7/21. ratings and a strong Communicating Threats, stretches in Florida at the Amway sometimes they almost become WWE held their only at WrestleWith most American sports record-low on 12/2/21, Mania with fans this past April Center, Tropicana Field and the the cameras for a lot of the perleagues settled in to their old rou- need 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. tines, WWE ditched its stopgap “People like Roman have been you don’t have that real-time, flesh home in Florida and resumed in front of the live crowd, it would dium. WWE last ran a weeknight touring last Friday night with have been a situation that would televised event with a paid crowd able to emotionally bring a per- interaction, the red light becomes “Smackdown” from Houston, a 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 15, 2021

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

The wisdom of Sen. Bob Dole

While many Washington Democrats have ignored our challenges and simply pushed for trillions in new spending and tax increases, I have tried to live up to Bob Dole’s legacy by remaining focused on getting things done for our community and our nation.

LAST WEEK we paused to mourn the passing of a man who embodied the “Greatest Generation,” Sen. Bob Dole.

Like the sacrifices of those who lost their lives 80 years ago at Pearl Harbor, Dole’s own life of service on the battlefield in World War II and in the halls of Congress inspired generations of Americans. Sen. Dole’s final opinion piece in the Washington Post can also inspire many of us. In it he wrote, “When we prioritize principles over party and humanity over personal legacy, we accomplish much more as a nation.”

I have always believed that same philosophy, and we need it now more than ever before.

Inflation just rose to a new 40-year high. Nearly 2 million illegal immigrants and record amounts of lethal fentanyl have crossed our southern border this year. The number of open jobs just reached a record 11 million as folks aren’t returning to the workforce. And countries like China and Russia continue to up their aggression around the world.

There are plenty of challenges facing our nation right now.

However, instead of addressing many of those head on, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has all but decided to wrap up Congress’ work in Washington for the year. While many Washington Democrats have ignored our challenges and simply pushed for trillions in new spending and tax increases, I have tried to live up to Bob Dole’s legacy by remaining focused on getting things done for our community and our nation.

I began last week by hosting a roundtable discussion on military spouse employment. The discussion focused on how Congress can help connect military spouses with job opportunities and encourage military spouse remote employment and entrepreneurship. On Friday, I introduced legislation to provide military families additional support by ensuring children of active-duty service members have access to school meal programs. Our service members and their families have enough challenges to worry about, and putting food on the table should not be one of them.

To further support our troops, last week we also passed our nation’s annual defense bill. As Fort Bragg’s congressman, I was proud to secure provisions that help military families in our community. This

bill authorizes $27 million for construction projects I advocated for at Fort Bragg. It includes a much-deserved pay increase for service members, invests in family housing and childcare, and creates a pilot program to establish employment fellowship opportunities for military spouses. This bill also includes funds for border security, invests $517 million to address PFAS chemicals, and builds on legislation I sponsored to combat sexual assault in the military.

The NDAA also challenges the Biden administration. I led 160 House Republicans urging the removal of red-flag provisions from the bill. We succeeded and the red-flag provisions were not included, ensuring our Second Amendment rights remain protected. This bill also demands accountability for the Biden administration’s failed Afghanistan withdrawal and includes safeguards against vaccine mandates for service members.

Last week I also introduced legislation to protect our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and strengthen our nation’s energy security by requiring the Secretary of Energy to increase American oiland-gas production. A resolution I introduced will end the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. The HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently make fentanyl a Schedule I substance, critical for so many families who have lost a loved one to fentanyl.

Finally, last Thursday, two health care-related bills I introduced passed the House. The first will increase the capacity of the NIH and FDA to develop new vaccines and treatments faster by working with the private sector. The Improving the Health of Children Act reauthorizes the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities through 2026. Families that rely on the Center deserve stability and funding for these programs that work to address birth defects, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, child development, newborn screening, autism and other diseases.

I am working on delivering results on these issues and so many others. It’s true, our nation is facing many challenges. Yet as Sen. Dole wrote, I believe we can come together to solve them by focusing on the things that truly matter to you and your family. This week, join Renee and me in continuing to pray for our friend, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and their entire family. And together, let’s remember his words and strive to better our nation.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Redistricting helps Republicans but doesn’t guarantee control In New York, the Democratic legislature seems bent on bypassing a commission and imposing a plan to cut Republicans from eight seats to three.

HERE’S A SUGGESTION for those who think that partisan redistricting — or, as is often the case with these plaints, partisan redistricting by Republicans — threatens to destroy American democracy. Take a look at “The Long Red Thread,” the recent history by Sabato’s Crystal Ball analyst Kyle Kondik of House of Representatives elections from 1964 to the present decade.

Kondik shows how partisan redistricting, from the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s one-person-one-vote decision in 1964 up throughout the 1980s, was employed to great effect by Democratic redistricters — and to considerable applause and great delight of the few journalists who were paying any attention.

I’m familiar with this history as the principal co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics” since 1972, and from social conversations with the most adept and influential of Democratic redistricters, California Rep. Phillip Burton (whose San Francisco seat is now represented by Nancy Pelosi).

Those days are gone, or at least banished from the memory of most political scientists and journalists. Redistricting is depicted as a weapon wielded almost entirely by crafty Republicans, bent on denying the righteous will of the people.

The reality is that politics today, as in the years from 1964 to 1994, inevitably plays a role in setting the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts. But the one-person-one-vote sets limits on the gains parties can make, and that partisan redistricting, or, to use the term invented back in 1812, referring to our fifth vice president, gerrymandering, often boomerangs.

In this cycle, Republicans have a reduced putative advantage in redistricting because they control legislatures and governorships in states with 187 districts, while Democrats do so in states with 75.

But states with 173 districts have supposedly nonpartisan districting commissions or divided political control, and six states have just one congressional district.

The clear trend in the 19 states with 161 districts that have districted so far is to strengthen party incumbents. Cook Political Report redistricting ace David Wasserman reports that in states with completed plans, the number of districts that former President Donald Trump carried by five points or more is up from 88 to 100, and the number of districts that President Joe Biden won by such margins is up from 60 to 65.

Illinois Democrats, with their early filing deadline, led off with a hyper-partisan plan that extended “bacon strip” districts from Chicago wards far out into the prairie. Republicans in other states

have retaliated, as they did 10 years ago, with partisan plans of their own.

Some heavily Democratic states have yet to act. Maryland Democrats, having zeroed out one of the state’s two Republicans 10 years ago, are poised to endanger the other this year. In New York, the Democratic legislature seems bent on bypassing a commission and imposing a plan to cut Republicans from eight seats to three.

California’s commission has released some preliminary maps in a state that will lose a House seat for the first time in history.

In Michigan and Arizona, there’s controversy suggesting that independent commissions and their staff may not be as nonpartisan and impartial as they’ve been billed.

That stands to reason. Anyone interested enough in this stuff to be able to work out redistricting plans without years of tutelage can’t help knowing the likely partisan effect of splitting a county horizontally or vertically.

But even the most politically adept redistricter doesn’t know what lies ahead in the future. No one knew 10 years ago that Trump would make Republicans anathema to many white college graduates even while making them more acceptable to folks in rural areas. So, both parties lost supposedly safe seats in 2016, 2018 and 2020.

Democratic redistricters were able to help the party maintain House majorities as Republicans held the White House for 20 of 24 years from 1968 to 1992. But also Democrats, as the opposition party, then could adapt to local terrain and attack Republicans on locally unpopular administration policies. But starting in the 1990s, control of the White House has alternated, and neither party has held onto House majorities for the whole 10 years of a redistricting cycle.

Currently, Democratic voters’ overconcentration in urban centers and university towns gives Republicans a structural advantage in one-person-one-vote redistricting, and their Trump-era gains among Hispanics help in Texas and Florida.

These factors, plus the sense that under the Biden Democrats, things (the border, inflation, crime, COVID-19) are spinning out of control, give Republicans an excellent chance of overturning Democrats’ 222 to 213 majority in 2022. But redistricting can’t lock in those advantages through 2030.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of The Almanac of American Politics.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ex-Oklahoma QB Rattler commits to South Carolina Columbia, S.C. Quarterback Spencer Rattler will try to restart his college career with South Carolina.

Rattler, who threw for 28 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman for Oklahoma in 2020 before losing his starting job with the Sooners this season, tweeted Monday night that he had committed to the Gamecocks. South Carolina went 6-6 this year, its first season under Shane Beamer, who spent three years at Oklahoma under former coach Lincoln Riley as assistant head coach for offense. The 6-foot-1 Rattler, a Heisman Trophy candidate before the season, lost his starting job to Caleb Williams.

MLB

Former White Sox, Orioles GM Hemond dies at 92 Montrose, Colo.

Roland Hemond, whose 70-year career in baseball included three Executive of the Year awards as general manager of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles, died Sunday night.

He was 92. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he spent 19 seasons, announced Hemond’s death Monday. Hemond was Chicago’s GM from 1970-85 and served in the same role for Baltimore from 1988-95.

He won the Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year award in 1972, and then again in 1983 when the White Sox won the AL West. His third Executive of the Year honor came in 1989, when the Orioles nearly won the AL East after losing 107 games the previous season.

GYMNASTICS

USA Gymnastics, USOPC reach $380M settlement with victims Indianapolis The legal wrangling between USA Gymnastics and the hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, among others, is over after a $380 million settlement was reached. A federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis on Monday approved the agreement between USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the more than 500 victims, ending one aspect of the fallout of the largest sexual abuse scandal in the history of the U.S. Olympic movement. More than 90% of the victims voted in favor of the tentative settlement reached in September.

NFL

Brady sets completions record, throws 700th TD in OT win Tampa, Fla. Tom Brady became the NFL’s all-time completions leader and threw his 700th touchdown pass for the winning score as the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a 33-27 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Brady threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed his recordbreaking 7,143rd pass.

Breshad Perriman’s 58-yard catch-and-run with 5:31 left in OT was the 700th TD pass of Brady’s career, including playoffs.

DOUG MURRAY | AP PHOTO

The return of Cam Newton has failed to spark the Panthers' attack, and the team's offensive line continues to be an ongoing problem.

Panthers have big needs in next year’s draft Carolina’s biggest needs are at quarterback and offensive tackle

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Barring an unforeseen turnaround, the Carolina Panthers appear destined to pick in the top 10 of next year’s NFL Draft.

That means the Panthers have a potentially franchise-altering decision on the horizon: Do they try to find a young franchise quarterback with their firstround pick next April or take an offensive lineman to solidify the left tackle spot for the next decade?

Those are unequivocally the team’s two biggest positions of need.

The Panthers (5-8) have been playing musical chairs at quarterback since Matt Rhule’s arriv-

al as head coach in 2020. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and (the return of) Cam Newton haven’t panned out.

Carolina is on the hook with Darnold for $18 million next season after making an ill-advised decision to pick up the fifth year of his rookie contract before he ever played a down for the Panthers. Newton is only under contract through this season and has done little to prove he can lead this franchise after going 0-3 since taking over as a starter. Newton’s backup P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to be the longterm answer either. If he was, Rhule likely would have stuck with Walker instead of signing Newton after Darnold went down with an injury.

Mississippi’s Matt Corral and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett are considered the top quarterbacks in what is not viewed as a strong quarterback class overall.

1 Number of selections the Panthers have in the first four rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Carolina only has its first-round pick.

As for the offensive line, the Panthers likely only have two players who could be considered legit starters moving forward — right tackle Taylor Moton and guard Michael Jordan. Carolina has had a pressing need at left tackle for years and hasn’t invested a first-round draft pick in an offensive tackle since taking Jeff Otah in 2008.

Some potential targets on the offensive line in the next year’s draft include NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu, Alabama’s Evan Neal,

Mississippi State’s Charles Cross and Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum.

Much of what the Panthers do at quarterback and on the offensive line will be predicated on what they do in free agency. If there’s a top quarterback that becomes available via free agency (or trade) such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, Panthers owner David Tepper certainly would be willing to pay the bill to land one.

If the Panthers can land a veteran quarterback, they could turn their resources to pursuing an offensive lineman in the draft.

Regardless of which way the Panthers go, they need to hit a home run on that first-round pick.

As of right now, Carolina doesn’t have another selection until the fifth round. The Panthers traded their second- and fourth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold and their third-round pick to Jacksonville for cornerback C.J. Henderson.

Clemson wins NCCA men’s soccer title, beats Washington 2-0 Cary hosted the men’s College Cup The Associated Press CARY — Isaiah Reid scored twice, including a goal just 27 seconds into the match, and Clemson defeated Washington 2-0 to win the NCAA College Cup championship on Sunday.

It was Clemson’s third national championship. The Tigers also won in 1984 and 1987.

“I think it’s going to take days and weeks to set in, but it’s unbelievable. It’s euphoric. I mean, it makes everything worth it. Everything was worth it before, but there’s no words,” Clemson goalkeeper George Marks said.

Washington goalkeeper Sam Fowler was caught out of position and Reid easily scored his first just moments into the match.

Reid scored again on a header in the 15th minute. A junior, Reid finished the season with nine goals, including a pair of two-goal games. But he had scored just one goal in the last 14 matches.

“It was extremely special. Yeah, I hadn’t scored much in 14 games.

But I didn’t let that deter me from trying to help out the team and try and score goals,” Reid said. “My team supported me, and it just feels really good to score two goals and help my team win the natty.”

Second-seeded Washington struggled in the final third after the early Clemson goal put the Huskies on their heels. Marks had a pair of saves, including one in the final minutes as Washington scrambled to score.

“I don’t think for a second we doubted that we were out of the game,” Washington defender Ryan Sailor said. “We always have belief in ourselves. We played right in the second half and things just didn’t go our way, and sometimes that’s the way it is.”

The eighth-seeded Tigers dogpiled in celebration at the final whistle and fans streamed onto the field in a flurry of confetti. One fan waved a giant Clemson flag.

Clemson was playing in its fifth national championship game.

The last appearance came in 2015 when it fell to Stanford.

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Clemson's Ousmane Sylla and Washington's Nick Scardina battle for a ball during the Tigers' win in the NCAA College Cup championship game Sunday in Cary.

The Tigers advanced on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Washington, making its first College Cup appearance, beat Georgetown 2-1 on Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park to advance.

Washington coach Jamie Clark said it was an honor to play for a national championship, even if his team fell short.

“We got every minute out of the season we could,” Clark said. “We all said we wanted to take every drop out of this season, and we got it.”

Clemson was the defending

ACC Tournament champion but fell to Duke in the semifinals of this year’s conference tournament. But they had a solid tournament run, knocking off the Nos. 1, 2 4 and 9 seeds.

Washington finished a halfgame back of Oregon State for the Pac-12 title. The Huskies had just one regular-season loss.

It was the second overall meeting between the two teams. The Huskies beat Clemson 4-1 in a neutral site game in 1996.

Announced attendance was 7,238, many of them Clemson fans who were able to drive under five hours to attend the title match.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Ethan Hines works for points against East Davidson’s Romero Harrison in a 106-pound match last month.

Gracyn Hall

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

UCA wrestlers roll up 15-0 record Randolph Record staff LUMBERTON — The Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team has reached a 15-0 record after dominating the Lumberton Border Wars on Saturday.

The Eagles won five meets, including a 52-27 victory against host Lumberton in the finals.

Eight UCA wrestlers were undefeated in the dual-meet tournament. They were Ethan Hines, Brandon Jordan, Jack McArthur, Aldo Hernandez, Grayson Roberts, Doug Bowles, Jaden Maness and Jaden Marion.

Plus, Aiden Allred, Carson Robinson, Bryan Lackey and Corbin Grissom posted 4-1 records in the event.

The Eagles topped Fayetteville Byrd 84-0, beat Purnell Swett 756, topped South Florence (S.C) 75-6 and whipped West Brunswick 72-9.

Trinity Invitational At Trinity, several wrestlers from Randolph County claimed individual championships, with Asheboro and Southwestern Ran-

dolph with two champions each.

Logan Lambeth at 182 pounds and Arhman Tyson at heavyweight were Asheboro’s titlists. Champions from Southwestern Randolph were Luke White at 132 pounds and Jose Flores at 220. Trinity’s Chris Grubb won the 120-pound weight class.

Runners-up included Southwestern Randolph’s Janaksel Perez (106) and Nathan Mabe (152) and Clay Sugg (195), Asheboro’s Xavier Santos (120) and Diego Santos (126) and Eduardo Soto-Canas (220) and Providence Grove’s Brooks Freeman (182).

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s Gracyn Hall goes up for a shot against Asheboro during a game earlier this season.

Randleman, girls’ basketball Hall was the leading scorer in two of the Tigers’ three games last week. She averaged 19.3 points in those games as Randleman improved its record to 5-0.

Last week’s victories included two on the road. They won 51-42 at Oak Grove, defeated visiting Ledford 56-35 and then captured their Piedmont Athletic Conference opener by 61-52 at Wheatmore.

Hall, a junior post player, racked up 25 points and 12 rebounds against Oak Grove. The next night, she posted 17 points against Ledford.

Hall had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Wheatmore game, while teammates Elizabeth York (21 points) and Hannah Hinshaw (17 points, 13 rebounds) were also standouts.

PREP BASKETBALL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Top left, Providence Grove’s Sakai McKoy grabs a rebound against Uwharrie Charter Academy during a PAC game last week in Asheboro.

Top right, UCA’s Paige Ingram drives toward the baseline against Providence Grove’s Edi Austin last week at UCA. Bottom left, Providence Grove’s Allie Frazier shoots against UCA’s Lily Charlesworth.

Bottom right, UCA’s Dawson shoots the ball against Providence Grove’s Zane Caudle.

UCA won the girls’ game 47-27, while Providence Grove won the boys’ game 62-56.

PIEDMONT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ALL-CONFERENCE Randolph Record staff

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s allconference selections for fall sports: Boys’ cross country

(Providence Grove), Kaylan Currin (Providence Grove), Caroline DuVall (Providence Grove), Rori Frederick-Luther (Providence Grove), Sarah Majors (Providence Grove), Abbie Gudino (Uwharrie Charter), Jazmin Palma (Uwharrie Charter), Alexis Robbins (Randleman), Parker Sterling (Randleman), Allison Hill (Wheatmore).

Dalke, Eli Gravely, Keaton Reed, Bryson Reed, Ernest Robbins, Clay Sugg.

From Randleman: Jozy Akins, Errvod Cassidy, Riley Edwards, Chris Gentry, Caden Lundsford, Sawyer McCollum, Gus Shelton.

From Trinity: Landon Carter, Griffin Dills, David Makupson, Dominic Payne, Evan Stepp.

Runner of the Year: Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore)

Football

From Wheatmore: Bryson Coltrane, Porter Grimes, Jackson Passmore, Dylan Wells.

Coach of the Year: John Ruiz (Providence Grove)

Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Thomas (Providence Grove)

Girls’ golf

Team: Jayten Beasley (Providence Grove), Robert Burton (Providence Grove), Justin Bush (Providence Grove), Evan Meadows (Providence Grove), Kadan Shoptaw (Providence Grove), Logan Stove (Providence Grove), Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore), Jimmy Smith (Wheatmore), Hayden Yates (Wheatmore), Trajan Johnson (Trinity), Brody Gardner (Eastern Randolph).

Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Whitaker (Providence Grove)

Player of the Year: Caroline Wright (Providence Grove)

Coach of the Year: Calvin Brown (Providence Grove)

Coach of the Year: Chris Chapman (Southwestern Randolph)

Team

Girls’ cross country

From Providence Grove: Karson Bowman, Brett Breedlove, Zander Cheek, Zane Cheek, Brooks Freeman, Caleb Rogers, Luke Thomas, Curtis Wade, Chase Whitaker, Colton Wood.

Team: Anna Holloway (Providence Grove), Morgan Hielig (Providence Grove), Caroline Wright (Providence Grove), Lexi Auman (Southwestern Randolph), Lindsey Auman (Southwestern Randolph), Paula Palmer (Randleman), Elizabeth York (Randleman).

Runner of the Year: Jazmin Palma (Uwharrie Charter) Coach of the Year: John Ruiz (Providence Grove) Team: Jensen Auman (Providence Grove), Mia Browder

From Eastern Randolph: Elias Alston, Stratton Barwick, Devonte Brooks, Delonte Grover, Malachi Letterlough, Na’heim Lilly, Landon Loftin, John Maness, Jani Norwood, Mason Sechreast, Ladaryian Spinks, J’Aaron Wise.

From Southwestern Randolph: Easton Clapp, Adam Cole, Lane

Coach of the Year: Jared Raya (Eastern Randolph) Team: Aaron Bowser (Eastern Randolph), Jaime Cortes (Eastern Randolph), Oscar Gonazalez (Eastern Randolph), Yane Jaimes (Eastern Randolph), Jonathan Perez (Eastern Randolph), Alei Torres (Eastern Randolph), Colby Chamblin (Uwharrie Charter), Max DeNamur (Uwharrie Charter), Jordan Harrison (Uwharrie Charter), Brady Mowers (Uwharrie Charter), Jake Perreira (Uwharrie Charter), Joseph Phetmixay (Uwharrie Charter), Jose Gonzalez (Trinity), Brenden Jenkins (Trinity), Logan May (Trinity), Moises Ventura (Trinity), Ryan Baynard (Wheatmore), Hunter Brooks (Wheatmore), Jagur Williams (Wheatmore), Jesus Garcia (Randleman), Nick Muro (Randleman), Francisco Vences (Randleman), Yahir Flores Fernandez (Southwestern Randolph), Steven Vences-Santos (Southwestern Randolph), Andres Carbajal (Providence Grove).

Girls’ tennis

Boys’ soccer

Player of the Year: Kara Comer (Wheatmore)

Offensive Player of the Year: Yane Jaimes (Eastern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Michelle Cable (Randleman)

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Bowser (Eastern Randolph)

Team: Kelly Carrick (Wheatmore), Kara Comer (Wheatmore),

Mikalah Walls (Wheatmore), Hanna Wilson (Wheatmore), Amber Busk (Providence Grove), Audrie Frazier (Providence Grove), Anna Money (Providence Grove), Andee Bullard (Southwestern Randolph), Kaitlyn Gainey (Southwestern Randolph), Autumn Gentry (Trinity), Kenzi Johnson (Trinity), Lea Ingle (Uwharrie Charter), Emily Roach (Randleman).

Volleyball Most Valuable Player: Payton Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph) Defensive Player of the Year: Coley Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph) Coach of the Year: Darby Kennedy (Southwestern Randolph) Team: Josie Allred (Southwestern Randolph), Reagan LeRoy (Southwestern Randolph), Coley Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph), Payton Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph), Carleigh Whitson (Southwestern Randolph), Hannah Hinshaw (Randleman), Karli Kennington (Randleman), Bri Brooks (Uwharrie Charter), Gabi Greene (Uwharrie Charter), Gracie Hodgin (Wheatmore), Payton Rough (Wheatmore), Emma Mazzarone (Providence Grove), Jill Stern (Providence Grove), Gracie Ballard (Trinity).

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Feral swine program starting in Randolph County

By Blake Szilvay For the Randolph Record ASHEBORO — For years, feral swine populations have been growing across the United States and can now be found across North Carolina. Randolph County will play a critical role in helping eliminate feral swine in N.C. thanks to a new program targeting the animals in Randolph and five other counties.

The destruction feral swine cause is a significant threat to agriculture and the environment and costs $1.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. Known as feral swine, feral hogs, or wild hogs — these animals have few natural predators, which allows them to spread unfettered without human intervention.

While signs of their presence can often be found, it’s unlikely you will see one in Randolph County due to their current low population. However, in a proactive effort to monitor the spread in our county and the surrounding area, state and federal agencies are working together to understand the feral swine problem in N.C. and to take action to remove them from the landscape.

The North Carolina Feral Swine

Task Force received $2.6 million in grants this year to combat the threats to humans, agriculture, and property.

“We are excited about the development of real solutions to help our state’s feral swine problem,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in a release announcing the programs. “Although these initial grants focus on six counties, the ultimate goal is the development of strategies that can be implemented statewide.”

Because of North Carolina’s position as a top commercial hog-producing state, the threat of feral swine is high. Feral swine and domestic swine are the same species, which means they can be infected by the same diseases. Pasture-raised pigs, non-confined domestic swine and other outdoor swine practices can increase the risk of feral swine transmitting diseases. Since feral swine roam freely, they can contaminate accessible feed and water sources meant for domestic swine.

North Carolina launched a pilot program in Sampson County this summer due to the county’s significant population of feral swine and the amount of recent crop damage. An additional grant — the Five

County Feral Swine Trap Grant — seeks to identify and trap feral swine in Anson, Davie, Haywood, Montgomery and Randolph.

“The grant money funds traps and drones to help farmers and landowners find and remove feral swine from their property,” said Mike Mayes, program coordinator for NCDA&CS Veterinary Division.

“A few years ago, Commissioner Troxler told us he was getting calls from farmers about their problems with feral swine on their property.

We were directed to find solutions and this is part of that solution.”

The feral swine trapping project in Randolph County is available at no cost to landowners. The goals of the program include equipping landowners with traps, taking blood samples to test for diseases carried by the hogs, and reporting of feral swine sightings, damage, and harvest.

Landowners can request assistance from the program at https:// www.ncferalswine.org/five-county-trap-loan-application or by calling 336-318-6000.

Blake Szilvay is a Field Crops Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Randolph County Center.

FILE PHOTO

Haley: Diversifying puts GOP in best position to lead

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

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CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley drew on her native South Carolina’s struggles with racist violence during her time as governor, arguing that the Republican Party is best positioned to lead the country alongside a continued diversification of its ranks.

“Our message is the right message,” she said during a recent speech in Charleston. “It’s a message of hope, a message of faith — faith in ourselves and our country. The more we spread that message, the more people we’ll add to the Republican tent.”

Haley’s remarks came at The Citadel, where a Republican group made her the first woman to receive its highest honor. The potential 2024 presidential contender and former South Carolina governor received the Nathan Hale Patriot Award, an honor that comes along with a replica Revolutionary War musket. Previous recipients include Donald Trump in 2015 — before he was

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president — as well as former White House adviser Steve Bannon in 2018 and then-Vice President Mike Pence last year.

Haley — whose parents immigrated to South Carolina from India — has been tapped by the Republican Party in an effort to showcase diversity within its ranks.

Along with fellow South Carolinian Sen. Tim Scott, the Senate’s sole black Republican, she leads an advisory council to a national effort to diversify and grow the GOP. Last year, both South Carolinians had key speaking roles at the Republican National Convention. And both have frequently spoken openly about personal experiences with discrimination due to their skin color.

“South Carolina shows the way, as it so often does,” Haley said, mentioning the murders of nine black parishioners at the hands of a white shooter in Charleston and the deadly shooting of a black motorist by a white officer.

“We came together to heal and make hard choices about our future,” she said.

“And take it from me, the first

MEG KINNARD | AP PHOTO

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 presidential contender and former South Carolina governor, speaks at a fundraiser, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Charleston, S.C. female governor of South Carolina and the first minority female governor in the United States,” she added, “America is not a racist country,” a phrase she has used before.

But Haley has also frequently spoken of her immigrant family’s struggles in rural South Car-

olina.

“I was a brown girl, in a blackand-white world,” she has said.

“We faced discrimination and hardship.”

As Haley ponders her next political steps, the setting — a fundraising gathering put on

by The Citadel Republican So-

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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

ciety, which advertises itself as “the largest Republican club in the South” — is among a series of well-worn stops for politicians seeking exposure among Republicans in the first-in-the-South presidential primary state.

Her speech in accepting the award marked her first public comments in South Carolina since leaving her post at the U.N., where she served the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019.

Since then, Haley has written a memoir, set up a political action committee, weighed into down-ballot campaigns and visited early-voting states.

During that time, however, Haley has also been among ascendant Republicans uncertain of how to lead in a party grappling with the role Trump still plays within it, as well as how to approach the 2024 campaign cycle, given Trump’s tease of a possible future bid.

Mentioning Trump sparingly, Haley credited the former president and the Republican Party with building “one of the hottest economies in American history” prior to the pandemic, arguing that returning control to the GOP would “set the stage for new jobs and bigger paychecks for American families.”

“Our students should never learn to be woke,” Haley said.

“They should learn how to find work and live their best lives.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

7

obituaries

Donna Burton Hill

Elizabeth “Lib” Robbins Howell

1966 - 2021

Donna Kaye Burton Hill, 55, of Asheboro died Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Randolph Hospice House.

Donna was born in Jacksonville, FL and was employed with Technimark, Inc. in Asheboro. She formerly attended Farmer Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her stepfather, Ray Hedrick.

She is survived by her husband, Greg Hill; daughter, Jessica Burton and her Fiance, Chris Beane of Asheboro; Sons, Greg Burton of the home and Duran Burton and his wife, Chadell of Asheboro; Grandchildren, Jared, Jordan, Jacob, Savannah, Emma, and Laila; Mother, Julie Hedrick of Asheboro; Brothers and Sisters, Donnie, Ray, Cathy, and Ramona.

“She loved her dogs Mimi and JR. She loved taking care of her family. She was a loving wife, Mama and WawWaw. She will be greatly missed and forever loved.”

Josephus Cheshire, Jr.

1934 - 2021

1933 - 2021

Elizabeth “Lib” Robbins Howell, age 87, of Asheboro passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at North Pointe of Archdale.

Mrs. Howell was born in Forsyth County on October 30, 1934 to Thomas and Mattie Pierce Robbins. She was formerly employed with Acme-McCrary and Winn Dixie, and also operated Westside Children’s Outlet. Lib was a member of West Bend United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, Lib was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl “Bob” Howell, son, Timmy Howell, and brothers, Pierce and Lloyd Robbins.

She is survived by her son, Randall Howell (Beth) of Sophia; grandchildren, Buck and Nicholas Howell, and Greg Davis (Dianna); and great grandchildren, Emma Briggs and Evelyn Howell.

Josephus Cheshire Jr., age 88, passed away on December 6, 2021, at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

He was born on May 5, 1933, in Eden to Josephus and Lucy Cheshire. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cheshire was preceded in death by nine siblings.

Mr. Cheshire is survived by his wife, Dollie Meadors Cheshire, son, Wayne Cheshire and wife Inge of Wilmington; daughter, Linda Callicutt and husband Ralph of Asheboro and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Teeny Scarborough

Debrah Lynn Gardner

1930 – 2021

1953 - 2021 Debrah Lynn Gardner, age 68, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021 at her home.

Debrah was born in Randolph County on September 22, 1953 to Harold and Irene Stegall Gardner. She was retired from Matlab after 30 years of service. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Gardner, mother, Irene Stegall Widner, and step father, John Widner.

She is survived by her daughter, Tonya Hylton (Ricky) and their children, Samantha Garner and her daughter Leah Dunn, J.B. Garner (Audrey) and their daughter, Shiloh, and Trevor Garner; daughter, Kiesha Cole (Gary) and their children, Destiny and Corbin Cole; sister, Meah Hurley (Marty); brothers, Rocky Widner and Johnny Widner (Kim); and various aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jesse Hugh “Teeny” Scarborough, age 91, of Asheboro passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Universal Healthcare in Ramseur.

Teeny was born in Wadesboro, NC on January 16, 1930 to Angus Marshall and Leola Sullivan Scarboro. Teeny served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

He was the owner/operator of Scarborough’s Men’s Shop and following it’s closing in 1975, he went to work as a general contractor building homes with Darrell Lucas. Teeny was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheboro. In addition to his parents, Teeny was preceded in death by his siblings, Tom, Elmer, Ruth, Louise, and Ethel.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janice Snyder Scarborough; daughter, Laurie Höglund of Greensboro; son, Jay Scarborough of Asheboro; granddaughter, Ashley Hatley and husband Buddy of Kernersville; and sister, Martha Flynn of Raleigh and several nieces and nephews.

James M Southern

February 17, 1939 ~ December 6, 2021

Lori Allred Talbert

Sybil (Craven) Koonce

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 Lori Allred Talbert, age 61, of Randleman passed away December 8, 2021 at her home.

She was a native of Randolph County and a graduate of Randleman High School in 1978 and obtained a Bachelor’s in Arts from UNCG in 1982.

Lori attended Bethany United Methodist Church and enjoyed reading and drawing. She was employed with Kontoor Brands.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Butch” Talbert, parents, Harold and Evon Allred.

Lori is survived by her son: Arlie Talbert of the home; sister: Deborah Kennington and husband Jerry of Pleasant Garden; brothers: Harold Allred of Asheboro and Kevin Allred of FL.; 1 niece and 2 nephews; sister-in-law, Phyllis Bradley of FL.

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May 4, 1945 ~ December 10, 2021 (age 76) Sybil Craven Koonce, 76, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021 at Randolph Hospice House. Born May 4, 1945 in Randolph, NC, she was the daughter of the late Wiley Craven and Rosa Owen Craven.

Sybil is survived by her children, Kathy Smith and her husband Dale of Julian and Jason Fesmire and his wife Amy of Randleman; grandchildren, Grady Smith and his wife Makayla, Jesse Fesmire and Jake Fesmire; great grandson, Graylon Smith; sister, Betty Craven of Virginia; and Sybil’s beloved dog Jeter. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Buck Craven and Rudolph Craven.

A gathering of family and friends will take place graveside Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 1:00pm, at Sunset Knoll Cemetery in Ramseur, NC.

WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

WEDNESDAY

7.7.21 #3 #1

James M. Southern of 926 Cliff Road, Asheboro, NC, died on December 6, 2021 after a long illness. He was 82. He was born February 17, 1939, in Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Asheboro at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18 with Rev. Lynda Ferguson presiding.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements are by Midstate Cremation and Funeral Services.

Jim owned and operated Scott Book Store in Asheboro for many years. He also worked in the horticultural field.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn C. Southern and Ila Welborn Southern. He is survived by cousins Vance Sumner of Raleigh, NC; Mary Sumner Butler and husband Eric of St. Louis, MO; John Sumner of Champaign-Urbana, IL; Frances Welborn Roberts of Washington, DC; Mary Jo Southern of High Point, NC; Elizabeth Sanders of Asheboro; NC, Gene Sanders M.D. and wife Peg of Washington, DC; and George Sanders M.D. and wife Julie of High Point, NC. Jim graduated from Asheboro High School and from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Business. He served in the US Army. He was a devoted member of First United WEDNESDAY Methodist Church in Asheboro.

He sang in the choir, worked in the church garden, and at Victory Junction Camp. Jim also worked with the church’s HI missions, helping 91° with the homeless shelter and with the LO 70°group Habitat for Humanity from the University of Georgia.

PRECIP Jim expressed15% special thanks to Glenn, Holly, Emily and Hallie White, beloved neighbors whose loving care enabled him to fulfil his wish to remain at home. Jim also expressed his thanks to special friends Tucker Page, and Rusty and Alice Hammond, and the dedicated and caring staff at First United Methodist Church.

Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North State Journal (USPS 20451)

Publisher

January 17, 1972 - December 10, 2021

1991 – 2021

Ronald “Ronnie” Lee Lambeth, Matthew Tyler Martin, 29, 49, of Asheboro, died Friday, of Siler City, passed away on December 10, 2021, at The Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

Randolph Hospice House in Matt was born in Alamance County on December 16, 1991, the Asheboro.

The funeral service will be son of Billy and Wendy Martin conducted at 2:00 p.m., on Rinaldi.

Monday, December 13, 2021, at

Sawyersville Wesleyan Church, Matt adored his family, and Asheboro with Rev. Darrell cherished his time with his Rabon, Rev. Jeff Garner and Rev. children. He enjoyed going hunting and fishing every chance Bryan Rush officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. he got. Matt worked as a roofer Born in Randolph County, for Top Tier in Burlington, NC on January 17, 1972, Ronnie NC. He is preceded in death by was the son of Odell and Barbara his brother, Jeremy Martin; and grandmother Emma Martin. Beasley Lambeth. He was a 1990 graduate of Southwestern He is survived by his wife, Emelia Wicker Martin; children, Randolph High School, were he was a member of the marching Clayton Wicker, Wyatt and band, and a 1999 graduate of Waverly Martin; parents, Billy John Wesley College. Ronnie was and Wendy Martin Rinaldi; brother, Dean Rinaldi (Amanda) an ordained minister, attended Mt. Pleasant Community Church of Haw River; sister Ashley and was a member of Sawyerville Moreno (Luis) of Haw River; Wesleyan Church. He was one grandparents, Jerry Martin of of Jim’s Kids and loved going to Burlington and Patty Lamb of church and sharing his testimony.

Mebane; numerous nieces and Ronnie also enjoyed fishing and nephews; and mother in law, watching NC Tarheel basketball.

Dana Wicker of Siler City.

Ronnie was preceded in death The family will receive by aFRIDAY brother, Bobby Lambeth and SAT THURSDAY friends from 10:00-11:00 AM a sister, Patricia Lambeth. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, Surviving in addition to with a funeral service following his parents, are his son, Alex at 11:00 AM at Oakley Baptist Church, 2300 Siler City Glendon Lambeth of Denton; siblings, HIDewanda Cron (George) 78° of HI HI Rd., Siler City with 91°Dr. Jeff Asheboro, Joe Don Lambeth Johnson officiating. Burial will 66° and Ronda LO LOfollow in the church 70°cemetery. LO(Alesia) of Lexington Rush (Bryan) of the home; and In lieu of flowers, memorials PRECIP 57% PRECIP PRECIP several nieces and nephews. may be made to15% a fund set up for his children at Carter Bank & Trust in Siler City. Anyone interested in donating to the funeral cost may do so at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 N. Second Ave., Siler City, NC 27344.

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STATE & NATION

‘Y’all pray for Mayfield’: Town grieves in tornado aftermath

By Claire Galofaro The Associated Press MAYFIELD, Ky. — Judy Burton’s hands shivered as she gazed up at what had been her thirdfloor apartment. She could see her clothes still hanging in the closet, through the building’s shredded walls. Across the street, her church was boarded up. A few blocks away, the spire was ripped away from the town’s grand courthouse, its roof caved in. The restaurant where neighbors met for lunch, too, was lost in the rubble.

She clasped her hands together and tried to quiet their quivering.

Burton and her dog had narrowly escaped as a tornado hit her town, part of an outbreak of twisters across the Midwest and South.

Now, she stood among the grind of heavy machinery clearing the wreckage of landmarks, businesses and homes of Mayfield, population 10,000.

“It’s gone. It’s terrible, just terrible, I’m shaking,” she said. “It’s going to take me awhile to settle my nerves.”

Burton can’t imagine a single family here not mourning. Theirs is the sort of town where everyone is connected to everyone else.

Mayfield was one of the worst-hit towns in the unusual mid-December spate of tornadoes, and Burton looked around at a disorienting jumble of boards and bricks and broken glass.

Hundreds of buildings have been reduced to nothing. Roofs are sheared off those that stand.

Some streets are littered with snapped trees, clothes, chunks of insulation and blown-away Christmas decorations. The fire station is inoperable, most police cars destroyed.

At least eight people working at a Mayfield candle factory were

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHOTO

In a view from this aerial photo, people walk amidst destruction from a recent tornado in downtown Mayfield, Ky., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. killed, and eight more are missing. It’s still unclear how many others in Mayfield died. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had feared more than 100 dead statewide, but he later scaled back that estimate, with many at the candle factory accounted for. On Monday, he said at least 64 had died in the state.

Burton worries for her neighbor and her little dog. They’re feared among the dead, as they were probably unable to escape as the walls collapsed around them.

Down the hall, Johnny Shreve had been watching the storm approach from his window. Lightning crashed, and in that split second of brightness, he realized

that their town would not be the same come morning: He saw an office building across the street disintegrate. Then he dove onto his kitchen floor as chunks of concrete pelted his body.

“It felt like everything in the world came down on me,” he said.

He lay there for more than an hour, trying to dig himself out and shouting for his neighbors and his Shih Tzu, Buddy. Finally, Shreve broke through into the living room. There was Buddy, trying to scratch toward him from the other side.

He posted on Facebook that they were alive, and added: “Y’all pray for Mayfield.”

“It blew my mind when the

sun came up,” Shreve said, when he and others returned over the weekend to salvage what they could and traded stories of survival in the parking lot. “I don’t see how this town can recover. I hope we can, but we need a miracle.”

In the nearby town of Wingo, more than 100 people took shelter at a church — babies, people in their 80s and 90s, family pets. Everyone has a story, a reason they have nowhere else to go.

Meagan Ralph, a schoolteacher volunteering to coordinate the shelter, pulled up an aerial photo of Mayfield, her hometown, on her phone. She zoomed in, seeking a landmark to orient herself.

“I can’t recognize it, it’s not

recognizable,” she said. “I can’t even identify what I’m looking at, it’s that bad.”

But she has found hope at the shelter. Donations have poured in. Volunteers from surrounding counties came in droves. People from Mayfield take care of each other, she said.

As the news spread of the horrors at the candle factory on the night of the storm, hundreds of ordinary people arrived at the factory to help, braving slippery rubble until authorities told them to go home, said Stephen Boyken, who’s a chaplain there. That spirit is part of the fabric of Mayfield, he said: “If you’re off in a ditch, there’s somebody going to stop by, probably three or four trucks try to get you out and help you.”

By the time the sun came up, they were lined up at churches and school gymnasiums to give piles of clothes and coats, food and water.

“We will recover, absolutely.” Ralph said. “We’re small but mighty.”

She looked around the shelter, and noted that the task before them is extraordinary, with hundreds of their neighbors now with nothing and nowhere to go.

Wanda Johnson, 90, ended up here after she was evacuated from the same apartment building where Burton escaped. Johnson’s windows burst, and she clung to her doorframe, pleading: “Dear God, help me, please help me get out of here.”

At the shelter with her son and granddaughter, she wonders what will become of them now.

“They tell me we don’t have a town,” Johnson said. “Everything’s gone. It’s just wiped away.

It just flipped over our city.

“We don’t know where we’re going to go — we don’t know what’s left to go to.”

UK opens door to Assange extradition to US on spying charges

By Danica Kirka The Associated Press LONDON — A British appellate court opened the door at the end of last week for Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States on spying charges by overturning a lower court decision that the WikiLeaks founder’s mental health was too fragile to withstand incarceration in America.

The High Court in London ruled that U.S. assurances about Assange’s detention, received after the lower court decision, were enough to guarantee he would be treated humanely. Assange’s lawyers say they will ask to appeal.

In the ruling, the High Court directed the lower court judge to send the extradition request to Home Secretary Priti Patel, who would make the final decision on whether to send Assange to the U.S. for trial.

“There is no reason why this court should not accept the assurances as meaning what they say,” a two-judge panel of the High Court said in its ruling.

Since WikiLeaks began publishing classified documents more than a decade ago, Assange has become a lightning rod for both

AP PHOTO

Julian Assange, the 40-year-old WikiLeaks founder, arrives at the Supreme Court in London, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. criticism and veneration.

Some see him as a dangerous secret-spiller who endangered the lives of informers and others who helped the U.S. in war zones. Others say WikiLeaks has publicized official malfeasance that governments wanted to keep secret.

Both views have been debated as Assange has sought his freedom — and to evade the Americans.

The U.S. has asked British authorities to extradite Assange so

he can stand trial on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse linked to WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents.

Assange’s fiancée, Stella Moris, called Friday’s decision a “grave miscarriage of justice” that threatens the rights of journalists everywhere to do their jobs without fear of retaliation by governments that don’t like what they publish. She said Assange’s law-

yers would seek to appeal.

“We will fight,” Moris said outside the court, where supporters chanted and waved banners demanding Assange’s release. “Every generation has an epic fight to fight and this is ours, because Julian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society.”

Assange, 50, is currently being held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison in London. The High Court ordered that he remain in custody pending the outcome of the extradition case.

Assange has been in detention since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle. Before that, he spent seven years holed up inside Ecuador’s Embassy in London. Assange sought protection in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

If convicted, Assange won’t be imprisoned at the “supermax” penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, the highest-security prison in the United States, American authorities promised the court. They also pledged that he wouldn’t be held under “special administrative measures,” which can include segregation from other prisoners

and the loss of privileges such as visits, correspondence and use of the telephone.

They also said he would be eligible to serve any prison sentence in his native Australia.

American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.

The charges Assange faces carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison, though lawyers for the U.S. have told British courts that the longest sentence ever imposed for such an offense was five years and three months.

Barry J. Pollack, a lawyer for Assange in the U.S., called Friday’s decision “highly disturbing,” citing unfounded allegations that the U.S. plotted to kidnap or kill his client.

“The U.K. court reached this decision without considering whether extradition is appropriate when the United States is pursuing charges against him that could result in decades in prison, based on his having reported truthful information about newsworthy issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

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Stanly County Journal

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

Panthers suffer loss to Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton stands on the sidelines after leaving the game during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Albemarle City Council approves plans for 776-unit subdivision

Grant preserves land in Stanly County

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Stanly County As part of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund, Stanly County received a $355,865 award. The money will be used by the Three Rivers Land Trust at the Alcoa Falls—Little Mtn Cr location. It will purchase land to add to North Carolina state park land. The fund set aside a total of 1,330 acres in six counties with the latest round of grants.

NSJ

State gives nearly 1.3 million dollars to protect land Montgomery County Just under $1.3 of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund in December went to preserve land in Montgomery County. The county received three grants, all for the Three Rivers Land Trust. The largest, a total of $973,970, went to Bennett Tracts— Little R. Another $158,434 went to Jordan Tract—Panther Br. The final grant, of $166,470, went to DeBerry Tract—Little R. NSJ

Grant creates jobs in Thomasville Davidson County The town of Thomasville received a grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the 16 grants totaling $4.1 million issued by the organization in December. A $500,000 grant will support the expansion of a building occupied by Unilin North America, LLC. The company is a manufacturer of a variety of flooring products, including the brands Quick-Step and Pergo. The company plans to add 1.6 million square feet to the existing property.

This project is expected to create 87 jobs, with an investment of $5,624,851 by the company.

5

20177 52016 $0.50

NSJ

8

ALBEMARLE — In a unanimous decision, the Albemarle City Council recently approved the largest single-phased residential development in the city’s history.

The councilmembers voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to move forward with a 58-acre, 776-unit Avion subdivision connecting to both Henson Street and Leonard Avenue behind Walmart that will provide a 261-lot townhome cluster subdivision, a 360-unit multi-family complex and a 155-unit active adult living center.

“We had a little bit of discussion last meeting about the road design coming on to Henson Street,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael told the council. “It was designed differently but Mr. Harrell worked with us to make that work with the

DOT [Department of Transportation] to where we can pursue this.”

Project manager Colton Harrell estimated that the final installments of the construction will take up to five years to fully complete but that the development will eventually connect to the future Albemarle Business Center.

Following the recommendations by the city’s Planning and Zoning Board on Nov. 30 — as well as approved annexation into an R-6 Urban Residential zoning district on Aug. 2 — the council individually voted in favor of townhome subdivision, family complex and senior living center plans that will each be developed by the Matthews-based R.D. Harrell Company.

The townhomes, averaging 2,312 square feet, will be built on a 35-acre portion of the property while the multi-family apartments

are set to take up 16 acres and the senior facility is eight acres. The current amenities provided to future Avion residents include a community pool and garden, clubhouse, pickleball courts and multiple dog parks.

After the council’s recent signoff on the Avion plans, the City of Albemarle’s official Facebook account posted an announcement of the development that generated nearly 300 comments of discussions, with many questioning the impact it will have on Highway 24/27’s traffic congestion.

“Henson St. and the Walmart side of Leonard Ave. are already experiencing heavy traffic,” one user wrote. “The frequency of traffic crashes is on the rise. This development will definitely add to the problem.”

Others questioned whether the city would be able to support a

large residential increase at this time: “Something tells me this may not be a great idea. Albemarle doesn’t have the infrastructure to support developments such as this. Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement will need to be increased as well as roads and public utilities.”

Kevin Robinson, Albemarle director of planning and development services, addressed the potential traffic concerns in the comment section by reaffirming that the city reviewed a detailed traffic impact analysis with the DOT. The director confirmed that alterations will be made to both roads and that while they are currently both dead-end routes, the development will bring a new road as a modified collector so that they will intersect together.

“This is a far more functional road network with multiple options for traffic and will work much better than the dead end streets all funneling traffic onto 24-27,” Robinson added.

The R.D. Harrell Company is currently estimating that the project will break ground in the building process within nine to 11 months.

Man serving life sentence Woman charged in deadly Albemarle crash for Stanly homicide commits suicide

By David Larson Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — On Dec. 10, the Albemarle Police Department charged Asia Monique Grady, 33, with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Days earlier, on Dec. 6, Grady was involved in a collision with Mitchell L. Morton, 51, at the intersection of U.S. 52 and West Main Street in Albemarle at 7:12 a.m.

According to an APD statement, Grady was driving east on West Main Street in a 2013 Honda Odyssey and collided with Morton, who was driving north on U.S. 52 in a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Only the two vehicles were involved in the accident.

The press release after the incident said that Morton “succumbed to his injuries as a result of the crash.”

Under North Carolina law, a person is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle if they “unintentionally causes the death of another person” while “engaged in the violation of any State law or local ordinance applying to the operation or use of a vehicle or to the regulation of traffic, other than impaired driving,” and that violation of law was “the proximate cause of the death.”

If the violation of the law that caused Morton’s death had been impaired driving, the charge would have been felony death by vehicle rather than misdemeanor death by vehicle.

The Albemarle Police Department closed the intersection of U.S. 52 and West Main Street while the investigation was being conducted, but opened the road back up later that morning.

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Pliney R. Purser, 63, a prisoner at the Scotland Correctional Institution, has died in an apparent suicide, according to a North Carolina Department of Public Safety statement. Purser was serving a life sentence after a 2008 second-degree murder conviction in Stanly County.

“He was found unresponsive in his cell around 9:35 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3,” the statement said.

“The prison’s first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender.”

Local paramedics then took Purser to an outside medical facility where, just after noon on

Dec. 6, he was pronounced dead.

“Law enforcement was notified of the death and is investigating, as is common in these circumstances,” DPS said, adding that they are “cooperating fully in the investigation” and are also conducting an investigation of their own apart from law enforcement.

Before receiving a life sentence in 2008 for the second-degree homicide, Purser was declared a habitual felon for a long string of crimes going back to a 1979 second-degree kidnapping conviction in Union County that earned him a five years sentence. In the 1980s and 90s, he had several breaking-and-entering and larceny charges.

The second-degree murder offense was committed in conjuncSee SUICIDE, page 2

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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 11 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

JOHN BAZEMORE | AP PHOTO

Panthers lost again in Charlotte

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton stands on the sidelines after leaving the game during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Albemarle City Council approves plans for 776-unit subdivision

Grant preserves land in Stanly County

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Stanly County As part of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund, Stanly County received a $355,865 award. The money will be used by the Three Rivers Land Trust at the Alcoa Falls—Little Mtn Cr location. It will purchase land to add to North Carolina state park land. The fund set aside a total of 1,330 acres in six counties with the latest round of grants.

NSJ

State gives nearly 1.3 million dollars to protect land Montgomery County Just under $1.3 of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund in December went to preserve land in Montgomery County. The county received three grants, all for the Three Rivers Land Trust. The largest, a total of $973,970, went to Bennett Tracts— Little R. Another $158,434 went to Jordan Tract—Panther Br. The final grant, of $166,470, went to DeBerry Tract—Little R. NSJ

Grant creates jobs in Thomasville Davidson County The town of Thomasville received a grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as part of the 16 grants totaling $4.1 million issued by the organization in December. A $500,000 grant will support the expansion of a building occupied by Unilin North America, LLC. The company is a manufacturer of a variety of flooring products, including the brands Quick-Step and Pergo. The company plans to add 1.6 million square feet to the existing property.

This project is expected to create 87 jobs, with an investment of $5,624,851 by the company.

5

20177 52016 $0.50

NSJ

8

ALBEMARLE — In a unanimous decision, the Albemarle City Council recently approved the largest single-phased residential development in the city’s history.

The councilmembers voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to move forward with a 58-acre, 776-unit Avion subdivision connecting to both Henson Street and Leonard Avenue behind Walmart that will provide a 261-lot townhome cluster subdivision, a 360-unit multi-family complex and a 155-unit active adult living center.

“We had a little bit of discussion last meeting about the road design coming on to Henson Street,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael told the council. “It was designed differently but Mr. Harrell worked with us to make that work with the

DOT [Department of Transportation] to where we can pursue this.”

Project manager Colton Harrell estimated that the final installments of the construction will take up to five years to fully complete but that the development will eventually connect to the future Albemarle Business Center.

Following the recommendations by the city’s Planning and Zoning Board on Nov. 30 — as well as approved annexation into an R-6 Urban Residential zoning district on Aug. 2 — the council individually voted in favor of townhome subdivision, family complex and senior living center plans that will each be developed by the Matthews-based R.D. Harrell Company.

The townhomes, averaging 2,312 square feet, will be built on a 35-acre portion of the property while the multi-family apartments

are set to take up 16 acres and the senior facility is eight acres. The current amenities provided to future Avion residents include a community pool and garden, clubhouse, pickleball courts and multiple dog parks.

After the council’s recent signoff on the Avion plans, the City of Albemarle’s official Facebook account posted an announcement of the development that generated nearly 300 comments of discussions, with many questioning the impact it will have on Highway 24/27’s traffic congestion.

“Henson St. and the Walmart side of Leonard Ave. are already experiencing heavy traffic,” one user wrote. “The frequency of traffic crashes is on the rise. This development will definitely add to the problem.”

Others questioned whether the city would be able to support a

large residential increase at this time: “Something tells me this may not be a great idea. Albemarle doesn’t have the infrastructure to support developments such as this. Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement will need to be increased as well as roads and public utilities.”

Kevin Robinson, Albemarle director of planning and development services, addressed the potential traffic concerns in the comment section by reaffirming that the city reviewed a detailed traffic impact analysis with the DOT. The director confirmed that alterations will be made to both roads and that while they are currently both dead-end routes, the development will bring a new road as a modified collector so that they will intersect together.

“This is a far more functional road network with multiple options for traffic and will work much better than the dead end streets all funneling traffic onto 24-27,” Robinson added.

The R.D. Harrell Company is currently estimating that the project will break ground in the building process within nine to 11 months.

Man serving life sentence Woman charged in deadly Albemarle crash for Stanly homicide commits suicide

By David Larson Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — On Dec. 10, the Albemarle Police Department charged Asia Monique Grady, 33, with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Days earlier, on Dec. 6, Grady was involved in a collision with Mitchell L. Morton, 51, at the intersection of U.S. 52 and West Main Street in Albemarle at 7:12 a.m.

According to an APD statement, Grady was driving east on West Main Street in a 2013 Honda Odyssey and collided with Morton, who was driving north on U.S. 52 in a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Only the two vehicles were involved in the accident.

The press release after the incident said that Morton “succumbed to his injuries as a result of the crash.”

Under North Carolina law, a person is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle if they “unintentionally causes the death of another person” while “engaged in the violation of any State law or local ordinance applying to the operation or use of a vehicle or to the regulation of traffic, other than impaired driving,” and that violation of law was “the proximate cause of the death.”

If the violation of the law that caused Morton’s death had been impaired driving, the charge would have been felony death by vehicle rather than misdemeanor death by vehicle.

The Albemarle Police Department closed the intersection of U.S. 52 and West Main Street while the investigation was being conducted, but opened the road back up later that morning.

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Pliney R. Purser, 63, a prisoner at the Scotland Correctional Institution, has died in an apparent suicide, according to a North Carolina Department of Public Safety statement. Purser was serving a life sentence after a 2008 second-degree murder conviction in Stanly County.

“He was found unresponsive in his cell around 9:35 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3,” the statement said.

“The prison’s first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender.”

Local paramedics then took Purser to an outside medical facility where, just after noon on

Dec. 6, he was pronounced dead.

“Law enforcement was notified of the death and is investigating, as is common in these circumstances,” DPS said, adding that they are “cooperating fully in the investigation” and are also conducting an investigation of their own apart from law enforcement.

Before receiving a life sentence in 2008 for the second-degree homicide, Purser was declared a habitual felon for a long string of crimes going back to a 1979 second-degree kidnapping conviction in Union County that earned him a five years sentence. In the 1980s and 90s, he had several breaking-and-entering and larceny charges.

The second-degree murder offense was committed in conjuncSee SUICIDE, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

2 WEDNESDAY

12.15.21

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Expelled Coast Guard cadet sues over policy banning parents The Associated Press A former cadet who was expelled from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy after becoming a father filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging the school’s policy that prohibits students from being parents.

Isaak Olson was two months from graduating from the academy in 2014 with a degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as an officer when he disclosed that his fiancée had given birth to their first child several months earlier, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut.

The academy expelled Olson under a regulation that requires cadets to either resign or be “disenrolled” if they incur a “parental obligation” from a pregnancy over 14 weeks, according to the lawsuit.

“The decision to become a parent is deeply personal, and no school or job should be able to in-

terfere with that choice,” Elana Bildner, an ACLU of Connecticut staff attorney representing Olson, said in a statement. “The U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s archaic regulation, which forces cadets to choose between parenthood and their degrees, has been morally wrong and unconstitutional since its inception.”

The ban was introduced in the late 1970s, just after the academy began admitting women, Bildner said.

“It is likely no accident that the academy instituted its arcane ban on parenthood only after it began admitting women,” she said. “This policy has no place in Connecticut or elsewhere, and it must end.”

Messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from both the school and the Coast Guard.

Olson learned of his fiancée’s pregnancy in April of his junior year, according to the lawsuit. She decided not to have an abortion and he decided not to resign because that would have meant al-

lowing the academy to recoup the cost of his education, estimated at up to $500,000, according to the lawsuit.

His fiancée gave birth in August 2013. Olson disclosed that he had a child on a duty screening application in March 2014, which was the first time he had been asked about dependents, according to the lawsuit.

The couple, in an effort to resolve the matter and allow him to graduate, had Olson’s parental rights terminated, according to his attorneys. The couple is now married with two children, according to the lawsuit.

He was never given a hearing and was “disenrolled” from the academy, according to the lawsuit. He decided to sue after going through a lengthy administrative process in an effort to get his status restored, Bildner said.

Olson enlisted in the Coast Guard shortly after his expulsion and is currently an aviation maintenance technician sta-

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DEATH NOTICES

♦ Betty Jean Lands, 89, of Stanfield, died December 6. ♦ Lula Belle Nance, 90, of Stanfield, died December 7. ♦ Denise Chantel Hendrix, 50, of Albemarle, died December 8. ♦ Buddy James Hatley, 75, of Oakboro, died December 8. ♦ David Franklin Love, 85, of Oakboro, died December 8. ♦ Sylvia Diane Hill Thompson, 74, of Albemarle, died December 9. ♦ Cecil Van Furr, 79, of Albemarle, died December 10. ♦ Barbara JoAnn Tindal, 82, of Albemarle, died December 10. ♦ Richard Earl Hahn, 57, of Oakboro, died December 11. ♦ David Brian Spivey, 50, of Norwood, died December 11.

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Cadets stand as President Joe Biden arrives to speak at the commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on May 19, 2021.

tion with an attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, which he was also convicted of.

Suicide in North Carolina’s jails has been on the rise in recent years, according to Disability Rights NC, a group who tracks mental health issues in the state’s prisons. DRNC data said nine people committed suicide in N.C. jails in 2017, 12 in 2018 and 20 in 2019, which they say is a record for the state.

DRNC says 41% of jail deaths in N.C. are by suicide, but 60% of those suicides are by people, unlike Purser, who had been in jail 12 days or fewer.

♦ Boyd Roger Chandler, 81, of New London, died December 6.

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tioned in Alaska. He is seeking his commission and back pay as part of the lawsuit. The academy ultimately did not seek to recoup the cost of his education.

Olson and his family receive about $3,000 less per month than they would have if he had been granted his commission as an officer, according to the lawsuit.

The case is expected to have implications at other service academies, which have similar policies, according to the ACLU. “We believe such bans are wrong for every military service academy and that the academies should strike them from their regulations,” said Linda Morris, a staff attorney with the ACLU Women’s Rights Project.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate this summer by Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, would mandate an end to policies that force students in military academies to withdraw or give up their children if they become pregnant.

“This policy is unfair, antiquated, and unacceptable,” Cruz said at the time.

Under the bill, military academies would treat pregnancies in line with the rest of the military.

SUICIDE from page 1

♦ Patsy Sue Duncan Hunter, 87 of Locust, died November 29.

TUESDAY

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Steen, Jordan David (W /M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault Inflict Serious Inj (m) (M), 2) Assault Inf Ser Inj Minor Present (M), and 3) Assault On Female (M), at 25238 C Ash Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 12/13/2021 ♦ Lowery, Kimberly Ann (W /F/36) Arrest on chrg of Assault And Battery (M), at 20991 Bear Creek Church Rd, New London, NC, on 12/12/2021 ♦ Ridenhour, Kenneth Wayne (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F) and 2) Larceny After Break/enter (F), at 2328 Tanglewood Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 12/12/2021 ♦ Kemp, Andrew Dalton (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 39118 Watermelon Ln, New London, NC, on 12/12/2021 ♦ Terry, Shawn Clayton (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 976 N Main St, Norwood, NC, on 12/11/2021 ♦ Vanhoy, James Curtis (W /M/66) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 409 Atkins Av, Norwood, NC, on 12/11/2021 ♦ Vanhoy, Kristin Elizabeth (W /F/40) Arrest on chrg of Simple Assault (M), at 409 Atkins Ave, Norwood, NC, on 12/11/2021 ♦ Smith, Christa Michelle (B /F/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Death By Distribution (F) and 2) Second Deg Murder Dist Drug (F), at 126 S 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/11/2021 ♦ Nicholson, Daniel Eric (W /M/41) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Jefferson, Brian Wayne (W /M/49)

Arrest on chrg of Fta - Criminal Summons Or Citation (M), at Guilford County Jail Central, Greensboro, NC, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Smith, Christa Michelle (B /F/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Heroin (F), 2) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 254 Summit St, Norwood, NC, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Allen, Jennifer Nicole (W /F/43) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), 2) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), 3) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F), 4) Larceny After Break/enter (F), and 5) Larceny After Break/enter (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Brown, Vanessa Annette (W /F/49) Arrest on chrg of Assault And Battery, M (M), at 11636 Nc 138 Hwy, Norwood, NC, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Mcdowell, Justin Wayne (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss 5+ Counterfeit Instument (F), 2) Identity Theft (F), 3) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), and 4) Pwimsd Sch I Cs (F), at Eudy/ Hwy 8, New London, NC, on 12/9/2021 ♦ Hiatt, Tina Marie (W /F/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Financial Card Theft (F), 2) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 3) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 4) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 5) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 6) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 7) Identity Theft (F), 8) Identity Theft (F), 9) Identity Theft (F), 10) Identity Theft (F), and 11) Identity Theft (F), at Eudy Rd/hwy 8, New London, NC, on 12/9/2021 ♦ Mcdowell, Justin Wayne (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Financial Card Theft (F), 2) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 3) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 4) Obtain

Property False Pretense (F), 5) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 6) Obtain Property False Pretense (F), 7) Identity Theft (F), 8) Identity Theft (F), 9) Identity Theft (F), 10) Identity Theft (F), and 11) Identity Theft (F), at Hwy 8/ Eudy Rd, New London, NC, on 12/9/2021 ♦ Hiatt, Tina Marie (W /F/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss 5+ Counterfeit Instument (F) and 2) Identity Theft (F), at Eudy/hwy 8, New London, NC, on 12/9/2021 ♦ Hughes, Tracy Elizabeth (W /F/42) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 32201 Nc 49 Hwy/bell Rd, Richfield, NC, on 12/9/2021 ♦ Strother, Hal Davis (W /M/22) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F) and 2) Larceny After Break/enter (F), at 126 South 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/8/2021 ♦ Poplin, Joshua Jay (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking And Or Entering (f) (F) and 2) Larceny After Break/enter (F), at 24646 St Martin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 12/8/2021 ♦ Smith, Ashley Renee (W /F/34) Arrest on chrg of Simple Affray (M), at 2109 Polk Ford Rd/briarwood Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 12/8/2021 ♦ Poplin, Joshua Jay (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of Felony Probation Violation (F), at 126 South Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 12/8/2021 ♦ Dial, Ryan Zane (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of Felony Probation Violation (F), at 18 Cherry St, Badin, NC, on 12/7/2021 ♦ Williams, Cherie Nicol (W F, 29) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/08/2021

♦ Ott Jr., Jimmy Dell (W M, 44) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer, M (M), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/08/202 ♦ Ott Jr., Jimmy Dell (W M, 44) Arrest on chrg of Unauthorized Use Of Motor Vehicle(M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/08/2021 ♦ Clark, Keri Renee (W F, 23) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/08/2021 ♦ Burris, Toby Joe (W M, 42) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F), at 415Spring St, Albemarle, on 12/09/2021 ♦ Lowder, Colton Tyler (W M, 32) Arrest on chrg of Possess Methamphetamine (F), at1434 Hilltop St, Albemarle, on 12/09/2021 ♦ Smith, Joshua Andre (B M, 20) Arrest on chrg of Pwimsd Marijuana (F), at 1103 SMorrow Av/rush St, Albemarle, on 12/09/2021 ♦ Grady, Asia Monique (B F, 33) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Death By Vehicle, M(M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, on 12/10/2021. ♦ Taylor, Alton Demetrice (B M, 53) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon(m) (M), at Arey/gibson, Albemarle, on 12/10/2021 ♦ Hathcock, David Adam (W M, 34) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 145 NBell Av, Albemarle, on 12/11/2021 ♦ Blount, Taylor Brreanna (B F, 27) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine, F(F), at 780 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/11/2021 ♦ King, Alwin Carter (W M, 33) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer, M (M), at781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 12/11/2021

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

The wisdom of Sen. Bob Dole

While many Washington Democrats have ignored our challenges and simply pushed for trillions in new spending and tax increases, I have tried to live up to Bob Dole’s legacy by remaining focused on getting things done for our community and our nation.

Last week we paused to mourn the passing of a man who embodied the “Greatest Generation,” Sen. Bob Dole.

Like the sacrifices of those who lost their lives 80 years ago at Pearl Harbor, Dole’s own life of service on the battlefield in World War II and in the halls of Congress inspired generations of Americans. Sen. Dole’s final opinion piece in the Washington Post can also inspire many of us. In it he wrote, “When we prioritize principles over party and humanity over personal legacy, we accomplish much more as a nation.”

I have always believed that same philosophy, and we need it now more than ever before.

Inflation just rose to a new 40-year high. Nearly 2 million illegal immigrants and record amounts of lethal fentanyl have crossed our southern border this year. The number of open jobs just reached a record 11 million as folks aren’t returning to the workforce. And countries like China and Russia continue to up their aggression around the world.

There are plenty of challenges facing our nation right now.

However, instead of addressing many of those head on, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has all but decided to wrap up Congress’ work in Washington for the year. While many Washington Democrats have ignored our challenges and simply pushed for trillions in new spending and tax increases, I have tried to live up to Bob Dole’s legacy by remaining focused on getting things done for our community and our nation.

I began last week by hosting a roundtable discussion on military spouse employment. The discussion focused on how Congress can help connect military spouses with job opportunities and encourage military spouse remote employment and entrepreneurship. On Friday, I introduced legislation to provide military families additional support by ensuring children of active-duty service members have access to school meal programs. Our service members and their families have enough challenges to worry about, and putting food on the table should not be one of them.

To further support our troops, last week we also passed our nation’s annual defense bill. As Fort Bragg’s congressman, I was proud to secure provisions that help military families in our community. This

bill authorizes $27 million for construction projects I advocated for at Fort Bragg. It includes a much-deserved pay increase for service members, invests in family housing and childcare, and creates a pilot program to establish employment fellowship opportunities for military spouses. This bill also includes funds for border security, invests $517 million to address PFAS chemicals, and builds on legislation I sponsored to combat sexual assault in the military.

The NDAA also challenges the Biden administration. I led 160 House Republicans urging the removal of red-flag provisions from the bill. We succeeded and the red-flag provisions were not included, ensuring our Second Amendment rights remain protected. This bill also demands accountability for the Biden administration’s failed Afghanistan withdrawal and includes safeguards against vaccine mandates for service members.

Last week I also introduced legislation to protect our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and strengthen our nation’s energy security by requiring the Secretary of Energy to increase American oiland-gas production. A resolution I introduced will end the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. The HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently make fentanyl a Schedule I substance, critical for so many families who have lost a loved one to fentanyl.

Finally, last Thursday, two health care-related bills I introduced passed the House. The first will increase the capacity of the NIH and FDA to develop new vaccines and treatments faster by working with the private sector. The Improving the Health of Children Act reauthorizes the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities through 2026. Families that rely on the Center deserve stability and funding for these programs that work to address birth defects, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, child development, newborn screening, autism and other diseases.

I am working on delivering results on these issues and so many others. It’s true, our nation is facing many challenges. Yet as Sen. Dole wrote, I believe we can come together to solve them by focusing on the things that truly matter to you and your family. This week, join Renee and me in continuing to pray for our friend, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and their entire family. And together, let’s remember his words and strive to better our nation.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Redistricting helps Republicans but doesn’t guarantee control In New York, the Democratic legislature seems bent on bypassing a commission and imposing a plan to cut Republicans from eight seats to three.

HERE’S A SUGGESTION for those who think that partisan redistricting — or, as is often the case with these plaints, partisan redistricting by Republicans — threatens to destroy American democracy. Take a look at “The Long Red Thread,” the recent history by Sabato’s Crystal Ball analyst Kyle Kondik of House of Representatives elections from 1964 to the present decade.

Kondik shows how partisan redistricting, from the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s one-person-one-vote decision in 1964 up throughout the 1980s, was employed to great effect by Democratic redistricters — and to considerable applause and great delight of the few journalists who were paying any attention.

I’m familiar with this history as the principal co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics” since 1972, and from social conversations with the most adept and influential of Democratic redistricters, California Rep. Phillip Burton (whose San Francisco seat is now represented by Nancy Pelosi).

Those days are gone, or at least banished from the memory of most political scientists and journalists. Redistricting is depicted as a weapon wielded almost entirely by crafty Republicans, bent on denying the righteous will of the people.

The reality is that politics today, as in the years from 1964 to 1994, inevitably plays a role in setting the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts. But the one-person-one-vote sets limits on the gains parties can make, and that partisan redistricting, or, to use the term invented back in 1812, referring to our fifth vice president, gerrymandering, often boomerangs.

In this cycle, Republicans have a reduced putative advantage in redistricting because they control legislatures and governorships in states with 187 districts, while Democrats do so in states with 75.

But states with 173 districts have supposedly nonpartisan districting commissions or divided political control, and six states have just one congressional district.

The clear trend in the 19 states with 161 districts that have districted so far is to strengthen party incumbents. Cook Political Report redistricting ace David Wasserman reports that in states with completed plans, the number of districts that former President Donald Trump carried by five points or more is up from 88 to 100, and the number of districts that President Joe Biden won by such margins is up from 60 to 65.

Illinois Democrats, with their early filing deadline, led off with a hyper-partisan plan that extended “bacon strip” districts from Chicago wards far out into the prairie. Republicans in other states

have retaliated, as they did 10 years ago, with partisan plans of their own.

Some heavily Democratic states have yet to act. Maryland Democrats, having zeroed out one of the state’s two Republicans 10 years ago, are poised to endanger the other this year. In New York, the Democratic legislature seems bent on bypassing a commission and imposing a plan to cut Republicans from eight seats to three.

California’s commission has released some preliminary maps in a state that will lose a House seat for the first time in history.

In Michigan and Arizona, there’s controversy suggesting that independent commissions and their staff may not be as nonpartisan and impartial as they’ve been billed.

That stands to reason. Anyone interested enough in this stuff to be able to work out redistricting plans without years of tutelage can’t help knowing the likely partisan effect of splitting a county horizontally or vertically.

But even the most politically adept redistricter doesn’t know what lies ahead in the future. No one knew 10 years ago that Trump would make Republicans anathema to many white college graduates even while making them more acceptable to folks in rural areas. So, both parties lost supposedly safe seats in 2016, 2018 and 2020.

Democratic redistricters were able to help the party maintain House majorities as Republicans held the White House for 20 of 24 years from 1968 to 1992. But also Democrats, as the opposition party, then could adapt to local terrain and attack Republicans on locally unpopular administration policies. But starting in the 1990s, control of the White House has alternated, and neither party has held onto House majorities for the whole 10 years of a redistricting cycle.

Currently, Democratic voters’ overconcentration in urban centers and university towns gives Republicans a structural advantage in one-person-one-vote redistricting, and their Trump-era gains among Hispanics help in Texas and Florida.

These factors, plus the sense that under the Biden Democrats, things (the border, inflation, crime, COVID-19) are spinning out of control, give Republicans an excellent chance of overturning Democrats’ 222 to 213 majority in 2022. But redistricting can’t lock in those advantages through 2030.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of The Almanac of American Politics.

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ex-Oklahoma QB Rattler commits to South Carolina Columbia, S.C. Quarterback Spencer Rattler will try to restart his college career with South Carolina.

Rattler, who threw for 28 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman for Oklahoma in 2020 before losing his starting job with the Sooners this season, tweeted Monday night that he had committed to the Gamecocks. South Carolina went 6-6 this year, its first season under Shane Beamer, who spent three years at Oklahoma under former coach Lincoln Riley as assistant head coach for offense. The 6-foot-1 Rattler, a Heisman Trophy candidate before the season, lost his starting job to Caleb Williams.

MLB

Former White Sox, Orioles GM Hemond dies at 92 Montrose, Colo.

Roland Hemond, whose 70-year career in baseball included three Executive of the Year awards as general manager of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles, died Sunday night.

He was 92. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he spent 19 seasons, announced Hemond’s death Monday. Hemond was Chicago’s GM from 1970-85 and served in the same role for Baltimore from 1988-95.

He won the Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year award in 1972, and then again in 1983 when the White Sox won the AL West. His third Executive of the Year honor came in 1989, when the Orioles nearly won the AL East after losing 107 games the previous season.

GYMNASTICS

USA Gymnastics, USOPC reach $380M settlement with victims Indianapolis The legal wrangling between USA Gymnastics and the hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, among others, is over after a $380 million settlement was reached. A federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis on Monday approved the agreement between USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the more than 500 victims, ending one aspect of the fallout of the largest sexual abuse scandal in the history of the U.S. Olympic movement. More than 90% of the victims voted in favor of the tentative settlement reached in September.

NFL

Brady sets completions record, throws 700th TD in OT win Tampa, Fla. Tom Brady became the NFL’s all-time completions leader and threw his 700th touchdown pass for the winning score as the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a 33-27 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Brady threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed his recordbreaking 7,143rd pass.

Breshad Perriman’s 58-yard catch-and-run with 5:31 left in OT was the 700th TD pass of Brady’s career, including playoffs.

DOUG MURRAY | AP PHOTO

The return of Cam Newton has failed to spark the Panthers' attack, and the team's offensive line continues to be an ongoing problem.

Panthers have big needs in next year’s draft Carolina’s biggest needs are at quarterback and offensive tackle

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Barring an unforeseen turnaround, the Carolina Panthers appear destined to pick in the top 10 of next year’s NFL Draft.

That means the Panthers have a potentially franchise-altering decision on the horizon: Do they try to find a young franchise quarterback with their firstround pick next April or take an offensive lineman to solidify the left tackle spot for the next decade?

Those are unequivocally the team’s two biggest positions of need.

The Panthers (5-8) have been playing musical chairs at quarterback since Matt Rhule’s arriv-

al as head coach in 2020. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and (the return of) Cam Newton haven’t panned out.

Carolina is on the hook with Darnold for $18 million next season after making an ill-advised decision to pick up the fifth year of his rookie contract before he ever played a down for the Panthers. Newton is only under contract through this season and has done little to prove he can lead this franchise after going 0-3 since taking over as a starter. Newton’s backup P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to be the longterm answer either. If he was, Rhule likely would have stuck with Walker instead of signing Newton after Darnold went down with an injury.

Mississippi’s Matt Corral and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett are considered the top quarterbacks in what is not viewed as a strong quarterback class overall.

1 Number of selections the Panthers have in the first four rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Carolina only has its first-round pick.

As for the offensive line, the Panthers likely only have two players who could be considered legit starters moving forward — right tackle Taylor Moton and guard Michael Jordan. Carolina has had a pressing need at left tackle for years and hasn’t invested a first-round draft pick in an offensive tackle since taking Jeff Otah in 2008.

Some potential targets on the offensive line in the next year’s draft include NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu, Alabama’s Evan Neal,

Mississippi State’s Charles Cross and Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum.

Much of what the Panthers do at quarterback and on the offensive line will be predicated on what they do in free agency. If there’s a top quarterback that becomes available via free agency (or trade) such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, Panthers owner David Tepper certainly would be willing to pay the bill to land one.

If the Panthers can land a veteran quarterback, they could turn their resources to pursuing an offensive lineman in the draft.

Regardless of which way the Panthers go, they need to hit a home run on that first-round pick.

As of right now, Carolina doesn’t have another selection until the fifth round. The Panthers traded their second- and fourth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold and their third-round pick to Jacksonville for cornerback C.J. Henderson.

Clemson wins NCCA men’s soccer title, beats Washington 2-0 Cary hosted the men’s College Cup The Associated Press CARY — Isaiah Reid scored twice, including a goal just 27 seconds into the match, and Clemson defeated Washington 2-0 to win the NCAA College Cup championship on Sunday.

It was Clemson’s third national championship. The Tigers also won in 1984 and 1987.

“I think it’s going to take days and weeks to set in, but it’s unbelievable. It’s euphoric. I mean, it makes everything worth it. Everything was worth it before, but there’s no words,” Clemson goalkeeper George Marks said.

Washington goalkeeper Sam Fowler was caught out of position and Reid easily scored his first just moments into the match.

Reid scored again on a header in the 15th minute. A junior, Reid finished the season with nine goals, including a pair of two-goal games. But he had scored just one goal in the last 14 matches.

“It was extremely special. Yeah, I hadn’t scored much in 14 games.

But I didn’t let that deter me from trying to help out the team and try and score goals,” Reid said. “My team supported me, and it just feels really good to score two goals and help my team win the natty.”

Second-seeded Washington struggled in the final third after the early Clemson goal put the Huskies on their heels. Marks had a pair of saves, including one in the final minutes as Washington scrambled to score.

“I don’t think for a second we doubted that we were out of the game,” Washington defender Ryan Sailor said. “We always have belief in ourselves. We played right in the second half and things just didn’t go our way, and sometimes that’s the way it is.”

The eighth-seeded Tigers dogpiled in celebration at the final whistle and fans streamed onto the field in a flurry of confetti. One fan waved a giant Clemson flag.

Clemson was playing in its fifth national championship game.

The last appearance came in 2015 when it fell to Stanford.

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Clemson's Ousmane Sylla and Washington's Nick Scardina battle for a ball during the Tigers' win in the NCAA College Cup championship game Sunday in Cary.

The Tigers advanced on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Washington, making its first College Cup appearance, beat Georgetown 2-1 on Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park to advance.

Washington coach Jamie Clark said it was an honor to play for a national championship, even if his team fell short.

“We got every minute out of the season we could,” Clark said. “We all said we wanted to take every drop out of this season, and we got it.”

Clemson was the defending

ACC Tournament champion but fell to Duke in the semifinals of this year’s conference tournament. But they had a solid tournament run, knocking off the Nos. 1, 2 4 and 9 seeds.

Washington finished a halfgame back of Oregon State for the Pac-12 title. The Huskies had just one regular-season loss.

It was the second overall meeting between the two teams. The Huskies beat Clemson 4-1 in a neutral site game in 1996.

Announced attendance was 7,238, many of them Clemson fans who were able to drive under five hours to attend the title match.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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West Stanly boys overcome slow start to knock off South Stanly

The U.S. Soccer Federation and players from its women’s team have reached a three-month extension in their labor agreement.

The Colts won 63-53 to keep the Bulls winless on the season

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ANDY CLAYTON-KING | AP PHOTO

Women’s team players, US Soccer extend labor deal 3 months Players sued the governing body in March 2019 for equal pay

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press THE U.S. Soccer Federation and the union for its women’s national team agreed to a threemonth extension of their labor contract through March, a move announced on the same day players filed a brief asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their equal pay claim.

As part of the extension, the sides agreed the federation will stop paying the salaries of national team players in the National Women’s Soccer League. The allocation system of national team players had been in place since the league started play in 2013.

“USWNT players will have no restrictions as to the league in which they play club soccer,” the union for the women’s national team said in a statement Monday.

“Players who choose the NWSL will sign directly with the NWSL/ an NWSL club and will be employed by the NWSL.” The NWSL Players Association is attempting to negotiate an initial labor contract with the league, which has been dealing with sexual harassment allegations that led to the resignation of Commission-

“U.S. Soccer remains committed to equal pay for our senior national team players and ensuring that they remain among the highest-paid in the world.”

U.S. Soccer Federation statement er Lisa Baird in October.

The extension gives more time for negotiations during the leadup to regional qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for July 4-20.

Players led by Alex Morgan sued the USSF in March 2019, contending they have not been paid equitably under their collective bargaining agreement compared to what the men’s team receives under its agreement, which expired in December 2018. The women asked for more than $64 million in damages plus $3 million in interest under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner in Los Angeles granted a summary judgment to the federation on the pay claim in May 2020.

The judge ruled the women rejected a pay-to-play structure similar to the one in the men’s agree-

ment with the USSF and accepted greater base salaries and benefits than the men. He allowed their allegation of discriminatory working conditions to go to trial, and the sides reached a settlement on that portion.

“The district court erred as a matter of law in holding that the women could not establish a prima facie case under the Equal Pay Act because their overall and pergame compensation was greater than the men’s,” lawyers for the players wrote in a reply brief filed Monday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

“The Equal Pay Act asks whether the rate of pay -- not the total compensation -- is equal. And here, the rate analysis must account for the fact that the players are paid not only to play, but to win,” The court asked the parties on Nov. 23 to review dates for possible oral arguments in Pasadena, California, from March through May. The case will be assigned to a three-judge panel.

The USSF said the women accepted a labor contract with greater guaranteed pay than the men and additional benefits.

“U.S. Soccer remains committed to equal pay for our senior national team players and ensuring that they remain among the highest-paid in the world,” the federation said in a statement.

NORWOOD — The West Stanly boys’ basketball team quickly found itself in a 13-point hole to South Stanly on Thursday, but the Colts fought back in the second half to earn a 63-53 road win.

In the first quarter between the two nonconference and county rivals, the winless Bulls (0-7, 0-1 Yadkin Valley) outscored the Colts (5-2, 0-0 Rocky River) by an 18-5 margin.

West Stanly responded by winning the final three quarters.

“I’m very happy with the way we closed out, hit free throws down the stretch and, for the most part, took care of the ball,” West Stanly coach John Thompson said. “I’m not sure if it’s what I said or how I said it, but I think they got the message that the way we played in the first Points for West half was unacceptable. They responded and Stanly junior held them to five points in the third quarter.”

With five minutes left in the game, South Matthew Parker Stanly’s Gavyn Miller hit a 3-pointer to bring his team within three points of the Colts. But West Stanly closed out the contest with a 16-9 run that included six consecutive made free throws.

Thompson told SCJ that his players have recently made more of a collective effort to improve their free-throw shooting.

“If I had enough time we’d shoot 100 a day, but we’re limited on gym space and time. But we have made an emphasis in the last couple of practices,” Thompson said. “It’s not just something to do — it’s important to do.”

Junior Matthew Parker led the Colts with 19 points, while senior Charlie Carpenter added 15 points and five rebounds.

Both players were 4 of 8 from the field. Sophomore Jaxson Hinton contributed 10 points off the bench.

Junior Omaurion Eldridge led the Bulls with a season-high 22 points. Sophomore Drew Gaddy added 10 points.

One night after suffering the loss to West Stanly, the Bulls’ struggles continued with a 71-41 home loss to Albemarle (24, 1-0 Yadkin Valley) in their conference opener. It marked the Bulls’ seventh-consecutive loss and the Bulldogs’ second straight win after losing their first four games.

West Stanly will travel to Mount Pleasant (4-1, 1-0 Yadkin Valley) for a Wednesday night matchup between two teams that previously topped the Rocky River Conference standings regularly before conference realignment moved the Tigers.

Thompson said that he is seeing improvements, but his team is still looking for an identity after its top five scorers from last season all graduated.

“We’re a pretty unselfish team, but sometimes we’re not as smart as we need to be,” he added. “That’s just from inexperience where they want to make the right play, but sometimes they just don’t quite know what the right play is.

“It just takes a little bit of getting guys acclimated and we just have to grow up quickly.”

19

A video monitor reminds fans to wear a mask at all times because of the coronavirus pandemic before a game between the Seahawks and Cardinals in Seattle on Nov. 21.

TED S. WARREN | AP PHOTO

NFL requiring coaches, team staff to get COVID-19 boosters A season-high 36 players were put on the league’s COVID list Monday

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press THE NFL is requiring coaches, front-office staff and team personnel to receive a COVID-19 booster

by Dec. 27.

In a memo sent to teams on Monday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league said: “Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC’s recommendation.”

The league’s requirement extends to all Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals who have previously received the vaccine. Though players are in the Tier 1 designation along with coaches and trainers, the mandate doesn’t apply to players because discussions with the NFL Players Association are ongoing.

The CDC recommends an individual who received a second Pfizer or Moderna shot to complete the primary vaccine series more than six months earlier should receive a booster shot. A person who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot more than two months earlier should receive a booster shot.

The following do not have to meet

the requirement: An individual who is not eligible for a booster pursuant to the CDC definition; an individual who is in the 90-day test holiday after a confirmed positive COVID-19 test under the league protocols; an individual who received monoclonal antibodies within the immediately preceding 90 days; an individual whose “S” antibody level on an antibody test administered via BRL (BioReference Lab) at the club facility is 2500 or greater.

The league says anyone who is not currently subject to the requirement for boosters will be required to obtain the booster within 14 days of becoming eligible.

Teams were asked to provide

booster shots to all eligible tiered staff as soon as possible, and to consider making booster shots available for player and staff families and cohabitants.

A season-high 36 players were placed on the league’s COVID-19 list on Monday.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll addressed the possibility of players getting complacent about the virus.

“That’s it. That’s the whole issue worldwide,” Carroll said. “People get fatigued from it. We just can’t. We can’t let that happen. Even though everybody is human and you get worn down by the reminders. It’s stressful when you have to be continually reminded and thoughtful

of something that you wouldn’t normally do. It wears on you, and we try to avoid it. We look for ways to get out of it. That’s the conversation we hear all the time, that’s the national clamor.

“It is about being diligent. Diligence comes from the constant reminders and the discipline that it takes to stick with it.”

Last month, the NFL required players and staff to wear masks inside team facilities regardless of vaccination status for a week, and ordered they be tested twice for COVID-19 after the Thanksgiving holiday. The league’s protocols then were updated as a result of increasing rates of COVID-19 across the country. At the time, nearly 95% of NFL players were vaccinated, and almost 100% of NFL personnel were vaccinated.

area.”

EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to itals, states across the country the 15, virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 2021 “All around, people are scared,” ts facilities and performance he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. oronavirus patients.

In this majority-black city along What some Memphis, Tenthe Mississippi River, lawmakers e, residents don’t get is why in and community leaders have been r city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they dle of a predominantly black, Anthony Izaguirre see as a disturbing trend of the viincome By residential neighborThe Associated Press rus killing African Americans at a d has been chosen. higher rate. ty and state officials are conTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In FlorNutbush resident Patricia Hared that ida, anfor influx oftime patients the first in modern history, as registered ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, well asRepublican nearby voters were “trying to contaminate” the sissippi, outnumber Arkansas Democrats. and ruralRepublican Gov. Ron DeSantis is heading neighborhood.

Tennessee, will strain hospiinto a reelection campaign buoyed Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears are echoed across by a national profile and a cash reADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO can American Memphis pastor, country:serve Governors, mayors unmatched by any Demounderstands the anxiety. “This health cratic experts in numerous This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center challenger. And Republicans control virtually all of state governis an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. tructingment. makeshift medical Democrats met recently “I think it’s par for the course for ities. forWhen their annual strategy conference, black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turnAnnette Taddeo, a Democratic state skeptical of governmental intero the Javits Center convention senator running for governor, sic saidCity Center in Nashville, the businesses. there was sense of the diffiLocating a treatment center for vention that did not consult with Chattanooga Convention Center, in Chicago, thea clear McCormick culties ahead for the party. e Convention Center; and in the Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.”

“Of Mountain course this fight will not be away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: Doug McGowen, the city’s chief sites dy, Utah, the Amereasy, but it’s about so much more operating officer, said the GateIt could potentially expose them borhoods.

Expo Center. than any one of us, and as Florida way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. Democrats, Army Corps of Engiwe have lost so many cause it could potentially accoms has been locations timesscouting that donors and pundits ter havein the Nutbush neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 given up on us,” Taddeo said.

Tennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said election ter ap-features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment compiledWith a listtheof 2022 35 possiproaching, Democrats are consite, it would hold only mildly ill backup sites. They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close. fronting a host of disadvantages as coronavirus patients who could be Nutbush resident and commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Gov. Bill they work to rebuild campaign net-

6

ment.

For Nutbush resident fear of contracting the matched with the worry th could lose stores that are the neighborhood. Offici ven’t said if stores would the Gateway facility was If they did, shopping wo come more difficult for re especially for those who ar have no means of transpo to stores located farther aw “For people who don’t car, what do they do?” ask ris, who spoke to The Ass Press while lugging a bott tergent, a package of bott ter and other items from t A Lot to her car. She note grocery store recently clos her house and she already travel farther to get to Gat “When we do things got to consider the people neighborhood,” she said. “W need to make the neighb worse than it already is.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, phis Democrat, said the d doesn’t make sense.

“I’m sure there are othe that would work, and they have used those rather t into a residential neighbo Cohen said.

Florida Democrats reeling as GOP voting numbers grow

works and try to reignite excitement in their party. There is a growing CHRIS O’MEARA | AP PHOTO worry that big donors and the national wing of the party may consid- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seated, holds up a signed bill for supporters and members of the media during a news conference Thursday, er Florida to be GOP territory after Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. years of bruising losses.

Florida Republicans are coming The most up-to-date figures hard work, combined with the suc- cans should ever stop, and the good off a string of victories that include to pour money into Florida given the Donald Trump’s two presidential party’s track record — most recent- from the state election agency show cess of our common-sense conser- news is that we haven’t over the last campaigns, and have been aggres- ly in 2020, when Trump carried the 5,120,076 registered Republicans vative policies,” DeSantis said in an decade.”

Steve Schale, a political stratesive in organizing at the local level, state and Republicans gained addi- and 5,095,008 Democrats. At the email announcing the voter regisgist who helped Democrat Barack especially as DeSantis has gained in tional seats in the statehouse and same time, the number of unaffili- tration numbers.

Still, Republican strategist Su- Obama win Florida twice in his popularity due to his opposition to in Congress, despite a $100 million ated voters has swelled to 3.8 milcoronavirus lockdowns and man- infusion by former New York City lion. DeSantis won office in 2018 by sie Wiles said it’s important for the White House races, said Democrata margin of about 32,000 votes af- GOP to continue to organize and be ic registration efforts have mostly Mayor Mike Bloomberg. dates. centered around presidential races.

DeSantis last month ter a key endorsement from Trump, bullish about registering voters. did not dismantle any operabin Salman, a sonannounced of King Salman, Associated“We Press “Registration in its own right is “The assumption that it’s a relithattoRepublicans tions; to the contrary, we continued assented the deal. had gained a in a year when Democrats outnumto build on them,” said Helen Agu- slight advantage over Democrats in bered Republicans by more than ably red state is one you should nev- an organizing tool,” he said. “If your “I go with the consent, so I UBAI, irre United Arab Emirer make because the state is so dy- party’s out in communities, particFerré, executive director of the the number of registered voters for 250,000 registered voters. agree,” thefirst prince said, — OPEC, andParty. other “Florida voters are choosing the namic, so many new people moving ularly in communities where we time in statechuckling, history. Over state Russia Republican “The pow- the round of applause from roducing on Sunday decade, Republicans had Republican Party over the Demo- in and out, and it’s just a very di- need to do better, building the kind er isnations from the bottom up. It’s notdrawing top theapast slowly gaining and that continues our on thebeen video call. on Democrats, cratic Party because we value free- verse population base that’s chang- of relationships in communities you ized andown, unprecedented pro-to bethose DeSantis and Republicans had dom and liberty and reject Demo- ing all the time,” said Wiles, who have to build to successfully regisBut and it had not been smiles and ion cut big ofcommitment.” nearly 10 million crat-led government control. This ran Trump’s campaigns in Florida. ter voters, it’s going to have a kind of made a sustained push on registraSome have noted that there may els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the somilestone moment reflects years of “I just don’t think we as Republi- double-win impact.” be hesitance for Democratic donors tion.

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

opes 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 helpshowcase diversity within its ranks.

Meg Kinnard Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end aBy price war between Along with fellow South CaroThe Associated Press boost linian pricesSen. asTim American di Arabia and Russia.

Scott, the shale Senate’s firms face far-higher production il prices have collapsed as the sole black Republican, she leads an CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former advisory council to a national effort to the Unitedcosts.

Na- American troops had been navirus U.S. andAmbassador the COVID-19 grow the for GOP.the Last tions have Nikki largely Haley drew on herdeployed na- to diversify to theand kingdom ss it causes haltyear,since both the South Carolinians had tive South Carolina’sdown strugglesfirst with time Sept.

11, 2001, lobal travel and slowed racist violence during her time as key speaking roles at the Repubattackslican overNational concerns of Iranir energy-chugging Convention.

And governor, arguing sectors that the Republiregional as manufacturing.

It has toan both haveamid frequently spokentenopencan Party is best positioned leadretaliation sions. ly about personal experiences with stated the thecountry oil industry alongside ain continued discrimination due tothe theirlast skin diversification of its ranks.

“They’ve spent over U.S., which now pumps more color.

“Our message is the right mesmonth waging war on American e than any other country.

“South Carolina shows the way, she said during a recent oil producers while we are defendut some sage,” producers have been speech in Charleston. “It’s a mes- as it so often does,” Haley said, ing theirs.

This notmurders how friends ctant to sage easeofsupply.

The carof nine hope, a message of faith — mentioningisthe treat friends,” said Sen. nd other nations on Sunday hands of faith in ourselves and our country. black parishioners at the Kevin a white shooter in from Charleston and The Mexico more we to spread that message, Cramer, a Republican North ed to allow cut only deadly the shooting of a black the more people we’ll add to theDakota, Re- thebefore OPEC+ deal.mo000 barrels a month, a stickby a white have officer. already publican tent.” initially U.S.torist producers point for an accord “We came together to heal and Haley’s remarks came at The been reducing output. The Amerhed Friday after a marathon Citadel, where a Republican group make hard choices about our fuican Petroleum o conference between 23 na-to receive ture,” she said.Institute laudmade her the first woman ed Sunday’s pact, s. The nations together “Andglobal take it from me,saying the firstitfeits highest honor.agreed The potential male of South stateCarolina 2024 presidential and help getgovernor other nations’ ut 9.7 million barrels acontender day will first minority female goverformer South Carolina governor ownedand oil the production to follow the ughout May and June. inproducers the United States,” shetryaddthethe Nathan Hale Patriot lead of nor U.S. that are he groupreceived reached deal just Award, an honor that comes along ed, “America is not a racist counto plunging demand. s beforewith Asian markets re- ing try,” a phrase she has used before. a replica Revolutionary Warto adjust Brouillette said the U.S. not ned Monday and as internaBut Haley has also did frequently musket. Previous recipients include make commitments of its family’s own al benchmark Brent crude of her immigrant Donald Trump in 2015 — before he spoken struggles in rural was over president well as former production cuts, but South was Carolina. able to ed at just $31—aasbarrel was a brown girl,plunging in a blackWhiteshale House adviser Steve Bannon show the“Iobvious — that American producers in 2018 and then-Vice President and-white world,” she has said. “We demand because of the pandemggle. faced discrimination and hardMike Pence last year. ic is expected ideo aired by the— Saudi-owned ship.” to slash U.S. oil proHaley whose parents immiduction. lite channel Al-Arabiya As Haley ponders her next politgrated to South Carolina from Inical steps, the settingBijan — a fundrais— has been by the ReIranian Oil Minister Zanwed the dia moment thattapped Saudi gathering on by The Citadel publican Party in an effort to ing ganeh also told put state television rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

Haley: Diversifying puts GOP in best position to lead

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 oil a day between them atop the Trump that the U.S. will compen- is the impact the corona OPEC+ deal. The three countries sate what Mexico cannot add to having on demand,” said M med Ghulam, an energy an did not immediately acknowledge the proposed cuts.

MEG KINNARDJames. | AP PHOTO Raymond “The big Oil Deal with OPEC the cut themselves, though ZanGhulam is done. will save hun- andBut ganeh the video conferFormerattended U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, aPlus potential 2024This presidential contender former Southand others dreds of thousands of2021, energy jobs it may ence.

Carolina governor, speaks at a fundraiser, on Thursday, Dec. 2, in Charleston, S.C.not be enough.

“This is at least a tempo Officials said other planned cuts in the United States,” Trump said would stand in the deal, meaning in a tweet. “I would like to thank lief for the energy industry sparingly, This i then, and Haleycongratulate has written a memRepublican Society, which adver- cut global economy.

PresidentMentioning Pu- the Trump an 8-million-barrel-per-day tises itself as “the largest Republi- oir, set up a political action com- Haley credited the former presitoo big to be let to fail and tinweighed of Russia King Salman of theis from July through the end ofa the dent and Republican Party with mittee, into and down-ballot can club in the South” — is among liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for series of well-worn stops for politi- campaigns and visited early-voting building “one of the hottest econothis agreement,” said Per M 16cians months beginning in 2021. mies in American history” prior to seeking exposure among Re- states. The Kremlin said President the pandemic, arguing that that time, however, publicans in the first-in-the-South thereturnhead of ana Vladimir Putin heldHaa joint call Nysveen, “This will enable the rebalanc- During ing control the GOP would “set ley has also been among presidential primary state.and the exRystad Energy.

“Even tho with Trump andascendant Saudi King Sal- to ing of the oil markets Her speech in accepting the Republicans uncertain of how to the stage for new jobs and bigger pected rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small award marked her first public com- lead in a party grappling with the paychecks for American families.” what the market needed a deal. It said Putin sep-students per barrel in the shortsince term,” should never learn role Trump stillalso plays within it, asspoke“Our ments in South Carolina leav-said postpone the “They stock buildi arately Trump about tothebeoilwoke,” aingstatement Nigeria’s Haley said. well as how towith approach the 2024 her post atfrom the U.N., where oil how to find work andthe wor cycle, she served the Trump adminis- campaign problem, market andgiven other Trump’s issues. should learnstraints ministry. live their bestnow lives.” tease of aAnalysts possible futureoffered bid. tration fromhad 2017 initially to 2019. Since avoided.” cautious Mexico blocked

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

12115 University City Blvd.

P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries obituaries

Jason Efird EUGENE “GENE” David Franklin EFIRD, 94, went home to be with JhisASON Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his Love home in Stanfield.

1936 –9, 1925, in GeneOctober was born15, October December 2021 Cabarrus County to8,the late Simeon Jason Efird and the late Sarah Ella DavidEfird.

Franklin Love,to 85, Burris In addition his ofparents, Oakboro, passed awayin death by he was preceded Wednesday, December 8, 2021 his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, atMary Spring ArborFannie of Albemarle Lambert, Almond,in Albemarle.

Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and Mr. Love was born Aileen Huskey; and October brothers, Homer Efird, Getus Efird andNC Wayne Efird, 15, 1936 in Concord, to the Sr. Ben Love and the late Cleo late A private funeral service will be Williams Love. held Saturday, April 11,in 2020 Heon was also preceded death Love’ s Grove United Methodist byathis wife, Claudette Love.

Church Cemetery in Stanfield A graveside memorial service officiated byon Rev. Jim White. Burial will be held Saturday, will follow 18th at theat Love’ s Grove United December 11:00 am at Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 Oakboro Cemetery, officiated by PolkAlsobrook.

Ford Road, Stanfield.

Chip Survivors include son Gerald Survivors include sons; Alan Wayne(Debbie) (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; David Love of Oakboro, daughter LisaLove, EfirdEric (Mark) Hartsell NC, Bradley Love of Stanfield; granddaughters, (Debbie).

Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatgrandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Memorials may be made to Love’s Grove United Methodist Church, PO Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

Tony Smith

Merle Helms

ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of Rockwell, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 8, 1931 – at on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 7, by 2021 his homeDecember surrounded family. A private family service will be held.

Lula condolences Belle Nance, 90, Online can beof made at Stanfield passed away on stanlyfuneralhome.com December 2021August in Atrium Tony was7,born 11, 1947 Health Stanly. funeral in Stanly CountyHer to the late Pearlie service beand 3 PM on Monday, Asburywill Smith Emmer Lee December 13, 2021 atin Love’s Smith. He was the son law of Pat Grove United Church and Mick CagleMethodist where he worked at the fish house manyofficiating. years until with Rev. Jimfor White he opened Burial willAnchor follow House in the Seafood church in Rockwell.

Hefamily and hiswill wifereceive Becky cemetery.

The owned and operated House friends at the churchAnchor from 2 until 25prior years to before 2009.

3for PM the retiring hour ofin the Mr. Smith was a charter member service. and deacon at Open Door in Baptist Born January 8, 1931 Union Church in Richfield. the County, NC she wasHe theloved daughter familyBurnette abundantly. ofLord theand latehis Flecus andTony was a wonderful Hattie Simpson husband, Burnette.father, She and grandfather andofcould fix Grove anything was a member Love’s he putand his hands on.in the textile UMC worked Mr. Smith is survived by his wife industry.

Becky Smith by of the She Cagle is survived herhome, husband sons Walter and Robbie Bruce NanceSmith of the home and her Smith; son Raydaughter Nance. Kayla Henderson (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton and Ella Henderson; brother David Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Dorothy Smith (Nick).

He is preceded in death by brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care sons,” Rice wrote in at her 2008 memof Cabarrus County 5003 Hospice oir “Called Out of Darkness: Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.A Spiritual Confession.” “This became a great theme of my novels — how one suffers as an outcast, how one is shut out of various levels of meaning and, ultimately, out of human life itself.”

Born Howard Allen Frances O’Brien in 1941, she was raised in New Orleans, where many of her novels were set. Her father worked for the postal service but made sculptures and wrote fiction on the side. Her older sister, Alice Borchardt, also wrote fantasy and horror fiction. Rice’s mother died when Rice was 15.

Raised in an Irish Catholic family, Rice initially imagined herself HIRLEY becoming a MAE priestHAIRE, (before 73, she reof Albemarle passed away on or alized women weren’t allowed) 2020 at Atrium aApril nun.11, Rice often wroteHealth about her Stanly. The family will hold a private fluctuating spiritual journey.

In graveside for Mrs. Haire.

2010, she service announced that she was Shirley wasChristian, born December 12,“I reno longer saying 1946toinbeWashington, DC to to thebe anfuse anti-gay. I refuse late CharlesIRichard and ti-feminist. refuse toBateman be anti-artifiElizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman. cial birth control.” is survived by hertime husband “IShirley believed for a long that of 30 years Vaughn of among the differences, the Smith quarrels Albemarle;didn’t sister Sandra Christians matterPainter a lot for of Gainesville, VA; half-brother the individual, that you live your Robert ofit.

Stevensville, life and Bateman stay out of But then I beMD; Heather gan tostep-children realize that it wasn’tSmith an easy of Jacksonville, FLtold andThe David thing to do,” Rice AssociatSmith New “I London, NC; ed Pressofthen. came to the4conclustep-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi sion that if I didn’t make this declaHentschel ofgoing Leesburg, VAmy andmind.” ration, I was to lose Cheryl of Aylett, VA; 16 grandRice Hardy married the poet Stan Rice, nieces and nephews; and Gus who died in 2002, in 1961.the They dog. Stanly and Cremation lived amid Funeral the bohemian scene of Albemarle is serving the San ofCare Haight-Ashbury in 1960s Haire family.

Francisco where Rice described herself as “a square,” typing away and studying writing at San Francisco State University while every-

ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN HELMS, 72, of Marshville, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at McWhorter Hospice House in Monroe.

January 8, 1931 Lorraine was born April –28, 1947 December 2021 David in Monroe to the late7,Homer Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane Edward “Eddie” Zane Austin.

She was also preceded in Barringer Jr., 59,A.D. of Richfield, death by brothers, and Teddy passed December 13, 2021 Austin; away and sister, Joy Austin. in Atrium Health Cabarrus.

His The family will receive friends graveside service will beFriday, 11 AM from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, April 10, 2020 at Hartsell on Friday, December 17,Funeral 2021 Home of Albemarle.

The funeral in the Wesley Chapel United service will be at 11:00 am on with Methodist Church Cemetery Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Rev. Sandy Young officiating.

Church Marshville, Bornin July 9, 1962 officiated in Fort

by Rev. John Miller andthe Rev.son Leon Benning, GA, he was Whitley.

SheZane will lie in state forSr. 30 of Edward Barringer minutes prior toKay the service.

She will and Margaret Williams be laid to rest inpreviously the church cemetery.

Barringer.

He worked She is survived by her at Oakwood Homes of beloved Richfield husband 47 years,employed Paul Helmsby and was of currently of the home; North son, Alex (Deanna) the Pfeiffer Stanly Water Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula Association.

(Cristin Helmsby ofaMint Hill; EddieBrandt) is survived sister, grandchildren, Grant, and Anne London Mason, (Jeff); nieces, RaeganLondon Helms; brothers, Boyce,and Sarah Shaw (Justin) Royce, TimLondon Austin; Jones and sisters, Madalyn (Matt); Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. nephew, Grey London (Taylor); Memorials be made to the great nieces, may Amelia London Alzheimer’ Association, 4600 Park Shaw and sMacie Grey London.

Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

TLula Belle Nance M

Edward Barringer Jr.

D

Danny Luther

ANNY PAUL LUTHER, 65, of Norwood, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly in Albemarle.

Mr. Luther was born March 27, 1955 to the late Robert Fulton and Helen Tucker Luther.

Danny was survived by his wife, Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Luther and several other loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Danny recently retired from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after a dedicated 37 years and worked there with his sons and several other 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.

J

7

Jerry Fincher

ERRY FINCHER passed from this life on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 pm. He was surrounded by his family and holding the hand of the love of his life. Jerry is preceded in death by three siblings, two brothers, Billy Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard Fincher, and one sister, Barbra Joyce Moore.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Kate Fincher of the home, daughter, Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy (Tiffany) Fincher of New London NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob) Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric (Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson of Midland, Step-grandchildren, Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron (Kinsey) Washington, Caleb (Nayeli) 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.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Anne Rice, who breathed new life into vampires, dies at 80 The Associated Press NEW YORK — Anne Rice, the novelist whose lush, best-selling gothic tales, including “Interview With the Vampire,” reinvented the blood-drinking immortals as tragic antiheroes, has died. She was 80.

Rice died late Saturday due to complications from a stroke, her AULINE ELIZABETH son Christopher Rice announced ALMOND on her FacebookTUCKER, page and98, hispassed Twitaway peacefully at Trinity Place, ter page.

Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020.

“As a writer, she taught me to born on March defyPauline genre was boundaries and 22, sur1922 intoCabarrus County, passions,” NC to the render my obsessive late John Richard Alice Christopher Rice, Almond also anand author, Ada Ann wrote.

“In Lambert her finalAlmond. hours, I sat besurvivedbed by her side She her ishospital in three awe of her daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), accomplishments and her courage.”

Oak Island, NC; Pamela Rice’s 1976 novel Rushing “Interview (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy With the Vampire” was later adaptHunt (Marc), Albemarle, herthe ed, with a script

by Rice,NC; into son, Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), 1994 movie directed by Neil JorWashington, DC. She be greatly dan and starring Tomwill Cruise and missed byIt’s heralso five grandchildren, Brad Pitt. set to be adaptRushing Chaney (Shannon), edHeather again in an upcoming TV series Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel on AMC and AMC+ set to premiere Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. next year.

(Jenn), and Woody Hunt as well as “Interview With the Vampire,” in seven great-grandchildren. She also which reporter Daniel Molloy interleaves behind cherished nieces and views Louis de Pointe du Lac, was nephews.

Rice’s first novel but over the next The family expresses its sincere five decades, shestaff would more gratitude to the andwrite caregivers than 30 books and sell more at Trinity Place for the care theythan 150 millionPauline. copies worldwide. Thirprovided teenAofprivate those were partservice of the “Vamgraveside will be pire Chronicles” begun with A her held on Monday, April 13, 2020.

1976 debut. of Long before celebration Pauline’ s life“Twilight” and legacy orwill “True Blood,” Rice introduced be held this summer. sumptuous female In lieu ofromance, flowers, the familysexuality and donations queernessbe—made many took requests to the “Interview With the Vampire” as BrightFocus Foundation at www.an allegory for homosexuality — to the brightfocus.org. supernatural genre.

“I wrote novels about people who are shut out life for various rea-

P

Pauline Tucker

S

Shirley Haire

With the Vampire” was a massive hit, particularly in paperback. She didn’t immediately extend the story, following it up with a pair of historical novels and three erotic novels penned under the pseudonym A. N. Roquelaure. But in 1985, she published “The Vampire Lestat,” about the “Interview With the Vampire” INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of character she would continually reAlbemarle, passed away Monday, turn to, up to 2018’s “Blood ComApril 13, 2020. munion: A Tale of Prince Lestat.”

Linda was born September 18, In Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles,” 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and some critics saw only cheap erotiClaris Tucker. She was also preceded cism. But others — including milin death by her brother, Terry Lee lions of readers — saw the most Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda consequential interpretation of Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda vampires since Bram Stoker. and Linda are in Heaven watching “Let me suggest one reason why over us and laughing. the books found a mass audience.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, They were written by someone and “Nana.” She was a very giving whose auditory and visual experiand loving person. Linda would ences shaped the prose,” Rice wrote always do anything she could for in her memoir. “I am a terrible readothers, especially her family. She er. But my mind is filled with these enjoyed working at FastShop #5, auditory and visual lessons and, Locust. Linda will be forever loved powered by them, I can write about and greatly missed. five times faster than I can read.”

Survivors include her son, Rice’s longtime editor, VictoAlan Hatley and wife, Angela, of ria recalled her as “a fierce Celebrate the lifestoryteller ofWilson, yourwho loved Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker wrote large, lived and wife, Linda, of Midland; quietly, and imagined ones. Submit obituaries and worlds on a PHOTO VIA AP granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 grand scale.” niece; and 2 nephews. death notices published summoned in the feelings of In this Aprilwill 25,receive 2006,friends file photo, writer Anne Rice arrives to theto be“She The family an age long before we knew what opening night of the new Broadway musical “Lestat,” in New York. from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com they were,” Wilson said in a stateApril 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral ment. “As a writer, she was decades Home in Albemarle. Linda will one elsetopartied.

Together they had ula’s Daughter,” which she saw as a ahead of her time.” be laid rest during a private Rice will be interred during a two children: Christopher and Mi- young girl. committal service at Bethel United private ceremony at a family mau“I never forgot that film,” Rice chelle, who died of leukemia at 5 in Methodist Church, Midland.

1972.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a told the Daily Beast in 2016. “That soleum in New Orleans, her family was always my impression of said. A public celebration will also It was while grieving Michelle’s memorial donation to Bethel UMC, what vampires were: earthlings be planned for next year in New Ordeath that Rice wrote “Interview 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC With 28107.the Vampire,” turning one of with heightened sensibility and a leans. “Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris,” a novel Rice wrote her short stories into a book. Rice doomed appreciation of life.”

Though Rice had initially strug- with her son Christopher, will be traced her fascination with vampires back to the 1934 film, “Drac- gled to get it published, “Interview published in February.

L

Linda Hatley

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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

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

8

STATE & NATION

‘Y’all pray for Mayfield’: Town grieves in tornado aftermath

By Claire Galofaro The Associated Press MAYFIELD, Ky. — Judy Burton’s hands shivered as she gazed up at what had been her thirdfloor apartment. She could see her clothes still hanging in the closet, through the building’s shredded walls. Across the street, her church was boarded up. A few blocks away, the spire was ripped away from the town’s grand courthouse, its roof caved in. The restaurant where neighbors met for lunch, too, was lost in the rubble.

She clasped her hands together and tried to quiet their quivering.

Burton and her dog had narrowly escaped as a tornado hit her town, part of an outbreak of twisters across the Midwest and South.

Now, she stood among the grind of heavy machinery clearing the wreckage of landmarks, businesses and homes of Mayfield, population 10,000.

“It’s gone. It’s terrible, just terrible, I’m shaking,” she said. “It’s going to take me awhile to settle my nerves.”

Burton can’t imagine a single family here not mourning. Theirs is the sort of town where everyone is connected to everyone else.

Mayfield was one of the worst-hit towns in the unusual mid-December spate of tornadoes, and Burton looked around at a disorienting jumble of boards and bricks and broken glass.

Hundreds of buildings have been reduced to nothing. Roofs are sheared off those that stand.

Some streets are littered with snapped trees, clothes, chunks of insulation and blown-away Christmas decorations. The fire station is inoperable, most police cars destroyed.

At least eight people working at a Mayfield candle factory were

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHOTO

In a view from this aerial photo, people walk amidst destruction from a recent tornado in downtown Mayfield, Ky., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. killed, and eight more are missing. It’s still unclear how many others in Mayfield died. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had feared more than 100 dead statewide, but he later scaled back that estimate, with many at the candle factory accounted for. On Monday, he said at least 64 had died in the state.

Burton worries for her neighbor and her little dog. They’re feared among the dead, as they were probably unable to escape as the walls collapsed around them.

Down the hall, Johnny Shreve had been watching the storm approach from his window. Lightning crashed, and in that split second of brightness, he realized

that their town would not be the same come morning: He saw an office building across the street disintegrate. Then he dove onto his kitchen floor as chunks of concrete pelted his body.

“It felt like everything in the world came down on me,” he said.

He lay there for more than an hour, trying to dig himself out and shouting for his neighbors and his Shih Tzu, Buddy. Finally, Shreve broke through into the living room. There was Buddy, trying to scratch toward him from the other side.

He posted on Facebook that they were alive, and added: “Y’all pray for Mayfield.”

“It blew my mind when the

sun came up,” Shreve said, when he and others returned over the weekend to salvage what they could and traded stories of survival in the parking lot. “I don’t see how this town can recover. I hope we can, but we need a miracle.”

In the nearby town of Wingo, more than 100 people took shelter at a church — babies, people in their 80s and 90s, family pets. Everyone has a story, a reason they have nowhere else to go.

Meagan Ralph, a schoolteacher volunteering to coordinate the shelter, pulled up an aerial photo of Mayfield, her hometown, on her phone. She zoomed in, seeking a landmark to orient herself.

“I can’t recognize it, it’s not

recognizable,” she said. “I can’t even identify what I’m looking at, it’s that bad.”

But she has found hope at the shelter. Donations have poured in. Volunteers from surrounding counties came in droves. People from Mayfield take care of each other, she said.

As the news spread of the horrors at the candle factory on the night of the storm, hundreds of ordinary people arrived at the factory to help, braving slippery rubble until authorities told them to go home, said Stephen Boyken, who’s a chaplain there. That spirit is part of the fabric of Mayfield, he said: “If you’re off in a ditch, there’s somebody going to stop by, probably three or four trucks try to get you out and help you.”

By the time the sun came up, they were lined up at churches and school gymnasiums to give piles of clothes and coats, food and water.

“We will recover, absolutely.” Ralph said. “We’re small but mighty.”

She looked around the shelter, and noted that the task before them is extraordinary, with hundreds of their neighbors now with nothing and nowhere to go.

Wanda Johnson, 90, ended up here after she was evacuated from the same apartment building where Burton escaped. Johnson’s windows burst, and she clung to her doorframe, pleading: “Dear God, help me, please help me get out of here.”

At the shelter with her son and granddaughter, she wonders what will become of them now.

“They tell me we don’t have a town,” Johnson said. “Everything’s gone. It’s just wiped away.

It just flipped over our city.

“We don’t know where we’re going to go — we don’t know what’s left to go to.”

UK opens door to Assange extradition to US on spying charges

By Danica Kirka The Associated Press LONDON — A British appellate court opened the door at the end of last week for Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States on spying charges by overturning a lower court decision that the WikiLeaks founder’s mental health was too fragile to withstand incarceration in America.

The High Court in London ruled that U.S. assurances about Assange’s detention, received after the lower court decision, were enough to guarantee he would be treated humanely. Assange’s lawyers say they will ask to appeal.

In the ruling, the High Court directed the lower court judge to send the extradition request to Home Secretary Priti Patel, who would make the final decision on whether to send Assange to the U.S. for trial.

“There is no reason why this court should not accept the assurances as meaning what they say,” a two-judge panel of the High Court said in its ruling.

Since WikiLeaks began publishing classified documents more than a decade ago, Assange has become a lightning rod for both

AP PHOTO

Julian Assange, the 40-year-old WikiLeaks founder, arrives at the Supreme Court in London, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. criticism and veneration.

Some see him as a dangerous secret-spiller who endangered the lives of informers and others who helped the U.S. in war zones. Others say WikiLeaks has publicized official malfeasance that governments wanted to keep secret.

Both views have been debated as Assange has sought his freedom — and to evade the Americans.

The U.S. has asked British authorities to extradite Assange so

he can stand trial on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse linked to WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents.

Assange’s fiancée, Stella Moris, called Friday’s decision a “grave miscarriage of justice” that threatens the rights of journalists everywhere to do their jobs without fear of retaliation by governments that don’t like what they publish. She said Assange’s law-

yers would seek to appeal.

“We will fight,” Moris said outside the court, where supporters chanted and waved banners demanding Assange’s release. “Every generation has an epic fight to fight and this is ours, because Julian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society.”

Assange, 50, is currently being held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison in London. The High Court ordered that he remain in custody pending the outcome of the extradition case.

Assange has been in detention since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle. Before that, he spent seven years holed up inside Ecuador’s Embassy in London. Assange sought protection in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

If convicted, Assange won’t be imprisoned at the “supermax” penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, the highest-security prison in the United States, American authorities promised the court. They also pledged that he wouldn’t be held under “special administrative measures,” which can include segregation from other prisoners

and the loss of privileges such as visits, correspondence and use of the telephone.

They also said he would be eligible to serve any prison sentence in his native Australia.

American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.

The charges Assange faces carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison, though lawyers for the U.S. have told British courts that the longest sentence ever imposed for such an offense was five years and three months.

Barry J. Pollack, a lawyer for Assange in the U.S., called Friday’s decision “highly disturbing,” citing unfounded allegations that the U.S. plotted to kidnap or kill his client.

“The U.K. court reached this decision without considering whether extradition is appropriate when the United States is pursuing charges against him that could result in decades in prison, based on his having reported truthful information about newsworthy issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 12 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

Twin City Herald

JASON DECROW | AP PHOTO

Big win for Manning

Danny Manning applauds his team during the first half of Sunday’s game against Florida. The former Wake Forest coach was named interim coach of Maryland earlier this month and led the Terrapins to an upset of the No. 20 Gators.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Grant preserves historic site in county Forsyth County As part of the $60.4 million awarded by the N.C. Land and Water Fund, Forsyth County received a $1.2 million award. The money will be used by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources at the Shallow Ford Tract—Yadkin River location. It will set aside land to preserve a historic site.

The natural crossing point for the Yadkin made Shallow Ford an important link on the Great Wagon Road, used in the 18th century. Its strategic location also made it the site of important battles in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. NSJ

Half-million dollars creates jobs at Northern Regional Hospital Surry County The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority made 16 grants totaling $4.1 million, including a half million dollars to Mount Airy. A $500,000 grant will support the 25,000-square-foot expansion of Northern Regional Hospital’s existing facility. The hospital serves over 100,000 residents in a six-county region of North Carolina and Virginia.

The organization expects to create 50 jobs, with a private investment of $8,900,000 in the project. “These grants allow us the opportunity to unite good businesses with good people,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “While businesses will benefit from access to our high-quality workforce, our rural communities will expedite their post-pandemic economic recovery through the creation of hundreds of wellpaying jobs and millions in private investment.”

NSJ

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Jason Brown and Ronald McDonald House Charities bring smiles The Associated Press FIGURE SKATERS ARE trained to wear smiles while on the ice competing or performing.

When it comes to Jason Brown, the smile is authentic, and it rarely leaves his face.

Among the times Brown beams most are when he’s interacting with children and families from Ronald McDonald House Charities. Indeed, those are gold medal times for the one-time Olympian who has a strong shot at making the U.S. team for February’s Winter Games.

“It is truly incredible,” Brown says. “To be honest, I got involved with this organization to give back to the communities in which I skated. Family is such an important value, and kids, of course, and I really wanted to do something and give back to a charity that fulfilled those two things. And at the same time, it could be a charity that I could get whatever fans in that city or country and get them involved and have them feel they are making a contribution in their community.

“I fell in love with this organization and it made me see the world in a different way and made me appreciate health in a different way than I had before. And they are so inspiring; everyone I have met throughout the organization is so inspiring.”

Brown has traveled the globe as

AP PHOTO

a skater, and at nearly every stop he has appeared at events for RMHC. A nonprofit corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families, RMHC has an international network of more than 260 Chapters in 62 countries and regions. It enables, facilitates and supports family centered care through its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. RMHC programs help families with ill or injured children stay together and near leading hospitals and health care services worldwide.

Since 2014, when he made the Olympic squad, Brown has part-

Jason Brown of US competes in the Men Free Skating during the ISU figure skating France's Trophy, in Grenoble, French Alps, France, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.

nered with RMHC. Back then, at a Skate America competition in Illinois, he announced that all the stuffed animals thrown onto the ice after he performed — a tradition in the sport — would be given to a local chapter. Brown even personally delivered the gifts and spent time with RMHC children and families in Chicago.

That has continued around the world.

“One of the coolest things is that those communities each have a specific house, while under the big tent (of the organization),” Brown explains. “Each individual house is its own entity and it is really incredible to visit houses from all over the world and take part in or help raise money for, or donate very specific things to what that house

Valene McMasters named to district court Twin City Herald staff GOVERNOR ROY COOPER announced four judicial appointments to Superior and District Courts across the state.

“These appointees bring years of legal experience and knowledge to the bench,” said Governor Cooper.

“I’m confident that they will serve with dedication and fairness.”

Governor Cooper made the following appointments: The Hon. Reggie McKnight as Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 26E serving Mecklenburg County. Judge McKnight will fill the vacant seat created by the retirement of the Judge Donnie Hoover. Judge McKnight serves

as the District Court Judge in Judicial District 26 serving Mecklenburg County. He is the Founding Owner of McKnight Law Firm, P.L.L.C. He previously practiced law at Browne, Flebotte, Wilson & Horn and at Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice. Judge McKnight earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctor at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Justin Minshew as District Court Judge in District 8A serving Greene, Lenoir and Wayne counties. Minshew will fill the vacant seat formerly held by Judge Ericka James. Minshew serves as a Clerk of Superior Court in Wayne County. Previously, he was a General Practice Attorney

at Everett, Womble & Lawrence, LLP. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Juris Doctor at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Dorothy Hairston Mitchell as District Court Judge in District 14 serving Durham County. Mitchell will fill the vacant seat formerly held by Judge Brian Wilks. Mitchell is a Clinical Associate Professor at the North Carolina Central University School of Law, the Legal Director at the Center for Child & Family Health, and serves as Court Appointed Appellate Counsel for the NC Office of the Parent Defender. She also teaches courses at Duke University Continuing Studies. Pre-

and people need.

“Each experience is so special and unique and rewarding. I think what makes it so special, I do travel a lot and when my family is able to come with me on a trip and I have that piece of home traveling with me, well, that is something so important to the healing process.

These kids are going through situations no kids should have to go through, and then imagine having to go through it alone. Or the parent struggling to get from a sibling to their kid in the hospital. Whatever it is, it is a weight off for them to have (RMHC facilities).

“And they are also around other families going through similar experiences. They can lean on and talk to and they can relate to one another in a way so many people that don’t have those same shared experiences aren’t able to really know what each other is going through.”

Brown has visited Ronald McDonald House programs ranging from Sapporo, Japan, to Grenoble, France, to Montreal and Vancouver to U.S. stops in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Las Vegas, Detroit, and southern California.

He spends time with RMHC children and their families, continues to fulfill those families’ wish lists, helps with sponsor meals and raises money for the organization.

“Just making sure I continue to echo and support the Ronald McDonald House and their mission through the holiday season, and kind of raise that awareness,” he says.

You can be sure Brown was smiling when he said it.

viously, she was an Assistant Public Defender at the Durham County Public Defender’s Office and practiced law at the Law Office of Dorothy Hairston and at Tracy Hicks Barley & Associates. Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Arts at North Carolina Central University and her Juris Doctor at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Valene McMasters as District Court Judge in District 21 serving Forsyth County. McMasters will fill the vacant seat formerly held by Judge Denise Hartsfield. McMasters is the Managing Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. Previously, she was the Family Law Supervising Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. and an associate at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Cornell University and her Juris Doctor at Boston College Law School.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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COLUMN | JOYCE KRAWIEC

Straight Talk: Defund the Police?

How’s that Working for you?

Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal.

3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 (704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Dewey Manuel Black, 90, of Winston-Salem, died December 12, 2021. ♦ Joan Wood Brown, 89, died December 12, 2021. ♦ Anita Risell (Anne) Carter, 89, of WinstonSalem, died December 10, 2021. ♦ Nancy Carroll Bodenhamer Cleary, 85, of Forsyth County, died December 13, 2021. ♦ Michael “Mike” Dean Cranford, of WinstonSalem, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Aaron Wade Randell Dalton, 27, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Rev. Neal Edwin Eller, Sr. 90, of Statesville, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Priya Mahalia Garrett, 2, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Bronna Faye Gesler, 58, of Clemmons, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Lewis Waldon Idol, 90, of Walkertown, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Mamie Geneva Uzzell Johnson, 83, of Forsyth County, died December 9, 2021. ♦ Ekaterini “Kathy” Hondros Paloumbas, 99, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Frances McCollum Shackleford, 82, of Winston-Salem, died December 9, 2021. ♦ Howard “Sarge” Ray Surber, 81, died December 12, 2021. ♦ Rylee Christopher Williams, 23, of Winston-Salem, died December 8, 2021. ♦ Marvin Wilson “Woody” Woodard Sr., 96, of Kernersville, died December 9, 2021.

In San Francisco, larceny and theft crimes are up 88% and overall crime is up 52%.

Similar numbers are found everywhere in large cities.

REMEMBER THE SUMMER of 2020 and what a mess it was. The kickoff crime wave began with the horrendous death of George Floyd. The crime spree and massive protests made no sense. There was nobody who disagreed that the atrocities of Floyd’s death were horrendous and those responsible should be held accountable. We all agreed on something, which is unusual, and yet there were those who started a movement which has destroyed communities all over the country.

The “Defund the Police” movement started as a result and it has been lead by “Black Lives Matter.” Liberals everywhere were declaring that the police were the problem and we should “rethink” policing. Many cities across the country followed through with those policies.

Now we are seeing the results.

According to FBI statistics, the murder rate rose by nearly 30% in 2020, more than any time in our history.

This is the largest rise in murder rates, by far, since the FBI began compiling records.

More than 20 major cities reduced their police budgets. The calls for reductions are nothing new.

Activists have been working hard to reduce police funding for a number of years. For years advocacy groups have been protesting at city council meetings.

Their cries were, “jobs not jails”, “books not bars”, etc.

The arguments were that police budgets should be reduced and those funds should be used instead to fund programs that address the root causes of poverty and crime.

Officials never really paid a lot of attention. The Floyd incident elevated these demands to a new level.

Mayors and city councils started listening and the funding cuts started. Approximately $850 million was cut from police budgets.

You know what happened next. Crime skyrocketed and is continuing. Surprise, Surprise.

In Milwaukee where the Floyd incident took place, the crime wave is staggering. The homicide rate rose by 70.5% in 2020. A statistic that is most unusual is that 80.5% of the victims were unknown to the perpetrators. Normally, homicide victims are known to the criminal.

This same trend was seen nationwide. Months of lawlessness on our streets, after the Floyd death, continued to fester and the results are devastating to our communities.

Dozens of states opened wide the prison doors and released thousands of prisoners in an effort to “stop the spread” of COVID. The national recidivism rate is 50% within 3 years. I’m sure that didn’t help the rise in crime rates.

Many cities initiated “no cash bail” or “catch and release”. So this created a revolving door with offenders released back to the streets to offend over and over. You may have seen where the criminal, who mowed down pedestrians and participants in a Christmas parade, was a repeat offender who had just been released, without bail.

In San Francisco, larceny and theft crimes are up 88% and overall crime is up 52%. Similar numbers are found everywhere in large cities. This has been devastating to the, once beautiful, tourist city of San Francisco.

Now there’s a new problem in the crime industry that is taking off. These “Flash Mob” robberies are happening in upscale retail establishments around the country. An organized mob crashes through an establishment and takes what they want. These are being referred to as “smash and grab”. Many of these robberies are taking place while the store is open and is extremely frightening to employees. These mobs coordinate, presumably on social media, arm themselves with weapons and start “smashing and grabbing.” That’s not going to help with labor shortages if people are afraid to go to work.

The fact that police, in many of these cities, stopped investigating shoplifting and burglary crimes has opened the door wide for criminals. The FBI doesn’t collect data on these kinds of crimes so very little is known about how they’re organized or who the suspects are. Of course with everyone wearing masks, it’s not easy to identify these culprits.

Now many of these same cities, that slashed police funding, are reinstating those dollars to their police units. As crime continued to elevate and police were not available to take calls, even the most avid “defunders” had to realize the truth.

The saddest part of this entire saga is the fact that those public safety officers, who put their lives on the line everyday, have suffered. The disrespect and violence that has been directed at these brave officers is heartbreaking. No surprise that police officers have been retiring and finding new careers in droves. A recent study shows that 90% of police agencies are understaffed.

I hope this nonsense will soon be over. Liberals got their way, in many places, and as usual their idea was a complete failure. Government has a duty to keep our communities safe. Isn’t it amazing that government meddles in every facet of our life but neglects the biggest responsibility of all?

Joyce Krawiec has served in the North Carolina Senate from the 31st district since 2014.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Adamo, Jade Autumn (F/26) Arrest on chrg of Adw - Inflict Injury, M (M), at 500 Cedarbrook Ct, Lewisville, NC, on 12/9/2021 22:09. ♦ ARNETTE, DALTON LEE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 1001 BURKE ST on 12/12/2021 ♦ ATWATER, SHAMIYA ELIZABETH was arrested on a charge of INDECENT EXPOSURE at 2700 UNIVERSITY PW on 12/11/2021 ♦ Blackwell, Keileigh Danielle (F/24) Arrest on chrg of Ccw, M (M), at Eb 40/old Salem Rd, Kernersville, NC, on 12/8/2021 04:34. ♦ Boone, Steven James (M/29) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi, M (M), at 6800 Shallowford Rd, Lewi, NC, on 12/8/2021 16:58. ♦ BREWER, STEVEN THOMAS was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 499 S HAWTHORNE RD/ELIZABETH AV on 12/12/2021

arrested on a charge of ASSAULTPOINT GUN at 2836 BON AIR AVENUE on 12/12/2021

arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2717 GOLDEN OAKS DR on 12/10/2021

♦ HELMS, MICHAEL PAUL was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2300 DANIEL ST on 12/11/2021

♦ MYERS, SHERRAI JIHANN was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 1055 E FIFTEENTH ST on 12/11/2021

♦ HICKMAN, HEZEKIAH DELAINE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 12/11/2021

♦ OCHOA, JESUS was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARCFELONY at 4625 STARMOUNT DR on 12/12/2021

♦ INGLES, AUSTIN JORDAN was arrested on a charge of LARCENY MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS at 198 AKRON DR/N PATTERSON AV on 12/13/2021

♦ PAIGE, JRAVIOUS TARIANO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at OLD TOWN RD/ WOODS RD on 12/12/2021

♦ KENNEDY, JOHN EDWARD was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 1448 WOODLAND AV on 12/12/2021 ♦ KERNES, CHARLES DEVON was arrested on a charge of ASSAULTSIMPLE at 900 NEW HOPE LN/N LIBERTY ST on 12/11/2021

♦ CAIN, BRANDON CANNDIA was arrested on a charge of UNLAWFUL IMPAIRMENT OF OPERATON OF RAILROADS at 199 E THIRD ST/N CHESTNUT ST on 12/10/2021

♦ Knuckles, Gregory Kenneth (M/55) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), 2) Fail To Register - Sex Offender Registration (F), and 3) Probation Violation (M), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/10/2021 13:18.

♦ CARDENASSAVILLANO, NOE OMAR was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 499 S PEACE HAVEN RD on 12/11/2021

♦ LAREDO, YIMI BEDOLLA was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 227 AZALEA DR on 12/12/2021

♦ EPPS, JENEE CAROL was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 1107 E FIFTEENTH ST on 12/12/2021

♦ LOPEZ, MARTIN was arrested on a charge of LARCENY MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS at 1000 E HANES MILL RD on 12/13/2021

♦ GAMBLE, NIJE was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 2308 BOOKER ST on 12/12/2021

♦ MANNING, URICA MICHELLE was arrested on a charge of OFAFTA-SIMPLE AFFRAY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 12/1/2021

♦ GREEN, FAITH ALEXANDRIA was

♦ MATA, ADIEL ESPINOZA was

♦ Pegram, Brian Davis (M/38) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Conspiracy To Commit A Misdemeanor (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/9/2021 10:15. ♦ POOLE, JEROME DAVID was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 504 OLD TIMBER RD on 12/12/2021 ♦ Roels, Meredith Lauren (F/41) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 7320 River Run Ct, Lewisville, NC, on 12/11/2021 11:07. ♦ SANTOS, EDUARDO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 206 GREEN ST on 12/12/2021 ♦ Scales, Travis Denorris (M/29) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Arrest (M), at Robinhood Rd At Polo Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/10/2021 17:22. ♦ Shallua, Joshua Zeblan (M/19) Arrest on chrg of Drugs-poss Sched Vi, M (M), at 5138 Reidsville Rd/walkertown Commons Cr, Walkertown, NC, on 12/12/2021 01:52.

♦ SHEALEY, TAMEKA MONIQUE was arrested on a charge of CHILD ABUSE (FELONY) at 614 ORCHID CREEK WY on 12/13/2021 ♦ SIMMONSHUNTER, SEGENNIA MARIE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 108 N MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR on 12/13/2021 ♦ SNOW, RODNEY LEE was arrested on a charge of POSS HEROIN at 8011 NORTH POINT BV on 12/13/2021 ♦ SNOW, RODNEY LEE was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-POSS SCHED I at 8011 NORTH POINT BV on 12/13/2021 ♦ Staley, Rayshaun Lamont (M/41) Arrest on chrg of 1) Weap-poss By Felon (F) and 2) Ccw - Firearm (M), at Eb 40/union Cross Rd_eb 40 Ra, Kernersville, NC, on 12/8/2021 04:41. ♦ White, Dusten Allen (M/33) Arrest on chrg of Interference W/ electronic Monitoring Devices (F), at 2918 Fraternity Church Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 12/9/2021 11:53. ♦ WILLIAMS, THOMAS LEE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULTSIMPLE at 2199 OLD LEXINGTON RD/E MONMOUTH ST on 12/10/2021 ♦ WILLIAMSON, VINCENT ANTONIO was arrested on a charge of P/W/ I/S/D SCHED I at 125 CONNOR RD on 12/10/2021 ♦ WOOD, PATRICIA NICOLE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 930 N PATTERSON AV on 12/12/2021 ♦ ZENO, ZION DONTE was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 5515 FARM HOUSE TL on 12/11/2021

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

3

SPORTS

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Ex-Oklahoma QB Rattler commits to South Carolina Columbia, S.C. Quarterback Spencer Rattler will try to restart his college career with South Carolina.

Rattler, who threw for 28 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman for Oklahoma in 2020 before losing his starting job with the Sooners this season, tweeted Monday night that he had committed to the Gamecocks. South Carolina went 6-6 this year, its first season under Shane Beamer, who spent three years at Oklahoma under former coach Lincoln Riley as assistant head coach for offense. The 6-foot-1 Rattler, a Heisman Trophy candidate before the season, lost his starting job to Caleb Williams.

MLB

Former White Sox, Orioles GM Hemond dies at 92 Montrose, Colo.

Roland Hemond, whose 70-year career in baseball included three Executive of the Year awards as general manager of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles, died Sunday night.

He was 92. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he spent 19 seasons, announced Hemond’s death Monday. Hemond was Chicago’s GM from 1970-85 and served in the same role for Baltimore from 1988-95.

He won the Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year award in 1972, and then again in 1983 when the White Sox won the AL West. His third Executive of the Year honor came in 1989, when the Orioles nearly won the AL East after losing 107 games the previous season.

GYMNASTICS

USA Gymnastics, USOPC reach $380M settlement with victims Indianapolis The legal wrangling between USA Gymnastics and the hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, among others, is over after a $380 million settlement was reached. A federal bankruptcy court in Indianapolis on Monday approved the agreement between USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the more than 500 victims, ending one aspect of the fallout of the largest sexual abuse scandal in the history of the U.S. Olympic movement. More than 90% of the victims voted in favor of the tentative settlement reached in September.

DOUG MURRAY | AP PHOTO

The return of Cam Newton has failed to spark the Panthers' attack, and the team's offensive line continues to be an ongoing problem.

Panthers have big needs in next year’s draft Carolina’s biggest needs are at quarterback and offensive tackle

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Barring an unforeseen turnaround, the Carolina Panthers appear destined to pick in the top 10 of next year’s NFL Draft.

That means the Panthers have a potentially franchise-altering decision on the horizon: Do they try to find a young franchise quarterback with their firstround pick next April or take an offensive lineman to solidify the left tackle spot for the next decade?

Those are unequivocally the team’s two biggest positions of need.

The Panthers (5-8) have been playing musical chairs at quarterback since Matt Rhule’s arriv-

Brady sets completions record, throws 700th TD in OT win Tampa, Fla. Tom Brady became the NFL’s all-time completions leader and threw his 700th touchdown pass for the winning score as the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a 33-27 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Brady threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed his recordbreaking 7,143rd pass.

Breshad Perriman’s 58-yard catch-and-run with 5:31 left in OT was the 700th TD pass of Brady’s career, including playoffs.

1 Number of selections the Panthers have in the first four rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Carolina only has its first-round pick.

As for the offensive line, the Panthers likely only have two players who could be considered legit starters moving forward — right tackle Taylor Moton and guard Michael Jordan. Carolina has had a pressing need at left tackle for years and hasn’t invested a first-round draft pick in an offensive tackle since taking Jeff Otah in 2008.

Some potential targets on the offensive line in the next year’s draft include NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu, Alabama’s Evan Neal,

Mississippi State’s Charles Cross and Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum.

Much of what the Panthers do at quarterback and on the offensive line will be predicated on what they do in free agency. If there’s a top quarterback that becomes available via free agency (or trade) such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, Panthers owner David Tepper certainly would be willing to pay the bill to land one.

If the Panthers can land a veteran quarterback, they could turn their resources to pursuing an offensive lineman in the draft.

Regardless of which way the Panthers go, they need to hit a home run on that first-round pick.

As of right now, Carolina doesn’t have another selection until the fifth round. The Panthers traded their second- and fourth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold and their third-round pick to Jacksonville for cornerback C.J. Henderson.

Clemson wins NCCA men’s soccer title, beats Washington 2-0 Cary hosted the men’s College Cup The Associated Press

NFL

al as head coach in 2020. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and (the return of) Cam Newton haven’t panned out.

Carolina is on the hook with Darnold for $18 million next season after making an ill-advised decision to pick up the fifth year of his rookie contract before he ever played a down for the Panthers. Newton is only under contract through this season and has done little to prove he can lead this franchise after going 0-3 since taking over as a starter. Newton’s backup P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to be the longterm answer either. If he was, Rhule likely would have stuck with Walker instead of signing Newton after Darnold went down with an injury.

Mississippi’s Matt Corral and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett are considered the top quarterbacks in what is not viewed as a strong quarterback class overall.

CARY — Isaiah Reid scored twice, including a goal just 27 seconds into the match, and Clemson defeated Washington 2-0 to win the NCAA College Cup championship on Sunday.

It was Clemson’s third national championship. The Tigers also won in 1984 and 1987.

“I think it’s going to take days and weeks to set in, but it’s unbelievable. It’s euphoric. I mean, it makes everything worth it. Everything was worth it before, but there’s no words,” Clemson goalkeeper George Marks said.

Washington goalkeeper Sam Fowler was caught out of position and Reid easily scored his first just moments into the match.

Reid scored again on a header in the 15th minute. A junior, Reid finished the season with nine goals, including a pair of two-goal games. But he had scored just one goal in the last 14 matches.

“It was extremely special. Yeah, I hadn’t scored much in 14 games.

But I didn’t let that deter me from trying to help out the team and try and score goals,” Reid said. “My team supported me, and it just feels really good to score two goals and help my team win the natty.”

Second-seeded Washington struggled in the final third after the early Clemson goal put the Huskies on their heels. Marks had a pair of saves, including one in the final minutes as Washington scrambled to score.

“I don’t think for a second we doubted that we were out of the game,” Washington defender Ryan Sailor said. “We always have belief in ourselves. We played right in the second half and things just didn’t go our way, and sometimes that’s the way it is.”

The eighth-seeded Tigers dogpiled in celebration at the final whistle and fans streamed onto the field in a flurry of confetti. One fan waved a giant Clemson flag.

Clemson was playing in its fifth national championship game.

The last appearance came in 2015 when it fell to Stanford.

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Clemson's Ousmane Sylla and Washington's Nick Scardina battle for a ball during the Tigers' win in the NCAA College Cup championship game Sunday in Cary.

The Tigers advanced on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Washington, making its first College Cup appearance, beat Georgetown 2-1 on Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park to advance.

Washington coach Jamie Clark said it was an honor to play for a national championship, even if his team fell short.

“We got every minute out of the season we could,” Clark said. “We all said we wanted to take every drop out of this season, and we got it.”

Clemson was the defending

ACC Tournament champion but fell to Duke in the semifinals of this year’s conference tournament. But they had a solid tournament run, knocking off the Nos. 1, 2 4 and 9 seeds.

Washington finished a halfgame back of Oregon State for the Pac-12 title. The Huskies had just one regular-season loss.

It was the second overall meeting between the two teams. The Huskies beat Clemson 4-1 in a neutral site game in 1996.

Announced attendance was 7,238, many of them Clemson fans who were able to drive under five hours to attend the title match.

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

4

STATE & NATION

‘Y’all pray for Mayfield’: Town grieves in tornado aftermath

By Claire Galofaro The Associated Press MAYFIELD, Ky. — Judy Burton’s hands shivered as she gazed up at what had been her thirdfloor apartment. She could see her clothes still hanging in the closet, through the building’s shredded walls. Across the street, her church was boarded up. A few blocks away, the spire was ripped away from the town’s grand courthouse, its roof caved in. The restaurant where neighbors met for lunch, too, was lost in the rubble.

She clasped her hands together and tried to quiet their quivering.

Burton and her dog had narrowly escaped as a tornado hit her town, part of an outbreak of twisters across the Midwest and South.

Now, she stood among the grind of heavy machinery clearing the wreckage of landmarks, businesses and homes of Mayfield, population 10,000.

“It’s gone. It’s terrible, just terrible, I’m shaking,” she said. “It’s going to take me awhile to settle my nerves.”

Burton can’t imagine a single family here not mourning. Theirs is the sort of town where everyone is connected to everyone else.

Mayfield was one of the worst-hit towns in the unusual mid-December spate of tornadoes, and Burton looked around at a disorienting jumble of boards and bricks and broken glass.

Hundreds of buildings have been reduced to nothing. Roofs are sheared off those that stand.

Some streets are littered with snapped trees, clothes, chunks of insulation and blown-away Christmas decorations. The fire station is inoperable, most police cars destroyed.

At least eight people working at a Mayfield candle factory were

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHOTO

In a view from this aerial photo, people walk amidst destruction from a recent tornado in downtown Mayfield, Ky., Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. killed, and eight more are missing. It’s still unclear how many others in Mayfield died. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had feared more than 100 dead statewide, but he later scaled back that estimate, with many at the candle factory accounted for. On Monday, he said at least 64 had died in the state.

Burton worries for her neighbor and her little dog. They’re feared among the dead, as they were probably unable to escape as the walls collapsed around them.

Down the hall, Johnny Shreve had been watching the storm approach from his window. Lightning crashed, and in that split second of brightness, he realized

that their town would not be the same come morning: He saw an office building across the street disintegrate. Then he dove onto his kitchen floor as chunks of concrete pelted his body.

“It felt like everything in the world came down on me,” he said.

He lay there for more than an hour, trying to dig himself out and shouting for his neighbors and his Shih Tzu, Buddy. Finally, Shreve broke through into the living room. There was Buddy, trying to scratch toward him from the other side.

He posted on Facebook that they were alive, and added: “Y’all pray for Mayfield.”

“It blew my mind when the

sun came up,” Shreve said, when he and others returned over the weekend to salvage what they could and traded stories of survival in the parking lot. “I don’t see how this town can recover. I hope we can, but we need a miracle.”

In the nearby town of Wingo, more than 100 people took shelter at a church — babies, people in their 80s and 90s, family pets. Everyone has a story, a reason they have nowhere else to go.

Meagan Ralph, a schoolteacher volunteering to coordinate the shelter, pulled up an aerial photo of Mayfield, her hometown, on her phone. She zoomed in, seeking a landmark to orient herself.

“I can’t recognize it, it’s not

recognizable,” she said. “I can’t even identify what I’m looking at, it’s that bad.”

But she has found hope at the shelter. Donations have poured in. Volunteers from surrounding counties came in droves. People from Mayfield take care of each other, she said.

As the news spread of the horrors at the candle factory on the night of the storm, hundreds of ordinary people arrived at the factory to help, braving slippery rubble until authorities told them to go home, said Stephen Boyken, who’s a chaplain there. That spirit is part of the fabric of Mayfield, he said: “If you’re off in a ditch, there’s somebody going to stop by, probably three or four trucks try to get you out and help you.”

By the time the sun came up, they were lined up at churches and school gymnasiums to give piles of clothes and coats, food and water.

“We will recover, absolutely.” Ralph said. “We’re small but mighty.”

She looked around the shelter, and noted that the task before them is extraordinary, with hundreds of their neighbors now with nothing and nowhere to go.

Wanda Johnson, 90, ended up here after she was evacuated from the same apartment building where Burton escaped. Johnson’s windows burst, and she clung to her doorframe, pleading: “Dear God, help me, please help me get out of here.”

At the shelter with her son and granddaughter, she wonders what will become of them now.

“They tell me we don’t have a town,” Johnson said. “Everything’s gone. It’s just wiped away.

It just flipped over our city.

“We don’t know where we’re going to go — we don’t know what’s left to go to.”

UK opens door to Assange extradition to US on spying charges

By Danica Kirka The Associated Press LONDON — A British appellate court opened the door at the end of last week for Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States on spying charges by overturning a lower court decision that the WikiLeaks founder’s mental health was too fragile to withstand incarceration in America.

The High Court in London ruled that U.S. assurances about Assange’s detention, received after the lower court decision, were enough to guarantee he would be treated humanely. Assange’s lawyers say they will ask to appeal.

In the ruling, the High Court directed the lower court judge to send the extradition request to Home Secretary Priti Patel, who would make the final decision on whether to send Assange to the U.S. for trial.

“There is no reason why this court should not accept the assurances as meaning what they say,” a two-judge panel of the High Court said in its ruling.

Since WikiLeaks began publishing classified documents more than a decade ago, Assange has become a lightning rod for both

AP PHOTO

Julian Assange, the 40-year-old WikiLeaks founder, arrives at the Supreme Court in London, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. criticism and veneration.

Some see him as a dangerous secret-spiller who endangered the lives of informers and others who helped the U.S. in war zones. Others say WikiLeaks has publicized official malfeasance that governments wanted to keep secret.

Both views have been debated as Assange has sought his freedom — and to evade the Americans.

The U.S. has asked British authorities to extradite Assange so

he can stand trial on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse linked to WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents.

Assange’s fiancée, Stella Moris, called Friday’s decision a “grave miscarriage of justice” that threatens the rights of journalists everywhere to do their jobs without fear of retaliation by governments that don’t like what they publish. She said Assange’s law-

yers would seek to appeal.

“We will fight,” Moris said outside the court, where supporters chanted and waved banners demanding Assange’s release. “Every generation has an epic fight to fight and this is ours, because Julian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society.”

Assange, 50, is currently being held at the high-security Belmarsh Prison in London. The High Court ordered that he remain in custody pending the outcome of the extradition case.

Assange has been in detention since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle. Before that, he spent seven years holed up inside Ecuador’s Embassy in London. Assange sought protection in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

If convicted, Assange won’t be imprisoned at the “supermax” penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, the highest-security prison in the United States, American authorities promised the court. They also pledged that he wouldn’t be held under “special administrative measures,” which can include segregation from other prisoners

and the loss of privileges such as visits, correspondence and use of the telephone.

They also said he would be eligible to serve any prison sentence in his native Australia.

American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.

The charges Assange faces carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison, though lawyers for the U.S. have told British courts that the longest sentence ever imposed for such an offense was five years and three months.

Barry J. Pollack, a lawyer for Assange in the U.S., called Friday’s decision “highly disturbing,” citing unfounded allegations that the U.S. plotted to kidnap or kill his client.

“The U.K. court reached this decision without considering whether extradition is appropriate when the United States is pursuing charges against him that could result in decades in prison, based on his having reported truthful information about newsworthy issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

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