North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 43

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 43 | WWW.NSJONLINE.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021

Merry Christmas from North State Journal Gov. Roy Cooper to endorse Cheri Beasley for U.S. Senate Raleigh Gov. Roy Cooper said he plans to endorse Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley in the coming days.

Asked about recent comments in which he appeared to back his party’s presumptive Senate nominee, Cooper said he would soon formalize his support.

“I will be doing that. Yes,” Cooper said.

In an interview with a Raleigh television station, Cooper said “the path is clear for her now” and that he plans on “helping her get elected.”

The two have a history – it was Cooper who elevated Beasley to N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice in 2019.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP PHOTO

Residents residents enjoy downtown Christmas decorations on a busy street.

2021 Year in Review: 2020’s aftermath

988 suicide phone hotline getting $282M to ease July launch Washington, D.C. People in crisis and those trying to help will have a new phone number — 988 — to reach the national suicide prevention network starting in July. Threedigit dialing to reach suicide hotline counselors has long been a goal for mental health advocates, lawmakers in Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the telecommunications industry.

People who call, text or chat 988 will be able to reach trained counselors who belong to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Counselors at more than 180 local centers listen to people in crisis and provide support, connecting them with other services as may be needed.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL could become trendsetter for COVID-19 testing policies New York The NFL’s decision to reduce COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic, vaccinated players could signal a trend for pro sports leagues and provide an example for society to follow heading into 2022.

The NFL, in cooperation with the players’ union, agreed to scale back testing for vaccinated players. The move aligns with guidance from the CDC, which recommends “diagnostic testing” only for symptomatic or closecontact vaccinated people, and “screening tests” for unvaccinated people.

“I think the NFL is going to be an interesting and I think really safe real-world experiment on what our new normal is likely going to look like,” said Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and professor at the University of Washington.

Almost 95% of NFL players and nearly all coaching staffs are vaccinated.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Airline CEO: Masks “don’t add much if anything” during air travel Washington, D.C. Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said during a Senate subcommittee hearing last week. federal mask requirements for airline passengers “don’t add much if anything” because most planes have HEPA air filters and turn over the cabin air.

Kelly made his comment about masks in response to a question from Republican Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican, who asked if they thought air travel without masks could ever resume.

Kelly said that “99.97% of airborne pathogens are captured” by high efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, on airplanes, before suggesting that masks are unnecessary during air travel.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By David Larson North State Journal

Legislator’s equity training outfit raked in $1.29M in just 7 districts 4 of the districts, totaling $325K in contracts, are in NC

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — An equity, diversity and inclusion training outfit co-founded by a sitting North Carolina statehouse lawmaker has raked in over $1.29 million in fees according to an analysis of contracts from just a handful of school districts.

Over the course of multiple years, The Equity Collaborative (TEC) was paid around $325,000 across just four North Carolina public school districts. In school districts outside of North Carolina, North State Journal uncovered around $905,000 in fees and purchase orders.

TEC made national headlines when over $422,000 in contracts for equity and Critical Race Theory training between Virginia’s Loudon County Public Schools and the organization came to light. One contract in Loudon County schools involved TEC receiving $24,000 for work at just one school, Parkview High School. The equity training rendered to Parkview staff was not done in person, but instead remotely, according to the services contract.

The Corning Painted Post Schools in New York spent more on TEC’s services than Loudon County did, with payments totaling $428,500 between 2017 and 2021. Contracted services included “equity focused leadership training,” equity training with the district’s school board, and administrative and superintendent coaching.

In the district of Clayton, Missouri, TEC was hired in 2017 for eight “Equity Coaching” training sessions costing $25,000, as well as a $5,000 keynote speech by TEC’s other co-founder, Jamie Alamazon. The original proposal from TEC had a bottom-line figure of $43,000.

Sitting state Rep. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) co-founded the organization and has even conducted some trainings himself.

North State Journal first reported on Meyer’s connection to TEC back in late April of this year.

At that time, TEC was slated to run a teacher training course for Wake County Public Schools, titled “Intro to Critical Race Theory.”

Meyer, a white male, is currently seeking to exchange his current seat for one in the state Senate. Meyer announced his in-

tent to run for fellow Democratic state Sen. Valerie Foushee’s seat which has been newly redrawn to include Orange, Caswell and Person counties.

Multiple districts in North Carolina have hired TEC for “equity, diversity, and inclusion training,” as well as for training on topics like Critical Race Theory. Some records received by North State Journal date back more than six years, to 2015.

The Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School District paid TEC $129,275 between the years 2014 and 2015 for equity coaching and training. Two payments made in 2014 included one for $3,500 and another for $96,750. In 2015, the district paid TEC $29,025.

Cumberland County Public Schools paid TEC $38,826 over seven different occasions. The largest payment was in 2020 for $15,000. The other six payments ranged from $325 up to $6,000.

Only the payment amounts have been turned over to North State Journal by the district.

New Hanover Public Schools also contracted with TEC for training in 2020. The district paid $40,000 overall for two training items. New Hanover spent $24,000 for an “Equity in Education training workshop series” and $16,000 for a “Coaching in Equity workshop series.”

The state’s largest district, Wake County Public Schools, spent at least $97,000 for similar services to that of Loudon County, but purchase orders showed other items, which brought the total to $117,500. Records requests revealed $207,500 in contracts between WCPSS and TEC. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools (CMS) was also contacted, but there were no contracts or payments made to TEC. CMS has been fulfilling their diversity and equity training using another North Carolina organization called the Racial Equity Institute. Between 2016 and 2021, the district has paid the Racial Equity Institute $219,100 for “Dismantling Racism” workshops.

A few of the topics included in “Dismantling Racism” are implicit bias, race and poverty, race and wealth, the history of race, internalized oppression and “the imperative of organizing.”

On the secondary level, North State Journal found that a $325 campus voucher had been made out to TEC by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

No other details were available on the voucher beyond it being issued in 2014.

RALEIGH — If 2020 was known as the worst year in recent memory, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unrest around race and policing, and unusually high political tensions (even for a presidential election year), consider 2021 the slightly more laid-back remix. It had all the same elements but with a bit less intensity. Another way to see it is as the aftermath of 2020, where we saw the conclusion, or at least continuance, of all those major themes of the previous year.

The one major exception to the “less intense” rule happened right after the year began, as a rally in Washington by supporters of former-President Donald Trump, over alleged cheating in the election, turned violent. Thousands of those attending this “Stop the Steal” rally broke into the Capitol to express their frustration with the election results. While many were injured and a lot of property destroyed, nobody was killed and the election was certified hours later, after the people and debris were cleared.

Political tension remained at a slow boil the rest of the year as Joe Biden began his four-year term. Early analysis suggests he has largely disappointed supporters and energized opponents. The catch-phrase “Let’s go Brandon” swept the nation as a euphemism for how Biden critics actually felt, after a reporter misheard a chant of “F*** Joe Biden” at a NASCAR race

won by driver Brandon Brown.

Among complaints against the Biden administration are the historically high inflation rate, record drug-overdose deaths, crime waves in major cities, supply-chain disruptions and a chaotic southern border. The political division from 2021, while not spilling into the streets as often as 2020, continued to underlie many of the year’s top stories.

The tensions surrounding race and policing, tightly linked to the overall political divisions, also saw many major stories in 2021. While in 2020, the death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter movement led to major protests and riots across the country, this year saw the aftermath of many of those stories.

In April, Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who knelt on the neck of Floyd, was found guilty on all three counts, including second-degree murder, in his trial. On Dec. 15, he also pleaded guilty to federal civil-rights violations stemming from the incident.

The three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery in February of 2020 were also convicted in 2021.

Arbery, a black man, was shot dead after the men attempted a citizen’s arrest with shotguns and trucks in their Georgia neighborhood, where they had suspected Arbery of breaking into homes.

In contrast, Kyle Rittenhouse — who in August of 2020, when See 2021 REVIEW page A3

In education, 2021 was the year of the parent

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The past year presented more challenges for students and a marked increase in parental activism with regard to their children’s education.

Amid that involvement, there was also a noticeable uptick in support for more school choice.

By the time 2021 hit, school choice was already seeing a groundswell of support with parents. Homeschooling was setting new records across the country and charter schools reported large waitlists.

Recognizing the demand for more education options, Republicans in both the General Assembly and in Congress crafted school-choice legislation. Expansion of school choice was timely, with 2021 also marking the 25th anniversary of North Carolina’s charter-school law.

During 2021, parents protesting at school board meetings and holding rallies at the legislature would become common sights.

The top complaints included the continued mask mandates for K-12 students and indoctrination in the classroom, in particular, Critical Race Theory (CRT).

The jump in parental activism didn’t happen overnight; it had been building up throughout 2020. As 2021 rolled in, North See EDUCATION, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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12.21.21 #313

THE WORD: AND THIS SHALL BE A SIGN UNTO YOU

As we celebrate Christmas this weekend, many Americans will celebrate in homes adorned with decorations and with traditional meals on the table. As you read the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the shepherds, notice the “sign” the angels told the shepherds to look out for.

The baby — savior of the world — was found “lying in a manger.” The sign wasn’t the most ornate decorations. The sign God sent to mankind was a humble baby in a non-traditional setting in a relatively small town.

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

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“Adoration of the Shepherds” by Gerard van Honthorst (circa 1622) is a painting in the collection of the Pomeranian State Museum, Greifswald, Western Pomerania. (Public Domain).

EDUCATION from page A1 Carolina K-12 students still weren’t being allowed back into the classroom full-time despite a state-specific study that found “within-school infections were extremely rare.”

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper did little to help the situation, instead of ordering schools reopened as he had ordered them closed the year prior, Cooper left the decision to the districts. At a Feb. 2 COVID-19 briefing, he announced schools were allowed to choose from Plan A, full-time in-person instruction; or Plan B, a hybrid of one week in-person and two weeks remote instruction. Districts overwhelmingly chose to continue with Plan B. Frustrated parents and students turned to lawmakers for help, resulting in Senate Bill 37, titled, “In-Person Learning Choice for Families.” The bill, which followed CDC and state-level guidance, passed its first reading after testimony from parents was heard just an hour before Cooper’s Feb. 2 briefing.

Cooper, however, continued to block efforts to return all children to in-person instruction by vetoing the bill on Feb. 26. The governor claimed it violated N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDHHS) guidance and that it “hinders” protecting students.

It would not be until midMarch that Cooper would agree to a revised reopening bill, Senate Bill 220. The bill required K-5 students to return to in-person instruction but left it up to districts whether to offer Plan A or Plan B for grades six-12.

The negative impact of school closures had become obvious to the public, education officials and lawmakers alike heading into the new year. The impact on education was underscored by a December 2020 meeting of the legislative COVID-19 education committee, during which remote instruction was deemed a “disaster.”

Officials from the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction told lawmakers 19% of students were not regularly attending virtual classes.

Attendance data indicated the statewide average daily membership dropped by over 27,000 students. At the end of December 2020, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 public school students couldn’t be accounted for.

In March of 2021, state Superintendent Catherine Truitt presented a report to the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee that nearly 23% of public school students and just over 9% of public charter schools students are at-risk for academic failure for the 2020-21 school year. She told lawmakers the data

represented a “lost year of learning.”

Mental health of children had also become a significant issue.

Data from the state’s Say Something anonymous reporting app in March showed increases in self-harm, suicidal ideation and depression.

Truitt consistently pushed for students to return to the classroom full-time, both at the legislature and during State Board of Education meetings.

“We need to be very careful we are not suggesting that Plan B is adequate; it is not,” Truitt said at the March 4 Board of Education meeting. She added that for high schoolers, Plan B means “being in class 20% of the time.”

Masking became a hot topic for parents during 2021. Following emergency-use-authorization vaccine approvals for children ages 14 and up, mask mandates continued to persist in schools, further angering parents who, in response, began to mobilize to protest school boards on a level not seen before.

There was also increased push back related to NCDHHS’s K-12 guidance surrounding contact-tracing quarantining policies.

Union County Public Schools attempted to drop the policies, citing lack of authority to conduct them and limited resources. NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen threatened the district with legal action as a result. The district’s challenge exposed problems with the policies, and, at that time, Union County schools complied.

In early December, Union County’s school board issued a joint resolution with the county’s commissioners calling on the state to end contact tracing and quarantine procedures for K-12 schools.

While the fight to get kids back into the classroom was going on, North Carolina’s first black lieutenant governor was battling other State Board of Education members over indoctrination in K-12 schools and, in particular, controversial revisions to the state’s Social Studies Standards.

Robinson vocally objected to the social studies revisions, calling them “politically charged” and divisive,” and stating that they “smack of a lot of leftist dogma.”

The revisions ultimately were passed by the State Board of Education, and the changes included social- and racial-justice themes, such as gender identity and “systemic racism.” The revisions also included elements of Critical Race Theory (CRT), which, along with mask mandates, has been a regular subject of school-boardmeeting protests nationwide.

During the pandemic and continued remote instruction, parents had a front row seat to what their children were or were not learning. As a result, there was

There are parents and teachers who are literally afraid to speak up against school boards, against principals, against administrators, and folks — that has got to stop.”

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson

a marked uptick in parent objections to alleged political indoctrination, use of CRT and inappropriate lessons and materials.

Those parental objections would move to the forefront in the months following, in the form of school board protests, but would also spark legislative attempts to deal with CRT and concepts like it.

House Bill 324, titled Ensuring Dignity/Nondiscrimination in Schools, would have prohibited public schools in the state from promoting certain concepts that are contrary to the equality and rights of all persons. Cooper vetoed the bill on Sept. 10.

While legislative attempts to stop CRT may have stalled, parents have seen results of their activism efforts, such as flipping seats on school boards both in North Carolina and nationwide.

CRT had become the biggest hot-button education issue of the year, even playing a role in Democratic losses in the Virginia statehouse and gubernatorial race.

In North Carolina, evidence backing up parent complaints, collected through a task force formed by Robinson, further propelled the issue. In mid-March, Robinson announced the Fairness and Accountability in the Classroom for Teachers and Students (FACTS) task force with the specific mission of combatting lessons and materials that are inappropriate or politically biased.

“There are parents and teachers who are literally afraid to speak up against school boards, against principals, against administrators, and folks — that has got to stop,” Robinson said at the time. “School is supposed to be a safe place for people to go for the purpose of instruction.”

In late August, FACTS produced a 41-page summary report of tips and submissions sent to Robinson’s office. Six main themes were identified: fear of retaliation, the sexualization of kids, Critical Race Theory components, white shaming, biased news media and/or lesson plans, and shaming certain political beliefs.

NSJ found that the state’s largest district, Wake County Public

Luke 2:1-18 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

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Schools (WCPSS), had hired The Equity Collaborative to teach an “Intro to Critical Race Theory” professional-development course for teachers in the district. The course was quickly removed following NSJ’s inquiries.

The Equity Collaborative is a “diversity, equity and inclusion” training group that often utilizes CRT. The organization is co-founded and run by sitting N.C. House legislator, Rep. Graig Meyer (D-Orange).

A second article covered CRT talking points given to WCPSS school board by the now-former assistant superintendent of the Office of Equity Affairs, Rodney Trice. Similar CRT talking points and teacher training were also found in Orange County Schools.

North State Journal’s multipart series in June also focused on WCPSS, in particular training leaked to NSJ by a whistleblower that included sessions on culturally sustaining pedagogy, antiracist education and antibias education.

Complaints about CRT would also surface at the secondary education level in North Carolina, including “diversity and inclusion” training for undergraduates at N.C. State University and UNC Chapel Hill.

Heading into the 2021-22 school year, parents flooded school boards with public-records requests and emails, and showed up in large numbers at school board meetings. Those meetings often became heated, with parents voicing their opposition to continued mask policies and CRT. In late August, the heads of the National School Board Association (NSBA) sent a letter to President Biden, calling for the administration to act against parents. The letter urged Biden to essentially categorize parents as domestic terrorists through measures like the Patriot Act. Following the NSBA’s letter, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum directing the FBI to intervene in local school board affairs nationwide. Neither Garland’s memorandum nor the related Department of Justice press statement gave any details of the alleged threats.

“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” Garland wrote in the memorandum. “Those who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive a proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fear for their safety.”

The memorandum immediately drew fire from both state and federal elected officials in North Carolina.

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) said the mem-

orandum was “of grave concern, and people should and will be outraged.” In a written statement to NSJ, Truitt called Garland’s memo “disturbing” and an “overreach.” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) called the attack on parents “astonishing and frightening.”

Garland would be called to testify in front of Congress about the memorandum, including hearings held by the House Judiciary Committee. During those hearings, Garland admitted the NSBA letter was the basis for his memorandum. Ranking member of the committee, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), would later issue a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray in the wake of documents showing the apparent use of “threat tags” being used to potentially target and categorize parents as threats.

On Oct. 22, the NSBA issued an apology to its members for the letter; however, Garland has not yet retracted his directives to the FBI. The fallout from NSBA’s letter has been steep, with dozens of state school board associations distancing themselves from the organization and over a dozen states terminating their membership, including North Carolina.

Another major N.C. education story in 2021 was the ongoing Leandro court case, a case ostensibly about ensuring each child in the state has good education.

On June 7, Judge David Lee signed an order for the WestEd-produced Leandro comprehensive remedial plan to move forward. WestEd had submitted the 300-page comprehensive remedial plan and appendix of implementation costs in March. The plan contains $8.29 billion in new state-level education spending recommendations.

In mid-November, Lee ordered three state agencies to go around the legislature by transferring $1.7 billion in funds from the state’s coffers to fulfill the remedial plan produced by WestEd. A joint statement by Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said Lee “does not have the legal or constitutional authority to order a withdrawal from the state’s General Fund.”

Berger and Moore pointed to Article V, Section 7 of the state Constitution, which says, “No money shall be drawn from the State treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law.”

The N.C. Court of Appeals panel blocked Lee’s $1.7 billion transfer order, with the majority of the panel finding that the trial court had “erred for multiple reasons.” Both plaintiffs and lawmakers have filed various motions following the Court of Appeals ruling and the case remains pending.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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NC film studio working on state-focused COVID documentary

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

AP PHOTO

People transport a television to their car after shopping during a Black Friday sale at a Best Buy store Nov. 26, 2021, in Overland Park, Kan.

Inflation squeezes holiday budgets for low-income shoppers

By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press Retailers may be forecasting record-breaking sales for the holiday shopping season, but low-income customers are struggling as they bear the brunt of the highest inflation in 39 years.

The government’s report last week that consumer prices jumped 6.8% over the past year showed that some of the largest cost spikes have been for such necessities as food, energy, housing, autos and clothing.

Overall, rising prices are changing shopping habits for many Americans. For some, they’re a mere inconvenience, pushing them to delay building a deck on their house amid higher lumber prices. But for lower-income households with little or no cash cushions, they’re making harder choices such as whether they can put food on the table or if they’ll have to drastically scale back on holiday presents for their children — or forgo them completely.

“Inflation is devastating the pocketbooks of low-income households,” said C. Britt Beem-

er, chairman of the America’s Research Group, estimating that low-income households are cutting back their holiday buying by 20% from a year ago. “They are going to have to decide what they are going to buy and what they’re going to eat.”

Even some retailers that built their businesses around the allure of ultra-low prices have begun boosting them. Dollar Tree — the last true dollar store — is increasing its prices to $1.25 for a majority of its products because of higher costs of goods and freight.

Despite the inflation pressures — as well as supply chain disruptions and the new COVID-19 omicron variant — the National Retail Federation says this year’s holiday shopping season appears to be on track to exceed its sales growth forecast of between 8.5% and 10.5%.

According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about three-quarters of Americans say they will be giving gifts to friends and family to celebrate the winter holidays this year. But the rising costs have not gone unnoticed.

About 6 in 10 Americans say holiday gift prices are higher than usual, while only 2 in 10 say they are not. Roughly 2 in 10 say they did not purchase gifts recently.

Overall, 4 in 10 Americans say it has been harder to afford the things they want to give as gifts this year. Roughly half say it’s neither easier nor harder, while few say it has been easier.

But people in lower income groups are feeling the cost pressures most acutely.

Forty-five percent of Americans in households earning less than $50,000 annually and 40% in households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 say it has been harder to afford gifts this year, compared with 30% in higher income households.

“It was hard enough a year ago, five years ago, for lower-income families to find extra money to buy gifts. But it is that much harder now,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com, whose survey in October found a significant number of low-income people were completely opting out of holiday gifting this year amid higher prices on essentials.

RALEIGH — A film studio located in southern Wake County is working on finishing a documentary that looks at the 2020 pandemic and the state’s COVID response.

Located in Fuquay-Varina, production company Amazing Studios is working on the documentary entitled “Stay at Home.” The film is described in part as documenting the pandemic through “following individuals as they encounter the immediate effects of North Carolina’s stay-at-home order.”

“In the months after, with division rising all over the country, our biggest goal was to capture history from all sides, many perspectives, and offer a balanced and accurate look at how events and decisions were affecting a wide range of people,” the press package information for the film says.

“This started right as the stay-athome [order] in March was gearing up,” Amazing Studios founder and President Mike Cole told North State Journal. “We were headed into our 25th year… it was off to a roaring start… and then, all of the sudden, like everyone else, things were coming to a screeching halt.”

Cole said they decided to “do what they do best” and they began capturing how people were adapting to the pandemic situation.

The film, which is a self-funded project, follows five people from different walks of life as they try to navigate the “uncertain and changing environment” that forces them to adapt their lives.

The five individuals highlighted throughout the film are Mark, a brewery owner; DJ, a professional baseball player; Tim, a full-time musician; Ashley, a gym owner and coach; and Travis, a church pastor.

Secondary subjects who were interviewed include Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin and outgoing N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen. On Nov. 22, Cohen tweeted about sitting down with Amazing Studios to reflect on the state’s COVID response.

Cole also said Amazing Studios has talked to an economics professor and a chief medical officer from a local area hospital about their insights looking back at what has unfolded during the pandemic.

He said they also talked to officials

Lead doctors in Wake Forest Baptist Health’s antibody study talks about adverse vaccination reactions

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 the first report on the conversation with Sanders, the topline findings included 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.

The second installment of the interview with Sanders covered herd immunity, mischaracterizations on immunity, and duration

2021 REVIEW from page A1 he was 17 years old, shot and killed two men and injured another during a Black Lives Matter-related riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin — was found innocent. During the trial, evidence was shown supporting the defense’s case that Rittenhouse was defending himself from people who attacked him, knocked him down and attempted to grab the gun from his hand. The man who survived being shot by Rittenhouse also admitted Rittenhouse only shot him after he pointed his pistol directly at Rittenhouse.

Add to those cases the conviction of black Empire actor Jussie Smollett for orchestrating a hate crime against himself — complete with a noose, Trump hats and bleach — and both sides had some ammunition in the battle over whether racism in America remains a crisis or is being used as a political tool to

at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

“We had the fortune of talking with RDU Airport because we had been working with them at the peak of everything, when their business was booming and then all of the sudden this happened,” said Cole.

He added they were all “a bit taken aback” when they stood in Terminal Two on a weekday at noon and the place “was a ghost town.”

Cole’s outfit also captured the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted during 2020 and the ReOpen N.C. rallies.

“All in all, the whole point of this was to try to see how people we were following — those five main stories — of how they were going to respond and how they adjust,” Cole said. “We were lucky to have such a wide variety of participants willing to share from their perspective what they were seeing and dealing with at that point.

Cole said there have been internal conversations about perhaps separately taking a look at the impact of the pandemic on K-12 students, parents and educators.

One area Cole said was surprising was the impact on gyms from the pandemic and related policies put into place during 2020. An example Cole gave where Amazing Studios had captured the emotional meeting between gym owners and then-Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.

North State Journal also covered that meeting, where over a dozen gym and fitness-club owners expressed their frustrations with Gov. Roy Cooper keeping them shuttered during Phase 2 of his stay-at-home order. One gym owner told Forest they were on the verge of losing everything and were having to sell personal possessions to stay afloat.

“It’s a case study, if you will, of this period of time,” said Cole. “It’s really at the heart of what we’re after. I don’t think our desire is to push a side or a perspective, it’s just to show what people were having to deal with and what they were doing.”

“Hopefully, if anything, in watching it, there are some things we learn from it,” Cole said. “We can look at it and go, ‘Man, if we’re ever in this situation again, hey, we do this, or we don’t do this, or something else in between’.”

While there is no release date yet, Cole said that they are in the process of doing final interviews with their subjects.

of antibodies.

North State Journal also asked what Sanders might say to someone who has hesitancy about vaccination when thinking that their child or a significant other might have an adverse reaction such as the increasing reports of myocarditis associated with the vaccines.

“Well, I mean, yeah, myocarditis is a real concern,” said Sanders.

“We have clearly seen myocarditis documented in vaccine recipients.”

He added that it’s been more often seen in males than females and in adolescent young-adult males than older people.

“Younger males are more likely to get that, and when we started to see those reports come out, boy, yeah, our antenna went up,” Sanders said. “We were looking for stuff like that. We were quite concerned, and that has been watched

really closely. And now we know… we can see the data from multiple different studies; so many different places. We can see that the data is ‘Yeah, it clearly happens’.”

“A certain number of people will get myocarditis after vaccination,” said Sanders. “It is significantly fewer, that number is significantly less, than the people who get myocarditis following COVID. And myocarditis following COVID, on average, is significantly more severe. So, more people get it and it is more severe.”

“Now, it is somewhere — if we’re talking about getting down to kids — it is somewhere between 10 times to 37 times more likely,” Sanders added. He also said that number “may go up as other studies come out.”

Sanders added that, “Yes, if you think your child’s risk, if you

think your loved ones risk of getting COVID is less than one in 37, then maybe you start to do that risk-benefit analysis.”

“My assessment of what has happened and what will happen with COVID is that we will all get it, that you have one of three options in dealing with COVID; you get vaccinated, you get infected or you live isolated on a deserted island,” Sanders said.

During the interview with North State Journal, Sanders said one of the pre-study criticisms the study acknowledged was that it was more likely to enroll “reasonably educated, electronically connected, trusting people connected to their healthcare system.”

He also said they also enrolled a lot of people who were willing to get the vaccine “because most of their volunteers” ended up getting

vaccinated.

“We did a short survey in this group asking what their attitude about getting vaccinated would be and were at the time,” Sanders said. “Over 20,000 of them responded to the survey, and about 75% said that they were likely to get vaccinated. About 25% said that they were not likely to get vaccinated.”

“Then as the vaccines came out, we actually followed their behavior into the spring,” said Sanders.

“The vast majority of those people who said they were not likely to get vaccinated did get vaccinated.”

Sanders said that their data after the vaccines came out is “a little biased in giving epidemiologic assessments across the state” because they were sampling people willing to be in the study and they recognized that means that they are not as fully representative.

He went on to say that the survey showed those living in suburban counties and rural counties were more concerned about the vaccine than residents of urban counties.

stoke division.

Another notable trend in the aftermath of the 2020 race-and-policing protests is that many of the left-leaning cities who backed “defunding” police departments in 2020 are quickly backpedaling in 2021, including in epicenters of the movement like Minneapolis, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon.

This comes as cities across the U.S. are dealing with smash-and-grab robberies, spiking homicide rates and rampant open-air drug use.

And COVID-19, of course, while hitting America’s shores in early 2020, is still affecting every facet of life in 2021, as it likely will for many years to come. Major COVID-related stories this year often centered around the vaccines, and whether schools, employers and even the federal government had a right to force people to get it.

The vaccine has proven generally effective, both at lowering trans-

mission and in making infections less deadly, but many are choosing not to receive them or do not want their children to be forced to take them in order to go to school. The debate around masking, quarantines and vaccines in schools has led to a revolt by parents across the country, who have shown up at school-board meetings to push back on policies they see as overly cautious and invasive for such a low-risk population.

Biden, in contrast to his earlier stances saying he wouldn’t impose vaccine mandates, is attempting to use his administrative powers to now implement the orders on certain businesses, health-care workers, federal workers and others.

However, they have often ended up tied-up in courts or even struck down entirely.

Different variants, like the Delta variant and now the Omicron variant, were also a major source

of news coverage. These variants spread much more easily than the original COVID virus, causing panic among many, but symptoms, especially with Omicron, are shown to be much less severe too, so it wasn’t all bad news.

The nation’s COVID stats as we neared the end of the year indicated 73% of the population, or 204 million people, are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Among those 65 and older, the age group most at risk, the percentage rises to 95%. North Carolina is a bit lower than the national average with only 58% being fully vaccinated. In December, America also reached the grim milestone of 800,000 people having died of the virus.

So overall, this year may have been just a bit better than last — which is not saying much — but only because the intensity was turned down just a bit.

We are beyond the 2020 elec-

tion, and while the year started out with chaos at the Capitol by a few supporters of the losing party, those supporters are now satisfied to chant in stadiums and are poised to peacefully sweep the 2022 midterm elections.

We are beyond the riots and violence in the streets surrounding the race-and-policing stories of 2020, and we are seeing a mixed bag playing out in courts, seeming to vindicate elements of the narratives of both sides.

And we are beyond the initial panic of the first major pandemic in living memory, and we now have vaccines and effective treatments that are bringing down death rates among the infected.

So while 2021 had many of the same themes as 2020, it seemed also like a small step back to normalcy. Here’s to 2022 and what will hopefully be another step in that direction.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

Holly Springs

Bethlehem

RALEIGH — State Sen. Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg) ended his campaign for U.S. Senate and made a plea for Democrats to line up behind his opponent in the race, former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley.

Word first broke of the news Wednesday evening, as Washington, D.C. outlet Politico reported that Jackson was notifying donors throughout the day.

Jackson’s departure from the race gives Beasley, who lost her bid to become the elected chief justice of the state’s highest court, a much easier path to the nomination. Some political observers speculated that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and New York U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer were supporting Beasley’s campaign.

Jackson famously met with Schumer about a 2020 campaign, but said he wouldn’t spend his time in a “windowless basement” raising money for attack ads.

He instead said he if ran for the seat he would embark on a 100-county tour of the state, which he did throughout 2021. His campaign, though, would be dogged by comparisons to 2020 failed Democratic nominee Cal Cunningham.

The state Republican Party often referred to Jackson as “Cal Cunningham Jr.,” noting the many similarities between the two. That led some Democratic officials to say they shouldn’t run the same type of campaign again or nominate another white male candidate.

That strategy appears to be working, with Beasley sewing up support from Jackson’s fellow Democrats in the General Assembly, multiple members of Congress, and even former rival Erica Smith.

Holly Ridge Mount Holly

McAdenville (known as Christmas Town USA) Intentional or not, some municipalities can help get you in the Christmas spirit just by their names.

Garland, a small town in Sampson County, is best known for its now-closed Brooks Brothers Factory Store.

A trio of cities contain the word “holly” — Holly Ridge in Onslow County, Holly Springs in Wake County, and Mount Holly in Gaston County.

“Speaking of Gaston County, it gets a special mention for the town of McAdenville, which is known as “Christmas Town USA” for its tradition of really going all out in decorating the whole town with lights and displays.”

Garland

THE BEST OF MURPHY TO MANTEO NEWS BRIEFS FROM 2021

A venomous snake was captured two days after it was spotted on the loose in a Raleigh neighborhood.

The zebra cobra was found and safely removed. An animal control officer was called to a home where a snake was spotted on a porch. But by the time the officer arrived, the snake had slithered away.

Officials warned anyone who saw the snake to stay away and call 911, saying it could spit and bite if cornered. Animal control and Raleigh police used wooden boards with special glue on them to trap the snake.

Bunn is under siege by buzzards, and attempts to scare them off haven’t worked. There were 28 buzzards perched on a cellular tower and another 21 at the high school across the street. One woman counted 58 buzzards in her yard. They perched on her chimney and pecked at the bricks, pulling them down. Buzzards ate the roof vents off a restaurant.

Various attempts to evict them have failed. Bunn High School fired a propane cannon, but the birds returned. The school also hung vulture effigies to deter the birds from gathering. That didn’t keep them away, either.

A couple having a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway has survived multiple bear attacks which may have been triggered by their barking dog. The couple was in the parking lot of the Folk Art Center when they were alerted to the bear by their dog. The dog, which was not on a leash, ran toward the bear.

The couple was attacked for several minutes before retreating to their car with their dog. The couple drove to an Asheville hospital, where they were treated for their injuries and released.

A N.C.-bound flight had to return to the gate in Florida after it was struck by a bird during takeoff.

Delta flight 2084 from Tampa to Raleigh returned to the gate after being struck by the bird at Tampa International Airport, Delta said in a statement.

The Airbus A319 had 40 customers and five crew members on board. Because of damage to the plane’s engine, the passengers and crew had to transfer to another plane to continue the flight.

An unlucky start to a man’s day turned upside down when he discovered he won a $2 million lottery prize hours after hitting two deer with his new car. Anthony Dowe, of Leland, had an accident on his way to work. It ruined his day, so he went back home, got into bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, he discovered his Mega Millions ticket matched all five white balls, winning $1 million. That prize doubled when the 2x Megaplier ticket was drawn.

He took home about $1.4 million after taxes.

Jody Flemming, 50, a part-time DJ who took up livestreaming dance parties during COVID, was DJing when a black bear came looking to join the party. In a viral video, the bear paced in front of the door, seemingly lured by the melody. Looking to get inside, the bear stood on its hind legs leaning on the glass and screen door, while Flemming obliviously played music. When Flemming finally noticed the 150-pound bear, he snapped a cell-phone photo.

A neighbor’s horn blowing scared the bear away.

Flemming then turned back to his turntables and finished his set.

A pet boa constrictor that became stuck behind the dashboard of a car in Albemarle needed the help of animal control officers to wriggle free. But the 5-foot snake was ultimately released unharmed from its owner’s vehicle — after some car parts were

removed. Officers with the Stanly County Animal Protective Services were dispatched to free the snake after it became trapped. A photo shared by the agency on its Facebook page showed some pieces of the dashboard had been dismantled to reach the snake and let it slither out.

A woman has been bitten by two juvenile wolves at the Animal Park at the Conservators Center, where an intern was fatally mauled by a lion in 2018.

The worker was “performing routine activities” with the young wolves when she was bitten on her upper arms and right leg. The wolves did not escape their enclosure. The woman was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In 2018, intern Alexandra Black was cleaning an animal enclosure when a lion escaped from a locked pen and fatally attacked her.

And vice versa Police in the Outer Banks are investigating after someone shot and killed a deer with an arrow inside the town’s limits. The Town of Southern Shores Police Department said in a statement that the deer was found dead. The town code prohibits the shooting or discharging of arrows within the town’s corporate limits. The offense is classified as a class three misdemeanor. Police said the killing of the deer with an arrow “is extremely dangerous in a residential community, especially in common areas where people recreate. It is not safe, and it is unacceptable.”

Authorities say two dogs have been found dead in crates on the side of the road. Vance County Animal Services said in a news release that the dogs were both males. One was white with black markings. The other was brown. County officials said that the white dog was in a small wire crate covered with a black tarp. The brown dog was in a beige-colored crate that was plastic. The Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says that a “concerning number” of goldfinches and pine siskins may have died after being infected with salmonella from bird feeders. The group Carolina Waterfowl Rescue added that the disease is typically transmitted “through food or water contaminated with feces.” The state is urging residents to clean bird feeders using a bleach solution that is “no more than 1-part bleach to 9-parts water.” The feeders should also have time to dry before feed is put in them. If residents suspect salmonella, they should take the bird feeder down for two to three weeks.

COVID doesn’t know when to leave Before reuniting after getting vaccinated this year, Jay Leavitt, of Polk County, hadn’t seen his wife, Virginia, since the pandemic began. Virginia lives on their family farm, while Jay, 85 and paraplegic, is in a long-term acute care facility in Easley, South Carolina. He has spent the past several years in nursing homes. Virginia would always visit, until recently, when nursing homes clamped down on visitations. Married for 38 years, Jay and Virginia still talk by phone most days. She hasn’t embraced video calling, so the two rarely see each other’s faces.

The vaccines finally allowed them to see each other in person.

Six workers at a police department have tested positive for COVID-19 days after a vaccination

Jones & Blount Jeff Jackson quits US Senate race

Do you know NC’s “Christmas” towns?

Nature trying to kill us

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event, according to local officials. Haywood County officials said that six people in the Waynesville Police Department received positive test results two days after several police department workers received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The health department didn’t say whether those who participated in the clinic were among those who tested positive. Officials say the police department has taken the necessary steps to identify those affected and exposed.

The coronavirus pandemic has given some people more time to fish. And that may be why three catfish records were broken last year. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced the new records. They involved three catfish species.

Pinehurst resident John Stone caught a 23-pound, 5-ounce channel catfish in a private pond in Moore County in September. Joey Baird of Lawrenceville, Virginia, caught a 121-pound, 9-ounce blue catfish in Lake Gaston in July. That same month, Tyler Barnes of Pikeville reeled in a 78-pound, 14-ounce flathead catfish from the Neuse River.

Rebecca Ross returned to the county after spending 11 months in Italy, unable to return due to coronavirus travel restrictions. Ross was enrolled at the Milano Fashion Institute, working on her masters degree when Italy restricted travel last March. For several weeks she was only able to leave her apartment to get groceries. The country eased restrictions as the year went on, so she was able to travel around the country but not to return to the states. She returned to N.C. in February and now plans to seek a fashion job in New York City.

COVID wasn’t the only thing that could kill you The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking for a hand grenade that was sold an antique mall. The device may actually be live and ready to explode. The agency said that the grenade was purchased June 13 from the Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Ocean Isle Beach. Workers had thought they sold something that was little more than a harmless paperweight. The ATF sought the public’s help in locating the grenade and the person who bought it. Nobody was harmed, and a hazardous disposal team got rid of the explosive.

A hand grenade that killed a Virginia teenager may be one of the many explosives that were unknowingly sold at a Shallotte antique mall. The deadly explosion happened in Abingdon, Virginia, two days before Christmas. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did not release the identity of the teen, but they said the grenade may have been purchased at Fancy Flea Antique Mall. Authorities do not know how many grenades were sold or who purchased them since cash transactions are common at the store.

Two juvenile robbery suspects were captured after crashing a car into an Amtrak train while trying to flee police. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police received a call about a robbery on Mont Carmel Lane. Officers found the suspect vehicle and tried to pull it over, but the driver did not stop. A vehicle pursuit ended when the car hit the train. Amtrak officials said no one on the train was injured. The two juveniles are charged with armed robbery, felony conspiracy and possession of a firearm by a minor.

A man’s discovery of a World War II-era mortar round in his home prompted police to close several area roads. Dr. Ralph Haynes, of Durham, found the

60 mm mortar round from 1942 behind a pillar in a basement crawlspace during a home-renovation project. He believes the shell had probably been there since the 1950s. The mortar round still had its firing pin intact, so he moved it to a separate garage before calling the Durham Police Department, which informed the Durham County Bomb Squad.

The removal prompted street closures for nearly two hours.

Criminal masterminds John-Michael Scott Coppola fired a shotgun in his home while hallucinating on drugs about an imaginary burglary and is charged with child abuse.

Coppola’s newborn child was at his Mooresville home when he began firing “into the walls” of the residence, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said.

When deputies arrived, Coppola and the child’s mother, Kaylee Brianna Wilhelm, “both appeared to be impaired by some substance.” Those substances were later found out to be meth and marijuana.

Wilhelm, 22, was also arrested for child abuse. Child Protective Services workers removed the infant from the home.

Alexander Lentz, 33, was arrested after starting a fire at a Stanly County Walmart in late December 2020. While firefighters battled the blaze, Lentz was found by Albemarle Police hiding behind a dumpster at a nearby Dollar Tree. He was charged with first-degree arson, burning of personal property, intoxicated and disruptive, assault on a government official and resisting a public officer.

Former Clayton Police Officer Owen Phillips, 40, once honored as his department’s “officer of the year” has been charged with making and selling a steroid. He’s charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver testosterone; sale and delivery and manufacture of testosterone.

Prosecutors said Phillips made and sold testosterone between April and July 2020. Phillips was named the Clayton Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2015 and the Town of Clayton’s Employee of the Year in 2017. He resigned from the department in August, days before the investigation against him was opened.

David Kyle Reeves, 27, of Gastonia appeared in federal court on charges of threatening President Joe Biden and others through phone calls to the White House. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and $250,000 fine. Authorities said Reeves made multiple calls to the White House switchboard between Jan. 28 and Feb. 1, threatening the president and others. Reeves also made threats in calls to the Secret Service and the Capitol Police.

In one of the phone calls, Reeves threatened to kill everyone in the White House and “chop your heads off.”

Police are seeking Wesley Clayton “Clay” Rhom, 32, and Megan Monie Rhom, 32, who both left behind their four children to escape arrest for multiple drug violations. Mr. Rhom didn’t appear for his trial date. He’s charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking. Ms. Rhom is wanted for conspiracy to traffic meth and heroin.

Happy stories Mason Via and Presley Barker never met until they auditioned in California for the latest season of “American Idol.” They are among hopefuls from across the country vying for golden tickets to

“If you’re not unequivocally for getting rid of the filibuster, you are out of touch with the scale of the crises bearing down on BIPOC communities and working people across North Carolina and all over the country,” Smith said in September, taking a shot at Beasley’s position then of supporting the filibuster. Just two months later, however, Beasley changed course, and now supports ending the filibuster.

The state Democratic Party chair, Bobbie Richardson, said she commended Jackson and that “North Carolina Democrats stand strong, unified, and ready to take on whichever Republican emerges from the battle on the other side.”

Responding to the news, N.C. Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley said, “It says a lot that the most liberal member of the NC Senate is not progressive enough for the Democrat Party. The radical agenda pushed by AOC & the Biden administration — and embraced by Cheri Beasley — is wildly out of step with NC voters.”

State RNC spokeswoman Alex Nolley added, “Chuck Schumer has once again tried to rig the North Carolina Senate primary in favor of his handpicked choice Cheri Beasley, who will be a puppet for the Democrats’ agenda of more spending, more taxes and more crime. However, no amount of meddling will trick North Carolinians into believing Beasley will stand-up against D.C. special interests.”

Jackson began the race strong when he entered in January, but his fundraising in the campaign slowed down substantially.

He raised $1 million in the first week of the campaign, but his thirdquarter fundraising reports totaled just $990,000 and showed approximately $1.1 million on hand.

Hollywood on the show. Via (pronounced Vi), 23, now lives in Winston-Salem. Barker, 16, a native of Traphill, is a 10th-grader at East Wilkes High School. Both Via, who goes by the stage name Mason Picks on “American Idol,” and Barker have played at venues in Winston-Salem and have been favorites at Muddy Creek Café and Music Hall Sparta.

Three inmates at the Avery County jail were rewarded with pizza after they rescued a detention officer who was attacked by another inmate. Daniel Bledsoe knocked the officer to the ground and tried to choke him. Jonathan Potter, Colby Flynn and Gustavo Rojas assisted in subduing Bledsoe. The inmates were allowed to choose a special meal as a reward and opted for pizza.

Kyle Curtin, a 34-year-old Army veteran, thought a holiday trip to Asheville to see his folks would be nicely wrapped with a 62-mile run to the highest peak in the Eastern United States. On Dec. 21, the winter solstice, Curtin not only ran Pitchell — the ultra-trail marathon from the summits of Mount Pisgah to Mount Mitchell along the Mountains-toSea Trail — but he smashed the record for the route, finishing in 11 hours, 47 minutes and 18 seconds, more than 32 minutes faster than the record and the first time someone finished in under 12 hours.

Random oddity The Nash County Sheriff’s Office is offering what it calls a “Valentine’s Day Weekend Special,” which it described as “a special too sweet to pass up.” It gives people a chance to show former lovers they’re still wanted by turning them in for outstanding warrants. The sheriff’s “offer” posted on its Facebook page includes a set of limited-edition platinum bracelets, free transportation with a chauffeur and a one-night minimum stay in “our luxurious (five-star) accommodations.” “Operators are standing by,” says the post, which includes a picture of a rose next to handcuffs.

The state of North Carolina could soon have a state spider, if a bill recently introduced passes.

Mitchell County Rep. Ralph Hise introduced the bill, SB 195, which would name the Linville Caverns spider as the state’s arachnid representative. The Linville Caverns spider has only been found in the state of North Carolina, according to the bill.

Officials at Raleigh’s Meridian at Sutton Square apartment complex are implementing a DNA testing program known as “PooPrints” to identify and penalize residents who fail to scoop up their dogs’ poop. A letter sent to Sutton Square residents informed them that that the complex is starting a detection program “due to a small percentage of residents that have not been using the provided pet stations to pick up after their dogs.” Maintenance workers will be responsible for collecting the unattended piles. Every dog owner must bring their pet to the office to provide a DNA sample.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals sided with the Durham Bulls in a suit over a foul ball that struck an 11-year-old girl in the face, because of a legal precedent known as the “baseball rule.” The rule holds that teams are not liable for injuries if they offer protected seating to fans. The Bulls have seats closest to home plate guarded by a net. In 2015, Angelina DeBlasio was sitting on a picnic bench when a foul ball struck her. She had surgery to correct several dislocated teeth and broken bones in her jaw.

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

State Sen. Jeff Jackson, D-Mecklenburg, speaks to students while campaigning at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021.

Legislators mourned in 2021 North State Journal staff RALEIGH — Two members of the N.C. House of Representatives passed away during the long session in Raleigh due to illness.

Jerry Carter (R-Rockingham) died after battling a rare gastrointestinal disorder.

Carter’s wife Brenda Bruton Carter shared via Facebook he had been diagnosed with idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins, or IMHMV. She said at the time that Carter would be hospitalized while internal medicine experts from across the globe weighed in on his treatment.

Carter was first elected in 2018 and was serving his second term.

State Rep. Dana Bumgardner (R-Gaston) died in October following a bout with cancer.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague, Rep. Dana Bumgardner following his battle with cancer,” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said in a statement.

The Gaston County Republican was in his fifth term in the N.C. House of Representatives.

Before the state’s 2022 election filing was suspended, his daughter, Lauren Bumgardner Current, submitted paperwork to succeed her father in the seat.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

You don’t have to give everything to give enough

This Christmas, remember you don’t have to give your children, family and friends “everything” to give them what they need most and really want anyway: your love, affection and attention.

WHEN JESUS TOLD the rich young man to “go sell everything, give the money to the poor and come follow Me,” He set a pretty high standard for everyone, didn’t He? In that sense, even the over-commercialization and materialization of Christmas by Americans since at least the 1960s can be seen in the most generous light possible as “out-doing one another with love and affection,” although there is far more to the Christian Gospel than the number of video games a parent can give their children.

Not everyone can be Mother Teresa, who led a life of faith and total commitment with her work in Calcutta among the poor and diseased. She “gave it her all.” Nor can everyone be a martyr for the Christian cause by giving their lives to oppose evil and oppression like Dietrich Bonhoeffer did when he opposed the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.

Short of such maximum material and personal physical sacrifice, maybe the question then becomes about whether or not what you have done is “good enough,” not about whether you have given away all of your possessions or sacrificed your life. Maybe it is more about the spirit of your life, your telos for being.

Would anything on earth be any different had Jesus not been born over two millennia ago? Forget all the hair-splitting about whether Jesus was born in the winter in the Middle East on Dec. 25 — there was no Gregorian calendar to refer to in Year Zero anyway since it wasn’t adopted until 1582 A.D. — or in the spring or fall.

What is different is when people read and hear the story about the birth of Christ, they tend to reflect on their own lives and see if they are living a life of generosity and mercy towards others instead of selfish, insulated, self-centered existences. It always comes down to giving, not receiving.

Christ came in the form of man from God as a baby born to a virgin to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 700 years before.

He came to be the sacrifice for all of the sins we commit on a daily basis and to regain the favor of God for all mankind in a definite, final but yet on-going process, since we can’t do it on our own.

Christ gave more than enough to us. He gave everything.

Regardless of whether you believe the Christmas story or not, we can all ask this question to ourselves: Have I “given enough” love, charity and forgiveness in my small, meager human way? Have I loved my family, much less my neighbors, “enough” this past year? Have I loved my family and neighbors as much as myself in ways they would notice and appreciate?

Have we collectively “given enough” to the poor, not just in financial support or food but in true Christian charity and love? Sometimes all it takes for someone who seemingly has it all going for them is to take the time to say a kind word to someone who is struggling in this temporal world. Sometimes all it takes is to invite a new person sitting next to you to come home with you for what Southerners used to call Sunday dinner after church. Sometimes all it takes is to invite them into your home, your inner sanctum and just be a friend to them.

Isn’t that part of what Jesus commanded the rich young man to do, spend more time with others outside of his social circle? Jesus spent far more time with the poor, the weak, the diseased, the tax collectors and shamed women than He ever did with the polished upper-crust society of ancient Judea.

You don’t have to give away everything to give enough to those who need it. And you can do it the whole year long and be a gift to everyone you meet. Not just during Christmas time.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

More big-city Democrat mayors begin to see folly of defunding police

“Welcome to the party, pal!”

IN SEPTEMBER 2020, I wrote a column about how opposition to the “Defund the Police” movement was growing in places you’d think it wasn’t.

The movement, which rose to national prominence in the summer of 2020 in the aftermath of the officer-involved death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, was embraced by Democrats to varying degrees, with some wholeheartedly wanting to yank funding from police departments.

Others, like then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris, expressed an understanding as to “why” the calls for such were being made, and vowed to “listen” to such voices in their administration if elected.

But while top Democrats were busy in the summer, fall and winter of 2020 virtue signaling about the supposed righteousness of radically progressive organizations such as “Black Lives Matter” — whose leaders and prominent supporters were appearing in news interviews talking about things such as “abolishing the prison system” — other groups that consisted primarily of black and Hispanic activists were lobbying their local leaders in Democrat-run cities like Minneapolis against defunding the police.

While the groups acknowledged there was a need for police reform, they also understood that reform shouldn’t come in the form of fewer police or no police. Polls were taken nationally showing an overwhelming amount of support from black and Hispanic communities for

policing at the same or elevated levels in their city neighborhoods.

Around the same time that all this was all taking place, some of the big cities where Democrat leaders were busy denigrating police officers and proposing pulling funding for them started to see dramatic spikes in violent crime, including in Minneapolis, Oakland and Chicago.

I mean, who could have guessed that declaring police officers menaces to society and threatening to cut their budgets would embolden criminals?

One of those city “leaders” was San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who in July 2020 announced she wanted to redirect $120 million from law-enforcement budgets to criminal justice reform efforts, which involved addressing “disparities” that she asserted were harming the black community.

But in the fall of 2021 as the crime spikes continued, with “smash-and-grab” sprees taking center stage in iconic American cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, some of the loudest proponents of defunding the police began changing their tunes regarding the role of the police, including Breed.

Breed announced last week in a fiery press conference that she was ready for a more “aggressive” approach to combatting the smash-and-grab crime that is plaguing her city, an issue that is partially responsible for causing people to move away from the area in droves.

Breed’s plans involve relying more heavily on the police.

“It’s time the reign of criminals who are destroying our city, it is time for it to come to an end,” she told reporters. “And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement, more aggressive with the changes in our policies, and less tolerant of all the bullsh*t that has destroyed our city.”

“We will do this while continuing longterm reforms like our Street Crisis Response Teams and the expansion of mental health beds,” she also wrote in a Twitter thread. She continued, saying that “we also need there to be accountability when someone does break the law. San Francisco is a compassionate city, but our compassion cannot be mistaken for weakness or indifference.”

In the famous words of Bruce Willis’ “John McClane” character in the movie “Die Hard,” I’d like to give a big “Welcome to the party, pal!” greeting to the San Francisco mayor. It’s just too bad she and her fellow Democrats in the city didn’t realize the harm of their dangerous anti-police rhetoric sooner, or maybe they wouldn’t be having the problems they’re seeing now.

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 22, 2021 COLUMN MICHAEL WHATLEY

COLUMN | STEPHEN XAVIER

The White House’s attempt to steal Christmas can remind us of the true meaning of the holiday GOING BACK as far as August 2021, President Biden and Vice President Harris were “warning” Americans that due to supply-chain issues, we shouldn’t expect a very Merry Christmas and to plan accordingly.

For many in our culture, that message, which was repeated by Democrat leaders with frequency, fell on deaf ears. But more recently, when shoppers began to see evidence of shortages in stores, both retail and grocery, the nervousness began to sink in.

Rather than offer concrete solutions to solve these shortage issues, the very secular and very anti-Christian White House bellowed the warning even more loudly and in even more dire tones. New-car-lot inventories began to thin, auto parts suddenly were also showing shortfalls, and even large, national drug-store chains have started to see shortages on supplies of medicines they typically easily keep in stock.

Circling back to the “Not a Merry Christmas” message we started with, as disappointment began to set in among many of us, an unexpected message of Hope began to emerge. That message, echoed by many via the various media platforms, was, “Have we forgotten the real reason for the season?” — the celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s interesting, in a way, how images of Santa Claus took over the landscape in lieu of the Crèche. Next came snowmen and then Snoopy and other Disney characters replacing the Jolly Old Fellow himself. As time passed, the real reason for the season slipped away quietly almost into

obscurity, replaced by pop icons and animated characters that have little if anything to do with Jesus or His birth.

The Manger scene with its shining Star of Bethlehem that once frequented urban, suburban and rural landscapes as the norm to adorn the landscape has all but disappeared.

Maybe these shortages are a sign, and a timely one at that, to awaken us to reflect on what’s important, press us to examine our own excesses and outer expression and instead, to look within.

Perhaps it’s a time to get back to our roots, our true heritage of a Christ-centered way of thinking and living within our Judeo-Christian culture that others are intent on eroding and then destroying. Maybe it’s time to put down our smart phones, turn off the television, with its hundreds of channels that show little, actual value and positive contribution to our culture.

Let’s plan a meal, cook with our spouse, our kids, young or old, and let the smell of a home cooked meal fill the air, titillate our senses and bring us to the table to break bread, without interruption, and reconsider what’s really important, what really matters.

The only real shortages before us now are a shortage of quality time with those who matter most to us and a shortage of the recognition of the real reason for the season: Jesus.

Stephen Xavier is a Raleigh, NC-based Conservative Campaign Strategist and Media Consultant at Right Word Media

COLUMN | ROBERT A. TAFT

American democracy Atlantic style MANY THANKS to The Atlantic Magazine for setting us straight on what American democracy is.

With all the confusing rhetoric about what this country represents, The Atlantic made it perfectly clear. Such a weighty topic required their finest authors — David Frum, Jeff Goldberg, among others. Their analysis was spot on.

They even quoted Joe Biden, who recently pinpointed the essence of voting: “Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.”

Frum opined, “Trump and his supporters have inflicted a measurable wound on American democracy.” Goldberg moaned, “GOP’s leaders are attempting to destroy the foundations of American democracy.” Parroting their observations, Biden proclaimed to world leaders, “Democracy is backsliding,” as Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer beat that same drum every time they stand before cameras.

Does their panic stem from “deplorables” getting involved in local politics? Speaking out about Marxism in our society? According to The Atlantic, democracy cannot tolerate such participation.

To paraphrase President Woodrow Wilson, “Elites know best and should run business and government and everything in between.”

In defining Trumpism, the authors failed to mention its premise — “We the People.” In keeping with The Atlantic’s new standards though, real democracy cannot embrace this radical concept.

With one crisis after another, “Power over the people” is the only thing to cut through the chaos and make sense in a democracy.

But democracy must mean more to The Atlantic. Could it be the elimination of personal freedoms for the common good, even though real science does not support the efficacy of the vaccines?

Perhaps the magazine editors hold sacrosanct the canceling of conservatives but are becoming skittish as they see this ploy unraveling as well. Surely silencing the other side would lead to total vaccination and the side effects that go with them. Instead, quite unwillingly, The Atlantic and the Left to which they cater are forced to bully conservatives. Just look at how reluctantly they vilify parents for wanting their kids to be taught properly in school.

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Democracy should never be used to debate issues. The Atlantic believes it should be a calming force. Still the Left remains somewhat paranoid. Will conservatives ever submit to the common good? The prospects of that happening appear increasingly dim.

Take the surge of conservatives now running for school boards, volunteering as precinct captains, or challenging Washington RINOs in 2022. The situation has tossed The Atlantic and its followers in panic-mode, forcing the Government to use Big Tech to spy on people through iPhones and remote-run vacuum cleaners. Congress wants banks to report and the IRS to track personal bank transactions of $600 or more. People are urged to snitch on their neighbors for opposing government policy. Let’s not forget the FBI’s critical role in crushing parents who challenge school administrators or try to ensure election integrity. All of these safeguards belong in The Atlantic’s democracy.

Beyond the conservative uprising, The Atlantic, based in Georgia, also knows how the Constitution and rule of law jeopardize democracy. Clearly this form of government requires a two-tiered justice system where BLM and Antifa can riot and destroy but Jan. 6 trespassers guilty of misdemeanors must endure deplorable conditions without due process. When they spring hardened criminals from prison to commit more crime, compassionate district attorneys know better than the drafters of the Constitution about how to ensure “domestic tranquility.”

Although homicides are breaking records in Democratled cities across the nation, The Atlantic and their readers blame the police, demanding their defunding. Under the guise of COVID, Democrat governors shut down small businesses and keep people from going to church but have no problem with unvaccinated illegal aliens slipping into their states in the still of night.

Not surprisingly The Atlantic hails from Atlanta, a hub of probable fraud in the 2020 election. From the magazine’s perspective, nothing went awry there a year ago. In a similar vein, many conservatives would argue that The Atlantic’s case against Trumpism simply typifies the Left’s inversion politics: blame Republicans for Democrat malfeasance. But the accusation would be unfair.

The Atlantic was only being brutally frank about their version of American democracy.

Biden’s failed policies are dampening the Christmas spirit THIS CHRISTMAS, as families across North Carolina feel the pinch of rising prices, a supply-chain crisis and an 8-year high in gas prices, celebrating the holiday season is more difficult than ever. Under Joe Biden’s presidency, Americans are paying the price for Democrats’ inflationary spending and failed policies, making grocery budgets and holiday wish lists even more burdensome for families struggling to make ends meet.

From rising costs for food and household items to skyrocketing energy costs, those hoping to host family members for parties and gift exchanges will struggle with the prices associated with entertainment this year. This is shown by the fact that 78% of Americans say that the surge in prices is forcing them to cut back on buying gifts.

Joe Biden may think that this surge in prices is nothing but a “high-class problem.” But in reality, lower-income Americans who spend roughly a third of their earnings on essentials like food and energy are the ones paying the price. Biden’s inflationary spending has effectively lowered the minimum wage — hardly a high-class problem — as rising prices wipe out any wage gains Americans might be seeing. Biden’s habit of downplaying inflation is not only untruthful; it’s a lie. Frankly, North Carolinians are tired of being gaslit on this issue and so many others.

Making matters worse, everyday goods are not only more expensive than ever, but harder to come by as supply-chain disruptions clear the shelves in grocery stores and retail spaces. Thanks to “record” backlogs, appliances, electronics, housekeeping supplies and home-and-garden items are out-ofstock. Sadly, for many families who may need to rely on the generosity of local food banks over the holidays, they will be hard-pressed to find another option, thanks to shortages that are affecting local food pantries in North Carolina.

Compounding the supply-chain crisis is a backlog at our ports and a shortage of truck drivers, causing delays and further squeezing this unprecedented bottleneck created by Democrats’ policies. At every turn, American families are seeing the magic of the holiday season strained by Biden and the Democrats’ failed agenda.

Families hitting the road to see relatives over the holidays to see relatives will face gas prices that are more than 60% higher than last year, a direct result of Biden’s anti-energy agenda. An 8-year high in gas prices may please radical environmentalists pushing the Green New Deal, but families driving to see their family are the ones that feel the pinch.

Clearly, Joe Biden’s failed strategy of begging OPEC to produce more oil is not working, and we know that because North Carolinians are paying the price.

Now, Biden is serving up a final course, but North Carolinians aren’t having any of it. Biden’s Build Back Better agenda will only exacerbate issues as it sets out to raise taxes on up to 30% of middle-class families. Already, North Carolinians cannot afford the exorbitant cost of Biden’s first year in office. The last thing they need is another multi-trillion-dollar spending bill that will hike taxes and make life harder heading into the new year.

Biden’s failed policies are dampening the Christmas spirit and making it harder to spread Christmas cheer throughout the Old North State.

North Carolinians will feel like they have to take out a loan to pump their gas, struggle to afford essentials needed to host holiday parties and find gifts, thanks to rising prices and supply shortages.

Next November, voters will not forget how Biden and Democrats made this holiday season harder for their families. The red wave we saw take over local elections this year is coming for Democrats up and down the ballot in North Carolina’s midterm elections.

Michael Whatley is chairman of the NCGOP.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The death of California In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Victor Hugo told the tale of Esmerelda, a gypsy dancer falsely accused of attempted murder, set to be hanged by an unjust state.

Quasimodo, the titular hunchback, swings down from the cathedral of Notre Dame and saves her, carrying her off while crying “Sanctuary!” In fact, throughout European history, churches provided places of safe haven for accused criminals; the claim of “sanctuary” is made to this day by people seeking refuge from the law.

It is strange, however, to see the language of sanctuary adopted to protect precisely the sort of activity abhorred by anyone of religious bent: abortion. The secular sacrament of abortion has become so sacred, however, that the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, recently announced his intent to make his state the first abortion sanctuary in the nation. “We’ll be a sanctuary,” Newsom announced. “We are looking at ways to support that inevitability and looking at ways to expand our protections.”

The state of California, according to Newsom’s Democratic legislative allies, could provide travel expenses including gas, lodging, transportation and child care for those seeking to kill their unborn children. Already, some 15% of America’s abortions occur in California, according to the Guttmacher Institute. That number would skyrocket if the state began subsidizing abortions across the land.

None of this is particularly surprising. It is telling, however, that as California sinks into the mire, it embraces ever more radical social policy. This is a state that currently houses — no pun intended — some 162,000 homeless people, a number that increased approximately 24% from 2018 to 2020. About a quarter of all homeless people in the United States currently reside in California.

Meanwhile, crime in California has become endemic, with smash-and-grabs roiling major cities and even wealthy residents murdered in their homes. This week, the head of the Los Angeles police union, Jamie McBride, warned people to stay out of the city, explaining, “We can’t guarantee your safety. It is really, really out of control.”

Even former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa laments, “Rome is burning.”

And California’s economy trails the nation’s, too.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is tied for the worst unemployment rate in the nation, at 7.3%.

And while California is currently experiencing a seven-day rolling average of just 67 COVID-19 deaths — compared with 550 at the height of the pandemic — Newsom recently reimposed another month-long statewide indoor mask mandate.

So why does California keep embracing ever-moreradical policy? Because the radicalism is itself the moral justification for policy failure. Sure, Democrats can argue, crime and homelessness are out of control, the economy is stagnating, and businesses are leaving. But that’s morally excusable, because California seeks a higher purpose: the purpose of Leftist utopianism. Thus, Newsom has little to say about California’s stagnation, but much to say about how California will push new laws targeting gun ownership.

For years, Democrats have claimed that California leads the nation. We can only hope they’re wrong.

Ben Shapiro, 37, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

BE IN TOUCH

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

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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NATION & WORLD Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021

JANUARY Sheldon Adelson, 87. He rose from a modest start as the son of an immigrant taxi driver to become a billionaire Republican

MAY Olympia Dukakis, 89. The veteran stage and screen actor whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher’s mother in the romantic comedy “Moonstruck.” May 1.

John Warner, 94. He served for 30 years in the U.S. Senate and was a longtime military expert who became famous as the sixth man to walk down the aisle with movie star Elizabeth Taylor. May 25.

The Associated Press They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service. But both also saw their legacies tarnished by their actions in the long, bloody war in Iraq.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are among the many noteworthy people who died in 2021.

Powell, who died in October, was a trailblazing soldier and diplomat. He rose to the rank of four-star general in the Army before becoming the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And under former President George W. Bush, he became the nation’s first Black secretary of state.

Rumsfeld, who died in June, had a storied career in government under four U.S. presidents and was seen as a visionary of a modern military.

Rumsfeld was secretary of defense and shouldered some of the blame as Iraq sank into chaos after the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime. In the leadup to the war, Powell cited faulty information during a United Nations Security Council address while claiming Hussein had secretly stashed weapons of mass destruction.

Others political figures the world said goodbye to this year include former U.S. Vice President Walter F. Mondale, former South African President F.W. de Klerk, former Sen. Bob Dole, former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo, talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, former Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, former Danish Prime Minister Poul Schlueter and Iranian ambassadors Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour and Ardeshir Zahedi.

Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2021 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):

collector and entrepreneur who co-founded homebuilding pioneer Kaufman and Broad Inc. and launched financial services giant SunAmerica Inc. April 30.

JUNE

political correspondent and anchor for NBC and CBS who once stumped Sen. Edward Kennedy by simply asking why he wanted to be president. March 9.

Bill Brock, 90. A former senator from Tennessee whose long career in Washington included a key role in rebuilding the Republican Party after the Watergate scandal.

March 25.

G. Gordon Liddy, 90. A mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison. March 30.

F. Lee Bailey, 87. The celebrity attorney who defended O.J. Simpson, Patricia Hearst and the alleged Boston Strangler, but whose legal career halted when he was disbarred in two states. June 3.

Mike Gravel, 91. A former U.S. senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and confronted Barack Obama about nuclear weapons during a later presidential run. June 26.

Donald Rumsfeld, 88. The twotime defense secretary and onetime presidential candidate whose reputation as a skilled bureaucrat and visionary of a modern U.S. military was unraveled by the long and costly Iraq war. June 29.

Delia Fiallo, 96. She was considered the mother of Latin America’s telenovelas and wrote dozens of the popular television soap operas. June 29.

APRIL

JULY

Prince Philip, 99. The irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life.

April 9.

Walter F. Mondale, 93. The former U.S. vice president was a liberal icon who lost one of the most lopsided presidential elections after bluntly telling voters to expect a tax increase if he won. April 19.

Michael Collins, 90. An Apollo 11 astronaut who orbited the moon alone while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their historic first steps on the lunar surface. April 28. Cancer.

Eli Broad, 87. The billionaire philanthropist, contemporary art

William H. Regnery II, 80. The heir to a family publishing fortune who was known for his quiet but influential support of extreme right-wing causes in the United States. July 2.

Edwin Washington Edwards, 93. The high-living, quick-witted four-term governor who reshaped Louisiana’s oil revenues and dominated the state’s politics for decades, a run all but overshadowed by scandal and eight years in federal prison. July 12.

Mike Enzi, 77. The retired U.S. senator and Wyoming Republican was known as a consensus-builder in an increasingly polarized Washington. July 26. Died after breaking his neck in a bicycle accident.

AP PHOTO

Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is shown in a 1989 photo. powerbroker with a casino empire and influence on international politics. Jan. 11.

Larry King, 87. The suspenders-sporting everyman whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars and ordinary people helped define American conversation for a half-century.

Jan. 23.

FEBRUARY George P. Shultz, 100. The former secretary of state was a titan of American academia, business and diplomacy who spent most of the 1980s trying to improve Cold War relations with the Soviet Union and forging a course for peace in the Middle East. Feb. 6.

Rush Limbaugh, 70. The talk radio host who ripped into liberals and laid waste to political correctness with a merry brand of malice that made him one of the most powerful voices on the American right. Feb. 17.

MARCH Vernon Jordan, 85. He rose from humble beginnings in the segregated South to become a champion of civil rights before reinventing himself as a Washington insider and corporate influencer. March 1.

Roger Mudd, 93. The longtime

Carl Levin, 87. A powerful voice on military issues in Washington and a staunch supporter of the auto industry back home in Michigan during his tenure in the U.S. Senate. July 29.

AUGUST Richard Trumka, 72. The powerful president of the AFL-CIO who rose from the coal mines of Pennsylvania to preside over one of the largest labor organizations in the world. Aug. 5.

Donald Kagan, 89. A prominent classical scholar, contentious defender of traditional education and architect of neo-conservative foreign policy. Aug. 6.

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER Abdul Qadeer Khan, 85. A controversial figure known as the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb.

Oct. 10.

Megan Rice, 91. A nun and Catholic peace activist who spent two years in federal prison while in her 80s after breaking into a government security complex to protest nuclear weapons. Oct. 10.

Hubert Germain, 101. The last of an elite group of decorated French Resistance fighters who helped liberate France from Nazi control in World War II. Oct. 12.

Betty Lynn, 95. The film and television actor who was best known for her role as Barney Fife’s sweetheart Thelma Lou on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Oct. 16.

Colin Powell, 84. The trailblazing soldier and diplomat whose sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democratic presidents. Oct. 18.

NOVEMBER Max Cleland, 79. He lost three limbs to a hand grenade in Vietnam and later became a groundbreaking Veterans Administration chief and U.S. senator from Georgia until an attack ad questioning his patriotism derailed his reelection. Nov. 9. Congestive heart failure.

DECEMBER Bob Dole, 98. He overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharp-tongued Senate leader, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans. Dec. 5.

Senate confirms big slate of Biden ambassadors to end 2021 The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate confirmed more than 30 ambassadors and other Biden administration nominees early Saturday after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to schedule a vote on sanctions on the company behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will deliver natural gas from Russia to Germany.

With many senators anxious to go home for the holidays, Schumer, D-N.Y., threatened to keep the Senate in for as long as it took to break a logjam on a broad array of diplomatic and national security nominees.

Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, was confirmed to serve as ambassador to Japan by a vote of 48-21. Nominees to be ambassadors to Spain, Vietnam and Somalia were among those confirmed by voice vote soon afterward. The votes came after an agreement was reached to hold a vote concerning Nord Stream 2 sanctions before Jan. 14.

The confirmation process has proved to be frustrating for new presidential administrations regardless of party. While gridlock isn’t new, the struggle to staff administrations is getting worse.

Democrats have voiced concerns about holds that a few GOP senators placed on nominees to raise objections about foreign policy matters that had little to do with the nominee. The holds don’t block a nominee from being

confirmed, but they do require the Senate to undertake hours of debate that could be used on other priorities. As a result, positions requiring Senate confirmation can go unfilled for several months even when the nominations are approved in committee with the support of senators from both parties. Yet Republicans point to Democrats engaging in the same practice during the Trump administration.

Biden administration officials acknowledge the president will end his year with significantly more ambassadorial vacancies than recent predecessors and that the slowdown of ambassadorial and other national security picks has already had an impact on U.S. relations overseas.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, held up dozens of nominees at the departments of State and Treasury over objections to the administration’s waiving of sanctions targeting the Nord Stream AG firm overseeing the pipeline project.

The administration said at the time that it opposed the project but viewed it is a fait accompli. It also said trying to stop it would harm relations with Germany.

Critics on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns that the pipeline will threaten European energy security by increasing the continent’s reliance on Russian gas and allowing Russia to exert political pressure on vulnerable Eastern and Central European nations, particularly Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, Schumer

AP PHOTO

A sign reading “Nord Stream 2 Committed. Reliable. Safe.” hangs above a painted map at the natural gas receiving station in the Lubmin industrial estate in Lubmin, Germany, Nov 16, 2021. demanded that Cruz lift all of his holds on nominees at the two Cabinet departments as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of any possible agreement on a Nord Stream 2 sanctions. Cruz said he was willing to lift holds on 16 nominees. The two sides were trading offers throughout the day Friday.

“I think there ought to be a reasonable middle ground solution,” Cruz said.

While Democrats were intent on making progress on Biden’s nominees, they also viewed it as too little and too late.

“Let’s face it. There is little to

celebrate when it comes to nominations in the Senate,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Menendez, D-N.J., blamed some Republicans for “straining the system to the breaking point” and depriving Biden of a full team of national security positions, “leaving our nation weakened.”

“Something’s going to happen in one of these places and we will not be there to ultimately have someone to promote our interests and to protect ourselves,” he said.

But Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.,

said that some of the gridlock on nominations stems back to four years ago when Democrats, under Schumer’s leadership, tried to prevent many of President Donald Trump’s nominees from being confirmed in a timely manner.

“Sen. Schumer doesn’t have anything close to clean hands here,” Blunt said.

Eight Republicans ended up voting with a majority of Democrats to confirm Emanuel. Three Democrats voted against his confirmation: Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

YEAR IN REVIEW

RICK SCUTERI | AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson, right, celebrates with his son Owen after winning his first career NASCAR Cup Series title with a season-ending win at Phoenix.

NSJ 2021 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Larson climbed out of exile to win 1st Cup title

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NCAA puts NC State on probation following investigation Raleigh The NC State men’s basketball program has been placed on probation for one year for NCAA recruiting violations following an independent investigation. It was the first decision issued through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, which was created out of proposals from the commission led by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2018 to reform college basketball amid the federal corruption investigation into the sport.

On Monday, the Independent Resolution Panel announced it had reduced scholarships and issued penalties for violations by former Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried and assistant coach Orlando Early tied to the recruitment of one-and-done player Dennis Smith Jr. Early received a six‑year show-cause order for arranging a $40,000 cash direct payment to secure Smith’s enrollment. Gottfried received a one-year show-cause for failing to monitor Early, resulting in the impermissible benefits to Smith, the IARP said in a five-page statement.

NFL

Giants shut down QB Daniel Jones with neck injury East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants are shutting down Daniel Jones for the remainder of the season because of a sprained neck.

Coach Joe Judge said Monday the team’s medical staff reviewed Jones’ medical scans over the previous 24 hours and determined it would be best if he did not play in the team’s final three games. The doctors have said Jones only needs rest at this point to get over the injury. Surgery is not an option at this point, Judge said, adding the injury is nothing more than a sprained neck.

Jones, the No. 6 overall pick out of Duke in 2019, was hurt on Nov. 28 in Philadelphia.

Fired and suspended after using a racial slur in an online racing event, the driver redeemed himself off the track and then on it

ETHAN HYMAN | THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Nina King, Duke’s new athletic director, will be breaking in a new men’s basketball and football coach in her first year on the job.

NSJ 2021 NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

4 people filling big shoes Nina King, Jon Scheyer, Hubert Davis and Mike Elko are all replacing legends

By Shawn Krest North State Journal MOST YEARS, the NSJ’s choice as the top newcomer is a freshman phenom at a college in the state or a rookie that arrived with an impact on a pro team.

But 2021 hasn’t been like most years, especially at North Carolina and Duke. A year ago, the two schools had Hall of Fame basketball coaches who were among the most experienced in the ACC, the elder statesman of the ACC’s football coaches in the league, and one of the league’s longest-tenured athletic directors.

Within six months, all four of them had to be replaced, in a titanic upheaval that saw a new generation of leaders thrust onto the scene at the highest levels of college athletics.

So, the North State Journal Newcomer of the Year for 2021 is a four-way tie between the people — three men and a woman — who are tasked with filling the big shoes left behind by the legends.

It’s not the first time the three Triangle schools have seen so much change all at once. In the

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

New Duke football coach Mike Elko waves to the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium after being introduced during a break in the Blue Devils’ basketball game on Dec. 14. combined history of UNC, Duke and NC State, at least four of the highest-profile positions (athletic director, football coach and men’s basketball coach) have gone vacant in a year at least 10 times. In the last 90 years, however, it’s only happened twice.

In 1980, Monte Kiffin took over the ACC champion NC State football team from Bo Rein. Mike Krzyzewski was hired to coach Duke basketball. Jim Valvano was brought in as the Wolfpack basketball coach, and John Swofford took over as UNC athletic director.

Seventeen years later, in 1997, Swofford left his position to become ACC commissioner and Dick Baddour replaced him as UNC See BIG SHOES, page B3

highest-highs ... have been crazy.”

It probably wouldn’t have been possible without team owner Rick Hendrick taking a chance on Larson. Larson’s talent has never been in doubt — he’s long been considered one of stock car racing’s up-and-coming drivers with

By Cory Lavalette the talent to compete for champiNorth State Journal onships.

Larson had become a playoff KYLE LARSON could have been a part of several of NSJ’s contender at Ganassi, but he had won just six of his 223 Cup Series Year in Review honors.

Hendrick Motorsports cer- races before coming to Hendrick. tainly could have repeated as Having the best equipment on the Team of the Year. Last year, the track wouldn’t be a problem at team won the honor when Chase Hendrick, but landing a sponsor Elliott captured his first Cup Se- was going to be nearly impossiries championship, and this year ble anywhere because of Larson’s Hendrick broke the record for transgressions.

Enter Rick Hendrick again. most wins by a Cup Series team Rather than trying to cobble in May and then saw Larson win his first title on Nov. 7 at Phoenix. together advertisers who were Comeback of the Year would willing to stake their reputation have been appropriate for Lar- on Larson, Hendrick — who son as well. During NASCAR’s made his money in car dealerships — slapped shutdown at the beHendrickCars.com ginning of the coroon the No. 5 and navirus pandemic doubled down on last year, Larson “The last 18 Larson redeeming was suspended by months ... the himself. the sanctioning body The gamble on and fired by Chip lowest-lows to the Larson has paid off Ganassi Racing af- highest-highs ... for Hendrick at the ter using a racial slur track and on the lot. during an iRacing have been crazy.”

On top of Larson virtual event. putting together a Larson applied for Kyle Larson dominant champireinstatement in Oconship season, Hentober after finishing NASCAR-mandated sensitivi- drick’s business thrived since the ty training and other voluntary partnership with the race team. classes. On Oct. 28, 2020 — eight Web traffic was up 27%, vehicle days after he was reinstated — sales increased 18% and digital Larson was hired by Hendrick to retail revenue climbed 37%.

“Kyle’s performance on the pilot its iconic No. 5.

What happened over the track has delivered a measurable course of the 2021 season is what business return for us,” Hendrick made Larson NSJ’s choice as Ath- Automotive Group vice president of financial services Darryl Jacklete of the Year.

Larson posted a season-high 10 son said in July when the sponsorwins (six more than Martin Truex ship was extended through 2023.

And all that was before LarJr.) and led 2,581 laps (1,079 more than Denny Hamlin) in a domi- son won four of the last five final nant season that redeemed him playoff races to put an emphatic with many racing fans — though stamp on his championship seaElliott won Most Popular Driv- son.

A season that wouldn’t have er in a fan vote for the fourth been possible if not for Hendrick. straight year.

“I was accepting of the fact that “That journey of last year, getting to this point, was difficult,” I probably won’t ever race in it Larson told CNN. “But then, all again,” Larson said of the afterthe success we had this year made math of his firing and suspension. it all rewarding and something “I’m thankful that I did get that that I can’t believe. The last 18 second chance and I was able to months ... the lowest-lows to the do good things through it.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B2 NSJ 2021 COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Clawson takes Wake to new heights

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

NC State kicker Christopher Dunn recovers an onside kick against UNC’s Stephen Gosnell and Power Echols to facilitate the Wolfpack’s historic comeback against the rival Tar Heels.

NSJ 2021 COMEBACK OF THE YEAR

NC State stuns UNC with 132 seconds of mayhem An onside kick recovery bookended by two Emeka Emezie touchdown receptions gave the Wolfpack a comeback for the ages

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson led the Demon Deacons to a 10‑win regular season and signed a long-term contract to stay in Winston-Salem.

“I just really felt this year we had a chance to not just be good, but to be really good.”

Dave Clawson, Wake Forest coach

The football coach led the Demon Deacons to as high as No. 9 in the AP poll

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal IT’S NOT NECESSARILY a compliment to refer to a passer as a “system quarterback.” But if you want to call Dave Clawson a “system coach,” go right ahead.

He’s more than comfortable with the label.

That’s why he’s so quick to deflect the credit he’s received for the successful season he helped Wake Forest achieve in 2021, including his recognition as the ACC’s Football Coach of the Year.

“All these are program awards,” said Clawson, who has added another honor to his list of accomplishments by being named Coach of the Year by the North State Journal sports staff.

“I’ve hired a great staff. I have a football team that bought in. I have a wonderful family that’s incredibly supportive of what I do, and when you have a great staff, a bought-in football team and a great family, good things happen. It just so happens that my name goes on the award and I’m certainly grateful that they recognized us, but it’s certainly a we, not a me, award.”

Clawson has had Wake on an upward trajectory since arriving from Bowling Green in 2014.

But after leading the Deacons to bowls in each of the past five seasons, a school record, the 54-year-old New York native set out to take another step forward by challenging his team to go from “good to great.”

It was a goal Clawson knew was possible, even though almost everyone outside his program didn’t.

Wake was picked to finish fifth in the ACC’s Atlantic Division in a preseason media poll at the league’s Football Kickoff event.

The Deacons defied that prediction by starting the season with eight straight victories, rising as high as No. 9 in the national polls and winning the Atlantic title for the second time in history with a 10-2 record — setting offensive records along the way while ranking third in the nation with an average of 42.9 points per game.

“I’ve coached for 33 years and I’ve been a head coach for 22 years, and I have a feeling when I have a good team,” Clawson said. “I just really felt after going through COVID last year, some of the leadership I saw emerge, some of the progress the younger players made, the way we execut-

ed during spring practice, how much the players were engaged in the summer, how much extra time they were up in the offices …

I just really felt this year we had a chance to not just be good, but to be really good.”

Even though the Deacons were beaten by Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship Game, denying them just the third conference crown in school history, Clawson’s assessment of his team proved to be spot on.

Eight team members, including first-team wide receiver A.T. Perry, offensive lineman Zach Tom and kicker Nick Sciba, were named to the postseason All-ACC squad.

Their performance helped Wake earn an invitation to play Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, on New Year’s Eve. It also continued a pattern of success that has seen Clawson put together at least one double-digit win season and bring home a championship trophy in each of his four stops as a college head coach — Fordham, Richmond, Bowling Green and Wake.

“He’s a tremendous football coach,” said Pittsburgh’s Pat Narduzzi, who has known Clawson and coached against him since both were assistants at Northeastern FCS schools in the mid1990s. “He’s a very smart guy.”

Wake athletic director John Currie went even farther in his praise of Clawson, calling him “an elite coach, leader and program builder.”

Unlike his previous stops, however, Clawson has decided to stick around and enjoy the fruits of his labor rather than leaving for a new fixer-upper project. On Nov. 26, a week before his Deacons took on Pitt for the ACC title in Charlotte and amid rumors linking him to several vacancies across the country, he signed an eight-year contract extension with a significant raise.

“Our desire is for him to finish his coaching career as Wake Forest’s all-time winningest coach,” Currie said.

At 49-47, he’s well on his way.

Clawson is one of just five Deacons coaches with a winning record. He’s just 28 wins shy of surpassing D.C. “Peahead” Walker for the most ever at the school.

That individual accomplishment, however, isn’t high on his list of priorities.

“When you start a season, you have goals and we always want to set our goals high,” he said, “whether that’s the College Football Playoff, an ACC championship, a division title, double-digit wins.”

SOME AMONG the sellout crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium began heading for the exits after North Carolina’s Grayson Atkins converted a 50-yard field goal to extend the Tar Heels’ lead on NC State to nine points with just 2:12 remaining on the night after Thanksgiving.

But not everyone in red and white gave up hope.

Staring up at the Jumbotron before heading back onto the field, Wolfpack receiver Emeka Emezie saw an image that foretold the improbable events that were about to unfold.

“I just (saw) in the crowd, somebody’s shirt said: ‘Don’t ever give up,’ like Jimmy V. And I started praying,” State’s all-time leading pass catcher recalled, referring to the mantra first coined by his school’s legendary former basketball coach Jim Valvano. “Then things went our way. It was crazy.”

Crazy doesn’t begin to describe what happened over those fateful final twoplus minutes.

Emezie caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Devin Leary, sandwiched around an onside kick recovery by kicker Christopher Dunn, to pull off one of the most dramatic and meaningful endings in the eventful history of the State-UNC rivalry.

The events that led to the Wolfpack’s miracle 34-30 victory were chosen by the sports staff of the North State Journal as the Comeback of the Year for 2021.

“Honestly, it doesn’t feel real,” Emezie said. “You can’t script that up. You can’t envision that. Man, that’s a blessing right here.”

UNC appeared to have put the game away after Atkins’ long field goal, which capped a run of 24 unanswered points to help erase an early 14-0 Wolfpack advantage. With a 30-21 lead, time running out and a once-festive sellout crowd

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

NC State wide receiver Emeka Emezie hauls in the gmae-winning touchdown in the Wolfpack’s come‑from-behind win over UNC. having been sufficiently quieted, the Tar Heels were clearly ready to celebrate.

The party, however, turned out to be premature.

“When we knocked that field goal through, guys on the sideline got too eager, too excited, too early,” UNC linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel admitted afterward.

“And that really ended up to bite us on the butt.

“I think guys thought the game was won, thought the game was over with maybe two minutes on the clock.

That’s what really caught us at the end of the game, a lack of focus because we thought we had the game won.”

That lack of focus manifested itself in a series of mistakes that opened the door for State to rally. The first came on the ensuing kickoff.

While the Tar Heels succeeded in keeping the ball away from Zonovan Knight, who had returned kicks for touchdowns in each of the previous two games, they allowed State’s other returner, Jordan Houston, to bring the ball back 37 yards to near midfield.

Then after sacking Leary for the fifth time on the first play of the drive, they let Emezie get wide open behind the defense for a quick 64-yard touchdown.

“I was surprised,” Leary said. “I went through my progression and saw Emeka was wide open, gave him a shot and let him do the rest.”

And he was just getting started. First, though, they had to get the ball back.

It was an almost identical situation to the one State

faced two weeks earlier at Wake Forest. Although the Wolfpack came up with the onside kick that day, it was ruled that Ricky Person Jr. touched it before it went the required 10 yards, ending any chance for a win.

This time, Dunn waited just long enough before falling on the ball he had just kicked.

“We were due for a break there on an onside kick,” State coach Dave Doeren said, adding that the kick was “well-executed.”

Once in possession, the Wolfpack wasted little time getting into field goal range, aided by a pair of major penalties on the Tar Heels. But Doeren wasn’t interested in playing for the three-pointer, overriding offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s suggestion to run the ball and burn the clock.

“I said, ‘No, Devin’s hot, let’s go score,’” Doeren said.

“I didn’t want to put it on the kicker and risk whatever could happen there. We were going to be aggressive. The way Devin plays in clutch situations, we knew something good was going to happen.”

While Emezie’s second touchdown gave State its first lead since early in the third quarter, there was still work left to be done before the Wolfpack’s second field-storming of the season could begin.

And UNC nearly spoiled the party. Led by quarterback Sam Howell, the Tar Heels made it to the State 31 before Derrek Pitts finally settled the issue with an interception in the end zone as time expired.

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

NC State fans and players celebrate after the Wolfpack’s win over UNC.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B3

NSJ 2021 COLLEGE TEAM OF THE YEAR

“This team will never be forgotten and will live in the hearts of Wolfpack and baseball fans forever.”

Elliott Avent, NC State baseball coach

REBECCA S. GRATZ | AP PHOTO

NC State coach Elliott Avent exits the locker room during a COVID-19 protocol delay before playing against Vanderbilt during the College World Series.

Wolfpack’s miracle season ended in crushing COVID disappointment NC State overcame a 1-8 start in conference play to reach the College World Series

By Shawn Krest North State Journal ELLIOTT AVENT WAS once bitten by a copperhead while walking his dog and had to coach the postseason in a protective boot. He once performed an onfield spin move to avoid coaches and players trying to hold him back in order to continue arguing with an umpire.

Neither of those stories will ever again be the first ones that people tell when talking about the longtime NC State baseball coach.

Wolfpack baseball stretched the bounds of credulity this season, with shark-jumping plot twists and adversity to fill any number of streaming services.

The year started off as a simple underdog story, with the Pack opening ACC play at 1-8 before rallying to win 18 of the next 24 conference games to earn a trip to the NCAAs. It wouldn’t be a Rocky movie without a sequel, and State rebooted things in the Super Regional.

The Pack dropped the opener of the best-of-three series against No. 1 Arkansas, 21-2, with top pitching prospect Kevin Kopps looming with a start and a relief appearance in the next two games.

State came back to win the sec-

BIG SHOES from page B1 AD. That same year, Carolina had to replace a football coach when Mack Brown left for Texas and assistant Carl Torbush was promoted. Dean Smith also retired, replaced by assistant Bill Guthridge. Tom Butters stepped down as Duke athletic director, eventually replaced by Joe Alleva. Herb Sendek was a few months into his

ond game, then Jose Torres homered off Kopps in the ninth inning of the deciding game to send Avent and the Pack to their first College World Series since 2013.

“Everybody was waiting for us to hit midnight and maybe not be as good as we were playing,” coach David Esquer said, “and it just never happened.”

That alone might have been enough to earn NC State baseball the North State Journal’s 2021 College Team of the Year award, but the Wolfpack’s improbable season was about to take a turn into the land of make-believe.

State was welcomed to Omaha

by Stanford and Pac-12 pitcher of the year Brendan Beck. For the second straight game, the Wolfpack beat a pitcher who would be selected early in the MLB Draft, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and beating Stanford.

That earned them a game with the best pitching prospect of them all — Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter, who would be taken No. 2 overall.

In an epic pitcher’s duel, State’s Sam Highfall matched Leiter zero for zero until Terrell Tatum homered off of Leiter for the game’s only run.

That gave State wins over three pitchers with a combined 31-4 record who would go on to earn combined signing bonuses of $9.27 million. It also left State one win away from the championship series and gave the Pack four days off while the other teams in the field worked their way back up the

loser’s bracket.

The best dramas feature a little foreshadowing, and Avent provided that after the win over Vandy, saying the four days off would help State since several coaches

first year as NC State basketball coach, as well.

The past year, extending into 2022, promises to be as significant and historic as the previous two years that saw as much tumult.

Here’s a look at who’s stepping into the big shoes.

eighth athletic director in Duke history and the first woman to hold the job. She’s just the third African American woman athletic director in all of Division I college sports.

King replaced Kevin White, who retired after 13 years on the job. She came to Duke with White and served on his leadership team for the entire time he was at the school.

Duke trailblazer Nina King was named the

and players were feeling under the weather.

“This bug seems to be floating around,” he said. “And I think right now it’s important for our players to get some rest.”

The bug turned out to be COVID-19, and after a long delay where it wasn’t clear if the Wolfpack would get to play at all, State took the field with 13 players available. Garrett Payne, a freshman with 8⅔ career innings was on the mound against Vanderbilt’s Kumar Rocker, who was 13-3 and on his way to being drafted 10th overall. He was also the only finalist for the Golden Spikes Award that State hadn’t yet faced in their last four games.

“I told him at about 1:00 or maybe later — 1:30 that he’s got the ball at 2:07 to throw against the defending national champions,” Avent said of Payne, who pitched six innings, allowing two hits.

The Pack put Highfill, Monday’s starting pitcher, on first base for the first time in his career. He would single in his first college at‑bat. He would go 3 for 3 against Rocker in a 3-1 loss.

“We showed a lot of fight today,” Highfill, the pitcher-turned-first baseman, said. “We’re willing to do it again tomorrow if we have to.

We only need nine guys out there.”

Unfortunately, State wouldn’t get the chance. At some point overnight, the NCAA decided that the team State played with yesterday was too dangerous to play with today, and they were sent home.

Avent said he was “gutted” by the decision.

“I love this team, and this past month, many people that got to watch them fell in love with them as well,” he said. “Although we’re all heartbroken, this team will never be forgotten and will live in the hearts of Wolfpack and baseball fans forever.”

REBECCA S. GRATZ | AP PHOTO

NC State’s Terrell Tatum, right center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against Vanderbilt during the College World Series.

AP PHOTOS

Hubert Davis, left, and Jon Scheyer, right, will be the faces of the UNC-Duke rivalry they have participated in as both players and assistants before replacing legends at their alma maters.

She didn’t have the luxury of slowly stepping into her new job. Since she was announced as White’s successor, King has had to participate in two coaching searches — for football and basketball, the latter coming before she had officially started in her new role.

Following the GOAT Following the first season in 16 that Duke has missed the NCAA Tournament, Krzyzewski announced that this current season would be his last. A Hall of Famer and college basketball’s all-time leader in coaching wins, Krzyzewski has been head coach of the Blue Devils since 1980.

For years, Coach K’s successor has been the source of endless speculation. The answer was one seat to Krzyzewski’s right on the Duke bench. Former Blue Devil player and current associate head coach Jon Scheyer was named coach-in-waiting. He’ll take over the program once this season comes to an end.

Scheyer has already hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, assembling the country’s top class for 2022 with a quartet of five-stars and three of the top seven players in the class. He’s also added a 2023 five-star commitment for good measure.

Passing the baton A few miles away, UNC had already transitioned from its Hall of Fame hoops coach a few weeks before Coach K announced his plans. Roy Williams kissed the logo on center court following the last game of the season at the Dean Dome and shortly after the season ended announced his plans to retire.

Williams also gave up his seat to an assistant coach and former player. Hubert Davis was named as head coach, just the fourth former Tar Heel player to coach the team and the first black head coach.

Davis offers a link to Carolina’s past while still providing a change of direction to a program that has been dominated by two legendary coaches.

Leaving it better than you found it In 2008, David Cutcliffe took over the worst football program in FBS. He rebuilt Duke football, taking the Blue Devils to six bowl games and winning an ACC divisional title. Now, former Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko will try to take Duke football to the next level as he takes over for Cutcliffe following a string of unsuccessful seasons.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B4 NSJ 2021 PRO TEAM OF THE YEAR

Hurricanes fall short of ultimate goal, still remain NC’s gold standard While the Panthers and Hornets try to return to the postseason, Carolina’s hockey team has become one of the NHL’s elite

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal IT’S NOT EVEN worth asking coach Rod Brind’Amour if he is satisfied that North State Journal named his team, the Carolina Hurricanes, the 2021 Pro Team of the Year. His answer would be a resounding no.

And that’s not because he’s unhappy with what his team accomplished in the last calendar year.

The Hurricanes finished third in the NHL in points last season and are atop the NHL standings heading into Christmas.

In 85 total games so far in 2021, they are a combined 57-19-9 — a 121-point pace for an 82-game campaign that only two teams in league history have accomplished in a season.

None of that, however, matters to Brind’Amour.

The coach, who has paired with a collaborative front office to save a franchise on the brink of irrelevance, has one goal.

“It’s an all-or-nothing type thing, and I think we all we all appreciate that,” Brind’Amour said in January at the start of last season.

So while Carolina came up with a big “nothing” last season, losing in five games to eventual champion Tampa Bay in the second round of the postseason, the team came back with renewed resolve — and a lot of new faces.

The Hurricanes made the biggest move of the NHL offseason by executing an offer sheet for Montreal center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, both nabbing a talented 21-yearold and twisting the knife into the Canadiens after they had unsuccessfully tried to do the same to Carolina in the summer of 2019 with an offer sheet to Sebastian Aho. The team also moved on from all its goalies, most notably trading away homegrown Calder Trophy finalist Alex Nedeljkovic, and hit the free agent market to sign Frederik

“It’s an all-or-nothing type thing, and I think we all we all appreciate that.”

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach Andersen and Antti Raanta.

Dougie Hamilton’s asking price was also deemed too steep by GM Don Waddell and the front office, so Carolina kept its defensive core of Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei and rebuilt the rest.

Forward Warren Foegele was traded for blueliner Ethan Bear, Ian Cole and Brendan Smith were signed to provide more grit and experience on the back end, and the Hurricanes rolled the dice on Tony DeAngelo.

The Hurricanes also secured part of their future by inking Andrei Svechnikov to an eight-year extension worth a franchise-record $62 million.

All of it done with one goal in mind — winning a Stanley Cup. “If you’re not playing to win Stanley Cups. I’m not really sure why you’re playing,” Cole, a two‑time champion in Pittsburgh, said before the season. “So that is the end goal, bar none. That’s it.

Hard stop.”

And nothing has been able to stop the Hurricanes so far this season.

Carolina began the season with nine wins, led by Andersen’s perfect October. The Hurricanes have since faced their biggest adversary: wave after wave of positive COVID-19 tests.

It started with Bear, who was stuck in San Jose to quarantine for 10 days after being put in the league’s protocol on Nov. 22.

Then Pesce and DeAngelo joined him a week later, leaving Carolina without all three of its regular right-handed defenseman.

Bear returned only to see Aho and star rookie Seth Jarvis test positive in Vancouver. The team was forced to leave them behind so it could finish its road trip in Minnesota with both Pesce and DeAn-

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour reshaped a franchise that just a few years ago simply clamored for a playoff berth and has made the expectations much higher — Stanley Cup or bust. gelo finally able to rejoin the lineup. That’s when four more players — Cole, Svechnikov, Jordan Staal and Steven Lorentz — also entered the protocol, postponing that night’s game.

While the front office was working to get all six players back to Raleigh for Christmas so they could quarantine in their homes,

the team played on.

The Hurricanes beat the Red Wings 5-3 on Dec. 16 despite playing with just 16 skaters — two fewer than normal. Two nights later, Carolina coasted to a 5-1 win over the Kings with five AHL call-ups in the lineup.

It was another challenge the Hurricanes met head-on and

overcame.

“Have we accomplished what we want to do yet? No,” Brind’Amour said Monday. “We want to be that last team standing. Until that happens, we’re not gonna rest.”

And if his team does reach the pinnacle, you can bet Brind’Amour will scream from the highest mountain how satisfied he is.

NSJ 2021 PLAY OF THE YEAR

Cam Newton returns with 2 touchdowns in 2 snaps The Carolina Panthers legend recaptured old magic in his return to the team

“This time last week I was eating a bowl of cereal. You feel me?”

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE CAROLINA Panthers needed a quarterback and decided to take a chance on a guy drafted to be the face of his franchise, only to have his original team sour on him after a few bad years.

No, this isn’t the Sam Darnold story, although the Panthers were sure hoping it would be. Instead, after Darnold struggled before finally going down to injury in his second chance at NFL stardom, Carolina looked for quarterback help in one of the most improbable places.

Granted, there were less likely solutions to the quarterback mess in Charlotte, like bringing back Kerry Collins, Jake Delhomme or Frank Reich, for instance. But the idea that Cam Newton would be back in a Panthers uniform and starting games in 2021 wasn’t all that far away from them.

Newton, of course, was drafted first overall in 2011 and promptly won Rookie of the Year, essentially bringing the RPO to the NFL. He went on to win NFL MVP four years later, leading the Panthers to the Super Bowl.

Newton became Carolina’s franchise leader in virtually every passing statistic and among the Panthers’ all-time leaders in rushing. He also became known for his postgame fashion and wide-ranging press conferences.

He battled injury in his final few seasons in Carolina, however, and was working his way back into shape when Matt Rhule took over as head coach following the 2019 season.

Rhule never got to see what Newton could do, cutting the quarterback during the offseason.

Newton went on to play a year for

Cam Newton, Panthers quarterback

RALPH FRESO | AP PHOTO

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton shouts as he celebrates his touchdown against the Cardinals on Nov. 14 in Arizona. the Patriots, but he was released in a surprising move before this season and sat at home, waiting for a team to call.

When Darnold went to injured reserve, the call came and eyebrows were raised across the Carolinas.

“I called Cam Monday night and asked if he’d have any interest,” Rhule said. “He emphatically said yes.”

There were no hard feelings between Newton and Rhule.

“He understands that we made a football decision at the time, based on his health,” Rhule said.

“He’s healthy now.”

Newton arrived in the middle of game week with the team preparing to start backup PJ Walker at the Arizona Cardinals. They had time to put in a few schemes for the returning hero, however.

“He came in, he put the work in on Thursday, Friday, Saturday to learn a package — we kind of came up with some things that he knew,” Rhule said. “He’s a veteran player, so his mind is, ‘Hey, on this play — I’ve run this 100 times — and it’s called this now.’”

In the first quarter, Newton trotted onto the field to replace Walker for a third-down play near the goal line. He kept the ball and

ran two yards into the end zone, shouting “I’m back,” as the referee signaled touchdown.

On the next drive, Newton made his second appearance, again on the 2-yard line. He promptly found Robby Anderson in the end zone for the game’s second touchdown and the North State Journal’s Play of the Year for 2021.

Two snaps into his return to the team, Newton had produced two touchdowns, the same number Walker is responsible for in his 233 snaps over the last two seasons as a backup.

After the game, Newton showed he was still at the top of his press conference game, saying, “I am just floating at an all-time high frequency. It’s almost scary.

The conversations that I’m having, the people that I’m meeting, the things that I am able to do.” He later compared his scores to Moses parting the Red Sea, since they were in the desert and the Cardinals were wearing red.

“I’ll put it like this,” he said.

“This time last week I was eating a bowl of cereal. You feel me?”

He couldn’t keep up the pace, of course. The Panthers have far more holes than just at quarterback, and the losses have piled up in what will end up as a disappointing season. But for one day, for a couple of snaps, Carolina Panthers fans were reminded of what it was like in 2011 and 2015, when a guy named Newton was must-see with the ball in his hands.

The 3 big questions nob

A7

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But we should also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wide sprea Sponsored by the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled same spiritt bit of remediation.

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

There is though approximately programor of are Reagan, directly to do, lastUnited I to normal they are$120 conspiracy theorists people who don’t.as afterdown our own asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. neighbors helping ne mightisbe the root academic corruption, billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. title of a recent study, to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an date. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65We’ve seen rates — Concord, the number of Cd temporary hernobyl.

In a high inexpiration China. Chinese billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Since when did questioning government at all levels become aisbad “Academic Grievance Studies and the North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal.

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but bp ady talking about the possibility to buy aare 3-D sacrifices are society comparison.

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

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

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

We don’t kn debt we owe them as one way toand get analysis health$1.2 caretrillion workers An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment in China ino over. of China forgiving toon do,half lastof I checked. done

by Areo, an opinion $500 million grant same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “newbillion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing people have actually died of coronavirus.

Some the sou yick. have caused US. the Don’t hold your today, or $60 China to “pay” for the damage digitalthe magazine.

By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m see” become aAreopagitica, badbut askinvests normal.” number beenbreath overestimated, given that classifi to happen your elected program for a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion in has waiting Ifor a Chinese them$18 catching the virus, and I’m worried will.

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

Stacey Matthews manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the It is at about timenot they expect way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong ed I will.

After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue how ma ation. past. the world like any other modern n But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certain RALEIGH — A $500 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists suggest China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. They call millionup grant program of this brings of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of magnitude these fields “grievance studies,” where Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion efer notscholarship to repeat. is number of people who have had and n launched last week is not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and st everyone has finding truth but upon attending to the largest appropriation replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. social from grievances. any state Grievance for the scholars bully students, administrators and other hospitality industry in departments into adhering to their the country. this worldview.

The Under worldview they promote is Jason program, an individual neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS studies consist of has disciplines such as business who sociology, anthropology, seen 20% or more ingender studies, COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race loss could receive up studies. toIn $500,000 in direct 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay Boghossian started grants.and In recognition submitting bogus academic papers to that the hospitality academic journals in cultural, queer, industry was race, gender, fat especially and sexuality studies hard hit, $300 million to determine if they would pass peer “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let usthe re seriousness of and thefunds virus and review be accepted for need publication. of these are the WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place.

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

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circle Code 71 &would 72, which of the world prove is the problem of be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. as However, as aasC a societylow simply muststandards. accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated though we academic primarily restaurants, EUGENE HOSHIKO | AP PHOTO me of j and dad, the Easter holiday hasthe reminded s us about Several when it’s safefake to begin thepapers Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what government tel of the research hotels, bars, and have to be thankful and hopeful for, even in the m alcy. were accepted for publication. The FatToyota Motor Corp. President Akio a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” if the process of returning back to norm Toyoda speaks in front of some of new fully electric models by 2030 during a press conference other Lenten and pandemic. s, and we haveentertainment the right to ask those Studies journal published a hoax paperregarding battery EV strategies Tuesday, state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government works for Dec. 14, 2021, in Tokyo.

Since when did businesses. that argued the term was me, my faith is an important part ofstay-atmy dai home orders are in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked asFor to the questions.

And the longer questioning and should and CEObe replaced making.

As I celebrated my family, hem get exclusionary in President states, such as Michigan, justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country,Easter and thewith stricter some ofI tr provide with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive tiatives across reminds the state. us our Lord “com of the North Carolina government Corinthians 1:4, the which eling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance of caution.” more people, sitting at home f message of politicized performance.” One reviewer Other successes across the those Restaurant & Lodging affliction, so that we may be able toback comfort ng for their families, will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get to providi said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this state include: Thermo Fisher Scihope that we will affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar Association Lynn are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important entific $154 million pharmaceutibecome a once again enjoy God.”of cases vels should be as responded forthcoming Minges contribution to make to as thethey field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands Leaders at the localinto and state le cal manufacturing expansion bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge again, not answers,ofbut answer journal.”

Pitt County; River answers Marine are reliable. tovague the opening can beWhite with those and “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect message and be comforted, that ents believability. acquisition the legendary concerts, family To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and thenon this with of details that giveHattheirso statem the North Carolina Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to teras and boatWe brand, bringing signifGod’sabout example comfort allallthose in need arou at we can to keep as our free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions should continue to do wh gatherings, Business Recovery Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was icant investment to New Bern; this difficult time.

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

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

Minges accepted for publication

by Affilia, a SITE Next-Gen Coalition of the confident we will emerge out of this pandemic str cause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b feminist journal social workers. The noted that thefor program Triad named a finalist in nationof the year, Randolph County in ecosystem. and many more

By Emily Roberson society were this same spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration sometimes disturbing tendency some people to treatIn those are Back understandable, consisted in part of adate. rewritten North State Journal al $1 measures billion Build Better In addition to Thomas Built December aofficially hooked the among is an historic investment after our own supposed neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not in any way,Two other passage from Mein Kampf. simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Americans, an Regional Challenge, designed to proverbial white whale of man- Buses and Arrival who are alinto the survival of at including temporary In the Concord, high school senior named remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, papers were published, communities in So post-panmanufacturing in last ICaroli- toufacturing deals thatthey will are haveconspiracy a ready RALEIGH to —do, North normal as though theorists or areEVs people who assista shape, or form. while weTanner shoul the state’s hospitality “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity moneytoto buy a 3-D printer andwe plastic to make fa mfortable with this so-called “new demic economic development and state, North Carolina regional impact for the foreseesacrifices are sick.is home na fought its way back this year. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others the same time shouldn’t get co checked. at Urban Dog Parks.” paper’s subject industry and otherThis small than automotive supplifuture. nearly half government a more With wins across multiple sectors able health caremanufacturing. workers out of his own home.

Since whenAfter did questioning at260 all levels become a bad normal.” over. was dog-on-dogMinges rape. But the dog rapeof our economy – manufacturing, decade of courting various glob- ers and manufacturers. With EV businesses. said That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed Not one little bit. paper eventually forced Boghossian, life sciences, biotech, tourism and thing? al companies, state officials an- sales in the world’s major car mar- State economy chugs along her members “applaud to do, last I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurelysmall out business — our state has nounced that Toyota Motor North kets projected to grow at a comunder the pseudonym Sister Toldjah the N.C. Department of My first concern as we go along all this,annual of course, Matthews has also written themselves.

A Wall Street Journal writer number of self-employed pounded rateisofmy 22family. per- I’mThe Stacey to build a $1.29 bil- in consistently shown that we are America plans dState and Legal Insurrection. had figured outtheir what they were doing. again open for business and lead- worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After Revenue for quick and is a regular contributor to Re and gig workers has grown steadilion electric vehicle (EV) battery cent per year until 2030, the state Some papers accepted is uniquely positioned to contribproduction facility at thevirus 1,825ing the nation with world-class suffering from the H1N1 (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic,ly since the pandemic struck. implementation and for publication in academic journals advocated training Some economists attribute part ute to the adoption acrebeen Greensboro-Randolph opportunities.

I’ve trying to take extraMeprecautions, because allof, ofand thisbenefit brings up development ofpunishing the grantwhite male men like dogs and of the nation’s labor shortage to from the demand for EVs.not to repeat. gasite (located in Liberty,ofN.C.), This year, North Carolina way too many memories a painful experience I’ d prefer application and college students forprocess.” historical slavery by And in the Triangle, a deal with an increase in people who have KPMG-certified, shovel-ready ranked first overall on Forbes’ a But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has asking themCarolina’s to sit in silence on the floor in States for Business,” and site featuring “North what officials called comparable impact came as Ap- recently gone to work for them“Best chains during class and to be expectedasto of 2021, has experienced the “the ideal combination of strate- ple announced plans to build its selves. restaurants, hotels learn from the discomfort. Other papers Among them is Daniel Nolan third-highest net in-migration gic location, world-class work- newest research and development and bars saw over $5 celebrated morbid obesity as a healthyin lifethe nation, following only Tex- force and unparalleled trans- campus, slated to create 3,000 of Raleigh. Like millions of other billionand in losses due to choice advocated treating privately as and Florida. Industry outlets, portation infrastructure.” North jobs in Wake County, with plans Americans, Nolan, 36, had his life no fault of their own. as a form of including CNBC, Site Selection Carolina is already home to the to invest more than $1 billion in and work upended by COVID-19. conducted masturbation sexual magazine, the U.S. Travel Associ- global headquarters of several top the state by 2032. The company’s His 9-year old son was in virtuTheseviolence grantsagainst will bewomen. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted ation, ranked N.C. among the best lithium companies including the new project in North Carolina will al school at the outset of the pantransformative to papers out to referees for review. In places in the nation to do business, world’s largest provider of lithi- create an R&D, Operations and demic. And his father-in-law, ill businesses across the for publication, recommending acceptance start a business or spend vacation um to the EV battery industry, the Engineering hub in Wake Coun- with cancer, moved in with his statereviewers who have been many gave these papers glowing dollars thanks in large part to the largest known hard rock lithium ty of at least 1 million square feet, family, prompting Nolan to leave praise. devastated by the post-pandemic pivots of lawmak- (spodumene) deposit in the U.S.,​ powered 100 percent from re- his job as a software engineer at a Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran ers who partnered with communi- and the highest concentration of newable energy sources from day private equity firm.

COVID-19 pandemic. certain grievance studies concepts through Nolan expected this period to ties to create incentives and sup- advanced lithium processing ex- one, similar to all Apple facilities WeLexis/Nexis are grateful to state the database, to see how often port for statewide core industries perts outside of China, making it worldwide. In addition, Apple will last only a few months. But when lawmakers providing they appearedfor in our press over the years. the ideal location for companies set up a $100 million fund to supand small businesses.

He huge and increases in the usages In the biggest business news entering and operating in the EV port schools and community ini- See YEAR IN REVIEW, page B6 thisfound funding to the of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” N.C Department of “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”

Revenue their quick All of this isfor being taught to college implementation of the students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then program,” said Minges. indoctrinate our young people. such as California, Illinois, and The National I doubt whether the coronavirusConnecticut.

Restaurant Association caused financial crunch will give college In November, a security guard reports that administrators, 17 percent who are a and university died after he was shot while he crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, of restaurants across protected a San Francisco Bay the guts and backbone to restore academic Area television news crew covthe U.S. – 110,000 – respectability. Far too often, they get much ering a smash and grab theft in shut down during the of their political support from campusBy Matt Mercer jobs. It also ultimately ends up in a 90-day period. The crime is ele- progress. pandemic. grievance people who are members of the Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamhigher prices for law abiding con- vated to a Class G felony if a perNorth State Journal According to online faculty and diversity and multicultural sumers. We appreciate all the law son conspires to steal more than ont and Attorney General Wiladministrative offices. Open reservation service RALEIGH — A wave of orga- enforcement community does in $20,000 of merchandise from liam Tong announced they have The best hope lies with boards of nized retail crime, often called North Carolina to prevent this one or more retail establishments formed a task force charged with Table, the number of trustees, though many serve as yes-men over a ninety-day period, per state combating the growing problem “smash and grabs,” has North criminal activity.” seated diners is down I think that for the university president. a of organized robberies at brickThroughout the country, brick- statutes.

Carolina retailers and law en19 percent in December good start would be to find 1950s or 1960s “In addition to conducting lar- and-mortar retailers. and-mortar retailers have expeforcement on alert. catalogs.

Look at the course offerings at A coalition of the retailers, rienced a significant increase in ceny and breaking and entering from the same period “Our district attorneys have aintime when college graduates knew how along with law enforcement orga- organized retail crime targeting operations on a massive scale, or- strong tools to prosecute mem2019 – before the to read, write and compute, and makenizations, say the practice will not their stores, stealing thousands ganized retail crime rings are of- bers of organized retail crime orpandemic.

Nationwide, them today’s curricula.

Another helpful of dollars of goods. The crime of- ten involved in other criminal ganizations should they try to be tolerated in North Carolina. that decline 12 careful consideration tool would be toisgive “Many retailers struggled to ten involves smashing windows activity within the community, in- carry out “smash and grabs” or to eliminating all classes/majors/minors percent. stay in business during COVID and display cases and assaulting cluding drug related crimes, mon- flash mob shoplifting activities in containing thethe word “studies,” such as and are just now getting back on workers. ey laundering and human traf- North Carolina. Preventing this Although state women, Asian, black or queer studies. their feet while trying to navigate The organized crime activi- ficking just to name a few. Our activity is key to maintaining safe Department of Revenue I’d bet that by restoring the traditionallabor shortages, supply-chain is- ty costs retailers an average of 100 Sheriffs’ offices across the communities and a strong econoopened the grant academic mission to colleges, they would sues and new COVID-19 variants. $700,000 per $1 billion in sales state recognize the seriousness of my. It’s important for prosecutors put a serious dent into the application process onCOVID-19 It is unfortunate that retailers and three-fourths of retailers saw these crimes and are committed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy budget shortfall. are having to guard against orga- an increase in organized retail to working with others in law en- on these smash and grab robberThursday, the money nized retail crime organizations crime in 2020 according to the forcement and district attorneys ies. As prosecutors, we must stand for it was included in the Walter E. Williams is a professor of that target their businesses,” said National Retail Federation’s 2020 to put these brazen criminals be- with our business communities state budget enacted economics at George Mason University. hind bars,” said New Hanover and law enforcement supportNorth Carolina Retail Merchants Organized Retail Crime Survey. last month. Minges In North Carolina, a person is County Sheriff Ed McMahon, ing retail merchants and sendAssociation President and General Counsel Andy Ellen. “When guilty of a Class H felony if they president of the NC Sheriffs’ As- ing a strong message to would-be called it the largest thieves,” said Forsyth County Disthese sophisticated criminal or- conspire with another person to sociation. appropriation by any News reports and viral vid- trict Attorney Jim O’Neill who ganizations steal from retailers it steal more than $1,500 worth of state for the hospitality threatens the ability of the retail- merchandise combined from one eos have shown a startling rise is serves as president of the NC Conindustry. er to stay in business and provide or more retail establishments over crime around retailers in states ference of District Attorneys.

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

Business year in review: NC finishes strong

State retailers, law enforcement comment on ‘smash and grab’ crime wave

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B6

For the week ending 12/17

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,592,331,715 Add Receipts

$74,002,629 Less Disbursements

$140,713,369 Reserved Cash

$607,030,487 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$4,686,532,063 Loan Balance:

$440.3M Disaster reimbursements:

$9,824,135 YEAR IN REVIEW from page B5 he began looking for work again, the job offers he got weren’t what he was looking for. So in August, he decided to strike out on his own.

So far, Nolan said, he’s earning roughly the same income that he did before. He plans to keep consulting for at least two more years — and may never return to a corporate job.

“I’m able to make at least as much as I was making at my previous job and still have the flexibility of being a consultant,” he said.

In November the state’s unemployment rate fell to 3.9%, the state Commerce Department announced earlier this month, as employment surged by one measurement released by the agency.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which compares to 4.1% in October, continued its year-plus long decline after the state’s economy shook off the tightest COVID-19 lockdown and commerce restrictions from the first half of 2020.

North Carolina hasn’t logged a rising monthly unemployment rate since September 2020.

The number of people employed in the state grew in November by over 18,100 to more than 4.84 million, the department’s news release said, while those unemployed dropped by almost 10,200 to about 198,200.

Industry analysts and state officials agree that something we can all do to finish 2021 strong is to get out and spend money in our communities. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), along with its 2,500 retail members across the state, continues to encourage consumers to #ShopNC this year.

Many consumers are hearing of staffing and supply shortages that retailers are facing as the year wraps up. However, local business advocates note that retailers are prepared to go above and beyond to offer the customer service consumers expect from their favorite stores.

Over the challenges of the last twenty months and including the 2020 holiday shopping season, retailers learned to adapt their strategies to ensure they are serving customers safely and effectively.

“North Carolina retailers are geared up for this holiday season,” said Andy Ellen, president and general counsel of NCRMA. “For our independent retail store owners in small town North Carolina, the holiday shopping season is an extremely important time. For many of them, holiday sales will help them finish the year successfully they are excited to welcome customers into their stores.”

Ellen encourages consumers to shop local businesses, saying, “their commitment to their communities, where they live and operate, is strong and deep, and we hope shoppers will visit brick and mortar stores not only because of their excellent staff, superior customer service and the specialty products they provide, but also to give back to their communities, by keeping their money local.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

PAUL SANCYA | AP PHOTO

General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra speaks during the opening of their contract talks with the United Auto Workers in Detroit on July 16, 2019.

GM CEO says making ventilators changed the company culture The Associated Press DETROIT — The CEO of General Motors said last week that the automaker learned valuable lessons last year when it stepped in to boost emergency production of ventilators to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients.

The company was able to help a small West Coast ventilator maker start large-scale production in about a month. That gave GM the confidence that it could speed up other tasks, such as bringing electric and other vehicles to market faster, CEO Mary Barra said.

“Doing the ventilator project was kind of a game changer from a General Motors perspective, from a culture-change perspective,” Barra said in a wide-ranging conversation with members of the Automotive Press Association of Detroit.

Barra said that in the past, the GM management team would have resisted when told they needed to help a company that builds 250 ventilators per month accelerate production to 30,000 in 150 days.

“They would have looked at me like I was crazy,” she said.

Instead, employees approached the problem as if their loved ones might need the breathing machines and accomplished the goal,

Barra said. Still the company was accused by former President Donald Trump of moving too slowly.

In March of last year, GM put hundreds of workers on the project to help Ventec Life Systems of the Seattle area ramp up its production at a time when there were fears that the country would run short of the breathing machines.

GM put up capital and converted an electronics factory in Indiana to help make the ventilators with a speed that one supply chain expert said was “lightning fast.”

Barra said the company now uses the same approach for its own electric vehicles, software, and partially automated driver-assist systems.

Also at the event, Barra gave a strong hint that Michigan may get an electric vehicle battery factory. When asked if the state has a chance to get a plant, she said discussions are ongoing.

“In the not-too-distant future, we’ll be able to answer that question,” Barra said, adding that it an announcement would likely come in weeks, not months.

GM has announced plans to build four North American battery factories. Locations of two have been announced, Lordstown, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Barra also took a mild shot at

Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.

When asked about Musk’s criticism of a Biden administration plan to give bigger tax credits to buyers of union-made electric vehicles, she said it’s much more difficult to build cars for the broader mass market versus selling luxury vehicles to a slice of buyers.

She said GM’s stock is undervalued when compared with Tesla, Rivian, Lucid Motors, all relatively new companies with big market valuations that focus solely on EVs. “Sometimes the iconic, traditional company, even though they’re innovating quickly, gets looked at with a different lens,” she said.

Barra also said she doesn’t think GM will return to having huge stocks of vehicles on dealer lots, now that it has managed through a global computer chip shortage with lower stocks. While there are some customers who want to buy a vehicle immediately, others want to order online and avoid going to a dealership, and GM will serve them both, she said.

Her comments came after the company announced two more steps to make sure it has raw materials for the transition from petroleum to battery power. The company announced a deal with MP Materials to supply rare earth

metals and finished magnets for the electric vehicle motors from a new factory to be built in Fort Worth, Texas, starting in 2023.

It’s also negotiating what is likely to be a joint venture with Vacuumschmelze (VAC) of Germany to build a U.S. factory to make electric vehicle motor magnets. Production is to start in 2024 and will create “hundreds of new jobs” the companies said.

The companies didn’t announce financial terms of the deals. Shilpan Amin, GM’s head of purchasing and supply chain, said it has a parts supply agreement with MP Materials with no GM capital investment. The capital structure of the venture with VAC is still being worked out, but the companies said they would build a plant together.

At present there are no factories in the U.S. equipped for largescale production of electric vehicle motor magnets, Amin said. MP said 90% of the supply now comes from China.

The moves come as automakers scramble to line up parts supplies for what is expected to be a dramatic shift from internal combustion engines to zero emission electric power during the coming decade. GM, for instance, has a goal of selling only electric passenger vehicles by 2035.

Melania Trump announces NFT venture The Associated Press NEW YORK — In exchange for a cryptocurrency token, you can own a digital watercolor painting of Melania Trump’s eyes.

The former first lady launched a venture this week selling NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, on her website in exchange for a Solan token, currently valued around $180 each.

Melania Trump will release NFTs “in regular intervals” on her website, according to a news release, with a portion of the proceeds going to foster children.

It’s unclear what percentage of the proceeds will be donated, or whether the donations will be given to specific foster child-related charities. An email inquiry about how the donations would be structured were not answered

by Melania Trump’s press contact.

Aaron Dorfman, president and CEO of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, says when a company says “a portion of the proceeds” will go to charity without indicating specifically what amount, “It’s a huge red flag.”

“It means that charity is not a serious part of their plan,” Dorfman said. “It’s a marketing ploy.”

ALEX BRANDON | AP PHOTO

First Lady Melania Trump listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. The Trump family has a troubled history with charities, though Melania Trump was not directly involved in a clash over a charity the family ran in New York.

While still president, Donald Trump paid a $2 million court-ordered fine after conceding he used his charitable foundation as a personal piggy bank.

The fine was ordered to be distributed amongst eight charities.

The Trump Foundation was dissolved.

In addition, Trump agreed to restrictions if he were to form a new charity or foundation and New York State required mandatory training for his children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump, who

were all involved with the Trump Foundation.

Non-fungible tokens are essentially digital certificates of authenticity that can be attached to art, music or any other type of digital file. NFTs confirm an item’s ownership by recording the details on a digital ledger known as a blockchain, which is public and stored on computers across the internet, making it effectively impossible to lose or destroy.

An NFT by the digital artist who goes by Beeple sold for nearly $70 million earlier this year.

It sparked huge interest in the digital technology that has been around for several years, piggy-backing on a Bitcoin craze that made blockchain a household word. Digital cat characters were selling for six-figure sums as far back as 2017 and today you can buy digital LeBron James basketball highlight NFTs for anywhere from a couple bucks to nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

While often pitched as a fun hobby like collectibles because their values fluctuate, many treat NFTs as an investment. Like cryptocurrency, they are largely unregulated and many experts warn against putting money into them.

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B7

NSJ’s 2nd Annual Auto Awards Jordan Golson | North State Journal

BEST OF THE YEAR: Ford Maverick SPORTS CAR OF THE YEAR: Ford Mustang Mach-E GT TRUCK OF THE YEAR: Rivian R1T SUV OF THE YEAR: Ford Bronco LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR: Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost

It’s hard to believe that 2021 is almost over, but here we are. But that means it’s time to pick our winners for the second North State Journal Auto Awards. These picks come entirely from my own impressions when driving a car and comparing it to everything I tested this year.

We’ve narrowed the categories slightly from 2020, dropping Green Car of the Year because it’s time for hybrids and EVs to compete on even footing (and compete they did). We have the North State Journal Best of the Year, as well as Sports Car, Truck, SUV, and Luxury Car of the Year.

There was fierce competition in all categories, but this year’s crop of vehicles was by far the best I’ve ever driven. It is an incredible time to be buying a new car. We’re spoiled for choice, with every vehicle seemingly better than the last. But choose we must, so take note of the winners as we move into 2022.

BEST OF THE YEAR: FORD MAVERICK

PHOTO COURTESY FORD

I am astonished at how good the Ford Maverick is. This diminutive pickup comes standard with a hybrid engine that sports 42 mpg and is well-equipped even in the base $21,000 trim. Add a host of tech and convenience features, and you’ll still get out for well under $30,000.

It’s been so popular that Ford had to stop taking orders for the hybrid because the entire 2022 run sold out. I’m not sure how the rest of the market didn’t see what Ford did, but I fully expect a whole host of small, car-based pickups to be rolling out soon. The Maverick is now my go-to whenever someone asks which affordable car to buy, and with good reason. Well done, Ford.

SPORTS CAR OF THE YEAR: FORD MUSTANG MACH-E GT

The Mustang Mach-E I drove in the first half of the year was terrific, but the GT version takes it to another level. Adding more performance, style, and comfort, the premium Mach-E GT is a worthy competitor to all the other luxury performance EVs out there.

And, it’s so much fun on its own that it’s one of the best sports cars around. Sure, it’s not a sports car (or even a car), but I long ago decided that a “sports car” didn’t need to have two doors, a lowslung design, or even a big, loud V8.

I want a wildly fun automobile that puts a smile on my face when I stomp the throttle, chuck it into a tight canyon bend, or take it for a spin on an autocross track. The Mach-E GT delivers everything you could ask for out of a sports car.

PHOTO COURTESY FORD

TRUCK OF THE YEAR: RIVIAN R1T

PHOTO COURTESY RIVIAN

The Rivian R1T is the first EV designed for Americans. We love big trucks and SUVs, and we haven’t had any good ones with an electric powertrain. That changed with the R1T, a luxury pickup filled with innovation everywhere you look.

It competes with luxury SUVs, fancy pickups from the Big 3 truckmakers, and even the latest crop of high-end electrics from Porsche, Tesla, and Ford.

The R1T shows how exciting our future can be and that we don’t need to make compromises in pursuit of a zero-emissions future. And who doesn’t want a pickup with 800+ horsepower?

SUV OF THE YEAR: FORD BRONCO

When I made this list, I had to check myself because Ford won three different categories. But each one is well-deserved. The new Bronco is an incredible SUV, with off-road chops and on-road comfort, not to mention a design that both honors the past and charges forward into the future.

Whether you’re an experienced four-wheeler or you’re never going to leave the pavement, the Bronco is a great choice. And, because they’re seemingly infinitely customizable thanks to hundreds of accessories, you can make it entirely your own too. This one is special.

PHOTO COURTESY FORD

LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR: ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE GHOST

Every once in a while, a car comes along that blows me away. Unsurprisingly, this year that car was the Black Badge Ghost. It’s a genuinely stunning automobile that has no equal in comfort, luxury, or attitude.

And it’s that last one that is critical for this Ghost. Black Badge is the after-hours alter ego for Rolls-Royce, bringing a mysterious, dark and playful attitude to the world’s finest motor car. The Black Badge Ghost is the Ted Lasso of cars: an unparalleled masterpiece.

PHOTO COURTESY ROLLS-ROYCE

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B8

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Speedy charge time makes this the EV to beat

By Jordan Golson North State Journal 2021 is the year that electric cars went mainstream. The Ford Mustang Mach-E (Mach-E review; Mach-E GT review) and Volkswagen ID.4 (review) are solid, attainable electric cars. They have personality and are exciting and, most importantly, they’re normal.

Rather than early adopters and eco-warriors, regular people are beginning to buy EVs in significant numbers, and the conversion from internal combustion to electic is in full swing.

2022 might be The Year of the EV too, but 2021 isn’t entirely done with us yet. Last week, I got to test the new Hyundai Ioniq 5, and it’s my favorite of the new crop of electric cars.

It’s the first to run on Hyundai’s purpose-built E-GMP platform.

That platform is designed to maximize interior space and allows for designs that aren’t possible with a traditional internal combustion engine.

The Ioniq 5 has the longest wheelbase of any Hyundai, including the gigantic three-row Palisade (review). The wheels are pushed way out to the corners of the car, and the transformation of the inside that results is astonishing. Hyundai swears that the Ioniq 5, the first of a growing family of Hyundai Ioniq vehicles (the prior Ioniq electric car has been discontinued, though the hybrid version continues, confusingly), is a compact SUV, but it’s more of a large hatchback.

But thanks to the clever packaging and proportions of the E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 5 feels far more spacious when you slip inside. A sizeable floating dash contains two large screens, one for the instrument cluster and the second for infotainment. Below those are manually operated vents which somehow is a feature now because Tesla and Rivian (review), among others, have switched to ducts that are aimed digitally.

Below the screens are an actual volume knob and a selection of dedicated climate and radio buttons. There is, however, no physical button for the seat heaters. Instead, you need to dive into

PHOTOS BY JORDAN GOLSON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the menus, taking several steps if you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Hopefully, this will get fixed in an update since the Ioniq 5 is capable of over-the-air updates, and Hyundai plans to introduce new features over time.

But under that, it’s wide open, with spacious footwells and tons of room. Between the front seats is a sliding console that can move backward to give more space on the floor for a bag or purse, or it can slide forward to provide more rear legroom (and make the armrest functional).

The seats are supportive and get the job done, but the driver’s seat has a fantastic feature where it can transform into a recliner complete with leg rest. It’s very comfortable and will make stopping to charge on a road trip almost relaxing. But you won’t have much time to relax—more on that in a bit.

The steering wheel is fine, though it looks a bit odd. It’s a twospoke design, slightly flattened at the bottom without any logo in the center of the wheel. There’s a circular drive-mode controller on the bottom left of the wheel that I had a bit of trouble locating even though it was staring me in the

face. Changing between the Eco and Normal and Sport modes resulted in a significantly different driving experience.

If you have the AWD dual-motor Ioniq 5, the car will disable one of the motors in Eco mode to improve range at the cost of some performance. All versions of the Ioniq 5 have a 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack. You can choose between a zippy AWD dual-motor setup making a total of 320 horsepower and 446 pounds-feet of torque or a slower (but not slow) single-motor RWD unit making 225 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque.

The AWD unit might sound like the obvious choice, but not so fast.

The rear-wheel-drive setup gets an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles, while the dual-motor AWD version only rates to 256 miles. Both versions get a top speed of 115 mph and 2,000 pounds of towing capabilities, though no word on what hauling a ton of extra weight does to the range.

But the most exciting part of the Ioniq 5 is its incredibly quick charging. Using a 350-kilowatt fast charger, the car can slurp up 68 miles worth of range in five minutes or charge from 10 to 80

percent in 18 minutes.

It’s not just marketing hype, either. I saw it happen, and Hyundai released a video of it in timelapse and real-time formats. If you want to watch an Ioniq 5 charge for 18 minutes, you can do it.

The speed is thanks to the 800volt battery system, a more-advanced setup than the Mustang Mach-E or Volkswagen ID.4. It’s the same type that Porsche uses in the Taycan, and it’s one of the big reasons I’m so excited about Hyundai and Kia’s new crop of electric cars.

The Ioniq 5 is fun to drive, like so many EVs are, and the packaging and design are exquisite. But the fast charging experience will be life-changing for EV owners.

We tested some Electrify America charging stations, and the Ioniq 5 was quickly charging well over the maximum charging speed of the EVs from Ford and Volkswagen.

The onboard navigation system includes real-time calculations to show how far you can go on a charge, and it can find charging stations on your route. To encourage fast charging, Hyundai has partnered with Electrify America to include unlimited 30-min-

ute charging sessions for two years with each Ioniq 5.

Ioniq 5 includes the latest version of Hyundai’s excellent SmartSense drive assistance system, with an even better automatic lane-centering system. The adaptive cruise control is even more adaptive, using machine learning to mimic the driver’s tendencies for acceleration and spacing with the vehicle in front of you. If you’re a tailgating maniac, the car will learn from you, I guess.

Also worth mentioning is the heads-up display, which includes an augmented reality system for navigation. Arrows will float in your line of view and get larger as you approach your turn. It’s hard to explain, but terrific in use. It’s a much better version of the floating augmented reality arrows in the Cadillac Escalade (review), but it’s actually beneficial since it’s in your direct line of view.

The Ioniq 5 starts at $44,875 before any tax credits for the single-motor, while the dual-motor begins at $48,375. They’re already showing up at Hyundai dealers, so if you hurry, you might even be able to snag one before everyone realizes how amazing it is.

in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on January 5, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lewisville in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot(s) 1, as shown on the map of SEQUOIA PLACE, SECTION 1, which map is recorded in Plat Book 28, page 191, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which map is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 801 Lewisville-Clemmons Road, Lewisville, North Carolina.

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.

TAKE NOTICE

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 628

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James D. Smith (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James D. Smith, Heirs of James D. Smith: Helen Marie Stegall Smith, Randall Dean Smith, Leslie Renee Smith, Jeffrey Alan Smith) to Chris Cope, Trustee(s), dated April 17, 2009, and recorded in Book No. RE 2885, at Page 942 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on July 19, 2016, in Book No. RE 3297, at Page 2717, 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

CABARRUS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 21SP318 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SWANN MCCLURE AND RUBY LEE M. MCCLURE DATED OCTOBER 19, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6321 AT PAGE 338 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 281

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David Bergeron and Linda A. Tucker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): David Bergeron and Linda A. Tucker, Heirs of David Bergeron: Mark Bergeron) to Jay Kevin White, Trustee(s), dated June 22, 1999, and recorded in Book No. 02580, at Page 0210 in Cabarrus 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 Cabarrus 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 Concord,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 424

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Warren K. Linker and Janice S. Linker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Warren K. Linker and Janice S. Linker, Heirs of Janice S. Linker: Steven F. Jenkins, Michael Jenkins; Heirs of Steven F. Jenkins: Tammy J. Jenkins) to Trusteee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated March 26, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 5912, at Page 36 in Cabarrus 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 Cabarrus 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 Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale

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: 2651 - 6152

the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on January 5, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Swann McClure and Ruby Lee M. McClure, dated October 19, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $65,450.00, and recorded in Book 6321 at Page 338 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 144 Madison Ave Northeast, Concord, NC 28025 Tax Parcel ID: 56217340710000 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Ruby Lee M. McClure And Being more commonly known as: 144 Madison Ave Northeast, Concord, NC 28025 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Ruby Lee M. McClure.

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 December 17, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111418

Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 5, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Davidson in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 59 of Frazier Acres Subdivision, as the same is platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 22, at Page 33, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6036 Frazier Drive, Davidson, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4118 - 14724

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 5, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain Lot or Parcel of land situated in No. 10 Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Lying and Being in No. 10 Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and Being Lot No. 17 of the subdivision of “Briarwood”, a map of which is recorded in Map Book 16, Page 19, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, to which map reference is hereby made for a more complete description as to metes and bounds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7309 Sagebrush Circle, Concord, North Carolina.

Address: 7309 Sagebrush Rd.; Concord, NC 28025 Tax Map or Parcel ID No.: 10001-0016.230000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4693 - 17471

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B9

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 18 SP 619

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Randall Reid Cruse (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Randall Reid Cruse) to Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated June 16, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 11469, at Page 217 in Cabarrus 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 Cabarrus County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 19SP78 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BERNARDINE B. COUEY DATED JULY 12, 2013 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9243 AT PAGE 317 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in

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 Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee

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

19 SP 1574 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 James E. Knight and Carol A. Knight to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated January 15, 2010 and recorded on January 21, 2010 in Book 08326 at Page 0496, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

19 SP 1630 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 3, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain Lot or Parcel of land situated in the City of Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in No. 3 Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on the North side of Bradford Road (State Road 1604, formerly known as Old Tulin Road), adjoining the property of Robert P. Burrage, Dave B. Martin and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an existing iron pin in the North side of Bradford Road, corner of Robert P. Burrage (see Deed Book 535, Page 532) and runs thence with the line of Burrage N. 3 degrees 11 minutes 45 seconds W. 356.28 feet to an existing iron pin, a corner of Burrage in the line of Johnston (now or formerly); thence with the line of Johnston N. 55 degrees 00 minutes E. 272.2 feet to an iron pin, corner of Dave B. Martin (see Deed Book 588, Page 31),; thence with the line of Martin S. 2 degrees 47 minutes E. 472.6 feet to an iron pin, a corner of Martin in the North edge of Bradford Road; thence with Bradford Road S. 80 degrees

00 minutes W. 229.0 feet to the beginning, containing 2.18 acres as surveyed by Zackie L. Moore, Registered Land Surveyor, February 23, 1985, and updated by Billy B. Long, Registered Land Surveyor, December 18, 1985, and August 27, 1987. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8570 Bradford Road, Northwest, Concord, North Carolina.A.P.N. #; 46827311820000 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.

the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 1:00PM on January 5, 2022 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 Bernardine B. Couey, dated July 12, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $147,959.00, and recorded in Book 9243 at Page 317 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: 4 6 4 5 Hummingbird Pl, Fayetteville, NC 28312 Tax Parcel ID: 0477-14-1532 Present Record Owners: Bernardine Couey And Being more commonly known as: 4645 Hummingbird Pl, Fayetteville, NC 28312 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Bernardine Couey.

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 17, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 19-105209

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: 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

of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Jose 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.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include,

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 16-16816-FC03

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: 7307 Roslin Farm Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 0 4 2 1- 07-

1843 Present Record Owners: Linda Joyce 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 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 Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111915

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 5, 2022 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of LOT 43, in a subdivision known as COLLEGE LAKES, SECTION 5, PART C, according to the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 33, Page 41, in the CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5026 Hampshire Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311-0826.

A certified chAeck only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due

and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 5, 2022 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:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by William David Cottrell and Rita D. Cottrell to Constance R. Stienstra, Trustee(s), which was dated December 12, 2003 and recorded on December 18, 2003 in Book 6377 at Page 777 and rerecorded/ modified/corrected on June 9, 2020 in Book 10785, Page 822, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Lying and being situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and more particularly described as follows:

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

The property address is purported to be: 338 Woodington Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

21 SP 275

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 5, 2022 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:

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Matthew Stephen Davenport a/k/a Mathew Stephen Davenport to David W. Allred, Trustee(s), which was dated December 27, 2007 and recorded on December 31, 2007 in Book 7777 at Page 673, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 242

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Franzine Holley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Franzine Holley) to Joseph H. Kelly, Trustee(s), dated February 13, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 10054, at Page 0691 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on January 3, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North

DAVIDSON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 346

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Luther G. Brown, Jr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Luther G. Brown, Jr., Heirs of Luther G. Brown, Jr. a/k/a Luther Brown, Jr.: Paul David Brown) to Law Office of Clint Calaway, Trustee(s), dated February 2, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 2255, at Page 2431 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of

BEING all of Lot 13 in a subdivision known as MCDONALD ESTATES, SECTION THREE as shown upon the map recorded in the Cumberland County Registry, in Book of Plats 84, Page 135.

The parcel number is: 0413-74-2136.

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

Being all of Lot 18, Block “I”, in a subdivision known as Revision and Recombination of Lots 5 and 18, Block “I”, of Kornbow Lake Development, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 98, Page 14, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

This conveyance is made subject to restrictive covenants, easements, and rights-of-way of record.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1507 CONVERSE CT, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point in the center of North Carolina Hwy 53 as it runs in a Northwesterly direction from White Oak to Fayetteville, said beginning point being the Southeast corner of the 7.33 acre tract of land heretofore conveyed to John Ervin Robinson and wife, Viola C. Robinson by deed dated May 25, 1977 recorded in Book 2598, Page 890, Cumberland County Registry and running thence with the center line of said North Carolina Hwy 53 S 32 degrees 19 minutes E 136.5 feet to a stake; thence a new line S 71 degrees W 187.00 feet to a stake; thence another new line N 28 degrees 30 minutes W 128.00 feet to a stake; thence N 68 degrees 30 minutes E about 185.00 feet to the beginning point and being a part of the land described in the deeds to Maggie Burns Cooper as recorded in Book 2369, pages 145 and 151 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cumberland County, North Carolina. The foregoing description is from a recent survey by Kenneth L. Harris. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8240 Cedar Creek Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

This being the same property conveyed to Ditech Financial LLC, by Substitute Trustee’s Deed of record in Book 09993 Page 0051-0052, Inst. #37052 recorded on December 2,

Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on January 5, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Thomasville in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being known and designated as Lots 35, 36, 37 and 38, Block A, Lakeview Estates, as recorded in Plat Book 9, Page 73, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 210 Lakeview Drive, East, Thomasville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court

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

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and

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

Said property is commonly known as 338 Woodington Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are William David Cottrell and wife, Rita D. Cottrell.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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

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

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

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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

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: 1252259 - 21631

to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-18484-FC01

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-18996-FC01

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

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

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.

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

File No.: 21-02431-FC01

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.

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.

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 Matthew Stephen Davenport.

2016.

This being the same property conveyed from Ditech Financial LLC, to Franzine Denise Holley, which deed is recorded.

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

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: 4102 - 14629

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: 4534 - 16710

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

DAVIDSON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 21SP262 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ALVIN I BERKOWITZ AND CHRISTINE BERKOWITZ DATED JULY 12, 2019 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2365 AT PAGE 308 IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 1502

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by David Wheeler, Jr. and Nivea Maria Costa (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): David Wheeler, Jr.) to Pat Piper, Trustee(s), dated June 19, 2015, and recorded in Book No. RE 3236, at Page 3516 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing

JOHNSTON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 12

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Danial Moowad, Said Moowad and Nancy Nasr (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Danial Moowad and Said Moowad) to Clifton & Singer, Trustee(s), dated August 31, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 3191, at Page 376 and re-recorded in Book No. 3210, at Page 191 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on January 4, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Smithfield in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of a 1.707 acre tract of land located on the southeastern side of NCSR 1501 in Smithfield Township, Johnston County, North Carolina, being described

21 SP 329 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Michael J. Mullen and Liza M. Mullen to Old Republic Title Residential Information Services, Trustee(s), which was dated June 24, 2016 and recorded on June 29, 2016 in Book 4788 at Page 506, Johnston County Registry, North Carolina.

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

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

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:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 164

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Brian J. Coutant and Kelsey D. Coutant (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Brian J. Coutant and Kelsey D. Coutant) to Scott Korbin, Trustee(s), dated October 23, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 4726, at Page 214 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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 73

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jonathan D. Gardner and Delma Gardner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jonathan D. Gardner and Delma R. Moreno) to James R. Seely, Trustee(s), dated August 21, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 4831, at Page 57 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder 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

default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on January 3, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Alvin I Berkowitz and Christine Berkowitz, dated July 12, 2019 to secure the original principal amount of $179,685.00, and recorded in Book 2365 at Page 308 of the Davidson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: Woodlawn Drive, Lexington, NC 27292 Tax Parcel ID: 1115400010022

5

1

1

said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on January 5, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Clemmons in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 103, Section 3, Phase 3, Waterford Subdivision, recorded in Plat Book 35, Page 134, Forsyth County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 8412 Kinsale Court, Clemmons, North Carolina.Parcel ID Number: 5883-360539.00

Present Record Owners: Christine Berkowitz

The Heirs of

And Being more commonly known as: 511 Woodlawn Drive, Lexington, NC 27292 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Christine Berkowitz.

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.

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 14, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111754

Parkway,

Suite

400

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

($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.

145.81 feet to an existing iron pipe in the southeastern right of way line of NCSR 1501; thence leaving the southeastern right of way line of NCSR 1501 North 33 degrees 29 minutes 50 seconds West 29.85 feet to an existing iron pipe in the centerline of NCSR 1501; thence along the centerline of NCSR 1501 North 56 degrees 13 minutes 03 seconds East 40.57 feet to an existing iron pipe, the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 1.707 acres, including a 30-foot access and utility easement reserved by Michael Todd Moore. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4179 Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, North Carolina.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRANTOR: HOMES BY GREG JOHNSON INC. GRANTEE: MICHAEL J. MULLEN AND WIFE LIZA M. MULLEN DATED: 07/30/2004 RECORDED: 07/30/2004 DOC#/BOOK-PAGE: 02738-0708 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior

conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 414 Winfred Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions

of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Michael J. Mullen and wife Liza M. Mullen.

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

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

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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 18-21644-FC02

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 Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property: 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

($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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars

according to a survey dated July 2, 1998 captioned “Minor Subdivision Map for Michael Todd Moore” prepared by Dennis Ray Blackmon, RLS and recorded on July 13, 1998 in Plat Book 52, page 294 of the Johnston County Registry and said tract of land is more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe found in the centerline of NCSR 1501 which beginning point is located approximately South 56 degrees 13 minutes 03 seconds West 270.95 feet from the centerline intersection of NCSR 1501 and NCSR 1578, thence from said beginning point leaving the centerline of NCSR 1501 along the line of a 30 foot access and utility easement and the line, now or formerly, of Robert O’Neal Amick lands South 32 degrees 17 minutes 20 seconds East 296.47 feet to an existing iron pipe (control) a common corner of Robert O’Neal Amick lands and a 2.107 acre tract of land owned, now or formerly, by Michael Todd Moore; thence following the line of lands of Michael Todd Moore along a heavy wire fence South 47 degrees 20 minutes 29 seconds East 251.09 feet to a new iron pipe, a new corner in the Moore 2.107 acre tract; thence continuing along the heavy wire fence and the Moore tract South 14 degrees 34 minutes 12 seconds West 162.18 feet to a new iron pipe, a new corner in the Michael Todd Moore 2.107 acre tract and a point in the line of the lands, now or formerly, of J.R. Maynard; thence along a wire fence and the line of lands, now or formerly of J.R. Maynard North 87 degrees 28 minutes 15 seconds West 189.45 feet to an existing iron pipe, a corner; thence along a wire fence and the J.R. Maynard lands North 07 degrees 04 minutes 55 seconds West 403.41 feet to a new iron pipe; thence along the lands of J.R. Maynard and approximately parallel with a 30-foot access and utility easement reserved by Michael Todd Moore North 33 degrees 29 minutes 50 seconds West

4, 2022 at 12:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CLEVELAND, COUNTY OF JOHNSTON, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: BEING ALL OF LOT 417, WAVERLY POINT SUBDIVISION, PHASE 4, AS DEPICTED BY PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK64,PAGES29-34,JOHNSTONCOUNTYREGISTRY. BEING BY

THE SAME GENERAL

PROPERTY CONVEYED WARRANTY DEED

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.

sales, at 10:00 AM on January 6, 2022 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: All that certain lot or parcel of land situate in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 101, as shown on that plat entitled, “Horse Creek Farms, Section III-B” as recorded in Map Book 29, Page 214, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 339 Running Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 052591 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

door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on January 6, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 1, as shown on Plat entitled, “Aragona Village Duplexes, Section 1-A, White Oak Township,” and prepared

by James E. Stewart and Associates, Inc., as recorded in Map Book 23, Page 141, Onslow County Registry. Including the unit located thereon; said unit being located at 100 Brasswood Court, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and

Michael Todd Moore, herein reserves unto himself, his heirs and assigns, the 30-foot access and utility easement shown on the July 2, 1998 survey recorded in Plat Book 52, Page 294 of the Johnston County Registry, for the purpose of ingress, egress and regress to and from that 2.107 acre tract of land located on the eastern side of the 1.707 acre tract herein conveyed to Karen R. Stephenson. The said Michael Todd Moore owns the 2.107 acre tract of land referenced in this paragraph.

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

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: 1227876 - 10217

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: 1778 - 3659

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

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

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: 2741 - 6461

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: 1618 - 2903

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 15 SP 1078

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Douglas Michael Wittenborn and Nicole Wittenborn (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Nicole Wittenborn) to CB Services Corporation, Trustee(s), dated March 4, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 3191, at Page 656 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

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

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of Antonio Rosas Vega a/k/a Antonio Vega Rosas (2021E-4509), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and

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 perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1439

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shirley Pullen and William Pullen (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): William A. Pullen and Shirley L. Pullen) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 013260, at Page 0001 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 234

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James T. Pete and Julie A. Pete (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James T. Pete and Julie A. Pete) to Shapiro & Kreisman, Trustee(s), dated the 28th day of March, 2003, and recorded in Book 010006, Page 01437-01446, in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby 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 of Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 21SP1899 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PATRICIA ANN WILLIAMS DATED APRIL 15, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 10766 AT PAGE 2746 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 21SP1851 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY WAKE NOTICE OF SALE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BALDOMAR RAMIREZ AND RAYMUNDA ALEMAN DATED JUNE 1, 1998 RECORDED IN BOOK 8074 AT PAGE 2594 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the

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 January 6, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 88 as shown on that Plat entitled, “Final Plat, Dawson Place, Section III”, as recorded in Map Book 56, Page 155, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 306 Cabin Circle, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars

($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

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

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

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 22nd 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 22nd 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 22nd 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 22nd 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

Parcel ID Number: 74919

corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 24th 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.

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

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

This the 22nd day of December 2021.

Linda Vega Administrator of the Estate of Antonio Rosas Vega a/k/a

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

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: 1169302 - 12832

114 Raleigh Street

Antonio Vega Rosas

114 Raleigh Street

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner

Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

P.O. Box 446

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

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.

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.

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

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

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: 7 3 3 6 Sparhawk Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Tax Parcel ID: 0298620

Present Record Owners: G e n e Nyandoro 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 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 10, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-111014

designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 3, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 48, Section 1 of Brandywood Subdivision according to map of same recorded in Book of Maps 1985, Page 1434, Wake County Registry. Located in the County of Wake, State of North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5624 Continental Way, Raleigh, North Carolina.Subject to restrictive covenants recorded in Book 3540, Page 212 of the Wake County Registry.Subject to easements and rights of way of record.Subject to Ad Valorem Taxes for the year 1987 and subsequent years.Being the same property conveyed to William A. Pullen and Shirley L. Pullen by Deed from Key Homes, Inc. recorded 04/06/1987 in Deed Book 3982 Page 730, in the Register of Deeds Office of Wake County, North Carolina.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §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 NCGS §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 expressly are 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 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.

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 LLP P.O. Box 12497 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 315 Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 Phone No: (704) 362-9255 Case No: 1317143 (CFC.CH)

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 January 3, 2022 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 Patricia Ann Williams, dated April 15, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $98,500.00, and recorded in Book 10766 at Page 2746 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: 3902 Billy Hopkins Rd, Zebulon, NC 27597 Tax Parcel ID: 0197510

Present Record Owners: Patricia Ann Williams And Being more commonly known as: 3902 Billy Hopkins Rd, Zebulon, NC 27597 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Patricia Ann Williams.

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 December 13, 2021.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-111474

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on January 5, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Baldomar Ramirez; Raymunda Aleman a/k/a Raymunda Ramirez, dated June 1, 1998 to secure the original principal amount of $98,900.00, and recorded in Book 8074 at Page 2594 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: 3429 Deer Trace Lane, Clayton, NC 27520 Tax Parcel ID: 0231278

Present Record Owners: Baldomar Ramirez; Raymunda Aleman a/k/a Raymunda Ramirez The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Baldomar Ramirez and Raymunda Aleman.

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 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 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 subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including 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 from the highest bidder 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. After the expiration of the 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 residing at 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 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is 13th day of December, 2021.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 9541 Julian Clark Ave, Suite 202 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Posted: __________________ By: __________________ Ingle Law Firm, P.A. 9541 Julian Clark Ave., Ste 202 Huntersville, NC 28078 Ingle Case Number: 4097-4576

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

door, the Salisbury Street entrance in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 3, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Raleigh, in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 31, Glen Meadows Subdivision, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 1998, Page 419, Wake County Registry.

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: 1275663 - 10300

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From December 15, 2021

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 43 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

AP PHOTO

A Christmas tree decorated with several ornaments from the White House Historical Association is on display in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

COUNTY NEWS

Locking in megasite tenant proves crucial Randolph Record staff

McNeill named jobs champion The NC Chamber named Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) to its list of 2021 Jobs Champions in its annual “How They Voted” report. The report details the voting records of members of the N.C. General Assembly on bills identified as critical to preserving and enhancing North Carolina’s position in the global race for jobs.

McNeill was recognized as a Jobs Champion for voting with the Chamber’s Jobs Agenda at least 80 percent of the time during the 2021 legislative session.

Budd bill would make police assault a deportable offense Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) recently co-sponsored the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly state that assaulting a police officer is a deportable offense.

Staffing, rising costs still threaten restaurants nationwide As the nation’s restaurants see crowded dining rooms this fall, staffing remains a challenge. In a recent survey of 3,000 U.S. restaurant operators, 77% said they didn’t have enough workers to meet demand, according to the National Restaurant Association, an industry trade group. U.S. sales at restaurants and bars hit an estimated $73.7 billion in November, up 37% from the same month last year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. But that was partly due to higher menu prices as restaurants try to account for inflation which is at a nearly 40-year high. Restaurants also are clamoring for government support in the U.S., where the Restaurant Revitalization Fund ran dry earlier this year after dispersing $28.6 billion to 100,000 applicants.

WITH THE announcement this month that Toyota Motor North America chose the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite as the location for Toyota’s new $1.29 billion automotive battery manufacturing plant, there was considerable celebration.

The subject also has been much-discussed among residents in Randolph County.

Part of the mystery that awaits is what will the impact be beyond the megasite itself.

The site, located in Liberty, is

zoned for heavy industrial use.

Water and sewer is to be provided by the City of Greensboro.

Local officials have touted the impact that will accompany the Toyota plant. It’s bound to spawn other businesses.

Meanwhile, the question that might be worth asking after another announcement of similar nature recently in Georgia: Was the Randolph County megasite first in line to land such a project or was there something else available anyway?

Or did the deal presented by Randolph County, Greensboro

and the state simply trump others? And while bigger projects in the works, was this the right size for Randolph County and surrounding communities?

Consider that electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive announced plans for a $5 billion battery and assembly plant east of Atlanta that’s projected to employ 7,500 workers.

The arrangement with Toyota means 1,750 new jobs for that facility alone.

“The future of mobility is electrification and the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite is the

ideal location to make that future a reality,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America.

“North Carolina offers the right conditions for this investment, including the infrastructure, high-quality education system, access to a diverse and skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for doing business Rivian, based in Irvine, California, is a startup manufacturer of electric trucks and commercial delivery vans, challenging both established automakers like Ford See MEGASITE, page 2

Board of Elections meeting REMC awards $14,000 to teachers nixed for December for ‘Bright Ideas’ Randolph Record staff

North State Journal staff ASHEBORO — Randolph Electric Membership Corporation recently honored educators by awarding $14,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to twelve local educators.

“Randolph EMC is committed to making our communities stronger. One way we accomplish that is by investing in education,” said Nicole Arnold, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for REMC. “For almost 30 years, Randolph Electric has provided grants to local schools. We commend these educators for continually striving to create classrooms conducive to innovation.”

Bright Ideas grants, sponsored by Randolph EMC and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, are available to teachers for hands-on projects that would not otherwise be funded. The awards have been around since 1994 and the electric cooperatives have awarded more than $13.6 million for nearly 13,000 projects. Randolph Electric has invested almost $300,000 in grants within its five-county service area since

the program’s founding.

“Thank you very much to Randolph EMC for continuing to support our schools through the Bright Ideas grant,” said Uwharrie Charter Academy High School Principal Beth Kearns. “Through the years, Randolph EMC has provided money to buy materials that help make learning engaging and relevant for our students.”

Randolph Electric said in a release that they received more applicants this year than any prior year. The applications were reviewed by a panel of educators from area elementary, middle and high schools before the final award were made. The reviewers did not know the names or schools of the applicants to ensure impartiality.

The 2021 grants will facilitate projects that positively impact 1,760 students.

In Randolph County, the winners were: Jessica Hoffmire of Uwharrie Charter Academy Elementary School in Asheboro won $482 for her project, Winged Warriors.

See REMC, page 2

ASHEBORO — Last week’s meeting of the Randolph County Board of Elections was canceled after the recent rescheduling of 2022 primaries in the state.

Melissa Johnson, director of the Randolph County Board of Elections, sent a notice announcing the cancellation of the Dec. 14 meeting.

The next meeting of the board is set for 5 p.m. Jan. 11.

Earlier this month, the North Carolina Supreme Court suspended candidate filing for all offices for the 2022 primary election. This included municipal contests.

In doing so, the North Carolina Supreme Court pushed back the date of the primary from March 8 to May 17.

For any candidate whose filing has been accepted by the State Board of Elections or any county board of elections, that candidate “will be deemed to have filed for the same office” in the May primary, subject to any court rulings that would impact that candidate’s eligibility, according to the Supreme Court order.

Those candidates would be able to withdraw their candidacy during the new filing period. Any individual who withdraws their candidacy is free to file for any other office for which they are eligible during the reopened filing period.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 12.22.21 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST

MEGASITE from page 1

million in state income tax cred- cipal mobility analyst for Guideits. Local governments are likely house Insights, who said Rivian also may be looking for a manuand General Motors and electric to abate property taxes.

Kia got more than $450 mil- facturing site in Europe. vehicle leader Tesla.

Given the size of the Georgia The plant in Georgia could lion in incentives for its plant grow to as many as 10,000 work- southwest of Atlanta. Georgia plant, Abuelsamid expects it to MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY make other parts forSUNDAY the vehi$300 million of SATURDAY ers, sources said, whichTHURSDAY would has promisedFRIDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SUNDAY cles, to electric vehicle the 23 $2.6JULY billion, make it auto 22incentives JULYsimilar 24 JULY JULY 27 JULY 21 the largest JULY 25 5 JULY 2 toJULY 3 JULY JULY 26 6 JUNE 30among JULY 1JULY JULY 4 assembly complexes in the Unit- 2,600-worker battery plant be- leader Tesla making seats at its The Randolph Fremont, ing by inHI factory 86° HI 87° GuideHIis 88° HIStates, 88° HIby behemoths HI 91° 88° 86° HI built HI 78° SK Innovation HI89° 81° HI 88° HI 89° HI ed 91°rivaled HI in 84° HICalifornia. a quick look at what’s Rivian has cash in the bank, Commerce, Georgia, northeast such as the 11,000-worker BMW LO 66° LO68° 62°LO 65° LO 67° LO LO 70° 67° LO LO 69° 62° LO LO LO LO 69° LO 69° LO 70° 67° 69° but will burn through of Atlanta.PRECIP complex in Spartanburg, South PRECIP 57% PRECIP 43% PRECIPthat 17% PRECIP going on in24% Randolph PRECIP 15% 20% PRECIPPRECIP 24% 24% PRECIP PRECIP 24% PRECIP 24% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP 5% 32% Rivian, like Tesla, deals with quickly unless it starts delivCarolina, and Ford Motor Co.’s County.

8,600-worker plant in Louis- its customers directly instead ering vehicles and generating of through dealers. Its arrival in cash, jeopardizing its market ville, Kentucky.

Rivian will be the larg- Georgia could prompt the state darling status, Abuelsamid said. est industrial announcement to loosen a law that mostly pro- The company needs more retail RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Georgia history, surpassing hibits manufacturers from sell- customers and commercial vehicle buyers other than Amazon, the 4,400-worker Kia complex ing directly.

Hindsight Bluegrass Rivian currently plans two he said. that opened in West Point in New Year’s Eve Concert “If actual deliveries don’t start 2009. Georgia has had a num- models for consumers — the ber of failed auto plant recruit- R1T pickup with a base price of picking up, the markets could 8pm ments. Rivian will give Georgia $67,500 and the R1S SUV, with turn against them as they have Gov. Brian Kemp another point a base price of $70,000. The with some other EV startups Sunset Theatre in to bolster his claims that he has truck was recently named Motor not called Tesla,” Abuelsamid

By Bob Sutton downtown Asheboro. sion, there’s before those classes said. “Unlike Tesla, enrollment Rivian will of 915.

2022 truck of thestart. year. been an excellent steward of Trend’s Randolph Record even as facTickets are $10.

That’s off slightly frominthe usual Williams said there’s ef-facing serious competition Amazon, which owns a slicean be Georgia’s economy, has never up to 1,000, fort to bolster enrollment. a muchnumber shorterthat timeranges frame than company, has orderedHe cites Republican and Democratic of the More“There information at been a the neardecadesaid. head start that Williams vans, launch-Grant, ed thedelivery RCC Commitment ASHEBORO Enrollment challengers when he—runs for re- 100,000 hindsightbluegrass.com better opportunity to attend Tesla had.” intodesigned the commercial election next year.Community Col-ing aRivian Traditional enrollment numprogram as a funding at Randolph and tickets available at andhave GM flattened, plan to start business. to fill the gap that’sFordbers Theisn’t city likely of ForttoWorth, Texas, but it’s the RCC and not have to worry mechanism lege bounce back tovehicle Hindsightbluegrass@ their own electric pick-students about how to pay for it.” is flush cash offered Rivian alevels $440 right million of high school not covered bywith federal orfolstate selling aid number pre-pandemic away Rivian in the next year for or dual ena $11.9 billion stock offer- up trucks gmail.com or call 336incentive to lurepointing the lowing in programs designed to students. despite apackage school official two, while Teslathat also has plans a new 10 that took the compaplant during the summer, while in-ing Nov. rollment dropped, “There has never been a betout unprecedented financial 302-2274. pickup. That’s a wave allowing it to to finance published reports indicate Rivi- ny public, “We’repart justofnot seeingofthe level RCC president Dr. Robert ter opportunity attend RCC centives for potential students. electricofvehicle investment, with new not plant.

Itstomarket an also Ari- the and engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. have worry value about how Chadconsidered Williams,sites vice inpresident SK’s $5 billion battery plant is nearly $95 billion, more than zona and Michigan. for student services at RCC, said a to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. Williams said. northeastRCC of Atlanta one ex- break General Motors or Jr. Ford.

Rivianintold Worth its ineither held just a one-week Robert Shackleford said. “We decline highFort school students ample.earlier Ford announced in Sep-the sumThe company argues that plant would make 200,000 vehithis month amid dual enrollment has been the big- meet students exactly where they cles per year, with workers paid electric vehicle adoption is at tember it would spend $11.4 are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip.

Randolph County Board the “tipping point” and it is well billion to build three battery facat least $56,000 a year.

24 and concludes July 26.

Late can possibly go.”

“Overall, we’re still seeing a de-positioned of Commissioners | 6pm for success because tories and an assembly plant in Founder and CEO Robert registration for the fall semester with long the fall cline in told enrollment comparing Kentucky and Tennessee. and SUVs have beensemesScaringe Bloomberg Televi- totrucksBeginning through Aug. 10, with classqualifying full-time studentsTheruns previous years prior to ability the pan-the ter, Historic Randolph LMC Automotive conmost profitable vehicles sion in November that the es beginning Aug. 16. will be eligible for up to $1,000 demic,” Williams said.

“I don’t County Courthouse, 145 to recruit good workers was the sold. But some analysts ques- sulting firm expects U.S. sales Still electric dealingvehicles with adjustments semester. knowimportant if we’ll get to numbers we’vetionper to whether it needs another of new fully most factor in the deWorth St., Asheboro made400,000 because of theyear, coronavirus That makes attending seen in previous fall semesters. hit nearly this the former Mitsub- RCC cision.

Rivian’s existing plant in …plant besides not all 2021figfall semesmost enticing from a finanWe’re reaching out to every nearlypandemic, double last year’s plant in Illinois, that Rivian Normal, Illinois, like most autostu-ishithe Asheboro City Planning ter they classes be in cial for standpoint in in the2017.

16 years dent we canhave in every wayin werecan.”bought ures. But stillwill make upperson. only Some $16 million plants that opened Board | 7pm will use a hybrid model Williams at theca-school, fall semester at the two-yearRivian about 2.6% of sales.

The firm ex- with a says ithas hasbeen a yearly centAdecades, is not unionized. mixture of face-to-faces he of said.

He previously worked in sales school in Asheboro oftenpacity to grow to more than sessions 150,000 vehicles, but is pects The company could would max out City Hall, 146 N. Church andnext virtual sessions.

Many classRCC’s aid office. have 2,600 to 3,000 students 730,000 year and more to financial expand there as well. what Georgia calls its “mega en-looking St., Asheboro by students 2025. Even at options it might be time a than provide with “There’slike never a better to 2esmillion project credit,” for comparolled. tax At the beginning of this “It seems EV sales still would be to invest that 2 million, nies that hirenumber at leaststood 1,800 at peoon how to attend and participate, back to college,” he said. week, that aboutlittlegopremature only about 12% of U.S. new vehilarge plant just sesple or invest at leasta $450 milWilliams said.

Foranother the current summer 1,900 with about month to gomuch in lion. That could be worth $118 yet,” said Sam Abuelsamid, prin- cle sales.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

WEEKLY FORECAST

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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

Editor

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Neal NealRobbins Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Editor

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Lauren Rose Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001 Published each Wednesday Published each Wednesday by(704) North State Media, LLC 269-8461

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DEATH NOTICES

We stand corrected ♦ Christopher Enos Burris, Golfer40, omitted of Oakboro,X

DEATH NOTICES Caiden McDuffie of Southwestern

was inadvertently omitted ♦Randolph Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of from a list of all-conference girls’ golfers from Piedmont Athletic Conference.that Siler City, died July 15, 2021, appeared last week’s edition. at her in home.

♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82,FORECAST died at his WEEKLY home on Monday, July BY 12, SPONSORED 2021 in a tragic house fire. ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe. ♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

CALL OR TEXT ♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, 336-629-7588 age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

WEDNESDAY DEC 22 See OBITS, page 7

HI 54 LOW 23 PRECIP 3%

Randolph

Guide Dec. 31

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag PJ Ward-Brown Matt Lauren Frank Cory Who is “Editor?”

Jan. 3

Jan. 4

♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) LOG Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 3) Possess X

♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd, Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Bolton McKee, James Henry (M, 47), Arrest on charge of Possession of Stolen Goods, at 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on 07/15/2021. ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Simple Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, Asheboro, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, 31), Arrest on charges of Felony Larceny and Possession of Stolen Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, Seagrove, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32),

Randleman Town Board Meeting Arrest on charge of Resisting Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Randleman, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule VI CS, Possessiong of Stolen Motor Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on 07/13/2021. ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), Arrest on charge of Possession of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Possession of drug paraphernalia, Failure to appeal on felony, failure to appear on misdemeanor, at

6pm

♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, on Randleman City Hall, Arrest on charge of 204 Misdemeanor 07/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule S. Main St., Randleman IV CS, ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), Possession of Stolen motor Arrest on charge of Assault on a Seagrove Town Board vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer Female, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Meeting tag, failure to deliver title, failure to Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021. appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, 6pm on 07/13/2021. ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 798 N.C. Highway 705, (F, 64), charge of possession of marijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Seagrove Arrest on charge of Assault by Courthouse, on 7/13/2021. pointing a gun, Discharging a

Randolph County firearm to cause fear, Reckless ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Planning and Zoning driving to endanger, Seagrove, on Arrest on charge of Possession Board Meeting 07/12/2021. of Meth, Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute6:30pm ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest heroin, Simple possession of on charge of Felony Sexual Randolph Schedule II, III, IV CS, MaintainingHistoric Exploitation of a minor in the Place, Possession of Drug County Courthouse, second degree (10 145 counts), 727 Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point WorthMcDowell St., Asheboro Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, on 7/13/2021.

07/12/2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REMC

REMC Photo 1: Elizabeth Farmer, Uwharrie Charter Academy High School along with her students and Nicole Arnold, REMC Communications and Public Affairs Manager.

Jan. 6 Asheboro City Council Meeting

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 THURSDAY DEC 23

By Dan Gelston 50 The AssociatedHI Press

LOW 34

PHILADELPHIA — 1% Triple H PRECIP walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot FRIDAY DEC tag-team partner, Joel24 Embiid, to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

HI 57 His theme blared LOWmusic 47 through the arena, and nearly 19,000 fansPRECIP hanging5% from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer SATURDAY DECand 25 struck the bell.

Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a HI 66building when match in the same the event was held LOWthere 50 in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exPRECIP 7% ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran SUNDAY DECand 26 raucous without live events crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of HI 69 fans and have them go nuts,” said LOWthese 49 days as Triple H, known WWE executive Paul Levesque.

PRECIP 6% “That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.”

WWE hasn’t been the same MONDAY DEC 27 without its “Yes!” chants or “This is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company HI 63 to running empty arena matches every weekLOW with48 a piped-in soundtrack and virtual fans.

PRECIP 18% No more.

With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

7pm

REMC from page 1

will generate waves and then mea- school students will get incorpoCity Hall, 146 N. Church sure the amount of erosion that oc- rate interdisciplinary learning St., Asheboro ple cheering over him, or booing Students in kindergarten through curs. After discussing the impact into their English curriculum by over him or going into different third grade will learn about the life on shorelines, students will explore collecting field notes and compildirections over him,” have benefiting data from agricultural expericycles of butterflies and their need designs that minimize erosion. ed, Levesque said. “But that’s the Colonel Ashley Worboys of ments. The students will then use for host plants. They will raise beauty of what we do, to go be enMonarch and Eastern Swallowtail Providence Grove High School in the collected data to formulate enbutterflies and grow host plants Climax, NC, won $750 for a Junior vironmental impact statements. tertained, however you want to Elizabeth Farmer of Uwharin biodegradable pots. The goal is Reserve Officer Training Corps Randolph CountyAs Board be entertained. a performer, to promote environmental aware- (ROTC) Robotics Game. Junior rie Charter Academy High School sometimes that’s difficult.” of Health Meeting ness and a connection to the nat- ROTC cadets will immerse them- won $1,972 for Reality-Works in WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA selves in science, technology, engi- the Classroom, a hands-on curural world.

6pmNetwork hit 1.472 million viewers, Amy Austin of Uwharrie Char- neering and math while building riculum for students in agriculthe lowest in the 28-plus year hister Academy Middle School won robots for regional and national ture classes. Students will learn County Office, tory Health of the show. $1,439 to build an Interactive Pe- competitions. The goals are to fos- real-world animal science and vetLevesque, WWESt., EVP of glob222B S. Fayetteville riodic Table. Eighth-grade science ter better problem-solving skills erinary skills including tail dockal talent strategy and developAsheboro students will handle physical ele- and to see a project through to ing and ear notching. ment, said the company would Christy Darr Weist of Hopewell ments, observe samples, and sort completion. “take a hard look” at how it can Chrissy Neelon of Uwharrie Elementary School won $270 for magnetic tiles on the periodic table attract more fans to the product board. The students will arrange Charter Academy High School STEM bins. Second and thirdeach week. WWE can only hope the tiles according to certain char- won $1,772 for a project called grade students will explore colthe combination of live crowds acteristics in order to see patterns “Art has to be Seen to be Appre- laboratively to come up with soluand the return of box office attracand similarities that exist within ciated.” Students in Beginning tions to problems introduced by tions such as Becky Lynch, GoldArt, Graphic Design, Comic Art, bin materials. The hands-on acthe groups of elements. berg, and Cena can ignite interest Cynthia Neal of Southwest Ran- and Advanced Placement visu- tivities will spur critical thinking and grow ratings during the build dolph Middle School won $427 for al art classes will be able to print skills and promote group commuto the marquee Aug. 21 Summerher project, Tomato-sphere. Sev- their digital art creations, includ- nication.

Slam at the home of the Las VeRyan Gibbs of North Asheenth-grade science students will ing photographs, digital designs gas Raiders. grow tomato plants from seeds and digital drawings. The exhi- boro Middle School won $1,000 to “It never is one thing,” Levesque and employ the Scientific Method bition of these artworks will en- build a recording studio. Students Do you have a birthday, wedding, to make observations and main- courage a deeper understanding of in sixth, seventh and eighth grade said.

“We see this as a moment in engagement or other milestone to tain data which they will send to their art as well as improve techni- will use the studio to create, edit time to shift everything. I think celebrate? Contact us at NASA. One group of seeds orig- cal skills essential for competitive- and publish videos and podcasts you’ll see it in just the layout of evcelebrations@randolphrecord.com. inating from the International ness in today’s digitally dependent on topics in engineering and bioerything, the set designs, the way

BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP technology. PHOTO They will also produce Space Station will provide this ex- landscape. it’s presented. There’s a greater “howin to”the videos to beMonday shared with Allison of Randleman periment with9,especially interestemphasis on utilizing the spacIn this Jan. 2018, file photo, PaulJune “Triple H” Levesque participates “WWE Night entire school.

High School won $651 for Full Cir- theCritics ing results. es that we have and the TV aspect Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Association Winter Press In Montgomery County: Marley Knapp of Uwhar- cle Gardening. Students with modof it while still engaging the fans.

Tour in Pasadena, Calif.

Daniel Jones of East Middle rie Charter Academy Elementa- erate to severe intellectual disabiliA lot of that comes from the time ry School won $1,890 for an in- ties will germinate seeds, prepare a School in Biscoe, NC, won $1,998 we had to experiment inside the terdisciplinary project called raised garden bed, and grow vege- to establish a science fair. Students pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and former,” Reigns said. “As a live WWE then moved to its in-house ThunderDome.”

Making Waves for the Environ- tables and herbs. The students will in sixth, seventh and eighth grades The first start is putting fans Dallas on Monday for the flagship performer, that simultaneous re- performance center in Florida on ment. Fourth-grade students ex- plant, weed, harvest, cook and eat will form teams and submit entries — holding their homemade signs March 13, before setting up what sponse keeps you sharp.

We had “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE in the fields of coding, robotics or ploring Earth History and Ecosys- the produce grown in the garden. it dubbed -- and wearing their catchphrase to Amanda adjust and adapt to the times spruced sets, back old Dr. rocketry.

TeachersThe willThunderDome facilitate Whatley of Uwhartems will up gain an brought understanding wherelearning fans registered for spots T-shirts — back in the seats. that were in frontHigh of us.” stars hit habits the reset button onrie Charter with impacts Academy School experiential of how and human can degrade “When we have that live crowd, on LED digital videoboards With Hulk Hogan in the house, TV programming humbled with an environment through erosion. won $1,349 for a project called in a vocational area of interest for — for stretches in Florida at the Amway sometimes they almost become held of their onlyHigh Wrestlerecord-low ratings andstudent a strongTheWWE students.

Storytelling Science.

Through Sphero Robotics, Mania with fans this past April Center, Tropicana Field and the the cameras for a lot of the perneed for new stars. formers,” Reigns said. “But when “I do think if we were doing this 10 and 11 at Raymond James Sta- Yuengling Center.

“People like Roman have been you don’t have that real-time, flesh in front of the live crowd, it would dium. WWE last ran a weeknight have been a situation that would televised event with a paid crowd able to emotionally bring a per- interaction, the red light becomes have made me an even better per- on March 9, 2020, in Washington. formance that, maybe with peo- the focal point for the performer.”

Jan. 10

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Looking back on 2021

This past year has been challenging and an extremely divided time in Washington.

However, I hope you are proud of my efforts to defend our rights, stand up for our values, and push for common sense solutions.

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE 2021 is almost over. After all of the challenges we faced this year, many of us will say good riddance.

It’s true — 2021 has been a challenging year in so many ways.

Most frustrating is that many of our challenges have been selfinflicted by bad policies from Washington.

Inflation reached a 40-year high due to out-of-control spending.

More than 1.8 million illegal migrants have crossed our border this year after President Biden stopped deportations and the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy. American leadership around the world has been challenged by the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and from emboldened adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran.

At every turn, I have tried to stop the dangerous policies of Nancy Pelosi and the Biden administration. This year, I went to the border to see for myself and speak to the experts on the ground about the crisis at our border. I led the charge in Congress that successfully removed the Democrat provision of anti-Second Amendment red-flag laws in the National Defense Authorization Act. I also led 140 of my colleagues in calling on the ATF to withdraw their stabilizing brace rule that jeopardizes the rights of law-abiding gun owners and targets combat wounded veterans.

Additionally, I joined all of my Republican colleagues to cosponsor a bill to nullify Biden’s vaccine mandate.

With the Democrats controlling the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, Republicans in Congress continue to do all we can to limit their bad policies and reckless spending.

Despite my disagreements with the Biden administration, I made a pledge to you that I would work with anyone to deliver real results for our community. This approach is why I have been named the most effective legislator in North Carolina.

In the past 12 months, I have had 4 bills signed into law and 11 bills pass the House. These include the Veterans in Park Act, which makes admission to national parks free to members of the

Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star families.

I am also proud to have advanced the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, that provides critical investment in our ability to respond to public health crises by ensuring medical supplies are made here in America and strengthening maintenance of our stockpile. We can never rely on foreign shipments of medical equipment like PPE again. We must make our critical supplies right here in America.

The Supporting the Foundation for the NIH and Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA Act will transfer more money out of government bureaucracy and to public-private partnerships to improve medical research. The Improving the Health of Children Act authorizes funds for the National Center on Birth Defects and Development Disabilities — critical for families who rely on the Center.

Just last week, President Biden signed into law a bill I introduced to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to 13 service members who died on Aug. 26 during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. We also enacted into law the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to provide canine training to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This past year has been challenging and an extremely divided time in Washington. However, I hope you are proud of my efforts to defend our rights, stand up for our values, and push for common sense solutions. No matter who controls Congress or the White House, I will always work hard on the issues that are important to you and your family. We have a lot of work left to do, so following time with family celebrating the Christmas holiday, I will strive to make 2022 an even better year for our community, state, and nation.

COLUMN | ROBERT WALKER & NEWT GINGRICH

The Biden-Harris space failures The first meeting of the National Space Council horrified much of the space defense community.

WHEN THE NEWS MEDIA REPORTS that a U.S. Space Force general is saying our space-based assets are under attack daily by China and Russia, it should be a cause for alarm. Those assets are essential to the present American way of life and our ability to defend it.

The White House is quite aware of this threat, having been fully briefed by the national military space leadership about the extensive space weaponry capabilities of our adversaries.

Moreover, the White House also was given a clear look at what is needed to address the threat posed by China and Russia.

Reportedly, the second part of the briefing was answered with a statement indicating that none of the suggested American counter-weaponry was going to be approved. “We are not going to be the first administration to militarize space” was the specific response.

Leaving aside the reality that space is already a warfare domain, doubts can be raised about the unverifiable comments in this confidential meeting. But what cannot be ignored is the now obvious fact that the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration is not prepared to prioritize needed military space options.

The first meeting of the National Space Council horrified much of the space defense community. Vice President Harris, the chair of the council, announced that the three top space priorities of this administration would be climate change, promoting rules and norms for governing space activities, and building a United States workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each of these issues is a worthwhile pursuit, but they do not come close to the existential threat posed by our enemies to our way of life.

Punctuating the Space Priorities Framework focus announced at the council meeting was a speech by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin titled “The China Challenge.” In the speech the secretary acknowledged the Chinese advances in hypersonics, nuclear weapons, and cyberwarfare, all of which are spacerelated dangers. But his message was that we should not overhype those threats. Yet, at the same forum, Space Force vice chief of Operations General David Thompson said that China

within this decade could exceed U.S. military capabilities. Both men were clear about the challenge the Chinese pose, but the difference in emphasis between the political leadership and the military leadership was notable.

What also should be noted about the announced space priorities of the Biden-Harris administration is their focus on looking down from space rather than looking outward into space. Their goal of reliance on more commercial space capabilities, mitigating space debris, space situational awareness and traffic management, and working closely with our allies are all positive initiatives. But our adversaries are looking beyond Low Earth Orbit domination and preparing to occupy cislunar space, beat the U.S. to human habitation on the Moon, and build technologies that will permit them to go to Mars. The technologies needed to do those things, such as nuclear power for surface applications and space vehicle propulsion, will define space leadership of the future and, like space programs of the past, will achieve earthbound technological and economic breakthroughs.

We are also working on similar technologies, but evidently not at a pace that would match the China-Russia efforts. Nothing in the Space Priorities Framework indicates a quickening of that pace. Concentrating on looking down rather than looking up will give our adversaries reason to think that we are not prepared to commit to the kind of effort that would dissuade them.

Speaking at the International Churchill Society in 2009, Richard Langford quoted Winston Churchill’s biographer, Martin Gilbert. He wrote that Churchill saw the policies of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in the 1930s, especially with regard to the Royal Air Force expansion, as having given Hitler the impression, first, that Britain would not stand up to aggression beyond its borders, and second, that if war came, Britain would not be in a position to act effectively even to defend its own cities.

After seeing the space priority messages of the Biden-Harris administration, many in the space community are wondering if China and Russia are not now making the same kind of calculations.

3

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Taylor charged with failing to report new address Pembroke Pines, Fla. NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor is facing felony charges in South Florida after failing to report an address change as required because of his status as a registered sex offender, authorities said.

Taylor, 62, turned himself in after Pembroke Pines police informed him of an active warrant for his arrest. Taylor was released shortly after his booking on $500 bail.

Taylor pleaded guilty in New York in 2011 to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute. He was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

NHL

Nine of NHL’s 32 teams paused because of COVID-19 New York More than a quarter of NHL teams have been shut down through at least the weekend after the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens became the eighth and ninth to have activities paused because of several positive COVID-19 test results among players.

Seven other NHL teams have been shut down as positive test results have risen across the league. The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were added to that list Sunday, joining the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins.

GOLF

Final ranking of year puts Masters field at 83 and counting Augusta, Ga. The top 50 from the final world ranking of the year was set on Sunday, adding 10 players to the field for the Masters in April. The list included Matthew Wolff, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada and Ryan Palmer, who are exclusive members of the PGA Tour. The final ranking, along with other criteria, puts the field at 83 players. The list also includes Tiger Woods, who is recovering from severe injuries to his right leg from a Feb. 23 car crash. Augusta National prefers to keep the field for the Masters at under 100 players, a target it has met every year dating to 1966 and would appear to be on pace to continue.

TENNIS

Nadal positive for virus after returning from Abu Dhabi Madrid Rafael Nadal tested positive for the coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, the Spaniard said Monday.

Nadal wrote on Twitter that the positive result came from a PCR test he took after arriving in Spain.

Nadal said he is enduring “unpleasant moments” but hopes to improve “little by little.” He is in isolation at home and everyone who has been in contact with him was informed of his positive result. Nadal said he had been tested every two days while away and all results had come back negative, with the last one on Saturday.

JOSHUA BESSEX | AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after failing to convert a field goal in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Panthers’ Rhule ‘can’t speculate’ on next week’s starting QB Cam Newton is now 0-4 since returning to Carolina

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Cam Newton’s struggles have left Matt Rhule looking for answers at quarterback.

Rhule said Monday that he “can’t speculate” on who’ll be the team’s starting quarterback this Sunday when the Panthers host Tampa Bay. The Panthers’ second-year coach said he’ll “continue working” with Newton but added that he wants to see where Sam Darnold’s shoulder is on Wednesday when the team returns to practice. Darnold remains on injured reserve but stepped up his throwing last week.

“We will find out about Sam and his health. I’m not going to look into the future, no hypotheticals,” Rhule said of Darnold, who went on IR on Nov. 10 with an incomplete fracture of his shoulder blade. “If Sam is healthy, we will practice him and see where he’s kind of at. I think it is a good opportunity to shake some the rust off and see where he’s at.”

Darnold is 4-5 as the team’s starter, while Newton is 0-4.

Newton threw for a touchdown and ran for another score in a 3114 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, but he also tossed another interception and his poor decision-making and inability to consistently complete passes down the field continue to be an issue for the Panthers (5-9).

Any hopes of a fairytale ending where the 2015 league MVP would help his former team turns

things around have vanished.

Carolina has lost nine of its past 11 games.

Rhule called Newton the “ultimate competitor” on Monday and praised him for his hard work.

But that came one day after he criticized the team’s lack of a downfield passing game and Newton’s decision-making. The Panthers only took one shot down the field, but Newton couldn’t complete the ball to an open D.J. Moore.

“Certainly right now, our passing down the field is not one of our strengths,” Rhule said. “Holding onto the football in kind of those duress situations is not really one of our strengths.”

Newton was sacked four times, losing 32 yards.

Rhule also questioned Newton’s decision to throw to wide receiver Robby Anderson on a

key fourth-and-1 zone-read play instead of running the ball as was designed.

“It shouldn’t be thrown. It’s a zone read. There’s a bubble on there in case an unblocked blitzer comes,” Rhule said. “The MIKE (linebacker), we had that guy blocked so that’s just an error by the quarterback. It should be a handoff.”

Newton has now lost 12 straight starts for Carolina going back to 2018 and it’s become clear that he, like Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold before him, is not the answer at quarterback.

P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to have Rhule’s support either as a shortterm or long-term starter.

Things aren’t going to get any easier down the stretch for the Panthers, who have lost nine of their past 11 games and are simply playing out the schedule. They’ll host a highly motivated Tom Brady on Sunday after the Buccaneers were blanked 9-0 on Sunday by the New Orleans Saints. Carolina then finishes on the road at New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

Broncos’ Bridgewater hospitalized, released after suffering head injury The former Panthers quarterback was carted off the field Sunday following a collision with a Bengals defender The Associated Press Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was taken to a hospital for a head injury after he was carted off the field in the third quarter of Denver’s 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Bridgewater was hurt in a scary collision that also sent Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie from the game with a leg injury.

Bridgewater had movement in his extremities, and coach Vic Fangio said he’d be held overnight for observation but was expected to be OK. Bridgewater was released from the hospital Monday morning and would be placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, the Broncos said.

Denver trailed 9-3 with 5:34 left in the third quarter when Bridgewater scrambled to his

right on second-and-5 from his 30-yard line. Bachie came up and squatted as he was about to make contact.

They collided and Bridgewater — who played for the Panthers last season — was sent airborne, landing a yard past the first-down marker, but falling on his face just as he was hit again by defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

Bridgewater lay motionless as Bachie rolled onto his back on his own several yards away. Concerned players from both teams gathered on the field.

While Bachie was helped off with a leg injury and ruled out, the cart came out to take Bridgewater off the field.

Defending champion Tampa Bay lost several key players in a 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

The list included wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Leonard Fournette.

Godwin (knee) and Evans (hamstring) left in the second quarter. Fournette (hamstring) exited in the third.

JACK DEMPSEY | AP PHOTO

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is hit by Bengals defensive end B.J. Hill during their game Sunday. Bridgewater left the game and was hospitalized with a head injury as a result of the play.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David also departed after injuring his foot.

“It hurts more losing all the players we lost,” coach Bruce Arians said. “We lost about seven starters in this game.”

Carolina kicker Zane Gonzalez had to be helped off the field after injuring his quadriceps in warmups, leaving the Panthers without a placekicker Sunday in a 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Gonzalez was injured about an hour before kickoff, and the Pan-

thers essentially held tryouts moments later to see if anyone was able to replace him. Receiver Brandon Zylstra, practice squad running back Reggie Bonnafon and linebacker Frankie Luvu practiced field-goal attempts. Zylstra took over for kickoffs, but none did any placekicking.

The Panthers passed up a fieldgoal attempt and failed to convert fourth-and-9 from Buffalo’s 24 to end their second possession.

They went for 2 after both of their touchdowns and converted once.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Holiday tourneys take new twists for area teams Two sites to be used for combined events for boys, girls

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record AREA BASKETBALl teams will be in holiday tournament action next week, but the format will look different from past years.

Teams will be headed to two sites, with a Davidson County vs.

Randolph County flavor.

“They agreed to do that this year,” Asheboro athletics director Steve Luck said. “It kind of worked out. We thought this would be neat.”

The changes stem from sponsorship changes and the renovations at Asheboro’s gym, which had been used for what were basically Randolph County tournaments on back-to-back weeks.

That venue is unavailable this year.

This is called the Davidson-Randolph Christmas Classic.

Now, the girls and boys play on the same days. That’s eight games per day at each site.

Games are set for Dec. 27-29 at Providence Grove and Ledford. Eight schools will be at each site with both their boys’ and girls’ teams.

“We kind of wanted something new and different,” Providence Grove athletics director Calvin Brown said.

Luck, Brown and Ledford athletics director Donald Palmer were among those putting together plans, beginning last spring.

With new North Carolina High School Athletic Association con-

ference alignments beginning this school year, it was another reason to adjust. All the schools in Randolph County with the exception of Asheboro are in the same league.

“The Randolph County schools were getting tired of playing each other,” Luck said.

There are bound to be some matchups between conference teams, but the brackets are set up to avoid that as much as possible.

So on Day 1, Randolph County schools (plus Jordan-Matthews) take on Davidson County Schools.

There are benefits to the format, primarily that three days – albeit it long ones – will be used. In the past, the girls’ tournament came prior to Christmas and the boys’ tournament followed Christmas, so that meant organizers and support personnel had six days when they had to be in attendance.

“You’ve got three days dedicated to this,” Luck said.

Providence Grove was a site for NCHSAA championship games last March. Now there will be three consecutive days stacked with basketball in the gym.

“We’ll see how it goes and we’re hoping it grows from this,” Brown said.

Revenues from the two sites will be combined and split among the 16 participating schools.

Brown said other benefits could arise from this format. With the girls and boys playing in separate weeks in the past, it made scheduling difficult across those periods because normally girls and boys play doubleheaders. This way, Brown said it frees time in the week prior to Christmas for non-conference games.

5

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Davidson-Randolph Christmas Classic The tournament runs Dec. 27-29.

Listed below are matchups for Day 1. Game times at both sites will be the same for Day 2 and Day 3 with matchups pending.

At Providence Grove

Dominic Payne

Girls Randleman vs. Lexington, 10 a.m.

Asheboro vs. East Davidson, 1 p.m.

Jordan-Matthews vs. Central Davidson, 4 p.m.

Providence Grove vs. West Davidson, 7 p.m.

Boys Randleman vs. Lexington, 11:30 a.m.

Asheboro vs. East Davidson, 2:30 p.m.

Jordan-Matthews vs. Central Davidson, 5:30 p.m.

Providence Grove vs. West Davidson, 8:30 p.m.

At Ledford PHOTO COURTESY TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL

Girls Thomasville vs. SW Randolph, 10 a.m.

Oak Grove vs. Eastern Randolph, 1 p.m.

South Davidson vs. Trinity, 4 p.m.

Ledford vs. Wheatmore, 7 p.m.

Boys Thomasville vs. SW Randolph, 11:30 a.m.

Oak Grove vs. Eastern Randolph, 2:30 p.m.

South Davidson vs. Trinity, 5:30 p.m.

Ledford vs. Wheatmore, 8:30 p.m.

Dominic Payne of Trinity has been a standout early in the season.

Trinity, boys’ basketball Payne produced a couple of strong outings as the Bulldogs split two Piedmont Athletic Conference games.

It began with the sophomore guard’s 20-point effort in a 53-46 decision against rival Wheatmore. That pushed the Bulldogs’ record to 8-0.

Later in the week, Payne racked up 18 points in a 61-54 loss to Uwharrie Charter Academy. Ashton Troutman, a previous winner of the honor this season, had 27 points in that game for UCA.

PREP BASKETBALL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s Dylan Wheatley hits one of his 10 baskets from 3-point range for a game-high 34 points in a 69-52 victory against visiting Eastern Randolph during a PAC boys’ basketball matchup

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Top, Eastern Randolph’s Kyania Brower shoots the ball against the Randleman’s Gracyn Hall last week. Randleman won 57-21.

Bottom, Eastern Randolph’s Daronte Brooks lays the ball up against the Randleman’s Baylor Petty during a PAC boys’ basketball team.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson shoots the ball over Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly last week.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Holiday Food Safety: Is it done? Is it safe?

By Jeannie M. Leonard For the Randolph Record ASHEBORO — It’s hard to think of the holidays without thinking about food — roast ham, standing rib roast, brisket with gravy, perhaps even a spicy, deep-fried turkey. And don’t forget the creamy mashed potatoes and the pies, cookies and other special treats for the holiday season.

With these fond thoughts of holiday foods comes the pressure to prepare everything just right and to serve safe food to all those guests. The cookies and mashed potatoes are relatively straightforward, but how do you know if a turkey or a beef roast is thoroughly cooked? Is “done” the same as “safe”? Not always.

Doneness reflects subjective qualities such as the appearance, texture and optimum flavor of food. However, research has shown that these qualities aren’t necessarily reliable indicators of safety. Only a food thermometer can be relied upon to accurately ensure destruction of pathogens that might be in the food. Visual signs of doneness should be reserved for situations in which doneness is reached after the food has reached a safe temperature.

Poultry is one product that

FILE PHOTO

generally reaches a safe temperature (160 degrees F) before most consumers consider it done (165180 degrees F). At an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit throughout, pathogenic bacteria have been destroyed, but poultry will still be pink and raw-looking near the bone and the juices will be pink and/or cloudy. At temperatures of 170 degrees F for white meat and 180 degrees F for dark meat, the

flesh of poultry will no longer be pink, the juices will run clear and the joints will move easily. Visual clues, however, can’t be trusted for the stuffing. The only sure way to be sure the stuffing has reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F is to use a thermometer.

Beef is another product that needs a thermometer to ensure safety. While few people like their chicken and turkey pink, many

prefer beef that is still red or pink in the middle. Luckily, a solid muscle beef roast that has been cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F or higher will have reached a temperature hot enough on the surface to destroy E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria. Beef products that have been rolled, ground, or mechanically tenderized, however, need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F to ensure safety. Recent research has confirmed that ground beef may turn brown before it has reached 160 degrees F. The only way to ensure safety and doneness is by using a food thermometer. For patties, this often means inserting a thermometer sideways into the hamburger in order to get an accurate reading. A hamburger cooked at 160 degrees F, measured with a food thermometer throughout the patty, is safe — regardless of the color.

Pork roasts are considered safe if they have been cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. At this temperature, the center of the roast may still be somewhat pink. Pork chops also may have just a trace of pink color at this temperature. Again, the only way to ensure that pork with any pinkness has reached a safe temperature is with a meat ther-

Across US, houses of worship struggle to rebuild attendance

By David Crary The Associated Press WHEN WESTMINSTER United Methodist Church in Houston resumed in-person services late last year, after a seven-month halt due to COVID-19, there were Sundays when only three worshippers showed up, according to the pastor, Meredith Mills.

Since then, attendance has inched back up, but it’s still only about half the pre-pandemic turnout of 160 or 170, Mills estimates.

“It’s frustrating,” she said.

“People just seem to want to leave home less these days.”

Some houses of worship are faring better than Mills’ church, some worse. Polls by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows how dramatically church attendance fell during the worst of the pandemic last year, even as many say they are now returning to regular service attendance.

Among mainline Protestants, just 1% said in a May 2020 poll that they were attending in-per-

son services at least once a week.

In the new poll, 14% say they’re doing so now, compared to 16% who say they did in 2019.

Among evangelical Protestants, 37% now say they are attending services in person at least weekly, while 42% said they did that in 2019. In the May 2020 poll, just 11% said they were attending services in person that often.

Among Catholics, 26% attend in person at least weekly now, compared with 30% in 2019. In the 2020 poll, conducted as many bishops temporarily waived the obligation for weekly Mass attendance, just 5% were worshipping in person at least weekly.

Elsewhere, churches large and small have taken hits in attendance.

John Elkins, teaching pastor at Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Brazoria, Texas, says 25 to 30 people have attended services recently, down from around 50 before the pandemic.

“For some, I was not political enough,” he said via email. “Some wanted more activities, some

just stopped going to church.”

Sovereign Grace, a Southern Baptist church, had never offered online worship before the pandemic. When in-person worship was halted for a month in 2020, leaving online worship as the only option, Elkins said he did more crisis counseling for congregation members than ever before.

Pre-pandemic, the predominantly African American church held three services each weekend, including one on Saturday evenings, with average total attendance of 2,500. Now there’s a single service on Sunday, and only 500 worshippers — with masks and proof of vaccination — are allowed into a sanctuary that can seat more than 1,500.

The return to in-person worship “gives us a sense of connection and community,” Clarke said. “But you also have safety.”

Friendswood United Methodist Church, in the Houston suburbs, has endured not only COVID-19 disruptions but also flooding during a winter storm last February that rendered the sanctuary unusable. It just re-

opened for services this month, said the pastor, Jim Bass.

Pre-pandemic, Friendswood’s Sunday services would draw about 900 worshippers; Bass was pleased that about 650 gathered when the sanctuary reopened for high-energy, music-filled services on Dec. 5.

However, he said average attendance has been only half of that during most of the pandemic, creating a $400,000 shortfall in expected giving.

Like many houses of worship, Friendswood offered online services as an alternative to in-person attendance. He considers them a mixed blessing — a plus for elderly congregation members worried about their health, but a disincentive for others who are increasingly disconnected from the church.

At Temple Beth El in Charlotte, Rabbi Asher Knight was elated that recent Hannukah celebrations drew about 300 people in person. Overall, attendance now is roughly half of pre-pandemic levels, but an improvement over periods earlier this year when only a handful of wor-

mometer.

To ensure safety, casseroles and other combination dishes need to be cooked to 165 degrees F in the center of the dish as measured with a food thermometer. These dishes are traditionally composed of cooked foods and then heated to combine flavors. However, pathogenic bacteria could survive if the meat or poultry component of a casserole is merely “browned” and the casserole was not subsequently heated thoroughly, especially if the dish was assembled in advance and refrigerated. These dishes display no visible signs of doneness. The visual descriptor, “cook until hot and steamy” is difficult to verify. Only by using a food thermometer can you be sure the product has been heated to a safe temperature.

The best part about using a food thermometer is that it takes the guesswork out of cooking. No more cutting into your turkey or beef roast to see if it looks done.

Simply place the food thermometer into the food in a couple of places and check the temperature of the food. By using a food thermometer on a regular basis, you can be assured that foods are done as well as safe.

Jeannie M. Leonard is a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with the NC Cooperative Extension Randolph County Center.

shippers appeared.

“It was demoralizing and painful to lead worship with virtually no one present,” he said.

“But in October and November, people got the booster and their children got vaccinated and they slowly started coming back.”

Among Christians, the option of worshipping online has been embraced by many evangelical Protestants, according to the APNORC poll. About 3 in 10 have livestreamed services at least weekly in recent months, compared with about 1 in 10 Catholics or mainline Protestants.

Roughly a quarter of evangelical Protestants say they’ve recently talked by phone or video conference with a religious or spiritual leader at least a few times a month, compared with about 1 in 10 mainline Protestants and Catholics.

Some faith leaders, such as Meredith Mills, see some positives, such as more energy in the church, even with fewer worshippers.

“The ones showing up right now are the people who really want to be there,” she said.

“There’s a lot of joy in the room Sunday mornings. It’s one of the reasons that, despite everything, I still love my job.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

7

obituaries

Jimmie Lee Hussey

1946 – 2021 Jimmie Lee Hussey, age 75, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at his home.

Mr. Hussey was born in Moore County on October 4, 1946, to William Curtis and Beulah Culler Hussey. He was a retired knitting machine fixer at Candor Hosiery Mill. He loved antiquing, horses, tractors, and farming but especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Carter Hussey of the home, daughter Anna Lee Bland (Chris) of Greensboro; sisters Mary Hussey of Raeford; Carrie Ritter of Robbins; Margaret Burnette (Ikey) of Locust; Oneda Smith of Asheboro; Kristene Welsh of Asheboro; and Joann Graham of Seagrove. Brothers Odell Hussey of Robbins, J.B. Hussey of Robbins; sister-in-law Pattie Carter, brother-in-law Charles Carter and grandchildren Brittany Bland, Graham Bland, and Carter Bland.

David Phillip Hussey

1953 – 2021 David Phillip Hussey, age 68, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021, at his home.

David was born in Montgomery County on May 24, 1953, to Dr. Tracy Eldon and Calla Jewel Chrisco Hussey Sr. He was retired from the NC Department of Public Safety. He was a member of Star United Methodist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his nephew, Christopher Freeman, and brother-in-law Ronnie Blake.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Robin Love Hussey of the home. Daughter Leslie Parsons (Carrick) of Candor; son Brian Hussey of Star; daughter Laura Dawkins (Matt) of Biscoe; sisters Deborah Spivey (Cletus) of Biscoe; Jewel E. Hussey of Star; Phyllis Parsons of Candor.

Brothers, Tracy Hussey Jr. (Carlynne) of Burlington; and Joseph Hussey (Joan) of Concord, and grandchildren Mason and Hadley Hussey, Anna and Maggie Parsons and Noah and Caroline Campbell Dawkins.

The family would like to thank Community Hospice and nurse Krystal for their wonderful and compassionate care of David.

Ralph Douglas “Doug” Jones

1947 - 2021 Douglas Jones, age 74 went to be with the Lord suddenly on the morning of December 12, 2021 with his family by his side.

Doug honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force, followed by a career as a manager of Lowes Home Improvement for 15 years. After leaving Lowes, he worked his true passion building houses with his dad until retiring.

Doug moved along with his wife from Jackson Springs to High Rock, NC to enjoy his retirement on the lake.

Doug’s Christian faith was an essential part of his life.

A member of Norman PCA, Norman, NC, he loved his church and church family. In retirement he loved boating on the lake, fishing, working on his tractor, and spending times with his friends. His greatest joy was his family. He loved spending as much time as possible with his daughters, their husbands, and grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to attend any activity his grandchildren were involved in.

Doug leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Phyllis, his two daughters, Melissa Schlee (Joe) of Apex, NC and Andrea Baxley (Kyle) of Pinehurst, NC; three beautiful grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katie, and Lexi Schlee; and his sister, Carol Scroggins (Herman) of Emerald Isle, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Irene Jones.

Thomas Raymond Tazewell

1968 - 2021 Thomas Raymond Tazewell, age 53, of Wake Forest, NC passed away on December 13, 2021.

Thomas was born in Akron, OH to Joseph and Barbara Brown Tazewell. He received his Computer Science Degree at NC A&T University and was employed with Allscripts, based in Raleigh. He was preceded in death by his father. Thomas was a kind and gentle man who was devoted to his family and never met a stranger. He could fix anything. Thomas loved traveling to his home in Antigua, fishing and being on his boat, and grilling. He was a huge Cleveland Browns fan and an avid Earth, Wind, & Fire fan.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sharon Miller Tazewell; children, Justice Reynolds of Raleigh, Candis Tazewell of High Point, and Victor Tazewell and Ariel Tazewell both of the home; grandchildren, Alaina Reynolds, Noela Reynolds, and Lillah Reynolds all of Wake Forest; the son of Barbara Tazewell and Emma Washington of Asheboro; and siblings, Joseph Tazewell (Lora) of New Jersey, Jonathan Tazewell (Peg) of Ohio, and Paul Tazewell of New York.

A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

1932 - 2021 Foy Alex Morton, age 89, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021 at his home.

Mr. Morton was born in Norwood, NC on Jan. 24, 1932 to Frank and Morning Lemons Morton. Foy was a hard worker and retired from Burlington Industries. He stayed busy working in his yard and helping others. Foy loved going fishing with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughters, Sonya Morton of Kernersville and Tonya Morton of Pleasant Garden; sons, Jimmy Morton (Donna) of Germanton, Foy A. Morton, Jr. (Lisa) of Belews Creek, and Bucky Atwell of Franklinville; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jessica, Eric, Donald, Greyson, and Travis; sisters, Lottie Earnhardt and Sarah Tyndall both of Troy; and brother, Pink Morton of Troy.

Joella Mobley Jones

Calvin Whittley Casey, Sr.

1954 - 2021 Calvin Whittley Casey, Sr., age 66, of Asheboro passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at High Point Medical Center.

Mr. Casey was born in Bluefield, WV on December 15, 1954 to Frank and Annie Mae Dean Casey. He was formerly employed with Black & Decker and retired, after 14 years of service, as a delivery driver for Kimbrell’s Furniture. Calvin attended Fellowship Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Calvin was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Dean Casey and his second wife, Patsy Dean Casey, daughter, Teresa Carter, granddaughter, Kristina Dameron, and siblings, Frank Casey, Jr., Tommy Casey, Jimmy Casey, Teddy Casey, and Shirley Barbour. Calvin enjoyed playing the guitar and going to The Berry Patch for ice cream.

He loved to watch NASCAR, wrestling, and Carolina sports.

He is survived by his fiancée Sharon Cheek; daughters, Regina Kepley (Tim) of Thomasville and Priscilla Williams (Tony) of Asheboro; son, Calvin Casey, Jr. of Conway, SC; David Casey Motley (Desi) of Maryland; adopted son, William Willard (Jane) of New London; stepsons, Larry Salyers and Jimmy Barnes both of Asheboro; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and siblings, Henry “Bud” Mitchell of Ellington, VA, Susie Miller of Gary, WV, Alma Harper of Crawley, WV, Ruby Annette Hundley of Asheboro, and India Harper of Orrum.

Foy Alex Morton

John Charles Bunch, Jr.

1952 - 2021 John Charles Bunch, Jr. (Johnny), 68, of Asheboro, died on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Nancy J. Bunch, his son, Tommy Bunch of Greensborp, and daughters, Kara Parrish (and husband, Matt), of Angier, N.C., and Ashley Tysinger (and husband, Tyler), of Asheboro, N.C. He is also survived by his grandson, Casey Baria, his three brothers, Bobby Bunch, Ed Bunch, and Bill Bunch, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John C. Bunch and Claudine C. Bunch, his sister, Ellen Bunch, and his daughter, Katie Bunch.

A native of Randolph County, Johnny was born on December 20, 1952 and was well loved by his community. Throughout his life he faithfully served in local church communities, often blessing congregations with his vocal and instrumental praises.

Johnny could walk in any establishment in Asheboro and be greeted by a close friend. He set an example of generosity and loved his family deeply.

Johnny attended Asheboro City Schools, Randolph Community College, and UNC-Greensboro. Johnny was employed by Klaussner Furniture for 28 years and served as a plant manager and a general manager. He also worked as a salesman at Wayne Thomas Chevrolet.

Elizabeth “Liz” Magdalene Maness Fair

1953 - 2021 Elizabeth Magdalene Maness Fair, age 68 of Asheboro, earned her angel wings on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the Randolph Hospice House after a long battle with cancer.

Liz was born April 17, 1953 in Carthage, NC to Norman and Hattie Mae Ross Maness.

Liz worked as a computer programmer early in her life and devoted the remaining years of her life to loving her family. She enjoyed reading, cross stitch, and planting flowers. Liz was a longtime member at West Bend United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, Liz is preceded in death by her husband, Brannon Fair.

Liz is survived by her son, Kevin Fair and wife Anna of Asheboro; her daughter, Lesley Fair Tyl and husband Jeff of Asheboro; grandchildren, Braydon, Holt, Levi Tyl, and Carleigh Fair; brother, Jim Maness and wife Becky of Carthage; her first cousin Wylene Brower and husband Nelson; and close friend Patricia Marshall.

Liz will lie in repose on Sunday, December 26, 2021 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave., Asheboro. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 pm in the West Bend United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Keys Pendleton officiating.

Bobby Leonard Sparks

1936 - 2021 Bobby Leonard Sparks, 85, of Sophia, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Randolph Hospice House, Asheboro.

Bobby was a native of Bumcombe County and served are Country in the US Navy. He was a truck driver for 46 years, avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed watching westerns, and loved working in his building. Each night Bobby would call each child ask about their day, tell them he loved them and goodnight.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ola Mae Sparks, his wife Lois Jean Bartlett Sparks, sister, Mary Hissam, brother, Bill Sparks and grandson, Dallas Sparks.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from noon till 2:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 S. Main St., Randleman, NC 27317. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the chapel with Rev. Danny McMahan officiating. The burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park with the Randolph County Honor Guard performing military rites.

Bobby is survived by sons: Mike Sparks, Mitchell Sparks wife Fe, and Roy Sparks and wife Le. Daughter: Sandy Bailey and husband Hubert; grandchildren: April, Bobby, Lorenze, Shaina, Elizabeth, Brent, Leslie, Eric, Bao, Amber, Krysta, and Kaylynn; 9 great grandchildren; sister: Barbara Ledford.

1935 - 2021 Joella Mobley Jones, 86, of Goldston, passed away on December 18, 2021 at First Health Hospice, in Pinehurst, NC. Joella was born in Durham, NC on April 23, 1935, the daughter of Isaac and Inez Holder Mobley.

She was a member of Sandy Branch Baptist Church. Joella spent her working years as a bookkeeper for several small businesses. She loved going shopping, and was always doing things for others. Joella made sure to send cards to everyone for special occasions. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

She is survived by her son, Justin Williams and wife Linda; and granddaughter, Amy Poe and husband Larry; and great grandchildren, Parker, Jake and Lillie Poe.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

8

STATE & NATION

US Sen. Joe Manchin says no to $2T bill: ‘I can’t vote for it’

By Hope Yen The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said on Sunday he cannot back his party’s signature $2 trillion social and environment bill, dealing a fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s leading domestic initiative heading into an election year when Democrats’ narrow hold on Congress was already in peril.

Manchin told “Fox News Sunday” that he always has made clear he had reservations about the bill and that now, after five-and-half months of discussions and negotiations, “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation.”

The legislation’s apparent collapse is sure to deepen the bitter ideological divisions within the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates. That would call into question whether Democrats will be able to join together behind any substantial legislation

before the November congressional elections. And it adds a note of chaos just as Democrats need to demonstrate accomplishments and show a united front before the fall campaign.

The bill carries massive spending including extending a more generous child tax credit, creating free preschool and bolstering child care aid. There’s also benefits for Medicare recipients and provisions limiting price increases on prescription drugs.

Nearly all of it would be paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.

Manchin’s opposition puts it all on hold indefinitely. The West Virginia senator cited several factors weighing on the economy and the potential harm he saw from pushing through the “mammoth” bill, such as persistent inflation, a growing debt and the latest threat from the omicron variant.

“When you have these things coming at you the way they are right

now, I’ve always said this ... if I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” he said.

“I tried everything humanly possible. I can’t do it,” he said. “This is a no on this legislation. I have tried everything I know to do.”

Though Manchin has been Democrats’ main obstacle all year to pushing the massive package through the narrowly divided Congress, his declaration was a stunning repudiation of Biden’s and his party’s top goal. A rejection of the legislation had been seen by many as unthinkable because of the political damage it could inflict on Democrats.

Sen Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., criticized Manchin for withdrawing his support and urged Democratic leaders to bring the bill to the floor anyway and force Manchin to oppose it.

“If he doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and

America, let him vote no in front of the whole world, “ Sanders told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

It is rare for a member of a president’s own party to administer a fatal blow to their paramount legislative initiative. Manchin’s decision called to mind the famous thumbsdown vote by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that killed President Donald Trump’s 2017 effort to repeal the health care law enacted under President Barack Obama.

Last week, Biden all but acknowledged that negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package would likely push into the new year. But the president had insisted that Manchin reiterated his support for a framework that the senator, the White House and other Democrats had agreed to for the flagship bill.

Manchin made clear those were Biden’s words, not his own. The senator criticized fellow lawmakers for a bill that “hasn’t shrunk” after he initially agreed to a $1.5 trillion

Troops find religious exemption for vaccines unattainable

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.

That total lack of approvals is creating new tensions within the military.

The services, which are ordering troops to be vaccinated, are now besieged with exemption requests they are unlikely to approve. Meanwhile, troops claiming religious reasons for avoiding the shots are perplexed because exemptions are theoretically available, yet seem impossible to obtain.

Caught in the middle are chaplains, who must balance the desire to offer compassionate care and guidance to personnel with the need to explain a complicated process that may well be futile.

They also must assess requests from those who may be using religion as an excuse to avoid a vaccine that has become politically charged.

“So many of them come in thinking that I make the decision, and if they make this case, that it’s a done deal,” said Maj. A’Shellarien Lang, an Army chaplain for the National Guard. “I don’t make the decision. And so when they find that out, it’s a kind of game-changer in the sense that they know that the process has to continue.”

Obtaining a religious exemption is rooted in a process that predates the pandemic and has been used for decisions such as whether troops on duty can wear head coverings or beards for religious reasons.

In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel.

The final decision is made higher up the chain of command and is also based on whether the person’s vaccine exemption will pose a risk to mission accomplishment, unit

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

Head National Guard chaplain Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the chaplain office, left, and Chaplain Maj. A'Shellarien Lang, right, speak at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. cohesion, the health and safety of the force, and military readiness.

Even in the past, few troops have cleared those hurdles to get religious exemptions. And because the pandemic can directly affect the force’s health and readiness, the bar is even higher, so military leaders aren’t surprised by the lack of approved exemptions.

But for the troops and chaplains, it’s been a bit overwhelming.

“It’s just been a lot of interviews, a lot of memos,” Lang said. “I find that my colleagues are stressed just because of the logistics of getting the memo done and having to

make sure they’re keeping up with the process. It’s like rapid fire.”

Air Force officials initially said religious exemption requests would be answered in 30 days. But they have gotten more than 4,700 requests — far more than the other military services, and the logistics of the lengthy review process has made it difficult to meet that timeline. The Navy has received about 2,700 religious exemption requests, the Marine Corps has 3,100 and the Army about 1,700.

Some that were rejected have been appealed, but there is little data on that.

“We did not expect the surge of

requests,” said Air Force Col. Paul Sutter, chief chaplain for religious affairs at Space Force, which is included in the Air Force.

An Air Force reservist who requested a religious exemption said she’s aware of none approved so far, and she is not optimistic.

The reservist, who asked that her name be withheld for privacy reasons, said her chaplain was very straightforward, laying out the process and noting the lack of approvals.

Still, she said, she believes “God has a plan for my life.”

Sutter and Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the National

framework and said social programs must be paid for over 10 years instead of just a few years to win his support, a nonstarter due to cost.

“We should be up front and pick our priorities,” Manchin said.

The party’s ascendant progressive wing dismiss Manchin’s assertions that the bill would fuel inflation and worsen budget deficits.

A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office earlier this month said that if many of the bill’s temporary spending boosts and tax cuts were made permanent, it would add $3 trillion to the price tag. That would more than double its 10-year cost to about $5 trillion.

But Democrats note that the CBO estimated that the legislation is almost completely paid for. Its tax boosts, more aggressive IRS collection of revenue and other savings would add around $200 billion to federal deficits over the coming decade, CBO has estimated — a small percentage of the $12 trillion in red ink CBO had already projected.

Guard’s joint chaplain office, said they tell their chaplains to be impartial as they speak with service members and to follow the process.

“Meet the member where they are. Let them articulate who they are, how they believe and how they live out that faith,” Sutter said he advises chaplains. “We’re just looking for their articulation of their deeply held beliefs. You’re looking for a consistency in how they adhere to those beliefs.”

The Air Force reservist who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was raised a Christian and is willing to retire if her request isn’t granted, even though it would mean giving up her G.I. Bill tuition benefits that she would get if she stayed another year or more.

“I will have to forfeit that,” said the mother of three children, including a newborn. Forgoing the tuition benefit, which she could transfer to her children, is worth it, she said. “I have no doubt God will provide for me.”

Some religious leaders have offered exemption letter templates and voiced support for vaccine avoidance.

The services, in many cases, provided chaplains with interview questions such as whether the service member’s “pattern of conduct” is consistent, whether the member routinely complies with religious practices and whether the member participates in activities “associated with the belief.”

Chaplains also take into account whether service members previously received religious accommodations.

“I don’t really dig into how long they’ve been in church and all of that kind of stuff because it’s really about their current reality of what they really believe,” Lang said. “And in that moment — let’s suppose it’s a political decision, but they wrap it in religiosity — that’s still what they believe in that moment.”

The chaplains said the interviews have had the side benefit of making troops more aware that religious personnel are available and that the meetings are triggering longer conversations about other issues.

“It’s really been a bridge to just some greater ministry,” Lang said.

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A Christmas tree decorated with several ornaments from the White House Historical Association is on display in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Man arrested for 10 counts of statutory rape

By David Larson Stanly County Journal

Stanly County The Albemarle Police Department and Norwood Police Department arrested Domincue L. Perkins, 29, on 10 counts of statutory rape, after concluding a joint operation of both departments.

APD first received a report of rape concerning Perkins in October 2021, and after an initial investigation, detectives found evidence of cases in Norwood as well. The charges involve sexual contact with “a child less than or equal to 15 years of age,” according to a City of Albemarle press release. Perkins was given a $1,000,000 secured bond and has a court date at 9 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2022.

SCJ

Police arrest man, 60, for exploiting minor Stanly County A press release from the City of Albemarle said that La Chong Cha Moua, 60, of Albemarle, has been charged with SecondDegree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Albemarle Police Department received a tip from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and, after investigation, determined there was enough evidence to charge Moua with exploiting a minor sexually. Moua is due in Stanly County District Court on Jan. 3 for his next court date.

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Stanly animal shelter asks community for help

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ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Animal Protection Services (SCAPS) announced in December that they are “over capacity” at their shelter and need help from the community.

“We are only 1.5 staff members, 4 officers, a small group of dedicated volunteers and a old concrete building with 37 kennels,” they said Dec. 15 on their social media. “Right now, nearly every kennel is full. The need for the homeless animals in our community is much more than we can fill alone. SCAPS Community, we need your help.”

SCAPS said they are doing ev-

erything they can to “avoid euthanizing for space,” but that they “have nowhere to put incoming dogs.”

Days later, SCAPS posted on their page that cat intake would also be closed until further notice. “Several of our cats have contracted ringworm, and we need to close intake until we get this under control. We do not want to euthanize these cats, so we need your help!!!”

To help incentivize people to adopt, SCAPS implemented a $25 adoption special that concluded Dec. 20. They are also asking those in the community to help in a number of areas.

Those in the community who have a dog on “stray hold,” they

Police chase in Albemarle leads to arrest Stanly County Journal staff ALBEMARLE — Friday night, Dec. 17, at 10:21 p.m., Albemarle Police noted a Burgundy Chevy Avalanche driving recklessly near the intersection of East Main Street and Leonard Avenue and attempted to pull the vehicle over, according to a city press release. But the driver ignored the officer, who had “activated his blue lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle,” and instead continued driving.

The driver not only refused to stop, he dangerously ignored many other traffic laws.

“As the vehicle traveled from East Main Street to Badin Road, the driver failed to stop at a red light at the Connector before continuing on Badin Road,” the APD said. “The vehicle’s operator disregarded

the officers attempt to stop him and continued driving recklessly while failing to stop for the officer’s emergency equipment. The vehicle eventually traveled into the Town of Badin where it came to a stop at the Badin Mart.”

After the driver stopped at Badin Mart, the APD says he “was arrested without further incident.”

The man, Latarius Williams, earned even more charges after a search of his car turned up two handguns, a “large amount of cash” and a bag of marijuana.

Williams was charged with Fleeing/Eluding Arrest, Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia and was given a $15,000 secured bond.

He is next due in court on Jan. 10, 2022.

“Thank you for all of your support during this stressful time!! As a community, we will get through this.”

Stanly County Animal Protective Services ask you to “please welcome them back home.”

Those who have found a dog, they ask that you make a “found animal report,” and then consider doing the “stray hold” at your own

home until the owner is located.

Those who need to surrender their pet, they ask you to make an appointment, so they can be sure there is enough space.

Those who are interested in adopting and fostering, they ask that you reach out immediately and find a pet you can welcome into your home.

“Most of all, please consider getting your pets spayed/neutered through our low-cost program,” SCAPS said. “There are too many homeless animals in our community, and there just aren’t enough homes.”

In addition, they ask for help with supplies to care for the ringworm among their cat population and requested volunteers, saying, “If you have just a couple of spare hours over the next couple of weeks to help us with lime dips, please let us know!!!!”

“Thank you for all of your support during this stressful time!!”

SCAPS said in the post. “As a community, we will get through this.”

Stanly County Freedom Network holds group campaign event Group is running 4 candidates for county positions

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal OAKBORO — Stanly County Board of Education candidate Meghan Almond joined county commission candidates Levi Greene, Patty Crump and Thomas Townsend for a night of fellowship and discussion at Oakboro’s Los Jacubes restaurant this past Thursday.

It was the latest group appearance for the four Republican candidates who are campaigning together as representatives of the Stanly County Freedom

Network, a grassroots conservative movement and Facebook group of nearly 1,600 members with its sights set on winning four local seats in the 2022 elections.

Almond will challenge incumbent Dustin Lisk (R) for the District 1 school board seat, while Greene is set to challenge incumbent Mike Barbee (R) and Mike Haigler (R) for the District 1 commissioner seat; Crump is running against incumbent Lane Furr (R) for the commission’s at-large seat, and Townsend is facing Jon Ledbetter (R) for the commission’s District 2 seat (GOP incumbent Bill Lawhon has not yet filed for ofSee FREEDOM, page 2

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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“Join the conversation” Stanly County Journal

FREEDOM from page 1 fice).

The election primaries are now scheduled for May 17 after being pushed back from their original March 8 date by the N.C. Supreme Court.

Almond, Greene, Crump and Townsend have each made recent appearances at public hearings for the Stanly County Board of Education and Stanly County Board of Commissioners, and at Stanly County GOP meetings.

In those venues, they have spoken out against mask policies in schools, lengthy quarantining requirements and Critical Race Theory taught through the staterun Social and Emotional Learning program.

Event host and network co-creator Jason Phibbs explained that the origins of the group date back to June, when six forming members met to discuss the county’s mask mandate in schools and how to influence the school board’s decisions on that matter.

That meetup eventually led to a “Unmask Stanly County Schools” online petition (with over 2,000 signatures) and a corresponding Facebook group that was later renamed to serve a broader scope of issues.

“Looking back on the last six months of work, God has been good,” Phibbs told the crowd on Thursday. “We’ve compiled resources and information to help families get educated and treat COVID-19. The pressure we’ve

created on the school board has caused the board chair to resign, which has completely changed the tone and tenor of the meetings.”

The network’s social media addresses itself as a discussion forum and event planner for “freedom-loving people of Stanly County to debate, share, and take action on the issues that threaten our liberty,” and the four candidates are now taking the core tenants of their local political collective to the campaign trail.

Almond spoke to SCJ about her campaign for a school board seat and the issues that schools are currently facing as a result of the pandemic. With the prospect of a potential enforcement of COVID-19 vaccinations in the

public school system looming in some areas throughout the country, she confirmed that she would be strongly opposed to that policy if it was to be handed down through Raleigh.

“If the state were to come down and say you have to do mandatory vaccinations, I would fight that to the core and I wouldn’t give up,” Almond said. “We have outright asked my opponent what he would do if forced vaccinations were to come — his words were that he would ‘obey law and order.’ I will disobey law and order on anything that is against our constitutional rights.”

The Stanly County Freedom Network can be found at https:// www.facebook.com/groups/ freestanly.

ISSN: 2575-2278

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor David Larson

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 (704) 269-8461 INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM STANLYJOURNAL.COM

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POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W. Albemarle, N.C. 28001

PepsiCo Foundation to expand U.S. food aid program globally The Associated Press At the start of the pandemic, the need for the food that Jaron Barganier’s nonprofit provides to children throughout Texas exploded.

Not only did many children lose the free breakfasts and lunches they had normally received at their schools, which were closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

What’s more, Barganier’s nonprofit, Be a Champion, lost its access to those schools — and, more important to the food supplies, their refrigerators and freezers — as distribution hubs.

With demand having more than tripled to about 100,000 meals a day, Barganier turned for help to The PepsiCo Foundation’s Food for Good.

“They basically created a way for us to serve our kids outside,” said Barganier, Be a Champion’s CEO. “When they learned some of these families don’t even have access to refrigeration at home, they created

PHOTO VIA AP

In this 2018 photo provided by Holt Haynsworth, Portia Thomas packs boxes at the Food For Good Warehouse in Austin, Texas in 2018. a shelf-stable menu of products.”

The PepsiCo Foundation says that as it built out its Food For Good program across America, it focused on addressing individual communities’ needs. And it plans to continue that focus as it expands Food For Good around the world,

hoping to feed 50 million people by 2030.

Jon Banner, president of the PepsiCo Foundation and executive vice president of PepsiCo global communications, said the company and its philanthropic arm want to combat the world’s hunger cri-

sis, which was severely exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Roughly 800 million people around the world suffer from hunger,” Banner said. “It’s a tragedy that doesn’t need to happen. We had made so much progress, but I think, in one year, the pandemic has set us back 15 years.”

The PepsiCo Foundation has pledged $100 million in new food security initiatives and sustainable agriculture development by 2030.

It has also expanded its work with the United Nations World Food Programme, pledging additional money to create a multi-country partnership in the Middle East and North Africa to secure food for communities affected by climate change.

Expanding the Food For Good program globally will combine what the foundation has learned with its Access to Water initiatives in the past 12 years with what it has learned in America in its food programs, Cruz-Vargas said.

SIGNIFICANT DEATHS IN 2021

Retired Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy Mike Brady was killed when he was involved in a traffic accident out of state. Brady, the son of former Salisbury Fire Department Chief Sam Brady, was a lieutenant in the Rowan sheriff’s office. Even though he was retired, he often served at special events like the local Fourth of July celebration. He also worked with the Rowan County Rescue Squad as a diver. Details of the crash were not immediately released.

PHOTOS VIA NORTH CAROLINA ZOO FACEBOOK

Two longtime residents at the North Carolina Zoo have died. An ostrich named Pearl was euthanized. A seal named Paco died. Pearl was 19 years old and had lived on the state zoological park’s Watani Grasslands since arriving in Asheboro at age 1. When Pearl was under general anesthesia, veterinarians learned she had a severe reproductive disease that would kill her.

The cause of death for Paco, who lived at the N.C. Zoo for 13 years, hadn’t yet been determined, but he had a large mass on his lung.

AP PHOTO

Jeanne Robertson, who parlayed her appearance in the Miss America pageant into a career as a speaker and humorist, died unexpectedly. She was 77. Her death was announced by Elon University, where she served as a trustee. She died at her home in Burlington. A cause of death was not released. Robertson became Miss North Carolina at age 19, and won Miss Congeniality at the 1963 Miss America pageant. Her pageant experience, and her 6-foot-2-inch frame, often provided fodder for her comedy routines, delivered in her Southern accent.

A North Carolina firefighter has died after battling COVID-19 for more than a month. The Durham Fire Department announced the death of 45-year-old Jeremy Klemm in a Facebook post. The 15-year employee “will be missed greatly,” the fire department said in its Facebook posting. Klemm began his career with the Durham Fire Department on Feb. 27, 2006, after graduating from Fire Academy 19. He was promoted to fire driver on Jan. 2, 2020, and was last assigned to the Engine 8 A-Shift.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Mobster Peter Gotti, the brother of notorious Gambino crime boss John Gotti, has died while serving a federal prison sentence. Gotti, 81, died of natural causes while incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Butner. Gotti was sentenced to a 25-year term for his conviction in 2003 on racketeering and other charges alleging he took command of the Gambinos after his brother was locked up.

He had sought an early release, citing his poor health and his rejection of the gangster life, in an effort to avoid dying in prison. He served more than 17 years behind bars.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Looking back on 2021

This past year has been challenging and an extremely divided time in Washington.

However, I hope you are proud of my efforts to defend our rights, stand up for our values, and push for common sense solutions.

IT’S HARD TO believe 2021 is almost over. After all of the challenges we faced this year, many of us will say good riddance.

It’s true — 2021 has been a challenging year in so many ways.

Most frustrating is that many of our challenges have been selfinflicted by bad policies from Washington.

Inflation reached a 40-year high due to out-of-control spending.

More than 1.8 million illegal migrants have crossed our border this year after President Biden stopped deportations and the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy. American leadership around the world has been challenged by the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and from emboldened adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran.

At every turn, I have tried to stop the dangerous policies of Nancy Pelosi and the Biden administration. This year, I went to the border to see for myself and speak to the experts on the ground about the crisis at our border. I led the charge in Congress that successfully removed the Democrat provision of anti-Second Amendment redflag laws in the National Defense Authorization Act. I also led 140 of my colleagues in calling on the ATF to withdraw their stabilizing brace rule that jeopardizes the rights of law-abiding gun owners and targets combat wounded veterans. Additionally, I joined all of my Republican colleagues to cosponsor a bill to nullify Biden’s vaccine mandate.

With the Democrats controlling the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, Republicans in Congress continue to do all we can to limit their bad policies and reckless spending.

Despite my disagreements with the Biden administration, I made a pledge to you that I would work with anyone to deliver real results for our community. This approach is why I have been named the most effective legislator in North Carolina.

In the past 12 months, I have had 4 bills signed into law and 11 bills pass the House. These include the Veterans in Park Act, which makes admission to national parks free to members of the Armed

Forces, veterans, and Gold Star families.

I am also proud to have advanced the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, that provides critical investment in our ability to respond to public health crises by ensuring medical supplies are made here in America and strengthening maintenance of our stockpile. We can never rely on foreign shipments of medical equipment like PPE again. We must make our critical supplies right here in America.

The Supporting the Foundation for the NIH and ReaganUdall Foundation for the FDA Act will transfer more money out of government bureaucracy and to public-private partnerships to improve medical research. The Improving the Health of Children Act authorizes funds for the National Center on Birth Defects and Development Disabilities — critical for families who rely on the Center.

Just last week, President Biden signed into law a bill I introduced to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to 13 service members who died on Aug. 26 during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. We also enacted into law the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to provide canine training to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This past year has been challenging and an extremely divided time in Washington. However, I hope you are proud of my efforts to defend our rights, stand up for our values, and push for common sense solutions. No matter who controls Congress or the White House, I will always work hard on the issues that are important to you and your family. We have a lot of work left to do, so following time with family celebrating the Christmas holiday, I will strive to make 2022 an even better year for our community, state, and nation.

COLUMN | ROBERT WALKER & NEWT GINGRICH

The Biden-Harris space failures The first meeting of the National Space Council horrified much of the space defense community.

WHEN THE NEWS MEDIA reports that a U.S. Space Force general is saying our space-based assets are under attack daily

by China and Russia, it should be a cause for alarm. Those assets are essential to the present American way of life and our ability to defend it.

The White House is quite aware of this threat, having been fully briefed by the national military space leadership about the extensive space weaponry capabilities of our adversaries.

Moreover, the White House also was given a clear look at what is needed to address the threat posed by China and Russia.

Reportedly, the second part of the briefing was answered with a statement indicating that none of the suggested American counter-weaponry was going to be approved. “We are not going to be the first administration to militarize space” was the specific response.

Leaving aside the reality that space is already a warfare domain, doubts can be raised about the unverifiable comments in this confidential meeting. But what cannot be ignored is the now obvious fact that the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration is not prepared to prioritize needed military space options.

The first meeting of the National Space Council horrified much of the space defense community. Vice President Harris, the chair of the council, announced that the three top space priorities of this administration would be climate change, promoting rules and norms for governing space activities, and building a United States workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each of these issues is a worthwhile pursuit, but they do not come close to the existential threat posed by our enemies to our way of life.

Punctuating the Space Priorities Framework focus announced at the council meeting was a speech by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin titled “The China Challenge.” In the speech the secretary acknowledged the Chinese advances in hypersonics, nuclear weapons, and cyberwarfare, all of which are spacerelated dangers. But his message was that we should not overhype those threats. Yet, at the same forum, Space Force vice chief of Operations General David Thompson said that China

within this decade could exceed U.S. military capabilities. Both men were clear about the challenge the Chinese pose, but the difference in emphasis between the political leadership and the military leadership was notable.

What also should be noted about the announced space priorities of the Biden-Harris administration is their focus on looking down from space rather than looking outward into space. Their goal of reliance on more commercial space capabilities, mitigating space debris, space situational awareness and traffic management, and working closely with our allies are all positive initiatives. But our adversaries are looking beyond Low Earth Orbit domination and preparing to occupy cislunar space, beat the U.S. to human habitation on the Moon, and build technologies that will permit them to go to Mars. The technologies needed to do those things, such as nuclear power for surface applications and space vehicle propulsion, will define space leadership of the future and, like space programs of the past, will achieve earthbound technological and economic breakthroughs.

We are also working on similar technologies, but evidently not at a pace that would match the China-Russia efforts. Nothing in the Space Priorities Framework indicates a quickening of that pace. Concentrating on looking down rather than looking up will give our adversaries reason to think that we are not prepared to commit to the kind of effort that would dissuade them.

Speaking at the International Churchill Society in 2009, Richard Langford quoted Winston Churchill’s biographer, Martin Gilbert. He wrote that Churchill saw the policies of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in the 1930s, especially with regard to the Royal Air Force expansion, as having given Hitler the impression, first, that Britain would not stand up to aggression beyond its borders, and second, that if war came, Britain would not be in a position to act effectively even to defend its own cities.

After seeing the space priority messages of the Biden-Harris administration, many in the space community are wondering if China and Russia are not now making the same kind of calculations.

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Taylor charged with failing to report new address Pembroke Pines, Fla. NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor is facing felony charges in South Florida after failing to report an address change as required because of his status as a registered sex offender, authorities said.

Taylor, 62, turned himself in after Pembroke Pines police informed him of an active warrant for his arrest. Taylor was released shortly after his booking on $500 bail.

Taylor pleaded guilty in New York in 2011 to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute. He was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

NHL

Nine of NHL’s 32 teams paused because of COVID-19 New York More than a quarter of NHL teams have been shut down through at least the weekend after the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens became the eighth and ninth to have activities paused because of several positive COVID-19 test results among players.

Seven other NHL teams have been shut down as positive test results have risen across the league. The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were added to that list Sunday, joining the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins.

GOLF

Final ranking of year puts Masters field at 83 and counting Augusta, Ga. The top 50 from the final world ranking of the year was set on Sunday, adding 10 players to the field for the Masters in April. The list included Matthew Wolff, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada and Ryan Palmer, who are exclusive members of the PGA Tour. The final ranking, along with other criteria, puts the field at 83 players. The list also includes Tiger Woods, who is recovering from severe injuries to his right leg from a Feb. 23 car crash. Augusta National prefers to keep the field for the Masters at under 100 players, a target it has met every year dating to 1966 and would appear to be on pace to continue.

TENNIS

Nadal positive for virus after returning from Abu Dhabi Madrid Rafael Nadal tested positive for the coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, the Spaniard said Monday.

Nadal wrote on Twitter that the positive result came from a PCR test he took after arriving in Spain.

Nadal said he is enduring “unpleasant moments” but hopes to improve “little by little.” He is in isolation at home and everyone who has been in contact with him was informed of his positive result. Nadal said he had been tested every two days while away and all results had come back negative, with the last one on Saturday.

JOSHUA BESSEX | AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after failing to convert a field goal in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Panthers’ Rhule ‘can’t speculate’ on next week’s starting QB Cam Newton is now 0-4 since returning to Carolina

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Cam Newton’s struggles have left Matt Rhule looking for answers at quarterback.

Rhule said Monday that he “can’t speculate” on who’ll be the team’s starting quarterback this Sunday when the Panthers host Tampa Bay. The Panthers’ second-year coach said he’ll “continue working” with Newton but added that he wants to see where Sam Darnold’s shoulder is on Wednesday when the team returns to practice. Darnold remains on injured reserve but stepped up his throwing last week.

“We will find out about Sam and his health. I’m not going to look into the future, no hypotheticals,” Rhule said of Darnold, who went on IR on Nov. 10 with an incomplete fracture of his shoulder blade. “If Sam is healthy, we will practice him and see where he’s kind of at. I think it is a good opportunity to shake some the rust off and see where he’s at.”

Darnold is 4-5 as the team’s starter, while Newton is 0-4.

Newton threw for a touchdown and ran for another score in a 3114 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, but he also tossed another interception and his poor decision-making and inability to consistently complete passes down the field continue to be an issue for the Panthers (5-9).

Any hopes of a fairytale ending where the 2015 league MVP would help his former team turns

things around have vanished.

Carolina has lost nine of its past 11 games.

Rhule called Newton the “ultimate competitor” on Monday and praised him for his hard work.

But that came one day after he criticized the team’s lack of a downfield passing game and Newton’s decision-making. The Panthers only took one shot down the field, but Newton couldn’t complete the ball to an open D.J. Moore.

“Certainly right now, our passing down the field is not one of our strengths,” Rhule said. “Holding onto the football in kind of those duress situations is not really one of our strengths.”

Newton was sacked four times, losing 32 yards.

Rhule also questioned Newton’s decision to throw to wide receiver Robby Anderson on a

key fourth-and-1 zone-read play instead of running the ball as was designed.

“It shouldn’t be thrown. It’s a zone read. There’s a bubble on there in case an unblocked blitzer comes,” Rhule said. “The MIKE (linebacker), we had that guy blocked so that’s just an error by the quarterback. It should be a handoff.”

Newton has now lost 12 straight starts for Carolina going back to 2018 and it’s become clear that he, like Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold before him, is not the answer at quarterback.

P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to have Rhule’s support either as a shortterm or long-term starter.

Things aren’t going to get any easier down the stretch for the Panthers, who have lost nine of their past 11 games and are simply playing out the schedule. They’ll host a highly motivated Tom Brady on Sunday after the Buccaneers were blanked 9-0 on Sunday by the New Orleans Saints. Carolina then finishes on the road at New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

Broncos’ Bridgewater hospitalized, released after suffering head injury The former Panthers quarterback was carted off the field Sunday following a collision with a Bengals defender The Associated Press Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was taken to a hospital for a head injury after he was carted off the field in the third quarter of Denver’s 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Bridgewater was hurt in a scary collision that also sent Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie from the game with a leg injury.

Bridgewater had movement in his extremities, and coach Vic Fangio said he’d be held overnight for observation but was expected to be OK. Bridgewater was released from the hospital Monday morning and would be placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, the Broncos said.

Denver trailed 9-3 with 5:34 left in the third quarter when Bridgewater scrambled to his

right on second-and-5 from his 30-yard line. Bachie came up and squatted as he was about to make contact.

They collided and Bridgewater — who played for the Panthers last season — was sent airborne, landing a yard past the first-down marker, but falling on his face just as he was hit again by defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

Bridgewater lay motionless as Bachie rolled onto his back on his own several yards away. Concerned players from both teams gathered on the field.

While Bachie was helped off with a leg injury and ruled out, the cart came out to take Bridgewater off the field.

Defending champion Tampa Bay lost several key players in a 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

The list included wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Leonard Fournette.

Godwin (knee) and Evans (hamstring) left in the second quarter. Fournette (hamstring) exited in the third.

JACK DEMPSEY | AP PHOTO

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is hit by Bengals defensive end B.J. Hill during their game Sunday. Bridgewater left the game and was hospitalized with a head injury as a result of the play.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David also departed after injuring his foot.

“It hurts more losing all the players we lost,” coach Bruce Arians said. “We lost about seven starters in this game.”

Carolina kicker Zane Gonzalez had to be helped off the field after injuring his quadriceps in warmups, leaving the Panthers without a placekicker Sunday in a 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Gonzalez was injured about an hour before kickoff, and the Pan-

thers essentially held tryouts moments later to see if anyone was able to replace him. Receiver Brandon Zylstra, practice squad running back Reggie Bonnafon and linebacker Frankie Luvu practiced field-goal attempts. Zylstra took over for kickoffs, but none did any placekicking.

The Panthers passed up a fieldgoal attempt and failed to convert fourth-and-9 from Buffalo’s 24 to end their second possession.

They went for 2 after both of their touchdowns and converted once.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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North Stanly to host 8-team Christmas basketball tournament Four teams from Stanly County will compete in the three-day event

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

JESSICA HILL | AP PHOTO

Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith, left, is considered on the of top players in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Mystics win WNBA draft lottery for 1st time The Indiana fever, which had nearly a 50-50 chance to pick No. 1, will select second

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press The Washington Mystics have won the WNBA draft lottery for the first time in franchise history.

Washington had the third best chance — 17.8% to get the top pick — and with star guard Natasha Cloud in attendance, the Mystics bucked the odds on Sunday.

“This is a huge moment for us,” Mystics coach and general manager Mike Thibault said. “I remember 10 years ago sitting and watching Sheila Johnson’s face when I was still not with the team, when the team had the best odds, and she was sitting there so sad when they got the fourth pick. ... So this is a changer for us.”

The Indiana Fever, who had a 44.2% chance to earn the top pick,

“I think the biggest thing is that you have to pick the best player.”

Mike Thibault, Mystics coach and general manager will draft second. Atlanta will pick third and Dallas fourth.

“Although we did not get the first pick, we have two first-round picks and with this deep draft class, I am confident we will secure very talented players who will be great additions to our team,” said Tamika Catchings, the Fever’s vice president of basketball operations and general manager.

Washington had the first pick in the 1999 draft, but there was no lottery back then. Chamique Holdsclaw was the Mystics’ pick.

“We’ve been studying very carefully eight to 10 players and I don’t

know who we’ll pick,” Thibault said. “We’re open to anything right now. I think the biggest thing is that you have to pick the best player.”

NaLyssa Smith of Baylor could go No. 1. A few minutes after her fifth-ranked team lost to Michigan, Smith said she’d be thrilled to go to Washington.

“That would be great. I have family in D.C., too,” she said.

“That’s where my dad’s from. That’s looking pretty right now.”

The Mystics already have a loaded roster that suffered through one of the worst runs of injuries in Thibault’s storied career. Former MVP Elena Delle Donne missed most of the season while recovering from back surgery. There were games when Thibault barely had enough healthy players to field a team.

New York will pick fifth, followed by Dallas, Chicago, Minnesota, Seattle, Indiana, Las Vegas and Connecticut. The Lynx acquired Phoenix’s pick via New York and Seattle. The Fever got Minnesota’s No. 10 pick.

Lottery odds are based on the cumulative records of the two most recent regular seasons (2020 and 2021). With a cumulative record of 12-42, the Fever had the best shot at No. 1.

NEW LONDON — Over the weekend, North Stanly released the bracket pairings for its upcoming 2021 Comet Christmas Classic boys’ basketball tournament that it will be hosting Dec. 28-30.

The Comets (5-4, 2-1 Yadkin Valley) will square off in Tuesday’s first round at 8:30 p.m. against 3A West Region opponent Montgomery Central (2-5, 0-0 Mid-Piedmont) — with the winner advancing to play either South Stanly (0-10, 0-3 Yadkin Valley) or Piedmont (3-5, 0-0 Southern Carolina), which play at 7 p.m.

In the other half of the first-round bracket, Gray Stone (0-5, 0-3 Yadkin Valley) and West Stanly (5-4, 0-0 Rocky River) will meet for the first time this year (5:30 p.m.) as both teams look to snap a string of consecutive losses. The team that advances from that pairing will challenge the winner of a 4 p.m. game between Concord (6-2, 1-1 South Piedmont) and Mountain Island Charter (2-4, 0-0 Catawba Shores).

The second-round matchups are scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and the tournament championship is slated to begin at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

As the tournament hosts, the Comets have an opportunity to make a splash in front of a large crowd and build momentum heading into the new year’s schedule — North Stanly most recently beat winless South Stanly 83-50 and is 2-2 in its last four contests. North Stanly previously suffered a 79-64 loss at Concord, left Gray Stone with an 87-48 win and fell victim to Robinson in a 67-42 road loss.

South Stanly and Gray Stone will both enter the Christmas tournament hoping to notch their first win of the season. The Bulls have been outscored 645-490 throughout their 10 games, while the Knights have been outscored 348-186 in their five games.

West Stanly was set to face 4A West Region opponent Sun Valley on the road Tuesday night. Heading into that game, the Colts had dropped three out of four after starting the season with a 4-1 record. The Colts fell victim to Montgomery Central in a 62-47 road loss, left Mount Pleasant with a 65-57 loss, defeated South Stanly on the road 63-53 and lost to Piedmont at home 51-37.

The 2021 Comet Christmas Classic will also feature a losers’ bracket schedule set for the final two days of the tournament that will determine matchups in thirdplace, fifth-place and seventh-place games.

0 Wins this season for both South Stanly and Gray Stone

GREGORY PAYAN | AP PHOTO

Ethan Carnes pitches for the Staten Island Yankees in 2015. The former MLB affiliate is one of four teams suing Major League Baseball after the league cut its minimum number of affiliates by 40 in late 2020.

MLB sued by 4 former affiliates over minor league cuts Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s interest in the Class A Asheville Tourists was cited in the suit

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press NEW YORK — Four minor league teams that lost their big league affiliations before the 2021 season have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Major League Baseball, using a law firm that has represented players’ unions.

Parent companies of the Staten Island Yankees, Tri-City Valley

Cats, Norwich Sea Unicorns and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes filed suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, accusing the baseball commissioner’s office of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. MLB ended the Professional Baseball Agreement that governed the relationship between the majors and minors in late 2020, after minor league seasons were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Affiliates were cut from a minimum of 160 to 120, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues that had governed the minors since 1901 was shut down and MLB took over op-

eration of the minors.

“The takeover plan is nothing less than a naked, horizontal agreement to cement MLB’s dominance over all professional baseball,” the lawsuit said. “There is no plausible procompetitive justification for this anticompetitive agreement.”

The suit alleged MLB made decisions to retain minor league teams based on whether they were owned by parent clubs or had political ownership, citing Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s interest in North Carolina’s Class A Asheville Tourists.

MLB said at the time that the changes would cut travel and improve conditions for minor leaguers.

The league had no immediate comment Monday.

Staten Island was a Yankees’ affiliate, Norwich (Connecticut) a Detroit farm team and Tri-City (Troy, New York) a Houston affiliate, all in the short-season New York/Penn League, and Salem-Keizer (Oregon) was a San Francisco farm team in the short-season Northwest League.

The U.S. Supreme Court granted baseball an antitrust exemption in a 1922 case involving the Federal League, when Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in a decision that baseball was not interstate commerce but exhibitions exempt from

antitrust laws. The Supreme Court reaffirmed the decision in a 1953 case involving New York Yankees farmhand George Toolson and in the 1972 Curt Flood decision, saying any changes should come from Congress.

Congress passed the Curt Flood Act of 1998, which President Bill Clinton signed, to say antitrust laws apply to MLB affecting the employment of major league players at the major league level.

The lawyers listed on the suit were David J. Lender, Eric S. Hochstadt and Zachary A. Schreiber of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, a law firm that has long represented players’ unions, and James W. Quinn and Emily M. Burgess of Berg & Androphy. Quinn is a former Weil head of litigation.

ment. area.”

EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th the22, virus. onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients.

In this majority-black city along the Gateway facility was What some Memphis, Tenthe Mississippi River, lawmakers If they did, shopping wo e, residents don’t get is why in and community leaders have been come more difficult for re r city, a shopping center in the sounding the alarm over what they especially for those who ar dle of a predominantly black, for motorists to enjoy.

By David Sharp no means of transpo see as a disturbing trend oferect thedisplays vi- have income residential neighborThese days, most major cities The Associated Press to stores located farther aw rus killing African Americans at a d has been chosen. have a light show, or several.

“For people who higher rate. ty and state officials are conEvents often feature corporate don’t CUMBERLAND, Maine — The they do?” ask Nutbush resident Patricia Har- car, ed that holiday an influx of ispatients sponsorships, hotwhat cocoa,dopopcorn season shining brightly and even giftris, shops.

The spoke “Big Bright during pandemic as businesses who to The Ass ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, asthe well as nearby Lightthe Show”Press in Rochester, Mich- a bott money into while lugging were “trying to contaminate” sissippi, pour Arkansas andextravagant rural light igan, covers tergent, five city blocks.

The of bott showswill to spread cheer. a package neighborhood.

Tennessee, strain hospi“Winter Light Spectacular” at the From Maine to California, more and other items from t Activist Earle Fisher, an AfriTheir fears echoed across during Lehigh Valleyter Zoo in Pennsylvania light are shows have launched ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to herchildren car. She note can American Memphis pastor, country:theGovernors, mayors features performances for pandemic, and they’re more grocery store recently clos understands the anxiety.

“This health elaborate experts than in numerous This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center

by Disney princesses. Both feature ever, with sparkly more than 1 million lights. spectacles that the comedic charher house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn.

Large drive-through events, acter Clark Griswold from “Nationcern and skepticism,” Fisher said. travel farther to get to Gat tructing makeshift medical meanwhile, draw tens of thousands Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” “When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. al of vehicles. could only dream about. got consider the people black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turnDavid Fred, to owner of Indi“They’re exploding because peoneighborhood,” skeptical of governmentalana-based inter- Winterland o the Javits Center Inc., saw she his said. “W ple are lookingconvention for something tosic do.City Center in Nashville, the businesses. events at theneed New Hampshire to make Mothe neighb That has been a boom for this busiwith Locating a treatment center for vention that did not consult Chattanooga Convention Center, in Chicago, the McCormick and Las Vegas Moness,” said Wayne and Wheeler, than it already is.” the Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.”tor Speedwayworse e Convention Center; in whose tor chief Speedway both more than Cohen, U.S.get Rep. Steve Doug McGowen, the city’s sites away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: dy, Utah,Wisconsin-based the Mountain company, Amer- Rein200% increases in vehicles last year. ders Inc., imports bulk lights and phis Democrat, said the d It could potentially expose them operating officer, said theHisGateborhoods.

Expo Center. business supplies 195 shows, other gear used in the professionaldoesn’t way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. lyArmy Corps of Engiand runs another 11. make sense. produced shows.

“I’m there are othe cause it could potentially accomter in the Nutbush neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 s has beenLighting scouting locations This holiday season,sure he estimates displays are a time-honthere’s a 45% increase in popupand they ored tradition in the holidays, and Tennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said that would work, events launched by people trying people often drive around various compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used thosetorather t draw on last season’s neighborhoods to checkreout colorresidential neighbo site, it would hold only mildly ill into a success. store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close. backup sites.

They haven’t They’re becoming more intricate. ful lights. The commercial operaCohen said. coronavirus patients who could be Nutbush resident and commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Gov. Bill For Texas-based Extreme Lightstions take it to another level, with

6

Holiday season lights a bright spot amid pandemic resurgence

hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, synchronized music, animatAP PHOTO ed props and other glowing fixtures aimed at eliciting a “wow!”

Passenger vehicles move through a tunnel of holiday lights at a display set up at the Cumberland Fair No entity tracks such shows. But Grounds, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Cumberland, Maine. the pandemic provided a boost, and commercial light shows have been popping up in fairgrounds, farms, Abominable Snowman sharing ployed after the pandemic nearly as Edison is credited with creating zoos and even parking lots, industry the backseat, the Portland family shut down his business, which pro- the first strand of lightbulbs, which eased their vehicle through the first vides amusement rides and games were strung outside of his Menlo officials say.

It turns out that viewing shim- “Maine Celebration of Lights” at the to agricultural fairs and outdoor Park Laboratory in 1880, according festivals, all of which were canceled to the Library of Congress. In 1923, mering outdoor lights on foot, or Cumberland Fair Grounds.

President Calvin Coolidge started “It’s definitely safe that way, es- in 2020. from inside a car, is a safe activity His idea for staying busy includ- a new tradition by lighting the Naamid surging COVID-19 infections. pecially with the variants around,” Ticketing is often done online, and Steve Lankford said of COVID-19 ed three commercial holiday light- tional Christmas Tree with 2,500 ing extravaganzas launched during electric lights. strains driving infections. tickets can be scanned through bin a ve-Salman, a son of King Salman, Associated Press The tradition took off from there. it’sdeal. warmer, too,” his wife the pandemic. hicle’s window. assented“And to the One of the early drive-through “We were fortunate and didn’t In Cumberland, Maine, the for- joked.

“I go The withcreator the consent, so I UBAI, mula United Arab Emirof this particular lay anyone off,” said Dean, whose displays was in Wheeling, West Virwas a hit for Julie and Steve the prince said, — OPEC, Russia and other agree,”event, E.J. Dean, saidchuckling, he didn’t nec- business, Fiesta Shows, is based in ginia, where operators at Oglebay Lankford. a round roducing With nations on Sunday Park tapped a high school shop class set outoftoapplause spread joy. from He just Seabrook, New Hampshire. the parents up front drawing and essarily None other than inventor Thom- to build frames, string lights and wanted to keep his workers emdaughter and a progiant, stuffed those on the video call. ized antheir unprecedented

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

But it had not been smiles and ion cut of nearly 10 million els, or a 10th of global supply, laughs for weeks after the soopes of boosting crashing pric- called OPEC+ group of OPEC mid the coronavirus pandemic members and other nations failed in March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said.

This could be the largest re- on production cuts, sending pricion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply perhaps a decade, maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over said U.S. Energy Secretary what it described as comments Brouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which ident Donald Trump’s per- finds itself trying to appease l involvement in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic.

Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and help2019. In the May 2020 poll, just David Crary Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end aBy price war between 11% said they were attending serThe Associated Press boost vices prices as American di Arabia and Russia. in person that often. shale firms face far-higher production il prices have collapsed as the Among Catholics, 26% attend in WHEN WESTMINSTER Unitperson at least weekly now, comMethodist Church in Houston costs. American troops had been navirus edand the COVID-19 30% in 2019. the resumed services deployed late pared to with the kingdom for Inthe ss it causes havein-person largely halt2020 poll, conducted many bishlast year, a seven-month halt time since the Sept.as11, 2001, lobal travel and after slowed down first due to COVID-19, there were Sun- ops temporarily waived the obligaattackstion over concerns Iranir energy-chugging sectors for weekly Massofattendance, days when only three worshippers an retaliation amid regional as manufacturing.

It to has just 5% were worshipping in tenperson showed up, according the pastor, stated Meredith the oil Mills. industry in sions. at least weekly.

Elsewhere, largelast and Since has “They’ve spent churches over the U.S., which now then, pumpsattendance more small have taken hits in attendance. inched back up, but it’s still only month waging war on American e than any other country.

John Elkins, teaching pastor half the pre-pandemic turnoil producers while we are defendut some about producers have been at Sovereign Grace Fellowship in out of 160 or 170, Mills estimates. ing theirs.

This is notsays how friends ctant to ease supply.

The car25 to 30 peo“It’s frustrating,” she said. “Peo- Brazoria, Texas, treat friends,” said Sen. nd other nations on Sunday recentple just seem to want to leave home ple have attended servicesKevin ly, a down from around 50 before the less these days.”

Republican from North ed to allow Mexico to cut only Cramer, Some houses ofaworship far- pandemic. before the OPEC+ deal.

000 barrels a month, stick- areDakota, “For some, I have was not political ingan better than Mills’ church, some U.S. producers already point for accord initially worse. Polls by The Associated enough,” he said via email. “Some been reducing output. The Amerhed Friday after a Center marathon Press-NORC for Public Af- wanted more activities, some just ican Petroleum o conference between 23how na-dramatistopped going Institute to church.” laudfairs Research shows ed Sunday’s globalGrace, pact, asaying it s. The nations together agreed Sovereign Southern cally church attendance fell during Baptist had neverstateoffered the worst barrels of the pandemic year, help get church, other nations’ ut 9.7 million a daylast will worship before the pandemeven as many say they are now re- online owned oil production to follow the ughout May and June. ic.

When in-person worship was turning to regular service attenhe group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are tryhalted for a month in 2020, leavdance. ing to adjust to plunging s before Among Asian markets ing online worship as demand. the only opmainline reProtestants, Brouillette said theheU.S. did not ned Monday and as internadid more crisis just 1% said in a May 2020 poll that tion, Elkins said commitments of its own al benchmark for congregation memthey were Brent attendingcrude in-personmake ser- counseling everbut before. vicesover at least a week. Inproduction the bers than cuts, was able to ed at just $31once a barrel the much Church new poll, 14%producers say they’re doing so theAt show obvious —larger that First plunging American shale now, compared to 16% who say they of God in Columbus, Ohio, there demand because of the pandemggle. was a near-total halt to in-perdid in 2019. ic is expected to slash U.S. oil proideo aired by the Saudi-owned son worship between March 2020 Among evangelical Protestants, duction. lite channel Al-Arabiya and September of this year. On 37% now say they are attending two Oil Sundays in September 2020, in person at least weekIranian Minister Bijan Zanwed the services moment that Saudi back to ly, while 42% Abdulaziz said they did that in worshippers ganeh also told were stateinvited television rgy Minister Prince

Across US, houses of worship struggle to rebuild attendance

capes, the average budget for a holiday light show synced with music has grown to $500,000.

“Everybody continues to try to outdo each other in terms of size, scope and technological complexity,” said the company’s “head elf” Darren Vader.

Such events are run by businesses, nonprofits and municipalities.

Many of the operators started with lavish shows at their homes for fun before deciding to get into the business, said Matt Reed from Arizona-based Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Products, which provides lights to contractors and municipalities.

“You feel a difference when there’s a lot of love behind the project. It’s not just a job for them,” he said.

a mixed blessing — a plus for elderly congregation members worried about their health, but a disincentive for others who are increasingly disconnected from the church.

“They’ve become spectators,” Bass said.

At Temple Beth El in Charlotte, Rabbi Asher Knight was elated that recent Hannukah celebrations drew about 300 people in person.

Overall, attendance now is roughly half of pre-pandemic levels, but an improvement over periods earlier this year when only a handful of SAUDI ENERGY worshippers appeared.

“It was demoralizing and painIn this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist ful to lead worship with virtualEnergy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit ofno the ofhe 20said. energy minister MICHAEL WYKE | AP PHOTO ly oneGroup present,” “But in his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to October coordinate a response togot plummet and November, people prices due to Mills an oversupply in thefrom market andfor a downturn inthe global demand due to thegot pandem booster and their children Rev. Meredith delivers a sermon the pulpit some 30 vaccinated and they slowly started attendants during the second service of the day in the sanctuary at coming back.”

Westminster United Methodist Church Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Among Christians, the option of Houston. praise. that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés worshipping online has been em“The pure size Manuel López Obrador, had said the United Arab Emirates would evangelical Prot-of the cu Friendswood United Method- braced by many the church to test the feasibility of precedented, but, Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of ist Church, in the Houston suburbs, estants, according to the AP-NORC then ag in-person services. poll. About is3 the in 10 have liveshas endured impact the corona it between was obvious they atop were the Trump not thatonly theCOVID-19 U.S. will compenoil “But a day them at on least weekly said M but Mexico also flooding still uncomfortable theycountries came disruptions having demand,” sate what cannot treamed add to services OPEC+ deal. The —three comparedan with a winter stormcuts. last Febru- in recent months, dressed like they were working at during med Ghulam, energy an the proposed did not immediately acknowledge Chernobyl,” said the senior pastor, ary that rendered the sanctuary un- about 1 in 10 Catholics or mainline Raymond James.

“The big Oil Deal with OPEC the cut Timothy themselves, though usable. It just reopened for services Protestants.

Bishop Clarke, evokingZanBut Ghulam and others Plus issaid done. hun- a quarter ganeh the video conferof evangelithis month, the This pastor,will Jimsave Roughly hazmatattended suits appropriate for connot berecently enough. jobs it may ence. cal Protestants say they’ve Bass. dreds of thousands of energy fronting a nuclear disaster. talked by phone“This or video Pre-pandemic, the planned predomi-cuts Pre-pandemic, isconference at least a tempo in the UnitedFriendswood’s States,” Trump said Officials said other a religious leaderindustry Sunday would draw about nantly stand AfricaninAmerican lief or forspiritual the energy in services a tweet.

“I would like towith thank would the deal,church meaning at least a few times a month, com- This i 900 worshippers; Bass was pleased held three services each weekend, an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. including one on Saturday eve- that about 650 gathered when the pared with about 1 in 10 mainline is too big to be let to fail and tin of Russiafor and King Salman of and from of the Protestants Catholics. sanctuary reopened high-enernings,July withthrough average the totalend attenliance responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Some faith leaders,showed such as Merdance of 2,500. Now there’s a sin- gy, music-filled services on Dec. 5. this agreement,” said Per M Thehe Kremlin 16glemonths beginning 2021. edith Mills, see some positives, such However, said averagesaid atten- President service on Sunday, andinonly 500 as more in the church, even of ana has been only halfheld of that worshippers with masks and danceVladimir Nysveen, the head Putin a joint callenergy “This will—enable the rebalancwithSalfewer worshippers. during mostTrump of the pandemic, cre-King proof vaccination — areand allowed Rystad Energy. “Even tho with and Saudi ing of ofthe oil markets the ex“The ones showing up right now into a sanctuary that can seat more ating a $400,000 shortfall in exproduction cuts are small man to express support are of the the pected rebound of prices by $15 people who really want to be pected giving. than 1,500. what the market needed a deal.

It also said sepperThe barrel intothe short term,” there,” she said.

“There’s a lot of joy many houses of Putin worship,spoke return in-person worshipsaid Like the stock arately offered with Trump the a“gives statement Nigeria’s theoil room postpone Sunday mornings.

It’s buildi Friendswood online about ser- in us a sensefrom of connection and oil that,problem, despite ev-the wor as an alternative to issues. in-per- one of the reasons community,” Clarke said. “But you vices market straints and other ministry. erything, I still loveavoided.” my job.” son attendance.

He considers them cautious also have safety.” now Analysts offered Mexico had initially 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 22, 2021 Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries obituaries

Jason Efird EUGENE “GENE” Betty Morton File EFIRD, 94, went home to be with JASON

30,April 19477,–2020, at his his LordApril Tuesday, home in Stanfield.15, 2021 December Gene was born October 9, 1925, in Cabarrus CountyFile, to the late Betty Morton 74, ofSimeon Jason Efirdpassed and theaway late Sarah Albemarle, on Ella Burris Efird.December In addition15, to his Wednesday, parents, he home. was preceded in death by 2021 in her Her funeral his wife, Jewell LittleSaturday, Efird; sisters, service will be 11am Mary Lambert, Fannie Almond, December 18, 2021 at Bethany MinnieMethodist Furr, Wilma Burleson and United Church with Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer Rev. David Cochran officiating.

Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, The family will receive friends Sr. following the funeral service A privateUnited funeralMethodist service will be at Bethany held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 Church. atBetty Love’swas Grove United born AprilMethodist 30, 1947 in Stanfield inChurch StanlyCemetery County, NC to the late officiated

by Rev. White.

Burial Watt Morton andJim Nannie Poplin will follow at the Love’s Grove United Morton.

Methodist Church Cemetery, 4360 Polk Ford Road, Stanfield.

Survivors include son Gerald Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell of Stanfield; granddaughters, Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren Hartsell (Justin) Crump; and greatgrandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and Elliot Jacob Simmons.

Memorials may be made to Love’s Grove United Methodist Church, PO Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

Larry Garrette Privette September 15, 1945 – December 17, 2021

Larry Garrette Privette, 76, of Albemarle passed away Friday.

December 17, 2021 in Atrium Health Stanly. His funeral service will by 2 PM on Thursday, December 23, 2021 in the Stanly AULINE Funeral HomeELIZABETH Chapel with Rev. TUCKER, 98, passed KellyALMOND Crisco officiating.

Burial away peacefully at Trinity Place, will follow in Stanly Gardens of Albemarle, NC on April 11,receive 2020.

Memory.

The family will Pauline was born on March friends at Stanly Funeral and 22, 1922 in Cabarrus NC toon the Cremation Care ofCounty, Albemarle late John Richard Almond and Alice Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 Ada PM.Ann Lambert Almond.

She is survived by her three Born September 15, 1945 in daughters, Gay Michel (Jack), Anson County, NC, he was the Oak Island, NC; Pamela Rushing son of the late Levine I. Privette (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy and Ruth Jordan Privette. He was Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her retired from CSX Railroad and son, Chris Tucker (Chris Lear), from the NC DOT as a landscaper.

Washington, DC. She will be greatly Mr. Privette was Veteran of missed by her fiveagrandchildren, the US Army.

He loved growing Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), flowers and working outside.

He Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel worshipped his grandchildren.

Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. Survivors includeHunt his wife (Jenn), and Woody as well as Brenda Williams Privette She also seven great-grandchildren. ofleaves the home, Doyle behindstepson cherished nieces and Hatley (Lorrie) of Albemarle, nephews. stepdaughter Hatley The familyTonya expresses its sincere Barbee (Richard) of and Albemarle, gratitude to the staff caregivers three brothers Privette at Trinity PlaceTommy for the care they of Mt. Croghan, SC, Mike Privette provided Pauline.

(Debbie) of Mt. Croghan, SC,will be A private graveside service and Alvin Privette (Kayle) of A held on Monday, April 13, 2020.

Wadesboro, two grandchildren celebration of Pauline’ s life and legacy Kayla Hatley Dowd (Spencer) of will be held this summer.

Lewisville, and Diesel Rayne In lieu ofNC flowers, the family Barbee ofdonations Albemarle. requests be made to the He is also survived byatseveral BrightFocus Foundation www. nieces and nephews. brightfocus.org.

P

Tony Smith ONY MONROE 72, of JeanSMITH, Love Rockwell, NC, went to be with TDora

13, Jesus 1948 Christ – his LordMarch and Savior December 14,8,2021 on Wednesday, April 2020 at his home surrounded by family. A Dorafamily Jean Love, private service73, willofbe held.

Albemarle, passed can away Online condolences beTuesday, made at December 14, 2021 at her home. stanlyfuneralhome.com Dora bornAugust March11,13, 1948 Tony was was born 1947 in to the Willard inMissouri Stanly County to late the late Pearlie Asbury Smith LeeLou Stockwell andand theEmmer late Mary Smith.Stockwell.

He was the son in law of Pat Elder and Mick Cagle wherehusband, he worked at Survivors include the fish house for many years until Toby Glenn Love of Albemarle, he opened Anchor House Seafood NC, daughter, Tiffany Fowler of in Rockwell.NC, He and his wife Becky Albemarle, Tammy Tyner and operated House ofowned Wichita, KS, andAnchor Marshall for 25 years before retiring Crews of Booneville, MO,in 2009.

Mr. Smith was aKatie charter member grandchildren, Culbreth deacon at Open Door Baptist ofand Albemarle, NC, Matthew Church Richfield. HeNC, loved the Tyner ofin Wilmington, Lord andBowers his family Brandon ofabundantly.

Moore, SC,Tony was a wonderful husband, father, and Christopher Curran of Myrtle grandfather and could fix anything Beach, SC, great-grandchildren, he putWhite his hands on.

Kylie of Albemarle, NC Smith is survived by his wife andMr. Kaleb Almond of Albemarle, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, NC. sons Walter Smith and Robbie Dora loved to cook, do laundry, Smith; daughter Kaylaand Henderson go grocery shopping any (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, kind of shopping.

She was Dustin,helping and Steele Smith, Keaton always others and never and Ella Henderson; brother David met a stranger. Dora worked at Smith; sisters Kriechbaum, Oakboro Kid’sKay Club Daycare and Karen Stevenson, Eudy, andfor Quality ChildcareRuby in Oakboro Dorothy Smith (Nick). over 12 years. She also worked He Corner is preceded in death byfor at the Laundromat brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, over 10 years and the Friendly Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Mart gas station for over 7 years.

Smith, and sister Mary Morris.

Dora loved spending time with Memorial contributions can be her family and loved loving on made to Open Door Baptist Church her great-grandbabies and her at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC grandkids her&world.

28137 or towere Hospice Palliative Care

Merle Helms ERLE LORRAINE AUSTIN Hazel Broome HELMS, 72, of Marshville, M Liles April 8, passed away Wednesday,

2020 at McWhorter Hospice House February 26, 1926 – in Monroe.

December 14,April 2021 Lorraine was born 28, 1947 in Monroe to the late Homer David Hazel Broome Liles, 95, of Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane Locust, passed away Tuesday, Austin. She was also preceded in December 14, 2021 inand herTeddy home. death by brothers, A.D. Her Austin; and sister, Joy Austin. funeral service will be 2pm The family will receive friends Friday, December 2021 at from 6:00 pm - 8:0017, pm, Friday, Freedom Baptist ChurchFuneral with April 10, 2020 at Hartsell Rev. Home of Albemarle. The funeral Gerald officiating. service willBaucom be at 11:00 am on Burial will follow inHill theBaptist church Saturday at Pleasant cemetery.

The familyofficiated will receive Church in Marshville, from 1pm until by friends Rev. John Miller and Rev.2pm Leon prior to the Whitley.

She service. will lie in state for 30 Mrs. Liles was February minutes prior to theborn service.

She will 26, 1926 in Union County, NC to be laid to rest in the church cemetery. theShe lateisDuey Broome Myrtle survived by her and beloved Hathcock husband of 47Broome. years, Paul Helms Shehome; is survived by(Deanna) her son, of the son, Alex Kenneth Liles of Locust, NC. Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Danny Luther ANNY PAUL LUTHER,Hall Bruce Padgett 65, of Norwood, passed away D unexpectedly Thursday, April June 23, 1952 – 9, 2020 at Atrium Health December 12,Stanly 2021 in Albemarle.

Mr. Luther was born March 27, Bruce Padgett Hall, 69, of 1955 to the late Robert Fulton Mount Gilead, passed awayand Helen Tucker Luther. 12, 2021 at his Sunday, December Danny was survived by his wife, home.

Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; Bruce was born June 23, 1952 sons, Jeremy (Karen) and in High Point, NC Luther to the late Jody Luther; Marvin Hallstep-sons, and the Bryan late Velma Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; Johnson Hall.

Grandchildren, Luther He was alsoDaniel preceded inand death Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, by son, Bruce Patrick Hall, and Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), sister, Trudy Arden. uncle Jack Luther and several otherdaughter, loved nieces, Survivors include nephews and cousins.

Jennifer Newell (Fred) of Forest, Danny recently retired from VA, fiancé, Becky Sheppard Charlotte Pipe and Foundry of Mount Gilead, NC, andafter agrandchildren, dedicated 37 years and Hall, worked Macy Jenna there withand his sons several other Newell, Alexand Newell. friends andenjoyed family members.

Bruce fishing, boating, Danny loved spending at the and he was always the time life of his lake house with his family and party. He worked as a landscaper friends as well as vacationing with his for Twin Harbor for 15 years. family.

Danny and Denise enjoyed Bruce will be remembered as a listening to beach music and loved to happy go lucky, all around “good shag dance every chance they could guy” who loved his family dearly. 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.

Jerry Fincher ERRY FINCHER from Suepassed Russell this life on April 3, 2020 at 8:05 Jpm.Linda He was surrounded Cox by his family

and holding the hand of the love of November 17, 1942 – his life. Jerry is preceded in death December 2021 Billy by three siblings, two 16, brothers, Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard Linda Sue Cox, 79, of Fincher, and oneRussell sister, Barbra Joyce Albemarle passed away Friday, Moore.

December 16, 2021 Bethany He is survived by hisat wife, Eleanor Woods Nursing A Kate Fincher of theCenter. home, daughter, visitation will be held on Monday Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate evening, December 20, 2021 NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy from 6 Fincher until 8 PM at Stanly (Tiffany) of New London Funeral and Cremation Care of NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) Albemarle.

Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda (Bob) Born November 1942 Krimminger of Locust17, NC., Ericin Stanly County, she was the (Sharon) Lanier ofNC Charlotte NC., Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson daughter of the late Irenus R. ofRussell Midland, Step-grandchildren, and Virginia Rummage Zach (Brittney) Washington, Aaron Russell.

She worked in the dietary (Kinsey) Washington, CalebWoods (Nayeli) department at Bethany Washington, Beth (Robbie) Nursing Center for manySetzer, years.

Matthew April ) Wallace, Step at She was( previously the pianist great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Sweet Home Baptist Church for Washington, many years.Robert Setzer, George (Sara) Setzer, (Rob)inSetzer She was Tracy preceded death by Bumgardener, Underwood, her husbandKatie Robert Eugene Cox. Andrew Underwood, StepRodney great Survivors include son great grandchild, Georgeand Eugene Cox of Waylon Rockingham Setzer and brother Lewisof daughter Sandy Donald Cox Hunter Fincher of Albemarle, NC. New London, brothers Buddy Jerry Fincher willIsle, be laid toand rest on Russell of Ocean NC Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 William Russell of Stanly Co,am atfour Canton Baptist Church.

Anyone grandchildren: Miranda interested in attending, pleaseCox, RSVP Cox, Morgan Cox, Jaitlyn atand 704-796-2412.

Dr. Phil McCray Rodney Austin Cox, and five and Pastor Tommy Fincher will great-grandchildren Cameron officiate.

Tucker, Kamden McIntyre, Addison Whitley, Kamria Little, and Brittley Peacock.

of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Pauline Tucker

L

S

Shirley Haire

HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, of Albemarle passed away on April 11, 2020 at Atrium Health Stanly. The family will hold a private graveside service for Mrs. Haire.

Shirley was born December 12, 1946 in Washington, DC to the late Charles Richard Bateman and Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 30 years Vaughn Smith of Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter of Gainesville, VA; half-brother Robert Bateman of Stevensville, MD; step-children Heather Smith of Jacksonville, FL and David Smith of New London, NC; 4 step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandnieces and nephews; and Gus the dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Haire family.

Linda Hatley

INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020.

Linda was born September 18, 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and Claris Tucker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Terry Lee Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda and Linda are in Heaven watching over us and laughing.

Linda was a loving mother, sister, and “Nana.” She was a very giving and loving person. Linda would always do anything she could for others, especially her family. She enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Locust. Linda will be forever loved and greatly missed.

Survivors include her son, Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, of Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker and wife, Linda, of Midland; granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 niece; and 2 nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle. Linda will be laid to rest during a private committal service at Bethel United Methodist Church, Midland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Bethel UMC, 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and Celebrate the life of your loved death notices to be published in ones. Submit obituaries SCJ and at death obits@stanlyjournal.com

notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony.

When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care.

Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

7

Email: care@spcremation.com

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

8

STATE & NATION

US Sen. Joe Manchin says no to $2T bill: ‘I can’t vote for it’

By Hope Yen The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said on Sunday he cannot back his party’s signature $2 trillion social and environment bill, dealing a fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s leading domestic initiative heading into an election year when Democrats’ narrow hold on Congress was already in peril.

Manchin told “Fox News Sunday” that he always has made clear he had reservations about the bill and that now, after five-and-half months of discussions and negotiations, “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation.”

The legislation’s apparent collapse is sure to deepen the bitter ideological divisions within the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates. That would call into question whether Democrats will be able to join together behind any substantial legislation

before the November congressional elections. And it adds a note of chaos just as Democrats need to demonstrate accomplishments and show a united front before the fall campaign.

The bill carries massive spending including extending a more generous child tax credit, creating free preschool and bolstering child care aid. There’s also benefits for Medicare recipients and provisions limiting price increases on prescription drugs.

Nearly all of it would be paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.

Manchin’s opposition puts it all on hold indefinitely. The West Virginia senator cited several factors weighing on the economy and the potential harm he saw from pushing through the “mammoth” bill, such as persistent inflation, a growing debt and the latest threat from the omicron variant.

“When you have these things coming at you the way they are right

now, I’ve always said this ... if I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” he said.

“I tried everything humanly possible. I can’t do it,” he said. “This is a no on this legislation. I have tried everything I know to do.”

Though Manchin has been Democrats’ main obstacle all year to pushing the massive package through the narrowly divided Congress, his declaration was a stunning repudiation of Biden’s and his party’s top goal. A rejection of the legislation had been seen by many as unthinkable because of the political damage it could inflict on Democrats.

Sen Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., criticized Manchin for withdrawing his support and urged Democratic leaders to bring the bill to the floor anyway and force Manchin to oppose it.

“If he doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and

America, let him vote no in front of the whole world, “ Sanders told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

It is rare for a member of a president’s own party to administer a fatal blow to their paramount legislative initiative. Manchin’s decision called to mind the famous thumbsdown vote by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that killed President Donald Trump’s 2017 effort to repeal the health care law enacted under President Barack Obama.

Last week, Biden all but acknowledged that negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package would likely push into the new year. But the president had insisted that Manchin reiterated his support for a framework that the senator, the White House and other Democrats had agreed to for the flagship bill.

Manchin made clear those were Biden’s words, not his own. The senator criticized fellow lawmakers for a bill that “hasn’t shrunk” after he initially agreed to a $1.5 trillion

Troops find religious exemption for vaccines unattainable

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.

That total lack of approvals is creating new tensions within the military.

The services, which are ordering troops to be vaccinated, are now besieged with exemption requests they are unlikely to approve. Meanwhile, troops claiming religious reasons for avoiding the shots are perplexed because exemptions are theoretically available, yet seem impossible to obtain.

Caught in the middle are chaplains, who must balance the desire to offer compassionate care and guidance to personnel with the need to explain a complicated process that may well be futile.

They also must assess requests from those who may be using religion as an excuse to avoid a vaccine that has become politically charged.

“So many of them come in thinking that I make the decision, and if they make this case, that it’s a done deal,” said Maj. A’Shellarien Lang, an Army chaplain for the National Guard. “I don’t make the decision. And so when they find that out, it’s a kind of game-changer in the sense that they know that the process has to continue.”

Obtaining a religious exemption is rooted in a process that predates the pandemic and has been used for decisions such as whether troops on duty can wear head coverings or beards for religious reasons.

In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel.

The final decision is made higher up the chain of command and is also based on whether the person’s vaccine exemption will pose a risk to mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, the health and safe-

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

Head National Guard chaplain Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the chaplain office, left, and Chaplain Maj. A'Shellarien Lang, right, speak at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. ty of the force, and military readiness.

Even in the past, few troops have cleared those hurdles to get religious exemptions. And because the pandemic can directly affect the force’s health and readiness, the bar is even higher, so military leaders aren’t surprised by the lack of approved exemptions.

But for the troops and chaplains, it’s been a bit overwhelming.

“It’s just been a lot of interviews, a lot of memos,” Lang said. “I find that my colleagues are stressed just because of the logistics of getting the memo done and having to

make sure they’re keeping up with the process. It’s like rapid fire.”

Air Force officials initially said religious exemption requests would be answered in 30 days. But they have gotten more than 4,700 requests — far more than the other military services, and the logistics of the lengthy review process has made it difficult to meet that timeline. The Navy has received about 2,700 religious exemption requests, the Marine Corps has 3,100 and the Army about 1,700.

Some that were rejected have been appealed, but there is little data on that.

“We did not expect the surge of

requests,” said Air Force Col. Paul Sutter, chief chaplain for religious affairs at Space Force, which is included in the Air Force.

An Air Force reservist who requested a religious exemption said she’s aware of none approved so far, and she is not optimistic.

The reservist, who asked that her name be withheld for privacy reasons, said her chaplain was very straightforward, laying out the process and noting the lack of approvals.

Still, she said, she believes “God has a plan for my life.”

Sutter and Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the National

framework and said social programs must be paid for over 10 years instead of just a few years to win his support, a nonstarter due to cost.

“We should be up front and pick our priorities,” Manchin said.

The party’s ascendant progressive wing dismiss Manchin’s assertions that the bill would fuel inflation and worsen budget deficits.

A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office earlier this month said that if many of the bill’s temporary spending boosts and tax cuts were made permanent, it would add $3 trillion to the price tag. That would more than double its 10-year cost to about $5 trillion.

But Democrats note that the CBO estimated that the legislation is almost completely paid for. Its tax boosts, more aggressive IRS collection of revenue and other savings would add around $200 billion to federal deficits over the coming decade, CBO has estimated — a small percentage of the $12 trillion in red ink CBO had already projected.

Guard’s joint chaplain office, said they tell their chaplains to be impartial as they speak with service members and to follow the process.

“Meet the member where they are. Let them articulate who they are, how they believe and how they live out that faith,” Sutter said he advises chaplains. “We’re just looking for their articulation of their deeply held beliefs. You’re looking for a consistency in how they adhere to those beliefs.”

The Air Force reservist who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was raised a Christian and is willing to retire if her request isn’t granted, even though it would mean giving up her G.I. Bill tuition benefits that she would get if she stayed another year or more.

“I will have to forfeit that,” said the mother of three children, including a newborn. Forgoing the tuition benefit, which she could transfer to her children, is worth it, she said. “I have no doubt God will provide for me.”

Some religious leaders have offered exemption letter templates and voiced support for vaccine avoidance.

The services, in many cases, provided chaplains with interview questions such as whether the service member’s “pattern of conduct” is consistent, whether the member routinely complies with religious practices and whether the member participates in activities “associated with the belief.”

Chaplains also take into account whether service members previously received religious accommodations.

“I don’t really dig into how long they’ve been in church and all of that kind of stuff because it’s really about their current reality of what they really believe,” Lang said. “And in that moment — let’s suppose it’s a political decision, but they wrap it in religiosity — that’s still what they believe in that moment.”

The chaplains said the interviews have had the side benefit of making troops more aware that religious personnel are available and that the meetings are triggering longer conversations about other issues.

“It’s really been a bridge to just some greater ministry,” Lang said.

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 13 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021

Twin City Herald

AP PHOTO

A Christmas tree decorated with several ornaments from the White House Historical Association is on display in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

WHAT’S HAPPENING 20 friends each left a $100 tip for a Mississippi waitress

The Associated Press

Customers in Mississippi wanted to do something big that would change Christmas for their waitress. The idea started with a discussion during an early family Christmas. It took about 30 minutes to send out a text message to a list of people who might want to share a special breakfast and spread good cheer. The owner of Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant in Ocean Springs, Sam Sabagh, took a call on his day off Dec. 13, and reserved a room for the surprise. The group was limited to 20 — the number one server could manage alone. Ashley Sadler has worked there for 3 1/2 years and served them breakfast Dec. 14 with no idea of what was to come. When it came time to pay their bills, the 20 people each added $100 cash for her tip. Two other people who couldn’t come to breakfast gave donations of $100 each, bringing her tip to $2,200. She gave the table bussers some money and split the rest with the hostess on duty, and when she was done giving to other people had $920 left.

Bus drivers deliver gifts after school closes A school bus driver in suburban Detroit wasn’t going to let “her kids” get late Christmas gifts, even if the district suddenly had switched to remote learning because of a threat over social media. Dawn Moles said the ornaments she made for West Bloomfield students couldn’t wait until in-person classes resume after the holidays and trees were taken down. Moles got permission to drive her route Friday morning and let kids climb aboard to pick up gifts from their seats.

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20177 52016 $0.50

Since 1980s US chances of a white Christmas melt a bit

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A WHITE CHRISTMAS seems to be slowly morphing from a reliable reality to a dream of snowy holidays past for large swaths of the United States in recent decades.

Analysis of 40 years of December 25 U.S. snow measurements shows that less of the country now has snow for Christmas than in the 1980s.

That’s especially true in a belt across the nation’s midsection — from Baltimore to Denver and a few hundred miles farther north.

And snow that falls doesn’t measure up to past depths.

Scientists say the decline in the number of white Christmases is relatively small and caution about drawing conclusions. But it’s noticeable and matters mightily to some people like George Holland.

The retired Dubuque, Iowa, educator known for his front yard nativity scenes said snow on Christmas is supposed to be part of the holiday: “The one that makes my heart warm is after going to midnight Mass and coming outside and it’s snowing.”

But the weather in Dubuque hasn’t cooperated in recent years.

“We don’t have white Christmas,’’ said boutique owner Bill Kaesbauer. “We haven’t had any in years.”

The last one was in 2017 in

Dubuque, which weather records show used to have white Christmases nearly two out of three years.

The average December temperature in the continental U.S. was a tad below freezing from 1981 to 1990, federal weather records show. And from 2011 to 2020, it was up to an average slightly above 35 degrees, considerably above the freezing mark.

But what did that warming trend, natural weather variability and a western megadrought mean to white Christmases?

From 1981 to 1990, on average, almost 47% of the country had snow on the ground Christmas Day, with an average depth of 3.5 inches, according to an analysis of ground observation data by the University of Arizona. From 2011 to 2020, Christmas snow cover was down to 38%, with an average depth of 2.7 inches.

The change was particularly pronounced in a swath from about the Mason-Dixon line to just north of Detroit, Chicago, and Nebraska. The Christmas snow cover average there went from nearly 55% in the 1980s to slightly above 41% now, the Arizona data shows. Average snow depth fell from 3.5 inches to 2.4 inches.

The numbers are small enough that it’s difficult to tell whether this is a meaningful trend and, if so, whether climate change or natu-

ral weather variability is the cause, said University of Arizona atmospheric scientist Xubin Zeng, who ran the data.

Still, Zeng, who has published studies on decreasing snowpack in the western U.S. being connected to climate change, said the downward slide of white Christmases is consistent with global warming.

In 20 to 30 years “with climate warming, the prospects of a white Christmas in many parts of the U.S.A. will be slim indeed,” said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

A separate analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration looks at “climate normals” — 30-year periods for about 5,000 weather stations across the lower 48 states. Comparing normals for 1981-2010 to normals for 1991-2020 shows more stations are seeing statistical odds for a white Christmas shrink, but the agency cautions against drawing a conclusion about any trend.

In much of Iowa and eastern Washington, the changes are bigger than elsewhere, according to NOAA. From 1981 to 2010, Dubuque’s chance for a white Christmas was 63% but it’s now down to 42%. Walla Walla, Washington’s chance of getting a white Christmas dropped in half from 19% in 1981 to 2010 to 9.5% now.

Denver’s airport station went from 40% chance of Christmas snow from 1981 to 2010 to 34%.

Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Fort Wayne, Topeka, Des Moines, Akron, Albany, Olympia, Rapid City, and Oklahoma City airports saw drops of three or four percentage points.

The line where there’s at least a 10% chance for a white Christmas moved noticeably north with the new normals, said NOAA climate scientist Imke Durre. And the nation’s capital went from 10% to 7%.

“The movement of that line is consistent with a warmer December,” Durre said.

New York, Philadelphia and Concord, New Hampshire, recorded small increases in chances of Christmas snow on the ground.

A data set from Rutgers University’s global snow lab finds continental U.S. snow in the last week of December slightly increasing, not decreasing, said climate scientist David Robinson, whose data based on satellite imagery goes back to 1966.

“There’s no trend. You just don’t see it,” Robinson said.

Often people in their 60s and 70s think there are fewer white Christmases, he added, because the 1960s had more than usual white Christmases.

Temperature alters snowfall in two different ways. In warmer borderline areas, warmer air turns snow into rain. But in cooler more northern areas where even higher temperatures are still below freezing, warmer temperatures mean more snow because warmer air holds more moisture, which comes down as snow, meteorologists said.

Can you safely enjoy the holidays? Experts offer COVID tips The Associated Press THE DELTA AND OMICRON variants of the coronavirus are trying to spoil the holiday spirit, but there still are ways to enjoy the festivities.

The explosive spread of the omicron variant is causing many to wonder if they should cancel their holiday plans. The omicron mutation is expected to overtake the delta variant in the United States within weeks.

Health experts know that people need to spend time together, so they are offering advice. Above all, getting vaccinated remains the best defense and getting a booster shot further increases protection.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, skipped gathering for the holidays last year with his three adult daughters. But this year, Fauci, his wife and his daughters are all vaccinated with boosters, and they plan to spend the holidays together, even seeing a few friends who also are vaccinated and boosted.

“We can feel safe,” Fauci said this week on NBC’s “Nightly News.”

“Nothing is 100% risk-free.”

A look at strategies to enjoy the holidays as safely as possible.

Is it safe to attend a holiday party?

It depends. Large parties aren’t

as safe as small ones. Indoor parties aren’t as safe as outdoor gatherings.

At a large, indoor party, one person without a mask can result in many people infected, said Dr. Celine Gounder of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

“Some of these are turning into superspreader events,” Gounder said.

Even if everyone is vaccinated and boosted, breakthrough infections can happen, including with omicron, which has shown the ability to sidestep the protection of vaccination in lab tests.

And don’t count on symptoms to tell you who’s carrying the virus, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer in Seattle and King County.

“Half or more of infections are spread from people before they have symptoms, so symptom screening remains important, but doesn’t identify everyone who can spread COVID-19,” Duchin said.

Masks, opening windows, running an air purifier with a HEPA filter are strategies recommended by health experts for gatherings during the holidays.

What about home test kits?

Home test kits can add a layer of safety by providing on-the-spot results. The tests are not as accurate as the PCR tests done in hospitals See COVID, page 2

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

2 WEDNESDAY

12.22.21 #169

“Join the conversation” Twin City Herald Publisher Neal Robbins

COLUMN | JOYCE KRAWIEC

Straight talk: It’s Christmas and it really is A Wonderful Life

We had very little, but Christmas was still a special time for us.

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal.

3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 (704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

I have spent the last week or so addressing Christmas cards and shopping. I’m sure many of you have done the same. Of course, while I’ve been home working on the cards, there has been either old Christmas classic movies or the newer versions on the Hallmark Channel playing in the background.

I watched my all-time favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the 1,000th time and realized something that I’ve never noticed before. Remember the end when it’s Christmas Eve and George has seen what would have happened had he never been born. Everybody is at his house donating money to pay off his debt and George is celebrating wanting to live again. They start singing “Auld Lang Syne” to close out the movie. It’s Christmas Eve and they’re singing a New Year’s Eve song. I can’t believe I never thought about it before. It’s still the best movie ever though.

Did you know this movie was a huge flop at the box office when it was released 75 years ago? The movie lost $500,000, which was a huge sum of money back then.

It was such a flop that it closed down the studio that produced it, Liberty Films, and ended director Frank Capra’s career for a long time. Jimmy Stewart feared it was the end of his career and considered going back to work in his father’s grocery store in Pennsylvania. Thank Heavens neither gave up and realized many successes later on.

I’ve been remembering Christmases past as I often do this time of year. Some have been far more memorable than others but it’s always a special time of year.

I remember some very lean Christmas years when I was a child. We had very little, but it was still a special time for us. We had a tree cut from the woods and decorated with handmade ornaments. We spent lots of time making those ornaments. We had a few store-bought balls but mostly it was adorned with things we made.

My mother made snow with Tide detergent and whipped it into a fluffy white substance. We threw it at the tree and it stuck to the branches and looked like real snow.

I had a friend, Linda, who lived nearby. I thought she was rich because she lived in a nice house with a big picture window. I remember one year they had an aluminum tree with blue balls and a light shining on it in

front of that window. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

One day Linda’s mom came to my house and asked to see our Christmas tree. She said Linda told her we had the most beautiful tree she had ever seen. Amazing!! She thought ours was special (she even helped make some of the ornaments) and I was envious of hers.

The first Christmas that my sweet hubby and I were married is another that I remember vividly. He bought me my first coat that I ever had that wasn’t pre worn by a cousin. It was a camel coat with a raccoon collar. Oh my, did I love that coat? I wish I had kept it.

In the 1980s, several members of my husband’s family came up from South Carolina and New Orleans to stay a few days before Christmas. One of the worst cold fronts on record moved into the area. The cars from those more southern areas were not equipped to handle it and the cars wouldn’t run. Nobody could get back home as planned for Christmas. We ended up all staying at our house and rationing out presents that we had for our girls and going out Christmas eve and finding odds and ends so Santa could leave something for everyone. We also explained that Santa had left presents at their own homes also. To this day, the cousins still remember that as one of the best Christmases of their childhood.

Have you ever stopped to think about what it would be like to see the impact your life has had on others, as George Bailey did? I think we might all be surprised.

My mother always said God has a purpose for every life and He equips us all with gifts to do the tasks that he’s set out for us. What if you weren’t here to perform the tasks that He has set for you? There would be no one to do those tasks.

Just remember it’s all about the precious baby born in a manger because there was no room at the inn. The baby was sent by God for a purpose and the world has never been the same.

Merry Christmas to all of you, dear readers. I am wising you all the happiness and joy of the season.

Joyce Krawiec has served in the North Carolina Senate from the 31st district since 2014.

SIGNIFICANT DEATHS IN 2021

Retired Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy Mike Brady was killed when he was involved in a traffic accident out of state. Brady, the son of former Salisbury Fire Department Chief Sam Brady, was a lieutenant in the Rowan sheriff’s office. Even though he was retired, he often served at special events like the local Fourth of July celebration. He also worked with the Rowan County Rescue Squad as a diver. Details of the crash were not immediately released.

PHOTOS VIA NORTH CAROLINA ZOO FACEBOOK

Two longtime residents at the North Carolina Zoo have died. An ostrich named Pearl was euthanized. A seal named Paco died. Pearl was 19 years old and had lived on the state zoological park’s Watani Grasslands since arriving in Asheboro at age 1. When Pearl was under general anesthesia, veterinarians learned she had a severe reproductive disease that would kill her.

The cause of death for Paco, who lived at the N.C. Zoo for 13 years, hadn’t yet been determined, but he had a large mass on his lung.

AP PHOTO

Jeanne Robertson, who parlayed her appearance in the Miss America pageant into a career as a speaker and humorist, died unexpectedly. She was 77. Her death was announced by Elon University, where she served as a trustee. She died at her home in Burlington. A cause of death was not released. Robertson became Miss North Carolina at age 19, and won Miss Congeniality at the 1963 Miss America pageant. Her pageant experience, and her 6-foot-2-inch frame, often provided fodder for her comedy routines, delivered in her Southern accent.

A North Carolina firefighter has died after battling COVID-19 for more than a month. The Durham Fire Department announced the death of 45-year-old Jeremy Klemm in a Facebook post. The 15-year employee “will be missed greatly,” the fire department said in its Facebook posting. Klemm began his career with the Durham Fire Department on Feb. 27, 2006, after graduating from Fire Academy 19. He was promoted to fire driver on Jan. 2, 2020, and was last assigned to the Engine 8 A-Shift.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Mobster Peter Gotti, the brother of notorious Gambino crime boss John Gotti, has died while serving a federal prison sentence. Gotti, 81, died of natural causes while incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Butner. Gotti was sentenced to a 25-year term for his conviction in 2003 on racketeering and other charges alleging he took command of the Gambinos after his brother was locked up.

He had sought an early release, citing his poor health and his rejection of the gangster life, in an effort to avoid dying in prison. He served more than 17 years behind bars.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

SPORTS

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SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Taylor charged with failing to report new address Pembroke Pines, Fla. NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor is facing felony charges in South Florida after failing to report an address change as required because of his status as a registered sex offender, authorities said.

Taylor, 62, turned himself in after Pembroke Pines police informed him of an active warrant for his arrest. Taylor was released shortly after his booking on $500 bail.

Taylor pleaded guilty in New York in 2011 to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute. He was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

NHL

Nine of NHL’s 32 teams paused because of COVID-19 New York More than a quarter of NHL teams have been shut down through at least the weekend after the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens became the eighth and ninth to have activities paused because of several positive COVID-19 test results among players.

Seven other NHL teams have been shut down as positive test results have risen across the league. The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were added to that list Sunday, joining the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins.

GOLF

Final ranking of year puts Masters field at 83 and counting Augusta, Ga. The top 50 from the final world ranking of the year was set on Sunday, adding 10 players to the field for the Masters in April. The list included Matthew Wolff, Mackenzie Hughes of Canada and Ryan Palmer, who are exclusive members of the PGA Tour. The final ranking, along with other criteria, puts the field at 83 players. The list also includes Tiger Woods, who is recovering from severe injuries to his right leg from a Feb. 23 car crash. Augusta National prefers to keep the field for the Masters at under 100 players, a target it has met every year dating to 1966 and would appear to be on pace to continue.

TENNIS

Nadal positive for virus after returning from Abu Dhabi Madrid Rafael Nadal tested positive for the coronavirus after playing in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, the Spaniard said Monday.

Nadal wrote on Twitter that the positive result came from a PCR test he took after arriving in Spain.

Nadal said he is enduring “unpleasant moments” but hopes to improve “little by little.” He is in isolation at home and everyone who has been in contact with him was informed of his positive result. Nadal said he had been tested every two days while away and all results had come back negative, with the last one on Saturday.

JOSHUA BESSEX | AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after failing to convert a field goal in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Panthers’ Rhule ‘can’t speculate’ on next week’s starting QB Cam Newton is now 0-4 since returning to Carolina

By Steve Reed The Associated Press CHARLOTTE — Cam Newton’s struggles have left Matt Rhule looking for answers at quarterback.

Rhule said Monday that he “can’t speculate” on who’ll be the team’s starting quarterback this Sunday when the Panthers host Tampa Bay. The Panthers’ second-year coach said he’ll “continue working” with Newton but added that he wants to see where Sam Darnold’s shoulder is on Wednesday when the team returns to practice. Darnold remains on injured reserve but stepped up his throwing last week.

“We will find out about Sam and his health. I’m not going to look into the future, no hypotheticals,” Rhule said of Darnold, who went on IR on Nov. 10 with an incomplete fracture of his shoulder blade. “If Sam is healthy, we will practice him and see where he’s kind of at. I think it is a good opportunity to shake some the rust off and see where he’s at.”

Darnold is 4-5 as the team’s starter, while Newton is 0-4.

Newton threw for a touchdown and ran for another score in a 3114 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, but he also tossed another interception and his poor decision-making and inability to consistently complete passes down the field continue to be an issue for the Panthers (5-9).

Any hopes of a fairytale ending where the 2015 league MVP would help his former team turns

things around have vanished.

Carolina has lost nine of its past 11 games.

Rhule called Newton the “ultimate competitor” on Monday and praised him for his hard work.

But that came one day after he criticized the team’s lack of a downfield passing game and Newton’s decision-making. The Panthers only took one shot down the field, but Newton couldn’t complete the ball to an open D.J. Moore.

“Certainly right now, our passing down the field is not one of our strengths,” Rhule said. “Holding onto the football in kind of those duress situations is not really one of our strengths.”

Newton was sacked four times, losing 32 yards.

Rhule also questioned Newton’s decision to throw to wide receiver Robby Anderson on a

key fourth-and-1 zone-read play instead of running the ball as was designed.

“It shouldn’t be thrown. It’s a zone read. There’s a bubble on there in case an unblocked blitzer comes,” Rhule said. “The MIKE (linebacker), we had that guy blocked so that’s just an error by the quarterback. It should be a handoff.”

Newton has now lost 12 straight starts for Carolina going back to 2018 and it’s become clear that he, like Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold before him, is not the answer at quarterback.

P.J. Walker, who is 2-0 as an NFL starter, doesn’t appear to have Rhule’s support either as a shortterm or long-term starter.

Things aren’t going to get any easier down the stretch for the Panthers, who have lost nine of their past 11 games and are simply playing out the schedule. They’ll host a highly motivated Tom Brady on Sunday after the Buccaneers were blanked 9-0 on Sunday by the New Orleans Saints. Carolina then finishes on the road at New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

Broncos’ Bridgewater hospitalized, released after suffering head injury The former Panthers quarterback was carted off the field Sunday following a collision with a Bengals defender The Associated Press Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was taken to a hospital for a head injury after he was carted off the field in the third quarter of Denver’s 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Bridgewater was hurt in a scary collision that also sent Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie from the game with a leg injury.

Bridgewater had movement in his extremities, and coach Vic Fangio said he’d be held overnight for observation but was expected to be OK. Bridgewater was released from the hospital Monday morning and would be placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, the Broncos said.

Denver trailed 9-3 with 5:34 left in the third quarter when Bridgewater scrambled to his

right on second-and-5 from his 30-yard line. Bachie came up and squatted as he was about to make contact.

They collided and Bridgewater — who played for the Panthers last season — was sent airborne, landing a yard past the first-down marker, but falling on his face just as he was hit again by defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

Bridgewater lay motionless as Bachie rolled onto his back on his own several yards away. Concerned players from both teams gathered on the field.

While Bachie was helped off with a leg injury and ruled out, the cart came out to take Bridgewater off the field.

Defending champion Tampa Bay lost several key players in a 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

The list included wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Leonard Fournette.

Godwin (knee) and Evans (hamstring) left in the second quarter. Fournette (hamstring) exited in the third.

JACK DEMPSEY | AP PHOTO

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is hit by Bengals defensive end B.J. Hill during their game Sunday. Bridgewater left the game and was hospitalized with a head injury as a result of the play.

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David also departed after injuring his foot.

“It hurts more losing all the players we lost,” coach Bruce Arians said. “We lost about seven starters in this game.”

Carolina kicker Zane Gonzalez had to be helped off the field after injuring his quadriceps in warmups, leaving the Panthers without a placekicker Sunday in a 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Gonzalez was injured about an hour before kickoff, and the Pan-

thers essentially held tryouts moments later to see if anyone was able to replace him. Receiver Brandon Zylstra, practice squad running back Reggie Bonnafon and linebacker Frankie Luvu practiced field-goal attempts. Zylstra took over for kickoffs, but none did any placekicking.

The Panthers passed up a fieldgoal attempt and failed to convert fourth-and-9 from Buffalo’s 24 to end their second possession.

They went for 2 after both of their touchdowns and converted once.

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.”

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

4

STATE & NATION

US Sen. Joe Manchin says no to $2T bill: ‘I can’t vote for it’

By Hope Yen The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said on Sunday he cannot back his party’s signature $2 trillion social and environment bill, dealing a fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s leading domestic initiative heading into an election year when Democrats’ narrow hold on Congress was already in peril.

Manchin told “Fox News Sunday” that he always has made clear he had reservations about the bill and that now, after five-and-half months of discussions and negotiations, “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation.”

The legislation’s apparent collapse is sure to deepen the bitter ideological divisions within the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates. That would call into question whether Democrats will be able to join together behind any substantial legislation

before the November congressional elections. And it adds a note of chaos just as Democrats need to demonstrate accomplishments and show a united front before the fall campaign.

The bill carries massive spending including extending a more generous child tax credit, creating free preschool and bolstering child care aid. There’s also benefits for Medicare recipients and provisions limiting price increases on prescription drugs.

Nearly all of it would be paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.

Manchin’s opposition puts it all on hold indefinitely. The West Virginia senator cited several factors weighing on the economy and the potential harm he saw from pushing through the “mammoth” bill, such as persistent inflation, a growing debt and the latest threat from the omicron variant.

“When you have these things coming at you the way they are right

now, I’ve always said this ... if I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” he said.

“I tried everything humanly possible. I can’t do it,” he said. “This is a no on this legislation. I have tried everything I know to do.”

Though Manchin has been Democrats’ main obstacle all year to pushing the massive package through the narrowly divided Congress, his declaration was a stunning repudiation of Biden’s and his party’s top goal. A rejection of the legislation had been seen by many as unthinkable because of the political damage it could inflict on Democrats.

Sen Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., criticized Manchin for withdrawing his support and urged Democratic leaders to bring the bill to the floor anyway and force Manchin to oppose it.

“If he doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and

America, let him vote no in front of the whole world, “ Sanders told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

It is rare for a member of a president’s own party to administer a fatal blow to their paramount legislative initiative. Manchin’s decision called to mind the famous thumbsdown vote by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that killed President Donald Trump’s 2017 effort to repeal the health care law enacted under President Barack Obama.

Last week, Biden all but acknowledged that negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package would likely push into the new year. But the president had insisted that Manchin reiterated his support for a framework that the senator, the White House and other Democrats had agreed to for the flagship bill.

Manchin made clear those were Biden’s words, not his own. The senator criticized fellow lawmakers for a bill that “hasn’t shrunk” after he initially agreed to a $1.5 trillion

Troops find religious exemption for vaccines unattainable

By Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.

That total lack of approvals is creating new tensions within the military.

The services, which are ordering troops to be vaccinated, are now besieged with exemption requests they are unlikely to approve.

Meanwhile, troops claiming religious reasons for avoiding the shots are perplexed because exemptions are theoretically available, yet seem impossible to obtain.

Caught in the middle are chaplains, who must balance the desire to offer compassionate care and guidance to personnel with the need to explain a complicated process that may well be futile. They also must assess requests from those who may be using religion as an excuse to avoid a vaccine that has become politically charged.

“So many of them come in thinking that I make the decision, and if they make this case, that it’s a done deal,” said Maj. A’Shellarien Lang, an Army chaplain for the National Guard. “I don’t make the decision.

And so when they find that out, it’s a kind of game-changer in the sense that they know that the process has to continue.”

Obtaining a religious exemption is rooted in a process that pre-

COVID from page 1 and at testing sites. But they have the advantage of giving results within minutes instead of days.

In some places, testing demand is high, rapid tests are hard to find and waits at testing centers are long.

If you’re searching for a home test kit, check online and at drugstores. A box with two tests typically costs about $25. If you have health insurance, save your receipt.

You may be able to get reimbursed for the cost next year, although it’s

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

Head National Guard chaplain Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the chaplain office, left, and Chaplain Maj. A'Shellarien Lang, right, speak at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. dates the pandemic and has been used for decisions such as whether troops on duty can wear head coverings or beards for religious reasons.

In addition to discussions with chaplains to determine whether they have a “sincerely held belief,” troops must meet with commanders and medical personnel. The final decision is made higher up the chain of command and is also based on whether the person’s vaccine exemption will pose a risk to mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, the health and safety of the force, and military readiness.

Even in the past, few troops have cleared those hurdles to get religious exemptions. And because the

pandemic can directly affect the force’s health and readiness, the bar is even higher, so military leaders aren’t surprised by the lack of approved exemptions.

But for the troops and chaplains, it’s been a bit overwhelming.

“It’s just been a lot of interviews, a lot of memos,” Lang said. “I find that my colleagues are stressed just because of the logistics of getting the memo done and having to make sure they’re keeping up with the process. It’s like rapid fire.”

Air Force officials initially said religious exemption requests would be answered in 30 days. But they have gotten more than 4,700 requests — far more than the other military services, and the logis-

unclear whether new rules about that will be retroactive.

Residents of some parts of the U.S. can receive free home test kits through a public health effort called Say Yes! COVID Test.

“It’s been a phenomenal program,” said Matt Schanz, administrator of the Northeast Tri County Health District in northeastern Washington state, where households can get up to eight tests delivered.

“We’re social people. We want to gather together and have joyous times during the holiday,” Schanz

said.

Some health experts are recommending testing twice: Take a test three days before and on the day of a holiday gathering.

“So if you’re gathering Christmas Eve, test a few days before and on Christmas Eve as well,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, senior medical officer at the Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois.

What about travel?

Check the rules of your destination country if you’re planning to

tics of the lengthy review process has made it difficult to meet that timeline. The Navy has received about 2,700 religious exemption requests, the Marine Corps has 3,100 and the Army about 1,700.

Some that were rejected have been appealed, but there is little data on that.

“We did not expect the surge of requests,” said Air Force Col. Paul Sutter, chief chaplain for religious affairs at Space Force, which is included in the Air Force.

An Air Force reservist who requested a religious exemption said she’s aware of none approved so far, and she is not optimistic. The reservist, who asked that her name be withheld for privacy reasons, said her chaplain was very straightforward, laying out the process and noting the lack of approvals.

Still, she said, she believes “God has a plan for my life.”

Sutter and Col. Larry Bazer, deputy director of the National Guard’s joint chaplain office, said they tell their chaplains to be impartial as they speak with service members and to follow the process.

“Meet the member where they are. Let them articulate who they are, how they believe and how they live out that faith,” Sutter said he advises chaplains. “We’re just looking for their articulation of their deeply held beliefs. You’re looking for a consistency in how they adhere to those beliefs.”

The Air Force reservist who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was raised a Christian

travel abroad. Nations are adding new rules in response to omicron.

People traveling by air should be extra careful about wearing masks in crowded airports, Fauci said.

“Wear your mask all the time,” Fauci told a Wall Street Journal podcast. “It will be required to wear a mask when you’re on the plane, but don’t get careless in the airport with all the crowds that are in the airport and take your mask off.”

Is there any good news?

Kids often catch viruses at

framework and said social programs must be paid for over 10 years instead of just a few years to win his support, a nonstarter due to cost.

“We should be up front and pick our priorities,” Manchin said.

The party’s ascendant progressive wing dismiss Manchin’s assertions that the bill would fuel inflation and worsen budget deficits.

A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office earlier this month said that if many of the bill’s temporary spending boosts and tax cuts were made permanent, it would add $3 trillion to the price tag. That would more than double its 10-year cost to about $5 trillion.

But Democrats note that the CBO estimated that the legislation is almost completely paid for. Its tax boosts, more aggressive IRS collection of revenue and other savings would add around $200 billion to federal deficits over the coming decade, CBO has estimated — a small percentage of the $12 trillion in red ink CBO had already projected.

and is willing to retire if her request isn’t granted, even though it would mean giving up her G.I. Bill tuition benefits that she would get if she stayed another year or more.

“I will have to forfeit that,” said the mother of three children, including a newborn. Forgoing the tuition benefit, which she could transfer to her children, is worth it, she said. “I have no doubt God will provide for me.”

Some religious leaders have offered exemption letter templates and voiced support for vaccine avoidance.

The services, in many cases, provided chaplains with interview questions such as whether the service member’s “pattern of conduct” is consistent, whether the member routinely complies with religious practices and whether the member participates in activities “associated with the belief.”

Chaplains also take into account whether service members previously received religious accommodations.

“I don’t really dig into how long they’ve been in church and all of that kind of stuff because it’s really about their current reality of what they really believe,” Lang said. “And in that moment — let’s suppose it’s a political decision, but they wrap it in religiosity — that’s still what they believe in that moment.”

The chaplains said the interviews have had the side benefit of making troops more aware that religious personnel are available and that the meetings are triggering longer conversations about other issues.

“It’s really been a bridge to just some greater ministry,” Lang said.

school and there’s some evidence with flu that school breaks can slow the spread. So it might be lucky that omicron is emerging during the holidays, said virus expert Elodie Ghedin of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“Going into the holidays where kids are staying home from school is actually a good thing,” Ghedin said. “If this had occurred in the fall, it probably would have been worse with transmission. That’s the one silver lining going into the holidays.”

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