North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 49

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 49 |

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Beasley, Budd lead 2022 US Senate fundraising Raleigh Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd topped campaign fundraising in the final three months of 2021.

The campaign of Beasley, the former state Supreme Court chief justice, raised more than $2.1 million and had $2.8 million in the bank entering the new year, according to her campaign report.

Budd raised more than former Gov. Pat McCrory for the first time, taking in over $968,000, while McCrory’s campaign reported $748,000.

Both campaigns had comparable amounts in the bank entering January, with Budd reporting $2.2 million in cash compared to $1.95 million for McCrory.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denmark, England lift virus restrictions Copenhagen, Denmark Denmark took the European Union lead Tuesday by scrapping most pandemic restrictions as the Scandinavian country no longer considers COVID-19 “a socially critical disease.”

Officials say the reason for the Danish move is that while the omicron variant is surging in the country, it’s not placing a heavy burden on the health system and Denmark has a high vaccination rate.

Last week, England lifted almost all domestic restrictions: masks are not mandatory anywhere, vaccine passes are not required for any venue and people are no longer advised to work from home. The only legal requirement is to self-isolate after a positive COVID test.

Ireland has dropped most of its restrictions and the Netherlands also has been easing its lockdown, although Dutch bars and restaurants still have to close at 10 p.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Supreme Court shouldn’t be covered in Ivy, 2 lawmakers say Washington, D.C. Eight of the nine members of the current court went to law school at either Harvard or Yale. But it would be good if the person named to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer doesn’t have an Ivy League degree, according to South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democrat, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican.

“We run the risk of creating an elite society,” said Clyburn, a graduate of South Carolina State University. “We’ve got to recognize that people come from all walks of life, and we ought not dismiss anyone because of that.”

Graham, a member of the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings for the eventual nominee, said he’d like to see the court “have a little more balance, some common sense on it. It’s OK to go to a public university and get your law degree.”

The court’s newest member, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, is the outlier. She is a graduate of Notre Dame’s law school.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York Times buys viral word game Wordle New York The New York Times said it has bought Wordle, the free online word game that has exploded in popularity and, for some, become a daily obsession.

It listed the purchase price as being in the “low-seven figures,” but did not disclose specifics.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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MATT MERCER | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Members of the Lumbee Tribe perform at the opening of the Republican National Committee’s community center in Pembroke on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.

Community center brings RNC’s message to Robeson County

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

Anita Earls would join short list of NC justices if picked for US Supreme Court Biden considering Earls and other black women to fill seat

By David Larson North State Journal

ant member of the Congressional Black Caucus, are petitioning for South Carolina District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs.

Childs, though from South Carolina and a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, does have a North Carolina connection in that she earned a master of laws degree from Duke University School of Law. While Childs has become somewhat of a frontrunner, Earls’ name is still on a very short list for this highest of positions for an American jurist.

If chosen, she would be only the fifth person to be nominated from the state, and if confirmed, she would join only Justices James Iredell and Alfred Moore as U.S. Supreme Court justices hailing from North Carolina.

The first justice to have a strong link to the Tar Heel state was James Wilson. Wilson was born in Scotland and lived most of his life in Pennsylvania, but he died and was buried in Edenton, North Carolina, after fleeing creditors.

He served from 1789 to 1798.

The first justice selected from North Carolina was James Iredell, who was born in England but settled in the state. Iredell served at about the same time as Wilson (17901799) and also died in Edenton.

Both men were appointed by George Washington. Iredell County was named for him.

After Iredell died in 1799, President John Adams picked another North Carolinian to take his place — Alfred Moore, who served from 1800 to 1804.

Moore spent his life in the state, having been born in New Hanover County and dying in Bladen County. Moore County and Moore Square in downtown Raleigh are both named for Alfred Moore.

While no North Carolinian has sat on the court after these two early justices, two others from the state were nominated.

George Badger was from New Bern and served in important federal positions throughout

RALEIGH — During President Joe Biden’s campaign, he pledged to put a black woman on the Supreme Court if he had the chance to make a nomination, and with Associate Justice Stephen Breyer’s announced retirement, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is on the short list of those being considered.

In comments to multiple media outlets, Earls said she was “honored” to be among those being considered, but also made clear she takes her current position on the state’s highest court seriously. Earls was raised in Seattle and received her law degree from Yale Law School, but she has spent much of her legal career in North Carolina and has been a professor at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill.

Earls has been hammered with regular press releases over the last couple weeks from North Carolina GOP leaders, who say she is not impartial enough to rule on the state’s new congressional and legislative districts. They argue that because Eric Holder’s National Democratic Redistricting Committee is a top campaign donor, she will not be able to be fair in a case where the group is a plaintiff against their maps.

Former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, who is now running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, was also on various lists of black women likely being considered. Beasley told ABC11, though, that she is “committed to running for Senate,” apparently removing herself from consideration.

Powerful black North Carolina Democrat Congressman G.K. Butterfield, however, has another person in mind, telling the Washington Post that he and South Carolina Democrat Jim Clyburn, another import- See EARLS page A3

PEMBROKE — A near standing-room only crowd came to downtown Pembroke to open the Republican National Committee’s newest community center for minority engagement. The office, one of 21 nationwide, is part of a multi-million dollar effort dedicated to continuing to improve the GOP’s standing among non-white voters. The office is the first in the nation dedicated to reaching Native Americans, focusing on the region’s Lumbee Tribe.

In attendance at the event were NCGOP chairman Michael Whatley, Robeson County’s current U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, potential new congressman U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, and RNC national spokesman Paris Dennard.

Whatley gave remarks to open the event and thanked the com-

munity for showing up on a night when snow and ice was expected to fall across the area.

“We want to go into communities that matter. Robeson County is at the top of the list,” Whatley said. “The metric for success of this office is the relationships.

We want to show that your issues matter, not just a few weeks before an election.”

Speaking after Whatley was Jarrod Lowery, a well-known Republican who is seeking a state House seat in 2022. He is also the younger brother of the Tribe’s current chairman. Lowery said the fact that Republicans are coming to them and genuinely wanting to hear from them is important to the Tribe.

A list of upcoming events shows the office will be a busy one – four days a week, staff will host phone banking and voter registration drives.

See RNC, page A2

Report documents permeation, high cost of Critical Social Justice in UNC System James G. Martin Center report outlines progressive activism bent, millions in spending

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A new report from the James G. Martin Center details the threat of Critical Social Justice to academic freedom in the UNC System.

“Academics and administrators are no longer merely pushing progressive politics but transforming universities into institutions dedicated to political activism and indoctrinating students into a hateful ideology. We call this ideological bent Critical Social Justice,” the report reads.

The report says Critical Social Justice (CSJ) can encompass topics such as Critical Race Theory, Critical Theory, Multiculturalism, and Identity Politics and that the UNC System promotes CSJ policies “under the seemingly innocuous rubric of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).”

The James G. Martin Center’s Director of Outreach Jenna Robinson tells North State Journal the report tries to catalog as systematically as possible all of the See CRT, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: ALL IN GOOD TIME

2.2.22

Mark 5:22-24

#319

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

22

Jesus is always quick to respond to calls for help. He went at once with Jairus when his little daughter was dying.

But He is never in a hurry.

Although the child was at the point of death, when a poor woman in the throng touched the hem of His garment, with a heart-cry for healing in the touch — Jesus gave heed to her and gave her the blessing she sought. He even lingered to talk with her.

By the time He had done this, it seemed that He had waited too long, for word came that the child was dead. But Jesus is just as able to restore the dead — as He is to heal the sick.

So His delay in reaching the ruler’s house resulted in a greater work, when He raised the dead child to life — than if He had hastened and had kept her from dying.

We need never be afraid of Christ’s delays — He never tarries too long.

We may learn a lesson, too, on the beauty of wayside work.

When we are going somewhere on an errand of business — we may find opportunities of doing others kindnesses on the way.

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

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday

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PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Raising of the Daughter of Jairus” by Paolo Veronese (circa 1540) is a painting in the collection of the Louvre Museum, Paris.

RNC from page A1 According to an RNC spokesperson, the community centers that are open in other states host events such as pastor’s roundtables, potlucks, and movie nights that extend to shared values, not just political interests.

Friday’s event was also a showcase opportunity for the Lumbee Tribe’s culture team. The team, which goes around the United States to show the Tribe’s heritage, said they were honored to be asked to give a demonstration at the center’s opening.

The presentation included a song from a Native American recording flute made from sugar cane that is still found in select places along the Lumber River and a song complete with drums and chants that energized the crowd.

U.S. Rep. Bishop gave remarks about his time spent interacting with the Tribe, first as a state senator, co-sponsoring bills with state Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) focused on tribal sovereignty, but particularly when he first ran for Congress in 2019 in a special election. It was then, said Bishop, he realized how the Tribe’s values aligned with his own.

“Every conversation I had, it came back to Robeson County,”

CRTfrom page A1 ways that critical social justice is being implemented throughout the UNC system.

“I think it’s important for people to understand when they hear DEI, that is critical theory being implemented,” Robinson said. “It sounds nice. We all like diversity and we like to include people. We don’t like to exclude people. We like people to be treated as equals, but that’s not what it means.”

Robinson added that she thinks people are realizing that DEI is actually the “insidious implementation of critical theory.”

Highlights of the report include: Total DEI administrative salaries across the system exceed $12 million.

Both UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State each have 11 DEI administrators making more than $100,000, with more than 30 DEI employees total at each school. Salaries at each university total more than $3.25 million.

UNC System medical schools have extensive DEI administrative functions, including the UNC School of Medicine’s nine administrators dedicated to DEI and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina’s five DEI administrators (three of whom earn more than $100,000).

All 16 schools have DEI aspirations laid out in their strategic

said Bishop. “God has a plan – and being your congressman was part of a bigger goal.”

He told of his first visit to a tribal event, the annual Warrior Ball, and said he saw a patriotism that night “that has stayed with me.”

The political tilt of North Carolina’s largest county by land area has earned sustained national attention since 2016, when Donald Trump won Robeson County with 50.78% of the vote. Following that race, Bishop would lose Robeson County by less than 300 votes but go on to win the congressional seat.

By 2020, Republicans would win many of the races on the ballot, with Trump and Bishop both attaining more than 58% of the vote.

“The Republican Party has changed. The Lumbee Tribe has changed. We’re at an intersection in history,” Bishop said.

The night’s final featured speaker was Paris Dennard, who serves as the RNC’s national spokesperson. Dennard said he met obstacles with travel from Washington, D.C., to Pembroke but made it in time, “and I knew why when I walked through those doors,” alluding to the enthusiasm from those inside the community center.

plans.

At least seven schools require implicit bias training for all job search committees.

Curricula dedicated to DEI are expanding not only through increased general education requirements but also through “Living-Learning Communities” that promote social activism.

The Racial Equity Task Force is pressuring schools to conform to these mandates.

Robinson tells North State Journal that the UNC system is already in the process of creating an all funds budget, which will help to drill down and find DEI spending beyond just salaries.

“I think that in the future, we may be able to get a better handle on the spending,” said Robinson.

“And if it’s not available in that all funds budget, then I do think there are opportunities for the legislature to look into it.”

Beyond the salaries for DEI staff within UNC system schools, Robinson noted some undergraduates are often required to take a “diversity” credit as part of their coursework.

“It’s classes in the grievance studies areas, “Robinson said of the undergraduate requirements.

“You can’t simply take a class from a culture other than your own. You can’t take a class on, you know, a time period other than your own, you specifically have to take a class in kind of diversity studies in

Dennard fired up the crowd by saying that never before has minority engagement been done to this extent by the RNC. “Engagement is how we win,” he said. “The red wave is here and it’s time to retire Nancy Pelosi!

The Biden administration doesn’t have a plan for anything. The Republican Party is listening.”

The night also featured a special award given to one of the party’s field directors. In a video presentation, RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel congratulated Abigail Blue, a Tribe member who worked for the party in the 2020 election. McDaniel awarded her a champion award, presented by Dennard, for her efforts.

The recognition caught Blue off guard, and she became emotional, reflecting on the passing of her younger sister eight months ago. She told the crowd that her sister loved politics and that was her motivation to go on. Many of those in attendance showered Blue with compliments and praise for her determination.

On a night that celebrated togetherness, the Lumbee Tribe showed that it cares for its own.

Republicans are hoping that same level of commitment results in favorable results for its electoral chances in a state that’s perennially divided.

“I think it’s important for people to understand when they hear DEI, that is critical theory being implemented.”

James G. Martin Center Director of Outreach Jenna Robinson the United States. And all of them are from the same perspective.

There is no viewpoint diversity in diversity studies.”

Robinson later said that the money flowing into DEI departments really means that students, parents and taxpayers are all paying to indoctrinate students and that is something everyone needs to be aware of.

The report includes a handful of policy solutions, which Robinson calls “a good mix” in preserving academic freedom.

“They address the kind of the non-academic parts of the University where this is really being very critical, social justice is really being pushed,” said Robinson.

Recommendations for reforms that can be implemented by UNC universities and the N.C. General Assembly include the General Assembly cutting UNC System budget amounts for spending on DEI,

J.R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911.

His works are now in the public domain.

MATT MERCER | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) speaks at the opening of the Republican National Committee’s community center in Pembroke on Friday. Jan. 28, 2022.

as well as discontinuing public funding for “identity-based Centers and Institutes.”

The report’s policy suggestions say all DEI training should be optional and in order to promote transparency, all faculty and administrators should have to post their CV’s, curricula, and syllabi online.

Additionally, hiring practices throughout the UNC system should be revamped and the legislature should “ban political litmus tests in hiring.” An example given is the requirement of offering “diversity statements” for a job offers or promotions.

“The legislature should end racial preferences in hiring and university admissions,” reads a related policy suggestion. That suggestion touches on the recently rekindled UNC Chapel Hill admissions discrimination lawsuit which the U.S. Supreme Court indicated on Jan. 24 it will be taking up this year.

Over the course of the last year, a rise in DEI and related bias and discrimination concerns have arisen in the UNC System.

In early November of 2021, Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) sent a letter to UNC Chapel Hill and UNC System officials over “equity, diversity and inclusion” training that members of the school’s Greek System were allegedly forced to attend. Hardister noted in his inquiry the training in-

volved “white privilege” and how “whiteness” pervades society.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz responded to Hardister, stating the Oct. 18 event was “sponsored” by the office of UNC-CH Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL).

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

In 2021, North State Journal reported on diversity training at N.C. State University that included courses such as “Intersectionality,” microaggressions and “whitesplaining.” The courses are required for staff and faculty but were made optional for undergraduates following media reporting on the issue.

Additionally, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Board of Trustees member Woody White resigned his position last September, citing issues with DEI creating an atmosphere of disparate treatment of conservatives on campus.

White’s letter said that UNCW “places high value on diversity, equity and inclusion” but there is “not a peep” about supporting “diversity of thought.” He also wrote that UNCW “punishes conservative voices by looking the other way,” and the school knows about student self-censorship but does “nothing about it.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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Audit of Ocean Isle shows mayor benefitted from property deal; charges filed Property in question bought by mayor’s real estate firm for appraised value of $460,670

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

PHOTO BY ANDY KROPA/INVISION/AP

Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst poses for a portrait on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in New York.

Former Miss NC USA dies at 30 North State Journal staff NEW YORK — Cheslie Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant and a correspondent for the entertainment news program “Extra,” has died at age 30. Kryst, who was a track and field athlete at the University of South Carolina, won the title of Miss USA while serving as Miss North Carolina USA. Police said Kryst jumped from a Manhattan apartment building and was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday morning. Her family confirmed her death in a statement.

“In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie,” the statement

said. “Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined. Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA and as a host on EXTRA. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague — we know her impact will live on.”

Kryst, a North Carolina attorney, won the Miss USA pageant in May, 2019, and competed in the Miss Universe pageant that year.

In a statement Sunday, the nationally syndicated program “Extra” called her “not just a vi-

tal part of our show, she was a beloved part of our Extra family and touched the entire staff. Our deepest condolences to all her family and friends.”

According to police, Kryst’s body was found at approximately 7 a.m. Sunday in front of the Orion building, a high-rise on West 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. Source said she was alone when she jumped and was last seen on a 29th-floor terrace.

According to the New York Post, Kryst left behind a note leaving everything to her mother but did not include a motive for her actions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

RALEIGH — A report from N.C. State Auditor Beth Wood’s office says the Mayor of Ocean Isle may have financially benefitted from a real estate transaction.

The matter is being referred to the District Attorney for the 15th Prosecutorial District to determine if there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges related to the direct benefit derived by the mayor, according to the audit’s findings.

State statute prohibits public officers from making or administering a contract on behalf of a public agency in which they might receive a direct benefit from the contract. According to the same statute, “Violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.”

The audit of Ocean Isle says Mayor Debbie Smith “derived a direct benefit by being inappropriately involved in making and administering a contract in which she acquired Town property.”

According to the audit, a real estate company in which Smith holds a 50% ownership interest “purchased the Ocean Isle Beach police department building and land19 (Property) on November 5, 2020, for $460,670.”

“The Mayor’s inappropriate involvement in making and administering the Offer to Purchase and Contract for the Property resulted in the loss of opportunity for the public to purchase the Property for the same price,” the audit says.

The property in question is a police department building which a citizen of the town had wanted to purchase in February of 2018.

The appraisal value at the time was $460,000. Three months later, in May of 2018, the town’s board apparently directed Ocean Isle’s town administrator to send an offer to the resident for the previously appraised price.

Sometime in June of the same year, the town administrator reported they have not received a response from the citizen, and the board decided to delay putting the building up for sale until later that year. The audit, however, states that, “The interested resident later

told investigators that he never received a response from the Town.”

Smith’s real estate company entered the picture in August of 2018, sending a purchase offer of $460,670 to the town administrator. Smith owns 50% of the real estate firm, and her brother owns the other half.

During a Sept. 2018 board meeting, the board was informed of Smith’s $460,670 offer and approved the advertising “for upset bids of at least $483,753.50.” No upset bids came in and the board accepted the offer from Smith’s real estate company on Oct. 9, 2018.

Among the related findings of the audit is that Smith used “confidential information” not available to the public to create the terms of the Offer to Purchase and Contract to acquire the property from the town.

The town’s Board of Commissioners also allegedly inappropriately discussed details of the property in closed session, and the audit also says that the board “failed to disclose those discussions to the public.”

Additionally, the town administrator executed three contract amendments on behalf of the town “without the proper authority.”

The town’s attorney, Mike Isenberg, submitted a response denying most of the claims.

As to claim one, the attorney admits that Smith has a 10% stake in Sloane Realty, which purchased the property in question, but denies that the purchase was “unlawful” and “further denies the mayor acted unlawfully or unethically” in the matter.

On the claim that Smith acquired the property using non-public information, the town’s attorney disagreed, citing the town’s interest in the sale was made public during a February 2018 meeting and the ordering of an appraisal was voted on and approved. The appraisal was made public after it was received, according to the town’s response.

Ocean Isle’s response acknowledged that the board of commissioners did discuss the sale of the properties and discussion of those topics is prohibited in a closed session. However, the town’s response then denies that the property discussion was the “purpose” of either of the closed sessions where the topic was brought up and that no votes were taken.

Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was nominated

by President Barack Obama to the U.S. District Court, listens during her nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., April 16, 2010.

AP PHOTO

Nurse Lydia Holly prepares a child’s COVID-19 vaccine dose, on Nov. 3, 2021, at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Family of Guilford teen vaccinated without parental consent retains legal counsel

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The family of a Guilford County Public Schools student has retained legal counsel after their son was vaccinated without parental consent last year.

According to a press release, Emily Happel, the mother of Tanner Smith, has retained the legal services of attorney Steven Walker of Walker Kiger, PLLC to represent them.

Walker was the chief legal counsel for former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest.

The release states Happel’s son was “illegally vaccinated without his or his mother’s consent by the Old North State Medical Society, which was working in conjunction with Guilford County Schools.”

“No matter what your position

is on vaccines, we should all be able to agree that children should not be subjected to medical procedures without their parents’ knowledge and consent,” Walker said in the statement. “We have made multiple attempts to try to resolve this issue with Guilford County Schools and the Old North State Medical Society and we have been met with nothing but deafening silence. Unfortunately, we have no other recourse than to take legal action against those who so flagrantly violated the rights of Emily and Tanner.”

In late August, Happel told North State Journal that Guilford County Public Schools (GCS) required her son Tanner to be tested in order to participate in the football team at Western Guilford High School. Her son had gone into a clinic being held at Northwest Guilford High School for the test and came out

with a vaccination card.

The clinic was run by Old North State Medical Society in partnership with GCS. The family had been sent a letter on Aug. 19, 2021, that Tanner would need to get a test to continue playing football. The letter said the test was scheduled for the next day on Aug. 20.

Walker’s press statement notes that the flier promoting the clinic clearly stated that, “Students age 12-17 must have their parent or guardian sign the consent form and bring the completed form to the vaccination site.”

Happel also said the clinic staff did not ask once for the letter from GCS directing them to get a test for their child and that Tanner never received a COVID-19 test.

Upon learning the news that her son had told the staffer he didn’t want the shot but the staffer proceeded anyway, Happel was irate.

“My son told me that the lady who was helping him said they had tried to call his mother, but that she didn’t answer and said, ‘Let’s just give it to him anyway.’ I still had no idea that he was going to be getting a vaccine; I was still waiting for a test,” Happel told North State Journal last August.

At the time of the incident, Old North State Medical Society did not respond to requests for comment.

AP PHOTO

EARLS from page A1 his career, including representing North Carolina in the U.S. Senate and being the secretary of the Navy under President William Henry Harrison. But when President Millard Fillmore nominated him to be an associate justice to the Supreme Court in 1853, Badger’s nomination failed.

There was only one other North Carolinian to be nominated to this position, John J. Parker, who was born in Monroe and practiced law in Monroe, Greensboro and Charlotte. Parker was a circuit court judge with the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and President Herbert Hoover nominated him in 1930 to be an associate justice. His nomination, like Badger’s, was not confirmed by the Senate, however. He did go on to represent the United States as a judge in the famous Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war criminals after WWII. If Earls is chosen by Biden as a nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, she would need to be confirmed by a Senate split evenly

between Democrats and Republicans. Her past decisions, political opinions and even personal life will likely be closely scrutinized to determine her fit for the nation’s highest court.

Childs may have another leg up on the competition, though, considering at least one Republican senator, Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, has indicated he is likely to approve her if nominated. This could make her more attractive in that Republican support would help Biden avoid the embarrassment of a failed nomination or a drawn-out fight around a more controversial pick.

Graham told CBS News in an interview that he “can’t think of a better person for President Biden to consider for the Supreme Court than Michelle Childs. She has wide support in our state. She’s considered to be a fair minded, highly gifted jurist. She’s one of the most decent people I’ve ever met.”

He also said that “It would be good for the court to have somebody who’s not at Harvard or Yale. She’s a graduate of the University of South Carolina.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount

Wastewater testing shows peak of omicron wave

4th Congressional District sees burst of activity

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

One of the ways state and local governments have tracked the prevalence of COVID-19 has been through wastewater testing.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services along with University of North Carolina system researchers, wastewater utilities, and public health departments work together to test samples in select treatment plants across the state to look for viral particles that are shed from those who previously contracted it.

In data covering much of the month of January, just one of the locations showed an increase in testing, compared to the majority with either decreases or sustained levels.

Wastewater Trend Classification

WEST

Sustained Increase

Decrease

Increase

Sustained Decrease

Plateau

Unknown

Cary 1

City of Wilson

New Hanover Co. (North)

Cary 2

Fayetteville - Rockfish

Raleigh

Cary 3

Greensboro - North Buffalo

Raleigh 2

Chapel Hill-Carrboro

Greenville

Raleigh 3

Charlotte 1

Laurinburg

Roanoke Rapids

Tuckaseigee

Charlotte 2

MSD of Buncombe County

South Durham

Wilmington City

Charlotte 3

Marion

Town of Beaufort

Winston Salem - Salem

Local senior finalist for prestigious scholarship

Significant snowfall recorded in western NC mountains Madison County Several inches of snow fell in the mountains before a fast-moving winter storm left the state this weekend. Areas to the north and west of Asheville, particularly those in the highest elevations, saw the greatest accumulations, led by portions of Yancey County seeing up to 10 inches.

Madison County recorded up to 8 inches.

Totals in Buncombe County ranged from 1 to 7 inches. The state Department of Transportation said over 1,800 crews and contractors worked overnight applying sand and salt onto roads.

Transylvania County Emma Leigh Coye was named a finalist for NC State’s Park Scholarship. The daughter of Ed Coye and Jessica Alexander, of Brevard, will be in the college class of 2026. Emma will graduate from Brevard High School where she is student body president, an inaugural co-chairperson of the Student Wellness Committee, and was co-captain of the cross country team. She also volunteers with the Transylvania County Youth Council, is a member of the National Honor Society, and has been presented the DAR Good Citizen Award at her high school. Emma plans to major in mechanical or aerospace engineering NSJ

AP

PIEDMONT

EAST

Sheriff: Man stealing catalytic converter fatally crushed

Man accused of crashing car into deputy’s car Iredell County Multiple charges have been filed against Charles Adam Stanley, 31, whose vehicle crashed into a sheriff’s patrol car. The N.C. State Highway Patrol said Stanley Iredell County Sheriff’s Office car driven by by Deputy Philip Henshaw. Both vehicles were traveling north on Interstate 77, when Stanley lost control of his car and hit the passenger side of the patrol car.

Stanley’s car was traveling at a high rate of speed. Henshaw was taken to a hospital for treatment. Stanley also received minor injuries. Stanley is charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving and failing to maintain lane control.

Wake County Joshua Larry Diehl, 50, trying to steal a catalytic converter from a disabled car, was killed when the jack failed and pinned him underneath. The body was discovered by a tow truck driver dispatched to tow the disabled Toyota Camry. Diehl was trying to steal the catalytic converter when the jack failed. It’s not known how long Diehl was under the car. The owner of the car discovered she had a flat tire and no way to replace it. She called a friend to pick her up and was arranging to have the car towed the next morning.

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Undercover operation yields 30plus arrests

Dogs seized from kennel, owner faces welfare violations Currituck County The owner of a kennel is accused of dozens of animal welfare violations after authorities seized over 60 dogs from “inhumane” living conditions. Currituck County officials took away the dogs after a report of stray dogs running lose on a road in Moyock. Animal control discovered dogs in outdoor kennels that “were extremely unsanitary”. Forty-seven adult dogs and 14 puppies were collected, while one adult dog discovered had died. Tim Warren, the owner of Bentwood Labradors, was charged with 61 counts of failure to provide animals with medical care, adequate food and water, and sanitary living conditions.

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Columbus County More than 30 people were arrested on over cumulative 200 counts related to an investigation into illegal drug, alcohol and firearms sales.

The monthslong undercover operation in Columbus County reached a climax when local, state and federal law enforcement officials attempted to serve arrest warrants and a residential search warrant. Agents seized fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as guns and alcoholic beverages. Nearly a dozen of those who were the subject of arrest warrants are still at large. The operation focused on businesses licensed through Alcoholic Beverage Control rules and on residences.

Motorist charged after car crashes into school playground

Detainee at jail dies; 6th death in 16 months

Buncombe County One person died and another was critically injured in a double shooting in Asheville.

Police officers responded shortly after 3:30 a.m. to a report of gunshot wounds on the east side of town. Both Carle Lee Ellington Jr., 24, and Staekwon Tyjai Taylor, 23, had been shot multiple times and were taken to Mission Hospital. Ellington died, police said, while Taylor was in critical condition Sunday afternoon. Detectives were investigating what happened, and asked the public for help to provide information.

Buncombe County A woman being detained at jail has died, the fifth death at the jail within a year and the sixth within 16 months. Maria Christina Frisbee, 41, was jailed on Tuesday evening on multiple drug charges and for felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Frisbee was on special watch, based on her previous booking history and history of drug use.

A detention officer saw a detainee acting erratically in a holding cell and summoned medical help and supervisors. Emergency medical services arrived at the detention center 8:45 p.m. Frisbee died at 11:46 p.m. at a local hospital.

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Local artist’s work shown on billboards across US Catawba County A Hickory artist had one chance to have her work featured on billboards across the nation. Melissa Crosson submitted a bright and cheerful work she completed during the pandemic lockdown that was chosen by ArtPop Street Gallery, a nonprofit organization that features 20 artists each year in public spaces and on billboards through the group’s Cities Program. One of the billboards that features Crosson’s painting “Harvest” can be viewed in Hickory at Highway 70.

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While the fate of the enacted 2021 redistricting maps are yet to be determined, most of the candidates in the race are racing ahead to win over support in the five-county district.

The redrawn district takes in all of Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, and Sampson counties and part of Wayne County.

Among the candidates in the race are former three-term member of Congress Renee Ellmers, who is seeking a comeback after last competing in the Republican primary for Lt. Gov. in 2020; state Rep. John Szoka and former Fayetteville mayor Nat Robertson from Cumberland County; DeVan Barbour IV and Kelly Daughtry, the daughter of longtime state Rep. Leo Daughtry of Johnston County; and at least six other candidates with active campaign committees.

On Jan. 29, a candidate debate was held by the Cumberland County Republican Party with most of the candidates in attendance. It was at that event that Barbour, a Johnston County businessman and former district GOP chairman, won a straw poll conducted of attendees both in-person and watching online. Szoka, who represents much of Cumberland County in the General Assembly, placed second behind Barbour.

The two were also close to one another in year-end campaign finance reports, with Barbour edging Szoka in total campaign contributions.

Barbour ended his report raising $160,000 and Szoka trailed, raising $140,000.

The entry of another candidate, Daughtry, appears certain to shake up the race.

An attorney in Smithfield, Daughtry brings high-level connections to the race and earned a prominent endorsement this past Monday from former U.S. Rep. George Holding.

Orange County Three children were injured when an SUV crashed into a playground at an elementary school. Fiona Evans, 40, was charged with a safe-movement violation. Evans was parking her SUV next to the playground at Northside Elementary School when she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake. The vehicle crashed through a fence, striking playground equipment. About 20 children were on the playground for the Community Schools afterschool program. Evans and the two children who were hit were taken to UNC Hospitals for treatment. One child was hospitalized. A third child was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

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Missing mother, child found after 5 years Harnett County A mother and child missing for five years was found safe. Fayetteville police said Miracle Smith was 1 year old when she and her mother, Amber Renaye Weber, disappeared in December 2016. Fayetteville police asked the marshals service to help find the missing child and mother who were victims of physical abuse. They were located in Bunnlevel and believed to be associated with a man charged by the ATF for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The child and her sibling were turned over to the Harnett County Department of Social Services.

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Man sentenced to prison for daughter’s death Martin County A man pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of his 10-month-old daughter and will serve at least 23 years in prison. Ricky Roberson, 53, was sentenced to 23 to 32 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree sex offense. Roberson called 911 to report his child was unresponsive inside a Williamston home. Emergency responders found she had been dead for some time and efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Autopsy findings included hemorrhaging in addition to injuries to her spinal cord. The medical examiner determined cause of death to be traumatic neck injury.

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The 4th Congressional District boundaries as of Feb. 1, 2022 are shown in this image via the N.C. General Assembly

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The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

“We’re not going to stop out-ofcontrol spending, inflation, and open borders by electing more politicians to Washington. To fix our broken politics we have to elect outsiders who won’t go along to get along.

Kelly Daughtry has the backbone to tell Washington politicians from Joe Biden to Nancy Pelosi: No more. The politicians won’t like that. But that’s the leadership we need,” Holding says in a statement. “Kelly Daughtry’s a rocksolid conservative – who’ll fight to do what’s right. That’s what we need in Washington today. And that’s why I support her for Congress.”

Among the other candidates in the race, a pair of Wake County Republicans are also competing for the nomination.

Former Wake County Republican Party chairman Alan Swain is running for the seat, and loaned his campaign $250,000. Also running is Christine Villaverde, a former law enforcement officer supported by retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the former National Security Adviser of 45th President Donald Trump.

On the Democratic side, a pair of state legislators are running – state Sen. Ben Clark and state Rep. Charles Graham. Clark reported a small number of contributions and a $25,000 loan to his campaign. Even after filing paperwork, Clark has not fully committed to the race, saying he was still exploring a run. Graham, whose initial campaign announcement video went viral for its retelling of a confrontation between Lumbee Tribe members and the KKK, raised nearly $190,000.

Graham, a Robeson County Democrat, first announced his run in the district of his home county but instead opted to run in the new 4th District.

As currently scheduled, the primary is set for May 17 in the race, giving candidates a sprint of just over four months to convince voters they are the best choice in their respective races.

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Police: 1 dead, another critically wounded in shooting

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Eternal hostility against tyranny over the mind at Duke University

If a person is truly as smart as they think they might be, they should welcome the chance to engage with the other side, not run away from them.

IN 1903, history professor John Spencer Bassett intellectual achievement have occurred when ideas clash at little Trinity College in Randolph County wrote an sharply in the crucible of unfettered public debate on article in his South Atlantic Quarterly, “Stirring Up college campuses and in the public square after college.

The Fires of Race Antipathy”.

When Nikole Hannah-Jones was offered full tenure “Now (Booker T.) Washington is a great and good in the School of Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill, I asked man, a Christian statesman, and take him all in all several liberal UNC alums who had served on the Board the greatest man, save General Lee, born in the South of Trustees and other capacities to name anyone on the in a hundred years…” faculty who could be considered the “Milton Friedman of To name a black man, Booker T. Washington, even conservative economic thought.” though he was regarded as the foremost proponent of They never named any by name. “There is no education and free enterprise for freed slaves, in the suppression of free speech at Carolina!” was always their same sentence as the revered Confederate General canned answer. But they never could name any specific Robert E. Lee 38 years after the end of the Civil War high-profile conservative thinker, professor, lecturer or was plain heresy in North Carolina at the time. guest speaker who had been allowed to speak on campus Professor Bassett went on to say blacks would in recent years or, God forbid, who enjoyed full Kenan ascend the economic and social scale once they Professor-tenured status. were allowed access to education such as Booker T. The biggest problem with censorship on college JOHN SPENCER BASSETT, FILE PHOTO Washington propounded. campuses today is not the suppression of conservative free Southern Democrats such as white supremacist speech and thought. Colleges and universities are crippling Josephus Daniels, publisher of the News and Observer, were enraged. today’s graduates intellectually and rendering them incapable of winning They demanded Trinity College fire Bassett. They also wanted President political debates with reason, facts and winsome humor.

John Kilgo and the entire faculty fired if they supported Bassett’s right to If a person never talks with people who disagree with them or hears free speech and freedom to teach on the campus of what became Duke arguments of the other side, how will they ever learn to refute or persuade University in 1924. them in a civil manner? If a person is truly as smart as they think they The faculty voted unanimously to support Bassett. The Trinity Board might be, they should welcome the chance to engage with the other side, of Trustees — which included Benjamin N. Duke, the son of Washington not run away from them.

Duke and older brother to James Buchanan “Buck” Duke — voted 19-7 to University faculty and presidents should open the flood gates to free keep Bassett and guarantee his freedom of speech as professor at Trinity. and open speech and teaching on campus. Their students might learn The actions of the administration and faculty at Trinity College in how to win debates with words instead of taking to the streets to destroy 1903 were universally recognized as a courageous defense of liberty, free people’s property and worse, injure, maim or kill innocent people. expression, fairness and academic independence.

Thomas Jefferson wrote to Dr. Benjamin Rush in 1800: “I have sworn After sending this story to several friends who graduated from different upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over colleges and universities, not one of them said: “Oh, my alma mater would the mind of man.” have done the same thing today!”

Professor John Spencer Bassett, the faculty and Trustees of little Trinity It is a massive problem for the classical liberal notion of the “university” College exhibited such hostility against censorship in 1903. The 21st and philosophical inquiry when one side or the other is frustrated and century might be a good time for the presidents of Duke, Carolina and denied the chance to speak freely. Great advances in social justice and every institution of higher education to follow their bravery.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Virginia Republican sets standard for how to respond to Democrat smears

If you’re going to question the faith and the intentions of anybody who happens to disagree with you on policy, then you don’t get to lecture us on compassion and tolerance or an open debate.

THERE IS NOT A DAY that goes by where a Republican politician, commentator, writer, etc. isn’t accused of “racism,” “sexism,” and/or being a “fake Christian” by a Democrat. Usually, the basis for these claims has nothing to do with actual racism or sexism or faux Christianity.

Almost invariably these accusations start flying once Republicans have the nerve to openly express that they disagree with a Democrat on policy.

Since Republican Glenn Youngkin was sworn in as Virginia’s 74th governor last month, the claims have been tossed around with wild abandon considering his ban on teaching Critical Race Theory in public school classrooms and his reversal on mask mandates in schools.

One such instance came last week during a House of Delegates session. Democrat Delegate Don L. Scott, Jr. told his colleagues that he didn’t believe Youngkin was a genuine man of faith.

“The governor-elect at the time, he came in this chamber with the freshmen who were being trained and taught, and talked about how we do things on the floor,” Scott stated. “And the first thing that I recall him saying was that he had a strong prayer life and that he was praying for everybody.”

“And so far what I’ve seen from his dayone activities is not someone who is a man

of faith, not a Christian, but someone who wants to divide the commonwealth. Someone that wants to cause division,” Scott continued even as audible groans could be heard in the background from presumably Republican colleagues.

In response, Scott told his fellow House of Delegate members, “I know the truth hurts. I don’t want to make you cry, like saying critical race theory, ’cause I know it hurts your feelings.”

Some time later, a Republican Delegate stood to speak, and though no names were mentioned, it appeared his comments were in direct response to Scott’s.

Nick Freitas said that though he had often disagreed with Democrats on policy, he had “never challenged the faith of an elected official” because of it.

“I’ve never gone on this floor and suggested that the other side of the aisle were racists because they didn’t agree with my particular policy positions,” Freitas said. “I’ve never suggested they were sexists because they disagreed with a particular policy position.”

He told his fellow Delegates that he and other Republicans had heard the accusations often from the other side of the aisle in the Virginia House, but “a lot of times we sat here politely and just took it.”

“Mr. Speaker, not this time,” Freitas vowed.

“I’m tired of it, my constituents are tired of it.”

He went on to note that the attacks weren’t just on Republicans in the House of Delegates, but were also against the people who elected them to office.

“I am not about to sit here and listen to that, Mr. Speaker,” Freitas remarked, “and then go home to my constituents and have them ask me, ‘Why didn’t you stand up and defend us?’”

“So let’s have a robust policy discussion,” Freitas told Democrats as he wrapped up his speech. “But if you’re going to question the faith and the intentions of anybody who happens to disagree with you on policy, then you don’t get to lecture us on compassion and tolerance or an open debate.”

That, folks, is the way it’s done.

Freitas’ speech should be a blueprint for other Republicans across the country who are similarly accused for no real reason other than those Democrats wanting to scare them into shutting up once the debate gets started.

No more.

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, February 2, 2022 OPINION ROBERT LEVY

GUEST OPINION | FRANK GRAINGER

Hedge funds deliver opportunity In North Carolina, $23 billion is invested in hedge funds from investors such as universities, foundations and retirement plans.

IT WAS MY HONOR to be elected to six terms to the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina. The Board of Governors oversees the 17 campuses of the state’s higher education system, which is known as the most prominent and highly sought-after public university system in the nation. This reputation didn’t happen by accident. Like most successful stories in life, hard work, discipline, vision, and a keen understanding of investment strategies is the way to achievement.

During my terms on the UNC Board of Governors, I worked with my colleagues and the President of the University of North Carolina system, as well as the respective chancellors, to make sure we had adequate investments by the schools to pay for scholarships and other expenses that the General Assembly didn’t fund with taxpayers’ money. I’m proud that we created a state system of higher education which is the envy of the nation.

We worked smartly with our investment and hedge fund managers to create amazing opportunities for our North Carolina families and children who wanted to go to college. We are proud of that legacy.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration and progressive Democrats in Congress do not support investment policies such as hedge funds. Instead they prefer to demonize capitalism and Wall Street.

In North Carolina alone, $23 billion is invested in hedge funds from investors such as universities, foundations and retirement plans. Some of our most notable universities operate endowments dependent on hedge fund investments that support a combined total of over 267,000 students. These investments also help keep

tuition down and provide financial aid through scholarships.

Another positive benefit of investments in hedge funds is our retirement systems and benefits offered for hard-working Americans. The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer invests $3.9 billion in hedge funds to cover 1.14 million plan participants. This investment will cover necessary benefits for the current 1.14 million people enrolled once they retire. Universities and retirement plans rely on these returns on investments in hedge funds to help everyday people who are essential to offering scholarships and retirement benefits for North Carolinians.

Not only do we see universities investing in hedge funds, many nonprofits and charities also invest in hedge funds to help rural communities and those in need. The Golden LEAF foundation invests $346 million in hedge funds on behalf of rural communities to help them with economic development initiatives. Novant Health invests $420 million in hedge funds. Many nonprofits struggle with funding, so they rely heavily on the return on investments in hedge funds to continue their good work to help people and communities in need.

It is my hope that all of our lawmakers will understand how essential investments in hedge funds are for financial security here in North Carolina and across the country. I trust lawmakers will embrace what needs to be done to make sure North Carolina and all those who benefit from hedge funds have a positive future instead of putting up more barriers.

Frank Grainger CEO, Fair Products

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

The greatest government failure in American history Here we are, two years from the start of COVID-19, closing in on 1 million dead and $5 trillion more in debt.

THE TALLY for how much the federal government spent to combat COVID-19 is now estimated to be $5 trillion. It is more than the combined costs of World Wars I and II. The left is celebrating that politicians in Washington saved us. Really? From what exactly?

Two years later, it is time for an honest assessment. Could things have worsened for the country if the government had spent nothing and done nothing? What would have happened if we had not shut down our businesses? Our churches, schools and restaurants. Our parks, basketball courts and playgrounds.

Would the public have made worse decisions regarding protecting its health and the health of its families and its employees than the politicians have made?

The left believes that it was government intervention that saved millions of lives. But even with all the federal spending, some 879,000 (and counting) have perished from the virus. It was politicians such as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo whose awful decision-making contributed to the deaths of thousands of seniors exposed to infected patients in nursing homes. In addition, politicians didn’t shut down the New York subway system for many weeks into the virus, costing thousands more avoidable deaths.

Suppose the government is here to save us. How do we explain the shameful malfeasance of the CDC, the FDA, the NIH and other government medical agencies and programs that spend roughly half a trillion dollars each year to keep us healthy?

All of that money couldn’t stop a virus from wreaking havoc on the country for two years and counting.

Why was the CDC caught entirely unprepared to fight this virus? It would be like a town spending millions of dollars a year on fire protection, and the first time there is a significant fire, the firefighters are all napping, no one slides down the poles and the fire engines won’t start. So, what were Dr. Anthony Fauci and the rest of the experts at the CDC doing with the tens of billions of dollars we give them each year? They studied the health effects of liberal obsessions such as climate change, racism and gun violence. What they weren’t ready to do was their job: preparing for infectious diseases.

Then there is the question of what Washington did with all the money. At least $2 trillion was given to workers and businesses to compensate them for the lockdowns that the government itself imposed. We now have pretty conclusive evidence from dozens of country and state studies that lockdowns were a highly ineffective way to combat the virus. Lockdowns may have saved some lives, but this response was the equivalent of trying to remove a tumor with a sledgehammer. Ageadjusted death rates were no lower in states that

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shut down their economies than states that stayed open.

The rest of the money went to pay school districts even though the school doors were locked shut, to fund states and cities that closed their businesses, to fund mass transit trains and buses that operated nearly empty, and worst of all, to fund hundreds of billions of dollars of welfare programs, such as expanded unemployment benefits, that paid workers to stay off the job. And millions of workers still haven’t come back.

The one program that did work was President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed. But the heart of that program was to find ways to pull end-runs around drug and vaccine regulations that hold up lifesaving medicines for many years.

As a result, private companies such as Pfizer invented the vaccines in record time because the government stayed out of the way.

We are still paying a high price for President Joe Biden’s screw-ups as we deal with the less deadly omicron variant. Late last year, Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services stopped all shipments of an effective COVID-19 treatment by Regeneron because a CDC model concluded wrongly that the delta variant had disappeared. Thanks to that blunder, many thousands died or were hospitalized because the government denied them treatment. Other promising therapies, such as by GlaxoSmithKline, have run into regulatory hurdles preventing or delaying their use.

Wouldn’t it have been more competent and more humane to let doctors and patients make these decisions rather than Washington bureaucrats and politicians?

There have been a multitude of other snafus by the government that only validate the utter incompetence of big government. Some $300 billion was stolen by fraudsters who ripped off the Medicaid and unemployment benefits programs.

Now here we are, two years from the start of COVID-19, closing in on 1 million dead and $5 trillion more in debt. Millions of children have suffered, perhaps irreparably, from a loss of schooling (some of which still goes on in some districts). There are some 50,000 to 100,000 deaths of despair caused by the lockdowns. And the virus is still out there, though thankfully in retreat.

Big government didn’t save us. On the contrary, big government has left us weaker as a nation in every way, and we will spend decades cursing the fact that we panicked and handed over so much power to so many incompetent people in Washington.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at Freedom Works.

He is also author of the new book: “Govzilla: How The Relentless Growth of Government Is Devouring Our Economy.”

BE IN TOUCH

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300. Raleigh, N.C. 27607. 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.

The Democrats’ social experiments will not end well WHEN I WAS a first-year law student, one of my more imaginative professors suggested an interesting hypothetical. At the end of the last millennium, it was quite profound, Nonetheless, I updated it slightly for use in the 21st century.

The professor asked that the class imagine that it was 1492 and Christopher Columbus was dragged before the High Court of Spain. He was charged with fraud.

The allegation was that Columbus tricked Queen Isabella into financing a ridiculous voyage to the Spice Islands near India. He told the Queen that his ships would travel west in order to reach the East. It was possible, according to Columbus, because “the world was round.”

Unable to hide his incredulous laughter, the prosecutor argued that this was clearly “disinformation.” Moreover, “Follow the science,” he shouted. “Everyone knows the world is flat.”

The professor then asked, “What was the appropriate judgement of the court?”

The correct response was “Guilty.” The test question was “Why?” An ‘A” paper explained that courts, like government in general, are not supposed to explore the leading edge of science.

Novel theories may turn out to be true; but, more often, as science progresses. they are found to be both misguided and unhelpful.

The idea that all diseases could be cured by manipulation of the spine or that all cancers could be cured with Laetrile were once promising ideas. But the reality set in quickly when patients took those “cures” and died.

Indeed, people should be held to the standards of society, but not to the avantgarde notions of even the best thinkers of the time. Neither courts nor government should base their mandates on such ideas until they are generally accepted. To do otherwise would be to turn the lives of lawabiding citizens into a social experiment.

Such would gratify only the fascist instinct and the lust for control exhibited by the “intelligentsia” who seek to remake the world in their own image.

Unfortunately, the Radical Democrats who now control our national government never took my professor’s course.

Their governance is an untested social experiment. And people are dying.

For instance, there was no empirical evidence that emptying prisons and defunding police would lessen crime or even lead to a more just society. Yet, the program was implemented. The results were record murders featuring dead cops, dead children and random killings by career criminals, unafraid of punishment.

Nor was this trend of mass social experimentation lost on the education community. The new social order required that teachers affirm the ‘wise choices” of often confused adolescents suffering from gender dysphoria. There was little evidence that such amateur counseling and psychoanalysis led children to greater student success. But the avant-garde insisted that this was the way to “build back better.”

As the untested experimentation continued, biological males (called “transwomen”) were placed into women’s bathrooms and prisons. The result was sexual assault and rape. And, as it all progressed, the fastest growing biological gender in some women’s sports became biological men.

But maybe it was all worth the hassle.

What about “The Green New Deal”?

That unproven social experiment poured trillions of dollars into non-nuclear renewable energy. It ruined the livelihood of thousands of oil and gas workers as it raised the cost of food, transportation and life itself. The unproven notion was that human beings could change the weather.

The collateral damage, of course, was borne by the poor as the cost of food, fuel and shelter combined with inflation to aggravate their poverty.

And the weather remained the same.

Now, radical, unproven social experimentation is not new to history.

It just rarely turned out well. Lenin and Stalin’s Communist experiments come first to mind followed by those of North Korea, Cuba and Zimbabwe. These were all radical social experiments imposed by those who thought they knew best how everyone else should live.

Similarly, in their lust to re-imagine a world where the obedient masses follow their better educated masters, the American Radical Democrats forgot the most basic rule of democracy: “Governments derive their just powers [only] from the consent of the governed.”

Hence, the forced imposition of most untested utopia generally ended badly. It is why the Soviets failed and why Cubans even now risk their lives as they exit their island prison. It is also why the current reign of the Radical Democrats will end badly. It is why government must abandon social experiments and recommit to democratic consensus.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

NATION & WORLD Russia, US exchange harsh words over Ukraine at UN The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS — Russia accused the West on Monday of “whipping up tensions” over Ukraine and said the U.S. had brought “pure Nazis” to power in Kyiv as the U.N. Security Council held a stormy and bellicose debate on Moscow’s troop buildup near its southern neighbor.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield shot back that Russia’s growing military force of more than 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders was “the largest mobilization” in Europe in decades, adding that there has been a spike in cyberattacks and Russian disinformation.

“And they are attempting, without any factual basis, to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a pretext for attack,” she said.

The harsh exchanges in the Security Council came as Moscow lost an attempt to block the meeting and reflected the gulf between the two nuclear powers. It was the first open session where all protagonists in the Ukraine crisis spoke publicly, even though the U.N.’s most powerful body took no action.

Although more high-level diplomacy is expected this week, talks between the U.S. and Russia have so far failed to ease tensions in the crisis, with the West saying Moscow is preparing for an invasion. Russia denies it is planning to attack. It demands pledges that Ukraine will never join NATO, a halt to the deployment of NATO weapons near Russian borders and a rollback of the alliance’s forces from Eastern Europe.

NATO and the U.S. call those nonstarters.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the Biden administration of “whipping up tensions and rhetoric and provoking escalation.”

“You are almost pulling for this,” he said, looking at Thomas-Greenfield. “You want it to happen. You’re waiting for it to

RICHARD DREW | AP PHOTO

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security Council, before a vote, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. happen, as if you want to make your words become a reality.”

He blamed the U.S. for the 2014 ouster of a Kremlin-friendly president in Kyiv, saying it brought to power “nationalists, radicals, Russophobes and pure Nazis,” and created the antagonism that exists between Ukraine and Russia.

“If they hadn’t done this, then we to date would be living in a spirit of good neighborly relations and mutual cooperation,” Nebenzia said. “However, some in the West just don’t clearly like this positive scenario. What’s happening today is yet another attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and Ukraine.”

Nebenzia pointedly left the council chamber as the Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya started to speak. “How long Russia will pressure, will pursue a clear attempt to push Ukraine and its partners into a Kafka trap?” Kyslytsva asked.

The vote on holding an open meeting passed 10-2, with Russia and China opposed, and India,

Gabon and Kenya abstaining.

Nine “yes” votes were needed for the meeting to go ahead.

China’s Ambassador Zhang Jun said he voted against the public meeting because “what is urgently needed now is quiet diplomacy, not megaphone diplomacy.”

The U.S. and its allies had pressed to hold the meeting Monday, the last day of Norway’s rotating presidency of the council, before Russia took over Tuesday for the month of February.

After all 15 council members spoke, the U.S. and Russia sparred again, with Thomas-Greenfield saying she was “disappointed” in Nebenzia’s comments, stressing that Russian threats of aggression are “provocative.”

“I say to Russia simply this: Your actions will speak for themselves,” the U.S. envoy said.

Nebenzia shot back: “Everything that we wanted to say is in our statement today. However, we really just don’t understand what threats and provocations and escalation by Russia is being talked about.”

Migrants at Hungary border become part of election campaign The Associated Press MAJDAN, Serbia — A group of migrants huddles beside a small, smoky fire inside an abandoned building in northern Serbia, the last moments of warmth before they set out into the driving snow toward the razor wire, cameras and sensors of Hungary’s electrified border fence.

A few hours later, they return, their efforts to cross through Hungary and toward Western Europe thwarted by the 10-foot fence and heavy Hungarian police patrols which, after intercepting them, escorted them back across the border into Serbia.

“I’m going to Austria, I’m going to Germany, I’m going to the Netherlands,” says Muhtar Ahmad, a 26-year-old from Aleppo, Syria, who is squatting with around 35 other migrants in the makeshift camp outside the Serbian village of Majdan, a mile from the Hungarian border.

“I’m not staying in Hungary.

What’s the problem?”

As migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries embark on the last stretch of their long journeys toward Europe’s wealthier nations, their efforts to cross irregularly into the European Union through Hungary — and the country’s contentious practice of returning them to Serbia when they are caught — have made them part of a political campaign with which Hungary’s nationalist leader hopes to win an upcoming general election.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who polls suggest will face his closest election in more than a decade in April, is campaigning on a strict anti-immigration platform and is keen to use the prospect of a wave of migrants

/BELA SZANDELSZKY | AP PHOTO

Hungary’s border fence with Serbia is seen outside the village of Gyala, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. amassing at Hungary’s border as a means to mobilize his conservative voter base.

“Just this year we stopped and detained ... more than 100,000 people,” Orban claimed at a rare appearance before journalists in December. “If the Hungarian fence had not stood there, more than 100,000 more illegal migrants would be now first in Austria, then in Germany.”

One of the most outspoken opponents of immigration in Europe, Orban has said that migration threatens to replace the

continent’s Christian culture, and that illegal migrants are responsible for bringing infections like COVID-19 variants into his country.

“We do not want to be an immigrant country,” Orban said during an interview with state radio this week.

As the April 3 election approaches, he has portrayed current migration pressures as higher than in 2015, when hundreds of thousands of refugees came into the EU fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and else-

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the meeting was “a critical step in rallying the world to speak out in one voice” to reject the use of force, seek military de-escalation, support diplomacy and demand accountability from every member “to refrain from military aggression against its neighbors.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not make any visible progress in easing the tensions at their meeting in Geneva earlier this month.

They are expected to speak by phone Tuesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. A senior State Department official confirmed the Russian account.

Biden warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call Thursday that there is a “distinct possibility” Russia could begin an incursion in February, but the Ukrainian leader sought to play down the war fears, saying Western alarm over an imminent invasion has prompted many investors in the country’s financial markets to cash out.

Zelenskyy said Friday that “we aren’t seeing any escalation bigger than before,” and charged that the Russian buildup could be an attempt by Moscow to exert “psychological pressure” and sow panic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit Ukraine on Tuesday for talks with Zelenskyy, and will also speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge him to “step back,” Johnson’s office said. Johnson says he is considering sending hundreds of British troops to NATO countries in the Baltic region as a show of strength.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the administration was encouraged by the bipartisan effort in Congress “to hold Russia accountable.” The administration has previously expressed concern that preemptive sanctions could diminish their leverage on Russia, but the White House sounded warmer to the prospect as the Foreign Relations Committee moves to act.

“Our view is that sanctions can be an effective tool of deterrence, and the deepening sell-off in Russian markets reflects our message to Russia,” Psaki said

where, and when he ordered the construction of the country’s border barrier.

“It’s a little bit bigger number than, let’s say, two years ago, but these are not big numbers. It’s a small rise,” said Nemanja Matejic, chief officer at a migrant reception center in the northern Serbian city of Subotica, of the current level of migrants along Hungary’s border.

While Hungarian police put the number of migrants intercepted by Hungarian authorities at more than 122,000, data from EU border agency Frontex showed that there were 60,540 illegal border crossing attempts last year on the Western Balkan migration route, which includes the Hungary-Serbia border.

What’s more, since most migrants are making repeated attempts to cross, the number of individuals involved is far smaller still.

Serbia’s Commissariat for Refugees and Migration reports that there are 4,276 migrants residing in reception centers in Serbia and another 1,000 sleeping rough.

Orban has asked the EU to reimburse Hungary for at least half of the costs related to building, maintaining and patrolling its border fence, which he has said have amounted to $1.9 billion over the past six years.

Ever at odds with the EU’s more liberal member states, he has also threatened to “open up a corridor along which migrants can march up to Austria, Germany and Sweden and whoever needs them.”

Despite the dangers, Faris al-Ibrahimi, a Moroccan migrant in the Subotica reception center who intends to travel on to Spain, said he was undeterred after being pushed back 27 times by Hungarian police.

“I’m still going to try. I will not give up now … I will try until I succeed,” he said. “It’s an adventure. We cross, we go, they catch us, we come back, we go again.

It’s like a game for us.”

Officials: Bridge not bad enough to close after inspection Pittsburgh The bridge that collapsed in Pittsburgh last week showed deterioration during a September inspection that was not bad enough to require its closure, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said.

The agency will not release the full inspection report, PennDOT spokesperson Alexis Campbell said, citing state and federal laws and the ongoing investigation into the Friday morning failure of the Forbes Avenue bridge over Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park.

As with previous inspections, the Sept. 29 examination rated the steel K-frame bridge a 4 on a scale from 0 to 9, which is deemed a poor rating.

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board was at the scene Monday as crews siphoned gasoline and brought in cranes to lift five vehicles and a municipal bus off the crumpled remains of the bridge.

There were no fatalities, but a few people required hospital treatment, and as of Monday one adult was still getting care inside a UPMC facility, a hospital system spokesperson said.

After a weekend in which the curious found their way to check out the site, city public safety officials opened an observation area Monday, connected by a trail of less than a mile to a small parking area.

The collapse occurred hours before President Joe Biden arrived in Pittsburgh to tout a federal infrastructure law that has earmarked about $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania bridge work.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Australia pledges $704 million to save Great Barrier Reef Canberra, Australia The Australian government pledged to spend another $704 million over nine years on improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef after stalling a UNESCO decision on downgrading the natural wonder’s World Heritage status.

Critics argue the investment is a bid to improve the ruling conservative coalition’s green credentials ahead of looming elections while doing nothing to change the greatest threat to the coral: rising ocean temperatures.

“We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

In July last year, Australia garnered enough international support to defer an attempt by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, to downgrade the reef’s World Heritage status to “in danger” because of damage caused by climate change.

The reef has suffered significantly from coral bleaching caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures in 2016, 2017 and 2020. The bleaching damaged two-thirds of the coral.

UNESCO had asked Australia to provide more information about what’s being done to protect the coral. The government said it will meet that deadline.

Labor says Australia would set a more ambitious target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by the end of the decade if the government changes hands in May elections.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NC State women lead NCAA hopefuls, B3

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Guard Jaylen Fornes, in his second tour of duty at UNCW, has helped coach Takayo Siddle lead the Seahawks to a school-record 12 straight wins.

Siddle has UNCW back atop CAA

TRACK & FIELD

NC A&T men’s track team ranked No. 1 in country

The second-year coach has guided his team to 12 straight wins, and the Seahawks are aiming toward an NCAA bid

Greensboro The North Carolina A&T men’s indoor track and field team has gone somewhere no Aggies team has gone before — to No. 1. The United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll released Monday had NC A&T as the top team in the nation.

It marks the first time an Aggies’ Division I team is ranked No. 1 in a non-HBCU national poll. The team was ranked second at the start of the 2021 season, its previous highest ranking.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke still ranked 9th, Davidson drops out of latest AP men’s poll Indianapolis Duke stayed at No. 9 in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll released Monday.

The Blue Devils picked up wins over Clemson and at Louisville but did not move up after Kentucky jumped seven spots to No. 5, negating Kansas’ slide from fifth to 10th. Davidson, which was ranked 25th last week, saw its 15-game winning streak snapped with its loss to visiting VCU last Wednesday.

The Wildcats bounced back with a win over La Salle in coach Bob McKillop’s 1,000th career game but were still the only team to drop out of the Top 25. Davidson received 10 votes, 32nd most in this week’s poll.

NHL

Hurricanes goalie Andersen named NHL’s Second Star New York Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen was named the NHL’s Second Star for the week ending Jan. 30 on Monday.

Andersen went 3-0‑0 with a 1.91 goals‑against average and .938 save percentage. Colorado’s Nazem Kadri was named First Star, and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau was Third Star.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski will coach his last game in Chapel Hill on Saturday when his ninth-ranked Blue Devils travel to UNC to face the rival Tar Heels.

Carolina-Duke will be a true transition game UNC’s Hubert Davis will be coaching in his first rivalry game, while Coach K will be in his last in Chapel Hill

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE LAST TIME UNC and Duke met, the Tar Heels won a 91-73 decision over the Blue Devils at the Smith Center. After the handshakes between the two teams were over as the Tar Heels left the floor, Roy Williams took a moment to kiss the North Carolina logo at center court.

Perhaps disingenuously, perhaps having not yet made up his mind, Williams denied there was any significance to the moment, saying he was just celebrating the completion of a successful home season. But 26 days later, Williams announced his retirement, turning the program over to Hubert Davis.

So on Saturday, Feb. 5, for the first time in exactly 18 years — since Feb. 5, 2004, Williams’ first season with the Tar Heels — the best rivalry in sports will have a new character in one of the head coaching seats.

How will Davis, who has seen his Tar Heels struggle with inconsistency this season, approach his first Duke game as head coach?

Davis is intense in the locker room, on the practice court and in the timeout huddles, and he knows the rivalry from a player’s perspective.

The Tar Heels went 6-5 against the Blue Devils See UNC/DUKE, page B3

97 Number of years since each coach in the UNCDuke rivalry changed in back-to-back seasons.

Siddle’s way has worked well thus far. After going 8-10 (1-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association) during the COVID-interrupted 2020-21 season, he’s taken a group that was picked to finish ninth in its 10-team conference straight to the top of the

By Brett Friedlander league standings.

North State Journal At 15-5 overall (9-0 CAA), the WILMINGTON — When Seahawks have become the clear UNC Wilmington athletic di- front-runners for their first rector Jimmy Bass set out to NCAA Tournament berth since find a new basketball coach two Keatts’ final season in 2017.

It’s an improvement that, seasons ago, his goal was to find someone capable of returning while bolstered by the addition of three key transfers the program to the — including graduate prominence it enjoyed guard Jaylen Fornes, before Kevin Keatts who left UNCW for left for NC State in “We’ve Nichols State, only to 2017. learned return this year — has Since he couldn’t been driven by the bring Keatts back, how to win play and leadership of he did the next best games.” holdovers Jaylen Sims, thing by plucking off Shykeim Phillips, Mike a branch from Keatts’ Takayo Siddle, Okauru and Jamahri coaching tree.

Harvey.

And the strategy is UNCW coach But it hasn’t been working out even beteasy. ter than anyone could All but one of the have expected.

12 straight wins have The Seahawks have rebounded quickly under come by eight points or fewer, Takayo Siddle. In just his sec- with two going into overtime. In ond year on the job, the former six of its nine conference games, Keatts and UNCW assistant UNCW has trailed by as many has turned a program coming as 10 points before rallying to off four straight losing seasons win. That includes an 18-point into one of the hottest teams in first-half deficit in Monday’s win against Drexel. the country.

In each case, though, the SeaMonday’s 70-63 victory against Drexel at a raucous hawks have found a way to rally Trask Coliseum was UNCW’s and prevail.

As successful as they’ve been 12th straight, breaking the school record of 11 in a row set coming from behind, it’s not a by the 2015-16 team he helped trend Siddle would prefer his team keep repeating. Especially coach.

While the results and the as they continue to gain recogaggressiveness with which the nition and praise.

“We’ve learned how to win Seahawks play are as familiar as the face of the man orches- games,” he said. “Now that we’re trating it from the sideline, Sid- on top, it’s an ongoing battle — dle is quick to point out that the especially with kids these days team’s recent success is more with social media. You can’t than just a case of back to the really hide from it, and I would love to. We talk to these guys future.

“It’s easy to say that this is a about staying grounded.

“I’m a big stats guy, and I put similar style, but there’s a lot of differences in what we do,” up on the board all the time the 35-year-old Gardner-Webb why we’ve been successful — graduate said. “(Keatts) has this our defensive numbers, our ofphilosophy. I have my philos- fensive numbers, just showing ophy that I believe in. There’s them why we’ve been successful some similarities, but it’s a lot and talking to them about their of differences too. You take what qualities as a unit. So it’s just a you like and what you don’t like, constant thing you know, every you put your own spin on it and do things your own way.”

See SIDDLE, page B4

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

WEDNESDAY

2.2.22

TRENDING

Chris Tabor: The former Bears special teams coordinator has been hired for the same position with the Panthers. Tabor replaces Chase Blackburn, who was fired after Carolina finished 5-12 this season. Tabor has 14 years of NFL experience, including the last four seasons in Chicago. Before that he served seven seasons as the Browns special teams coordinator and has also coached in the college ranks.

Jeremy Colliton: The former Blackhawks coach has been elevated to head coach of Canada’s men’s hockey team for the Beijing Olympics after Claude Julien was sidelined by an injury.

Hockey Canada says Julien slipped on ice and fractured his ribs during training camp in Switzerland, and medical staff determined he won’t be able to fly to China for the Games. Colliton, who was previously an assistant coach for the team, will take over head coaching duties. The 37-year-old was the head coach in Chicago for parts of four seasons before he was fired in November.

Bryan McClendon: The former Georgia interim coach is returning to his alma mater. The Bulldogs hired McClendon less than a month after he took a job with Miami.

He had followed new Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal from Oregon, taking a job in early January as receivers coach and co‑offensive coordinator. He will be wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Georgia, where he was previously a player and coach.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

TENNIS

Rafael Nadal broke a three-way tie for the most men’s Grand Slam titles in history, winning his 21st with a dramatic 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win over Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who both have 20 Grand Slams, missed the tournament. Federer was recovering from knee surgery, while Djokovic was deported from Australia for being unvaccinated.

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

“We’re going to try to give him some stability.”

Incoming Giants coach Brian Daboll on helping develop former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones.

HAMISH BLAIR | AP PHOTO

SOCCER

NBA

MARK LOMOGLIO | AP PHOTO

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, on Twitter, announcing his retirement from the NFL. PRIME NUMBER

$15K Fines for Hornets forward PJ Washington and Raptors forward Justin Champagnie last Thursday for their roles in an on-court altercation two days prior. Washington first knocked Champagnie to the floor with a hip check, which led in the next possession to Champagnie shoving Washington in the back. Washington then shoved Champagnie.

Both were ejected with 1:46 remaining in the first quarter of Toronto’s 125‑113 home victory.

AMANDA LOMAN | AP PHOTO

The NWSL and its players agreed to their first-ever collective bargaining agreement on Monday. The CBA, which must still be approved by the NWSL’s Board of Governors, sets a minimum salary of $35,000 and includes annual raises and benefits that include insurance, housing, and mental health and parental leave.

CRAIG MITCHELLDYER | AP PHOTO

The Trail Blazers’ Nassir Little will miss the rest of the season because of a left shoulder injury that requires surgery. The former Tar Heels forward, who was the 25h overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was hurt last week.

He was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in Florida on Tuesday.

MLB

PHOTO COURTESY OF PACIFIC

Jeff Innis, a side-arming reliever who pitched for the Mets from 1987-93, died Sunday battling cancer for more than four years. He was 59. Innis made 288 appearances for the Mets plus had one start in his rookie season.

The right-hander finished 10-20 with five saves and a 3.05 ERA, striking out 192 and walking 121 in 360 innings.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Fayetteville State corner eyes NFL at Senior Bowl Joshua Williams looks to become the second player from the Division II school to be drafted

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal LIKE MANY talented young athletes, Joshua Williams wrote down a list of goals for himself as he prepared for his senior season on the Fayetteville State football team.

And he set the bar high.

Among the items on his list were leading his team to a championship, earning an invitation to participate in the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, and getting selected in the NFL Draft.

“At the time, they seemed like really ambitious goals for me,” Williams said. “But they say to set your goals high.”

It’s one thing to reach for the stars. Actually getting there is considerably more difficult, especially for a player at a Division II school.

But the 6-foot-3, 197-pound cornerback has defied the odds.

After helping the Broncos to the championship of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Southern Division, he checked off another of his boxes by becoming the first player in school history to be invited to the Senior Bowl.

Williams, who will play for the National team coached by the staff of the New York Jets, is one of three players from state schools in Mobile, Alabama, preparing to play in the most prestigious of the postseason college all-star games.

Joining him on the opposing American team, coached by the

staff of the Detroit Lions, are UNC quarterback Sam Howell and Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson.

Although the game itself will be played on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of South Alabama, the most important aspect of the event — especially for relative unknowns such as Williams — are the practice sessions leading up to it.

Coaches, scouts and general managers from every NFL team will be on hand to watch and evaluate prospects in advance of this year’s draft. A strong performance can lead to a spot at next month’s Combine and then, perhaps, an opportunity to play professionally.

“It’s always been on my mind how big of a deal this is, but once you prepare to a certain point, there’s nothing else you can do but go out there and play your best,” said Williams, who arrived in Alabama on Monday. “That’s why I’m not nervous but more anxious to get out there and showcase the work that I’ve been putting in.”

Despite playing for a small school that hasn’t had a player drafted since running back James Godwin was taken by the Jets in the 16th round in 1976, Williams hasn’t exactly been flying under the radar with the NFL scouts.

He first began attracting attention just before the COVID pandemic began tightening its grip in 2020 while representatives of several teams were on campus looking at offensive tackle Kion Smith — who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons and is currently a member of the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad.

“We had two scouts that came

UNC/DUKE from page B1

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAYETTEVILLE STATE

Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams is looking to make an impression at this week’s Senior Bowl to help his case in becoming the second player from the school to be selected in the NFL Draft. and did measurables on our rising juniors and seniors, and when they spread (Williams’) arms out and saw his wingspan, they were like ‘Oh my God,’” Fayetteville State coach Richard Hayes Jr. said.

“From that day on, he just took off.

We had all 32 teams here this football season.”

Williams has backed up his measurables with his play for the Broncos.

A lockdown corner routinely assigned to cover the opposition’s best receiver, he recorded 32 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups as a junior in 2019. After a year off because of the CIAA’s decision to cancel the 2020 season, he had 32 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2021.

He returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown against Elizabeth City State while leading Fayetteville State to an 8-2 record (7-0 CIAA) and a spot in the conference championship game against Bowie State.

Williams’ draft profile on NFL. com describes him as a “longlimbed defensive back (who) immediately stands out on film as a dominant presence, with great size and excellent feet and fluidity.”

His college coach breaks it down in more basic terms.

“First of all, Josh is a really good kid,” Hayes said. “And it really helps that he’s 6-3, he’s 197 pounds, he has corner ability and he can freaking fly.”

For all the attention he’s attracting now, Williams was an afterthought to college recruiters when he came out of Fayetteville’s Jack Britt High School. Even after a year at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina, his best offer was back home at Fayetteville State.

Hayes said that while he liked Williams’ potential from the start, his meteoric rise as an NFL prospect has come as a surprise.

Williams, on the other hand, knew he had it in him all along.

“Since I was a little kid, I always thought I would play in the NFL,” he said. “When I got to Fayetteville State, I had it planned out. I was just going to come here and dominate.

“I honestly didn’t even think I’d be this highly touted. I was thinking I might have to do some kind of workouts for some teams, maybe after the draft, work my way through the practice squad. But I always knew I would get there somehow because I believe in my skill set and the talent I have. I can cover, I work hard, I just keep my head down and do what I can do.”

Guard Kai Crutchfield and the Wolfpack are ranked third in the country and in line to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

6 women’s teams hope to represent NC in Big Dance NC State leads a group of NCAA hopefuls on the women’s side

By Shawn Krest North State Journal WOMEN’S basketball Selection Sunday is just over five weeks away, and at least a half-dozen teams in the state are holding out hope for an NCAA Tournament bid.

While North Carolina is known for a long history of success in men’s basketball, there’s a good chance the state has more representation in the women’s bracket this year. The state looks headed for a No. 1 seed and two other teams that will be favored in their opening-round games, as well as three other teams looking to take single bids from their respective conferences. Here’s a roundup of the women’s teams in the state and their March Madness prospects.

Looking like they’re in NC State: Since 2017, only the COVID-19 pandemic has kept the Wolfpack out of the NCAA Tournament — or, for that matter, out of the Sweet 16. The Pack are readying themselves for another long run in the tournament this year. State is a consensus No. 1 seed from the women’s bracketologists and is currently ranked No. 3 in the country at 19-2, 10-0 in the ACC. UNC: The Tar Heels have split their last eight games and will

try to put together a hot streak to finish out the regular season. Currently, the Heels are a consensus sixth seed. National bracketologists have no consensus on who they’ll play, with potential opponents ranging from Gonzaga to Rhode Island to Missouri State.

The Heels are currently No. 24 in the nation at 16-4, 6-4 in the ACC. Duke: The Blue Devils are in, according to all the bracketologists, but their spot is far from secure. Duke is on a two-game losing streak and slotted to be an eighth seed. That would mean a likely second-round matchup against either Stanford or South Carolina for the Blue Devils (13-6, 4-5 ACC).

Bubble candidates Charlotte: The 49ers lead the Conference USA East division at 5-1 in the conference, although the 9-7 overall record means that Charlotte likely needs to win the conference tournament to be assured of a spot in the tournament.

ESPN is the only outlet that has Charlotte in, as a 14th seed against Iowa State.

Campbell: The Fighting Camels are tied with Longwood for the Big South lead at 8-2 in the conference and 14-5 overall. With a game and a half lead over the next best teams, it appears to be a two-team race for the top seed in the conference tournament. ESPN and College Sports Madness both have the Camels in as a 16th seed opposite NC State. ESPN has them playing

B3

in the First Four. Real Time RPI has the Camels out.

NC A&T: The Aggies are 9-10 overall but 6-4 in the Big South, which is good for a tie for third place. The Aggies have won six straight, but they’ll need to win the conference tourney to get in.

Real Time RPI thinks they’ll do it, projecting them as a 16th seed opposite South Carolina.

Need a conference tourney miracle App State: The Mountaineers haven’t gotten any bracketology love, but they’re the best team in the state not projected to get a ticket to the dance. App has won five straight and leads the Sun Belt at 11-8, 5-1 in the conference.

Davidson: The Wildcats have lost four of five to slip into the lower half of the Atlantic 10 standings. Their 12-7 overall record isn’t terrible, but at 3-4 in the conference, they need to go on a run to even approach the bubble.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons have lost six straight and are two spots out of the ACC basement at 2-8 with a 12-9 overall record.

High Point: The Panthers are just a game behind NC A&T in the Big South, but at 7-11, 4-3 in the conference, they’ll need to win the conference tourney to get in.

Gardner-Webb: The Runnin’ Bulldogs are in a tie with High Point in the Big South at 5-4 in

the conference. Their overall record is 7-13 and they’ve lost their last three.

UNC Greensboro: The Spartans are in sixth place in the Southern Conference at 6-12, 2-3 in the conference. They’ve won two of three since a five-game losing streak but still need to win the SoCon tourney.

Elon: The Phoenix are in seventh place in the CAA at 2-5 and are 10-7 overall. They’ve lost their last two.

NC Central: The Eagles are in second-to-last place in the MEAC, although, due to odd scheduling and a large difference in the number of conference games played, they are the farthest out of first place at four games back. Central is 2-13, 1-5 in the conference.

East Carolina: The Pirates are in last place in the 11-team American Athletic Conference at 8-12 overall, 1-6 in the conference.

They’ve lost three straight.

UNC Asheville: The Bulldogs are tied for last in the Big South with Radford and Winthrop at 2-7 in the conference and 7-13 overall. They’ve lost their last four.

Western Carolina: The Catamounts have lost seven straight and are in last place in the SoCon at 6-15, 0-7 in the conference.

UNC Wilmington: The Seahawks might lay claim to the dubious title of worst team in the state at 3-13, 0-6 in the CAA and losers of six straight. A game against 0-7 Hofstra will determine who inherits the cellar spot in the conference.

during his playing career. But he’s also shown a soft hand when he senses his team needs it. How will he get his team at the right frequency in a game loaded with distractions?

That alone would add a compelling storyline to a rivalry that certainly doesn’t need a new one. But Davis’ debut against the Blue Devils will likely be placed on the back burner on Saturday night. That game will be the last trip to the Smith Center for legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has announced his retirement after this season.

That means next year, the rivalry will once again have a new face on the sideline in current Duke assistant Jon Scheyer, already announced as Coach K’s replacement.

The two-year span that starts on Saturday will be the first time in 98 years that both head coaches in the UNC-Duke rivalry will have changed in back-to-back seasons. In 1924-25, Duke coach J.S. Burbage was replaced by George Buchheit. A few years later, Buchheit would be replaced by Eddie Cameron, namesake of Duke’s historic Indoor Stadium and the Crazies who inhabit it.

The following season, UNC coach Monk McDonald was succeeded by Harlan Sanborn. UNC won all four of the games with Duke during those two transition seasons, which wasn’t a surprise since it was part of UNC’s 17-2 record against Duke in the first 19 games of the rivalry.

As the rivalry enters a once-in-a-century period of transition, the outgoing Krzyzewski will be the center of attention. Coach K is in the midst of a farewell tour, with each road venue Duke travels to finding a way to honor the Hall of Famer. In Louisville over the weekend, he was given a personalized Louisville Slugger bat and bottle of bourbon. On Monday night, he had an emotional farewell at Notre Dame with former assistant Mike Brey, who has had more success against Krzyzewski than any other member of his coaching tree while coaching the Irish.

In Duke’s third straight road game, the farewell tour will hit a bit of a speed bump.

A report came out last week that UNC did not plan to do anything to honor Krzyzewski’s last trip to Chapel Hill.

His retirement will be mentioned during the team introductions, but there will be no gifts, no special ceremony or anything like that.

That’s a departure from 2015, when Duke held a moment of silence, with players from both teams arm in arm, in honor of Dean Smith’s death, and Carolina presenting Coach K with a plaque commemorating his 1,000th career win.

That could signify a cooling in Duke-UNC relations, which had thawed significantly with Hall of Fame coaches Williams and Krzyzewski guiding the rivalry through the last 18 years.

The two were friendly and respectful, even as the play on the floor was intense.

Davis was a senior on the Tar Heels for the famous “bloody Montross” game, as physical play opened a cut on UNC center Eric Montross’ face. Scheyer was a freshman in the game where UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough suffered a broken nose from Duke’s Gerald Henderson. Both coaches will likely feel more strongly about the rivalry than their predecessors.

In addition, the rivalry has also seen its intensity turn up when a new face entered the fray. Early in his Duke tenure, Krzyzewski famously railed against the “double standard” in the ACC, essentially saying Dean Smith gets all the calls.

Matt Doherty, another former Tar Heels player-turnedcoach, called the Duke cheerleaders “the ugliest in the ACC” during a timeout huddle. So the Tar Heels choosing not to recognize Coach K is in keeping with tradition.

Plaque or not, ceremony or none, once the game tips off, all pregame hoopla will be forgotten and the latest character in the Carolina-Duke rivalry will begin writing his chapter, even as the coach on the other bench turns the final page.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B4

Heading into All-Star break, Hurricanes exceeding expectations Carolina had its doubters after a widely panned offseason, but the team sits near the top of the NHL

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — There were plenty of doubters after the Carolina Hurricanes retooled their roster in the offseason despite being one of the NHL’s top teams the season before.

Now just past the halfway point of the 2021-22 campaign, the critics have been silenced

by Carolina’s 31-9-2 record, one that has them atop the Eastern Conference standings and looking like one of a handful of legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

How did we get here? The easy answer is coach Rod Brind’Amour, who has followed up winning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach with another masterful performance behind the bench. But it also took deft moves that weren’t popular among many observers.

Overhaul the defense Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce have been the cornerstones of the Hurricanes’ defense since they burst on the scene fresh out of college in 2015-16. But the addition of Dougie Hamilton before the 2018-19 season brought the D corps to another level.

Hamilton had 42 goals and 121 points in three seasons in Carolina, but the 7-year, $63 million contract offered by the Devils last offseason was deemed a luxury the Hurricanes couldn’t afford.

Carolina’s front office knew it couldn’t replace Hamilton with one player, so they did it by committee. Ethan Bear was acquired from Edmonton for forward Warren Foegele, and Tony DeAngelo — the mercurial defenseman who was sent home and bought out by the Rangers the previous season — was signed to a oneyear bargain contract.

Add in rugged free agent signings Ian Cole and Brendan Smith, and the Hurricanes spent just $6.7 million against the salary cap this season for four blueliners to complement Slavin, Pesce and Brady Skjei.

DeAngelo has been an unequivocal success, registering 33 points in 35 games while avoiding the controversies and misbehavior that had plagued him previously in his junior and pro

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo, left, and goaltender Frederik Andersen were two big offseason additions that have paid off for Carolina in its run to the top of the Eastern Conference during the first half of the NHL season. careers.

Cole and Smith have been as advertised — bottom-pairing defenders who can kill penalties and add veteran guile and snarl to the back end.

Moves to make: The one question mark has been Bear, who has never seemed to bounce back from a 10-day COVID-19 quarantine earlier in the season.

If the Hurricanes are going to add a player ahead of the trade deadline, it could be someone that bolsters the right side of their defense.

Goalie reset That Petr Mrazek and James Reimer both left in free agency wasn’t a surprise, but the trade that shipped Calder Trophy finalist Alex Nedeljkovic to Detroit raised plenty of eyebrows — and gave the “never trade with Steve Yzerman” crowd a chance to

scream from the rooftops again.

Just over six months later, the Hurricanes look like a front office with a leg up on the rest of the league.

Carolina signed Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta and added veteran journeyman Alex Lyon as the No. 3, and it heads into the All-Star break with the frontrunners for the Jennings Trophy given to the goaltending tandem with the fewest goals allowed.

Andersen in particular has been spectacular, winning 24 of his 30 appearances with a 2.01 goals-against average and .929 save percentage while being mentioned as a Vezina Trophy frontrunner.

Nedeljkovic, for those keeping score, had a .910 save percentage and 2.90 goals-against average for the Red Wings behind a less talented team in Detroit.

Moves to make: Carolina

On to Super Bowl: Bengals versus Rams Los Angeles will host the game, giving the hometown team an edge

By Barry Wilner The Associated Press TWO YEARS AGO, the Cincinnati Bengals were the NFL’s worst team. Now they’re headed to the Super Bowl to play the Los Angeles Rams — in the Rams’ home stadium.

Matching the biggest comeback in an AFC championship game, the Bengals rallied from an 18-point hole to stun Kansas City 27-24 in overtime Sunday for their first trip to the big game since the 1988 season. The team that won only two games in 2019, earning them the top overall draft pick that they used on quarterback Joe Burrow, pretty much dominated the Chiefs after the first quarter.

Rookie Evan McPherson made a 31-yard field goal to win it.

Then the Rams overcame a 10-point second-half deficit and took the NFC crown with a 2017 victory over San Francisco when Matt Gay made a 30-yard field goal with 1:46 remaining.

Los Angeles (15-5) had lost six

SIDDLE from page B1 day is a new challenge.”

Beyond the X’s and O’s, one theme in particular has resonated with Siddle and his players.

“Coach put a sign in the locker room and it said ‘Humility,’” senior guard Sims said. “So we’re making sure every day we continue to work hard and get better

ERIC GAY | AP PHOTO

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson celebrates with teammates after kicking the winning 31-yard field goal during overtime of the AFC championship game against the Chiefs to send Cincinnati to the Super Bowl.

already added depth by signing 2016 third-round pick Jack LaFontaine from the University of Minnesota midseason. The Hurricanes should be good to go in net.

Continued growth at forward Sebastian Aho should be a dark horse Hart Trophy candidate, and Andrei Svechnikov continues to deliver on his promise by taking another step forward in his fourth NHL season.

The success of both those players doesn’t come as a surprise.

The emergence of 19-year-old Seth Jarvis, however, has given the Hurricanes another layer of scoring in their top nine, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi has produced in limited minutes while Brind’Amour and his staff continue to rebuild his game.

Veterans Nino Niederreiter and Vincent Trocheck, both

lost to New England.

“We got one more at the home stadium, let’s get it done,” Stafford said.

Samuel wound up with four receptions for 72 yards and a 44yard score. He rushed for an additional 26 yards.

The Rams have been to four previous Super Bowls, going 1-3; the only victory came in the 1999 season while they were based in St. Louis.

Los Angeles is an early 3½-point favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“I’m blessed to be part of this team, with this group of guys, this coaching staff,” added Stafford, who spent his first dozen NFL seasons in Detroit. “You can’t write the story any better.

I’m at a loss for words. I’m just having a blast playing ball with these guys.”

AFC

consecutive times to the 49ers (12-8), but the visitors couldn’t slow All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp. Safety Jaquiski Tartt dropped a certain interception in the fourth quarter that helped LA tie the game.

Kupp finished with 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

NFC In a brutally physical game also highlighted by some clutch plays from Kupp and fellow AllPro receiver Deebo Samuel of the 49ers, Matthew Stafford went 31 for 45 for 337 yards passing to get to his first Super Bowl. The Rams got there in the 2018 season but

The Bengals (13-7) reached their third Super Bowl; they lost to the 49ers in 1982 and 1989.

Kansas City (14-6) hosted its fourth straight AFC championship contest and is 2-2 in those.

The Chiefs won the NFL title two years ago.

Cincinnati, winner of the AFC North, hadn’t won a postseason game since 1991 before beating Las Vegas, then earned a road victory in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history when

and not be satisfied with just winning (12) games in a row.”

It’s a streak that began just four days after the Seahawks’ worst performance of the season, a 77-48 beatdown at the hands of Jacksonville.

The loss might have served as a wake-up call, but the more tangible reason for the dramatic turnaround that followed can be

traced to a subtle lineup change made by Siddle and his staff. It involved moving Phillips from point guard to shooting guard while putting the ball into the hands of Sims, the team’s leading scorer at 14.6 points per game.

“Watching film and seeing him in games, Shykeim seemed a little hesitant,” Siddle said of Phillips, who averages 11.5 points per

game. “It seemed while he was making plays, he was more comfortable doing it for himself. And in practice, nobody can stop him.

So I thought it was a perfect time to take him off the ball to focus on scoring the basketball. And Jaylen is just a really good player that can play a bunch of positions.”

It’s a move that would have

in contract years, continue to produce, and Martin Necas — an RFA after the season — has shown flashes of brilliance though remains inconsistent.

The team’s role players have been good, particularly Derek Stepan, Jesper Fast and Steven Lorentz, who continues to get better by the game.

The one player who has struggled is captain Jordan Staal, who is mired in a 33-game goal drought. Staal isn’t at risk of losing his job — he still anchors the NHL’s best penalty kill and has upped his physicality with his dip in production. But if he can get five or six goals in the season’s second half, it would go a long way in rebuilding his offensive confidence.

Moves to make: You can never have enough scoring, and Carolina could maybe use one more player on the wing for a Stanley Cup push.

it eliminated top-seeded Tennessee. The AFC West champion Chiefs routed Pittsburgh and then won a classic in overtime against Buffalo to get to their fourth consecutive conference title game.

“We’ve been a second-half team all year,” said Burrow, who missed six games in his rookie season with a knee injury. “You don’t really want to be that way, but that’s kind of how it’s worked out. Our defense really stepped up in the second half. And on offense, we made plays when we had to. ... It was just a great overall team effort.”

On Sunday, Burrow led them back and McPherson, making like a 10-year veteran, kicked four field goals in the game, including the winner after Vonn Bell’s interception of Patrick Mahomes on the opening series of overtime got Cincinnati the ball.

“We’re made for this moment.

We never quit,” Bell said. “Never quit fighting. We’re a resilient group.”

The other 18-point rally in the AFC championship game came in the 2006 season when Indianapolis beat New England 36-34.

Burrow can take note that the quarterbacks in that contest were Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

“We’ve overcome a lot of deficits this year,” coach Zac Taylor said. “We always believe in all three of our phases. Everyone stepped up. We’re not done yet.”

made his mentor proud, not that Keatts isn’t already.

“He completely earned the right to be the head coach at UNC Wilmington. He paid his dues,” Keatts said of Siddle. “He was a part of three (CAA) championships that we had. I’m excited for him. He’s doing an amazing job there and I hope they continue to win.”

The 3 big questions nob

A7

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

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

The e eing thrown out of work.

I know that during Inand order put the crisis causedVirginia’s

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

The Reserve backup liquidity to the be glad” the Bible our 231-year history. At least fourainrecent the 20th century alone be that “we debt plus trillions more Federa coronavirus press can briefing just don’t know yet”asifin the of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancing hed U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, Easter directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong markets and financial outlets.

If th will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. und any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

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

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

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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, within certain DURHAMespecially — EmitBio, 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists suggest China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields the humanities. They call Inc., awithin biotechnology of this brings up 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 company efer notscholarship to repeat.announced number of people who have had and n is not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and successful results st everyone has finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. social grievances.

Grievance Monday from a series of inscholars bully administrators vitrostudents, experiments targeting and other departments into adhering to their Omicron and other SARSworldview. The worldview they promote is Jason CoV-2 variants. neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS studies consistpatented of disciplines EmitBio’s bluesuch as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, light biotechnology platform COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race eliminated 99.99% of the studies.

Omicron variant in authors the In 2017 and 2018, Pluckrose, laboratory setting.

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WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place.

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One reviewer findings that visible blue affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those 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 back to providi said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hope that we will light may provide the only affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believe it has an important become a once again enjoy non-systemic, at-home God.”of cases vels should be as forthcoming contribution to make to as thethey field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands Leaders at the local and state le bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” treatment option for are reliable. can be with those answers and “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect and be comforted, that ents believability. concerts, family COVID-19 that works on all To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and thenon this message with details that give theirso statem Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to God’sabout example andWe comfort in need arou at we can to keep as our free citizens coronavirus variants. mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions shouldallallthose continue to do wh gatherings, Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was this difficult time.

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State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities s reports church services living in a free accepted for publication by Affilia, a 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 select monoclonal antibody feminist journal for social workers. The and many more society were this same spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treatInthose measures are understandable, consisted in part of adate. rewritten therapies are more than 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 one-thousand times less In Concord, a shape, highinfrastructure school senior named remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at includingThe Associatedto papers were published, bipartisan law ex-weTanner bontemporary black. do, last I Obama, theasprogram boosted TesPress to normal though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who or form.

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Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurelytee, out federal aid a decade ago, ready to support deployment of thority and expects to make an artherapies which have noJournal writer reviving an Obama-era pro- ceiving under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah My first concern as we go$500 along in all this, of course, is myto family.

Stacey Matthews in has also written themselves.

A Wall Street ray of loan commitments 2022, clean energy, from biofuels nu- I’m taxpayers more than gram that helped launch the coun- costing dState and Legal Insurrection. impact on this variant. had figured out what they were doing.try’s first utility-scale wind and worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After and is a regular contributor to Re Shah said. million. Republicans and other clear power and offshore wind.

Some papers “From earlyaccepted in the for publication clean production critics seized onthe Solyndra an exsolar farms a decade ago but has suffering from H1N1as virus (swine“Advanced, flu) during the 2009 pandemic, While Tesla and Solyndra are in academic we journals advocated training the best known examples, the loan technology like Monolith’s the up ample of wasteful under largely gone dormant in recent I’ve pandemic, recognized been trying tospending take extra precautions, because all of thisare brings men like dogs and punishing white male office manages over 30 projects types of impactful projects that Obama’s stimulus program.of a painful years. way too many memories experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. that effective treatments college students for historical slavery by The Energy Department said it support not just sustainability, but worth more than $30 billion and The aid to Lincoln-based But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has were needed.

EmitBio asking them to sit in silence on the floor in guarantee up to $1 billion Monolith Inc. is the program’s first economic growth and clean ener- generates $500 million in interest would chains during class and to be expectedintoloans to help a Nebraska com- non-nuclear loan guarantee since gy jobs for the American people,” income for the federal government developed the RD-X19, learn from the discomfort.

Other papers every year, Shah said.

Granholm said. pany scale up production of “clean” 2016. an easy-to-use, atcelebrated morbid obesity as a healthyhydrogen life “We have a track record of our Monolith will use the loan guarMonolith produces “carbon to convert natural gas home device delivering choice and advocated treating privately into commercial products used in black,” a powdery substance that antees to “develop the innovation projects being winners,’’ he said precisely engineered conducted masturbationblue as a form of manufacturing and agriculture. enhances tires and other rubber needed to help lead the clean en- in an interview. “And I know that sexual against women. Typically,The revived loan program is products, and hydrogen used in ergy transition, while also creat- we get a lot of press on the ones light toviolence treat COVID-19,” academic journal editors send submitted ing high-paying green jobs and who don’t succeed,’’ but the propart of President Joe Biden’s ef- ammonia-based fertilizer. stated Dave Emerson, papers out to referees for review. In forts to slash greenhouse gas emisMonolith says it can create both strengthening our nation’s supply gram has suffered just over $1 bilCEO, EmitBio. “Unlike recommending acceptance for publication, sions in half by 2030, amid legisla- products while vastly shrinking chain,” said Rob Hanson, the com- lion in losses since 2011, or roughmonoclonal antibodies, many reviewers gave thesethis papers glowing ly 3.3% of its investment, a figure tive gridlock that has stalled a $2 their greenhouse gas emissions. pany’s co-founder and CEO. biotechnology platform has praise.

Jigar Shah, who took over as Shah said is on par with commertrillion package of social and en- The company plans to use the EnPolitical scientist Zach Goldberg ran vironmental initiatives. It’s among ergy Department guarantee to fi- director of the loan program of- cial banks. been effective on all variants certain concepts through “Many people think we’re not the tools he can use without new nance a major expansion of its ex- fice last year, said the program has tested,grievance includingstudies Delta and the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often isting Hallam, Nebraska, plant drawn over 70 applications valued legislation.

Omicron.

Wein believe it will they appeared our press over the years.Under President Barack that produces hydrogen and car- at more than $60 billion. The new See ENERGY, page B6 be found effective onincreases all future He huge in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” variants and aim to make “critical race theory” andwidely “whiteness.” this important option All of this is being taught to college available,many bothofduring students, whomthe become primary building and defining so many pandemic andschool as weteachers learn towho then and secondary categories that have changed the indoctrinate young live with thisour virus andpeople. other landscape of the industry,” said I doubt whether Monti Saroya, Co-Head of Vismicrobial threatsthe for coronavirusyears to caused financial crunch will give college ta’s Flagship Fund and Senior come.” and university administrators, who are a Managing Director. “As a private EmitBiobetween continues crossbreed a parrot and jellyfish, company, Citrix will have access the and backbone to restore academic theguts development of its to additional resources and suprespectability.

Far too often, port, as well as more flexibility investigational device RD- they get much of their political support from campus to take advantage of strong secuX19 in randomized, grievance people who doubleare members of By theEmily Roberson Raleigh is one of three nation- of solutions to accelerate their lar tailwinds with trends supportblind, placebo-controlled faculty and diversity and multiculturalNorth State Journal wide hubs for the company, and digital transformations and en- ing modern and secure remote hyadministrative offices. trials which the company is home to hundreds of Citrix em- able them to deliver the future of brid work to serve the combined The best hope lies with boards of FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — ployees. The union will create one hybrid work. As a private compa- customer base and invest in high believes will further validate trustees, though many serve as yes-men Citrix Systems, Inc. announced of the world’s largest software ny, we will have increased finan- growth markets.” these in vitro results in for the university president. I think that a “Citrix and TIBCO provide Monday that it has entered into a providers, serving 400,000 cus- cial and strategic flexibility to subjects COVID-19. good start with would be to find One 1950s or 1960s definitive agreement with a lead- tomers, including 98 percent of invest in high-growth opportuni- mission-critical software and sermulti-site, USattrial catalogs.

Look thestudying course offerings at ing global investment firm fo- the Fortune 500, with 100 million ties, such as DaaS, and accelerate vices to many the world’s most amore time when college graduates successful businesses, and we see than 200 subjects withknew how its ongoing cloud transition.” cused exclusively on enterprise users in 100 countries. to read, write and compute, and makesoftware, data and technolotremendous value in combining Added Dan Streetman, CEO of “Over the past three decades, mild to moderate COVID-19 them today’s curricula. Another helpful gy-enabled businesses to be ac- Citrix has established itself as TIBCO, “There has never been a their respective world-class offercompleted tool would beenrollment to give careful consideration quired in an all-cash transaction the clear leader in secure hybrid better time to be in the business ings to help companies gather inineliminating December all 2021, with to classes/majors/minors work. Our market-leading plat- of connected intelligent analyt- sight from the growing volumes of valued at $16.5 billion. containing the word in “studies,” readout expected the firstsuch as The investment firms Vista form provides secure and reli- ics, and we’re thrilled to bring our data generated by the hybrid work women, black or queer quarterAsian, of 2022.

This trial studies.Equity Partners and Evergreen able access to all of the applica- industry-leading solutions to Ci- economy. Both businesses have I’d bet that by restoring the traditionalCoast Capital intend to combine tions and information employees trix’s global customers. The work- now completed transitions to apincluded mission all new infections, academic to colleges, they would Citrix and TIBCO Software, one need to get work done, wherever it place has changed forever, and proximately 90% recurring reveincluding subjects with put a serious dent into the COVID-19 of Vista’s portfolio companies. needs to get done. By combining companies everywhere will re- nue, poising the go-forward combudget shortfall.infections breakthrough TIBCO is a global leader in enter- with TIBCO, we will expand this quire real-time access to faster, bined business to drive future platform and the outcomes our smarter insights from the increas- growth,” said John Stalder, Manprise data management. who were previously Walter E. Williams is a professor of customers achieve,” said Bob Cal- ingly large volumes of data avail- aging Director at Vista. “We look The combination brings tovaccinated.

Company economics at George Mason University. gether Citrix’s digital workspace deroni, Chair of the Citrix Board able to them, their employees, forward to partnering with Everofficials note that genetic and application delivery suite of Directors and Interim Chief and their ecosystems. I couldn’t green and the Citrix and TIBCO sequencing confirms this be more excited about our com- teams to ensure this is a seamless with TIBCO’s real-time intelli- Executive Officer and President.

“Together with TIBCO, we will bined vision and look forward to transition for all stakeholders.” gent data and analytics capabiltrial predominantly contains Under the terms of the agreeities designed to offer customers be able to operate with great- a strong partnership.” subjects infected with Delta “We have always viewed Ci- ment, Citrix shareholders will reand users secure application and er scale and provide a larger cusand Omicron variants. tomer base with a broader range trix as a true technology pioneer, ceive $104.00 in cash per share. information access and insights.

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Biden revives ‘clean energy’ program with $1B loan guarantee

Major NC employer Citrix sold in private $16.5B deal

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B6

Biden names Qatar major non-NATO ally as energy crisis looms For the week ending 1/28

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,492,613,607 Add Receipts

$239,762,566 Less Disbursements

$104,837,539 Reserved Cash

$125,000,000 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$5,901,453,870 Loan Balance:

$420.3M

ENERGY from page B5 taking enough risk,’’ he said. “But we’re in line with the best of the best.’’

Some companies that apply for assistance “want the Loan Program Office to be sort of your fairy godmother in Cinderella, where you show up in rags and I create a carriage for you out of a pumpkin and turn all the mice into horses and all that stuff,’’ Shah said. “But it’s just not the way it works.”

A former clean-energy entrepreneur who founded the SunEdison solar company, Shah said he understands the mindset of loan applicants —”you sell the dream, right?” — but says his job as a government official is to provide a reality check even as he offers assistance.

“Tell me how you’re going to make the mice into horses, and pumpkins into a carriage and the rags into a beautiful dress,’’ he said, continuing the metaphor.

“What processes and procedures have you learned to put in place?

How are you going to protect my money?’’

The loan guarantee program “is not intended to be a subsidy. It’s intended to be market-rate debt,’’ Shah said.

Monolith is the first-ever commercial-scale project to deploy a technology known as methane pyrolysis, which converts natural gas into carbon black and hydrogen.

While carbon black typically emits large volumes of carbon dioxide and other gases, Monolith says its technologies aim to reduce greenhouse gases by up to 80% compared to traditional production.

Robert Howarth, professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University, said he is “highly skeptical that this can be done with low emissions,” adding that he was “very disappointed” at the Energy Department’s action.

“I very much doubt that emission reductions will be anywhere near that large when the upstream fugitive methane emissions are included,” Howarth said in an email.

Howarth and Stanford professor Mark Jacobson published a research paper last year questioning climate benefits of so-called blue hydrogen produced from natural gas. “Emissions from blue hydrogen are worse than if one simply burned natural gas for the energy instead,” Howarth said.

Shah called Howarth a friend, but said he is confident Monolith can meet its projections on carbon pollution.

“Even with the worst-case scenario, and methane leakage, we still have 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus the business as usual processes,’’ he said.

Monolith said it would create about 1,000 jobs to support expansion of its hydrogen plant Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., one of two tiremakers that has signed a letter of intent to purchase the carbon black, said in a statement it was “excited” to work with Monolith to reduce its carbon footprint.

“As the only U.S.-headquartered tire manufacturer, it’s especially rewarding to be at the connection point of significant U.S. innovation with Monolith” and the Energy Department, said Richard Kramer, Goodyear’s chairman and CEO.

Officials also announced Monday that Qatar Airways ordered up to 50 large cargo planes and committed to buying up to 50 Boeing 737 Max jets, a huge win for the U.S. aircraft maker over European rival Airbus The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden on Monday designated Qatar a major non-NATO ally, a largely symbolic honor but one that was meant to convey his administration’s gratitude for the tiny Persian Gulf nation’s assistance with evacuations from Afghanistan and in ending last year’s Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Biden announced the designation during a meeting with the ruling leader of Qatar at the White House. It comes as he looks for the gas-rich nation to step up again to help the West as it faces the prospect of a European energy crunch if Russia invades Ukraine.

“Qatar is a good friend and a reliable partner,” Biden said hours before officially informing Congress of the designation. “It’s long overdue.”

The move could be helpful in Qatar’s bid to get U.S. approval for a more than $500 million sale of MQ-9 Reaper drones The request has been languishing since 2020, when Trump was still in office.

A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the decision, said the non-NATO ally designation was not tied to Biden’s hopes for Qatar to help European allies with an energy contingency plan should Russia invade Ukraine. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, said the designation was for Qatar’s help in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Qatar played a central role in aiding last summer’s U.S. mili-

ALEX BRANDON | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden, right, shakes hands with the Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, D.C. tary evacuations of Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort along with American citizens.

Qatar also hosts the biggest U.S. air base in the Middle East and served as a go-between with the Taliban for the last three administrations as they tried to wind down America’s longest war.

Qatar is the 18th country to receive this designation, the last being Brazil in 2019. The designation provides benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, including eligibility for loan programs and priority delivery for certain military sales.

“We’re very happy and proud of this great relationship,” said Qatar’s ruling emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “We will continue working together to find ways and means to bring peace in our region.”

The country was an essential go-between with Hamas during last year’s 11-day conflict that administration officials worried could have turned into a longer and bloodier war.

Now, with some 100,000 Russian troops massed at the Ukraine border, experts say Qatar — the world’s second-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, or LNG — is eager to help again but might only be able to offer limited assistance if Russia further disrupts the flow of energy supplies to Europe.

“Qatar sees this as an opportunity to further improve its relationship with the U.S. after Afghanistan,’” said Yesar Al-Maleki, an energy economist at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

“But it is going to be very hard to do because there isn’t excess supply.”

Qatar is already producing at full capacity with much of its supply under contract to Asia. Even if some Pacific allies of the U.S. — including India, Japan and South Korea — are persuaded to divert some LNG orders it has contracted to Europe, it will only have a small impact in softening the blow, according to energy analysts.

But a possible contingency plan

should Russia move to cut Europe from gas supplies was perhaps the most pressing matter on the agenda.

The Biden administration says the still-developing plan won’t just lean on “one or two” suppliers. Instead, the effort would require “a multitude of sources” to make up for a Russian cutoff, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Suppliers in Australia — the world’s biggest LNG supplier — as well as Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the United States are among those that Biden administration officials have looked to assist if needed.

Natural gas future prices surged last week amid growing market fears that a potential conflict could disrupt Russian exports transiting through Ukraine to Europe. The crunch has been worsened by Russia, which typically supplies about 40% of Europe’s natural gas supply, reducing its exports by about 25% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with the same period in 2020 despite high worldwide prices.

Any Russian invasion into Ukraine would almost surely trigger economic sanctions from the U.S. and its European allies. That could lead to oil and gas shortages around the world and, most likely, higher energy prices that could send tremors through the global economy.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani ahead of the leaders’ meeting on Monday announced that Qatar Airways has agreed to order 34 cargo jets, with the option to buy 16 more, from U.S.based Boeing Co. The total purchase could be worth more than $20 billion, according to the airline.

Biden said the deal would “support tens of thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs.”

JENNY KANE | AP PHOTO

A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Ore., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021.

US gives full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. health regulators on Monday granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, a shot that’s already been given to tens of millions of Americans since its emergency authorization over a year ago.

The action by the Food and Drug Administration means the agency has completed the same rigorous, time-consuming review of Moderna’s shot as dozens of other long-established vaccines.

The decision was bolstered by real-world evidence from the more than 200 million doses administered in the U.S. since the FDA cleared the shot in December

2020. The FDA granted full approval of Pfizer’s vaccine last August.

Public health advocates initially hoped the regulatory distinction would boost public confidence in the shots. But there was no discernable bump in vaccinations after the Pfizer approval, which was heavily promoted by President Joe Biden and other federal officials. Still, regulators said Monday they hoped the extra endorsement would encourage more people to get vaccinated.

More than 211 million Americans, or 63% of the total population, are fully vaccinated. About 86 million people have gotten a booster dose. Vaccinations peaked

last spring at more than 3 million per day, and now average less than 750,000 per day. The pace of vaccinations briefly spiked following news of the omicron variant in December but has since slowed again.

The FDA reviewed months of additional follow-up data submitted by Moderna to confirm the vaccine’s effectiveness against COVID-19. The FDA also analyzed and kept watch for serious side effects that have proved to be very rare. The vaccine includes a warning about a rare type of heart inflammation that mostly occurs in young men following the second dose. Most cases are mild and resolve quickly.

Additionally, FDA reviewed the

company’s manufacturing process and facilities.

“The public can be assured that this vaccine was approved in keeping with the FDA’s rigorous scientific standards,” said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine regulator, in a statement.

With full approval, Moderna will now market the vaccine under the brand name, Spikevax. It is the first FDA-approved product for the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company.

In the U.S., Moderna is used only by adults, for initial vaccination and as a half-dose booster. The company said last fall that FDA had delayed deciding whether to clear the shots for 12- to 17-yearolds as it examined the heart inflammation risk.

Johnson & Johnson has not yet applied for full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Also Monday, Novavax Inc. formally requested FDA authorization of a different type of COVID-19 vaccine, in hopes of becoming the fourth U.S. option.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B7

2022 Ford E-Transit This van changes everything The business case for EVs is solid

By Jordan Golson North State Journal SONOMA, Calif. — The Ford Transit is one of those vehicles you see all the time but don’t really notice.

Whether a cable company technician or a locksmith, plumber, electrician, baker, flower, or Amazon delivery guy, the Transit is everywhere. They’re nearly all used for business, making them prime candidates for electrification.

For years, electric cars were bought primarily by two kinds of folks: environmentalists and early adopter techies. A friend of mine once referred to his early production Tesla Model S as a “middle-aged man magnet.”

But now, finally, there are EVs for regular folks too. Ford is working on an entire lineup of them, starting with the Mustang Mach-E crossover (which I gave my Sports Car of the Year award to in 2021) and, soon, the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

But there’s something conspicuously missing from most discussions of light electric vehicles: business use. Tesla appears to have no interest in the commercial vehicle or fleet markets, and every other EV launched or announced in the US in the past few years has been entirely consumer-focused.

Ford is going in a different direction, both with the F-150 Lightning and with my test car this week, the Ford E-Transit van.

The E-Transit is a lightly modified version of the existing Transit van. Gone is the internal combustion engine, with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 68 kWh (usable) battery pack underneath the chassis. I suspect the whole setup is borrowed from the Mustang Mach-E, although Ford wouldn’t confirm or deny this.

Mounting the battery under the chassis is especially important because the company’s designers worked very hard to make sure all the mounting points on the frame were identical between the Transit’s internal combustion and electric versions. This is a massive deal because just about every Transit sold is modified, and it can take years for aftermarket upfitters to adjust their wares to fit a new platform.

Ford did the same thing with the F-150 Lightning. The rear box is identical to the standard F-150, down to every last bolt — at least on top. Underneath, it’s completely different to accommodate for the skateboard battery, electric motors, and new independent rear suspension. Ford engineers worked hard to make sure both the Lightning and the E-Transit would work perfectly with customer equipment, and, Ford says, it will.

Commercial vehicles are particularly interesting for electrification for several reasons. First, thanks to the advent of cheap cellular connectivity, modern fleet ve-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORD

hicles are nearly always connected to the cloud. That means it’s easy to get data about how many miles a car is driven each day, and how long, and where it gets parked.

It turns out that knowing how far a vehicle drives and how long it’s parked are crucial for figuring out return-on-investment for electric vehicle upgrades. Though the E-Transit only sports a 106-to-126 mile range depending on configuration, Ford says that covers the daily use scenarios for a significant portion of the Transit fleet thanks to lots of market research.

If you’re a plumber in a suburban area, for example, you might drive 10 miles to one customer, then 5 miles to another, and so on. If you have lots of data showing your existing Transit vans nev-

er exceed 75 miles in a day, you know that the E-Transit will work for you.

The 68 kWh battery pack was chosen because it’s a reasonable balance between cost and driving range, and the E-Transit costs around $10,000 more than a comparable internal-combustion Transit. That, plus a $7,500 tax credit for buying an electric vehicle, makes the E-Transit competitive. On top of that, businesses can expect lower ongoing costs because electricity is cheaper than fuel, and because electric cars have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance, they can expect less downtime as well.

Ford has been adept at relieving the pain points of commercial electric vehicle adoption. Though

everyone is familiar with refueling at a gas station, charging is a different beast.

The new Ford Pro commercial division has consultants that will work with fleet customers to analyze their current use patterns and make recommendations for where and how to recharge vehicles. Suppose their analysis shows that a bakery would need three wall-mounted chargers in the parking lot to recharge its E-Transit vans overnight. In that case, Ford has a line of cloud-connected chargers and will even roll the cost of the chargers and their installation into a larger financing package along with the vans.

Those vans can charge in public, too, thanks to the BlueOval Charging Network. That’s a loose

amalgamation of charging networks like ChargePoint and Electrify America, and Ford handles all the billing and activation on the back end. Company employees won’t need to worry about having the right card or app on their phone, and they can plug in and charge up.

Ah, but what about take-home vehicles? Many commercial vans, especially in industries like telecom, are taken home by technicians at night, and they’re not going to like needing to pay for electricity. Ford Pro has a solution there too.

The vans, connected to Ford’s E-Telematics suite via an onboard cellular connection, know when they’re charging at the employee’s home, measure how much electricity is consumed, and then automatically generate the invoices so the employee can be reimbursed.

Commercial fleets typically see a 10-15 percent turnover every year, meaning this will be a slow rollout at best. And the 125-mile range means this van won’t work for many commercial customers.

But this is a first-generation product and advancements, including more extended range and things like vehicle-to-grid power takeoff (think using your vehicle to power your house during an outage).

But for every electric vehicle enthusiast, many more skeptics would never consider an EV. But if the company provides one, they’ll have to drive it, which makes this a big opportunity.

Vehicles like the Ford E-Transit and the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, the fleet version of the electric pickup that starts around $40,000, will get EVs in the hands of many more users who will then discover the appeal of electrics: massive low-end torque, surprisingly excellent handling, and an always-full battery every morning, among other things.

Ford Pro has done everything it can to make EV adoption by businesses more accessible, and the company is looking at ways to bundle vehicles, charging infrastructure, and even things like real estate for charging stations into one big financing package to make it easier for businesses to justify the up-front expense of switching to electric.

I understand the environmental arguments of switching to electric vehicles, but I also understand the skeptics who don’t want to pay extra for the privilege. But if you can show a business case for the switch — and you can — it makes the EV argument significantly more compelling.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E was great, and the Ford F-150 Lightning is going to be terrific when production begins this Spring. But the Ford E-Transit is going to be a trojan horse for electric vehicles, sneaking into warehouses, bakeries, the trades, and everywhere else — and that means it could be the most significant electric vehicle ever.

The Ford E-Transit van is in production now, and deliveries will begin later this month.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B8

NC artist spotlight Wiley Johnson | Raleigh

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILEY JOHNSON

Pictured above is artist Wiley Johnson posed in front of a series of his works currently installed at the Sertoma Arts Center, in Raleigh, in January 2022.

By Lauren Rose North State Journal RALEIGH — Painting is a popular pastime for many people, but to Wiley Johnson, it means so much more.

Navigating his life through the cloudy lens of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Johnson has had his share of struggles in all facets of life. Johnson likes to now focus on the positives, and that includes his passion.

“I paint to do something with my time. …

It allows me to try to things, meet new people, and make connections,” he said. “I don’t drive and am home alone a lot.

Painting gives me something to do when I am alone.”

The 37-year-old emerging artist has been getting attention in the North Carolina art scene the last few years for his colorful, abstract works of art that “pop.” He began painting for fun in 2009, but in 2020 painting became more than just a hobby.

“I thought that painting could become a career in 2020 after someone bought two of my paintings for $1,000,” Johnson said. “I thought that if there was someone in Raleigh who would spend that much money for two of my paintings, there must be more people in the world who would like them. I just had to learn how to find them.”

While Johnson’s work has been catching the eyes of art purveyors and collectors around the state, one of the biggest supporters of his art, his mother Joy, is hard at work helping him pursue his passion while also managing the business aspects of his art.

Joy has been representing Wiley in the art world, helping him make those connections and meet new people.

“It has taken around 12 years to get to the point that he is now, and I never dreamed that he would get as far as he has with art,” she said.

“It’s been a one step at a time jour-

ney and a lot of asking myself, ‘What can I do to get his art out into the world.’”

A number of galleries and venues have exhibited Wiley’s paintings, but Charlotte Russell, the owner of Charlotte Russell Contemporary Gallery, has become his most consistent supporter. She featured Wiley along with Mar Hester when she opened her gallery in Raleigh’s Five Points area in September 2021. The gallery hosts art focusing on “process-driven work, vibrant colors, and interesting stories behind the pieces and the artists,” which matched Johnson’s aesthetic and story perfectly.

“What makes Wiley’s work great is how he juxtaposes striking colors in raw gestural strokes evoking strong emotion,” said Charlotte Russell, the gallery’s owner.

Currently displaying his work in the “Color Focus” exhibit at the Sertoma Arts Center along with 4 other artists, Johnson says he has a lot to feel thankful for when it comes to his painting.

“I used to work at NCSU wiping off tables and taking out trash. … I wanted something more to do with my life, so I quit and started painting more,” he said. “I feel proud and grateful that Charlotte Russell chose to include me in her current exhibit along with such accomplished artists.”

His passion for painting connects him to his community while also being an outlet for the strong emotions that can come with ASD. “I just want to thank everyone who has been a supporter of my art,” Johnson said.

He hopes his work gives others the same “feeling of peace” it gives him to paint, and Johnson said he focuses on the happiness and energy he feels while he is creating.

Life hasn’t always been easy for him, but armed with a paintbrush and palette, Johnson feels he can take on the world.

“Life is so much better than it was!”

Clockwise from top: “The One,” “The Object of Time” and “Centerpoint Falling.”

Q&A WITH WILEY JOHNSON NSJ’s Lauren Rose sat down with Wiley Johnson to get some more perspective on his approach to painting.

NSJ: First and foremost, why do you create art?

WJ: It provides me with an income. It allows me to not only try new things and meet new people, but painting also connects me with my community.

NSJ: What mediums do you work in? How would you describe your work?

WJ: I create abstract paintings that are colorful and energetic.

I work mostly with acrylic paint on canvas, and I’ve done one oil. I have sold two paintings on subflooring board with a third soon going to auction by Black Rock Gallery. I also have two

small ones painted on plywood that are currently available. I have enjoyed painting small wooden crafts such as houses and crosses.

NSJ: What inspires you to paint? Do you plan out your paintings or just let them happen?

WJ: I like to create something out of paint and colors. I always like to create a new look, new feel to every painting I do. I also like experimenting with [methods of] painting. I don’t plan my paintings, I just let them happen. Painting gives me something to do when I am alone. I know that a painting is finished when the colors “pop.”

NSJ: What’s something you’ve been experimenting

with lately?

WJ: I’ve been experimenting painting with paper towels.

That is one thing you can do if you really want to get crazy with it. I also use sponges a lot.

And rubber bands.

NSJ: Rubber bands? That’s interesting! Can you explain more about that process?

WJ: What I do is cut the rubber bands up, tie them around a pencil, and just fling it everywhere.

NSJ: Who have been supporters of your art around NC? WJ: Besides Charlotte Russell Contemporary and the in the Sertoma Arts Center in Raleigh, I have been given a chance to present my work to the public in galleries like

the Block Gallery, 311 Gallery, Extraordinaire Art Gallery and Emporium, and Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh and the Peel Gallery in Carrboro. My art has been displayed at Golden Belt Gallery and SunTrust Gallery courtesy of the Durham Art Guild including a solo exhibit, Through the Spectrum: A Collection of Paintings.

Mercury Studio and the Power Plant Gallery in Durham have displayed my paintings as have Trade Alley Gallery in Hickory and Yadkin Arts Councils’ Gallery, Yadkinville.

Other locations in Raleigh that have also supported my work include Artspace Gift Shop, North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Shop, MOFU Shoppe, Industrious Charter Square and Industrious Wells Fargo, Lucky Tree, Compass Rose

Brewery, Raleigh Woman’s Club, Affordable Creative Framer’s Art, Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, and HANDmeUPs, all in Raleigh.

NSJ: How has creating art changed your life?

WJ: Working at NCSU paid pretty well, but I wanted something more to do with my life. So I quit and started painting more.

NSJ: What do you do in your free time?

WJ: I have a lot of hobbies. I like to go places and walk. I like to listen to music and play guitar and keyboard. I like taking care of my cat, Melissa, and the house. I also like to tend to the garden during the warmer months. And, of course, I love to make art!

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B9

New this week: ‘Pam & Tommy,’ Olympics and the doc ‘Torn’ The Associated Press HERE’S A COLLECTION curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MOVIES — If you missed Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” in theaters, you can bask in all the gaudy decadence from the comfort of your own home starting Tuesday, when it becomes available on VOD. Lady Gaga gives a committed performance as Patrizia Reggiani, a local beauty who married into the Gucci family and helped her husband, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), wield power and influence in the family business. Subtly is beside the point in “House of Gucci,” which has everyone doing over-the-top Italian accents, and Jared Leto, unrecognizable in prosthetics, doing his best to outact Al Pacino, who plays his father.

Scott and his collaborators decided to go for operatic artificiality to tell the story of how the “family” dropped out of this family busi-

ness. It goes best with a martini.

— Guillermo del Toro’s lavish noir “Nightmare Alley” was one of many adult-skewing dramas that got unjustly lost at the box office last year (blame omicron and Spider-Man), but it could have a robust second life on streaming.

Bradley Cooper stars as the ambitious and charming Stanton Carlisle, who rises quickly from lowlevel carnival man to highly paid performer — though things get dicey at the top. Del Toro’s cast is stacked with excellence, from Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette and David Strathairn to Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, resplendent in 1940s suits and gowns. “Nightmare Alley” comes to HBO Max and Hulu starting Tuesday.

— In 1999, Alex Lowe, a famous mountain climber was lost with cameraman and climber David Bridges in an avalanche in Tibet.

Somehow Lowe’s climbing partner Conrad Anker survived, and went on to marry Lowe’s widow and raise his sons. The documentary “Torn,” the feature debut of one of those sons, Max Lowe, explores the tragedy and the aftermath. Make sure to have the tis-

sues ready when this hits Disney+ on Friday.

MUSIC — Pop singer-songwriter Mitski’s last record, “Be the Cowboy,” landed on several best albums of 2018 year-end lists. But it’s been a long few years for fans without new music from the cult favorite as she took time off social media and away from touring. Her new record, “Laurel Hell,” out on Friday, comes as Mitski hits the road again for a tour starting in February and you can also catch her opening for Harry Styles on some of his UK stadium dates. One of the record’s new singles, “The Only Heartbreaker,” has her singing about being the bad guy in the relationship to a synthy, New Wave pop melody.

— British band Bastille had enough songs saved up during the pandemic for three albums, so they enlisted producer and artist Ryan Tedder to whittle down the collection into a futuristic concept album. The 13-track “Give Me the Future,” out on Friday, has science fiction influences as the songs ex-

plore technological escapism, a timely theme as the pop rock band wrote and recorded virtually during the pandemic. Their music videos share the same theme, including “No Bad Days,” in which a lover is reanimated as an android.

TELEVISION — A sex tape that rocked the nascent online world is the real-life grist for “Pam & Tommy,” Hulu’s eight-part series about the private bedroom activities of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee going public. Lily James and Sebastian Stan play the then-married actor and musician in what the streaming service describes as a “love story, crime caper and cautionary tale.” The stolen video of the couple ended up a sensation and a sign of things to come. Seth Rogan and Nick Offerman are among the co-stars in the show debuting Wednesday with three episodes and the rest out weekly.

— Will Arnett plays a homicide detective with cases to solve and clueless partners to help in “Murderville,” a six-part Netflix crime-comedy series debut-

ing Thursday. Each episode has a different sleuth teaming up with Arnett’s Senior Detective Terry Seattle, which is novel, but here’s the real twist: The succession of guest stars haven’t seen the scripts. Annie Murphy, Conan O’Brien, Ken Jeong, Kumail Nanjiani, Marshawn Lynch and Sharon Stone are the in-the-dark detectives, with Haneefah Wood, Lilan Bowden and Philip Smithey in the cast.

— Got about 2,800 hours on your hands this month? NBCUniversal is promising to provide that and more as part of coverage of the Winter Olympics from Beijing on its TV platforms. The NBC broadcast network and Peacock streaming service will carry the Friday opening ceremony at 6:30 a.m. EST and televise a three-hour version of the event at 8 p.m. EST. With the competition underway, NBC will devote most of primetime to the Olympics, Peacock’s premium tier will live-stream coverage, and USA Network with an assist from CNBC will handle the cable side. The Olympics, held amid China’s strict pandemic rules, conclude on Feb. 20.

This combination of photos shows promotional art for “The House of Gucci” available on VOD Feb. 1, left, “Pam & Tommy” a series premiering Feb. 2 on Hulu center, and “Torn,” a documentary premiering on Disney+ on Feb. 4.

MGM/HULU/DISNEY+ VIA AP

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 165 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Sondra S. Eddings and Randal A. Eddings (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sondra S. Eddings and Randal A. Eddings) to Louis A. Trosch, Trustee(s), dated June 25, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 7661, at Page 141 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 location designated for foreclosure sales, at

19 SP 753 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gwendolyn P. Reid to Mistie L. Greene, Trustee(s), which was dated April 22, 2005 and recorded on April 25, 2005 in Book 5923 at Page 212, Cabarrus 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 February 8, 2022 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit:

CUMBERLAND 20 SP 184 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 Leslie B. Craig to David W. Allred, Trustee(s), which was dated June 27, 2006 and recorded on July 6, 2006 in Book 7291 at Page 282, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 739 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Thomas Eric Allen, Jr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Thomas Eric Allen, Jr.) to Investors Title Insurance, Trustee(s), dated June 1, 1999, and recorded in Book No. 5103, at Page 0257 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

12:00 PM on February 14, 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: Lying and Being in the City of Concord, Number Two (2) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the South side of Barnhardt Avenue, Being a part of the property of CANNON AND SPENCER, a map of which is on file in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map Book 6, page 64, adjoining the property of Jesse Lee Carter and others, and being more fully described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron stake on the South side of Barnhardt Avenue, the old Northeastern corner of Jesse Lee Carter (Deed Book 540, Page 392) and runs thence with the line of Carter and Raymond Weaver (Deed Book 374, Page 120) South 10-18-06 East 435.17 feet to an iron stake in the line of Weaver, a corner of Walter B. Robbins, III (Deed Book 368, Page 55); thence with the line of Robbins North 7941-10 East 99.91 feet to an iron stake in the line of Robbins, rear corner of Gary C. Helms (Deed Book 408, Page 780); thence with the line of Helms North 10-17-33 West 435.15 feet to an iron stake on the South side of Barnhardt Avenue, the old Southwestern corner of Helms; thence with the South side of Barnhardt Avenue South 79-42-00 West 99.98 feet to the point of BEGINNING, containing 1.00 acre,

more or less, as surveyed and platted by Robert D. Faggart, R.L.S., March 8, 1994. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2453 Barnhardt Avenue, Northwest, Concord, North Carolina.

For back reference, see Book 1209, Page 7, Cabarrus Registry. Randal A. Eddings and Sondra S. Clark, (Eddings) are now married, and the purpose of this Deed is to create an Estate by the Entirety in the grantees herein as provided by the North Carolina General Statutes.

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

ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PACEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP NUMBER FIVE, CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS. TO WIT LYING AND BEING IN NUMBER FIVE (5) TOWNSHIP OF CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAPP ROAD, ADJOINING THE PROPERTY OF MADELINE HEILIG, AND BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS; BEGINNING AT A NAIL IN THE CENTERLINE OF SAPP ROAD, CORNER OF HEILIG AND MRS. M.C. BERNHARDT AND RUNS THENCE WITH THE CENTERLINE OF SAID ROAD NORTH 61.44 EAST 138.25 FEET TO A NAIL, A NEW CORNER; THENCE TOW (2) NEW LINES AS FOLLOWS; FIRST SOUTH 35-20 EAST 206.12 FEET (PASSING AN IRON STAKE IN LINE AT 29.47 FEET) TO AN IRON STAKE; THENCE SECOND, SOUTH 71-01-40 WEST 123.37 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE, A NEW CORNER IN THE LINE OF HEILIG (SAID STAKE BEING NORTH 4 1- 06 WEST 173.95 FET FROM A SWEET GUM, THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF MADELINE HEILIG THE LINE OF J.C. FURRO: THENCE WITH THE LINE OF HEILIG NORTH 41-06 WEST 189.3 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 0.57 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, AS SURVEYED AND PLATTED

BY BILLY B. LONG, R.L.S. OCTOBER 17, 1979; SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF WAY OF SAPP ROAD. BEING THE

SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED BY FEE SIMPLE DEED FROM EXCELL MCCLELAND AND WIFE MATTIE S. MCCLELAND AND RALPH A. BARNHARDT, TRUSTEE TO GWENDOLYN P. REID, DATED 10/24/1979 RECORDED ON 10/25/1979 IN BOOK 513, PAGE 309 IN CABARRUS COUNTY RECORDS, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

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

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 February 16, 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:

Court, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Being all of Unit 8, in a subdivision known as Elk Ridge at Southview Condominiums, Phase III, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Condominium Book 5, Page 124, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 5718 Sapp Road, Rockwell, NC 28138.

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

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 is commonly known as 513-8 Meadowland

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

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 7, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 12 as shown on a map entitled “Subdivision for K.C. Butler” said map duly recorded in Plat Book 90, Page 16, and revised in Plat Book 98, Page 51, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2018 Iris Drive, Hope Mills, 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.

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.

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

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Leslie B. Craig.

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.

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: 1289753 - 9840

the effective date of the termination.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-12872-FC01

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

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

File No.: 19-18895-FC01

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE 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: 3971 - 13797

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B10 TAKE NOTICE

door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 7, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain parcel of land situated in Seventy First Township being known as being all of Lot No. 183, in a subdivision known as Evergreen Estates, Section IV, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 27, Page 13, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1824 Martindale Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The search was review and approved by Henry A. Mitchell, III Solomon & Mitchell, PLLC and being more fully described in Deed Book 2756 Page 1 recorded on 02/12/1980 among the land records of Cumberland County, NC. Deed Type: Quite Claim Deed Grantors: Jesse D. Dobbin, Sr. and Bernice Dobbin, Husband and Wife Grantees: Jesse D. Dobbin, Sr. and Bernice Dobbin, Husband and Wife, and Charles E. Dobbin and Donna D. Dobbin, Husband and Wife, all as joint tenants with right of

survivorship Dated: December 26,2007 Recorded Date: January 15, 2008 Consideration: $0.00 DBV: 7787/705 Parcel No.: 0416-54-3031 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: 2511 - 5729

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

21 SP 757

Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00 P.M. on February 8, 2022, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 16, “Block S” as shown on a plat entitled, “Lake Lynn, Section 2” duly recorded in Plat Book 21, Page 46, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3336 Clemson Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306. Tax ID: 0434-07-1692Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part

thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property is Jimmy L. Johnson, II. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General

Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

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

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

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee January N. Taylor, Bar #33512 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jtaylor@mtglaw.com

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

21 SP 634

note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on February 8, 2022, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT NUMBER 2 IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS CYPRESS TRACE SUBDIVISION AND THE SAME BEING DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 126, AT PAGE 124, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 555 MILDENHILL ROAD, HOPE MILLS, NC 28348. Tax ID: 0425-30-0282 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes

§7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

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

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

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

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

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee By: ________________________________________ January N. Taylor, Bar #33512 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) jtaylor@mtglaw.com

by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on February 16, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 1 of Knob Hill Vista revised, Block B, as shown on the plat recorded in Plat Book 12, Page 94, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 203 Broadview Avenue, Lexington, North Carolina.

Property Address: 203 Broadview Avenue, Lexington, NC 27292 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: 4867 - 18404

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on February 16, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot Numbers 86, 87, 88 and 89, as shown on the plat entitled BOWMAN ACRES, as recorded in Plat Book 10, page 4, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 300 Franklin Drive, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

ALSO KNOWN AS: 300 Franklin Drive, Winston Salem, NC 27107 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: 1280460 - 9330

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 February 16, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 135, Alta Vista Subdivision, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 208, in the office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 712 West 25th Street, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 6826-85-1244.000 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.

designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on February 16, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot 54 shown on a recorded plat entitled Laurel Park, Phase 1, as developed by Fortis Development Corporation, said map being prepared

by Evans Engineering, Inv. October 6, 1986, said plat being recorded in Plat Book 31, Page 82, and re-recorded in Plat Book 31, Page 94, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1641 Bridgton Road, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed

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

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

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

costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor 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),

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 February 7, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed James F. Coble and Teresa Lee Coble, dated February 8, 2008 to secure the original principal amount of $90,578.00, and recorded in Book 3493 at Page 265 of the Johnston County Public Registry.

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

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

Address of property: 108 Sandee Dr, Angier, NC 27501

Tax Parcel ID: 13C04002J Present Record Owners: J a m e s Fleming Coble And Being more commonly known as: 108 Sandee Dr, Angier, NC 27501 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are James Fleming Coble.

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 21-111233

foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on February 10, 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: The land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Onslow, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows: BEGINNING at the point of intersection of the northwestern edge of the right of way of Cole Drive with the southwestern edge of the right of way of Carver Road; thence with said right of way of Cole Drive South 63 degrees 36 minutes west 115.91 feet to a point; thence north 37 degrees 27 minutes west 112.27 feet (erroneously stated as 122.27 feet on plat hereinafter referred to) to a point, the southernmost corner of Lot 17, Block 6; thence with the line of Lot 17, Block 6 North 63 degrees 36 minutes east 137.49 feet to a point in said right of way of Carver Road; thence with said right of way of Carver Road south 26 degrees 25 minutes east 110 feet to the point of beginning, and being all of Lot No. 18, Block 6 according to plat entitled “Subdivision Map No. 3 of Bell Fork Homes, Property of New River Management Company, Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, N.C.”, dated 1961, prepared by Herndon Edgerton, Engineer, and recorded in Map Book 7, Page 32, Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 402 Cole Drive, Jacksonville,

North Carolina.

This conveyance is made subject to restrictive covenants recorded in Book 306, Page 647, Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, and to a drainage easement as shown on the above referred to recorded plat.

Parcel ID: 001301 Commonly known as 402 Cole Drive, Jacksonville, NC 28540 However, by showing this address no additional coverage is provided 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: 2633 - 20544

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 209

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Bernice J. Dobbin (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Bernice J. Dobbin, Heirs of Bernice J. Dobbin: Charles Dobbin, Jesse Dobbin) to Unisource National Lender Services, Trustee(s), dated April 21, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09767, at Page 0466 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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jimmy L. Johnson, II, in the original amount of $145,000.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Union Home Mortgage Corp., dated November 29, 2016 and recorded on November 29, 2016 in Book 9990, Page 395, Cumberland County Registry.

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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Michael Anthony Branham and Marilyn A. Branham, in the original amount of $131,778.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Mortgage Research Center, LLC DBA Veterans United Home Loans, A Missouri Limited Liability Company, dated October 12, 2012 and recorded on October 22, 2012 in Book 09022, Page 0823, Cumberland County Registry.

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

DAVIDSON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 449 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Martha A. Spangler (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Martha A. Spangler, Heirs of Martha A. Spangler: Dameatrice Swing, Pateama Killian, Charles Edward Thompson, Tonya Killian Owle; Heirs of Charles Edward Thompson: Edward Thompson a/k/a Eddie Thompson) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated September 30, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 2157, at Page 358 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 441 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Clarence T. Small (Deceased) and Mary T. Small (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Donovan Duane Culler) to Michael L. Johnson, Trustee(s), dated January 6, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 1580, at Page 1741 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County,

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 765 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Gabriel Pedroza Padilla (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Gabriel Pedroza Padilla) to Cynthia Porterfield, Trustee(s), dated December 7, 2018, and recorded in Book No. RE 3437, at Page 3408 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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 526 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Renee S. Golden (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Renee S. Golden) to Neuse Incorporated, Trustee(s), dated December 30, 2005, and recorded in Book No. RE 2629, at Page 2800 in Forsyth County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Forsyth County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 21SP60 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JAMES F. COBLE AND TERESA LEE COBLE DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2008 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3493 AT PAGE 265 IN THE JOHNSTON 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

ONSLOW NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 435 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Joshua A. Johnson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joshua A. Johnson) to Donald P. Eggleston, Trustee(s), dated June 4, 2013, and recorded in Book No. 4003, at Page 828 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

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: 4878 - 20608

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: 1272186 - 9698

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

B11

TAKE NOTICE

STANLY 20 SP 27 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Floyd Thomas Cummins and Jennifer Cummins to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated November 27, 2017 and recorded on November 27, 2017 in Book 1632 at Page 287, Stanly County Registry, North Carolina.

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

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 422 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shemeka Stoddart (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shemeka Stoddart) to Westwood Associates, A California Corporation, Trustee(s), dated January 16, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 4432, at Page 0274 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 670 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jason R. Marsh (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jason R. Marsh) to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), dated August 15, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 06994, at Page 0696 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 35 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Willie G. Polk and Bertha P. Polk, (Willie G. Polk, Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Bertha P. Polk) to Geoffrey C. Hemenway, Trustee(s), dated the 23rd day of October, 1996, and recorded in Book 914, Page 656, in Union 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 Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in the City of

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 18SP106 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM MASSEY AND MARY MASSEY DATED AUGUST 20, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3540 AT PAGE 90 IN THE UNION 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 21SP458 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DARRYL L. MELTON DATED NOVEMBER 24, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5248 AT PAGE 763 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED DECEMBER 10, 2014 IN BOOK 6348 PAGE 650 AND FURTHER MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JANUARY 28, 2021 IN BOOK 7968 AT PAGE 765 IN THE UNION 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

WAKE AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 1877 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shirley Johnson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shirley Johnson, Heirs of Shirley Johnson: Sherman L. Johnson) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated April 20, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 011321, at Page 00102 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales,

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 690 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Everette L. Webb and Naomi H. Daye (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Everette L. Webb and Naomi H. Daye) to Scott Whitesell, Trustee(s), dated June 19, 2000, and recorded in Book No. 8612, at Page 2600 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 1589 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Michael D. Forkner (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Michael D. Forkner, Heirs of Michael D. Forkner: Tyler Forkner, Nick Carraway) to John C. MacNeill, Jr., Trustee(s), dated December 31, 2010, and recorded in Book No. 014229, at Page 01026 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on February 7, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh

conducting the sale on February 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Stanly County, North Carolina, to wit: All that certain parcel of land lying and being situated in the County of Stanly, State of North Carolina, to Wit: Lying and being in the Town of Albemarle, North Albemarle Township, Stanly County, North Carolina, and being Lot No. 6 as shown on an unrecorded plat of Ross Farm Subdivision, Phase 3, prepared by Henry M. Webster, R.L.S., and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron stake in the western edge of New Castle Court, corner of Lots Nos. 5 and 6, said beginning point being two courses and distances from the northeastern corner of Tract 2, Ross Farm Subdivision, Phase Two, as recorded in Map Book 17, Page 158, as follows: (1) N. 10-5334 E. 110.22 feet; (2) N. 10-53-42 E. 200.00 feet; and runs thence from said beginning point with the dividing line of Lots Nos. 5 and 6, N. 79-06-18 W. 303.45 feet to an iron pin in the rear line of Lot No. 4 of Ross Farm Subdivision, Map Book 15, Page 62; thence with the rear line of Lot No. 4, N. 22-19-26 E. 49.14 feet to an iron pin, corner of Lots Nos. 3 and 4; thence with the rear line of Lot No. 3, N. 36-33-57 E. 89.89 feet to an iron pin; thence S. 70-32-06 E. 232.93 feet to an iron pin in New Castle Court; thence with New Castle Court, three courses and distances as follows: (1) in

a general southeasterly direction at a radius of 50 feet for an arc distance of 49.53 feet to an iron pin; (2) in a general southeasterly direction at a radius of 25 feet for an arc distance of 21.03 feet to an iron pin; (3) S. 10-53-42 W. 31.13 feet to the Beginning.

This conveyance is made subject to the protective covenants and restrictions for Ross Farm Subdivision as recorded in Book 519, Page 73.

The Grantors herein reserve for itself and its successors and assigns a 20 foot sanitary sewer easement as shown upon the plat for Ross Farm Subdivision, Phase 3.

For back reference see deed from Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio Banking Corporation, to Hubertus A. Jacobs and spouse, Gail K. Jacobs dated June 14, 2011 and recorded in Book 1370 at Page 1004, Stanly County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 809 New Castle Ct, Albemarle, NC 28001.

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

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

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

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the

mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-02067-FC01

by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on February 10, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Stallings in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 35 of Fairhaven Subdivision, Phase 1, Map 2, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet J at File 52, Union County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1204 Mountain Laurel Court, Stallings, North Carolina.

property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property

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

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

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor 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

Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on February 17, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 3 in that subdivision known as ROCKY RIVER ESTATES (fka Newtowne Estates II) as shown on a plat thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet C, File 617 in the Union County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3106 Deer Track Lane, Monroe, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor

the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

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

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

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

Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on February 10, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot Number 31 of Myers Meadows Subdivision as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Cabinet C, at File Number 775, Union County Register of Deeds to which plat reference is hereby made for a more complete description.

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: 1319501 (CFC.CH)

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 February 15, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed William Massey and Mary Massey, dated August 20, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $229,500.00, and recorded in Book 3540 at Page 90 of the Union 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: 410 Robin Drive, Monroe, NC 28112

09279022 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: William Massey and Mary Massey And Being more commonly known as: 410 Robin Drive, Monroe, NC 28112 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William Massey and Mary Massey.

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 January 12, 2022.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 14-057859

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: 1287700 - 10364

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 2:00PM on February 10, 2022 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Darryl L. Melton, dated November 24, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $135,990.00, and recorded in Book 5248 at Page 763 of the Union 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.

408 Address of property: East

Village Dr, Monroe, NC 28112 09087028 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Darryl L. Melton And Being more commonly known as: 408 East Village Dr, Monroe, NC 28112 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Darryl L. Melton.

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 January 21, 2022.

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 15-073344

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of DAVID STEWART LEE, late of Wake County, North Carolina (Wake 2022-E-000187), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the

estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before April 29, 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.

Senter Stephenson Johnson, PA, PO Box 446, FuquayVarina, NC 27526.

For Publication: North State Journal: January 26, 2022, February 2, 9, 16, 2022.

at 1:30 PM on February 14, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wake Forest in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the line of the Raleigh Granite Company lands, said point being the Southeast corner of David Carter’s land and the Northeast corner of the lot conveyed herein; thence with the line of Raleigh Granite Company, S. 4 deg. 30 minutes West 150 feet to a stake in the said line, the Northwest corner of another John H. Haley lot; thence with said Haley’s line N. 86 deg. 30 minutes West 174 feet to a stake in said line; thence in a line parallel with the line of Raleigh Granite Company, N. 4 deg. 30 minutes East 150 feet to a stake in the line of David Carter; this with said Carter’s line s. 86 deg. 30 minutes East 174 feet to a stake in the line of Raleigh Granite Company, the point of BEGINNING. The above described lot which measures 150 feet by 174 feet is the Eastern end of the lot of land conveyed by Lee Carter and wife, Florence A. Carter to John M. Haley and wife, Maggie Carter Haley; and being the identical land conveyed to Myrtle C. Allen by John H. Haley and wife, Maggie Carter Haley by deed dated June 22, 1960 and recorded in Book 1417, page 74, Wake County

Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4432 Lassiter Road, Wake Forest, 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.

Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on February 14, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Zebulon in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain parcel of land in the Township of Little River, Wake County, State of North Carolina, as more fully described in Deed Book 4846, Page 647, ID# 5660, being known and designated as all of Lot 15, Block B, Wakelon Heights Subdivision, filed in Book of Maps 1966, Page 99. By fee simple deed from Larry W. Brown, widower, as set forth in Book 4846, Page 647 dated 01/30/1991 and recorded 01/31/1991, Wake County Records, State of North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 130 East McIver Street, Zebulon, 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: 1206826 - 22405

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.

in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Property Address: 4705-G Bluebird Court, Raleigh, NC 27606 Being known and designated as Unit No. 4705-G, Dutch Village Condominium (the “Unit”), a residential condominium located in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, as shown on plats and plans thereof recorded in Condo Book 2007, Pages 432 A1 through 432 A8, Wake County Registry, and as described by that Declaration of Condominium for Dutch Village in Book 12501, Page 863, Wake County Registry (the “Declaration”), as amended, together with the percentage undivided interest in the common elements and facilities declared therein to be appurtenant to said Unit, and all other rights, title, interest, privileges, easements, duties and liabilities appurtenant thereto; which undivided interest shall automatically change in accordance with the terms of said Declaration and in any amendments thereto and shall be deemed to be conveyed effective on the recording of such amendments as though conveyed thereby. Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 4705-G Bluebird Court, Raleigh, North Carolina.

This 2nd day of February 2022.

William Thomas Lee, Executor, c/o Lisa M. Schreiner,

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: 3777 - 12484

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: 4898 - 18535

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From January 26, 2022

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 49 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

COURTESY PHOTO

Attendees gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 23 at a rally opposing government vaccine mandates.

Citizens make voices heard against vaccine mandates

COUNTY NEWS Chamber resets meeting for date in March

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

Asheboro The Asheboro/Randolph Chamber rescheduled its annual meeting to 6:30 p.m.

March 11 at Pinewood Country Club.

The 96th edition of the meeting and accompanying awards banquet had been slated for Jan. 28. Organizers announced the move “out of an abundance of care and concern” in relation to the pandemic.

More than 200 people typically attend the banquet.

Positano Italian Restaurant reopens after brief pause Asheboro Positano Italian Restaurant reopened to serve diners Jan. 26 after being closed for more than a week.

Owner Michele di Perta cited mostly staffing shortages for the closure.

“We just had some shortstaff problems. Other than that, we’re good,” di Perta said last week. “We’re back on track.

Hopefully, we don’t have those problems anymore.”

With multiple employees out sick and then some wintry weather, di Perta said it was best to be closed for several days.

“I have to make sure everybody is healthy,” he said.

Positano Italian Restaurant also has a venue on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro. There, di Perta said the staffing shortages have been more severe at times.

The Asheboro location, which is normally in operation Tuesdays through Saturdays, opened on South Church Street in January 2015.

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

PINEHURST — Citizen groups across the globe are protesting vaccine mandates as vaccine effectiveness against new variants of the COVID-19 virus has waned and Americans who are vaccinated are not showing high demand for boosters. On January 23, tens of thousands of people rallied on the National Mall to oppose government vaccine requirements.

Mitch Lancaster, a Moore County resident and former Southern Pines councilman, was one of the attendees from across the country to attend the event.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the doctors, their speeches and their commitment to the patient/doctor relationship. These men and women have taken a stand for truth and freedom and it was very inspiring,” said Lancaster.

During one of the speeches, Lancaster said he was heartbroken hearing from those who suffered an injury from the vaccine and how the federal government was “hanging those folks out to dry.”

“They were encouraged to take a shot that has injured them and now they are faced with medical expenses and hardship for who knows how long,” said Lancaster, who added that a group was formed to help those who have suffered from adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.

“Overall it was great to see so many people, from all walks of life, committed to defeating these harmful mandates and fighting to restore our God-given freedoms,” he added.

The protests, such as the one in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, have sprung up around the world in response to government mandates.

In early November, the Biden administration announced a vac-

Asheboro ABC Board seeks additional site Northern part of city would be ideal location for another store

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO – The Asheboro ABC Board is looking to open another location in Asheboro, board general manager Rodney Johnson said.

Business has been on the uptick for Asheboro’s only ABC store and keeping enough inventory in stock has been troublesome at times.

The best-case scenario would be to secure a second venue in north Asheboro.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to help north Asheboro,” Johnson said.

Johnson said traffic studies and addresses of building permits have

gone into determining where another store should be located. He said it’s clear that’s a part of the city and county that would have enough business to warrant another store.

“That’s where most of your rooftops are at,” he said. “We would like to be where we can meet more needs of the rest of the city.”

The current Asheboro ABC store is located on South Fayetteville Street.

“We don’t have enough storage room,” Johnson said, noting an increase in customers during the past couple of years. “We have more business. You’re always trying to balance this with, ‘Is this a COVID thing?’”

The growing business has come with certain challenges for the existing location.

“We’re at the point we have to do something,” Johnson said. “It makes it very difficult to keep from

cine-or-test mandate for companies with at least 100 employees.

The rule — which would have impacted more than 80 million U.S. workers — was originally set to go into effect on Jan. 4.

“The goal is to show a unified front of bringing people together — vaccinated, unvaccinated, Democrats, Republicans, all together in solidarity,” Matt Tune, one of the national protest organizers, told the Washington Post in an interview before the event.

Opposition to required vaccination is rising as the omicron variant of COVID-19 has become the dominant strain of the virus globally. Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a “fireside chat” with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on January 11 that omicron “will ultimately find just about everybody.”

Demonstrations in European cities such as Athens, Helsinki, London, Paris, and Stockholm

running out of warehouse space.

We need places to put stock.”

According to information from the board, the area along North Fayetteville Street from Hub Morris Road to Pineview Street might be an ideal location.

The needs are rather specific, something the board has spelled out. A second ABC store in Asheboro would need to include 5,000 square feet of building space with parking suitable for 40 or more vehicles. The store must also have a loading dock capable of accommodating tractor and trailer deliveries.

The board’s requirements also include having easy access to north- and south-bound traffic on North Fayetteville Street, preferably at a traffic signal. A long-term lease is desired.

Anyone with suitable property or an interest in meeting these specifications should contact Johnson. The board will need property owners with potential locations for a store to submit a proposal.

There are four ABC stores in Randolph County – one each in Asheboro, Liberty, Ramseur and Randleman.

each drew thousands, according to an Associated Press rundown of the protests.

The protests follow several defeats for the mandates in U.S. courtrooms.

Most notably, President Joe Biden’s mandate for employers with 100 or more employees to require COVID-19 vaccinations was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following that decision many companies which had announced they were complying with the Biden administration’s order backtracked from their requirements.

The Biden administration has officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday. But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated.

U.S. corporations have been split over whether to mandate employee vaccinations. United Airlines began requiring vaccines in August; the company says 99% of its workers have been vaccinated See MANDATES, page 2

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 22

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 2.2.22 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST

SWR senior is NC State scholarship finalist

ber of the Student LIFT (Leadership Information For Tomorrow) program where she completed a self–organized community service project called “Books for Ramseur.” Gainey plans to major FRIDAY SATURDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY in civil engineering. SUNDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SUNDAY JULY 23 Started the JULY Park Record’s Athlete of the Week in By Bob Sutton JULY 24 JULY 21 JULY 22 25 5 JULY 2 JULY 3 JUNE 30 JULY 1 JULYin 4 1996, JULY October, is the daughter of Ste- Scholarship selects students Randolph Record 86°outstanding phen and HI Kelly of AsheHI 91° 88° 86° HI 78° Gainey HI89° 81°HI based 88° HI HI 91° 88° HI HI on 84° HI HI accompotential in boro.

SheLO is currently RALEIGH —LOAn LO Asheboro LO 66° LO68° student 62°LO plishments LO 65° LO LO 70° 67° 70° LO 69° and 62° LO 67° 69° scholarship, service, body president and was student has been named a 15% final- 5% PRECIP 57% at SWR PRECIP 43% PRECIP 17% PRECIP PRECIP 24% PRECIP PRECIP 20% PRECIP 24% leadership, PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP 32% ist for NC State’s top merit schol- named homecoming queen in and character. The scholarship is named for the late Roy H. Park, a arship. Kaitlyn Ann Gainey, a se- 2021.

Gainey is her school’s Beta 1931 NC State alumnus who crenior at Southwestern Randolph High School, has been named Club chapter president and a ated the charitable Park Founa finalist for the Park Scholar- member of the SkillsUSA four– dation, dedicated to education, RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ship. The Park Scholarships pro- man building team. She also is media, and the environment. gram announced that 112 fi- the Randolph County School Approximately 40 scholarships nalists were named from 2,260 System’s CTE Presidential Schol- will be awarded this year to outapplicants from across the Unit- ar, a Randolph County Sports standing high school seniors for Council “Unsung Hero” Award undergraduate study in any dised States.

Gainey, who was Randolph recipient, and a former mem- cipline at NC State.

WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North NorthState State Journal Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

Editor

Publisher Publisher Xxx

Neal NealRobbins Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Editor

Matt Mercer Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Sports Editor

Design Editor Cory Lavalette Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

Senior Opinion Opinion Editor Editor Senior

Published Frank Hill each Wednesday by Frank Hill North State Media LLC

Design Editor 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor

Lauren Rose Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001 Published each Wednesday Published each Wednesday by(704) North State Media, LLC 269-8461

by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Raleigh, 27609 Raleigh,N.C. NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 orSUBSCRIBE: online at nsjonline.com TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 TO 704-269-8461 oronline online at at nsjonline.com nsjonline.com or Annual Subscription Price: $50.00

Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, Annual Subscription Price: $50.00N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

PeriodicalsPostage Postage Paid Paid at Periodicals at Raleigh, Raleigh,N.C. N.C. POSTMASTER: and atadditional additional mailing mailing offices. and at Stanly County Journal offices.

1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, POSTMASTER: POSTMASTER: Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

Send address changes Send address changes to: North State Journal to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 Raleigh, NC 27607

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, WEEKLY FORECAST 40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES SPONSORED BY ♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, 2021 in a tragic house fire.

CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588 ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe.

WEDNESDAY FEB 2

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

HI 58

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, LOW 42 age 85, of Asheboro, died July PRECIP 9% See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY FEB 3 See OBITS, page 7

HI 67 LOW 58 PRECIP 24%

Randolph

Guide MONDAY TUESDAY

JULY JULY 26 6

TUESDAY

JULY 27

The Randolph HI 87° GuideHIis HI 89° a LO quick look at what’s LO 67° 69° LO PRECIP going on in24% Randolph PRECIP 24% PRECIP County.

88° 69° 24%

Jan. 28 — Feb. 13

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag

PJ Ward-Brown before those classes start. said there’s an efMattfortWilliams to bolster enrollment. He cited the RCC Commitment Grant, ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren at Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a funding lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap that’s Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or state aid Coryto students. despite a school official pointing “There has never been a betout unprecedented financial inter to attend RCC centives for potential students.

Who isopportunity “Editor?”

Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

for student services at RCC, said a decline in high school students in dual enrollment has been the biggest reason for a dip.

“Overall, we’re still seeing a decline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pandemic,” Williams said. “I don’t know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve seen in previous fall semesters. …

We’re reaching out to every student we can in every way we can.”

A fall semester at the two-year school in Asheboro would often have 2,600 to 3,000 students enrolled. At the beginning of this week, that number stood at about 1,900 with about a month to go

to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We meet students exactly where they are and help them go as far as they can possibly go.”

Beginning with the fall semester, qualifying full-time students will be eligible for up to $1,000 per semester.

That makes attending RCC the most enticing from a financial standpoint in the 16 years Williams has been at the school, he said. He previously worked in RCC’s financial aid office.

“There’s never a better time to go back to college,” he said.

For the current summer ses-

“Driving Miss Daisy” 2:30pm & 7:30pm

RhinoLeap presented

sion, there’s enrollment of 915.

“Driving Miss Daisy” That’s off slightly from the usual the story ofhas Daisy, a been a “There never number that ranges up to 1,000, widowed, 72-year-old Williams said. better opportunity to attend Traditional enrollment numJewish woman living in RCCwho and is not have to worry bers have flattened, but it’s the Atlanta, deemed number of high school students about how toHer payson for it.” too old to drive. in programs designed for dual enhires Hoke, an African rollment that has dropped, RCC president Robert American man, toDr.be her “We’re just not seeing the level chauffeur.

What of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr.begins Williams said. as a troubled and hostile RCC held a one-week break pairing, soon blossoms earlier this month amid the suminto a profound, lifemer semester, which began May altering friendship.

24 and concludes July 26. Late Weekend matinees at registration for the fall semester runs through Aug. 10, with class2:30pm. All shows at es beginning Aug. 16.

Asheboro’s historic Still dealing with adjustments Sunset Theater. made because of the coronavirus pandemic, not all 2021 fall semester classes will be in person. Some will use a hybrid model with a mixture of face-to-faces sessions and virtual sessions. Many classRandolph County es provide students with options Commissioners on how to attend and participate, Meeting Williams said.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

February 7

6pm

♦ 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

The regular business meeting of the Board of County Commissioners PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL held at the Historic ♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, onwill be Arrest on charge of 22, Resisting ♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39),Kaitlyn Southwestern Randolph Cougars Gainey on Nov. 2021.

Randolph County Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor 07/13/2021.

Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Courthouse.

Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, on 07/14/2021.

Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd,

♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), Possession of Stolen motor Arrest on charge of Assault on a ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer MANDATES from page 1Henry COVID-19 in workplacOSHA indicated that the rule spread ofFemale, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor ♦ Bolton McKee, James tag, failure to deliver title, failure to requiring masks, could Larceny, return inat some form.

Bennett, NC,face on 07/14/2021.

Hoover HillWhile Rd/Slickes, such as (M, 47), Arrest on charge of appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, longer an enforceable stan- distancing, and better ventilation or have requested medical or reMtn, on 07/14/2021.

Possession of Stolen Goods, at it is noRodk on 07/13/2021. ligious exemptions.

Foods, ondard, it remains a proposed rule, systems. ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on 6469 Clyde King Tyson Rd, Seagrove, Randleman Board of the border in Canada, said. For now,Lamont the agency which also announced a mandate OSHA of possession of marijuana ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), ♦ Lynch, Detrick (M, 40), Acrosscharge 07/15/2021.

Aldermen Meeting have recently will prioritize health truckers up in August, says 96% of its workers said itArrest to 1/2 oz., atprotested Randolph on chargethe of Misdemeanor Arrest on charge of Assault by government that were vaccinated a Nov. dead- care mandate.

Courthouse, on rule 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, a Canadian ♦ Pugh, Robert by Daniel (M,1 39), 6pm pointing a gun, Discharging a imposes a vaccine requirement David Michaels, an epidemiolline.Arrest on charge of Simple Possessiong of Stolen Motor firearm to cause fear, Reckless drivers.

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City Hall, Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintainingthe Randleman of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Larceny and Possession of Stolen Exploitation of a minor in the 204 South Street, Place, Possession of Drug Possession of drug paraphernalia, Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, secondMain degree (10 counts), 727 Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Failure to appeal on felony, failure Seagrove, on 07/14/2021.

Randleman.

McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on Rd, on 7/13/2021. to appear on misdemeanor, at 07/12/2021. ♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32), DEATH NOTICES Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021.

February 8

♦ Rufus “Dude” Eugene Lunsford, Jr., 51, of Denton, died Saturday, January 22, 2022, at High Point Medical Center.

21, 2022 surrounded by his family at his home. ♦ Mary Lou Coleman, age 81, died on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at First Health Hospice House.

♦ William Ronald Lucas, Sr., 85, of Asheboro, died Sunday, January 23, 2022, at Alpine Health and Rehabilitation in Asheboro.

February 10 Asheboro City Council Meeting

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY FEB 4

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

♦ Brenda Morton Johnson, age 78, of Troy, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 22, 2022, with her family by her side.

♦ Alberto Ortega, Jr. age 51, of Siler

City died Friday, January 28, HI 63 2022 at the Siler City Center.

LOW 35 PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed PRECIP 91% like ♦ Jean Kathryn Lowe Church,

an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to FEBlast 5 month ringSATURDAY a ceremonial bell before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

His theme music blared HI 48 through the arena, and near26 from the ly 19,000 fansLOW hanging 8% rafters roaredPRECIP when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the bell.

SUNDAY FEB 6 Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when HI 42 the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exLOW 29 ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere PRECIP 24% was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous MONDAY FEB 7 crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them HI 49go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as LOW 27 Levesque.

WWE executive Paul PRECIP 8%there’s “That adrenaline rush, nothing like it.”

WWE hasn’t been the same without its “Yes!” chants or “This TUESDAY FEB 8 is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matchHI with 49 a piped-in es every week soundtrack and virtual LOW 26fans.

No more. PRECIP 22% 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

♦ Natalie H. Allen, age 98, resident of Sandy Ridge, formerly of Star; died on January 26th, 2022 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital.

♦ Carol Faye Rich Cranford, 74, of Asheboro, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the home of her daughter.

♦ Doris Lynn Coleman Shoffner, 54, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Moses Cone Hospital. ♦ Gary Dean Gallimore, 59, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Randolph Hospice ♦ Roger Allen Brady, 69, died Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Moses Cone Hospital.

7pm

The regular business meeting of the Asheboro ple cheering over him, or booing Cityover Council be held him will or going into different directions over him,” have benefitat the Asheboro City Levesque said.St., “But that’s the Hall,ed, 146 N. Church beauty of what we do, to go be enAsheboro.

tertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, ♦ Carol Morrison Barber, 71, died sometimes that’s difficult.”

Monday, January 24, 2022, at ♦ Marjean Ann Chriscoe Seawell, WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA First Health Moore Regional 67, of Seagrove, died Wednesday, ♦ Ritchie Wayne “Buck” Buckner, Network hit 1.472 million viewers, Hospital.

January 26, 2022 at Randolph Sr., 77, of Siler City, died on the lowest in the 28-plus year hisHealth in Asheboro.

Sunday, January 23, 2022 ♦ James (Jim) Howard Ludolf, age tory of the show. surrounded by his family at his 77 of Asheboro, North Carolina ♦ Linda Lou Thomas Miller, 76, of home.

Levesque, WWE EVP of globdied January 23, 2022, after an The Villages, FL, died Monday, al talent strategy and developextended illness.

January 24, 2022, at Freedom ♦ Gene Klein Harris, Sr., 64, of ment, said the company would Point Place in The Villages.

Goldston, died on Friday, January “take a hard look” at how it can attract more fans to the product each week. WWE can only hope the combination of live crowds WEEKLY CRIME LOG and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldor Entering with Intent to 1/24/22, at Randolph County ♦ Hawks, Jesse Wayne (M, 35), berg, and Cena can ignite interest Terror/Injure Occupant, Assault Courthouse.

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40), Arrested on charge of DV said.

“We see this as a moment in celebrations@randolphrecord.com.

1872 Old Farmer Rd. Protective Order Violation, on time to shift everything. I think ♦ McDonald, Marcus Isaiah 1/26/22, at Randolph County ♦ Hawks, Jesse Wayne (M, 35), (M, 26), Arrested on charge you’ll see it in just the layout of evCourthouse.

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Tour in Pasadena, Calif.

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WWE then moved to its in-house former,” Reigns said. Injury “As a liveShady pay-per-view Sunday in Texas Grove Church Road.

Real Property, Breaking/Entering, Habitual The first start is putting fans thatUnauthorized simultaneous re- performance center in Florida on Dallas on Monday for the flagship toperformer, ♦ Moore, Andrew 39), up what — holding their homemade signs of Motor Vehicle, Felon, Misdemeanor March 13, Scott before(M, setting sponse keeps you Injury sharp. We had “Raw” TV show on Larceny, USA. WWE Use on charge Resisting Personal on to the timesArrested on 1/26/22, at RCJ. it dubbed TheofThunderDome -- and wearing their catchphrase adjust Property, and adapt spruced up sets, brought back old toto Public Officer, Assault on 1/24/22, at Randolph County T-shirts — back in the seats. where fans registered for spots that were in front of us.” stars and hit the reset button on ♦ Byerly, Westley Ryan (M, 24), Government Official, Injury to Courthouse.

“When we have that live crowd, on LED digital videoboards — for With Hulk Hogan in the house, TV programming humbled with Arrested on charge of Failure Real Property, on 1/25/22. at sometimes they almost become in Florida at the Amway WWE held their(M, only record-low and a strong♦ Stout, Dillon Michael 29),Wrestle-5591stretches to Appear onratings Misdemeanor, NC Hwy 62.

Mania on with fansofthis past April Center, Tropicana Field and the the cameras for a lot of the perneed for by new stars. a Gun, on Arrested charge Breaking Assault Pointing 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.” age 76, of Randleman died Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Chatham Hospital.

4” Ad

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Borders matter

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%.

Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

IN WASHINGTON, there has been a lot of talk recently about Ukraine and threats to its border by Russia.

President Biden’s failed foreign policy and weakness on the national stage have emboldened Vladimir Putin and led directly to this crisis in Ukraine. The debacle in Afghanistan, gifting Russia the Nord Stream II pipeline, refusing to provide lethal aide to Ukraine, and saying he expects Russia to make an “incursion into Ukraine” all further destabilized the region and have made the world less safe.

I have called on the President to show strength and deter Russian aggression. I’ve been encouraged by the Biden administration increasing lethal aid to Ukraine through other nations. However, we must do more to provide direct aid.

Russia and the world must know the U.S. will never waiver on our commitment to our NATO allies and our friends.

Yet, the simple truth is that when politicians fail, the men and women of our military are often called on to clean up the mess. To be clear, I do not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine. However, Renee and I are praying for our troops and their families, as many from our Fort Bragg community have now been placed on high alert to deploy to the region.

One thing is certain — deterring Russia is important and deserves our attention. However, America’s borders matter too.

In December alone, border officials confirmed last week that agents encountered 178,840 illegal migrants. That’s a 142% increase from last year and the worst December on record. In total, nearly 2 million illegal migrants have crossed our border just since President Biden entered office. That’s more than the populations of Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville — combined.

One year ago, Biden’s first actions as president included

immediately ending construction of our already-funded border wall, halting deportations and stopping President Trump’s successful “Remain in Mexico” initiative. These open-border policies created the humanitarian, public-health and nationalsecurity crises we are seeing today.

Unlike President Biden, I went to our southern border last year and saw firsthand how hard border agents are working to address the crisis. However, border officials estimate that nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants escaped into the U.S. last year without being apprehended. Of those apprehended and issued notices to appear in court, nearly half failed to report. Most shocking of all, last week TSA confirmed that illegal migrants can use arrest warrants as a form of ID to board an airplane.

This is unacceptable.

Also troubling is the impact of this crisis on our communities.

Not only have the record-setting numbers brought high rates of COVID, but fentanyl crossing our border has also skyrocketed.

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%. Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

This border crisis must end.

As Fort Bragg’s congressman, rest assured I will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on military families in our community. As stated, deterring Russia is vital to our own national security and the safety of our European allies. Yet at the same time, I will also continue encouraging the president and Washington Democrats to place as much value on protecting our own borders. We have the strongest economy and military in the world that can deter any nation who threatens us. We also have proven solutions to secure our border. We can — and must — do both.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

It’s not government’s job to ‘root out’ misinformation We’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

AFTER BEING ASKED by MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski about the alleged misinformation spread by the popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast and Facebook users, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy responded with a homily about how “we” must “root out” misleading speech.

“We” don’t have to do any such thing. Government officials have no role in dictating appropriate speech or lecturing us on what we can or can’t say. In fact, they have a duty not to.

Murthy’s comments wouldn’t be as grating if it weren’t so obvious that the Biden administration has been pressuring Big Tech companies, who oversee huge swaths of our daily digital interactions, to limit speech and set acceptable standards.

You might remember that last summer, White House press secretary Jen Psaki causally informed the press that the White House was “flagging problematic posts for Facebook that spread disinformation.” Can you imagine the explosive reaction from the establishment media if it had learned that the Trump White House was keeping a list of speech crimes?

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield also argued that social media companies “should be held accountable” for the ideas of those who use their platforms.

President Joe Biden, who previously accused Facebook of “killing people,” this week made a “special appeal to social media companies and media outlets: Please deal with the misinformation and disinformation that’s on your shows. It has to stop.”

It doesn’t. I happen to believe that tech companies should enjoy unencumbered free-association rights and be free to keep or kick off anyone they desire from their product. But that position becomes unsustainable if these same corporations, who often spend tens of millions each year in Washington rent-seeking and lobbying for favorable regulations, also take orders from state officials on permissible speech. And no authentic journalist would turn to a government official for guidance on the matter.

It’s bad enough that media outlets have abandoned any commitment to upholding liberal ideals of open discourse — as they not only act as hall monitors who hound tech companies into self-censorship, as virtually all of them did when the New York Post broke the Hunter Biden story before the 2020 presidential election. Self-censorship is as pernicious as any other variety.

Allowing the state to participate in rooting out “misinformation,” however, sets a dangerous precedent that can be easily abused by those in power, even if we were to concede that Murthy was acting in good faith. As we’ve unfortunately learned during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials will often pass on bad information or politically motivated information.

Moreover, the definition of “misinformation” is also conveniently expansive. What was once a conspiracy theory can quickly become a plausible possibility, as we recently learned when evidence emerged that our government may have helped hide and suppress news about the Chinese origins of COVID. Facebook had simply banned such talk for a year. Alleged “misinformation” is often perfectly reasonable inquiry or theorizing. Even if it isn’t, the state is not the final adjudicator of the veracity of speech. And anyway, we’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

Health officials and the media have done more to corrode trust in science and government during the COVID era than any conspiracy theorist on social media. Americans aren’t sure where to turn, so they often turn to unreliable sources.

As with the media, however, the best way for Murthy to fight the spread of undependable information is to rebuild the credibility of his own institution.

What we say, or don’t, is none of his business.

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

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE SPORTS

Hoosiers longtime PA announcer retires Bloomington, Ind. Chuck Crabb, the public address announcer for Indiana men’s basketball games and many other Hoosiers sports for over four decades, is calling it a career. The 71-year-old Crabb announced his retirement on Monday. The decision takes effect immediately. Crabb and his booming, baritone voice became a fixture at football and men’s basketball games after replacing Bert Laws in 1977. Over the next 45 years, Crabb added men’s soccer games, women’s basketball games and men’s and women’s track and field competitions to his repertoire.

BASEBALL

Vandalized Robinson plaque to be displayed Kansas City, Mo. A plaque honoring baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was vandalized in Georgia is coming to Kansas City’s Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to be put on display in April. The sign was erected in 2001 outside the birthplace of Robinson near Cairo, Georgia. Community members there discovered last year that someone had shot the plaque multiple times. Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 when he became the league’s first Black player. Robinson’s hometown replaced the damaged marker, with help from the league, and added another marker at a library last week.

NFL

Jaguars interview Bisaccia, line up Pederson next Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed former Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia on Monday and had a planned second interview Tuesday with former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, The Associated Press reported. The 61-yearold Bisaccia, a longtime NFL special teams coordinator who also spent more than a decade in the college ranks, took over in Vegas after Jon Gruden resigned amid an email scandal in midOctober. The Raiders went 7-6 under Bisaccia, including a wild-card loss to Super Bowl-bound Cincinnati two weeks ago. The 54-yearold Pederson first met with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Trent Baalke on Dec. 30.

NBA

Utah’s Ingles out with torn ACL in right knee Salt Lake City Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles tore a ligament in his right knee that will require surgery. Ingles is out indefinitely after an MRI on Monday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

He will have surgery in the coming weeks. The sevenyear forward was injured in the Jazz’s game Sunday in Minnesota. Ingles, who is Utah’s all-time 3-point leader, was averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 45 appearances this season.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton makes a catch during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday in Pasadena, California.

National squad rallies for 25-24 win in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl The showcase event included several players from N.C. schools The Associated Press PASADENA, Calif. — Coastal Carolina’s Shermari Jones had a 5-yard touchdown run and Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley connected with Indiana’s Peyton Hendershot for the 2-point conversion as the National squad overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to beat the American 25-24 on Saturday in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Jones powered up the middle first-and-goal to get the National to 24-23 with 4:07 remaining.

Coach Marvin Lewis decided to go for the win, and it paid off with a successful 2-point conversion.

“The fun of his is watching these

guys grow,” Lewis said. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times during the first half with penalties, but we came back out and won the second half.”

The American drove down to the National 28, but Illinois’ James McCourt’s 46-yard field goal attempt was wide left as time expired.

Kelley completed 12 of 17 passes for 150 yards for a touchdown in earning MVP honors.

“Anybody can go and game plan all year long for their team, but to come in and get a playbook and have to learn it one week with new guys and get on the same page was fun,” Kelley said.

Kern connected with Arkansas’ Blake Kern on a 47-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter to even it at 17.

The National trailed 17-3 in the third quarter got within a touch-

down when Illinois’ Brandon Peters scored on a 2-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal.

The game was tied at 17 after three quarters, but USC’s Vavae Malepeai put Jeff Fisher’s American team back in the lead on an 18-yard run where he shook off a couple tackle attempts in the backfield.

Nicholls State’s Dai’Jean Dixon led the American team with six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Dixon caught an 11-yard slant pass from Aqeel Glass of Alabama A&M with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter to extend the American’s lead to 14-0. He also hauled in a 47-yard pass from Glass midway through the third quarter that would set up a 24-yard field goal from Illinois’ James McCourt to extend their lead to 17-3.

Glass was 9 of 11 for 141 yards and a touchdown. California’s

Chase Garbers got the start for the American and completed 10 of 13 for 119 yards. He opened the scoring with a 13-yard TD pass to Sam Houston State’s Jequez Ezzard with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Chris Oladokun of South Dakota State was the National’s starting quarterback. He was 1 of 4 for 8 yards and an interception.

Toledo’s Bryant Koback, who was playing for the American, was the game’s leading rusher with 58 yards on 14 carries.

Nine players from five North Carolina schools were on the rosters for the game. Duke had four: offensive lineman Jack Wohlabaugh, running back Mataeo Durant, and defensive backs Joshua Blackwell and Leonard Johnson.

UNC offensive linemen Marcus McKethan and Jordan Tucker both played, and Elon quarterback Cheek Davis was on the National roster.

Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba made a 26-yard field goal and two extra points in the game, and National squad teammate and Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton had two catches for 37 yards.

Weather another thing Winter Olympians need to worry about Unpredictability is the name of the game in many alpine events

The Associated Press MIKAELA SHIFFRIN describes herself as “super controlling over everything that’s happening in my life,” so the twotime Olympic gold medalist is not all that fond of one particular can’t-do-a-thing-about-it aspect of her chosen sport, Alpine skiing.

“The weather,” she said, “can literally change everything.”

The 26-year-old from Colorado is scheduled to open her Beijing Olympics on Feb. 7 as the defending champion in the giant slalom.

A key word there is “scheduled” because, as Shiffrin experienced at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, nothing is certain when it comes to the vagaries of various elements such as temperature, wind, sunlight or precipitation.

In outdoor events, all of those factors can, and quite often do, alter the competition and the competitors themselves.

“On a more macro level, it

takes a lot of mental effort to be ready to go out and compete in an Olympic event and when ... it doesn’t happen ... it’s, for sure, stressful and takes energy away from that level. It’s unlike any other sport, in that sense, right?

“There’s just not that many sports that are that affected, and that exposed, by weather, both to affect the outcome of a race and to affect the outcome of an event,” said Mike Day, Shiffrin’s main coach with the U.S. ski team. “It will have a big impact and has had a big impact in the past.”

Olympians say the weather might change their preparation and mindset before a contest.

Once the contest begins, it might harm — or, it’s also true, help — their result. All of which turns this into just another source of stress at a one-day-every-fouryears spectacle already filled with them.

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about,” said Keely Cashman, a 22-year-old Alpine skier from California heading to her first Olympics.

Snowfall is not in the forecast for the Yanqing mountain area during these Olympics. Strong wind is expected.

GIOVANNI MARIA PIZZATO | AP PHOTO

U.S. skier Keely Cashman and other Winter Olympians in outdoor sports such as Alpine skiing or snowboarding say the weather can be a key factor in success or failure.

The quality of the snow also tends to deteriorate as more racers head down a hill.

It generally is considered better to go earlier to avoid ruts and bumps that develop. But if a headwind gives way to a tailwind, say, or if a cloudy day turns clear and the crystals of the snow shift, then advantages can, too.

“It’s rare to have days where it’s consistent. You do have them, but they’re few and far between,” said U.S. ski team member Bryce Bennett, who won a World Cup downhill at Val Gardena, Italy, in December. “The variables make it interesting. When you’re on the good side of variables, you’re psyched. When you’re on the bad side, you’re (angry).”

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about.”

Keely Cashman, U.S. Olympic skier

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PREP SWIMMING

Asheboro girls make waves at league meet

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record KERNERSVILLE – Two Asheboro swimmers notched individual championships in the Mid-Piedmont Conference championships last week at Kernersville Family YMCA. Maci Columbia of Asheboro was

5

the winner in two events on the girls’ side. She topped the field in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500 freestyle.

Columbia’s time in the 200 freestyle was 2 minutes, 9.73 seconds as she topped a field that began with 17 entrants.

She swam the 500 freestyle in a winning time of 5:41.23. There were

11 entrants in that even.

Also for Asheboro, Fiona Wolfe-Roberts was the winner in the 100 backstroke among 15 competitors. Wolfe-Roberts posted a time of 1:15.04.

North Davidson won the girls’ team title with 288 points ahead of runner-up Oak Grove with 254, while Ledford came in third with 215 points, followed by Asheboro at 195, Central Davidson at 86 and Montgomery Central with 81.

On the boys’ side, Oak Grove was the team champion with 347 points.

North Davidson (265), Central Davidson (196), Ledford (188), Asheboro (77) and Montgomery Central (53) rounded out the scoring.

Davonte Brooks

PREP BASKETBALL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Eastern Randolph’s Davonte Brooks goes up for a shot against the Randleman’s Baylor Petty during a PAC basketball matchup earlier this season at Randleman.

Eastern Randolph, boys’ basketball Brooks racked up 25 points as the Wildcats ended a four-game losing streak with Friday’s 68-64 victory at Wheatmore.

Brooks, a junior who was coming off a strong football season, has boosted the Wildcats on the basketball court.

Eastern Randolph nearly ended its skid earlier last week, but it dropped a 50-46 overtime decision at home to Randleman.

Eastern Randolph began the season with five straight wins before some rough patches. The Wildcats entered this week with an 8-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PREP WRESTLING

Trinity’s Brandon Campbell shoots a 3-pointer against Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Pierce Leonard at the Central Gym on UCA campus last week in Asheboro.

Patriots try to keep hold of PAC’s top spot

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record IT’S SAFE TO SAY that it’s heating up in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ basketball.

Teams are chasing Providence Grove with a couple of weeks to play, but it’s clear the Patriots might not be in cruise control.

“We’re banged up,” Providence Grove coach Wes Luther said.

“Who can survive the longest?

Hopefully, we’re going to keep grinding it out.”

An example of the challenges that exist came with last week’s 55-52 escape at Southwestern Randolph.

The Cougars made it difficult for much of the night on the firstplace Patriots, who cranked up their defense at opportune times.

“They turned up the pressure a little bit and really got after us on the perimeter,” Southwestern Randolph coach Matt Kiser said. “We allowed their pressure to bother us a little bit. Those were good adjustments that they made.”

With a cluster of teams in pursuit, the Patriots can’t afford to let their focus wander.

“I keep telling them don’t even think of one game at a time,” LuRandleman’s Chenleigh Robinson lays the ball up during a game against host Eastern Randolph last week in Ramseur.

ther said. “Just think of one quarter at a time.”

Southwestern Randolph could factor into how the pecking order unfolds near the top of the standings, particularly if the Cougars have pull off an upset or two down the stretch.

“Being right there at the end, that proves to our guys (that we can compete),” Kiser said. “I know it’s frustrating for them because we come out on the wrong end of so many of these games.”

Staying within range Meanwhile, Trinity and Uwharrie Charter Academy staged a clash to see which team will be the top contender to first-place Providence Grove across the final two weeks of the regular season.

It took overtime for Trinity to pull out a 66-63 road victory against UCA. “It’s huge,” Trinity coach Tim Kelly said of aiding the positioning in the standings for his team.

Trinity’s Dylan Hodges sent the game to overtime with a basket in the waning seconds of regulation. That capped a rally from a 10-point hole in the fourth quarter.

“Once it got down to five, it’s anybody’s game if you make good plays,” Kelly said. “We just hung together and started doing the things we’ve worked on in practice.”

Kelly said he liked how his team displayed a scrappy approach.

“We really hit the boards hard in overtime. We’re not really big,” he said. “We made some things happen.”

The Bulldogs finished with a 43-33 rebounding advantage.

Also by the end, Dominic Payne’s 27 points provided the biggest boost, while Trace Moffitt added 14 points and Aiden Blakely had 10 points.

“Dominic really stepped up and started competing,” Kelly said.

UCA’s balance scoring included 14 points apiece from Alijah Barker and Pierce Leonard, 13 points from Ashton Troutman and 12 points from Dawson Dunn.

The outcome avenged UCA’s 6154 victory from December.

Note of the week The undefeated Randleman girls scored the first 17 points in last week’s 63-19 victory at Eastern Randolph.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Trinity’s Casey Hohn, top, works against West Wilkes’ Holt Hanchey during the first round of the Class 2-A dual team state tournament Monday at Trinity.

UCA, Trinity open strong in state duals

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record Wrestling teams from Uwharrie Charter Academy in Class 1-A and Trinity in Class 2-A advanced through the first two rounds of the dual team state tournament.

UCA and Trinity were both home teams for the first and second rounds Monday.

These teams moved on to third- and potentially fourthround meets Wednesday. The winning teams from that advance to the state finals. The goal is to make it to Saturday’s championship meets at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum complex.

UCA (33-0) notched victories against Neuse Charter and South Davidson, which reached the second round by topping Bradford Prep.

UCA will be home again as a host team for the third and fourth rounds. First on Wednesday will be Pamlico County, with the winner of that meet taking on the Rosewood-Thomasville winner.

Trinity (21-1) had its way by stomping West Wilkes 50-18 and then turning away traditional state power Eden More-

head by 54-21.

Trinity next takes on Newton-Conover, while West Region top seed Bandys and West Lincoln collide in the other thirdround meet.

Three other teams from Randolph County fell in the first round Monday.

In Class 3-A, Asheboro dropped a 34-31 matchup to West Rowan in the North Henderson gym.

Seven wrestlers for Asheboro won matches, with Xavier Santos (113), Yu Chen (138), Christian Diaz (152), Luke Lambeth (160), Logan Lambeth (182), Eduardo Soto-Canas (220) and Arhman Tyson (285) coming out on top.

The Blue Comets (25-5) had won the Mid-Piedmont Conference regular season, but they stalled right away in the postseason team competition.

In Class 2-A, Southwestern Randolph (14-11) tumbled by a 66-21 score against host Rutherford-Spindale Central.

In Class 1-A, Eastern Randolph (1-19) was drubbed 52-6 by host Pamlico County. The lone winner for the Wildcats was 126-pounder Adrian Lopez.

Pamlico County then eliminated South Stanly.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

6

For Super Bowl entertaining, make room for melty hot dips

By Katie Workman The Associated Press IN THE COLDEST MONTHS, we all look for bright spots, and football fans this winter have had plenty.

The Super Bowl (on Feb. 13) is always a dead-of-winter highlight. And while gatherings might be smaller than in pre-pandemic years, we can still pull out the stops with snacks and food.

My Super Bowl menu changes from year to year, but there are recurring themes: sliders, chilis, nachos, pulled pork, pizza and always, always a dip. Most of the time, that’s a hot dip plunked down on the table to a very warm reception.

I’ve yet to find a person who doesn’t get a little weak in the knees at the sight of a creamy, often cheesy dip bubbling away in its baking dish.

First, let’s talk about what goes with those dips. I offer an assortment of dippers, from the healthy (whole-grain chips and crackers, loads of cut-up veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber, radishes, sliced bell peppers and so on) to the indulgent (potato and tortilla chips, buttery crackers, breadsticks, baguette slices, strips of focaccia, pita chips, pretzels). Each person can decide which direction appeals the most, and switch back and forth between a kettle-fried potato chip and a spear of endive lettuce as the mood strikes.

Hot dips often involve some sort of dairy, like sour cream or cream cheese, and often other melting cheese as well. They can be veg-

CHEYENNE M COHEN VIA AP

A recipe for Hot Crab and Corn Dip is displayed in New York. etarian, or feature a meat or seafood protein. Many vegan hot dip recipes include non-dairy ingredients like nut milks, soft tofu, vegan cheeses and nutritional yeast.

Most hot dips are baked in the oven or warmed through on the stove, and the recipe may call for occasional stirring. You can also make and serve hot dips in a slow cooker or instant pot.

I often divide hot dip mixtures into two smaller baking pans or casseroles and heat them one at a time, so by the time the first half is served and eaten, the other is just ready in the oven. If you use two

smaller pans instead of one large one, the cooking time might be shortened a bit.

Cooking times and temperatures for hot dips are flexible on the whole – it’s usually a matter of warming the dip so any cheese is melted and it’s hot all the way through. If your oven is set for a slightly higher or lower temperature than the recipe calls for, just add or subtract some cooking time.

Look for the dip to be hot in the center, slightly browned on top and bubbling around the edges.

Popular hot dip recipes include Buffalo chicken dip, cheesy ar-

tichoke dip, queso, and spinach and goat cheese dip. As you begin your hot dip cooking adventures, you’ll see that many combinations of creaminess, vegetables and proteins can be worked into a bubbling pan of dip deliciousness.

Feel free to make substitutions.

If a recipe calls for scallions but you’re not keen on a supermarket run, use finely chopped onions or shallots instead, no problem.

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and if you are out of cheddar, try Havarti, Monterey Jack or maybe even Gouda. Use a grated cheese that gets nice and melty.

Use shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken in a chicken dip.

Swap crab for shrimp. Try thyme instead of oregano. Use hot sauce instead of cayenne pepper.

Here’s a recipe for one of my favorites:

gredients. Go for any of the middle-grade ones, like Special, Lump or Backfin.

Ingredients:

Hot Crab and Corn Dip

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 scallions trimmed and minced (white and green parts) ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 16 ounces fresh crab meat, picked over for shells, excess liquid pressed out 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen and defrosted, or canned and drained)

This dip combines sweet, luxurious crabmeat with corn. I first made this at the end of a summer, with fresh corn, but frozen or canned and drained corn works just fine.

You can use pretty much any grade of crabmeat here (or take the advice above and substitute shrimp or chicken), depending on how much you want to spend and how indulgent you want the dip to feel. I suggest skipping the Colossal or Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, which are expensive and should be saved for dishes in which they star, rather than being blended with other in-

Preheat the oven to 475°F. Place the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, scallions, cayenne, parsley, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl and use a fork, spoon or electric mixer to blend well. Fold in the crab and corn until well combined.

Turn the mixture into a shallow 1- or 2-quart baking dish, spread it evenly, and bake for about 12 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Give it a final minute under the broiler to really brown the top if desired.

Serve hot with crackers, chips, fresh vegetables or the accompaniments of your choice!

Breyer leaves a court more conservative than one he joined The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C.— In the nearly 30 years that Justice Stephen Breyer has spent on the Supreme Court, it has been conservative, then more conservative and now much more conservative.

The court’s rapid rightward shift in recent years was a change for the liberal jurist, who early in his career sat with the same group of eight other justices for more than a decade. But Breyer, who announced his retirement last Thursday, said repeatedly that the court should not be seen as political. Judges, he liked to say, are not “junior-league politicians.”

In recent years, as his more moderate colleagues were replaced by more conservative ones, Breyer seemed in public to maintain his good-humored nature. But there were occasional glimpses of frustration that he couldn’t get conservatives to see things from his point of view.

Those frustrations surfaced in 2007. It was a year after the departure of Justice Sandra Day O’Con-

nor, the court’s first female justice and a moderate who was replaced by the more conservative Justice Samuel Alito. Breyer had found himself on the losing end of a string of 5-4 rulings during the term. He was grim.

“It is not often in the law that so few have so quickly changed so much,” Breyer said while summarizing his dissent from a decision that invalidated public school integration plans.

In short, Breyer missed O’Connor’s influence.

In 2018, when she announced that she had been diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia, he wrote in a tribute that the years they served together were “so happy for me.”

Breyer enjoyed a period of incredible stability his first decade on the court with no changes in the court’s makeup.

In that era, O’Connor was at the ideological center of the court, and it was often her views that controlled the outcomes in close cases. But the conservative majority at the time also included Anthony

Kennedy, another moderate, along with Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Breyer’s more liberal colleagues were John Paul Stevens, David Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who like Breyer was nominated by President Bill Clinton.

Jonathan Molot, a clerk for Breyer during his first year on the Supreme Court, said the court then may have been divided between five conservatives and four liberals, but there was still “a little more fluidity.”

It was a court where being “optimistic about human nature, being able to see the other side’s perspective, being able to communicate on good terms with everyone I think made a genuine difference,” he said.

That was Breyer, he said, who was liked by his colleagues regardless of judicial philosophy.

The composition of the court began to change in 2005, however, when O’Connor announced her retirement. Soon after, Rehnquist died of cancer, leading to the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts. Kennedy became the new ideological center of the court.

While Kennedy was more conservative than O’Connor, there were still times when he was willing to join his more liberal peers to form a majority. And even Roberts sometimes joined with the court’s four liberals, voting in 2012 to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care law, for example. Liberals also won major gay rights cases with votes from Kennedy, culminating in the 2015 case in which the court said gay couples had a right to marry nationwide.

But deaths and retirements over the past six years have transformed the court more fundamentally.

First came the unexpected death of Scalia in Texas in 2016. Replacing a conservative justice during Obama’s presidency might have been expected to make the court less conservative. But Republican senators held the seat open until after the 2016 presidential election. And instead of a Democrat selecting Scalia’s successor it was a Republican, Donald Trump, who chose conservative Neil Gorsuch.

Gorsuch’s confirmation didn’t change the balance of the court, but

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Kennedy’s retirement in 2018 did, when he was succeeded by the more conservative Brett Kavanaugh. The death of Breyer’s friend Ginsburg in 2020 was even more consequential. The liberal justice was replaced

by Amy Coney Barrett, giving conservatives a 6-3 advantage on the court.

Already in recent months the court’s conservatives have let a Texas abortion law take effect and kept Biden from enforcing requirement that employees at large businesses get vaccinated against COVID-19 or test regularly or wear a mask on the job. Breyer opposed both outcomes. Before he leaves at the end of the term the court has also signaled it could overturn the nationwide right to abortion that has existed for nearly 50 years.

In remarks at the White House, Breyer described America as a “complicated country” and an “experiment that’s still going on.” He said future generations would “determine whether the experiment still works. And of course, I’m an optimist, and I’m pretty sure it will.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

7

obituaries

Pastor Stephen Francis “Steve” Saunders, Sr.

1958 - 2022 Pastor Stephen “Steve” Francis Saunders, Sr. age 63 passed away January 28, 2022 at Randolph Health Hospital.

Steve was born on April 22, 1958 in Utica, New York to Francis Saunders and Janet Dimmick Saunders. He graduated from Horseheads High School and was the type of person who never met a stranger. He was the owner/ operator of C:/> Prompt Computer Consultant Inc. for many years in North Carolina, but was currently employed by Partners Consulting Group. Steve served as “Senior Computer Systems Engineer”, and “go-to IT guru” for so many businesses in and around Asheboro.

He enjoyed fishing and everything to do with WW II and airplanes.

Steve was a former fire chief for Breesport Volunteer Fire Co. when he lived in New York. Steve’s true passion was serving his Lord and Savior and ministering to the lost and addicted. Steve established and ran area programs: “SOS” Simply Our Savior Ministries, and “CR” Celebrate Recovery. Steve was a loving Christian husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother and friend to all that knew him. Steve is preceded in death by his father, Francis Saunders.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sally Wood Saunders; his children, Tracie (David) Emmert of MD, Shane Jaynes of PA, James (Jacqueline) Williams of Asheboro, Timothy (Regina) Williams of Asheboro, Stephen (Kristy) Saunders, Jr. of Asheboro, Stephanie Saunders of Asheboro and Douglas Page of NY; 18 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and one on the way; Mother, Janet Saunders of NY; sister, Sharyl (Rodney) Marshall of NY; and his beloved fur babies, JoJo, Buzz and Woody.

A Celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC 27203.

Donations will go to create a dialysis unit for Randolph Hospital , so that no other patient will have to endure what we did.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rick Davis and First Baptist Church of Asheboro for all of the love and support given to the “SOS” and “CR” programs Steve was involved in.

Joseph Paul Trogdon

Yogi David Barker

1956 - 2022 Yogi David Barker, age 65, of Asheboro passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Randolph Hospital.

Mr. Barker was born in Davidson County on September 16, 1956 to Wade David and Glenda Deaton Barker. Yogi was formerly employed with J.H. Allen Construction, Tex Powell Enterprises, as a Crew Chief with Imsa Racing, and Mandaville Auto Tech Racing in Spartanburg, SC. He was a lifetime member of West Asheboro Baptist Church where he served in any way that was needed. Yogi took great pride in being a wrestling coach with both Asheboro Middle and High Schools, where he was instrumental in helping lead several wrestlers to state championships. Yogi was a loving Christian husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His grandson Cameron was his pride & joy. Yogi loved racing go carts, dirt bikes, and race cars.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Annette Henson Barker; daughter, Gindy Barker Beane (Michael) of Asheboro; grandson, Cameron Beane; and siblings, Matthew Barker (Jennifer) of Franklinville, Tonya Bowers (Michael) of Asheboro, Kyle Barker of New London, and Kevin Barker of Asheboro.

A celebration of Yogi’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to West Asheboro Baptist Church, 831 Uwharrie St., Asheboro, NC 27203.

J. Larry Harger

1923 - 2022 Joseph Paul Trogdon, 98, of Asheboro, passed away on January 23, 2022 at Randolph Hospice House.

He was born on December 10, 1923 in Asheboro to Northern and Masie Trogdon.

Mr. Trogdon was an Army veteran, was owner and operator of Trogdon Lawn Service and had a passion for gardening.

Mr. Trogdon is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean Hall Trogdon; daughter, Debbie Trogdon; grandchildren, Nathalia Trogdon, Harry Paul Trogdon, Eddie Wayne Trogdon; 4 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Trogdon was preceded in death by his son, Eddie Harrison Trogdon, brother, Ray Lewis Trogdon and sister, Rachel Louise Lanier.

Linda Gail Smith Hooker

1950 - 2022 Linda Gail Smith Hooker, age 71, of Asheboro passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Alpine Health & Rehabilitation of Asheboro.

Ms. Hooker was born in Randolph County on July 25th, 1950, to the late J.C. and Alma Smith. She worked at Tank and Tummy for many years, and she loved seeing her customers and interacting with them. She was such a sweet soul and had such a contagious smile. She loved her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren so much. She also loved her animals, if she could’ve, she would’ve taken in all the strays that she could. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Smith, and sisters, Carolyn Allred and Joan Shehan, and granddaughter, Samantha Bishop.

She is survived by her fiancé of 25 years, Gary Happel of Asheboro; her son, Derek (Esther) Hooker of Asheboro; grandchildren, Kelly Lamb, Anthony (Kelly) Hooker, Brandon Hooker, Cassie Hooker, and Devon (Stevie) Hooker all of Asheboro, Cody Franks-Hooker of Lexington; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Judy Smith.

1949 - 2022 James Larry Harger, 72, of Franklinville passed away January 19, 2022 at Wesley Long Hospital. Larry, as he was known to close friends and family, was a lifelong native of Randolph County. Larry was a graduate of Grays Chapel School in Franklinville and attended Guilford College in Greensboro.

He spent much of his life in the service industry, working for years with Orkin, followed by managing the donations for WEDNESDAY Christian United Outreach Center in Asheboro, and beginning and WEDNESDAY operating the habitat store in Asheboro. Larry was a jack-of-alltrades and often used his #3 various skills to repair or fix just #1 about anything. He was known for always stepping up, helping out, and lending a hand when needed. When he wasn’t working you could often find him fishing, woodworking, watching football, or enjoying a race. Though he had many hobbies, spending time with his wife and kids was a favorite way to pass the time. He embraced his religion and was thankful for the blessings in his “Join the Celebrate the life life.

Larry is survived by his wife of ofconversation” your loved ones. almost 52 years and love of his life, Submit obituaries Linda Harger of the home; and death notices daughter Shay Harger of to County be published Stanly Journal in Randleman; son Christopher Randolph ISSN: 2575-2278 Record at Harger (Michelle) of Franklinville; North State Journal obits@randolphrecord.com grandsons Dustin and Ryan Cole.

(USPS 20451) Publisher Larry is preceded in death by his (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins parents, Harold and Louvie Harger.

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7.21.21 7.7.21

Troy Bowman

1933 - 2022 Troy Bowman of Randleman, age 88, passed away January 26, 2022 at Clapp’s Nursing Home in Pleasant Garden.

Troy was a supervisor for a furniture manufacturer and loved to bowl, play golf and listen to country music. Troy is preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruby Bowman, wife Mary Lou Bowman, siblings, Betty Mae Blackard, Gurney Bowman, twin brother Roy Bowman, R.D. Bowman and his twin sister, Mary Lee Pike, Lucy Trotter and Clara Lou Holder.

Troy is survived by his daughter, Gayle Griffith and husband Sandy of Archdale; brother, Billy Bowman of Cornelius.

“Join the conversation”

Editor

Publisher Xxx

Neal Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor

Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Sports Editor

Design Editor Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

Thelma Lorraine Armstrong Wray

1932 - 2022 Thelma Lorraine Armstrong Wray, age 89 of Randleman, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Northpointe Assisted Living in Randleman.

Thelma was born July 16, 1932 in Springfield, Tennessee to Leonard and Margaret Craig Armstrong. Thelma worked as a CNA in Tennessee and also worked in Cosmetology. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed gardening her flowers, especially roses, and watching baseball always cheering on the Boston Red Sox. Thelma was a great cook and was known for her homemade biscuits. She also enjoyed listening to good ole country music. In addition to her parents, Thelma is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Carter; son, Gary Carter; granddaughter, Dormeeca Harris; 1 brother and 4 sisters.

She is survived by her children, Ann Champagne of Greensboro, Vickie Lunn of Tennessee, William Wray of Georgia, Boyd Carter of Tennessee, and Cheyenne Carter; grandchildren, Anthony Colt Champagne, Sarah Johnson, Neal Davis, Christopher Davis, Cornelius Davis, Mary Carter, Gina Carter, Gary Carter, Jr., Nathan Carter, Shane Carter, Stewart Carter; and several great grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Cassie Hogan and Dana Trent, for the love and care that they provided to Thelma and the family.

William “Bill” Henry Mollman

1945 - 2022 William “Bill” Henry Mollman Cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, teacher and musician passed peacefully before sunrise on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 surrounded by his devoted family.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Stout Mollman; daughter, LuAnne Mollman Simpson (Larry) of Thomasville; granddaughter, Amanda Scampini (Ricky); great granddaughter, Norma Ila Scampini; sisters, Becky Everette (Mike) and Terri Blackwell (John).

Born February 14, 1945 in Oakland, California to Ila Ruth Bruton Mollman and William Lewis Mollman. His father was in the Navy during WWII and although not present at his birth Ruth loved to tell the story that she received her best valentine when he was born. His family moved across country to Asheboro, NC by train when he was just a few months old. He met Wilma in 1963 at West Bend Methodist Church. Bill and Wilma have been married for 57 ½ years.

Bill became interested in music at an early age and joined the music program in sixth grade, progressing through the program as part of the Asheboro High School Band. He received music honors throughout his high school career, playing his bass and tuba in the high school drama productions and events.

He was a member of the Asheboro High School Marching Band, Jazz Band, the Concert Band, Chapel Band, Dance Band and participated in the annual North Carolina All State Band and North Central All-District Band. The highlight of each year for the Concert Band, under the direction of Joe Fields, was always the NC State Contest Festival, where they received superior ratings for many years and accompanied the chorus. The friendships he forged during those years, are friendships he still held dear today.

He was a dedicated father and grandfather who never missed a band concert, parade, football game or soccer match.

Richard “Ricky” Darrell Hudson

1959 - 2022 Richard “Ricky” Darrell Hudson, 62, of Randleman passed away January 21, 2022 at Randolph Health.

Randolph Record for Wednesd Ricky was a native of Randolph County and attended Eastern Randolph High School. He retired Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, from Ramtex in Ramseur and enjoyed doing electrician work.

RickyWEEKLY was a Harley Davidson FORECAST man, enjoyed going to flea WEEKLY markets and lovedFORECAST to make people laugh. Ricky is preceded in death by his father, Charles Hudson and 1941 - 2022 step son, Glen Dotson.

Clara Mae Pugh Perry, age 80, Ricky is survived by his mother: of Randleman passed away on Betty Hudson of Randleman; Sunday, January 23, 2022 at her FRIDAY sister:WEDNESDAY Jewel Stripling (Randy) of THURSDAY FRIDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY home.

Seagrove, their children: Keysha JULY 23SATURDAY JULY 21 JULY 22 JULY 2 JULY 3 JUNE 30 JULY 1 Mrs. Perry was born in Brower (Shane), Talie, Savannah Randolph County on October and Abby; Jeremy Ross (Ally) of HI 91° 4, 1941 88° HI 78° Bessie HI89° 81°H HI HI 91° 88° HI to CharlieHI and Asheboro, their children: Andrew, LOPugh. She 66° LO68° 62°LO LO 70° LO 70° LO LO 67° LO 67° McNeill was retired Cheyenne, Logan, Maccallan PRECIPInternational 57% PRECIP 43% Arrow and PRECIP PRECIPPRECIP 15% from5% PRECIP 20% P PRECIP15% 13% Williams; and McKnight; Harley was a member of Sophia Baptist Brother, Douglas Hudson, his Church. In addition to her child: Destiny; daughter: Tanya parents, Clara was preceded Stiltner (Jeffery) of Asheboro, in death by her daughter, Amy their children: Karey Carter, Elizabeth Perry and siblings, Westen to be born 2-22-2022, RANDOLPH COLLEGE Floyd Harvell, James Harvell, and Jaxson Cox, Karley Cox andCOMMUNITY Margie Harvell.

Karissa Stiltner; daughter, Amber She is survived by her husband (Ashley) Hudson of Asheboro; of 60 years, Lewis Perry; daughter, Lisa Russell (John) daughters, Barbara Strickland of Randleman, their children: (Steve) of Asheboro and Beverly Charles, Emilie and Anna; Bonnie Tysinger (Ricky) of Mt. Gilead; Dotson of Randleman, long time grandchildren, Steven Strickland, companion.

Krystyna Strickland, Alyssa Frye

By Bob Sutton those classes (Josh), andbefore Sarah Tysinger; sisters,start.

Randolph Record Ann King (Milton) of Asheboro Williams said there’s an and Bernice Melton of Georgia. fort to bolster enrollment. H

Clara Mae Pugh Perry

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFF

PJ Ward-Brown Matt ed the RCC Commitment G ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren at Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a fun lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or stat Coryto students. despite a school official pointing out unprecedented financial in-

“There has never been a

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

Cooper vetoes GOP bill pushing primary to June

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper refused on Friday to delay North Carolina’s primaries by another three weeks to June, vetoing a measure that Republican legislators said would allow them more time to redraw their redistricting plans if the state Supreme Court strikes down boundaries.

The Democratic governor had said last week before the General Assembly approved the legislation that it was a bad idea for lawmakers to interfere as the state’s highest court considers litigation challenging congressional and legislative boundaries.

The justices last month already postponed primary elections originally set for March 8 until May 17 to allow time for them to hear the lawsuits claiming that illegal partisan gerrymandering and the dilution of black voting power favor Republicans. The state Supreme Court plans to hear oral arguments in the case on Wednesday.

Cooper, who with Attorney General Josh Stein filed a friendof-the-court brief urging the justices to strike down the new maps, wrote in his veto message that Republicans were seeking to control the election timeline.

“The constitutionality of congressional and legislative districts is now in the hands of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Court should have the opportunity to decide how much time is needed to ensure that our elections are constitutional,” Cooper said in a news release.

The bill was approved on par-

PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. ty lines by Republicans, who said a further primary delay to June 7 was needed to reduce confusion as the state awaits the court’s decision. With the GOP lacking veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, the chances of an override are slim.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, accused Cooper of interfering with a reasonable delay that was meant to ensure the map redrawing is thorough and constitutional.

“Unfortunately, Governor Cooper’s veto undermines that process in the name of politics,” Moore said.

The State Board of Elections has said it needs final maps by Feb. 18

in order to keep the May primary on schedule. Republicans note a state law that requires the General Assembly be given at least two weeks to redraw the maps if they are struck down, before judges could step in and draw their own.

Registered Democrats hold a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court.

Cooper and Stein said in their court brief that the justices should decide to delay the primary again if it means ensuring “future elections are held under constitutional maps.” But one group of plaintiffs, led by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, said justices have the authority to shorten or eliminate the two-week period.

Lawyers for others who sued said the justices should place the remapping in the hands of a third-party expert.

The vetoed bill would have extended the primary date for the U.S. Senate and House, the legislature and scores of judicial and local positions. Primary runoffs would be held either July 26 or Aug. 16, with the latter date used statewide should a second-place primary finisher for any federal post ask for a runoff.

The redistricting litigation alleges Republican legislators violated the state constitution by drawing lines that likely will result in the GOP winning 10 of the state’s

Rogan responds to Spotify protest, COVID advisories

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press NEW YORK — Following protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus.

In a post Sunday, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek laid out more transparent platform rules given the backlash stirred by Young, who on Wednesday had his music removed from Spotify after the tech giant declined to get rid of episodes of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which has been criticized for spreading virus misinformation.

“Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly,” wrote Ek. “It is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”

Ek said that the advisories will link to Spotify’s fact-based COVID-19 hub in what he described as a “new effort to combat misinformation.” It will roll out in the coming days, Ek said. He did not specifically reference Rogan or Young.

Rogan responded to the fallout saying in a video on Instagram that he was only seeking to have conversations on his podcast with

AP PHOTOS

This combination photo shows Neil Young in Calabasas, Calif., on May 18, 2016, left, and UFC announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan before a UFC on FOX 5 event in Seattle, Dec. 7, 2012. people who have “differing opinions.”

“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial,” Rogan said. “I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people.”

He also said that he schedules

the guests on his podcast himself, and that he would try to book doctors with different opinions right after he talks to “the controversial ones.” Rogan noted that he earlier sat down on the show with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the chief medical correspondent for CNN, Dr. Michael Osterholm, who is a member

of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, and Dr. Peter Hotez from Baylor College of Medicine.

Rogan additionally welcomed the idea of adding advisories before podcasts related to COVID-19.

“Sure, have that on there. I’m very happy with that,” he said.

14 U.S. House seats and preserving state House and Senate majorities in almost any political environment. In contrast, statewide elections are usually closely divided.

A panel of three trial judges already refused to strike down the districts earlier this month. While there was clear evidence of “intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting,” the judges wrote, it wasn’t the role of the judiciary to step in and interfere with a process that was inherently political and left to the General Assembly.

Legislators expressed concern that the turnaround time between a potential order to redraw districts and the new filing window, currently scheduled for late February, would be insufficient.

In a statement last month, Senate Republicans said state law requires at least 14 days to draw new districts if existing ones are struck down by a court, but the N.C. Supreme Court’s case schedule provides as little as 12 days if the Supreme Court strikes down the current maps.

State Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke), one of the Senate Redistricting Committee co-chairs, said in a statement following the veto, “This common sense legislation alleviated an unnecessarily constricted timeline for candidate filing and initiating the election process. It also made necessary changes to the municipal election timeline requested by the State Board of Elections. The party-line vote on House Bill 605 and Gov. Cooper’s veto lay bare what redistricting litigation really is — nothing more than a pure political power play.”

Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who have signed a multi-year deal to produce and host podcasts for Spotify under their production company Archewell Audio, on Sunday urged Spotify to tame what they call virus misinformation.

“Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform,” an Archewell spokesperson said in a statement. “We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”

Earlier Sunday, Nils Lofgren, the Bruce Springsteen guitarist and a member of Crazy Horse, a frequent collaborator with Young, said he was joining Young’s Spotify revolt. Lofgren said he had already had the last 27 years of his music removed and requested labels with his earlier music to do likewise.

“We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere to stand with us and cut ties with Spotify,” wrote Lofgren in a statement.

On Friday, Joni Mitchell said she is seeking to remove all of her music from Spotify in solidarity with Young. Earlier, hundreds of scientists, professors and public health experts asked Spotify to remove a Dec. 31 episode from “The Joe Rogan Experience” in which he featured Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious-disease specialist who has been banned from Twitter.

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Stanly County Journal

PHOTO COURTESY STANLY GOP

Lincoln Day Dinner In this photo, Congressman Dan Bishop, a Charlotte Republican whose recently redrawn district includes Stanly County, speaks to a packed house for the Stanly County GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser on Jan. 29, 2022.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Stanly County football star headed to Super Bowl

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

Stanly County B.J. Hill, a former West Stanly High School football star from Oakboro, made a crucial interception over the weekend that allowed his Cincinnati Bengals to tie the game going into the fourth quarter, setting the momentum to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill and the Bengals will now face the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. Hill’s former football coach, Charles Edwards, said it was a first for Stanly County. Current West Stanly Coach Brett Morton said, “ I think we all are Bengals fans right now!”

WSOC

Bus drivers get bonuses, raises Stanly County Stanly County school bus drivers and other workers received a bonus in their January paycheck and will have a raise in salary later this year. The budget, passed last November, will pay all staff members making less than $75,000 a $1,500 bonus by January 31. Those making above that salary will get a $1,000 bonus. The minimum wage for school district support staff will also be raised to $15 an hour.

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Jason Bollhurst sworn in as new Albemarle police chief

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ALBEMARLE — While his duties officially began back on Oct. 4, 2021, Jason Bollhurst was publicly sworn in as the Albemarle Police Department’s new police chief on Monday morning, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief David Dulin.

Bollhurst transferred to his new position in Stanly County from the Newport News (Virginia) Police Department with over two decades of law enforcement experience, including five years as a captain at his prior agency.

“After 26 years in Newport News growing and learning what leadership is about and what it is to take care of a community and the community take care of us, it developed me to be in a position I’m in now to be a chief in another city,” Bollhurst said. “Finding a city that would

“Finding a city that would connect with me and that I could connect with as well was imperative — I found it here in Albemarle.”

New Albemarle Police Chief Jason Bollhurst connect with me and that I could connect with as well was imperative — I found it here in Albemarle.”

Back in Virginia, the new Albemarle chief spent two years with the Professional Standards Division, which housed Training and Internal Affairs, over two years as the Commander of South Precinct in the Patrol Division, as well as one year with

the Special Investigations Division. Additionally, Bollhurst held supervisory positions for 10 years in Patrol Operations, Tactical Operations (SWAT) and Investigations.

Addressing a full room inside the Albemarle Police Headquarters made up of former and new co-workers, city officials and his family members (including his wife Sherrie and three daughters: Caitlin, Madison and Sydney), Bollhurst said he was excited to be in a “beautiful city where a lot of great things are happening.”

“The city council, the mayor and the business leaders are phenomenal, and they work well together here. We’re a team and all the other department heads and the city are just incredible.

The city manager has just built a structure for us to come together as a team and get things done.

So, I’m just so pleased to be here

and to be a part of this.”

Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael officiated the swearing-in process and vocalized his support of Bollhurst’s new job position, commenting on the importance of strong leadership in a city with an oncoming residential surge.

Over the last 18 months, the Albemarle City Council has already approved over 2,000 new homes.

“Timing is everything they say. In the last five years, our city has seen historic retail growth,” Michael said. “Now in the next five to 10 years, we are going to see tremendous residential growth…our population is going to explode. Chief, you’re going to face your challenges — some good and some not so good. And while you do not directly work for the city council or myself, we look forward to supporting you.”

Bollhurst, a graduate from the 66th Class of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute, holds a bachelor of science degree from Christopher Newport University in governmental administration as well as an associate’s degree from Thomas Nelson Community College in police science.

2 new SCC Foundation scholarships announced

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — In two Jan. 26 press releases, Stanly Community College Foundation announced the establishment of two new endowed scholarships. The scholarships would help students at Stanly Community College with tuition and other education expenses and will be available in the 2022 school year.

One of the scholarships was created by Uwharrie Bank in honor of a recently retired employee, Jacqueline S. Jernigan. The Uwharrie Bank Jacqueline S. Jernigan Endowed Scholarship is a $30,000 endowment “to assist future students in realizing their dreams and reaching their fullest potential,” according to the release.

Jernigan retired in December 2021 and had been one of the longest-serving associates of Uwharrie Bank. During her career, she helped open multiple new branches as well as acquire and start up new banks.

Jernigan was herself a graduate of SCC, which was called Stanly Technical College at that time.

In 1982, she received her associate

degree in accounting while still working at the bank full-time.

“I attended evening classes while working full-time and caring for my family. We really didn’t have the money to pay for college, but I was able to go because of scholarships and grants,” said Jernigan in the release. “I cannot say enough about how that assistance made all the difference for me. I’m beyond thrilled to know that the same kindness will be shared with others along their educational journeys.”

Roger Dick, CEO of Uwharrie Bank, spoke highly of Jernigan and her time with Uwharrie Bank, saying, “Jackie is loved and respected by all of our associates.

Her efforts and energy toward establishing the bank is beyond measure and we are forever grateful for the difference she has made both in our organization and throughout the community.”

The other scholarship was established by Don Joines in honor of his wife, Nancy Joines, who worked at SCC for years, retiring in 2010. Nancy Joines taught math as an adjunct and then a full-time instructor. She also later served as the head of Development and En-

“Creating a scholarship to keep that assistance going seemed like a great way to honor her since she has retired.”

Don Joines, on establishing a scholarship in honor of his wife, Nancy Joines richment Studies.

Even in her retirement, she stays very active with the SCC community, serving on the SCC Board of Trustees and also as a trustee liaison to the SCC Foundation Board of Directors.

“Nancy would often come home talking about the struggles of her students and together, we’d find ways to help them when possible,” said Don in the press release.

“It might have been with food or school supplies or money for rent, and sometimes it was connecting them to other community resources. So, creating a scholarship to keep that assistance going seemed

like a great way to honor her since she has retired.”

Like Jernigan, Nancy Joines received assistance from scholarships, and is happy to be able to do the same for others.

“That extra help really made a huge difference and made it easier for my mama and me to afford college tuition, books and living expenses,” said Nancy Joines. “We hope other retirees who are financially able consider donating to the SCC Foundation as well. Many people don’t know that there are tax benefits when donating money associated with retirement accounts.”

The initial amount for the endowed scholarship is around $18,000, the 2021 Required Minimum Distribution from one of Don’s Individual Retirement Accounts. The scholarship is for $500 per semester ($1,000 for the year).

Students will be able to receive assistance from both of these scholarship funds starting in the fall 2022 semester. Applications for both are already open, and eligible students can apply at the financial aid page on the SCC website.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has a message for singer and actress Bette Midler, who called West Virginians “poor, illiterate and strung out” in a tweet after Sen. Joe Manchin refused to support President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act. The 70-year-old Republican governor ended his televised State of the State address last week by lifting up his English bulldog and flashing its rear end to the cameras and crowd.

“Babydog tells Bette Midler and all those out there: Kiss her heinie,” Justice said, grinning as people applauded and some gave him a standing ovation.

Justice had spent more than an hour touting the state’s accomplishments, including two recently announced economic development projects.

“Absolutely too many people doubted us,” he said. “They never believed in West Virginia. ...

They told every bad joke in the world about us.”

The crowd in the House of Delegates gallery included lawmakers, state Supreme Court justices, agency heads and members of the high school girls’ basketball team Justice coaches, who were sitting in the gallery.

Midler shot back in a tweet with a ranking of states from an unnamed source showing West Virginia near the bottom in health care, education and the economy. Said Midler, the dog’s heinie would make a better governor, though she used a stronger word than that.

Not everyone was amused by Justice. In a tweet, West Virginia Democratic Del. Shawn Fluharty called the governor’s move

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CHRIS DORST/CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL VIA AP

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice holds up his dog Babydog’s rear end as a message to people who’ve doubted the state as he comes to the end of his State of the State speech in the House chambers, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Charleston, W.Va. “embarrassing and beneath the office.”

“The @WVGovernor brought his Babydog and pony show to the State of the State and pulled this stunt as some bold statement. It was nothing short of embarrassing and beneath the office,” he said. “Jim Justice habitually lowers the bar of our state. They don’t laugh with us,

♦ Robert Floyd Bassett, 62, of Aquadale, died January 24. ♦ Nakolai Renee Butler Evans, age 61, of Norwood, died January 24.

Carolyn Kay Eudy Huneycutt, 81, of Albemarle passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Woodhaven Court. Her inurnment service will be Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 2pm at Stanly Gardens of Memory. There will be no visitation.

Mrs. Huneycutt was born June 18, 1940 in Stanly County, NC to the late Cordell David Eudy and Kate Austin Eudy. Carolyn is proceeded in death by her husband of 55 years, Theodore Alexander “T.A.” Huneycutt. She is also proceeded in death by two sisters; Kathleen Eudy McConnell and Gladys Eudy Bowers and one brother; Paul David Eudy.

Survivors include her children and a brother; Kimberly Ann Huneycutt Rehm (David) of Fayetteville, GA, Jeffrey Lynn Huneycutt (Cindi) of Albemarle, Michael Darren Huneycutt (Monica) of Albemarle, Todd Alexander Huneycutt of Albemarle, Karen Lee Tonga Huneycutt Boyle (Eddie) of Albemarle, Megan Huneycutt Mills (Eddie) of Badin, and Bob Eudy of Albemarle. Carolyn has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that are left to cherish her memory.

Other survivors include her Best Friends Frances Hathcock and Carolyn Hicks, and beloved dog of 15 years Sugar.

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The Associated Press

♦ Nolan Orsen Wilder, 75, of Albemarle, died January 23.

June 18, 1940 – January 29, 2022

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Gov tells Bette Midler to kiss dog’s ‘heinie’ - and shows it

DEATH NOTICES

Carolyn Kay Eudy Huneycutt

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Walter “Tommy” Thomas Braunsberg November 1, 1967 – January 26, 2022

Walter Thomas Braunsberg “Tommy”, 54, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday January 26, 2022 at Hospice of Union County in Monroe.

Mr. Braunsberg was born November 1, 1967, in Allentown Pennsylvania to Margaret Elizabeth Simon Braunsberg and the late Walter Charles Braunsberg Sr. Tommy is survived by his daughter Samantha Braunsberg; son, Vincent (Sierra) Braunsberg; granddaughter, Kaydence; mother, Margaret Braunsberg; brother, Walt Braunsberg Jr; sister, Lisa (Frank) Cline; nephews and nieces, Austin and Aaron Braunsberg, Brittany, Dylan, and Shianne Cline.

The Family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45PM, on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM, in Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, 522 N 2nd St., Albemarle, NC.

♦ Ivey Ray Smith, Jr., 69, of Albemarle, died January 25. ♦ Jackie Starnes Harris, 68, of Albemarle, died January 25. ♦ Tiffiny Beck Simpson, 53, of Albemarle, died January 26. ♦ Walter Thomas Braunsberg, 54, of Albemarle, died January 26. ♦ Marcella Boone McCracken, 84 of Albemarle, died January 26. ♦ Christopher Broadaway, 48, of Oakboro, died January 26. ♦ Larry Richard Efird, 87, of Oakboro, died January 27. ♦ Linda Zell Speight Huneycutt, 78, of Albemarle, died January 27. ♦ Betty ‘Boots’ Lilly, 92, of Norwood, died January 27. ♦ Bobbie Gene Claypool, 61, of New London, died January 27. ♦ Carolyn Kay Eudy Huneycutt, 81, of Albemarle, died January 29.

See OBITS, page 7

but at us.”

Manchin, a Democrat, effectively tanked his party’s signature $2 trillion domestic policy initiative that would have poured billions of dollars into child care, health care and other services.

“What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to

the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible,” Midler tweeted. “He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out.”

After receiving backlash, Midler apologized “to the good people of WVA” for her “outburst” in a follow-up tweet later that day.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Higgins, Corey Allen (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at Reneeford Rd, Stanfield, NC, on 1/31/2022 ♦ Fahy, Harry Michael (W /M/25) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault Serious Bodily Injury (F), 2) Assault On Female (M), 3) Injury To Personal Property (M), and 4) Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 1/31/2022 ♦ Ramsey, Mark Anthony (W /M/30) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at 126 S 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/31/2022 ♦ Harris, Tavaras Lamar (B /M/30) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F), at 1604 Salisbury Ave, Albemarle, NC, on 1/30/2022 ♦ Preslar, Joseph Michael (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of Burning Personal Property (F), at Chipp Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/30/2022 ♦ Foxx, Travis Antwon (B /M/41) Arrest on chrg of Fta - Release Order (M), at Nc 24/27 Hwy, Albemarle, NC, on 1/30/2022 ♦ Flood, Kevon Karlinck (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwisd Marijuana (F), 2) Pwimsd Sch I Cs (F), 3) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 4) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), 5) Fail To Burn Headlamps (i) (M), and 6) Dwlr Not Impaired Rev (M), at 24/27/ converse Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/30/2022 ♦ Higgins, Corey Allen (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at Renee Ford Rd, Stanfield, NC, on 1/30/2022 ♦ Preslar, Stephanie Nicole (W /F/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), 2) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), and 3) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), at 29938 Chipp Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/29/2022 ♦ Griffey, Danny Ray (W /M/52) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 36050 Ridge St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/29/2022 ♦ Thomas, Jazmyne Luria (W /F/28) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Probation Viol (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/28/2022

♦ Preslar, Joseph Michael (W /M/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), 2) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), and 3) Cruelty To Animals (m) (M), at 29983 Chip Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 1/28/2022 ♦ Wilson, James Everette (B /M/64) Cited on Charge of Driving While Impaired (202200066), at 13335 Indian Mound Rd/maranatha Dr, Norwood, NC, on 1/28/2022. ♦ Richardson, Frank Nmn (B /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possession Of Controlled Sub Prison/jail (F) and 2) Possess Heroin (F), at 126 South Third Street, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2022 ♦ Hooker, Demecus Rhmad (B /M/23) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F) and 2) Flee/ elude Arrest W/mv (f) (F), at 317668 Mills Road, New London, NC, on 1/27/2022 ♦ Oxendine, Gary Dwayne (I /M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Fta - Release Order (M), 2) Fta - Release Order (M), 3) Fta - Release Order (M), 4) Fta - Release Order (M), 5) Fta - Release Order (M), and 6) Fta Release Order (M), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 1/27/2022 ♦ Johnston, Sharea Denise (B /F/35) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at Head Start Child Care, Albemarle, NC, on 1/26/2022 ♦ Richardson, Frank Nmn (B /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M) and 2) Fta Release Order (M), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 1/26/2022 ♦ Jones, Jennifer Ann (W /F/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Possession Sch I Cs (F) and 2) Possession Of Controlled Sub Prison/jail (F), at 126 South 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 1/25/2022 ♦ Thomas, Jazmyne Luria (W /F/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at Oakboro, Oakboro, NC, on 1/25/2022 ♦ Harris, Quinton Darby (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Sch Ii Cs (F), at Wiill Road, Norwood, NC, on 1/25/2022

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Borders matter

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%.

Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

IN WASHINGTON, there has been a lot of talk recently about Ukraine and threats to its border by Russia.

President Biden’s failed foreign policy and weakness on the national stage have emboldened Vladimir Putin and led directly to this crisis in Ukraine. The debacle in Afghanistan, gifting Russia the Nord Stream II pipeline, refusing to provide lethal aide to Ukraine, and saying he expects Russia to make an “incursion into Ukraine” all further destabilized the region and have made the world less safe.

I have called on the President to show strength and deter Russian aggression. I’ve been encouraged by the Biden administration increasing lethal aid to Ukraine through other nations. However, we must do more to provide direct aid. Russia and the world must know the U.S. will never waiver on our commitment to our NATO allies and our friends.

Yet, the simple truth is that when politicians fail, the men and women of our military are often called on to clean up the mess.

To be clear, I do not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine.

However, Renee and I are praying for our troops and their families, as many from our Fort Bragg community have now been placed on high alert to deploy to the region.

One thing is certain — deterring Russia is important and deserves our attention. However, America’s borders matter too.

In December alone, border officials confirmed last week that agents encountered 178,840 illegal migrants. That’s a 142% increase from last year and the worst December on record. In total, nearly 2 million illegal migrants have crossed our border just since President Biden entered office. That’s more than the populations of Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville — combined.

One year ago, Biden’s first actions as president included

immediately ending construction of our already-funded border wall, halting deportations and stopping President Trump’s successful “Remain in Mexico” initiative. These open-border policies created the humanitarian, public-health and nationalsecurity crises we are seeing today.

Unlike President Biden, I went to our southern border last year and saw firsthand how hard border agents are working to address the crisis. However, border officials estimate that nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants escaped into the U.S. last year without being apprehended. Of those apprehended and issued notices to appear in court, nearly half failed to report. Most shocking of all, last week TSA confirmed that illegal migrants can use arrest warrants as a form of ID to board an airplane.

This is unacceptable.

Also troubling is the impact of this crisis on our communities.

Not only have the record-setting numbers brought high rates of COVID, but fentanyl crossing our border has also skyrocketed.

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%. Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

This border crisis must end.

As Fort Bragg’s congressman, rest assured I will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on military families in our community. As stated, deterring Russia is vital to our own national security and the safety of our European allies. Yet at the same time, I will also continue encouraging the president and Washington Democrats to place as much value on protecting our own borders. We have the strongest economy and military in the world that can deter any nation who threatens us.

We also have proven solutions to secure our border. We can — and must — do both.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

It’s not government’s job to ‘root out’ misinformation We’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

After being asked by MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski about the alleged misinformation spread by the popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast and Facebook users, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy responded with a homily about how “we” must “root out” misleading speech.

“We” don’t have to do any such thing. Government officials have no role in dictating appropriate speech or lecturing us on what we can or can’t say. In fact, they have a duty not to.

Murthy’s comments wouldn’t be as grating if it weren’t so obvious that the Biden administration has been pressuring Big Tech companies, who oversee huge swaths of our daily digital interactions, to limit speech and set acceptable standards.

You might remember that last summer, White House press secretary Jen Psaki causally informed the press that the White House was “flagging problematic posts for Facebook that spread disinformation.” Can you imagine the explosive reaction from the establishment media if it had learned that the Trump White House was keeping a list of speech crimes?

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield also argued that social media companies “should be held accountable” for the ideas of those who use their platforms. President Joe Biden, who previously accused Facebook of “killing people,” this week made a “special appeal to social media companies and media outlets: Please deal with the misinformation and disinformation that’s on your shows. It has to stop.”

It doesn’t. I happen to believe that tech companies should enjoy unencumbered free-association rights and be free to keep or kick off anyone they desire from their product. But that position becomes unsustainable if these same corporations, who often spend tens of millions each year in Washington rentseeking and lobbying for favorable regulations, also take orders from state officials on permissible speech. And no authentic journalist would turn to a government official for guidance on the matter.

It’s bad enough that media outlets have abandoned any

commitment to upholding liberal ideals of open discourse — as they not only act as hall monitors who hound tech companies into self-censorship, as virtually all of them did when the New York Post broke the Hunter Biden story before the 2020 presidential election. Self-censorship is as pernicious as any other variety.

Allowing the state to participate in rooting out “misinformation,” however, sets a dangerous precedent that can be easily abused by those in power, even if we were to concede that Murthy was acting in good faith. As we’ve unfortunately learned during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials will often pass on bad information or politically motivated information.

Moreover, the definition of “misinformation” is also conveniently expansive. What was once a conspiracy theory can quickly become a plausible possibility, as we recently learned when evidence emerged that our government may have helped hide and suppress news about the Chinese origins of COVID. Facebook had simply banned such talk for a year. Alleged “misinformation” is often perfectly reasonable inquiry or theorizing. Even if it isn’t, the state is not the final adjudicator of the veracity of speech. And anyway, we’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

Health officials and the media have done more to corrode trust in science and government during the COVID era than any conspiracy theorist on social media. Americans aren’t sure where to turn, so they often turn to unreliable sources. As with the media, however, the best way for Murthy to fight the spread of undependable information is to rebuild the credibility of his own institution.

What we say, or don’t, is none of his business.

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

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE SPORTS

Hoosiers longtime PA announcer retires Bloomington, Ind. Chuck Crabb, the public address announcer for Indiana men’s basketball games and many other Hoosiers sports for over four decades, is calling it a career. The 71-year-old Crabb announced his retirement on Monday. The decision takes effect immediately. Crabb and his booming, baritone voice became a fixture at football and men’s basketball games after replacing Bert Laws in 1977. Over the next 45 years, Crabb added men’s soccer games, women’s basketball games and men’s and women’s track and field competitions to his repertoire.

BASEBALL

Vandalized Robinson plaque to be displayed Kansas City, Mo. A plaque honoring baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was vandalized in Georgia is coming to Kansas City’s Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to be put on display in April. The sign was erected in 2001 outside the birthplace of Robinson near Cairo, Georgia. Community members there discovered last year that someone had shot the plaque multiple times. Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 when he became the league’s first Black player. Robinson’s hometown replaced the damaged marker, with help from the league, and added another marker at a library last week.

NFL

Jaguars interview Bisaccia, line up Pederson next Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed former Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia on Monday and had a planned second interview Tuesday with former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, The Associated Press reported. The 61-yearold Bisaccia, a longtime NFL special teams coordinator who also spent more than a decade in the college ranks, took over in Vegas after Jon Gruden resigned amid an email scandal in midOctober. The Raiders went 7-6 under Bisaccia, including a wild-card loss to Super Bowl-bound Cincinnati two weeks ago. The 54-yearold Pederson first met with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Trent Baalke on Dec. 30.

NBA

Utah’s Ingles out with torn ACL in right knee Salt Lake City Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles tore a ligament in his right knee that will require surgery. Ingles is out indefinitely after an MRI on Monday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

He will have surgery in the coming weeks. The sevenyear forward was injured in the Jazz’s game Sunday in Minnesota. Ingles, who is Utah’s all-time 3-point leader, was averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 45 appearances this season.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton makes a catch during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday in Pasadena, California.

National squad rallies for 25-24 win in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl The showcase event included several players from N.C. schools The Associated Press PASADENA, Calif. — Coastal Carolina’s Shermari Jones had a 5-yard touchdown run and Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley connected with Indiana’s Peyton Hendershot for the 2-point conversion as the National squad overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to beat the American 25-24 on Saturday in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Jones powered up the middle first-and-goal to get the National to 24-23 with 4:07 remaining.

Coach Marvin Lewis decided to go for the win, and it paid off with a successful 2-point conversion.

“The fun of his is watching these

guys grow,” Lewis said. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times during the first half with penalties, but we came back out and won the second half.”

The American drove down to the National 28, but Illinois’ James McCourt’s 46-yard field goal attempt was wide left as time expired.

Kelley completed 12 of 17 passes for 150 yards for a touchdown in earning MVP honors.

“Anybody can go and game plan all year long for their team, but to come in and get a playbook and have to learn it one week with new guys and get on the same page was fun,” Kelley said.

Kern connected with Arkansas’ Blake Kern on a 47-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter to even it at 17.

The National trailed 17-3 in the third quarter got within a touch-

down when Illinois’ Brandon Peters scored on a 2-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal.

The game was tied at 17 after three quarters, but USC’s Vavae Malepeai put Jeff Fisher’s American team back in the lead on an 18-yard run where he shook off a couple tackle attempts in the backfield.

Nicholls State’s Dai’Jean Dixon led the American team with six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Dixon caught an 11-yard slant pass from Aqeel Glass of Alabama A&M with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter to extend the American’s lead to 14-0. He also hauled in a 47-yard pass from Glass midway through the third quarter that would set up a 24-yard field goal from Illinois’ James McCourt to extend their lead to 17-3.

Glass was 9 of 11 for 141 yards and a touchdown. California’s

Chase Garbers got the start for the American and completed 10 of 13 for 119 yards. He opened the scoring with a 13-yard TD pass to Sam Houston State’s Jequez Ezzard with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Chris Oladokun of South Dakota State was the National’s starting quarterback. He was 1 of 4 for 8 yards and an interception.

Toledo’s Bryant Koback, who was playing for the American, was the game’s leading rusher with 58 yards on 14 carries.

Nine players from five North Carolina schools were on the rosters for the game. Duke had four: offensive lineman Jack Wohlabaugh, running back Mataeo Durant, and defensive backs Joshua Blackwell and Leonard Johnson.

UNC offensive linemen Marcus McKethan and Jordan Tucker both played, and Elon quarterback Cheek Davis was on the National roster.

Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba made a 26-yard field goal and two extra points in the game, and National squad teammate and Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton had two catches for 37 yards.

Weather another thing Winter Olympians need to worry about Unpredictability is the name of the game in many alpine events

The Associated Press MIKAELA SHIFFRIN describes herself as “super controlling over everything that’s happening in my life,” so the twotime Olympic gold medalist is not all that fond of one particular can’t-do-a-thing-about-it aspect of her chosen sport, Alpine skiing.

“The weather,” she said, “can literally change everything.”

The 26-year-old from Colorado is scheduled to open her Beijing Olympics on Feb. 7 as the defending champion in the giant slalom.

A key word there is “scheduled” because, as Shiffrin experienced at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, nothing is certain when it comes to the vagaries of various elements such as temperature, wind, sunlight or precipitation.

In outdoor events, all of those factors can, and quite often do, alter the competition and the competitors themselves.

“On a more macro level, it

takes a lot of mental effort to be ready to go out and compete in an Olympic event and when ... it doesn’t happen ... it’s, for sure, stressful and takes energy away from that level. It’s unlike any other sport, in that sense, right?

“There’s just not that many sports that are that affected, and that exposed, by weather, both to affect the outcome of a race and to affect the outcome of an event,” said Mike Day, Shiffrin’s main coach with the U.S. ski team. “It will have a big impact and has had a big impact in the past.”

Olympians say the weather might change their preparation and mindset before a contest.

Once the contest begins, it might harm — or, it’s also true, help — their result. All of which turns this into just another source of stress at a one-day-every-fouryears spectacle already filled with them.

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about,” said Keely Cashman, a 22-year-old Alpine skier from California heading to her first Olympics.

Snowfall is not in the forecast for the Yanqing mountain area during these Olympics. Strong wind is expected.

GIOVANNI MARIA PIZZATO | AP PHOTO

U.S. skier Keely Cashman and other Winter Olympians in outdoor sports such as Alpine skiing or snowboarding say the weather can be a key factor in success or failure.

The quality of the snow also tends to deteriorate as more racers head down a hill.

It generally is considered better to go earlier to avoid ruts and bumps that develop. But if a headwind gives way to a tailwind, say, or if a cloudy day turns clear and the crystals of the snow shift, then advantages can, too.

“It’s rare to have days where it’s consistent. You do have them, but they’re few and far between,” said U.S. ski team member Bryce Bennett, who won a World Cup downhill at Val Gardena, Italy, in December. “The variables make it interesting. When you’re on the good side of variables, you’re psyched. When you’re on the bad side, you’re (angry).”

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about.”

Keely Cashman, U.S. Olympic skier

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Raiders to go Patriot Way with new GM, coach Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels will take over a team that reached the playoffs last season

North Stanly routs South Stanly in 8049 road win The Comets outscored the Bulls 44-19 in the second half

The Associated Press THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS are trying to build their team the Patriot Way. Owner Mark Davis tapped the NFL’s most successful franchise over the past two decades by hiring Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler as his new general manager and then hired New England Josh McDaniels as the new coach in Las Vegas.

The Raiders announced Sunday they had hired Ziegler to replace the fired Mike Mayock. McDaniels fills the void created when Jon Gruden resigned in October.

Davis interviewed several candidates for both positions before picking a pair with a long history of working together. The two were college teammates at John Carroll and McDaniels brought Ziegler with him to Denver in his first head coaching stint.

The two have worked together in New England the past nine seasons, McDaniels as offensive coordinator and Ziegler working his way up through the scouting department before being promoted to director of player personnel in 2021.

The two take over a team coming off just its second playoff berth in the past 19 seasons. Las Vegas won its final four games of the regular season to qualify as a wild card before losing at Cincinnati.

Interim coach Rich Bisaccia guided the team through a difficult season after Gruden resigned in October following the release of his old, offensive emails. Star receiver Henry Ruggs III was released in November after being charged with DUI felonies following a fatal crash that killed a 23-year-old woman.

Bisaccia’s work earned him the support of the players, but Davis opted to go a different direction.

5

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

MICHAEL DWYER | AP PHOTO

The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their next head coach.

McDaniels is viewed as one of the brighter offensive minds in the game with his many years coaching Tom Brady on the Patriots and his work this season helping to develop rookie Mac Jones.

But his first experience as head coach fell apart quickly following a 6-0 start in 2009 after he traded away quarterback Jay Cutler in one of his first moves. Denver finished 8-8 that season and McDaniels was fired with a 3-9 record in 2010, losing 17 of his final 22 games as coach.

McDaniels was also fined $50,000 by the NFL for not reporting that the team’s director of video operations videotaped a San Francisco 49ers walk-through practice before the teams played a game in 2010 in London. The investigation determined that McDaniels did not know about the taping in advance and declined to view it, but he was punished for not immediately re-

porting the infraction to the league.

While several former assistants to Bill Belichick in New England have gotten head coaching jobs, the success rate of those coaches isn’t high.

The seven coaches — McDaniels, Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Bill O’Brien, Matt Patricia, Brian Flores and Joe Judge — have combined for a .410 winning percentage and five playoff berths in 27 seasons they began as head coach. O’Brien had four of those playoff seasons in Houston, Mangini having the other with the Jets.

McDaniels takes over a team that has several key pieces in place, including quarterback Derek Carr, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Las Vegas also is set at several other positions with star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, tight end Darren Waller, left tackle Kolton Miller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow.

NORWOOD — Going into halftime of Friday’s matchup between the North Stanly and South Stanly boys’ basketball teams, the Comets found themselves sitting on a narrow six-point lead over the home team.

Up to that point, it had been a scrappy game in the paint with 16 combined foul calls.

That single-digit lead eventually became an 8049 blowout win for North Stanly (12-6, 7-2 Yadkin Valley), which now sits in second place in its conference standings behind Robinson.

“We calmed down in the second half and played better defense,” Comets coach George Walker said.

“The first half was kind of messy and dirty with a lot of fouls called both ways. I’ve never seen that many fouls called — there were more in that first half than in most games.”

With the loss, South Stanly (2-16, 1-7) dropped to sixth place in the standings, with its only conference win of the season coming against winless Gray Stone Day. After halftime, the referees allowed more contact under the rim, unleashing a Comets offense that had been suffocated by near-constant whistles and trips to the free-throw line. The Comets had runs of 22-6 in the third quarter and 16-5 in the fourth, overwhelming a South Stanly defense that had been worn down throughout the game.

North Stanly seniors Dyson Bell and Doug Smith each scored 24 points, while senior Clay Hatley added 10 points and junior Luke Cain had eight points. Smith, a 6-foot-7 power forward, was a factor in the third quarter, using his large frame to attack the Bulls’ front line.

“In the first half, he (Smith) was trapped over here with three fouls and didn’t get in, but we were able to double down and got it going our way when we scored six straight to start the second half,” Walker said.

Freshman Gavyn Miller led South Stanly with 13 points. Junior Omaurion Eldridge had 10 points and senior Carson Lowder added nine.

Both teams were scheduled to play Tuesday.

The Comets were to face Albemarle, while the Bulls met Union Academy. North Stanly will travel to Mount Pleasant on Friday, and South Stanly has a Thursday night nonconference game against North Rowan.

“We calmed down in the second half and played better defense.”

George Walker, North Stanly coach

HAMISH BLAIR | AP PHOTO

Rafael Nadal plays a forehand return to Daniil Medvedev during his win in Sunday’s men’s singles final at the Australian Open.

Nadal wins Australian Open for record 21st major title The Spaniard snapped a three-way tie with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic The Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia — Searching for inspiration when he was down two sets and facing triple break point, with his prospects of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title almost shot, Rafael Nadal thought back to some of his most difficult defeats.

A renowned right-to-the-end competitor, Nadal dug deep in that critical moment and won the

next four points to survive the immediate threat from Daniil Medvedev. Minutes later he held for 3-3 in the third set and swung the momentum of the Australian Open final around.

Nadal eventually did get to 21 first, setting the men’s record for most Grand Slam singles titles after a dramatic 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 comeback win that lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes and finished early Monday morning.

The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more major title than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, his longtime rivals in the socalled Big Three.

He was the only one of three who had a chance to claim the record solo in Australia.

Federer is still recovering from knee surgery and Djokovic was sensationally deported from Australia on the eve of the tournament because he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

It’s all history now that Nadal, who has had injury problems of his own, has become just the fourth man to win all four of the sport’s major titles at least twice.

“I was repeating to myself during the whole match, ‘I lost a lot of times here having chances, sometimes I was a little bit un-

lucky,’” Nadal said. “I just wanted to keep believing until the end.”

“Tonight has been unforgettable. I feel very lucky.”

Federer and Djokovic were watching the final, from a distance, and both used social media messages to offer congratulations to Nadal for breaking their threeway tie atop the men’s Grand Slam standings.

Later officials released a short video of Rod Laver, the 83-yearold Australian tennis great for whom Melbourne Park’s main stadium is named, and Nadal embracing in what appeared to be the player gym. Laver had appar-

ently asked tournament officials to allow him to congratulate the fellow legendary left-hander and new singles major leader.

For now, in terms of men’s major titles at least, Nadal is the Greatest Of All Time.

Nadal won his first Australian Open title in 2009 and then lost four other finals here. His conversion rate in major finals is now 21 out of 29.

His win marked just the fourth time — and first since 2007 — he’s rallied from two sets down to win a best-of-five-set match. It’s the first time it has happened at the Australian Open final since 1965.

6

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Breyer leaves a court more conservative than one he joined The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C.— In the nearly 30 years that Justice Stephen Breyer has spent on the Supreme Court, it has been conservative, then more conservative and now much more conservative.

The court’s rapid rightward shift in recent years was a change for the liberal jurist, who early in his career sat with the same group of eight other justices for more than a decade. But Breyer, who announced his retirement last Thursday, said repeatedly that the court should not be seen as political. Judges, he liked to say, are not “junior-league politicians.”

In recent years, as his more moderate colleagues were replaced by more conservative ones, Breyer seemed in public to maintain his good-humored nature. But there were occasional glimpses of frustration that he couldn’t get conservatives to see things from his point of view.

Those frustrations surfaced in 2007. It was a year after the departure of Justice Sandra Day

O’Connor, the court’s first female justice and a moderate who was replaced by the more conservative Justice Samuel Alito. Breyer had found himself on the losing end of a string of 5-4 rulings during the term. He was grim.

“It is not often in the law that so few have so quickly changed so much,” Breyer said while summarizing his dissent from a decision that invalidated public school integration plans.

In short, Breyer missed O’Connor’s influence.

In 2018, when she announced that she had been diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia, he wrote in a tribute that the years they served together were “so happy for me.”

Breyer enjoyed a period of incredible stability his first decade on the court with no changes in the court’s makeup.

In that era, O’Connor was at the ideological center of the court, and it was often her views that controlled the outcomes in close cases. But the conservative majority at the time also included Anthony Kennedy, another moderate, along with Clarence Thom-

“It is not often in the law that so few have so quickly changed so much.”

Departing Associate Justice Stephen Breyer

as, Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Breyer’s more liberal colleagues were John Paul Stevens, David Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who like Breyer was nominated by President Bill Clinton.

Jonathan Molot, a clerk for Breyer during his first year on the Supreme Court, said the court then may have been divided between five conservatives and four liberals, but there was still “a little more fluidity.”

It was a court where being “optimistic about human nature, be-

ing able to see the other side’s perspective, being able to communicate on good terms with everyone I think made a genuine difference,” he said. That was Breyer, he said, who was liked by his colleagues regardless of judicial philosophy.

The composition of the court began to change in 2005, however, when O’Connor announced her retirement. Soon after, Rehnquist died of cancer, leading to the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts. Kennedy became the new ideological center of the court.

While Kennedy was more conservative than O’Connor, there were still times when he was willing to join his more liberal peers to form a majority. And even Roberts sometimes joined with the court’s four liberals, voting in 2012 to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care law, for example. Liberals also won major gay rights cases with votes from Kennedy, culminating in the 2015 case in which the court said gay couples had a right to marry nationwide.

But deaths and retirements over the past six years have transformed the court more fundamentally.

First came the unexpected death of Scalia in Texas in 2016.

Replacing a conservative justice during Obama’s presidency might have been expected to make the court less conservative. But Re-

publican senators held the seat open until after the 2016 presidential election. And instead of a Democrat selecting Scalia’s successor it was a Republican, Donald Trump, who chose conservative Neil Gorsuch.

Gorsuch’s confirmation didn’t change the balance of the court, but Kennedy’s retirement in 2018 did, when he was succeeded by the more conservative Brett Kavanaugh. The death of Breyer’s friend Ginsburg in 2020 was even more consequential. The liberal justice was replaced by Amy Coney Barrett, giving conservatives a 6-3 advantage on the court.

Already in recent months the court’s conservatives have let a Texas abortion law take effect and kept Biden from enforcing requirement that employees at large businesses get vaccinated against COVID-19 or test regularly or wear a mask on the job.

Breyer opposed both outcomes.

Before he leaves at the end of the term the court has also signaled it could overturn the nationwide right to abortion that has existed for nearly 50 years.

In remarks at the White House, Breyer described America as a “complicated country” and an “experiment that’s still going on.” He said future generations would “determine whether the experiment still works. And of course, I’m an optimist, and I’m pretty sure it will.”

Court throws Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting law into doubt

By Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. — A court declared Friday that Pennsylvania’s expansive 2-year-old mail-in voting law violates the state constitution.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration swiftly appealed to the state Supreme Court, immediately putting the party-line decision by a panel of three Republican and two Democratic judges on hold and stopping it from overturning the law.

Still, it throws Pennsylvania’s voting laws into doubt as the presidential battleground state’s voters prepare to elect a new governor and a new U.S. senator in 2022.

Just over 2.5 million people voted under the law’s expansion of mail-in voting in 2020’s presidential election, most of them Democrats, out of 6.9 million total cast.

Wolf’s office said its appeal means the lower court ruling has no immediate effect, and criticized Republicans as trying to kill the law “in the service of the ‘big lie’” of Trump’s baseless election fraud claims.

“We need leaders to support removing more barriers to voting, not trying to silence the people,” Wolf’s office said.

Trump and Republicans quickly lauded the decision.

“Big news out of Pennsylvania, great patriotic spirit is developing at a level that nobody thought possible. Make America Great Again!” Trump said in a statement through his political action committee.

The mail-in voting law has become a hot topic on the campaign trail, with nearly every Republican candidate for governor — including two of three state senators who voted for it — vowing to repeal it.

In Friday’s decision, the three Republican judges agreed with GOP challengers — including 11 lawmakers who actually voted for the law — and ruled that no-excuse mail-in voting is prohibited under the state constitution, until

MATT SLOCUM | AP PHOTO

This file photo from Oct. 23, 2020, shows mail-in ballots for the U.S. 2020 General Election before being sorted at the Chester County Voter Services office, in West Chester, Pa. the constitution is changed to allow it.

The two Democrats on the panel dissented. The state Supreme Court — which will hear the appeal — has a 5-2 Democratic majority.

Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who is running for governor, said he is confident the state Supreme Court will uphold the mail-in voting law as constitutional.

He criticized the lower court’s opinion as “based on twisted logic and faulty reasoning” and “wrong on the law.”

Ultimately, any decision to throw out the law would not affect the millions of votes already cast under it in the past four elections.

In 2019, the Republican-con-

trolled Legislature authorized no-excuse mail-in voting for all voters, expanding upon a provision in the state constitution that required the state to provide the option for voters in specific circumstances.

Those circumstances include being out of town on business, illness, physical disability, election day duties or religious observance.

Every Republican lawmaker, except one, voted for the legislation in a deal with Wolf, who had sought the mail-in voting provision. In exchange, Wolf agreed to get rid of the straight-ticket voting ballot option that Republicans had sought as a way to protect their suburban candidates from an anti-Trump wave in 2020’s election.

The constitution does not ex-

plicitly say that the Legislature cannot extend absentee voting to others.

However, Republican challengers say the constitution intended that absentee voting be strictly limited, citing a passage that says voters must live in an election district for at least 60 days where they “shall offer to vote.”

In the opinion, the three Republican judges agreed, saying that passage had been cited in two prior state Supreme Court decisions invalidating laws passed in 1839 and 1923 to expand absentee voting.

The dissenting Democrats say a separate provision of the constitution empowered lawmakers to provide no-excuse mail-in voting. That provision says elections

“shall be by ballot or by such other method as may be prescribed by law.”

Raff Donelson, an associate professor of law at Penn State’s Dickinson Law School who teaches constitutional law, said he disagreed on a couple points with the majority opinion.

One point, Donelson said, is that it doesn’t make sense to read the constitution as restricting the right to cast an absentee ballot.

On voting matters, that’s not how the constitution typically works, Donelson said.

Besides, the constitution seems to bluntly give lawmakers the power to prescribe voting by any method, and that cannot be negated by another provision in the constitution, he said.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

7

obituaries

Robert Floyd Bassett

May 11, 1959 – January 24, 2022 Robert Floyd Bassett, 62, of Norwood (Aquadale), passed away Monday, January 24, 2022.

Rob was born May 11, 1959, in Michigan to the late Charles Robert Bassett and the late Geraldine Marie Bassett.

Survivors include wife, Deborah Bassett of Norwood, NC; children, Stacey Donahue (Joey) of Lake Wylie, SC and Dustin Almond of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Ryan, Reece, Avery, and Ashlyn; sisters, Debbie Albrecht (Bob Miller) and Sharon Scott (Steve).

Rob was a loving husband who always took care of Deb. He was a caring father to Deb’s children, always treating them as if they were his own, and loving on the grandkids like any good Grampy would. Rob loved his country and was proud to have served her in the Army. He considered it an honor to be called a veteran.

Larry Richard Efird

Nolan Orsen Wilder

Steven Ward Surratt Sr.

August 6, 1934 – January 27, 2022

December 1, 1946 – January 23, 2022

December 9, 1942 – January 17, 2022

Larry Richard Efird, 87, of Oakboro, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022, at his home.

Larry was born August 6, 1934, in North Carolina to the late James Henry Efird and the late Lessie Dick Efird. He was also preceded in death by son, Todd Richard Efird, and brothers, James Kenneth Efird and Darrell Clinton Efird.

Mr. Efird went on to serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. During that time, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Clark Efird on August 7, 1954.

Survivors include wife, Shirley Clark Efird of Oakboro, NC; daughter, Wendi Efird Mock (Butch) of Huntersville, NC; grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Mock and Darin Richard Mock; and brother, Donald Gene Efird (Janice) of Albemarle, NC.

Nolan Orsen Wilder, 75, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Atrium Health Stanly.

Mr. Wilder was born December 1, 1946 in Wake County, NC to the late William “Bill” Greenwood Wilder and Beatrice Fulghum Wilder. Nolan was an avid car enthusiast, who enjoyed restoring classic cars.

He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving three years during the Vietnam War. Nolan is survived by his wife of fifty three years, Juanita Carpenter Wilder of the home.

He is also survived by his children, Renda (David) Lowder of Albemarle, Jennifer (Phillip) Baucom of New London and grandchildren, Samantha (Justin) McClellan of Concord, NC, Matthew Lowder, Kayda Baucom and Elizabeth Baucom; brother, Mike (Kaye) Wilder and nephews, Chad and Chris Wilder.

Steven Ward Surratt Sr., Steve, 79, of Albemarle, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022.

Steve was born December 9, 1942 in Stanly County to the late Rowland Ward Surratt and the late Dera Efird.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Suzanne Surratt of Albemarle, NC, and son, Steven “Ward” Surratt, Jr. of Lexington, SC, and grandson Steven Andrew “Drew” Surratt of Lexington, SC. Steve was heavily involved in the community and Central United Methodist Church, his charity work included: Founding Member of Albemarle Jaycees, Advisory Board Member for Home Savings Bank, Treasurer, Board Member and active member of Albemarle Rotary Club.

The family will receive friends and family and have a celebration of Life at Central United Methodist Church at a later date to be determined.

Ivey Ray Smith Jr.

December 11, 1952 – January 25, 2022 Ivey Ray Smith, Jr., 69, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022 in his home.

Ivey was born December 21, 1952 in Stanly County to the late Ivey Ray Smith, Sr. and Doris Morton Smith. He was a collector of diecast cars, and he enjoyed gardening, woodworking and car shows.

Ivey is survived by his wife, Elaine Smith of the home. Other survivors include a son, David Smith (Mary); daughter, Melissa Terry (Harold) all of Albemarle; four grandchildren, Benjamin Smith, Ryan Smith, Milo Eudy and Jaxson Eudy and a sister Peggy Blalock of Charlotte, NC. Ivey was also preceded in death by a sister, Shelia Ingram.

Linda Zell Speight Huneycutt Rebecca Havner Tucker

September 5, 1941 – January 15, 2022 Rebecca Havner Tucker, 80, of Albemarle, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family.

Rebecca was born September 5, 1941. She was preceded in death by husband, Larry “Red” Tucker; her daughter, Sonya Tucker; her sister, Patricia Kirkland and her parents, Helen and Pete Havner and James and Ethel Cobb.

Rebecca is survived by her children, Wesley (Jean) Tucker, Cathryn (Terry Morrison) Starling, and Christopher (Leslie) Tucker; her grandchildren, Meagan (Chris) Greene, Hunter Tucker, Curtis Trivett, Travis Trivett, Cody (Caitlin Burgess) Starling, Rebecca (Daniel Biles) Harp, Lewis Brewer and Ryne Tucker; siblings, Andy (Sherry) Havner, Dian (Andy) Clements, Gail (Victor) Nieves, and Shari (Tom) Yost; numerous greatgrandchildren and her beloved Max who never left her side.

She was a caregiver at heart who spent her life caring for others. She and Larry enjoyed participating in Shriners where she was a member of the Nobelles.

Jackie Starnes Harris

December 16, 1953 – January 25, 2022 Jackie Starnes Harris, 68, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022 in her home.

She was born December 16, 1953 in Stanly County, NC too the late Crowell Preston Starnes and Lillian Colleen Hinson Starnes. Jackie retired from Friendly Chevrolet as the office manager. She attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church and she loved her grandchildren, sons and dogs.

Jackie is survived by two sons, Ricky Harris of Graham, NC and Michael Harris (Stephanie) of Holly Springs, NC; two grandchildren, Madison Harris and Tyler Harris; three sisters, Connie Haithcock, Monzell Smith (Keith) and Billiephine Culp (Danny) and a brother Danny Starnes (Jo) all of Albemarle. Jackie was also preceded in death by a brother, Terry Starnes and a sister, Carolyn Lee.

October 13, 1943 – January 27, 2022

Kathleen Marie Neelon

February 17, 1947 – January 26, 2022 Kathleen Marie Neelon, 74, of Asheboro, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

Kathy was born February 17, 1947 in Ohio to the late Joseph Patrick Neelon and the late Eleanor Elizabeth Neelon. She was also preceded in death by brother, Edward Neelon.

Kathy was a special needs person that loved her music, her tv, eating out, and swimming.

Those were the great joys of her life and she will be missed by all that knew her.

Survivors include sister, Patricia Lacey of OH, sister, Maureen (Ray) Staskiews of NC, sister, Eileen (Macy) McGinty of Asheboro, brother, Michael Neelon of NC, sister Colleen Gould of CA, sister-in-law Eileen Neelon; and many nieces and nephews.

Bobbie Gene Claypool

May 22, 1960 – January 27, 2022 Bobbie Gene Claypool, 61, of New London, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022.

Mr. Claypool was born May 22, 1960, in Indiana to Mary Jean Tull and the late Robert Allen Claypool. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Paul Tull.

Bobbie is survived by his wife of 25 years, Marsha Claypool; sister, Debbie (Jeff) McGlothin; son, Derick Long; mother, Mary Jean Tull; nephew, Jeffrey McGlothin.

Linda Zell Speight Huneycutt, 78, of Albemarle, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022 at her home.

Linda was born October 13, 1943 in North Carolina to the late Raphu Alexander Speight and the late Hattie Lee Underwood Speight.

Survivors include husband, Ed Huneycutt of Albemarle, NC; children, Tim (Brenda), Ron (Julie), and Trent Huneycutt (Lori); grandchildren, Emily McCallum (Nathan) and Tyler, Riley, Abbie, Drew, and Kinsley Huneycutt; and greatgranddaughter, Avery McCallum She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandma and friend to many. She and Ed spent lots of time in the mountains, and enjoyed traveling around to watch all of the grandkids play sports.

Linda retired from Stanly County Schools after 31 years of teaching business and typing classes.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

Cooper vetoes GOP bill pushing primary to June

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper refused on Friday to delay North Carolina’s primaries by another three weeks to June, vetoing a measure that Republican legislators said would allow them more time to redraw their redistricting plans if the state Supreme Court strikes down boundaries.

The Democratic governor had said last week before the General Assembly approved the legislation that it was a bad idea for lawmakers to interfere as the state’s highest court considers litigation challenging congressional and legislative boundaries.

The justices last month already postponed primary elections originally set for March 8 until May 17 to allow time for them to hear the lawsuits claiming that illegal partisan gerrymandering and the dilution of black voting power favor Republicans. The state Supreme Court plans to hear oral arguments in the case on Wednesday.

Cooper, who with Attorney General Josh Stein filed a friendof-the-court brief urging the justices to strike down the new maps, wrote in his veto message that Republicans were seeking to control the election timeline.

“The constitutionality of congressional and legislative districts is now in the hands of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Court should have the opportunity to decide how much time is needed to ensure that our elections are constitutional,” Cooper said in a news release.

The bill was approved on par-

PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. ty lines by Republicans, who said a further primary delay to June 7 was needed to reduce confusion as the state awaits the court’s decision. With the GOP lacking veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, the chances of an override are slim.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, accused Cooper of interfering with a reasonable delay that was meant to ensure the map redrawing is thorough and constitutional.

“Unfortunately, Governor Cooper’s veto undermines that process in the name of politics,” Moore said.

The State Board of Elections has said it needs final maps by Feb. 18

in order to keep the May primary on schedule. Republicans note a state law that requires the General Assembly be given at least two weeks to redraw the maps if they are struck down, before judges could step in and draw their own.

Registered Democrats hold a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court.

Cooper and Stein said in their court brief that the justices should decide to delay the primary again if it means ensuring “future elections are held under constitutional maps.” But one group of plaintiffs, led by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, said justices have the authority to shorten or eliminate the two-week period.

Lawyers for others who sued said the justices should place the remapping in the hands of a third-party expert.

The vetoed bill would have extended the primary date for the U.S. Senate and House, the legislature and scores of judicial and local positions. Primary runoffs would be held either July 26 or Aug. 16, with the latter date used statewide should a second-place primary finisher for any federal post ask for a runoff.

The redistricting litigation alleges Republican legislators violated the state constitution by drawing lines that likely will result in the GOP winning 10 of the state’s

Rogan responds to Spotify protest, COVID advisories

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press NEW YORK — Following protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus.

In a post Sunday, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek laid out more transparent platform rules given the backlash stirred by Young, who on Wednesday had his music removed from Spotify after the tech giant declined to get rid of episodes of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which has been criticized for spreading virus misinformation.

“Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly,” wrote Ek. “It is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”

Ek said that the advisories will link to Spotify’s fact-based COVID-19 hub in what he described as a “new effort to combat misinformation.” It will roll out in the coming days, Ek said. He did not specifically reference Rogan or Young.

Rogan responded to the fallout saying in a video on Instagram that he was only seeking to have conversations on his podcast with

AP PHOTOS

This combination photo shows Neil Young in Calabasas, Calif., on May 18, 2016, left, and UFC announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan before a UFC on FOX 5 event in Seattle, Dec. 7, 2012. people who have “differing opinions.”

“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial,” Rogan said. “I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people.”

He also said that he schedules

the guests on his podcast himself, and that he would try to book doctors with different opinions right after he talks to “the controversial ones.” Rogan noted that he earlier sat down on the show with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the chief medical correspondent for CNN, Dr. Michael Osterholm, who is a member

of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, and Dr. Peter Hotez from Baylor College of Medicine.

Rogan additionally welcomed the idea of adding advisories before podcasts related to COVID-19.

“Sure, have that on there. I’m very happy with that,” he said.

14 U.S. House seats and preserving state House and Senate majorities in almost any political environment. In contrast, statewide elections are usually closely divided.

A panel of three trial judges already refused to strike down the districts earlier this month. While there was clear evidence of “intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting,” the judges wrote, it wasn’t the role of the judiciary to step in and interfere with a process that was inherently political and left to the General Assembly.

Legislators expressed concern that the turnaround time between a potential order to redraw districts and the new filing window, currently scheduled for late February, would be insufficient.

In a statement last month, Senate Republicans said state law requires at least 14 days to draw new districts if existing ones are struck down by a court, but the N.C. Supreme Court’s case schedule provides as little as 12 days if the Supreme Court strikes down the current maps.

State Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke), one of the Senate Redistricting Committee co-chairs, said in a statement following the veto, “This common sense legislation alleviated an unnecessarily constricted timeline for candidate filing and initiating the election process. It also made necessary changes to the municipal election timeline requested by the State Board of Elections. The party-line vote on House Bill 605 and Gov. Cooper’s veto lay bare what redistricting litigation really is — nothing more than a pure political power play.”

Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who have signed a multi-year deal to produce and host podcasts for Spotify under their production company Archewell Audio, on Sunday urged Spotify to tame what they call virus misinformation.

“Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform,” an Archewell spokesperson said in a statement. “We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”

Earlier Sunday, Nils Lofgren, the Bruce Springsteen guitarist and a member of Crazy Horse, a frequent collaborator with Young, said he was joining Young’s Spotify revolt. Lofgren said he had already had the last 27 years of his music removed and requested labels with his earlier music to do likewise.

“We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere to stand with us and cut ties with Spotify,” wrote Lofgren in a statement.

On Friday, Joni Mitchell said she is seeking to remove all of her music from Spotify in solidarity with Young. Earlier, hundreds of scientists, professors and public health experts asked Spotify to remove a Dec. 31 episode from “The Joe Rogan Experience” in which he featured Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious-disease specialist who has been banned from Twitter.

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 19 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Twin City Herald

PHOTO BY WINSTON-SALEM FIRE DEPARTMENT

A massive fire at a fertilizer plant forced the evacuation of a one-mile radius in Winston-Salem. About 6,500 people in 2,500 homes were asked to leave and Wake Forest cancelled classes on Tuesday.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Local teacher wins Young Educator award Forsyth County Michaela Bermudez was named the North Carolina Young Educator of the Year by the state’s Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. Bermudez is a bilingual teacher involved in the International Baccalaureate program at Speas Global Elementary School. Bermudez will be given the award next month in a ceremony in Pinehurst.

She advances to the national teaching competition.

MY FOX 8

3 charged with beating man, leaving him ziptied in trunk Rowan County Firefighters responding to a 911 call rescued a naked man zip-tied and severely hurt in the trunk of his car. The 34-year-old victim was found at a quarry in northeast Cabarrus County. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered facial fractures, a broken sternum, a small brain bleed and lung issues. The victim tried to sell one of the assailants a gun and was robbed. William Troy Wilson, 26, of Salisbury; Jackwlyn Nicole Corl, 33, of Rockwell; and Thomas Dax Llewellyn, 35, of Salisbury are charged with robbery with firearms, conspiracy to commit robbery with dangerous weapons and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

AP

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Christine Dowdell named Thousands flee homes near NC fertilizer plant fire director of Forsyth DSS Current Chowan DSS chief to take over on Feb. 28

social work, counseling and child psychology at three different colleges—Wingate, Johnson C. Smith and Bennett.

“The Social Services director is Twin City Herald staff a critical position for our commuTHE FORSYTH COUNTY De- nity,” said Deputy County Manager and Health and Human partment of Social SerServices Director Shonvices has hired its new tell Robinson. “Chrisdirector. Christine M. tine’s experience, referDowdell will take over the “The Social ences, and passion for job starting on Feb. 28. serving our most vulnerDowdell, who current- Services able populations rose to ly fills the same position director is the top during our thorat Chowan County Deough recruitment and separtment of Social Ser- a critical lection process. I look forvices, was hired follow- position ward to Christine joining ing a nationwide search for our the Forsyth County team

by Forsyth County DSS. and assisting us with imShe’s a veteran of three community," proving the lives of our decades of social services residents.” work, including working Deputy County Dowdell has a connecin Mecklenburg County tion to the area. Two of as a child welfare supervi- Manager her four children gradusor. She also was a consul- Shontell ated from Winston-Satant and trainer with the Robinson lem State University. One North Carolina Departis currently a teacher and ment of Health & Human the other has continued their colServices.

She is a licensed social worker lege graduate studies.

She earned her Practical Nursand is certified as a case manager and teacher for learning disabled ing diploma from Troy’s Montgomstudents. Dowdell has also taught See DOWDELL, page 2

The Associated Press WINSTON-SALEM — An uncontrolled fire raging at a fertilizer plant forced the evacuations of thousands of people as firefighters warned early Tuesday that chemicals at the site could cause a large explosion.

Authorities drove through neighborhoods and knocked on doors asking residents to leave within a one-mile radius of the Weaver Fertilizer Plant on the northside of Winston-Salem, where the fire started Monday night. No injuries were reported.

Most of the campus of Wake Forest University is just outside the evacuation zone. The university urged students living in dormitories to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

Bright orange flames could be seen shooting into the sky along with thick plumes of smoke as lights from firetrucks and other first responder vehicles surrounded the fully engulfed building. The evacuation area included about 6,500 people in 2,500 homes, the Winston-Salem Fire Department said.

Three seniors named finalists for prestigious NC State scholarship Forsyth County schools have three candidates for Park Scholarship

Twin City Herald staff THREE SENIORS at Forsyth County schools have been named finalists for N.C. State’s top merit scholarship. Cade Marie Brady of West Forsyth High School, Joshua James Howard of Forsyth County Day School and Sophia Rose Scherer of Forsyth County Day School were named finalists for the Park Scholarship. The Park Scholarships program announced Friday that 112 finalists were named from 2,260 ap-

plicants from across the United States.

The finalists from the area are: Cade Marie Brady, child of Ryan and Ashley Brady, of Winston-Salem. Cade will graduate from West Forsyth High School where they are president of the Equality Club, two-time Poet Laureate and an ambassador for the National Society of High School Scholars. They were also a Spirit of Rachel Nominee for exemplifying kindness and good character, voted Student of the Year twice and volunteer regularly for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Cade plans to major in chemistry.

Joshua James Howard, son of Jim and Dalia Howard, of Winston-Salem. Joshua will gradu-

ate from Forsyth Country Day School where he is president of his school’s Society of Engineering and Entrepreneurship, an officer in North Carolina Youth and Government and the managing editor of his school’s newspaper.

He also founded Wisteria Woodworking to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and serves as the vice president of his school’s honor council. Joshua plans to major in chemical engineering and economics Sophia Rose Scherer, daughter of Brian and Kerri Scherer, of Advance. Sophia will graduate from both the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and Forsyth Country Day School where she is the president

“We want to make sure that right now we’re evacuating everybody in this one-mile radius,” Winston-Salem Battalion Chief Patrick Grubbs told reporters early Tuesday. “There is still a potential for explosion.”

Firefighters had pulled back from the scene due to the danger of the uncontrolled fire, leaving behind an unmanned truck to pump water on part of the site, Grubbs said. Authorities were also flying drones over periodically to assess the fire.

At least 90 firefighters, along with emergency personnel from other agencies, fought the fire for about two hours Monday night, but they had to retreat because of the large volume of ammonium nitrate on the site, Winston-Salem Fire Chief Trey Mayo said.

The fire department said that firefighters could not flow enough water to be reasonably certain of keeping it cool enough to prevent a detonation.

Grubbs warned that there was going to be a lot of smoke and poor air quality. He said that it could See FIRE, page 2

and founder of two service clubs, the Salute Our Troops Club and El Club de Compromiso Hispánico. She is also captain of the Forsyth Country Day girls’ varsity golf team and captain of the competition dance team. She volunteers as a Spanish medical translator at local community health clinics and currently works as an XR software developer to create virtual and augmented reality teaching tools. Sophia plans to major in computer science.

Started in 1996, the Park Scholarship selects students based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

The scholarship is named for the late Roy H. Park, a 1931 NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation, dedicated to education, media, and the environment. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year to outstanding high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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DEATH NOTICES ♦ Mary Ann Krohto Appleton, 94, of Clemmons, died Jan. 28, 2022. ♦ Nell Smith Barksdale, 87, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Donna Watson Baskin, 98, of Clemmons, died Jan. 30, 2022. ♦ Doris Anderson Bean, 85, of Trinity, died Jan. 29, 2022. ♦ Collins Monroe Brown, 2, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Robert Joe Cornelius, 87 of Advance, died Jan. 31, 2022. ♦ Opal Myers Ford, 96, of Forsyth County, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Joanna “Jo” Lahleet Schenck Foy, 95, of Clemmons, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Dorothy Reeves Gainey, 85, of Clemmons, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ David Curtis James, 88, of WinstonSalem, died Jan. 30, 2022. ♦ Shirley Ann James, 81, of WinstonSalem, died Jan. 29, 2022. ♦ Robert “Bob” Lee Johnson, 91 of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 29, 2022. ♦ Clara Ruth Fullbright Keenum, 85, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 28, 2022. ♦ Robert (Bob) Whittington King, Jr., 85, of Clemmons, died Jan. 30, 2022. ♦ Rodney Lynn Moore, Sr., 70, of Forsyth County, died Jan. 30, 2022. ♦ Harry Dale Newcomer, Jr., 55, of Laurinburg, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Jerry Glenn O’Neal, Jr., 54, of Kernersville, died Jan. 16, 2022. ♦ Lee Crandall Peterson, 101, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Rev. Edward Lewis Phillips, 61, of Forsyth County, died Jan. 28, 2022. ♦ Lewis Dean Poteat, 74, of Cornelius, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Evelyn Price “Sweet Pea” Redmond, 84, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Isaiah Rhody, 68, of WinstonSalem, died Jan. 27, 2022. ♦ Virginia Finney Rose, 93, died Jan. 29, 2022. ♦ Timothy Joel Tuttle (Tim), 67, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Richard Harold Wade, 88, died Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Charles “Keith” Watts, 65, of Lewisville, died Jan. 28, 2022. ♦ Walter Rick Whiteman, 84, of Winston-Salem, died Jan. 27, 2022.

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COLUMN | JOYCE KRAWIEC

Survival is a powerful instinct THE 49TH ANNIVERSARY of Roe v Wade has just taken place. There were “Marches for Life” all around the country. Then there were rallies by those who favor abortion celebrating that fateful court decision.

Even if you do not believe that Moses brought down the tablets from the mountain commanding, “Thou shalt not kill”, it is written on our hearts. Saying anything differently doesn’t make it so.

These events started me thinking of the value of life. So many families are dealing with loved ones infected with Covid and I am hearing many sad stories. These families are realizing how truly precious life is when it seems to be in jeopardy.

I think I told you that I sponsored a bill, “No Patient Left Alone” a few months ago. It passed and the Governor signed it into law. I introduced the bill after hearing from families about their loved ones dying alone or suffering without the family being able to visit. I thought the bill solved at least part of the problem. Not. I am spending a large part of my time right now, trying to help families maneuver a health system and be allowed to visit their family members during this crisis. Many hospitals are continuing a path as if the bill never became law. They are still denying visitation in many cases. One family member told me they were told they could visit if they would sign a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. I’m trying to get that verified. If true, that is so wrong. They are also not allowed to try certain treatment protocols prescribed by doctors outside of the hospital. These family members are grasping at any chance to save their loved one.

When the bill was being debated, there were concerns about emergencies happening when facilities would need to lock down. One of the scenarios used was if there were an active shooter on campus, they needed to have the

DOWDELL from page 1

ery Community College. Dowdell also has a bachelor’s and Masters of Social work, from Kean University in New Jersey and New York’s Fordham University, respectively.

“I am elated to be given the opportunity to serve as the next DSS director for Forsyth County,” said Dowdell. “I look forward to the continued great work that the staff is doing and look forward to serving the residents of Forsyth

authority to shut down. We gave a little wiggle room, and it has been used to circumvent the law.

Most of the cases, in which I have intervened, families were eventually allowed to visit. It shouldn’t have to be that way. When we are back in session, I intend to strengthen the law and do all I can so that families don’t have to jump through hoops to be allowed to visit.

It’s very frustrating.

These times have reminded me of how precious life is and how our instinct is to fight for survival. When faced with whether to live or die, the instinct for survival is very powerful.

Many of those in hospitals are on ventilators and chances aren’t good but they continue to fight for life. Their families do as well.

I can’t help but think back to years ago and the Terri Schiavo Story. I don’t know how many remember it, but I remember it well.

It had a lasting effect on me. I remember the heartbreak of that tragic event.

Terri had suffered brain damage and was severely disabled. She had lived in this condition for a few years. She had a feeding tube but could breathe on her own. Her husband decided she wouldn’t want to live like that and asked for the feeding tube to be removed. I don’t remember all of the details, but her parents disagreed and sued to stop this from happening. The court battle lasted for years with many appeals.

I remember the pain as her parents pleaded for her life. The lawyer for Terri’s husband, Michael Schiavo, talked about her pending death as if it were a cruise down the lazy river.

He said that starvation was not painful and even described it as “euphoric.”

I watched in horror, day in and day out, as her life slipped away. I wondered if this was the country where we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them

County.“ Dowdell replaces Victor Isler, the former director of Forsyth County DSS. Isler left the job in mid-November to take over as Assistant Guilford County Manager.

Isler had been in the position since 2014.

Dowdell will take over a department that has more than 500 employees and provides protective services, facilitates benefits, enforces child support and oversees foster and adoptive services.

life.

Many people felt so helpless as we heard a judge declare that her feeding tube could not be reinserted. I was shocked as I watched her parents being searched to make certain they didn’t attempt to give her water, as they visited.

Terri was a living, human being with parents who loved her and wanted to care for her.

I remember thinking what kind of society allows this to happen? She had committed no crime. I’m willing to wage a bet that if she had committed a heinous crime, these same people would never have allowed her to be put to death.

It made no difference to me who you believed in this situation. She was a person, disabled as she was, her right to life was fundamental. She wasn’t able to let us know her wishes, and so her fate was in the hands of the man who wanted her dead. There is something sick about that to me.

This case created awareness of living wills and encouraged us all to make sure that our wishes are known. Most polls show that a majority would not want to be kept alive. It’s easy to say that when there’s no decision, at the moment, but not so simple when the time comes. When one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, most will fight for life to continue as long as possible. It’s a powerful instinct.

My prayer list is getting longer and longer as I hear from more families who are fighting for the life of a loved one. We keep hearing that the death rate for Covid is low, and most will survive without problems. If you’re healthy, you’re likely to roll along. But I am hearing from way too many families who are losing loved ones everyday. Pray this will end soon.

Joyce Krawiec has served in the North Carolina Senate from the 31st district since 2014.

FIRE from page 1

take some time for the fire to come under control.

Less than two miles away, Wake Forest canceled classes for Tuesday and opened a campus building for students and staff who live off campus but had to relocate. The university said only one campus housing building was within the evacuation zone.

The Forsyth Correctional Center, a minimum security prison

with the capacity for about 250 inmates, also is in the evacuation area.

Winston-Salem officials said a shelter has been set up at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. People who have evacuated should plan to be away from their homes for up to 48 hours.

The fertilizer plant was closed when the fire started and no employees were inside, local media outlets reported.

Grubbs said officials from the

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Acocella, Jaclyn Ann (F/34) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 1835 Ammons Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 1/26/2022 16:02. ♦ ANTHONY, ALKEISHA TOYVETTE was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at GLENN/PATTERSON on 1/28/2022 ♦ BLACKWELL, JOSEPH DEWAYNE was arrested on a charge of COMMUNICATE THREATS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/31/2022 ♦ Bolejack, Nathanial Clay (M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Vand-personal Prop (M), at 8684 Crestbrook Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 1/27/2022 22:16. ♦ BOSTICK, ANTOINE ROCHE was arrested on a charge of LARCENYFELONY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/30/2022 ♦ BOSTICK, ANTOINE ROCHE was arrested on a charge of ROBBERY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/28/2022 ♦ BOWEN, WILLIAM DUSTIN was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 400 LINVILLE RD on 1/28/2022 ♦ Burnett, Michael Patrick (M/40) Arrest on chrg of Fraud-obt Property (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/26/2022 18:36. ♦ CASTILLO-URBANO, MIGUEL URBANO was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 698 E CLEMMONSVILLE RD/OLD LEXINGTON RD on 1/30/2022 ♦ Farr, Christopher Michael (M/49) Arrest on chrg of 1) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M) and 2) Breaking/enter-misd (M), at 6090 Tobaccoville Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 1/28/2022 07:39. ♦ Ford, Douglas Lee (M/58) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault - Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury (F), 2) Disch Fa/occ Dwell (F), and 3) Assault On Female (M), at 1772 Round Hill Cr, Kernersville, NC, on

1/29/2022 20:55. ♦ Ford, Douglas Lee (M/58) Arrest on chrg of Assault-point Gun (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/30/2022 22:15. ♦ Foster, George Douglas (M/39) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Stolen Goods (F), 2) Injuring, Maiming, Or Killing Lawenforcement Agency Animal (F), and 3) Resisting Arrest (M), at 4741 Ben Ln, Walkertown, NC, on 1/28/2022 16:49.

arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 5699 GERMANTON RD/OLD HOLLOW RD on 1/29/2022 ♦ MABE, CLYDE JAMESBENTON was arrested on a charge of LARCENYFELONY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/28/2022 ♦ MARIN, JOSE ANGELCASTRO was arrested on a charge of MURDERFIRST DEG at 725 N CHERRY ST on 1/30/2022

♦ FRAZIER, DERRICK ZIVAUGHN was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at BADEN ROAD on 1/31/2022

♦ MARTIN, NATHANIEL LEE was arrested on a charge of VAND-PERSONAL PROP at 125 S MAIN ST on 1/29/2022

♦ GOODMAN, JASON MATTHEW was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 523 RIVERTREE LN on 1/29/2022

♦ MCCLOUD, WALTER ERNEST was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at 725 N CHERRY ST on 1/28/2022

♦ Hamby, Joshua Garris (M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugs-poss Sched Ii (F), 2) Probation Violation (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 4) Probation Violation (F), at 8200 Blk Shalloford Rd, Lewisville, NC, on 1/30/2022 22:47.

♦ MCCLOUD, WALTER ERNEST was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/29/2022 ♦ Miller, Kayli Madison (F/24) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 8684 Crestbrook Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 1/27/2022 22:16.

♦ HARRISON, TERQUOIYA WAYNETTA was arrested on a charge of ASSAULTSIMPLE at 300 MT VERNON RD on 1/28/2022

♦ Norman, John Henry Clement (M/34) Arrest on chrg of Drug Trafficking (F), at 435 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 1/29/2022 19:41.

♦ HAYDEN, JAMES EDWARD was arrested on a charge of HABITUAL FELONS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 1/31/2022

♦ Norman, John Henry Clement (M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Heroin (F), 2) Possession Marijuana (M), 3) Impaired Driving Dwi (M), and 4) Probation Violation (F), at 435 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 1/29/2022 19:01.

♦ HERNANDEZ, MARCOS was arrested on a charge of FUGITIVE at 320 E HANES MILL RD on 1/29/2022 ♦ HIMES, PAMELA ELAINE was arrested on a charge of INDECENT EXPOSURE at 599 N SPRING ST/W SIXTH ST on 1/28/2022 ♦ Jama, Mohamed Abdi (M/48) Arrest on chrg of 1) Impaired Driving Dwi (M) and 2) Dwi Commercial Veh (M), at 2439 Southmont Dr/north Crossing Wy, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/28/2022 03:45. ♦ LINDSAY, ANTHONY TRAVIS was

♦ Parrish, Nicholas Alexander (M/20) Arrest on chrg of 1) B&e-vehicle (F), 2) P/w/i/s/d Marijuana (F), and 3) Attempt To Commit Felony (F), at Middlebrook Dr/amberley Ln, Clemmons, NC, on 1/31/2022 04:49. ♦ RUSH, WALTER RAY was arrested on a charge of ROBBERY at 2734 N PATTERSON AV on 1/31/2022 ♦ Saucedo, Abraham Mendoza (M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M), 2) Fail To Appear/compl

(M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 4) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), at 975 S Main St, Kernersville, NC, on 1/30/2022 04:41. ♦ SCALES, MARGARET LINDSAY was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 2526 ROBINHOOD RD/COLISEUM DR on 1/28/2022 ♦ SCHOEN, BRENDAN ANDREW was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 249 W FOURTH ST on 1/30/2022 ♦ SHELL, DOMINIQUE RASHAWN was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 4303 TISE AV on 1/29/2022 ♦ THOMAS, ABRAHAM FERRELL was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at 1504 E TWENTY-FIFTH ST on 1/30/2022 ♦ UNDERWOOD, LEVERN LAMONT was arrested on a charge of ROBBERY at 3505 N PATTERSON AV on 1/28/2022 ♦ Walker, Brandon Dewayne (M/28) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny/ misdemeanor (M), 2) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 3) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 6) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 7) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 8) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 9) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 10) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 11) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 12) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 13) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 14) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 15) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 16) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 17) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 18) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 19) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 20) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 21) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 22) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 23) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 24) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 1/29/2022 12:45. ♦ WHITE, STEPHON ANTIONE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 46 TIMLIC AV on 1/31/2022

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

SPORTS

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Hoosiers longtime PA announcer retires Bloomington, Ind. Chuck Crabb, the public address announcer for Indiana men’s basketball games and many other Hoosiers sports for over four decades, is calling it a career. The 71-year-old Crabb announced his retirement on Monday. The decision takes effect immediately. Crabb and his booming, baritone voice became a fixture at football and men’s basketball games after replacing Bert Laws in 1977. Over the next 45 years, Crabb added men’s soccer games, women’s basketball games and men’s and women’s track and field competitions to his repertoire.

BASEBALL

Vandalized Robinson plaque to be displayed Kansas City, Mo. A plaque honoring baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was vandalized in Georgia is coming to Kansas City’s Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to be put on display in April. The sign was erected in 2001 outside the birthplace of Robinson near Cairo, Georgia. Community members there discovered last year that someone had shot the plaque multiple times. Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 when he became the league’s first Black player. Robinson’s hometown replaced the damaged marker, with help from the league, and added another marker at a library last week.

NFL

Jaguars interview Bisaccia, line up Pederson next Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed former Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia on Monday and had a planned second interview Tuesday with former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, The Associated Press reported. The 61-yearold Bisaccia, a longtime NFL special teams coordinator who also spent more than a decade in the college ranks, took over in Vegas after Jon Gruden resigned amid an email scandal in midOctober. The Raiders went 7-6 under Bisaccia, including a wild-card loss to Super Bowl-bound Cincinnati two weeks ago. The 54-yearold Pederson first met with Jaguars owner Shad Khan and general manager Trent Baalke on Dec. 30.

NBA

Utah’s Ingles out with torn ACL in right knee Salt Lake City Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles tore a ligament in his right knee that will require surgery. Ingles is out indefinitely after an MRI on Monday revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

He will have surgery in the coming weeks. The sevenyear forward was injured in the Jazz’s game Sunday in Minnesota. Ingles, who is Utah’s all-time 3-point leader, was averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 45 appearances this season.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton makes a catch during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday in Pasadena, California.

National squad rallies for 25-24 win in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl The showcase event included several players from N.C. schools The Associated Press PASADENA, Calif. — Coastal Carolina’s Shermari Jones had a 5-yard touchdown run and Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley connected with Indiana’s Peyton Hendershot for the 2-point conversion as the National squad overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to beat the American 25-24 on Saturday in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Jones powered up the middle first-and-goal to get the National to 24-23 with 4:07 remaining.

Coach Marvin Lewis decided to go for the win, and it paid off with a successful 2-point conversion.

“The fun of his is watching these

guys grow,” Lewis said. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times during the first half with penalties, but we came back out and won the second half.”

The American drove down to the National 28, but Illinois’ James McCourt’s 46-yard field goal attempt was wide left as time expired.

Kelley completed 12 of 17 passes for 150 yards for a touchdown in earning MVP honors.

“Anybody can go and game plan all year long for their team, but to come in and get a playbook and have to learn it one week with new guys and get on the same page was fun,” Kelley said.

Kern connected with Arkansas’ Blake Kern on a 47-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter to even it at 17.

The National trailed 17-3 in the third quarter got within a touch-

down when Illinois’ Brandon Peters scored on a 2-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal.

The game was tied at 17 after three quarters, but USC’s Vavae Malepeai put Jeff Fisher’s American team back in the lead on an 18-yard run where he shook off a couple tackle attempts in the backfield.

Nicholls State’s Dai’Jean Dixon led the American team with six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Dixon caught an 11-yard slant pass from Aqeel Glass of Alabama A&M with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter to extend the American’s lead to 14-0. He also hauled in a 47-yard pass from Glass midway through the third quarter that would set up a 24-yard field goal from Illinois’ James McCourt to extend their lead to 17-3.

Glass was 9 of 11 for 141 yards and a touchdown. California’s

Chase Garbers got the start for the American and completed 10 of 13 for 119 yards. He opened the scoring with a 13-yard TD pass to Sam Houston State’s Jequez Ezzard with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Chris Oladokun of South Dakota State was the National’s starting quarterback. He was 1 of 4 for 8 yards and an interception.

Toledo’s Bryant Koback, who was playing for the American, was the game’s leading rusher with 58 yards on 14 carries.

Nine players from five North Carolina schools were on the rosters for the game. Duke had four: offensive lineman Jack Wohlabaugh, running back Mataeo Durant, and defensive backs Joshua Blackwell and Leonard Johnson.

UNC offensive linemen Marcus McKethan and Jordan Tucker both played, and Elon quarterback Cheek Davis was on the National roster.

Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba made a 26-yard field goal and two extra points in the game, and National squad teammate and Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Sutton had two catches for 37 yards.

Weather another thing Winter Olympians need to worry about Unpredictability is the name of the game in many alpine events

The Associated Press MIKAELA SHIFFRIN describes herself as “super controlling over everything that’s happening in my life,” so the twotime Olympic gold medalist is not all that fond of one particular can’t-do-a-thing-about-it aspect of her chosen sport, Alpine skiing.

“The weather,” she said, “can literally change everything.”

The 26-year-old from Colorado is scheduled to open her Beijing Olympics on Feb. 7 as the defending champion in the giant slalom.

A key word there is “scheduled” because, as Shiffrin experienced at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, nothing is certain when it comes to the vagaries of various elements such as temperature, wind, sunlight or precipitation.

In outdoor events, all of those factors can, and quite often do, alter the competition and the competitors themselves.

“On a more macro level, it

takes a lot of mental effort to be ready to go out and compete in an Olympic event and when ... it doesn’t happen ... it’s, for sure, stressful and takes energy away from that level. It’s unlike any other sport, in that sense, right?

“There’s just not that many sports that are that affected, and that exposed, by weather, both to affect the outcome of a race and to affect the outcome of an event,” said Mike Day, Shiffrin’s main coach with the U.S. ski team. “It will have a big impact and has had a big impact in the past.”

Olympians say the weather might change their preparation and mindset before a contest.

Once the contest begins, it might harm — or, it’s also true, help — their result. All of which turns this into just another source of stress at a one-day-every-fouryears spectacle already filled with them.

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about,” said Keely Cashman, a 22-year-old Alpine skier from California heading to her first Olympics.

Snowfall is not in the forecast for the Yanqing mountain area during these Olympics. Strong wind is expected.

GIOVANNI MARIA PIZZATO | AP PHOTO

U.S. skier Keely Cashman and other Winter Olympians in outdoor sports such as Alpine skiing or snowboarding say the weather can be a key factor in success or failure.

The quality of the snow also tends to deteriorate as more racers head down a hill.

It generally is considered better to go earlier to avoid ruts and bumps that develop. But if a headwind gives way to a tailwind, say, or if a cloudy day turns clear and the crystals of the snow shift, then advantages can, too.

“It’s rare to have days where it’s consistent. You do have them, but they’re few and far between,” said U.S. ski team member Bryce Bennett, who won a World Cup downhill at Val Gardena, Italy, in December. “The variables make it interesting. When you’re on the good side of variables, you’re psyched. When you’re on the bad side, you’re (angry).”

“That’s like, probably, 90% of what we’re thinking about.”

Keely Cashman, U.S. Olympic skier

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.”

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

4

STATE & NATION

Cooper vetoes GOP bill pushing primary to June

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper refused on Friday to delay North Carolina’s primaries by another three weeks to June, vetoing a measure that Republican legislators said would allow them more time to redraw their redistricting plans if the state Supreme Court strikes down boundaries.

The Democratic governor had said last week before the General Assembly approved the legislation that it was a bad idea for lawmakers to interfere as the state’s highest court considers litigation challenging congressional and legislative boundaries.

The justices last month already postponed primary elections originally set for March 8 until May 17 to allow time for them to hear the lawsuits claiming that illegal partisan gerrymandering and the dilution of black voting power favor Republicans. The state Supreme Court plans to hear oral arguments in the case on Wednesday.

Cooper, who with Attorney General Josh Stein filed a friendof-the-court brief urging the justices to strike down the new maps, wrote in his veto message that Republicans were seeking to control the election timeline.

“The constitutionality of congressional and legislative districts is now in the hands of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Court should have the opportunity to decide how much time is needed to ensure that our elections are constitutional,” Cooper said in a news release.

The bill was approved on par-

PHOTO VIA N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. ty lines by Republicans, who said a further primary delay to June 7 was needed to reduce confusion as the state awaits the court’s decision. With the GOP lacking veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, the chances of an override are slim.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, accused Cooper of interfering with a reasonable delay that was meant to ensure the map redrawing is thorough and constitutional.

“Unfortunately, Governor Cooper’s veto undermines that process in the name of politics,” Moore said.

The State Board of Elections has said it needs final maps by Feb. 18

in order to keep the May primary on schedule. Republicans note a state law that requires the General Assembly be given at least two weeks to redraw the maps if they are struck down, before judges could step in and draw their own.

Registered Democrats hold a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court.

Cooper and Stein said in their court brief that the justices should decide to delay the primary again if it means ensuring “future elections are held under constitutional maps.” But one group of plaintiffs, led by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, said justices have the authority to shorten or eliminate the two-week period.

Lawyers for others who sued said the justices should place the remapping in the hands of a third-party expert.

The vetoed bill would have extended the primary date for the U.S. Senate and House, the legislature and scores of judicial and local positions. Primary runoffs would be held either July 26 or Aug. 16, with the latter date used statewide should a second-place primary finisher for any federal post ask for a runoff.

The redistricting litigation alleges Republican legislators violated the state constitution by drawing lines that likely will result in the GOP winning 10 of the state’s

Rogan responds to Spotify protest, COVID advisories

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press NEW YORK — Following protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus.

In a post Sunday, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek laid out more transparent platform rules given the backlash stirred by Young, who on Wednesday had his music removed from Spotify after the tech giant declined to get rid of episodes of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which has been criticized for spreading virus misinformation.

“Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly,” wrote Ek. “It is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”

Ek said that the advisories will link to Spotify’s fact-based COVID-19 hub in what he described as a “new effort to combat misinformation.” It will roll out in the coming days, Ek said. He did not specifically reference Rogan or Young.

Rogan responded to the fallout saying in a video on Instagram that he was only seeking to have conversations on his podcast with

AP PHOTOS

This combination photo shows Neil Young in Calabasas, Calif., on May 18, 2016, left, and UFC announcer and podcaster Joe Rogan before a UFC on FOX 5 event in Seattle, Dec. 7, 2012. people who have “differing opinions.”

“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial,” Rogan said. “I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people.”

He also said that he schedules

the guests on his podcast himself, and that he would try to book doctors with different opinions right after he talks to “the controversial ones.” Rogan noted that he earlier sat down on the show with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the chief medical correspondent for CNN, Dr. Michael Osterholm, who is a member

of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, and Dr. Peter Hotez from Baylor College of Medicine.

Rogan additionally welcomed the idea of adding advisories before podcasts related to COVID-19.

“Sure, have that on there. I’m very happy with that,” he said.

14 U.S. House seats and preserving state House and Senate majorities in almost any political environment. In contrast, statewide elections are usually closely divided.

A panel of three trial judges already refused to strike down the districts earlier this month. While there was clear evidence of “intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting,” the judges wrote, it wasn’t the role of the judiciary to step in and interfere with a process that was inherently political and left to the General Assembly.

Legislators expressed concern that the turnaround time between a potential order to redraw districts and the new filing window, currently scheduled for late February, would be insufficient.

In a statement last month, Senate Republicans said state law requires at least 14 days to draw new districts if existing ones are struck down by a court, but the N.C. Supreme Court’s case schedule provides as little as 12 days if the Supreme Court strikes down the current maps.

State Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke), one of the Senate Redistricting Committee co-chairs, said in a statement following the veto, “This common sense legislation alleviated an unnecessarily constricted timeline for candidate filing and initiating the election process. It also made necessary changes to the municipal election timeline requested by the State Board of Elections. The party-line vote on House Bill 605 and Gov. Cooper’s veto lay bare what redistricting litigation really is — nothing more than a pure political power play.”

Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who have signed a multi-year deal to produce and host podcasts for Spotify under their production company Archewell Audio, on Sunday urged Spotify to tame what they call virus misinformation.

“Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform,” an Archewell spokesperson said in a statement. “We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”

Earlier Sunday, Nils Lofgren, the Bruce Springsteen guitarist and a member of Crazy Horse, a frequent collaborator with Young, said he was joining Young’s Spotify revolt. Lofgren said he had already had the last 27 years of his music removed and requested labels with his earlier music to do likewise.

“We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere to stand with us and cut ties with Spotify,” wrote Lofgren in a statement.

On Friday, Joni Mitchell said she is seeking to remove all of her music from Spotify in solidarity with Young. Earlier, hundreds of scientists, professors and public health experts asked Spotify to remove a Dec. 31 episode from “The Joe Rogan Experience” in which he featured Dr. Robert Malone, an infectious-disease specialist who has been banned from Twitter.

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MOORE COUNTY

COURTESY PHOTO

Attendees gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 23 at a rally opposing government vaccine mandates.

COUNTY NEWS Gregory will retire from board of commissioners Louis Gregory, who is serving his second term on the board of county commissioners, has announced his retirement, effective March 1. Gregory, a Republican, had a long career in law enforcement before joining the commissioners board, including serving as the police chief in Whispering Pines. He is serving his second year as vice chair of the board.

Gregory’s replacement must be a Republican and reside in District 2, which includes Pinehurst, Seven Lakes and Taylortown.

N.C. law requires the board of commissioners to consult with the county executive committee of the GOP before filling the vacancy.

County to investigate sex ed instruction Moore County Schools will investigate allegations of inappropriate comments made at New Century Middle School during a class on reproductive health and safety. In a Friday statement, the school called the allegations “nothing more than unverified and anonymous hearsay allegations.” According to the school system, students are not automatically enrolled in reproductive health and safety courses and parents must optin for students to receive the instruction.

All three county teams make state wrestling tournament The Union Pines Vikings captured their 15th straight conference championship in varsity wrestling last week. The Vikings topped the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament with 224 points. Pinecrest was second with 203.5 points. All three county schools advanced to the state tournament. North Moore bowed out after a firstround loss to Albemarle in the 1A tournament. Pinecrest, a regional host and #1 seed, advanced to the third round with wins over East Chapel Hill and Wakefield and will host New Bern in the third round of the 4A tournament on Wednesday. Union Pines, also a regional host and #1 seed, advanced with wins over Harnett Central and Westover in the 3A bracket.

Citizens make voices heard against vaccine mandates

By Matt Mercer North State Journal PINEHURST — Citizen groups across the globe are protesting vaccine mandates as vaccine effectiveness against new variants of the COVID-19 virus has waned and Americans who are vaccinated are not showing high demand for boosters. On January 23, tens of thousands of people rallied on the National Mall to oppose government vaccine requirements.

Mitch Lancaster, a Moore County resident and former Southern Pines councilman, was one of the attendees from across the country to attend the event.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the doctors, their speeches and their commitment to the patient/doctor relationship. These

men and women have taken a stand for truth and freedom and it was very inspiring,” said Lancaster.

During one of the speeches, Lancaster said he was heartbroken hearing from those who suffered an injury from the vaccine and how the federal government was “hanging those folks out to dry.”

“They were encouraged to take a shot that has injured them and now they are faced with medical expenses and hardship for who knows how long,” said Lancaster, who added that a group was formed to help those who have suffered from adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.

“Overall it was great to see so many people, from all walks of life, committed to defeating these harmful mandates and fighting to

Book controversy heads to school board Board members Holmes and Levy both have objections to “George”

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The controversial book “George” remains on the library shelves in two of the district’s schools while a complaint filed over the book heads to the Moore County Public Schools board.

The book, written by Alex Gino, has been considered controversial for its transgender storyline of a fourth-grade boy who believes he is a girl named Melissa. The publisher’s website claims the book is recommended for children ages eight to 12.

The book, which is not required reading, can currently be accessed by any student in both McDeeds Creek Elementary and Union Pines High School.

Pursuant to Moore County Public Schools policy, the complaint was taken up by the Media and Technology Advisory Committees at each school. The committees at both schools recom-

mended “George” should stay in the libraries. The next step in the process takes it to the school board level and the board plans to discuss the book during its February work session.

The complaint to remove the book was filed in mid-December of 2021 by James Pedersen.

“Introducing children to porn and clearing their browser, genital mutilation with scissors, gender dysphoria does not address the ‘diversity of needs, interests and viewpoints of students,’” the complaint states.

“As a taxpayer … I don’t want my money going towards any of those things in a government school,” Pedersen told North State Journal.

The complaint asks, “How is this appropriate for elementary students who haven’t even had sex ed yet?” The question follows an excerpt from the book where the lead character fantasizes about removing his genitals with scissors when thinking about a possible future sex change.

A portion of the complaint says it’s “not the government’s business to introduce to children transgenderism, sex changes, androgen

restore our God-given freedoms,” he added.

The protests, such as the one in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, have sprung up around the world in response to government mandates.

In early November, the Biden administration announced a vaccine-or-test mandate for companies with at least 100 employees.

The rule — which would have impacted more than 80 million U.S. workers — was originally set to go into effect on Jan. 4.

“The goal is to show a unified front of bringing people together — vaccinated, unvaccinated, Democrats, Republicans, all together in solidarity,” Matt Tune, one of the national protest organizers, told the Washington Post in an interview before the event.

Opposition to required vaccina-

blockers, cross dressing, internet porn, or LGBTQ lifestyles.”

According to the American Library Association’s 2019 list tracking the most challenged books, “George” ranks number one. Of the top 100 most challenged books for the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, “George” ranked fifth even though it was only first published in 2015.

Moore school board member Philip Holmes has expressed that he doesn’t believe the book “has any business” being on elementary school library shelves.

Pedersen told North State Journal that it took months to get anywhere with the district about his complaint about the book. He said he finally received information about how to lodge a complaint from Holmes and Rep. Jamie Boles (R-Moore).

In response to an email from Interim Superintendent Tim Locklair which described the process involving Pedersen’s complaint, Holmes asked Locklair to “accept this as a formal request to reevaluate the book ‘George’ for inappropriate content. I am very concerned about the decision your staff or the committee’s decision per your email.”

“Please know that I am prepared to bring light of this issue publicly until this book is removed from our schools,” wrote Holmes. “Please advise what avSee BOOKS, page 2

tion is rising as the omicron variant of COVID-19 has become the dominant strain of the virus globally. Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a “fireside chat” with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on January 11 that omicron “will ultimately find just about everybody.”

Demonstrations in European cities such as Athens, Helsinki, London, Paris, and Stockholm each drew thousands, according to an Associated Press rundown of the protests.

The protests follow several defeats for the mandates in U.S. courtrooms.

Most notably, President Joe Biden’s mandate for employers with 100 or more employees to require COVID-19 vaccinations was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following that decision many companies which had announced they were complying with the Biden administration’s order backtracked from their requirements.

The Biden administration has See MANDATES, page 2

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WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Crystal Gail Ingram (F, 43) of Aberdeen, arrested on charges of two counts of attempting to Obtain Property by False Pretenses.

Bond $2,500 secured. Next court appearance in Moore County District Court on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Ingram was also being held without bond for an outstanding parole violation warrant from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. ♦ Roger Lee Mclaurin (M, 45) of Carthage, arrested on charges Of Misdemeanor Larceny and Possession of Stolen Goods/ Property. Arresting Agency: Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Bond $25,000. Next court appearance February 23, 2022. ♦ Brandon Monroe Duncan (M, 37) of Eagle Springs, arrested on charge of Sell Schedule III Controlled Substance. Arresting Agency: Moore County Sheriff’s Office. ♦ Alexander Zachariah Monroe, arrested on charges of Felony Possession of Cocaine and Possess Drug Paraphernalia. Bond $5,000. Arresting Agency: Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Next court appearance February 17, 2022. ♦ Jeffery Lynn Maness (M, 62) of Carthage, arrested on charges of Break or Enter A Motor Vehicle (2 Counts), Felony Larceny (2 Counts). Arresting Agency: Moore County Sheriff’s Office. ♦ Phillip Lee Garner (M, 43) of Carthage, arrested on charges of Assault on Female and Felony Probation Violation (3 Counts).

Bond $5,000. Arresting Agency: Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

Next court appearance February 24, 2022. ♦ Olivia Cheyenne Burroughs (F, 21) of Candor, arrested on charges of Possess Methamphetamine and Possess Drug Paraphernalia. Bond $2,500. Arresting Agency: Robbins PD. Next court appearance February 23, 2022. ♦ William Diontre Sanders Jr. (M, 24) of Carthage, arrested on charges of Assault on A Female, Break Or Enter With Intent To Terrorize Or Injure Occupant, Assault And Battery, and Injury To Personal Property. Bond $4,000. Arresting Agency: Carthage PD. Next court appearance February 9, 2022.

SCAM ALERT Beware of spoofed emails targeting local churches. Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields warned local churches of scams that have recently been reported to the Sheriff’s Office last week. Members of local churches have received fraudulent emails that look like they are coming from the Pastor requesting gift cards to be purchased. If you are ever in doubt, call the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931 with any questions or concerns.

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MANDATES from page 1 officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday.

But the agency said it still strongly encourages workers to get vaccinated.

U.S. corporations have been split over whether to mandate employee vaccinations. United Airlines began requiring vaccines in August; the company says 99% of its workers have been vaccinated or have requested medical or religious exemptions. Ty-

son Foods, which also announced a mandate in August, says 96% of its workers were vaccinated by a Nov. 1 deadline.

But other big businesses, including Starbucks and General Electric, scrapped previously announced vaccine mandates for their employees after the Supreme Court’s ruling.

OSHA indicated that the rule could return in some form. While it is no longer an enforceable standard, it remains a proposed rule, OSHA said. For now, the agency said it will prioritize the health care mandate.

David Michaels, an epidemiologist and former OSHA admin-

istrator who now teaches at The George Washington University, said the agency could consider a new rule that would include other measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces, such as requiring face masks, distancing, and better ventilation systems.

Across the border in Canada, truckers have recently protested a Canadian government rule that imposes a vaccine requirement for cross-border drivers. Truckers, with horns blaring, blocked the downtown of the Canadian capital Ottawa over the weekend and protestors blocked a border crossing in southern Alberta.

BOOKS from page 1

it “contributes to our mission of improving educational literacy.”

“Our libraries are special purpose libraries,” said Levy. “Each title is chosen (or should be chosen) for its educational value to children of a certain age.”

Levy said the topics of gender dysphasia and gender fluidity are “not age appropriate in an elementary school setting.” He added that at the middle and high school level, “gender dysphoria and gender fluidity are best addressed by medical and psychological professionals in conjunction with parents.”

Levy told NSJ he initially believed the book, written for a middle school reading ability, could be properly placed in a middle school library. “Its anti-bullying subplot seems worthwhile. But, on closer scrutiny, we still have the problem that the book deals with matters of gender dysphoria, does contain a passage discussing self-mutilation and delves into a dangerous reason why adolescents commit self-harm, I.e., displeasure with one’s own body,” he said.

“It also treats, without explanation, the unsettled notion of

gender fluidity as fact. As such the book is misleading. Further, we are currently investigating a very troubling matter in one of our middle school sexual education classes and we may need to reevaluate our approach to adolescent sex education generally.”

Levy stated emphatically “we do not ban books.”

“All books, even George, should be available at public libraries, online and at bookstores,” said Levy. “But this particular book is not in line with our core mission, which is to teach children to read and, if they do desire, choose literature which may not be available at school but which they and their parents jointly believe will further their understanding of our complex world.”

“George is poorly written, confusing and teaches unsettled sexual theory as fact,” wrote Levy.

“It’s passage on self-mutilation is not in keeping with community standards for children exposed to such literature. Hence, it is probably best to withdraw the book from circulation at school libraries, instead deferring circulation to public libraries and book vendors.”

enues I need to take as a sitting board member to have this book brought back up for reconsideration for removal.”

Some have called “George” controversial, while others have called it pornographic or obscene. Moore County school board member Robert Levy told the North State Journal the “notion that the book George is ‘obscene’ is not accurate” and it “misses the reason why it should be withdrawn from circulation at our school libraries.”

“The book deals with the unsettled and controversial notion of ‘gender fluidity.’ This is the idea that a person mentally determines gender and that this idea should replace or supplant our notion that gender is a function of chromosome structure and biology,” Levy wrote in an email to NSJ. “Whether such a book should be available from an elementary school library or any school library is the question we must answer.”

Levy said the schools first need to determine whether or not the literature is appropriate and if

TUNE INTO The John and Maureen show

Sundays

1 - 2PM

MONDAY

FEB 7

HI LO PRECIP

49° 28° 11%

TUESDAY

FEB 8

HI LO PRECIP

50° 27° 22%

moore

happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Moore County:

Feb. 5 The Ladysticks Show 7:30pm From Hoke County to Hollywood – and Back.

A live cooking musical show like nothing you’ve seen on reality TV. Tickets available at sandhillsbpac.com.

Feb. 8 Fidelity Bank Grand Opening 5:15pm Fidelity Bank’s newest location at 985 Old US Highway 1, Southern Pines will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at 5:15pm. A reception will follow from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Chocolate Making 11am-noon Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Scott Hasemeir, owner of V Form Chocolate in Pinehurst, will demonstrate how he makes his delectable creations. He will also have chocolates to purchase for your Valentines’ gifts. The free event is hosted by the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.

More information at sandhills.edu.

Feb. 13

WEEB 990 AM 104.1 and 97.3 FM

Super Bowl Party | 5:30pm

Moore County GOP Precinct Meetings GOP Headquarters 211 Central Park Avenue Olmsted Village Pinehurst, NC 28374 The Moore County GOP announces precinct meetings as follows:

Hickory Tavern will host a Super Bowl party with a gameday buffet. Tickets available moore. northstatejournal.com/ superbowl2022/

Feb. 19 The Carolina Philharmonic | 7:30pm

February 5, 2022 10:00 AM- Noon Cameron, Carthage, DHR, Pinehurst A1 February 5, 2022 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Pinehurst A2, Pinehurst C February 6, 2022 2:00 PM-4:00 PM East Knollwood, North Southern Pines, South Southern Pines, Pinedene, Pinehurst B1, Taylortown February 12, 2022 10:00 AM- Noon Bensalem, Eureka/Whispering Pines, Pinebluff, Robbins, Westmoore

February 12, 2022 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Eastwood, Little River, Seven Lakes, Vass West End, West Knollwood February 13, 2022 2:00 PM-4:00 PM East Aberdeen, Pinehurst B2, West Aberdeen Precinct meetings will be held at Moore GOP Headquarters, 211 Central Park Avenue, Olmsted Village, Pinehurst, NC 28374. gop.mcrp@gmail.com

The Bradshaw Performing Arts Center hosts a rescheduled concert inspired by Beethoven’s treks through the forest.

Tickets available at sandhillsbpac.com.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Borders matter

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%.

Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

IN WASHINGTON, there has been a lot of talk recently about Ukraine and threats to its border by Russia.

President Biden’s failed foreign policy and weakness on the national stage have emboldened Vladimir Putin and led directly to this crisis in Ukraine. The debacle in Afghanistan, gifting Russia the Nord Stream II pipeline, refusing to provide lethal aide to Ukraine, and saying he expects Russia to make an “incursion into Ukraine” all further destabilized the region and have made the world less safe.

I have called on the President to show strength and deter Russian aggression. I’ve been encouraged by the Biden administration increasing lethal aid to Ukraine through other nations. However, we must do more to provide direct aid.

Russia and the world must know the U.S. will never waiver on our commitment to our NATO allies and our friends.

Yet, the simple truth is that when politicians fail, the men and women of our military are often called on to clean up the mess. To be clear, I do not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine. However, Renee and I are praying for our troops and their families, as many from our Fort Bragg community have now been placed on high alert to deploy to the region.

One thing is certain — deterring Russia is important and deserves our attention. However, America’s borders matter too.

In December alone, border officials confirmed last week that agents encountered 178,840 illegal migrants. That’s a 142% increase from last year and the worst December on record. In total, nearly 2 million illegal migrants have crossed our border just since President Biden entered office. That’s more than the populations of Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville — combined.

One year ago, Biden’s first actions as president included

immediately ending construction of our already-funded border wall, halting deportations and stopping President Trump’s successful “Remain in Mexico” initiative. These open-border policies created the humanitarian, public-health and nationalsecurity crises we are seeing today.

Unlike President Biden, I went to our southern border last year and saw firsthand how hard border agents are working to address the crisis. However, border officials estimate that nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants escaped into the U.S. last year without being apprehended. Of those apprehended and issued notices to appear in court, nearly half failed to report. Most shocking of all, last week TSA confirmed that illegal migrants can use arrest warrants as a form of ID to board an airplane.

This is unacceptable.

Also troubling is the impact of this crisis on our communities.

Not only have the record-setting numbers brought high rates of COVID, but fentanyl crossing our border has also skyrocketed.

Just last year, fentanyl encountered at the border increased by 134%. Tragically, this has led to the lethal opioid now becoming the leading cause of death of American adults.

This border crisis must end.

As Fort Bragg’s congressman, rest assured I will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on military families in our community. As stated, deterring Russia is vital to our own national security and the safety of our European allies. Yet at the same time, I will also continue encouraging the president and Washington Democrats to place as much value on protecting our own borders. We have the strongest economy and military in the world that can deter any nation who threatens us. We also have proven solutions to secure our border. We can — and must — do both.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

It’s not government’s job to ‘root out’ misinformation We’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

AFTER BEING ASKED by MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski about the alleged misinformation spread by the popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast and Facebook users, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy responded with a homily about how “we” must “root out” misleading speech.

“We” don’t have to do any such thing. Government officials have no role in dictating appropriate speech or lecturing us on what we can or can’t say. In fact, they have a duty not to.

Murthy’s comments wouldn’t be as grating if it weren’t so obvious that the Biden administration has been pressuring Big Tech companies, who oversee huge swaths of our daily digital interactions, to limit speech and set acceptable standards.

You might remember that last summer, White House press secretary Jen Psaki causally informed the press that the White House was “flagging problematic posts for Facebook that spread disinformation.” Can you imagine the explosive reaction from the establishment media if it had learned that the Trump White House was keeping a list of speech crimes?

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield also argued that social media companies “should be held accountable” for the ideas of those who use their platforms.

President Joe Biden, who previously accused Facebook of “killing people,” this week made a “special appeal to social media companies and media outlets: Please deal with the misinformation and disinformation that’s on your shows. It has to stop.”

It doesn’t. I happen to believe that tech companies should enjoy unencumbered free-association rights and be free to keep or kick off anyone they desire from their product. But that position becomes unsustainable if these same corporations, who often spend tens of millions each year in Washington rent-seeking and lobbying for favorable regulations, also take orders from state officials on permissible speech. And no authentic journalist would turn to a government official for guidance on the matter.

It’s bad enough that media outlets have abandoned any commitment to upholding liberal ideals of open discourse — as they not only act as hall monitors who hound tech companies into self-censorship, as virtually all of them did when the New York Post broke the Hunter Biden story before the 2020 presidential election. Self-censorship is as pernicious as any other variety.

Allowing the state to participate in rooting out “misinformation,” however, sets a dangerous precedent that can be easily abused by those in power, even if we were to concede that Murthy was acting in good faith. As we’ve unfortunately learned during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials will often pass on bad information or politically motivated information.

Moreover, the definition of “misinformation” is also conveniently expansive. What was once a conspiracy theory can quickly become a plausible possibility, as we recently learned when evidence emerged that our government may have helped hide and suppress news about the Chinese origins of COVID. Facebook had simply banned such talk for a year. Alleged “misinformation” is often perfectly reasonable inquiry or theorizing. Even if it isn’t, the state is not the final adjudicator of the veracity of speech. And anyway, we’re free to discuss every harebrained idea we desire.

Health officials and the media have done more to corrode trust in science and government during the COVID era than any conspiracy theorist on social media. Americans aren’t sure where to turn, so they often turn to unreliable sources.

As with the media, however, the best way for Murthy to fight the spread of undependable information is to rebuild the credibility of his own institution.

What we say, or don’t, is none of his business.

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

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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obituaries

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Daniel Earl Kuster, Sr., of Goldston, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. ♦ Carole Agnes Scott died Monday, Jan. 24. ♦ Margaret (Pearl) Russell Stark Campbell, of Pinehurst, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

Todd Jeffrey Killian, Sr.

November 1, 1961 - January 29, 2022 Todd Jeffrey Killian Senior, age 60 of Pinehurst, passed away at Firsthealth Hospice House on January 29, 2022, after battling pancreatic cancer. Todd was born in Hickory on November 1, 1961, and grew up in Rockingham.

Todd is survived by his mother, Linda Gail Killian, his children, Kate (Joe) Chambers; Jeffrey Killian, and Charlie (Grace) Killian, his grandchildren, Claude Chambers and Dawn Chambers, his prior spouse, Tamsey Killian, his siblings, Kelly Killian, and Bryan Killian, and his nieces and nephews, Maddison Sutton, Sydnee (Taylor) Potter, Samuel Sutton, Bailey Killian, and Taylor Killian, and his grand-nephew, Keegan Scott Potter. Todd was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Rayford Killian.

Eleanor Ruth Kinsey

March 17, 1937 - January 26, 2022 Eleanor Ruth Kinsey, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Pinehurst on Tuesday, January 26, 2022.

Ellie was born on March 17, 1937, to the late James and Effie Weaver in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Ellie raised her four children in Cannons, Delaware, and moved to Pinehurst when she retired.

She is survived by a daughter, Lori Walters and husband Ron; sons: David, Jeffrey and Christopher Curry; granddaughter Colinda Curry; grandsons: Derek and wife Beth, Joshua, Michael and wife Brittany Savage and Marek Curry; 8 great-grandchildren: Trey, Tegan, Whitley, Jessie, Penny, Elijah, Leland and Weston; sisters: Faye, Ginny, Barbara, Beegee; brothers: Howard, Johnny; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family celebration of her life will be honored as upon her wishes.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Gerald Anthony Durso, Jr.

December 16, 1951 - January 27, 2022 Gerald Anthony Durso, Jr., 70, of Aberdeen passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

He was born December 16, 1951, in Cook County, Illinois, to the late Gerald and Gloria Salla Durso.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years Danita Durso; his mother Gloria White; his children Devin Brito, Michele Wright (Corey), Gerald Durso, III (Andrea), William Priest (Patricia), and Danelle Phelps (Justin); 10 grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and his brother Vincent Durso (Mercedes).

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Bessie Virginia Hodges

December 26, 1922 - January 25, 2022 Bessie Virginia Hodges, 99, of Pinehurst passed away peacefully at home surrounded by members of her family on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Born Bessie Virginia Lynn on December 26, 1922, in Independence Township, Pennsylvania, she is survived by four children — Lee and his wife, Carole of Arden; Harry and his wife Joanne of Pinehurst; Judith and her husband, Alan of Havertown, Pennsylvania; and William and his wife, Jerelyn of St. Paul, Minnesota, and nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Bessie was preceded in death by Larry, her husband of 71 years, and her four siblings.

The family will remember Bessie as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and she will be honored always for her love, devotion and kindness. May she rest in peace.

As she wished, Bessie was interred alongside her husband at Pinelawn Memorial Park where a private family service was held. The family would like to express their appreciation to First Health Hospice and also the wonderful private care givers who comforted and cared so tirelessly and professionally for Bessie in her waning years.

Allis A. Rennie

December 22, 1945 - January 16, 2022 Allis A. Rennie passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

Allis was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on December 22, 1945, to John Nicholson Rennie and Marian Francis Allis, both of whom predeceased her.

Allis had one daughter, Rennie Elizabeth Feldhaus O’Connor.

In 2011 Allis moved to Pinehurst from England, where she had resided for 35 years, to be near her daughter, son-in-law Bart O’Connor, and grandson Harrison. At the time of her death she was living with them.

Allis had unquenchable energy and an engaging mind, powered by an exceptional intelligence.

Without any training as an educator, or in the Montessori method, she applied for and obtained the job of running the leading school in London at the time for the training of Montessori teachers. Another chapter included a few years in real estate in London. Later she relocated to Leicester, England, where she found a job as the liaison between the prosecutor’s office and the police department.

She loved that work and only retired when she was able to move to Pinehurst to be near Rennie and her family.

Allis loved to travel and took full advantage of her thirty-five plus years in England to see many of the sights both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent. She made sure to expose her daughter to as much culture and history as she could, taking Rennie on a memorable 16th birthday trip to Rome and countless trips to castles and museums, where they enjoyed many high teas and half pints in old pubs. From New Year’s Eve in Inverness to romps in the Lake District she never tired of traveling or learning.

In addition to Rennie O’Connor, her husband Bart, and their son Harrison, all of Pinehurst, Allis is survived by her brother John Nicholson Meindl and his wife Amy, and by her sister Mary Catherine Gracheck and her husband Jack, all of Dallas, Texas.

A service of remembrance will be held in Pinehurst within the next several months, when it is safe to do so. Allis’s family asks that anyone wishing to make a donation please do so in Allis’s memory to Moore Buddies Mentoring or to a charity of your choice.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Richard A. Stewart April 25, 1052 - January 23, 2022

Richard A. Stewart was born on April 25, 1952 and departed this life on January 23, 2022 at Moore Regional Hospital.

Richard was the son of the late Thomas and Florence Stewart; 1 of 6 children (born in Jamaica Queens New York). They relocated to Taylortown, North Carolina where he graduated from Pinecrest High School.

Richard served in the Army prior to beginning his career in law enforcement. He joined the Southern Pines Police Department on July 1, 1977 and thoroughly enjoyed helping those in the community for 32 years before retiring March 31, 2009.

Outside of policing over the years Richard has offered security services to local businesses and owned a detail company.

Above everything, Richard’s favorite pastime was cooking.

Whether for Stewart Unique Catering, a grieving family or with friends – he loved sharing food. He would challenge anyone in the kitchen and if he ever shared a recipe with you then you are truly special to him. If not in the kitchen he was traveling, shopping or spending time with his family. He served faithfully for years at the River Church with Bishop Joby and Pastor Sheryl Brady; now under the leadership of Bishop Ronald Godbee.

Richard is survived by his wife of 29 years, Muriel Stewart and his siblings; James Stewart, Perry Stewart, Para Stewart, Thomasina Stewart and Kenneth Stewart. He was preceded in death by his son Adrian Stewart and his daughter Candra Stewart.

His life legacy will be continued through his children; Ramant Stewart, Jordan Stewart, Kevin “Sarod” Smith and Azia Whitted, as well as his 11 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387. A funeral service will be held at Pinecrest High School – Robert E. Lee Auditorium, 250 Voit Gilmore Lane, Southern Pines, NC 28387 on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 1:00PM. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

♦ Richard Adrian Stewart died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. ♦ Lauretta Hartmann died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2022. ♦ David A. Howard died Thursday, Jan. 20

Vickie Elizabeth Haddock May 2, 1955 - January 28, 2022

Vickie Elizabeth Smith Haddock passed away January 28, 2022, in Pinehurst in the presence of her family after battling cancer for five years.

She was 66 years old and loved by many.

Vickie was born May 2, 1955, into the loving family of Daniel Lenwood and Elizabeth (Lib) Smith of Lumberton. She was a little sister to brother Danny Smith, and a twin to brother Rickie Smith. She grew up swimming in the Lumber River with her brothers, riding horses and playing in the fields on her family farm.

Throughout high school she enjoyed playing piano in the Raft Swamp Baptist Church and was a member of the GA’s.

She is survived by her husband Wayne of Pinehurst; her son Brandon and daughter in-law Ashley, along with their children Briar and Josephine; her step-son Scott and daughter in-law Jaime, and their daughter Audrey of Raleigh; She also leaves behind her father Lenwood Smith of Lumberton, her brother Danny and her twin brother Rickie and his wife Connie Smith.

A service for Vickie will be held at the Village Chapel in Pinehurst, 10 Azalea Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374, on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 1:00 pm. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall at Village Chapel prior to the service from 11:00 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

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