North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 8 by North State Journal

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 8

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Robinson won’t seek US Senate seat Raleigh Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson emailed a statement to supporters saying he would not run for the U.S. Senate in 2022. “Running for Senate was never on my radar before the last couple of weeks,” Robinson said, adding that he owed it to supporters to take a serious look at the race. Robinson, along with several other prominent Republicans, were mentioned in public and private polling prior to the entry of former Gov. Pat McCrory in the race last week. “I am proud of what my team and I have accomplished and look forward to building on our progress,” Robinson’s statement continued. His announcement leaves McCrory and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker as the candidates who have formally announced for the Republican nomination, with U.S. Rep. Ted Budd likely to enter the race by the end of April. NSJ STAFF

Biden orders agencies to no longer call migrants ‘illegal aliens’ Washington, D.C. Employees of the two main U.S. immigration enforcement agencies were directed to stop referring to migrants as “aliens.” Memos issued by Customs and Border Protection, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, tells employees to use the words “non-citizen” or “migrant.” The change reflects guidelines set by the Biden administration, which is reversing many of the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump. Instead of “illegal aliens,” which was still being used by some government officials in press releases and elsewhere, the employees of CBP and ICE should instead use “undocumented noncitizen” or “undocumented individual,” according to the memos. Under the new guidelines, “unaccompanied alien children” would be referred to as “unaccompanied noncitizen children.” Employees are also directed to describe the “assimilation” of refugees and immigrants as “civic integration.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Universities line up 2021 commencement speakers Raleigh N.C. State and Duke University announced this week their spring 2021 commencement speakers. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who starred on the Wolfpack’s football team, is a 2010 graduate of the school and will give the speech at NC State. Duke announced on Tuesday that singer John Legend would deliver their spring address. Earlier, UNC Chapel Hill announced that Drs. Kizzmekia Corbett and Anthony Fauci would address their spring commencement. Other schools which have announced speakers include East Carolina University, which will host UNC System President Peter Hans. NSJ STAFF

Amy Coney Barrett has book deal New York Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has a book deal with a Penguin Random House imprint. Adrian Zackheim, who heads the conservative Sentinel imprint, confirmed he has an agreement with Barrett. Coney Barrett, 49, was approved last fall by the Republicanled Senate just weeks after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was the third justice selected by thenPresident Donald Trump. Other Supreme Court justices who have released books in recent years include Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHN MINCHILLO | AP PHOTO

Chauvin found guilty of all charges Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges he faced following the death of George Floyd last year. From left, attorney Ben Crump, Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, Brandon Williams, nephew of George Floyd, and Rodney Floyd, brother of George Floyd, attend a news conference outside the Hennepin County Government Center.

NORTH

Gov. Roy Cooper mulling vaccine passports

JOURNaL

House members file bill blocking mandatory vaccinations, passports

STATE ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

GOP White House hopefuls move forward as Trump considers run By Jill Colvin The Associated Press

own ambitions. “It’s a free country. Folks can do what they want,” Trump adviser Jason Miller said in response to the moves. “But,” he added, “if President Trump does decide to run in 2024, the nomination will be his if you’re paying any attention to public polling of Republican voters.” Polling does indeed show that Trump remains a commanding figure among GOP voters. Republican leaders, including those who may hope to someday succeed him, have been careful to tend to his ego and make clear they have no plans to challenge his standing. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, last weekend awarded Trump a new “Champion for Freedom Award,” which the group publicized — complete with a photo of a smiling, golf-attired Trump holding a small, gleaming cup — even after the former president went after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky in a profanity-laden speech. A day later, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, considered a top-tier 2024 candidate, told The Associated Press that she will sit out the race if Trump runs again. “I would not run if President Trump ran,” she said in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The deference is, in part, an acknowledgement of Trump’s continued power. He remains deeply popular with the GOP base and is bolstered by an $85 million war chest that can be shared with endorsed candidates, spent on advertising and used to fund travel and pay for polling and consultants. Trump is making plans to soon increase his visibility, with aides discussing options to hold rallies as soon as late spring or summer. “There’s a pretty strong demand

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Less than three months after former President Donald Trump left the White House, the race to succeed him atop the Republican Party is already beginning. Trump’s former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has launched an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries, and he has signed a contract with Fox News Channel. Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, has started a political advocacy group, finalized a book deal and later this month will give his first speech since leaving office in South Carolina. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been courting donors, including in Trump’s backyard, with a prominent speaking slot before the former president at a GOP fundraising retreat dinner this month at Mar-a-Lago. Trump ended his presidency with such a firm grip on Republican voters that party leaders fretted he would freeze the field of potential 2024 candidates, delaying preparations as he teased another run. Instead, many Republicans with national ambitions are openly laying the groundwork for campaigns as Trump continues to mull his own plans. They’re raising money, making hires and working to bolster their name recognition. The moves reflect both the fervor in the party to reclaim the White House and the reality that mounting a modern presidential campaign is a yearslong endeavor. “You build the ark before it rains,” said Michael Steel, a Republican strategist who worked for Jeb Bush’s presidential 2016 campaign, among others. “They’re going to do the things they need to do if he decides not to run.” Trump, at least for now, is giving them plenty of leeway, convinced they pose little threat to his See TRUMP, page A2

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Since the end of March, Gov. Roy Cooper has said his administration is looking at creation of a so-called “COVID-19 vaccine passport” for North Carolina residents. During a tour of a vaccination site in late March, Cooper said that “We want to be able to help people to be able to show others

that they have gotten the vaccine, because a lot of people are going to want that,” and that “we are figuring that out now and we’re having discussions about the best way to do that.” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) has called vaccine passports “ridiculous” and said he does not believe the government should mandate vaccinations. In early April, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order banning such a passport while the legislature created a bill to permanently block them. Days See PASSPORTS, page A2

Durham protests lead to more downtown damage Police chief leaving for Memphis after 5 years By David Larson North State Journal DOWNTOWN DURHAM saw a fresh wave of unrest in the city over the weekend, with many storefronts suffering broken windows and graffiti. The damage comes after the city had begun to recover after a year that saw many businesses boarded up and shut down from violent demonstrations and COVID restrictions. A pig with an “X” through it was spray-painted on the Durham Police Department headquarters sign; a fire was set at the same location; an American flag was burned; “Death to America” was spray-painted nearby; multiple businesses were vandalized with graffiti and by having their storefront glass smashed; and demonstrators jumped over barriers to yell at and intimidate patrons dining outside. “During the protest Friday night, we received reports of vandalism which included broken windows and graffiti,” Lieutenant G. L. Minor of DPD’s public affairs unit told NSJ. “No arrests have been made at this time. The Durham Police Department will continue to facilitate the rights of our residents to protest but will be ready to respond as necessary to maintain order and safety for all.” The restaurant Copa on Main Street was the scene of a particularly tense situation, as protesters jumped over barriers and intimidated the outdoor diners, smashing glasses and plates in the process. “No one was injured. The diners moved inside and were gracious about the whole incident,”

Copa management told NSJ. “They all even refused our offers to comp their whole checks. We did have more cancellations than usual on Saturday and at least one party referenced the protests.” See PROTESTS, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: WORKING FOR THE PRINCE OF PEACE

4.21.21 #279

MATTHEW 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

“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 by North State Media, LLC 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609

TRUMP from page A1 out there to get President Trump on the road,” Miller said. Many Republicans acknowledge Trump would leap to the front of the pack if he chooses to mount a bid to become the only president other than Grover Cleveland to serve two nonconsecutive terms. Still, there is deep skepticism in many corners of the party that Trump will run again. While people close to him insist he is serious, many see Trump’s continued flirtations as a means to maintain relevance as he has settled into a comfortable post-White House life. At Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, he’s courted by candidates and met by rounds of applause and standing ovations whenever he en-

PASSPORTS from page A1 later, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a similar order, and stated that “Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.” Around that same time, Dr. Fauci said he doubted the federal government would entertain such a document, and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on April 6 that a vaccine passport was a non-starter. “Our interest is very simple from the federal government, which is American’s privacy and rights should be protected so that these systems are not used against people unfairly,” Psaki said. The same day Psaki addressed reporters, Cooper held another virtual COVID-19 briefing at which he was asked about a North Carolina COVID-19 vaccine passport two times yet did not answer whether or not he was in favor of

PROTESTS from page A1 Rock’s Bar and Hair Shop, in the same block, told NSJ, “We did not sustain any damage. We understand and stand by these protests, however we do not see the point or purpose of destruction of property. That said, we will always consider people more important than property.” Bill Browning, a real estate lawyer with a Main Street Durham location, told NSJ in a phone interview, “We had a broken window and some graffiti written on the front.” Browning said he wasn’t present on site when the demonstrators passed through, but received a call from the owner of a neighboring property, whose alarm had been triggered. The neighbor told Browning that his property had been damaged, so he came down to board up. “I imagine mine is going to be boarded up for a short while,”

LEO CORREA | AP PHOTO

The moon rises above Christ the Redeemer statue during a lunar eclipse seen from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.

ters the dining room. In the meantime, other could-be-candidates are making moves, even as many of their aides insist their focus is squarely on next year’s congressional elections and helping Republicans win back control of the House and Senate. Jeff Kaufmann, the chair of the Iowa Republican party, said the activity in his state has begun even earlier this year than in the past two election cycles, with every candidate on his potential 2024 list having already visited or thinking of visiting the first state on the GOP nominating calendar. “I know of no one — honestly no one — that is hesitating to come out,” he said. “Now some are a little more subtle than others, but that may not necessarily be tied to Don-

such an item. Cooper told one reporter that “anybody who wants to get a record of their vaccine should be able to get that record.” He said that it was N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) was working on the “best and easiest way” for someone to be able to show proof of their vaccination. The governor also said that “I think that is something the state should do” before turning the question over to NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, who said that they are collecting information about people’s vaccinations to make sure who has gotten their first and second shots. “We just want to make sure that folks can access their own information about that vaccine for whatever purpose they may need. So, we are looking at different IT solutions to make that easy as possible for folks,” Cohen said. “We know there are a few states that have already done that. We

Browning said. “The amazing part is when all this was going on people were all just milling around outside like it was business as usual, and then other folks were working on cleaning up debris from their broken windows and boarding up.” He didn’t blame the police for leaving their businesses unprotected, saying, “In speaking with one of the police officers, he indicated it was something that came up rather quickly. So, maybe it caught them off guard. But I’m not sure how much direction there is from above saying get involved or don’t get involved.” He added, “I think the police want to do a good job and the sheriffs want to do a good job, but sometimes their hands are tied.” The Durham Chamber of Commerce told NSJ that they “always will support our community’s right to assemble peacefully and we continue to be proud and encouraged when members of our com-

ald Trump. That may be just tied into their campaign style and not wanting to get too far ahead of their skis until they see if they have any traction whatsoever.” Pompeo, arguably the most aggressive to date, is among those who have already spent time in Iowa, as well as New Hampshire, and this week past he addressed Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s World Values Network in New York, where he was introduced by video by Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson. And on Saturday, he headlined the Palm Beach County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner at Mar-a-Lago along with Scott and DeSantis. DeSantis, who is up for reelection next year, recently hired a top Republican strategist who served

The pure of heart, the sixth of the Beatitudes, are cleansed by the sacrifice of Jesus. The seventh Beatitude, the peacemakers, are the logical next step from the cleansing power of salvation. The peacemakers are those who live in peace with others and work to preserve peace. Peace is one of the mantles of Christ. Isaiah 9:6 tells us that Jesus will be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The peacemakers are able to achieve their own peace and work towards peace in the community and broader world because of the blessings of Christ. Peacemakers are reconciled with God and are charged to share that reconciliation with others. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 reminds us that God, through Jesus, reconciled the world to himself, “committed unto us the word of reconciliation” and “now then we are ambassadors for Christ.”

as executive director of the Republican Governors Association. DeSantis also has been using the race to build a deep fundraising network that could support him if he chooses to run nationally. Regardless of Trump’s ultimate decision, his critics and supporters alike say they see the future of the party as dependent on maintaining their appeal to Trump voters, while at the same time winning back the suburban voters who abandoned them last fall. “I think everyone’s trying to find that magic combination of ‘Trumpplus,’ of continuing to appeal to the new voters that President Trump brought to the Republican coalition while also bringing back some of the college-educated suburban folks,” said Steel.

“If President Trump does decide to run in 2024, the nomination will be his if you’re paying any attention to public polling of Republican voters.” Trump senior adviser Jason Miller

are looking at a number of vendor partners that we can work within the next couple of weeks. Again, just to make things easy for folks to get their own information.” The answer Cooper provided to the second reporter who asked about the passports was similar to his first, that they are “working on ways to easily be able to provide a record of a vaccine to anyone who wants it.” “Obviously, you need to be careful with civil liberties and priva-

cy, but we think that ought to be available to anybody who asks for it, and so the department [NCDHHS] is working on the best way to do that,” Cooper told the reporter. North State Journal followed up after the April 6 briefing by emailing the governor’s office twice for clarification of his position. While NSJ received a notification that the email was read by staff, as of yet there has been no response. Citizens worried about being forced to get a vaccination or vaccine passport may get some relief in a bill filed in the N.C. House. House Bill 558, titled Prohibit Mandatory CV19 Vaccinations, was filed on April 15 with Reps. Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) and Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) as the primary sponsors. The bill would prohibit the state and its agencies from creating or imposing and kind of identification like a vaccine passport in order to travel, enter any pub-

lic space or private property, or to do business in North Carolina. It would also block the governor from using an executive order to mandate a person be vaccinated and would give civil and criminal immunity to anyone refusing to receive a vaccination. Additionally, the bill would enact new statutes, one of which gives citizens the private right to determine whether they or their children, or any person under their care, will receive a vaccine. Another would make it illegal to discriminate by requiring a vaccine passport or similar proof for use of public spaces and in the hiring and firing of employees. Colleges, K-12 schools and childcare facilities in the state would be prohibited from questioning a person on their vaccination status as a condition of attendance. Similarly, occupational licensing boards, hospitals and nursing homes cannot refuse licenses, treatment or admittance based on a vaccination status.

munity come together in peaceful demonstration to make their voices heard. We do not know the extent of damages to businesses but will note that the businesses in downtown Durham that remained boarded up last year, did so in support of Durham artists who used the boards as canvases to show solidarity. So, we remain encouraged by continued interest in Durham as a place to live, work, play, and do business.” Browning said, “It’s hard to tell if it affects commerce,” when asked what effect this kind of vandalism has on Durham businesses. “I feel safe and all that, but the hard part is trying to make sure that your business doesn’t suffer from the standpoint of having something broken, destroyed, burnt up or whatever.” The crowds gathered after farleft activist group Durham BURN called for people to protest recent police shootings that they believe are unjust or racist. Many of those

who showed up wore “antifa-style” costumes, dressed in black from head to toe. Durham BURN got in a war of words with the city’s mayor, Steve Schewel, after a protest last September when Schewel said that white anarchists causing vandalism downtown had co-opted the racial justice movement. Durham BURN responded by saying they were run by people of color, and, “The white person ‘co-opting the racial justice movement for their own purposes’ in Durham right now is Steve Schewel, who wants to erase Black, Indigenous, and other people of color’s radical politics, bold actions, and intentional community organizing work.” The group’s social media accounts advocate the abolition of police and prisons, as well as for the elimination of rent for lower-income residents, citing exploitative landlords and gentrification.

Their message organizing the protest read, “SHUT IT DOWN FOR DAUNTE & JAIDA! TOMORROW 7pm FRIDAY 4/16 510 S. Dillard St!” The address mentioned is for the Durham County Courthouse. In Raleigh, a similar protest occurred downtown Saturday. According to the Associated Press, around 100 people marched in the downtown area and then began pelting eggs at media and police, leading to the arrest of 12 demonstrators. An American flag was burned and other minor incidents reported before police dispersed the crowd. Both Raleigh and Durham are also dealing with the departures of their respective chiefs of police. On Monday, Durham Police Chief C.J. Davis announced she was taking a chief position in Memphis, Tennessee, after five years heading the DPD. The Raleigh chief, Cassandra Deck-Brown, is retiring in June.

“We want to be able to help people to be able to show others that they have gotten the vaccine, because a lot of people are going to want that.” Gov. Roy Cooper

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

“Our focus moving into next school year is recruiting, educating, and supporting corps members who will work as early grades literacy tutors grounded in the science of reading” N.C. Education Corps statement

NC Education Corps requests $500,000 grant Request is part of a projected $3.2 million budget for 2021-2022 By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — At the April 8 meeting of the N.C. State Board of Education, the group training volunteers to support school districts and their students due to the pandemic asked for $500,000 grant to continue operations. The N.C. Education Corps (NCEC) requested the half million in grant funds which will be disbursed by the N.C. Education Fund. According to the grant request documentation, NCEC’s total project budget is “$3.2 million for F.Y. 2021-2022.” The original purpose of NCEC was to recruit volunteers to fill various support and liaison roles within school districts struggling to keep up with instruction, food delivery and communication with families during the pandemic. It now appears that support will be expanded and extend into the foreseeable future. “Our focus moving into next school year is recruiting, educating, and supporting corps members who will work as early grades literacy tutors grounded in the science of reading,” said the email from Smith and newly appointed NCEC Board Chair Mike Ward. “Not only is this meant to assist

with learning recovery. It also is meant to advance the early childhood literacy work championed by Senators Berger, Ballard, and Lee among others in the Excellent Public Schools Act and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper.” NCEC was formed last fall by John-Paul Smith, the group’s program director. It was made known during the State Board of Education meeting that Smith had been hired as a salaried executive director. In an email to North State Journal, Smith said his compensation will be $130,000 a year. According to grant request documentation, the NCEC has had only three paid employees for the tax year May 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. The combined compensation of those employees was $51,667. The group expects to expand to 25 employees over the next fiscal year — a 733% increase. Compensation estimated for those employees is $1,613,333, representing a nearly 3,022% increase. With benefits and tax factors added in, the estimated compensation for staff increases to over $2 million. Operating costs will also rapidly rise. The NCEC spent $210,886 for the past fiscal year but estimates those costs to rise to $1,161,075 in the upcoming fiscal year, which is around a 450% increase. NCEC will use the money for a “focus on K-3 literacy in 2021-

2022.” NCEC estimated the cost for K-3 Literacy tutors at $3.32 million for 25 districts in the upcoming 2021-22 fiscal year. That cost is expected to increase as more districts are included, reaching $7.7 million by the fiscal year 2023-24. The original funding for NCEC came from the governor’s office in November of 2020. Gov. Cooper released around $100,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, which is part of the federal CARES Act. NCEC’s current funding is now coming through the NC Education Fund, which is being used as a “holding fund.” The grant money will actually first come through FAST NC, which “accepts donations through the existing NC Education Fund.” The steering committee for FAST NC includes Ward, a Democrat who served as N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1996 to 2004. He told state board members that “significant funds” have been raised from foundations and that those funds have been “directed to the State Board’s North Carolina Education Fund.” North State Journal filed a records request with the Department of Public Instruction for a list of donations made to the NC Education Fund from August 2020 through April 1, 2021. The request produced four donations totaling $900,000. $500,000.00 — Foundation for the Carolinas (01/12/2021) $100,000.00 — C D Spangler Foundation INC (01/28/2021) $200,000.00 — SECU Foundation (02/23/2021) $100,000.00 — Mebane Charitable Foundation Inc (03/31/2021) Smith and Ward confirmed these donations in an email to North State Journal. An in-depth examination of the NC Education Corps board can be found on www.nsjonline.com

Volunteers participate in a virtual meeting with N.C. Education Corps staff.

IMAGE VIA N.C. EDUCATION CORPS

FILE PHOTO

Freshmen at Raleigh Charter School in Raleigh conduct science experiments in May of 2017.

NC public charter schools saw enrollment increase last fall; vast majority have waitlists 78% of the state’s 200 charter schools have waitlists By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A draft of the annual charter schools report showed increases in enrollment last fall with a high percentage of schools reporting waitlists. At a meeting of the N.C. Charter School Advisory Board (CSAB), the draft report compiled for the General Assembly reported that 126,000 students were enrolled in North Carolina’s 200 charter schools, as of Oct. 1, 2020 — an increase of almost 7.7% over the 117,000 students enrolled during the prior school year. The draft report also revealed that 78% of the state’s charter schools had indicated they have a waitlist which represents around 76,000 students. Additionally, while district schools saw declines in Average Daily Membership (ADM) during the pandemic, charter schools reported ADM growth in every single grade level. The presentation given to staff said that 42 charter schools have received subgrants through the NC ACCESS program, which will be used to better serve educationally disadvantaged students. The presentation also showed that enrollment for black students has increased in the last three years, and Hispanic student enrollment has steadily increased for the last 10 years. In addition, 108 of the 200 charter schools offer transportation to students, while another 65 utilize coordinated carpooling. According to the presentation, 98.9% of the state’s charter schools met or exceeded all financial and operational goals. In 2020, seven new charter schools opened and 10 new charter schools have been approved to open in fall of 2021.

Senate tax-relief bill would lower individual state income taxes, alter corporate tax calculations By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — A bill filed in the N.C. Senate seeks to lower individual state income tax rates, increase standard deductions and alter some corporate tax calculations. Senate Bill 337, the Tax Relief and Recovery Act, was filed in March by primary sponsors Sens. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), Warren Daniel (R-Burke) and Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick). The bill would lower the individual income tax from 5.25% to 4.99% and would allow the first $25,500 of a family’s income to be tax-free. The legislation would also increase the standard deductions from $21,500 to $25,500 for married, filing jointly; $16,125 to $19,125 for head of household; and $10,750 to $12,750 for single and married, filing separately. The state’s current child deduction amount would be raised by $500 for each tier of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. As an example, the current state tax law has a deduction of $2,500 for couples married/filing jointly who make up to or over $40,000. That couple’s deduction would rise to $3,000. The bill would cap corporate income taxes at $150,000 and would make changes to the franchise taxes in the state. “In our state, we have a pernicious tax on job creators that we were going to reduce by a third, and we did that successfully until the governor vetoed the bud-

“We have to continue to create a structurally sound environment for job creators in North Carolina, or we will get left behind by our competitors.” State Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) get last time,” Newton told North State Journal in an interview. “We’re taking a different approach this time in this tax reduction bill, and the franchise tax is calculated and payable on the highest of three calculations.” Newton explained that the first calculation, which will remain in place, is the net worth calculation. “Multi-state corporations typically are paying this [net worth] where they may be in multiple states,” Newton said. “They have to calculate their net-worth and then a portion to North Carolina, which is attributable to the customers they’re selling goods or services to up here in North Carolina. That’ll remain intact. That is 75% of the franchise tax revenues today.” “But the other two legs are particularly onerous for businesses, because you have to calculate either actual value of tangible property in the state, and pay on that, or the appraised value of your tangible property in the state, and

GARY D. ROBERTSON | AP PHOTO

Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, left, speaks while Sens. Chuck Edwards, R-Henderson, center, and Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, stand at a news conference at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. pay the franchise tax on that,” said Newton. “The problem with that is that it taxes companies like startups or any company that doesn’t have a net worth — even if they’re not making any money.” Newton said this “discourages capital investment” and discourages businesses from putting an “iron in the ground” in North Carolina, as well as discouraging job creation. “It makes it much harder, in my view, to attract and retain startup companies because we’re taxing you even though you’re not even above water yet financially,”

Newton said. “I think it’s a big step in the right direction of reducing tax burdens on businesses and job creators in North Carolina and helps your mom and pops. It helps your small businesses.” Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, Cooper vetoed a bill that contained franchise tax cuts. In his veto message of Senate Bill 578, Cooper claimed it “prioritizes corporate tax cuts over investments in education” and that “cutting taxes for corporations at more than $1 billion over five years will hurt North Carolina’s future.” Despite the governor’s claim,

the state has posted multiple budget surpluses since Republicans began enacting tax reform policies, many of which were over $400 million. For example, in 2019, Cooper’s office predicted a $600 million budget shortfall; however, that August the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division announced an estimated $896 million surplus. That same year North Carolina’s economy was ranked No. 3 in the country by CNBC. “I can’t speak for the governor or what he might want to do,” said Newton when asked if the governor might veto the bill once passed. “But I will tell you this, in no uncertain terms, that we have to continue to create a structurally sound environment for job creators in North Carolina, or we will get left behind by our competitors.” Under the Republican-led tax reforms, the state’s corporate tax rate went from 6.9% in 2011 to 2.5% in 2020. Similarly, the personal income tax rate in the state went from 6-7.5% in 2011 to 5.25% in 2020 paired with increases in standard deductions. Newton said there is no “finish line” and that the state needs to keep looking for ways to convince job creators that “this is the state they want to make their 50-plus year capital investment in.” “To me the follow-on question is — can we afford these tax cuts? And the answer to that is a resounding yes,” said Newton. “After the tax cuts and after the statutorily required transfers to the SKIFF and the Rainy-Day Fund, we still have an availability $4 billion higher than this year’s base budget.” Newton said the fiscal impact would be around “$150 million growing slightly over a four year period.” The changes would become effective fiscal year 2022-23.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Murphy

Manteo

Jones & Blount

North Carolina strawberry season promises to be sweet April traditionally signals the start of the state’s strawberry season, and growers anticipate a crop that should last through Memorial Day. State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said recently that, “the recent hard frost kept strawberry growers busy protecting the plants’ tender blooms, but farmers have reported that those efforts seem to have been successful and consumers will be able to find local berries.” The N.C. Department of Agriculture says that North Carolina ranks fourth nationally in strawberry production, growing 1,100 acres of strawberries. The N.C. Strawberry Association provides a listing of you-pick strawberry farms with contact information at www.ncstrawberry.com/ farm-locator. “I enjoy seeing fresh North Carolina strawberries at pickyour-own farms, roadside stands, farmers markets and grocery stores. I know they will be the freshest and besttasting berries available,” Troxler added.

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House majority leader talks military-friendly bills

Bell: We pride ourselves on being the most military-friendly state

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By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

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Shown are strawberries from Cody’s Strawberry Farm in Richfield from their 2020 crop.

Top Strawberry Counties (Harvested Acres)

COURTESY PHOTO CODY’S STRAWBERRY FARM

WEST

County looks to be crowned NC’s Elk Capital

3 protesters arrested after Asheville disbands homeless camp Buncombe County Three protesters have been arrested after Asheville disbanded a homeless camp on park grounds. The arrests occurred as city workers moved in to break up a homeless camp at Aston Park. Those who were camping there had been given a week’s notice that they would need to leave. Six homeless people remained at the camp Friday and were offered temporary shelter at a Red Roof Inn. All six accepted. But protesters had also set up camp at the park, Ball said. Three protesters who blocked city workers’ attempts to remove the protesters’ tents were arrested. AP

Judicial district may split in two Clay County State House District 119 Rep. Mike Clampitt proposed splitting the 30th Judicial District into two separate groups. Currently, the district covers seven counties. Splitting it would reduce travel times, helping judges to reduce the backlog of cases with additional court days. One group would consist of Macon, Graham, Cherokee and Clay counties. The other would be made up of Haywood, Jackson and Swain. The bill would require funding two additional judge positions. It must clear two committees before it can go up for a vote.

Haywood County Two lawmakers submitted a bill looking to have Haywood County named North Carolina’s Elk Capital. Elk were reintroduced to the area 20 years ago, in the Cataloochee Valley, which is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The initial herd of 25 is now believed to be over 200. Recognizing the area’s connection to elk will help increase tourism in the region, the bill’s supporters believe. WLOS

PIEDMONT Neighbors call 911 on black teen practicing ROTC drill Wake County A black Raleigh teenager who was practicing a ROTC routine with a replica rifle was shocked when neighbors called the police on him. Jathan Walthour had recently joined the team at Sanderson High School in Raleigh. He decided to practice Tuesday night. Walthour said his training from a community program called “Police Explorers” had taught him how to properly handle the situation when officers arrived. Police have suggested that the teen practice his ROTC drills in his backyard. His family is thinking of making fliers to let neighbors know Jathan is in ROTC and not a threat.

State superintendent tours western schools

Swain County North Carolina State Superintendent Catherine Truitt toured several schools in the western part of the state earlier this month to learn about the educational needs of the area. She visited a Pre-K in Bryson City as well Swain High School and schools in Jackson and Macon counties. School and local leaders were hoping to convince Truitt of the need for increased funding for local schools for supplies and infrastructure improvements as well as expansion of early childhood programs. WLOS

Suspect in February chase, shooting, arrested in Greensboro Rockingham County Michael Laverne Murphy, 46, was arrested in Greensboro, six weeks after he escaped Rockingham County police. Murphy was speeding on Feb. 24 when police attempted a traffic stop. Murphy fled and a chase ensued, reaching speeds over 100 mph. Murphy also fired at pursuing officers. He stopped in Guilford County and fled on foot, escaping the police. Greensboro police found and arrested him earlier this month.

EAST

Mountain biking courses closed due to injury risk

1 dead in collapse of old bridge

Lee County Gravity Bike Park, a group of six mountain biking trails in Sanford’s San-Lee Park, has been shut down by county officials due to the rash of serious injuries. There have been seven serious injuries in the past year, including four people who had to be airlifted to local hospitals. Officials blame the pandemic, which has caused more inexperienced riders to come out and try the trails without proper training.

Dare County One person was killed after a portion of an old bridge on the Outer Banks collapsed and fell into the water. Workers were dismantling a section of the old Bonner Bridge around 5 p.m. when that section fell approximately 110 feet into Oregon Inlet. The section of the bridge that fell was the last section to be demolished and was the tallest point of the old span. The Bonner Bridge was completed in 1963 but had been deteriorating for years.

Defendant flees courtroom during lunch break

WRAL

Man sentenced in fatal restaurant crash

Video shows police punching man on ground; officers on leave

Gaston County Roger Self, 65, was sentenced to at least 38 years in prison for killing his daughter and daughter-in-law in 2018 by driving his Jeep into a restaurant where his family was seated after attending Sunday worship services together. Investigators said Self was having lunch with his family when he got up, went to his car and drove it into the building. Katelyn Self and Amanda George Self were killed as they sat in the Bessemer City restaurant. Three other relatives also were injured.

Lenoir County Two police officers were placed on leave after at least one of them was shown on video throwing punches at a black man who was on the ground. A video clip from the arrest in Kinston shows an officer standing over David Lee Bruton Jr. and throwing multiple punches while he’s on the ground. Officers were called to a business after an employee tripped a silent alarm during a disturbance. Officers detained Bruton, 36, when he walked away and a foot chase ensued. No one was injured. Bruton was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer.

Wilson County A man who was on trial on attempted murder charges fled a Wilson courtroom while he was on lunch break. The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Deonta Earl Bridgers, 31, who jurors convicted in absentia after he fled. Police received a tampering alert from Bridgers’ electronic monitoring device when he failed to return to court from lunch. Deputies found his monitoring device at a dilapidated house. A Wilson County jury convicted Bridgers on charges of attempted first-degree murder stemming from a February 2019 shooting that left two people injured. AP

Lumbee Tribe recognizes 102-year-old Navy vet Scotland County On March 26, his 102nd birthday, Evert Frank Locklear was recognized by the Lumbee Tribe for his military service. Tribe leaders presented Lockler with a warrior’s patch insignia, which symbolizes all the Lumbee warriors who have fought in conflicts since World War I. Locklear was born just a year after World War I began in 1919. He was drafted into the Navy after the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor. Locklear said he was put on the USS Kay Perchwell and sent to Pearl Harbor and then the Philippines.

FOX 8

WLOS

RALEIGH — House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) wore an ear-to-ear smile when asked about his wife and their six-year-old daughter. “She’s in kindergarten. We started kindergarten this year,” said Bell, adding that his daughter had visited the legislature recently and “tore the office all to pieces.” On a personal note, to relax, Bell admitted he likes to mow his lawn. He said he’s just recently bought a new lawnmower after the one he had for eight years died and was beyond repair. “I put my earbuds in, and I cut my grass. I enjoy doing that,” Bell said with a laugh. “You know, I enjoy going for a walk around the neighborhood. I like to walk around the neighborhood and listen to different podcasts… TED talks and all those different things.” Sitting behind his desk, still wearing that smile, Bell talked with North State Journal about some of the bills he’s been working on, the governor’s emergency powers, the state’s financial situation and Cooper’s budget. “It is very popular with, of course, military veterans, but you know, we here in North Carolina pride ourselves on being the most military friendly state,” Bell said of House Bill 83, which would allow for military veterans to deduct their military retirement benefits. “If you look at a list of items that we felt like we needed to check off to be superb and be able to say we are the most military friendly state, that is one of the items.” House Bill 83 will have a recurring fiscal impact, and Bell says they will navigate through that when the bill is taken up in

By Matthew Daly The Associated Press

98% of ALL Farms are Family Farms

ncfb.org

CHARLIE RIEDEL | AP PHOTO

In this Feb. 1, 2021 file photo, emissions from a coal-fired power plant are silhouetted against the setting sun in Independence, Mo. The target Biden chooses “is setting the tone for the level of ambition and the pace of emission reductions over the next decade,” said Kate Larsen, a former White

discussion between both chambers in its finance package. Another military friendly bill is House Bill 370, titled, No Veteran Left Behind. The bill seeks to improve services related to mental health and substance abuse for military veterans and includes a pilot program to help law enforcement better serve veterans dealing with mental health or addiction issues. Bell said lawmakers are working in conjunction with the Independence Fund to launch a pilot project in North Carolina to help identify if a person law enforcement encounters is a veteran or not and how to respond accordingly. “The last thing we want to do is put our law enforcement personnel in a situation without the proper tools,” Bell said. “The sheriffs that we’ve talked to like this as another tool in their toolbox they can use, and so we’ve kind of geared it around military-specific areas.” Bell went on to say that Union County will play a defined role with the county being the home of Independence Fund. He said the Union County sheriff “has been a big advocate for it,” that Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) has a “big interest” in the bill and has signed on as a sponsor. Bell said that they have also received pilot program buy-in from Cumberland, Craven, Onslow, and Wayne counties. One of Bell’s co-sponsored military bills, which helps students with school transitions and in-state tuition, has already been signed by Gov. Roy Cooper. House Bill 53 allows for students with military parents to continue attending school in the state while their parent is abroad so long as they live with an eligible caregiver. The bill also grants high school students eligible for in-state tuition at the time of application as dependents of military personnel to retain that status upon enrollment, even if the parent is reassigned to another state or to active duty.

Longtime Rep. removed from committee NSJ staff RALEIGH — State Rep. Julia Howard, a realtor who has represented Davie County in the General Assembly for over 30 years, was removed from her post as House Finance committee chair on Tuesday. Howard pointedly criticized House Bill 334 last week, which seeks to align state tax laws to the federal government’s regarding expense deductions for businesses, alluding to ethical concerns. State Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) told NSJ, “following the federal one-time tax forgiveness on these loans makes sense for North Carolina as we kick start our economy.” The Associated Press reported that Howard criticized House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and other House Republicans for taking the Payroll Protection Program loans. “I told the boys in the (Republican) caucus meeting, ‘I am concerned that you should not be filing bills if you took

Biden feels heat on emissions goal as climate summit nears WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Joe Biden convenes a virtual climate summit on Thursday with 40 world leaders, he faces a vexing task: how to put forward a nonbinding but symbolic goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will have a tangible impact on climate change efforts not only in the U.S. but throughout the world. The emissions target, eagerly awaited by all sides of the climate debate, will signal how aggressively Biden wants to move on climate change, a divisive and expensive issue that has riled Republicans to complain about job-killing government overreach even as some on the left worry Biden has not gone far enough to address a profound threat to the planet. The climate crisis poses a complex political challenge for Biden, since the problem is harder to see and far more difficult to produce measurable results on than either the coronavirus pandemic relief package or the infrastructure bill.

House adviser who helped develop President Barack Obama’s climate action plan. The number has to be achievable by 2030 but aggressive enough to satisfy scientists and advocates who call the coming decade a crucial, make-or-break moment for slowing climate change, Larsen and other experts said. Scientists, environmental groups and even business leaders are calling on Biden to set a target that would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. The 50% target, which most experts consider a likely outcome of intense deliberations underway at the White House, would nearly double the nation’s previous commitment and require dramatic changes in the power and transportation sectors, including significant increases in renewable energy such as wind and solar power and steep cuts in emissions from fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Anything short of that goal could undermine Biden’s promise to prevent temperatures from ris-

the money,’” Howard said. More than 129,000 loans to North Carolina entities had been approved by last August, according to the AP. In an emailed statement from House Republican leadership including Speaker Moore, President Pro Tempore Sarah Stevens and Majority Leader John Bell, they said, “Several weeks ago, the North Carolina Republican House Legislative Caucus overwhelmingly voted to move forward on House Bill 334. The understanding of the Caucus at large was that House Bill 334 would move expeditiously through the House Finance Committee. While we respect different viewpoints, Committee Chairs must be willing to put personal agendas aside and move forward with the will of the Caucus.” Howard will remain a member at large, according to the statement. The committee website now lists a trio of House Republicans as co-chairs: Reps. John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg), Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba), and John Szoka (R-Cumberland).

ing more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, experts say, while likely stirring up sharp criticism from international allies and Biden’s own supporters. The 2030 goal, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, is a key part of the Paris climate agreement, which Biden rejoined on his first day in office. It’s also an important marker as Biden moves toward his ultimate goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Clearly the science demands at least 50%” in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, said Jake Schmidt, a climate expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leading environmental group. The 50% target “is ambitious, but it is achievable,’’ he said in an interview. It’s also a good climate message, he said: “People know what 50% means — it’s half.’’ John Kerry, Biden’s climate envoy, has been pressing global leaders, including his counterpart in China, for commitments and alliances on climate efforts. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a speech Monday, said the U.S. is falling behind China, the largest producer and exporter of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles. “If we don’t catch up, America will miss the chance to shape the world’s climate future in a way that reflects our interests and val-

ues, and we’ll lose out on countless jobs for the American people,’’ Blinken said in prepared remarks for a speech in Annapolis, Maryland. Nathaniel Keohane, another former Obama White House adviser and now a vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund, said his organization has coalesced around the need for the U.S. to reduce emissions by at least 50% by 2030. “The number has to start with 5,” he said, adding, “We’ve done the math. We need at least 50%.’’ Some Republican lawmakers call the focus on reducing U.S. emissions counterproductive, saying Biden’s plan would raise energy costs and kill American jobs while allowing Russia, China and other countries to increase greenhouse gas emissions. “The Biden administration will set punishing targets for the United States, while our adversaries keep the status quo. That won’t solve climate change,’’ said Sen. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy Committee. The United States already leads the world in reducing carbon emissions, Barrasso said, adding that Biden should try to “make American energy as clean as we can, as fast as we can, without raising costs for consumers.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Liberal tax hypocrisy

“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” Ronald Reagan

AFTER DECADES of watching Democrats enact tax policy from close-up and afar, the only conclusion anyone can come to is this: Democrats have no over-riding, over-arching higher order principle when it comes to tax policy. Democrats just like to tax everything. Just like Republicans don’t like to tax anything. They are yin and yang when it comes to tax policy. For decades, liberal Democrats have screamed the same thing: “Make the rich pay their fair share!” without ever defining exactly what is their “fair share” in numerical percentage form. How do they “know” what the magic “fair share” is for anyone to pay in taxes? They seem to “know” what to do with your money better than you do, so you must give them as much as they demand to do it for you. Most of the time, Democrats use class warfare as the bloody shirt to wave for scoring cheap political points that keep them in political power; and that is about it. They really don’t want to tax rich people out of existence as they preach. They need rich people to pay for as much government spending as possible. They need rich liberals on Wall Street and in Hollywood and the Silicon Valley to contribute hundreds of billions to their campaigns and to dark money independent committees to do their political work for them behind the scenes. Which leads to their contradictory self-defeating tax policy of today. Out of one side of their mouths, socialist Democrats say they want to soak rich corporations for an additional $380 billion in taxes over the next five years. Out of the other side of their mouths, they say they want to repeal the SALT restrictions in the tax code that made millionaires in blue states, such as New York and California, pay much higher taxes under the Trump tax plan passed in 2017. Which is it? Do Democrats want to stick it to wealthy corporations owned and operated by really wealthy people, or do they want to let the rich in New York and California stick it to the rest of America’s taxpayers by subsidizing their enormous tax write-offs? SALT refers to state and local tax deductions. The Trump tax plan restricted the amount of state and local taxes a person could deduct to $10,000 per year. For high-income earners in states such as California

and New York where state income and local property taxes are massive, the Trump tax plan was not a tax cut for the rich but a significant tax hike for people making over $1 million per year. The corporate tax rate is now 21%, down from 28% in the Obama/ Biden era before 2017. Corporate tax collection in 2019 was $232 billion in a booming pre-COVID-shutdown economy, which still represented only 6.6% of all tax revenue sent to Washington D.C. Assuming Joe Biden and the Democrats pass a 28% corporate tax rate, theoretically an additional $76 billion might be collected in corporate taxes annually. Possibly $400 billion more in corporate taxes might be collected over the next five years, assuming smart corporate CFOs all of a sudden become dumber than dirt and can’t figure out how to avoid paying 28% corporate tax rates when they have avoided paying 21% today. Joint Tax estimates SALT repeal would cost the Treasury $88.7 billion in the first year alone. Repealing SALT would lose close to $500 billion in federal tax revenue over the next five years and make rich people in New York and California even richer. In other words, liberal socialist Democrats want to pry $400 billion more in taxes from corporations run by uber-wealthy people, so they can turn around and give $500 billion back to those same rich people who live mostly in New York and California. You can’t make this stuff up. Ronald Reagan used to say, “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” The trouble is they don’t know how to do basic math. Perhaps the math curriculum in our nation’s schools has been failing for longer than we thought.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Mob rule is becoming a bane to America’s existence

We saw this exact scenario take place in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd last year.

WHEN TRAGEDY OCCURS in this country, whether it be a mass shooting or an officer-involved death, there is a tendency on the left to rush to judgment before all the facts are known and to use the emotional nature of the situation to try to enact policy changes they’ve been unsuccessful with in the past. “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before,” said Rahm Emanuel, who was tapped to be then-Presidentelect Barack Obama’s chief of staff in November 2008. Mob rule is oftentimes the method by which public figures are “persuaded” into enacting those changes. We saw this exact scenario take place in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd last year. The radical Black Lives Matter activists, who were already proponents of defunding the police, used the tragedy of Floyd’s death to incite riots in the streets. Entire city blocks were destroyed in what looked like scenes from a war zone. “No justice, no peace” was a common refrain heard at the time, which meant that if the activists didn’t see the type of “justice” they wanted for the officers who took Floyd into custody, including Derek Chauvin — who had his knee on Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes — they were going to continue to inflict pain on the city. City officials responded accordingly, with a vote to begin the process of defunding the police. It wasn’t an 100% defunding, but the idea was to “reimagine” policing by giving less money to police departments and more to community leaders. It was a bad idea. Though the defunding has yet to formally take place (there is a process to defunding the police in Minneapolis that involves more than just the city council), the morale of the city’s police officers took a serious hit. A wave of resignations hit in the weeks after the vote. The message the city sent in trying to please the mob of left-wing activists rang loud and clear, with violent criminals who responded accordingly. As a result, violent crime rose by 21% in 2020. A similar situation is starting to play out in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, which is a suburb of Minneapolis.

Barely a week ago, there was an officer-involved shooting death in Brooklyn Center. 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed by Officer Kim Potter in what the police are saying was an “accidental” shooting during what was reportedly a routine traffic stop. The predictable rioting and chaos ensued, but what made it worse was the reactions of the city’s leaders. City Manager Curt Boganey was booted from his job the following day by the city council for having the nerve to suggest Potter deserved due process. One council member admitted on record that she voted to fire Boganey, because she feared rioters would retaliate against her personally. The council also voted to put Mayor Mike Elliott in charge of the police department, which happened as rumors swirled that they wanted the police chief, Tim Gannon, out. Gannon resigned the following day after being badgered by so-called reporters for, among other things, calling the riots “riots.” Two days after the shooting, Elliott told reporters he did not believe police officers should always be armed during traffic stops. “I don’t believe that officers need to necessarily have weapons every time they’re making a traffic stop,” he stated. The decisions being made in Brooklyn Center appear to be a direct response to the mob of rioters who have taken over. The parallels between what is happening there now and what happened in Minneapolis are unmistakable. Mob rule is not the appropriate response to a tragedy — it wasn’t last year after George Floyd’s death, and it isn’t this year in the aftermath of Daunte Wright’s. 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, April 21, 2021 COLUMN GUY K. MITCHELL

GUEST OPINION | JESSICA A. JOHNSON

Gallup poll data on declining church attendance among young adults shows need for evangelism The church, specifically Christian churches, must take a deep look within as to why its ministry is not reaching those who desperately need it.

AT THE END OF MARCH, a Gallup poll revealed that U.S. church membership has fallen below 50% for the first time since 1937. When Gallup began tracking church affiliation during the latter years of the Great Depression, which included those who attended synagogues and mosques, the percentages were in the low 70s and remained solid at this level well into the late 1990s. As we entered the 2000s, the number of people showing up for Sunday morning worship services began to dwindle across the nation. Gallup attributes much of this decline to generational factors. The oldest millennials, who were coming of age at the beginning of the 21st century, now represent a large segment of the “nones,” those who have “no religious preference.” Church membership for the older generations of traditionalists — those born before 1946 — and Gen Xers and baby boomers remain at 50% or higher. Many Gen Zers who are fresh into their young adult years are following the path of millennials who have left the church. The intriguing research question for Gallup is determining the reason for church rolls decreasing; however, I do not believe the answer can be found solely in quantitative and qualitative assessments. The church, specifically Christian churches, must take a deep look within as to why its ministry is not reaching those who desperately need it. One place to start for this essential selfreflection is examining the messages that are being preached. In a 2017 study, Gallup found that “sermons relevant to life” and “sermons teaching Scripture” were the main reasons for regular churchgoers’ attendance, at 75% and 76%, respectively. So, with many young adults leaving church or having never attended, there has to be a major disconnect in keeping them in congregations or initially drawing them in. I have given much thought to this dilemma in recent years, following the Gallup data, and something I saw this week while on my daily power walk provided a forthright answer. I came across a young African American woman preaching on the corner of a busy

intersection in Columbus, Ohio. She had one huge speaker that was tethered to her phone. A Days Inn hotel was behind her, and a Chase Bank branch was across the street. As cars hastily passed the corner, this young lady was literally preaching her heart out. One of the scriptures she spoke on was James 4:7, which says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” She passionately talked about how God’s delivering power had saved her life and urged all under the sound of her voice to come to Christ. When I passed by, I encouraged her to keep “preaching the Word,” and she smiled shyly. As I continued walking, I wondered more about the backstory of her testimony. Did she overcome drug addiction? Was she a survivor of an abusive relationship? But what really stood out was that she was not someone people would normally expect to see preaching on street corners. I have seen mostly older men in street ministry. This young woman, who is most likely in the younger tier of the millennial generation, is boldly stepping out in evangelism. We are living in a troubling season right now in this country, and I’m sure a lot of young folks are asking, “Where is God?” There is unending racial unrest and economic anxiety as we are still battling the coronavirus pandemic. The young woman I saw preaching is part of the generation that is marching in the streets of Minneapolis’ Brooklyn Center, hurt and angry over the recent fatal shooting of Daunte Wright. More protests will be coming in the wake of the shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by a Chicago police officer. Yet, this young woman has a message of hope that the Word of God is living, active and powerful to provide strength and wisdom in these distressing times. More young people like her, who are “preaching sermons relevant to life,” are needed in ministry, to stem the sanctuary exodus shown in the Gallup poll. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University’s Lima campus.

COLUMN | JULIA BURNS

Who cares what the numbers say about cancer? What is going to happen to me, my husband and my children if I die?

SEVEN YEARS AGO, my husband Andy and I went to the beach for a week of rest and relaxation. Once we’d arrived, I left all the luggage in the car, grabbed my swimsuit, sunscreen and hat and headed right for the ocean. “Don’t swim at dusk, Julia,” Andy said. “That’s when the sharks come and feed.” “No shark wants me!” I answered as I laughed and dove into the surf. It turned out another kind of shark was already attacking my body. “What’s wrong with your breast?” my husband asked as I came out of the surf. “You better get that checked, Julia.” Of course, I didn’t. Like most people sadly do when confronted with such an observation, I waited a week, thinking and hoping I just had an infection. It was red, hot and itchy, nothing like any cancer I had witnessed as a doctor. After two more weeks on antibiotics, I googled my symptoms and discovered Inflammatory Breast Cancer — “aggressive, rare, must be treated immediately.” Now, I was scared. Beyond scared. “What is going to happen to me, my husband and my children if I die?” came to my mind immediately. I emailed an oncologist, an acquaintance of mine at the hospital, and asked for a consult. Two hours later, I had four emails that all said the same thing: “Someone will call you first thing in the morning.” After being squeezed in to be seen immediately the next morning on an emergency basis to undergo 10 hours of testing, my doctor started to explain the diagnosis. I was swimming in a sea of disorientation, barely able to hear, much less comprehend anything she was saying. When I finally got home, I googled my diagnosis the next morning, only to see these disturbing words: “Survival statistics show less than a 25% chance to live two more years.” What can any person possibly say or think when confronted with such cold hard numbers? “This is my life! What is going to happen to me, my husband and my wonderful children, now grown-up adults? I need some hope!” Once I came out of my stunned stupor upon hearing the horrifying news, I resolved to defy the odds and ignore predictions about how long I had left to live on this earth. I decided to adopt the mantra: “Who

Cares What The Numbers Say?” I certainly couldn’t just accept the inevitability of their predictions. “Can’t we wait until the biopsy comes back before making treatment plans?” Nope, she said. Her answer was, “You are going to get an ultrasound of your heart on Monday, a port will be placed in your chest on Tuesday and you will start chemo on Wednesday that will last for seven months. Then, you’ll have a radical mastectomy and six weeks of intensive radiation.” My daughter never missed a single treatment I had, holding my hand throughout. My husband took me every Wednesday and sat by my side, bringing his work with him because he couldn’t witness the suffering. Every day I prayed, “Lord, give me grace to accept this malady and courage to believe in these doctors, nurses and medications. May these chemicals attack the cancer cells and spare the healthy ones, minimizing the negative side effects on my body and mind. May the light of your countenance shine down upon us, now and always. Protect my children from this tragedy. In the name of Jesus — the great Healer, the great Physician — we pray. Amen.” Today I live through and by God’s grace, mercy and the healing power of Jesus Christ, of course, with more than a little help from traditional medicine. Following a plant-based diet has also boosted my immune system, staving off this deadly disease. Of course, I continue to beg and pray, “Save me today, God!” knowing that “His will will be done” in His eternal plan for me and my family. Four years ago, I sat in a room with my husband, while six providers looked down at their feet, one of them mumbling something about “keeping me comfortable,” since, apparently, they all thought I was heading to hospice. I screamed out, “No! I don’t believe those numbers!” The odds of me being here, writing these words, were slim, but I have lived. You can too. You shouldn’t believe those numbers either. Dr. Julia Burns book, “Who Cares What the Numbers Say?” is a journey in defying cancer. It is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.

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Man-made global warming: The biggest scientific fraud in history IF YOU HAVE read the previous eight articles I have written in this series on the subject of manmade global warming, you should have come to the same conclusion as I did when I started this investigated journey that the hypothesis claiming that man has caused global warming is the biggest scientific fraud in history. In prior articles, I have systematically dismantled every claim of the proponents of the hypothesis. I have demonstrated that not only is there no scientific consensus on the subject, but that not even a scintilla of scientific evidence supports the assertion that man has caused global warming or even that global warming has occurred. Predictions by U.N. climate scientists of the amount of future global warming consistently have been grossly inaccurate because these predictions have been generated by flawed computer models using the fictional concept of the Earth’s “average temperature.” There is no average temperature of the Earth; this is a figment of the imaginations of climate scientists, conjured up to support a fraudulent hypothesis. The pursuit of the pseudo-science involved in the climate “research” by the proponents of the global warming hypothesis has departed significantly from the scientific method of inquiry which has guided legitimate scientific research for over 400 years. Even the flawed temperature database developed by climate scientists for the Earth’s land mass, oceans and atmosphere demonstrates that there has been no significant global warming. In my soon-to-be published book, “Global Warming: The Great Deception — The Triumph of Dollars and Politics over Science and Why You Should Care,” I address many technical subjects of scientific interest in this field. Among these are: What really happens when a CO2 molecule absorbs a long wave infrared (“LWIR”) photon emitted from the Earth’s surface, and why it is not re-radiated in a fictitious cycle of global warming. How H20 is the dominant greenhouse gas and moderates the Earth’s temperature while CO2 plays virtually no role in the Earth’s climate. Why LWIR photons emitted from the Earth’s atmosphere have very little heat energy. Why the world’s oceans, which cover 71% of the Earth’s surface, only absorb LWIR photon energy to a depth of 100 microns, about the breadth of a human hair. Why polar ice caps melt and then reform in 6080-year cycles. What factors actually affect the Earth’s climate, including the obliquity and eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit around the sun, sunspots and changes in solar irradiance, and changes in ocean currents. My book takes a much deeper and more technical look at the hard scientific facts that disprove the hypothesis of man-made global warming. In light of this reality, why do the U.N. and certain scientists and politicians, particularly in the U.S. and Western Europe, continue to promote this fraudulent hypothesis? Why do they continue to posture global warming as an “existential threat”? The answer is very simple: money, politics and power. U.N. climate treaties have consistently failed to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The Paris Climate Accord will be no different. Through the scheme of carbon-credits trading, however, these agreements have been very successful at enriching their promoters — among them U.S. politicians such as former Vice-President Al Gore and global investment firms — and redistributing wealth from developed nations to developing nations according to the progressive goals of the globalists. Climate scientists are only too happy to support this charade, as it funds expansive research budgets and travel to never-ending conferences and symposiums in exotic locales. Suppose I told you 18 months ago that within months, government in the U.S. would close schools, dictate which businesses could operate and their hours of operation, dictate when houses of worship could open and the number of attendees, and limit freedom of assembly — all in response to a crisis? You would have rightly stated that all of the aforementioned were an infringement on your individual liberties and protected by the U.S. Constitution — and therefore it could not happen. But it has happened. Now suppose that I told you that in the very near future, the government will seek to mandate what were formerly free-market decisions about the sources of power generation (coal, gas, solar, wind) in the U.S. and the composition of the US power grid, all to avert the supposed crisis of climate change (formerly known as “global warming”). Suppose, in addition, I told you the federal government would usurp the role of the consumer in choosing which energy sources would power your homes, businesses and factories, and ultimately, how automobiles should be powered (electric vs. internal combustion engines). Seems far-fetched? President Biden and climate envoy Kerry have already declared climate change a crisis and an “existential threat” to the world. This declaration will serve as a pretext for all manner of measures to further control our lives. Rahm Emmanuel, former President Obama’s White House chief of staff, once famously stated “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” The unthinkable is now upon us, with climate fraud serving as the pretext for rendering it all doable. This is the ninth and final article in a series written by Guy K. Mitchell, Jr. Mr. Mitchell is the founder and chairman of Mitchell Industries, a diversified manufacturing company based in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Mitchell is writing a book on manmade global warming entitled “Global Warming: The Great Deception — The Triumph of Dollars and Politics over Science and Why You Should Care.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

NATION & WORLD

Surge in violence rattles Haiti as poverty, fear deepens By Evens Sanon The Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The attack was brazen, streamed live on the internet: Men carrying big guns walked into a church service, grabbed the pastor and three parishioners and led them away in full view of cameras. For Haitians, it was a fearsome emblem of a wave of kidnappings and deaths that has victimized even impoverished people already stung by years of violence in the streets. One of the church abductees, Steven Jérôme, spent the first night in the hands of his captors sitting on a chair afraid to close his eyes. Meanwhile, parishioners and relatives of the victims, like Jérôme’s sister, Suze, scrambled to gather money to free them. “People gave 10 gourdes, 15 gourdes, whatever they had,” she told The Associated Press, referring to donations that amounted to 13 to 19 U.S. cents. The victims of the April 1 kidnapping at the Gospel Kreyol Ministry were relatively fortunate; they were freed nearly three days later. But Jérôme and others remain traumatized and their relatives find themselves in debt, some pushed deeper into poverty, after paying a ransom. The abductors — like most — were not caught. Kidnapping has become so common that radio stations often broadcast pleas for help: “Please do not kill him.” “Please help me raise money for ransom.” “Please help me find the body.” And police seem overwhelmed. At least four police officers were killed last month during a failed raid on the stronghold of a criminal gang so bold, it’s still holding the bodies of the slain officers hostage, helping spawn a revolt with-

DIEU NALIO CHERY | AP PHOTO

In this Dec. 10, 2020 file photo, a protester holds up a sign with a message to stop gang violence during a protest demanding the resignation of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. in police ranks. A couple of days later, thenPrime Minister Joseph Jouthe mentioned at a news conference that ransoms can range from $300,000 to $1 million. Haiti is a country of 11 million people where about 60% earn less than $2 a day. “There is no one in the population who has that kind of money,” he said. “Even I, if I’m kidnapped, if they ask me for $300,000, I don’t know where I would get it.” A recent report by the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti recorded 234 reported kidnappings in 2020, up from 78 a year earlier. The new cases included 59 women and 37 minors. Reported homicides rose as well. Police statistics are unreliable, but authorities reported 1,380 killings last year, with the U.N. noting it was a 20% increase from the prior year. Victims included a judge and the president of Port-au-Prince’s Bar Associa-

“For some time, we have seen Haitian society descend into hell.” Roman Catholic archbishop statement tion. The escalating violence prompting businesses, banks and schools across Haiti to shut last week in a protest they dubbed “Black Thursday.” Some schools have temporarily closed because of dangerous neighborhoods. “For some time, we have seen Haitian society descend into hell,” the office of the Roman Catholic archbishop in Port-au-Prince said in an April 12 statement. “The violence of armed gangs has taken on unprecedented proportions.” Human rights group Fon-

dasyon Je Klere says more than 150 gangs operate in Haiti, some dedicated to kidnapping. Recent victims have included five priests, a hospital director, elementary school children and a member of the president’s security unit. Escalating violence led the U.S. Embassy in Haiti to issue a recent statement calling on Haiti’s government “to protect its citizens and intensify its efforts to bring those responsible to justice.” The Organization of American States has issued a similar plea. The administration of President Jovenel Moïse says it has arrested gang members, increased police presence and created a task force to dismantle gangs. Local police spokespeople did not return calls for comment, but Serge Therriault, police commissioner of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti, acknowledged there was “a greater perception of insecurity and violence today,” even if the amount of regular street violence is comparable to previous years. Therriault said police have been collecting intelligence to target gang leaders as well as setting up blockades in gang-ridden areas. “This has yielded some success,” he said. “The police are still trying to develop different avenues to try to resolve the issue. We’ll just have to let them find a solution that’s best for the country in the context that they have,” which includes the growth of gangs “because of political and socioeconomic issues.” The spike in violence also is disrupting efforts to distribute aid for a country still recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake, a deadly cholera outbreak and now the pandemic, said Pamela White, a former U.S. ambassador to Haiti. “It’s very hard to do when a country is rolling in violence constantly, every day,” she said. Prime Minister Claude Joseph told the AP that he blamed the increased violence on unpopular political factions he said were trying to undermine general elections scheduled for September.

Beijing warns US, Japan against collusion vs China Beijing China said it has expressed “serious concerns” to the United States and Japan over what it calls negative moves and collusion between the two countries against China. The statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian came just before President Joe Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to the White House in his first face-to-face meeting with a foreign leader. Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing that Japan and the United States should “take China’s concerns and demands seriously, avoid words and actions that interfere in China’s internal affairs and harm China’s interests.” “China has no objection to the development of normal bilateral relations between Japan and the United States, but such relations should help enhance mutual understanding and trust and contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Zhao said. China would “make necessary responses as appropriate,” he said. Biden and Suga saw their meeting as a chance to counter messaging from Chinese President Xi Jinping that America and democracies in general are on the decline. Japan remains China’s traditional rival, dating from Tokyo’s brutal WWII occupation of much of the country. Relations between Washington and Beijing are tenser than ever over trade, technology, Hong Kong, Taiwan and human rights, particularly China’s policies toward Turkic Muslims in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. U.S. and Chinese naval movements in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety, have added to tensions, following statements from U.S. officials that Beijing may be accelerating its schedule to annex Taiwan by force. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Israel’s Netanyahu backs bill for direct election for PM

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 15, 2021.

White House: Intel on Russian ‘bounties’ on US troops shaky The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House says that the intelligence community does not have conclusive evidence that Russian intelligence operatives encouraged the Taliban to attack American troops in Afghanistan. The assessment, revealed last week as the U.S. announced a host of new sanctions on the Russian government, undermines one of the sharpest attacks Joe Biden and other Democrats leveled against former President Donald Trump during the 2020 White House race. Biden repeatedly attacked Trump on the campaign trail for not standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin despite his administration being aware of intelligence suggesting Russian agents were offering bounties to

the Taliban. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that after a review of those classified reports, the intelligence community determined it had only “low to moderate confidence” in their authenticity. She said that was due in part to the ways in which the intelligence was obtained, including from interrogations of Afghan detainees. In June, The Associated Press reported that Trump White House officials were briefed on intelligence about potential bounties in 2019 and again in 2020. Then-national security adviser Robert O’Brien said Trump himself had not been briefed on the matter because the intelligence reports “have not been verified.” U.S. military commanders at the time also said the raw intelligence did not lead them to change their force

protection posture in Afghanistan. The intelligence assessments were first reported by The New York Times and prompted candidate Biden to repeatedly charge that Trump had abandoned U.S. troops by not forcefully responding to the intelligence assessments. “His entire presidency has been a gift to Putin, but this is beyond the pale,” Biden said of Trump last June, days after the reports first appeared. “It’s a betrayal of the most sacred duty we bear as a nation to protect and equip our troops when we send them into harm’s way. It’s a betrayal of every single American family with a loved one serving in Afghanistan or anywhere overseas.” Defense officials and military commanders repeatedly said that the reports of bounties had not been corroborated by defense in-

telligence agencies and that they were not convinced the reports were credible. They also said they didn’t believe any bounties resulted in U.S. military deaths. “The reason that they have low to moderate confidence in this judgment is in part because it relies on detainee reporting, and due to the challenging environment and also due to the challenging operating environment in Afghanistan,” Psaki said. “So it’s challenging to gather this intelligence and this data.” Psaki added that U.S. intelligence has evidence that Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU, interacts with individuals in Afghan criminal networks. “This information really puts the burden on Russia and the Russian government to explain their engagement here,” she said.

Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a new law to allow the direct election of the nation’s leader as a way to break the country’s two-year political deadlock. The proposal could guarantee Netanyahu another term as prime minister after he and his religious and nationalist allies failed to win a clear majority in March 23 elections. Netanyahu has a May 4 deadline to build a governing coalition. After that, a group of small parties that oppose him hope to be able to cobble together an alternative government. “There is a solution to the political stalemate, and the vast majority of the public supports it,” Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party. He said a direct vote for prime minister would avoid “assembling absurd governments” and would allow Israeli citizens to choose a leader in “snap elections, without dissolving parliament.” His opponents immediately decried the move, saying Israel does not need another election. Netanyahu twice failed to build a governing coalition in Israel’s two 2019 elections. After the 2020 election, the longtime leader formed a unity government with his main rival in what they said was an emergency coalition to manage the coronavirus crisis. The partnership collapsed in December. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

SPORTS

Rodón back on track after no-hitter, B4

CAITLIN PENNA | WCU COMMUNICATIONS)

Former Wake Forest guard Justin Gray was named the new coach at Western Carolina, replacing Mark Prosser. Prosser left to take the job at Winthrop, where Gray was previously an assistant.

Touch of Gray: WCU names former Wake guard new coach

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT NBA

Star rookie Ball nearing return for Hornets Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been cleared to return to individual basketball activity by doctors after having a cast removed from his right wrist. It’s unclear at this point when he’ll be ready to play in a game. Ball sustained a fractured right wrist during the Hornets’ March 20 game against the Clippers and has not played since.

COLLEGE SOCCER

NCAA soccer brackets unveiled Indianapolis The brackets for the NCAA men’s and women’s soccer tournaments were released Monday. Both tournaments will be played in their entirety in North Carolina, with the championship games for both the men and women played at Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park. In the men’s bracket, five North Carolina schools received bids: High Point, UNCG, Charlotte, UNC and Wake Forest, with games starting April 29. In the women’s draw, Elon, Duke, ECU and UNC are in the tournament that will start April 27.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Bob Valvano says he has leukemia Louisville, Ky. Bob Valvano, the brother of late NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano, said on social media that he has leukemia, an aortic aneurysm and some kidney damage. Bob Valvano does analysis on ESPN broadcasts of men’s college basketball including color analysis for Louisville in addition to a daily radio show. Jim Valvano, who founded the V Foundation, died in April 1993 from adenocarcinoma.

TIM COWIE | DAVIDSONPHOTOS.COM

For the first time in more than a half-century, Davidson football is back in the postseason. The Wildcats have an FCS Playoffs first-round game at Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Davidson football in postseason for first time in 52 years The Wildcats won the Pioneer Conference title and earned a spot in the FCS playoffs By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE DAVIDSON Wildcats had a magical season, inspiring one assistant coach to unveil a new recruiting pitch: “If you want to go to a bowl, come to Davidson.” For one season, 1969, his promise to recruits was true. Davidson went 7-4, winning the Southern Conference and advancing to the Tangerine Bowl. Now, 52 years later, Davidson is heading to the postseason for just the second time in school history. The Wildcats put together a 4-2 record in an abbreviated spring season, earning a spot in the FCS Playoffs on Saturday. Of the 16 teams in the field, only Monmouth (3-0), Sacred Heart (3-1) and Holy Cross (3-0) have fewer wins. At-large team North Dakota (4-1) is the only other fourwin team. In a year in which the season had to be shifted to the second semester due to a worldwide pandemic, the Wildcats now have a chance to earn their first postseason win in school history. Just over a half-century ago, Davidson’s season included a win

Justin Gray, who shared the Demon Deacons’ backcourt with Chris Paul in the mid-2000s, replaces Mark Prosser as the Catamounts’ new men’s basketball coach By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

over coach Lou Holtz’s William & Mary team and a game against East Carolina where the Wildcats fell behind 27-0 before scoring right before halftime. As the team went to the locker room, Davidson head coach Homer Smith announced to his staff, “I think we’ve got it figured out.” The Wildcats scored all 35 second-half points in a comeback win. Davidson’s magical season was snuffed out in Orlando, when undefeated MAC champion Toledo defeated them 56-33 on Dec. 26. The team couldn’t even add a trip to Disney to its bowl week festivities, since the theme park wouldn’t be built for another two years. This year’s Wildcats team will also be an underdog. Like the 1969 team, the Wildcats won just two home games en route to a conference title, finishing atop the Pioneer Conference. Davidson now heads south to the postseason once again, this time to Jacksonville, Alabama, to take on No. 4 seed Jacksonville State. “We told the troops at practice last Friday we were officially in,” coach Scott Abell said. “It was about as emotional a moment I’ve had as a coach. Watching our players celebrate. There were tears.” The Gamecocks went 6-1 in the spring, winning the Ohio Valley Conference. They also played in

THERE WAS A SYNERGY to Western Carolina’s hiring of Justin Gray as its new basketball coach last week. It’s a circle that began on March 26 when Pat Kelsey left Winthrop to take the job at College of Charleston. About a week later, he was replaced by WCU’s Mark Prosser. That opened the door for Gray, who — in a juicy twist of fate — wasn’t just Kelsey’s former assistant at Winthrop. He was also a player at Wake Forest for Prosser’s father, Skip. As neatly as that all tied together, it was another unrelated connection that helped the 37-year-old Charlotte native land his first head coaching opportunity. “I first became familiar with Justin back in about 1998-99 when he was suiting up for West Charlotte High School, and I was across the court at Butler High School,” WCU athletic director Alex Gary said. “I remember a sense of confidence about him that many young people just don’t have. “Over the last week or so, I’ve been reminded of that confidence and that motivation simply to be the best, a confidence and motivation we need in order to get this program where Catamount nation knows it should be.” WCU hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1996 when it came within a basket of becoming the first 16th seed to upset a No. 1 seed in a 73-71 loss to Purdue. Despite improvements made over the past three years under the younger Prosser, the Catamounts have enjoyed only two winning seasons over the past decade. Although Gray’s coaching resume is limited to just the two years he spent at Winthrop, his history of being associated with championship teams helped him stand out in what his new boss described as a crowded field of candidates. As a player, Gray won a high school state championship and a national prep school title at Oak Hill Academy before helping Wake Forest to a regular-season ACC crown and teaming with backcourt mate Chris Paul to get the Deacons to the NCAA’s Sweet 16. He was also part of several championship teams during a 12-year professional career overseas. As a coach, Winthrop qualified for the NCAA

See DAVIDSON, page B4

See GRAY, page B3

“When this door opened, I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to be here, and I want to win.” Justin Gray, new Western Carolina men’s basketball coach

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

4.21.21

TRENDING

Jahcobi Neath: The Wake Forest transfer is headed to Wisconsin. The 6-foot‑3 Neath averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 assists and 15.8 minutes this past season as a sophomore with the Demon Deacons. He played in 20 games and made four starts. As a freshman, Neath had 5.3 points, 2.2 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. Chet Holmgren: The nation’s No. 1 overall recruit announced Monday on ESPN that he will play what will likely be his only college season at Gonzaga. Holmgren had also been considering North Carolina, Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota, Memphis and Georgetown. Holmgren combines the skills of a guard with a 7-foot-1 frame and has been projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. As a senior at Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota, Holmgren averaged 20.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.7 blocks, shooting 80% from the field. Antron Pippen: The son of Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, at one time a top college prospect, has died. He was 33. Scottie Pippen announced the death of his son on his social media platforms, saying his oldest child died Sunday. He did not give a cause. Antron Pippen was an accomplished high school player in Georgia, then played college basketball at South Georgia Tech and Texas A&M International. He was the oldest of Scottie Pippen’s seven children and the only child from Pippen’s first marriage, to Karen McCollum.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NASCAR

Alex Bowman became the eighth different driver to win in nine NASCAR Cup Series races this season, beating Denny Hamlin to reach Victory Lane at Richmond. It was the first win for the No. 48 since June 4, 2017, when Jimmie Johnson won at Dover. Last week’s winner, Martin Truex Jr., is the only driver with two victories in 2021. Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano have all won once.

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

“What’s the point? Like, it doesn’t matter.” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour on how questioning Alex Killorn’s hit on Carolina’s Martin Necas wouldn’t change the outcome of the play.

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

NBA

NFL

TOBY MELVILLE | AP PHOTO

“He was clear that no action is off the table.” A statement on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s opposition to the proposed British soccer Super League. PRIME NUMBER

1,768 Games played for San Jose forward Patrick Marleau after Monday’s Sharks game in Las Vegas, passing all-time great Gordie Howe for the most games played in NHL history. Marleau has played 21 of his 23 NHL seasons with the Sharks and also spent two years in Toronto and was a deadline acquisition by Pittsburgh last season.

MATT SLOCUM | AP PHOTO

Golden State guard Stephen Curry scored 49 points in the Warriors’ 107-96 win in Philadelphia Monday, breaking Kobe Bryant’s record for the most consecutive 30-point games by a player over 33 years old with 11. Since returning from injury March 29, Curry has averaged 40 points per game and now leads the league in scoring at 31.4.

JENNIFER STEWART | AP PHOTO

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will return to NC State this spring as a commencement speaker for the 2021 graduation ceremonies, the school announced Monday. Wilson will attend two in-person ceremonies scheduled on May 14-15. Wilson, who played football and baseball for the Wolfpack, graduated in 2010.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Former UNC forward Garrison Brooks is headed to Mississippi State as a graduate transfer. Brooks had nearly 1,300 points and 800 rebounds in four seasons with the Tar Heels. The 6-foot‑10 Brooks was the ACC preseason player of the year and averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a senior.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

College basketball’s ‘wild west’ offseason nothing new for Duke The Blue Devils have rebuilt their roster after losses to the NBA and transfer portal By Shawn Krest North State Journal WHEN IT BECAME clear that the NCAA was planning to loosen regulations on transfers following the basketball season, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski sounded the alarm, warning that it would be “like the wild west.” It turns out Coach K was deadon with his prediction. Players are entering the transfer portal like cowboys pushing open saloon doors. By some estimates, more than one in every four college players are expected to change teams before next season. Rosters are turning over like never before, and no team is immune. In other words, the rest of the sport is getting a taste of what Duke goes through every season. The NBA Draft is usually the culprit in scrambling Duke’s roster, as Krzyzewski has gone the one-and-done route to construct rosters, then gut and remodel them, for more than a decade. This year is no exception, with sophomore Matt Hurt and freshman DJ Steward announcing their plans to move on to the pros after the season, costing the Blue Devils their top two scorers. (No. 3 scorer, Jalen Johnson, opted out to go pro in the middle of the season.) It’s the third year in a row Duke has lost its top three scorers to NBA early entry and the fifth year in a row the Blue Devils have seen their leading scorer go pro. This year, Duke has also seen players depart due to the transfer portal, with freshmen Jaemyn Brakefield and Henry Coleman, super senior Jordan Goldwire and grad transfer Patrick Tapé all leaving. Duke even lost an assistant coach, with Nate James earning the shot at running his own program at Austin Peay. Krzyzewski is used to filling holes quickly in the aftermath of offseason turmoil, however, and in

MATT SLOCUM | AP PHOTO

Duke added Marquette transfer Theo John to its frontcourt to go along with the Blue Devils’ regular influx of top-tier incoming recruits. this crazy offseason, it’s business as usual at Duke. In quick succession, Duke made four moves to help the Blue Devils reload for next season. In perhaps the least surprising development, the coaching vacancy was filled by Nolan Smith, who has been a member of Krzyzewski’s staff in a variety of roles since 2016, including special assistant and director of basketball operations. “Nolan is a rising star,” Krzyzewski said. “To get him on the court with our players on a day-to-day basis will mean so much to our program.” Coach K then set about filling the holes on the roster. The first player added to the roster came via the recruiting trail. Duke beat out Virginia and Vil-

“Nolan is a rising star. To get him on the court with our players on a day-to-day basis will mean so much to our program.” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on promoting Nolan Smith to assistant coach lanova to land one of the top remaining 2021 recruits available when combination guard Trevor Keels announced he’d be a Blue Devil. Keels is a former teammate of rising Duke sophomore Jeremy Roach. Both played together at

Paul VI High in Fairfax, Virginia. Keels is a five-star recruit and one of the top shooting guards in the country. He was named a McDonald’s All-American and is the No. 19 recruit in the class, according to 247Sports’ rankings. Keels joins No. 3 overall recruit Paolo Banchero and No. 7 A.J. Griffin to give the Blue Devils a trio of McDonald’s players. On Tuesday, Duke also landed point guard Jaylen Blakes. The 6-foot-2 New Jersey native was teammates with Duke walkon Keenan Worthington at Blair Academy — the school from which former Blue Devils standout Luol Deng was recruited. Blakes is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports’ composite rankings and is the nation’s 16th-ranked point guard in the Class of 2021.

GRAY from page B1

After a decade coaching in his hometown, Wes Miller left UNC Greensboro to take over at Cincinnati.

KATHY KMONICEK | AP PHOTO

Miller leaves UNCG for Cincinnati job Radford’s Mike Jones was named as the Spartans’ next coach By Brett Friedlander North State Journal AFTER 10 SUCCESSFUL seasons of coaching at UNC Greensboro, Wes Miller had a specific set of criteria that needed to be met before he would even consider leaving for another, higher-profile job. “I’ve always dreamed about being a college basketball coach somewhere where there was history, there was tradition, there was pride,” he said. “Somewhere where you could compete at the highest possible level, cut down nets and hang banners.” The former North Carolina point guard had long held out hope that his alma mater might be the place where he could fulfill that destiny, and his name was prominently mentioned in the days following his mentor Roy Williams’ retirement earlier this month. But when Hubert Davis was hired to carry on the Tar Heel tradition of hanging new banners from the Smith Center rafters, Miller was left to look elsewhere

Blakes averaged 18.1 points and four assists as a junior but was limited to just two games his senior year because of canceled games due to COVID-19. He wasn’t offered by Duke until April 12 and chose the Blue Devils over Boston College, UConn, Georgetown and other schools. Duke is also still holding out hope of landing shooter Patrick Baldwin Jr., who is strongly leaning toward playing for his father, who coaches Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While waiting for the final recruiting domino to fall, Krzyzewski has gone to the transfer portal to fill the remaining holes. First, Duke raided an in-state team, landing four-year Davidson player Bates Jones. Jones came off the bench for the Wildcats, starting five of his 96 games played over four years. He averaged 1.7 points for his career, 2.6 as a senior in 12.7 minutes per game. Jones also averaged 2.6 rebounds as a senior and 1.9 for his career. The 6-foot-8, 225-pounder will provide depth and size for the Blue Devils. Jones is using the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted all players this year and will be a “super senior” with the Blue Devils. The Jones family is very tightly entwined with Duke athletics. His sister Ruthie starts for Duke’s women’s soccer team as the goalkeeper. His older brother, Daniel Jones, was Duke’s starting quarterback for three years before leaving school after his junior year to be drafted in the first round by the New York Giants. A day later, Duke added another big man, landing Marquette’s Theo John. The 6-foot-9, 245-pounder played center for the Golden Eagles and former Blue Devils player and longtime assistant Steve Wojciechowski, who was fired after the season. John played four years for Marquette, starting 89 of 124 games. He averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds as a senior, blocking 1.5 shots per game. John was named Marquette’s Most Improved player two years in a row and was among the national leaders in blocks per game as a sophomore. He finished third in the Big East in blocks as a senior. Then Krzyzewski straightened his 10-gallon hat and hopped onto his horse, the old gunslinger once again navigating the wild west and getting his man.

for his opportunity. That place turned out to be Cincinnati, which tapped the 38-yearold Greensboro native to fill its coaching vacancy last Wednesday. He was hired to replace John Brannen, who was fired after just two seasons amid unspecified allegations that led to six players putting their names into the NCAA’s transfer portal. Although the Bearcats don’t have as storied a history as UNC, especially recently, they do have a resume that includes two national championships, six Final Four appearances and more than 1,800 all-time victories — making them one of the 15 winningest programs in college basketball history. Miller has since been replaced at UNCG by Mike Jones, who was introduced Monday and has spent the past 10 seasons at Radford. Miller’s energetic introduction on Friday came on the 60th anniversary of Cincinnati’s 1961 national title. “Some people always talk about college basketball jobs in terms of Power 5 or whatever it may be, (and) I know that might refer to certain aspects of football,” said Miller, who was given a six-year, $7.8 million contract. “(But) this is a big-time basketball program. I

don’t care what league we’re in, this is one of the greatest programs in the history of college basketball.” Miller is considered a rising star in the coaching profession after leading UNCG to a 185-135 record, five straight 20-win seasons and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including one this year. In addition to his coaching credentials, he also has a national championship pedigree as a reserve point guard for the Tar Heels from 2003-07. As disappointed as he might have been to be passed over for the job at UNC, Miller said he’s “fired up” — a phrase he used to both open and close his first public appearance as a Bearcat — to be the new coach at Cincinnati. That doesn’t mean he plans on leaving all of his Carolina Blue influence behind, especially when it comes to the teachings of his former coach. “It starts for me with Roy Williams,” he said, relating a conversation he had with the Hall of Famer shortly after he returned to Chapel Hill from Kansas. “He was trying to convince me to be a recruited walk-on. I had options to go other places on scholarship, so I didn’t have a whole lot of interest in that. “Because it was Coach Williams

and because I was from that area, I was willing to listen. He asked me a question I will never forget, and the rest is history.” Williams asked him what he wanted to do when he finished playing. Miller answered that he wanted to coach. “He said, ‘Then you have to come here and play for me, because I will help you,” Miller recalled. “It was the most prophetic thing I’ve ever heard. He has been a mentor and a guiding light in my life and as a young coach, and he’s been with me every step of the way.” While Williams helped give him his start in coaching, Miller has blossomed on his own right with a style and demeanor Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham said are a perfect fit for what he described as his school’s “storied basketball program.” “As I spoke to those that I trust in this industry about Coach Miller during this search, common themes emerged,” Cunningham said. “He’s smart. He’s competitive. He’s dedicated to his team and he’s going to do it the right way. “His passion for the game of basketball and the profession of coaching basketball jumps out at you and pulls you in. With Wes Miller at the helm, we will fulfill our mission of connecting our community, enhancing our university and changing the lives of student athletes.”

Tournament in each of his seasons with the program. Now that he has a team of his own, Gray said he expects nothing less than for his winning ways to continue. “When this door opened, I didn’t hesitate,” he said. “I wanted to be here, and I want to win.” WCU athletic director Gary described his new coach as “someone who is extremely smart, dedicated to (his) craft and with a drive that can lead this program where all of us know it can be … a dynamic young basketball mind with the character and demeanor that our student-athletes can look up to and trust, who will get the most out of them and help them get better.” As Gray noted at his introductory press conference, his coaching philosophy will be simple. Speaking to the team members in attendance at WCU’s Ramsey Center, he said he expects them to take their academics seriously and graduate, as he did, to work hard at improving on the court and be competitive, and to be “good human beings, people that we want to be around.” They’re qualities Gray said that he learned to value through the lessons learned from his two most prominent influences on his basketball career. “The opportunity to get an education, to better your life, to make long-lasting friendships … it all started with Skip Prosser,” he said of the late Deacons coach, who died of a heart attack the year after Gray’s graduation with a degree in communications. “Pat Kelsey has done just that for me as well. He allowed me to grow as a man and a coach, as a mentor, as a leader and I’ll forever be grateful for what he’s done for me.” As altruistic as his intentions might be, Gray understands that the success of his tenure will ultimately be judged by the number of games his teams win. To that end, he set the bar high at his first meeting with his new players by issuing them face coverings emblazoned with the phrase “March Madness.” “That’s the vision,” he said. “That’s the goal. That’s the dream. It happens every single day in every single (repetition).”

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Rodón’s no-hitter the latest step in comeback for former NC State star Back from Tommy John surgery, the White Sox pitcher took a perfect game into the ninth inning last Wednesday By Brett Friedlander North State Journal CARLOS RODÓN described himself as “blessed” after pitching a no-hitter for the Chicago White Sox against the Cleveland Indians last Wednesday. It’s not an uncommon reaction. Athletes regularly say such things, especially after performances that far exceed even their most lofty expectations. In this case, though, it was anything but a cliche. Considering everything he’s been through, the former NC State ace had every reason to feel blessed. The 8-0 gem at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field, which came just a ninth-inning hit by pitch away from being a perfect game, was the culmination of a tumultuous twoyear stretch that nearly derailed Rodón’s once-promising career and led the White Sox to decline offering him a contract at the end of a disappointing 2020 season. “It’s a pretty special moment,” he said in a postgame Zoom conference. “Not many people can say they’ve thrown a no-hitter in Major League Baseball. “In interviews, it’s always like, ‘You’ve had some ups and downs, what’s it like to go through that and

go through some adversity?’ It just feels good to finally sit here and tell you that I dominated.” Rodón was one of the most dominant pitchers in ACC history during his three seasons with the Wolfpack, in which he set a school record for strikeouts, earned conference Pitcher of the Year honors and led his team to the College World Series for the first time in 45 years in 2013. A year later, he became the third overall pick in the MLB Draft. But things didn’t exactly go according to plan after making a rapid rise to the majors, thanks to a wrist sprain in 2016, multiple trips to the disabled list in 2017, a shoulder issue in 2018 and, finally, Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in May 2019. He returned last season but was nontendered by the White Sox after going 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA in just 7⅔ innings pitched. It was a turn of events he viewed as “a wake-up call.” Even after signing a one-year deal to remain with the White Sox in February, there was no guarantee he would make the team’s opening day roster, let alone the starting rotation. It took a strong performance in spring training for Rodón to solidify his spot. And he’s carried the momentum over into the regular season. “Baseball is pretty humbling,” said the 28-year-old left-hander from Holly Springs. “It will eat you, spit you out. And sometimes it will reward you.”

DAVID BANKS | AP PHOTO

White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodón celebrates his no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians last Wednesday in Chicago. For all his detractors — and there were plenty of them on social media last fall after he failed to hold a three-run lead in the seventh inning of a series-deciding playoff loss to the Indians — Rodón had at least one ardent supporter who never doubted his ability to bounce back. “Carlos is such a bulldog, such a competitor,” NC State baseball coach Elliott Avent said. “Once Carlos makes up his mind to do something, you’re going to get the very best he’s got.” Avent, as he frequently does, reached out to Rodón before Wednesday’s start to check in with his former ace and offer a word of encouragement. “Elliott texted me and said, ‘Are you all right?’ because he knew I had a stomach thing going on,” Rodón said, referring to a brief illness that forced him to wait an extra day before taking his turn on the mound. “I said, ‘I’m good,’ and

he said, ‘Good, now go shove.’” While Rodón took the advice to heart, Avent went off to prepare his team for its weekend road trip to Notre Dame. It wasn’t until after practice that the Wolfpack coach was alerted to the history that was being made. “I was headed home and I started getting phone calls and texts asking if I was watching Carlos, so I knew something good was going on,” he said. “I just didn’t know until I turned the TV on that he had a perfect game going.” Avent picked the game up in the sixth inning. By then, Rodón was cruising thanks to the six-run first inning his team put together behind him. After retiring the first 25 hitters he faced with a variety of fastballs, change-ups and his trademark slider, he lost his bid for a perfect game when a 1-2 slider in the dirt clipped the foot of Cleveland’s Roberto Pe-

rez with one out in the ninth. But Rodón quickly shook that off by setting down the next two hitters to start the celebration. His 114th and final pitch, which induced Jordan Luplow into a ground out to third, was clocked at 98.8 mph — the fastest he’s thrown since 2016. According to STATS, Rodón is the first major league pitcher to throw a no-hitter within two years after having Tommy John surgery. He is also the first State alumnus ever to accomplish the feat at baseball’s highest level. “Extreme respect for him,” White Sox catcher Zack Collins said after the game. “He was highly touted coming out of the draft and got up real quick. He showed people he could do the job and had a couple of injuries. For him to battle back from a couple of different surgeries like he has and come back to us to show what he’s shown so far has been incredible.”

DAVIDSON from page B1

DAVID BANKS | AP PHOTO

Duke’s Victor Dimukeje and former Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman are both hoping to be selected at next week’s NFL Draft.

Local NFL hopefuls prepare for next week’s draft Players from North Carolina schools and with roots in the state will learn their fate over three days starting April 29 By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE NFL DRAFT will take place next week in Cleveland as the league returns to an on-site show following last year’s pandemic-necessitated remote draft. While we may not get to see shots of Kliff Kingsbury’s mansion or Dave Gettleman’s odd attic office, there are still plenty of reasons to watch, especially here in North Carolina, where a pair of local college teams have a chance to send a large contingent of players to the league in the early rounds. In total, more than two dozen players with connections to the state are holding out hope that they’ll hear their names called over the three-day event. Here’s a roundup of the top North Carolina prospects, in descending order of their prospect ranking on NFL.com. Landon Dickerson Alabama center The Hickory product rates a 6.42, meaning he’s projected to be an NFL starter in two years. He’s coming off of ACL surgery, which gives him more variability in mock draft projections. He’s slotted as high as late first round and as low as late third. Javonte Williams UNC running back The highest-rated of the Tar Heels’ large stable of skill players entering this year’s draft, he rates

a 6.40. With a combination of power and speed, he’s considered the second-best back in the draft, behind Alabama’s Najee Harris. Most mocks have him going in round two. Chris Rumph Duke edge rusher The Blue Devils don’t find themselves sending players to the NFL in the early rounds too often, but Rumph could give Duke its second pick in three years. While he won’t go in the top 10 like Daniel Jones did, at a 6.31 rating, Rumph will get a call, likely in the middle rounds.

Dyami Brown UNC wide receiver At 6.19, he’s just a tick below the rating given to teammate Michael Carter, although the latest seven-round mock draft from CBSSports.com has him going a few spots higher in the third round. Hamsah Nasirildeen Florida State defensive back The Concord product battled injury all year but returned to the field for Senior Bowl practices to show he was healthy. At 6.19, he’s expected to go early in the fourth.

Carlos Basham Wake Forest defensive end

Alim McNeill NC State defensive tackle

“Boogie” is rated slightly behind Rumph, at 6.29, but could go as high as mid-first round.

A logjam of in-state products clustered around the 6.1 to 6.3 rating window means fans should be sure to tune in for the third and fourth rounds. At 6.14, McNeill is slotted for late third.

Divine Deablo Virginia Tech defensive back The Winston-Salem product is rated 6.23 and helped his cause with a fine Senior Bowl week performance. He’s looking at a possible third-round selection. Michael Carter UNC running back The other half of the Tar Heels’ two-back attack is rated a 6.21 and could go in the third round. Cornell Powell Clemson wide receiver The Greenville product is also rated 6.21. He had two catches for 42 yards in the Senior Bowl and impressed during drills. The latest mocks have him going in round four.

Chazz Surratt UNC linebacker The Tar Heels’ quarterback-turned-linebacker had a nose for the ball and the big play, which could have him leading the state’s third-round parade to the podium. He’s rated at 6.14. Larry Rountree III Missouri running back The Raleigh product has a 6.10 rating. He could be a last-day pick, however, getting mocked in the sixth round. Shemar Jean-Charles Appalachian State cornerback After getting a dozen prospects

into the list, we dip below the 6.0 rating. The App defensive back is at 5.94, meaning he’s slotted as a possible backup or special teamer. He’s got a mid-sixth round mock. Victor Dimukeje Duke edge rusher The Blue Devils other pass-rushing force, Dimukeje has a rating of 5.94 and is mocked to the end of the seventh round. Michael Carter II Duke cornerback The “other” Michael Carter from the state in this year’s draft. Carter may not hear his name called but could get a shot as a free agent pickup. D’Ante Smith East Carolina offensive tackle Proof that ratings aren’t everything. At 5.93, he’s just behind the state’s first projected undrafted player, but he’s mocked to the fourth round. The rest Bryan Mills, NC Central cornerback. 5.89 rating, undrafted in latest mocks; Noah Gray, Duke tight end. 5.87, final 10 picks of seventh round; Sage Surratt, Wake Forest wide receiver. 5.86, sixth round; Deon Jackson, Duke running back. 5.84, undrafted; Dazz Newsome, UNC receiver. 5.80, sixth round; Jamie Newman, Wake Forest quarterback. 5.80, fifth round; Mac McCain III, N.C. A&T cornerback. 5.65, undrafted; Cary Angeline, NC State tight end. 5.60, undrafted; Blake Proehl, East Carolina receiver. 5.54, undrafted; Mark Gilbert, Duke cornerback. 5.48, undrafted.

the fall, going 3-1 with a loss to Florida State and an upset win over Butch Davis’ Florida International University. In addition to playing twice as many games as Davidson this season, Jacksonville State also has an edge in postseason experience, having won the Ohio Valley nine times. The Gamecocks have played 15 FCS playoff games, reaching the national championship game in 2015. This is their seventh trip to the postseason in the last eight seasons. They also won the Division II national championship in 1992 before moving up to FCS. “We’re excited to be in the tournament. We knew we’d get one of the best teams in the country and Jacksonville State is certainly that,” said Abell, who on Monday was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award as the Division I subdivision’s top football coach. “What a great opportunity for our program. … Getting a playoff berth in year three was probably something few people gave us a shot at, so I’m excited about the experience ahead for our guys.” Davidson will look to its run game to lead it in the playoffs, as it has all season. The Wildcats lead the country in rushing at 293 yards per game, which has helped the Wildcats to move the chains and control the clock. Davidson converted on 56% of its third downs, also tops in the country. The Wildcats have two running backs who average more than 75 yards a game in Dylan Sparks (519 yards in six games) and Coy Williams (459). The duo also combined for 10 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Tyler Phelps added 323 yards on the ground to go with his 617 yards passing and six touchdown throws. Jacksonville State will provide a stiff challenge. The Gamecocks allowed opponents just 81 rushing yards a game this season. Safety Nicario Harper was the OVC defensive player of the year and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. JSU also had three defensive linemen and three linebackers selected AllOVC, with end DJ Coleman and OLB Laylen Swain making first team. Jacksonville State is also balanced on offense, averaging 193.5 yards per game on the ground and 200.4 through the air. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the winner getting either Delaware or Sacred Heart in the second round. They may be underdogs in the FCS bracket, but for the first time in 52 years, Wildcat coaches can say, “If you want to go to the postseason, come to Davidson.”

We need g Kong flu,” 1977 is China’s markets and financial outlets. If the U.S. dollar were not the reserveis China’s The result: a reduc originated inChina Wuhanhas Province the completely originated Province from the completely to pay probably fortransparency their from aberrant ways and decisions thr evidence that the currency, we would not be ableintoWuhan fund any of these probably emergency According to the Uni Neal Robbins, Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a Chernobyl. and wet markets. Some believe it came out of a economic and financial means. has obviously not ins in China. measures without unregulated immediate fear of unsanitary rampant inflation and currency Metrics and Evaluati and honesty Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, Diplomacy senior editor biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.opinion biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized world ofTrump 21st century health OVID-19 depreciation. administratio from our rigorous verifiable policing andregimes regulation of take th Until adopts verifiable policing and regulation of Until China andadopts fair trade. Totalitarian communist never mpletely China has to pay for theirChina aberrant waysrigorous and decisions through peakhas outbreak was re their food safety and health protocols, American business no other scientific experts ve it came out of a economic and financial Diplomacy has obviously notAmerican worked business has no other their means. food safety and health protocols, or express sincere regret and remorse, because thatby is nearly not wh ventilators choice than to build redundant manufacturing elsewhere purely — wedo. need to plants to bring China intochoice the civilized 21st century health, hygieneplants elsewhere purely than toworld buildofredundant manufacturing August by nearly 12,0 They take advantage of every w for nationaltotalitarian security andgovernments safety reasons as well as supply and delivery know what they regulation of and fair trade. Totalitarian communist regimes never take the blame Here’s the problem for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or t reliability concerns. ness has no other or express sincere reliability regret and concerns. remorse, because that is not what know, what they questions will al push back. The mostadversaries direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is tothat offer s elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do. They take advantage of every weakness First, what is theCh tr don’t and when The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to U.S. offertax credits That is, unless an exogenous event happens to companies who will source at least half ofsuch theiras the pply and delivery they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or the important because it U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of theirproductionmeltdown 1986. States. Some that event, theyexperts hope to back in theinUnited There isbelieve approximately $120not the S adversaries push back. be open or of closed, wh production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution the Sov billion worth of American direct investment plants and equipment know what in they isaster is to offer That is, unless an exogenous event happens such as the Chernobyl more liberalized soci billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989.direct investment in China. Chinese in the U.S. is about $65 billion by don’t. half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars ought to lock down fu comparison. in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl. ximately $120 program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union We’ve in seen case fat An investment tax credit of 30% on half U.S. investment China comparison. Senators in Washington are of already talking about the pos s and equipment in 1989. the number of identifi today, or $60 billion,forgiving applied to$1.2 repatriated American manufacturing investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China trillion in debt we owe them as one w out $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19An is China’s Chernobyl. and the denominator investmentChina to the to U.S. would U.S. Treasury billionthe in US. Don today, orare $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing “pay” forcost the the damage they have$18 caused Senators in Washington already talking about the possibility people have actually tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is would cost Treasury $18 billion in breath waiting for a Chinese “Jubilee” to number happen has but been ask you vestment in China of China forgivinginvestment $1.2 trillion to in the debtU.S. we owe them as the oneU.S. way to get ove compared to the $6 trillion+ Planinwe are nowfinanc revenue they spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust representatives to hold China Marshall accountable tangible n manufacturing China to “pay” for tax the damage have caused the US. Don’t hold your of death, particularly undertaking to disaster. save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the compared to the $6ask trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this $18 billion in breath waiting for decimal a Chinesedust “Jubilee” to happen but your elected sources suggest the n past. to save ourinown economy, notways of defeated enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsibl t revenue is representatives to undertaking hold China accountable tangible financial for many American people are dyin China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging Plan we are now this disaster. past. the world like any other modern nation. Even more importa business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they d enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of actually have coronav China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and the world like any business other modern nation. of identified cases co now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret thatreplace they the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. laging American number of people wh intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and no secret that they replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. in the world and enminbi. EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

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Business & Economy VISUAL VOICES

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about It’s okay to ask questions about when will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe How Chi we begin to get back to normal s about when A7 How China will payThe A7 strophe The comfort a for this COVID-19 catas 3 big questions nob normalwe begin to get back to normal EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

EDITORIAL | FRA

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates The cavalier manner in which China lied about the origin ofSTATES the WITH MOST under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-homeONE OBINSON hina theStates, origin of the will pay for this nd inlied theabout United China virus, covered upONE its spread and to tell after the world there were only THING IStried CERTAIN; this COVID-19 virus dissipates cavalierofmanner in which arounC orders thanks to local or state governments,The a majority Americans THIS WEEK, virus, according to members ofTHE theand fede iedor toanother. tell the world there were only “THIS IS DA ay 3,341 related deaths to worldwide panic, economic collapse and aroundhas theled globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spread t are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” catast and state and local governments, Americans have rldwide economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24). WITH either shelter-in-place stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus an catastrophe one waybeing or or another. 3,341 related deaths has led to wo he crisispanic, caused by China in perspective, zero MOST STATES millionsunder of Americans needlessly thrown out of work. Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. In o ce orcan stay-at-home fallen to into place. Iorders understand theto seriousness of the virus the the curve inI’m the uneasy novel coronavirus outbreak. The e being thrown of work. I know that during thanks localThe or state governments, aneed majority of at Americans to precautions, with how people who sim Inand order to puttaxpayer the crisis caused by China in take perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly mics traceout their source the United States over crisis has cost the U.S. leastVirginia’s $2.4 trillion in added stay-at-home orders gobut into June. worldw 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 leastfour $2.4in trillion in added working from home worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States The has coststart the U.S. taxp are having to what is being called the “new normal.” questions the over data, and things can getting ry. Atatleast the 20th century alone can be to adjustdebt plus trillions more in Federal Reserve backup liquidity toCarolina, the about Here in North Democratic Gov.when Roycrisis Cooper stated during our 23 normal.” questions and when things can start getting back to have abided by recommendations and orders. The Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, be glad” as the Bible our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be debt plus trillions more in Federa Some of these orders extend atfinancial least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circles a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we justwith don’tcontempt. know yet” if the China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and outlets. If the U.S. dollar were not the reserve direct nd of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancin he U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve dad, Easter directly to to China: flu,” 1968They’re “Hong orders Kong markets andand financial outlets. If t Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June. treated asextend though we as a society simply must acce state’s stay-at-home will into May. he 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence thatwe theas a society currency, wemust would nottraced be able fund1957 any “Asian of these emergency Since when did “Russi Perhaps They’re treated as though simply accept without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able Perhaps WALTER E.decide WILLIAMS If he to extend questions should be asked when as to the in North Carolina, Democratic Roy Cooper stated during question what theit, government tells us about it’s massiv safe to toa nish flu”WALTER pandemic its origins inHere China. measures without of rampant inflation and currency Wedoes need E. had WILLIAMS BRYNN in ANDERSON | AP PHOTO questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safeimmediate toGov. begin thefear The result: a reduction expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflationalso and currency pandemic. COVID-19 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures without immediate fea for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t know yet” ifjustification the transparency process of returning back to normalcy. COVID-19 greement, outside of China, of that COVID-19 depreciation. Theis know yet” if the returning back to normalcy. According to the University of Washington Institu For me, my faith Easter seasons government In this Marchprocess 25, 2021, file photo, people wait to receive a vaccine at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. There is May. 100% agreement, outside of do China, thatof COVID-19 depreciation. must this out an abundance of caution.” is China’s state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into No. The government works for us, and we have the right to an Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberrant ways and decisions through is China’s Since when did No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m origin ant ways and decisions through making. As I celebra and honesty originatedshould in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for their aberr provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who If he does decide to extend it, questions be asked as to the questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in 1:4, place a nsanitary wet markets. believe itlonger came out of but aChernobyl. financial means. Diplomacywet hasmarkets. obviously notbelieve worked Chernobyl. asked to the questions. And theis stay-at-home orders in place all over the unsanitary administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviously notSome worked unreg Corinthians whi graduates iseconomic only ableare toand find low-paying work. ned in as two past articles that student debt questioning unregulated and it Trump came out of at a home economic financial means. D fromSome our are being told to remain jobless and for an undetermined message of become a justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as M by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized world of 21st century health, hygiene gue ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, orld of 21st health, hygiene Under an ISA agreement, he would owe an agreedlem and thatcentury universities have encouraged affliction, that wew biowa biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the civilized scientific experts amount of the time why models predicting hundreds of thousands ofso cases government hope that will must do this out of an abundance of caution.” more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxi bad thing? the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about pts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalitarian communist regimes never take the blame ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number of ov upon percentage of his income — the actual dollar their own irresponsible behavior. With unist regimes never take the blame affliction, withcomm the co Unt Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalitarian are reliable. —iswe need to again enjoyforsincere atnot all levels It amount will need to be in detail to the people this state who when they can getnoback to providing their families, will d would be very low. With a traditional loan, of this stateprotocols, who when theyfinancial can get back tonoproviding for their families, will demand erse, graduates facing uncertain August byonce nearly 12,000. nd health American business has other orexplained express sincere regret and remorse, because that not what because that isan what God.” That isofwhat their f their food safety and health protocols, American business has other or express regret and rem To know date, what I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then they he would owe the same amount regardless of his t’s particularly important to find solutions ndetermined answers. are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the ans sporting events, advantage of become every weakness dtake redundant manufacturing If you are celebrat They take advantage of every weakness a plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments choice than do. tofree build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely totalitarian governments do. The choice citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about income. Even with income-based repayment on his So,and what’s to cases be done? housands of Leaders the local state levels should be in as forthcoming assecurity they know, what they questions that state will allow economy tothis reopen. amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases theleaders localconcerts, and levels should beon as forthcom pushing until they win or the reflect messa ty safety reasons as well asatsupply andand delivery they find adversaries and keep pushing until they win orLeaders the family for national and safety reasons as well as supplyatand delivery they findthe in adversaries and keep for nat the data. State Republican have, too. bad thing? living in a free loan, he would likely make interest-only payments as dical proposals, like completely can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality rate?c God’s example and are reliable. can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, don’t and when s.student loans adversaries push back. reliability concerns. adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is reliabi AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife withthe principal continued to mount. and making them subject AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with is details what society ked and then with that give their important because it determines whether certain nt happens such asThat the Chernobyl this difficult Th To I’veUniversity gonebelievability. along with what theexogenous statedirect has asked and then with that their statements The most waywere to make China “pay” for this disaster isgive to offer That is, believability. unless an exogenous ev way to make China “pay” for work. this disaster isdate, tostatements offer hope todetails That is, unless an event happens suchthey asThe the Chernobyl corruption. The financial squeeze resulting sometimes afinancial disturbing tendency among some people to treat thosetime. church services The Purdue istoalready experimenting with ptcy protection, would certainly corruption. squeeze resulting questions about We should all continue to do what we can keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — believe that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed free citizens from COVID-19 offers for a mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our fam U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts companies who will source at least half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars know what they simply questioning the data andfor asking when we can start getting back under its “Back a Boiler” plan. The program is was raid-from ders who put their ownourselves, money onand the our line communities COVID-19 offers opportunities a many U.S. ta and more frastructure.” a year forcontinue public health, TheISAs Associated Press Sponsored by Union safe. But we also still more liberalized society presumes wide sprea Sponsored by should the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled same spirit Sponsored by Union bit ofbefore remediation. Let’s first examine production back inpast the United There is approximately $120 program of are Reagan, directly thewhat data. State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities safe.that But we should also stilt Sponsored by nue the United States. There is approximately $120 of Research Reagan, led directly to the of theas Soviet tothe do, last I dissolution normal though they are conspiracy theorists or people who being funded byprogram the Purdue Foundation, diligence lending to 18-yearbitStates. oftoremediation. Let’s first examine what living in a free Castrucci and others say they ed for cash over decade. don’t. produ afterdown ourinown asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors helping st ne worth of American direct investment inof plants and equipment when certain types of questions get asked, there isbedependable to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable part of the university’s endowment. a small ers. And direct the fearinvestment of students in filing for and Unfortunately, might the root academic corruption, need money for highIfbillion theIt’s money hadn’t been touched, otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or1989. others sick. CONGRESS HAS POURED merican in 1989. checked. billion suggested bysociety the title were of aplants recent study,equipment ehernobyl. to treat those measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date. We’ve seen case fatality rates — Concord, the number of Cd temporary In a high in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s skill professionals, such as epideeventually local and state health program now but is already showing positive results. tens of billions of dollars into state ydirect wouldinvestment ensure that loans are small and suggested by the title of a recent study, sometimes disturbing tendency among is some people to treat thoseSince when measures are understandable, they also have an expi did questioning government at all should levels become a bad in the U.S. $65 billion abyand Perhaps COVID-19 China’s Chernobyl. “Academic Studies and to the Chib North State Journal Wednesday, April 15, 2020 starttalking getting backGrievance This is is allabout new Americans, ithealth isexplains not normal. Not in any way, the offor identified COVID-19 cases —in but eady about the possibility money to buy aare 3-D sacrifices are miologists — data-driven disease departments would have gotten and local public departsupposed Purdue’s website aand few of the benefits of can “Academic Grievance Studies andnumber the comparison. Senators in Washington alra thing? That isThis what free citizens living in a free society were supposed simply questioning the data asking when we start getting back is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was Senators in Washington are already talking about the possibility compa A6 are people who shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at and the denominator are likely wrong. We don’t k we owe them as one way to get detectives — and for technology $12.4 billion. ments in response to the corona- an additional health care workers ISAs: hdebt a solution is politically unpopular. Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was Global agri-tech An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in over. to do, last Ishape, checked. done by Areo, an opinion andinvestment analysis to do, last I to virus normal ascomfortable though they areforgiving conspiracy theorists or debt areledpeople who or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay ax credit of 30% on half of U.S. in China of China $1.2 trillion in we owe them as one way to get An i upgrades that would help track ick. Several lawmakers, by the same time we shouldn’t get with this so-called “new pandemic, paying for masks, people have actually died of coronavirus. Some so y have caused the US. Don’t hold your standard payment periodtoday, for theorBack onsiderably reduce the number of byMy Areo, an opinionasand analysis $60 billion,sick. applied done to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay”isfor the damage digital magazine. By American the way, Areo is short The don’t first concern we go along in all this, of course, my family. I’m the otherwise care if they get themselves or others the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-call company to build on, applied to repatriated manufacturing China to “pay” for the damage they have caused the US. Don’t hold your outbreaks and get information to Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murcontact tracers and education checked. s become a bad normal.” today, number has been overestimated, given that classifi ee”totoborrow happen but ask your elected makingto it the U.S. would digital ble for college and would magazine. Bythem the$18 way, Areo the is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by a Boiler-ISA Fund is about 10 years, investment costbad the U.S.about Treasury billion in breath waiting Ifor a Chinese worried catching virus, and I’m worried will. After “Jub public. ray are looking toforathe Since questioning at all levels become normal.” campaigns to did persuade people togovernment U.S. would cost thecampus U.S. Treasury $18 inwhen breath waiting forofrevenue aWashington, Chinese “Jubilee” tofew happen but ask your elected y were supposed Not one little bit.billion of death, among elderly patients, can competitive with most Federal Plus and private loan ionately affect low-income students. It Areopagitica, a in speech delivered by particularly invest untable in tangible financial ways for research infree John Milton in defense of speech. tax spread over a years. $18 billion lost revenue is representatives to hold China acc suffering from theone H1N1 virus flu) during the 2009 pandemic, In Ohio,in the computer system end the cycle with legget vaccinated. thing? ThatInisaddition, whatrepresentatives free inboom-bust asix-month free society were supposed Not little bit.(swine over a few years.majoring $18 billion in lost revenue is to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for all citizens studentsliving receive a disfavor students in soft but John Milton defense of free speech. Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. terms. sources suggest the number is dramatically under tax decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster. to report cases theextra stateprecautions, because all of this brings up rev I’ve been trying to to take Public health officials who have islation that would eventually pro- used RTP towe do, last I checked. grace period post-graduation before payments Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. pared tofamily. the as $6I’m trillion+ Marshall Plan are now e, is my this Stacey Matthews also written under thedisaster. pseudonym Sister Toldjah many people are dying home. diplines. to operate responsible citizens of decim undertaking tobegin. save ourinown not of defeated enemies as in the It is at about timenot they expect predates the invention of the iP$4.5 billion annually coreeconomy, juggled bare-bones budgets for vide way and too many memories ofsay a painful experience I’d prefer to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong Once a recipient makes successful payments for e are solutions that can be implemented — Lindsay Peter Boghossian that My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sist ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. Even more importantly, we have no clue how mn APEX — EnviroFlight, e our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of ation. State officials had said for health funding. Health de- hone. years are happy to have the ad- public under past. the world like any other modern But what alsodrastically makes mewrong lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in especially the prescribed term of the contract, no additional s acrimonious political climate.within certain something has gone anacademia, agricultural technology 2009 pandemic, worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrec actually have coronavirus. Some scientists sugges years pirating they wanted upgradeAmerican it, partments carry essential otherhas modern nation. ditional money. Yetthe theyworld worry like it any China beenout cheating, stealing, and to pillaging past. fields within the humanities. They payments required even if(swine they have less solution has been referred to asthe “skin in call in academia, especially within company, butThey they lacked the money and the government functions — such asyears. of this brings uphas announced will soonfrom dry are up as the pandemic ofcertain identified cases could be an order of magnitude suffering the H1N1 virus flu)paid during the 2009 pandemic, cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 have made no secret that they these fields “grievance studies,” where Chin than the amountaofboom-bust funding they received. water safety, issuingfields Suchnot a policy would of call for R&D institutions withinwill. the Many humanities. They call development a new Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion political departments managing recedes, continuing refer to years. repeat. number of people who have had and n I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up he past 30 They have made no secret that they scholarship is not so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and busine Both ISAsthat andhas skinplagued in the game policies wouldtracking sexu-these hare in the risk Center of every student fields “grievance studies,” andcredit Corporate in Apex. across the country have relied where on death certificates, funding cycle ost everyone haspremier finding truththe butinstitution. upon attending towayworld too many of afor painful experience I’dasprefer not tocurrency repeat. iswith he as superpower and memories replace the dollar the reserve their renminbi. down-stream Both would put outU.S. a loan tothe attend not much based upon Public Power Communities intend fax machines to so report COVID-19 ally transmitted diseases and pre-scholarship thehave U.S.many public health systembenefits. The company noted that this In in the social grievances. Grievance But whatIf also makes lose sleep is for how easily outbreaks. most everyone hastruth but upon attending to as the reserve currency their renminbi. pressure on universities to keep tuition low and his means universities would bescholars on finding cases. paring infectious decades. budgets are me slashed is that an ideal location towith meet the replac Recognized for Safety & bully students, administrators and other

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the pandemic, offset some of the pressure on demand forpublic healthsocialDuring Spending for state or some part ofofstudent loan debt when grievances. Grievance Ohio’s scholars again, they warn, thatartificial could leave needs a growing regenerative departments into adhering to their state auditoradministrators found that nearly departments dropped by 16% perbully thehigher nationeducation. where it wasThey before the also would align universities’ efault. Such a policy would require action students, and other Reliability agriculture business conducting worldview. The worldview they promote is Jason 96% of local health departments from 2010 to 2019, anddepartments coronavirus: unprepared for a capita interests with those of students. Universities would ss since student loans are disbursed by the into adhering to their highly technical research on neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS North Carolina public power it surveyed had problems they with promote the spending for local health depart-worldview. health crisis. in student success, not be invested just increased ernment. The worldview is black soldier fliesofand their larvae. studies consist disciplines such as has always shone when it comes state’s disease nor reporting system. When the mosquito-borne Zika ments fell by 18%, KHN and Theneither THEWS ther solution can be implemented locally. scientific rigorous. Grievance Groundbreaking on the new sociology, anthropology, gender studies, enrollment. Some universities would probably begin to safety andEDITORIAL reliability. After all, | STAC Workers interviewing patients Associated Press found in a July virus tore through South America of institutions are already giving it critical a studies consist of disciplines such RICHARD as facilitystudies, starts this month, and COLUMN | REP. HUDSON queer sexuality and raceto offer better guidance to students when they choose providing customers with safe, had to anthropology, navigate severalgender pages studies, of in majors, 2016, causing serious birth choose classes anddetakeinvestigation. out loans. At least 38,000 pub-sociology, e Share Agreements (ISAs).toISAs are EnviroFlight expects be in the studies. reliable, and environmentally questions, a major burden when lic health jobs were lost at the state fects in newborn babies, members facility in which early These innovative solutions will do what “Free l agreements in students receive queer studies, sexuality and critical race sustainable electric power is what In 2017 and2022. 2018, authors Pluckrose, of Congress couldn’t agree how, and local level between the 2008 handling 500 cases daily. andR&D Boghossian This new willstarted College” cannot: make students and universities funding Lindsay in exchange forfacility a predetermined studies. The system was so outdated NC public power is all about. and how much, to spend in the recession and 2019. Today, many submitting bogus academic allow for further emphasis to papers to behave more wisely and act together towards the post-graduation income over a certain 2017 andinformation 2018, authors Pluckrose, that some could be U.S. for prevention efforts, such public health workers are hired In Seventeen ElectriCities member academic journals in cultural, queer, be percent placed on target research goal.and That goal is abateto createon educated, wise years. The of income and number and Boghossian started entered only in a non-searchable a temporary or part-time basis.Lindsay as same education mosquito communities recently earned race, gender, fat and sexuality studies and The productive OnlySome with are smart n changeareas, basedincluding upon aexpanding student’sthe major and ment. academic commentbogus box, and officialspapers strug- to national recognition for their paidpolicies so poorly they qual-submitting Centersgraduates. for Disease determine if they would pass peer knowledge base for alternative that incentivize student successify can we ensure that tential. to academic journals in cultural, queer, gled to pull data from the system for public aid. Those factors reControl and Prevention took monefforts from thethe American Public “THIS IS THEfallen DAY lord has made, let usthe r the virus and the review be accepted for need publication. WITH MOSTability STATES under either shelter-in-place stay-at-home into place. I understand usesof of and black soldier fly larvae truly efforts, provideand value parents, eseriousness a good deal for students because they race, gender, and sexuality studies to report tofatthe public — or such as duce departments’ to retain ey colleges from its Ebola fromfor students, Power Association (APPA). Eight Acceptance of dubious research that in it” (Psalm 118:24). y with people whohealth, ask (BSFL) in animal animal orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I’m unea taxpayers and society. ky thanhow loans. Imagine asimply student who to determine if they would pass peer how many people who tested posstate and local health department people with expertise. communities received APPA’s time of soc editors found sympathetic to their I know that during this challenging n thingsjournal can start getting back to nutrition, cosmetics, and other TATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus need are having to adjust to what isreview being called theand “new normal.” questions about the data, andWIT wh itive hadbe attended athe Black Lives and accepted for publication. Compounding those lossfunding, to pay for the initial Zika Safety Awards of Excellence intersectional or postmodern leftist vision working from home or losing a job, it may becircle diffi withorcontempt. product development. EnviroFlight Matter rally, which last sumthebut coronavirus pandemic response. Congress to eventually al- es, Some Acceptance of dubious research that of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some cal state governments, a majority of Americans take precautions, I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask for safe operating practices in orders of the world would prove the problem of issimply currently the only company to was a key question peoglad” as2020, the Bible tells us to do. as However, as aasC a society must accept has prompted an exodus oforders pub-journal located $1.1 billion for Zika, but by editors found sympathetic to their Virginia’s gomer into June. treated though we st to what being called thewithout “new normal.” questions about the data,stay-at-home and when things can start getting back tofor be withThey’re fourteen communities lowisacademic standards. are haj produce BSFL on a to commercial ple trying toorRoy understand whether healthin officials because of hathen, mosquito season had passed lic Here and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded me of sders us about when it’s safe begin the intersectional postmodern leftist vision North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Cooper stated during question what the government tel Several of the fake research papers (including five communities that extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt. Som protests contributed to the the problem virus’ rassment, political pressure andof the in much of the U.S. scale in the United States and world“we would prove of have to be thankful and hopeful for,ofeven in the m alcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat also received Safety Awards a recent coronavirus press briefing that just don’t know yet” if the process of returning back to norm home orders into June. They’re treated as though as a society simply muststandards. accept spread. exhaustion. A we yearlong analy-low “Something happens, we throw has itsgo first Virgin EFF FORMER SENATOR academic Lenten and without pandemic.Excellence) us, and TARTE, we have themanufacturing right to ask plant those Studies journal published aNC hoaxSTATE paper receiving APPA’s state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government works for when did Public officials in some the AP and KHN at Several a ton of moneySince at it, and then in sis arolina,that Democratic Roy Cooperwas stated during question what thebygovernment tells found us about when it’s safefake to begin the located Kentucky. ofhealth the research papers argued the Gov. term bodybuilding For me, Reliable my faith is anPower important part ofstay-atmyHer da home orders arein Maysville, in place all over the Public Provider Easter seasons If 248 heback does decide toand extend it, questions should be asked as to the questions. And the longer areas may struggle to make the least leaders of state local a yet” year if or the two we go back to our This innovative and responsible us press briefing that “we just don’t know process of returning to normalcy. questioning were accepted for publication. The Fat exclusionary and should be replaced a recen (RP3) designation for providing making. As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get approach in states,has such as Michigan, justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI case for more stable funding beprovide a health departments resigned, reshrunken budgets and we can’t do considerable e orders will“fat extend into May. No. The government works for us, April and we have the right to ask those with bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive Studies journal published a hoax paper reliable andmore safe electric service. state’s government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord “com eeling isolated and/or anxious about cause a large swath of the pubtired or were fired between 1, the minimum things we have to Since when did must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the people, sitting at home f potential within the sizable message of bodybuilding politicized performance.” thatlicargued the term was so engtofor extend it, questions shouldOne be reviewer askeddo asday to the questions. And2020, the longer stay-at-home orders are place all over themanThethat RP3we designation lasts to three If he hasin questioned the mask affliction, may be able comfort those their families, will demand and need March 31, 2021. Nearly in and day out, let alone be at all levels It will to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to provid global animal feed industry as it “I thoroughly enjoyed this like “we questioning and should be replaced that we will years the and comfort recognizes publicwe ourselves And thesaid, answers should not bereading vague ones country, and the some of get exclusionary in and states, such as Michigan, datesathope and business restrictions 1are instricter 6being Americans athem localjobless pubprepared for the next emergency,” affliction, with which ar justific will provide environmentally told tolost remain home for an undetermined answers. article and an believe it has an important become a with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive power utilities that demonstrate that public health officials have once again enjoy lic health leader during the pansaid Chrissie Juliano, executive digovernment an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about God.” vels should be assustainable forthcoming must d friendly, source ofthey contribution to make to as the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases Leaders at the local and state le politicized performance.” One reviewer proficiency in reliability, safety, imposed through the pandemic. Experts say it is the for largest rector ofwho the Bigbad Cities Health Co-candemic. thing? sporting events, e explained in detail to the people of this state when they get back to providing their families, will demand If you are celebrating the Easter season, I urge again, not vague answers, but answer high-value nutrients. journal.” at all levels It w are reliable. can be with those answers — and in place. Elderly personsleadwith underlying conditions enjoyed reading ORMER state senator, I have been asked alition, Inthoroughly Missouri, some county com- this workforce development, and exodus of public health leaders insaid, “I which represents “Our Struggle Is Myfor Struggle: Solidarity Liz Koutsos, of stay-atThat is what emain jobless and atPresident home an undetermined answers. reflect message and be comforted, so that ents believability. concerts, To for date, I’vetime, gone along with what the state asked and then with details that statem are be monitored bypublic health teams some article and believe itfamily has an important s what I would do regarding the missioners whohas were frustrated at on this system improvement. American history. erswould of morebethan two dozen become a giveintheir Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to EnviroFlight, said, “Research of thousands God’s example andWe comfort allallthose need arou we can to keep as our hy models predicting hundreds ofdepartments. casestelemedicine Leaders the local and state levels be as forthcoming they free citizens mandated that we CEO do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about should continue toamoun do w leveraging andatvirtual hospitals. to restrictions make to as the field and this Nationwide, public health withheld ratin North Carolina. The current SAH gatherings, Brian Castrucci, ofshould thecontribution health the average public Neoliberal and Feminism,” was andshould development is a core focus badhas thing? this difficult time. Through faith and by helping fe. on ButApril we alsoChoice still continue money from the departments. can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer de Beaumont Foundation, which Funding for Public Health Led by our major health system leaders and journal.” res 29. power customer their lights the data. State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, and our communities are relos church services living in a free accepted for publication by Affilia, a area for EnviroFlight, with our In Struggle Knox County, Tennesconfident we will emerge out of this pandemic advocates for public health, calls types ecause while reasonable stay-at-home Emergency Preparedness, which Association, the North Carolina Hospital I would “Our Is My Struggle: Solidarity te senator recently said we are going to out for less than half the amount That is what e along with what the state has asked and then with details that give their statements believability. Unfortunately, when certain of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, feminist social workers. The Tostrb d and many more research journal team andfor dedicated society wereprimary see, Mayor Glenn Jacobs narratCongress’ giant influx of cash inFeminism pays for emergency capabilities Inthose this spirit, I continue be inspired the by yow should also have date. have a master planWe with suppliers and a what as an Intersectional Reply to same four things: whoan isexpiration sick, who is not,questions of time that customers of to other sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat measures are understandable, do, but paper along the way I’ve also had about should all continue to do we can to keep our families, consisted in part of a rewritten free citizens manda engineers focused on all aspects ed a video posted in Feminism,” the fallneighbors that was types the crisis “wallpaperNeoliberal after our own for state and local depart- response supposed of utilities forhealth manufacturers in N.C. totore-purpose and Choice een and who has not. Iany agree. Public helping neighbors. d itsick is not normal. Not in way, passage Mein Kampf. Two other backup plan simply questioning the data and asking awhen we can start getting back This isdo. allNow newthat’s to Americans, a publican have, too. ourselves, and and our communities safe. Butrewe should also still continue ofleaders insect from biology and production the da showed photo of health officials drapes” because it doesn’t ments, dropped by about half beliving in aSofree something to celebrate! facilities to produce ventilators and PPE necessary accepted for publication by Affilia, a erts are coalescing around benchmarks to temporary In Concord, a high school senior named Tanne d remain vigilant and stay safe, at hoax papers were published, including to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form. while we shoul including genetics, immunology, when certain types of questions get asked, there to ask questions about the health’s data, because while reasonable stay-at-home after referencing “sinister forc- The crumbling theiscare 2003ofand fiscal store Unffa safe operating to take our 2021 own demands. An public ongoing needs feminist journal for social workers. ore rules “Rape ease: reductions in new tween Culture and Queer Performativity money to buyExercising a 3-D printer and plastic to make mfortable withsustained this so-called “new sacrifices are society were otherwise don’t care ifshould they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shouldn’t get co animal nutrition, and innovative es.” Later, someone spray-painted foundation. years, accounting for inflation, rbing tendency among some people to treat those measures are understandable, they also have an expiration date. checked. and reliable paper consisted in part of a rewritten deaths, widespread testing, hospital at Urban Dog Parks.”ample This paper’s subjectassessment would evaluate the re-purposing of health carepractices workers outproviding of his own home. somet Aswe part of start according engineering solutions. Since when government at in allany levels become normal.” “DEATH” on the department of- a bad “I at thedid endquestioning of this we’re over. to Trust forThis America’s supposed gndthe asking when can back is all new toworry Americans, and it is not normal. Not way, electric service will always be a wasand dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rapegetting hotels, empty warehouses and university dorms passage from Mein Kampf. Two other thedata ability to monitor new patients and simply our growth plan, we are excited to fice building. Thesociety Board ofwere Health to That hire up bunchfree of contact Health, a public health research going thing? isashould what citizens living in awere free supposedpriority forNot onepower. little To bit.read paper eventually forced Boghossian, public gh they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form. So while we remain vigilant and stay safe, at as emergency field hospitals in conjunction with hoax papers published, including contacts. to do, last I to nor tracers — and then lay them off was stripped of its powers in and advocacy organization. invest in a new R&D and Corporate tocare do, last I checked. Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely more about how NC public power deployment strategies for health professionals. “Rape Culture andgiven Queer Performativity re reasonable data points that should serve out if they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new March and was an advisory soon thereafter,” Castrucci said. otherw Even the federal Prevention Center in Apex NC, and join the under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah checked. Mycare firstoptions concern as we go along in allDog this, of course, is my family. I’m Stacey Matthews has also written themselves. A Wall Street Journal writerVirtual hospitals and direct primary shines bright, visit at Urban Parks.” This paper’s subject ation to make decisions to keep everyone questioning government at all levels become a bad normal.” role. A spokesperson for the may“We are continuing to kind of go and Public Health Fund, which robust Triangle Region AgTech Sinc dState and Insurrection. hadLegal figured out what theyany were doing. would be made available through worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contributor to Re every health re not going back toThis fullin normal time from disaster to disaster withoutwas dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape www.electricities.com. was established with the Affordcommunity. new facility will t free citizens living a free society were supposed Not one little bit. thing? Some papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, system. Ongoing testing would ever be implemented. forced Boghossian, re not reopening tomorrow. We able talking about the actual in-paper Care Act to provide $2 billion Seeeventually CORONAVIRUS, page B6 allow us toeverything continue to develop d. in academic journals advocated trainingRigorous statewide antibody testing to do, I’ve been trying precautions, this bringsout up would be to take extra Pluckrose andbecause Lindsayall to of prematurely care of our most vulnerable citizens, and technology that leverages the men like dogs and punishing whiteismale as we go along inbusinesses, all this, ofnow. course, my implemented family. I’m once Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah My available. themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. egin to reopen our potential of this amazing insect slavery by college students for historical m catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. In conjunction with other regional governors had figured out what they were doing. lowing aasking couple of data models — Fuller, worrie But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has and facilitate growth in theon the floor in them our to sit in silence H1N1 virus (swine flu) during theexpected 2009 pandemic, Some papers accepted for publication d the CDC. The models project N.C. cases sufferi alternative protein industry.” chains during class and to be toand cooperation with the White House, I would in academic journals advocated training tween April 20 andthe May 5.because take extra precautions, all ofpapers this ensure brings N.C. up receives a fair allocation of items such EnviroFlight’s mission is toOther learn from discomfort. I’ve be astoventilators men like dogs and punishing white male do the following: Imorbid would notlowextend obesity asdaprefer healthynot life mories ofcelebrated a painful experience I’ repeat. from national stores to ensure we use regionally available, way to can address college students for historical slavery by rder April 29 without and advocated treating privately value akespast mechoice losematerials, sleep is emphasizing howcompelling easily most everyone has any peak scenario. There would be a But standing directive for rapid response to enable the asking them to sit in silence on the floor in ng its necessity. It masturbation is nutrients imperative to conducted akeep form of production of in aas socially chains during class and to be expected to ygiene measures inway place: as social sexual violence against women. Typically,use of FDA-approved drugs that are experimental in responsible and such reducing academic journal editors send submittedrelation to a pandemic virus. learn from the discomfort. Other papers , gathering masks,and hand washing, thelimits, environmental financial papers referees for review. In As long as a business could demonstrate the ability celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life costs toout ourto food supply. The acceptance for publication, to follow sound Covid-19 hygiene, they would be choice and advocated treating privately es to lift recommending and reduce or continue on-going company is a subsidiary of Darling reviewers gave these papers glowing allowed to re-enter the economy. I would lean into conducted masturbation as a form of s need tomany be determined using scientific Ingredients Inc., which repurposes praise. exercising a little common sense on what works and sexual violence against women. Typically, Suspending and, morefrom concerning, waste streams the agri-food Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran what is appropriate. Restrictions could be lessened as academic journal editors send submitted f individual constitutional are industry into specialtyrights ingredients certain grievance studies concepts through the four benchmarks indicate it is safe to do so. papers out to referees for review. In exercises regardless of reason. such as hydrolyzed collagen, fuel the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often North Carolina needs to get back to work. recommending acceptance for publication, inesses are on life support. is imperative feedstocks and greenIt bioenergy. they appeared in our press over the years. For the next 18 months, I would monitor data many reviewers gave these papers glowing m opened. 500,000 North Carolinians He found huge increases in the usages while reserving the right to return to stronger praise. d up for of unemployment in the past three “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” restrictions if necessary. I would put in place a Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran ta indicate N.C. will 50% of“whiteness.” its small “critical race have theory” and special team of medical, data analytics and business certain grievance studies concepts through (revenueAll under $10M) qualifying of this is being taught tofor college the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often y, if theystudents, stay closed through May 15. I primaryleaders to provide insights and advice. The standard many of whom become

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

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What would you do?

2022 Hyundai Tucson, B7

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 4/16 Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$2,326,440,619 Add Receipts:

$143,295,412 Less Disbursements:

$138,695,423 Reserved Cash:

$749,674,916 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$4,677,539,636 Venmo is into crypto, allowing users to buy Bitcoin, others New York Venmo will allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on its app, the company said Tuesday, the latest mainstream financial platform to wade into alternative currency like Bitcoin. In addition to Bitcoin, Venmo has opened up the platform to Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash — generally considered to be among the mainstream of the digital currencies. Despite the social media proclaimed arrival of Doge Day Tuesday, the cryptocurrency Dogecoin is not on the list to be cleared for trade on Venmo. Crypto buyers will be able to publish their purchases or sells on the Venmo’s social feed as well. Bitcoin has attracted massive interest, particularly in the last 18 months. Its price has held steadily above $50,000, and the value of other cryptocurrencies has been on the rise. The digital currency trading platform Coinbase went public earlier this month, giving the company a valuation over more than $80 billion. Venmo will only allow users to buy, sell or hold crypto currencies. The company is not allowing its users to send these currencies as a form of payment between users yet. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

US takes steps to protect electric system from cyberattacks Washington, D.C. The Biden administration is taking steps to protect the country’s electric system from cyberattacks through a new 100-day initiative combining federal government agencies and private industry. The initiative, announced Tuesday by the Energy Department, encourages owners and operators of power plants and electric utilities to improve their capabilities for identifying cyber threats to their networks. It includes concrete milestones for them to put into use technologies so they can spot and respond to intrusions in real time. The department is soliciting input from electric utilities, energy companies, government agencies and others for recommendations about how to safeguard the energy system supply chain. The effort underscores the heightened concern about the prospects for cyberattacks that disrupt the nation’s power supply. Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, said earlier this month that the administration was undertaking a new effort to help electric utilities, water districts and other critical industries protect against potentially damaging attacks. The U.S. “faces a well-documented and increasing cyber threat from malicious actors seeking to disrupt the electricity Americans rely on to power our homes and businesses,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CORONAVIRUS from page B5 or’s office declined to comment on the video. “This is going to change the position of public health and what we can and cannot do across the country,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, the head of the health department. “I know it’s going to change it here.”

A year after stocks soared, CEOs must show it was warranted By Stan Choe The Associated Press NEW YORK — It’s time to show the receipts, CEOs. For more than a year, investors have been pushing up stock prices, even though the pandemic caused profits to crater for companies. With COVID-19 vaccines going into arms and businesses reopening, investors want to see that faith rewarded with some proof of fat profit growth, starting now. Not only are expectations high for this upcoming earnings season, which got going last week with reports from JPMorgan Chase and other big banks, they’re rising even more by the day. When the first quarter began, analysts were forecasting earnings growth of less than 16% for S&P 500 companies. Now, those same analysts say the tally should be closer to 25%. If companies end up reporting better numbers than analysts predicted — which is what usu-

ally happens — this may be the best reporting season for growth in more than a decade, according to FactSet. During the summer of 2010, S&P 500 companies reported 34% growth coming out of the Great Recession. “The bar has been raised, but not by enough,” Deutsche Bank strategist Binky Chadha said of expectations for this earnings season. Even the best profit growth in a decade may not juice stock prices further, though, because the S&P 500 has already soared more than 80% since hitting a bottom in March 2020. Last quarter, for example, companies that reported higher sales and earnings than expected actually lagged the S&P 500 the following day, according to Savita Subramanian, equity strategist at Bank of America. This earnings season, many analysts expect companies to again get little to no boost for reporting stronger-than-expected earnings, given how much their

stocks have already rallied on those expectations. That’s why it’s important to remember that a “blowout quarter doesn’t mean blowout market,” Subramanian said in a BofA Global Research report. Analysts and investors are expecting profits to zoom even higher through the summer, with growth forecast to soar above 50% in the third quarter. But several challenges lie ahead that could threaten such lofty targets in coming quarters and years. Chief among them is the prospect of inflation. As the global economy recovers, prices are rising for oil and many other commodities that companies use to make things. Production problems caused by the pandemic are also causing shortages of semiconductors and other products, ratcheting up prices even higher. Some companies will be able to pass those higher costs on to their customers, by raising prices at the register. The compa-

ny behind Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues said recently that it would raise list prices for most of its North American consumer products, for example. Kimberly-Clark said it needed to raise prices by “mid-to-high single digits” because of the higher prices it was paying for commodities. But any drop in sales that results from the higher costs, or the inability of companies to pass on higher prices, would squeeze profit margins for companies as the year progresses. Higher inflation is something that the Federal Reserve actually wants to see, and it has said that it will allow inflation to rise above its 2% target for a while before it tries to tamp down rising prices across the economy. In the longer term, companies could also face profit pressure from higher tax rates as President Joe Biden pushes for corporate America to help pay for his plan to rejuvenate the nation’s infrastructure. If tax hikes pass, the impact on businesses would likely be felt next year. Strategists at Goldman Sachs say they expect the focus of investors to turn toward such proposals, and away from the threat of inflation and higher interest rates, “as the taxman cometh.”

Union accuses Amazon of illegally interfering with vote By Joseph Pisani The Associated Press NEW YORK — The retail union that failed to organize Amazon workers at a Alabama warehouse wants the results of a recent vote to be thrown out, saying that the company illegally interfered with the process. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said in a filing that Amazon threatened workers with layoffs and even the closing of the warehouse if they unionized. It also said Amazon fired a pro-union employee, but declined to name the person. Many of the other allegations by the union revolve around a mailbox that Amazon installed in the parking lot of the Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse. It said the mailbox created the false appearance that Amazon was conducting the election, intimidating workers into voting against the union. Security cameras in the parking lot could have recorded workers going to the mailbox, giving the impression that workers were being watched by the company and that their votes weren’t private, according to the retail union. Amazon spokeswoman Heather Knox said that the company did not threaten layoffs and that she couldn’t verify if an employee was fired without a name. She said the mailbox was installed to make it easier for employees to vote and that only the U.S. Postal Service had access to it. “Rather than accepting these employees’ choice, the union seems determined to continue misrepresenting the facts in order to drive its own agenda,” Knox said in a statement. “We look for-

BILL BARROW | AP PHOTO

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala, in the center wearing red, and Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., at the far right, join fellow members of Congress, labor organizers and employees at an Amazon facility in Bessemer, Ala., on March 5, 2021. ward to the next steps in the legal process.” Workers overwhelmingly voted against forming a union, with 1,798 rejecting it and 738 voting in favor of it. A total of 3,117 votes were cast, about 53% of the nearly 6,000 workers at the warehouse. The retail union filed the objections to the National Labor Relations Board late Friday, but released it publicly Monday. In doing so, the retail union is asking the labor board to investigate the allegations, schedule a hearing, and decide whether to hold a second election or overturn the results. Alex Colvin, the dean of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, said these types of cases can take a year or more to resolve. Even if a union

wins, the penalties for the employer are weak, like it could be forced to post a notice saying employees have a right to form a union. He said the labor board could hold another election, but at workplaces where turnover is high like at Amazon, the employees might no longer be around. Overturning the results are rare, Colvin said. The union push in Bessemer was the biggest in Amazon’s 26year history and only the second time one reached a vote. Workers reached out to the union last summer, tired of working 10-hour days on their feet, packing boxes or storing products, without getting enough time to take a break. Mailin voting started in early February and went on from about 50 days. Organizers promised a union

would lead to better working conditions, better pay and more respect. Amazon, meanwhile, argued that it already offered more than twice the minimum wage in Alabama and provided workers with health care, vision benefits and dental insurance, without paying union dues. Last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos acknowledged in a shareholder letter that the company could to do better for its workers and said he didn’t take comfort in the outcome of the union election in Bessemer. He vowed to make Amazon a safer place to work by reducing sprains, strains and other injuries at warehouses. “I think we need to do a better job for our employees,” Bezos said.

Harris pitches $2.3T spending plan on trip to North Carolina The Associated Press JAMESTOWN — Vice President Kamala Harris visited central North Carolina on Monday to pitch the Biden administration’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan, calling it a “once-in-alifetime, once-in-a-generation” investment in America’s future. In her first visit to the state since getting sworn in to office, Harris spoke at Guilford Technical Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Campus in support of the proposal, which was unveiled last month on the heels of the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief law passed by Congress. “The president and I are ready to keep going and we are not going to take it slow. And we are not going to take it one step at a time — nope,” Harris said in a speech whose audience included Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and EPA Administrator Michael Regan, a North Carolina native. “We are going to take a giant leap into the future.” Harris highlighted many items in the “American Jobs Plan” beyond the $621 billion in transpor-

tation infrastructure contained within. She emphasized the tens of billions of dollars in workforce training that the measure seeks, much of which could be offered at community colleges like Guilford Tech. It also calls on creating up to 2 million additional apprenticeship slots and improving access for women to fill them. “We’re going to make sure that these opportunities are equally available to women as well as men,” she said, quipping later that “hardhats are actually unisex.” She also highlighted the plan’s efforts to set aside $25 billion to expand child care facilities and capacity access nationwide and to get rid of lead drinking pipes. The proposal will attempt to strengthen the rights of workers to join unions, something which Harris said leads to better worker pay, health care and other benefits. North Carolina union membership ranks near the bottom of the states. Some lawmakers, particularly Republicans, have questioned whether large items in the package should be labeled infrastructure. The package would be

CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Guilford Technical Community College, Monday, April 19, 2021, in Jamestown.

“The president and I are ready to keep going and we are not going to take it slow. And we are not going to take it one step at a time — nope.” Vice President Kamala Harris funded in part by increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. Harris later toured the Thom-

as Built Buses plant in High Point. The Biden-Harris plan seeks to electrify at least 20% of school buses nationally. Thomas Built Buses says it built one out of every three buses currently on the road. Before leaving North Carolina, Harris also visited the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro. The museum occupies a Woolworth’s store where in February 1960 four Black students at North Carolina A&T State University refused to leave the whites-only lunch counter where they were denied service. The action spawned the civil rights sit-in movement in the South.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

2022 Hyundai Tucson

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HYUNDAI

The best compact SUV available today The Tucson punches well above its price point.

Just make sure to buy the hybrid By Jordan Golson North State Journal TUCSON, Arizona — Things are finally getting back to normal: I’ve gotten my second Pfizer shot; automakers are slowly beginning to host launch events where dozens of car journalists come together to test a new vehicle; and, most importantly, those journalists can all sit (outside, for now) and eat dinner together and talk shop. These group conversations bring together carmaker PR reps, engineers, product planners and journalists for informal discussions that simply can’t be replicated over glitchy Zoom calls or email threads. It’s the car journalist equivalent of trying to replicate your twelve-year-old’s science class on a laptop. It’s just not the same. I’d forgotten how important these informal dinners are. Last week, for example, at the launch of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson in Tucson, Arizona — an eye-rolling dadjoke locale choice — I was able to chat for an hour with a Hyundai engineer about the company’s connectivity strategy and its smartphone apps. I learned that the most commonly used feature on the app is remote start and that reducing the amount of time it takes for the car to remotely start after the button is pressed is extraordinarily difficult. But more important than eating and chatting was driving. We were there to drive the new 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a compact SUV that fights with the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V in an ultra-competitive segment. And boy, did Hyundai come to play. The new Tucson is astonishingly good. It’s solidly in the running for the best car in the segment and is easily one of the best vehicles I’ve driven in the past year — at least if you opt for the hybrid. There are three powertrain variants in the new Tucson, with a fourth on the way. The gasoline-powered front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions should be avoided because the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is slow and lethargic. But that’s ok because the hybrid 1.6-liter turbo AWD option is zippy, responsive, more efficient, and better in every possible way. There’s also a plug-in hybrid ver-

sion coming later this year that I’m very excited about. Hyundai says it’ll get more than 30 miles on a charge, which will deliver substantial commuter competition to the Toyota RAV4 Prime. As an added bonus, the hybrid is only $1,150 more than a comparably equipped internal combustion engine Tucson — but it does require you to buy a few extra packages that you should probably opt for anyway. Fuel economy in the higher-level hybrid trims is 37/36/37 city/highway/combined, while it achieves just 24/29/26 with the regular ICE trim. That’s a big difference and helps justify the extra cost quite a bit. As is typical for Hyundai, the purchase process is straightfor-

ward. There’s a simple Good, Better, Best mentality when it comes to trim levels, and they don’t load you up with a million different option packages the way an American brand like Ford or Chevy might. The sweet spot is in the middle, as is typical. If it were me, I would opt for the SEL Convenience hybrid for $32,835 with destination — though I’d be hard-pressed to not go for the fully-loaded Limited Hybrid. For another $5,700, you pick up a gorgeous panoramic sunroof over the standard sunroof, fancy tech like ultrasonic parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, the heavily-advertised “Smart Park” feature, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and an upgraded Bose stereo.

One of the Covid concessions was that each journalist got their own test car instead of needing to share, with the added bonus of being able to rock out for the whole drive — ZZ Top shreds in the Tucson. The Limited trim also includes Hyundai’s terrific Highway Driving Assist feature that allows you to momentarily take your hands off the wheel while you’re driving. The car uses forward-facing radar and cameras to determine the vehicle’s position between the lane lines and helps steer. It’s basically Hyundai’s version of Tesla’s Autopilot, and it works incredibly well. The upshot is that your commute significantly less taxing. I’ve used this system in other Hyundai vehicles, including the Palisade and the Sonata, and it’s worth opting for the Limited version of the Tucson just to get it. Hyundai says it wants to “democratize technology” and make trick tech features more accessible at lower price points, and it succeeds in spaces with the Tucson. The amount of tech packed into such a reasonable price is deeply impressive. And I haven’t even gotten into how great it looks. Squint a little bit, and it seems a bit Lexus RXish, which is a tremendous compliment. The interior is pleasingly simple, and the Tucson punches well above its price point. The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson should be at the top of every compact SUV buyer’s test-drive list.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

features Couple’s vision breathes new life into pre-Civil War mansion By Elizabeth Lincicome North State Journal RALEIGH — Nearly three years in the making, North Carolina’s newest small luxury hotel, Heights House, will open later this Spring and is accepting reservations and scheduling private events as early as May 6th. Owners Sarah and Jeff Shepherd say the new boutique hotel will be a pillar of hospitality and beauty for the city and global travelers alike. “Authenticity and top-notch service that Jeff and I have enjoyed on our world travels, is what inspired us to create a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel,” explains Sarah Shepherd. “We look forward to sharing unique and memorable experiences with our friends, family and community at Heights House.” The couple purchased the property in summer 2018, enduring an 8-month rezoning process, and began renovations in Spring 2019. They worked in collaboration with Maurer Architecture, Greg Paul Builders, and Bryan Costello Design to literally resurrect Montfort Hall, the 10,000 square foot pre-Civil War Italianate-style mansion located in Raleigh’s Boylan Heights neighborhood. The name, Heights House, is a nod to the home’s location inside the Boylan Heights historic overlay district. The owners say because Montfort Hall was both a Raleigh and a national historic landmark, it was subject to protective covenants in favor of Preservation NC. Preservation NC oversaw all exterior and interior work. “Needless to say, there were a lot of eyes on this project,” says Shephard. “First of all, all original details were restored, not eliminated, and anything new was approved for appropriateness. We obtained a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Raleigh Historic Development Commission for all exterior work on the structure and property, and pursued historic tax credits for the entire rehabilitation, which required compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards.” The hotel includes nine en suite guest rooms and an event setting for up to 120. Rates begin at $229, and vary depending upon the season. Signature amenities include Brooklinen Waffle Robes, Grown Alchemist Toiletries and Frette Linens to Samsung Frame TV’s, Boise Wireless Speakers and Linus Bikes. The owners say meticulous care was taken to maintain the integrity of the original architecture while incorporating modern and vintage touches including artwork, fixtures, rugs, and custom furniture. Heights House Hotel’s hospitality also includes a European style

breakfast offered in the home’s original dining room and front porch terraces. House-made yogurt and granola will be complemented by a full Counter Culture Coffee program and fresh pastries from award-winning neighborhood bakery, Boulted Bread. Complimentary wine and cheese will be served in the library from 5-6pm, and in the evenings, guests will discover beautifully crafted cocktails in the parlor. The Shepherds are longtime residents of Boylan Heights, and are deeply involved in their neighborhood and the greater Raleigh Community. After walking by this architectural gem, Montfort Hall, for years wondering, “What If?,” they took the plunge and made their wildest dream into a reality. They say it is thanks to their shared background in technology, marketing and customer service and their love of travel, architecture, and design, that they have been so well positioned for this new role as hotel owners. Sarah will be on-site daily overseeing operations (while Jeff continues his role as Lead Designer at Imangi Studios), and together, they will be found mingling with guests over wine and cheese or cocktails in the salon. Like everywhere else in the country, the COVID-19 pandemic took a real toll on the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) says the pandemic’s total economic impact on Wake County, has been $175.6 million in losses and $21 million in tourism tax collections alone. There are 162 hotels in Wake County including Heights House and according to the GRCVB, visitor spending supports more than 28,000 jobs across the region. Sadly, 66% of all hospitality jobs in Wake County were lost last year, but now that tourism is starting to rebound experts are hopeful that with more visitors comes more spending and therefore more hospitality sector job openings. In fact many hotels and restaurants are beginning to hire now but they are finding it a challenge to find enough employees to fill the slots. There is reason for optimism, as more and more Americans get vaccinated and people travel again. Fall is typically the busiest time of year for Raleigh’s hotel industry, August through November, due to numerous festivals and events taking place. Some of those events typically include Hopscotch Music Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live!, and the North Carolina State Fair, among others. Meetings, conventions, and sporting events throughout the year also bring in many overnight vis-

PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK

Newly renovated Montford Hall, now Heights House Hotel.

“Raleigh has been growing with some amazing small hotels popping up over the past few years, but we really don’t have many historic boutique hotels owned and operated by a family. We hope it becomes a reason why out of towners want to visit Raleigh!” Sarah and Jeff Shepherd, owners, Heights House Hotel

Historic Montford Hall prior to renovation. itors. Dennis Edwards, President and CEO, of Visit Raleigh says hotel occupancy has already begun to rebound. In 2019, before the pandemic, Wake County occupancy ran at 73.8% for the year. In February 2020, occupancy was at 73.1%. Wake County saw its lowest weekly performance April 5-11, 2020 when occupancy was at 24.4%, down 69.2% from the same week the year before. Now however, Wake County Hotel weekly performance for the week of March 28-April 3, 2021 was at 52.6%, up 107% from the same week last year. Remarkably, no area hotels were forced to close last year due to COVID. In fact, four hotels actually opened last year, three of which opened amidst the pan-

demic. Those are The Longleaf, Origin Raleigh (which opened in March 2020, then shutdown and reopened over the summer), Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Midtown, and WaterWalk Hotel in Morrisville. Edwards says he is ecstatic to welcome Heights House Hotel to the City of Oaks. “The historic mansion turned boutique hotel, and National and Raleigh Historic Landmark, will round out the boutique and independent hotel offerings in the area including Guest House Raleigh, Origin Raleigh, The Longleaf Hotel, The Umstead Hotel and Spa, and The Mayton,” he says. “These properties speak to the immense growth and positive outlook on the future of Raleigh as a top tourism destination and place to stay.”

NASA’s Mars helicopter takes flight, 1st for another planet By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s experimental helicopter Ingenuity rose into the thin air above the dusty red surface of Mars on Monday, achieving the first powered flight by an aircraft on another planet. The triumph was hailed as a Wright brothers moment. The mini 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) copter even carried a bit of wing fabric from the Wright Flyer that made similar history at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. It was a brief hop — just 39 seconds and 10 feet (3 meters) — but accomplished all the major milestones. “Goosebumps. It looks just the way we had tested,” project manager MiMi Aung said as she watched the flight video during a later briefing. “Absolutely beautiful flight. I don’t think I can ever stop watching it over and over again.” Flight controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California declared success after receiving the data and images via the Perseverance rover. Ingenuity hitched a ride to Mars on Perseverance, clinging to the rover’s belly when it touched down in an ancient river delta in February.

NASA | JPL-CALTECH VIA AP

This illustration made available by NASA depicts the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars which was attached to the bottom of the Perseverance rover, background left. The $85 million helicopter demo was considered high risk, yet high reward. Scientists cheered the news from around the world, even from space, and the White House offered its congratulations. “A whole new way to explore the alien terrain in our solar system is now at our disposal,” Nottingham Trent University astronomer Daniel Brown said from England. This first test flight — with more

to come by Ingenuity, the next as soon as Thursday — holds great promise, Brown noted. Future helicopters could serve as scouts for rovers, and eventually astronauts, in difficult, dangerous places. Ingenuity has provided a third dimension to planetary exploration and “freed us from the surface now forever,” said JPL director, Michael Watkins. Ground controllers had to wait more than three excruciating hours

before learning whether the preprogrammed flight had succeeded 178 million miles (287 million kilometers) away. The first attempt had been delayed a week because of a software error. When the news finally came, the operations center filled with applause, cheers and laughter. More followed when the first black and white photo from Ingenuity appeared, showing the helicopter’s shadow as it hovered above the surface of Mars. “The shadow of greatness, #MarsHelicopter first flight on another world complete!” NASA astronaut Victor Glover tweeted from the International Space Station. Next came stunning color video of the copter’s clean landing, taken by Perseverance, “the best host little Ingenuity could ever hope for,” Aung said in thanking everyone. The helicopter hovered for 30 seconds at its intended altitude of 10 feet (3 meters), and spent 39 seconds airborne, more than three times longer than the first successful flight of the Wright Flyer, which lasted a mere 12 seconds on Dec. 17, 1903. To accomplish all this, the helicopter’s twin, counter-rotating rotor blades needed to spin at 2,500 revolutions per minute — five times faster than on Earth. With an atmo-

sphere just 1% the density of Earth’s, engineers had to build a helicopter light enough — with blades spinning fast enough — to generate this otherworldly lift. The Martian wind was relatively gentle Monday: between 4 mph and 14 mph (7 kph to 22 kph). More than six years in the making, Ingenuity is just 19 inches (49 centimeters) tall, a spindly fourlegged chopper. Its fuselage, containing all the batteries, heaters and sensors, is the size of a tissue box. The carbon-fiber, foam-filled rotors are the biggest pieces: Each pair stretches 4 feet (1.2 meters) tip to tip. Ingenuity also had to be sturdy enough to withstand the Martian wind, and is topped with a solar panel for recharging the batteries, crucial for surviving the minus-130 degree Fahrenheit (minus-90 degree-Celsius) Martian nights. NASA chose a flat, relatively rock-free patch for Ingenuity’s airfield. Following Monday’s success, NASA named the area for the Wright brothers. “While these two iconic moments in aviation history may be separated by time and ... million miles of space, they now will forever be linked,” NASA’s science missions chief Thomas Zurbuchen announced.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Luke Bryan wins top ACM Award, but female acts own the night By Mesfin Fekadu The Associated Press NEW YORK — Carrie Underwood brought the Academy of Country Music Awards to church. Maren Morris won the most awards of the night, including song of the year. Miranda Lambert performed three times and held on to her record as the most decorated winner in ACM history. And Mickey Guyton, the first Black woman to host the awards show, gave a powerful, top-notch vocal performance. Though female country stars didn’t compete for the night’s top prize – Luke Bryan was named entertainer of the year – they owned Sunday’s ACM Awards. Underwood’s performance stood out the most. She was joined by gospel legend CeCe Winans and the dynamic duo blended their voices like angels onstage. Underwood performed songs from her recent gospel hymns album “My Savior,” kicking off the set with “Amazing Grace” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Then Winans joined in, matching her strong vocal performance. Lambert performed three times, first alongside rock-pop singer Elle King for a fun, energetic performance of their new duet “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” Lambert, who founded pet shelter nonprofit MuttNation, also performed alongside album of the year winner Chris Stapleton for “Maggie’s Song,” a tribute to Stapleton’s dog who died 2019. Her final performance was with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall. The performances that aired Sunday were pre-taped at various locations in Nashville, Tennessee, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. Winners, wearing masks, accepted awards in real

CABARRUS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 20sp342 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY STEVEN TERRANCE SHEARER DATED JUNE 30, 1999 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2586 AT PAGE 345 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 89 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by SITTM Inc. to J. Hayden Harrell, Trustee(s), dated the 25th day of September, 2019, and recorded in Book 13741, Page 0147 - 0163, in Cabarrus 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 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 the City of Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on May 3, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the Township of Number Four (4), in the City of Kannapolis, in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY 21 SP 71 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Maurice Sylvester Bailey and Hurshel Parker, in the original amount of $62,059.98, payable to CitiFinancial Services, Inc., dated December 12, 2005 and recorded on December 13, 2005 in Book 6425, Page 66, Cabarrus County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of 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 Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at

CUMBERLAND AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 652 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Smith and Gwendolyn Smith to Jeff Dunham, Trustee(s), dated the 10th day of June, 2006, and recorded in Book 7274, Page 038, and Re-recorded in Book 7342, Page 511, and Re-recorded in Book 7447, Page 830, and Additional Deed of Trust in Book 7247, Page 041, in Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 109 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Henry J. Baran and Lee Baran (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Henry J. Baran, Heirs of Henry J. Baran a/k/a Henry J. Baran, Jr.: Lee Baran, Dea Farrell, Cyndl Ison) to Resource Real Estate Services, LLC, Trustee(s), dated July 21, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 09910, at Page 0449 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated

time in front of a small audience made up of medical and health care workers. Bryan was set to perform Sunday but backed out of the show because he recently tested positive for the coronavirus. “I’m so sorry I could not be there,” he said from Los Angeles. “And to all my fans out there and country radio, we miss touring. We’ve missed being on the road with everybody that makes me an entertainer. My bus drivers, my band, my crew, what a challenging year. But to all the fans and everybody, we’ll be back out on the road doing what we love.” Morris spoke about the taxing year without live music when she won female artist of the year — one of her three wins. “Really just happy to be in a category with women that were not able to tour this year, but brought so much heat to the game of country music this year. You’ve inspired me so much to no end, and even in a year where no one’s gotten to play shows, I have heard some of the best music out of all of you this past year. So thank you so much for inspiring me,” she said. Collaborating onstage was the theme of the awards show, and Morris and hubby Ryan Hurd sang together, ending with a kiss. A teary-eyed Morris won song of the year for her Grammy-nominated hit “The Bones,” which topped the country music charts for months last year. She won two ACMs for song of the year — one for performing the hit and another for co-writing it, sharing the win with songwriters Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins. Morris lost single of the year, where all of the nominated songs were performed by female artists. Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s platinum duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” won the prize. “We wrote this song about my story and I guess it resonated with everybody,”

Pearce said onstage, also thanking busbee, who produced the song and died in late 2019. “This is the last song that my producer worked on.” Another tender moment came when Blanco Brown presented Old Dominion with group of the year. It marked Brown’s first public appearance after suffering significant injuries in a head-on vehicle collision last year. But the entire three-hour show didn’t go smoothly. The Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay performed their latest hit, “Glad You Exist,” but the pre-taped moment aired out of sync. “Apparently there was an audio/video sync issue on the television broadcast,” the duo tweeted. “We’re bummed about it, but it happens, especially when performances are happening in multiple locations.” Another mishap occurred when Martina McBride announced the winner of single of the year. McBride correctly said “I Hope You’re Happy Now” won though “I Hope” by Gabby Barrett appeared on the TV screen. Pearce and Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now” also won musical event of the year, while Barrett was named new female artist of the year. Rhett won male artist of the year and Jimmie Allen was named new male artist of the year. Those acts performed Sunday, as did Alan Jackson, Lady A, Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne and Guyton, who gave an all-star performance of “Hold On” during the show, which she hosted with Keith Urban. She recently had her first child and became the first Black solo woman nominated for a Grammy in the country category this year. Little Big Town also performed — but as a threesome. The Grammy winners sang “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” without band member Phillip Sweet since he recently tested positive for COVID-19. Sweet and Bryan weren’t the only country stars missing from the show. Morgan Wallen, whose latest album and singles have found major success on both the country and pop charts, was declared ineligible by the ACMs after he was caught on camera using a racial slur earlier this year.

welcome Reagan Claire Mercer

Matt and Kimberlee Mercer announce the birth of their daughter, Reagan Claire Mercer. Reagan was born March 26, 2021 at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh. She weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20-3/4 inches in length. Maternal grandparents are David and Cheryl Farr of Kennesaw, Ga. Paternal grandparents are Terry and Cindy Mercer of Madison. Reagan was born in the same week as both grandparents’ wedding anniversaries, blessing the families beyond measure.

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on April 28, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Steven Terrance Shearer, dated June 30, 1999 to secure the original principal amount of $103,180.00, and recorded in Book 2586 at Page 345 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 9433 Holly

Ridge Rd, Rockwell, NC 28138 Tax Parcel ID: 56747075330000 Present Record Owners: Steven T. Shearer And Being more commonly known as: 9433 Holly Ridge Rd, Rockwell, NC 28138 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Steven T. Shearer. 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 April 7, 2021.

Lying and being in Number Four (4) Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on the north side of Venus Street and being Lots EIGHT (8), NINE (9) and TEN (10), Block “B” of JACKSON PARK, a map of which is on file in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina in Map Book 3, Page 23, and being more particularly described as follows:

contemporaneously herewith.

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 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1321510 (CFC.CH)

BEGINNING at set MAG Nail on the north side of Venus Street, corner of Lots 7 and 8, said nail being S. 85-16-31 E. 75.00 feet from an existing 3/4” iron pipe; thence with the line of Lot 7 and 8, N. 04-56-46 E. 149.90 feet to an existing 3/4” iron pin, corner of Lot 7 and 8, said pin being in the line of Kannapolis Board of Education (Book 512, page 562); thence with the line of the Board of Education and with the rear line of Lots 8, 9 and 10, S. 85-37-31 E. 75.00 feet to an existing 2” iron pin (disturbed), corner of Lots 10 and 11; thence with the line of Lots 10 and 11, S. 05-00-00 W. 150.36 feet to an existing 1” iron pipe (disturbed); thence with the right of way of Venus Street, N. 85-16-31 W. 74.86 feet to the point of BEGINNING, containing 0.258 acres more or less, as platted and surveyed by Rodrick A. Sutton, PLC, August 30, 2007. BEING the same property conveyed to the grantor herein by deed from Smokey Mountain Equity LLC filed

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §4521.23. 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.

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-110367

Parkway,

Suite

400

2:00PM on May 6, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain parcel of land in Number Four Township and City of Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, State of NC, as more fully described in Book 5435 Page 241 ID# 4-34-19.00, being known and designated as Lots Nos. 9 and 10, Block C Map of New Texas, filed in Map Book 7 at Page 10. And being more particularly known as Metes and Bounds property. Being the same property conveyed by Fee Simple Deed from Paulette Bailey, unmarried to Hurshel Parker and Emma E. Parker, dated 07/14/2004 recorded on 07/14/2004 in Book 5435, Page 241 in Cabarrus County records, State of NC. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 137 Waco Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28083. Tax ID: 56232789180000 Third party purchasers must pay 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 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 Maurice Sylvester Bailey. 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 §4521.16A(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

foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on May 3, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 10, in a subdivision known as Recombination and Zero Lot Line Subdivision for Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 116, Page 165, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 428 Vanstory Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by 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

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.

Property Address: 428 Street, Fayetteville, NC Parcel Identification No.: 0437-70-8204

Vanstory 28301

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS 45-21.23.

for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on May 3, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 3 as shown on plat of the Rayconda West, Section Three Subdivision as shown on a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 85, Page 54, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1973 Culpepper Lane, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Being the same lot or parcel of ground which by Deed dated December 1, 2004 and recorded December 16, 2004 among the Land Records of Cumberland County, State of North Carolina, in Book 6742, Page 644 was granted and conveyed by Antonio Mafnas and wife, Cynthia C. Mafnas unto Henry H. Baran aka Henry J. Baran, Jr. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-

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

c/o Hutchens Law Firm LLP P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1284471 (FC.FAY)

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: 4001 - 14017

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND 20 SP 855 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 Michael John Rawlings to The Real Estate Law Firm, Trustee(s), which was dated July 2, 2015 and recorded on July 2, 2015 in Book 9680 at Page 487, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 15SP1980 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ALPHONZO WILLIAMS AND SHERRY LYNN WILLIAMS DATED MAY 21, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8912 AT PAGE 201 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20sp481 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SHAMELLA CROMARTIE DATED DECEMBER 22, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7460 AT PAGE 641 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale

19 SP 1622 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 Michael S. Noack and Angela D. Noack to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated April 5, 2010 and recorded on April 7, 2010 in Book 08369 at Page 0623, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location

DAVIDSON 19 SP 367 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY

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 May 5, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 8 in a subdivision MT. VERNON ESTATES, Section ONE same being duly recorded in Book 69, Cumberland County Registry, North

known as and the Page 28, Carolina.

demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on April 26, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Alphonzo Williams and Sherry Lynn Williams, dated May 21, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $231,150.00, and recorded in Book 8912 at Page 201 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 2813 Gus Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Tax Parcel ID:

9496-00-6156Present Record Owners: Alphonzo Williams and Sherry Lynn Williams And Being more commonly known as: 2813 Gus Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Alphonzo Williams and Sherry Lynn Williams. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance «AS IS, WHERE IS.» Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to

all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

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 April 27, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Shamella Cromartie, dated December 22, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $84,000.00, and recorded in Book 7460 at Page 641 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3 5 1 7 Holborn Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID: 0414-42-3596 Present Record Owners: Shamella Cromartie And Being more commonly known as: 3517

Holborn Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Shamella Cromartie. 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 February 15, 2021.

at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 5, 2021 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

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.

ID:

0430-61-0560

Property Address: 8529 Independence Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Being all of Lot 164 as shown on a plat entitled STEEPLECHASE, SECTION TWO, PART TWO duly recorded in Book of Plats 119, Page 190, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4404 Jockey Whip Lane, Parkton, NC 28371. A cash deposit (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

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 May 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit:

Said property is commonly known as 507 Hill Street, Thomasville, NC 27360.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Ronald Franklin Kale (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ronald Franklin Kale, Heirs of Ronald Franklin Kale: Dawn Kale, Karamy Kale a/k/a Karamy Myers, Kip Kale, Casey K. Cain, Zacharias Kale) to Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Trustee(s), dated February 24, 2020, and recorded in Book No. RE 3510, at Page 2301 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

RANDOLPH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 105

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Burton C. Harvey and Kelly G. Harvey (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Burton C. Harvey) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated May 9, 2008, and recorded in Book No. RE 2077, at Page 1316 in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 27, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Asheboro in the County

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 42 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mary Geneva Nash a/k/a Geneva Nash (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mary Geneva Nash) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated September 21, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 6534, at Page 122 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, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May

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.

Said property is commonly known as 8529 Independence Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Parcel

BEING all of Lot No. 33 of Pineywood Estates, a plat or map of which is duly recorded in Plat Book 10, Page 72 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 120

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Jimmy M. Starkey and Gloria J. Starkey to Jay W. Dunsing, Trustee(s), which was dated February 18, 1999 and recorded on February 22, 1999 in Book 1121 at Page 0906 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on February 22, 2021 in Book DE 2459, Page 1043, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

FORSYTH

A cash deposit (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.

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

A cash deposit (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 Gloria Jean Starkey and Jimmy M. Starkey. 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

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

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

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

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.: 20-07870-FC01

LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 15-077238

LLG TRUSTEE LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109951

Parkway,

Suite

400

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.: 19-06996-FC01

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.

APN: 6809-85-7242.000 Commonly known as: 1591 Crestlawn Trail,

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §4521.23. 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.

of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an existing iron axle located in the northeast corner of Douglas Draughn’s property (see Deed Book 1004, Page 54, Randolph County Registry) in the western property line of Aline Burns; thence running along said Douglas Draughn’s northern property line North 84 degrees 40 minutes 15 seconds West 571.17 feet through an existing iron pipe to an iron stake (set) located on the eastern edge of the 60 foot right of way of Iron Mountain View Road (SR 2609); thence along said right of way North 05 degrees 35 minutes 38 seconds East 174.48 feet to an iron stake (set) in the southwest corner of Bert Chaney’s property (see Deed Book 1164, Page 796, Randolph County Registry); thence running South 84 degrees 57 minutes 25 seconds East 475.15 feet through an existing iron pipe to an existing iron stake located in the southwest corner of Scott Bridge’s property (see Deed Book 1082, Page 836, Randolph County Registry); thence running along said Scott Bridge’s southern property line North 89 degrees 08 minutes 20 seconds East 97.79 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence running South 05 degrees 56 minutes 27 seconds West 187.41 feet along Aline Burns western property line to the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 2.320 acres, more or less, according to a survey entitled “Survey of Burton C. Harvey and wife, Melanie G. Harvey” dated May 24, 1996,

prepared by Burrow Surveys, Inc. and being designated as Project No. 1106. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 805 Iron Mountain View Road, Asheboro, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on December 19, 2014, in Book No. RE 2420, at Page 1475. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §4521.23. 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: 1270969 - 9696

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.

Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on May 5, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Pfafftown in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain property situated in the City of Pfafftown, in the County of Forsyth, and State of North Carolina, being known and designated as Lot No. T5 as shown on the plat of Long Creek Village, Section 1, Phase 2, as recorded in “As Built” Plat Book 51 at Page 53, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1591 Crestlawn Trail, Pfafftown, North Carolina. Being the same property conveyed to Ronald Franklin Kale by Special Warranty Deed from Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, dated August 15, 2018, recorded on August 20, 2018 as Book RE 3421, Page 259. Instrument 2018032323-00170

6, 2021 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: Tax Id Number(s): 09273119 Land Situated in the City of Monroe, Township of Monroe in the County of Union in the State of NC Being all that real property known, designated, and described as Lot No. 8 of Brookgreen Subdivision as shown on plat of said subdivision recorded in Plat Book 5, Page 185, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Union County, North Carolina, to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 407 Brookgreen Drive. Monroe, North Carolina. The property address and Tax Parcel Identification Number listed are provided solely for informational purposes. Commonly known as: Monroe, NC 28112-5201

407 Brookgreen Dr.,

The Deed of Trust was modified by the following:

Pfafftown, NC 27040

A Loan Modification recorded on December 19, 2017, in Book No. 7073, at Page 425. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §4521.23. 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

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: 4021 - 14101

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

STANLY AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 157

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kathy Harper Whitley and Karen T. Prince (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kathy H. Whitley) to B. Bivens, Trustee(s), dated March 24, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 1273, at Page 752 in Stanly 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 Stanly 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 Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on April 28, 2021 and will sell to the highest

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 20SP99 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RONALD ANTHONY HARRISON AND MARIAN HARRISON DATED MAY 19, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1060 AT PAGE 452 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 16, 2010 IN BOOK 1314, PAGE 579 IN THE STANLY COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt,

bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Albemarle in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the Endy Township, Stanly County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Lying and being on the west side of North Carolina State Road No. 1253, and beginning at an iron pipe in the right-of-way of said road, said pipe being South 40 degrees 55 minutes West 64.40 feet from the old corner of Edward Calvin Eggleston and Ernest Herrin , Jr. and runs thence a new line, North 71 degrees 17 minutes West 155.52 feet to an iron pipe, a new corner; thence another new line, North 16 degrees 05 minutes East 260.22 feet to an iron pipe, a new corner; thence South 79 degrees 05 minutes East 133.34 feet to an iron pipe in the right-of-way line of North Carolina State Road 1253; thence with the right-of-way line of said road, South 11 degrees 28 minutes West 280.28 feet to the beginning, containing 0.89 acres, more or less, as surveyed by Dent Hall Turner, R.L.S., September 13, 1973, Tax ID: 651704516437. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 24103 Sam Road, Albemarle, North Carolina.Being the same fee simple property conveyed by General Warranty Deed from Bobby G. Harper, widowed to Kathy Harper Whitley,

dated 12/05/2000 recorded on 12/06/2000 in Book 0771, Page 0166 in Stanly County records State of NC. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §4521.23. 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: 1286095 - 11425

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 May 5, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ronald Anthony Harrison and Marian Harrison, dated May 19, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $113,600.00, and recorded in Book 1060 at Page 452 of the Stanly 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.

And Being more commonly known as: 1057 E Main St, Albemarle, NC 28001

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.

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.

1057 E Main Address of property: St, Albemarle, NC 28001 Tax Parcel ID: 19720 The Estate of Present Record Owners: Ronald Anthony Harrison

The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Ronald Anthony Harrison. 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

The date of this Notice is April 14, 2021. Andrew Vining Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-110162

Parkway,

Suite

400

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default

WEST CONDOMINIUM BEING ALL OF UNIT 1 (THE “UNIT”) OF THE HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM (THE “CONDOMINIUM”) AS DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION CREATING UNIT OWNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS FOR HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM (THE “DECLARATION”) CREATING SAID CONDOMINIUM UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 47C OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES (THE “CONDOMINIUM ACT”), WHICH DECLARATION IS RECORDED IN BOOK 13627 PAGE 696 IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA (THE ‘WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY’, AND AS SHOWN ON THE CONDOMINIUM PLAT AND PLAN ON FILE IN BOOK CM 2009 PAGE 512 A1 (THE “PLAN”) IN THE WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. TOGETHER WITH THOSE ALLOCATED INTERESTS IN AND TO THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE CONDOMINIUM APPURTENANT TO THE UNIT AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION; AND FURTHER TOGETHER WITH AND SUBJECT TO ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS APPURTENANT TO OR APPLICABLE TO THE UNIT AS SET FOR THE IN THE DECLARATION THE CONDOMINIUM ACT, THE DECLARATION AND THE PLAN ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE FOR, AMONG OTHER REASONS, A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT; THE ALLOCATED, INTERESTS, THE COMMON ELEMENTS AND THE LAND ON WHICH, THE UNIT AND THE COMMON ELEMENTS ARE LOCATED. UNIT 1 HAS A 20% OWNERSHIP UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM. LESS AND EXCEPT: BEING APPROXIMATELY 4,171 SQUARE

FEET KNOWN AS UNIT 100-200 (THE “UNIT”) OF THE HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM (THE “CONDOMINIUM”) AS DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION CREATING UNIT OWNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS FOR HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE “DECLARATION”) CREATING SAID CONDOMINIUM UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 47C OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES (THE “CONDOMINIUM ACT”), aWHICH DECLARATION IS RECORDED IN BOOK 13627, PAGE 696, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF WAKE COUNTY, NC (THE “WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY”), AND AS SHOWN ON THE CONDOMINIUM PLOT AND PLAN ON FILE IN BOOK CM 2009, PAGE 512 A1, CM 2016, PAGES 251-252 AND CM 2018, PAGES 42-43 (COLLECTIVELY, THE “PLAN”) IN THE WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. TOGETHER WITH THOSE ALLOCATED INTERESTS IN AND TO THE COMMON ELEMENTS AND BUILDING LIMITED COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE CONDOMINIUM APPURTENANT TO THE UNIT AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION; AND FURTHER TOGETHER WITH AND SUBJECT TO ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIONS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS APPURTENANT TO OR APPLICABLE TO THE UNIT AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION. THE CONDOMINIUM ACT, THE DECLARATION AND THE PLAN AS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE FOR, AMONG OTHER REASONS, A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT, THE ALLOCATED INTERESTS, THE COMMON ELEMENTS AND THE LAND ON WHICH THE UNIT AND THE COMMON ELEMENTS ARE LOCATED. This real property being sold is also known

as 3113 Rogers Road, Unit 100-100, Wake Forest, Wake County, North Carolina. Address of property: 3113 Rogers Road, #100, Wake Forest, Wake County, North Carolina Tax Parcel ID: 1840213232 Present Record Owner: Schofield Health Services LLC The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certified check not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required. 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 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 declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units: 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 the 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. William F. Kirk Substitute Trustee 1515 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 4115 Charlotte, NC 28209 Telephone: (704) 315-2691

customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on April 26, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Raleigh, in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 177, John’s Pointe Subdivision, Phase 3, Per Plat and Survey thereof recorded in Book of Maps 2008, Pages 1307 and 1308, Wake County Registry. 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 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1267726 (CFC.CH)

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 19 SP 62

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on May 4, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 25, Harrison Place Subdivision, as shown on map entitled “Harrison Place, Cary, Wake County, North Carolina,” dated May 18, 1988, prepared by Bass, Nixon & Kennedy, Inc., Consulting Engineers, and recorded in the Wake County, North Carolina Registry in Map Book 1988, Page 1335, and said map being incorporated by reference.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 101 Canberra Court, Cary, NC 27513. Tax ID: 0173199 Third party purchasers must pay 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

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sherry BowlinBraswell and Donald K. Braswell, in the original amount of $417,000.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Equity Services, Inc., dated April 27, 2006 and recorded on May 4, 2006 in Book 11941, Page 825, Wake County Registry.

Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof, or Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), whichever is greater. 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 Sherry A. BowlinBraswell. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina

17 SP 2899 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

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.

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.

WAKE 1315483 – DRS 21-SP-244

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust and Security Agreement executed and delivered by Schofield Health Services LLC (hereinafter “Borrower”) filed on June 14, 2016 and recorded in Book 16419 at Page 541 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina (hereinafter “Deed of Trust”); and because of the default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina on MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 AT 1:30 O’CLOCK P.M, all of Borrower’s right to the real property described herein below, together with all Improvements, Fixtures, Equipment, Claims, Proceeds and AfterAcquired Property as defined under the Conveyance provisions of the Deed of Trust (see page 2), all personal property under Article IV of the Deed of Trust and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Wake County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Land located in the State of North Carolina, County of Wake, and being more particularly described as follows: UNIT 1 HERITAGE PROFESSIONAL PARK

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 19 SP 1120

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Shena Jordan and William R. Pitt, (William R. Pitt, Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Shena Jordan) to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), dated the 25th day of June, 2010, and recorded in Book 013987, Page 00198, in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by William H. Tanner, Jr. to Marcus Becton, Trustee(s), which was dated August 28, 2006 and recorded on August 29, 2006 in Book 012138 at Page 01476, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Being all of Lot 5, Summit Ridge Subdivision, as shown on a map recorded in Book of Maps 1976 at Page 12, Wake County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3812 Sue Ellen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604.

20 SP 1919 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING AT A STAKE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD, 195 FEET IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION MEASURED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF PENN ROAD FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE WESTERN SIDE OF NORTH STATE STREET; RUNS THENCE SOUTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES WEST 136.70 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF LOT 131 ON MAP TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREINAFTER MADE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 76 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 65.20 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE; RUNS THENCE NORTH 11 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 134.50 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD; RUNS THENCE ALONG THE SOUTHERN LINE OF PENN ROAD SOUTH 78 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST 65.0 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE WESTERN PART OF LOT 131 AND THE EASTERN PART OF LOT 132 OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS, RALEIGH, N. C., ACCORDING TO SURVEY BY D. C. SHEARIN; DATED OCTOBER 31, 1969. FOR MAP OF CAPITOL HEIGHTS SEE BOOK OF MAPS 1945, PAGE 113, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Legacy of TAS, Inc., a Delaware Corporation to T. D. Service Company, Trustee(s), which was dated February 26, 2019 and recorded on February 26, 2019 in Book 017369 at Page 01163, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 746 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Thomas P. Farrell (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Thomas P. Farrell and Erin K. O’Neil) to Chris Cope, Trustee(s), dated February 16, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 14271, at Page 2148 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

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

May 3, 2021 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: BEING all of Lot 58 of Pemberley Subdivision, Phase 1A, Map 1, as shown on that certain plat dated March 1, 2001, prepared by Rice and Associates and recorded in Book of Maps 2001, Page 494, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 328 Stone Monument Drive, Wake Forest, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on March 12, 2015, in Book No. 15944, at Page 2476. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §4521.23. 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).

prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 714 Penn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604. A cash deposit (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 Legacy of TAS, Inc.

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 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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Aaron B. Anderson Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5710 Oleander Drive, Ste. 204 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 202-2940 Fax: (910) 202 2941 File No.: 17-08030-FC02

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.: 20-05873-FC01

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: 1324 - 2155

B12

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Stanly County Journal

CHARLIE RIEDEL | AP PHOTO

Troops to leave Afghanistan by Sept.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler Hitter stands by the transfer cases of Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro of Coral Springs, Fla., right, and Army Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez of Aberdeen, N.C., left, as they wait to be lowered from a cargo plane after arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Oct. 8, 2012. According to the Department of Defense, Schiro and Marquez died in Afghanistan. Last week, President Biden announced that he would bring all troops home from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 of this year, ending America’s involvement in the conflict after 20 years and four presidents.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Police chase ends in pond Union County A driver refused to stop for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a high-speed chase that went through Charlotte and into Union County. The driver left the road in Wesley Chapel, driving through a field. He sideswiped a man on a tractor at one point and crashed into a pond. The driver, Ward Baxter Weiland, 48, of Matthews, and two passengers, Armond Dewayne Douglas, 62, and an unidentified female, were taken into custody. She was released without charges. Douglas was held on unrelated charges. Weiland faces multiple charges, including several felonies.

Stanly sheriff’s office pursuing new boat for lake patrol By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Due to increased activity on Stanly County’s lakes and an aging current patrol boat, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office is planning on purchasing a new boat for lake patrol. At Monday night’s county commission meeting, chief deputy of the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office Ashley Thompson asked the commissioners for their approval of a budget amendment that would authorize the purchase. The amendment would require no additional funds from the county because the sheriff’s office has secured other funding. “It’s a 21-foot boat, F200 Yamaha,” Thompson said about the

boat the sheriff’s office wishes to purchase. “The other boat we have is roughly 20 years old. We have refurbished the motor on it with a gift from somebody on the lake. And that boat was actually bought by Alcoa.” Thompson said the sheriff’s office plans to move the refurbished boat to Lake Tillery because, with all the new housing on that lake, it has required more of a presence from them. The price for the new boat would be $70,000, he said, but Alcoa has promised $30,000 of that funding. They have given the first $15,000, and the rest should be forthcoming. “The other money, which we’re trying to switch over tonight, is forfeiture money,” Thompson said. “So we’re going to let our

drug dealers offset the cost and pay for the boat. We’re not looking for any county money.” He said the boat is a good price

because the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission had been purchasing 20 boats and secured one more for the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office. This new boat will be mostly designated for Badin Lake since Alcoa is paying for much of it, in addition to paying for wages during the patrols, but both boats will be used on both lakes. At times of high traffic at Lake Tillery, it may require both boats. “I can tell you, Lake Tillery is getting busier and busier and busier,” Chairman Bill Lawhon said during board comments. “And there are lots of big homes that pay big tax dollars, which is good for all the citizens.” Lawhon also said he’s “glad that this is happening” because boat traffic has picked up and “a lot of folks like to drive in boats when they shouldn’t be driving.” Vice Chairman Tommy Jordan said he “would happily make the motion” to amend the budget so the boat could be purchased, and Councilmember Scott Efird seconded the motion.

lution gives the city manager and assistant city manager the authority to approve the permits. Previously, the council had to take a vote on the individual permits that were given out. “This is an efficient way to approve these things without us having to call a special meeting to approve something like this,” Mayor Ronnie Michael said. The next topic of conversation that arose pertained to where the physical boundaries of alcohol consumption would be accepted at an event. “In years past, we’ve done things downtown and had a marked off garden which was the only space you could partake in. This does not address that, as I understand it,” Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall said. “As I see it, this is only a change to allow possession, consumption and sale — all three of those things.” Michael mentioned that at a prior meeting, the council had eased the restrictions that prevented alcohol consumption in the streets if a special event was held downtown. Despite this, the hypothetical scenario of someone consuming alcohol at various places in City Lake Park was discussed. “At the Food Truck Fridays, they

have it in a confined space. You don’t want people walking everywhere to the picnic shelters and all that,” Councilmember Dexter Townsend said. “Where the food trucks are at the amphitheater, I think that would be ample space.” Michael added that implementing individual restrictions in certain sections of an event would be tough to enforce and would be stricter than the standards granted by state law. Councilmember Shirley Lowder, who was the lone vote against the new ordinance and resolution, said she felt uncomfortable agreeing to any action that would ease alcohol restrictions. “I’ve been against any alcohol that our council might allow. I don’t know where we’re coming from and where we’re going,” Lowder said. “In the school system where I worked 35 years, we taught ‘no alcohol or drugs.’ We’re going far from that. Maybe that’s what adults are demanding, but I can’t see us putting a stamp of approval on everything they want. I just don’t see why we’re making it easier each time for our young people to see drinking.” The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting on May 3 at 6:30 p.m.

“The other money, which we’re trying to switch over tonight, is forfeiture money. So we’re going to let our drug dealers offset the cost and pay for the boat. We’re not looking for any county money.” Chief sheriff’s deputy Ashley Thompson

WSOC

Size of pipeline spill again underestimated Mecklenburg County The Colonial Pipeline Company again underestimated the amount of gasoline that spilled from a crack in a pipeline running through the Oehler Nature Preserve. The company said it likely underestimated the size of the spill at 1.2 million gallons. The company did not provide a new estimate. It initially reported the spill in September at 273,000 gallons. The state is requiring the company to issue a revised assessment by April 26. Colonial believes it has recovered the majority of what was spilled. It is also monitoring nearby residents’ wells and has not found signs of contamination there. AP

20177 52016 $0.50

Albemarle City Council eases alcohol restrictions on public property By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — As of Monday night, private businesses are now allowed to sell alcohol on public property in Albemarle if granted a special-event permit by the city. The Albemarle City Council, with a 6-1 vote, approved a new city ordinance and resolution that loosens alcohol restrictions. This measure was taken after a business made a request to be able to serve alcohol at a City Lake Park “Food Truck Friday” event but was denied because it wasn’t a non-profit business. This new ordinance will allow the city to hold more flexibility with potential vendors that receive an alcohol permit for a public event; the next Food Truck Friday is scheduled for May 7. “With the special use permit, I

“This is for servicing an event that would sell alcohol. The permit would still need the right approval; what we’re addressing is the larger scale.” City attorney Britt Burch don’t think it would address people just bringing in things in a cooler,” city attorney Britt Burch said. “This is for servicing an event that would sell alcohol. The permit would still need the right approval; what we’re addressing is the larger scale.” The resolution that was passed in conjunction with the new reso-

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Crowder, Cornelius Neal (B /M/42) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Stolen Goods/ prop (f) (F) and 2) Habitual Felon (F), at 126 W South St, Albemarle, NC, on 4/19/2021

Fairbanks, David John (W /M/55) Arrest on chrg of Injury To Real Property (M), at 126 S 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 4/18/2021

♦ Corriher, George Lynell J (W /M/41) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female, M (M), at 425 N Kendall Drive, Norwood, NC, on 4/19/2021 ♦ Cook, Elizabeth Ellen (W /F/41) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M), at 425 N Kendall St, Norwood, NC, on 4/19/2021

♦ Bennett, J`lyn Samuel (B /M/24) Cited on Charge of Carrying Concealed Gun (m) (202100334), at 8051 Us 52 Hwy S/nc 731 Hwy, Norwood, NC, on 4/18/2021.

♦ Brown, Danielle Nicole (W /F/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Possession Sch Ii Cs (F), 2) Felony Possession Sch I Cs (F), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at Hwy 52/ellis St., on 4/19/2021

♦ Benegas, Oscar Edilio (W /M/27) Arrest on chrg of Felony Possession Of Cocaine (F), at North Main/south Stanly Rd, Norwood, NC, on 4/17/2021

♦ Prevette, Lavell (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats (M), at 36678 Mauldin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 4/19/2021 ♦ Burleson, Eric Lee (W /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Larceny Of Motor Vehicle (f) (F), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 4/19/2021 ♦ Tucker, Christopher Bryant (W /M/40) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny (M), at 28109 Eds Ave, Albemarle, NC, on 4/19/2021 ♦ Waldroup, Justin Wayne (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Possession Sch Ii Cs (F), 2) Poss Marij >1/2 To 1 1/2 Oz (M), and 3) Simple Possess Sch Iv Cs (m) (M), at Lake Glenn Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 4/19/2021

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♦ Mclain, Joshua Allen (W /M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 2) Possess Marijuana Up To 1/2 Ounce (M), and 3) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, NC, on 4/18/2021

♦ Polson, Steven Allen (W /M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Common Law Robbery (F), 2) Poss/rcv Stolen Prop Cert Fel (F), 3) Felony Conspiracy (F), and 4) Fta - Release Order (M), at Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 4/19/2021

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♦ Preslar, Christopher Ivey (W /M/34) Arrest on chrg of Injury To Personal Property (M), at 201 S Second St, Albemarle, NC, on 4/17/2021 ♦ Hays, Garrett Alfred (W /M/28) Arrest on chrg of Violation Of Court Order, M (M), at / Norwood, NC, on 4/16/2021 ♦ Knotts, Tadarian Darian (B /M/24) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Larceny (F) and 2) Conspire To Commit Felony Larceny (F), at 201 S Second St, Albemarle, NC, on 4/16/2021 ♦ Ingram, Basil Wayne (W /M/53) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Cocaine (F), 2) Pwimsd Methamphetamine (F), 3) Pwimsd Sch I Cs (F), 4) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 5) Trafficking,opium Or Heroin (F), 6) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F), 7) Pwimsd Sch Vi Cs (F), 8) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), and 9) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at Badin Road, Albemarle, NC, on 4/16/2021 ♦ Pizzitola, Andrew Scott (W /M/27) Arrest on chrg of Obtain Property False Pretense (F), at West Church Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 4/15/2021

♦ Waldroup, Justin Wayne (W /M/35) Arrest on chrg of Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at Lake Glenn Dr, Stanfield, NC, on 4/19/2021

♦ Little, Samuel Maurice (B /M/50) Arrest on chrg of First Deg Tresp Enter/remain, M (M), at Us 52/crump Rd, Norwood, NC, on 4/14/2021

♦ Bennett, J`lyn Samuel (B /M/24) Arrest on chrg of Possession Of Stolen Firearm (F), at Us 521 Nc 731, Norwood, NC, on 4/18/2021

♦ Gaddy, John Garrett (W /M/42) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at Hatley Burris Rd., Stanfield, NC, on 4/14/2021

♦ Almond, Danny Joe (B /M/44) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possess Methamphetamine (F), 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Surrender By Surety (F), 4) Surrender By Surety (F), 5) Surrender By Surety (M), and 6) Surrender By Surety (F), at 400 S Main St, Norwood, NC, on 4/13/2021

♦ Rickey Scott Skinner, 58, of Albemarle, passed away April 9. ♦ Linda Marie Austin Huneycutt, 72, passed away April 11.

♦ Lunsford, Michelle Marie (W /F/35) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at 1319 Wisscassett Street, Albemarle, NC, on 4/13/2021

♦ Terry Floyd Hinson Sr., 72, of Oakboro, passed away April 12.

♦ Richardson, Jimmie Earl (B /M/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Trafficking In Cocaine (F) and 2) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), at 9689 Bishop Rd, Norwood, NC, on 4/13/2021

♦ Mary Eloise Thompson Wilson “Weezy”, 75, of Norwood, passed away April 12.

♦ Burris, Jamie Lynn (W M, 36) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 735Lowder St/austin St, Albemarle, on 04/13/2021

♦ Don Mitchell Russell, 78, of Locust, passed away April 13.

♦ Little, Dominique Antwanette (B F, 33) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny, M(M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 04/11/2021

♦ Bonnie Nicholson Pethel, 82, of Locust, passed away April 14.

♦ Helms, Jeremy Lane (W M, 45) Arrest on chrg of Driving While Impaired, M (M), at134 Nc 740 Bypass/hilco St, Albemarle, on 04/11/2021

♦ Jenell Broadaway Kendall, 88, of Norwood, passed away April 15.

♦ Fairbanks, David John (W M, 55) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer, M (M),at 841 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 04/18/2021.

♦ Josefina “Josie” Castro Thomas, 95, of Albemarle, passed away April 15.

♦ Alcott, Christopher Wesley (W M, 30) Arrest on chrg of Carrying Concealed Gun (f),F (F), at 841 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 04/18/2021

♦ Dorothy Jean Barbee, 94, of Norwood, passed away April 15.

♦ Mcrae, Christopher Lamont (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Assault By Pointing A Gun,M (M), at 155 W South St, Albemarle, on 04/18/2021

♦ Baxter Lee Crisco, 59, of New London, passed away April 15. ♦ Donna Hudson “Mimi” Harwood, 69, of Albemarle, passed away April 18.

♦ Mcrae, Christopher Lamont (B M, 28) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer (M),at 155 West South Street, Albemarle, on 04/18/2021 ♦ Waddell, Paul Junior (B M, 37) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Larceny (M), at 781Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 04/19/2021

See OBITS, page 7

DR. ALAN TITUS | BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT VIA AP

In this photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management, researchers prepare fossils to be airlifted from the Rainbows and Unicorns Quarry on Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument to the Paria River District paleontology lab in Kanab, Utah, on Sept. 4, 2018.

Mass fossil site may prove tyrannosaurs lived in packs By Sophia Eppolito The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — Ferocious tyrannosaur dinosaurs may not have been solitary predators as long envisioned, but more like social carnivores such as wolves, new research unveiled Monday found. Paleontologists developed the theory while studying a mass tyrannosaur death site found seven years ago in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, one of two monuments that the Biden administration is considering restoring to their full size after former President Donald Trump shrunk them. Using geochemical analysis of the bones and rock, a team of researchers with the University of Arkansas determined that the di-

nosaurs died and were buried in the same place and were not the result of fossils washing in from multiple areas. The new Utah site is the third mass tyrannosaur grave site that’s been discovered in North America — bolstering a theory first developed 20 years ago that they lived in packs. However, more research needs to be done to make that argument, said Kristi Curry Rogers, a biology professor at Macalester College who wasn’t involved in the research but reviewed the finding Monday. “It is a little tougher to be so sure that these data mean that these tyrannosaurs lived together in the good times,” Rogers said. “It’s possible that these animals may have lived in the same vicinity as one another without traveling together in a social group, and just came to-

gether around dwindling resources as times got tougher.” In 2014, Bureau of Land Management paleontologist Alan Titus discovered the site, which was later named the Rainbows and Unicorns quarry because of the vast array of fossils contained inside. Excavation has been ongoing since the site’s discovery because of the size of the area and volume of bones. “I consider this a once-in-alifetime discovery for myself,” Titus told reporters during a virtual news conference. “I probably won’t find another site this exciting and scientifically significant during my career.” The social tyrannosaurs theory began over 20 years ago when more than a dozen tyrannosaurs were found at a site in Alberta, Canada. Another mass death site

in Montana again raised the possibility of social tyrannosaurs. Many scientists questioned the theory, arguing that the dinosaurs didn’t have the brainpower to engage in sophisticated social interaction, Titus said. “Going that next step to understand behavior and how animals behave requires really amazing evidence,” Joseph Sertich, curator of dinosaurs at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, said at the news conference. “I think that this site, the spectacular collection of tyrannosaurs but also the other assembled pieces of evidence ... pushes us to the point where we can show some evidence for behavior.” In addition to the tyrannosaurs, researchers have also found seven species of turtles, multiple fish and ray species, two other kinds

of dinosaurs and a nearly complete skeleton of a juvenile Deinosuchus alligator. These other animals do not appear to have all died together. Paleontology groups have been among those pushing the federal government to restore the Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante to their original sizes to protect the region’s rich paleontological and archaeological record. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited southern Utah earlier this month as she prepared to submit recommendations on whether to reverse Trump’s decision to downsize the monuments. Titus said he showed Haaland some of the fossils at his lab during her visit and said she “appreciated getting to see the material.” “The (Bureau of Land Management) is protecting these fossils as national treasures.” Titus said. “They’re part of the story of how North America came to be and how ultimately we came to be.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s border crisis is feeding the opioid crisis

Cartels are taking advantage of the lack of leadership from President Biden and Vice President Harris and making millions of dollars in the process.

THE CRISIS at our border continues to get worse, and the fallout continues to mount. In the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we held a hearing last week on the opioid epidemic. We discussed how fentanyl-based substance use has skyrocketed over the past year while we have dealt with lockdowns and the pandemic. We also learned the Biden Border Crisis is only making this problem worse. Agents I met with at one station on my recent trip to the border told me they have seized 55 pounds of fentanyl this year. It’s hard to imagine, but that’s enough to kill up to 10 million Americans — or the entire population of North Carolina! Overall, Border Patrol has seized 5,500 pounds of fentanyl this fiscal year, an increase of 322% from last year. This astonishing amount is only what we know about. But there is no telling what cartels and smugglers are successfully getting across our porous southern border. Cartels are taking advantage of the lack of leadership from President Biden and Vice President Harris and making millions of dollars in the process. Last week on Fox Business Network, I outlined House Republican solutions that would actually end the border crisis. These include finishing the wall, reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy, maintaining Title 42 authority to protect our public health, requiring a negative COVID test before releasing migrants, and sending a clear message around the globe: don’t come to the United States illegally. We have solutions that have been proven to work, and I will continue pushing to end this crisis. Another issue I continue to care deeply about is protecting

the life of the unborn. Last week, I was proud to sign a petition to force Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the BornAlive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to the House floor for a vote. The Born-Alive Act would ensure that any child who survives an attempted abortion receives the medical care they deserve. It’s a shame we need this commonsense legislation in the first place. However, Washington Democrats have so far refused to allow a vote on it. As a dad and Christian, I firmly believe life is a sacred and precious gift from God that begins at conception. I am unapologetically pro-life and will continue to defend the most vulnerable. In another display of their desire to overturn protections for the unborn, Washington Democrats also unveiled legislation last week to pack the Supreme Court. Washington Democrats are determined to expand the Supreme Court to protect their power and would threaten rights including life, as well as the Second Amendment. In 1983, then-Sen. Joe Biden called this a “bonehead idea” and “terrible mistake.” In 2020, Biden said expansion would, “begin to lose any credibility the court has at all.” Former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said nine was “a good number,” and court packing “would make the court appear partisan.” While Washington Democrats demonstrate they will do anything to hold onto power, rest assured I will continue to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. I am a cosponsor of an amendment to our Constitution to keep the Supreme Court of the United States at nine justices. Just like securing our border, I will continue to work to protect the integrity of the Supreme Court and your rights.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

GOP trustbusters are embracing progressives’ agenda

In every industry that was supposedly controlled by monopolists, prices fell rapidly; energy prices, transportation prices, financial services, cars and mass consumer items became affordable to the middle classes for the first time in world history.

IT’S NOT TOO OFTEN that Republicans embrace the agenda of leftist Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. But it’s happening. Sen. Josh Hawley, the young Republican senator from Missouri, has introduced a bill in Congress entitled: “Trustbusting for the Twenty-First Century Act.” It may be the most dangerous bill to our economy from a Republican in ages. It would reduce American competitiveness, cost millions of jobs, penalize companies for growing and being profitable, kill funding for small-business startups, and empower unprecedented new regulatory powers to the deep state lawyers and bureaucrats in Washington. Hawley is no fan of the politics of Big Tech — who is? — so he wants to put new teeth into antitrust laws that were birthed during America’s first “Progressive Era” over a century ago. His bill would 1) ban mergers and acquisitions by firms with a market cap over $100 billion; 2) change the standard of “’monopolistic” behavior from causing “consumer harm” to one that emphasizes “the protection of competition”; and 3) greatly expand the power of federal regulatory agencies to rein in domestic firms in the high-tech sector. Hawley, who has a background as a lawyer, defends his bill by saying, “This country and this government shouldn’t be run by a few mega-corporations.” The Republican Party “has got to become the party of trust-busting once again.” Yikes. That’s like saying we should bring back smallpox. Trustbusting is based on the century-old leftist fairy tale that America had been taken over by rapacious “robber barons.” Economist Burt Folsom has exploded these progressive lies in his classic book “The Myth of The Robber Barons,” which shows definitively that J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Andrew Mellon, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt and John D. Rockefeller were anything BUT villains who raped consumers with their monopolistic behavior and “stockpiles of wealth.” They were the captains of whole new life-changing industries. The left disparaged the prosperity from the “Gilded Age” when these titans of industry helped convert America into the unrivaled industrial superpower that it became in the 20th century. They were heroes who built or supplied the railroads, steel and aluminum, our modern financial system, oil and gas, and the automotive industry, to name a few. Monopolies were supposedly evil because they used their market power and domination to gouge consumers with ever-

rising prices. But then, as now, in every industry that was supposedly controlled by monopolists, prices fell rapidly; energy prices, transportation prices, financial services, cars and mass consumer items became affordable to the middle classes for the first time in world history. Now Hawley is echoing liberal Democrats in his charge that America’s total dominance in the trillion-dollar high-tech industries — Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and the like — “hasn’t been a success for the consumer.” Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sergey Brin — villains. Really? In our lifetimes, the cost of cellphones has fallen by 95%; the cost of the internet has fallen by 98%; the cost of internet transactions has fallen by more than 80%. Globalization has moved more than 1 billion people out of poverty. How are these companies “gouging” consumers? A cellphone 30 years ago was clunky and expensive; a cellphone today costs $300 from Apple and has 100 times the capabilities and computing power. It’s the greatest bargain in history, except for a Google search — which is free. I’m not defending the behavior of companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google that discriminate against conservatives with their business practices and political interventions. In too many instances, these companies have muzzled conservative opinions and voices. But, as Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio notes, “Antitrust laws aren’t the right remedy for political attacks on free speech.” No advocate of free enterprise should ever invoke the Sherman and Clayton antitrust laws to expand the size and scope of government and to bash entrepreneurs whose “crimes” are to build better mouse traps at lower costs. That is what capitalism is all about. America has come to dominate the tech world and hold at bay China, Japan and the European Union — all of which want to replace us as globally dominant. Break up Apple, Google or Amazon and the big winner will be Beijing, as they seek to win the race for artificial intelligence, robotics and 5G networks. All Republicans should reject the comeback of progressive antitrust assaults against our free market system. If Hawley wants to break up monopolies, his efforts would be much better spent trying to break up the government school monopoly. Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economic consultant with FreedomWorks.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Watson’s attorney says accusations based on lies Houston An attorney for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on Monday accused the 22 women who have filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually assaulted or harassed by the NFL player during massages of lying, claiming their assertions are based on “an avalanche of false accusations.” The statement by Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, comes after the NFL player’s legal team filed in court its initial response to the lawsuits, alleging that eight of the women bragged about giving him massages and five “wanted to get money out of Mr. Watson.”

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

NBA

Alex Bowman crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Richmond.

Rockets say guard Brown was attacked, injured in Miami

Bowman denies Hamlin with late move at Richmond

Miami The Houston Rockets say that guard Sterling Brown was assaulted by unknown individuals after the team arrived in Miami late Sunday night, suffering cuts to his face. Brown was not playing Monday against the Heat, though the team said that was because of a recent knee injury that has kept him out for a total of five games and not the altercation. The team did not divulge any other details. It was not immediately known if any incident reports were filed with police. The NBA said it was gathering information on the incident and was hopeful that Brown makes a full recovery.

COLLEGE SPORTS

Mississippi athletes will be able to earn money for likeness Jackson, Miss. College athletes in Mississippi will soon be able to earn money from their own name, image or likeness. Gov. Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2313, also known as the “Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation Rights Act” on Friday. The legislation becomes law July 1. A small number of other states have also enacted such laws. A Florida law that also takes effect July 1 will let student-athletes make money through contracts. A similar California law takes effect in January 2023. All eight of Mississippi’s public universities and the state College Board supported the proposal, which officials said will help the schools compete for talent.

POKER

World Series of Poker moving from ESPN to CBS Sports Las Vegas The World Series of Poker is moving from ESPN to CBS Sports. CBS and PokerGO announced Monday that the CBS Sports Network will be the home of World Series of Poker events, including 15 hours of the main event competition, which will take place in November in Las Vegas. The agreement also includes 36 hours of 18 additional gold bracelet events. ESPN had televised the World Series since 2002, but CBS was the first to televise World Series events in the mid-1970s.

The win was the first for the No. 48 team in nearly four years By Hank Kurz Jr. The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Another week, another agonizing loss for Denny Hamlin. And this time it was to Alex Bowman, who came from nowhere with 10 laps to go at Richmond Raceway to put the No. 48 Chevrolet in victory lane for the first time in nearly four years. Bowman won for the third time in his career Sunday and denied Hamlin a win in a race he had dominated to become the eighth winner in nine Cup races this season. He dedicated the victory to

crew member William “Rowdy” Harrell and his wife, Blakley Harrell, who were killed in a November car crash in Florida while on their honeymoon. “This one is for Rowdy and his family. Miss him and Blakley every day,” Bowman said. Bowman’s victory in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports came on the same day the former driver of the car, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, made his debut in the IndyCar Series in Alabama. It was the first victory for the No. 48 since June 4, 2017. Johnson was the only driver of the No. 48 when it was formed in 2001 and Bowman was handpicked by sponsor Ally to replace him. Bowman overcame a penalty on lap 247 for a loose tire on pit road

to rally for the win. For Hamlin, it was the third defeat in three races. At the dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway he didn’t do enough to move Joey Logano out of his way to earn the win, and last week at Martinsville Speedway he was caught late by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. In Richmond, Hamlin raced with the hashtag #fedexstrong on the back of his car and on his pit wall to honor the eight people who were fatally shot at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis on Thursday. He again had the dominant car and led 207 of the 400 laps. He’s led 483 laps the last two weeks. “First and foremost, we want to think of all of the families in Indy right now,” Hamlin said. “Awful tragedy to happen there. Our

thoughts and prayers are with these names. We will get (wins). We will keep digging. We are dominating — just have to finish it.” Hamlin won the first two stages and notched his eighth top-five finish in nine starts this season. “We just didn’t take off quite as good there at the end. I tried to warm it up and do everything that I could — just the 48 had a little more on those last few laps and I couldn’t hold the bottom,” Hamlin said. Last week, he led 276 laps at Martinsville Speedway, but lost the lead to Truex with 15 laps to go. Hamlin did hang on Sunday to finish second, followed by Logano, Christopher Bell and Truex, who led 107 laps and overcame a penalty for speeding on pit road. Kyle Busch finished eighth, the second week in a row that all four JGR drivers finished in the top 10. “Denny and I had a hell of a race,” Logano said. “It was pretty fun there for a minute, but here we are third. It stings. We were up there all day. “The 48 kind of snookered everybody.”

Chasing Dreams: From UNC linebacker to country music star Chase Rice played for the Tar Heels in the mid-2000s By Barry Wilner The Associated Press Like many young football players growing up in North Carolina, Chase Rice had his sights set on the NFL. After an outstanding sophomore season with the Tar Heels, that goal seemed realistic. Then the linebacker who tore up the ACC in 2006 tore up his left ankle in the season opener as a junior. Though he returned in 2007, Rice already knew pro football player was not going to be on his resume. Country music star would be. But when draft time approaches, Rice recalls those days on the field, and his hopes of reaching football’s highest level. “I certainly felt headed in that direction,” Rice, an Asheville native, says. “My (2006) year I was the only player who didn’t come off the field, I could play inside and outside, and it was looking good. Then I only got a quarter and a half in my junior year, and that would have been my year and hopefully we were headed for the top of the ACC. “The next year the ankle was not the same, and I wasn’t the same player.” During the 2009 draft, five Tar Heels were selected, including wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to the Giants in the first round. Nicks won a Super Bowl for the 2011 season with New York. Tight end Richard Quinn and wideout Brandon Tate went in the second round; tackle Garrett Reynolds, one of Rice’s closest friends today, was selected in Round 5, as was receiver Brooks Foster. “I was up there playing the caliber of football those guys were,

ROBERT WILLETT | THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Chase Rice, pictured in 2008 when he was a linebacker at UNC, has become a country music star. and that is why I can say I think I was up there to get drafted had I not been injured,” Rice says. “Obviously, you’ve got to get in the games and show up and get your experience. I felt I was right up with those guys and certainly do believe I had the chance. It didn’t work out that way.” It worked out pretty well for Rice in another area of entertainment. His current hit is a pairing with Florida Georgia Line: “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” Rice also co-wrote the No. 1

song “Cruise” for that duo, which Florida Georgia Line also re-released as a remix featuring Nelly. On his own, Rice has had two top five hits and a double-platinum No. 1 in “Eyes On You.” Some of his songs reflect on his days as an athlete, particularly “Beats A Million Bucks” and “Carolina Can,” which has become something of an anthem for not only Tar Heels fans but the state itself. Along with headlining his own tours, Rice has opened for Garth

Brooks and Chesney — at NFL venues. “I was telling one of my buddies in 2017 that it broke my heart I never got a chance to play in the NFL,” Rice recalls, “and he didn’t say anything, and I was expecting a response. And then he goes, ‘Didn’t you just tell me you played with Kenny Chesney at Lucas Oil Stadium? Is that not an NFL stadium? “That is a perspective right there; dreams in a weird way have absolutely come true.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

West, South Stanly softball teams remain unbeaten The Colts and Bulls are each atop their respective conference standings RICK SCHULTZ | AP PHOTO

Alex Smith announced his retirement Monday just over a month after he was released by the Washington Football Team.

QB Smith retires after comeback from gruesome leg injury The No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft was released by Washington this offseason

By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press Alex Smith retired Monday after making an improbable comeback from a gruesome broken leg, saying he’s ready to leave the NFL but believing he’s still able to play quarterback. Smith made the announcement on Instagram a few weeks shy of his 37th birthday, hoping to enjoy more time with his family. “I want to say thank you for believing in me, and thank you for helping me believe in myself — and in the impossible,” Smith said. “Because even though I’ve got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I’ve got, I can’t wait to see what else is possible.” Smith earned AP Comeback Player of the Year honors for getting back on the field last season, two years removed from an injury that required 17 operations. After breaking his right tibia and fibula in a game Nov. 18, 2018, against Houston, he said he wondered if he’d be able to take walks with his wife or play with his kids in the yard — let alone play in the NFL again. He was hospitalized for almost a month and survived a life-threat-

“Because even though I’ve got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I’ve got, I can’t wait to see what else is possible.” Alex Smith ening infection in addition to the operations. Smith spent the next year and a half rehabbing and was back at practice when Washington assembled for training camp last summer. Smith’s first game action since the injury came Oct. 11 when Kyle Allen was injured, and he made his first start at Detroit on Nov. 15. He went 5-1 as the starter, including a victory at Philadelphia in Week 17 on a strained right calf that clinched the NFC East title for Washington. The injury prevented Smith from playing against Tampa Bay in the wild-card round the next week, which Taylor Heinicke started and impressed enough to earn another contract. Coach Ron Rivera agreed with Smith’s comments in a GQ article this year that the organization didn’t think he’d play again. “The biggest thing he and I talked about, really, was that there

was really no roadmap to get us to where we were,” Rivera said last month. “He worked his butt off to put himself in a position to come back and play. ... It was always in the back of my head: ‘What if he gets hurt again? What if he hurts that leg, that specific leg?’ I don’t want to be the guy that put him back on the field to let him get hurt again.” Washington released Smith in March and signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Smith initially expressed his intent to keep playing but went unsigned more than a month into free agency. “I’m going to take a little time to enjoy a few of those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what’s coming for them in the backyard,” he said. A self-professed “skinny, noname recruit,” Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in 2005 and played 14 seasons for San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington. He threw for 35,650 yards and 199 touchdowns in 174 regular-season games and played in seven playoff games. “Football wouldn’t let me give up because, no, this isn’t just a game,” Smith said. “It’s about how hard and how far you can push yourself. It’s about the bond between those 53 guys in the locker room and everybody else in the organization. It’s about fully committing yourself to something bigger.”

.517 batting average, 15 hits, 15 RBIs and four home runs. On the mound, senior pitcher Jordan Hatch has held Colts’ opponents to only eight earned runs and a .149 batting average in 51 By Jesse Deal innings pitched. Stanly County Journal While West Stanly’s most reALBEMARLE — With the cent performance was a tight high school softball season finish, South Stanly’s latest passing its halfway point, two game was a 16-0 blowout vicof Stanly County’s five varsi- tory over South Davidson (0-4, ty teams remain undefeated 0-6 YVC) in which freshman and hold first-place positions Mary Hinson pitched a perfect in their respective conference game; not a single Wildcat player managed to get on standings. base. The West Stanly Senior Emma Colts (9-0, 8-0) curCrump has led the rently lead the Rocky Bulls’ offensive charge River Conference, this year with a .444 while the South Stanbatting average, 12 ly Rowdy Rebel Bulls hits and nine RBIs. As (7-0, 6-0) are the frontCombined a team, South Stanrunner in the Yadkin Valley Conference. The runs allowed ly has recorded a .376 batting average with two schools are schedthis season five players batting uled to face off in Oakby the West over .400. boro on April 26 in Senior Sadie Lee a battle between the Stanly and and junior Ali Glover county’s top teams. South Stanly have handled the bulk Excluding last year’s campaign (which softball teams. of the Bulls’ pitching duties with ERAs was canceled after three games due to The Colts have of 0.54 and 1.00, reCOVID-19), the Colts given up nine spectively. As a team, South Stanly has are only a season reruns in nine scored 70 runs while moved from 2019’s games, while allowing only seven. conference-winning The Bulls are cur28-2 record and a 2A the Bulls have rently on their way to softball state champiallowed seven duplicate their undeonship thanks to a 3-0 feated 2019 season win over Eastern Ranruns in nine where they ran away dolph. games with a conference So far this season, championship and the Colts have put tomade a deep playoff gether four home wins with five road wins, outscoring run. After a 6-5 postseason loss their opponents by a wide mar- to North Stokes, the Bulls finished that season 22-3 overall. gin of 101-9. The other three Stanly CounHowever, West Stanly’s latest matchup — a 4-2 road win over ty softball teams — Gray Stone Anson (6-3, 6-3 RRC) that re- (2-4, 2-2), North Stanly (2-3, quired extra innings — was the 2-3) and Albemarle (1-2, 1-2) — closest finish the Colts have ex- are all sitting in the middle of perienced this season. The win the pack in the YVC standings. extended the Colts’ lead in the Chatham Central (6-1, 4-1) is RRC standings over the sec- holding the second-place position behind the Bulls, who came ond-ranked Bearcats. Senior Shelby Barbee has away with a 2-1 home win over led the Colts at the plate with a the Bears back on March 29.

STEPHEN B. MORTON | AP PHOTO

Stewart Cink and his caddie and son, Reagan, plan his shot during Saturday’s third round of the RBC Heritage. Cink became just the fourth golfer to win two PGA Tour events in a season after turning 47 with his win in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Cink wins 3rd RBC Heritage title The 47-year-old’s victory at Hilton Head was his second of the season By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The golf was exceptional for Stewart Cink. What made his third RBC Heritage title truly special was that his family was there to experience his age-defying success. Cink hugged son Reagan, his caddie, after he closed out his

four-shot victory at Harbour Town with a stress-free par on the lighthouse-framed 18th hole. Wife Lisa, their other son, Connor, and his fiancée, Jess Baker, were in the gallery cheering Cink’s second win this season. “To have a posse like that waiting at the end to celebrate with,” Cink said, “it’s just an experience you don’t get to have in your life that often.” Maybe the Cink family has more such joyous moments ahead with Stewart’s resurgence on the PGA Tour. He shot a steady, stress-free 70 to cap off a dominant, re-

cord-breaking week at an age — 47 — when many players are looking ahead to the PGA Tour Champions. Instead, it was Cink finishing four better than Emiliano Grillo and Harold Varner III. Grillo shot a 68 while Varner, who had the highest finish of his career, fired a 66. The 30-year-old Varner took found plenty of encouragement in the man who beat him. “He’s old and he’s kicking everyone’s (butt),” Varner said. “Yeah, it inspires me. It inspires me to know that I can play golf for a long time.” The Cinks had their arms

around each other to celebrate. “I don’t even know if I have the words,” Stewart Cink said. He won for the second time this season — only he and Bryson DeChambeau have done that. He broke an 11-year winless drought in the season’s first tournament, the Safeway Open back in September. That one seemed to come out of nowhere. But Cink backed it up with four more top-20 finishes, including a tie for 12th last week at the Masters. He won $1.278 million, nearly as much as the $1.404 million for his two previous victories at Harbour Town combined. The second win comes with a major perk — Cink earned an exemption into the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June. It will be the

first U.S. Open since 2017 for the former British Open champion. Cink became the fourth player to win twice in the same PGA Tour season after turning 47. Sam Snead, Julius Boros and Kenny Perry, who accomplished it twice, are the others. Cink put on show for the ages by shooting 16-under 126 in the first two rounds — shattering the lowest 36-hole score at Harbour Town of 13-under 129 shared by Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson. Cink added a 69 on Saturday to reach 18 under, two better than Justin Leonard’s 54-hole score in 2002. Cink carried a five-shot lead into the final round and dared all chasers to come get him. Nobody made a run at Cink, who led by at least three shots throughout.

ment. area.” EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, Aprilthe 21,virus. 2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients. America and lift Trump’s restric- Bob Menendez, the chairman theForeign Gateway facility was Inresettlements this majority-black What some Memphis, Tenof along the Senate Relations tions on from Soma-city If they did, shopping wo the Mississippi River, lawmakers e, residents don’t get is why in Committee, told Biden in a letlia, Syria and Yemen. come more difficult for re andfrom community leaders ter been that his inaction “undermines Critics both sides of thehave r city, a shopping center in the yourthey declared purpose to political spectrum accused especially forreverse those who ar sounding thehad alarm over what dle of a predominantly black, your predecessor’s refugee the president of bowing to politiBy Zeke Miller of transpo see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no meanspoliincome residential neighborcal pressure that has been mount- cies.” The Associated Press to stores located farther aw rus killing African Americans at a d has been chosen. Menendez said it also makes ing over the record pace of unac“For people who higher rate. ty and state officials are concompanied migrants crossing the it unlikely that the program can don’t WASHINGTON, D.C. — Facdo year theyofdo?” ask Nutbush Patricia ed that ing answift influx of patients hit Harits targetcar, nextwhat budget U.S.-Mexico border.resident Stephen Millblowback from allies, the 125,000, which pledged er, a key of Trump’s WhiteasHouse said Presris,Biden who has spoke to The Ass ris architect wondered aloud ifimcity officials m Memphis, well on asFriday nearby migration that to do.the Press while lugging a bott Joe Biden to lift his werepolicies, “trying tweeted to contaminate” sissippi, ident Arkansas andplans rural Refugee resettlement agencies of bott keeping Trump’s cap “reflects predecessor’s cap hospion refugees by tergent, a package neighborhood. Tennessee, will strain Team Biden’s awareness that the said it was important that admisnext month, after initially moving tereven andifother Activist Earle Fisher, AfriTheir fears echoed sions go higher it’s notitems pos- from t border flood will cause record mid- an only are to expand theacross eligibility criADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to her car. note can American Memphis pastor, country:teria Governors, mayors sible to meet the target to send She a term losses.” for resettlements. grocery store recently clos understands the anxiety. “This health experts in numerous This Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center The White House indicated the message that America will be a In an emergency determinaleader again in offering safe haven border situation was partly why tion signed by Biden earlier in the her house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. to the world’stravel oppressed. Bidencern had not before now, he stated the admission of farther to get to Gat andacted skepticism,” Fisher said. tructingday,makeshift medical Under Biden’s new allocation, even though migrants at the borup to 15,000 refugees set by for“When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. mer President Donald Trump this der do not go through the same 7,000 slots are reserved for refugot to consider the people black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turngees from Africa, 1,000 from East vetting process as refugees. year “remains justified by humanneighborhood,” she said. “W skeptical of Psaki, governmental intersic City Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center convention 1,500 from Europe and Cen“It is a factor,” said noting Asia, itarian concerns and is otherwise tralwith Asia, 3,000 from Amerthat the Office that of Refugee Resetneed toLatin make the neighb in the national interest.” But ifChattanooga the vention did not consult Locating a treatment center for Convention Center, in Chicago, the McCormick Caribbean and 1,500 tlement “has personnel workingfirst.” on ica and the worse cap is reached than it already is.” people on the ground theof Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pose Convention Center;before and the in end from the NearU.S. EastRep. and Steve South Cohen, both issues andMcGowen, so we have tothe en-city’s budget year andsites the away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: Doug chief dy, Utah,the thecurrent Mountain AmerANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO sure that there is capacity and abil- Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 emergency refugee situation perphis asDemocrat, said the d operating officer, said theslots GateIt could potentially them borhoods. Expo Center. can be used needed. ity to manage both.” sists, then a presidential determiPresident Joe Biden leaves after speaking about Russia inexpose the doesn’t make sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. nation Army may Corps of EngiThe State Department, which Since the fiscal year began last be issued to raise the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 15, 2021, in “I’mwith sureresettlethere are othe cause it could accom- flights the NutbushD.C. neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 s has been scouting locations ter in Washington, Oct. 1, just over 2,000potentially refugees coordinates ceiling. ment agencies, booked 715 refu-and they have been resettled in the U.S. That set off a deluge of critTennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said that would work, gees to come to the United States Secretary of State Antony icism from top Democratic alcompiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were converted to a treatment have used those rather t with the anticipation that Biden neighbo Blinken notified Congress Feb. mildly two months ago. advisers to determine what close. lies onThey Capitol Hill, such the his site, it would holdononly ill into a residential a Rent-A-Center, a Famibackup sites. haven’t re- asstore, But Biden, she said, was urged 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on would have acted by March, but second-ranking Senate Demo- number of refugees could realissaid. since coronavirus patients who could and commuDollar, beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, Durbin but Gov. Bill ly those be flightsCohen were canceled to 62,500, but no presadvisers toresident “take immediate ac- admissions ticallya be admitted to the Unit- byNutbush crat, Dick of Illinois, who

Biden will lift refugee cap in May

called that initial limit “unacceptable.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn’t say by how much. Biden has been consulting with

ed States between now and Oct. 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. “Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited,” she said it’s now “unlikely” Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

tion to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today’s order did that.” The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central

idential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress. New Jersey Democratic Sen.

the refugees were not eligible under Trump’s rules, according to resettlement agencies. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted U.S. forces there, and people from Central America’s Northern Triangle.

In Texas, GOP voting bills zero in on Democratic Houston

bin Salman, a son of King Salman, assented to the deal. Paul J. Weber “I go with the consent, so I UBAI, By United Arab EmirThe Associated Press agree,” the prince said, chuckling, — OPEC, Russia and other drawing a round of applause from roducing AUSTIN, nations Texas on Sunday — The nation’s big voting battleprounderway in on the video call. those ized annext unprecedented would outlaw 24-hour pollBut it had not been smiles and ion cut Texas of nearly 10 million places, drive-thru votinglaughs and for weeks after the soels, or aing 10th of global supply, make it a crime for elections officalled OPEC+ group of OPEC opes of boosting crashing priccials to mail unsolicited absentee members and other nations failed mid the coronavirus pandemic ballot applications. in toMarch to reach an agreement a price war, officials said. campaign Amid a GOP-led strengthen laws, on production cuts, sending pricThis could be the voting largest re-Republican lawmakers in Texas have es been tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply ion in production from OPEC in zeroing in on Russia days earlier over perhaps unusually a decade,explicit maybe lon- criticized Houston and surrounding Harwhat it described as comments said U.S. Energy Secretary ris County as they push to tighten of the kingdom, which Brouillette, the state’swho votingcredited laws. One ofcritical the finds itself trying to appease ident Donald per- Harcountry’s Trump’s largest counties, ris rolled new ways to vote in Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. l involvement inout getting duel2020 on a scale like nowhere else Even U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpTexas. Saudi Arabia to find a way to to end in a The priceeffort waris between one of the cleardi Arabiaestand Russia. examples of how the GOP’sboost na- prices as American shale il pricestionwide have collapsed campaignas to the tightenfirms vot- face far-higher production laws target Democrats, costs. American troops had been navirus ing and thecanCOVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY even have as they insist haltthe measures deployed to the kingdom for the ss it causes largely are not partisan. With Americans lobal travel and slowed down first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist increasingly sorted into liberal urattacks over concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summit of the Group of 20 energy minister r energy-chugging sectors rural ban areas and conservative an retaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, to coordinate a response to plummet as manufacturing. It has ones, geography can be an effecstated tive the proxy oil industry in sions. prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn in global demand due to the pandem for partisanship. Proposals tailored to more cities or that “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which now pumps takeother population into accountmonth are waging war on American e than any country. bound to have a greater impact on ut someDemocratic producersvoters. have been oil producers while we are defend- that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, Andrés praise. “The pure size of the cu ing theirs. This is not how friends the United Arab Emirates would Manuel López Obrador, had said ctant to ease supply. The carThat’s likely the case in Georgia, DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO precedented, but, then ag Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday where a new voting law prescribes Trump the U.S. will compen- is the impact the corona the number ballot Cramer, drop In athis oilleaves a day between voting them site atoponthe Nov. 3, 2020, fileNorth photo a car a drive-thru Election Day inthat Houston. Republican from ed to allow Mexicoabsentee to cut only boxes aper countyaand uses aDakota, forOPEC+ deal. The three countries sate what Mexico cannot add to having on demand,” said M before the OPEC+ deal. 000 barrels month, stickmula on the number of regmed Ghulam, an energy an U.S. producers have already did not immediately acknowledge the proposed cuts. point for anbased accord initially istered voters or early voting sites. the pandemic. It also contains ele- jor countywide office. But recent between the lines, calling us rac- black, Latino or Asian, accordRaymond James. “The big Oil Deal with OPEC been reducing output. The Amer- the cut themselves, though Zanhed Friday afterisa marathon ing to state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Texas the biggest state ments similar to a state Senate bill years have been routs for Dem- ist, and that will not stand.” Ghulam and others is done. Thistowill hun- fromBut thenow video confer- ThePlus ican laudo conference between 23have na-vowed Democrat Houston. problem, according Pat-save ocrats, attended whose wins extend that passed itsInstitute first key vote earli- ganeh where Republicans to Petroleum it maya former not beHarris enough. dredsother of thousands of energy jobsWoodfill, ed Sunday’s global pact, saying it ence. s. The nations together agreed Jared Republicans, is down the ballot to local judicial rick and er this month. make voting changes since DonCounty mul-a tempo that in Harris County States,” never had including black women cuts math is simple,”stateformer races, ald Trump’s falsea claims that help“The “This is filed at least the United Trump saidGOP chairman, Officials said 17 other planned get other nations’ ut 9.7 million barrels day will lawsuits elec-industry to expand its votwho were elected to the bench in the authority County to elections clerk would fraud and cost June. him the 2020 election. liefagainst for thelocal energy in a tweet. “I would like totiple thank stand in the deal, meaning ownedHarris oil production follow the ughout May tions officials last year over the ex- This i ing options, despite the pandem2018. Chris Hollins said of Democrats’ A sweeping package known as Pu- the global economy. he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are try- an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut and congratulate President Criticism has been met with in- ic. “I have news for Harris Coun- panded options and said he has House Bill 6 that would tighten performance in the Houston area toothe bigRepublicans to be let to fail and tin of andof King of iswith Julyfury through theRepubliend of the to plunging demand. s before Asian been talking ty: You’re notRussia the capital Texas,”Salman creasing by Texas in November. “Their take is, ‘Let’s from voting rulesmarkets is awaitingrea full ing vote,to adjust liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internabehind the two Texas voting bills. and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott make it harder for Harris County cans, particularly as prominent Patrick said. agreement,” said Per M The1.7 Kremlin said months beginning 2021. commitments of thousands its ownof 16 Republicansthis say rising voter turnA record million voters cast President al benchmark Brent homegrown employers in such as vote.’ Even though supports the efforts.crude make to out is evidence that votes not of ana in Harris County American Airlines andthe Dellrebalanchave ballotsVladimir be disenin the Houseproduction bill Republicans Nysveen, thearehead Putin last heldyear. a joint call “This will enable cuts, are butgoing wastoable to ed at justIncluded over $31 a state barrel being suppressed. Hollins saidTrump betweenand 10,000 and King come the restrictions. franchised, are measures that would grant RystadWoodfill Energy.said “Even tho with Saudi Salof out theagainst oil markets and the exshow the obvioustoo.” — that plunging ing American shale producers The county exemplifies the Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 15,000 votes were cast at 24-hour the county stepped over the line. partisan poll watchers wider latdemand because of the pandem- pected rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small ggle. itude and make it a felony for an GOP’s slipping grip on fast-chang- who offered a $1 million reward locations during the hours when He also acknowledges the clout of market needed a It alsoclosed. said Putin sep- what barrel of inTrump’s the short term,” said ic is expected toIn slash U.S. oil proideo aired by theofficer Saudi-owned the Houston area inthe elections. polls deal. are typically Rough-spoke in defense unsupporting Texas. 2004, former Presi- per elections to send mail-votpostpone the stock aratelypeople with Trump about the oil and from irregulariNigeria’s oil duction. lite channel Al-Arabiya “Texas Harris County are buildi ly 127,000 cast ballots claims of election dent George W. Bush, who is from aedstatement ing applications to households zero for Republi-the wor their carsand at drive-thru cen- really ground ties, blasted the airline earlier this from market Texas, won Harris Coun- ministry. didn’t request them, as Harstraints problem, other issues. Iranian Oileasily Minister Bijan Zanwed the that moment that Saudi cans,” he said. ters, more than half of whom were cautious saying “youinitially are in essence, and Republicans every ma- month, ris County tried to do because of tyalso now avoided.” Analysts offered Mexico had blocked ganeh told state ran television rgy Minister Prince Abdulaziz

Associated Press

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

12115 University City Blvd. P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Linda Huneycutt

obituaries

Mary Wilson

Winona Sherrill

Rickey Skinner

Donna Harwood

LINDA MARIE AUSTIN MARY ELOISE THOMPSON WINONA WESTMORELAND RICKEY SCOTT SKINNER, 58, DONNA HUDSON “MIMI” HUNEYCUTT passed away at WILSON “Weezy”, 75, of Norwood, Sherrill, 91, of Greensboro, passed of Albemarle passed away Saturday, HARWOOD passed away Sunday, her home on April 11, 2021 at the passed away Monday, April 12, 2021 away Thursday, April 15, 2021, at April 09, 2021 in his home. His April 18, 2021 surrounded by family age of 72. There will be a public at her home. Spring Arbor of Greensboro. funeral service will be 11 AM and friends. viewing on Friday April 16, 2021 Mrs. Wilson was born May 16, Mrs. Sherrill was born Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Union Her funeral service will be at from 9am until 12pm at Stanly 1945 to the late Paul Lee Thompson, May 27, 1929 to the late Jason Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Stanly Funeral Home Chapel Funeral and Cremation care of Sr. and the late Mary Ester Lowder Herman and Mary Overcash with Rev. David Howard and Rev. on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Albemarle. A private graveside Thompson. Westmoreland. In addition to her Jeremy Blake officiating. 11:00 am with Nicole Wright service will be held at a later date. A graveside service, celebrating her parents, she was also preceded in Born Nov. 13, 1962 in Albemarle, officiating. The family will receive Linda was born in Washington, life, will be held on Thursday, April death by her husband, William NC, he was the son of the late friends at Stanly Funeral Home on DC on October 8, 1948 to the late 22, 2021 at 2:00 pm, at Simpson Alexander Sherrill, and her son, Joseph Daniel Skinner and Marie Wednesday evening, April 21, 2021 Margaret Alice Spoon Austin Cemetery, Dennis Road, Albemarle. William Alexander Sherrill, III. Christine Russell Skinner. He from 5 to 7pm. and Richard Daniel Austin. Mary is survived by, daughters, The family will receive friends worked at the Speedway North Born September 6, 1951 in She worked as a baker, catered (Wally) from 1:00 - 1:45 pm, on Tuesday, Convenience Store for 15 years. Albemarle, Jason Penny Wilson, Theresa Tony Merle Danny Jerry NC she was the wedding events, created wedding Blayton, Lisa Loflin, Paula (Mike) April 20, 2021, at Hartsell He was a member of Union Grove daughter of the late Allen Hudson Efird Smith Helms Fincher cakes, as well as other specialty Bailey; grandchildren, Jon, Josh Funeral Home, 522 N. 2nd Street, BaptistLuther Church. and Rachel Hudson. She was cakes that were enjoyed by many. and Anna funeral AUSTIN service He isPAUL survived by sisters Jeannine also proceeded in death by her ASON EUGENE “GENE” (Candace), Jeremy ONY MONROE SMITH, 72, of Albemarle. ERLEThe LORRAINE ANNY LUTHER, ERRY FINCHER passed from EFIRD, 94, and went home to be with Rockwell, went to be with will follow HELMS, 72, ofpm, Marshville, 65, of Norwood, passed awayand this life on AprilCela 3, 2020 at 8:05 Linda enjoyed gardening Blayton, David Bailey,NC, Krista at 2:00 in Hartsell Rummage of Albemarle sister, “Ann” Hudson. She hisflowers, Lord Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at his his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ passed Home’s away Wednesday, 8, unexpectedly Thursday, 9, surrounded byDetective his family with the working on her colorful (Preston) Whitley, Steven Loflin, Funeral Lefler April Memorial Jo-Ann Tindal ofApril Albemarle, apm. He waswas a retired in Stanfield. on(Max) Wednesday, 2020 at 2020 atEntombment McWhorter Hospice at Atrium Health Stanly in and wife and holding the hand of Police the love Department of birds and fish,home listening to music, Jr., Jessica Pigg;April nine8,greatChapel. willHouse follow 2020 nephew Chris Rummage Albemarle Gene was born October 9, 1925, in his home surrounded by family. A in Monroe. Albemarle. his life. Jerry is preceded in death but most of all,Cabarrus spending time grandchildren; brothers, Paul Lee at Stanly Gardens of Memory, Linda of Newton, NC, and a niece and past Executive Director of County to the late Simeon private family service will be held. Lorraine was born April 28, 1947 Mr. Luther was born March 27, by three siblings, two brothers, Billy with her family gave herand the Jr., condolences Willie (Valerie) East Main St.,Homer Albemarle. (Rickey) O.A.S.I.S., Older Adult Services in Jason Efird the late Sarah Thompson, Ella Online can be made at 2001 in Monroe to the late David 1955Darlene to the lateHarward Robert Fulton and Coley Gilbert Fincher, and Larry Richard greatest joy. Burris Efird. In addition to hisThompson. Winona survived by her of Norwood, NC . A brother John Stanly County. had a happy life stanlyfuneralhome.com Austin andisJewell Delphia-Jane Helen Tucker Luther. Fincher, and one sister, BarbraShe Joyce parents, was preceded by Tony wasbe born August 11, 1947 daughter, Austin. She was alsoHinson precededand in Danny wasSkinner survived proceeded by his wife, himMoore. She is preceded inhe death by her in deathMemorials may made to Levine Dianne Martin in rich with children, a good family his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, in Stanly County to the5th late St, Pearlie husband death byRon, brothers, A.D. and Teddy Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; He is survived by hisfriends. wife, Eleanor son, Terry Gordon Huneycutt, Cancer Institute, 945 North of Greensboro; death. and good Mary Lambert, Asbury and Emmer Lee Austin; and sister, Joy Austin. Kate Fincher of theis home, daughter, Jr. and stepmother, MargotFannie NelleAlmond, Albemarle, NC.Smith 28001. grandchildren, Samuel Hinson sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and She survived by her husband Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and Smith. He was the son in law of Pat The family will receive friends Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan Cindy Fincher Jacobs of Wingate Cranford Austin. and his wife, Janelle; Charissa of 46 years, Phillip Harwood, Aileen Huskey; and brothers, Homer and Mick Cagle where he worked at from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday, Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy Linda is survived by her loving Moore and husband, Chad; five daughter Dayshel Harwood, and Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, the fish house for many years until April 10, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Grandchildren, Daniel Luther and (Tiffany) Fincher of New London husband, Terry, chosen family Bob LeFloch and Sr. of 53 years; he opened Anchor House Seafood great-grandchildren; Home of Albemarle. Thesister, funeral Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, NC., Step Children, Jimmy (Lisa) A private funeral service in Rockwell. He and his wife Becky Phyllis service will be at 11:00 am on Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Lanier of Locust NC,Kathy Wanda of (Bob) daughters: Sherry Hudson (Joe) of will be Witherspoon. his wife Albemarle, and held onClark Saturday, owned and operated Anchor House Saturday atFuneral Pleasant Hill Baptist Luther and several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric Albemarle, Angela of April New11, 2020 Hartsell Home of chosen grandchildren: Caroline at Love’s Grove United Methodist for 25 years before retiring in 2009. Church in Marshville, officiated (Sharon) Lanier of Charlotte NC., London, Karen Goodwin (Jeff) Albemarle is serving the Sherrill nephews and cousins. LeFloch, Will LeFloch, Karlee Church Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith was a charter member by Rev. John Miller and Rev. Leon Danny recently retired from Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson of New London; grandchildren: and Brody Clontz. officiated by Rev. Jim White. Burial and deacon at Open Door Baptist family. Whitley. She will lie in state for 30 Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after of Midland,Clontz Step-grandchildren, Joy Lee, Cameron Drye, Graham Online condolences may Memorials be made to will follow at the Love’s Grove United Church in Richfield. He loved the minutes prior to the service. Shebe will a dedicated 37 years and worked Zach (Brittney) Washington,may Aaron and Terry Clark, Savannah, at to www.hartsellfh.com O.A.S.I.S.,Caleb PO (Nayeli) Box 957, Albemarle, Methodist ChurchMacy, Cemetery, 4360 Lord and his family abundantly. Tonymade be laid rest in the church cemetery. there with his sons and several other (Kinsey) Washington, Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. was a wonderful husband, father, and She is survived by her beloved friends and family members. Washington, Beth (Robbie) Setzer, Mary and Maggie Goodwin; NC 28001 or The Salvation Army Survivors includeLee, son Gerald grandfather and could fix anything husband of 47 years, Paul Helms Danny loved spending time at Matthew ( of April ) Wallace, Step County at 216 great-grandchildren: Brooke Cabarrus/Stanly Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; he put his hands on. of the home; son, Alex (Deanna) his lake house with his family and great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Marley, Ashton, and Lila Drye. Patterson Avenue SE, Concord, NC daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula friends as well as vacationing with his Washington, Robert Setzer, George In lieu of flowers, memorial 28025. of Stanfield; granddaughters, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; family. Danny and Denise enjoyed (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer contributions Kelly can be made toand theLauren Efird Barbee sons Walter Smith and Robbie grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and listening to beach music and loved to Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, (Justin) Crump; and greatSmith; daughter Kayla Henderson Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, shag dance every chance they could Andrew Underwood, Step great charity of yourHartsell choice. grandsons, Ian Patrick Simmons and (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, get. He was an amazing father, loving great grandchild, Waylon George Condolences for the family Jacob Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. grandfather and great friend to Setzer and brother Donald Lewis may be offeredElliot online atSimmons. www. Memorials may be made to Love’s and Ella Henderson; brother David Memorials may be made to the many. He will never be forgotten. Fincher of Albemarle, NC. stanlyfuneralhome.com Grove United Methodist Church, PO Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum, Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park A celebration of life will be Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on Stanly Funeral andStanfield, Cremation Box 276, NC 28163-0276. Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209. announced once the current Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am Care of Albemarle is serving the Dorothy Smith (Nick). COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. at Canton Baptist Church. Anyone He is preceded in death by Hartsell Funeral Home of interested in attending, please RSVP Huneycutt family. brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Albemarle is serving the Luther at 704-796-2412. Dr. Phil McCray DON MITCHELL RUSSELL, Claudepassed Smith, Wade family. and Pastor Tommy Fincher will 78, of Locust awaySmith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris. officiate. Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in Atrium Memorial contributions can be Cabarrusmade in Concord. His funeral to Open Door Baptist Church service was at 2 Hwy PM 52, onRichfield, Friday, NC at 44563 28137 or toat Hospice & Palliative Care April 16th, 2021 Albemarle of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice First Assembly with Pastor Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Bob Gruver officiating. Burial followed in Fairview Memorial Park. The family received friends at Albemarle First Assembly on Linda Pauline Thursday evening from 6 until 8 Hatley PM. Tucker Born September 4, 1942 in INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of AULINE ELIZABETH Stanly County, NC he was the Albemarle, passed away Monday, of the late Ben C. Russel and ALMOND TUCKER, 98, son passed April 13, 2020. away peacefully at Trinity Place, Linda was born September 18, Elizabeth Burris Russell. He Albemarle, NC on April 11, 2020. 1950 in Concord to the late Jacob and was a member of Albemarle First Pauline was born on MarchAssembly 22, Claris Tucker. She was also preceded and was the owner and 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the in death by her brother, Terry Lee the operator of Rusco and Stanly late John Richard Almond and Alice Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda farming and Ada Ann Lambert Almond. Fixture. He lovedShirley Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda BAXTER LEEShe CRISCO, 59,by her threemost of all spending time with his is survived and Linda are in Heaven watching Haire Gay away Michel (Jack), family. over us and laughing. of New London,daughters, NC, passed NC; Linda was a loving mother, sister, HIRLEYby MAE his HAIRE, wife of 73, Thursday, AprilOak 15, Island, 2021 in hisPamela home.RushingHe is survived (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy and “Nana.” She was a very giving of Albemarle passed away on 25 years, Gina Russell, daughter Mr. Crisco was born September Hunt (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her and loving person. Linda would April 11, 2020 Atrium Health Beckatand husband 3, 1961 in Stanlyson, County, NC, son of Lear),Nelena Russell Chris Tucker (Chris always do anything she could for Stanly. The family will hold a private Phillip ofgraveside Chiefland, FL, son the late James Lee Crisco and Washington, DC.Peggy She will be greatly others, especially her family. She service for Mrs. Haire. missed by fiveagrandchildren, enjoyed working at FastShop #5, Jeff Russell and wife Jean Hopkins Crisco. Heher was Shirley was bornTheresa Decemberof 12, HeatherStates Rushing Chaney (Shannon), Locust. Linda will be forever loved Norwood, and daughter Pollyanne Veteran of the United Army. 1946 in Washington, DC to the Michael and greatly missed. late Charles Richard Bateman and Russell Rhodes and husband Baxter is survived byRushing, his wifeElizabeth Michel Hartzog (Craig), Jack Michel, Jr. Survivors include her son, Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman. David of Wendell, NC, a brother Ladale Hopkins(Jenn), Crisco of the home. and Woody Hunt as well as Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, of Shirley is survived by her husband Stephen Lyn Russell of Norwood, He is also survived a son, Jeffrey She Celebrate the life of your loved sevenby great-grandchildren. also Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker of 30 years Vaughn Smith of Sydney Beck,Painter Greene of Albemarle, NC. He is leaves behind cherished niecesgrandchildren: and and wife, Linda, of Midland; Albemarle; sister Sandra ones. Submit obituaries and nephews. granddaughter, Leslie Hatley; 1 Logan Beck, Piper Beck, Mitchell preceded in death by his sister Pam of Gainesville, VA; half-brother The family expresses its sincere niece; and 2 nephews. Russell and wife Meredith, Conley. Robert Bateman of Stevensville, death notices to be published in gratitude to the staff and caregivers The family will receive friends MD; step-children Heather Smith Masten Rhodes, Sarah Russell Stanly Funeral and Cremation at Trinity Place for the care they from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Thursday, SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com of Jacksonville, FL and David Rhodes and Leona Rhodes, and Care of Albemarle is serving the provided Pauline. April 16, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral Smith of New London, NC; 4 Piper Beck Crisco family. A private graveside service great-grandchildren will be Home in Albemarle. Linda will step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi and Russell, stepsons held on Monday, April 13, 2020. A Emerson be laid to rest during a private Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and celebration of Pauline’s life andSherman legacy Cheryl Greer of Banner and Hardy of Aylett,Elk VA; 16 grand- committal service at Bethel United will be held this summer. Methodist Church, Midland. Richard nieces Greerand and wife Christi nephews; and Gus of the In lieu of flowers, the familyLincolnton In lieu of flowers, please consider a dog.and Stanly Funeral and Cremation step-grandsons requests donations be made to the memorial donation to Bethel UMC, Care of Albemarle is serving the Asher, Colt, and Andon and his BrightFocus Foundation at www. 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC family. adopted Haire son Juan Carlos Jimenez brightfocus.org. 28107. and wife Rosy of Stanfield and his sons Elias, Johnny and Joel Jimenez.

Don Russell

Baxter Crisco

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

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

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

STATE & NATION

Half of US adults have received at least one COVID-19 shot The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Half of all adults in the U.S. have received at least one COVID-19 shot, the government announced Sunday, marking another milestone in the nation’s largest-ever vaccination campaign but leaving more work to do to convince skeptical Americans to roll up their sleeves. Almost 130 million people 18 or older have received at least one dose of a vaccine, or 50.4% of the total adult population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Almost 84 million adults, or about 32.5% of the population, have been fully vaccinated. The U.S. cleared the 50% mark just a day after the reported global death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3 million, according to totals compiled by Johns Hopkins University, though the actual number is believed to be significantly higher. The country’s vaccination rate, at 61.6 doses administered per 100 people, currently falls behind Israel, which leads among countries with at least 5 million people with a rate of 119.2. The U.S. also trails the United Arab Emirates,

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Chile and the United Kingdom, which is vaccinating at a rate of 62 doses per 100 people, according to Our World in Data, an online research site. The states with the highest vaccination rates have a history of voting Democratic and sup-

porting President Joe Biden in the 2020 election: New Hampshire at the top, with 71.1%, followed by New Mexico, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine, CDC data show. The demand has not been the same in many areas of Tennessee

— particularly, rural ones. Tennessee sits in the bottom four states for rates of adults getting at least one shot, at 40.8%. It’s trailed only by Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi — three other Southern states that lean Republican and voted for Donald Trump last fall. Vaccination rates do not always align with how states vote. But polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has shown trends that link political leanings and attitudes about the vaccines and other issues related to the pandemic, which has killed more than 566,000 people in the U.S. A poll conducted in late March found that 36% of Republicans said they will probably or definitely not get vaccinated, compared with 12% of Democrats. Similarly, a third of rural Americans said they were leaning against getting shots, while fewer than a fourth of people living in cities and suburbs shared that hesitancy. Overall, willingness to get vaccinated has risen, polling shows. In January, 67% of adult Americans were willing to get vaccinated or had already received at least one shot. The figure has climbed to 75%, according to the latest AP-NORC poll. Nationwide, 24% of Black Americans and 22% of Hispanic Americans say they will probably or definitely not get vaccinated, down from 41% and 34% in January, respectively. Among white Americans, 26% now say they will not get vaccinated. In Janu-

ary, that number was 31%. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said the goal is to get community figures, from athletes to clergy, to encourage vaccinations, particularly as the seven-day national average of cases remains over 60,000 new infections per day. “What we are doing is we’re trying to get, by a community core, trusted messages that anyone would feel comfortable with listening to, whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an independent or whomever you are, that you’re comfortable,” Fauci said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” Fauci also indicated Sunday that the government will likely move to resume use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine this week, possibly with restrictions or broader warnings after reports of some very rare blood clot cases. “I would be very surprised if we don’t have a resumption in some form by Friday,” he said. “I don’t really anticipate that they’re going to want it stretch it out a bit longer.” The J&J vaccine was thrown into limbo after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration said last week that they needed more evidence to decide if a handful of unusual blood clots were linked to the shot — and if so, how big the risk is. Authorities stressed that they have found no sign of clot problems with the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. — from Moderna and Pfizer.

MIKE STEWART | AP PHOTO

In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 file photo, president Donald Trump supporters cheer as Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones and Republican Congresswoman-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene embrace during a rally, at the capital in Atlanta.

Georgia governor gets GOP primary challenge By Jeff Amy The Associated Press ATLANTA — Former Democrat Vernon Jones crowd-surfed across adoring Trump supporters in October after speaking at one of the former president’s campaign rallies. Now the controversial politician hopes to surf their discontent to a Republican primary victory over Gov. Brian Kemp. Jones announced Friday that he would challenge the incumbent governor, a frequent Trump target, in 2022. “You’ve seen me stand right beside Donald Trump, just like you. I have done more as a conservative fighting side by side for you and for our elections, and for America first, then the governor and all those RINOs combined,” Jones said. The former legislator faces plenty of obstacles to mounting a campaign capable of toppling a sitting governor. But his bid ensures, at the least, that Kemp will continue facing questions about his refusal to

help Trump overturn President Joe Biden’s narrow election victory in Georgia. Jones was a state representative on the outs with his party when he shot to prominence in Republican circles as an African American Democrat who endorsed Trump’s reelection campaign. He’s doubled down since then in support of Trump’s concerns of election fraud. Jones, 60, served multiple terms in the Georgia House, sandwiching a troubled turn in charge of Atlanta’s suburban DeKalb County, before proclaiming himself a Republican in January as his last term expired. “I have left the plantation,” he declared when he switched parties. Last week, he tweeted that Kemp “still hasn’t discontinued the use of Dominion voting machines in the state of Georgia. I’ll do it on Day One.” Jones said his platform includes school choice, support for police, low taxes, less regulation and environmental conservation. And because he’s black, like Stacey Abrams, he

said he can do better against the potential 2022 Democratic nominee if she challenges Kemp again. “We are fed a false narrative based on race-baiting, identity politics and propaganda fed to the masses,” Jones said. Jones has posted video and pictures of himself interacting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. But it’s unclear whether Trump will support him. As DeKalb executive, Jones faced investigations of an expensive security detail, and a woman accused Jones of raping her in late 2004. She dropped the charges, but never recanted. Jones said they had a consensual sexual encounter. Jones oversaw hundreds of millions in capital projects as CEO, but a special grand jury later alleged he was part of an endemic culture of “incompetence, patronage, fraud and cronyism.” He later lost races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and county sheriff. “Vernon Jones has historically been a very effective campaign-

er, so you can’t underestimate him,” said state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, a Democrat from Decatur who has long tangled with Jones. “However the likelihood of him running an honest and well-respected administration with competent staffers is remote.” Those close to Kemp acknowledge the anger among some conservatives, but they see Jones as an ideal primary challenger — able to generate an attention-getting primary campaign, but lacking the established high profile of, say, former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, who has topped the wish list of Trump supporters. Kemp’s strategy will be “to remind grassroots activists that he’s been a champion for life, for economic growth and opportunity, expanding access to health and now leading the fight against cancel culture,” said Ryan Mahoney, his top campaign consultant. Fending off Jones could help Kemp raise more money and shore up his standing among Republicans

ahead of a rematch against Abrams, who can raise money nationwide and won’t likely face significant opposition from Democrats. Kemp’s first test has begun, with county Republican parties holding annual conventions. At least 10 local party committees voted to condemn Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger or both. A Kemp aide focused on how few counties out of 159 have formally condemned the governor, saying he’s “grateful” for grassroots support and looks forward to a primary campaign where he can tout his “successful record.” A Raffensperger aide did not respond to a request for comment. “I’m disappointed in Kemp, and I’d absolutely consider someone else,” said Ruth Anne Tatum, a retired Alpharetta schoolteacher who was among the scores of first-time delegates to attend the Fulton County convention. If there’s anything that could stitch the internal GOP fissures, it could be Democrats nominating voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams for a rematch of 2018. At the Fulton convention, Abrams name flowed from the stage perhaps more than any Republican.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 30 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

Twin City Herald

CHARLIE RIEDEL | AP PHOTO

Troops to leave Afghanistan by Sept. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler Hitter stands by the transfer cases of Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro of Coral Springs, Fla., right, and Army Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez of Aberdeen, N.C., left, as they wait to be lowered from a cargo plane after arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Oct. 8, 2012. According to the Department of Defense, Schiro and Marquez died in Afghanistan. Last week, President Biden announced that he would bring all troops home from Afghanistan by September 11 of this year, ending America’s involvement in the conflict after 20 years and four presidents.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Fish falls onto a trucker’s windshield Randolph County A truck was rolling down a highway when its windshield was struck by a fish. The unlucky fish had been caught by a bird and dropped from the sky, southeast of High Point where Interstate 73 crosses Randleman Lake in Randolph County. Video above the truck’s windshield shows the moment when bird flies by and drops the fish. The video lacks sound, so it’s unclear how the driver reacted. But the truck can be seen pulling to the side of the highway with a layer of slush on its windshield. AP

Fire damages Kernersville auto repair shop Forsyth County A fire damaged Beck’s Frame & Alignment Automotive Repair on Sunday. Crews from the Kernersville Fire Department and departments from Colfax, Piney Grove and Forsyth County responded just before noon. The fire started in a repair bay and was contained in 20 minutes without spreading to other areas of the business. One person suffered smoke inhalation but all other employees were able to escape without injury. WFMY

Road rehab to begin in Davidson County Davidson County More than 28 miles of Davidson County roadways will be revamped thanks to a contract recently awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation. The projects call for milling, resurfacing and shoulder grading along 18 sections of secondary roads. The work will begin in May and is expected to be complete by late October 2022. Drivers should be cautious as crews mobilize on local secondary roads in the coming weeks and anticipate lane closures associated with the work. TCH STAFF

Area high schools return to four-day a week instruction Upper grades follow elementary school plan TCH staff AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL and high school students are returning to school for four days this week as the upper grades in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools join the elementary schools on expanded in-person learning. The district has been slowly working students back into in-person learning after being forced to go to all remote learning a year ago, due to the pandemic. After starting this school year in remote learning, the districts have been reopening the doors in phases. While students still have the op-

“In-person learning is what’s best for most students.“ WS/FCS school superintendent Tricia McManus tion of remaining all-remote, students who wished to return to in-person school were welcomed back in cohorts, with each group of students rotating through in-person learning, before returning to remote when each other cohort had its turn in the building. Cohorts were eliminated for fourth and fifth grades in March, and students in area elementary schools began attending four days a

week—Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays—Wednesdays remained a remote learning day for everyone. At the same time, middle and high schools saw the number of cohorts reduced from four to two, increasing the time each student spent learning on school grounds. Now area middle and high schools are following the elementary lead. Students returned to the building on Monday, following the four-day plan, with Wednesday as a flexible remote day. “I feel we are ready to give our students the option to be back in school as much as possible,” said superintendent Tricia McManus in a statement released by the district. “In-person learning is what’s best for most students. If they want

to learn in-person four days a week, now they can. However, if parents still have concerns and want their students to continue learning remotely, they can continue with the remote learning option for the remainder of this year.” Floors and seats in school buildings are marked to aid students, faculty and staff in maintaining distances of six feet in halls, lunch and break rooms and other areas where people may congregate. Non-essential visitors to school buildings will be limited, and staff members will monitor arrival and dismissal of students to maintain social distancing during those periods where bottlenecks may occur. Self-service food and beverage distribution will be halted, with students receiving pre-packaged food in the lunchrooms. Physical education classes will limit the use of shared equipment, and large gatherings such as assemblies, performances and field trips will be discontinued. The district estimates that 62 percent of students will return to in-person learning.

Raca becomes second Demon Deacon ever drafted in WNBA Serbian forward selected by L.A. Sparks TCH staff FORWARD IVANA RACA continued to make Wake Forest women’s basketball history, becoming just the second Demon Deacon selected in the WNBA Draft. Raca was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the fourth pick in the third round, No. 28 overall. She is the first Wake Forest women’s player to be selected since 2015, when Dearica Hamby was taken sixth overall. Hamby has won WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year each of the last two seasons. “Wow, dreams do come true,” Raca tweeted after learning of her new professional home. Raca, a 6-foot-1 forward from Belgrade, Serbia, led Wake in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 16.7 ppg and 9.0 rebounds per game, finishing in the top five in the ACC in both

categories. She was named firstteam All-ACC, becoming just the fourth Wake player in history to win that honor, joining Hamby (2013-14, 2014-15), Tracy Connor (1995-96) and Jen Hoover (Mitchell) (1989-90). As a junior, she was second-team All-ACC and first-team All-Tournament. Raca finished ninth in Wake history in points scored and tenth in rebounds. She had 10 double-doubles as a senior and finished in the top six in Wake’s career list in that category as well. Raca’s father, Dragan, has coached professionally in Europe and played for the Yugoslavian national team. His mother, Branka, also played professional basketball, and her sister, Tijana, played for Wyoming before going pro in Europe. “All my family plays basketball,” Raca said before the draft. “My dad is a coach and played, and my mom played and she was my first coach, actually, and my sister played basketball. It was See RACA, page 2

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden leaves after speaking about Russia in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Biden will lift refugee cap in May By Zeke Miller The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Facing swift blowback from allies, the White House on Friday said President Joe Biden plans to lift his predecessor’s cap on refugees by next month, after initially moving only to expand the eligibility criteria for resettlements. In an emergency determination signed by Biden earlier in the day, he stated the admission of up to 15,000 refugees set by former President Donald Trump this year “remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest.” But if the cap is reached before the end of the current budget year and the emergency refugee situation persists, then a presiden-

tial determination may be issued to raise the ceiling. That set off a deluge of criticism from top Democratic allies on Capitol Hill, such as the second-ranking Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called that initial limit “unacceptable.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden is expected to increase the refugee cap by May 15, though she didn’t say by how much. Biden has been consulting with his advisers to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and Oct. 1, the end of the fiscal year, Psaki said. “Given the decimated refugee adSee REFUGEE CAP, page 4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

2 WEDNESDAY

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♦ BALES, REBECCA LYNN was arrested on a charge of LARC-SWITCH PRICETAG at 3599 PARKWAY VILLAGE CR/ STAFFORD VILLAGE BV on 4/17/2021 ♦ Barker, Carl Jackson (M/55) Arrest on chrg of Probation Violation (M), at 200 N Main St, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/19/2021 14:46. ♦ BARKSDALE, BARBARA JANE was arrested on a charge of VAND-REAL PROPERTY at 1200 NATIONAL DR on 4/16/2021 ♦ BARRETT, KEEFREM TREVAUGHN was arrested on a charge of OFA-FTA-BREAKING OR ENTERING at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/16/2021 ♦ Benge, Christopher Matthew (M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Drugsmfg Sched Ii (F), 2) Drugs-mfg Sched Ii (F), 3) Maintain Vehicle (F), and 4) Attempt & Conspiracy (F), at 6200 Towncenter Dr, Clemmons, NC, on 4/17/2021 16:40. ♦ Boles, Andy Thomas (M/22) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M), 2) Breaking/entermisd (M), and 3) Resisting Arrest (M), at 4220 Oakridge Place Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/17/2021 10:49. ♦ CAGE, JEREMY JACOB was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1600 BLK HOPE LN on 4/18/2021 ♦ CANNADY, BRONELL ERVIN was arrested on a charge of PROBATION VIOLATION at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/16/2021 ♦ CASTREJON, ASCENCION was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 3099 N

GOP trustbusters are embracing progressives’ agenda IT’S NOT TOO OFTEN that Republicans embrace the agenda of leftist Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. But it’s happening. Sen. Josh Hawley, the young Republican senator from Missouri, has introduced a bill in Congress entitled: “Trustbusting for the Twenty-First Century Act.” It may be the most dangerous bill to our economy from a Republican in ages. It would reduce American competitiveness, cost millions of jobs, penalize companies for growing and being profitable, kill funding for small-business startups, and empower unprecedented new regulatory powers to the deep state lawyers and bureaucrats in Washington. Hawley is no fan of the politics of Big Tech — who is? — so he wants to put new teeth into antitrust laws that were birthed during America’s first “Progressive Era” over a century ago. His bill would 1) ban mergers and acquisitions by firms with a market cap over $100 billion; 2) change the standard of “’monopolistic” behavior from causing “consumer harm” to one that emphasizes “the protection of competition”; and 3) greatly expand the power of federal regulatory agencies to rein in domestic firms in the hightech sector. Hawley, who has a background as a lawyer, defends his bill by saying, “This country and this government shouldn’t be run by a few megacorporations.” The Republican Party “has got to become the party of trustbusting once again.” Yikes. That’s like saying we should bring back smallpox. Trustbusting is based on the century-old leftist fairy tale that America had been taken over by rapacious “robber barons.” Economist Burt Folsom has exploded these progressive lies in his classic book “The Myth of The Robber Barons,” which shows definitively that J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Andrew Mellon, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt and John D. Rockefeller were anything BUT villains who raped consumers with their monopolistic behavior and “stockpiles of wealth.” They were the captains of whole new life-changing industries. The left disparaged the prosperity from the “Gilded Age” when these titans of industry helped convert America into

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the unrivaled industrial superpower that it became in the 20th century. They were heroes who built or supplied the railroads, steel and aluminum, our modern financial system, oil and gas, and the automotive industry, to name a few. Monopolies were supposedly evil because they used their market power and domination to gouge consumers with ever-rising prices. But then, as now, in every industry that was supposedly controlled by monopolists, prices fell rapidly; energy prices, transportation prices, financial services, cars and mass consumer items became affordable to the middle classes for the first time in world history. Now Hawley is echoing liberal Democrats in his charge that America’s total dominance in the trillion-dollar high-tech industries — Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and the like — “hasn’t been a success for the consumer.” Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sergey Brin — villains. Really? In our lifetimes, the cost of cellphones has fallen by 95%; the cost of the internet has fallen by 98%; the cost of internet transactions has fallen by more than 80%. Globalization has moved more than 1 billion people out of poverty. How are these companies “gouging” consumers? A cellphone 30 years ago was clunky and expensive; a cellphone today costs $300 from Apple and has 100 times the capabilities and computing power. It’s the greatest bargain in history, except for a Google search — which is free. I’m not defending the behavior of companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google that discriminate against conservatives with their business practices and political interventions. In too many instances, these companies have muzzled conservative opinions and voices. But, as Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio notes, “Antitrust laws aren’t the right remedy for political attacks on free speech.” No advocate of free enterprise should ever invoke the Sherman and Clayton antitrust laws to expand the size and scope of government and to bash entrepreneurs whose “crimes” are to build better mouse traps at lower costs. That is what capitalism is all about. America has come to dominate the tech world and hold at bay China, Japan and the European Union — all of which want to replace us as globally dominant. Break up Apple, Google or Amazon and the big winner will be Beijing, as they seek to win the race for artificial intelligence, robotics and 5G networks. All Republicans should reject the comeback of progressive antitrust assaults against our free market system. If Hawley wants to break up monopolies, his efforts would be much better spent trying to break up the government school monopoly. Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economic consultant with FreedomWorks.

DEATH NOTICES PATTERSON AV/E THIRTY-THIRD ST on 4/16/2021

ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 2800 PIEDMONT CR on 4/18/2021

PETERS CREEK PW/W FIRST ST on 4/17/2021

♦ CLARK, AARON JERMAINE was arrested on a charge of B&EVEHICLE at 1530 E TWENTYFIFTH ST on 4/15/2021

♦ HERNANDEZDAMIEN, JONATHAN was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/19/2021

♦ MOFFITT, DANIEL JOSEPH was arrested on a charge of P/W/I/ S/D SCHED I at 620 E SPRAGUE ST on 4/16/2021

♦ Dratwick, John Paul (M/34) Arrest on chrg of Kidnapping (F), at 130 Pinelawn Dr, Kernersville, NC, on 4/19/2021 15:20. ♦ Finley, Andrew Adrian (M/39) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi (M), at Murray Rd/pembrose Forest Dr, Winston Salem, NC, on 4/17/2021 13:54. ♦ GAITAN RAMOS, TRACY MICHELLE was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/LARCFELONY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/16/2021 ♦ GAUSE, BRITTNEY KEEONA was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 5070 OLIVER STATION LN on 4/15/2021 ♦ GILLESPIE, CLAUDE EDWARD was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 100 W FIFTH ST on 4/17/2021 ♦ GRAHAM, ALEXUS ANN was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS SCHED II at 800 PETERS CREEK PW on 4/15/2021 ♦ HAIRSTON, RODERICK LORENZO was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 1400 W NORTHWEST BV on 4/17/2021 ♦ HARDIN, JOHNNY MACK was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 2203 SUNDERLAND RD on 4/18/2021 ♦ HARVEY, BRIANA INEZ was arrested on a charge of AFFRAY at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/16/2021 ♦ HAYES, CARDELL RUSSELL was arrested on a charge of

RACA from page 1

“Wow, dreams do come true,” Raca tweeted after learning of her new professional home.

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OPINION | STEPHEN MOORE

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ AUTERY, PEGGY PALMER was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 719 COLISEUM DR on 4/17/2021

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great to just have someone to give you advice after a game.” Raca became just the fifth player ever from Serbia to be chosen in the WNBA Draft (Jelena Milovanovic, 2009, 24th overall; Sonja Petrovic, 2009, 26th overall; Sarah Krnjic, 2011, 35th overall; Dragana Stankovic, 2015, 30th overall). Raca is also the first player selected in the

♦ Hill, Anthony E (M/60) Arrest on chrg of 1) Breaking/larc-felony (F), 2) B&e-prep/poss Tool (F), 3) Drugs-poss Sched I (F), 4) Drug Paraphernalia (M), and 5) Fugitive (F), at 5766 Merry Dale Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/17/2021 18:46.

♦ Price, Kenneth Mitchell (M/23) Arrest on chrg of Fugitive (F), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/14/2021 11:31. ♦ SAPP, WILLIAM ROSCOE was arrested on a charge of PROBATION VIOLATION at 414 N CHERRY ST on 4/16/2021

♦ JACKSON, STEPHEN LEROY was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 921 HIGHLAND AV on 4/19/2021

♦ SMITH, KEINO SHANTEZ was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 2015 ROW ST on 4/19/2021

♦ JOHNSON, DWIGHT JEROME was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 1409 DOUGLAS ST on 4/17/2021

♦ Smith, Shanna Marie (F/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larcenyfelony (F), 2) Probation Violation (F), 3) Probation Violation (F), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (F), and 5) Fail To Appear/compl (F), at 1550 Effie Ln, Walkertown, NC, on 4/15/2021 18:30.

♦ JOHNSON, RONALD LAMAR was arrested on a charge of ADW - INFLICT INJURY at 401 E 32ND ST on 4/18/2021 ♦ JUSTICE, JACOB was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 1235 SILAS CREEK PW on 4/16/2021 ♦ LEE, LLOYD ANTHONY was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 3500 HARTFORD ST on 4/19/2021 ♦ Long, Levi Alexander (M/18) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larcenyfelony (F) and 2) Conspiracy To Commit A Felony (F), at Sb 52/ bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/19/2021 12:34. ♦ MENDOZA VILLATORO, ROBERTO was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 2026 S HAWTHORNE RD on 4/17/2021

♦ TILLEY, MANDY RANEE was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS SCHED II at 2437 PATRIA ST on 4/19/2021 ♦ Torres Perez, Jesus (M/32) Arrest on chrg of Contempt Of Court (M), at 5036 Lake Morris Rd, Walkertown, NC, on 4/19/2021 15:12. ♦ VILLEGAS, OSCAR JR was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT - STRANGULATION at 2725 URBAN ST on 4/17/2021 ♦ WEAKS, DONALD OCTAVIS was arrested on a charge of P/W/ I/S/D MARIJUANA at 1209 S MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR/S RESEARCH PW on 4/15/2021

♦ William “Bill” Stanley Banzhof, Jr., 95, of Winston-Salem, died April 15, 2021. ♦ Rodney Dean Cook, 77, of Winston-Salem, died April 17, 2021. ♦ Shirley Gray Fulp Crews, 86, of Forsyth County, died April 14, 2021. ♦ Constance “Connie” Davis, 96, of WinstonSalem, died April 18, 2021. ♦ Rev. Max Taylor Furr, 81, of Guilford County, died April 17, 2021. ♦ Billie Jean Sergent Greene, 73, of Kernersville, died April 14, 2021. ♦ Claire Shaw Gunter, 86, of Clemmons, died April 16, 2021. ♦ Wanda Lewis Jackson, 79, died April 14, 2021. ♦ Annette Lutz Lance, 86, died April 16, 2021. ♦ Annette Johnson Marsh, 90, of Winston-Salem, died April 17, 2021. ♦ Thomas Eli Quick, 79, of Walkertown, died April 15, 2021. ♦ John Clark Schmitt, 57, of Clemmons, died April 14, 2021.

♦ MIDKIFF, PATRICK JUDSON was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 100

draft to be born in the country of Cyprus. The Sparks are rebuilding after losing Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray to free agency. Raca was one of five players drafted by Los Angeles, a group that included former UNC standout Stephanie Watts. Even with the offseason roster turnover, Raca may face an uphill battle to make the roster. “It’s really difficult to find a spot

♦ Gerald Edward Aneskewich, 81, of Davie County, died April 16, 2021.

in this league and stick,” Los Angeles coach Derek Fisher said. “Coming off 2020, last year with the draft where players that got drafted didn’t get an opportunity to go to training camp and earn a spot … it will be difficult for every player who was drafted tonight to stay with the team.” Training camps open around April 25 and the season starts on May 14.

♦ Clementine Odessa Battle Shaw, 81, of Forsyth County, died April 15, 2021. ♦ Teresa Beasley Tyndall, 64, of Walnut Cove, died April 15, 2021. ♦ Maggie “Inez” Howard Watkins, 91, of Clemmons, died April 16, 2021.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

SPORTS

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SIDELINE REPORT NFL

NBA

Rockets say guard Brown was attacked, injured in Miami Miami The Houston Rockets say that guard Sterling Brown was assaulted by unknown individuals after the team arrived in Miami late Sunday night, suffering cuts to his face. Brown was not playing Monday against the Heat, though the team said that was because of a recent knee injury that has kept him out for a total of five games and not the altercation. The team did not divulge any other details. It was not immediately known if any incident reports were filed with police. The NBA said it was gathering information on the incident and was hopeful that Brown makes a full recovery.

COLLEGE SPORTS

POKER

STEVE HELBER | AP PHOTO

Alex Bowman crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Richmond.

Bowman denies Hamlin with late move at Richmond The win was the first for the No. 48 team in nearly four years By Hank Kurz Jr. The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Another week, another agonizing loss for Denny Hamlin. And this time it was to Alex Bowman, who came from nowhere with 10 laps to go at Richmond Raceway to put the No. 48 Chevrolet in victory lane for the first time in nearly four years. Bowman won for the third time in his career Sunday and denied Hamlin a win in a race he had dominated to become the eighth winner in nine Cup races this season. He dedicated the victory to

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Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 21, 2021

STATE & NATION

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C. with a rate of 119.2. The U.S. also trails the United Arab Emirates, Chile and the United Kingdom, which is vaccinating at a rate of 62 doses per 100 people, according to Our World in Data, an online research site. The states with the highest vaccination rates have a history of voting Democratic and supporting President Joe Biden in the

GOP White House hopefuls move forward as Trump considers run By Jill Colvin The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Less than three months after former President Donald Trump left the White House, the race to succeed him atop the Republican Party is already beginning. Trump’s former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has launched an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries, and he has signed a contract with Fox News Channel. Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, has started a political advocacy group, finalized a book deal and later this month will give his first speech since leaving office in South Carolina. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been courting donors, including in Trump’s backyard, with a prominent speaking slot before the former president at a GOP fundraising retreat dinner this month at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida resort where Trump now lives. Trump ended his presidency with such a firm grip on Republican voters that party leaders fretted he would freeze the field of potential 2024 candidates, delaying preparations as he teased another run. Instead, many Republicans with national ambitions are openly laying the groundwork for

campaigns as Trump continues to mull his own plans. They’re raising money, making hires and working to bolster their name recognition. The moves reflect both the fervor in the party to reclaim the White House and the reality that mounting a modern presidential campaign is a yearslong endeavor. “They’re going to do the things they need to do if he decides not to run.” said Michael Steel, a Republican strategist. Trump, at least for now, is giving them plenty of leeway, convinced they pose little threat to his own ambitions. “It’s a free country. Folks can do what they want,” Trump adviser Jason Miller said in response to the moves. “But,” he added, “if President Trump does decide to run in 2024, the nomination will be his if you’re paying any attention to public polling of Republican voters.” Polling does indeed show that Trump remains a commanding figure among GOP voters, despite his loss in November to Democrat Joe Biden. Republican leaders, including those who may hope to someday succeed him, have been careful to tend to his ego and make clear they have no plans to challenge his standing. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, the chairman of the National Repub-

2020 election: New Hampshire at the top, with 71.1%, followed by New Mexico, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine, CDC data show. The demand has not been the same in many areas of Tennessee — particularly, rural ones. Tennessee sits in the bottom four states for rates of adults getting at least one shot, at 40.8%.

lican Senatorial Committee, last weekend awarded Trump a new “Champion for Freedom Award.” A day later, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, considered a top-tier 2024 candidate, told The Associated Press that she will sit out the race if Trump runs again. “I would not run if President Trump ran, and I would talk to him about it,” she said. Many Republicans acknowledge Trump would leap to the front of the pack if he chooses to mount a bid to become the only president other than Grover Cleveland to serve two nonconsecutive terms. Still, there is deep skepticism in many corners of the party that Trump will run again. In the meantime, other could-be-candidates are making moves. Jeff Kaufmann, the chair of the Iowa Republican party, said the activity in his state has begun even earlier this year than in the past two election cycles, with every candidate on his potential 2024 list having already visited or thinking of visiting the first state on the GOP nominating calendar. Pompeo, arguably the most aggressive to date, is among those who have already spent time in Iowa, as well as New Hampshire. DeSantis, who is up for reelection next year, recently hired a top Republican strategist who served as executive director of the Republican Governors Association. Regardless of Trump’s ultimate decision, his critics and acolytes alike say they see the future of the party as dependent on maintaining their appeal to Trump voters, while at the same time winning back the suburban voters who abandoned them last fall.

It’s trailed only by Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi — three other Southern states that lean Republican and voted for Donald Trump last fall. Vaccination rates do not always align with how states vote. But polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has shown trends that link political leanings and attitudes about the vaccines and other issues related to the pandemic, which has killed more than 566,000 people in the U.S. A poll conducted in late March found that 36% of Republicans said they will probably or definitely not get vaccinated, compared with 12% of Democrats. Similarly, a third of rural Americans said they were leaning against getting shots, while fewer than a fourth of people living in cities and suburbs shared that hesitancy. Overall, willingness to get vaccinated has risen, polling shows. In January, 67% of adult Americans were willing to get vaccinated or had already received at least one shot. The figure has climbed to 75%, according to the latest AP-NORC poll. Nationwide, 24% of Black Americans and 22% of Hispanic Americans say they will probably or definitely not get vaccinated, down from 41% and 34% in January, respectively. Among white Americans, 26% now say they will not get vaccinated. In January, that number was 31%. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s

top infectious disease expert, said the goal is to get community figures, from athletes to clergy, to encourage vaccinations, particularly as the seven-day national average of cases remains over 60,000 new infections per day. “What we are doing is we’re trying to get, by a community core, trusted messages that anyone would feel comfortable with listening to, whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an independent or whomever you are, that you’re comfortable,” Fauci said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” Fauci also indicated Sunday that the government will likely move to resume use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine this week, possibly with restrictions or broader warnings after reports of some very rare blood clot cases. “I would be very surprised if we don’t have a resumption in some form by Friday,” he said. “I don’t really anticipate that they’re going to want it stretch it out a bit longer.” The J&J vaccine was thrown into limbo after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration said last week that they needed more evidence to decide if a handful of unusual blood clots were linked to the shot — and if so, how big the risk is. Authorities stressed that they have found no sign of clot problems with the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. — from Moderna and Pfizer.

REFUGEE CAP from page 1

admissions to 62,500, but no presidential determination followed. The law does not require congressional approval and past presidents have issued such presidential determinations that set the cap on refugee admissions shortly after the notification to Congress. New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Biden in a letter that his inaction “undermines your declared purpose to reverse your predecessor’s refugee policies.” Menendez said it also makes it unlikely that the program can hit its target next budget year of 125,000, which Biden has pledged to do. Refugee resettlement agencies said it was important that admissions go higher even if it’s not possible to meet the target to send a message that America will be a leader again in offering safe haven to the world’s oppressed. Under Biden’s new allocation, 7,000 slots are reserved for refugees from Africa, 1,000 from East Asia, 1,500 from Europe and Central Asia, 3,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 1,500 from the Near East and South Asia. A reserve of about 1,000 slots can be used as needed. The State Department, which coordinates flights with resettlement agencies, booked 715 refugees to come to the United States with the anticipation that Biden would have acted by March, but those flights were canceled since the refugees were not eligible under Trump’s rules, according to resettlement agencies. Trump limited most spots to people fleeing religious persecution, Iraqis who have assisted U.S. forces there, and people from Central America’s Northern Triangle.

missions program we inherited,” she said it’s now “unlikely” Biden will be able to boost that number to 62,500, as he had proposed in his plan to Congress two months ago. But Biden, she said, was urged by advisers to “take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today’s order did that.” The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trump’s restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum had accused the president of bowing to political pressure that has been mounting over the record pace of unaccompanied migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies, tweeted that keeping Trump’s cap “reflects Team Biden’s awareness that the border flood will cause record midterm losses.” The White House indicated the border situation was partly why Biden had not acted before now, even though migrants at the border do not go through the same vetting process as refugees. “It is a factor,” said Psaki, noting that the Office of Refugee Resettlement “has personnel working on both issues and so we have to ensure that there is capacity and ability to manage both.” Since the fiscal year began last Oct. 1, just over 2,000 refugees have been resettled in the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress on Feb. 12 of a plan to raise the ceiling on