North State Journal Vol. 7, Issue 7

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 7

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

|

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022

President Biden to visit Greensboro Thursday Greensboro President Joe Biden will travel to Greensboro on Thursday, April 14, according to an advisory from the White House.

The visit is expected to discuss his administration’s efforts to increase manufacturing and rebuild supply chains in America.

Biden’s visit comes as US inflation soared 8.5% over past 12 months, the biggest spike since December 1981.

NSJ STAFF

Mask rule for planes and trains still up in the air Dallas The Biden administration is facing the decision over how much longer will airline travelers and subway riders have to wear face masks in the next few days.

The federal mandate to wear a mask on planes and public transportation is due to expire April 18.

It’s been extended several times before, but pressure is growing from the airline industry and others to do away with it now.

“The American people have seen through the false logic that COVID-19 only exists on airplanes and public transportation,” Republicans on the House and Senate transportation committees said Friday in a letter to the administration.

AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump smiles as he speaks at a rally Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Selma.

Budd powers to front of Republican US Senate primary

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

United State pulls nonemergency staff from Shanghai amid COVID surge Beijing The U.S. has ordered nonemergency government staff to leave Shanghai, which is under a tight lockdown to contain a COVID-19 surge.

Many residents in the city of 26 million have been confined to their homes for up to three weeks as China maintains its “zero-COVID” strategy of handling outbreaks.

But people living under the restrictions have described an increasingly desperate situation, with families unable to leave their homes or obtain food and daily necessities, while people who test positive for the coronavirus have been forced into mass quarantine centers.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Biden urges Modi not to step up Indian use of Russian oil Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden asked India’s Narendra Modi not to accelerate the buying of Russian oil as the U.S. and other nations try to cut off Moscow’s energy income following the invasion of Ukraine. The Indian prime minister made no public commitment to refrain from Russian oil, a source of tension with the U.S. Meeting by video call, Biden told Modi that the U.S. could help India diversify its sources of energy, according to press secretary Jen Psaki. Even though India receives little of its oil from Russia, it stepped up recently with a major purchase as other democracies are trying to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Shapiro brings ‘facts, not feelings’ to UNC Greensboro UNCG’s Young America’s Foundation chapter hosted event despite protests across campus

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal GREENSBORO — Officials at UNC Greensboro estimated around 2,000 people lined up on April 11 to see conservative firebrand Ben Shapiro give a talk titled “Men Cannot Become Women” in his trademark “facts, not feelings” style.

The event was hosted by UNC Greensboro’s (UNCG) chapter of the Young America’s Foundation (YAF) and is part of the organization’s Fred and Lynda Allen Lecture Series. The 38-year-old Shapiro is currently the editor emeritus at The Daily Wire, which he co-founded with friend Jeremy Boreing, and has worked exclusively with YAF to give lectures on almost 60 college campuses to date.

UNCG YAF chapter founder and Chair Negar Jadidi gave some opening remarks, including noting their chapter was founded in the “fall of 2020 at the peak of COVID.” “A huge thank you to the leftists, who despite their efforts to kick us off campus, gave us free publicity and helped bring Ben Shapiro to UNCG,” Jadidi said in her remarks, referencing an incident in February of this year when UNCG’s YAF chapter came under attack for posting a photo of Sha-

piro with a quote.

The quote read “Men cannot become women. Women cannot become men. Men who believe they are women are not real women.” Following the posting, some students at UNCG began a petition in an unsuccessful attempt to force the school to disband the YAF chapter.

After being introduced by Jadidi, Shapiro started by acknowledging the reaction the statement “men cannot become women” and that officials at UNCG were holding a “comfort event” at the same time as his lecture called “Celebrating Queer.”

After YAF announced the Shapiro event, administrators at UNCG scheduled “Celebrating Queer” at a venue just blocks away. Information related to the event said its main co-hosts were the school’s Dean of Students office, Campus Activities and Programs, and Office of Intercultural Engagement.

“Frankly, I think I deserve a lot of credit for getting free food and a live DJ for these folks,” said Shapiro, referring to the “Celebrating Queer” event. “So never say I’ve never done anything for the LGBTQIA plus minus, divided by sign, percentage sign, ampersand, tilde community.”

According to YAF, Assistant Dean of Students Brian Daniels confirmed his office’s participation. YAF says Daniels pushed back on “Celebrating Queer” a “counter event,” and instead See SHAPIRO, page A2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A.P. DILLON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Daily Wire editor-in-chief Ben Shapiro speaks at a Young America’s Foundation event hosted at UNC Greensboro on April 11, 2022.

SELMA — Ted Budd has drawn on racing analogies in his campaign for the U.S. Senate. His announcement video featured a Monster Truck titled the “Liberal Agenda Crusher” and his grassroots volunteers are called his “pit crew.” In that vein, his recent run to the top of the field could be considered having a setup for the long run – a strategy NASCAR greats such as David Pearson and Mark Martin used to win dozens of races.

In the past two weeks, four polls in the race have all have shown Budd now leading the Republican primary. The polls counter a media narrative that Budd had been struggling against former Gov. Pat McCrory.

Two weeks ago, the North Carolina Values Coalition released a poll showing him ahead by three points. Subsequently, the organization endorsed Budd.

“The GOP primary is now a two-man race, and the choice is between a Republican who barely See BUDD, page A2

Cooper appoints Blackburn to fill vacated NC State Board of Education seat

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Last month, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper quietly filled the state Board of Education seat vacated by former member Todd Chasteen in February.

No press release was issued by the governor at the time of the appointment of John Blackburn to Chasteen’s Northwest region seat which happened sometime in March.

It was not until media outlets asked about the appointment on April 6 that Cooper’s office issued a statement with an extensive list of appointments to boards and commissions in the state. Blackburn’s appointment appears about halfway down the list.

“John M. Blackburn of Linville as the 7th Education District Representative. Blackburn was the President and General Manager of Linville Resorts, Inc. He serves as chair of the Linville Foundation and Linville Volunteer Fire Department Trust. Blackburn previously served on the Appalachian State University’s Board of Trustees,” reads the brief excerpt from Cooper’s press release.

As of this report, the website created by Cooper for transparency in board and commission appointments has not been updated to reflect Chasteen’s departure or Blackburn’s appointment.

An official from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction said they were unaware of the appointment until North State Journal reached out to the department to ask about it. Similarly, no mention of Blackburn’s appointment was made at last month’s State Board of Education meeting.

During opening remarks at the April 6 meeting of the state Board of Education, Chairman Eric Davis announced the board would “soon welcome the addi-

tion of our newest board member, John Blackburn, who will join us at our next meeting,” adding that Blackburn “may be participating online” at their current meeting.

According to the state Board of Education’s member bio list, “Mr. Blackburn was appointed in March 2022 to serve the remaining time on a term vacated. He volunteers in a variety of different organizations. Mr. Blackburn enjoys reading, hiking, travel & service to the community. He has received many awards for his See BOE, page A2

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A2 WEDNESDAY

4.13.22 #329

“Variety Vacationland” 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 Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday

by North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

THE WORD: EVERY DAY AN EASTER Easter comes in the calendar only once in a year—but for the Christian, every day is an Easter. Each morning we should rise to newness of life. In midwinter we do not need to wait for the coming of springtime, to get the lessons of Eastertide. Christ arose once for all and the glory of his victory shines everywhere, and the power of his resurrection is felt wherever he is known and loved and followed.

Easter ought to leave in every Christian heart—new inspirations, a new uplift, new revealing of hope. It ought to be easier for us to live nobly and victoriously after we have enjoyed another Easter with its great lessons. A wave of comfort should roll over the world, as the day bears everywhere its news of resurrection. Death has been conquered. A grave is no longer a hopelessly sealed prison—its doors have been broken. This is the message which Easter carries to every home of sorrow, to every lonely, bereft heart.

But that is not the whole meaning of the Easter lesson. Perhaps we narrow it too much. We keep its comfort for the days when death is in our home, when we are standing beside the graves of our loved ones. It tells us that what to our blinded eyes seems death—is life; and that the grave is but a little chamber of peace where our dear godly one shall sleep until the morning.

But the lesson reaches out and covers all life. It sheds a glory over every sorrow. It whispers hope in every experience of loss. It tells of victory, not only over death—but over everything in which men seem to suffer defeat, over all grief, pain, and trial. Jesus himself stated the great principle of the resurrection victory when he said, “Except a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies—it abides by itself alone; but if it dies—it bears much fruit.”

The dropping of the grain into the earth, to perish there, is not misfortune, not the wasting, the losing, the perishing, of the grain; it is but the way by which it reaches its full development and comes to its greatest fruitfulness.

The little parable had its first interpretation in the death of Christ himself. Dying would be no misfortune for him; it was but the way to the higher, larger life into which it would introduce him.

Life is always double. There is an outer form in which it presents itself to our senses; and there is an inner spirit which is the vital quality. But this inner, spiritual, immortal element—can be found only through the dying of the outer and temporary form. The golden grain must be buried in service or sacrifice of love—that from its grave may rise that which is unseen and eternal!

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

J.R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

BOE from page A1

SHAPIRO from page A1

service in North Carolina.” The bio states his term will expire in March 2023.

Blackburn, a registered Democrat from Avery County, currently sits on the Board of Trustees at Appalachian State University with a term that expires in 2023.

North State Journal broke the story of Chasteen’s departure on Feb. 8 of this year.

Chasteen’s resignation was effective Feb. 1, and in his resignation letter obtained by North State Journal, he cited the controversial updates to the state’s Social Studies Standards which were passed in the early 2021 and a “trajectory away from education and towards activism” by the current board.

called it “alternative programming.”

During his remarks, Shapiro went on to tackle the issue of what is biological sex, the definition of sex, gender identity, and the idea gender is a social construct.

“This Cartesian idea that you can be a woman in a man’s body because your gender is separate from your sex is, again, not supportable at any level,” Shapiro said.

He also took aim at President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court Justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson who had failed to answer the basic question of what a woman is, instead claiming she couldn’t define the term because she was not “a biologist.”

One or two hecklers shouted out during Shapiro’s remarks, with one person shouting “F**k you!” several times before being escorted out. Shapiro laughed and retorted that “F**k you is not an argument” and “no thanks, I’m not interested.”

One UNCG student who got to ask a question boasted about being a “mathematician” and “physicist” and recently winning a prestigious National Science

PHOTO VIA THE N.C. BOE

John Blackburn

Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship award. The fellowship, which is NSF says is “oldest graduate fellowship of its kind,” spans five years, including three years of an annual stipend of $34,000 and a “cost of education allowance” of $12,000 paid to the institution.

A search of the awardee list located four UNCG students but only one individual, Quentin Hosea Merritt, matched the questioner’s description and received an award in “Physics and Astronomy - Quantum Information Science” for 2022.

North State Journal reached out to UNCG for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. Additionally, the Twitter account for UNCG’s Physics Department limited who can see their tweets after our reporter questioned them about Merritt.

After boasting about his award, Merritt told Shapiro he “you sound like a Bozo, bro,” and then made a vulgar attack on the sex life of Shapiro and his wife which drew loud boos from the audience.

“The nice thing about having several small children is that I don’t feel the necessity to have my masculinity challenged by

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Entombment of Christ” by Caravaggio (circa 1602) is a painting in the collection of the Vatican.

someone like you,” Shapiro said in response.

Merritt claimed the idea of being “gender binary” is part of a “western colonialist framework of gender” and continued to argue that he was correct because he is a “mathematician and physicist.”

“As a mathematician and physicist, what in the hell do you know about human biology that allows you to deny it?” responded Shapiro. “And frankly, I would ask another question, if your logic is so flawed as a mathematician and a physicist, I would suggest that whichever institution gave you an award – revoke it immediately.”

Shapiro went on to take a number of questions and covered topics from abortion to climate change.

One question touched on the media pushing radical ideologies and a “tipping point coming,” to which Shapiro agreed and the crowd roared with applause when he mentioned the example of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the parental rights bill passed in the state which has drawn attacks from Disney.

“I think people who are pushing this politically and in the media are not seeing the blow-

BUDD from page A1 tolerates pro-life, pro-family evangelicals and Catholics in the conservative movement because he needs their votes, and a Republican who has attended seminary and believes in and actively advocates for policies that back the pro-life, pro-family biblical worldview of Christians,” the group’s executive director, Tami Fitzerald, said in a statement.

Within the last two weeks, three separate public polls all showed Budd with a double-digit lead.

A poll from Emerson College and The Hill found Budd with 38%, followed by McCrory at 22% Mark Walker at 9%. 23% of the respondents were undecided.

Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling noted, “Budd and McCrory are evenly split with 31% apiece among suburban voters; however, rural voters break for Budd 42% to McCrory’s 11%.”

Club for Growth Action, the PAC which has boosted Budd with millions in outside spending, released its own poll in the race last Wednesday. That poll showed Budd breaking 40% in the race with 31% for McCrory. Walker placed third with 11% and Marjorie K. Eastman earned 3% of the vote with just 11% undecided.

The Club for Growth was pleased with the result.

“It’s clear that Ted Budd has taken the lead and voters recognize Pat McCrory is an anti-Trump RINO. President Trump’s rally will boost Budd’s momentum and remind voters that Budd is a principled

COURTESY PHOTO

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate (N.C.) Ted Budd, left, shakes hands with former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, during a rally Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Selma. and proven conservative endorsed

by Club for Growth PAC and President Trump, while Pat McCrory has spent his entire career siding with liberals,” said the organization’s president, David McIntosh, in a statement.

The Emerson College poll also included a general election preview with each of the candidates. Budd performed the best against expected Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley.

Budd led Beasley 50% to 43%

and McCrory trailed, losing 43% to 41%.

The latest result, released by Raleigh TV station WRAL on Monday, had Budd leading with 33% to McCrory’s 23% and a third of the voters saying they were undecided.

McCrory told the station We don’t think it’s double digits,” McCrory said. “The independent vote is going to help determine this election. We think this election is going to be a dead heat.”

The wave of polling boosted

Budd heading into this past weekend’s Johnston County rally with Budd’s biggest backer, former President Donald Trump.

Thousands turned out to The Farm at 95, in Selma, to see the former president and several other invited speakers including U.S. Reps. Dan Bishop (NC-09), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), and Greg Murphy (NC-03). Another speaker at the rally was Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who formally gave his support to Budd in the race.

back that’s coming,” said Shapiro. “Honestly, I have never seen anything like it - A political party and the media literally create an interest group out of parents.

That’s insane politics.”

He went on to add “there are 63.9 million people” in the United States with a child and that turning them into a voting block is the “greatest form of political insanity” he’s ever seen.

Shapiro also weighed in on the possibility of former President Trump running again in 2024.

He said he thinks there’s a “poor chance” Biden is reelected, he sees “no one on the Democrat’s bench” and called Vice President Harris the “worst politician” he’s ever seen.

“Kamala Harris makes Hillary Clinton look like the apex of human charm,” Shapiro said.

“The biggest mistake Republicans can make, frankly, is to renominate President Trump in 2024,” said Shapiro. “I think it’s a mistake.”

Shapiro went on to elaborate, saying that Trump is an “established figure” and “whoever the referendum is on in 2024 loses.” The crowd cheered when he mentioned getting “new blood” in the race, specifically Florida’s DeSantis.

“If Republicans do not win the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina, it is a guarantee that Democrats will remain in control of the Senate.

I feel that I have an obligation to do everything in power to ensure that we not only elect a Republican who can beat Cheri Beasley, but also stand firm on conservative values.

That is why I’m giving my full endorsement to Ted Budd,” said Robinson.

Robinson’s political consultant, Conrad Pogorzelski III, said the endorsement marked the end of the race.

On stage, Trump touted Budd as an “unrelenting champion” for North Carolina values.

“Ted Budd really is an unrelenting champion for your North Carolina values and for America First.

Ted’s been a ferocious opponent of deadly sanctuary cities right here in your state,” said Trump. “He fought strongly against the Democrats unscientific COVID lockdowns and school closures, which were absolutely hurting your children so badly. And he has shown he will stand up to the RINOs. Ted is a fantastic man and he’ll defend your borders.

He will be tough as hell on crime.”

Trump then brought Budd on the stage, with the three-term Congressman saying, he was ready to help make America great again “now more than ever” after the last year a half of the Biden administration.

“Joe Biden’s America is woke and broke and we can’t back down, the fight starts now. Let’s go win this for our country,” Budd said to cheers from the crowd.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Court of Appeals unanimously vacates suit challenging municipal charter school law; cites lack of standing

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — A North Carolina Court of Appeals three-judge panel has ruled that plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a municipal charter school law had no standing to bring the case and has vacated a previous ruling blocking its dismissal.

The opinion, authored by Judge Jeffrey Carpenter, vacated a ruling

by Wake County Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier who last year ruled against dismissing the case.

The Court of Appeals ruling was unanimous, with Judges Valerie Zachary and Allegra Collins concurring.

“We grant Defendants’ petition for writ of certiorari because they have shown merit and that error was probably committed in the superior court,” the ruling states. “We hold Plaintiffs have failed to include allegations in their complaint demonstrating they were directly injured, or are likely to suffer a direct injury, as a result of HB 514’s enforcement.

Accordingly, we vacate the Order because the trial court was without jurisdiction to enter it.”

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, an organization aiding the plaintiffs, “emphasized that Tuesday’s ruling focused on the legal standing to sue, rather than the challenge of the actual law,” according to the

“It is maddening that an organization founded to expand opportunities for black Americans invests its resources into limiting charter schools in communities desperate for options.”

Dr. Terry Stoops Associated Press.

“This lawsuit is part of the NAACP’s shameful assault on parental choice programs that offer enormous benefits to black children in Mecklenburg County and beyond,” John Locke Foundation Director of the Center for Effective Education Dr. Terry Stoops told North State Journal.

“Last year, seven out of 10 black students enrolled in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools failed to reach proficiency on state reading, science and math tests,” said Stoops. “It is maddening that an organization founded to expand opportunities for black Americans invests its resources into limiting charter schools in communities desperate for options.”

The case, N.C. State Conference of the NAACP v. the State of North Carolina, challenged a 2018 law that allowed for the creation of municipal charter schools in certain townships within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district (CMS).

Plaintiffs had alleged the law was unconstitutional, would spur racial segregation in the district public schools, and that new school options would “siphon” money from CMS. The district is the second largest in the state with around 140,000 students.

House Bill 514 was passed during the 2017 legislative session and became law in 2018. The bill did not require Gov. Roy Cooper’s signature to become law since it was designated as a local bill. The law granted the townships of Cornelius, Huntersville, Matthews and Mint Hill the ability to apply to the state Board of Education to open charter schools and granted priority enrollment to students in those towns.

None of the four towns officially applied to the state to open a charter school, which was noted by Carpenter as one of the reasons the panel concluded “there can be no direct injury or immediate threat of injury.”

The townships may have been waiting for a resolution of the lawsuit before pursuing the path to opening a charter school.

A3

Local Government Commissions letter to Spring Lake over compliance, transparency concerns

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Local Government Commission (LGC) voted unanimously on April 5 to issue a letter to the mayor of Spring Lake and its Board of Aldermen over concerns involving a lack of compliance with state laws and reluctance to work with LGC staff.

According to a press release by the N.C. State Treasurer’s Office, the LGC’s vote came after discussions of a $1 million loan Spring Lake secured to build a fire station without getting the approval of the LGC. Additionally, the LGC discussed a “lack of invoices” from the town attorney related to services provided for the 2022 fiscal year to date.

“The lack of transparency and inadvisable governance issues that are occurring in Spring Lake are disturbing,” said State Treasurer and LGC Chair Dale Folwell in the press release. “The fact they are continuing even after a scathing state audit that found more than a half-million dollars in wrongful and questionable spending, as well as dozens of town-owned vehicles that are unaccounted for, is even more flagrant.”

The letter to Spring Lake’s mayor and aldermen has an April 13 response date and a list of concern areas that include the following issues: Compliance with North Carolina Open Meeting Laws — The town board dismissed an interim manager and swore in a new interim manager without a required public vote for either action. No required public vote on the manager’s contract was taken.

Compliance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act — The current interim manager was sworn in without a contract in place, meaning no payments can be made for services. The board has discussed lifting an employee furlough the town put in place as a cost-saving measure. The board does not have the legal authority to unilaterally make that decision because the LGC controls the town’s financial affairs.

Willingness to work collaboratively with LGC staff — The LGC is asking for answers to the status of town attorney Jonathan Charleston, who submitted a 30-day notice of resignation on March 23. Those include whether the board officially accepted the resignation, if so the date the contract will terminate, if not the date the board will accept the resignation, and what plans the board has and what steps it will take to obtain legal representation. The letter notes the board voted at its March 28 meeting to refuse to allow an LGC staff presentation dealing with the town’s financial affairs. Understanding town financial challenges is a key fiduciary responsibility.

Spring Lake’s finance issues have been on the radar of the LGC for the better part of a year.

Last Oct. 5, the LGC voted unanimously to take over Spring Lake’s finances. At the time of that vote, the town was close to defaulting on $221,385 in debt-service payments.

Spring Lake’s fiscal issues continued when N.C. State Auditor Beth Wood’s office published a report late last month that found more than $430,000 in taxpayer funds were spent for personal use in the town of Spring Lake.

Wake County Schools’ new proposal would extend terms, stagger elections Board approves $2.1 billion proposed operating budget AP PHOTO

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at the Paley Center in New York, Oct. 25, 2019.

Zuckerberg money won’t be in next round of aid for elections The Associated Press DENVER — The nonprofit that distributed most of the $350 million in donations from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to election offices in 2020 said Monday that it won’t disburse similar donations this year after backlash from conservatives suspicious that the contributions tilted the outcome of the presidential race toward Joe Biden.

Instead, the Center for Technology and Civic Life is launching a different program. Dubbed the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, the $80-million, five-year effort is intended to create a network for the nation’s thousands of local election officials, who can apply for aid to improve their technology and processes.

“Unfortunately, years of underinvestment means many local election departments often have limited capacity and training. The U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence is bringing together worldclass partners so that local election officials no longer have to go it alone,” said Tiana Epps-Johnson, CTCL’s executive director, who was scheduled to announce the new program at the TED2022 conference.

The 2020 effort by Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, amid the COVID-19 pandemic fueled conservative anger and distrust of the presidential election outcome.

At least eight GOP-controlled states passed laws last year banning private donations to election offices in reaction to Zuckerberg’s donations. Suspicion that the contributions — routinely referred

At least eight GOPcontrolled states passed laws last year banning private donations to election offices in reaction to Zuckerberg’s donations. to as “Zuckerbucks” by conservatives — helped Biden, a Democrat, has become a staple among those who believe in former President Donald Trump’s election integrity concerns.

A spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan confirmed that the couple is not funding election offices this year.

“As Mark and Priscilla made clear previously, their election infrastructure donation to help ensure that Americans could vote during the height of the pandemic was a one-time donation given the unprecedented nature of the crisis,” Ben LaBolt said. “They have no plans to repeat that donation.”

Epps-Johnson said the group saw in 2020 just how woefully underfunded many local election offices are. Elections in the U.S. are run at the local level, sometimes by a small staff of city or county workers and volunteers. One jurisdiction, CTCL said, used its 2020 grant to replace century-old election tabulation equipment, and many struggled to maintain usable websites that could provide voters information on mobile devices.

The network will work with

technology experts at Stanford University and elsewhere, Epps-Johnson said. Local election offices will be able to apply for assistance, but things will work differently than two years ago.

In 2020, election offices were scrambling to switch to mail voting as the pandemic made traditional polling places harder to maintain. Negotiations over additional money for election offices collapsed amid partisan acrimony in Washington. In late August of that year, Zuckerberg announced his donations, and CTCL swiftly distributed the funds to 2,500 election offices for a wide range of expenses, including new ballot counting equipment, pickup trucks to haul voting machines and public relations campaigns advertising new ways to cast ballots.

Conservatives were immediately skeptical. Many have long distrusted Zuckerberg, believing he uses his social media platform to help Democrats. CTCL says it is a nonpartisan group, but its founders have roots in liberal politics.

And although the grants went to conservative and liberal areas, Democratic-leaning counties received a disproportionate share of the money in battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania.

CTCL has spent much of the time since the 2020 contests pushing for greater government funding of election offices, saying that would be better than another round of private donations.

The nonprofit was encouraged

by Biden’s request for $10 billion in election funding in the federal budget he released last month.

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) Board of Education passed another resolution on April 5 that extends the length of district seats while also staggering the election of board seats.

The WCPSS board first passed a resolution on March 15 asking the Wake County’s Board of Elections to approve the school board returning to a four-year, staggered term cycle instead of the current process of the entire board being elected every two years.

The first resolution was later shot down by Wake County elections officials who indicated they couldn’t act on the measure, citing a lack of statutory authority to do so and that the board’s resolution is merely a request and not a directive.

On April 5, the WCPSS board approved a new resolution with a slight change in language in both the title and the final paragraph.

The two resolutions are otherwise identical. That resolution was approved and implemented by the Wake County Board of Elections, per Stacy Beard, the external communications director for the county.

The approved resolution changes certain seats to four-year terms in the upcoming November election. Those seats, according to the resolution, are Districts 1, 2, 7 and 9. These seats are currently held by Heather Scott (District 1), Monika Johnson-Hostler (District 2), Chris Heagarty (District 7) and Karen Carter (District 9) The remaining Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 seats “could be elected for two-year (shorter) terms since they received five-year (longer) terms under Session Law 2013110.” District 3 is currently held by Roxie Cash, District 4 is held by the newly appointed Tara Waters, District 6 is Christine Kushner and District 8 is the current board chair, Lindsay Mahaffey. District 5 is held by Jim Martin, who has said he will not run for reelection

this fall.

Going forward “all elections would be for four-year terms,” according to the approved resolution.

Continued protests of school boards around the country have resulted in candidates lining up to challenge incumbent board members, and Wake County appears to be no different. At least eight candidates so far have announced their intent to run this fall, including Wing Ng and Beatrice Setnik in District 3, Becky Lew Hobbs in District 4, Becki Allen and Lynn Edmonds in District 5, Jacob Arthur and Katie Long in District 7, Steve Bergstrom in District 8, and Michele Morrow in District 9.

Seat changes were not the only hot topic at the April 5 meeting.

The board also discussed its proposed $2.1 billion budget, with Superintendent Cathy Moore stating she intends to ask county commissioners for $600 million; $56 million or 10% above what commissioners have provided for the current year.

The majority of the $56 million increase, $35.2 million, will go toward salary increases. Teachers would get a 2.5% salary supplement boost and support staff would see a minimum pay rate of $16 an hour or a 0.5% increase.

Of her proposed operating budget, Moore said, “We have a long way to go if we are to put our students on a path to success in our new reality,” and that the work must start with “shoring up our workforce.”

Moore’s ask comes as test scores have plummeted amid pandemic learning loss and a decline in student enrollment during the pandemic. Enrollment went from 161,907 in 2019-20 to 159,066 in 2021-22. Staff predicted a slight increase in enrollment for 202223 to 159,542.

The board also approved spending $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to give child nutrition staff additional bonus pay of $1,350.

The district was allotted $431.4 million in relief funds which will need to be spent within the next two years. WCPSS staff estimate the district will have around $176.5 million left heading toward July 1 of this year.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A4

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Murphy to Manteo

Historic churches hosting Easter Sunday

NC Appeals Court grants motion to stay order allowing 55,000-plus felons to vote

Duke University Chapel

Home Moravian Church

Several of the churches listed here are older than the United States – having been established centuries ago by faithful attendees.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath is the oldest surviving church building in the state, constructed in 1734. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Old Salem, the famous Moravian community in Forsyth County, is home to the oldest sunrise service in the state – and you can read about their history in this week’s B section.

Jones & Blount

Sandy Creek Primitive Baptist Church est. 1802 Asheboro

est. 1932 Durham

est. 1771 Winston-Salem

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church est. 1867 Asheville

Harrison Methodist Church est. 1785 Pineville

Rocky River Presbyterian Church

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Court of Appeals granted lawmakers’ motion to stay an order handed down by a three-judge panel that would permit some 55,000 felons not currently incarcerated to be able to vote in any election.

“The ‘Final Judgment and Order’ entered by a divided three-judge panel of Wake County Superior Court on 28 March 2022 is hereby stayed pending this Court’s ruling on the petition for writ of supersedeas,” the Court of Appeals order reads.

According to the stay order, the state’s Board of Elections “shall not order the denial of felon voter registration applications received pursuant to the ‘Final Judgment and Order’ but shall order such applications to be held and not acted on until further order of this Court,” On March 28, a three-judge panel voted 2-1 to allow felons to vote. The order bypasses criteria in the state

est. 1734 Bath

St. Mary’s Chapel est. 1855 Raleigh

est. 1751 Rocky River

Christ Episcopal Church est. 1750 New Bern

WEST

PIEDMONT

Man sentenced for possession of child porn

Pennsylvania child swept over waterfall Jackson County A sheriff’s office says a 3-year-old Pennsylvania girl was killed after she was swept over Whitewater Falls. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that Nevaeh Jade Newswanger of Denver, Pennsylvania, had been visiting the waterfall with family, who are staying in Oconee County, South Carolina, while working in the area. Jackson County Emergency Management received a 911 call around 5:50 p.m. on Sunday from someone reporting a little girl had been swept over the edge of the falls. Her body was recovered early Monday morning.

AP

Court upholds Asheville’s removal of Vance obelisk Buncombe County Asheville’s decision to remove a monument honoring a Civil War-era governor has been upheld by the state Court of Appeals. An appeals panel unanimously affirmed Tuesday a Superior Court judge’s decision last year to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an historic preservation group. The group opposed the demolition of the obelisk honoring former Gov. Zebulon Vance in Asheville. The obelisk was dismantled but the base has remained in place pending appeals. Vance also was a U.S. senator and Confederate military officer. The obelisk is one of many Confederate statues and memorials taken down amid recent protests for racial justice.

Burke County Martin Lee McGee, 32, of Morganton, was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison for transporting child pornography.

McGee will also serve a lifetime of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

He also faces more than $40,000 in fines and other assessments. McGee was arrested in April 2020 for using Snapchat to upload child pornography. He was found in possession of more than 13,500 images.

FOX 46

College removes name of white supremacist from building

K-9 killed in shootout between deputies, hiding suspect Franklin County A sheriff’s office K-9 was killed in an exchange of gunfire between deputies and a suspect hiding in a crawl space under a home. Law enforcement responded to a report of an armed theft of a vehicle in Granville County but only found the stolen vehicle. Granville County deputies determined the suspect might be hiding in an Antioch home’s crawl space. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office helped search the crawl space. The man shot at Franklin County deputies, who returned fire. A K-9 was hit, but no one else was injured. The man crawled out and was arrested.

Drug offender found with meth while driving stolen car

EAST

Wake County A women’s college says it’s renaming a building named for a white supremacist who supported unequal funding for schools based on race. The board of trustees of Meredith College in Raleigh voted at a meeting last month to rename Joyner Hall after finding out about the background of James Yadkin Joyner. In addition to the renaming of Joyner Hall, the board endorsed placing signs with QR codes on each campus building to provide historical context about all of the individuals for whom the buildings are currently named.

AP

Carteret County Officials at a national park say a newborn wild horse will be raised as a domesticated animal after well-meaning tourists took it with them as they left. The Cape Lookout National Seashore said the foal followed a group of visitors on Shackleford Banks for two hours on March 26 with no other horses around. The visitors were worried the newborn would drown, so they lifted it into their boat and left. The tourists were cited for removing the horse, and the park says it’s working with them to assist with educational opportunities and service projects.

Sampson County Authorities are investigating a police pursuit that left two people dead. News outlets report that Sampson County sheriff’s deputies tried to perform a traffic stop on a Dodge Challenger on Saturday evening but the driver of the vehicle sped away. Authorities said the suspect vehicle was traveling at more than 100 mph when the driver lost control near Boren Brick Road. Authorities said the car ran off the road, crossed a ditch, and became airborne before striking a tree and flipping several times. The two occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

AP

AP

AP

Caldwell County Jeffrey Scott Ohmer and Destiny Nicole Miller were arrested in a traffic stop after they were found with 105.5 gramps of methamphetamine and other drugs. The seized meth had a street value of $15,750.

The Ford F-150 pickup the pair were using to transport the drugs had also been reported stolen. Both defendants were charged with trafficking meth. Ohmer also received a charge on the stolen vehicle. He already had outstanding drug warrants in two other counties in the state.

FOX 46

Mississippi man extradited in 30-year-old murder case

Sheriff’s office: Shots fired at officers in unmarked car

Surry County Authorities say a Mississippi man arrested for the murder of a woman whose body was found on an interstate 30 years ago has been extradited to North Carolina. 71-yearold Warren Luther Alexander was arrested March 15 in Diamondhead, Mississippi, as a result of a joint investigation by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI. Alexander was extradited on March 27.

Alexander is charged with murder in the 1992 death of Nona Stamey Cobb, who was 29 when her body was found in the northbound lane of Interstate 77 on the morning of July 7, 1992.

Durham County Officials say at least two people fired on law enforcement officers in an unmarked vehicle in Durham over the weekend. The Durham County sheriff’s office says two on-duty officers were observing the area near Keystone Place and Dearborn Drive on Saturday night as part of an ongoing investigation when at least two unknown males fired multiple rounds. The officers’ vehicle and nearby occupied homes were struck, but officials say no one was injured.

The shooters have not been identified.

AP

AP

Former AP reporter, editor Michael Rouse dies at 82

Trooper uses car to block wrong-way driver Johnston County Authorities say a state Patrol trooper used his car to block a wrong-way driver on an exit ramp on Interstate 40. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office called the patrol shortly after midnight to help stop a driver who was speeding more than 100 mph. In order to stop the driver being pursued, State Trooper Cody Thao parked his car at the top of the ramp near Rock Quarry Road to stop him from driving into oncoming traffic on the interstate. The driver being pursued was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries and charged with driving while impaired.

AP

constitution prohibiting felons from voting “unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.”

“This is an unrivaled attempt by judges to legislate from the bench,” Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said in a March 30 press statement. “Piece-bypiece the courts are chipping away at the legislature’s constitutional duty to set election policy in this state and seizing that authority for themselves.”

The N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has yet to act, citing an “imminent” appeal in a March 29 memo to county election officials directing them to not yet grant voter registrations for felons.

NCSBE Chairman Damon Circosta issued a statement following a closed session meeting on March 31. The statement said, in part, that “The Board voted unanimously to direct the Attorney General’s Office, the Board’s litigation counsel, to file a response as soon as possible to a pending motion to stay in that case. It will ask the court how to proceed under the trial court’s order.”

‘Squad’-backing PAC adds two NC candidates

Two dead after vehicle flees police traffic stop

Wild horse to be domesticated after tourists took it

A5

New Hanover County J. Michael “Mike” Rouse, a former Associated Press reporter who helped usher the news cooperative into the early computer age though vote tabulation and story transmission, died at 82. His son said his father died Thursday at a hospice in Wilmington, having been in failing health for several years. As an editor for the Carolinas, Rouse hired the South Carolina Education Association to have teachers in every precincts to call in the votes. He set up telephone banks in the basement of a municipal auditorium in Columbia and borrowed a computer from Richland Technical Institute.

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — A fundraising PAC once aligned with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley is now bundling donations for two NC congressional candidates.

Lead The Way 2022, which is affiliated with controversial Missouri U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, now counts former state Sen. Erica Smith, who is running for the state’s 1st Congressional District, and Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam, who is running in the 4th Congressional District.

The latest fundraising report for the PAC, which accounts for funds raised at the end of 2021, shows the group raised $230,000. Both Smith and Allam were added as co-fundraising partners after that end of year deadline.

The affiliation with Bush, which North State Journal first uncovered last summer, was noted by national political observers. Bush is a member of

AP

AP

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

ncfb.org

Justice Democrats, which advocates for a “mission-driven caucus in Congress by electing more leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, who will represent our communities in Congress and fight for bold, progressive solutions to our current crises.”

Bush is also a self-proclaimed democratic socialist and supporter of the anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement. She defeated a 10term incumbent in the 2020 Democratic primary to win her seat representing the St. Louis area.

The PAC’s bank account is set up at Amalgamated Bank, a Washington, D.C.-based bank owned by the SEIU labor union.

Other candidates now affiliated with Lead The Way 2022 include Mandela Barnes, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Wisconsin and Jessica Cisneros, who repeatedly has primaried incumbent Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and now is locked a runoff for the seat.

A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The transfer portal, NIL and the free market

No violin virtuoso was ever forced to stay in college if they were on a music scholarship.

They could go “pro” and play at Carnegie Hall the next day if they wanted and still complete their college education.

MANY ARE SAYING the transfer portal and paying college athletes NIL money for use of their name, image and likeness are the worst things to ever hit college basketball.

Despite obvious downsides, the transfer portal and NIL might wind up saving college basketball and preserve the ACC’s predominance in the process.

For the past decade, Duke fans in particular and to some extent, UNC fans, have been grousing about all of the “one-and-done” superstars who come to college for one year on their hop-skip-and-a-jump to the NBA. In reality, only a handful of superstars ever left college nationwide in any given year since 2010. When compared to the days when no superstar such as Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar); Pete Maravich or David Thompson could leave early for the NBA, the college game has been diminished exponentially.

Every team has lost a few great players to the NBA after a season or two which has really hurt teams such as Wake Forest and NC State. It is hard enough to compete with Duke and Carolina even if their stars stay four years, much less one.

If you believe in the free market, freedom of choice and equal treatment under the law, the transfer portal and NIL inadvertently might have just saved college athletics.

The transfer portal took full flight during the COVID pandemic. It ostensibly was designed to give upperclassmen the chance to move to a new team without sitting out a year under previous restrictions. What it created, along with extensions of eligibility due to the lost COVID season of 2020, was a free-for-all market for talented players such as Brady Manek (UNC) and ACC player of the year Alondes Williams (Wake Forest) who left Oklahoma and not only prospered but excelled on their new teams.

Both previously unheralded players significantly enhanced their chances to be drafted in the first round of the NBA with guaranteed contracts.

What could be more free-market American than that?

College coaches have always been able to break their contract; ditch their treasured recruits at the drop of a hat ― and a big fat new contract ― and not sit out a year. There was no symmetry to the player/coach relationship.

Now there is.

On top of the transfer portal, the NCAA now allows all athletes the

opportunity to capitalize on their fame and be paid for their “name, image or likeness” if it is plastered on jerseys, posters or TV ads. There’s already rumors of an $8 million NIL QB “fund” being formed at the University of Tennessee to offer to high school senior Arch Manning if he attends his uncle Peyton Manning’s alma mater.

While “cash payments under the table” from a booster who owned a lot of used car dealerships was considered illegal in 2021, those same payments from that very same used car dealer can front millions for a NIL fund legally for a college superstar in the future.

As one veteran lobbyist in DC used to say when he wanted a law changed: “It ain’t illegal if it is legal!”

Athletes in the past, particularly those who came from humble beginnings and backgrounds, were faced with a Hobson’s choice: stay trapped in a college program they might not like or go pro early, sign an agent; lose college eligibility and try to make some money for themselves and their family with no guarantee of making a team and getting a contract.

No violin virtuoso was ever forced to stay in college if they were on a music scholarship. They could go “pro” and play at Carnegie Hall the next day if they wanted and still complete their college education.

NIL gives the not-quite Zion Williamson-level talented player the option to stay in college; make a few thousand or even hundreds of thousands of dollars; get more experience and exposure at high-profile programs such as Duke or Carolina and not be relegated to the NBA developmental G league and play for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants where maybe 1000 people will ever see them play.

Playing in college and in March Madness with some NIL money in their pocket has to be more fun than riding the bench in the G league or overseas.

The opportunity to turn NIL into a colossal cesspool of unethical alumni booster involvement is immense and needs to be addressed. But the transfer portal when combined with NIL might be the best thing to happen to college athletics in decades.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Joe Biden’s Title 42 decision does not bode well for Democrats in 2022 midterms

Unfortunately for Biden, the decision has become his “most unpopular decision” to date.

PRETTY MUCH EVERY POLL we’ve seen over the last several months indicates things don’t look good for Democrats going into the 2022 midterm elections.

Most generic congressional ballot polls are favoring Republicans, while polls about President Joe Biden’s performance show basement-level numbers as they have since September, with his handling of the economy and inflation issues hurting him — and his party — the most.

Hispanic voters, who have been a reliable voting bloc for Democrats in prior elections, are also continuing to drift towards Republicans, a trend that began during the Trump years and which shows no signs of letting up.

What likely will add to the woes — and seal the political fates of vulnerable House and Senate Democrats come the fall elections — is Biden’s recent decision to let Title 42 expire near the end of May. Title 42 was implemented by the Trump administration at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 to limit the spread of the coronavirus from illegal immigrants who came from countries with high rates of communicable diseases. According to various news reports, some 1.7 million illegal immigrants apprehended at the border have been deported under the policy.

Open borders Democrats and their affiliated special interest groups have opposed Title 42 from the start, calling it “unnecessary” and “inhumane.” Those opinions were no doubt a driving force behind Biden’s decision to let it sunset.

Unfortunately for Biden, however, the decision has become his “most unpopular decision” to date according to a recent Morning Consult poll, which also noted that even when Biden’s approval numbers were not underwater, he still polled poorly in their surveys when it came to his handling of the southern border crisis.

“A majority of registered voters (56%) oppose the decision to remove the border controls implemented by the Trump administration, the largest backlash against a Biden administration policy among dozens tracked by Morning Consult since January 2021,” Morning Consult reported.

Only 31% of independents and 8% of Republicans supported the move.

60% of Democrats said they were okay with it.

Joe Biden’s consistently bad polling on immigration matters has caused Democrats in hotly contested races to push back on his Title 42

move, with Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.) among those expressing alarm. In particular, Warnock — who is likely to face Republican Herschel Walker in November, stated that “this is not the right time.” Walker currently leads Warnock in hypothetical polling matchups.

The decision earlier this month by Biden’s CDC to announce they felt Title 42 was no longer needed has also galvanized Republicans in border states, including Rep. Chip Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st Congressional District. He went off on Democrats during a Judiciary Committee markup last week, telling them he was “sick and tired” of Democrats “scoffing at Texas,” one of the states hit the hardest when the border surges take place.

An also fed-up Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a new policy last week he says will “help local officials whose communities are being overwhelmed by hordes of illegal immigrants who are being dropped off by the Biden administration.” Abbott signed an order directing state agencies to begin utilizing charter buses to reroute the illegal immigrants Biden keeps dumping in Texas to Washington, D.C. “We are sending them to the United States Capitol where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border,” Abbott stated as he signed the order.

Biden’s unpopularity, in general, and the low marks he’s getting on key issues like the economy and immigration portend a disastrous election year for his party. To be sure, there are still several months to go, but the writing is on the wall for Democrats who can only hope to be able to contain the damage at this point.

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 13, 2022 COLUMN | JEANETTE DORAN

What the court got wrong about felons and voting rights LAST MONTH, a trial court blocked a 50-year-old law and paved the way for roughly 55,000 felons still on probation, parole or post-release supervision to vote, unless an appeal by legislators is successful.

Two plaintiffs are Community Success Initiative and Justice Served NC, both described in their lawsuit as organizations that “work with people who find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system.”

Most folks would describe such people simply as “criminals.”

The semantic gymnastics attacking the rule of law go much further than that. Litigants aren’t the only ones doing such gymnastics.

These days, some judges could score a perfect 10.

That’s why it would take volumes to explain all the things wrong with the trial court’s decision. Let’s focus on just one — the plain language of the law.

The North Carolina Constitution provides, “No person adjudged guilty of a felony ... shall be permitted to vote unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.” That manner is prescribed by N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 13-1, which provides “any person convicted of a crime, whereby the rights of citizenship are forfeited, shall have such rights automatically restored upon . . . the unconditional discharge of ... a probationer or of a parolee.”

Under the Constitution, a felon may not vote unless their rights have been restored in the way the legislature establishes in a law.

Unfortunately, the trial court decided that the “manner prescribed by law,” Section 13-1, is not constitutional because the law does not allow people on conditional release to vote. But the statute is straightforward: when a person completes their sentence and is “unconditionally discharged,” they get back their right to vote.

People on probation, parole or post-release supervision who have various “conditions” on their release have simply not completed their sentences. Yet, the trial court decided that they should be treated like those who have completed their sentences and get the

chance to vote.

The statute blocked by the trial court does not disenfranchise felons. The North Carolina Constitution — ratified by the people — does. It is the Constitution itself that bans felons from voting unless their rights have been restored “in the manner prescribed by law.” When the Constitution states that something, like the restoration of voting rights, must be “in the manner prescribed by law,” it is an unequivocal assignment of authority to the legislature to design the appropriate process.

Ironically, the trial court’s order blocked the very statute that restores the right to vote for those felons who have completed their sentences and don’t have conditions on their release. Obviously, though, the trial court didn’t just block the law — it rewrote existing law to restore the right to vote upon “release from prison,” instead of upon “unconditional discharge.”

In doing so, the trial court exceeded its authority. As the state Supreme Court explained long ago, “When a court, in effect, constitutes itself a super-legislative body and attempts to rewrite the law according to its predilections and notions of enlightened legislation, it destroys the separation of powers and thereby upsets the delicate system of checks and balances which has heretofore formed the keystone of our constitutional government.”

All eligible voters stand to have their votes diluted by felons who are still ineligible to vote under the North Carolina Constitution.

The trial court itself recognized that its decision could have changed the results of dozens of elections where the margin of victory was appreciably smaller than the 55,000 felons the court has now allowed on the voter rolls.

Defendants in the case have appealed. They have the constitution on their side.

If only voters had the courts on the Constitution’s side…

Jeanette Doran is president and general counsel for the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law in Raleigh.

COLUMN | JORDAN MCGILLIS

EV fuel savings?

Penny-wise, pound-foolish WITH PRICES SPIKING AT THE GASOLINE PUMP, a new modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette’s (supposed) cake gaffe has emerged: “Let them drive Teslas.”

With gasoline topping $5 per gallon across much of the country, people ranging from President Joe Biden to funnyman Stephen Colbert have suggested we’d all be saving money if only we had had the foresight to purchase an electric car. Obnoxious though it may be when people are being squeezed, they present an interesting question: All costs taken into account, which is the more affordable choice, an electric vehicle (EV) or a standard internal combustion engine (ICEV) vehicle?

Conventional wisdom holds that ICE cars have the upfront cost advantage but that EVs make up for the higher price with lower fuel costs over time. It’s also widely held that EVs, with their simpler systems, have lower maintenance costs. What does the evidence tell us when we take everything into account?

Fortunately, recent analyses from Car and Driver, Consumer Reports and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Carbon Counter offer us some insight on what they call “cost of ownership,” which tallies costs including purchase price, fuel costs and maintenance costs.

On purchase price, EVs lose. Car and Driver makes the most cogent case here, showing that when we look at nearly identical EVs and ICEVs, electric cars are far more expensive. Car and Driver examined the Mini Cooper Hardtop and the Mini Electric, as well as the Hyundai Kona and the Hyundai Kona Electric, the only two models in the U.S. market that are available with both powertrains. The Mini Hardtop retails for $24,250 while the Mini Electric retails for $30,750 — a 27% jump. The figures for the Kona are even more startling. The standard version costs $21,440; the electric version costs $38,330 — about 80% more.

That huge difference means that even with the federal subsidy for buyers of the electric Kona, they’re still paying a lot more than they would for the standard version of the same car.

Consumer Reports has the most straightforward presentation on fuel costs. In this category, EVs come out on top. EVs are cheaper to charge than ICEVs are to fill up at the pump on a per-mile basis.

With electricity rates tightly regulated, it is indeed the case that EVs win in this category, particularly when gasoline prices spike.

Attempting to capture a realistic estimate of “at-home” charges and the more expensive “on-the-go” charges at public fast chargers, Consumer Reports pegs fuel savings at about $800 per year when

choosing an EV over an ICEV. On maintenance costs, EVs win as well. No engine repairs and no oil changes mean savings.

With the Mini Electric, an owner can expect maintenance over a three-year period to be about $900 cheaper than the standard Mini. For owners of the electric Kona, the savings are a smidge of $1,000 over a three-year period.

At this point, the results are mixed. By choosing the Mini Electric over the standard Mini, a buyer can basically come out even over three years when they factor in the $7,500 federal tax break. Assuming the current high gasoline prices, the Mini Electric owner probably comes out on top over a full ownership period.

With the Kona, the ICEV still wins, due to the massive upfront cost gap.

But we still need to add a key point: most people who choose EVs — including Stephen Colbert — aren’t choosing Mini or Hyundai; they’re choosing Tesla. Excluding hybrids, the $37,000 Tesla Model 3 accounted for over 60% of electric vehicles sold in 2019. The 2022 model has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more than $48,000.

According to MIT’s Carbon Counter, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus costs more than $400 per month over the course of a standard ownership period when accounting for the purchase price, fuel and maintenance. The Model 3 Long Range costs more than $500 per month and the Model 3 Performance costs almost $600 per month.

Among the many common models of ICEVs that cost less per month than the most affordable Tesla are the Honda CR-V, the Volkswagen Passat, the Chevy Trailblazer, the Honda Civic, the Nissan Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta. The mid-tier Tesla Model 3 Long Range is costlier per month than the Ford F150, the Jeep Wrangler, the Audi Q3, the Dodge Durango, and the Dodge Grand Caravan. At the higher end of the EV market, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is costlier than the Lexus ES, the BMW X1, the Cadillac CT5, and the Mercedes-Benz GLB250.

Bottom line? Smug as they may feel, EV drivers aren’t really saving money. While fuel and maintenance are slightly more affordable when driving an EV, that doesn’t make up for the gigantic difference in upfront costs.

Jordan McGillis is deputy director of policy at the Institute for Energy Research in Washington, D.C.

COLUMN | RHONDA DILLINGHAM

Say “no” to gutting the charter schools program THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION is guiding the country and our public education system down a perilous path just as our schools, families, and communities are trying to rebound after a two-year pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Education is proposing new regulations that make it harder for public charter schools to be created and sustained in communities that need them.

These regulations won’t help us “Build Back Better” — they just build backwards.

In March, the Biden Administration proposed new regulations for the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) which provides muchneeded grants to deserving, low-funded public charter schools. In fact, the Charter Schools Program is the only source of dedicated federal funding to support the growth of public charter schools.

The Biden administration needs to know that these regulations put the brakes on progress towards quality educational options for everyone and damage our public school system which includes charters and district-run schools.

I am a veteran educator with more than 20 years in the classroom, a charter school founder, and the executive director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools. We represent more than 126,000 students in the 204 public charter schools in our state — many of whom would not be in schools that serve them best without needed federal funding.

In North Carolina, the CSP monies that the Biden administration wants to restrict fund the North Carolina Advancing Charter Collaboration and Excellence for Student Success (NC ACCESS) Program which supports students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, English learners, unaccompanied youth or students experiencing homelessness, migrant students, and immigrant students. North Carolina’s public charter schools also use these funds to develop a pipeline of diverse charter school leaders who demonstrate best practices in serving educationally disadvantaged students.

Why does the Biden administration want to starve this critical pipeline?

One of the biggest problems with the new proposed regulations is that funding provided to charter schools based on their “community impact” will be decided by someone in Washington, D.C. who’s never been to your school and doesn’t know your community.

Parents and communities know what schools work best. For my two daughters, one attended a charter school that I helped found and the other went to a district-run public school. My family had that choice and I can’t stay silent when the federal government tries to take that option away from you if that’s what’s best for your child.

Another proposed regulation limits grant funding to public charter schools in communities where district-run schools are overcrowded. However, a set number of seats in a particular building in a district-run school is hardly the measure of success we should be striving for. The Biden Administration should focus its oversight on the quality of the education a student receives, regardless of what type of classroom they’re in.

There are at least 76,000 students on wait lists to enroll in NC’s public charter schools which is a clear indication that there are parents who would like the opportunity to enroll their children in charter schools where slots do not currently exist. The Biden Administration’s proposed regulations would take that choice away from thousands of families who want one thing: to find the best educational option that provides the best path of success for their child to succeed.

The regulations that the Biden administration is proposing significantly affect public charter school families because nearly half of all charter schools receive this critical CSP funding.

These families come from all corners of the political spectrum because educating our children is an all-partisan issue, as it should be. We should be helping families receive more educational options for students, not less.

Rhonda Dillingham is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools and a veteran North Carolina educator, charter school founder, and education policy advocate.

A7 COLUMN STEPHEN MOORE

Biden wants to regulate everything — even your air conditioning ONCE UPON A TIME, the mantra of the libertarian Left was “keep the government out of the bedroom.”

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi want to regulate any gadget or appliance with an electric switch that turns on in your house or your driveway.

New Department of Energy rules will dictate the amount of water that comes out of your showerhead, how much warm air comes out of your heater and how much cool air comes out of air conditioners. There is even talk about gadgets monitoring your home’s temperature in the winter and summer months.

How is any of this the government’s business?

The latest shower regulations are especially aggravating. The new water-efficient heads make you stand in the shower much longer to get wet and wash your hair because the water pressure is low. It’s a drip, drip, drip policy.

This is all reminiscent of the low-f lush toilets mandated during the Bush and Obama years. These were designed to save water, but there was so little water f low that you had to f lush two or three times. So it ended up not saving water at all.

Light bulbs, swimming pools, refrigerators and freezers are all subject to the same regulatory schemes.

Last week, the Biden regulators announced fuel efficiency requirements for cars, minivans and light trucks of 49 mpg by 2026. New cars are already more fuel-efficient than ever before, and the Trump rules had the requirement rising to 32 mpg over four years. That wasn’t enough progress for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Mayor Pete” hates any car with a combustible engine. At his press conference announcing the strict mileage rules, he assured us this would save motorists money.

But if it’s such a great financial benefit, Pete, why do you have to mandate it?

But here’s the other part of the story that the greenies won’t tell: The new rules won’t reduce pollution levels much. This is because the higher fuel standards can raise the price of a new car by $1,000 to $3,000. So to save money, families keep their older gas guzzlers on the road longer.

Congrats to the White House: Your new pollution standards may actually mean higher, not lower, tailpipe emissions.

It gets worse. The primary way auto companies comply with strict fuel standards is by making cars lighter. Get the family out of a minivan and into a Ford Fiesta.

But our friends at the Competitive Enterprise Institute note that lighter cars are more dangerous and lead to more fatalities. So the Biden administration is willing to spill more blood on the highways to save gas. What humanitarians!

The new draconian fuel standards are higher than what former President Barack Obama requested and even higher than what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency recommended. And under the rules, auto companies that fail to meet the standards can buy emission credits for tens of millions of dollars from other auto companies — like Tesla.

What’s the real goal here?

Obviously, make fuel standards so unachievable that everyone has to buy an electric car. But, of course, many low and middleincome families can’t afford the higher costs for Tesla, so they will henceforth ride on one of Pete’s electric buses.

How is this progress?

These rules are designed to save the planet, but most people just want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and they want to choose their car rather than having Biden choose for them.

If it seems like Big Brother is watching you, you’re not paranoid. He is looking over your shoulder. So keep your showers short and your air conditioner off, and stop driving around in that gas-guzzling family car.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at Freedom Works. He is also author of the new book: “Govzilla: How The Relentless Growth of Government Is Devouring Our Economy.”

A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

NATION & WORLD Ukrainian refugees wait in a gymnasium Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Tijuana, Mexico.

Discovery of radioactive liquid pauses work at US nuke dump

AP PHOTO

US speeds entry for Ukrainians as more reach Mexico border The Associated Press TIJUANA, Mexico — The United States has sharply increased the number of Ukrainians admitted to the country at the Mexican border as even more refugees fleeing the Russian invasion follow the same circuitous route.

A government recreation center in the Mexican border city of Tijuana grew to about 1,000 refugees last week, according to city officials. A canopy under which children played soccer only two days earlier was packed with people in rows of chairs and lined with bunk beds.

Tijuana has suddenly become a final stop for Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States, where they are drawn by friends and families ready to host them and are convinced the U.S. will be a more suitable haven than Europe.

Word has spread rapidly on social media that a loose volunteer coalition, largely from Slavic churches in the western United States, is guiding hundreds of refugees daily from the Tijuana airport to temporary shelters, where they wait two to four days for U.S officials to admit them on humanitarian parole. In less than two weeks, volunteers worked with

U.S. and Mexican officials to build a remarkably efficient and expanding network to provide food, security, transportation and shelter.

U.S. officials began funneling Ukrainians to a pedestrian crossing in San Diego that is temporarily closed to the public, hoping to process 578 people a day there with 24 officers, said Enrique Lucero, the city of Tijuana’s director of migrant affairs.

Vlad Fedoryshyn, a volunteer with access to a waiting list, said that the U.S. processed 620 Ukrainians over 24 hours, while about 800 others are arriving daily in Tijuana. Volunteers say the U.S. was previously admitting a few hundred Ukrainians daily.

CBP didn’t provide numbers in response to questions about operations and plans over the last two days, saying only that it has expanded facilities in San Diego to deal with humanitarian cases.

On Thursday last week, Ukrainians steadily arrived and left the bustling recreation center, wheeling large suitcases. Some wore winter coats in unseasonably warm weather.

A Tijuana camp that had held hundreds of Ukrainians near the busiest border crossing with the U.S. was dismantled. Refugees

dispersed to the recreation center, churches and hotels to wait.

The volunteers, who wear blue and yellow badges to represent the Ukrainian flag but have no group name or leader, started a waiting list on notepads and later switched to a mobile app normally used to track church attendance. Ukrainians are told to report to a U.S. border crossing as their numbers approach, a system organizers liken to waiting for a restaurant table.

At the Tijuana airport, weary travelers who enter Mexico as tourists in Mexico City or Cancun are directed to a makeshift lounge in the terminal with a sign in black marker that reads, “Only for Ukrainian Refugees.” It is the only place to register to enter the U.S. The waiting list stood at 973 families or single adults Tuesday.

“We realized we had a problem that the government wasn’t going to solve, so we solved it,” said Phil Metzger, pastor of Calvary Church in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista, where about 75 members host Ukrainian families and another 100 refugees sleep on air mattresses and pews.

Metzger, whose pastoral work has taken him to Ukraine and Hungary, calls the operation “duct tape and glue,” but refugees prefer

it to overwhelmed European countries, where millions of Ukrainians have settled.

The Biden administration has said it will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians, but Mexico is the only route producing big numbers. Appointments at U.S. consulates in Europe are scarce, and refugee resettlement takes time.

The administration set a refugee resettlement cap of 125,000 in the 12-month period that ends Sept. 30 but accepted only 8,758 by March 31, including 704 Ukrainians. In the previous year, it capped refugee resettlement at 62,500 but took only 11,411, including 803 Ukrainians.

The administration paroled more than 76,000 Afghans through U.S. airports in response to the departure of American troops last year, but nothing similar is afoot for Ukrainians. Parole, which grants temporary protection from deportation, is generally given for two years for Afghans and one year for Ukrainians.

Alerted by text message or social media, Ukrainians are summoned to the border crossing as their numbers near.

The arrival of Ukrainians comes as the Biden administration prepares for much larger numbers when pandemic-related asylum limits for all nationalities end May 23. Since March 2020, the U.S. has used Title 42 authority, named for a 1944 public health law, to suspend rights to seek asylum under U.S. law and international treaty.

Macron, Le Pen kick off French presidential runoff campaigns The Associated Press PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron declared Monday that he wants to “convince” a broad range of French voters to back his centrist vision, kicking off a twoweek battle against far-right challenger Marine Le Pen ahead of the country’s presidential runoff vote.

Le Pen, meanwhile, is ready for the fight, eager to highlight rising prices for energy and food that have hit poorer households especially hard recently as Macron has focused his efforts on seeking a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine.

The two candidates came out on top in Sunday’s first-round presidential vote, setting up an April 24 replay of their duel in 2017. Macron trounced Le Pen five years ago in the presidential runoff but all opinion polls show the leader of the National Rally is much closer this time to a potential win.

The outcome of the French presidential election will have wide international influence as Europe struggles to contain the havoc wreaked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Macron has strongly backed European Union sanctions on Russia while Le Pen has worried about their impact on French living standards. Macron also is a firm supporter of NATO and of close collaboration among the EU’s 27 members.

Macron headed Monday to an economically depressed area of northern France where a majority of voters had chosen Le Pen, close to her electoral stronghold of Henin-Beaumont.

AP PHOTO

Current French President and centrist presidential candidate for reelection Emmanuel Macron meets workers as he visits a building site in Denain, northern France, Monday, April 11, 2022.

“I’m here, and I’m determined to fight,” the 44-year-old president said during his visit to the town of Denain, adding that he has heard the concerns of people who struggle to find a job and earn more money.

“They need to be reassured,” he said.

For her part, Le Pen met with National Rally officials to plan her strategy for the runoff and visited a cereal producer in the Burgundy region to speak about rising prices and making “strong, urgent decisions to protect the purchasing power of the French.” The topic has been at the core of her campaign this year, but Macron’s team argues that, due to the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, France does not have the financial means to meet Le Pen’s campaign promises.

Macron said he wants to court those who voted for the “extremes” or opted to stay at home. He met with residents in Denain, many of whom criticized his proposed pension changes, which include raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 65.

Many of the 10 presidential candidates who were defeated in the first round Sunday encouraged voters to choose Macron in the second round, including conservative candidate Valérie Pécresse and the Green and Socialist candidates.

Pécresse warned of “the chaos that would ensue” if Le Pen was elected.

Le Pen was backed by the other far-right candidate who was defeated, former TV pundit Eric Zemmour.

On her third attempt to become

France’s first woman president, Le Pen was rewarded Sunday for her years-long effort to rebrand herself as less extreme. Macron, however, accuses Le Pen of pushing a dangerous manifesto of racist, ruinous policies. Le Pen wants to roll back some rights for Muslims, banning them from wearing headscarves in public, and drastically reduce immigration from outside Europe.

Macron and Le Pen are to debate on national television next week.

“Our focus is now on the project and the values,” said Sen. Francois Patriat, a member of Macron’s party.

Le Pen’s camp, meanwhile, is hoping to capitalize on anger at Macron over policies seen as favoring the rich.

“Now everything is possible,” said Aurélien Lopez Liguori, a councilor with Le Pen’s party in the southern city of Sete, adding that, compared with 2017, “now Macron has a record, a bad record.”

French Minister for European Affairs Clément Beaune told the AP that only five years ago “Le Pen was proposing — must not forget it — to leave the euro, to break Europe when Brexit and Frexit were trendy.”

Le Pen has dropped earlier threats to pull France out of the EU and abandon the shared euro currency if elected, but some of her proposals, including setting up a national border control, are contrary to EU rules.

With all first-round votes counted Monday, Macron had 27.8% support, Le Pen captured 23.1% and Melenchon was third with close to 22%.

Albuquerque, N.M. An area at the U.S. government’s nuclear waste repository in southeastern New Mexico was evacuated over the weekend after workers handling a shipping container discovered a small amount of radioactive liquid inside it.

There was no indication of airborne contamination and testing of workers’ hands and feet turned up no contamination after the discovery was made late Saturday in a bay where containers are processed before being taken underground for disposal, officials said in a statement issued late Saturday.

“The event at the site has been secured. There is no risk of radiological release and there is no risk to the public or the environment,” plant officials said in the statement.

Officials confirmed Monday that the shipment was packed and sent from Idaho National Laboratory, but investigators were trying to determine the source of the liquid found inside the container, said Bobby St. John, a spokesperson for the contractor that manages the repository for the federal government.

The waste containers were securely placed back into the special shipping container, St. John said.

The repository is the backbone of a multibilliondollar cleanup program that involves tons of Cold War-era waste from federal labs and defense-related sites around the country.

The waste — remnants of decades of nuclear research and bomb making — typically consists of lab coats, gloves, tools and debris contaminated with plutonium and other radioactive elements.

State regulators are weighing a permit change that some critics have said could lead to expanded repository operations. A decision is expected later this year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Democrat Finkenauer knocked off Iowa US Senate primary ballot Des Moines, Iowa An Iowa state court judge has concluded that Democrat Abby Finkenauer cannot appear on the June 7 primary ballot for U.S. Senate, potentially knocking off the candidate considered by many to be the party’s best chance to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley.

Judge Scott Beattie, a 2018 appointee of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, filed a ruling late Sunday that overturned a decision by a three-member panel of state elected officials. The panel concluded last week that Finkenauer’s campaign staffers had substantially complied with Iowa law that requires candidates to obtain 3,500 names, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties.

Finkenauer plans to appeal the decision and the Iowa Supreme Court scheduled a hearing Wednesday with a promise to rule on the matter by the end of the week to meet deadlines for sending ballots to overseas voters.

Federal fundraising data and statewide polling indicate that Grassley, who turns 89 in September, is well positioned to retain the seat he has held since 1981 for another six years.

The Des Moines Register/ Medicom Poll published in November gave Grassley a lead of 18 percentage points over Finkenauer.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scheyer adds to Duke staff, B3

HAKIM WRIGHT SR. | AP PHOTOS

LeMelo Ball and the Hornets will face the Hawks on Wednesday in Atlanta in the 9-10 game of the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.

Hornets gear up for Play-In Tournament game in Atlanta COLLEGE BASEBALL

Bomb threat delays Louisville-UNC baseball game Louisville, Ky. Louisville’s college baseball game against North Carolina was delayed more than two hours Sunday following a bomb threat made on an online forum that forced the evacuation of the Cardinals’ stadium, a school spokesman confirmed. Spokesman John Karman said the ACC contest was halted around 2:30 p.m. and 2,103 spectators were evacuated from Jim Patterson Stadium when the threat was reported to University of Louisville Police. Louisville Metro Police were notified and sent K-9 and bomb detection units to the facility to sweep, Karman added, but did not find a bomb. The game resumed at 5:10 p.m. without spectators or media with the Tar Heels leading the Cardinals 5‑1 in the top of the sixth inning. Louisville won 6‑5 in 14 innings after tying the game with a fourrun ninth.

MLS

Charlotte FC wins for 3rd time in last 4 games Charlotte Jordy Alcivar’s goal and Kristijan Kahlina’s three saves led Charlotte FC to a 1‑0 victory Sunday over Atlanta United. Alcivar’s goal came in the 11th minute to secure the win for Charlotte (3‑4‑0). Charlotte outshot United (3‑2‑1) 8‑7, with two shots on goal to three for United. Brad Guzan saved one of the two shots he faced for United. Charlotte, which has won three of its last four games, visits the New England Revolution on Saturday. Kahlina, Alcivar and coach Miguel Angel Ramirez were all named to MLS Team of the Week on Monday following the win.

Alcivar’s goal was his first since joining Charlotte FC, and the shutout was Kahlina’s second of the season.

LaMelo Ball, Hornets point guard

Tenth-seeded Charlotte has a Wednesday night matchup with the ninth-seeded Hawks

By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — For the second season in a row, a 10th-seeded Charlotte Hornets team will play in a win-or-go-home road game against a ninth-seeded opponent to keep its postseason hopes alive in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.

Last year’s 144-117 Play-In loss to the Indiana Pacers marked a crushing finale for a group that wrapped up the final stretch of the regular season skidding on fumes while riddled with injuries and shooting woes.

As they approach Wednesday night’s 7 p.m. road game with the Atlanta Hawks (43-39), the Hornets (43-39) — led by LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier — can take solace in the fact they have been playing some of their best basketball of late, riding a three-game winning streak and victories in 11 their past 15 contests into their 9-10 matchup.

“Last year, we had five straight

“This year, we got some wins at the end of the season, so I feel like this is a different vibe.”

RUSTY JONES | AP PHOTO

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) guards Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Charlotte. losses coming in — that’s bad right there. This year, we got some wins at the end of the season, so I feel like this is a different vibe,” Ball said after his team’s 124-108 home win over Washington on April 10.

While they couldn’t improve their Play-In seeding — despite a

win on the final day of the season — the Hornets’ destiny is in their hands to continue their 2021-22 campaign.

The winner between Charlotte and Atlanta will move on to challenge the loser of Tuesday’s contest between the eighth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38) and

seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets (44-38). That road matchup will be played on April 15 at an unspecified time. The victor of that game will square off with the top-seeded Miami Heat (53-29) in the first official round of the playoffs starting on April 17.

“We get a shot to keep playing basketball,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “We’ll take our chances. We play well on the road, and I like us on the road.

We’ve won in Atlanta before and we just have to go do it again. I have no idea after Wednesday night, but the opportunity to play meaningful postseason basketball is fantastic.”

Charlotte and Atlanta are no strangers to each other as they met four times during the regular season, splitting the season series 2-2.

The Hornets lost to the Hawks 115-105 in Atlanta early in the season on Nov. 20 before returning the favor in a 130-127 road win on Dec. 5. The Hawks pulled off a See HORNETS, page B3

Ahlers aims to complete ECU’s turnaround The veteran quarterback is back for a fifth season in Greenville with the hopes of competing for a conference title

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal GREENVILLE — As a youngster growing up in Greenville, Holton Ahlers’ childhood memories are filled with the experiences of football Saturdays at East Carolina.

Just not the games themselves.

“Obviously I remember all the big games, the conference championships, beating rivals and stuff like that,” he said. “But my core memories that I really cherish are growing up as the youngest of four boys, tailgating before games and throwing a football in the parking lot like we were the quarterback.”

Alhers no longer has to pretend. He’s been the Pirates’ starting quarterback since the eighth

game of his true freshman season of 2018 and is on pace to set several career passing records. He’s also been the face of ECU’s program as it’s begun to inch its way back to respectability under coach Mike Houston.

Considering all he’s accomplished and the relative anonymity in which he’s done it, Ahlers could easily have used his extra COVID year of eligibility to pack up his memories and head to the transfer portal for a higher-profile opportunity. Or even try his luck in an NFL Draft that is considered light on quarterback talent.

But his love for ECU and an unfinished rebuilding process drew the 6-foot-3, 230-pound lefthander back home.

Not that he planned on going anywhere else. That became evident last December when he chose not to be honored during the Pirates’ Senior Day ceremonies.

“I came here because I wanted to bring that culture back to football that everyone loves and

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers will return for a fifth season in Greenville hoping to help the Pirates battle for a conference title. knows,” said Ahlers, whose father is the longtime PA announcer at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. “It has been the prime goal of mine first to get us to a bowl game. And I did that last year (leading ECU to a 7-5 record). Now it’s to get us to a conference championship this year.

“That’s a big reason for coming

back, so I’m just going to continue to work hard and see where it goes. Being the quarterback here is a blessing, and I couldn’t give up another year.”

Ahlers has thrown for 8,578 yards and 59 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Pirates. A See ECU, page B4

B2

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

WEDNESDAY

4.13.22

TRENDING

Roki Sasaki: The 20-year-old right‑hander pitched the first perfect game in Japan’s major leagues in nearly 28 years, striking out 19 batters to lead the Chiba Lotte Marines to a 6-0 win over the Orix Buffaloes.

Sasaki struck out 13 consecutive batters and needed 105 pitches to complete the feat, becoming the 16th player with a complete game perfect game since Hiromi Makihara of the Central League’s Yomiuri Giants did it on May 18, 1994.

Gary Brown: The former NFL running back who rushed for 4,300 yards while playing on three teams in the 1990s before going on to coach running backs in the pro and college ranks has died at 52.

After a standout college career at Penn State, Brown played in the NFL with the Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers and New York Giants. He then went into coaching, including helping coach running backs with the Carolina Panthers in 2007 as part of the NFL’s minority coaching fellowship program.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

William Byron became the first Cup Series driver two win twice in the 2022, holding off Joey Logano and Austin Dillon in an overtime restart at Martinsville for his fifth career victory. It was also the fourth win in eight races this season for Hendrick Motorsports, which has also had defending series champion Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman reach Victory Lane. Byron led a career-best 212 laps in the win.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

“We’re gonna move on and be A-OK.” Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer on his fight with Ty Gibbs following Saturday’s race at Martinsville.

BILL KOSTROUN | AP PHOTO

GOLF

MLB

KEITH SRAKOCIC | AP PHOTO

“I think there’s going to be a complete blowup.”

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney on his belief that college sports is in for drastic change.

PRIME NUMBER

Alvin Gentry: The Sacramento Kings fired their interim coach Monday, a day after the franchise missed the playoffs for a 16th straight season. The 67-year-old Gentry was promoted from associate head coach when the Kings fired Luke Walton in November. Sacramento finished the season at 30‑52. Gentry had most recently served as head coach for the Pelicans from 2015‑20.

He has also made head coaching stops with Miami, Detroit, the Clippers and Phoenix and has a career record of 534-636.

NASCAR

3,644 Days between Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal’s third and fourth career hat tricks. Staal had three goals in Sunday’s 5-2 win over Anaheim for his first hat trick since he accomplished the feat on April 18, 2012, in a 10-3 Penguins win in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff game. Staal’s other two career hat tricks, both with Pittsburgh, came in regular season games in 2007 and 2008.

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Scottie Scheffler didn’t let becoming the No. 1 player in the world slow him down. The 25-year-old won for the fourth time in 13 events this season and claimed his first major title, taking a commanding lead after Friday’s second round and shooting a 10-under 278 to win the Masters by three strokes over Rory McIlroy.

MARK TENALLY | AP PHOTO

The Lerner family that has owned the Washington Nationals since 2006 is exploring the possibility of selling the MLB franchise. In recent years, Mark Lerner had said the family would never sell the team, which won the Word Series in 2019. Forbes has valued the team at $2 billion. The New York Mets sold for $2.4 billion in 2020.

NFL

BILL KOSTROUN | AP PHOTO

The Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Joey Slye to a two-year contract worth up to $5 million with $2 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old was a perfect 12 of 12 on field goals with Washington last season after stops in Houston and San Francisco. He played for Commanders coach Ron Rivera in 2019 with the Panthers but was let go by Carolina following the 2020 season.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B3

Scheyer looks to rebuild Duke coaching staff The new Blue Devils coach still has one opening to fill

By Shawn Krest North State Journal DUKE IS USED to offseason departures and having spots to fill. It’s just usually one-and-done players that are the ones leaving rather than assistant coaches.

The Blue Devils opened the 2022 offseason with a pair of vacancies on the staff, adding to what will already be one of the biggest transition seasons in school history.

Jon Scheyer was faced with the prospect of replacing himself as he moves from his previous associate head coach spot to take the head coaching job following the retirement of Mike Krzyzewski.

Coach K announced the end of his Hall of Fame career before the season, giving Scheyer plenty of time to prepare to move up. Before he could set about hiring his replacement as one of his first moves as the new head coach, however, the number of positions that needed filling promptly doubled.

Shortly after Duke lost to North Carolina in the Final Four, Louisville made a push to sign Nolan Smith away from the Duke staff.

A former national champion as a Duke player, Smith was lured back to the school where his father starred, winning a championship of his own in the 1980s. After one year as a Duke assistant, Smith will take over as associate head coach under new Louisville head coach Kenny Payne.

That gave Duke a pair of openings on the staff, and Chris Carrawell is the only 2021-22 assistant still working in that job as the offseason starts.

The turnover doesn’t appear to have had a major negative impact in the short run as the Blue Devils landed a pair of five-star 2023 recruits on back-to-back days in Tyrese Proctor and Mackenzie Mgbako, giving Duke four fivestars and a four-star in the 2023 class already. The Blue Devils now have three of the top 13 prospects in the class.

Scheyer also landed an eyebrow-raising addition on the coaching side, although he still hasn’t filled either assistant spot.

Mike Schrage has stepped down as head coach of Elon basketball to take a position as a special assistant to the head coach at

GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO

Mike Schrage left his head coaching job at Elon to return to Duke on new coach Jon Scheyer’s staff.

Duke. Schrage spent nine years on Duke’s staff as academic and recruiting coordinator and director of basketball operations.

“I loved being a head coach and especially at Elon, but this was an opportunity I felt I could not pass up,” said Schrage. “I am honored to be back at Duke starting this new chapter with Jon Scheyer. My experience previously with Coach K not only shaped my career in this profession but my entire life. I have believed in Jon to the fullest since I was fortunate enough to be on staff when he played. I could not be more excited to help him build on Duke’s incredible tradition of excellence while putting his own stamp on the program too.”

The move gives Scheyer someone with head coaching experience on hand — Schrage has coached Elon since 2020 and has a decade of experience as a high-level assistant at Ohio State and Stanford.

“Having learned from some of the best coaches in the game before taking on a head coaching role himself, Mike brings an un-

“I loved being a head coach and especially at Elon, but this was an opportunity I felt I could not pass up.”

Mike Schrage, Duke special assistant paralleled breadth of knowledge to our staff,” said Scheyer. “I’ve been lucky to know and trust Mike implicitly since my playing days when he was Duke’s director of basketball operations. He will have an immediate impact on our team strategy and organization.”

That still left two open spots on Duke’s staff.

Scheyer filled one Tuesday with Amile Jefferson, who spent last season as Duke’s director of player development. Smith followed a similar path to the coaching staff, serving in several noncoaching roles until a spot opened.

“Having a front-row seat for

the evolution of Amile’s career has been special,” said Scheyer. “His passion, knowledge, and ability to relate to our guys is second-tonone. He played a valuable role for our team this season, particularly in the development of our frontcourt, and this promotion allows him to make an even bigger impact in the years ahead. His experience in the NBA combined with being a national champion, three-time captain and four-time Academic All-ACC pick at Duke makes Amile an essential voice on our team.”

“I’m deeply honored and excited to be here and be a part of this team that Jon Scheyer is building,” said Jefferson. “I feel a special bond and connection to Durham, our fans and our entire Duke family. Being here means the world to me. I want to extend my appreciation to Coach K for the opportunity to begin my coaching career last year, and I’m grateful for Jon for allowing me (to) continue it.”

Steve Wojciechowski would be an option for the other spot. He had been head coach at Marquette

until a year ago and would provide Scheyer with head coaching experience on the bench. He likely had designs on succeeding Krzyzewski, however, and may not want to take his old position under the man who got that job.

That’s also an issue facing Jeff Capel, another potential addition.

He struggled at Pitt last season and reportedly held onto his job at least in part due to a prohibitively large buyout. A move to Duke could help both Capel and Pitt in a cheaper, face-saving parting. Giving up a head coaching job in the ACC is a tougher sell than leaving Elon for Duke’s staff, however.

Greg Paulus is another current college coach who might be looking for new surroundings after three losing seasons at Niagara.

There are also several former players in assistant or support roles around the country who could get the call from Scheyer, who will likely want to act fast to fill out his staff — so he can get started on the players who will inevitably be departing any time now.

NC State’s Cunane slides in WNBA Draft, goes to Seattle The Wolfpack center was selected 17th while teammate Kayla Jones was picked 22nd by Minnesota

“I know the WNBA is a very tough league to get into with the roster spots, so I was just looking forward to hearing my name called, which I did, and I’m excited to go to Seattle.”

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal ELISSA CUNANE’S nickname of “Big Smile” was tested Monday night as she sat nervously in the green room of the WNBA Draft waiting for her name to finally be called.

It took until the middle of the second round, long after she was projected, for the NC State star to finally be selected.

The 6-foot-5 center was taken by the Seattle Storm with the 17th overall pick. She was one of two Wolfpack players to be selected in the three-round draft, joining forward Kayla Jones, who went five picks later to the Minnesota Lynx.

Cunane, repping her school in a bright red suit, insisted that she came into the draft with no preconceived expectations. But if she did feel any tension as the picks continued to click off and she dropped out of the first round, it was eased by the encouragement of her college coach Wes Moore.

“Coach Moore told me that when I was going to college, some coaches that wanted me didn’t get me, some coaches that didn’t offer me regretted that later,” she said

HORNETS from page B1 113-91 win in Charlotte on Jan. 23, and the most recent matchup between the two squads was a 116106 Hornets home win on March 16.

The Hornets — not exactly known for their stingy defense the past few years — have fared well when guarding two-time All-Star Trae Young, who has emerged

Elissa Cunane

during a post-draft video conference. “So he said I’m going to go wherever I go and make whoever didn’t pick me jealous.”

If there’s an upside to Cunane’s later-than-expected selection, it’s

that she was the first player taken

by Seattle, which didn’t have a pick in the opening round.

And yet, making the roster is anything but guaranteed.

The Storm finished 21-11 and

made the WNBA playoffs last season with a star-studded roster that includes all-time great Sue Bird, 2018 league MVP Briana Stewart and first-team All-WNBA selection Jewell Lloyd.

The team also has two veteran centers in Mercedes Russell and former first-round pick Ezi Magbegor.

“I know the WNBA is a very tough league to get into with the roster spots, so I was just looking forward to hearing my name called, which I did, and I’m excited to go to Seattle,” Cunane said.

“Growing up having a dream of being in the league, I think you kind of notice that there’s only 144 (spots). I think knowing that going into tonight, I was just prepared for that.”

Cunane finished her career with

with Ball as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars at point guard. This season, Young averaged 28.4 points, 9.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game with 35.5% 3-point shooting, but against Charlotte he averaged just 20.8 points in four games.

The key for the Hornets’ defense on Wednesday will be not allowing the Hawks’ frontcourt to have their way in the paint.

Eighth-year Hawks center Clint Capela is the exact type of player who has given Charlotte fits this season. While Capela’s numbers regressed slightly this year, he still averaged 11.1 points and 11.7 rebounds while making 61.3% of his field goals.

The effectiveness of Hornets centers Mason Plumlee and Montrezl Harrell (as well as forward P.J. Washington) in defending the

paint will be as important as the matchup between Ball and Young.

The Hornets will be without forward Gordon Hayward, who is out indefinitely with continued discomfort in his left foot. The team confirmed Sunday that Hayward’s foot will be placed in a cast and reevaluated in two weeks.

“Gordon is a great guy to have on the bench and still have in the locker room helping guys out. He’s

ADAM HUNGER | AP PHOTO

NC State center Elissa Cunane, left, poses with commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected 17th overall by the Seattle Storm in Monday’s WNBA Draft in New York.

the Wolfpack as one of the most decorated players in program history, earning consensus All-Americans honors in each of her final two seasons while leading State to three straight ACC Tournament championships and the 2022 regular season crown.

She averaged 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the floor in 125 college games, ranking sixth in school history in points (1,855), fifth in rebounds (986) and seventh in double-doubles (34).

Cunane said that the biggest asset she brings to her new team is her versatility, “being able to shoot the 3, playing inside, but also my level-headedness in big moments and big games, being able to perform at high levels against great people and being a team player.”

Because of her experience with the Wolfpack, she believes she will fit right in with a franchise that has won four WNBA championships, including two of the past four in 2018 and 2020.

“I’m used to championships, as well, from the ACC,” she said “I think just going up there and learning from people that have gone all the way in the WNBA and (know) what it takes to make it throughout the playoffs, just the skill they have and the knowledge they have, I think I can bring some more skill to that team and just be able to expand it.”

a great help, a great leader and a great vet on our team,” Rozier said. “We feel like we can definitely win, you know, sneak into the playoffs.

“I know once we get in the playoffs, everybody is going to be itching because this is where the real fun is. The regular season is fine, but this is where the real competitiveness and the real fun comes from.”

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

North Carolina represented across MLB Players from North Carolina or who played collegiately in the Old North State populate several rosters as baseball season begins

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal THERE’S NO GREATER honor for a baseball pitcher than to be named his team’s opening day starter.

It’s an assignment that took on even more meaning than usual for the Baltimore Orioles’ Bruce Zimmermann on Monday.

When he took the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers, he became the first Baltimore area native to start a home opener for the Orioles in the 30-year history of Camden Yards. The 27-year-old left-hander made it an occasion to remember by throwing four shutout innings before giving way to the bullpen in his team’s 2-0 win.

“It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” Zimmermann told MLB. com before his big day. “It’ll probably be better than my (major league) debut. I really can’t put into words how excited I am for the opportunity.”

Zimmermann, a former fifthround draft pick now in his second season with the Orioles, is a product of traditional Division II power Mount Olive University.

He is one of more than 30 players with state ties to earn a spot on a major league opening day roster.

It’s a group that includes two of the highest-profile free agents to sign with new teams this spring — former NC State ace Carlos Rodon and Concord native Corey Seager.

Rodon signed a two-year, $44-million deal with the San Francisco Giants after spending his first seven seasons with the

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

Fomer Mount Olive University standout Bruce Zimmermann was the starting pitcher for the Orioles’ home opener Monday at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Chicago White Sox. His debut in the Bay Area was an impressive one. His first pitch was clocked at 97 mph and his 89th and final throw checked in at 98 mph. In between, the lefthander from Holly Springs struck out 12 in five shutout innings of a 2-1 loss to the Miami Marlins.

“Carlos was just electric,” his manager Gabe Kapler said after the game. “It was kind of inspiring in the dugout with all of the energy and enthusiasm he had delivering each pitch.”

Seager, a shortstop who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, is also off to a strong start with the Texas Rang-

ers. He had seven hits in his first 16 at-bats with four runs scored after signing a 10-year, $325 million contract that surpassed Alex Rodriguez’s $252 million deal in 2000 as the largest in team history.

Seager’s older brother Kyle, who played college ball at North Carolina, announced his retirement this winter after 11 seasons as a member of the Seattle Mariners.

Even without him, the Tar Heels boast the largest contingent of current major leaguers among state schools. There are currently six UNC players on active rosters. That includes Colorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard,

Oakland Athletics outfielder Skye Bolt, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Colin Moran, Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trent Thornton.

NC State, East Carolina and UNC Wilmington are all represented by three big leaguers.

Besides Rodon, the Wolfpack contingent consists of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner and Dodgers shortstop Trey Turner.

ECU boasts a trio of pitchers — Jharel Cotton of the Minnesota Twins, Jeff Hoffman of the Reds and Shawn Armstrong of the Marlins, while the UNCW alum-

ni group features Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Austin Warren.

Like Zimmermann, Cardinals reliever Kodi Whitley is a product of Mount Olive, the only other state school with multiple major leaguers.

Among the others representing North Carolina colleges are pitcher Marcus Stroman from Duke, a late free agent signing of the Chicago Cubs; Wake Forest first baseman Gavin Sheets of the cross-town rival White Sox; Campbell and Louisburg Junior College outfielder Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles; Appalachian State pitcher Jeffrey Springs of the Tampa Bay Rays; Western Carolina pitcher Greg Holland of the Rangers; and Belmont Abbey pitcher Emilio Pagan of the Twins.

Two of the most accomplished major leaguers from North Carolina didn’t play college ball in the state.

Pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who is in his third season with the Diamondbacks, has won 119 career games. The South Caldwell High graduate has three World Series rings to his credit as a member of the Giants and was named the MVP of the Fall Classic in 2014.

Second baseman Whit Merrifield, a product of Davie County High in Mocksville who won a national championship at South Carolina, is a two-time All-Star who has led the American League in stolen bases three times as a member of the Kansas City Royals.

Others with North Carolina ties include Twins pitchers Chris Archer (Clayton) and Bailey Ober (Huntersville), Pirates pitcher Bryce Wilson (Hillsborough), Giants pitchers Alex Wood (Charlotte) and Zack Littell (Mebane) and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (Cullowhee).

Reds second baseman Max Schrock (Raleigh) is also on the Reds roster but started the season on the 60-day injured list.

Svechnikov keeping his cool while upping his physicality The Hurricanes’ power forward is mixing skill with snarl while learning what lines he can and can’t cross

“I’ve got something to lose here. We’ve made the playoffs … and I’ve got to stay calm.”

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — Andrei Svechnikov is far from a finished product. But as the regular season approaches its end, the Hurricanes’ 22-year-old power forward looks more and more like a player ready to wreak havoc on the NHL postseason.

“He plays playoff hockey, there’s no doubt about it,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said Sunday.

That postgame comment came after Svechnikov followed a twopoint first period with a thunderous hit on Anaheim defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk in the second that ruffled the feathers of the Ducks in Carolina’s 5-2 win.

The difference between Svechnikov now and the 19-year-old rookie who was on the wrong end of a fight with Alex Ovechkin in his third career playoff game is having a better grasp of the big picture.

“I’ve got something to lose here,” Svechnikov said after Sunday’s game. “We’ve made the playoffs, and the last time I fought I broke my finger. It wasn’t good and, you know, I’ve got to stay calm.”

While his last fight — a Nov. 24 scrap with Seattle’s Vince Dunn — showcased Svechnikov’s improved pugilistic skills, both he and the Hurricanes know he can do the most damage when he’s on the ice.

“Obviously, we don’t want him in the box,” Brind’Amour said.

ECU from page B1

true dual-threat quarterback, he has also rushed for 1,084 yards and 16 scores.

Because he has nothing left to prove, Ahlers made only a token appearance during ECU’s annual Purple-Gold spring game on Saturday. He led the offense for four first half possessions before turning things over to backups Mason Garcia and Ryan Stubblefield.

Garcia was a standout in the game, which ended in a 40-40 tie using a modified scoring system that awarded points for offensive scores and first downs along with defensive accomplishments such as turnovers and third down stops.

Andrei Svechnikov

“(It’s good that) he can keep his cool when it was a clean hit and there’s some cheap shots after.”

That hasn’t always been the case for Svechnikov, who has been prone to retaliatory penalties in the past when teams got under his skin.

“He’s a guy that gets frustrated because he gets called for everything,” Brind’Amour said earlier this month while adding that Svechnikov often doesn’t get the

calls the other way.

But there’s been a noticeable evolution in Svechnikov’s game in recent months. After registering 40 hits in the season’s first 26 games, Svechnikov has been credited with 133 in the 44 games since — nearly twice as many per game.

He’s been credited with five or more hits five times this season — all Carolina wins — and has shown he can still produce points when upping the ante physically.

In his 18 games with four or more hits, he has 19 points.

Most importantly, Svechnikov has been able to stay out of the box on nights when he’s been the aggressor. In those 18 four-hit games, Svechnikov has taken just six penalties.

“I think where he’s grown is the retaliation stuff,” said defenseman Jaccob Slavin, the authority on the topic as the league’s reigning Lady Byng winner as most gentlemanly

player. “Not slashing guys as much or cross-checking guys as much when they come at him. … He’s always been a physical kid and so he’s never shied away from it.”

That showed Sunday in the aftermath of Svechnikov’s hit on Shattenkirk.

On an earlier shift, Shattenkirk slashed Svechnikov before hopping off the ice. Rather than going outside the rulebook to retaliate the next time the two were on the ice, Svechnikov lined up the Ducks defenseman and shouldered him into the boards.

When Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf later jawed at Svechnikov before a faceoff and followed that with a cross-check and a slash after the puck was dropped, Svechnikov didn’t engage.

That is until he saw an opportunity and went skate-to-skate on Getzlaf in the neutral zone, sending the Anaheim captain to the ice and into a rage that resulted in five penalties between the two teams.

Svechnikov was called for tripping but the Hurricanes came out of the melee with a power play.

“The fact that he’s staying out of the box the best he can,” Brind’Amour said with a grin, “he’s doing a better job.”

He went 23 of 35 for 239 yards, a performance offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick said was the direct result of the lessons he learned from watching Ahlers over the past two seasons.

“Anything Holton Ahlers is involved in, you’re going to be better,” Kirkpatrick said. “He’s a tremendous teammate. He’s taken an interest in the whole team and helped Mason. He’s been a great role model in the way he studies, looks at film and analyzes stuff.”

ECU wasn’t the only state school to hold its spring scrimmage on Saturday.

Young quarterbacks were also the center of attention at North Carolina, where the competition to replace star Sam Howell heated

up in a game that also ended in a tie. Jacolby Criswell completed all six of his passes for 104 yards and a touchdown while Drake Maye went 9 of 12 for 113 yards and two scores on the way to a 14-14 deadlock.

NC State, meanwhile, showed off its veteran offensive unit in a 50-7 victory by its first team, highlighted by a 355-yard, three-touchdown performance by quarterback Devin Leary.

The Wolfpack will open the 2022 season at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, where Leary will face off against Ahlers in what promises to be a high-scoring shootout.

The game will also be a showdown between teams motivated by high expectations and the dis-

appointment of having last year’s bowl games canceled because of COVID issues among their opponents.

ECU’s Military Bowl cancellation against Boston College was especially painful since it was the Pirates’ first postseason trip after seven straight losing seasons. As a reward, Houston presented his players with rings to commemorate their bowl selection following Saturday’s spring game.

It’s a gesture Ahlers said he appreciates, although he’s anything but satisfied.

“My goal was to bring back football to a bowl game,” he said.

“It’s been a five-year grind for me trying to bring this place back, but every second of it has been

worth it. This town deserves it, this school deserves it. To be part of the class that changed the culture, that brought this place back … I’ll cherish that forever.”

He’s even more appreciative of the memories and dreams last season’s success has helped to create for a new generation of young Pirate fans throwing a ball around in the parking lot before games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

“When I grew up, I put a few football players on a pedestal. I thought they were cooler than everybody else,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy to think that kids are now going up to me doing the same thing. So it’s come full circle in a way. That’s probably the coolest thing that I’ve done.”

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov has become one of hockey’s top power forwards, mixing skill with strength and toughness in his fourth NHL season.

The 3 big questions nob

A7

normal

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

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

The e eing thrown out of work.

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

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

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

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

There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able toa Perhaps If he it, questions should be asked as to the Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hospitalizati Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic.

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

According to theseasons University of Washington Institu For me, my faith is government There is 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through making.

As I celebra and honesty originated 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 sked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over and the unsanitary wet markets. administration, theand expected need for hosp plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians 1:4, whi Chernobyl. unregulated believe it Trump came of at a home economic financial means.

D fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and message offor an undetermined become a ue 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 century health, hygiene affliction, so that we biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific amount of timeexperts why models predicting hundreds of cases w hope that we13,000 willof thousands bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly and the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the co Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade.

Totalitarian are reliable.

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

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know the answ sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are celebrat choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian do. They citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions about housands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy to reopen. pushing until they win or the reflect on this concerts, family for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders delivery they find in adversaries andmessa keep the data.

StateasRepublican have, too. living inand a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatality and rate?c God’s example don’t and when reliability adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society edhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because That it determines whether certain nt such asThe the Chernobyl this difficult Th The most direct waywere to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer is, unless an exogenous they to disaster corruption. financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thosetime. ev church some services questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — S elieve that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers for a U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least half of their meltdown in 1986.

Some experts what theythe data and asking questioning when we can start getting back and many more Sponsored by ourselves, and our communities safe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Even more importantly, we have no clue how ma ation. producer of steel in the past. the world like any other modern n But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certain 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus.

Some scientists suggest China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American United States, will locate aThey call fields within the humanities. of this brings up of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of magnitude these new fields micro“grievance mill steelstudies,” plant where Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavirus senior opinion efer notscholarship to repeat. is not so much based upon number of people who have had and n intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and in the city of Lexington in st everyone has finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

Davidson County, Governor social grievances. Grievance scholars Roy Cooper bully students,announced administrators and other last week. departmentsThe intocompany adhering to their worldview. worldview will createThe at least 180 they promote is Jason neither scientific rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS jobs and investnor $350 studies of disciplines millionconsist to establish the such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, manufacturing site for COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, sexuality and critical race producing steel bar and studies.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, rebar.

Lindsay and Boghossian “Manufacturing is started submitting bogusofacademic the heartbeat North papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, Carolina’s thanks race, gender,economy, fat and sexuality studies to our skilled workers and to determine if they would pass peer “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made, let usthe re seriousness the be virus and the the of workforce training review and accepted for need publication.

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

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

Cooper.

“Nucor already Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in some of the world would prove the problem of be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. as However, as aasC a societylow simply must accept without calls North Carolina Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated though we academic standards.home and dad, the Easter holiday hasthe reminded me oftelj s us about when safefake to begin thepapers Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what government and theirit’s to Several ofdecision the research and of hopeful for, even m alcy. were accepted publication.

The Fat a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t knowhave yet”to if be thethankful process returning back in to the norm expand herefor is great for our AP PHOTO Lenten and pandemic. s, and we have journal thesupply right tochain ask those Studies published athat hoax paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government works for domestic Since when did that argued the term wasPresident Joe Biden speaks at the North me, my faith is an important part ofstay-atmy dai home orders are inour place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons Building Trades Unions (NABTU) at the Washington If heAmerica’s does decide to extend it, questions should beLegislative asked asFor toConference the questions.

And theHilton longer supports fast-growing questioning andas should be replaced in Washington, April 6, 2022. making.

As I celebrated Easter with my family, hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, justification for it.

And the answers should not be vague ones like “we country, and the stricter some ofI tr provide a economy.” with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord “com eling isolated and/or anxious about must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting at home f message of Nucor, performance.” with politicized One reviewer affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those ng for their families, will demand at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to providi said, “I thoroughly reading this headquarters in enjoyed Charlotte, hope that we will affliction, with the comfort which we ourselves ar are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined answers. article and believeaitwide has an important become a inflation this year, yet Russia’s inmanufacturers once again enjoy God.”of cases vels should be as forthcoming as they contribution to make to the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands Leaders at the local and state le vasion of Ukraine has destabilized variety of steel and steel bad thing? sporting events, If you are celebrating the and Easter season, again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” are reliable. the global energy food mar- I—urge can be with those answers and products, including “Our Struggle Is My carbon Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect on this andcould be comforted, so that ents believability. concerts, family kets message inwith waysdetails that push pricTo date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then that give their statem and alloyas steel sold as Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply to es upward.

God’sabout example andWe comfort in need arou at we can to keep our free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions shouldallallthose continue to do wh gatherings, Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was bars, beams, sheet and Deutsche Bankand lastour week be-helping o this difficult time.

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

State Republican leaders have, too. ourselves, communities s church services living in a free accepted forhollow publication

by Affilia, a plate, and section came theemerge first major financial inconfident we will out of this pandemic str cause while reasonable stay-at-home Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the data, b feminist journal for social workers. The and many more stitution to forecast a U.S. recessociety were tubing, among many this same spirit, I continue to be inspired the by y shouldpaper also have an expiration a disturbing tendency among some people to treatInthose are understandable, consisted in part of adate. rewritten But many analysts question sometimes sion. measures And Harvard University last year’s $1.9 trillion relief packafter our own other formats. is Two other supposed neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not inNucor any way, passage from Mein Kampf. simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Americans, an economist Larry Summers — a if jobs numbers will continue age, or an economy overfed by North America’s largest temporary In Concord, a high school senior named Tanner remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at includingto grow while papers were published, “The reason why you have totrying do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who Democrat and former treasury shape, or form.

So while we shoul government aid that could tip into to recycler, scrap steel “Rape and Queer Performativity a 3-D printer and plastic to make fa mfortable withCulture thisusing so-called “new sacrifices are sick. secretary noted that the U.S. a downturn.

On care the line for Demotherwise don’t if they get themselves or others the — same time we shouldn’t get co reduce historic inflation a recession when the money to buy checked. at Dog Parks.”

This paper’s subject asUrban its primary raw material. economy has gone into recession ocrats ahead of the midterm elechealth care workers out of his own home.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad normal.” over. levels economy is growing 1% is was dog-on-dog rape. But the years tions isThat whether voters first- living Nucor Steel Lexington is dog rape thing? is what freesee citizens in a free society were supposedwithin two Not oneeach littletime bit. inflapaper eventually forced Boghossian, tion eclipsed 4% and unemployhand in their lives that inflation it’s like a weakened immune estimated to produce as to do,belast I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out ment was below 5% as they are can tamed and the economy under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah much as 430,000 tons system. negative event, My first concern wewithout go along in all this,Any of course, is my family. I’m themselves.

A Wall Street Journal writer now. Stacey Matthews has also written can manage to runashot The Associated Press dState and Legal Insurrection. of rebar a year to meet had figured out what they were doing. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will.

After is a regular to Re Joe and LaVorgna, who contributor worked overheating. even a small one, is going Some papers accepted publication WASHINGTON, D.C. — The suffering increasing demand forfor the in the Trump White House and H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, Brian from Deese,the director of the to throw you off course in academic journals advocated training is now chief economist for the White House National U.S. economy faces plenty of I’ve company’s products. been trying to takeEconomic extra precautions, because all of this brings up men like dogs and punishing white male and stall speed becomes ato repeat.

Americas at Natixis, said he exCouncil, told reporters last week threats: War in Ukraine, high gro- way “We are very excited to too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not college students for historical slavery by the 3.6% unemployment rate cery bills, spiking gasoline prices, that recession.”

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone haspects economic growth this year grow our steel asking them to sitbusiness in silence on the floor in to be just below 1%, a potentially splintered supply chains, the lin- and last year’s robust growth puts here induring our home state chains class and to be expectedgering to dangerous level. pandemic and rising inter- the U.S. in a safe place compared learn fromCarolina. the discomfort. Other papers former Trump advisor Joe of North While household balance sheets to the rest of the world. est rates that slow growth. celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life are solid and unemployment low, “The core question is wheth- LaVorgna The Biden White House is betThe corridor between choice and advocated treating privately wages are not keeping up with inting the U.S. economy is strong er the strength of the U.S. econWashington, DC and conducted masturbation as a form of enough to withstand these threats, omy is now an asset or a liabilflation, which could dampen conAtlanta is oneagainst of the women. Typically, sexual violence But others see an economy that sumer spending. And supply chain but there are growing fears of a ity,” Deese said. “What we have fastest growing regions academic journal editors send submitted coming economic slump among done over the course of the last 15 could struggle to preserve growth disruptions and higher energy papers to referees for review. In voters and some Wall Street ana- months is driven a uniquely strong while reducing inflation now run- costs will be additional drags. in our out nation, and new recommending acceptance for publication, federal spending for “The reason why you have a economic recovery in the United ning at a 40-year high of 7.9%. The lysts. many reviewers gave these papers glowing The next few months will test States, which positions us unique- Federal Reserve has signaled a se- recession when the economy is infrastructure will further praise. whether President Joe Biden built ly well to deal with the challeng- ries of benchmark interest rate inincrease for rebar Politicaldemand scientist Zach Goldberg ran creases and other policies to slow See JOBS page B6 a durable recovery full of jobs with es ahead.” in the region,” Leon certain grievancesaid studies concepts through Topalian, President & Chief the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in ourof press over the years.

Executive Officer Nucor.

He foundSteel huge increases in will the usages “Nucor Lexington of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” produce steel with nearly “critical race theory” and “whiteness.”

100% recycled All of this is being content, taught to college which means our new,become primary students, many of whom and secondary school teachers modern infrastructure will who then indoctrinate our young people. better with Amazon. As part of its The Associated Press be made with the cleanest I doubt whether the coronavirusgrowth strategy, it made two acsustainable steel available caused financial crunch will give college NEW YORK — Some vendors quisitions last year. It bought Deanywhere in administrators, the world.” and university who are pop, an app that’s popular among ona Etsy say they are halting sales North Carolina the and jellyfish, crossbreed between aisparrot young people looking to buy and of their items on the site for a week the guts and backbone to restore academic number one state for sell used clothing and vintage to protest a hike in the fees the respectability.

Farin too often, they get much fashions from the early 2000s. It crafts e-commerce marketplace manufacturing the of their political support from campuscharges them. also acquired Elo7 — known as Southeast, and companies grievance people who are members of theStarting Monday, Etsy sellers the “Etsy of Brazil” for its popular like Nucor help keep on faculty and diversity andus multicultural marketplace for crafty creators. must pay a 6.5% commission on top,” said North Carolina administrative offices.

Cassidy said the protest over each transaction, up from the 5% The best hope lies with boards of in place since 2018.

Commerce Secretary fees is just the beginning. She told trustees, though serve as yes-men A protest organizer, Kristi CasMachelle Bakermany Sanders.

The Associated Press she wants to for the university president. a said thousands of Etsy sellers actually “build an equivalent of a sidy, “Our state’s workforce isI think that good start would be to find 1950s or 1960s union” for Etsy sellers and said — a fraction of the 5.3 million venalso a key reason for our catalogs. Look at the course offerings at she’s been inspired by the union dors on the site — have temporarand as our First knew how asuccess, time when college graduates organizing activity heating up at ily halted selling their items. Casinread, Talent plan forcompute, economic to write and and makesidy, who has been selling gothic such companies as Amazon and them today’s curricula. development makesAnother helpful Starbucks. and punk costumes on Etsy since AP PHOTO tool would be committed to give careful consideration “As individual crafters, makers 2007, also launched a petition that clear, we’re to eliminating all classes/majors/minors and small businesspeople, we may so far has garnered more than This Jan. 6, 2015, file photo shows an Etsy mobile credit card to providing our people containing the word “studies,” such as 50,000 signatures from buyers reader, in New York. be easy for a giant corporation like with the education and women, Asian, black or queer studies.and sellers. Roughly 20,000 are Etsy to take advantage of,” Cassispecialized I’d bet that bytraining restoringthey the traditionalsellers. Cassidy said it’s hard to esdy wrote on the online petition. academic mission to colleges, need to successfully fill they would “But as an organized front of peodon’t meet its policies. timate the exact number of sellers made through the ads. put a serious dent into the COVID-19 that have actually stopped selling “Our sellers’ success is a top pri- ple, determined to use our diverse Cassidy also said that Etsy jobs like these.” budget shortfall. needs to crack down on resellers, ority for Etsy,” she said in a state- skills and boundless creativity to on the site.

Although wages will vary win ourselves a fairer deal, Etsy people selling mass-produced ment.

Cassidy and others are also takdepending on jobisrole, Walter E. Williams a professor of ing issue with Etsy’s advertising goods that they have not designed Etsy, best known for selling won’t have such an easy time shovthe average salaryMason for allUniversity. economics at George handmade soap and jewelry, was ing us around.” policy implemented early in 2020. themselves. the new positions will be The Rhode Island-based mothRaina Moskowitz, chief operat- one of the few beneficiaries in the It requires sellers making at least $10,000 a year on Etsy and who ing officer at New York-based Etsy, pandemic as more people stayed er of two young children said she approximately $99,660. have have their products adver- said that the new fee structure will at home and either made items or has seen her income drop last year The current average wage to one third of what it was in 2019, tised on Etsy’s offsite social me- enable the company to increase sought homemade items online. in Davidson County is But it’s now under pressure to blaming in part to some of the dia and search-engine partners, to spending on marketing, customer $45,117. pay a 12% advertising fee on sales support and removing listings that ramp up its offerings to compete moves Etsy has made.

business & economy

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

Approved Logos

north STA

VISUAL VOICES

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

Biden bets strong job market will shield economy from slump

Etsy sellers protest fees by halting their sales for a week

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B6

Fed casting its inflation fight as battle against inequality The Associated Press For the week ending 4/8

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

$2,953,075,901 Add Receipts

$83,448,040 Less Disbursements

$116,485,190 Reserved Cash

$125,000,000 Unreserved Cash Balance Total

$6,457,609,150 Loan Balance:

$340.3M

JOBS from page B5 growing 1% is it’s like a weakened immune system,” LaVorgna said. “Any negative event, even a small one, is going to throw you off course and stall speed becomes a recession.”

Still, because of the strong labor market and household savings, LaVorgna also anticipates that any downturn would be mild.

So far, consumer spending has been healthy even if the public views the economy as anemic.

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe the economy is in poor shape, according to a poll last month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Yet Bank of America noted that total debit and credit card spending in March was up 11% from a year ago, and its analysts concluded households are “strong enough to weather the storm provided it doesn’t persist too long.”

There are also signs that consumers are adjusting as higher oil prices have led average gasoline costs to hit $4.15 a gallon, according to AAA. Gas costs have fallen in the past week, but they’re still up 45% from a year ago.

One consequence of higher prices is that Americans began to use less oil and gas. The U.S. consumed a daily average of 21.9 million barrels during the first full week of February; the figure fell 9% to 19.9 million barrels during the first week of April, according to the Energy Information Administration. That decline is larger than the normal seasonal dropoff in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic. Gasoline usage has dropped more than 6% during the same period.

A recent Goldman Sachs research note stood out to Biden administration officials because it suggested that job growth and pay increases would cushion the economy from higher commodity prices. Because of the strong labor market, the economy is better protected from commodity shocks than in the recessions of 1974, 1980 and 1990, as well as the 2008 financial crisis.

The White House has watched with some frustration as the public conversation about the economy has been reduced to inflation, believing that largely ignores the strength of the labor market and the idea that families are able to manage the higher prices because of the coronavirus relief provided earlier.

The administration believes that Fed rate increases as well as a drop in deficit spending this year will help to lower inflation. But the key message that the White House wants to deliver in response to public fears about the economy is that Biden understands their concerns.

The challenge, however, is that many Americans are so focused on inflation that they believe the job market — and wider economy — is weaker than it actually is.

That means the White House has to make a nuanced case in which it recognizes the economic weaknesses but repeats the low unemployment rate again, again and again so that it lodges in the public mind.

The doubts about the economy — despite the solid jobs numbers — are “a signal that we need to continue to make that case clearly and unambiguously,” said Deese.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Federal Reserve intensifies its efforts to tame high inflation, its top officials are casting their aggressive drive in a new light: As a blow against economic inequality.

That thinking marks a sharp reversal from the conventional view of the Fed’s use of interest rates. Normally, the steep rate hikes the Fed is planning for the coming months would be seen as a particular threat to disadvantaged and lower-income households. These groups are most likely to suffer if rate hikes weaken an economy, cause unemployment to rise and sometimes trigger a recession.

Instead, some of the most dovish Fed officials, who typically favor low rates to nurture the job market, are now going out of their way to point out ways in which inflation falls hardest on poorer Americans. Curbing high inflation, they argue, is a fairness issue.

The burden of high prices “is particularly great for households with more limited resources,” Lael Brainard, an influential member of the Fed’s Board of Governors and a longtime interest rate dove, said in a speech Tuesday. “That is why getting inflation down is our most important task.”

Brainard noted that food and energy together account for one-quarter of the price spikes that have driven inflation to 40year highs. Poorer Americans spend about one-fourth of their incomes on groceries and transportation, she said, while wealthier households spend less than one-tenth.

Members of Congress from both parties generally agree that the Fed must tackle the surge in inflation by steadily raising rates, which will make many consumer and business loans costlier. Indeed, most economists have said the Fed has waited too long to do so and now runs the risk of having to tighten credit too fast and derailing the economy. Last month, the Fed raised its key rate from near zero to a range of 0.25% to 0.5%.

Still, some Democrats have expressed concern that higher rates will slow hiring significantly, even while unemployment for Black workers, for example, remains higher than that for whites.

“We clearly have a long way to go when it comes to making sure everyone has a good quality job,”

AP PHOTO

Lael Brainard, President Joe Biden’s nominee to be Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve, speaks during an event in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington on Nov. 22, 2021.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said last month at a hearing on Jerome Powell’s nomination for a second four-year term as Fed chair. “Hiking up interest rates too early can depress job growth.”

Tim Duy, chief U.S. economist at SGH Macro Advisers and some other analysts say the Fed is right to highlight the damage that inflation can do to Americans’ ability to afford basic needs such as food, gas, and rent. But they also suggest that some recent Fed comments have exaggerated the notion that inflation worsens economic inequality.

Nathan Sheets, global chief economist for Citi and a former Fed economist, notes, for instance, that inflation reduces the burden of debt, which can disproportionately benefit lower-income Americans. Wages typically rise to keep up with inflation. But mortgages and other debts usually carry fixed interest rates, making them easier to pay off.

Brainard’s speech this week was one of the starker examples of the Fed’s argument that inflation can exacerbate inequality. Brainard, who has been nominated for the Fed’s No. 2 role and is part of Powell’s inner circle, said that lower-income households — defined as the poorest one-fifth — spend 77% of their income on necessi-

“We clearly have a long way to go when it comes to making sure everyone has a good quality job. Hiking up interest rates too early can depress job growth.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) ties, including food and housing.

By contrast, the richest one-fifth spend just 31% of their incomes on those categories.

Likewise, Mary Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and long a dovish voice on the Fed’s policymaking committee, surprised Fed watchers this week when she declared that “inflation is as harmful as not having a job.”

“I understand ... that if you have a job (but) you can’t pay your bills, or I feel like I can’t save for what I need to do, then that’s keeping you up at night,” Daly said in remarks to the Native American Financial Officers Association.

Brainard, in her speech, noted that poorer people often pay higher prices for the same item. Higher-income households, for example, can afford to make bulk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk won’t join Twitter’s board after all The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Billionaire Elon Musk, one of Twitter’s biggest shareholders, is reversing course and will no longer join the company’s board of directors, less than a week after being awarded a seat.

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal announced the news, which followed a weekend of Musk tweets suggesting changes to Twitter, including making the site ad-free.

Nearly 90% of Twitter’s 2021 revenue came from ads.

“Elon’s appointment to the board was to become officially effective on 4/9, but Elon shared that same morning that he would not be joining the board,” Agrawal wrote in a reposted note originally sent to Twitter employees.

“I believe this is for the best.”

Agrawal didn’t offer an explanation for Musk’s apparent decision. He said the board understood the risks of having Musk, who is now the company’s largest individual shareholder, as a member. But at the time it “believed having Elon as a fiduciary of the company, where he, like all board members, has to act in the best interests of the company and all our shareholders, was the best path forward,” he wrote.

It was just a week ago that regulatory filings revealed Musk had swiftly amassed a slightly bigger than 9% stake in the social media platform. The mercurial billionaire had been buying shares in almost daily batches starting Jan. 31. Only Vanguard Group’s suite of mutual funds and ETFs controls more Twitter shares.

AP PHOTO

Elon Musk founder, CEO, and chief engineer/designer of SpaceX speaks during a news conference after a Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket test flight at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla, Jan. 19, 2020.

Twitter quickly gave Musk a seat on the board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the company’s outstanding stock, according to a regulatory filing.

Now that Musk has backed out of the deal, he’s free to build a bigger stake in Twitter, perhaps to try to take over the company or to push for a new slate of directors to change its direction.

“If you want to take over a company, you’re usually in a better position to not be on its board,” said Harry Kraemer, clinical professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

That’s because a board member’s responsibility is to get the

best value for all the company’s shareholders.

“Going on a board has a very specific responsibility to make sure you’re not doing something in your own personal interest,” said Kraemer, also a former chairman and CEO of Baxter International.

In a regulatory filing Monday, Musk said he had “no preset plans or intentions” about how to use his influence on Twitter but that he may discuss with its board and management his thoughts on potential business combinations, strategy and other matters. He added that he may express his views “through social media or other channels.”

If Musk had taken a board

purchases or to stock up on an item when it’s being sold at a discount, thereby lowering their cost per item.

And when inflation rises, Brainard said, households that buy name-brand cereals can switch to cheaper store brands.

But poorer consumers that are already buying cheaper items can’t make an equivalent price-lowering switch.

Powell himself began shifting his rhetoric in this direction last winter during testimony to Congress, Duy said, when the Fed chair mentioned the harsh impact that inflation inflicts on disadvantaged Americans. Powell hadn’t raised that concern in previous testimony in September.

It was a notable change for the Powell Fed, which has focused on inequality in the job market more than its predecessors. In August 2020, the Fed updated its policy framework to specify that its goal of maximum employment was “broad and inclusive.”

This meant the Fed would consider unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic workers, rather than just headline figures, in setting its interest rate policies. The central bank also said it would no longer raise rates in anticipation of higher inflation, but would wait until higher prices actually materialized.

seat, it may have discouraged him from rocking the boat too much, said Chester Spatt, a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University and former chief economist at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“There’s an old cliché about keeping somebody inside the tent,” Spatt said. “There were advantages to having him constrained a bit.”

While Musk has been one of Twitter’s loudest critics, the sudden withdrawal from the board, which became official Saturday, could signal that relations between Musk and Twitter will become more acrimonious.

“At some point he could throw the directors out, he could replace the board,” Spatt said. “He could probably launch that with his current 9% stake and potentially be very successful.”

In a letter to employees announcing Musk’s departure, Agrawal wrote that, “There will be distractions ahead, but our goals and priorities remain unchanged.”

Shares of Twitter Inc., which jumped nearly 30% after Musk’s stake became public last week, were 2.8% higher on Monday after swinging between gains and losses through the morning.

Musk has described himself as a “free speech absolutist” and has said he doesn’t think Twitter is living up to free speech principles — an opinion shared by followers of Donald Trump and a number of other right-wing political figures who’ve had their accounts suspended for violating Twitter content rules.

Twitter’s CEO and many of its board members had publicly praised Musk last week, suggesting they might take his ideas seriously. But the company had made clear that as a board member he could not make day-to-day decisions or change policies, such as overturning the Trump ban.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B7

features America’s first sunrise service turns 250 years old this Easter brass instruments, which breaks into smaller choirs that play at different points throughout historic Old Salem hours before dawn.

Around 6a.m., the final hymn selection, “Sleepers, Wake!” calls worshippers to gather with these words in mind:

By Lindsay Moore For the North State Journal OLD SALEM — When most people think of the Moravian Church, they think of sugar cake, spice cookies, trimmed candles, stars and Christmas Lovefeasts.

But it’s the quiet yet resilient faith of Moravian believers embedded in the foundation of early American religious life that has withstood the test of time and remains vibrant today. Perhaps the most notable, yet often forgotten contribution the Moravians have instilled in our country’s earliest religious traditions is that of the Easter sunrise service. Indeed, this year marks 250 years since the Moravians, who settled the community now known as Old Salem, awakened in the wee hours of Easter morning 1772 to greet the rising sun in celebration of the empty tomb.

In fact, the very first sunrise service according to historical accounts, originated with the Moravians living near Herrnhut, Germany in 1732. The early Moravian settlers clearly considered this an important tradition to incorporate into their religious life in America, as a group of Christian brothers gathered in God’s Acre (their congregational cemetery) just before the sun rose on Easter morning in the same manner of the women who came to Jesus’s tomb to find it empty. It was there amongst the equal white headstones that they

“Sleepers, wake!” a voice astounds us, the shout of rampart guards surrounds us: “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”

Rise up, and give us light; the Bride-groom is in sight.

Alleluia! Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share.”

PHOTO COURTESY OLD SALEM

Pictured are worshipers attending the Sunrise Service at God’s Acre in Old Salem. held a simple service as the sun rose, following the night’s watch, to rejoice in the resurrection of their Savior. In the years that followed, the Moravians developed a liturgical service to accompany the night’s watch followed by the sunrise service that concluded with the joyous break of dawn at God’s Acre. While the earliest service of this type in America occurred at Bethabara Moravian Church just outside of what is now Winston Salem in 1758, the neighboring town of Wachovia or Old Salem established their own service in 1772

that has been handed down for over two centuries.

The Salem Congregation, made up of 12 congregations in the area, welcomes more than six thousand worshipers each Easter and is the longest standing continuous service in America. Every year, worshippers both near and far travel to Old Salem and gather outside in front of Home Moravian Church in the town square to worship together in song and liturgy to proclaim the Resurrection of their Savior.

The tradition includes the Moravian band, made up of over 500

Once gathered, the worshippers move in silent procession to the historic graveyard, “God’s Acre.” As they process, the brass choirs play hymns with increasing vigor and triumphant as they draw closer to God’s Acre. Once in the cemetery, the throngs of worshippers join in triumphant unison with a liturgical call and response interwoven with Moravian hymns specifically written for the service. “Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand,” is often the concluding hymn as it calls worshippers to look to Christ’s ultimate return.

Ten Thousand times ten thousand In sparkling raiment bright, The armies of the ransomed

saints Throng up the steeps of light: ‘Tis finished, all is finished, Their fight with death and sin; Fling open wide the golden gates, And let the victors in.

The impact of the Moravian sunrise service is an integral part of countless Easter morning traditions throughout our country today and in fact, throughout the western world. From the Hollywood Bowl to the Garden of the Gods to the Lincoln Memorial to the smallest country churches, sunrise services will take place all across our nation this Easter morning to both remind those of their salvation as well as to offer the hope of the glory and triumphant to come.

When and where The 250th Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2022, beginning at 6:00 AM and will be led by The Rev. Ginny Tobiassen, pastor of Home Moravian Church. This year, the service will include worshippers at the St Philips Second Graveyard.

What to expect Worshippers are invited to gather in Salem Square before the service - best to arrive early! Boy Scouts will be posted at various points to hand out the liturgy leaflet. The service will begin shortly after 6:00 am. After the initial liturgy, the congregation will process in prayerful silence to the Salem Moravian Graveyard, “God’s Acre.”

There the service will conclude among the equal stones of generations of Moravians as participants celebrate and proclaim the resurrection.

2022 CHEVROLET SILVERADO ZR2

PHOTOS COURTESY CHEVROLET

A choose-your-own-adventure offroader

By Jordan Golson North State Journal PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The American appetite for pickup trucks is insatiable. Millions are sold every year across various sizes and price points, but it always seems like there’s room for another new one.

See the diminutive Maverick, which Ford released last year with modest expectations, but that became one of the hottest vehicles on the market.

I don’t think my test truck this week, the new 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, will reach Maverickian sales heights, but it shows how niche trucks can thrive.

General Motors offers more than a dozen different pickup truck trims between Chevrolet and GMC, each serving a slightly different customer. From the entry-level Work Truck up to the ultra-lux GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, you’d think there are trucks for everyone. And yet.

These days, the premier off-road trucks are the Ford F-150 Raptor and the RAM TRX, and GM

hasn’t had an answer — until now.

The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, a new trim for 2022, makes a compelling argument for many potential off-road truck buyers.

I spent a day in the desert on offroad trails at Joshua Tree National Park, and the ZR2 sports some excellent 4x4 chops. We ripped along a sandy track for miles at more than 50 mph and then locked the front and rear differentials to climb some imposing rock faces.

The 2022 Silverado ZR2 has upgraded suspension with MultiMatic DSSV dampers, all-terrain tires, skid plates and rock rails to protect things in case you get particularly adventurous (I used them extensively). There’s an all-new steel bumper that improves approach angles and has removable and replaceable end-caps in case you bash them up.

If you don’t know what all that means, it’s ok. This truck is competent and built for far more than most people will use it for.

The ZR2 starts under $70,000, making it a bit cheaper than the Raptor and the TRX, which is nice. It also has a brand new in-

terior that finally makes the GM trucks competitive with Ford and RAM. When the new Silverado came out in 2019, its competition had already installed large, tabletesque touchscreens in the dash, but Chevy has had a somewhat dated interior. The new 2022 trucks (as long as they don’t have the word “Limited” in the name) add a beautiful 13.4-inch digital touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dominating the dash with screens.

The new trucks run Android Automotive, a Google platform that enables native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the car version of the Google Play Store. Your new truck will be almost as smart as your smartphone, using Google tech instead of the inferior systems designed by automakers.

Having real Google Maps in a beautiful fullscreen format on that wide panel is fantastic and is the closest any car has come to supplanting Apple CarPlay. If you do want to use your phone, it supports Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto as well, however.

Along with the new screens, the center console has been redesigned with terrific storage, a console-mounted shifter, and the most ingenious smartphone storage spot I’ve seen in a car: there is a hole in the front of the center console storage bin that your phone slips into, charging it wirelessly and keeping it close at hand should you need to grab it. It’s a terrific piece of design.

Also terrific is the standard 6.2L V8, mated to a 10-speed transmission and two-speed transfer case, making 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Most importantly, it sounds incredible. The optional $1,300 Borla performance exhaust is glorious and should be mandatory for any ZR2 buyer — I can only assume that it was made optional to keep the base price under $70,000 because it’s just too good.

And that’s where the ZR2 excels.

The Ford F-150 Raptor is the gold standard in off-road trucks, but many buyers are turned off by its (excellent) 3.5L twin-turbo V6 simply because it doesn’t have eight cylinders.

Those buyers might not be going so far off the beaten trail, but they

want it to look like they do. The ZR2 is terrific at the three most important parts of truck ownership: It looks fantastic, with red tow hooks and aggressive bumpers and wheels; it sounds incredible, thanks to that performance exhaust; and it has a V8 motor which is extraordinarily important to some segment of truck buyers.

The ZR2 also is a terrific platform to build upon. The hood is massive, which both looks excellent but also leaves plenty of room underneath to turn the truck into a choose-your-own-adventure offroad rig — want to add an enormous supercharger to the top? Just coincidentally, there’s plenty of room for that.

It seems inevitable that Chevy will launch upgraded versions of the truck (perhaps a Silverado version of the Colorado ZR2 Bison), making for an excellent starting point.

The new 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 offers a compelling off-road option, both wildly capable, well-designed, and reasonably priced. The new interior is fantastic, and I can’t say enough about how great it sounds.

It’s not going to beat the Raptor or the TRX in a drag race, but it doesn’t have to. The ZR2 is its own truck, and it stands tall and proud.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B8

New this week: ‘The Garcias,’ Jewel music and Barack Obama

By The Associated Press HERE’S A SELECTION of what’s new this week in movies, music and TV: MOVIES Astonishingly, “Drive My Car” was not Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s only film last year. His acclaimed Haruki Murakami adaptation certainly got the most attention culminating in the International Feature Oscar win last month, but his three-part anthology film “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” deserves some more, too (it did win runner up at the Berlin Film Festival). The triptych follows three young women navigating romantic pursuits, ex loves and strange triangles. And it’ll be available to stream on the Criterion Channel starting Thursday. Don’t worry, this one clocks in at only two hours.

Modern relationships, albeit French ones, are also at the heart of Jacques Audiard’s black and white “Paris, 13th District,” avail-

Yakushima National Park, Japan, and Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica. Subsequent episodes focus on Chilean Patagonia; Tsavo, Kenya; California’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and Gunung Leuser in Indonesia. Former President Barack Obama produced and narrates the series debuting Wednesday.

When “The Brothers Garcia” aired on Nickelodeon in the early 2000s, it was among the rare shows with a Latino cast and creators.

Nearly two decades later, a reboot of the sitcom for HBO Max still represents a TV scarcity. “The Garcias” revolves around the San Antonio, Texas, family as they congregate for summer vacation at their beach house in Mexico. Actors reprising their roles from the original series include Jeffrey Licon, Bobby Gonzalez, Alvin Alvarez and Vaneza Pitynski as the Garcia siblings. Jeff Valdez, co-creator of the Nickelodeon show, created and is the showrunner for “The Garcias,” debuting Thursday on the streaming service.

Kennedy

Jewel’s first new studio album in seven years “Freewheelin’ Woman” finds her leaning into a soulful

and groove-heavy sound. The single “Living With Your Memory” has her kicking up a retro but timeless R&B vibe with a full, horn-heavy band.

“I’m rollin’/ rollin’/ rollin’/ Back the time,” she sings. On “Long Way ‘Round,” her voice switches gears thrillingly, as comfortable as a pair of favorite jeans. Jewel is also a contender on NBC’s new music competition series “American Song Contest,” where she represents the state of Alaska among rising and established artists from across the country competing for best song Guess who else is on “American Song Contest”? Electronic music outfit The Crystal Method, who will release their seventh studio album, “The Trip Out,” on Friday. A few days before — on Monday — The Crystal Method will represent Nevada on the NBC contest and debut their song “Watch Me Now.” The dance icons recently joined forces with Iggy Pop for “Post Punk,” a menacing, futuristic jam with a relentless beat that sounds perfect for a rave on a mission to Mars.

AP Entertainment Writer Mark

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cabarrus County courthouse at 1:00 PM on April 25, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Janet C. Pugh; Michael Pugh, dated April 14, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $72,496.00, and recorded in Book 8710 at Page 196 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: 410 S Rose Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28083

Tax Parcel ID: 5613 67 2162 0000 Present Record Owners: Tammy G. Black The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Tammy G. Black.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens

and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

DIRECTION TO A STAKE, DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 72, 73, & 84 AND 85; THENCE 37 1/2 FEET IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION TO STAKE LOCATED 12 1/2 FEET WEST OF DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 70 AND 71; 82 AND 83, THENCE 150 FEET IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION TO POINT OF BEGINNING. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 355 Lucy Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health

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

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

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

liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-12402-FC01

(5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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

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

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.

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

File No.: 19-10480-FC02

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

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

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

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

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

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

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

in a judgment bearing the caption “Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff vs. Katina Tracy Acevedo; Fidelity Bank; and Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Substitute Trustee, Defendants” 20 CVS 6692 Cumberland County and pursuant to the terms of the judgment, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale that certain property as described below. Said sale will be held in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2022 at the Cumberland County Courthouse door 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: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

Property Address: 3422 Rudland Court, Fayetteville, NC 28304

Parcel Identification No. 9496-85-4683

The property is being sold “as is”, without warranties, subject to all taxes, special assessments and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Any assessments, costs or fees resulting from the sale will be due and payable from the purchaser at the sale.

A cash deposit or certified check (no personal check) in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the high bid will be required at the time of the sale.

customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 25, 2022 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 8 according to a plat entitled Recombination and Zero Lot Line Subdivision for Fayetteville Area Habitat For Humanity, duly recorded in Book of Plats 116, Page 165, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 404 Vanstory Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REGISTRY.

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 Anthony Moore.

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

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

liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-06259-FC01

able on VOD on Friday from IFC Films. Adapted from Adrian Tomine’s graphic novels, the film follows various young Parisians living in the less-than-picturesque corner of the city of lights as they struggle to form real connections and relationships in a Tinder world. “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” fans should be excited to know that filmmaker Céline Sciamma helped co-write the film and Noémie Merlant co-stars.

Continuing on the international streak of new films to stream this week, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza was inspired by the true story of boxer Naozumi Tsuchiyama for his drama “Gensan Punch,” which comes to HBO Max on Friday. The Japanese athlete with a prosthetic leg went to the Philippines to pursue boxing after being denied the opportunity in his home country.

MUSIC

TELEVISION Hugh Laurie wears just about every hat for BritBox’s “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” Laurie directed, produced, wrote and acts in the three-episode mystery series based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel of the same title — the final words of a murder victim. Lady Frances and her friend Bobby (Lucy Boynton, Will Poulter), who found the dying man, turn amateur detectives to solve the case. Laurie plays a sanatorium’s clinical director, which should be a good fit for the former Dr. Gregory House. The limited series debuts Tuesday on the streaming service.

America’s national parks are undeniable gems, but not a monopoly.

“Our Great National Parks,” a fivepart Netflix series, takes a global view of public lands and the wildlife that inhabits them. Episode one hopscotches across parks and countries, including Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay; Loango National Park, Gabon;

TAKE NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 22SP80 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY CABARRUS IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JANET C. PUGH AND MICHAEL PUGH DATED APRIL 14, 2009 RECORDED IN BOOK 8710 AT PAGE 196 IN THE CABARRUS 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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the

19 SP 555 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by James Dixon Walker to C. Couzen, Trustee(s), which was dated November 8, 2007 and recorded on November 13, 2007 in Book 7907 at Page 76, Cabarrus 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 April 20, 2022 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described

BEING LOT NO. 72 AND THE WESTERN ONE-HALF OF LOT NO. 71 AS SHOWN ON THE MAP OF S.O. WEAKS PARK ROCK HILL SECTION BELONGING TO DR. ALTON FINGER SUBDIVISION (FORMERLY R.V. CALDWELL) AND IS ABOUT 2 MILES WEST FROM CONCORD, N.C. IN NO. 2 TOWNSHIP AND IS JUST OFF THE POPLAR TENT ROAD, ROCK HILL SECTION NEAR THE ROCK HILL COLORED SCHOOL AND IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

21 SP 131 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 27, 2022 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, CABARRUS COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Ronnie Shaniel Jones to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated December 29, 2016 and recorded on December 29, 2016 in Book 12299 at Page 0085, Cabarrus 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 62 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Anthony L. Byrd and Shelley N. Frasure (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Anthony L. Byrd and Shelley N. Frasure) to Saxby M. Chaplin, Trustee(s), dated August 27, 1999, and recorded in Book No. 2643, at Page 346 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cabarrus County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on

CUMBERLAND 20 CVS 6692 PUBLICATION DATES: April 6, 2022 and April 13, 2022 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 248 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Wilfredo Viruet, Sr. to Jennifer R. Cooney, Trustee(s), dated the 17th day of December, 2008, and recorded in Book 8040, Page 085, and Additional Deed of Trust in Book 8040, Page 094, 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 foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the

21 SP 576 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 Anthony Moore to Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon, Trustee(s), which was dated March 10, 2016 and recorded on March 21, 2016 in Book 09824 at Page 0614, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 20, 2022 at 01:30 PM, and will

BEGINNING AT AN IRON STAKE IN THE EASTERN EDGE OF LUCY ROAD AT A POINT 12 1/2 FEET IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION FROM THE FRONT CORNER OF LOTS NOS. 70 AND 71; THENCE WEST A DISTANCE OF 37 1/2 FEET ALONG ROAD TO STAKE, DIVIDING LINE FOR LOTS NOS. 72 AND 73; THENCE 150 FEET IN A NORTHERLY

BEING all of Lot 88, of REMINGTON ESTATES subdivision as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Map Book 36 at Page 104 in the Cabarrus County Public Registry.

BEING the same property conveyed to the grantor herein by deed from Jessica Summer Houser Gabriel and spouse, Jeremy Richard Gabriel filed contemporaneously herewith.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2683 Thistle Brook Drive, Concord, NC 28027.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

April 20, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in Ward Number One (1) of the City of Concord, Number Twelve Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the South side of Fink Street, Northwest, and being all of Lot Number 237 of the Subdivision of Milton, as surveyed and platted, a copy of which plat is filed in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map Book 1, Page 40, to which map book and page reference is hereby made for a complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 283 Fink Avenue Northwest, Concord, North Carolina.

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

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

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

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, GRAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP,CUMBERLANDCOUNTY,NORTHCAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 84 AS SHOWN ON A PLAT ENTITLED “THE VILLAGE ON ASPHENS CREEK, SECTION FIVE, PROPERTY OF CAVINESS LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. “ DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 133, PAGE 162, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY; TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF SAME. SEE CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE RESOLUTIONS OF CAVINESS LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. RECORDED IN BOOK 7808, PAGE 563, AND BOOK 8997, PAGE 775,

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 Ronnie Shaniel Jones.

BEING ALL OF LOT NUMBER 63 IN A SUBDIVISION KNOW AS ASBURY, SECTION ONE, PART TWO AND THE SAME BEING DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 110, AT PAGE 49, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA.

Parcel ID: 0422-99.-8108 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 805 Screech Owl Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing

at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is 23rd day of March, 2022.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 __________________ Posted: By: __________________ Ingle Case Number: 7245-8998

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1966 - 23840

The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

This the ____ day of March, 2022.

BY: _____________________________

Susan R. Benoit, Commissioner Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910) 864-6888

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE 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: 1322744 (FC.FAY)

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B9

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22sp122 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NATHAN RUSSELL STEWART AND LAUREN A. STEWART DATED JANUARY 29, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8064 AT PAGE 125 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.22-112682.FC01.202* 22-112682 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA

21 SP 660 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 Mark Torres and Tenille Ramos Torres to Jackie Miller, Trustee(s), which was dated March 13, 2009 and recorded on March 20, 2009 in Book 08103 at Page 0182, 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

20 SP 293 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 Burgie Perofeta and Corinna Perofeta to Investors Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated September 29, 2016 and recorded on September 30, 2016 in Book 09955 at Page 0204 and rerecorded/modified/corrected on August 11, 2020 in Book 10843, Page 295, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of

20 SP 334 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 Fannie L. Easter and Shaquandria S. Easter to Diedre Rhodes and Donna Bradford, Trustee(s), which was dated August 14, 2015 and recorded on August 19, 2015 in Book 09707 at Page 0842, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22SP128 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LEROY DENNIS LENGKEEK AND KATHRYN LORRAINE LENEGKEEK DATED OCTOBER 14, 2010 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8503 AT PAGE 409 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.22-112795.FC01.202* 22-112795 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22SP128

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 116 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kenneth H. Tooke (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kenneth H. Tooke, Heirs of Kenneth H. Tooke: Alton D. Tooke, Christina L. Tooke, Kevin J. Tooke) to The Law Firm of Hutchens, Senter & Britton, P.A., Trustee(s), dated April 20, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 10291, at Page 0619 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 98 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Danny E. Thomas and Ermanese Thomas (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Danny E. Thomas and Ermanese Thomas) to Netco, Inc., Trustee(s), dated October 3, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09736, at Page 0089 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 47 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kevin R. Gleich and Loni M. Gleich (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kevin R. Gleich and Loni M. Gleich) to A. Grant Whitney, Trustee(s), dated September 8, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7358, at Page 779 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

WAKE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 21SP1576 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MATTIE B. HINTON DATED JUNE 25, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17174 AT PAGE 2048 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.21-111912.FC01.202* 21-111912 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 21SP1576

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 22sp122 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NATHAN RUSSELL STEWART AND LAUREN A. STEWART DATED JANUARY 29, 2009 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8064 AT PAGE 125 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G KG M H J B L F P G O H J G K ALMCPKNJHNIOLEHAAIJLNK AMOJODMHGAAJCNMFMHOECK AHIPDLJGPENNFHGCMIEIBK ALPGADKFGPAEKFGNEFOMGK DLLDDLDLLDLDDDDLLLLDDL

is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is

set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale

at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 18, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Nathan Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart, dated January 29, 2009 to secure the original principal amount of $106,236.00, and recorded in Book 8064 at Page 125 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: 712 Skyclift Ct, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Tax Parcel ID: 0449-047343.000 Present Record Owners: N a t h a n Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Nathan Russell Stewart and Lauren A. Stewart.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale

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 April 27, 2022 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 298 IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS GLEN REILLY, SECTION SIX, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY RECORDED ION PLAT BOOK 63, PAGE 84, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA, THIS IS A ZERO LOT LINE DEVELOPMENT. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 6848 TORRANCE LN, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Mark Torres.

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

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

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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-07307-FC01

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 April 27, 2022 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: Being all of Lot No. 65 of that subdivision known as WESTHAVEN SUBDIVISION, SECTION ONE, PART TWO, as shown on the plat of same duly recorded in Plat Book 135, at Page 175, Cumberland County Registry, State of North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3424 Burberry Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent

(5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are

Burgie Perofeta and wife, Corinna Perofeta.

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

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

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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-16263-FC01

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 April 27, 2022 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 23, in a subdivision known as Quailridge, Section Two, Part Three, and the same being duly recorded in Book 41, Page 14, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2230 Kingsberry Ln, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time

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

An Order for possession of the property may be issued

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

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

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

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-03125-FC01

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LEROY DENNIS LENGKEEK AND KATHRYN LORRAINE LENEGKEEK DATED OCTOBER 14, 2010 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8503 AT PAGE 409 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G KG M H J B L FO G L H J G K ALMCPKNEPJIOLEHMGPIPLK AMOJODMHGAAJCPACAHMHCK AHIPDLJGPHNFBANKCBIEFK ALPGAAHJOJADBAHPKNMOGK DLLDLDDLLDLDLLLLLLLDDL

improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed LeRoy Dennis Lengkeek and Kathryn Lorraine Lenegkeek, dated October 14, 2010 to secure the original principal amount of $68,896.00, and recorded in Book 8503 at Page 409 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: 6 1 5 7 Camden Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306-7211 Tax Parcel ID: 040-563996 Present Record Owners: Kathryn Lorraine Lengkeek The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Kathryn Lorraine Lengkeek.

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

IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is

set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 25, 2022, the following described real estate and any

foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 25, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Certain land described as follows North Carolina, Cumberland County, Township of Seventy-First: Being all of Lot 24, in a subdivision known as Chestnutt Hills, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 33, Page 40, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon said property being located at 639 Edgehill Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Being the same property as conveyed to Kenneth H. Tooke and wife, Michele C. Tooke from Janice L. Jones and husband, by Dorothy L. Freeman, Attorney-in-fact and Kenneth E. Jones, by Dorothy L. Freeman, Attorney-in-Fact by that Deed dated 12/04/1992 and recorded 12/04/1992 in Book / Page 3883 / 0238 in the Cumberland County Records.

Parcel ID(S): 0407-94-4489 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third

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

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

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

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

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

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

foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 25, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 13, Block “A”, in a Subdivision known as Brentwood, Section 11, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, Page 16, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1112 Bingham Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Being the same property or a portion of the same property conveyed to Danny E. Thomas and Ermanese Thomas by Instrument dated May 08, 2006 from Joretta W. Kirby, widow filed on May 09, 2006 as document Number and in Book 7230 at Page 89 in the Cumberland county records.

Commonly known as: 1112 Bingham Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Parcel Number: 0406-48-4986 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third

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

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

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the

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

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

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

Any person who occupies the property

customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 18, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 31, Block ‘F’ in a subdivision known as Lafayette Village, Section Twelve and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 26, Page 2, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2018 Lombardy Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 0416-02-8862 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MATTIE B. HINTON DATED JUNE 25, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17174 AT PAGE 2048 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G K H M H J B L F O G I G I G K ALMCPKNKLFIOLEHAGCGJLK AMOJODMHGAAJDOEIOAFECK ALIPDLJGNGFJKGLLBEDGFK ALPGBBOJEHCMPEAHICOLCK DLLDDDDLLDLDLDLLLLLDDL

recorded in Book 17174 at Page 2048 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 29, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Mattie B. Hinton, dated June 25, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $138,000.00, and

Address of property: Ct, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: Present Record Owners: Mattie B. Hinton

108 Hunting 0066055 The Estate of

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Mattie B. Hinton.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is March 29, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 22-112682

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 5, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 22-112795

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: 4507 - 16524

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: 5327 - 21025

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: 5742 - 21866

agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 11, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 21-111912

Suite

400

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B10 TAKE NOTICE

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

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.

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.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Malinda A. Walser (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Malinda A. Walser, Heirs of Malinda A. Walser: Susan Osborne, Linda Jo Aldridge) to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), dated September 24, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 1819, at Page 1786 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for

foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on April 20, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an iron (set) on the northeastern right of way of Old Highway 64, common corner of Lots 14 and 15, Block A, Map of Edgewood recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 22, Davidson County Registry, thence North 43 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West along the right of way line of Old Highway 64 and crossing an iron (common corner of Lots 8 and 9) at 125.09 feet, and continuing for an additional 100.07 feet, for a total distance of 225.16 feet, to an iron (set), common corner of Lots 6 and 7; thence North 46 degrees 59 minutes 55 seconds East with the line of Lot 6, 445.84 feet to an iron (found); thence South 06 degrees 10 minutes 40 seconds East 62.23 feet to an iron (found); thence South 09 degrees 56 minutes 05 seconds West 83.34 feet to an iron (found); thence South 25 degrees 32 minutes 05 seconds East 131.13 feet to an iron (set) common corner of Lots 13 and 14; thence South 46 degrees 59 minutes 35 seconds West with the line of Lot 14, 302.69 feet, to the point and place of beginning and containing 1.847 acres more or less. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3602 West Old Highway 64, Lexington, North Carolina.

This being allot Lots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, Block A, as

shown on Map of Edgewood recorded in Plat Book 4 Page 22 Davidson County Registry.

Reference Estate file 90 E 193 in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court.

Surveyed by Davidson Surveying and Mapping, David A. Craver, R.L.S. 2857, July 18, 1990.

Parcel ID No.: 18011C00A0007 Property Address: 3602 E. Old Highway 64, Lexington, NC 27295 Deed Ref: 751/765 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for

sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

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

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser

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

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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 22sp93

PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G K H M H J B L F P G N C I G K ALMCPKNIHNIOLEHEEFMPNK AMOJODMHGAAJAMEBPPJECK AHIPDLJGMFDOECAEHEPKFK ALPGBBAPEJONBKNNECMPGK DLLDLLLLLDLDDDDLLLLDDL

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SARAH E ARENIVAS AND ALICIA ARENIVAS DATED JUNE 14, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2318 AT PAGE 729 IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.22-112718.FC01.202* 22-112718 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 22sp93 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SARAH E ARENIVAS AND ALICIA ARENIVAS DATED JUNE 14, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2318 AT PAGE 729 IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY

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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Davidson County courthouse at 10:00AM on April 25, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Sarah E Arenivas and Alicia Arenivas, dated June 14, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $185,000.00, and recorded in Book 2318 at Page 729 of the Davidson County Public Registry.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified

by other instruments appearing in the public record.

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

218 Hawks Address of property: Nest Circle, Clemmons, NC 27012 Tax Parcel ID: 03008B0001604 The Estate of Present Record Owners: Alicia Arenivas The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Alicia Arenivas.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 5, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 22-112718

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 22sp66

DAVIDSON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA A M H J H J G K H M H J B L FO G P H LG K ALMCPKPAPJIOLEHMPMHFJK AMOJODMHGAAJAMBFJOPGCK ALIPDLJGOHANDKFPBGCODK ALPGCCGJELFIPIJJMFNJCK DLLDLDLLLDLDDDDLLLLDDL 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 payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Davidson County courthouse at 10:00AM on April 25, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Gary W. Buecker and Samantha L. Buecker, dated January 27, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $121,500.00, and recorded in Book 1585 at Page 570 of the Davidson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public

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

Address of property: 131 Twin Ridge Ct, Clemmons, NC 27012 Tax Parcel ID: 0 3 - 0 07- K000-0040 Present Record Owners: Gary W. Buecker The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Gary W. Buecker.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or

seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

for cash the following real estate situated in Thomasville in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being known and designated as Lots 35, 36, 37 and 38, Block A, Lakeview Estates, as recorded in Plat Book 9, Page 73, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 210 Lakeview Drive, East, Thomasville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court 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: 4534 - 16710

Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in WinstonSalem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on April 27, 2022 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: Being known and designated as Lot 49 and 50 as shown on the Map of Beroth Heights as surveyed and platted by C.E. Ellerbe, May 15, 1954 and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina in Plat Book 17, Page 12 to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6530 Tom Street, Pfafftown, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security

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

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may

request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 6426 - 24532

21sp362 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CORRIE V. LANIER AND LAKECIA G. LANIER DATED APRIL 17, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4942 AT PAGE 99 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 10:00AM on April 19, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Corrie V. Lanier and Lakecia G. Lanier, dated April 17, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $287,777.00, and recorded in Book 4942 at Page 99 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying

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

Address of property: 200 Red Angus Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577 Tax Parcel ID: 06F04200F Present Record Owners: Corrie V. Lanier and Lackecia G. Lanier The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Corrie V. Lanier and Lackecia G. Lanier.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens

CUMBERLAND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 32 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Paula Broyles and Paul Broyles (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Paul Broyles and Paula Broyles) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated January 24, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 7485, at Page 856 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on April 30, 2013, in Book No. 09175, at Page 0766, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 114 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Loretta Scott and Christopher Scott (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Loretta Scott and Christopher Scott) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated June 30, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09460, at Page 0846 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on May 14, 2020, in Book No. 10764, at Page 0765, 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

DAVIDSON AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 237

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GARY W. BUECKER AND SAMANTHA L. BUECKER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1585 AT PAGE 570 IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.21-111135.FC01.202* 21-111135 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 22sp66 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GARY W. BUECKER AND SAMANTHA L. BUECKER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1585 AT PAGE 570 IN THE

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 346 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Luther G. Brown, Jr. (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Luther G. Brown, Jr., Heirs of Luther G. Brown, Jr. a/k/a Luther Brown, Jr.: Paul David Brown) to Law Office of Clint Calaway, Trustee(s), dated February 2, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 2255, at Page 2431 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on April 27, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder

FORSYTH NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 145 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Julia Gail Elliott (Deceased) and Cindy Lou Elliott (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Cindy Lou Elliott and Julia Gail Elliott, Heirs of Cindy Lou Elliott: Julia Gail Elliott; Heirs of Julia Gail Elliott a/k/a Julia Elliott: Johnathan Charles Elliott) to Thomas J. Vesce, Trustee(s), dated April 15, 2002, and recorded in Book No. 2247, at Page 3546 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

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 21sp362 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CORRIE V. LANIER AND LAKECIA G. LANIER DATED APRIL 17, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4942 AT PAGE 99 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA *102.21-112215.FC01.202* 21-112215 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY

instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 18, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot No. 33 in a Subdivision known as CAR-Milt Estates, Section TWO, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 47, Page 55, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3135 Ansley Drive, Hope Mills, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 25, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 175 in a Subdivision known as Waters Edge, Section 2-G, Part 3 Plat of the same being recorded in Plat Book 54 Page 32, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6004 Harmon Place, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

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: 5743 - 21882

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: 6632 - 25244

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: 4673 - 17371

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 Posted: By: 21-111135

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 5, 2022.

Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm

and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You

may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is February 2, 2022.

21-112215 Attorney for the Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 21-112215

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

B11

TAKE NOTICE

ONSLOW AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 1236 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James A. Shubrick and Lucinda Meritt Shubrick (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James A. Shubrick and Lucinda Meritt Shubrick) to Charles S. Lanier or Keith E. Fountain, Either of whom may act singularly, Trustee(s), dated August 31, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 2724, at Page 722 and Additional Deed of Trust in Bk 2857 Page 78 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on January 22, 2016, in Book No. 4405, at Page 365 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 49 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Howard R. Zimmerman and Brenda L. Zimmerman (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Howard R. Zimmerman) to Jackie Biggs, Trustee(s), dated May 11, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 4779, at Page 39 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 68 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Edward Glenn Collins (Deceased) and Ella Jones Collins (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ella Jones Collins and Edward Glenn Collins) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated October 22, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 4529, at Page 517 in Onslow County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 28, 2022 and will

STANLY 19 SP 86 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Marie G. Hiatt Lowery and David Lowery to Judith Kennedy, Trustee(s), which was dated October 11, 1999 and recorded on October 14, 1999 in Book 0726 at Page 0549, Stanly County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 2123 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by Jessica Ann Holder to UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, lender, to CAUDLE AND SPEARS, P.A., Trustee, dated October 17, 2018, and recorded in Book 017270, Page 00261 in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 018841, Page 00159-00160, 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 Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on April 18, 2022 and will

UNION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 338 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Effie M. Brewer and Kanika L. Hood (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Effie M. Brewer) to The Caudle Law Firm P.A., Trustee(s), dated January 22, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 05039, at Page 0325 in Union County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on November 4, 2011, in Book No. 05624, at Page 0451, 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 April 28,

WAKE Notice to Creditors

Notice to Creditors Having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Helen Francis Aldridge Woodcock (Wake 22-E-1262), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 2123 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by Jessica Ann Holder to UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, lender, to CAUDLE AND SPEARS, P.A., Trustee, dated October 17, 2018, and recorded in Book 017270, Page 00261 in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 018841, Page 00159-00160, 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 Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on April 18, 2022 and will

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 22SP21 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY WAKE NOTICE OF SALE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WILLIAM LEACH AND JENNIFER LEACH DATED DECEMBER 19, 2019 RECORDED IN BOOK 17690 AT PAGE 1521 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose

recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 28, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 28, Final Plat Highland Forest, Section IV, Phase II, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Map Book 31, Page 26, Slide H-14, in the office of the Register of Deeds of Onslow County, North Carolina. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 335 Creedmoor Road, Jacksonville, 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 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

the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on April 21, 2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 23 as shown on a Plat entitled, “Acorn Forest, Section I, Part B, Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, N.C.,” which Plat was prepared by Barden Lanier, Registered Surveyor, on August 1974, and recorded in Plat Book 15, Page 51, Onslow County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 504 Dewitt Street, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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

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

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

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

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

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 004715 Land Situated in the Township of Jacksonville in the County of Onslow in the State of NC Lying and being on the northern side of U.S. Highway No. 17 about 2.5 miles northeast of the City of Jacksonville and being all of Lot No. 14 as shown on than certain plat entitled “Sunset Acres, Section II”, dated May, 1962, and prepared

by L.T. Mercer Registered Surveyor, a Photostatic copy of which is recorded in Map Book No. 7, at Page No. 60 in the Office of the Register of Deeds on Onslow County, North Carolina, and which is by this reference incorporated herein and made a part hereof for the purpose of providing a more complete and particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4 Elaine Court, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

The property address and Tax Parcel Identification Number listed are provided solely for informational purposes.

Commonly known as: 4 Elaine Ct., Jacksonville, NC 285466905

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

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

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

State laws.

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

Trustee 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 April 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Stanly County, North Carolina, to wit:

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

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

BEING ALL OF LOT 9, PROPERTY OF OAKBORO COTTON MILL AS SHOWN IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 101, IN THE STANLY COUNTY REGISTRY, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HEREBY MADE Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 20068 Silver Road, Oakboro, NC 28129.

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 David Lowery and Marie G. Hiatt Lowery.

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: TAX ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1732797596 ADDRESS: 1913 BARWELL ROAD, RALEIGH, NC 27610 BEING ALL OF LOT 2, BLOCK A, BEACHWOOD PARK SUBDIVISION, AS DEPICTED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1960, PAGE 374, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jessica Ann Holder Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any

representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may

2022 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: TRACT I: BEGINNING at an iron stake in the East line of Branch Street on a corner of Lot No. 3, and running thence with the North line of said Lot No. 3, N. 70 deg. 00 min. E. 163 feet to an iron; thence N. 29 deg. 15 min. W. 62.5 feet to an iron on a corner of the Honeycutt Lot; thence with a line of said Honeycutt Property, S. 85 deg. 45 min. W. 130 feet to an iron in the East line of Branch Street; thence along the East line of Branch Street S. 2 deg. 15 min. E. 100.8 feet to the point of beginning, and being all of Lot No. 4 of a subdivision of properties of J.E. Stewart as shown upon a map of said subdivision which is duly recorded in Plat Book 3 at Page 84, Registry of Union County, North Carolina. Further reference is made to a survey and map of said properties made and dated by Guy J. Fisher, R.E., on May 22, 1952, and being the identical properties conveyed by Vann Howard Parker and wife, Martha B. Parker, to H&H Construction and Realty Company, Inc. by deed dated May 29, 1952 and of record in Union County, North Carolina Registry.

50 feet to an iron stake, a corner of Lot No. 2; thence N. 54 deg. 20’ E. 165.5 feet and 5 inches to an iron stake in Mrs. Hinson’s line; thence with her line N. 29 deg. 15’ W. 62 feet to an iron stake, corner of Lot No. 4; thence with the line of Lot No. 4, S. 70 deg. W. 163 feet and 9 inches to the beginning corner, and being shown and designated as Lot No. 3 on a plat of the subdivision of the property of J.E. Stewart made by Sam R. McBride on August 1, 1949, which plat is recorded in Plat Book No. 3 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Union County, to which plat reference is hereby made and given for a further description.

TRACT II: Beginning at an iron stake in the eastern edge of a Branch Street, a corner of Lot No. 4 and running thence with the eastern edge of said Branch Street as follows: 1st. S. 13 deg.

E. 35 feet; 2nd S. 32 deg. 25 feet and 3rd S. 37 deg. 30’ E.

Having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of June N. Thompson (Wake 22-E-1124), late of Wake County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 801 South Branch Street, Monroe, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers,

or before the 25th day of June 2022 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 13th day of April 2022.

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.

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,

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.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.

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

Ford O. Arnett Jr. Executor of the Estate of June N. Thompson c/o Lisa M. Schreiner P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street

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: 1185951 - 26926

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: 6022 - 23173

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: 6374 - 24394

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-05382-FC01

THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANK-RUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Thomas R. Goddard Goddard & Peterson, PLLC Substitute Trustee 125 B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

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: 5019 - 19078

Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 3/23/2022, 3/30/2022, 4/6/2022 and 4/13/2022)

notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July 2022 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will

please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Joseph Isaiah Woodcock, Jr.

Estate of Helen Francis Aldridge Woodcock c/o Lisa M. Schreiner P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: TAX ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1732797596 ADDRESS: 1913 BARWELL ROAD, RALEIGH, NC 27610 BEING ALL OF LOT 2, BLOCK A, BEACHWOOD PARK SUBDIVISION, AS DEPICTED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1960, PAGE 374, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jessica Ann Holder Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any

representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may

request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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

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

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANK-RUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on April 20, 2022, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by William Leach a/k/a William Terrell Leach; Jennifer Leach a/k/a Jennifer Lynn Perry, dated December 19, 2019 to secure the original principal amount of $225,834.00, and recorded in Book 17690 at Page 1521 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Lynn Perry

seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

the effective date of the termination.

Address of property: 4 2 3 2 Knightsbridge Way, Raleigh, NC 27604 Tax Parcel ID: 0202002 Present Record Owners: William Leach a/k/a William Terrell Leach; Jennifer Leach a/k/a Jennifer

This the 13th day of April 2022.

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are William Leach and Jennifer Leach.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to

(For publication: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13 4/20/2022)

Thomas R. Goddard Goddard & Peterson, PLLC Substitute Trustee 125 B Williamsboro Street Oxford, NC 27565

The date of this Notice is 18th day of March, 2022.

Posted: By:

__________________ __________________

Ingle Case Number: 5490-6498 Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Posted: __________________ By: __________________ Ingle Case Number: 5490-6498

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From April 6, 2022

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 7 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randolph record

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

Trump, Budd rally in NC

U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ted Budd pumps his fist at the Save America rally in Selma on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The rally drew thousands of attendees to hear from Trump, Budd, and other Republican candidates in the May 17 primary election. Budd currently represents Randolph County in the U.S. House of Representatives.

COUNTY NEWS Randolph County seeks election officials Asheboro The Randolph County Board of Elections is seeking workings for upcoming elections, both early voting and the primary.

These are paid positions that include pay for training for the May 17 primary. Early voting runs April 28-May 14.

“We are in urgent need of people to work as election officials,” said Melissa Johnson, director of the county’s board of elections.

NHWRC officer encourages reporting violations Asheboro When hunting, fishing or involved in other outdoors activities, citizens are encouraged to report violations that they become aware of or witness.

That comes as a reminder from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Michael King, an NCWRC sergeant who oversees Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties, said with increased participation in many of these activities that it’s important to follow rules and regulations.

“It’s always something,” King said of the ongoing pursuit to keep tabs on violators.

City council hears public comments on development, alcohol Final review of city sewer systems presented to council

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro Council met last Thursday with hearings for two residential projects and the presentation of the final report on the city’s sewer system on the agenda. While no decision is imminent, the topic of allowing alcoholic beverages to be possessed outside of restaurants and bars was also discussed in the public comments.

Freese and Nichols, Inc. presented their final report and findings for the city’s sanitary sewer collection system before the council. The engineering firm had been commissioned to assess the wastewater collection system and see where the sanitary overflow problem areas were and how then the system could be improved.

“There were three main project goals here,” said Charles Archer, account director for Freese and Nichols. “They were to document the existing wastewater structure, to evaluate the system capacity and what is contributing to

Asheboro The Asheboro Board of Education named Graham Groseclose the principal at North Asheboro Middle School effective July 1 at its April meeting. Groseclose served as an assistant principal at Charles W. McCrary Elementary School for three years after a one-year stint as assistant principal at Lindley Park Elementary School. He completed his administrative internship at North Asheboro Middle School, where he previously taught 8th grade science and served two years as the school’s Athletic Director.

He is also a graduate of Asheboro High School.

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

Asheboro City Council members gather for the April meeting at Asheboro City Hall on April 7. these overflows and then to develop a capital improvement plan to help you make the necessary investments to reduce the impact of infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the system.”

After a 14-month process, the firm came up with two capital improvement project designs, one based on current capacity, what the most efficient use of funding would be and the other one based upon risk, what the biggest needs are based on criticality.

The capacity design involves ten projects valued at $44.1 million, with the top five projects valued at $12.7 million. The riskbased design identified $12 million of capital improvements based on criticality, with the top five projects valued at about $6.2 million.

The next step of the process will be for the city council and staff to apply for funding for these projects.

The council then held a legis-

See COMMISSIONERS, page 2

COVID-19, overdoses pushed US to highest death total ever The Associated Press

New principal named at N. Asheboro Middle

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

lative hearing for the application

by Brian Thomas to rezone property located west of 2513 Old Cedar Falls Rd. from R10 Medium-Density Residential to R10 Conditional Zoning designation to allow specific residential planned unit development.

“The current proposal is for 160 units and the associated infrastructure such as recreational areas for the residences as well as the open space area that is required by the city code,” said Community Director Trevor Nuttall, who presented the design before the council.

Public comments and the council’s discussion focused on the density of the units per acre, street designs, and existing infrastructure were key topics at the meetings. After the discussion and comments, the council decided to table the application until the next meeting.

“I think this is a great place for a neighborhood,” said Mayor David Smith. “I think it’ll be very successful, but I think long-term it’ll be asking for some difficulties.”

The council then approved the preliminary sketch design for The Timber Ridge subdivision on the south side of East Allred Street.

NEW YORK — 2021 was the deadliest year in U.S. history, and new data and research are offering more insights into how it got that bad.

The main reason for the increase in deaths? COVID-19, said Robert Anderson, who oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work on death statistics.

The agency this month quietly updated its provisional death tally. It showed there were 3.465 million deaths last year, or about 80,000 more than 2020’s record-setting total.

Early last year, some experts were optimistic that 2021 would not be as bad as the first year of the pandemic — partly because effective COVID-19 vaccines had finally become available.

“We were wrong, unfortunately,” said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.

COVID-19 deaths rose in 2021 — to more than 415,000, up from 351,000 the year before — as new coronavirus variants emerged and an unexpectedly large numbers of Americans refused to get

vaccinated or were hesitant to searcher who was the paper’s lead author, called the spike “unprecewear masks, experts said.

The coronavirus is not solely dented.”

Those teen overdose deaths to blame. Preliminary CDC data also shows the crude death rate were only around 1% of the U.S. for cancer rose slightly, and rates total. But adolescents expericontinued to increase for diabetes, enced a greater relative increase than the overall population, even chronic liver disease and stroke.

Drug overdose deaths also con- though surveys suggest drug use tinued to rise. The CDC does not among teens is down.

Experts attributed the spike to yet have a tally for 2021 overdose deaths, because it can take fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that weeks of lab work and investiga- has been cut into heroin for sevtion to identify them. But provi- eral years. More recently it’s also sional data through October sug- been pressed into counterfeit pills gests the nation is on track to see resembling prescription drugs at least 105,000 overdose deaths that teens sometimes abuse.

National death trends affect life in 2021 — up from 93,000 the expectancy — an estimate of the year before.

New research released Tuesday average number of years a baby showed a particularly large jump born in a given year might expect in overdose deaths among 14- to to live.

With rare exceptions, U.S. life 18-year-olds.

Adolescent overdose death expectancy has reliably inched up counts were fairly constant for year after year. But the CDC’s life most of the last decade, at around expectancy estimate for 2020 was 500 a year, according to the paper about 77 years — more than a year published by the Journal of the and a half lower than what it was American Medical Association. in 2019.

The CDC has not yet reported They almost doubled in 2020, to 954, and the researchers estimat- its calculation for 2021. But Golded that the total hit nearly 1,150 man and some other researchers last year.

Joseph Friedman, a UCLA re- See DEATH TOTAL, page 2

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 22

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022 Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

7.21.21 7.7.21 4.13.22 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST

COMMISSIONERS from page 1

posed social alcohol district in for May 5.

Following a traffic study done downtown Asheboro, the council Despite public concerns also by Disaster Risk Management took public comments on the isbeing raised about this potential Programme (DRMP) for the Dix- sue, most of which were against development — density concerns, ie Land Acres neighborhood, the allowing alcohol to move along aesthetics, issues with runoff — council approved a recommenda- the city streets and between FRIDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY downtown businesses.SUNDAY limit reduction SATURDAY under city ordinance, the coun- tion for the speed FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SUNDAY JULY 23 Concerns down to 30 mph for Kenmore cil’s vote on the design was limJULY 24 JULY 21 JULY 22 JULY 25on5 JULY 2 JULY 3 JULY JUNE 30 JULY 1 JULY 4mainly focused ited to whether the required Street, Mackie Avenue, Pepper- how it will put increased presHI78°Timberlane, businesses don’t idge Road, HI 88° met.

HI 91° 88° 86° HI HI89° Brook81°HI sure HI 88° HI standards 91° were HI HI on86° 84° HI that on their premises, dale Drive, very your 67° LO 66° Plantation LO68° Circle, 62°LO want 65° LO LO“We are 70° all LO aware LO alcohol LO 69° 62° 67° LO of70° LO LO 69° thePRECIP morality alcohol consumpLarkwood Avenue, PRECIP Arrow concerns, we understand15% your 5% PRECIP 57% 43% PRECIP 17% PRECIP 24% PRECIP 20% Wood PRECIP 24% of PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP PRECIP 32% concerns, but we have a responsi- Road, Sequoia Avenue, Mark Av- tion, concerns of increased pubbility that we have to accept what enue, Colony Road, Rocky Lane, lic intoxication and crime, and meets our requirements,” said Salem Court, Pine Grove Drive the question of if there is any real benefit to businesses from this councilmember Jane Redding on and Manor Circle.

The council also approved the type of district. the decision. “There are things RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE The council’s only vote regarddown the road that will probably establishment of four-way stops impact this development, but for at the intersections of Brookdale ing the proposed district was to Drive and Sequoia Avenue and fix the verbiage on a potential ornow, it meets the requirements.”

The city council also set a pub- Pepperidge Road and Sequoia dinance regarding when alcohol consumption would be allowed. lic hearing for the annexation pe- Avenue.

The City Council will next While no significant action tition for three parcels of land on Sterling Street (208, 209, 205) was taken regarding the pro- meet on May 5.

WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

“Join the “Join the “Join the conversation” conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North NorthState State Journal Journal (USPS 20451) (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

Editor

Publisher Publisher Xxx

Neal NealRobbins Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor Editor

Matt Mercer Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill Sports Editor Sports Editor

Design Editor Cory Lavalette Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

Senior Opinion Opinion Editor Editor Senior

Published Frank Hill each Wednesday by Frank Hill North State Media LLC

Design Editor 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor

Lauren Rose Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001 Published each Wednesday Published each Wednesday by(704) North State Media, LLC 269-8461

by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Raleigh, 27609 Raleigh,N.C. NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 orSUBSCRIBE: online at nsjonline.com TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 TO 704-269-8461 oronline online at at nsjonline.com nsjonline.com or Annual Subscription Price: $50.00

Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, Annual Subscription Price: $50.00N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

PeriodicalsPostage Postage Paid Paid at Periodicals at Raleigh, Raleigh,N.C. N.C. POSTMASTER: and atadditional additional mailing mailing offices. and at Stanly County Journal offices.

1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, POSTMASTER: POSTMASTER: Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

Send address changes Send address changes to: North State Journal to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Suite 300 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 Raleigh, NC 27607

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, WEEKLY FORECAST 40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES SPONSORED BY ♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, 2021 in a tragic house fire.

CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588 ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 13

♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

HI 80

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, LOW 62 age 85, of Asheboro, died July PRECIP 6% See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

THURSDAY APRIL 14 See OBITS, page 7

HI 77 LOW 51 PRECIP 58%

Randolph

Guide MONDAY TUESDAY

JULY JULY 26 6

TUESDAY

JULY 27

The Randolph is HI 87° GuideHI HI 89° a LO quick look at what’s LO 67° 69° LO PRECIP going on in24% RandolphPRECIP PRECIP 24% County.

88° 69° 24%

April 20 The Ruth Pauley Lecture Series

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag 7:30pm

PJ Ward-Brown disorder at the age of 23, sion, there’s enrollment of 915. before those classes start.

Williams said there’s an ef- That’s off slightly from the usual Wellington is a Mattfort to bolster enrollment. He cit- number that ranges up to 1,000,Michael “There hasactivist, never been a mental health DEATH TOTAL from 1 Lauren life expectancy will quickly bounce Williams said.

One studyRCC looked at death dataGrant, ed the Commitment ASHEBORO — page Enrollment better opportunity author, speaker, and proto attend back. They worry aboutenrollment long-term numU.S. and designed 19 other high-inTraditional a program as a funding at Randolph Community Col-in the golfer who travels the to worry complications of COVID-19 countries. The faredgap the that’s have makingtotheir ownback es- tocome bers have flattened, that but it’s the RCC and not have mechanism to U.S. fill the lege been isn’t likely bounce Frank may hasten the of deaths peoplestudents timates, presentedlevels in papers country speaking about number highofschool not covered by federal or state aid pre-pandemic rightthat awayworst. about how to pay for it.”

Cory health problems.

“What happened in the U.S. is with chronic have not ayet been official published in in programs designed for dual ento students. despite school pointing his battle with bipolar andhas incomplete the has variants thea bet-Preliminary peer-reviewed journals.financial in-less about rollment— that dropped, “There neverthan been out unprecedented disorder. He battled — CDC data suggest there were atthe level RCC president Dr. Robert of opportunity resistance to vaccination Those researchers U.S. levels “We’re just not seeing ter to attend RCC centives for potentialthink students.

Who is “Editor?” bipolar disorder while least 805,000 U.S. deaths in about the public’s rejection of praclife Chad expectancy dropped of engagement that we had seen,” Shackleford Jr. not have to worry about how Williams, vice anothpresidentandand

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

Diagnosed with bipolar

earning paychecks on the first three months man- Dr. erforfive or sixservices months at in RCC, 2021 said — atices, Williams said. of this year. tosuch pay as formasking it,” RCCand president student That’s well below the same period break to reduce viral transmisputting back to school where itstudents was 20 indates, five different professional RCC held a one-week Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We declineitin high last year, but higher than the com-the sumonestudents of the study’s authors, years earlier this month amid meet exactly where they dualago. enrollment has been the big-sion,” golf tours, making eight A loss of more than two years Dr. Steven Woolf of Virginia Com- parable period in 2020. are and help them go as far as they mer semester, which began May gest reason for a dip. holes-in-one, and writing “We may end up with a ‘new of life expectancy over the last two monwealth University, said in a 24 and concludes July 26. Late can possibly go.”

“Overall, we’re still seeing a dehis memoir, “Birdies, normal’ that’s a little higher than years “is mammoth,” Goldman statement. registration for the Beginning with the fall cline in enrollment comparing to Some it was before,” Anderson said.fall semester experts are skeptical thatsemessaid.

Bogeys & Bipolar previous years prior to the pan- ter, qualifying full-time students runs through Aug. 10, with classDisorder.” Wellington demic,” Williams said. “I don’t will be eligible for up to $1,000 es beginning Aug. 16. will speak at Owens Still dealing with adjustments know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve per semester.

That makes attending RCC made because of the coronavirus seen in previous fall semesters. …

Auditorium at Sandhills We’re reaching out to every stu- the most enticing from a finan- pandemic, not all 2021 fall semesCommunity College and WEEKLY CRIME LOG dent we can in every way we can.” cial standpoint in the 16 years ter classes will be in person. Some the event is free to the A fall semester at the two-year Williams has been at the school, will use a hybrid model with a ♦ Davis, Brandon Thomas (M, 25), Drug Paraphernalia, on 4/5/22, at Resisting Public Officer, on 4/5/22, public. mixture of face-to-faces sessions said. He previously worked in school in Asheboro would often UShe Arrested on charge of Possession of 64 & Rocky Knoll Rd. at 3931 Millikan Rd. and virtual sessions. Many classhave 2,600 to 3,000 students en- RCC’s financial aid office.

Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana es Marion provide students with options never a better time♦to rolled.

At the beginning of this♦ Hiatt,“There’s Tony Eugene (M, 35), Arrested Murphy, Curtis Jr (M, 40), Paraphernalia, on 4/6/22, at on how to attend and participate, charge Larceny of Chose In Arrested on charge of Possession backofto college,” he said. week, that number stood at about ongo Randolph County Courthouse. on 4/5/22, at 1035 Macon Schedule II CS, Misdemeanor Williams said.

For the current summer ses1,900 with about a month to go Action,

April 22

♦ Partin, JosaiahCRIME Salome (M, LOG 33), WEEKLY

Arrested on charge of Simple Assault, on 4/6/22, at 9300 US Hwy ♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren 311.

(B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME LOG 1) Pwimsd Marijuana ♦ Williams, Christian (M, (F), 33),2) Arrested Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs on charge of Assault by Pointing a (f) (F), Possess X Shannon Dr. Gun, on3) 4/6/22, at 641

St.

♦ Hicks, Shannon Kaley (F, 23), Arrested on charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, on 4/6/22, at Old Thomasville Rd & Boles Ave.

Liberty Antiques Festival Twice a year, 400

♦ Bailey, Keith Eugene (M, 53), dealers from more than Arrested on charge of Larceny of 25 states pack a 100Motor Vehicle, Injury to Personal Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), 176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, onacre ♦farm in Randolph Property, on 4/4/22, at RCJ.

♦ Kelly, Pamela Nicole (F, 41), Arrested Arrest charge of Resisting on charge ofon Possession of Drug Arrest charge 07/13/2021.

Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Paraphernalia, Possession of County withon18th to of Misdemeanor Marijuana Paraphernalia, on 4/5/22, ♦ Blackwell, Terrance Lee (M, 29), Possession of Schedule IV CS, Randleman, on 07/14/2021. furniture ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), 20th-century at Randolph County Courthouse.

Arrested on charge of Cyberstalking Possession of Stolen motor pottery, Arrest on charge ofHouse Assault on a and accessories, ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), - Threats

by Email, Electronic vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer ♦ McClelland, Darrel (M, Arrest/Violation, on8300 4/1/22, at 109Power Rd, Female, at Curtis ArrestBrandon on chage of Misdemeanor glass, tag, clocks, dolls, failure to deliver title, failure to 32), Arrested on charge of Assault Circle.NC, on 07/14/2021.

Bennett, Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick Brookwood toys, military appear onitems, felony, at I-85 Exit 111, on a Female, Assault Government Rodk Mtn, on(207/14/2021. on 07/13/2021. advertising, decoys, Official/Employee counts),

♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39), Arrest onAlan charge of Misdemeanor ♦ Bell, Joshua (M, 34), Arrested onLarceny, charge ofat Second 2587 Degree WayneArson, White Rd, Burning Personal Property, Burning Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021.

Other Buildings, on 4/5/22, at

Possession Schedule VI CS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, on 4/5/22, at Hwy 64 & Trogdon Hill Rd.

County Courthouse. ♦Randolph Bolton McKee, James Henry (M, 47), Arrest on charge of ♦ Cheek, Bradley Clinton Sr (M, 39), Possession of Stolen Goods,ofat Arrested on charge of Possession 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on 07/15/2021.

♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on jewelry, quilts, folk charge of possession of marijuana ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), art and “in the rough” up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Arrest on charge of Assault by country Americana.

Courthouse, on 7/13/2021.

Possession of Schedule VI CS, ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), pointing a gun, Discharging a DEATH NOTICES Possessiong of Stolen Motor Arrest on charge of Simple firearm to cause fear, Reckless ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Vehicle, I-85 Exit 111,39, onof AssaultLouise (M), at 139Cranford, Drum St, ♦ Margaret Rains age ♦ Joshua “Toby”at Samuel Dixon, ♦ Jerry Maurice Dickens, 84, of driving to endanger, Seagrove, on Arrest chargeApril of Possession 14th Celebration of 88Asheboro, of Asheboro, on Friday, April Bear07/13/2021.

Creek, died on Saturday, April Asheboro, died on Saturday, 2, ondied 07/14/2021.

07/12/2021.

Meth, Possession 8, 2022 at her home.

2, 2022 at his home.

2022 atof The Randolph Hospice with intent Spring Pottery manufacture, sell or distribute ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35),House intoAsheboro. ♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest ♦ Dorothy Stockwell Bulla, ageof87, Siler Phillips, 73, ofofSiler City, heroin, Simple possession of 10am on charge of Felony Sexual Arrest on charge Possession 31), Arrest on charges Felony ♦ Susan died April 3, 2022 at Woodland Hill died on Friday, April 1, 2022. ♦ Lloyd Wayne Lundy, 73, died Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintaining of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Larceny and Possession of Stolen Exploitation of a minor in the Nursing Home.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Moses The Seagrove Potters will Place, Possession of Drug Possession of drug paraphernalia, Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, ♦ Clinton Edward VonCannon, 80, second degree (10 counts), 727 Cone Hospital. hold their annual ♦ Jeffrey Eugeneon Shank, age 62 of Troy, of Asheboro, died Friday,on April 8, failure Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Failure to appeal felony, Seagrove, 07/14/2021.

McDowell Rd, Spring Asheboro, NC, on died on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at his 2022to atappear Moses Cone Health in ♦ Forrest Thurman Vuncannon, Rd, on 7/13/2021. on misdemeanor, at kiln openings April 2207/12/2021.

Greensboro.

57, died Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at ♦home.

Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32), 24. An unprecedented ♦ Richard Howard Moore, age 90 of Asheboro, died on Friday, April 8, 2022 at his home in Asheboro.

♦ Mrs. Mary Alice Nichols Davis, age 87, of Asheboro, NC, died, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at her residence.

Randolph Hospital.

♦ Mary Linn, died on April 5, 2022. ♦ Reverend Markus Benson Sink, 73, of Thomasville, died on Monday, April 4th, 2022.

number of pottery shops will open their doors to celebrate. The self-guided tour starts at the Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove where attendees can pick up maps and special offers ple cheering over him, or booing before they visit shops. over him or going into different

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 FRIDAY APRIL 15

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

HI 74 LOW 51— Triple H PHILADELPHIA walked with his arms crossed PRECIP 20% like

an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to SATURDAY 16month ring a ceremonialAPRIL bell last before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

His theme music blared HI 76 through the arena, and near51 from the ly 19,000 fansLOW hanging 24% rafters roaredPRECIP when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the SUNDAY bell.

APRIL 17 Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when HI 68 the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-exLOW 48 ecutive, the frenzied atmosphere PRECIP 24% was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous MONDAY APRIL 18 crowds.

“It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them HI 66go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as LOW 47 Levesque.

WWE executive Paul PRECIP 34% “That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.”

WWE hasn’t been the same without its “Yes!” chants or “This TUESDAY APRIL 19 is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matchHI with 62 a piped-in es every week soundtrack and virtual LOW 40fans.

No more. PRECIP 39% With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

♦ David Grayson Grigg, age 71 of Troy, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. ♦ Terry Dean Andrews, 78, of Siler City, died on Monday, April 4, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones at his home.

♦ Johnny Ray Parrish, 62, born November 23, 1959, died peacefully at his home on April 5, 2022 with family by his side. ♦ Claudie William Peele, 87, of Asheboro, died Saturday, April 2, 2022, at his home.

♦ Ella Mae Grant Kersey, 88, died Monday, April 4, 2022 at her home. ♦ Anthony Delgado Rivera, 42, died March 30, 2022.

4” Ad

PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP

In this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and Dallas on Monday for the flagship “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE spruced up sets, brought back old stars and hit the reset button on TV programming humbled with record-low ratings and a strong need for new stars.

“I do think if we were doing this in front of the live crowd, it would have been a situation that would have made me an even better per-

former,” Reigns said. “As a live performer, that simultaneous response keeps you sharp. We had to adjust and adapt to the times that were in front of us.”

With Hulk Hogan in the house, WWE held their only WrestleMania with fans this past April 10 and 11 at Raymond James Stadium. WWE last ran a weeknight televised event with a paid crowd on March 9, 2020, in Washington.

WWE then moved to its in-house performance center in Florida on March 13, before setting up what it dubbed The ThunderDome -where fans registered for spots on LED digital videoboards — for stretches in Florida at the Amway Center, Tropicana Field and the Yuengling Center.

“People like Roman have been able to emotionally bring a performance that, maybe with peo-

directions over him,” have benefited, Levesque said. “But that’s the beauty of what we do, to go be entertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.”

WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, the lowest in the 28-plus year history of the show.

Levesque, WWE EVP of global talent strategy and development, said the company would “take a hard look” at how it can attract more fans to the product each week. WWE can only hope the combination of live crowds and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldberg, and Cena can ignite interest and grow ratings during the build to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerSlam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“It never is one thing,” Levesque said. “We see this as a moment in time to shift everything. I think you’ll see it in just the layout of everything, the set designs, the way it’s presented. There’s a greater emphasis on utilizing the spaces that we have and the TV aspect of it while still engaging the fans.

A lot of that comes from the time we had to experiment inside the ThunderDome.”

The first start is putting fans — holding their homemade signs and wearing their catchphrase T-shirts — back in the seats.

“When we have that live crowd, sometimes they almost become the cameras for a lot of the performers,” Reigns said. “But when you don’t have that real-time, flesh interaction, the red light becomes the focal point for the performer.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

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

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s border crisis

Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border.

“BORDER SECURITY is the most basic and necessary responsibility of a sovereign nation.”

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielson is exactly right. Sadly, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have failed on this most basic responsibility. And the worst may be yet to come.

Last week, despite outrage from me and dozens of Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, the Biden administration announced its plan to end Title 42 protections at our southern border. Title 42 is a commonsense regulation that gives government officials the authority to quickly turn around migrants at the southern border to protect public health. Since President Trump implemented this measure in March 2020, it has played an integral part in stemming the flow of illegal migration.

So far, Title 42 has been used to expel 1.7 million migrants. In February alone, 55% of encounters were processed for removal under Title 42. This is one of our country’s strongest border security tools, and if revoked, border agents have confirmed it will worsen the crisis at our southern border. Right now, border agents are seeing an average of 8,000 illegal crossings a day. A border patrol section chief told me we lose operational control of our border at 5,000 crossings per day. The Department of Homeland Security estimates up to 18,000 migrants per day will illegally enter our country once Title 42 is revoked.

The decision to end this policy is just the latest misstep in Biden’s border crisis. Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border. These numbers do not even account for the thousands of migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents.

Just last week, Customs and Border Patrol confirmed over 300,000 illegal immigrants evaded border personnel over the past six months, including 62,000 in March alone.

Title 42 is one of the few policies left that are working. Yet, President Biden seems determined to end the policy and appease

those on the Left who want to open our borders.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ tendency to promote a far-left agenda over the safety and security of the American people is not limited to their failure at the border.

Last week, Democrats also continued their assault on American energy. Over the past year, they have tried to shift blame for this crisis onto COVID-19 and Vladimir Putin. Last week at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing they tried to pin rising gas prices on oil companies. The American people are smarter than that and know pain at the pump began long before Russia’s heinous invasion of Ukraine and started the first week of Joe Biden’s presidency when he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline.

After canceling American pipelines and placing restrictions on domestic oil production, gas prices have risen every month of Biden’s presidency. This, along with the highest inflation rates in 40 years, is costing the average household an extra $5,200 this year compared to last.

The American people need solutions – not excuses – to the challenges facing our country.

This starts with securing our border. While I firmly believe we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. Our immigration system is in need of repair, but any reform effort must begin by securing our borders. We must finish construction of the border wall, increase funding to border patrol, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and maintain Title 42 protections.

Additionally, President Biden and Washington Democrats need to stop playing the blame game and instead pursue measures that will address inflation and gas prices in a real way. This includes passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act, a bill that will boost our domestic energy production and drive down costs across the board.

Rest assured I will not stop fighting until we have worked to secure our border and end this inflation crisis impacting you and your family. Our nation’s security and our children’s future depend on it.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The Left is the culture war aggressor

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color.

REPORTER CHRISTOPHER RUFO recently released footage of top Disney employees vowing to inject their radical LGBTQ agenda into children’s programming. Disney producer Latoya Raveneau told an all-hands meeting that her team works to push a “not-at-allsecret gay agenda” in programming aimed at kids and sought to add “queerness” to such content.

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she was the mother of “one transgender child and one pansexual child” and that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color. Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware stated that Disney’s beloved theme parks would be eliminating any mention of “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls.”

This prompted a well-deserved firestorm for the Mouse House.

Disney has long been Left-wing on social issues — but in the aftermath of ginned-up controversy surrounding Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which protects small children from indoctrination on sexual orientation and gender identity, an angry coterie of employees pushed management to signal fealty even harder. So Disney’s brass did, announcing that they opposed the Florida bill and then turning over the company to its most radical contingent.

And people reacted. #BoycottDisney began to trend on social media. We at the Daily Wire committed to spending $100 million to develop children’s content that would be safe for kids — content dedicated to traditional values, where parents wouldn’t have to worry about prescreening content for messages about nonbinary 5-year-olds.

The Left, caught with its hand in the kiddie jar, immediately swiveled and accused the Right of initiating this culture war.

Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times lamented that she felt terrible for Raveneau, who, after all, was just “step(ping) up to defend the company’s queer friendliness, only to become a national object of right-wing fury and disgust,” and whose injection of LGBTQ propaganda into children’s content was “sweetly anodyne.”

CNN hosted Washington Post transgender columnist Charlotte Clymer, adding the chyron “LGBT COMMUNITY LATEST TO BE CAUGHT IN CULTURE WAR.” The takeaway, according to the social Left, is that anyone who defends traditionalism in childrearing — or anyone who simply doesn’t want children turned into targets of sexual propagandizing — is the true cultural aggressor.

This is a transparent lie. And it’s a lie that won’t redound to the benefit of those who seek radical change. If they wish to pose the rubric of gay rights against parental rights, gay rights are likely to suffer. If they wish to suggest that LGBTQ freedom extends to teachers initiating children into sexual conversations without parental permission, parents are unlikely to go along for the ride.

For decades, the social Left has made inroads by arguing that they simply want to be left alone. The Right, by contrast, has argued that the Left’s agenda is far broader, that the Left demands cultural celebration of its sexual mores and that it will stop at nothing to remake society in order to achieve its narcissistic goals. Disney’s latest foray into the culture wars proves that the Right was correct, that the Left’s stated agenda was a lie and that its “not-at-all-secret” agenda targeted the most vulnerable Americans.

Disney shows no signs of backing away from the extremism its all-hands meeting unmasked before the world. And other corporations are following Disney’s lead, pushing wild Left advocacy instead of catering to the broadest possible market. For too long, Americans have planted their heads firmly in the sand, hoping that the forces of the free market would militate against the cultural hijacking of corporate institutions. Instead, corporations built by entrepreneurs have been hijacked by woke employees and a feckless managerial class. The blowback will be real, and it should be real. And if that means parents swearing off Mickey Mouse, increasingly they will.

Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

3

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Opelka beats Isner in Houston for first clay title Houston Reilly Opelka beat fellow American John Isner 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Sunday to win the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in the tallest matchup in an ATP Tour final. The 6-foot-11 Opelka won his fourth tour title and first on clay. He improved to 5-1 against the 6-foot10 Isner. The 24-year-old Opelka, seeded third has won all his titles in the United States, taking the first in 2019 in an indoor event in New York and following at Delray Beach in 2020 and Dallas this year. The 36-year-old Isner, seeded fourth, won in Houston in 2013. He has 16 ATP Tour titles.

NHL

Penguins’ Malkin suspended 4 games Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended four games for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki in the face. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension after holding a hearing with Malkin about the play. Malkin was initially given only a four-minute double-minor penalty after striking Borowiecki in the mouth with his stick at the end of the second period Sunday.

This is Malkin’s second suspension after a onegame ban for high-sticking in 2019. This one costs him $190,000 in salary. He’s eligible to return April 23 vs. Detroit.

MLB

Manfred gifts players headphones as lockout peace offering New York Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred gave major league players Bose headphones on opening day as a peace offering after a bitter 99day lockout that delayed the start of the season. Major League Baseball confirmed that headphones and a letter signed by Manfred were left at the locker of each player when teams began their seasons last week. Manfred’s relationship with players has grown increasingly icy since he succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2014.

AUTO RACING

Ferrari’s Leclerc wins Formula 1 Australian GP Melbourne, Australia Charles Leclerc completed a dominant weekend in his Ferrari, starting on the pole and winning the Australian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Leclerc extended his lead in the drivers’ championship by claiming his second victory of the season after also winning the season-opening race in Bahrain. Leclerc was able to hold off Red Bull rival Max Verstappen during the opening laps and pulled away for a decisive 20.524-second victory.

Sergio Perez overcame a slow start to secure second ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell, who secured his first podium finish of the season, and Lewis Hamilton.

AP PHOTO

William Byron does a burnout after winning Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville.

Byron holds on after OT restart, wins at Martinsville The No. 24 became the first team to win two races in the 2022 season

The Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va. — William Byron knew he was in for a big challenge with a two-lap overtime sprint about to start and the very aggressive Joey Logano right behind him.

He also felt like he had a pretty remarkable co-pilot in his corner.

“This one is for my mom,” Byron said. “This same weekend last year she had kind of a mini-stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer.

It means a lot to have her here and it’s been a crazy year. But she’s doing great. I kind of felt like she was riding in there with me.”

Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway — he led 212 laps — to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCAR’s Cup Series on Saturday night.

Byron needed to hold off a challenge — and a nudge — from Logano on a two-lap overtime sprint to finish it, but he won for the fourth time in his career and gave Hendrick Motorsports four victories in eight races this season.

When the final caution, and only the second for an on-track issue of the night, came with five laps to go, Byron and the seven drivers behind him opted to stay out for the final dash.

“I thought everyone behind us would pit, and luckily we stayed out,” he said. “We were aggressive; we felt like we could refire on the

212 Laps led by William Byron in Saturday’s race at Martinsville, the most in a race in his career. tires and be OK, and you’ve got one of the most aggressive guys behind you in Logano.”

Byron had both a fast car that allowed him to pull away on restarts and a strong one on long runs, critical since there wasn’t a caution for anything but the end of a stage until the 311th of 400 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.

That changed when Todd Gilliland had a flat tire and hit the wall with five laps to go. Byron and the

top eight cars on the track opted not to pit, with Byron picking the inside lane and Austin Dillon, running second, on the outside.

That gave Logano a prime opportunity to bump the leader out of the way, especially when Dillon spun his tires on the restart. Logano bumped Byron in Turn 2 on the last lap, but Byron held on for his second win of the weekend. He won in the Truck Series on Thursday night, earning him a pair of the raceway’s unique grandfather clock trophies for three days of solid racing.

“Willy kind of messed up off of 4 and let me get to him, and he did a really good job of brake checking into third, right, which is a good job,” Logano said. “He did what he was supposed to do, and kind of got me all stuffed up behind him and I couldn’t accelerate off the corner and be as close as I needed to be.”

Logano was second, followed

by Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain.

The top series moves to its third straight short track, this time on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway next Sunday.

No fairytale ending for Tiger, but still inspiring Competing for the first time in 17 months, Woods made the cut at the Masters

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family. This is where all the great champions have ever played.”

The Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters patrons filled in every nook and cranny around the 18th green, awaiting the appearance of the man in red.

A scene that’s been so familiar to Tiger Woods on so many Sundays at Augusta National, but this one was different.

It wasn’t even 3 o’clock on the warm, sunny afternoon in east Georgia. Over on the adjacent first hole, leader Scottie Scheffler and closest pursuer Cameron Smith had just teed off in the final group.

Hunched over and limping noticeably, Woods climbed the deceptively steep hill leading up to the green as the fans slowly rose to their feet, the roar building as they saluted a remarkable comeback if not a fairy tale of a weekend.

“Way to hang in there, Tiger!” a man standing back in the crowd belted out.

From a strictly golfing viewpoint, this was hardly the Woods that so many remembered. The guy who’s won five green jackets, the last of them just three years ago. The guy who’ll go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game, even if he never strikes another shot.

Tiger Woods

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods putts on the 15th green during the final round of the Masters on Sunda, in Augusta, Georgia.

This Woods, the one hobbling on a rebuilt right leg that he could’ve lost in that horrific car crash 14 months ago, closed with back-to-back 78s that were the worst scores of his Masters career.

He even had to take a left-handed swing at the 13th after knocking his ball onto the pine straw behind the green, right up next to an azalea.

His battered body simply ran out of steam after an electrifying 71 on Thursday, when Woods made his return to competitive golf for the first time in more than 500 days.

He grinded out a 74 on Friday, ensuring he would make the Mas-

ters cut for the 22nd time in a row.

There was nothing left in the tank for the weekend.

Still, it was a gratifying experience, one that Woods clearly didn’t regret putting himself through even if he didn’t come close to winning a record-tying sixth green jacket.

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family,” Woods said. “This is where all the great champions have ever played. They have walked these grounds.”

That Woods was able to walk the course again — for four days, no less — was a feat in itself.

After his wreck in February 2021, doctors told Wood that his

shattered right leg might have to be amputated. They managed to save it, but he was confined to a hospital bed for three months.

He’s still got screws and rods holding the bones in place.

Woods walked Augusta National with a limp that got more and more noticeable, sometimes using a club as a walking stick to help him get around.

Everyone realizes how much Woods still means to the game, even if he is surely in the twilight of his career at age 46.

Woods told Sky Sports that he plans to play the British Open at St. Andrews in July. He isn’t sure about the next two majors: the PGA Championship, set for May 19-22 at Southern Hills, or the U.S. Open at Brookline in June.

“It’ll be just the big events,” Woods told Sky. “But I am looking forward to St. Andrews. That is something that is near and dear to my heart. I’ve won two Opens there, it’s the home of golf. It’s my favorite golf course in the world, so I will be there for that one.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

5 BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Madison Arroyo Madison Arroyo of Asheboro has been a big contributor for the Blue Comets this season.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s Hunter Atkins drills the ball during a game against Southwestern Randolph during Piedmont Athletic Conference action last month at Randleman.

Tigers blank Patriots twice Randleman closes in on outright PAC title

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record CLIMAX — Randleman’s baseball team was close to perfect in a couple of ways during a pair of Piedmont Athletic Conference shutouts last week.

Those results allowed the Tigers to clinch at least a share of the PAC regular-season championship.

“We’ve been swinging it really well,” outfielder Braylon Hayes said. “Pitching is amazing.”

Indeed, in Wednesday’s 10-0 victory at Providence Grove, Ryan White retired the first 17 batters he faced. So he had a perfect game until Brady Collins drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the sixth.

“Just pound the strike zone,” White said. “Doing my job.”

The left-hander’s no-hit bid was gone when Logan Fox led off the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle. One out later,

Tyler Foust singled.

White ended up going 6 2/3 innings before Hunter Atkins finished for the last out.

“I thought Ryan was in control the entire game,” Randleman coach Jake Smith said.

It was a relevant outing for White.

“This is where my brother played high school,” he said, referring to Gage White. “I wanted to pitch against them really bad.”

One of White’s 12 strikeouts to end an inning drew a loud reaction from catcher Brooks Brannon.

“He came inside on a hitter and froze him, and I got excited,” Brannon said.

Not to be outdone, two nights later in the rematch at Randleman, Drake Purvis and Trey Way combined for a one-hitter with 16 strikeouts in a 5-0 victory. Purvis gave up a single to Fox and one walk while striking out 13 in 5 2/3 innings.

Brannon, who had three hits, and Atkins homered in the home

game for the Tigers.

In the game at Providence Grove, Hayes put Randleman on the board with a two-run triple as part of a four-run fourth inning.

He drove in a seventh-inning run with a double.

Those results gave the Tigers a 10-0 PAC record and a cushion on second-place Trinity. In order for Trinity to catch Randleman, it would have to beat the Tigers twice next week and then close the regular season by sweeping a pair of games from Eastern Randolph.

“I would say that every time we play is a new start,” Brannon said.

“It doesn’t matter who we play, we treat it like a championship. I think that’s what makes us successful.”

The Tigers took an undefeated record to this week’s tournament in Charleston, S.C., where they opened play with Monday’s 17-3 victory against Hilton Head. That was sparked by an 11-run first inning. Atkins had five RBI and Brannon and Gus Shelton homered.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNA

Asheboro, girls’ soccer Arroyo helped spark the Blue Comets to three victories in a five-day span.

It began when she scored three goals in a 4-2 road victory against Oak Grove in a Mid-Piedmont Conference game.

In another Mid-Piedmont Conference game, Arroyo scored the first goal in Asheboro’s 3-1 victory against visiting Central Davidson.

Arroyo knocked in three goals as the Blue Comets defeated host High Point Central 8-2 in their third game of the week. That was a non-league result.

Arroyo, a senior captain, has a team leading 15 goals as the Blue Comets entered this week with a 5-2-2 record.

PREP NOTES PREP SOCCER Wheatmore’s Kara Comer prepares to kick the ball past Southwestern Randolph’s Kylie Zimpfer during a Piedmont Athletic Conference girls’ soccer game last week in Trinity.

Wheatmore won, 8-1.

Southwestern Randolph goalkeeper Rylee Tucker makes a save in front of Wheatmore’s Natalie Bowman during last week’s game.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Ethan Frye of Eastern Randolph takes a swing during a game last week against Uwharrie Charter Academy.

Races brew in PAC standings Randolph Record staff

Wheatmore’s Haley Vazquez, left, receives a hug from teammate Ellie Garrison after the team scored a second-half goal against visiting Southwestern Randolph.

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

WITH SCHOOLS in the Piedmont Athletic Conference on spring break this week, the schedules are limited in many sports.

It’s also a good time to check on some key remaining matchups.

For instance, Wheatmore and Uwharrie Charter Academy are unbeaten in PAC girls’ soccer games. Those teams will meet April 22 in what is bound to be a critical clash, though there will be a rematch May 10.

In softball, undefeated Providence Grove has defeated second-place Southwestern Randolph twice. The only remaining PAC contender on the Patriots’ schedule is Eastern Randolph, which dropped a 5-1 decision in the first meet-

ing. They play again April 26 in Ramseur.

In boys’ tennis, UCA ran away with the regular-season crown with an 11-0 record. The PAC Tournament is slated for April 10 at Asheboro Memorial Park.

Baseball bits Asheboro pitcher Connor Adams struck out 12 in seven shutout innings in what became a 1-0 loss in 11 innings.

Teammate Davis Gore fanned seven in four innings, so the duo combined for 19 strikeouts.

Ethan Frye drove in six runs during Eastern Randolph’s 9-7 road victory at Uwharrie Charter Academy. Among Frye’s four hits was a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning.

e l t e -

e h o t k h d t o d

r

s s -

f a -

d t s y f

n a n d p d s -

’

e e , a s e

t n e s -

s e d e e -

h -

e d s -

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

6

Highly pathogenic avian influenza update By the North Carolina Cooperative Extension HIGHLY PATHOGENIC Avian Influenza has found its way into North Carolina’s commercial poultry industry after being found in wild waterfowl for the past several months. New updates have been provided recently from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) including a suspension of poultry events until further notice. This includes “exhibitions, farm tours, shows, sales, flea markets, auction markets, swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in North Carolina.”

“This suspension is due to the continued spread of HPAI that has affected commercial and backyard flocks in numerous states, including North Carolina,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin earlier this month. “We do not make this decision lightly. HPAI is a serious threat to our

AP PHOTO

Turkeys stand in a barn on turkey farm near Manson, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2015. poultry industry and this is a precaution to help limit the introduction of the virus to backyard and commercial flocks.

Producers, both big and small,

should continue to practice proper biosecurity protocols to keep commercial and domestic flocks away from areas frequented by migratory birds, all waterfowl,

and other wild birds. The main point here is that they do not need to have free access to the outdoors in a way that is unprotected. HPAI could wipe out an entire flock when infected. In addition to routine biosecurity protocols like having farm dedicated clothing and footwear, other things to consider at this time include: relocating flocks away from all natural bodies of water, covering the top of any open or screened runs with metal and/or plastic to prevent wild bird droppings from falling into the bird area, and removing wild bird feeders or distancing them from any backyard flocks as much as possible. If your birds are more confined than usual, be sure to adjust ventilation as needed and consider adding forms of enrichment to discourage birds from pecking one another such as tree branches, cabbage, melons, pecking blocks, hanging aluminum pie pans, etc.

The Department of Agriculture

Once a retail giant, Kmart nears extinction The Associated Press AVENEL, N.J. — The familiar sights and sounds are still there: the scuffed and faded floor tiles, the relentless beige-on-beige color scheme, the toddlers’ clothes and refrigerators and pretty much everything in between.

There’s even a canned recording that begins, “Attention, Kmart shoppers” — except it’s to remind folks about COVID-19 precautions, not to alert them to a flash sale over in ladies’ lingerie like days of old.

Many of the shelves are bare, though, at the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, picked over by bargain hunters as the store prepares to close its doors for good April 16.

Once it shutters, the number of Kmarts in the U.S. — once well over 2,000 — will be down to three in the continental U.S. and a handful of stores elsewhere, according to multiple reports, in a retail world now dominated by Walmart, Target and Amazon.

“You’re always thinking about it because stores are closing all over, but it’s still sad,” said cashier Michelle Yavorsky, who said she has worked at the Avenel store for 2 ½ years. “I’ll miss the place. A lot of people shopped here.”

In its heyday, Kmart sold product lines endorsed by celebrities Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith, sponsored NASCAR auto races and was mentioned in movies including “Rain Man” and “Beetlejuice.” It was namedropped in songs by artists from Eminem to the Beastie Boys to

AP PHOTO

While many shelves are empty, furniture and fixtures are on still on sale at the Kmart in Avenel, N.J., Monday, April 4, 2022.

Hall & Oates.

The chain cemented a place in American culture with its Blue Light Specials, a flashing blue orb affixed to a pole that would beckon shoppers to a flash sale in progress. Part of its success was due to its early adoption of layaway programs, which allowed customers who lacked credit to reserve items and pay for them in installments.

For a time, Kmart had a little bit of everything: You could shop for your kids’ back-to-school supplies, get your car tuned up and grab a meal without leaving the premises.

“Kmart was part of America,” said Michael Lisicky, a Baltimore-based author who has written several books on U.S. retail history. “Everybody went to Kmart, whether you liked it or not. They had everything. You had toys. You had sporting goods.

You had candy. You had stationery. It was something for everybody. This was almost as much of a social visit as it was a shopping visit. You could spend hours here.

And these just dotted the American landscape over the years.”

Kmart’s decline has been slow but steady, brought about by years

of falling sales, changes in shopping habits and the looming shadow of Walmart, which coincidentally began its life within months of Kmart’s founding in 1962.

Struggling to compete with Walmart’s low prices and Target’s trendier offerings, Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2002 — the largest U.S. retailer to take that step — and announced it would close more than 250 stores.

A few years later, hedge fund executive Edward Lampert combined Sears and Kmart and pledged to return them to their

s .

Kenny J Kidd

IRT-1948J-A

Financial Advisor 211 Worth St Asheboro, NC 27203-5557 336-328-0416

edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

classifies warning signs of HPAI as reduced energy, decreased appetite, and/or decreased activity, lower egg production and/or softshelled or misshapen eggs, swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles, purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs, difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose), and/or sneezing, twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling, and/or greenish diarrhea.

All flock owners are strongly encouraged to keep birds indoors without access to the outside and should report sick birds to your local veterinarian, the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division, 919707-3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919-733-3986.

“This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are no cases to date of this strain of HPAI infecting a person. The virus is also not considered a food safety threat and infected birds do not enter the food supply. All properly cooked poultry products are safe to consume.”

former greatness, but the recession and the rising dominance of Amazon contributed in derailing those goals. Sears filed for Chapter 11 in 2018 and currently has a handful of stores left in the U.S. where it once had thousands.

It didn’t have to end this way, according to Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia University in New York and former CEO of Sears Canada. Trying to compete with Walmart on price was a foolish strategy, he said, and Lampert was criticized for not having a retail background and appearing more interested in stripping off the assets of the two chains for their cash value.

“It’s a study in greed, avarice and incompetence,” Cohen said.

“Sears should have never gone away; Kmart was in worse shape, but not fatally so. And now they’re both gone.”

Nationwide, some former Kmarts remain vacant while others have been replaced by other big-box stores, fitness centers, self-storage facilities, even churches. One former site in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is now a popular dine-in movie theater.

Unlike 20 years ago, when news of impending Kmart closures around the country prompted an outpouring of support from loyal shoppers , the closing of the Avenel location was met mostly with an air of resignation.

“It’s maybe a little nostalgic because I’ve lived my whole life in this area, but it’s just another retail store closing,” said Jim Schaber, a resident of nearby Iselin who said his brother worked in the shoe department at Kmart for years. “It’s just another sign of people doing online shopping and not going out to the retail stores.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

7

obituaries

Lucina Martinez Trinidad

Donald Vernon Freeman

1950 - 2022

1943 - 2022

Lucina Martinez Trinidad, age 72 of Asheboro, passed away Friday, April 8, 2022 at UNC Hospital surrounded by her family. Parents, Juan Martinez and Maria Estefana welcomed Lucina into the world on January 1, 1950.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was a God Warrior having faced multiple challenges and managed to be successful during everything.

To her husband, she was the best woman in the world! She was a loving caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and meant so much to her family and everyone who knew her. Lucina will be greatly missed.

Lucina was preceded in death by her parents: Juan and Maria; her brother: Faustino; and sons: Antonio Gabriel and David Gabriel.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years: David Gabriel Zarza, daughters: Angelica Gabriel, Irma Gabriel, Leticia Gabriel, Rocio Gabriel, and Maricela Gabriel; grandchildren: Patricia, Karina, Lizbeth, Sandra, Gerardo, Carlos, Diana, Omar, Monica, Andrea, Jennifer, Gustavo, Karla, Marco, Isabel and Ivanna; great grandchildren: Melanie, Leonardo, Natalia and Gael; sisters: Lucia,Rosa, Miguel and Celia; and numerous extended family and friends.

Donald V. Freeman, age 79, of Asheboro, NC went to his heavenly home on Wednesday April 6, 2022 at Universal Healthcare of Ramseur. He struggled with Dementia for over 6 years but is now restored with our Lord Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his parents Pearly V. Freeman and Lola Moffitt Freeman Jones.

He was a member of Mountain View Church of Asheboro where he sang, taught Sunday School and ushered. He loved God and his church. He was a proud Army Veteran. He worked for Klaussner Furniture for 25 years and retired from Randolph Health & Rehab (now Alpine) where he led a bible study, as long as he was able. Don was a hard worker, best husband, father, and Paw Paw. He is survived by his wife Sara (Becky) Farlow Freeman, daughter Stefanie Yelverton and husband Stephen, granddaughter Samantha Yelverton, and sister Joyce Freeman Coats of Montae, New Jersey.

Michael J. Redding

Wallace Ellred Garner

1950 - 2022

1933 - 2022

Michael Johnson Redding, age 71, of Troy, passed away on April 5, 2022.

He was born on October 3, 1950 in Asheboro to Talmage and Mattie Belle Redding. Michael was a 1969 graduate of Asheboro High School where he was known as ‘Moose’ and was co captain and all state in both wrestling and football. His love of high school sports remained with him throughout his life.

He knew life was precious and short and spent as much time as he could with his friends, family and grandchildren.

He was passionate about his grandchildren and made every effort to spend as much time as possible with them, letting them individually know how special they were and he took great pleasure in watching them work hard at their individual sports.

Michael is survived by his son, Jason Redding of Asheboro; daughter, Kasey Bulford (Mark) of Newnan, GA; grandchildren, Wesley, Adele, Liam and Jack; siblings, Walker Redding (Jeannie), Howard Redding, Shelia Williams (Earl), El Redding (Sue White); longtime girlfriend and sweetheart, Susan McEntire.

Wallace Ellred Garner, age 88, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Randolph Hospital.

Mr. Garner was born in Hillsborough, NC on September 9, 1933 to William and Cora Belle Wallace Garner. He was a member of Seagrove United Methodist Church. Wallace was formerly employed with Walker Shoe Company, Stuart Furniture, and Stedman Manufacturing, and retired from Elastex. In addition to his parents, Wallace was preceded in death by his daughter, Darlene Garner O’Steen and 7 brothers and sisters. Wallace loved to work in his garden, especially with his tomatoes. He enjoyed watching sports and racing on TV. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Shehan Garner; daughter, Tammy Jones (Robert) of King George, VA; son-inlaw, Chris O’Steen of Leland; grandchildren, Larissa Jones (Ben Warner) of Durham and Patrick O’Steen (Rachel) of Apex; and great granddaughter, Marissa O’Steen.

Walter Lewis Davis 1932 - 2022

Mary Clay Balog 1942 - 2022

Mary Clay Balog, age 79, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Randolph Hospice House.

Mrs. Balog was born in Shoaf, PA on May 7, 1942 to Joseph Clay, Sr. and Rose Chabanak Clay.

Mary was retired from Mid-State Plastics/Moll Industries. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Clay, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Richard Allan Balog; son, Tarus Balog and wife Andrea of Pittsboro; daughter, Tanya Wilson and husband Jurgen of Davidson; twin grandchildren, Elsa and Taylor Wilson; and sister, Lori Porter and husband Larry of Virginia Beach, VA.

2

2

Walter “Lewis” Davis, age 89, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022 at his home.

Mr. Davis was born December 4, 1932 to Ed and Ada Davis in Dobson, NC. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Sawyersville Wesleyan Church.

Lewis was a master craftsman, the former co-owner of Circle Craft, the owner of Davis Tile and Davis Cabinets, and as a mechanic in his younger days, when he loved building and drag racing cars on dirt tracks. Lewis loved farming, working with his tractors, and raising show chickens.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris Harvell Davis; daughters, Angie Garwood of Sophia and Tami Garner (Duffy) of Denton; son, Rick Davis (Gail) of Asheboro; grandaughters, Kayla Jordan (Justin) and Danielle Clark (Ethan); and great grandson, Davis Jordan.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his sisters, Thelma Proctor, Elsie Fergerson, and Mae Towery, and his brothers, Howard, Vernard, Curt, and Wayne Davis.

WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

WEDNESDAY

7.7.21 #3

Charles Kolleel "Chuck" Johnston

Gene Caswell Kerns 1933 - 2022

Gene Caswell Kerns, age 88, passed away April 3, 2022 at Forsyth Novant Hospital.

Gene was born in Lexington, NC but lived most of his life in Randolph County. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an electrician for four years and, in the Korean War. He also served in the Merchant Marines.

Gene worked and retired from Burlington Industries. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.

He enjoyed racing Micro-Midget cars, fishing, and was a talented woodworker.

Gene in preceded in death by his parents, James Edward Kerns and Alean Spivey Kerns; sister, Sandra Kerns Hancock.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marion F. (Bobbi) Kerns; sons, Craig Kerns, Quin Kerns (Karen), and Cary Kerns (Brandi).

He is also survived by his grandchildren, James Kerns and Isabella Kerns.

1928 – 2022

Charles Kolleel Johnston, age 94, died Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Randolph Hospice House.

There for less than 7 hours, Charles passed peacefully with wife Vicki by his side.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his only sibling Robert, and his first wife Dorothy Daily Johnston.

He is survived by his wife: Vicki Small Johnston of Pleasant Garden, NC; son: Charles Ray Johnston (Carla) of Fredericksburg, VA; and stepson: Alexander Michael Chapman of Pleasant Garden: sister-in-law Kristi Small Beaton (Gary) of Randleman, NC, and niece and nephew Hannah and Elijah Beaton.

Chuck was born March 4, 1928, in Kenney, DeWitt County, IL to Raymond T. and Susie E. Issac.

He attended schools in Pontiac, Kenney, and Normal, IL. In the 1940’s, Chuck worked at two Illinois defense plants, then enlisted in the Army in 1946 with basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. A career Army man, he acted as a Radio Operator, a Message Center Clerk, and a Crypto Tech.

Samuel H. Weeks 2022

Samuel “Sam” Hartford Weeks, age 84, of Randleman passed away April 7, 2022 at his home.

Sam was a native of Gilchrist County, FL. and served in the US Army Reserves. He was a 1962 graduate of Berry College of Rome, GA. After 30+ years, he retired from his position as the CEO of the Farmers Cooperative of Live Oak, FL. He was also an active Pine Tree farmer until his passing. Sam served his Lord and Savior for many years as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Westwood Baptist Church in Live Oak. When in Randleman, NC, he attended First Baptist Church of Asheboro and was a member of Worth Younts’ Sunday School class.

Sam is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nora Smith Weeks of the home; daughters; Lisa Nixon of Archdale and Jennifer Hicks (Marty) of Sophia; grandchildren: Caleb Chauncey and his fiance Rachel Austin, Erin Presnell (Justin), Emily Garner (Kendall) and Jake Nixon.

Great-granddaughters: Aubryn and Reagan, He is also survived by his older brother Jack Weeks of Jacksonville, FL.

Nellie Craver Adams Bolton 1931 - 2022

Nellie Craver Adams Bolton, age 90, of Asheboro passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Woodland Hill Center.

Mrs. Bolton was born in Lexington, NC on August 28, 1931 to Charlie and Pearl Lambeth Craver. She was employed with G.E. and Black & Decker for 19 years. Nellie was a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church.

She is survived by her son, Brian Adams and wife Lisa Adams of Asheboro; and grandsons, Finley Adams and Cooper Adams both of Jamestown.

Randolph Record

Randolph Record for Wedn

WEEKLY FORECAST

WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

JULY JUNE 30 21

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

JULY 1JULY 22

FRIDAY

JULY 2

FRIDA

JULY

Celebrate your loved HI78° HI life of 88° HI 91° 88° HI HI the 91° HI ones.

Submit LO obituaries and death be published in LO LO 66° 70° 70° LO 67° LOnotices LO to 67° Record obits@randolphrecord.com the Randolph PRECIP 57% PRECIP 15% at PRECIPPRECIP 15% PRECIP PRECIP 13% 5%

“Join the “Join the conversation”

conversation”

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 28 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

CHRIS SEWARD | AP PHOTO

Trump, Budd rally in NC U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ted Budd pumps his fist at the Save America rally in Selma on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The rally drew thousands of attendees to hear from Trump, Budd, and other Republican candidates in the May 17 primary election.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Morton remembered as servant Joshua J. Morton, Jr., 81, of Albemarle, died April 6. Morton practiced law in Stanly County for 56 years and served in various capacities in local politics, including school board, county commissioner and as county attorney. He mentored younger community members who were interested in politics and local leadership.

Morton was a deacon at West Albemarle Baptist Church where he was also a pianist.

He was later a deacon at Pleasant Grove Baptist. He is survived by his son, Joshua J. Morton, III of Albemarle, daughter, Emily Dianne Krause and husband Robert of Roanoke, VA, and four grandchildren. His wife, Dianne, preceded him in death. The family will receive friends from 3 pm to 5 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm on Thursday at Hartsell Funeral Home. Morton’s funeral service will be Friday at 11 am at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro.

Entries due for county photo exhibit The Dwight J. Dennis Memorial Photography Exhibition and Competition runs from April 20 to May 14 and offers a $300 first prize to the winner. Cash prizes will also be awarded for second and third place, and judges may also choose to recognize honorable mention winners. This will be the first time the Stanly Arts Guild has sponsored a photography contest for the community, and it will be accepting entries through the weekend.

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

School board votes on changes to teacher pay System will apply for grants to assist in school renovations

By Ryan Henkel Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Education met Tuesday to approve funding for school projects and vote on changes affecting teacher pay. The board voted unanimously in favor of two different agenda items that positively affect teacher pay for the 2022-23 school year.

The first will change the structure for determining teacher supplements from a flat dollar basis to a percentage of pay basis. The supplements will be a hold harmless agreement, meaning that nobody will make less money than they previously had.

“Anytime your pay would increase, your supplement would increase accordingly, which I think is excellent,” said board member Anthony Graves. “The

last part about hold harmless was when we decided to make the recommendation to move to a percentage, it was possible that some people based on the previous scale would actually get less money. So that’s what this hold harmless provision is about. No one is going to lose money with this change.”

The second item approved was the movement of one of the two supplement payments from December to be paid instead in November, helping provide money earlier to teachers for the holiday season.

The board approved the usage of federal emergency funds for replacing the unit ventilators and installing bipolar ionization rods in the HVAC at Badin Elementary School. The contract was with Garmon Mechanical for a total of $758,000.

Approval was also given by the board for a contract with EDDIRECTION — a data-driven teacher and administration improvement service ‚ was approved for Albemarle Middle and High School.

“Sometimes you need to get

Husband and wife duo win Stanly ‘Arts Person of the the Year’

By David Larson Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — On Friday, April 8, the Stanly County Arts Council announced that the “Arts Person of the Year” for 2022 would actually be not one but two local residents.

“The Stanly County Arts Council is excited to announce that the husband and wife duo of Kent Harkey and Edna Lipe-Harkey are the 2022 recipients of the Arts Person of the Year,” their announcement on social media said.

“The Harkeys received numerous nominations, with most of them recommending that they both be honored.”

The Arts Council said that one nominator described their teamwork as a couple saying, “Individu-

ally each is involved, but each supports the other in the ‘team’ that they are, striving for excellence in everything for which they are involved.”

The Harkeys were honored for contributing to the arts in multiple ways over many years. A recent example is that they were heavily involved in the planning and execution of a dedication ceremony for the “Charters of Freedom” display in downtown Albemarle. The display shows three life-size bronze replicas of the Charters of Freedom — the United States Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights — located at a spot on the lawn in between Albemarle City Hall and the Stanly County History Museum.

The busy duo were also respon-

“Anytime your pay would increase, your supplement would increase accordingly, which I think is excellent.”

Anthony Graves. the right solution, for the right challenge,” Graves said of the decision to bring in this service.

“We recognize that as a board and we’re willing to make the investment in it. It isn’t like we make this investment and we hope it works, there are going to be reviews to make sure we learn what kind of progress is made.”

Other agenda items approved by the board included the adoption of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ policy and guidelines for the destruction of records and the approval for the pursuit of Needs Based Public Schools Capital Funds grants.

sible for bringing the front-porch concert series to the historical Snuggs and Marks houses. These concerts were popular with area residents looking to get out of the house during the pandemic. Bluegrass band Radio Flyer was one of the recent performers.

The announcement mentions that the Harkeys also have been instrumental in bringing the arts to Stanly County schools “and are always looking for ways to beautify our community by incorporating the arts wherever and whenever possible. Even when they are not volunteering, they show support for community events and encourage others to do the same.”

Many in the community celebrated the announcement and congratulated the Harkeys.

Leon Euguene Warren, another Stanly County citizen with a long history of volunteer and civic work locally, responded to the announcement by saying, “Congratulations Kent and Edna!!! Thank You for Your 5 Decades Of Dedication to the Arts in Stanly County. In particular to The Uwharrie Players for whom you have been a ‘Player’ Many Times On Stage

The facilities committee chose four projects for which to apply for grant money: $2 million to add six additional classrooms and remove two mobile units at East Albemarle Elementary School; $3.785 million to remove six mobile units and replace them with brick and mortar classrooms at West Stanly Middle School; $2.8 million for the removal of three mobile units and the addition of eight classrooms at Endy Elementary School; and $10 million for the removal of eight mobile units, the addition of 10 classrooms, updates to the science labs and the removal of asbestos at West Stanly High School.

These projects were chosen as they had the quickest turnaround windows and have already been approved by the county commissioners.

Although the committee only expects one of the projects to be approved, a second round of requests will be upcoming where more projects will be able to request funding.

“We had to work with everybody in the community and the county to get things done, and I just think we’re moving in a positive direction and things will be better for everybody because of it,” said board member Dr. Rufus Lefler on getting the grant requests processed as quickly as they did.

The Stanly County Board of Education will next meet May 3.

“The Harkeys received numerous nominations, with most of them recommending that they both be honored.”

Social media announcement and Behind The Scenes. Edna has done as many Costumes for The Players as anyone else, for Decades. Both of you have also volunteered a more than Generous amount of your time in Leadership Capacities, especially during difficult times. You are Both Very Deserving of this Long Due Recognition.”

The Stanly County Arts Council, founded in 1974, promotes and supports the arts — including theater, music, fine arts and much else — within the community. The council says its mission “is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

4.13.22 #232

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

APRIL 13

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278

81° 64° 6%

APRIL 14

HI LO PRECIP

76° 51° 58%

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

APRIL 15 HI LO PRECIP

75° 52° 10%

APRIL 16

HI LO PRECIP

76° 52° 24%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

APRIL 17 HI LO PRECIP

68° 49° 21%

APRIL 18

HI LO PRECIP

Stanly teacher one of five in state to win NCCAT scholarship for Poland trip

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Matt Mercer

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 (704) 269-8461 INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM STANLYJOURNAL.COM

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.

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — At the Stanly County Board of Education’s April 5 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jarrod Dennis heralded Meridith Howell — a South Stanly High English teacher — for her recent $2,500 scholarship that was presented last month by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT).

Howell is one of just five teachers in North Carolina who were awarded the scholarship that represents the NCCAT Development Foundation’s Holocaust Endowment Fund, an monetary outreach of ongoing support for statewide Holocaust education that will cover the majority of expenses for an intensive one-week seminar in Poland in June 2022.

“The teacher participants to-

PHOTO VIA STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS

South Stanly High English teacher Meredith Howell gether with two NCCAT Teacher-educators (also funded by the endowment) will visit the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka and Majdanek and learn about the Holocaust in the

cities of Warsaw, Krakow and Lublin,” a NCCAT press release stated. “There will be a special halfday teacher’s educational seminar at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw and a dialogue with Polish high school history teachers.”

Originally set for a June 2022 trip, the plans have been postponed until next summer in light of the surrounding refugee crisis and warfare in central Europe.

“I pursued this in hopes of the new House bill that’s coming up,” Howell told the school board. “In February 2021, House Bill 69 was passed stating that North Carolina is requiring Holocaust education to be integrated into the 6-12 classrooms. It’s also requiring that local districts create and implement a Holocaust Studies elective.”

Howell said that she learned a

64° 48° 33%

TUESDAY

APRIL 19

HI LO PRECIP

61° 41° 43%

lot about the law she went to the NCCAT Holocaust gathering of educators in March.

While details about the state’s upcoming required studies are still unknown, she said that she would like to take a leadership role in implementing them: “I think that this opportunity would really help me make sure that it’s implemented correctly with forethought and that it’s high quality Holocaust education, not just any Holocaust education.”

According to the NCCAT, the trip will be led by Rabbi Fred Guttman and veteran Holocaust educator Lee Holder. Guttman has been a Holocaust educator for over 40 years and has led 19 educational seminars in Poland, while Holder is a longtime member of the NC Council on the Holocaust and director of the Gizella Gross Abramson Resource Center for Holocaust and Civil Rights Education in Kinston, North Carolina.

Gracen Banning (Wake County), Carla Beck (Clay County), Ricki Stewart (Dare County) and Dina Uzzell (Wayne County) were the other four winners of the state award.

POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W. Albemarle, N.C. 28001

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ CHAMBERS, TOMMY LOPEZ (B /M/43), arrested 4/11/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ CRAIG, JIQUEZ IMEQUE (B /M/22), arrested 4/11/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ DAVIS, CHRYSTAL ALLEN (W /F/44), arrested 4/10/2022 on the primary charge of POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ WILSON, DAVID THOMAS (W /M/61), arrested 4/10/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ WALL, JOSEPH DEMETRICE (B /M/25), arrested 4/9/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT BY POINTING A GUN by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ AMERSON, ROBERT EUGENE (W /M/40), arrested 4/8/2022 on the primary charge of TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ TAYLOR, ALTON DEMETRICE (B /M/54), arrested 4/7/2022 on the primary charge of ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON (M) by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ BRUER, ROBERT HAROLD (W /M/47), arrested 4/6/2022 on the primary charge of POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office. ♦ ALEXANDER, KEVIN DENNIS (B /M/23), arrested 4/5/2022 on the primary charge of CONSP ROBBERY DANGRS WEAPON by Stanly County Sheriff`S Office.

CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden kisses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., during an Affordable Care Act event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

‘Get used to it’: Outbreaks give taste of living with virus The Associated Press THE U.S. is getting a first glimpse of what it’s like to experience COVID-19 outbreaks during this new phase of living with the virus, and the roster of the newly infected is studded with stars.

Cabinet members, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Broadway actors and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut have all tested positive. Outbreaks at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University are bringing back mask requirements to those campuses as officials seek out quarantine space.

The outbreaks in the Northeast may — or may not — signal what’s to come, experts say. Case counts are no longer reliable because official testing and reporting has been scaled back and more Americans are testing at home.

Across the nation, mask-wearing is at its lowest level since April 2020, said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. For every 100 infections, only seven are recorded in official tallies, according to his modeling group’s latest estimate.

Mokdad expects the high level of U.S. immunity built up from previous infections and vaccinations will protect the nation from a large

surge.

“We’re going to have some infections here and there, but it’s not going to shut down the country,” Mokdad said. “Life has to go on. We have to be vaccinated and boosted. We need to protect the vulnerable, but we have to get used to it.”

Large indoor gatherings with masks optional have led to infections, with a high-profile party in Washington, D.C., now seen as a possible super-spreader event.

Other infection clusters outside of groups that are regularly tested might go undetected, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.

“It’s harder now than it was before to know what’s happening.

The future is a little fuzzier because we don’t have as much information at our fingertips,” Michaud said. “If you’re not an actor in a Broadway play or a politician you might fall through the testing cracks.”

The public health response will vary from community to community based on what’s happening locally, Michaud said.

In Washington D.C., the outbreak has been particularly high profile — striking multiple Cabinet secretaries and Congress members

along with Mayor Muriel Bowser and the president of Georgetown University.

At least a dozen of those infections can be traced to the Gridiron Club dinner, an annual fixture of the D.C. social calendar that took place Saturday for the first time in three years. The dinner is an example of a return to near-total normality that’s taking place around the country, leading to a spike in positive tests, but not necessarily a corresponding spike in serious illnesses or hospitalizations.

Washington, D.C., like much of the rest of the country, has greatly relaxed its COVID stance in recent weeks. Bowser has allowed vaccination and indoor masking mandates to expire, and the city health department stopped reporting daily virus numbers in early March.

Attendees at the Gridiron Club dinner, which Bowser did not attend, had to provide proof of vaccination, but otherwise no masking or social distancing protocols were observed.

And other staples of the D.C. social calendar are also back to normal. The city’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival has been going for weeks — with dozens of associated events, including a parade scheduled for Saturday.

Amid that general return to

pre-pandemic behavior, there are a few cautionary steps backward. Georgetown University announced it would reintroduce its indoor mask mandate amid rising infection numbers that include university President John DeGioia.

Georgetown’s Chief Public Health Officer Ranit Mishori, in announcing the new restrictions, described the infection spike as “significant” — particularly among undergraduates. “Thankfully, with the vast majority of our community up to date on vaccination, we are not seeing cases involving severe illness,” Mishori wrote.

D.C. health chief Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, in comments to reporters this week, has pointed to the ongoing low level of hospitalizations as proof that the vaccinations have successfully limited the severity of the illness.

Nesbitt said there were no immediate plans to reinstitute any of the lapsed virus protocols, but that always remained an option in the future.

“We need to remember that living with the virus does not mean forgetting about the virus. It’s still out there, it’s still causing people to get sick and some people to die,” Michaud said. “If we’re not prepared, we could be in a bad situation quickly again.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

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

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s border crisis

Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border.

“BORDER SECURITY is the most basic and necessary responsibility of a sovereign nation.”

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielson is exactly right. Sadly, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have failed on this most basic responsibility. And the worst may be yet to come.

Last week, despite outrage from me and dozens of Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, the Biden administration announced its plan to end Title 42 protections at our southern border. Title 42 is a commonsense regulation that gives government officials the authority to quickly turn around migrants at the southern border to protect public health. Since President Trump implemented this measure in March 2020, it has played an integral part in stemming the flow of illegal migration.

So far, Title 42 has been used to expel 1.7 million migrants. In February alone, 55% of encounters were processed for removal under Title 42. This is one of our country’s strongest border security tools, and if revoked, border agents have confirmed it will worsen the crisis at our southern border. Right now, border agents are seeing an average of 8,000 illegal crossings a day. A border patrol section chief told me we lose operational control of our border at 5,000 crossings per day. The Department of Homeland Security estimates up to 18,000 migrants per day will illegally enter our country once Title 42 is revoked.

The decision to end this policy is just the latest misstep in Biden’s border crisis. Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border.

These numbers do not even account for the thousands of migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents. Just last week, Customs and Border Patrol confirmed over 300,000 illegal immigrants evaded border personnel over the past six months, including 62,000 in March alone.

Title 42 is one of the few policies left that are working. Yet, President Biden seems determined to end the policy and appease

those on the Left who want to open our borders.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ tendency to promote a farleft agenda over the safety and security of the American people is not limited to their failure at the border.

Last week, Democrats also continued their assault on American energy. Over the past year, they have tried to shift blame for this crisis onto COVID-19 and Vladimir Putin. Last week at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing they tried to pin rising gas prices on oil companies. The American people are smarter than that and know pain at the pump began long before Russia’s heinous invasion of Ukraine and started the first week of Joe Biden’s presidency when he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline.

After canceling American pipelines and placing restrictions on domestic oil production, gas prices have risen every month of Biden’s presidency. This, along with the highest inflation rates in 40 years, is costing the average household an extra $5,200 this year compared to last.

The American people need solutions – not excuses – to the challenges facing our country.

This starts with securing our border. While I firmly believe we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. Our immigration system is in need of repair, but any reform effort must begin by securing our borders. We must finish construction of the border wall, increase funding to border patrol, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and maintain Title 42 protections.

Additionally, President Biden and Washington Democrats need to stop playing the blame game and instead pursue measures that will address inflation and gas prices in a real way. This includes passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act, a bill that will boost our domestic energy production and drive down costs across the board.

Rest assured I will not stop fighting until we have worked to secure our border and end this inflation crisis impacting you and your family. Our nation’s security and our children’s future depend on it.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The Left is the culture war aggressor

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color.

REPORTER CHRISTOPHER RUFO recently released footage of top Disney employees vowing to inject their radical LGBTQ agenda into children’s programming. Disney producer Latoya Raveneau told an all-hands meeting that her team works to push a “not-at-allsecret gay agenda” in programming aimed at kids and sought to add “queerness” to such content.

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she was the mother of “one transgender child and one pansexual child” and that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color. Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware stated that Disney’s beloved theme parks would be eliminating any mention of “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls.”

This prompted a well-deserved firestorm for the Mouse House.

Disney has long been Left-wing on social issues — but in the aftermath of ginned-up controversy surrounding Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which protects small children from indoctrination on sexual orientation and gender identity, an angry coterie of employees pushed management to signal fealty even harder. So Disney’s brass did, announcing that they opposed the Florida bill and then turning over the company to its most radical contingent.

And people reacted. #BoycottDisney began to trend on social media. We at the Daily Wire committed to spending $100 million to develop children’s content that would be safe for kids — content dedicated to traditional values, where parents wouldn’t have to worry about prescreening content for messages about nonbinary 5-year-olds.

The Left, caught with its hand in the kiddie jar, immediately swiveled and accused the Right of initiating this culture war.

Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times lamented that she felt terrible for Raveneau, who, after all, was just “step(ping) up to defend the company’s queer friendliness, only to become a national object of right-wing fury and disgust,” and whose injection of LGBTQ propaganda into children’s content was “sweetly anodyne.”

CNN hosted Washington Post transgender columnist Charlotte Clymer, adding the chyron “LGBT COMMUNITY LATEST TO BE CAUGHT IN CULTURE WAR.” The takeaway, according to the social Left, is that anyone who defends traditionalism in childrearing — or anyone who simply doesn’t want children turned into targets of sexual propagandizing — is the true cultural aggressor.

This is a transparent lie. And it’s a lie that won’t redound to the benefit of those who seek radical change. If they wish to pose the rubric of gay rights against parental rights, gay rights are likely to suffer. If they wish to suggest that LGBTQ freedom extends to teachers initiating children into sexual conversations without parental permission, parents are unlikely to go along for the ride.

For decades, the social Left has made inroads by arguing that they simply want to be left alone. The Right, by contrast, has argued that the Left’s agenda is far broader, that the Left demands cultural celebration of its sexual mores and that it will stop at nothing to remake society in order to achieve its narcissistic goals. Disney’s latest foray into the culture wars proves that the Right was correct, that the Left’s stated agenda was a lie and that its “not-at-all-secret” agenda targeted the most vulnerable Americans.

Disney shows no signs of backing away from the extremism its all-hands meeting unmasked before the world. And other corporations are following Disney’s lead, pushing wild Left advocacy instead of catering to the broadest possible market. For too long, Americans have planted their heads firmly in the sand, hoping that the forces of the free market would militate against the cultural hijacking of corporate institutions. Instead, corporations built by entrepreneurs have been hijacked by woke employees and a feckless managerial class. The blowback will be real, and it should be real. And if that means parents swearing off Mickey Mouse, increasingly they will.

Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

3

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Opelka beats Isner in Houston for first clay title Houston Reilly Opelka beat fellow American John Isner 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Sunday to win the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in the tallest matchup in an ATP Tour final. The 6-foot-11 Opelka won his fourth tour title and first on clay. He improved to 5-1 against the 6-foot10 Isner. The 24-year-old Opelka, seeded third has won all his titles in the United States, taking the first in 2019 in an indoor event in New York and following at Delray Beach in 2020 and Dallas this year. The 36-year-old Isner, seeded fourth, won in Houston in 2013. He has 16 ATP Tour titles.

NHL

Penguins’ Malkin suspended 4 games Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended four games for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki in the face. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension after holding a hearing with Malkin about the play. Malkin was initially given only a four-minute double-minor penalty after striking Borowiecki in the mouth with his stick at the end of the second period Sunday.

This is Malkin’s second suspension after a onegame ban for high-sticking in 2019. This one costs him $190,000 in salary. He’s eligible to return April 23 vs. Detroit.

MLB

Manfred gifts players headphones as lockout peace offering New York Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred gave major league players Bose headphones on opening day as a peace offering after a bitter 99day lockout that delayed the start of the season. Major League Baseball confirmed that headphones and a letter signed by Manfred were left at the locker of each player when teams began their seasons last week. Manfred’s relationship with players has grown increasingly icy since he succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2014.

AUTO RACING

Ferrari’s Leclerc wins Formula 1 Australian GP Melbourne, Australia Charles Leclerc completed a dominant weekend in his Ferrari, starting on the pole and winning the Australian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Leclerc extended his lead in the drivers’ championship by claiming his second victory of the season after also winning the season-opening race in Bahrain. Leclerc was able to hold off Red Bull rival Max Verstappen during the opening laps and pulled away for a decisive 20.524-second victory.

Sergio Perez overcame a slow start to secure second ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell, who secured his first podium finish of the season, and Lewis Hamilton.

AP PHOTO

William Byron does a burnout after winning Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville.

Byron holds on after OT restart, wins at Martinsville The No. 24 became the first team to win two races in the 2022 season

The Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va. — William Byron knew he was in for a big challenge with a two-lap overtime sprint about to start and the very aggressive Joey Logano right behind him.

He also felt like he had a pretty remarkable co-pilot in his corner.

“This one is for my mom,” Byron said. “This same weekend last year she had kind of a mini-stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer.

It means a lot to have her here and it’s been a crazy year. But she’s doing great. I kind of felt like she was riding in there with me.”

Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway — he led 212 laps — to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCAR’s Cup Series on Saturday night.

Byron needed to hold off a challenge — and a nudge — from Logano on a two-lap overtime sprint to finish it, but he won for the fourth time in his career and gave Hendrick Motorsports four victories in eight races this season.

When the final caution, and only the second for an on-track issue of the night, came with five laps to go, Byron and the seven drivers behind him opted to stay out for the final dash.

“I thought everyone behind us would pit, and luckily we stayed out,” he said. “We were aggressive; we felt like we could refire on the

212 Laps led by William Byron in Saturday’s race at Martinsville, the most in a race in his career. tires and be OK, and you’ve got one of the most aggressive guys behind you in Logano.”

Byron had both a fast car that allowed him to pull away on restarts and a strong one on long runs, critical since there wasn’t a caution for anything but the end of a stage until the 311th of 400 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.

That changed when Todd Gilliland had a flat tire and hit the wall with five laps to go. Byron and the

top eight cars on the track opted not to pit, with Byron picking the inside lane and Austin Dillon, running second, on the outside.

That gave Logano a prime opportunity to bump the leader out of the way, especially when Dillon spun his tires on the restart. Logano bumped Byron in Turn 2 on the last lap, but Byron held on for his second win of the weekend. He won in the Truck Series on Thursday night, earning him a pair of the raceway’s unique grandfather clock trophies for three days of solid racing.

“Willy kind of messed up off of 4 and let me get to him, and he did a really good job of brake checking into third, right, which is a good job,” Logano said. “He did what he was supposed to do, and kind of got me all stuffed up behind him and I couldn’t accelerate off the corner and be as close as I needed to be.”

Logano was second, followed

by Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain.

The top series moves to its third straight short track, this time on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway next Sunday.

No fairytale ending for Tiger, but still inspiring Competing for the first time in 17 months, Woods made the cut at the Masters

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family. This is where all the great champions have ever played.”

The Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters patrons filled in every nook and cranny around the 18th green, awaiting the appearance of the man in red.

A scene that’s been so familiar to Tiger Woods on so many Sundays at Augusta National, but this one was different.

It wasn’t even 3 o’clock on the warm, sunny afternoon in east Georgia. Over on the adjacent first hole, leader Scottie Scheffler and closest pursuer Cameron Smith had just teed off in the final group.

Hunched over and limping noticeably, Woods climbed the deceptively steep hill leading up to the green as the fans slowly rose to their feet, the roar building as they saluted a remarkable comeback if not a fairy tale of a weekend.

“Way to hang in there, Tiger!” a man standing back in the crowd belted out.

From a strictly golfing viewpoint, this was hardly the Woods that so many remembered. The guy who’s won five green jackets, the last of them just three years ago. The guy who’ll go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game, even if he never strikes another shot.

Tiger Woods

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods putts on the 15th green during the final round of the Masters on Sunda, in Augusta, Georgia.

This Woods, the one hobbling on a rebuilt right leg that he could’ve lost in that horrific car crash 14 months ago, closed with back-to-back 78s that were the worst scores of his Masters career.

He even had to take a left-handed swing at the 13th after knocking his ball onto the pine straw behind the green, right up next to an azalea.

His battered body simply ran out of steam after an electrifying 71 on Thursday, when Woods made his return to competitive golf for the first time in more than 500 days.

He grinded out a 74 on Friday, ensuring he would make the Mas-

ters cut for the 22nd time in a row.

There was nothing left in the tank for the weekend.

Still, it was a gratifying experience, one that Woods clearly didn’t regret putting himself through even if he didn’t come close to winning a record-tying sixth green jacket.

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family,” Woods said. “This is where all the great champions have ever played. They have walked these grounds.”

That Woods was able to walk the course again — for four days, no less — was a feat in itself.

After his wreck in February 2021, doctors told Wood that his

shattered right leg might have to be amputated. They managed to save it, but he was confined to a hospital bed for three months.

He’s still got screws and rods holding the bones in place.

Woods walked Augusta National with a limp that got more and more noticeable, sometimes using a club as a walking stick to help him get around.

Everyone realizes how much Woods still means to the game, even if he is surely in the twilight of his career at age 46.

Woods told Sky Sports that he plans to play the British Open at St. Andrews in July. He isn’t sure about the next two majors: the PGA Championship, set for May 19-22 at Southern Hills, or the U.S. Open at Brookline in June.

“It’ll be just the big events,” Woods told Sky. “But I am looking forward to St. Andrews. That is something that is near and dear to my heart. I’ve won two Opens there, it’s the home of golf. It’s my favorite golf course in the world, so I will be there for that one.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

5

Lakers fire title-winning Pfeiffer softball team coach Vogel after 3 seasons holds first place in

conference standings

Los Angeles missed the playoffs this season despite having a stacked veteran roster

Two Falcons were recently named to the USA South Athletic Conference’s player of the week list

By Greg Beacham The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Frank Vogel masterminded the 17th championship in the Los Angeles Lakers’ remarkable history in his first season on their bench.

Exactly 18 months after that triumph, he also became part of the Lakers’ past.

The Lakers fired Vogel on Monday, choosing their title-winning coach to take the first fall for one of the most disappointing seasons in NBA history.

Los Angeles finished 33-49 and missed the 10-team Western Conference playoffs this season. It was a humiliating underachievement for LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and a veteran-laden supporting cast widely expected to contend for another championship.

Vogel was under contract through next season, but almost nothing has gone right over the past two seasons for the rosters assembled by general manager Rob Pelinka and coached by Vogel, who went 127-98 in his three seasons running the club.

Pelinka declined to elaborate Monday on why he and owner Jeanie Buss felt Vogel needed to be fired.

“Today is not going to be a day of finger-pointing and unwinding all the specific reasons,” Pelinka said. “We just felt organizationally, at the highest level, it was time for a new voice. ... That’s not to say anything against the incredible accomplishments that Frank Vogel has had. He was a great coach here, and he’s going to go on to be a great coach somewhere else.”

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

AP PHOTO

Lakers forward LeBron James, left, sits on the bench next to forward Anthony Davis as head coach Frank Vogel stands by during a game earlier this month.

“This was a disappointing Lakers season at every level.”

Rob Pelinka, Lakers general manager ESPN reported Vogel’s imminent firing immediately after the Lakers finished the season by beating Denver in overtime Sunday night. During an awkward postgame news conference, Vogel admitted he had not yet been told of the club’s decision before it was leaked to ESPN. Pelinka dismissed the public relations embarrassment of the leak for the Lakers, calling the report “speculative and unsourced.”

But it was a tacky end to a tenure that began tremendously for Vogel, the former coach at Orlando and Indiana. The Lakers claimed a title in the Florida bubble in October 2020 but haven’t won another playoff round since.

Pelinka doesn’t plan to replace Vogel immediately, and he said he hasn’t even assembled a list of potential candidates. The GM said it “would be great” to have a coach in place before the draft in June, but the Lakers’ search will be “thorough and methodical.”

Los Angeles never resembled a championship team this season despite trading for Westbrook and signing Anthony to play alongside James and Davis. The Lakers stumbled along near .500 until Jan. 7, when they entered a 10-30 nosedive exacerbated by the latest lengthy injury absence for Davis, who has missed more games than he has played in the past two seasons.

“This was a disappointing Lakers season at every level,” Pelinka said. “In the face of disappointment, our fans expect more, and that’s in every facet. It starts in the front office led by me, and our ability to construct the right roster. It starts with the coaches holding players accountable and making sure there’s on-court execution.”

ALBEMARLE —The Pfeiffer softball team currently sits at the top spot out of 10 teams in the USA South Athletic Conference’s East Division.

With 12 wins in their last 13 games, the Falcons (23-7, 9-1 USA) have the best overall record and conference record in the entire USA South.

Reigning conference player of the week Mattie Hinson and reigning conference rookie pitcher of the week Emma Bullin have been the centerpieces of a team that will be among the favorites in the conference divisional tournament from April 28-30.

After those divisional rounds, the USA South Championship Series is set for May 6-7.

During her award-winning week, Hinson — a graduate of South Stanly High School — was a combined 8 for 19 (.421) with a .476 on-base percentage and an .842 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, 11 RBIs, two doubles, two home runs and two walks. The sophomore designated hitter is now one of 10 Falcons who are batting at least .300 during the season.

Freshman infielder Gracie Griffin leads the team’s regulars with a .394 average, joining junior infielder Kyndell Warren (.390) and senior pitcher Ashlyn Kennedy (.372). Griffin currently ranks third in the conference in home runs (four) and RBIs (28).

Bullin was honored after posting a 2-0 record and a 1.80 ERA in three appearances.

In 11⅔ innings, the freshman allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Bullin now has a team-best 2.35 ERA with a 5-0 record.

Kennedy has emerged as the team’s ace with an 11-1 record and 2.43 ERA in 69 innings.

The Falcons were set to face the Averett Cougars (16-10, 7-5 USA) in a road doubleheader on Tuesday and will then play at the Salem Spirits (5-19, 2-8 USA) in another doubleheader on Saturday.

12 number of wins the Falcons have had in their last 13 games

Denver players celebrate after defeating Minnesota State 5-1 in the NCAA college hockey championship game Saturday in Boston.

MICHAEL DWYER | AP PHOTO

Denver beats Minnesota State NCAA hockey title The Pioneers won their ninth title with a 5-1 win in the championship game

By Jimmy Golen The Associated Press BOSTON — David Carle was an incoming freshman at Denver when he was diagnosed with a heart condition that ended his playing career. The Pioneers honored his scholarship anyway and kept him on the team as an assistant coach.

Now the head coach at just 32, Carle rewarded the school for its decision in the Frozen Four final Saturday night when he guided Denver to a 5-1 victory over Minnesota State for its record-tying ninth NCAA hockey championship.

“Denver hockey and the univer-

sity has done a lot for me,” Carle said, his suit still drenched from the sports drink his players dumped on him during the on-ice postgame celebration. “That responsibility does not fall on me lightly. I owe a lot of what I have in my life to this place. This program is very special; it means the world to me.”

Ryan Barrow and Mike Benning scored less than three minutes apart to give Denver the lead, and the Pioneers awakened with five goals in the third period to rally from a 1-0 deficit. Hurricanes 2019 seventh-round draft pick Massimo Rizzo added another goal with 6:26 to play, and Brett Stapley and Cameron Wright had empty-netters 30 seconds apart.

Magnus Chrona stopped 27 shots for the Pioneers (31-9-1). They won their first championship since 2017 and improved to 9-3 in title

“You come to Denver to win national championships.”

Ryan Barrow, Denver forward games — including winning the last four in a row.

“You come to Denver to win national championships,” said Barrow, a fifth-year senior who set a school record by playing in his 168th game.

“I came the year after they won it,” he said. “You hear all their stories about winning the national championship and you picture winning one yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I watched the 2017 pump-up video of them winning the ‘natty.’ It will be pretty

sweet to watch my own now.”

Two nights after eliminating Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinal, Denver joined the Wolverines as the only schools with nine championships.

“It certainly was a goal, to get to nine,” said Carle, who is the fourth-youngest coach to win an NCAA title. “The ultimate goal is to get to 10, I will tell you. Winning Thursday against Michigan, the team at nine, was a huge step in that direction. And obviously tonight is an even bigger step.”

Minnesota State (38-6) took a 1-0 lead on Sam Morton’s first-period goal and dominated — outshooting Denver 18-8 in the first 40 minutes. That was still the only goal until there were five minutes gone in the third, when Barrow slid a rebound of Benning’s shot through the legs of Hobey Baker

Award winner Dryden McKay. Forty seconds later, Morton was sent off for tripping; he had just returned to the ice and crossed into the defensive zone when Benning one-timed it into the net to give the Pioneers the lead. Benning also had two assists in the semifinal, including on the overtime winner, and was selected the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player.

Rizzo made it 3-1 and, when McKay was pulled for an extra skater with about 3:30 left, Stapley and Wright clinched it.

McKay made 15 saves for Minnesota State, which led the nation in wins and had won 18 in a row since Jan. 14.

“Once we gave up the first one, I thought we started leaking oil a little bit and couldn’t stop the bleeding,” Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings said. “It’s a spot we hadn’t been in in a while, and I don’t think we managed it very well. They smelled some blood in the water and they were incredibly aggressive and they were rewarded for that.”

6

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Once a retail giant, Kmart nears extinction The Associated Press AVENEL, N.J. — The familiar sights and sounds are still there: the scuffed and faded floor tiles, the relentless beige-on-beige color scheme, the toddlers’ clothes and refrigerators and pretty much everything in between.

There’s even a canned recording that begins, “Attention, Kmart shoppers” — except it’s to remind folks about COVID-19 precautions, not to alert them to a flash sale over in ladies’ lingerie like days of old.

Many of the shelves are bare, though, at the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, picked over by bargain hunters as the store prepares to close its doors for good April 16.

Once it shutters, the number of Kmarts in the U.S. — once well over 2,000 — will be down to three in the continental U.S. and a handful of stores elsewhere, according to multiple reports, in a retail world now dominated by Walmart, Target and Amazon.

“You’re always thinking about it because stores are closing all over, but it’s still sad,” said cashier Michelle Yavorsky, who said she has worked at the Avenel store for 2 ½ years. “I’ll miss the place. A lot of people shopped here.”

In its heyday, Kmart sold product lines endorsed by celebrities Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith, sponsored NASCAR auto races and was mentioned in movies including “Rain Man” and “Beetlejuice.” It was namedropped in songs by artists from Eminem to the Beastie Boys to Hall & Oates.

The chain cemented a place in American culture with its Blue Light Specials, a flashing blue orb

AP PHOTO

While many shelves are empty, furniture and fixtures are on still on sale at the Kmart in Avenel, N.J., Monday, April 4, 2022. affixed to a pole that would beckon shoppers to a flash sale in progress. Part of its success was due to its early adoption of layaway programs, which allowed customers who lacked credit to reserve items and pay for them in installments.

For a time, Kmart had a little bit of everything: You could shop for your kids’ back-to-school supplies, get your car tuned up and grab a meal without leaving the premises.

“Kmart was part of Ameri-

ca,” said Michael Lisicky, a Baltimore-based author who has written several books on U.S. retail history. “Everybody went to Kmart, whether you liked it or not. They had everything. You had toys. You had sporting goods.

You had candy. You had stationery. It was something for everybody. This was almost as much of a social visit as it was a shopping visit. You could spend hours here.

And these just dotted the American landscape over the years.”

Kmart’s decline has been slow but steady, brought about by years of falling sales, changes in shopping habits and the looming shadow of Walmart, which coincidentally began its life within months of Kmart’s founding in 1962.

Struggling to compete with Walmart’s low prices and Target’s trendier offerings, Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2002 — the largest U.S. retailer to take that step — and announced it would close more

than 250 stores.

A few years later, hedge fund executive Edward Lampert combined Sears and Kmart and pledged to return them to their former greatness, but the recession and the rising dominance of Amazon contributed in derailing those goals. Sears filed for Chapter 11 in 2018 and currently has a handful of stores left in the U.S. where it once had thousands.

It didn’t have to end this way, according to Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia University in New York and former CEO of Sears Canada. Trying to compete with Walmart on price was a foolish strategy, he said, and Lampert was criticized for not having a retail background and appearing more interested in stripping off the assets of the two chains for their cash value.

“It’s a study in greed, avarice and incompetence,” Cohen said.

“Sears should have never gone away; Kmart was in worse shape, but not fatally so. And now they’re both gone.”

Nationwide, some former Kmarts remain vacant while others have been replaced by other big-box stores, fitness centers, self-storage facilities, even churches. One former site in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is now a popular dine-in movie theater.

Unlike 20 years ago, when news of impending Kmart closures around the country prompted an outpouring of support from loyal shoppers , the closing of the Avenel location was met mostly with an air of resignation.

“It’s maybe a little nostalgic because I’ve lived my whole life in this area, but it’s just another retail store closing,” said Jim Schaber, a resident of nearby Iselin who said his brother worked in the shoe department at Kmart for years. “It’s just another sign of people doing online shopping and not going out to the retail stores.”

Idaho judge: Mom accused in kids’ killings now fit for trial

By Rebecca Boone The Associated Press BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho judge ruled Monday that a mother accused of conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lover’s wife is now mentally competent to stand trial on some of the charges in Idaho.

Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, face numerous charges in the complicated case involving allegations of bizarre spiritual beliefs involving “zombies” and doomsday predictions.

Prosecutors have said that Lori and Chad Daybell espoused the religious beliefs in an effort to encourage or justify the murders.

The case against her had been hold for months after Judge Steven Boyce ordered her committed to a mental facility so she could undergo treatment in an effort to make her mentally fit enough to assist in her own defense.

Boyce’s new order said Lori Vallow Daybell “is restored to competency and is fit to proceed” in the Idaho murder case. He did not provide other details about her treatment or mental condition.

She is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week and both Lori and Chad Daybell are set to stand trial together early next year.

Tare charged with conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell’s children 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell’s first wife,

AP PHOTO

Lori Vallow Daybell glances at the camera during her hearing on March 6, 2020, in Rexburg, Idaho.

Tammy Daybell.

Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox. Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and Lori Daybell has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. Chad Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, declined to comment on the case.

Lori Daybell’s attorney, Jim Ar-

chibald, did not immediately respond to voice and email messages requesting comment.

An indictment said Chad and Lori Daybell in 2018 while still married to other people began espousing an apocalyptical system of religious belief.

Lori Daybell’s brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona.

Cox asserted the shooting was

in self-defense, and he was never charged. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical end of times. Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Charles Vallow’s death, Lori Daybell — who then had the last name Vallow — and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Day-

bell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October of 2019, and her obituary said the death was from natural causes.

Authorities grew suspicious, however, when Chad and Lori Daybell got married just two weeks later, and investigators had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed for an autopsy. Authorities have not released her cause of death.

Police began searching for Lori Daybell’s youngest two children in November after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and were found months later in Hawaii without the children.

Investigators later found the bodies of JJ and Tylee buried in Chad Daybell’s yard back in Idaho. They have not disclosed causes of death but court documents said Tylee’s body was partially burned.

Friends of the Daybells told investigators that the couple believed people could become “zombies” if they were possessed by evil spirits, a state in which their soul was trapped in limbo, according to police reports. The couple reportedly believed that the only way to rid a person of a zombie was for their body to die, according to police reports.

A friend of the couple, Melanie Gibb, told investigators that Lori Daybell referred to her youngest children as “zombies,” and police in Arizona said the couple exchanged text messages saying that Tammy Daybell had been possessed by a dark spirit.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

7

obituaries

Joshua J. Morton, Jr.

December 27, 1940 ~ April 6, 2022 Joshua J. Morton, Jr., 81, of Albemarle, NC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at his home.

Mr. Morton was born December 27, 1940 in Albemarle, NC to the late Joshua Jurant Morton Sr. and the late Lois Selma Tarleton Morton. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Dianne.

Survivors include his son, Joshua J. Morton, III of Albemarle, NC; daughter, Emily Dianne Krause and husband Robert of Roanoke, VA; grandchildren, Scarlett Jean Morton, Benjamin Minor Krause, Abigail Dianne Krause and Mary Ella Krause.

Joshua served Stanly County faithfully through his law practice for 56 years. He also served West Albemarle Baptist Church as a pianist and deacon, and later served Pleasant Grove Baptist Church as a deacon and teacher.

Joshua’s life passion was being a servant of God and loving his family, friends, and community.

He was a wonderfully devoted father, grandfather, and husband.

He will be dearly missed by every life he touched over the years God gave him on this earth.

Richard Allen Gunter, Jr.

December 14, 1967 ~ April 6, 2022 Richard Allen Gunter, Jr., 54, of Stanfield, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at his home.

Richard was born December 14, 1967 in Kansas to Lettie Marie Perkins and the late Richard Allen Gunter, Sr. Richard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He served in the United States Navy during the Gulf War aboard a destroyer.

Survivors include wife, Ronda Gunter of Stanfield; daughter, Julie (Matt) Hudson; son, Chase (Chasiti Connor) Lewis; daughter, Rachel Gunter and Payton (Drew Reary) Gunter; grandchildren, Chyna Hudson, Milah, Mia and Emerson Gunter; sisters, Cindy Dobson and Diane Younes; and brother, Phillip Gunter.

James Bruce Michaelsen

July 1, 1952 - April 10, 2022 James Bruce Michaelsen, 69, of New London, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at his home.

Mr. Michaelsen was born July 1st, 1952 in Chicago, IL, to the late Howard James Michaelsen and Elizabeth Zalig Michaelsen.

James was owner of Wilson Building Corporation. Mr. Michaelsen was very involved with his family and pets. He enjoyed golfing, photography, and volunteered for 10 years with As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois. He served on numerous different church boards and attended Faith Fellowship church in New London. James loved technology and was a computer guru.

James is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Maresso Michaelsen of New London, NC; daughters: Elizabeth Michaelsen (Victor Watrous) of Ft. Wayne, IN, Katherine Michaelsen of Plainfield, IL; granddaughter: Aria Skye Watrous; brother: David Michaelsen (Annette) of Yorkville, IL; sister: Cynthia Fredrick (Gary) of Des Plaines, IL.

Evangeline Lynne Chandler July 1, 1940 - April 10, 2022

Evangeline “Lynne” Chandler, 81, of New London, passed away, Sunday, April 10, 2022 Carolinas Healthcare-NorthEast.

Lynne was born July 1, 1940 in West Peru, ME to the late Erwin Payne and Roma Burgess Payne. She was a member of West Albemarle Baptist Church where she was active. Lynne was a loving Mom, loyal friend and a devoted child of God. She is survived by three sons, Mark Allen and wife Karen of New London, David Allen and girlfriend Lauri of Albemarle and Peter Allen and wife Ann of Concord; daughter, Nancee Bowers and husband Brent of Albemarle; six grandchildren, Zachary Allen, Jamie Allen, Seth Allen, Summer Bowers, Liam Bowers and Katy Richardson; four great grandchildren, Deborah Grace, Isla Mae, Harley Quinn and Delilah Natsuko; four nieces, Sylvia Sanders, Sharon Crandall, Pam Easter Denniss and Sherry Nance; two nephews, Brent Easter and Jason Easter and a great friend for many, many years and former husband, Mel Allen.

Lynne is also preceded in death by three sisters, Sylvia Payne, Donna Easter and Claramay McKenna and a niece, Gloria McKenna.

MacKenzie Leigh Ann Kinley June 5, 2003 ~ April 9, 2022

August 30, 2000 ~ April 9, 2022

MacKenzie Leigh Ann Kinley, 18, of New London, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, along with her fiancé, Matthew Heun.

MacKenzie was born June 5, 2003 in North Carolina to Aaron Chad Kinley and Brandy Nicole Pate Kinley.

She was preceded in death by grandfather, Kenwood Lee Pate; great-grandmother, Shirley Ann Aldridge; great-grandfather, Aaron Blake; great-grandmother, Annie Kinley.

Survivors include father, Aaron Chad Kinley of Oakboro, NC; mother, Brandy Nicole Pate Kinley of New London, NC; brothers, Braden Kinley and Liam Kinley; maternal grandmother, Cathy Dutton; paternal grandparents, Melvin & Dean Huneycutt and Randy & Sheila Kinley; maternal aunt, Brittany Griffin; paternal uncle, Blake Kinley, and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

MacKenzie is the light of our lives. She was like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy, cloudy day. She was her daddy's girl and her momma's world but she touched so many other hearts that she belonged to anyone who knew her. Though they could be annoying and didn't always get along her brother's were the apples of her eye just as she was for them.

Matthew Alan Heun, 21, of New London, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, along with his fiancé, MacKenzie Kinley.

Matthew was born August 30, 2000 in North Carolina to Charles Heun, Jr. and Andrea (Heun) Temple. He was also raised by loving step-father, Shane Temple and step mother, Emily Heun.

He was preceded in death by grandfather, David Lowery; grandmothers, Jackie Lowery, Loretta Pilcher, Sylvia Heun, and Louise Russell; two greatgrandparents; uncle, Jamie Heun; and cousin, Malaya Heun.

Survivors include brothers, Nicholas Temple, Josh Heun, Shane Temple, Jr., and Brandon Temple; sister, Emily Heun; grandfather, Charles Heun, Sr.; grandmothers, Jean Russell, Bootsie Coker, and Sonia Fink; six aunts; two uncles; several cousins; and once niece.

Matthew was the most handsome, smart, and loving child. He always had a smile and would do anything for anyone.

William Vaughan Ochs

George Olin "Big G" Burris June 27, 1944 ~ April 6, 2022

George Olin Burris, 77, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord.

George was born June 27, 1944 in Locust, North Carolina to the late George Worth Burris and the late Viola Mae Burris.

George was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all.

George was also a member of the Masons, at lodge 348 of Albemarle for 35 years. He was a humble family man who loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time with his family the most. George love the Lord with all his heart and served him until his last day.

Survivors include wife, Joyce Hatley Burris of Albemarle, NC, sons, James (Sue) Monroe Burris and George (Lynn) Travis Burris; daughter, Joy Yevette Burris; grandchildren Kirsten Laws, Abree Shields, Paige Burris, Blair Burris, and Travis Olin Burris; great-grandchildren Josten Laws, Kinleigh Laws, Laiken Shields, Rilyn Shields and Everly Spradley.

Matthew Alan Heun

October 10, 1931 - April 5, 2022

Max Milton Hinson

November 5, 1927 - April 10, 2022 Max Milton Hinson, 94, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022 in his home.

Mr. Hinson was born November 5, 1927 in Stanly County, NC to the late Fred Richard Hinson and Mary Victoria Hahn Hinson. He was the owner of Hinson Poultry.

Max was a Veteran of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church.

Max is survived by his wife, Claudine Bassinger Hinson of the home.

He is also survived by a son, Richard Hinson and wife Shelia of Albemarle; a daughter-in-law, Robin Hinson of Albemarle; granddaughter, Ginny Seedhom and husband Rani; a grandson, Parker Hinson and wife MaKayla and great granddaughter, Alette Seedhom.

Olivia Grace Gibbs April 8, 2022 - April 8, 2022

Olivia Grace Gibbs was born on April 8, 2022 at 8:37 PM to Corey Dylan Gibbs and Nikki Whitley Gibbs. Her funeral service will be at 11 AM on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Prospect Baptist Church with Pastor Tony Thomas and Pastor Stoney Benfield officiating.

The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 AM at Prospect Baptist Church prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

William Vaughan Ochs, 90, Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Wellmore of Tega Cay, SC. William was born October 10, 1931 in Cleveland, OH to the late Vincent Vaughan Ochs and Eleanor Kelley Ochs. He retired from the NC Employment Security Commission and formerly was the first manager of Eastgate Cinima. He was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church. William was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and a lifetime member of the VFW. Mr. Ochs was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ellen Odenweller Ochs. He is survived by two sons, Thomas W. Ochs of Texas City, TX and Phillip M. Ochs (Julie) of Montgomery, TX; two daughters, Kathleen O. Davis (Douglas) of High Point, NC and Janet O. Roberts of Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren, Richard Davis, Shannon Langston, Jonathan Ochs, Jennifer Ochs, Christopher Ochs, Ellen Roberts, Tim Roberts, Taylor Ochs and Chandler Ochs and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Barbara Kasmin and Donna Miller.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

Jackson, COVID and a retirement show Congress’ partisan path

By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A milestone Supreme Court confirmation that endured a flawed process. The collapse of a bipartisan compromise for more pandemic funds. The departure of a stalwart of the dwindling band of moderate House Republicans.

Party-line fights on Capitol Hill are as old as the republic, and they routinely escalate as elections approach. Yet three events from a notable week illustrate how Congress’ near- and long-term paths point toward intensifying partisanship.

The senate’s supreme court battle Democrats rejoiced Thursday when the Senate by 53-47 confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first black female justice.

They crowed about a bipartisan stamp of approval from the trio of moderate Republicans who supported it: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah.

Yet by historical standards, the three opposition party votes were paltry and underscored the recent trend of Supreme Court confirmations becoming loyalty tests on party ideology. That’s a departure from a decades-long norm when senators might dislike a nominee’s judicial philosophy but defer to a president’s pick, barring a disqualifying revelation.

AP PHOTO

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emerges from the chamber to cheer the vote confirming Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Murkowski said her support for Jackson was partly “rejection of the corrosive politicization” of how both parties consider Supreme Court nominations, which “is growing worse and more detached from reality by the year.”

Republicans said they would treat Jackson respectfully, and they did. Their questions and criticisms of her were pointed and partisan, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying “the Senate views itself as a co-partner in this process” with the president.

Supreme court battles past Senate approval of high court nominees by voice vote, without bothering to hold roll calls, was

standard for most of the 20th century. Conservative Antonin Scalia sailed into the Supreme Court by 98-0 in 1986, while liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg won 96-3 approval seven years later.

There were bitter fights. Democrats blocked conservative Robert Bork’s nomination in 1987 and unsuccessfully opposed Clarence Thomas’ ascension in 1991 after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Hard feelings intensified in early 2016. McConnell, then majority leader, blocked the Senate from even considering President Barack Obama’s pick of Merrick Garland to replace the deceased Scalia. McConnell cited the presidential election nearly nine months away, infuriating

Democrats.

Donald Trump was elected and ultimately filled three vacancies over near-unanimous Democratic opposition.

Covid spending fight, transformed Senators from both parties agreed to a $10 billion covid-19 package last monday that president joe biden wants for more therapeutics, vaccines and tests. With ba.2, The new omicron variant, washing across the country, it seemed poised for congressional approval.

Hours later, bargainers led by senate majority leader chuck schumer, d-n.Y., And sen. Mitt romney, r-utah, seemed blindsided when their compromise was derailed. Republicans wanted to add an extension of an expiring crackdown on migrants crossing the mexican border that trump imposed in 2020, citing the pandemic’s public health threat.

Immigration divides democrats, and republicans believe the issue can further solidify their chances of winning congressional control in november’s elections. Playing defense, schumer postponed debate on the covid-19 bill.

Democrats deserved some blame for being outmaneuvered.

House democrats shot down a $15 billion agreement in march, rejecting compromise budget savings to pay for it.

And in glaringly tone-deaf political timing, the centers for disease control and prevention announced april 1, just as bargainers were completing their latest compromise, that the trump-era immigration curbs would lapse may 23.

A moderate’s farewell Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., announced his retirement Tuesday.

He’s the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year to say they won’t seek reelection.

Upton attributed his departure to running in a new district, but that didn’t stop Trump from proclaiming: “UPTON QUITS! 4 down and 6 to go.” The House impeached Trump over his incitement of supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but the GOP-run Senate acquitted him.

The pro-business Upton, 68, has worked with Democrats on legislation affecting energy and the auto industry.

“To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.

Party differences, then and now Pitched battles are now habitual over bills financing federal agencies and extending the government’s borrowing authority.

When those disputes are resolved and federal shutdowns and defaults averted, lawmakers hail as triumphs what is their most rudimentary task — keeping government functioning.

Despite the divisions over COVID-19 money and Jackson, there has also been cooperation.

Congress overwhelmingly voted to ban Russian oil and downgrade trade relations with that country following its invasion of Ukraine. There’s progress on bipartisan trade and technology legislation, and a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure measure became law last year.

SpaceX launches 3 visitors to space station for $55M each The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched three rich businessmen and their astronaut escort to the International Space Station on Friday for more than a week’s stay, as NASA joins Russia in hosting guests at the world’s most expensive tourist destination.

It’s SpaceX’s first private charter flight to the orbiting lab after two years of carrying astronauts there for NASA. Arriving at the space station Saturday are an American, a Canadian and an Israeli who run investment, real estate and other companies. They’re paying $55 million apiece for the rocket ride and accommodations, all meals included.

Russia has been hosting tourists at the space station — and before that the Mir station — for decades.

Just last fall, a Russian movie crew flew up, followed by a Japanese fashion tycoon and his assistant.

NASA is finally getting into the act, after years of opposing space station visitors.

“It was a hell of a ride and we’re looking forward to the next 10 days,” said former NASA astronaut and chaperone Michael Lopez-Alegria on reaching orbit.

The visitors’ tickets include access to all but the Russian portion of the space station — they’ll need permission from the three cosmonauts on board. Three Americans

NASA VIA AP

In this image provided by NASA, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule attached, lifts off with the first private crew from Launch Complex 39A Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. and a German also live up there.

Lopez-Alegria plans to avoid talking about politics and the war in Ukraine while he’s at the space station.

“I honestly think that it won’t be awkward. I mean maybe a tiny bit,” he said. He expects the “spirit of collaboration will shine through.”

The private Axiom Space company arranged the visit with NASA for its three paying customers: Larry Connor of Dayton, Ohio, who runs the Connor Group; Mark Pathy, founder and CEO of Montreal’s Mavrik Corp.; and Israel’s Eytan Stibbe, a former fighter pilot and founding partner of Vital Capital.

Before the flight, their enthusiasm was obvious. Stibbe did a little dance when he arrived at the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX and NASA have been upfront with them about the risks of spaceflight, said Lopez-Alegria, who spent seven months at the space station 15 years ago.

“There’s no fuzz, I think, on what the dangers are or what the bad days could look like,” Lopez-Alegria told The Associated Press before the flight.

NASA’s Kathy Lueders, head of space operations, said there’s a lot to learn from this first wholly private station visit. “But man, was

this launch a great start,” she told reporters.

Each visitor has a full slate of experiments to conduct during their stay, one reason they don’t like to be called space tourists.

“They’re not up there to paste their nose on the window,” said Axiom’s co-founder and president, Michael Suffredini, a former NASA space station program manager.

The three businessmen are the latest to take advantage of the opening of space to those with deep pockets. Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin is taking customers on 10-minute rides to the edge of space, while Virgin Galactic expects to start flying customers on its rocket ship later this year.

Friday’s flight is the second private charter for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which took a billionaire and his guests on a three-day orbit ride last year. SpaceX’s fifth flight of NASA astronauts to the station is coming up in just a couple weeks.

Axiom is targeting next year for its second private flight to the space station. More customer trips will follow, with Axiom adding its own rooms to the orbiting complex beginning in 2024. After about five years, the company plans to detach its compartments to form a self-sustaining station — one of several commercial outposts intended to replace the space station once it’s retired and NASA shifts

to the moon.

At an adjacent pad during Friday’s launch: NASA’s new moon rocket, which is awaiting completion of a dress rehearsal for a summertime test flight.

As a gift for their seven station hosts, the four visitors are taking up paella and other Spanish cuisine prepared by celebrity chef José Andrés. The rest of their time at the station, NASA’s freeze-dried chow will have to do.

The automated SpaceX capsule and its four passengers are due back April 19 with a splashdown off the Florida coast.

Connor is honoring Ohio’s air and space legacy, is bringing along a fabric swatch from the Wright brothers’ 1903 Kitty Hawk flyer and gold foil from the Apollo 11 command module from the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta.

Only the second Israeli in space, Stibbe will continue a thunderstorm experiment begun by the first — Ilan Ramon, who died aboard shuttle Columbia in 2003.

They were in the same fighter pilot squadron.

Stibbe is carrying copies of recovered pages of Ramon’s space diary, as well as a song composed by Ramon’s musician son and a painting of pages falling from the sky by his daughter.

“To be a part of this unique crew is a proof for me that there’s no dream beyond reach,” he said.

Need Ammo?

.223  .45  .40 .308  9mm 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

Randolph Record for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

8

STATE & NATION

Jackson, COVID and a retirement show Congress’ partisan path

By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A milestone Supreme Court confirmation that endured a flawed process. The collapse of a bipartisan compromise for more pandemic funds. The departure of a stalwart of the dwindling band of moderate House Republicans.

Party-line fights on Capitol Hill are as old as the republic, and they routinely escalate as elections approach. Yet three events from a notable week illustrate how Congress’ near- and long-term paths point toward intensifying partisanship.

The senate’s supreme court battle Democrats rejoiced Thursday when the Senate by 53-47 confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first black female justice.

They crowed about a bipartisan stamp of approval from the trio of moderate Republicans who supported it: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah.

Yet by historical standards, the three opposition party votes were

paltry and underscored the recent trend of Supreme Court confirmations becoming loyalty tests on party ideology. That’s a departure from a decades-long norm when senators might dislike a nominee’s judicial philosophy but defer to a president’s pick, barring a disqualifying revelation.

Murkowski said her support for Jackson was partly “rejection of the corrosive politicization” of how both parties consider Supreme Court nominations, which “is growing worse and more detached from reality by the year.”

Republicans said they would treat Jackson respectfully, and they did. Their questions and criticisms of her were pointed and partisan, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying “the Senate views itself as a co-partner in this process” with the president.

Supreme court battles past Senate approval of high court nominees by voice vote, without bothering to hold roll calls, was standard for most of the 20th century. Conservative Antonin Scalia sailed into the Supreme Court by 98-0 in 1986, while lib-

eral Ruth Bader Ginsburg won 96-3 approval seven years later.

There were bitter fights. Democrats blocked conservative Robert Bork’s nomination in 1987 and unsuccessfully opposed Clarence Thomas’ ascension in 1991 after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Hard feelings intensified in early 2016. McConnell, then majority leader, blocked the Senate from even considering President Barack Obama’s pick of Merrick Garland to replace the deceased Scalia. McConnell cited the presidential election nearly nine months away, infuriating Democrats.

Donald Trump was elected and ultimately filled three vacancies over near-unanimous Democratic opposition.

Covid spending fight, transformed Senators from both parties agreed to a $10 billion covid-19 package last monday that president joe biden wants for more therapeutics, vaccines and tests.

With ba.2, The new omicron variant, washing across the country, it seemed poised for congressio-

nal approval.

Hours later, bargainers led by senate majority leader chuck schumer, d-n.Y., And sen. Mitt romney, r-utah, seemed blindsided when their compromise was derailed. Republicans wanted to add an extension of an expiring crackdown on migrants crossing the mexican border that trump imposed in 2020, citing the pandemic’s public health threat.

Immigration divides democrats, and republicans believe the issue can further solidify their chances of winning congressional control in november’s elections.

Playing defense, schumer postponed debate on the covid-19 bill.

Democrats deserved some blame for being outmaneuvered.

House democrats shot down a $15 billion agreement in march, rejecting compromise budget savings to pay for it.

And in glaringly tone-deaf political timing, the centers for disease control and prevention announced april 1, just as bargainers were completing their latest compromise, that the trump-era immigration curbs would lapse may 23.

A moderate’s farewell Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., announced his retirement Tuesday.

He’s the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year to say they won’t seek reelection.

Upton attributed his depar-

ture to running in a new district, but that didn’t stop Trump from proclaiming: “UPTON QUITS! 4 down and 6 to go.” The House impeached Trump over his incitement of supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but the GOP-run Senate acquitted him.

The pro-business Upton, 68, has worked with Democrats on legislation affecting energy and the auto industry.

“To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.

Party differences, then and now Pitched battles are now habitual over bills financing federal agencies and extending the government’s borrowing authority.

When those disputes are resolved and federal shutdowns and defaults averted, lawmakers hail as triumphs what is their most rudimentary task — keeping government functioning.

Despite the divisions over COVID-19 money and Jackson, there has also been cooperation.

Congress overwhelmingly voted to ban Russian oil and downgrade trade relations with that country following its invasion of Ukraine. There’s progress on bipartisan trade and technology legislation, and a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure measure became law last year.

SpaceX launches 3 visitors to space station for $55M each The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched three rich businessmen and their astronaut escort to the International Space Station on Friday for more than a week’s stay, as NASA joins Russia in hosting guests at the world’s most expensive tourist destination.

It’s SpaceX’s first private charter flight to the orbiting lab after two years of carrying astronauts there for NASA. Arriving at the space station Saturday are an American, a Canadian and an Israeli who run investment, real estate and other companies.

They’re paying $55 million apiece for the rocket ride and accommodations, all meals included.

Russia has been hosting tourists at the space station — and before that the Mir station — for decades. Just last fall, a Russian movie crew flew up, followed by a Japanese fashion tycoon and his assistant.

NASA is finally getting into the act, after years of opposing space station visitors.

“It was a hell of a ride and we’re looking forward to the next 10 days,” said former NASA astronaut and chaperone Michael Lopez-Alegria on reaching orbit.

The visitors’ tickets include access to all but the Russian portion of the space station — they’ll need permission from the three cosmonauts on board. Three Americans and a

NASA VIA AP

In this image provided by NASA, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule attached, lifts off with the first private crew from Launch Complex 39A Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. German also live up there.

Lopez-Alegria plans to avoid talking about politics and the war in Ukraine while he’s at the space station.

“I honestly think that it won’t be awkward. I mean maybe a tiny bit,” he said. He expects the “spirit of collaboration will shine through.”

The private Axiom Space company arranged the visit with NASA for its three paying customers: Larry Connor of Dayton, Ohio, who runs the Connor Group; Mark Pathy, founder and CEO of Montreal’s Mavrik Corp.; and Israel’s Eytan Stibbe, a former fighter pilot and

founding partner of Vital Capital.

Before the flight, their enthusiasm was obvious. Stibbe did a little dance when he arrived at the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX and NASA have been upfront with them about the risks of spaceflight, said Lopez-Alegria, who spent seven months at the space station 15 years ago.

“There’s no fuzz, I think, on what the dangers are or what the bad days could look like,” Lopez-Alegria told The Associated Press before the flight.

NASA’s Kathy Lueders, head of space operations, said there’s a lot

to learn from this first wholly private station visit. “But man, was this launch a great start,” she told reporters.

Each visitor has a full slate of experiments to conduct during their stay, one reason they don’t like to be called space tourists.

“They’re not up there to paste their nose on the window,” said Axiom’s co-founder and president, Michael Suffredini, a former NASA space station program manager.

The three businessmen are the latest to take advantage of the opening of space to those with deep pockets. Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin is taking customers on 10-minute rides to the edge of space, while Virgin Galactic expects to start flying customers on its rocket ship later this year.

Friday’s flight is the second private charter for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which took a billionaire and his guests on a three-day orbit ride last year. SpaceX’s fifth flight of NASA astronauts to the station is coming up in just a couple weeks.

Axiom is targeting next year for its second private flight to the space station. More customer trips will follow, with Axiom adding its own rooms to the orbiting complex beginning in 2024. After about five years, the company plans to detach its compartments to form a self-sustaining station — one of several commercial outposts intended to replace the space station once it’s re-

tired and NASA shifts to the moon.

At an adjacent pad during Friday’s launch: NASA’s new moon rocket, which is awaiting completion of a dress rehearsal for a summertime test flight.

As a gift for their seven station hosts, the four visitors are taking up paella and other Spanish cuisine prepared by celebrity chef José Andrés. The rest of their time at the station, NASA’s freeze-dried chow will have to do.

The automated SpaceX capsule and its four passengers are due back April 19 with a splashdown off the Florida coast.

Connor is honoring Ohio’s air and space legacy, is bringing along a fabric swatch from the Wright brothers’ 1903 Kitty Hawk flyer and gold foil from the Apollo 11 command module from the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta.

Only the second Israeli in space, Stibbe will continue a thunderstorm experiment begun by the first — Ilan Ramon, who died aboard shuttle Columbia in 2003. They were in the same fighter pilot squadron.

Stibbe is carrying copies of recovered pages of Ramon’s space diary, as well as a song composed by Ramon’s musician son and a painting of pages falling from the sky by his daughter.

“To be a part of this unique crew is a proof for me that there’s no dream beyond reach,” he said.

Vote Chris Vote forfor Chris ParrishParrish Randolph County Superior CourtCourt Judge Randolph County Superior Judge

May 17, 2022 Primary Election

Endorsed by Lt. Governor Mark Robinson

LIFE LONG CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED BY LT. GOVERNOR MARK ROBINSON

LIFE LONG CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN EXPERIENCE MATTERS 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION Veteran prosecutor, 22 years with over 120 superior court trials to date Follow Chris onMAY Facebook17, at: www.facebook.com/Chris Parrish Professor of civil and criminal law (over 18 years) and 3 time published author for Superior Court Judge EXPERIENCE MATTERS TO LEARN MORE:

Or visit Chris’s website at:

Animal cruelty prosecutor – Prosecuted the case that became the basis of Susie’s Law

www.parrishforjudge.nationbuilder.com Veteran prosecutor, 22 years with over 120 superior court trials to date

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Past Commander, PA II Specialist, Instructor

 Professor ofEmail civil and criminal law (over 18 years) and 3 �me published author parrishforjudge@gmail.com

Over 20 years experience in the Superior Court Division

 Animal cruelty prosecutor - Prosecuted the case that became the basis of Susie’s Law

Lives in Asheboro with wife Melanie and his two step sons

 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Past Commander, PA II Specialist, Instructor

 Over 20 years experience in the CourtTODivision PAID FOR BY THESuperior COMMITTEE ELECT CHRIS PARRISH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE  Lives in Asheboro with wife Melanie and his two step sons

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 29 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022

Twin City Herald

AP PHOTO

Crustacean migration

Crabs cross a wall after spawning in the sea in Giron, Cuba, Saturday, April 9, 2022. Millions of crabs emerge at the beginning of the spring rains and start a journey to the waters of the Bay of Pigs in a yearly spawning migration.

WHAT’S HAPPENING African American photography featured at Reynolda House Forsyth County Black is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite opened this week at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem. It runs until May 8 and features more than 40 transformative photographs that helped popularize the idea that “Black is beautiful” in the 1960s. This is the first major exhibition dedicated to Brathwaite’s career. The exhibit will also showcase garments worn by the Grandassa models, a creative collective of Black women co-founded by Brathwaite in 1962, as well as posters and Blue Note record albums.

VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

Wake Forest displaying its art in campus library Forsyth County Wake Forest had nine different art collections featuring work from some of the finest artists in the university’s community. It also has a large number of students producing work that’s worthy of display, and the campus has a shortage of dedicated space to display all that work. Rather than letting it gather dust in storage, the school has put it on display at the university’s ZSR Library in Handmade: Sculpture from the Wake Forest Art Collections, which opens this week and runs through June 30.

VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

WSFCS raises concerns with new substitute program Superintendent urges staff to utilize spring break to rejuvenate for students

By Ryan Henkel For the North State Journal WINSTON-SALEM — The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education met last Tuesday with concerns over its new substitute program and considerations for a few educational programs on the agenda.

Superintendent Tricia McManus gave an update on the kickoff of a new partnership between Carver High School and Forsyth Technical Community College that includes dual enrollment, aviation classes, cybersecurity classes and more for interested students.

McManus also gave a reminder to students and parents that the deadlines for some of the grants and scholarships provided by WSFCS were approaching.

She then urged staff and faculty to make the most of their time off during the upcoming spring break.

“Spring break is next week, so I hope that everyone will take time to rest and rejuvenate

and relax so we can come back strong for our students for that last stretch of our 2021-22 school year,” said McManus. “Please stay safe throughout that week.”

Dr. Leslie Alexander, interim chief human resources officer, gave an update on WSFCS contract with ESS Southeast, LLC — a company that manages substitute teachers and substitute teacher’s assistant programs — stating that in a survey sent out to schools in the district, 75% of the principals and 60% of the financial secretaries that responded were in favor of ending the partnership and bringing back in-house substitute management.

The partnership is a three-year pilot, although there is a 90-day cancellation clause. Areas of concern included lower than expected fill rate, technical issues with the system, high fees and unintended complications such as the inability for substitutes to be dually employed with both ESS and the school system.

“The ultimate goal would be that we deliver an equal quality or better service,” said Alexander on the potential of bringing substitutes back in-house. “But with 140 vacancies it’s obvious we

“Relative to ESS, I’ve heard a lot of pushback, but I think there are some substitutes that see the change favorably. ... One of the reasons why we entered into the partnership in the first place was that internally the feeling was that we didn’t have the staff to support what is involved with subs as we needed to, so if we are going to make the adjustment, then we have to be ready for that.” board member Alexandre Bohannon have a lot to focus on with getting people in our classrooms permanently so we don’t have to have as many substitutes.”

In response to these concerns, however, ESS pledged to increase support for the district team, pro-

vide additional training, allow for dual employment for substitutes during noncontract hours and restructuring their fees to make them more competitive.

WSFCS will stick with ESS through the end of the year, at which time they will reassess the partnership and resurvey not only the principals and financial secretaries but the substitutes as well.

“Relative to ESS, I’ve heard a lot of pushback, but I think there are some substitutes that see the change favorably,” said board member Alexandre Bohannon.

“One of the reasons why we entered into the partnership in the first place was that internally the feeling was that we didn’t have the staff to support what is involved with subs as we needed to, so if we are going to make the adjustment, then we have to be ready for that.”

The board also gave its approval for seven Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funded ERV/HVAC projects, the addition of stormwater maintenance to RJ Reynolds High School and Wiley Magnet Middle School to the existing annual budget line, teacher compensation from State Supplemental Funds, a contract with The New Teacher Project for Teacher Residency Programs and the purchase of subscriptions for the Membean vocabulary program.

The WSFCS Board of Education will next meet on Tuesday, April 26.

Nurse indicted in custody death, no indictment for officers The Associated Press WINSTON-SALEM — A grand jury has indicted a nurse on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2019 death of a Black man at a North Carolina jail, but declined to indict five former detention officers involved in the incident.

Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill confirmed that Michelle Heughins, who worked as a nurse at the county’s jail, was indicted Monday in John Neville’s death, which prompted protests during the summer of 2020, news outlets reported.

“While I was disappointed in

today’s outcome, our prosecutors will continue to meet again with investigators and speak with the Neville family and their attorneys before deciding on any further action,” O’Neill said in a statement. “I understand that there is a great deal of interest in this case, and I ask for the continued peaceful support of this community as we gather with the Neville family in determining how we will proceed from here.”

Neville, 56, of Greensboro, died Dec. 4, 2019, after a medical emergency at the Forsyth County jail. Body camera videos showed him struggling with guards to get up from where he lay on the

floor, calling out for his mother and yelling “I can’t breathe!” more than 20 times as he was being restrained. Neville had been arrested several days earlier.

An autopsy report said Neville died from a brain injury caused when his heart stopped beating and his brain was deprived of oxygen. He asphyxiated while being restrained with his arms behind his back, and his legs folded.

The five former officers and Heughins were charged in 2020 with involuntary manslaughter in Neville’s death. Late last year, attorneys for Neville’s son and executor of his estate, Sean Neville, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District

Court. The detention officers and Heughins were named as defendants, along with Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr., Wellpath LLC, the jail’s medical provider at the time, and Forsyth County.

Claire J. Rauscher, one of Heughins’ attorneys, said Monday that her client will be fully vindicated when the case gets to trial.

“Michelle Heughins was the only person who tried to save Mr. Neville at the jail that day,” Rauscher said. “It was the detention officers who restrained him and put him on his stomach, handcuffed, and had her leave the room.”

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

WEEKLY FORECAST

4.13.22 #191

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 13

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Twin City Herald

81° 64° 6%

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

APRIL 14

HI LO PRECIP

76° 51° 58%

SATURDAY

APRIL 15 HI LO PRECIP

75° 52° 10%

APRIL 16

HI LO PRECIP

76° 52° 24%

SUNDAY

MONDAY

APRIL 17 HI LO PRECIP

68° 49° 21%

APRIL 18

HI LO PRECIP

64° 48° 33%

TUESDAY

APRIL 19

HI LO PRECIP

61° 41° 43%

COLUMN | ERICK ERICKSON

The Left is the culture war aggressor

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal.

(704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

REPORTER CHRISTOPHER RUFO recently released footage of top Disney employees vowing to inject their radical LGBTQ agenda into children’s programming. Disney producer Latoya Raveneau told an all-hands meeting that her team works to push a “not-at-all-secret gay agenda” in programming aimed at kids and sought to add “queerness” to such content.

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she was the mother of “one transgender child and one pansexual child” and that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color. Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware stated that Disney’s beloved theme parks would be eliminating any mention of “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls.”

This prompted a well-deserved firestorm for the Mouse House.

Disney has long been Left-wing on social issues — but in the aftermath of ginned-up controversy surrounding Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which protects small children from indoctrination on sexual orientation and gender identity, an angry coterie of employees pushed management to signal fealty even harder. So Disney’s brass did, announcing that they opposed the Florida bill and then turning over the company to its most radical contingent.

And people reacted. #BoycottDisney began to trend on social media.

We at the Daily Wire committed to spending $100 million to develop children’s content that would be safe for kids — content dedicated to traditional values, where parents wouldn’t have to worry about prescreening content for messages about nonbinary 5-year-olds.

The Left, caught with its hand in the kiddie jar, immediately swiveled and accused the Right of initiating this culture war. Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times lamented that she felt terrible for Raveneau, who, after all, was just “step(ping) up to defend the company’s queer friendliness, only to become a national object of right-wing fury and disgust,” and whose injection of LGBTQ propaganda into children’s content was “sweetly anodyne.”

CNN hosted Washington Post transgender columnist Charlotte Clymer, adding the chyron “LGBT COMMUNITY LATEST TO BE CAUGHT IN CULTURE WAR.” The takeaway, according to the social Left, is that anyone who defends traditionalism in child-rearing — or anyone who simply doesn’t want children turned into targets of sexual propagandizing — is the true cultural aggressor.

This is a transparent lie. And it’s a lie that won’t redound to the benefit of those who seek radical change. If they wish to pose the rubric of gay rights against parental rights, gay rights are likely to suffer. If they wish to suggest that LGBTQ freedom extends to teachers initiating children into sexual conversations without parental permission, parents are unlikely to go along for the ride.

For decades, the social Left has made inroads by arguing that they simply want to be left alone. The Right, by contrast, has argued that the Left’s agenda is far broader, that the Left demands cultural celebration of its sexual mores and that it will stop at nothing to remake society in order to achieve its narcissistic goals. Disney’s latest foray into the culture wars proves that the Right was correct, that the Left’s stated agenda was a lie and that its “not-at-all-secret” agenda targeted the most vulnerable Americans.

Disney shows no signs of backing away from the extremism its allhands meeting unmasked before the world. And other corporations are following Disney’s lead, pushing wild Left advocacy instead of catering to the broadest possible market. For too long, Americans have planted their heads firmly in the sand, hoping that the forces of the free market would militate against the cultural hijacking of corporate institutions.

Instead, corporations built by entrepreneurs have been hijacked by woke employees and a feckless managerial class. The blowback will be real, and it should be real. And if that means parents swearing off Mickey Mouse, increasingly they will.

Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

North Carolina man killed when police chase ends in crash The Associated Press MOUNT AIRY — A North Carolina man was killed when a police chase ended in a crash just north of the border in Virginia, authorities said.

The Patrick County Sheriff’s

Office said Bobby Wayne Gammons, 81, died after a woman’s car crossed the median on U.S. Highway 58 and collided head-on with his vehicle.

Rangers at Staunton River State Park in Halifax County, Virginia, found Christine Barnette, 41, in an

unrented cabin on Friday, and as they approached, she ran and got into her car, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office backed off from the pursuit but Barnette “continued to drive recklessly,” the Patrick County Sheriff’s Of-

fice said. The chase passed through Pittsylvania County, Henry County, the city of Martinsville and Patrick County.

Authorities said Barnette rammed two sheriff’s vehicles near South Boston and continued on.

She also avoided spike strips before

♦ Jimmie Lawrence Cavanaugh, 82, of Winston-Salem, died April 10, 2022.

♦ Howard “Sonny” Echols, 75, of Kernersville, died April 6, 2022.

driving through an intersection that had been closed by Patrick County deputies, crossed the median of U.S. 58 and crashed head-on into Gammons’ vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

Gammons died at the scene while Barnette was taken by air to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

The Virginia State Police said Barnette is facing multiple charges.

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Todd Wayne Allen, 57, of Kernersville, died April 8, 2022. ♦ Stephen John Becher, 67, of Kernersville, died April 9, 2022. ♦ Don Bodamer, 93, of Lewisville, died April 8, 2022. ♦ Margaret Coe Boose, 90, of

Surry County, died April 10, 2022. ♦ Yvonne Quevette Bradley-Glenn, 69, of Winston-Salem, died April 8, 2022. ♦ Roy Pearson “Pete” Burris, Jr., 88 of Clemmons, died April 6, 2022.

♦ Jeanette Christie, 85, of Arcadia, died April 9, 2022. ♦ Elsie Cole, 83, died April 8, 2022.

♦ Robert “Bob” E. Huffman Sr., 88, of Lewisville, died April 8, 2022. ♦ Carlton Eugene “Gene” McDonald, 86, of WinstonSalem, died April 7, 2022.

♦ Elizabeth “Gail” Joyce Saunders, 79, of Winston-Salem, died April 6, 2022. ♦ Selma Cater Scott, of WinstonSalem, died April 7, 2022. ♦ Clarke Anthony Stephens, Sr., 81, of Winston-Salem, died April 9, 2022.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ BANDOO, ROWAYNE TREMAIRE was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 940 N LIBERTY ST on 4/10/2022 ♦ BERNAL, IRVIN SANTAMARIA was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 1399 HARDING ST/DONALD ST on 4/8/2022 ♦ BRODERSON, IRA AUSTIN was arrested on a charge of 1ST DEGREE TRESPASS at 775 WEST END BV on 4/9/2022 ♦ Brown, Nicola Marcell (F/52) Arrest on chrg of 1) Rec/poss Stole Mv (F), 2) Impaired Driving Dwi (M), 3) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), and 4) Speeding To Elude Arrest (F), at Us 52 South/ Mlk Jr Dr, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/8/2022 00:53. ♦ Brown, Nicola Marcell (F/52) Arrest on chrg of 1) Impaired Driving Dwi (M) and 2) Ndl Suspended / Revoked (M), at Nb 52/n Patterson Av, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/8/2022 03:00. ♦ Carranza, William Pineda (M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Hit & Run - Fail To Give Aid And Assistance (M) and 2) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), at 2399 Williams Rd/hauser Rd, Lewisville, NC, on 4/6/2022 05:54. ♦ Cruz, Frankie Ariel (M/18) Arrest on chrg of 1) Affray (M) and 2) Drugs-poss Sched Iii (M), at

1600 Brewer Rd, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/7/2022 10:00. ♦ ELDER, ANTONIO LEE was arrested on a charge of PROBATION VIOLATION at 2565 PETERS CREEK PW on 4/11/2022 ♦ FARMER, ELIZABETH DIANE was arrested on a charge of WEAP-POSS BY FELON at 3800 OLD GREENSBORO RD on 4/8/2022 ♦ FLORES, YESENIA was arrested on a charge of COMMUNICATE THREATS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/9/2022 ♦ GARCIA, LEVI CANSECO was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 900 WATERWORKS RD on 4/10/2022 ♦ GREENE, SHARON ANNETTE was arrested on a charge of HARASSING PHONE CALLS at 1412 E FOURTEENTH ST on 4/9/2022 ♦ Gregory, Kiley Breann (F/20) Arrest on chrg of Concealing Mdse, M (M), at 1011 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/8/2022 12:30. ♦ HAYNES, KEVIN LEE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 7109 BRANDEMERE LN on 4/10/2022 ♦ HERNANDEZ, IGNACIO ALONSO was arrested on a charge of CCW at 2400 PEACHTREE ST on 4/8/2022

♦ JOFFREVAZQUEZ, HERVIN HERVIN was arrested on a charge of DRUGS-POSS SCHED III at 2399 REYNOLDA RD/ WAKE FOREST RD on 4/9/2022 ♦ JOHNSON, CLARENCE DAVID was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/10/2022 ♦ Legare, Virgil (M/47) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 1938 Cartwright Dr, Kernersville, NC, on 4/10/2022 18:46. ♦ Long, Corey Allen (M/28) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 3165 Wide Country Rd, Pfafftown, NC, on 4/9/2022 01:21. ♦ MANNING, ASHLEY RAQUEL was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at NB 52/NB 421_NB 52 RA on 4/10/2022 ♦ MCKINNEY, SHAWN PAUL was arrested on a charge of CHILD ABUSE at 4290 N PATTERSON AV on 4/10/2022 ♦ MEADOWS, STEPHEN ALVA was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 200 NEW DR on 4/10/2022 ♦ MILLER, KEVIN DWIGHT was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 1499 NEW WALKERTOWN RD on 4/8/2022 ♦ OCHOA MOLINA, JESUS EDUARDO was arrested on a

charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 301 MEDICAL CENTER BV on 4/10/2022

arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 620 ANSON ST on 4/11/2022 00:12

♦ PAREDES, MIGUEL ENRIQUE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2330 CHERRY STREET on 4/10/2022

♦ SALAZAR, JUAN SABES was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 620 ANSON STREET on 4/9/2022

♦ Pouliot, Laurie Ann (F/58) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 6379 Germanton Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/10/2022 20:57.

♦ Sessoms, Brandon Juwan (M/24) Arrest on chrg of Ccw, M (M), at 1900 E Twenty-fourth St/ bowen Bv, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/7/2022 23:53.

♦ PROPST, VERNON was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/10/2022 ♦ RORIE, CHRISTOPHER LEE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/10/2022 ♦ ROSASMENDOZA, YORBELIA YORBELIA was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 201 N CHURCH ST on 4/9/2022 ♦ Rosenbalm, Sydnei Kenielle (F/26) Arrest on chrg of Assault-simple (M), at 726 Sea Horse Cr, Rurall Hall, NC, on 4/9/2022 01:58. ♦ SALAZAR, JUAN SABES was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 620 ANSON ST on 4/10/2022 15:44 ♦ SALAZAR, JUAN SABES was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 620 ANSON ST on 4/10/2022 21:08 ♦ SALAZAR, JUAN SABES was

♦ Simpson, Virgil Xavier (M/40) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 135 East Wall St, Rural Hall, NC, on 4/11/2022 19:30. ♦ TEMPLE, JOSHUA JAMAR was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 5034 RAVEN RD on 4/10/2022 ♦ Thomas, Ryan Charles (M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Probation Violation (F) and 2) Probation Violation (F), at 3155 Mountain Brook Tl, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/7/2022 09:23. ♦ Varner, Justin Michael (M/26) Arrest on chrg of Child Abuse, M (M), at 120 Applewood Dr, Lewisville, NC, on 4/6/2022 15:45. ♦ Williams, Nasjir Omari (M/18) Arrest on chrg of 1) Asslt On Off/st Emp (M), 2) Rec/poss Stole Mv (F), 3) Ccw (M), and 4) Resisting Arrest (M), at 2382 N Glenn Av, Winston-salem, NC, on 4/8/2022 19:07.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

3

SPORTS

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.”

The o for mil taking while a about t

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT TENNIS

Opelka beats Isner in Houston for first clay title Houston Reilly Opelka beat fellow American John Isner 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Sunday to win the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in the tallest matchup in an ATP Tour final. The 6-foot-11 Opelka won his fourth tour title and first on clay. He improved to 5-1 against the 6-foot10 Isner. The 24-year-old Opelka, seeded third has won all his titles in the United States, taking the first in 2019 in an indoor event in New York and following at Delray Beach in 2020 and Dallas this year. The 36-year-old Isner, seeded fourth, won in Houston in 2013. He has 16 ATP Tour titles.

NHL

Penguins’ Malkin suspended 4 games Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended four games for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki in the face. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension after holding a hearing with Malkin about the play. Malkin was initially given only a four-minute double-minor penalty after striking Borowiecki in the mouth with his stick at the end of the second period Sunday.

This is Malkin’s second suspension after a onegame ban for high-sticking in 2019. This one costs him $190,000 in salary. He’s eligible to return April 23 vs. Detroit.

MLB

Manfred gifts players headphones as lockout peace offering New York Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred gave major league players Bose headphones on opening day as a peace offering after a bitter 99day lockout that delayed the start of the season. Major League Baseball confirmed that headphones and a letter signed by Manfred were left at the locker of each player when teams began their seasons last week. Manfred’s relationship with players has grown increasingly icy since he succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2014.

AUTO RACING

Ferrari’s Leclerc wins Formula 1 Australian GP Melbourne, Australia Charles Leclerc completed a dominant weekend in his Ferrari, starting on the pole and winning the Australian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Leclerc extended his lead in the drivers’ championship by claiming his second victory of the season after also winning the season-opening race in Bahrain. Leclerc was able to hold off Red Bull rival Max Verstappen during the opening laps and pulled away for a decisive 20.524-second victory.

Sergio Perez overcame a slow start to secure second ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell, who secured his first podium finish of the season, and Lewis Hamilton.

AP PHOTO

William Byron does a burnout after winning Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville.

Byron holds on after OT restart, wins at Martinsville The No. 24 became the first team to win two races in the 2022 season

The Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va. — William Byron knew he was in for a big challenge with a two-lap overtime sprint about to start and the very aggressive Joey Logano right behind him.

He also felt like he had a pretty remarkable co-pilot in his corner.

“This one is for my mom,” Byron said. “This same weekend last year she had kind of a mini-stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer.

It means a lot to have her here and it’s been a crazy year. But she’s doing great. I kind of felt like she was riding in there with me.”

Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway — he led 212 laps — to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCAR’s Cup Series on Saturday night.

Byron needed to hold off a challenge — and a nudge — from Logano on a two-lap overtime sprint to finish it, but he won for the fourth time in his career and gave Hendrick Motorsports four victories in eight races this season.

When the final caution, and only the second for an on-track issue of the night, came with five laps to go, Byron and the seven drivers behind him opted to stay out for the final dash.

“I thought everyone behind us would pit, and luckily we stayed out,” he said. “We were aggressive; we felt like we could refire on the

212 Laps led by William Byron in Saturday’s race at Martinsville, the most in a race in his career. tires and be OK, and you’ve got one of the most aggressive guys behind you in Logano.”

Byron had both a fast car that allowed him to pull away on restarts and a strong one on long runs, critical since there wasn’t a caution for anything but the end of a stage until the 311th of 400 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.

That changed when Todd Gilliland had a flat tire and hit the wall with five laps to go. Byron and the

top eight cars on the track opted not to pit, with Byron picking the inside lane and Austin Dillon, running second, on the outside.

That gave Logano a prime opportunity to bump the leader out of the way, especially when Dillon spun his tires on the restart. Logano bumped Byron in Turn 2 on the last lap, but Byron held on for his second win of the weekend. He won in the Truck Series on Thursday night, earning him a pair of the raceway’s unique grandfather clock trophies for three days of solid racing.

“Willy kind of messed up off of 4 and let me get to him, and he did a really good job of brake checking into third, right, which is a good job,” Logano said. “He did what he was supposed to do, and kind of got me all stuffed up behind him and I couldn’t accelerate off the corner and be as close as I needed to be.”

Logano was second, followed

by Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain.

The top series moves to its third straight short track, this time on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway next Sunday.

No fairytale ending for Tiger, but still inspiring Competing for the first time in 17 months, Woods made the cut at the Masters

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family. This is where all the great champions have ever played.”

The Associated Press AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters patrons filled in every nook and cranny around the 18th green, awaiting the appearance of the man in red.

A scene that’s been so familiar to Tiger Woods on so many Sundays at Augusta National, but this one was different.

It wasn’t even 3 o’clock on the warm, sunny afternoon in east Georgia. Over on the adjacent first hole, leader Scottie Scheffler and closest pursuer Cameron Smith had just teed off in the final group.

Hunched over and limping noticeably, Woods climbed the deceptively steep hill leading up to the green as the fans slowly rose to their feet, the roar building as they saluted a remarkable comeback if not a fairy tale of a weekend.

“Way to hang in there, Tiger!” a man standing back in the crowd belted out.

From a strictly golfing viewpoint, this was hardly the Woods that so many remembered. The guy who’s won five green jackets, the last of them just three years ago. The guy who’ll go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game, even if he never strikes another shot.

Tiger Woods

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods putts on the 15th green during the final round of the Masters on Sunda, in Augusta, Georgia.

This Woods, the one hobbling on a rebuilt right leg that he could’ve lost in that horrific car crash 14 months ago, closed with back-to-back 78s that were the worst scores of his Masters career.

He even had to take a left-handed swing at the 13th after knocking his ball onto the pine straw behind the green, right up next to an azalea.

His battered body simply ran out of steam after an electrifying 71 on Thursday, when Woods made his return to competitive golf for the first time in more than 500 days.

He grinded out a 74 on Friday, ensuring he would make the Mas-

ters cut for the 22nd time in a row.

There was nothing left in the tank for the weekend.

Still, it was a gratifying experience, one that Woods clearly didn’t regret putting himself through even if he didn’t come close to winning a record-tying sixth green jacket.

“This tournament has meant so much to me and my family,” Woods said. “This is where all the great champions have ever played. They have walked these grounds.”

That Woods was able to walk the course again — for four days, no less — was a feat in itself.

After his wreck in February 2021, doctors told Wood that his

shattered right leg might have to be amputated. They managed to save it, but he was confined to a hospital bed for three months.

He’s still got screws and rods holding the bones in place.

Woods walked Augusta National with a limp that got more and more noticeable, sometimes using a club as a walking stick to help him get around.

Everyone realizes how much Woods still means to the game, even if he is surely in the twilight of his career at age 46.

Woods told Sky Sports that he plans to play the British Open at St. Andrews in July. He isn’t sure about the next two majors: the PGA Championship, set for May 19-22 at Southern Hills, or the U.S. Open at Brookline in June.

“It’ll be just the big events,” Woods told Sky. “But I am looking forward to St. Andrews. That is something that is near and dear to my heart. I’ve won two Opens there, it’s the home of golf. It’s my favorite golf course in the world, so I will be there for that one.”

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

4

STATE & NATION

Jackson, COVID and a retirement show Congress’ partisan path

By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A milestone Supreme Court confirmation that endured a flawed process. The collapse of a bipartisan compromise for more pandemic funds. The departure of a stalwart of the dwindling band of moderate House Republicans.

Party-line fights on Capitol Hill are as old as the republic, and they routinely escalate as elections approach. Yet three events from a notable week illustrate how Congress’ near- and long-term paths point toward intensifying partisanship.

The senate’s supreme court battle Democrats rejoiced Thursday when the Senate by 53-47 confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first black female justice.

They crowed about a bipartisan stamp of approval from the trio of moderate Republicans who supported it: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah.

Yet by historical standards, the three opposition party votes were paltry and underscored the recent trend of Supreme Court confirmations becoming loyalty tests on party ideology. That’s a departure from a decades-long norm when senators might dislike a nominee’s judicial philosophy but defer to a president’s pick, barring a disqualifying revelation.

AP PHOTO

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emerges from the chamber to cheer the vote confirming Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Murkowski said her support for Jackson was partly “rejection of the corrosive politicization” of how both parties consider Supreme Court nominations, which “is growing worse and more detached from reality by the year.”

Republicans said they would treat Jackson respectfully, and they did. Their questions and criticisms of her were pointed and partisan, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying “the Senate views itself as a co-partner in this process” with the president.

Supreme court battles past Senate approval of high court nominees by voice vote, without bothering to hold roll calls, was

standard for most of the 20th century. Conservative Antonin Scalia sailed into the Supreme Court by 98-0 in 1986, while liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg won 96-3 approval seven years later.

There were bitter fights. Democrats blocked conservative Robert Bork’s nomination in 1987 and unsuccessfully opposed Clarence Thomas’ ascension in 1991 after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Hard feelings intensified in early 2016. McConnell, then majority leader, blocked the Senate from even considering President Barack Obama’s pick of Merrick Garland to replace the deceased Scalia. McConnell cited the presidential election nearly nine months away, infuriating

Democrats.

Donald Trump was elected and ultimately filled three vacancies over near-unanimous Democratic opposition.

Covid spending fight, transformed Senators from both parties agreed to a $10 billion covid-19 package last monday that president joe biden wants for more therapeutics, vaccines and tests. With ba.2, The new omicron variant, washing across the country, it seemed poised for congressional approval.

Hours later, bargainers led by senate majority leader chuck schumer, d-n.Y., And sen. Mitt romney, r-utah, seemed blindsided when their compromise was derailed. Republicans wanted to add an extension of an expiring crackdown on migrants crossing the mexican border that trump imposed in 2020, citing the pandemic’s public health threat.

Immigration divides democrats, and republicans believe the issue can further solidify their chances of winning congressional control in november’s elections. Playing defense, schumer postponed debate on the covid-19 bill.

Democrats deserved some blame for being outmaneuvered.

House democrats shot down a $15 billion agreement in march, rejecting compromise budget savings to pay for it.

And in glaringly tone-deaf political timing, the centers for disease control and prevention announced april 1, just as bargainers were completing their latest compromise, that the trump-era immigration curbs would lapse may 23.

A moderate’s farewell Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., announced his retirement Tuesday.

He’s the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year to say they won’t seek reelection.

Upton attributed his departure to running in a new district, but that didn’t stop Trump from proclaiming: “UPTON QUITS! 4 down and 6 to go.” The House impeached Trump over his incitement of supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but the GOP-run Senate acquitted him.

The pro-business Upton, 68, has worked with Democrats on legislation affecting energy and the auto industry.

“To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.

Party differences, then and now Pitched battles are now habitual over bills financing federal agencies and extending the government’s borrowing authority.

When those disputes are resolved and federal shutdowns and defaults averted, lawmakers hail as triumphs what is their most rudimentary task — keeping government functioning.

Despite the divisions over COVID-19 money and Jackson, there has also been cooperation.

Congress overwhelmingly voted to ban Russian oil and downgrade trade relations with that country following its invasion of Ukraine. There’s progress on bipartisan trade and technology legislation, and a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure measure became law last year.

SpaceX launches 3 visitors to space station for $55M each The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched three rich businessmen and their astronaut escort to the International Space Station on Friday for more than a week’s stay, as NASA joins Russia in hosting guests at the world’s most expensive tourist destination.

It’s SpaceX’s first private charter flight to the orbiting lab after two years of carrying astronauts there for NASA. Arriving at the space station Saturday are an American, a Canadian and an Israeli who run investment, real estate and other companies. They’re paying $55 million apiece for the rocket ride and accommodations, all meals included.

Russia has been hosting tourists at the space station — and before that the Mir station — for decades.

Just last fall, a Russian movie crew flew up, followed by a Japanese fashion tycoon and his assistant.

NASA is finally getting into the act, after years of opposing space station visitors.

“It was a hell of a ride and we’re looking forward to the next 10 days,” said former NASA astronaut and chaperone Michael Lopez-Alegria on reaching orbit.

The visitors’ tickets include access to all but the Russian portion of the space station — they’ll need permission from the three cosmonauts on board. Three Americans

NASA VIA AP

In this image provided by NASA, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule attached, lifts off with the first private crew from Launch Complex 39A Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. and a German also live up there.

Lopez-Alegria plans to avoid talking about politics and the war in Ukraine while he’s at the space station.

“I honestly think that it won’t be awkward. I mean maybe a tiny bit,” he said. He expects the “spirit of collaboration will shine through.”

The private Axiom Space company arranged the visit with NASA for its three paying customers: Larry Connor of Dayton, Ohio, who runs the Connor Group; Mark Pathy, founder and CEO of Montreal’s Mavrik Corp.; and Israel’s Eytan Stibbe, a former fighter pilot and founding partner of Vital Capital.

Before the flight, their enthusiasm was obvious. Stibbe did a little dance when he arrived at the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX and NASA have been upfront with them about the risks of spaceflight, said Lopez-Alegria, who spent seven months at the space station 15 years ago.

“There’s no fuzz, I think, on what the dangers are or what the bad days could look like,” Lopez-Alegria told The Associated Press before the flight.

NASA’s Kathy Lueders, head of space operations, said there’s a lot to learn from this first wholly private station visit. “But man, was

this launch a great start,” she told reporters.

Each visitor has a full slate of experiments to conduct during their stay, one reason they don’t like to be called space tourists.

“They’re not up there to paste their nose on the window,” said Axiom’s co-founder and president, Michael Suffredini, a former NASA space station program manager.

The three businessmen are the latest to take advantage of the opening of space to those with deep pockets. Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin is taking customers on 10-minute rides to the edge of space, while Virgin Galactic expects to start flying customers on its rocket ship later this year.

Friday’s flight is the second private charter for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which took a billionaire and his guests on a three-day orbit ride last year. SpaceX’s fifth flight of NASA astronauts to the station is coming up in just a couple weeks.

Axiom is targeting next year for its second private flight to the space station. More customer trips will follow, with Axiom adding its own rooms to the orbiting complex beginning in 2024. After about five years, the company plans to detach its compartments to form a self-sustaining station — one of several commercial outposts intended to replace the space station once it’s retired and NASA shifts

to the moon.

At an adjacent pad during Friday’s launch: NASA’s new moon rocket, which is awaiting completion of a dress rehearsal for a summertime test flight.

As a gift for their seven station hosts, the four visitors are taking up paella and other Spanish cuisine prepared by celebrity chef José Andrés. The rest of their time at the station, NASA’s freeze-dried chow will have to do.

The automated SpaceX capsule and its four passengers are due back April 19 with a splashdown off the Florida coast.

Connor is honoring Ohio’s air and space legacy, is bringing along a fabric swatch from the Wright brothers’ 1903 Kitty Hawk flyer and gold foil from the Apollo 11 command module from the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta.

Only the second Israeli in space, Stibbe will continue a thunderstorm experiment begun by the first — Ilan Ramon, who died aboard shuttle Columbia in 2003.

They were in the same fighter pilot squadron.

Stibbe is carrying copies of recovered pages of Ramon’s space diary, as well as a song composed by Ramon’s musician son and a painting of pages falling from the sky by his daughter.

“To be a part of this unique crew is a proof for me that there’s no dream beyond reach,” he said.

Need Ammo?

.223  .45  .40 .308  9mm 855-910-AMMO

NCammunition.com

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 7 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM

MOORE COUNTY

DAVID SINCLAIR | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Spring matinee races return

After a two-year absence, the Spring Matinee Races at the Pinehurst Harness Track returned on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

COUNTY NEWS Pinehurst Resort delays new lodge construction Pinehurst Resort said it would delay plans to build a new lodge near the main clubhouse. “Our initial timeline had the lodge completed in advance of the 2024 U.S. Open. For a variety of reasons, that timeline is no longer feasible,” the Resort said in a statement. “We plan to reassess the overall project as we determine next steps. In the meantime, our phased threeyear renovation of the Carolina Hotel remains on schedule to be completed in early 2024.”

Southern Pines movie theater reopens After a short break, the Southern Pines movie theater has reopened as Sandhills 10.

The facility, which had been operated by Paragon Theaters, had been renovated in 2018 but had suffered due to COVID restrictions and closed March 25. The Sandhills 10 is showing current feature films, including “Morbius” starring Jared Leto, “The Lost City” starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, and “The Batman” starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader.

Board approves school budget increase Connect Academy receives Board endorsement for stand-alone school status

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education met on Monday, April 11 with the preliminary 2022-23 budget the focus of the agenda.

The board approved a significant budget increase of $7,689,500 for the 2022-23 school year – helped along by federal emergency funds – for a total budget request of $39,539,500 to be presented to the County Commissioners for approval.

“You might say that a 24% increase in local funding is a big ask, and it is a back ask,” said board member David Hensley. “But in ad-

dition to paying our people properly after a decade plus of not doing that and trying to reduce our class sizes, I want to point out that over the last four years that the physical dollar increase to Moore County Schools had been 2.4% over four years and before those four years it was a decrease. Forget about keeping up with the rate of inflation, it did not even keep up with the growth of enrollment. Moore County Schools would have been doing more for less. Those are the reasons why I support this budget.”

The budget includes an 8% supplement for certified staff, administrative salary increases to match state increase level, 2.5% certified teacher salary pay increase to match state increase level, classified staff salary pay increase to $15/hour minimum or 2.5% increase, reduced class sizes for fourth and fifth grade, counselor

“As we’ve noted in discussions before, this budget articulates an investment in our students, our staff and in continuing to have a great education system so we also support and have a vibrant economy and great community.”

Interim Superintendent, Dr. Tim Locklair position at Crain’s Creek, decompression of classified salary scale and increased rates for utility, supplies and materials, capital outlay expansion and digital learning

funds due to inflation.

“As we’ve noted in discussions before, this budget articulates an investment in our students, our staff and in continuing to have a great education system so we also support and have a vibrant economy and great community,” said interim Superintendent, Dr. Tim Locklair. “This budget provides for a base budget to provide for the services we currently are providing as well as addressing your priorities to continue to support learning and teaching impact and support our employees.”

The next step is for the budget to be presented to the Board of Commissioners by Moore County Schools. The County Manager will also present a recommended budget before the Board of Commissioners and then a County PubSee BUDGET, page 2

Southern Pines will consider election changes, Chick-fil-A move The town council previewed its business meeting last week

SCC new virtual law enforcement simulator

North State Journal staff

Students in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at Sandhills Community College will learn how to respond to an active shooter, domestic violence, and other high-stress situations through a newly installed virtual training system. Described as “close to real-life as you can get,” The VirTra® simulator contains five large screens for a 300-degree immersive training environment.

The immersive environment recreates phycological stressors like an elevated heart rate and high adrenaline levels that officers experience during intense situations such as the scene of a traffic stop, domestic event, or other environments.

The next BLET session will begin in August and will be taught on the Pinehurst campus.

SOUTHERN PINES — Southern Pines could see new election rules as well as a new Chick-fil-A location in the near future. The town council met last week for a planning session ahead of their business meeting this week with various development and governmental process items on the agenda.

Before the meeting got under way, Mayor Carol Haney reminded attendees that the Pinehurst Harness Track would be hosting a matinee race. “If you’re looking for a giggle, harness track this Saturday is the mayor’s race,” said Haney. “Let the games begin.”

One of the first items for discussion at the meeting was a proposal to change the town’s charter related to municipal elections.

A new Chick-fil-A could open by the end of the year.

The council will hold an April 12 public hearing to discuss a move from a primary method to a plurality method. The results of that hearing will be included in the next issue of the North State Journal since the meeting concluded after press time. The change would mean that when municipal elections are held in the town, a plurality of votes would constitute a victory for a candidate.

This situation occurs when more than two candidates face off. As the town charter currently reads, if a candidate fails to get a majority of votes, a run-off is needed.

The council will also consider the adoption of a municipal service district for downtown revitalization. The town is considering establishing a municipal service district to finance, operate and maintain downtown re-

vitalization projects, including a parkway connecting Highway 15501 to Morganton Road to make it easier for vehicular traffic to get to the central city area and to allow residents and retail establishments on the parkway. The proposed municipal service district consists of the approximately 100 acres located between Highway 15-501 and Morganton Road, a portion of which was recently annexed into the town. Final adoption of such a district would not happen until June.

Another discussion item present to the council is the intended move of Chick-fil-A restaurant from its current location at the corner of Highway 15/501 and Murray Hill Road to a new site down 15/501. The restaurant’s plan to move to an existing site where the old Golden Corral was located at the corner of Turner Street and 15/501.

The plan includes a new 5,000 square foot building with surface parking and a double drive-thru See SOUTHERN PINES page 2

5

20177 52016 $1.00

8

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

2 WEDNESDAY

4.13.22

WEEKLY FORECAST

#329

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

APRIL 13

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Publisher

81° 64° 6%

FRIDAY

APRIL 14

HI LO PRECIP

76° 51° 58%

SOUTHERN PINES from page 1 after the old building is demolished. Jennifer Hunt, a planner for the town presented an overview of the project to the council. Hunt’s report to the council noted the restaurant’s move take it closer to Aberdeen and

HI LO PRECIP

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

APRIL 15

APRIL 17

APRIL 16

75° 52° 10%

HI LO PRECIP

76° 52° 24%

HI LO PRECIP

68° 49° 21%

the northwest corner of the proposed property is located in the Town of Aberdeen.

Steve Malloy, from Edwards and Hotchkiss Architects, represented Chick-fil-A at the meeting. Mayor Haney asked him when the restaurant might open. “They are moving forward

with it,” said Malloy. He told the council that his guess would be that the restaurant would open at the new site by the end of the year.

The council will take up these items and other business items at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 12.

and gave its approval to a design services agreement with SfL+a Architects for the modernization of school gymnasium after the item was tabled at last month’s meeting due to concerns raised by the board.

Board members Hensley and Stacey Caldwell met with and observed the review committee following the tabling and, after finding no issues, endorsed the recommendation by staff to go with SfL+a Architects.

Finally, after deliberation, the board decided that a prior vote from a December 13, 2021 closed session on whether to approve covering the defense cost for board members Stacey Caldwell, Libby Carter and Ed Dennison for the lawsuit captioned Pratte vs. Caldwell in the Middle District Court of North Carolina, Case #121-CV-10 should be brought back into open session

for the sake of transparency.

The board then approved the one-time, $5,000 deductible cost that was required by the liability coverage agreement that the board has with the North Carolina School Board’s Trust that provides legal services when a board member or employee is sued and the trust determines there is a need for legal coverage. After the deductible, the trust covers all remaining legal fees for all parties involved.

“There are four entities being sued: The individuals plus the board,” said board member Robert Levy. “If only the board was sued, it would be the same amount of money. So we are not expending any additional amounts of money for the other people being sued.”

The Moore County Board of Education will next meet on May 2.

Neal Robbins

Editor Matt Mercer

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday

by North State Media, LLC 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

BUDGET from page 1 lic Hearing will be held which will then be followed by a vote on whether or not to adopt the budget.

The board also gave unanimous approval to endorse Connect! Virtual Academy as a stand-alone school for the 202223 school year. Connect! Virtual Academy is a fully-online, remote K-12 alternate schooling option for Moore County students.

“We hope to get 500 or 600 students,” said Dr. Mike Metcalf, Interim Chief Officer for Academics and Student Support Services.

“Right now we have 527 that are participating and the survey date indicates the community is very interested in us continuing that program.”

The board also approved the sale of the Old Aberdeen Primary School to Drain the Swamp, LLC

MONDAY

TUESDAY

APRIL 18

HI LO PRECIP

64° 48° 33%

APRIL 19

HI LO PRECIP

61° 41° 43%

moore

happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Moore County:

April 16 Corvette Show 11am Southern Pines Chevrolet will host a Corvette-only show that is free and open to the public. Registration will be from 9am-11am for those wishing to enter, with the show beginning at 11am. For additional information, call 734306-9245 or email jimwfrazier@comcast.net.

“Viva Voca” 7:30pm

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ STUBBS, CHAQUWANN CARVELLE (B, M, 29) of Aberdeen, arrested 4/11/2022 on charges of Resisting public officer by Moore County Sheriff.

Bond: $1,500 Secured. Next Court Date: 5/19/2022. ♦ MCLEOD, DARRELL MARION (B, M, 42) of West End, arrested 4/11/2022 on charges of First Degree Burlary, Assault on a female (x2), Communicating threats, Injury to personal property by Southern Pines PD. Bond: $3,500 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/21/2022. ♦ THOMAS, KAREN CHRISTINE (I, F, 47) of Vass, arrested 4/10/2022 on charges of Simple Assault by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $1,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/27/2022. ♦ MCCAIN, BRANDON LETRELL (B, M, 28) of Aberdeen, arrested 4/9/2022 on charges of Assault on a female by Southern Pines PD. Bond: $1,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 5/12/2022. ♦ JAMIES, ROSA ISELA (W, F, 23) of Candor, arrested 4/9/2022 on charges of Possess with intent to manufacture/sell/ deliver marijuana, Felony possession marijuana, Maintn veh/dwell/place cs (x2), Possess marijuana paraphernalia (x2), Felony possession of cocaine, Possess marijuana up to 1/2 oz, Possess drug paraphernalia by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $10,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/21/2022. ♦ HERNANDEZ, JULIAN CELSO VALIDO (H, M, 32) of Eagle Springs, arrested 4/9/2022 on charges of Possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, Felony possession marijuana, Maintn veh/ dwell/place cs (x2), Possess marijuana paraphernalia (x2), Possess drug paraphernalia (x2), No operators license, Expired registration card/tag, Felony possession of cocaine, Possess marijuana up to 1/2 oz

by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $10,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/21/2022. ♦ WILLIAMS, DEVON LEE (B, M, 28) of Zebulon, arrested 4/8/2022 on charges of Obtain property false pretense by Moore County Sheriff. Bond: $3,000 Secured. Next Court Date: 4/18/2022.

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

MOORE COUNTY, WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Pauline

BRUN

For Moore County School Board

Listening to parents for our kids!

The Conservative Choice for Moore County Schools

I believe in:

Academics First Education NOT Indoctrination

Listening to Parents Safety for Students and Teachers

Paid for by: Bruno for the Board

TUNE INTO The John and Maureen show

Sundays

1 - 2PM WEEB 990 AM 104.1 and 97.3 FM

The Carolina Philharmonic will perform live in BPAC’s Owens Auditorium.

Maestro David Michael Wolff leads the Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra in an ethereal evening of bold passion and lyric drama featuring the dynamic voices of Ashley Emerson, David Weigel, Young Mee Jun, and Eric Barry.

April 20 The Ruth Pauley Lecture Series 7:30pm Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 23, Michael Wellington is a mental health activist, author, speaker, and pro golfer who travels the country speaking about his battle with bipolar disorder. He battled bipolar disorder while earning paychecks on five different professional golf tours, making eight holesin-one, and writing his memoir, “Birdies, Bogeys & Bipolar Disorder.”

Wellington will speak at Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College and the event is free to the public.

April 22-24 14th Celebration of Spring Pottery 10am The Seagrove Potters will hold their annual Spring kiln openings April 2224. An unprecedented number of pottery shops will open their doors to celebrate. The self-guided tour starts at the Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove where attendees can pick up maps and special offers before they visit shops.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

OPINION

3

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

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Biden’s border crisis

Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border.

“BORDER SECURITY is the most basic and necessary responsibility of a sovereign nation.”

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielson is exactly right. Sadly, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have failed on this most basic responsibility. And the worst may be yet to come.

Last week, despite outrage from me and dozens of Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, the Biden administration announced its plan to end Title 42 protections at our southern border. Title 42 is a commonsense regulation that gives government officials the authority to quickly turn around migrants at the southern border to protect public health. Since President Trump implemented this measure in March 2020, it has played an integral part in stemming the flow of illegal migration.

So far, Title 42 has been used to expel 1.7 million migrants. In February alone, 55% of encounters were processed for removal under Title 42. This is one of our country’s strongest border security tools, and if revoked, border agents have confirmed it will worsen the crisis at our southern border. Right now, border agents are seeing an average of 8,000 illegal crossings a day. A border patrol section chief told me we lose operational control of our border at 5,000 crossings per day. The Department of Homeland Security estimates up to 18,000 migrants per day will illegally enter our country once Title 42 is revoked.

The decision to end this policy is just the latest misstep in Biden’s border crisis. Since Biden took office and ended the “Remain in Mexico” policy and stopped construction of the wall, nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border.

These numbers do not even account for the thousands of migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents. Just last week, Customs and Border Patrol confirmed over 300,000 illegal immigrants evaded border personnel over the past six months, including 62,000 in March alone.

Title 42 is one of the few policies left that are working. Yet, President Biden seems determined to end the policy and appease

those on the Left who want to open our borders.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats’ tendency to promote a farleft agenda over the safety and security of the American people is not limited to their failure at the border.

Last week, Democrats also continued their assault on American energy. Over the past year, they have tried to shift blame for this crisis onto COVID-19 and Vladimir Putin. Last week at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing they tried to pin rising gas prices on oil companies. The American people are smarter than that and know pain at the pump began long before Russia’s heinous invasion of Ukraine and started the first week of Joe Biden’s presidency when he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline.

After canceling American pipelines and placing restrictions on domestic oil production, gas prices have risen every month of Biden’s presidency. This, along with the highest inflation rates in 40 years, is costing the average household an extra $5,200 this year compared to last.

The American people need solutions – not excuses – to the challenges facing our country.

This starts with securing our border. While I firmly believe we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. Our immigration system is in need of repair, but any reform effort must begin by securing our borders. We must finish construction of the border wall, increase funding to border patrol, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and maintain Title 42 protections.

Additionally, President Biden and Washington Democrats need to stop playing the blame game and instead pursue measures that will address inflation and gas prices in a real way. This includes passing my American Energy Independence from Russia Act, a bill that will boost our domestic energy production and drive down costs across the board.

Rest assured I will not stop fighting until we have worked to secure our border and end this inflation crisis impacting you and your family. Our nation’s security and our children’s future depend on it.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The Left is the culture war aggressor

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color.

REPORTER CHRISTOPHER RUFO recently released footage of top Disney employees vowing to inject their radical LGBTQ agenda into children’s programming. Disney producer Latoya Raveneau told an all-hands meeting that her team works to push a “not-at-allsecret gay agenda” in programming aimed at kids and sought to add “queerness” to such content.

Disney corporate president Karey Burke announced that she was the mother of “one transgender child and one pansexual child” and that she would try to achieve a quota system whereby half of all Disney characters would be LGBTQ or people of color. Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware stated that Disney’s beloved theme parks would be eliminating any mention of “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls.”

This prompted a well-deserved firestorm for the Mouse House.

Disney has long been Left-wing on social issues — but in the aftermath of ginned-up controversy surrounding Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which protects small children from indoctrination on sexual orientation and gender identity, an angry coterie of employees pushed management to signal fealty even harder. So Disney’s brass did, announcing that they opposed the Florida bill and then turning over the company to its most radical contingent.

And people reacted. #BoycottDisney began to trend on social media. We at the Daily Wire committed to spending $100 million to develop children’s content that would be safe for kids — content dedicated to traditional values, where parents wouldn’t have to worry about prescreening content for messages about nonbinary 5-year-olds.

The Left, caught with its hand in the kiddie jar, immediately swiveled and accused the Right of initiating this culture war.

Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times lamented that she felt terrible for Raveneau, who, after all, was just “step(ping) up to defend the company’s queer friendliness, only to become a national object of right-wing fury and disgust,” and whose injection of LGBTQ propaganda into children’s content was “sweetly anodyne.”

CNN hosted Washington Post transgender columnist Charlotte Clymer, adding the chyron “LGBT COMMUNITY LATEST TO BE CAUGHT IN CULTURE WAR.” The takeaway, according to the social Left, is that anyone who defends traditionalism in childrearing — or anyone who simply doesn’t want children turned into targets of sexual propagandizing — is the true cultural aggressor.

This is a transparent lie. And it’s a lie that won’t redound to the benefit of those who seek radical change. If they wish to pose the rubric of gay rights against parental rights, gay rights are likely to suffer. If they wish to suggest that LGBTQ freedom extends to teachers initiating children into sexual conversations without parental permission, parents are unlikely to go along for the ride.

For decades, the social Left has made inroads by arguing that they simply want to be left alone. The Right, by contrast, has argued that the Left’s agenda is far broader, that the Left demands cultural celebration of its sexual mores and that it will stop at nothing to remake society in order to achieve its narcissistic goals. Disney’s latest foray into the culture wars proves that the Right was correct, that the Left’s stated agenda was a lie and that its “not-at-all-secret” agenda targeted the most vulnerable Americans.

Disney shows no signs of backing away from the extremism its all-hands meeting unmasked before the world. And other corporations are following Disney’s lead, pushing wild Left advocacy instead of catering to the broadest possible market. For too long, Americans have planted their heads firmly in the sand, hoping that the forces of the free market would militate against the cultural hijacking of corporate institutions. Instead, corporations built by entrepreneurs have been hijacked by woke employees and a feckless managerial class. The blowback will be real, and it should be real. And if that means parents swearing off Mickey Mouse, increasingly they will.

Ben Shapiro, 38, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com.

North State Journal for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

4

obituaries

William Kenneth "Kenny" Wright

December 17, 1944 - April 8, 2022 William Kenneth “Kenny” Wright, age 77 of Aberdeen passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022 at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital.

Kenny was born on December 17, 1944 in Mooresville, NC to the late James Wright and Rosie English Wright.

William, better known as “Kenny”, was an incredible man who adored his family. Kenny never knew a stranger a day of his life, he would befriend most anyone and everyone. But more than anything he loved his grand babies and they sure loved their “Papa”! Kenny was the “Grill Master” and I promise, you’d never taste a better pork chop!

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Katie Oxendine Wright of Aberdeen; his three daughters: Tonya Wright of Raleigh, NC; Tammy Hernandez (Marcel) of Aberdeen, NC; and Kinsey Lane (Tony) of Aberdeen, NC. He is also survived by 3 granddaughters: Jennifer Haywood (Justin) of Aberdeen, NC; Miranda Barker (Bailey) of Aberdeen, NC; and Kylee Lopez (Solomon) of Vass, NC and his great-grandchildren: Bella, Mila, Leia, Odin and Zoey; his brother, Charles Wright of Pinebluff, NC and 3 brotherin-laws: Charles W. Oxendine of Pinebluff, Buck Oxendine of Roseland, NC and Weldon Oxendine of Cameron, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Faye Thompson and a brother, Jimmy Wright.

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

Edward Vincent Zieglar

April 6, 2022

Donald Richard Mitchell

April 22, 1932 - April 6, 2022

May 11, 1938 - April 3, 2022

December 8, 1929 ~ April 11, 2022

Heather Laurin McClendon, 32 of Raeford passed away peacefully surrounded by family at First Health Moore Reginal Hospital on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

She is survived by her husband, Charles McClendon of Raeford, Daughters Harley, Kylie, Madi, and son Charlie; her mother and father Harold and Elaine Thompson of Pinehurst and sister Tiffani Sheppard of West End and twin sister Alyssa Keith of Whispering Pines.

For those that knew Heather, she was one of the kindest people you will have ever met. She loved to do things for others, loved her family, riding motorcycles with her husband, going to the flea market with her dad, animal lover, and cooking for everyone.

She loved spending time with her family and always put others first. To know her was to see true compassion and thoughtfulness; she will be dearly missed.

Donald Richard Mitchell, age 89 of Pinehurst, NC, passed away at his home on April 6, 2022.

Donald was born in Worcester, MA, on April 22, 1932, to George R. Mitchell and Marie Trottier Mitchell. Donald earned a basketball scholarship to Boston College. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After serving his country Donald went back to college at the University of Miami. Donald married the love of his life, Marion Frances Mitchell in 1952. Donald and Marion moved to Moore County in 1998. He worked for IBM and RCA. Donald was an avid golfer and member of the Pinehurst Country Club.

Donald is survived by his children, Jim Mitchell (Judy) of Stewart, FL, Tom Mitchell (Cathy) of St. Petersburg, FL, Donna Watkins (Randy) of Youngsville, NC, and Debbie Holoman (David) of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jared, Matt, Kyle, Ian, Cara, Randall, Richard, Chris, Jordan, Jack and Julia, as well as 7 great grandchildren all of whom he was very proud.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion, and brothers, Raymond and Ronald Mitchell.

The family plans to have a private graveside gathering to honor his memory Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Edward Vincent Zieglar, 83, died at his home in Pinehurst on April 3, 2022.

He was born in Larimer, PA on May 11, 1938. He retired from Westinghouse in Pennsylvania and moved to Pinehurst 29 years ago. Ed is a US Army veteran.

He was a talented athlete and liked to bowl, play basketball, but most of all loved to golf. Through the years he won multiple club championships and tournaments.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Regina, daughter Paula Pratt and husband Dave of Pinehurst, son Edward Jr. and wife Lydia of Ellicott City, MD,.

He loved his five grandchildren, Lena Jeal, Paige and Claire Pratt, and Gregory and Michael Zieglar.

He was the son of the late Henry and Katherine Zieglar.

He was preceded in death by his sister Shirley Lichtenfels and brother Ralph Zieglar.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his brother Eugene Zieglar and his wife Bobbi, sister Virginia Zieglar and husband Larry Golder, and sister-in-law Anna Marie Zieglar all of North Huntingdon, PA. He was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.

A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Curtis Odell “Wagon Master” Hussey, 92, died Monday, April 11, 2022, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Nellie Hart Hussey; wife: Virginia Smith Hussey; sons: Eugene Hussey, Tony Hussey; granddaughter: Stacie Williams; brother: Jimmie Lee Hussey.

Odell is survived by daughters: Barbara Jean Hernandez and husband Miguel, of Robbins, Sandra Williams and husband Jamie, of Seagrove; sons: Johnny Hussey and wife Bertha, of Seagrove, Robert Hussey, of Robbins; 7 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sisters: Kathleen Hussey, Carrie Ritter, Margaret Burnette, Oneda Smith, Kristene Welsh, Joann Graham; brother: J B Hussey; many nieces, nephews and friends. Also left behind “Dog”, and horses Clip and J Buck.

Funeral service will be 11 AM Friday, April 15, 2022 at Smyrna United Methodist Church, with Dr. Jerome Smith officiating.

Burial will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM, Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the Smyrna Family Life Center, and at other times at the home.

Memorial may be may to Smyrna Bible Adventure and Smyrna Youth, P O Box 1661, Robbins, NC 27325.

Kennedy Funeral Home is serving the Hussey family.

Condolences online a www. pinesfunerals.com

Heather Laurin McClendon

Curtis Odell Hussey

Stevie Lee Garner June 25, 1959 ~ April 7, 2022

Mary Dowdy Johnson

January 8, 1932 ~ April 6, 2022 Mary Dowdy Johnson, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC. Arrangements are incomplete and will be posted when available.

Online condolences may be offered at www.PinesFunerals. com.

Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Johnson family.

Stevie Lee Garner, 62, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, NC, surrounded by his family.

Stevie was native of Moore County. He attended North Moore High School. Stevie served his country in the United States Army, Specialist 4, Paratrooper.

He was a welder by trade, working at Klopman Mills, K & M Machine Shop and DR Reynolds.

Stevie will be remembered for his smile, riding his motorcycle, enjoying life, good meals and family gatherings.

Stevie is survived by sons: Billy Garner, Jeremy Davis; girlfriend: Tanya Lawrance; sisters: Carol Culler and husband Harold, Beverly Culler; brother: Eddie Garner and wife Martha; 5 grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial may be made to FirstHealth Hospice,150 Applecross Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

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

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

@BolesFuneralHomes