North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 16

Back at Pinehurst

The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 this week as the world’s best golfers will take on the legendary course — and the USGA, which is always committed to making the tournament “golf’s toughest test” — in the annual major championship. Read more in Sports.

Hunter Biden guilty of 3 felonies

Wilmington, Del.

Hunter Biden was convicted Tuesday of all three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018 when, prosecutors argued, the president’s son lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

Jurors found Biden, 54, guilty of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days. The jury in Wilmington, Delaware, deliberated for about three hours over two days. He faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced, though rst-time o enders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and it’s unclear whether she would give him time behind bars.

Manhattan DA Bragg to appear before Congress next month

Washington, D.C.

Manhattan District

Attorney Alvin Bragg is scheduled to testify before Congress on July 12, a day after former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money trial, according to a person familiar with the matter. Bragg is set to appear before the House Select Committee on weaponization alongside Matthew Colangelo, the former high-ranking Justice Department o cial hired by Bragg in 2022 to lead the Trump investigation. The date was con rmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the negotiations who was granted anonymity to disclose the date.

Southern Baptists gather for convention

Indianapolis

More than 10,000 voting representatives gathered Tuesday in Indianapolis for the opening of the Southern Baptist Convention’s two - day annual meeting, where they will vote on whether to ban churches with women pastors and deliberate yet again on how to respond to sexual abuse within churches. They are expected to debate whether to amend their constitution to ban churches with any women pastors — from lead to associate roles. The measure received preliminary approval last year. The SBC’s statement of faith says that while women and men are both “gifted for service” in the church, the o ce of pastor is reserved for men alone.

Survey results show NC students’ mental health improving

The State Board of Education amended policy to include more in-school physical activity for students

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Caroli-

na students are reporting improved mental health as they become more physically active, according to the latest results from the 2023 NC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

The new data presented to the North Carolina State Board of Education at its June meeting show positive trends in both mental health and physical activity levels after years of declines.

The percentage of high school students who reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness dropped to 39% in 2023 from 43% in 2021. Among middle school students, 32% reported these feelings in 2023, down from 35% in 2021.

Suicidal thoughts and considerations among high schoolers also decreased.

At the same time, more students are getting regular physical activity. Forty-two percent of high school students and 52% of middle school students said they were physically active for at least 60 minutes on ve or more days per week in 2023, up from 34% and 44%, respectively, in 2021.

“It is so encouraging to see that students are not only recovering from the e ects of the pandemic, but in many cases doing better than they were in 2019 and before,” Deputy State Superintendent Michael Maher said in a release.

The YRBS results align with research showing the mental health bene ts of exercise. To further promote physical activity, the State Board of Education is considering an addition to the Healthy Active Children Policy that would encourage high schools to o er 60 min-

See YOUTH, page A8

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has not yet decided if there will be a commercial ounder season

By Abby Cavenaugh North State Journal

JUST BEFORE THE START of Memorial Day weekend, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission announced there would be no recreational ounder season this year. That means all those sportsmen looking forward to bagging a few ounder later this summer are bound to feel disappointed.

“In order to preserve the southern ounder resource,

the North Carolina recreational ounder season will not open for harvest in 2024,” a press release from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) stated, adding the ounder population has been over shed in the southeast coast since at least 2019.

“After subtracting the recreational overage from 2023, the recreational quota remaining for 2024 is not large enough to allow for a season opening,” the press release explained. “The leftover quota will be used to account for the anticipated dead discards that will occur due to incidental catch and release.”

Folwell seeks $313M in emergency funds for State Health Plan

Rising Medicare Advantage costs and unreimbursed COVID expenses are both issues

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — In his monthly call with reporters, North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell called for emergency funding to support the State Health Plan to keep it from beingnanced “on the back of those who teach, protect and otherwise serve.”

The treasurer is requesting $313 million from the state legislature to cover unreimbursed expenses from COVID-19 testing and treatment during the pandemic.

ers which are being paid by SHP subscribers, and he said his o ce had eliminated the cost of diabetes testing and insulin for SHP members because of the “gouging we were seeing there.”

Folwell stressed that pricing transparency and cost reduction remain key goals in managing the state’s health care liabilities, speci cally mentioning his Clear Pricing Project. During his tenure, he has called out excessive pay of hospital executives as well as recently issuing a report detailing overcharging of patients by hospitals in the state. Additionally, the treasurer laid out some of the high costs that hit the SHP during the pandemic as well as issues with Medicare Advantage.

JOHN HILL / AP PHOTO

GARY D. ROBERTSON / AP PHOTO

State Treasurer Dale Folwell, pictured in January, has called for emergency funding for the State Health Plan.

See FLOUNDER, page A3

See FOLWELL, page A2

A man holds up a 7-pound ounder caught in Pensacola, Florida, in 2006. The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission announced last month there will be no recreational ounder season in the state this year.

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

Kindness has been called the small coin of love. The word is generally used to designate the little deeds of thoughtfulness and gentleness which make no noise in the world — rather than the large heroic acts which all men note and applaud. One may live many years and never have the opportunity of doing any great thing — but one may always be kind, lling all one’s day with gentle attentions, helpful ministries, little services of interest and sympathy, and small courtesies. Wordsworth speaks of “That best portion of a godly man’s life — his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

Kindness is beautiful in its spirit and motive. It usually springs out of the heart spontaneously. The greater things men do are prepared for, planned for, and are done consciously, with intention and purpose. Kindness as a rule, is done unconsciously without preparation, without thought. This enhances its beauty.

There is no self-seeking in it, no thought of reward of any kind. It is done in simplicity, prompted by love, and is most pleasing to Christ.

The things we do consciously, with thought and intention, oft-times have much of self in them. The things we do without purpose or plan, are the truest indexes of the heart and mean most in God’s sight.

The world does not know how much it owes to the common kindnesses which so abound everywhere.

There had been a death in a happy home, and one evening, soon after the funeral, the family was talking with a friend who had dropped in, about the wonderful manifestation of human sympathy which their sorrow had called out. The father said he had never dreamed there was so much love in people’s hearts as had been shown to his family by friends and neighbors, even by mere acquaintances, that week. The kindness had come from all classes of people, from many from whom it was altogether unexpected, even from entire strangers. “It makes me ashamed

of myself,” said the godly man, “that I have so undervalued the goodwill of those around me, and that I have failed myself so often in showing sympathy and kindness to neighbors and friends in their times of sorrow.”

No doubt it often takes trouble or sorrow to draw out the love there is in people. We all feel sympathetically even toward a stranger who is in grief or su ering. Death-crape on the door of a neighbor makes us walk by the house more quietly, more softly, as we think of those within sitting in their grief.

It may require sorrow or su ering to call out the kindly feeling — but the feeling is there all the time. No doubt there is cruelty in human hearts — but this is only the exception. The majority of people have hearts of kindness if only the right chord is struck.

The ministry of kindness is unceasing. It lls all the days and all the nights. In the

true home, it begins in pleasant greetings with the rst waking moments, and all day goes on in sweet courtesies, in thoughtful attentions, in patience, in quiet self-denials, in obligingness and helpfulness.

Some of us, if we were to try to sum up the total of our usefulness, would name a few great things we have done: a gift of money to some benevolent object, the starting of some good work which has grown into strength, the writing of a book which has done good to many lives, the winning of honor in some service to our community or to our country.

But in every worthy life, that which has left really the greatest measure of good, has been its ministry of kindness. No record of it has ever been kept. People have not talked about it. It never has been mentioned in the newspapers. We do not even remember it ourselves. But wherever we have gone, day after day, if we have simply been kind to everyone, we have left blessings in the world which in the aggregate mean far more than the few large things we set down as the measure of our usefulness among men.

Our Lord’s wonderful picture of the Judgment reveals another phase of the splendor of kindness. He tells us that the little things we do — feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, showing hospitality to the stranger, visiting the sick, and the other nameless ministries of love of which we take no account — if done in the right spirit, are accepted as though they had been actually done to Christ himself

The best thing we can do with our love, is not to watch for a chance to perform someone ne act that will shine before the world — but to ll all the days and hours with little kindnesses which will make countless hearts nobler, stronger and happier.

J.R. Miller (1840-1912) 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.

NCGOP Chair Simmons on economy, border driving ’24 election cycle

The new head of the state Republican Party ripped President Joe Biden’s policies and Democratic messaging

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH —North Carolina Republican Party Chair Jason Simmons says the economy, ination and education are the top issues for Republicans ahead of the 2024 elections.

“It’s been a great transition. We have a wonderful team,” Simmons said of succeeding Michael Whatley, who left to take over as chair of the Republican National Committee in February.

Despite the change in leadership, Simmons said the NCGOP’s messaging won’t be changing.

Simmons said in ation, the economy and illegal immigration are the biggest voter drivers, and all are problems due to President Joe Biden’s policies.

“So with the economy, people are continuing to pay more every day for the same goods and services that they did four years ago to the tune now of about $1,000 more per month for the average family,” Simmons said.

“You go ll up your grocery cart, you go ll up your car at the

FLOUNDER from page A1

As for the commercial ounder shing season, a determination has not yet been made, said Patricia Smith, public information o cer for NCDMF.

“Recreational and commercial sectors have separate quotas,” she said. “Any overages to the commercial total allowable catch from 2023 will be subtracted from the total allowable catch for the 2024 season to determine the season length.”

Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, which was adopted by NCDMF in 2022, set the quotas for the recreational and commercial sheries, based on scientific data. It was put in place to end over shing and rebuild the stock, Smith said. “There is a pound-forpound payback if either sector goes over its quota,” she added.

gas station — you’re paying more and you’re paying more,” said Simmons. “And everybody feels that, and they recognize that that’s a direct correlation with the policies that Joe Biden implemented day one.”

Simmons accused Biden of intentional policies causing the “border crisis,” migrant crime and fentanyl deaths. “These are direct consequences … having devastating impacts on our communities, our families.”

At the state level, Simmons added education as a top issue and prioritizing student needs

The quota system, however, seems a little shy to some recreational shers.

“It’s no secret that a lot of controversy surrounds North Carolina’s ounder shery,” said Brian Cope, editor of the website CarolinaSportsman.com.

“In the past few years, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has instituted closures on the species for much of the year, with a short recreational harvest season held during the fall.”

In fact, the 2023 ounder season was just a couple of weeks long, running from Sept. 15-29, with a one sh per person per day caveat.

Cope said despite the brief 2023 season, he’d seen many recreational shers post large ounder catches on social media “with numerous sh weighing 10-plus pounds.”

“Many anglers took that to

over “teachers unions or special interest groups.”

Simmons also called Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s claims of an “education emergency are a “pure publicity stunt.”

“There is nothing that Roy Cooper has done that’s actually helped students and families,” said Simmons.

Simmons agreed with Democrat strategist James Carville’s recent comment that “Democrat messaging is full of (excrement),” calling it an accurate “alarm bell.”

“Anytime he’s sounding the

mean the strict regulations imposed in recent years are unwarranted, but to others, it shows the regulations are working,” Cope said. “And many point to commercial shing for ounder, which is allowed to take place during the recreational closure, as the root of the problem.”

For its part, NCDMF explains on its website why commercial sheries are allowed to sh ounder when recreational anglers cannot.

“The commercial shery for ounder in the ocean is a trawlbased shery that targets summer ounder, which is managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC Summer Flounder),” the site says.

“The summer ounder stock is not over shed and over shing is not occurring. The commercial ocean trawl shery typically occurs in waters o New Jersey

alarm bell for Democrats has usually proven out to be accurate,” said Simmons. “And this is one more alarm bell where again James Carville is accurate.”

He also called N.C. Democrat Chair Anderson Clayton’s rural outreach for Biden is out of touch with those voters’ values.

“I welcome Anderson to go and take her message, and that of Joe Biden, anywhere in our state because it’s a failed message,” said Simmons. “It’s a message that does not resonate with voters, and especially in rural North Carolina, where the values of the Democrat Party are no longer aligned.

“There’s no measurable account that North Carolina voters are better o than four years ago. Any attempt she makes is a failed and deceptive message.”

At the NCGOP convention featuring Trump relatives, Simmons called Trump’s surprise call-in the “biggest thrill,” allowing him to voice “frustrations” amid his legal battles.

Simmons touted Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as a “fantastic” gubernatorial candidate who, while “being demonized by the left,” stands up for families’ values.

The NCGOP is focused on ensuring election integrity through poll observers and legal teams that have become “a model for

through southern New England, outside of the southern ounder range. The summer ounder catch is transported back to North Carolina to o oad using North Carolina’s commercial summer ounder quota. Very few ounder are caught in trawls o North Carolina’s coast. Flounder landings from the commercial ocean trawl shery are almost exclusively summer ounder; this is based o sh house sampling data where NCDMF biologists determine the ID of the ounder sampled.”

North Carolina’s recreational ounder is divided up into three types — summer ounder, southern ounder and Gulf ounder mix. However, most recreational shers cannot tell the di erence between the three, Cope said.

“They all look very similar — almost indistinguishable — to casual anglers,” he explained.

other states,” Simmons said. He expressed concerns that the bipartisan State Board of Elections’ early voting plans disenfranchise more than 410,000 rural voters in 20 counties. Simmons sees potential GOP pickups in legislative swing districts like House 115 and Senate 18. He praised Republican candidates’ quali cations over Democrats.

In the auditor’s race, Simmons backed Republican Dave Boliek’s “knowledge and experience” over Democrat Jessica Holmes, Cooper’s appointee after the previous auditor’s resignation. For superintendent, Simmons urged scrutiny of Democrat Maurice Green’s background, citing “signi cant concerns” over his ability to serve students. Ultimately, Simmons went back to Carville’s remark, altering it to, “It’s the economy, stupid,” and saying pocketbook issues and future opportunities drive voters after Democrats’ “devastating impact” the last four years.

He accused Cooper of “obstructionist” vetoes against reasonable Republican legislation, adding “Democrats have not put our families rst.”

NCGOP spokesman Matt Mercer cited a shift in public mood when students defended the American ag at UNC Chapel Hill, sensing “a hunger to stand up and ght the left” that Republican leadership can capitalize on.

For an extended version of the interview with Simmons, visit NSJonline.com/author/ apdillon.

“But it’s the southern ounder that’s in decline.”

That’s part of the reason why the Marine Fisheries Commission decided not to open the 2024 recreational season — to help protect the entire ounder population of North Carolina’s coast.

Even with this explanation, Smith said, “Sta at the Division of Marine Fisheries has received numerous emails and phone calls from recreational shermen, predominantly upset that there will be no ounder season this year.”

For now, recreational anglers will have to wait until next year to get their ounder x.

The press release states, “Following Amendment 3 and not opening the 2024 recreational ounder season, combined with the increased recreational quota in 2025, should allow enough quota for a recreational season next year.”

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix)” by Vincent van Gogh (1890) is a painting in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY Jason Simmons succeeded Michael Whatley as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party in March.

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Court System’s transition from paper to digital records through eCourts has reached 27 of the 100 counties in the state.

The eCourts system is replacing the traditional paper processes with electronic lings through “cloud-hosted online access” and has a free online search portal that can be used by anyone to look up court records, dates and case events. The system also allows for “instant online credit card transactions to pay nes and fees.”

County courts currently on the eCourts system as of the end of April include Alamance, Beaufort, Camden, Chatham, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Durham, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Hyde, Johnston, Lee, Martin, Mecklenburg, Orange, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Warren and Washington.

The pilot for the system began in February 2023 with Harnett, Johnston, Lee and Wake counties participating in the pilot with a goal of integrating all 100 counties by 2025. By July 22, another 11 counties are slated to use the system; Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania.

The eCourt’s technical name is Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) Integrated Case Management System, and the software behind it comes from Tyler Technologies, which, according to the rm’s website, is used in 28 states. The original contract with Tyler Technologies is for 10 years (into 2029) for $100 million, but the cost was cut by more than $6.19 million earlier this year due to implementation delays.

The Administrative O ce of the Courts (AOC) estimates more than 3.4 million sheets of paper have been saved through eCourt’s use since the pilot rollout. According to AOC, eCourts File and Serve application has had more than 1 million total e- lings and there have been over

How NC law schools are handling eCourts

Professors from the state’s law schools say students are adapting quickly

North Carolina’s eCourts rollout began in February 2023.

3 million other lings, such as criminal citations and case documents.

Law rms of all types and district attorney o ces are all adjusting as eCourts roll out into di erent counties, but so are law schools. North State Journal reached out to several law schools to gauge how the system was being integrated into coursework.

“Carolina Law prepares graduates to work in any court system ensuring they are practice ready and trained to use the latest technology to serve their clients and the state of North Carolina,” Kelly Podger Smith, senior associate dean at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Law, said in a statement to North State Journal.

Richard A. Waugaman III, a professor at Campbell University’s Law School, said the university doesn’t have a standalone course on the system, but his Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic and others use it on a “daily basis.”

Waugaman told North State Journal his students get rsthand experience with eCourts.

“They’re getting hands-on training to see how the systems work and how to use the systems, which they are then able to take with them into practice,” said Waugaman. “And depending on where they’re going into practice, some of them are going into rms and counties that are familiar with and already utilizing the e- lings system, but many others are going into rms and counties where they haven’t yet launched the e- ling, and they’re actually having a head start on their new colleagues and coworkers.”

The students are picking up how to use the system quickly, and being accustomed to using the technology regularly is a factor, Waugaman said.

“They’re picking it up pretty fast, probably faster than I picked it up,” said Waugaman. “I think part of it is because they’re learning a system for the rst time and this is the only system they have known.”

Waugaman said there weren’t any big issues with using eCourts and that other clinics had already been using federal e- ling ser-

vices. He added that clinics like his are “de nitely at the forefront of the practical kind of training” involved in using systems like eCourts.

Like Waugaman, Katrina L. Smith, the clinical director and supervising attorney of the Family Law Clinic at North Carolina Central University’s School of Law, has also been working with students and eCourts.

“In my courses, particularly within the Family Law Clinic, we started integrating the eCourts platform into my students’ coursework when it initially launched in Wake County, NC,”

Smith told North State Journal in a written response to questions.

“My students undergo the same training as attorneys and are required to complete simulated client exercises to ensure they comprehend the platform and can le documents accurately. This hands-on approach enables students to manage various aspects of their client’s casework, such as document ling, case tracking, and case research.

“By embedding eCourts into

our clinical operations, students gain real-world experience, developing both pro ciency and con dence in using the platform. This experiential learning is essential in preparing them for modern legal practice, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving technological changes of the legal profession.”

Smith said students are adapting to eCourts “quite well” and the inclusion of her own experiences has helped students address any potential hurdles in using the system.

“Overall, eCourts represent a major advancement in the legal eld, o ering signi cant benets alongside some challenges,” Smith wrote. “The primary advantages include increased eciency in ling documents, tracking cases, and enhanced case transparency and accessibility. This system saves time and reduces administrative burdens, allowing lawyers and law students to concentrate on substantive legal work.”

Smith added, “eCourts are proving to be an excellent tool for preparing our students for their legal careers after they leave NCCU Law.”

“By integrating this platform into our coursework, students gain practical experience with the latest legal technology, making them highly competitive and con dent as they enter a technology-driven legal eld,” Smith wrote.

Smith noted that for those less comfortable with technology, transitioning to a digital system can be more di cult and she uses her teaching position to try to address some of those challenges.

“A signi cant concern is the potential widening of the access to justice gap,” wrote Smith. “While eCourts improve access for tech-savvy individuals, those without reliable internet or digital literacy may struggle to engage with the system. This disparity highlights the need for ongoing support and training for both legal professionals and the public to ensure equitable access to justice.”

Causey negotiates lower dwelling rate hike

The 8% increase is signi cantly lower than insurers’ original 50.6% request

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey negotiated a lower dwelling rate hike after a much larger request from insurers.

Last August, the N.C. Rate Bureau requested a 50.6% rate increase for dwelling policies covering rental and investment properties. Causey rejected that rate in February.

Causey announced a settlement had been reached with insurance companies over the proposed dwelling rate increase, limiting the approved rate increase to an average of 8% state-

“We spent over $500 million dollars for actual COVID-related expenses, and we’ve only been reimbursed for about half of that,” Folwell told reporters.

“Lastly, we have enjoyed over the last several years of Medicare Advantage a rate that has resulted in zero premium to our members and zero cost to the taxpayers. Those days are over because of what’s happening to Medicare Advantage pro -

wide. Insurers originally requested a 50.6% increase.

“I am happy that we were able to save North Carolina consumers more than $151.7 million per year in this rate case over what the insurance companies requested,” Causey said in a press release.

“I’m also glad that we were able to avert a potentially lengthy and costly hearing on this case. Our top-notch legal, actuarial and property and casualty experts at the Department worked diligently to help protect the consumers’ pocketbooks by limiting this increase to 8%.”

The new 8% average rate increase for dwelling policies will take e ect on Nov. 1 across the state, with variations by territory.

Dwelling policies di er from standard homeowners’ insurance in covering non-owner-occupied rental or investment

grams,” said Folwell. “When you put all this together, it’s resulting in what I believe to be another spike in our OPEB unfunded health care liabilities,” Folwell said. “We have worked tirelessly to do two things: one is to lower health care costs, which would lower the trend on the unfunded health care liabilities; and No. 2 is to try to build up our reserve funding for our unfunded health care liability.” The treasurer added when he took o ce the reserve was 2%

“I am happy that we were able to save North Carolina consumers more than $151.7 million per year in this rate case over what the insurance companies requested.”

Mike Causey, N.C. Insurance commissioner

properties, typically with four units or less.

The settlement cancels a hearing that was scheduled for July 22 over the rate dispute.

According to Causey, his ofce received more than 25,000 emails, letters and calls from the public about the N.C. Rate Bureau’s initial proposal.

funded and is now “about 10% funded.”

Folwell explained that several years ago the state had negotiated a 0% Medicare Advantage rate for SHP members, a $4 monthly rate for dependents and “no cost to the taxpayers.” He said they were unable to extend that deal due to a “federal loophole” blocking a fth year of that rate deal.

Folwell said his o ce has asked the General Assembly to appropriate the funds needed.

“We’re still working with the General Assembly to reimburse this money,” said Folwell. “But there seems to be this attitude, from what I’ve understood by the General Assembly, you know, just take the money out of the woefully unfunded health care liability fund, which as I mentioned earlier we’ve worked hard to get it from 2% funded to 10% funded.”

GLP-1 weight-loss drug costs have also strained the SHP, and the costs of those drugs contin-

ue to rise. Folwell’s o ce said the state budget funded the SHP $240 million less than requested, not accounting for explosive spending growth on GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Saxenda. To avoid depleting health care reserves by 2025, the SHP’s board voted to end coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss starting April 1, 2024, due to high costs. Even with this change, the SHP will still need an additional $89 million in revenue for 2025.

HANNAH SCHOENBAUM / AP PHOTO

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, pictured in April 2023, negotiated an 8% dwelling rate hike with insurers.

FOLWELL from page A1

IMAGE COURTESY NCCOURTS.GOV

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Concerns about voting integrity

Our electoral system is based almost entirely on trust — everyone has to “trust” that every voter is telling the truth.

ENOUGH DOUBT has been registered in the minds of millions of voters about the integrity of our electoral system that something dramatic needs to be done about it.

The question is “What exactly?”

Those on the left pooh-pooh even the mere suggestion that somehow people cheat at elections. They point to the paucity of lawsuits that have led to convictions for malefactors of voter fraud.

I can speak to the issue of why so few people bring lawsuits ― even if they know it happened.

In 2012, three UNC students told me they voted for Barack Obama in Chapel Hill and back in their home state. “You do know you all committed felonies, don’t you?” I told them. “Well, our professors told us to do it!” they said almost in unison.

“Well, don’t do it again!” I admonished them and went on my way.

Should I have reported them to the State Board of Elections?

Later that same year I was talking with a faculty member at another university who regaled me with tales of driving a van around a large city in North Carolina picking up people o random street corners to take them to the polls, again for Obama. “I felt a little bad about picking up some of those guys,” he sheepishly admitted.

“How did you know they were all registered voters?” I asked. “I didn’t” he replied. “The Obama people just told me to drop them o at an early voting location and they would take care of the rest.”

Should I have reported him to the State Board of Elections?

In 1986, Republican campaign strategist legend Lee Atwater told me we had to win the reelection campaign of Congressman Alex McMillan by more than 2% ― “just in case.”

“Just in case, ‘what?’” I asked as a neophyte participant in big-time congressional politics.

“To make sure they don’t try to steal the election,” Atwater calmly said as if he had seen it many times before.

McMillan had been elected in 1984 by a mere 321 votes out of more than 400,000 votes cast. He won in 1986 by 4,201 votes out of 250,000 votes cast ― just over the magical 2% Atwater threshold.

Since then, I have always wondered about the security of our electoral system. What I have come to realize is our electoral system is based almost entirely on trust ― everyone has to “trust” that every voter is telling the truth about who they are much like everyone “trusts” everyone else is paying the full amount of taxes they owe to the IRS.

Until and unless proof can be shown that someone committed voter fraud, as in the 2019 case against McCrae Dowless in Bladen County, there is no systematic way in our electoral system to ensure the validity of every ballot cast in any election.

I “should have” reported the students and faculty member noted above. I didn’t for the following reasons: A) Republican Mitt Romney defeated Obama in North Carolina by more than their handful of unlawful votes, so prosecuting them would not have overturned the election; and B) I didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars of my money to bring the case to the Board of Elections and neither did the Republican Party or anyone else.

Those are the primary reasons why there are not hundreds of thousands of voter fraud cases brought against people in any election in a given year ― not because it doesn’t happen.

On top of that, there are all kinds of jurisdictional and procedural hurdles to cross if anyone does legitimately want to press charges against anyone suspected of committing voter fraud. In one state after the 2020 election, Republican lawyers were told by state o cials they should have led a lawsuit before Election Day to have standing

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA growing pains

She’s the antiMegan Rapinoe in that Clark doesn’t make it about herself but her team.

THE INDIANA FEVER’S rookie phenom

Caitlin Clark has been the most exciting thing to happen to the WNBA in a long time.

Understandably, she’s been given much credit for bringing more eyes to the sport and the league, with the hope being that interest in the WNBA will soon be on a level that matches that of their male counterparts in the NBA.

But she’s experienced some criticism along the way, too, with some of it being catty and uncalled for. It has had the net e ect of turning some fans o from the league.

Some of it, unfortunately, has been racially tinged.

For instance, “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin declared during a recent episode, “I do think that she is more relatable to more people because she’s white, because she’s attractive, and unfortunately, there still is that stigma against the LGBTQ+ community.”

“I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege. There is a thing called white privilege. There is a thing called tall privilege, and we have to acknowledge that, and so part of it is about race,” Hostin also said.

There have also been growing pains.

Clark has been a frequent target of some of the other WNBA players, being aggressively fouled on nonball plays to the extent she’s fallen

to the court in some of them. In postgame pressers, she usually shrugs it o , saying she mentally prepares herself for it now because she knows it is coming.

Though Clark has given it her all, averaging 17 points, ve rebounds and six assists per game, her team, the Fever, hasn’t had such a great start to their season with a 3-9 record as of this writing.

And even as she’s had a great start to her season stats-wise, Clark, who became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in all of college basketball in March while still with the Iowa Hawkeyes, found out over the weekend that she didn’t make the cut for the women’s Olympics basketball team.

She handled it with class, telling reporters, “I know it could have gone either way — me being on the team, me not being on the team. So I’m excited for them, I’ll be rooting them on to win gold.”

To her credit, though she is THE story in the WNBA right now, Clark is branding herself as more of a team player than a star player, seeming to take all the attention — positive or negative — thrown in her direction in stride as she tries to make her way and nd her footing in the big leagues.

In essence, from what little I know of Clark,

to bring the suit. They didn’t even have the data ready until after the votes were cast and tabulated. In another state, those same Republican lawyers were told they brought the suit too early. After this election, reasonable and sober-minded Republicans and Democrats in Congress should consider one massive appropriation bill to clean up our electoral voting registration rolls nationwide. In these days of supercomputers and, now, AI, it is unconscionable to believe every person on every voting roll cannot be con rmed instantaneously as to their identity, place of residence and veri ed citizenship status. Cell phone data tra c is routinely used today to track people and steer them to the closest Starbucks to buy a double mocha macchiato ― surely the same techniques can be utilized to make sure every vote is legitimate and each vote cast by a legal citizen is counted. It would be a very expensive proposition. Local county boards of elections manage voter registration lists with very limited resources. However, if Republicans in Congress want to ensure the integrity of our voting process in our democratic republic, they should seriously consider funding such an e ort to match legal voters with bona de secure national government databases and bring electoral politics into the 21st century. Ask Elon Musk to head it up. He has landed spent rocket boosters on a oating piece of concrete in the middle of the ocean ― he should be able to gure this one out as well.

she’s the anti-Megan Rapinoe in that Clark doesn’t make it about herself but her team. That is de nitely a plus as far as I’m concerned, especially in a sport where the egos are large and the drama-queening runs sky-high.

Clark’s defenders have been as vocal as her critics, with former NBA star-turnedcommentator Charles Barkley perhaps summing it up the best.

“Y’all petty, girls! I expect men to be petty because we’re the most insecure group in the world,” Barkley proclaimed during a recent “Inside the NBA” TV broadcast.

“Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all a-- private charters, all the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA. Don’t be petty like dudes!” he went on to say, adding, “Caitlin Clark, thank you for bringing all that money and shine to the WNBA.”

Well said, Chuck. Well said.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Honoring George H.W. Bush on his 100th birthday

While everyone’s life circumstances are di erent, we can all embody the same spirit of duty that George H.W. Bush exempli ed.

SCHOLARS HAVE DEBATED for centuries whether history is predetermined — shaped by various forces — or if history is made by daring leaders in decisive moments, changing the course of events and lives. A hundred years ago, a great man came into the world, a man who changed people’s lives, whether he was sitting in the Oval O ce or at his neighbor’s dinner table ― George Herbert Walker Bush. Our world needs leaders like George H.W. Bush. Most people know the facts about Bush’s political accomplishments: he oversaw the peaceful end of the Cold War, expelled Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, and passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, to name a few. In honor of his 100th birthday, let’s celebrate this true man of history by drawing on lessons from his life and applying them to our lives.

Duty. On Sept. 2, 1944, Lt. George Bush had a mission. He was a naval aviator. Bush boarded his Avenger ghter plane and took o to bomb the heavily guarded Japanese base on the island of Chichi-jima. Before he could reach his target, his plane was hit by enemy re. Despite smoke and re engul ng his plane, Bush had a mission to complete.

He continued on, dropped his bombs and destroyed his target. His plane was still on re, so he bailed out and parachuted into the sea. After landing in the water several miles o the island, paddling on a raft and praying for three hours, Bush saw a black spot emerging from the water. It was a U.S. submarine, the USS Finback. Bush climbed aboard and escaped from danger. He was given the option to go home but instead rejoined his fellow naval aviators and continued to y combat missions through the war. While everyone’s life circumstances are di erent, we can all embody the same spirit of duty that Bush exempli ed. Whether in the halls of Congress, the boardrooms of local companies or the kitchen tables in our neighborhoods, we all have the ability to serve others and sacri ce our own gain for the bene t of others. We just have to choose to do so.

Adventure. The dusty oil elds of West Texas have little in common with the plush o ces of Wall Street. Bush had choices to make when he graduated from college. The kid from Greenwich, Connecticut, had o ers to work in investment banking. He could have taken the easy route; working

COLUMN | MARK ROBINSON

for his uncle on Wall Street, making lots of money and having the comforts of being close to family.

Bush wanted to blaze his own path. The oil business at the time was booming but full of risk. You could make it big, or you could go broke. He decided on taking his chances in the oil industry and moved his family to Odessa, Texas, where he got a job as an equipment clerk. His salary was $375 a month.

After several years learning the oil industry in di erent jobs, moving constantly, he went out on his own. As an entrepreneur, Bush took bold risks. He launched several companies and was a pioneer in the o shore drilling industry. This spirit of adventure lasted his entire life.

After his time in the White House, President Bush famously celebrated every fth birthday by skydiving. Even on his 90th birthday, despite being con ned to a wheelchair, Bush strapped on his parachute for a skydive.

Leadership. President Bush was known for his personal diplomacy. It’s a relational brand of leadership: leading by persuasion, developing trusted relationships (with the world’s most powerful leaders or with neighbors) and harnessing them to achieve a common goal. Whether convincing Mikhail Gorbachev to allow for the peaceful collapse of the USSR, or penning a thank-you note to a new acquaintance, Bush’s leadership style was one based on trust, respect and convincing others to take the right course.

Don’t confuse this kindness for weakness. Bush’s leadership style was both optimistic and e ective. It was collaborative but tough. This is in stark contrast with many of today’s leaders, who are known more for their narcissism and “you’re either with me or against me” attitude. As a result, self-interest is regularly elevated above the public good. Our leaders would do well to learn from George H.W. Bush and adopt his relational style of leadership.

On what would have been his 100th birthday, let’s celebrate duty. Let’s not be afraid of adventure. Let’s lead by putting others rst. And let’s be as con dent as ever in the goodness and opportunity of America.

Karl Beckstein lives in Raleigh.

No ‘want’ in public o ce

There should be no want in political o ces.

LET ME TELL YOU something about your elected o cials. Ask them why they want to be an elected o cial and see what they say.

The key word in that is “want.” There should be no want in political o ces. Nobody should be sitting on the city council because they want to be powerful, because they want control, because they want the political goodies that come along with it.

No one should be sitting in our nation’s Capitol because they want to be an elected o cial. That’s the problem right now. People want to be an elected o cial. They want to pop their collar and they want people to open the door for them. They want everybody to know their names and they want to get rich. An elected o cial to me should be like a young man on June 6, 1944, in a Higgins

Boat headed toward Normandy beach. I want you imagine your ability to go to that young man and ask “Why in the world do you want to do this?”

And imagine what that young man would say to you. He would say, “I don’t want to do this, but you see back home the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and Hitler is murdering his way across Europe. I’m not here because I want to be. I’m here because I have to be. It is my duty as an American, as a man, as a Christian, to be here to serve, even if means laying down my life.”

That needs to be the attitude of our elected o cials in this nation.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s speech during the Fearless Army Roll Call 2.0 hosted by Jason Whitlock on June 1 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

The Pine Tree flag

TODAY’S CIVIL UNRESt is causing real pain no matter which side of the fence one sits. The desire to express frustration with our current political climate can be seen on college campuses, city streets and community gatherings.

The use of ags to convey a political message is as old as the Crusades and as current as with a U.S. Supreme Court justice. It is causing quite a ripple in our national discourse.

One of the oldest and most revered ags is the Pine Tree ag. Sometimes called the “Appeal to Heaven” ag, it was commissioned under George Washington in 1775 and sailed on six schooners and two armed American scows in the Revolutionary War.

The Pine Tree Flag was adopted by the pilgrims in the Age of Enlightenment between 1760 and 1776. During this period in our history, college campuses began to replace theology with science and math. Equality and economic liberty were emphasized, religious tolerance and republicanism were embedded into curriculum. These concepts are articulated in the Declaration of Independence we honor today.

The phrase “Appeal to Heaven” is a reference to the popular philosopher John Locke in his Second Treatise on Government. His writing rejected the notion of a divine right of kings and rule of the aristocracy. This recognition gave power to the people and was adopted as an inalienable right in the Declaration of Independence, Aug. 2, 1776. Locke stated that “where there is no appeal on earth for judgement, one may appeal to heaven.”

In 1968, the U.S. Postal Service commemorated the Pine Tree ag with a sixcent stamp that included the Locke quote, issued before the systematic elimination of faith in government documents and deeds.

The pine tree was an important symbol of resistance to the tyranny of England due to its strength, size and resistance to rot. The strength and size of our massive pines contributed to successful shipbuilding in the U.S. and abroad. Tar and turpentine from pine trees became major products produced by North Carolina in the early days of the colonies. The trunks of pine trees a orded the right amount of tension and exibility to be desired by the British for use as masts on their sailing vessels. The desire of the British to use our pines became contentious and helped spark the Revolutionary War.

Considering the majestic pine trees’ resistance to rot, we must acknowledge that today, the pine beetle is threatening our forests. This tiny, imperceptible pest is the most destructive insect in North Carolina and many other parts of our country. They e ectively bore through the protective outer layer of bark and feed on the inner tissue. This insidious pest can devastate a forest in very little time and usually well before its presence has been detected.

The occasion of this devastation comes in unpredictable waves and can cause massive destruction if the plague is neglected. The pine beetle prefers weakened, mature trees. The larva produces a pheromone attracting other beetles to the vulnerable forest. The volatile organic compounds released by the beetle and the destruction of the environment cause haze and air pollution, compromising natural resources.

Currently, the Pine Tree ag has been appropriated by some as a symbol of Christian nationalists, implying the “fringe viewpoint” of faithful patriots is a threat to our republic. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was discredited as being groomed by the Christian right. Robert Jones, president of The Public Religion Research Institute, described him as “the embodiment of white Christian nationalism in a tailored suit.”

In fact, nearly half of Americans believe that the Bible should have some in uence on our U.S. laws. Marginalizing the faithful is an insidious tool used to bore through our protective national shield to weaken our country from within. The slow, constant chipping away of our faith creates a vacuum allowing fear and suspicion to take root. Civil discourse is foreclosed by the protest industry.

Speaker Johnson is said to have a Pine Tree ag posted at his o ce door. That is a ne expression of faith in our country and the inalienable rights articulated by our founding fathers. Let it stand to guard our county against an infestation of crippling ideologies set forth to attack our maturing nation. Let it speak for our resistance to rot, our strength, resilience and our pride in American idealism.

Connie Lovell lives in Pinehurst.

Juneteenth observances set across the state

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

NATION & WORLD

Large chunk of Teton Pass road in Wyoming collapses, no injuries

Geologists and engineers twice closed the road last week

The Associated Press

JACKSON, Wyo. — A large chunk of a twisting mountain pass road collapsed in Wyoming, authorities said Saturday, leaving a gaping chasm in the highway and severing a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho and the tourist destination of Jackson.

Aerial photos and drone video of the collapse show the Teton Pass road riven with deep cracks and a big section of the pavement disappeared altogether. Part of the guardrail dangled into the void, and orange tra c drums marked o the danger area. The road was closed at the time of the collapse.

The section that failed rst drew attention Thursday when a crack and drop in the road contributed to the crash of a motorcycle.

Geologists and engineers who were sent to the area that day noticed “that crack and that drop started to move a lot,” said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. A paving crew temporarily patched the road, and tra c began moving again that night.

But that was short-lived as maintenance crews were sent to respond to a mudslide a couple of miles away in the predawn hours of Friday, prompting the road to be closed once again.

Crews then noticed that the

from page A1

utes of activity time per week and 30 minutes per day for K-8 students. The policy will be voted on in July.

“We’ve heard over and over from school leaders that student mental health is a top priority for them, and it’s a top priority for us at NCDPI, too,” said Ellen Essick, section chief for NC Healthy Schools. “Based on the YRBS data and national research, we believe this addition to the Healthy Active Children Policy will make a positive impact. Students can’t reach their full potential in the classroom if they are not mentally and physically well. Giving them more access to exercise during the school day should ultimately result in better academic outcomes.”

The anonymous YRBS surveys are administered every two years to representative samples of NC students. Ques-

damage to the pavement had become more pronounced.

Workers trying to gure out a detour around that section left for the night, “and by 5 a.m., this morning, WYDOT had discovered that the road had completely failed,” Harsha said Saturday.

“We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,” she said. “So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. They’ve been looking at it all day.”

The transportation depart-

tions were pulled from a list created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year’s survey also gathered new data on teenage social media use.

Per the press release from the Department of Public Instruction, “More than 80 percent of high schoolers report using social media at least several times a day, and about half of those students say they use it at least once an hour. Middle schoolers access social media a little less, with 63 percent using it at least several times a day.”

The survey also showed the use of vape products, marijuana and alcohol declined for high school students, and that cigarette use remained at “an all-time low of 4 percent.”

The data showed no notable change in prescription painkiller use or bullying.

The Consent Agenda for the board also included the annual report to the General Assembly

ment said via social media that the road “catastrophically failed” at milepost 12.8. It was not immediately clear how long it will take to reopen the road, a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in pricey Jackson, which is also close to the popular Grand Teton National Park. Harsha said an alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles out of the way and adds “quite a bit to any commute.”

on school start and end dates. By law, schools in North Carolina are not supposed to begin school year operations before the Monday closest to Aug. 26.

There are some exceptions to that statute for charter schools, cooperative innovative high schools, lab schools, regional schools, restart schools and the Rowan Salisbury Schools Renewal School District. Additionally, schools with a di erent calendar that was implemented or planned during 2003-04 are also exempt.

State law dictates that K-12 school district calendars must have a minimum of 185 instructional days or 1,025 hours of instructional hours.

Multiple districts have rebelled against the state-prescribed dates in recent years, and last year’s start and end date report to lawmakers highlighted the issue.

Districts that have not com-

Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring an emergency, which his o ce said would help the state access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration to begin repair work.

In a statement, the governor said the transportation department is working on “a longterm solution to rebuild this critical roadway.”

“I recognize the signicant impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy,” Gordon said.

plied with calendar laws in the past year include Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell-Statesville, Kannapolis City Schools, Lee, Lincoln, Mount Airy, Pitt, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Winston-Salem/ Forsyth and Yadkin.

The Carteret County Board of Education adopted an early 2024-25 school calendar to start class on Aug. 13. A group of business owners and parents led a lawsuit over the start date, and on June 5, Superior Court Judge William D. Wolfe ruled in their favor.

“It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the proposed calendar for the 2024-25 school year adopted by the defendant and scheduled to begin August 13, 2024 is contrary to statute and is void,” Wolfe’s order states. The ruling also prohibits the district from “adopting or enforcing a school schedule” that does not comply with state calendar laws.

Shooting leaves 3 dead, 2 injured in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, S.D.

A shooting in a Sioux Falls neighborhood left three people dead and two others injured early Saturday, police said. Police said they have a suspect in custody. Police said in a news release that they found the victims around 2:45 a.m. while responding to a call about a disturbance, the Argus Leader reported. The injured were taken to a hospital to be treated. Their wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.

South

Korea restarts loudspeaker broadcasts

Seoul, South Korea

South Korea on Sunday resumed anti-North Korean propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts in border areas in retaliation for the North sending more than 1,000 balloons lled with trash and manure over the last couple of weeks. The move is certain to anger Pyongyang and could trigger retaliatory military steps as tensions between the war-divided rivals rise while negotiations over the North’s nuclear ambitions remain stalemated. Hours after the South resumed loudspeaker broadcasts, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned that the South created a “prelude to a very dangerous situation.” She said South Korea would witness an unspeci ed “new response” from the North if it continues with the broadcasts and fails to stop civilian activists from ying anti-North Korean propaganda lea ets across the border.

U.S. Coast Guard, Dutch Navy seize $63M in cocaine

Miami

A joint operation of the US Coast Guard and the Royal Netherlands Navy recovered 4,800 pounds of cocaine worth more than $63 million this week from a vessel at a Florida port, according to the Coast Guard. The seizure Thursday was the result of a joint operation between the two agencies, including two actions o the coast of Puerta Cabello, Venezuela, the Coast Guard said in a social media post. The post showed o cers from both agencies o oading large sealed containers from the ship onto pallets at Port Everglades in Florida.

WYOMING HIGHWAY PATROL VIA AP

A section of the Teton Pass near Jackson, Wyoming, “catastrophically failed” early Saturday morning.

YOUTH

catastrophe

questions about when normal

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home

majority of Americans normal.” end of this month.

we begin to get back to normal

China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and being thrown out of work.

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve fund any of these emergency of rampant in ation and currency

Cooper stated during know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then questions about asked, there is people to treat those start getting back are people who sick.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

How China will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe

The comfort

The 3 big questions nobody

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.

fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.

Fixing college corruption

aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After 2009 pandemic, of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.

AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.

business & economy

In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.

Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.

We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

Not one little bit.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.

seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to with contempt.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.

Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”

The cavalier manner in virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly

• $42,500 to Warren County for the Highway 1 industrial park For the Development phase, more than $4.1 million will fund infrastructure improvements and site preparation for four projects, including:

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.

a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new

Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”

• $1.5 million to Wilkes Economic Development Corporation for site preparation at the Wilkes Industrial Park, expected to attract 40 new jobs and $8 million in private investment

• $1.5 million to Gastonia for sewer infrastructure to support the Apple Creek Corporate Park, which is projected to create 180 jobs and attract $200 million in private capital Economic Catalyst Project: $400,000 for Ross Stores distribution center

under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

THIS WEEK, according to members of and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social distancing; they’ve donned masks.

There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.

Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

• A $400,000 grant was awarded to Randolph County to facilitate the construction of a new Ross Stores distribution center in Randleman. This follows a $1 million grant in 2022 that supported extending sewer lines to the site. Open Grants Program: $680,000 for workforce preparedness

Two workforce development projects received a total of $680,000 through the Open Grants Program:

• $200,000 to Strategic Twin Counties Education Partnership (STEP) in Nash and Edgecombe counties to expand a local internship program linking students with work-based learning opportunities

Net ix

“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

Amazon makes Fayetteville facility, jobs announcement n.c.

• $480,000 to Tri-County Community College for a new driving pad dedicated to CDL and heavy equipment operator training programs, aiming to increase student capacity signi cantly Flood Mitigation Program: $7.7 million to protect communities

Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.

The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more in markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not be measures without immediate depreciation.

The streaming company’s pro ts rose 20% to $5.4 billion last year

By Michael Liedtke The Associated Press

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

LOS GATOS, Calif.— Although its video streaming service sparkles with a Hollywood sheen, Net ix still taps its roots in Silicon Valley to stay a step ahead of traditional TV and movie studios.

Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

The Flood Mitigation Program, funded by a $25 million appropriation from the state, allocated more than $7.7 million to 10 projects. These initiatives will enhance ood resilience in Avery, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Guilford, Harnett and Wilson counties. Each project can receive up to $2 million, and funds are exclusively available to local government units.

Food Distribution Assistance Program: $1.08 million for food security

The Food Distribution Assistance Program awarded nearly $1.1 million in total funding. This includes a new project in Greene County and additional support for 23 existing projects across multiple counties. New support includes $141,500 to Bountiful Blessings House of Redemption in Greene County for purchasing vehicles and refrigeration equipment to enhance food distribution capabilities.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

The company, based 300 miles away from Hollywood, frequently reaches into its technological toolbox without viewers realizing it. It often just uses a few subtle twists on the knobs of viewer recommendations to help keep its 270 mil-

The completed 1.3 million-square-foot facility is set to become a hub of employment

By Dan Reeves North State Journal

I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.

The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

FAYETTEVILLE — Ama-

zon is not just opening a new facility; it’s opening doors to a brighter future for the community. The brand-new Inbound Cross-Dock facility in Fayetteville is a signi cant step in the company’s expansion plans, bringing a wave of job opportunities to the region. Those interested in joining the Amazon team can apply online at amazon.com/ exjobs and participate in this transformative journey. The recruitment drive will unfold in phases, with new positions being posted every Friday evening. Each role o ers a starting wage of $17 per hour and comprehensive bene ts such as medical, dental and vision coverage from day one.

Situated in the Military Business Park at 6309 Bragg

We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.

The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to reopen.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

China has to pay for their economic and nancial means. to bring China into the civilized and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries and adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led directly in 1989.

Apr il 15,

First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue more liberalized society that presumes wide ought to lock down further.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as the and dad, the have to be thankful pandemic. For me, my making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.” If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors helping In Concord, money to buy health care workers

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given that of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 trillion China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold China this disaster. It is about time they are the world like any other modern

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus

It’s okay to ask questions about when we begin to get back to normal

The comfort and hope

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

dominates with ‘secret sauce,’ savvy tech

“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

lion worldwide subscribers satis ed at a time when most of its streaming rivals are seeing waves of cancellations.

I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.

the volume in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic created a boom in demand for entertainment from people corralled at home, according to numbers compiled by the research rm Antenna.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but I’m questions about the data, normal are treated in some They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government works questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting at when they can get back to answers.

For me, my faith is an important part of making. As I celebrated Easter with my family, Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

Even when hit TV series like “The Crown” or “Bridgerton” have wide appeal, Net ix still tries to cater to the divergent tastes of its vast audience, which may include tailoring summaries and trailers about its variety to please di erent audiences.

variations through the deep understanding of viewing habits it gleans from crunching the data from subscribers’ histories with its service — including those of customers who signed up in the late 1990s.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

Net ix doesn’t disclose its cancellation or churn rate. Still, last year, its streaming service gained 30 million subscribers — marking its second-biggest annual increase behind its growth spurt during the 2020 pandemic.

Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their

If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in need this di cult time. Through faith and by helping con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about the measures are understandable,

In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.

“It is a secret sauce for us, no doubt,” Eunice Kim, Net ix’s chief product o cer, said while discussing the nuances of how Net ix tries to reel di erent viewers into watching di erent shows. “The North Star we have daily is to keep people engaged, but also ensure they are incredibly satis ed with their viewing experiences.”

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

For an Oscar-nominated lm like “Nyad,” a lover of action might see a trailer of the title character immersed in water during one of her epic swims, while a comedy fan might see a lighthearted scene featuring some amusing banter between two familiar stars.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

Net ix can pull o these

Last year, video streaming services collectively su ered about 140 million account cancellations, a 35% increase from 2022 and nearly triple

Part of last year’s subscription growth owed from a crackdown on viewers who had been freeloading o Netix subscribers who shared their account passwords. But the company is also bene ting from the technological knowhow that helps it to keep funneling shows to customers who like them and make them think the service is worth the money, according to J. Christopher Hamilton, an assistant professor of television, radio and lm

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

COURTESY AMAZON

Amazon recently announced major job opportunities for military members in Fayetteville.

Blvd., the completed 1.3 million-square-foot facility is set to become a hub of employment, with more than 1,000 full-time and part-time positions anticipated at full operation. Amazon said all applications must be submitted online and no on-site applications will be accepted. Cumberland County’s eight library locations are available to assist those without internet access.

“This project is a tremendous milestone for our community,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. “The introduction of hundreds of new jobs will invigorate our local economy, support families, and drive the growth of our city.”

Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams echoed the senti-

This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”

In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to health care workers out of his own home.

Not one little bit.

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

See NETFLIX, page A11

ment, emphasizing the broader impact beyond job creation.

“When we’re able to bring economic development projects like this to Cumberland County, it’s not just an investment in buildings and equipment — it’s an investment in our community and workforce to provide life-changing opportunities,” Adams said.

Amazon’s expansion in Cumberland County extends beyond this latest facility. With the addition of this Inbound Cross-Dock facility to its existing last-mile delivery center at 1005 Dunn Rd., the retail giant is set to become one of the largest private-sector employers in the area. The move is expected to inject millions of dollars into the local economy through wages and property tax revenue to the city and county.

The successful realization of this project is attributed to the collaborative e orts of various stakeholders, including the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Amazon.

Amazon is hiring transitioning military members, veterans, reservists, military spouses and military dependents 18 years and older for hourly warehouse positions. The company o ers full-time, reduced-time and part-time roles to support a wide range of opportunities that work for veterans, active duty and military spouses.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior

New WaPo publisher faces concealment, phone hacking scandal

The case involved the alleged interception of voicemails of celebrities and royals

By David Bauder The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The Washington Post’s new publisher is facing questions about whether he made e orts to conceal — in his newspaper and elsewhere — his involvement in a British phone hacking scandal while working for Rupert Murdoch a decade ago.

The weeklong saga, which began with the abrupt departure of the Post’s executive editor Sunday night, o ers a window into di erences between approaches to journalism in Britain and the United States — and touches on delicate issues of trust in the American media community as it approaches a contentious and seismic presidential election.

The publisher and CEO, Will Lewis, has denied wrongdoing in Britain and at the Post.

Lewis, a former publisher of The Wall Street Journal, arrived in January to turn around the Post, which is awash in red ink and has seen its digital readership drop by half since 2020. Lewis is also the vice chairman of The Associated Press’ board of directors.

On Sunday, he announced a restructuring plan that did not include the top news executive, Sally Buzbee, who was either forced out or chose not to accept a demotion. Buzbee, the former

top news executive at the AP, has led the Post newsroom for three years. She has not talked about her departure.

This week, The New York Times reported that Lewis told Buzbee in a phone conversation last month that a development in litigation by Prince Harry about the phone hacking scandal did not warrant coverage in the Post.

That sprawling case involved the alleged interception of voicemails of celebrities and royals by Murdoch-owned newspapers in Britain. Plainti s in a civil case have alleged that Lewis was involved in e orts to tamp down trouble, partly by destroying evidence. Lewis has denied this.

The Times said Lewis told Buzbee that running the story would be a lapse in judgment, which was eventually published. The Post said Friday that that account was inaccurate, and Lewis did not pressure Buzbee not to publish any stories. “To suggest otherwise is completely false,” the newspaper said.

Buzbee did not respond to an AP message on Friday requesting comment on her characterization of the conversation.

In mainstream American journalism, it’s generally considered an ethical breach for a publisher to get involved in these news decisions.

Later Thursday, National Public Radio media reporter David Folken ik wrote that Lewis, before he took over at the Post, “repeatedly and heatedly” o ered NPR an exclusive interview about his plans — in return

for Folken ik dropping a story that he was writing about the executive’s involvement in the phone hacking case.

Folken ik refused, and the story ran on Dec. 20, 2023.

Asked about this, Lewis called Folken ik an activist instead of a journalist, telling the Post: “I had an o -the-record conversation with him before I joined the Post and some six months later he has dusted it down, and made up some excuse to make a story of a non-story.”

Folken ik said that the o er, later con rmed by a press representative, was not o the record.

“Certainly journalists at The New York Times, CNN and inside his newsroom have concluded that what I reported this week about him and previ-

ously has been newsworthy,” he said on Friday. “I think that’s the verdict on our carefully reported journalism. He can say what he wants, but that doesn’t make this disappear.”

In an email to sta members Friday, Lewis acknowledged that he needed to improve his listening and communication skills. He invited them to a series of discussions next week on his restructuring plan.

“I know trust has been lost because of scars from the past and the back-and-forth from this week,” Lewis wrote. “Let’s leave those behind and start presuming the best of intent. If we do that, you will see where we are going in a di erent light. We don’t have to agree about everything but are dedicated to build-

Credit card delinquencies on rise, experts

Credit card debt over 90 days overdue rose to 10.7% during the rst quarter of 2024

By Cora Lewis The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Seriously overdue credit card debt is at the highest level in over a decade, and people 35 and under struggle more than other age groups to pay their bills.

The share of credit card debt that’s severely delinquent, dened as being more than 90 days overdue, rose to 10.7% during the rst quarter of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. A year ago, just 8.2% of credit card debt was severely delinquent.

Bruce McClary, senior vice president at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, says anyone at risk of delinquency should contact a nonpro t credit counselor as soon as possible. Some of these counselors can be found through his organization. The consultation is free; a nonjudgmental counselor can guide a long-term solution.

McClary said nonpro ts can also help create debt management plans with lower interest rates, no late fees and a single monthly payment. These plans may come with maintenance fees, which vary, but the overall savings on the debt o set the fees. McClary urged borrowers to be careful of scammers and for-pro t debt consolidation companies, which often charge much higher fees than nonprofit organizations. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a helpful breakdown comparing the two.

Martin Lynch, president of the Financial Counseling Association of America, echoed this advice.

“Taking that rst step and contacting a counselor is difcult for many people,” Lynch said. He emphasized that consumers in debt should do their best to “ rst relax” and be as forthcoming as possible about their circumstances with the counselor.

“You’ll be talking to someone for free who will listen to you describe your situation,” he said. “You can share your concerns without being judged for falling

ing The Post’s future and mapping our way together.”

In his post comments, Lewis said he had decided early that he would not talk about his job dealing with the aftermath of the phone hacking scandal. “And it’s either right or wrong that I’ve done that,” he said. Lewis grew up as a journalist in Britain, where there is a more bare-knuckle reporting style. One of the editors he has hired in the Post’s restructuring, Robert Winnett, worked with Lewis at the Daily Telegraph. One of their biggest stories, about abused expense accounts by members of Parliament, was based in part on records the newspaper reportedly paid for — an approach that would be forbidden in most American newsrooms.

o er advice

into di culty.” Lynch and McClary urge borrowers to contact credit card companies directly to negotiate interest rates, fees and longterm payment plans. They note that it’s in the companies’ best interests to pay before the debt goes into collections. “The best thing to do is to reach out, give an honest assessment of your ability to pay over time, and ask what options are available to you both ‘on and o -the-menu,’” McClary said. He said this kind of phrasing can give creditors an opening to o er more exibility. McClary and other experts stress that most credit card companies and lenders have hardship programs for cases like these. Such options gained visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic when more companies publicly advertised that consumers facing difculty may skip or defer pay-

“The best thing to do is to reach out and give an honest assessment of your ability to pay over time.”

Bruce McClary, National Foundation for Credit Counseling vice president

ments without penalties.

According to LendingTree, the average annual interest rate on a new credit card is 24.71%, the highest since the company began tracking in 2019. That’s partly because the Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rate to a 23-year high to combat the highest in ation in four decades, which peaked at 9.1% in June 2022.

Simultaneously, pandemic-era aid such as stimulus payments, the child tax credit, increased unemployment bene ts and a moratorium on student loan payments has ended. Wage gains haven’t all kept up with ination, which hits lower-income consumers harder, and rent increases have eaten into savings some consumers may have built up during the early years of the pandemic.

Silvio Tavares, CEO of VantageScore, a credit score modeling and analytics company, said that delinquencies have now exceeded their pre-pandemic levels and that renters are especially vulnerable to falling behind. “Younger and less a uent people are experiencing challenges,” he said, and high interest rates a ect them. Tavares said the most important thing a borrower can do is to know their

credit score and keep up with payments to avoid paying additional interest on revolving balances and debt. He cautioned consumers not to over-extend themselves with “buy now, pay later” loans, which are increasingly available “at every checkout.”

According to a Bank of America Global Research report, credit cards only make up about 6.5% of consumer debt, but the increase in delinquencies appears to be outpacing income growth.

According to McClary, there’s also likely a large group of consumers paying minimum balances and staying out of delinquency for now but who are too nancially stressed to pay their balances in full. He said that worsening the economy could push those consumers into severe delinquency.

MIKE STEWART / AP PHOTO

Seriously overdue credit card debt is at the highest level in 14 years, and people 35 and under struggle more than other age groups to pay their bills.

MATT MCCLAIN / THE WASHINGTON POST VIA AP

Will Lewis, the newly appointed publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, is facing questions about whether he made e orts to conceal his involvement in a British phone hacking scandal from his time working for Rupert Murdoch.

GameStop shares plunge, hopeful ‘Roaring Kitty’ takes to YouTube

Quarterly sales dropped to $881.8 million from $1.24 billion a year ago

By Michelle Chapman and Alex Veiga

The Associated Press

THE MEME-STOCK protagonist Roaring Kitty took to YouTube Friday to tell his followers that he still believes GameStop’s management can turn the struggling retailer around.

In a live stream that drew more than 600,000 views, Roaring Kitty, whose real name is Keith Gill, posted a screenshot of an E-Trade account showing he continues to hold a sizeable investment in GameStop. But his remarks couldn’t keep shares in the company from plunging almost 40%.

GameStop’s stock dropped almost 40%.

Gill’s appearance on YouTube came hours after the release of GameStop’s quarterly results, which showed the company’s turnaround has a way to go. GameStop narrowed its losses in the rst quarter, but its revenue fell as sales weak-

ened for hardware and accessories, software and collectibles. GameStop also led paperwork with securities regulators to sell up to 75 million shares of stock. At times, Gill reiterated his belief that GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen is taking the right

approach to transitioning the company from a brick-and-mortar seller of video games and accessories to a successful online gaming company. He also highlighted the risk.

“You could lose it all,” he said. “You could lose everything.”

The company, based in Grapevine, Texas, said Friday that it lost $32.3 million, or 11 cents per share, for the period that ended May 4. It lost $50.5 million a year earlier or 17 cents per share. Its adjusted loss was 12 cents per share. Quarterly sales dropped to $881.8 million from $1.24 billion a year ago.

As Gill’s livestream continued, GameStop shares sank further. Shortly before noon Eastern, the stock was down about 20% to $37.29 per share. Shortly before Gill signed o , it was down just over 40% to $27.65 per share.

Due to unusually high volatile trading, the New York Stock Exchange paused trading in GameStop more than 15 times by early afternoon Friday. GameStop shares closed Friday down 39.4% at $28.22.

Food delivery skyrockets, major cities complain

Drivers are often operating unregistered vehicles and breaking cities’ tra c laws

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

BOSTON —A soaring demand for fast food has spawned small armies of couriers — and increasing alarm — in big cities, where scooters, motorcycles and mopeds zip in and out of tra c and hop onto pedestrian- lled sidewalks as their drivers race to drop o salads and sandwiches.

O cials in major cities have started cracking down on delivery companies by issuing warning letters, seizing illegally registered or driven vehicles, and launching special street patrols to enforce speed limits.

In a letter this week to food delivery companies DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber, Boston ofcials cited an “alarming increase in the unlawful and dangerous operation of motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters” that they said put the drivers, other motorists and pedestrians “in imminent danger.”

The letter alleged that some drivers were operating unregistered vehicles and breaking tra c laws and warned of an imminent crackdown on the vehicles. It also demanded that the companies explain how they can ensure their drivers operate safely. The Massachusetts State Police said they identi ed dozens of mopeds and scooters improperly registered or operated by unlicensed drivers.

In New York City, authorities have seized 13,000 scooters and mopeds this year.

“They have terrorized many of our pedestrians, particularly our senior and older adults,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday at an event in which motorized twowheeled delivery vehicles were destroyed. “Riders who think the rules don’t apply to them, they’re going to see an aggressive enforcement policy that’s in place.”

When food delivery services resurged during the COVID-19 pandemic, most drivers used cars to deliver their fares. That led to increased tra c congestion, prompting a shift to

NETFLIX from page A9 at Syracuse University.

“What they have been doing is pretty ingenious and very strategic,” Hamilton said. “They are ahead of the legacy media companies trying to do some of the same things but just don’t have the level of sophistication, experience, nor the history of the data in their archives.”

Net ix’s nerdy heritage was once mocked by an entertainment industry that looked down on the company’s geekdom.

“It’s a little bit like, is the Albanian army going to take over the world?” former Time War-

motorcycles and other twowheeled modes of transportation.

The drivers, many immigrants from Latin American countries but also from West Africa and South Asia, say they are just trying to earn a living.

“We’re not all bad,” said Luis López, a delivery driver from the Dominican Republic who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday from his motorcycle in an area of multiple fastfood restaurants near the Boston Public Library. “We come to work to earn a living, pay the rent and send something to our families.”

López, who came to the U.S. about three years ago, acknowledged that some drivers are unlicensed or using unregistered vehicles. He said he was among 10 delivery drivers outside a Chick- l-A on Thursday night when a police o cer approached them with a yer describing how to register their scooters and mopeds. The whole group agreed to do just that. “We have to respect the law,” he said, speaking in Spanish.

ner CEO Je Bewkes said of Net ix during a 2010 interview after being asked about the threat Net ix posed at the time. Not long after that putdown, Net ix began mining its viewing data to gure out how to produce a slate of original programming that would attract more subscribers — an ambitious expansion that forced Time Warner (now rolled into Warner Bros. Discovery) and other long-established entertainment companies such as Walt Disney Co. into a mad scramble to build their own streaming services. Net ix’s use of technology to

Drivers of motorized twowheeled vehicles are coming under much more scrutiny than was faced years ago by other gig workers in cars, such as Uber and Lyft drivers because they can more easily violate tra c laws, said Hilary Robinson, an associate professor of law and sociology at Northeastern University.

The switch to the vehicles “is an attempt to make low-wage, high-risk labor available so that all of us can have cheap goods and services,” Robinson said. “It’s perhaps one of the reasons why people are starting to realize that there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

William Medina, a delivery worker in New York who is also an organizing leader with the Los Deliveristas Unidos Campaign, blames the delivery companies.

“This problem started because companies force you to complete deliveries from far distances,” he said in a telephone interview on Friday. Medina now uses a moped to make the longer trips.

Among those advocating

retain subscribers to boost its fortunes — the company’s profit rose 20% to $5.4 billion last year — is now widening the divide with rival services still trying to stanch their losses.

Disney’s 4-year-old streaming service recently became pro table after an overhaul engineered by CEO Bob Iger, but he thinks more work will be required to catch up with Netix.

“We need to be at their level regarding technology capability,” Iger said at a conference earlier this year. “We’re creating and developing all that technology; obviously, the gold standard there is Net ix.”

Amid European privacy concerns, Meta seeks to train AI model

London

Meta said Monday it wants to use data from users in privacy-conscious Europe to train its arti cial intelligence models. It’s facing concerns about data protection while battling to keep up with rivals like OpenAI and Google. The company owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It said that to re ect better the “languages, geography and cultural references” of its European users, it needs to use public data from those users to teach its Llama AI large language model. Meta’s AI training e orts are hampered by stringent European Union data privacy laws, which give people control over how their personal information is used.

Nvidia stock price doubles, stock split goes into e ect

Santa Clara, Calif.

Nvidia’s 10-for-1 stock split is in e ect, giving investors nine additional shares for every one they already own. Nvidia’s stock price has more than doubled this year after more than tripling in 2023, and it’s now the third most valuable company in the S&P 500. The meteoric ride allowed Nvidia to brie y surpass Apple last week as the second most valuable company in the U.S. Nvidia surpassed $3 trillion in market value. The chipmaker has seen soaring demand for its semiconductors, which power arti cial intelligence applications. The company’s revenue more than tripled in the latest quarter from a year earlier.

Cable manufacturers recycle as demand for copper rises

tougher enforcement in Boston is City Councilor Edward Flynn, who said on Facebook that it “can no longer be the Wild West on the streets of Boston.”

“Everyone using city roads must abide by the rules of the road. If you can go 25 mph like a car — you should be licensed, registered, and carry liability insurance in the event of an accident and injury,” he wrote.

Three major food delivery services have pledged to work with o cials and neighborhood advocates to address the problem.

“The overwhelming majority of Dashers do the right thing and, like all drivers, must follow the rules of the road. If they don’t, then they face consequences — just like anyone else,” DoorDash said in a statement Wednesday.

Grubhub said its employees have already agreed to obey all local tra c laws. “While enforcement of the law is best handled by the police, we take safety seriously and will take action to address any reports of unsafe driving,” the company said in a statement Thursday.

If Net ix’s data shows a subscriber has watched a lot of Hindi productions, it would be almost a no-brainer to feature clips of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt in a role she played in the U.S. lm, “Heart of Stone” instead of the movie lead actress Gal Gadot.

“We want to do a really good job putting the things that you prefer in front of you,” Kim said. “Part of that is the content recommendations themselves, but it’s also about how we present the content to you.”

Montreal

One of the world’s largest wire and cable manufacturers is mixing more copper scrap into its products these days — its copper rods contain about 14% recycled content. The copper industry has been reusing some degree of the metal for many years. Now, e orts are being made to step up as the need for copper is projected to nearly double by 2035. Nexans’ mill in Montreal has made copper rods from ore for nearly a century. But now it also makes an increasing amount of it from used copper, with the rods containing some 14% recycled metal. It hopes to get to 20%.

Beginning Cash $2,527,198,428 Receipts

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

A delivery driver on a scooter rides the pedestrian crosswalk through tra c on a delivery in Boston. Cities are cracking down on couriers who don’t follow tra c laws.

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a giant leap...?

Did this week rewrite our future? Check in 50 years

Apple and SpaceX just took a great leap forward, but was it for humanity or just its customers?

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

I WONDER IF, when world-changing inventions of the past came to be, people realized they were going to change the world.

When the Gutenberg press was invented, did people know what was to come? Or the steam engine, the automobile or the airplane?

What about the day Alexander Graham Bell made the rst phone call or when Edison created the light bulb? Our history is lled with world-changing inventions, and I don’t know how many of them people knew would change everything forever. But I bet even Bell and Edison couldn’t have foreseen the impact their inventions would make upon the world.

Some folks probably knew when Wernher von Braun was developing the rocket or when Alan Turing was developing the rst computer, but even then, regular people de nitely didn’t see what was going on.

This week was di erent. This week, millions watched live as we reached milestones in the development of technologies that

have the potential, at least, to reshape our world.

SpaceX sent a rocket the size of the Statue of Liberty into space and had half of it return to a controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico and the other half to a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean o the coast of Australia. Elon Musk’s Starship has the potential to drastically reduce the cost of getting cargo and people to space. Not just to space — Starship has been speci cally designed from the beginning to go not just to the moon but to Mars.

Two decades ago, the idea that you could land and reuse a rocket seemed like science ction. Musk had an idea, and the competition laughed at him. Even a decade ago, his competitors at United Launch Alliance thought landing and reusing a rocket was crazy. Nonetheless, he persisted. Recently, SpaceX successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket for the 300th time.

With this successful soft landing in the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX showed that Starship can be reused as well. For its next launch, Elon is hinting that they’ll try to use their insane “chopsticks” set of pincers to catch the ship when it returns to Earth.

If you thought ying a rocket to India was crazy, with an HD video feed watching a ap slowly burn away like something out

of “Terminator,” you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Then, on Monday, Apple unveiled the most signi cant updates to its computer platforms since the invention of the iPhone: A deep integration of arti cial intelligence into the iPhone, iPad and Mac that will change the way people use their phones and computers forever. Apple’s tagline for this was perfect: “AI for the rest of us.”

I’ve been playing with ChatGPT and its competitors for more than a year now and have been able to get some amazing results. But I still haven’t been able to talk to it like it was the computer on “Star Trek.” I had to be extremely speci c, almost pedantic, to get it to do what I wanted, and even then, it wasn’t quite right.

Apple correctly noted that,

in order to be truly helpful, an AI bot needs some sense of personal context — information about your life from your calendar, your email and your text messages. Only then can an assistant be truly helpful. This is what we were promised 13 years ago when Siri launched as the rst voice-activated assistant.

It only took a decade and then some, but it seems this promise is nally here. You’ll be able to say things like, “When does my mom’s ight get in?” and it’ll know to check your messages and emails for messages from your mom, nd her ight number, check its status and return the information to you in just a second or two. No longer will you need to remember where she sent the information — was it in a text or an email? This seems like

a small thing, but our brain doesn’t need to remember where Mom sent that information, just that she sent it. It seems silly — or it will seem silly in ve or 10 years — that we ever needed to remember things like that, in the same way a Rolodex is amusing when we see it on the set of “Mad Men.” No one remembers phone numbers anymore. The Yellow Pages no longer exist; the entire idea of them is an anachronism. What will Apple’s new articial intelligence make obsolete? What will Starship landing and taking o multiple times a day mean for our species? I don’t know the answer, but I know that this was one of those weeks where everything might have changed. We just won’t know it for a while. But boy, am I excited about it.

COURTESY SPACEX

Starship, the largest object ever own by man, takes o from Starbase, Texas.

COURTESY APPLE

Company executive Craig Federighi unveiled Apple Intelligence to the world in a prerecorded livestream on Monday. COURTESY APPLE

Left, Starship makes a blazing reentry into the atmosphere, complete with a colorful light show of plasma owing around the ship. Right, with the AI updates, Siri will be able to answer questions like, “When does my mom’s ight get in?”

COURTESY SPACEX

Webb Simpson returns home for U.S. Open, B4

Pinehurst No. 2 ready to test world’s best golfers at US Open

MLB Jones makes MLB debut

St. Louis The Colorado Rockies called up Greg Jones to make his major league debut on Thursday. Jones, who played for Cary High School, UNC Wilmington and the Durham Bulls, appeared in two games as a late-game defensive replacement without batting before making his rst big league start on Sunday.

RACING

Chadwick becomes rst woman to win Indy NXT race since 2010

Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Jamie Chadwick became the third woman to win an Indy NXT race and the rst to accomplish the feat on a road course when she led for all 20 laps at Road America. The 26-year-old British driver became the rst woman in the last 14 years to win an Indy NXT race.

BOXING

Tyson’s ght with Paul rescheduled for Nov. 15

Mike Tyson’s ght with Jake Paul is now set for Nov. 15 after the former heavyweight champion, 58, su ered health issues. The ght was originally set for July 20 in Arlington, Texas. Tyson fell ill on a cross-country ight. Tyson’s camp attributed it to an ulcer problem.

Fast greens and dangerous roughs threaten the eld

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

PINEHURST — The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 this week. For the best golfers in the world, that means only one thing — trouble.

The Open o ers the highest purse of golf’s majors — more than $20 million last year, including $3.6 million to the winner. However, it makes the golfers earn their money with challenging course conditions and pin placements. And nowhere o ers as big of a challenge as Pinehurst No. 2.

Consider, this is the fourth time the course has hosted the U.S. Open. In the previous three events, a total of four golfers broke par. Only two of

the previous three winners nished below par.

“This is a pretty typical U.S. Open in the sense that par is a great friend to you all week,” said Webb Simpson. “It’s a brutally hard golf course.”

An early look at the course seemed to promise more of the same for the 2024 tournament. On Monday’s practice rounds to open the week, the word of the day seemed to be “penal.”

In golf, a hole or section of the course is considered penal if the only way to reach the green in regulation is to take an enormous risk and irt with disaster, or at least a severe penalty. In other words, danger abounds on Pinehurst No. 2.

The course can get you on your approach to the green. When discussing the native grasses that the course has planted on either side of the fairways (in place of much easier-playing Bermuda grass),”

“This is a pretty typical U.S. Open in the sense that par is a great friend to you all week. It’s a brutally hard golf course.”

Simpson said, “The native areas have grown in a lot more. So that’s part of the prep we were doing, is one of us take the right side and one take the left and see which one’s thicker. Quite a few holes, one side is a little more penal than the other.”

Even once you’re reached the greens, a golfer isn’t safe. Competitors ranted about how fast the greens were, meaning that one wrong hit and your ball could go ying o , perhaps into the sand or water.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark said, “The greens are extremely fast and penal. You hit it on the green, the hole is not done.”

The course will also be one of the longest on this season’s PGA Tour. The combination of distance, rough and treacherous greens create a puzzle that will take the eld most of the week to crack, assuming they ever manage to.

Part of the problem is the unpredictability of both the greens and rough.

“It’s hit or miss,” said Simpson. “The way we’re looking at it is if you hit, I don’t know, 15 drives for the week in the native area, you’re going to get some bad lies, some good lies; you just got to take it from there. Can’t get too down. You might play with a guy, y’all hit in the same area, he hits it on

See GOLF, page B4

Tar Heels, Wolfpack headed to College World Series

UNC and NC State reach Omaha together for the second time ever

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

THERE’S A REASON they call it Mutual of Omaha. For the second time, NC State and North Carolina will head to Nebraska to play for college baseball’s national championship. The Tar Heels and Wolfpack made the trip together in 2013, and the rivals played twice in Omaha that year, splitting the games. State won the opening game for both teams then were eliminated by the Heels in the second round. It’s no sure thing the two teams will meet up this time around for a rubber match in their 11-year Omaha series. They open play in separate brackets, meaning that they could meet with a national title at stake.

Year of the Wolf?

After the men’s basketball

“This might delay that ride o into the sunset,” Avent said of the CWS berth, “but someday, that horse will be there.” More immediately, the Wolfpack will look to rid itself of the bad taste from their last trip to Omaha. NC State made the CWS in 2021 after going on a late-season run very similar to the 16-5 run the Wolfpack are on this year. After upsetting Vanderbilt, State was then hit with an outbreak of COVID-19. The team had to play a game with freshmen, little-used reserves and several players out of position yet nearly pulled o a second upset. NCAA o cials then pulled the plug on State’s season, saying it wasn’t safe for the team to continue playing in the tournament.

“I don’t really believe in retribution or revenge,” Avent said.

“The guys from that ’21 team might feel a little bit di erently.”

team had a miracle run to the ACC championship and Final Four and the women’s hoops team also made it to the Final Four, NC State now sees its baseball team headed to the

College World Series for the fourth time in school history. Three of those trips have been under coach Elliott Avent, now in his 36th year with the Wolfpack.

State traveled to Georgia for the Super Regional and hammered the Bulldogs in the opening game of the best-of-three,

REBECCA S. GRATZ/ AP PHOTO

NC State head Coach Elliott Avent waits to see if his team will be allowed to play during the Wolfpack’s trip to the College World Series three years ago. State now returns to Omaha, along with rival UNC, to play for the college baseball title.

Tiger Woods hits from the bunker on the 17th hole during a Monday practice round for the U.S. Open in Pinehurst.

Webb Simpson

TRENDING

Chelsea Gray:

The former Duke player and current WNBA star reportedly will play for the U.S. Olympic team at this summer’s Paris Games. Gray, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and Diana Taurasi are reported to be on the roster. Left o is Caitlin Clark, the immensely popular WNBA rookie and college player of the year.

Jose Rodriguez:

The Phillies in elder was one of ve players suspended for gambling. An investigation found Rodriguez placed 31 bets in 2021 and 2022, 28 on baseball. He played for Kannapolis and Winston-Salem in 2021, and Charlotte in 2023. He will serve a one-year suspension, as will Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Arizona pitcher Andrew Saalfrank. Padres utility player Tucupita Marcano was suspended for life.

Ryan Williams:

The Carolina Courage defender received a second yellow card in the 79th minute on Saturday. Williams was penalized after a video review. Portland scored on the ensuing penalty kick for the game’s only goal, and the Courage nished the game with just 10 players. They fell to 5-7 with all seven losses coming on the road.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“No, because we’re getting paid. I like money.”

Dodgers in elder Kiké Hernández, saying he wouldn’t stop doing in-game interviews. He’d earlier made an error while talking to TV broadcasters during a game.

“Everyone knows Carolina is going to win all those games anyway.”

NC House Speaker Tim Moore, a UNC alumnus, announcing that a bill requiring UNC, NC State, ECU, Charlotte and App State to play regularly would not move forward.

PRIME NUMBER 17-1

Odds for Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, who beat Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Preakness winner Seize the Grey. Dornoch had the third-longest odds in the eld of 10 and made it the sixth consecutive year each of the three Triple Crown races had di erent winners.

NASCAR

Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playo s with his third Cup victory of the season. He won at his home track of Sonoma Raceway for the second time and fth victory on a road course. The win moved him to the top of the current Cup Series standings. Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and passed defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. with eight laps remaining.

The Washington Nationals called up highly regarded left-handed prospect DJ Herz to make his major league debut against the Mets. Herz, a Fayetteville native and Terry Sanford High School alumnus, was an eighth-round draft pick in 2019. He started and gave up four runs in four innings in a loss.

Riley Felts, a senior on the Charlotte 49ers track and eld team, was the national runner-up in the pole vault. Felts cleared 14 feet, 11 inches to tie her own school record. The two-time All-American was also national runner-up at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, pictured, beat Alexander Zverev 6 -3, 2- 6, 5-7, 6 -1, 6 -2 to win the French Open for his third Grand Slam title. Alcaraz becomes the youngest man to collect major championships on three surfaces. On the women’s side, Poland’s Iga Swiatek won her third consecutive French Open championship and fourth in ve years by defeating Jasmine Paolini 6 -2, 6 -1.

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

TENNIS

JEAN-FRANCOIS BADIAS / AP PHOTO

66th iteration of Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament underway

The tournament has a record 302 boats participating this year

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

LINES ARE in the water as the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament o cially kicked o Monday morning on the Crystal Coast o Morehead City with its 66th iteration.

Anglers from far and wide have converged on North Carolina to take part in one of the world’s best shing tournaments in the waters o the Outer Banks.

The Big Rock Tournament commemorates the rst (recorded) time a blue marlin was caught o the North Carolina coast.

In 1957, a couple of local shing enthusiasts in Morehead City formed the Fabulous Fisherman Club to try and prove the rumors of blue marlins existing in the local waters, and the club in turn partnered with local businessmen to o er up a cash prize to the rst person to catch a blue marlin o the Crystal Coast.

On Sept. 14, 1957, the rumors were proven true as the rst blue marlin, weighing in at 143 pounds, was caught by Raleigh native Jimmy Croy.

The event has grown every year since into the massive, international spectacle it is today, and a record 302 boats have signed up for the six-day-long tournament in hopes of bringing home the biggest sh and a portion of the tournament’s $7.5 million in prizes.

This year’s tournament got o to a fast start when the rst

boated blue marlin of the tournament, caught at 10:44 a.m. on Monday by angler Kirk Pugh onboard Release captained by Rom Whitaker. The sh weighed in at 504 pounds to win the boat the Fabulous Fisherman prize, totaling $1,729,750, for being the rst blue marlin caught weighing in at more than 500 pounds in the this year’s tournament. While that already tops last year’s winner — a 484-pound blue marlin — Release didn’t even hold the top spot for a day as Clay Nalley onboard Game Time captained by Ben Brownlee, reeled in a 516-pounder lat-

er on the main tournament’s rst day. The tournament lasts six days, culminating on Saturday, June 15, although boats are only allowed to be out on the water for four out of the six possible days. Competitors can win prize money for not only the biggest blue marlins but also other sh, including other bill sh, wahoos, tuna and dolphin sh and a few other categories, and the prize pools are typically split between rst, second and third place.

While there’s a lot of fun to be had in the shing and winnings,

the tournament also plays a vital role in conservation e orts, education and research around marlins.

On top of the tournament having strict standards on weight and size requirements for the sh, requiring the release of any marlin caught under 400 pounds and 110 inches, every sh brought in to weigh is turned over to marine biologists for study. The tournament is also partnered with the International Game Fish Association to deploy satellite tags on released marlins for even more study on their migration patterns and habits.

Second-annual TST soccer festival wraps

The new soccer tournament expanded in its second edition

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CARY — Soccer fans and teams from across the globe converged on Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park earlier this week to watch the conclusion of the second annual The Soccer Tournament that ran from June 5-10.

Featuring 48 men’s teams and eight women’s teams in a seven-on-seven format, the squads consisted of former professional athletes, ex-college players and other celebrities vying for a $1 million winnertake-all prize.

In Monday’s championship slate, US Women pulled out a 6-3 victory over NC Courage in the early game.

“It was for my teammates, and we just worked our butts o every game,” said Talia DellaPeruta, who scored the US Women’s sixth and nal goal of the match. “We kept getting better and better, and I couldn’t think of a better group to do it with.

“I’m just so grateful for this opportunity and that I could contribute. I’m just so happy right now.”

On the men’s side, La Bom-

BASEBALL from page B1

winning 18-1. The Wolfpack was on the wrong end of a blowout in the second game, falling 11-2. In Monday’s deciding game, after State fell behind 2-0 in the second inning, the Wolfpack responded immediately, tying the score with a two-run homer by Garrett Pennington. After taking the lead in the fourth on a passed ball and RBI single, State relied on the long ball to preserve the lead. Eli Serrano, Alec Makarewicz and Alex Sosa all went deep, and the Wolfpack won 8-5 to punch their ticket to Omaha. NC State will open with Kentucky in its first CWS game.

bonera bested Nani FC in a 4-0 nish in the late game.

“Discipline, hard work, team e ort. This group was incredible. Look, everybody is crying… These are my dogs, man,” La Bombonera’s Chad Poarch said after his team’s win. “We are a complete team coming from di erent backgrounds.”

The open-entry competition from the creators of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) began last year with a single 32-team men’s bracket and expanded this year into separate World Cup-style tournaments of group play and single-elimination knockout rounds.

The matches consist of two 20-minute halves followed by an untimed extra period that ends only when one of the teams reaches a target score, which is one goal more than the leading team has at the end of regulation.

The 2024 edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST) included international soccer superstars like Sergio Aguero (Team Aguero), David Beckham’s son Cruz Beckham (Saturdays Football), as well as former NFL stars Chad Johnson (Nati SC), Pat McAfee (Concafa SC) and J.J. Watt (Burnley FC).

“It’s the energy,” NBA great and TST co-founder Chris Paul said on the strength of the young tournament. “Being

Heels return to Omaha UNC is making its 12th trip to the CWS but rst since 2018. The Tar Heels will face o against a familiar foe in No. 12 seed Virginia in the opening round Friday. Virginia won the regular season series against UNC, two games to one, beating the Tar Heels 14-11 on April 4 and 7-2 on April 5. In both losses, pitching was an issue for the Tar Heels as they gave up a combined eight home runs in the two games. UNC’s Super Regional weekend came down to the big names making big plays. In game one, Parks Harber knocked in three runs with a third-inning sin-

an active player in professional sports, you know that when you put on an event, the rst thing that matters is the players and how they feel about it. We’ve gotten some great feedback from the players, and then the fans that come out and support the energy of it.”

With more than 35,000 estimated attendees, 1,500 players and 118 matches among 56 teams, the event was projected to bring in $15 million.

“We are excited to welcome the world back to Cary for this one-of-a-kind global soccer festival with TST,” Cary Mayor

“This might delay that ride o into the sunset, but someday, that horse will be there.”

NC State coach Elliott Avent

gle. Gavin Gallaher’s single later in the inning brought Harber home for the Tar Heels’ fourth run. The Heels led until the top of the sixth inning when West Virginia smashed a pair of two-run homers to put West Virginia up 6-4 going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

In pounds, the weight of the rst boated blue marlin this year caught by Kirk Pugh aboard Release

Several marlins tagged during past Big Rock Tournament have gone on to win what the IGFA calls the “Great Marlin Race,” a program that tracks the total straight-line distance tagged marlins swim during migrational patterns.

The Big Rock Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the tournament, also routinely gives back to the community and local charities, and more than $10 million has been donated since 1986.

Big Rock also has its Big Hero program which honors service members with an “unforgettable shing adventure” by hosting them on “world-class sports shing boats alongside elite anglers.”

Beyond the main six-day tournament, Big Rock also hosts a tournament speci cally for the women and also one for kids.

The tournament week actually kicked o with the 27th annual Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament on Sunday. Per tournament o cials, 267 boats and an estimated 1,500 lady anglers competed in the one-day event with 44 blue marlins, 32 sail sh and 12 white marlins, which were all released, as well as 50 additional game sh caught between them all.

Reel Current, captained by William Garmany and with anglers Lilly Allen, Susan Gagnon, Sarah Gagnon, Aussie Gibson, Alston Gibson and Jessica Moodie, took home the top spot with eight bill sh caught between them.

up in Cary

US Women players Heather O’Reilly and Ali Krieger embrace after their TST Championship win.

nals, Nani FC had a 2-1 win over Newtown Pride FC. Nani FC is built around the 37-yearold former Manchester United star and the Portuguese national team, while the semi-professional Newtown United was the 2023 champion of The Soccer Tournament.

On the women’s side, NC Courage defeated Streetball Canada 2-0, and US Women took down Tampa Bay Sun FC 4-0.

Playing in their home stadium, the Courage are two-time NWSL Championship winners, three-time NWSL Shield winners. Meanwhile, Streetball Canada (two-time NWSL Challenge Cup winners) is a team that was an o shoot of a youth program.

Harold Weinbrecht said in a press release. “It is an honor for Cary to be part of this unforgettable experience for soccer fans, whether they are cheering from the stands or from their homes, and we are proud to show everyone what Cary has to o er.”

In Sunday’s men’s semi nals, La Bombonera — anchored by players who won the 2023 Major Arena Soccer League title with the Chihuahua Savage — had a 3-1 win over Hoosier Army, a team of former Indiana University men’s soccer players. In the other men’s semi -

A solo home run from Colby Wilkerson in the bottom of the seventh inning closed UNC’s de cit to just one run. With the help of much needed juice on the mound from pitcher Matt Poston, including two straight strikeouts to keep West Virginia scoreless in the top of the ninth inning, the Tar Heels kept their chances alive and high. Luke Stevenson started the nal inning with a home run to center eld, tying the game. With two outs and Alex Madera on rst base, Vance Honeycutt gave UNC exactly what it needed with a walk-o home run to left eld, giving the Tar Heels an 8-6 victory in the series opener.

US Women is made up of stars and starters from the United States women’s national team, while Tampa Bay is a young team making its debut in the USL Super League this year.

“First and foremost, we want to thank TST in Year 2 — equal prize money with the guys side,” US Women co-captain Heather O’Reilly said. “I’m so proud of this team. We played for the same ght that the U.S. women’s national team has done for decades, and we’re so proud to represent. It’s an honor to play with all of you guys.”

Honeycutt picked up right where he left o in game two, taking the rst pitch of the game for a home run to left eld. After Honeycutt successfully bunted his way to rst base in the top of the third inning, Harber’s single to left eld two at-bats later knocked in Honeycutt to give UNC a 2-0 lead. Pitcher Jason DeCaro shut down West Virginia’s o ense for 6⅓ innings as the Mountaineers didn’t score until the bottom of the seventh inning. Pitcher Dalton Pence closed out the series win for the Tar Heels.

Shawn Krest contributed to this report.

COURTESY RELEASE SPORTFISHING

The Release had the rst big strike of this year’s Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, landing a 504-pound marlin.

PHOTO COURTESY TST

Ripken the Bat Dog an inside-the-bark home run for Durham Bulls

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

DURHAM — The most popular member of the Durham Bulls goes by one name and wears a gold chain with a giant gem-studded pendant of the letter R (his initial) wearing a crown. As soon as he steps foot on the eld, the cheers from the crowd resemble the reaction to a grand slam or a diving catch.

The most popular member of the Bulls also has a nagging itch on his backside that he needs to take care of right now.

“Ripken, stop,” says his adopted mom. “They’re trying to take your picture.”

Ripken is the 8-year-old American black lab who serves as bat dog at 14 Bulls games this season — about one out of every ve home games. His job is simple: When a Bulls player hits the ball and tosses or ips his bat in order to run the bases, Ripken leaves the home dugout, runs onto the eld and fetches the bat.

It’s a simple enough skill, but so is the home run and the fastball. Like those pillars of the legends around the sport, Ripken has captured the fans’ attention. Chicks dig the bat dog … but then again, so does everyone else. He’s appeared on the “CBS Evening News,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” “Sportscenter” and in USA Today. He also fetches the kicking tee for NC State home football games and has dropped the puck before a Carolina Hurricanes game. When the Savannah Bananas’ traveling novelty baseball act came to Durham for a two-night engagement earlier this year, Ripken got to make an appearance, wearing a canine version of the Batman costume (because he’s a Bat Dog, of course.) He has his own baseball

card, and the Bulls sell stu ed plush Ripken dolls in their team store, along with T-shirts bearing his picture. Ripken’s day job is as a mascot and spokes-animal for Sit Means Sit Dog Training. He is a graduate of the facility, owned by his mom and dad, Michael and Melissa O’Donnell.

Michael began Ripken’s training in their back yard, throwing mini bats for him to fetch. They gradually increased the size, and Ripken showed the dependability and personality that made the O’Donnells think he might be able to take the eld. Michael O’Donnell had played college baseball and was hoping for a way to stay connected with the game.

The connection was natural for Ripken, as well. Like his namesake, Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., as well as baseball legends Ken Gri ey Jr. and Barry Bonds, Ripken is a second-generation athlete. His father, Cowboy Kohl, retrieved kicking tees for the Boise State football team.

In 2019, Ripken and Michael got the chance to show their stu at home games for the Holly Springs Salamanders, a collegiate summer league team in the Coastal Plains League. Following the pandemic, he got the call from Durham and made fetch happen for the Bulls starting in 2021.

Now at the height of his popularity, Ripken and his handlers are facing the same grim reality that all elite athletes do, eventually. He can’t do this forever.

“He’s 8,” said Melissa. “We gure he can do this for one or two more years.”

Rest assured, sports fans and dog lovers, the O’Donnells have been hard at work on a succession plan.

They’re keeping it within the family. The rst candidate was a nephew of Ripken’s named Rivers. He took to the training, but, as happens with so many promising sports stars, there were o - eld concerns.

Former US Open champion Simpson returns to Pinehurst

The Raleigh native grew up on the course but had to earn a spot in the eld

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

WEBB SIMPSON is returning home.

“This place is my favorite place,” Simpson said on the rst day of practice rounds at Pinehurst for the 2024 U.S. Open. “Grew up coming here from Raleigh, just a short drive. My dad built a home here. I think probably I was 12 years old. So most weekends, middle school, high school, we’d come up and play at the country club in North Carolina. I love Pinehurst.”

As an aspiring golfer — rst at Raleigh’s Broughton High, then at Wake Forest, where he earned the Arnold Palmer Scholarship — Simpson got in plenty of rounds at Pinehurst.

“We had state championships here,” he said. “We played at No. 6, No. 8, No. 4, No. 2. There’s so much history whether you look at high school college, high school college, amateur golf, it was all here.”

“He hears the crowd cheering and he wants to go to work.”

Ripken’s “mom,” Melissa O’Donnell

“His temperament was a concern,” said Melissa. “We found that out when a plumber came to the house. Rivers didn’t like him. We also learned that he doesn’t like people in hats.”

A dog who has issues with people in hats may not be the best t for work at a baseball stadium, so the O’Donnells moved down the family tree, heading back to Boise to get another descendent of Cowboy Kohl.

Champ is 13 months old and, as the O’Donnells proudly proclaim, “a full-blooded brother (same mom and dad) of Ripken’s.” Despite his youth, he’s already broken into the business: Champ worked his rst Salamanders’ game last week. The start to his career was a bit rocky. They tried to attach a GoPro camera to his back to get some of the point-of-view video that has made Ripken a social media star, but the dog was distracted by the camera, as well as people in the crowd chanting his name. After the rst few bats, however, he got the hang of it and, like his older brother, was able to bring them back to the dugout, free of tooth marks and slobber.

Champ is still a work in progress. The O’Donnells aren’t sure when he’ll be ready for a Durham debut. The crowds are bigger and louder there, so he’ll need to become accustomed to keeping his focus. It’s a problem Ripken doesn’t have. The more people watching, the more he seems to thrive.

“He hears the crowd cheering and he wants to go to work,” Melissa said.

GOLF from page B1

the green, and you have to pitch out. That’s just part of it.”

Then again, don’t be too jealous of the player that made it to the green in Simpson’s example. His battle has only just begun.

“I was just amazed how fast the greens are,” Clark said. “ If they get any rmer and faster, they’d be borderline. They already are borderline. … As far as practicing, today I went with my caddie and we just were really charting to certain pins,

nament, the rst time he was home for the Open since 2010. This year, with Pinehurst hosting for the rst time in a decade, that wasn’t an option for him.

“This was one I really, really didn’t want to miss,” he said. “This is a golf course that I feel like I know really well. I feel comfortable on it. I just didn’t want to miss the U.S. Open in my backyard.”

That meant earning himself a spot through qualifying. He was one of 84 golfers at the Duke University Golf Club last Monday battling for seven spots. He shot a 67 in the rst of two rounds, which put him in a tie for fourth.

“This was one I really, really didn’t want to miss. The U.S. Open in my backyard.”

Webb Simpson

All, that is, except a victory. Simpson’s lone victory on a Pinehurst course to date was one where he got an assist from the family.

“I never won the Putterboy Trophy,” he said. “I never won the Donald Ross Junior or the North/South Junior or North/ South Am. My father and I — he won the Donald Ross Father-Son. They always did it the day after. It was alternate shot. We were in a playo . In the playo , my dad drove it in the fairway, I hit it to 3 feet, and then he made it for us to win. I was so excited.”

His father, Sam Simpson, wasn’t quite as enthusiastic.

“He looked at me like he was mad at me. I’m like, ‘What? We just won.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t ever do that to me again. Hit it to 20 feet. Don’t hit it to 3 feet.’”

For more than a decade, Simpson didn’t hit the ball exactly where it needed to be on the pro tour. He earned his rst PGA win in nearby Greensboro in 2011, his third year as a pro. The next year, he won the U.S. Open and became one of the sport’s big names, sitting near the top of the rankings and making regular appearances at majors.

In recent years, however, Simpson has struggled to recapture past glory. His last win was in 2020. Since then, he’s battled a disk problem in his neck that required surgery. In 2022, his U.S. Open exemption expired, and he missed last year’s tour-

“The two rounds couldn’t have been more di erent,” he said. “The rst round I shot 3-under, very easy. The second round, I made it very stressful on myself.” At the turn, he was two shots over and in jeopardy of missing the cut.

“There’s no scoreboards, obviously, but you can nd the scores on their website,” he said. “I asked my caddy at the turn, ‘What is it looking like? What do we need to do?’”

Simpson strung together some birdies, but a bogey on 17 appeared to end his hope of a return to Pinehurst.

“I thought for sure there was no chance even of a playo with a birdie on 18,” he said.

His caddie checked the scores and told him he had a shot of at least a playo . It turned out, he nished 1-under on the round, in a tie for fourth overall. He was in the Open eld.

“It’s a long day,” he said. “Especially for someone who understands how sweet it is to be in a major, especially U.S. Open here at Pinehurst.”

Simpson lost his father in 2017, but he’s thinking about him as he returns to the family’s home away from home.

“Pinehurst was where he was his happiest. We lived in Raleigh. He worked really hard. But when he would come to Pinehurst on a Friday, you’d really see him kind of decompress. He loved to play golf. … I probably think about him more here than anywhere. He would be thrilled to death that I qualied. I think he would have been a nervous wreck on Monday. He would have been here walking with me in the practice rounds.” It may be nostalgic. It may leave him longing for past days, but Webb Simpson is home.

“I didn’t get in. I had to go qualify. So I feel like it’s all upside,” he said. “I’m not going to be happy unless I play well overall. But I am thankful to be here.”

like we’d rather be here than there. Sometimes that almost could mean, not that you’re trying to miss a green, but you’re erring towards the easier up and down.”

So, will golf fans be witnessing a weekend of carnage at Pinehurst? The good news is an outstanding eld will be on hand to contend with the course. The winners of the last 13 Opens — 12 di erent golfers — are in the eld, and all but one winner since 2008 will be competing. At the top of the

list is Scottie Sche er.

With plenty of golf to play, Sche er has already set the single-season PGA earnings record, and he’s the rst golfer since 1980 to post ve tour wins before the Open.

“Guys like Scottie right now are making it look real easy,” Clark said.

“There’s so much excitement with so much guys playing well; Scottie dominating,” Simpson said. “I almost feel the excitement in the air this week already on a Monday.”

The black lab and his brother make fetch happen at elds around the Triangle

MATT YORK / AP PHOTO

RIPKEN’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Ripken the Bat Dog has become a wildly popular performer at Durham Bulls and NC State football games, and his younger brother is now getting into the act.

Tiger Woods (center) tries to solve the greens at Pinehurst No. 2 during a Monday practice round prior to the U.S. Open. He’s joined by son Charlie (left) and Jordan Spieth.

KATHRYN RILEY / USGA

Webb Simpson watches his tee shot on the eighth hole during Monday’s practice round for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

Sajak takes nal spin on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

The longtime host o ered many thanks and shoutouts during the nal episode before his retirement

By Kaitlyn Huamani

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Last Friday, after 41 years and more than 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak made his nal turn as the renowned host of “Wheel of Fortune.”

The season 41 nale, dubbed the “Thanks for the Memories” show, opened with a clip from Sajak’s rst episode as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981 and closed with Sajak’s warm gratitude.

In his farewell message, Sajak thanked the viewers of the beloved game show for granting him the “incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”

Sajak, 77, also gave a heartfelt thanks to his “professional other half,” Vanna White, who has co-hosted with him for more

than 40 years and delivered her emotional tribute to Sajak a day earlier.

“We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other,” he said. “I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature. She’s a very special woman.”

Sajak o ered many thanks and shoutouts during the nal episode before his retirement. He said the crew and sta , some of whom have been working on the show as long as he has, were a “joy” to work with. “Your skills, dedication, and good humor made this a place I always wanted to be,” he added.

Sajak thanked one sta member by name: his daughter, Maggie. She began working as the show’s social correspondent in 2021, and he said their collaboration had been the “best part of the last couple of years.” Sajak also mentioned his son, Patrick, and his wife, Lesly, and said he is “blessed” to have his family.

The famed host also said that the “real stars of the show” have been the contestants who competed for cash and luxury prizes throughout the show’s decades

“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”

Pat Sajak

of run. He called them “kind and considerate,” noting that they always “took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.”

Re ecting on the show’s massive reach, Sajak noted that he always found it essential to keep the daily half-hour show a “safe place for family fun,” excluding any social issues or political topics from the banter he shared with contestants and White. He said he wanted to keep the show “just a game” before noting that, to many, it became a part of their daily lives.

“Gradually, it became more than that,” Sajak continued. “A

place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to have played even a small part in all that.”

Sajak closed out his message with a crack about how viewers could still see more of him through reruns of the show during its summer break. “The jokes will be the same, but I’d appreciate it if you’d laugh anyway,” he quipped before saying a nal goodbye.

Sajak truncated the game by cutting out a round to make time for his closing message. He said he wanted to ensure the competition was still fair for contestants Tammi, Adrienne and Nino, so he spun the wheel and added to their totals. Adding $1,000 to the prize money the wheel landed on, Sajak bumped the bonus up to $5,000 for each person after noting that it differed from the funds allocated. “Little Jimmy’s surgery can wait,” he joked.

During her tribute on Thursday, White called Sajak “like

a brother” and a “true lifelong friend.” In the prerecorded video that featured clips and photos of their decades as co-workers, she added that their friendship has meant even more than their professional collaboration.

Sajak announced in June 2023 that he would retire from his hosting duties at the end of the show’s 41st season, with Ryan Seacrest set to succeed him. Based on a contract extension she signed in September, White will stay as Seacrest’s co-host through the 2025-2026 season.

Seacrest paid tribute to Sajak — and White — in an Instagram post on Saturday.

“Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers,” said Seacrest’s post, which included a photo and a video of him, Sajak and White at the game show’s familiar set. “You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, which marks the end of an era.”

Body of missing British broadcaster found on Greek

Dr. Michael Mosley’s body was spotted among rocks on a rugged stretch of coast

By Demetris Nellas

The Associated Press

ATHENS — The body of missing British TV presenter and author Dr. Michael Mosley was found on a Greek island Sunday morning after a dayslong search, his family said.

Mosley, who went missing on the island of Symi on Wednesday afternoon, was spotted among rocks on a rugged stretch of coast by a party on a boat that included the local mayor and journalists.

Mosley’s wife said her husband took the wrong route on a hike and collapsed just short of reaching a marina in a place not easily seen.

“Michael was an adventurous man; it’s part of what made him so special,” Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley said in a statement. It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We had a fortunate life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together.”

Mosley, 67, was well known in Britain for his many programs on the BBC, regular ap -

pearances on television and radio and his column in the Daily Mail newspaper. He was known outside the U.K. for his 2013 book “The Fast Diet,” which he co-authored with journalist Mimi Spencer. The book proposed the so-called “5:2 diet,” which promised to help people lose weight quickly by minimizing their calorie intake twice a week while eating healthily on the other ve.

He subsequently introduced a rapid weight loss program and made several lms about diet and exercise.

Mosley often pushed his body to extreme lengths to see the e ects of his diets and also lived with tapeworms in his guts for six weeks for the BBC documentary “Infested! Living With Parasites.”

Even before the body’s identi cation, tributes poured in for Mosley.

“In person, he was very much the sort of gure that you would see on television: immediately likable, genuinely funny, enthusiastic, he had this innate enthusiasm about life, and he was always very generous with his time,” his co-author Spencer told BBC Radio 4. “He never blew his trumpet; he was quite a humble person.”

Tom Watson, former deputy leader of Britain’s Labour Par -

ty, called Mosley a hero and said he lost nearly 100 pounds following one of the doctor’s diet books.

“It’s hard to describe how upset I am by this news,” Watson said on the social media platform X. “Through courageous, science-based journalism, Michael Mosley has helped thousands of people get well. I’m one of them.”

Dr. Saleyha Ahsan, co-host on “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor,” said Mosley had a talent for putting people at ease and explaining science to a general

audience, “not just a niche scienti c crowd, but to everyone.”

“Michael’s a national treasure, and so personable,” Ahsan told the BBC.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said Mosley’s research and TV shows had served the public well and changed the conversation around health issues.

“What a wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man he was,” Oliver said on Instagram.

Clare Bailey Mosley thanked the people of the island of Symi, who she said worked tirelessly to nd him.

island

“Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked,” she said. “My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people worldwide. Clearly, Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.”

Lefteris Papakalodoukas, the island’s mayor, told The Associated Press that he was on a boat with journalists when they saw a body some 65 feet above the Agia Marina beach. He said Mosley was lying face-up next to a fence.

“We zoomed with the cameras and saw it was him,” he said.

Ilias Tsavaris, a bar manager at the marina, said he scrambled up the hillside after getting a call from the boat telling him to con rm the sighting.

“When I walked up, I saw something like a body,” he said. “You don’t see a dead body every day; it is not a warzone; it’s summer; you are supposed to have fun and swimming.”

As police o cers were retrieving Mosley’s body, one fell on the slope and had to be carried away on a stretcher, local media reported. The body will be taken to the nearby island of Rhodes for autopsy. Mosley had four children with his wife, an author and health columnist.

JEFF OVERS / BBC VIA AP

The body of British TV presenter Michael Mosley was found on a Greek island Sunday morning.

RICHARD SHOTWELL / AP PHOTO

Pat Sajak, joined by Vanna White, bid farewell to Wheel Watchers last week.

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ outperforms in big win for dismal box o ce

Will Smith makes a triumphant return after his infamous Oscars slap

By Jake Coyle

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — “Bad Boys:

Ride or Die,” the fourth installment in the Will Smith-Martin Lawrence action comedy series, opened with an estimated $56 million in theaters over the weekend, handing Hollywood a much-needed summer hit and Smith his most considerable success since he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

Expectations were all over the map for “Ride or Die” given the dismal moviegoing market thus far this summer and Smith’s less certain box-o ce clout. In the end, though, the Sony Pictures release came in very close to, or slightly above, its tracking forecast.

“Ride or Die,” produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, is Smith’s rst theatrical test since his 2022 slap of Rock earned him a 10-year Oscar ban. The “Bad Boys” lm was in development at the time and was momentarily put on hold, but it ultimately went forward with about a $100 million production budget.

Smith starred in the 2022 Apple release “Emancipation.” However, that lm was shot before the slap and received only a modest theatrical release before

streaming.

This time around, Smith largely avoided soul-searching interviews looking back on the Oscars and instead went on a whistle-stop publicity tour of red carpets from Mexico to Saudi Arabia, where he attended the country’s rst Hollywood premiere. The 55-year-old Smith, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars for years, appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” the YouTube series “Hot Ones” and made a surprise appearance at a Los Angeles movie theater on Friday.

Given that “Bad Boys” trailed May disappointments like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Fall Guy” — both of which struggled to pop with ticket buyers despite excellent reviews — the “Ride or Die” opening counts as a critical weekend win for the movie business.

“The fact that a movie overperformed is the best possible news,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. “It seems like all we’ve been doing over the past few weeks and almost since the beginning of the year, with a couple of exceptions, is trying to gure out why seemingly well-marketed, well-reviewed movies have underperformed. This ignites the spark that the industry has been waiting for.” “Ride or Die” still didn’t quite manage to match the opening of the previous “Bad Boys” lm, “Bad Boys for Life.” That movie,

released in January 2020, debuted with $62.5 million. After the pandemic shut down theaters, it was the highest-grossing North American release of that year, with $204 million domestically.

“Ride or Die” added $48.6 million internationally. Though reviews were mixed (64% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences gave the lm a high grade with an “A-” CinemaScore. Black moviegoers, the most signicant demographic, accounted for 44% of ticket buyers.

In the lm, 29 years after the original, Smith and Lawrence reprise their roles as Miami detectives. The plot revolves around uncovering a scheme to frame their late police captain (Joe Pantoliano). In one of the

movie’s most notable scenes, Lawrence slaps Smith and calls him a “bad boy.” Movie theaters need more than “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” to right the ship. Comscore says ticket sales are down 26% from last year and more than 40% below pre-pandemic totals. A big test comes next weekend with the release of Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” After sending several Pixar releases straight to Disney+, the studio has vowed a lengthy, traditional theatrical rollout this time.

Last weekend’s top lm, “The Gar eld Movie,” slid to second place. Also from Sony, the family animated comedy collected $10 million in ticket sales over its third weekend, bringing its domestic gross to $68.6 million.

The weekend’s new wide release, “The Watchers,” failed to click with moviegoers. The horror lm, directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, is about a stranded 28-year-old artist in Ireland. After poor reviews, the Warner Bros. release grossed $7 million in 3,351 theaters. That allowed “If,” the Ryan Reynolds imaginary friend fantasy, to grab third place in its fourth weekend of release, bringing the Paramount Pictures cumulative domestic total to $93.5 million. Rounding out the top ve was “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which added $5.4 million in its fth weekend of release. It has grossed $150 million domestically and $360 million worldwide.

Roger Daltrey talks Broadway’s ‘Tommy,’ The Who, new tour

The 80-year-old rocker will perform

By John Carucci The Associated Press

NEW YORK — As Roger Daltrey hits the road on a short solo tour this June, he’s unsure if fans will see another tour from The Who.

“I don’t see it. I don’t know whether The Who’ll ever go out again,” he told The Associated Press over Zoom.

The 80-year-old rocker has a “use-it-or-lose it-mentality” in his singing voice, so he must perform as much as possible, with or without The Who.

Recently, Daltry spoke with The Associated Press about the band’s future, his solo tour and his feelings on the Broadway revival of The Who’s seminal rock opera, “Tommy.”

What do you think of the “Tommy” Broadway revival?

I’m glad the album is still out there; it means a lot to me. It’s the best opera ever written. I don’t particularly like it. It’s been altered and changed. I can’t imagine cutting some of the music in “Madame Butter y” or other great operas.

Tell us about the tour.

I’m bringing a band from the U.K. of eight people, a very different-sounding band with different instrumentation. It’s about having fun playing di erent songs and some Who classics. But we do them di erently. So it’s just something I love to do. And people seem to like it when I take it out there.

So you’ll play solo material and The Who stu ?

Having a band like this allows me to do many things I’ve done over the years with di erent artists, like the stu I did with Wilko Johnson 10 years ago. I will do some solo stu and covers of other people I admire.

Is getting out there in front of an audience what keeps your voice intact?

That’s always been my impetus since I had my voice problems. You’ve got to keep using

it. Just like anything else in the body. You stop walking, and you lose the muscles in your legs. The voice is a similar thing. If you stop using those muscles in the voice box and the vocal cords, they’ll go soft on you, and you’ll lose your voice.

Simon Townsend is performing with you — not his brother, The Who’s Pete Townsend. What is it like supplementing one Townsend for another?

Simon Townsend is always in my solo shows. Simon has always been with me. Well, he’s a di erent guy than Pete, though he’s got very similar timber to his voice that suits my voice in the harmonies. He’s a great mu-

sician, a fabulous guitarist and a great guy.

What’s the di erence being touring with The Who and hitting the road solo?

It’s a lot less weight on my shoulders by myself. The Who feels like, I don’t know, heavier. It’s always much more relaxed and solo shows.

There’s less pressure with a solo gig?

Because it’s the responsibility of The Who — there’s heritage and history to maintain that always need to be in a good light, so it puts a lot of weight on your shoulders. But with this band, I’ve discovered that I can go out

there and play any kind of music that I want.

Can you give me an example?

I was doing solo shows on a cruise and got this terrible allergy just before the rst show. I ended up in hospital and didn’t know whether I’d make the cruise. But I did make the cruise. Anyway, I had to do three shows back-to-back, and I thought I could not have a sound check. I’m not going to get a rehearsal. But at least these three shows I can do.

With a career that began in the mid-1960s, what has been the biggest change you’ve seen?

Age. (Laughs.) I mean, see the elders growing up with us out in the audience, but equally, we have an enormous number of young fans, which I’m astounded by. So, it changes all the time. But our audience has grown up with us, so age is what you notice most.

Mick Jagger is on the road with the Rolling Stones at 80. Will The Who ever tour again?

I don’t see it. I don’t, I don’t know whether The Who will ever go out again. I don’t know. I don’t think like that. If we’ve got something to do that was progressive and interesting, and

was a

do it,

there

reason to

then we would go out. But at the moment I can’t see it.

AMY HARRIS / AP PHOTO

Roger Daltrey, pictured in 2022, is on a short solo tour this June.

FRANK MASI / COLUMBIA PICTURES-SONY VIA AP

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence star in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

Kevin! ‘Home Alone’ house under contract

Swinging paint cans are not included

The Associated Press

WINNETKA, Ill. — The home of Kevin McCallister’s hijinks is changing hands. And if the new owner wants to watch “Home Alone,” there’s a movie theater inside, one of many upgrades since the suburban Chicago property was renovated in 2018.

Dawn McKenna and Katie Moor, agents with Coldwell Banker Realty, said the sale of the Winnetka home from the 1990 lm is underway, days after it was listed for $5.25 million.

“We’re thrilled with how this

home captured everyone’s attention and hearts due to its place in cinematic history and the memories it evokes,” the agents told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Georgian-style house has ve bedrooms, six bathrooms and more than 9,000 square feet of space. It also has a fully equipped gym and an indoor sports court.

“Home Alone” is the comedic story of 8-year-old Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, who is accidentally left behind while his family travels to Europe at Christmas.

Kevin defends the house from two bumbling burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, with various booby traps, including striking them with paint cans swinging from a rope.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ethel Evans, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before September 13, 2024, (which is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 13th day of June 2024 Shelly McNeil Administrator of the Estate 65 Marsh Creek Dr Garner, NC 27529

# 001030 ADMINISTRATOR’S/EXECUTOR’S NOTICE The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Billie Herman Weathington, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of September, 2024. Susan W. Hines, Executor W. Scott Weathington, Executor 1409 Country Lake Dr. 12801 NC Hwy 210 S. Greensboro, NC 27406 Roseboro, NC 28382

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Dillon Meyer Cook, having quali ed on the 1st day of March 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of Timothy Allen Cook (2024-E-359), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 26th day of August, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 23rd day of May 2024. Dillon Meyer Cook Administrator ESTATE OF TIMOTHY ALLEN COOK David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: May 23, 2024 May 30, 2024 June 6, 2024 June 13, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Chad David Fountain, having quali ed on the 6th day of May 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Lynn David Fountain (2024-E-712), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 16th

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23-CVS-1781 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CABARRUS NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY 6780 and 6790 HUDSPETH ROAD HARRISBURG, NC NEWTEK SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE Plainti , v. AMBROSE CUBED, LLC; WILLIAM AMBROSE SIMPSON, II; GREENWICH BUSINESS CAPITAL, LLC; POINTE INVESTMENTS, LLC and SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. Defendants.

UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Order led on MARCH 6, 2024, in the above-captioned matter and pursuant to applicable law, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. as Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the CABARRUS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 61 Union Street South Concord, NC 28025 on June 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. that certain parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the County of Cabarrus, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Tract #1 containing 1.161 acres and Tract #2 containing 5.07 acres on that plat entitled “Grossman Family Legacy Trust Property” recorded in Plat Book 78 at Page 40 in the o ce at the Register of Deed in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Justin Todd Anderson, having quali ed on the 3rd day of May 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of William Thomas Anderson, Jr. (2024-E706), deceased, does hereby notify all persons,

Commonly known as: 6780 and 6790

Hudspeth Road Harrisburg, North Carolina 28075 Address of property: 6780 and 6790 Hudspeth Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 Parcel Number: 4598-644854.0000 and 4598-64-2694.0000

Present Record Owners: Ambrose Cubed, LLC The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold to the highest bidder. The Commissioner reserves the right to require certi ed funds not to exceed the greater of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). The successful bidder shall also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Commissioner’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. Section 7A-308(a)(1) unless the person entitled to enforce

The home of Kevin McCallister is being sold for $5.25 million.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 24 SP 250 of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by DOUGLAS W MCREE AND ANNIE H MCREE payable to FIRSTCITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, lender, to JANICE E MERRIMAN, Trustee, dated May 19, 2003, and recorded in Book 6107, Page 171 of the Cumberland County Public Registry by Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, Substitute Trustee, Substitute Trustee, 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, Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O cial Records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 11927, Page 0305, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 12:00pm, 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: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0530-24-8481

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1231

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Marian L. McKinney (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD

OWNER(S): Marian L. McKinney, Heirs of Marian L. McKinney: Stephanie McKinney Coutee, Julia McKinney McMillan, Patricia McKinney McLeod, Christopher McKinney, Quinton O. McKinney; Heirs of Quinton O. McKinney: Ruth L. McKinney

a/k/a Larraine McKinney, Quinton T. McKinney) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated April 3, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09408, at Page 0296 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 O ce 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 o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County,

COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 19 CVS 2319

NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DAVIDSON Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee, f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee for SACO I Inc. Mortgage Pass-Through Certi cates, Series 1999-2, Plainti , vs. Jerry L. Lindsay a/k/a Jerry L. Lindsey ; Any Spouse of Jerry L. Lindsay a/k/a Jerry L. Lindsey ; Beatrice L. Lindsay a/k/a Beatrice H. Lindsay; Homeplus Finance Corp.; TRUSTEE SERVICES OF CAROLINA, LLC, Defendant(s).

Parcel ID: 0405-75-8261

Record Owners: Johnny Johnson, Jr. The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Johnny Johnson, Jr. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the

NC 28306

ADDRESS: 5144 HEWITT DR., FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28311 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): DOUGLAS W MCREE THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 6107, PAGE 171 AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A STAKE IN THE NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF HEWITT DRIVE SOUTHEAST 741.51 FEET MEASURED ALONG SAID MARGIN FROM THE POINT OF CURVATURE THEREIN WHERE THE SAME BEGINS TO CURVE TO INTERSECT THE EASTERN MARGIN OF WATERBURY DRIVE AND RUNNING THENCE WITH THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN LOTS 110 AND 111 NORTH 25 DEGREES 33’ MINUTES EAST 150 FEET TO A STAKE IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF THE PROPERTY OF CLAUDE W. RANKIN; THENCE WITH SAID LINE SOUTH 65 DEGREES 27 MINUTES EAST 106.41 FEET TO A STAKE; THENCE WITH THE WESTERN LINE OF A 50 FOOT UNNAMED STREET (SHOWN ON THE PLAT AS NOT BEING A DEDICATION) SOUTH 24 DEGREES 33 MINUTES WEST 125 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE THEREIN; THENCE CONTINUING WITH SAID MARGIN ON A CURVE TO THE SOUTHWEST, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 25 FEET, AN ARC DISTANCE OF 39.26 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATURE IN THE NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF HEWITT DRIVE; THENCE WITH SAID MARGIN NORTH 65 DEGREES 27 MINUTES WEST

North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on June 25, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Cross Creek Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

Being all of Lot 4, Block J, as shown on a plat entitled “Holly Springs, Part 8,” dated April 1962, prepared by Sol C. Rose, Registered Surveyor, and recorded in Book of Plats 26, Page 24, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1891 Cascade Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Tax ID# 0438-26-3296

Being that parcel of land conveyed to Samuel L. McKinney and wife, Marian L. McKinney from Broadell Homes, Inc. by that deed dated 8/24/1965 and recorded 8/27/1965 in deed book 1134, at page 474 of the Cumberland County, NC public registry.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the abovecaptioned case on January 10, 2022 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 165 Rockaway Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Jerry L. Lindsay and Beatrice L. Lindsay, dated February 21, 1992 and recorded on February 26, 1992 in Book 800 at Page 978 and rerecorded/modi ed/corrected on January 10, 2022 in Book DE 2525, Page 348 of the Davidson County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Jerry L. Lindsay and Beatrice L. Lindsay, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee, f/k/a Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee for SACO I Inc. Mortgage PassThrough Certi cates, Series 1999-2.

The Commissioner will o er for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction 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

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on June 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit: BEGINNING at an iron pin set in the pavement of Bill Lohr Road (SR 1268); said Beginning point being located North 86º 00’ 00” West 25.67 feet from an iron pin found marking the southwest corner of Lot No. 31 of Savannah Place as shown on a plat recorded in Plat Book 30, Page 81, Davidson County Registry; thence from said beginning point and within the right of way for Bill Lohr (SR 1268) and along the property line of Barbara Trexler (formerly W.F. Lohr, see Deed Book 222, Page 3), South 03° 55’ 43” West 144.97 feet to an iron pin set; thence continuing along the line of Trexler, North 86° 00’ 00” West 280.00 feet to an iron pin found; thence continuing along the line of Trexler, North 03° 55’ 43” East 144.97 feet to an iron pin found in the southern line of Paul Forshee, (Book 959, Page 1245); thence along the southern line of Paul Forshee, South 86° 00’ 00” East, a total distance of 280.00 feet to the point and place of Beginning and containing 0.932 acre, more or less, as shown on a survey prepared by J. Todd Everhart, PLS, dated December 9, 2004 and designated Job No. 3931. Save and except any releases, deeds of

81.41 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING AND BEING ALL OF LOT 111, SECTION IV OF COLLEGE LAKES ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY IN BOOK OF PLATS 27, PAGE 1 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 FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

Note: Samuel Lee McKinney, deceased; Date of death: 5/9/2002, Estate le 02E-826

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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are

June 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Davidson County, North Carolina and described as follows: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot Nos. 34, 35, 36 and 37 as shown in Block “I” on the Map of EASTWOOD KNOLLS, as recorded in Plat Book 10, Page 37, in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description.

The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health, or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by nonwarranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 195 Bill Lohr Road, Lexington, NC 27292.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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.

laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of

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 ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation 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.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or 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 e ective 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. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. 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 BOBBY HOUSE.

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 e ective 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 e ective date of the termination. If the trustee is unable to convey title

DAVIDSON

of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Rosa P. Shaw. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 691 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by George L. Allen (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): George L. Allen, Heirs of George L. Allen: Vineshia Allen, Octavis Rorie, Qwone Rorie, De’quavis Allen, Rozalyn Allen, Keoshia Allen) to Laurel A. Meyer, Trustee(s), dated August 26, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 06753, at Page 0530 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce 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 o er 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 June 20, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Marshville in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: FIRST PROPERTY: BEGINNING at a stake on the East side of North Elm Street at a culvert, F.C. Efrid’s property corner and runs along the East side of Elm Street S. 15-30 E. 125.25 feet to a stake at south side of a drive-way, a corner of the lot sold to D.S. Tarlton; thence with 2 lines of said Tarlton lot, rst, N. 73-40 E. 142.5 feet to a stake by a fence post; second, thence N. 6-25 W. 107 feet to a stake on F.C. Efrid’s line; thence with said Efrid line S. 84 W. 160 feet to the BEGINNING. SECOND PROPERTY:

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP000623-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RACHEL S. CANNON AND NORVIN CANNON DATED FEBRUARY 14, 2002 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9303 AT PAGE 2203 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP000571-910

BEGINNING at an iron set at the back of the curb on the east side of North Elm Street, said iron being over the center of a drainage ditch pipe which runs under North Elm Street, and said iron being a corner of the property of Fred C. Jenkins (Book 204, Page 129, Union County Registry); and running from said beginning iron two new lines along a ditch in the property of Jane E. Dale (Book 39, Page 796, Union County Registry) as follows: (1) N. 64-1657 E. 33.74 feet to an iron set in the ditch; and (2) N. 48-13-53 E. 252.47 feet to a set iron, a common corner of the property of Douglas Cranford Hill (Book 193, Page 30, Union County Registry) and the property of J.J. Gri n (Book 465, Page 620, Union County Registry); thence with the Gri n property S. 06-01-52 E. 126.10 feet to a found old iron, a corner of the property of Robert S. Hargett, Jr. (Book 289, Page 801, Union County Registry); thence with the Hargett property as follows: (1) S. 8450-23 W. 75.25 feet to a found iron; (2) S. 06-35-36 E. 24.81 feet to a set iron, a corner of the property of Fred C. Jenkins;

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 June 27, 2024, 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 Rachel S. Cannon and Norvin Cannon, dated February 14, 2002 to secure the original principal amount of $32,800.00, and recorded in Book 9303 at Page 2203 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 1800 Southgate Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID: 0007786

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ANGELA M. SIDES DATED JULY 17, 2018 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17188 AT PAGE 1312 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED DECEMBER 30, 2016 IN BOOK 16655, PAGE 879 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced 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 June 19, 2024, 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 Angela M. Sides, dated July 17, 2018 to secure the original principal amount of $146,700.00, and recorded in Book 17188 at Page 1312 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 416 Texanna Way, Holly Springs, NC 27540 Tax Parcel ID: 0279600 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Angela M. Sides

BY KATHRYN ANN MURPHY DATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 17574 AT PAGE 1779 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced 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 June 19, 2024, 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 Kathryn Ann Murphy, dated September 9, 2019 to secure the original principal amount of $160,000.00, and recorded in Book 17574 at Page 1779 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 2913 Dunsinane Ct, Raleigh, NC 27604 Tax Parcel ID: 0017690 Present Record Owners: Kathryn A. Murphy

thence with the Jenkins property S. 8042-38 W. 159.76 feet to the BEGINNING iron and containing 0.326 acres, more or less, as shown on a copy unrecorded map of survey, prepared by Carroll L. Rushing, NCRLS, dated November 5, 1991.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 606 North Elm Street, Marshville, North Carolina.

SAVING, RESERVING AND EXCEPTING from the above second property that 0.17 acre, more or less, conveyed to Robert S. Hargett, Jr. and wife, Johnnie S. Hargett in Deed Book 1969, Page 782.

BEING the same properties conveyed from Mark Cabrera and Patricia Cabrera to Kevin Cabrera and Stephanie R. Kanenburg by Quitclaim Deed recorded in Book 6670, Page 669, Union County Registry.

Parcel No. 02309032

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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance

Present Record Owners: Norvin Cannon and Rachel S. Cannon The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Norvin Cannon and Rachel S. Cannon. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Angela M. Sides. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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.

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Kathryn A. Murphy. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the

of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 48, Section 1 of Brandywood Subdivision according to map of same recorded in Book of Maps 1985, Page 1434, Wake County Registry. Located in the County of Wake, State of North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5624 Continental Way, Raleigh, North Carolina.Subject to restrictive covenants recorded in Book 3540, Page 212 of the Wake County Registry.Subject to easements and rights of way of record. Subject to Ad Valorem Taxes for the year 1987 and subsequent years.Being the same property conveyed to William A. Pullen and Shirley L. Pullen by Deed from Key Homes, Inc. recorded 04/06/1987 in Deed Book 3982 Page 730, in the Register of Deeds O ce of Wake County, 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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are

“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 o cers, 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 o ered 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

tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of

amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

Center of the (golf) universe

Golf’s top players converge on Pinehurst No. 2 in Moore County for this week’s U.S. Open. Payne Stewart’s iconic “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance at Pinehurst.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Bill for ‘forever chemicals’ manufacturers to pay N.C. water systems advances

An e ort to order manufacturers of “forever chemicals” to help North Carolina public water systems pay for upgrades to remove contaminants that a company discharged has been renewed in the General Assembly.

The House Environment Committee voted Tuesday for the measure pushed by Republican lawmakers from the Wilmington area. That’s where longtime upstream discharges of a kind of substance called PFAS into the Cape Fear River have contributed to public utilities spending large amounts to lter them out. Scienti c evidence of PFAS harms to humans have accumulated. The bill certainly could a ect The Chemours Co., which runs a plant that had discharged PFAS for decades. A similar bill was debated in 2022.

Fire Truck Festival set for June 22

The Fire Truck Festival returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer on June 22. A variety of antique and modern- day re trucks will be on display for exploring and photos. Representatives from a number of re and ambulances services will be on hand to showcase the jaws of life, a re ghter costume contest for kids and more. The festival starts at 9 a.m. and concludes with a re truck parade at 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and military, and $14 for children 3-12, including a train ride.

Stanly commissioners nix needle exchange program in funding vote

The Uwharrie Harm Reduction Initiative will still continue its outreach

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — As a stip-

ulation for receiving additional opioid settlement grant funding, a drug initiative based in Stanly County will end its existing needle exchange program on June 30. At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 3, the Uwharrie Harm Reduction Initiative — anchored by the “Open Hands of North

Carolina” faith-based organization — asked the county for $79,055 of funding towards peer support.

Sparking a local controversy and divided opinions, UHRI has conducted a needle exchange program where people can trade in dirty syringes for new ones.

The program has been funded with opioid settlement funds by the county for more than a year, in addition to funding from the Bloomberg Foundation.

While an initial motion to pass the funding request for UHRI failed last week, a motion to approve the funding on the

basis of the syringe service stopping at the end of June passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

The request was initially tabled at the commissioners’ May 13 meeting but brought back after UHRI put forth a proposal to limit their syringe exchange program to 20 syringes per person per visit, or 40 per person per week.

“They also proposed to continue to build relationships with other agencies, attending monthly meetings to collaborate,” County Manager Andy Lucas told the commissioners.

“Their proposed opioid summit funding would be utilized to support one full-time and two

part-time peer support personnel that engage with these folks when they come to Uwharrie Harm Reduction, and to try to help those folks move towards sobriety and getting themselves into treatment — to help move them from being dependent individuals into being independent.” Bob Harmon, executive director of Open Hands of North Carolina, added: “We’d like to see if that would be something that would be a compromise with the county commissioners with what we’ve done. We’re trying to make sure we can contin-

page 2

School board honors retiring personnel

50 departing sta ers were recognized on June 4

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — At the Stanly County Board of Education’s June 4 meeting, board members recognized county school district retirees with a reception that was held before and during the meeting.

Lynn Plummer, chief academic o cer for Stanly County Schools, introduced the 50 retired personnel near the beginning of the meeting’s agenda.

“We are excited tonight to recognize our 2024 retirees who have worked tirelessly in Stanly County Schools,” Plummer said. “We just want to make sure that they are recognized and celebrated, and hopefully they’ll come back and see us again one day. We do thank them for what they have done for our schools and for our students, and to help

us along their journey with Stanly County Schools.”

Following the public name recognition portion of the reception, each retiree walked to the front of the meeting room and later shook hands and spoke to the board members.

“This group represents all facets of education, where we are, and what we need to be able to make education happen in Stanly County Schools,” Plummer continued. “We are very appreciative of all you have done and I’m serious — come back and see us.”

The following retirees were honored at the meeting: Todd Bowers, Linda Campbell, Nikki Cleaver, David Cline, Tracey Cook, Crystal Davis, Melissa Dorsey, Sandra Duarte, Amy E rd, Teresa Faggart, Joanna Gagliardi, Shannon Graham, Julie Gri th, Leslie Hanna, Angela Hatley, Jody Helms, Charlotte Helms, Renee Honey, Sandra Hopkins, Marty Ingram, Sid James, Tammy James,

Jo Ann Jenkins, Je Kidd, Beverly Kubacki, Janice Lee, Rebecca Little, Ginger Love, Wanda Maness, Anne McLendon, Linda Medlin, Teresa Morton, Ruby Napier, Bonnie Preslar, Cynthia Rivers, Connie Slater, Tracey Smith, Terry Smith, Diane Smith, Sandra Summerlin, Elizabeth Talbert, Tony Treece, Robert Tucker, Wendy Tucker, Patricia Vanhoose, Brenda Watson, Shelley Whitley, Emily Wittman and Sandra Carter.

“We recognized our retirees tonight and all their hard work and time spent over the course of their tenured time here in Stanly County Schools,” said board member Glenda Gibson. “I think of all of our employees now and the pay increases that they certainly deserve.”

Board member Rufus Le er added, “It was great to see all the retirees, but when you look at all that experience walking out of the door, it’s really important that we get good people to replace them. … I hope this year

that we are able to ll their jobs in their shoes.”

In addition to the retirement acknowledgment portion of the meeting, the school board also approved the 2024-25 Alternative School’s Modi ed Accountability System Participation form as recommended and approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for all schools e ective for the next four years.

The Stanly County Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on June 25 at 6:15 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR STANLY COUNTY JOURNAL

We stand corrected

To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

UNCLAIMED ITEMS

The Albemarle Police Department has unclaimed property items that are in the custody of the Department and gives notice to all persons who may have or claim any interest therein to make or establish such claim or interest no later than 30 days of publication of such notice or in default thereof, such articles will be disposed of, bicycles will be donated to a local charity.

The Police Department may be contacted by calling 704984-9506. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the item in order to make a claim.

Unclaimed Items are Listed Below:

Assorted Clothing

Pocket Knives

Power Tools

Hand Tools

Magazines and Ammo

BB Gun

Pellet Gun

Assorted Knives

Debit/Credit Cards

License/ID Cards

US Currency

Cell Phones

Assorted Bags

Bookbags, Purses, Wallets

Bicycles

Handguns

Paddle Board

Tablet

Key Chains

Assorted Jewelry

Air Pistol W /CO2

Assorted Cards

Safe, Gun Safe

Moped Tool Sets In Cases

Sunglasses

Shot Gun/Shells

Window Blinds

Shoes

Assorted Food Items

NC driver’s license backlog may soon end, DMV commish says

Licenses could be delivered by the end of June

By Makiya Seminera

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Thousands of North Carolinians waiting to receive their driver’s license could get their new cards by the end of June, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles said last week.

More than 350,000 physical licenses and identi cation cards have recently been delayed for up to eight weeks, but the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said during a state House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing that the backlog’s end may be in sight. The department anticipates the backlog to be eliminated before June 30.

People waiting on their new licenses must use a temporary driving certi cate, which expires after 60 days. Those who don’t receive their license before the expiration date are advised to call the DMV.

CRIME LOG

June 4

Nicholas David Ethington, 28, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for possessing a stolen motor vehicle.

June 6

• Bradford Trenton Griffith, 38, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for assaulting a government official/employee.

• Daniel Lee Johnson, 34,

FUNDING from page 1

ue to serve these folks that are truly struggling.”

In a failed motion, Chairman Bill Lawhon and Vice Chair Mike Barbee joined Commissioners Patty Crump and Brandon King in voting against the funding, even with the stricter requirements on the syringe distribution rate; Commissioners Trent Hatley, Peter Asciutto and Scott E rd voted for it.

But heated accusations of what caused the signi cant backlog ared up during a June 6 hearing between lawmakers, Goodwin and Lisa Shoemaker, vice president of global corporate relations for IDEMIA, the DMV’s card manufacturer for more than 25 years.

A coding error in February impacted about 2,100 cards, which resulted in the card manufacturer pausing production for less than a week, Goodwin said. When production started again, the DMV had a 12-day backlog for credentials. Since IDEMIA added a second production facility, the backlog has been signi cantly reduced, Goodwin said.

was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for felony stalking.

June 7

• James Vance Tyner, 52, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for possession of a firearm by a felon.

June 8

• Jessica Liane Couick, 36, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for injury to personal

Shortly after that 4-3 vote, the board found common ground in its next vote.

“I would like to make the motion that we support the recommended $79,055 for Uwharrie Harm Reduction in the scal year 2024-25 to fund their peer support personnel with the contingency that the syringe program is ended June 30,” Crump said, prior to the 7-0 approval of the updated funding requirements.

property.

• Debra Jean Hartsell, 32, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for misdemeanor breaking or entering.

• Kenneth David McDaniel, 54, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for violating a domestic violence protection order.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlyjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

But Shoemaker detailed a much di erent story about the backlog’s origin, saying “the DMV did not act with transparency” throughout the process. The department did not heed IDEMIA’s advice on solutions and did not disclose the root cause of the backlog to the company, she said.

Committee chair Rep. Harry Warren, a Rowan County Republican, said the backlog also impacted people who needed photo IDs to vote in the March 5 primary election.

The department has started transitioning to another manufacturer, CBNSTI in Danville, Virginia. Goodwin said it will not inherit the current backlog.

As part of the transition, the DMV announced last week that a newer, more secure ID card design will be phased in. Goodwin also said that many improvements have been made at the DMV in recent years, such as lling 250 employee vacancies and adding online appointments to skip wait lines. Goodwin isn’t a stranger to lawmakers’ DMV concerns, as he was previously grilled by Republican legislators on long wait lines earlier this year. A bill has also been introduced in the state that would make several changes to the DMV — among them, making the DMV commissioner a governor-appointed position subject to approval by the Senate.

• Travis Jermaine Tyson, 37, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for possessing methamphetamine.

After the board’s decision, UHRI worker Gay Smith asked for clari cation that her sta could still give out the Narcan overdose treatment medication, wound care kits, bandaids, triple antibiotic ointment and condoms despite the needle exchange portion of the project being phased out.

Smith added that many clients are using fentanyl, as well as the new drug xylazine, which does not respond to the Nar-

June 9

• Alvin Mark Medlin, 59, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for simple assault.

June 10

• Dylan Brent Auman, 28, was arrested by Stanly County Sheriff’s Office for felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

can treatments: “That’s gonna be the next big drug that’s going to come out and be prevalent on the street.”

Lawhon ensured that UHRI could still continue the rest of its work, as listed previously by Smith.

The commissioners are set to hold their next regular meeting on July 8 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

Then-State Democratic Party Chairman and current DMV commissioner Wayne Goodwin speaks at Democratic party headquarters in Raleigh in April 2020.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Liberty’s second chance

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality, but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties.

EVER SINCE the coronavirus invaded America, our civil liberties have been eroded.

National and state leaders tore up the Constitution and tossed it aside in favor of “best practices” that were made up from pure ction. North Carolina was not spared from this tyranny. Citizens were mandated to wear masks to go out. Churches were closed, while many businesses and workers were deemed nonessential. On top of all that, families watched their loved ones die in isolation because hospitals had prevented them from seeing each other.

Additionally, parental rights were ignored as students were forced to be vaccinated against their parents’ wishes. This is what transpired in the Guilford County School System to Emily Happel and her son Tanner. Forced vaccination stands in direct opposition to both the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

This egregious violation of parental rights prompted a lawsuit from Mrs. Happel and her son. Despite agreeing that the school system was overstepping its authority, the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of Mrs. Happel’s lawsuit against the school. According to the judges on this court, the federal PREP Act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act) prevented the lawsuit against the school for their forcible vaccination.

Mrs. Happel has since appealed this case up to the state Supreme Court, and eight members of the North Carolina General Assembly have joined the case with amicus briefs. The N.C. Supreme Court has chosen to

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

Trump rants about abortion

Twenty states now have near or total bans on abortion, forcing women to travel out of state to secure needed and necessary medical care.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE RANTS that would disqualify a normal candidate.

Speaking to Sean Hannity recently, Donald Trump took o on abortion, saying things that are at-out untrue and mouthing opinions entirely out of the mainstream. Most of the media ignored it, Trump being Trump.

“It’s a beautiful thing to watch,” Trump said of states passing extreme and near-total bans on access to abortion. The consequences of those bans — horri c consequences — have been documented. A 13-year-old rape victim in Mississippi forced to carry a pregnancy to term because she was denied access to a safe and legal abortion — what is beautiful about that? A young woman in Texas who almost died because doctors were afraid to treat her — does Donald Trump nd that beautiful? A Florida woman who was turned away from the emergency room and lost roughly half her blood in a single day after experiencing a miscarriage — beautiful to watch?

Twenty states now have near or total bans on abortion, forcing women to travel out of state to secure needed and necessary medical care. The most vulnerable are the most seriously a ected — teenagers who don’t even know that they are pregnant, poor women who lack the resources and connections to nd or a ord help in distant states. It is dangerous and downright cruel. Trump claims he supports exceptions for rape and incest and the life of the mother, but he nds it a “beautiful thing to watch” states pass laws that include no such exceptions.

And he spouts lies and spreads misinformation about abortion. Trump claimed, as he has repeatedly, that “everyone” has been in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade since the case was rst decided in 1973. It is simply not so that legal scholars on all sides were united in criticizing the decision.

Indeed, what is noteworthy is that as the years have passed, Roe became more rmly entrenched in the nation’s jurisprudence, leading some early critics, such

review this case, and the plainti s hope that this will nally bring about a just outcome and prevent this from ever happening again.

As one of the members of the General Assembly that submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the Happels, I agree the PREP Act does not grant immunity from liability to a school system which disregards state law and parental rights. Dismissal of the Happel case on preemption grounds is also in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. If the defendants were correct in this case, it would mean that a state such as North Carolina cannot use state law to hold state-created entities accountable in state courts.

The Tenth Amendment clearly articulates that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The North Carolina Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reinforce this principle of dual federal-state sovereignty that is fundamental to our constitutional order.

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties. The North Carolina Supreme Court should take this opportunity to a rm that there is no “pandemic exception” to the civil liberties granted in the Constitution.

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-78) represents Randolph and Moore counties in the North Carolina General Assembly.

as the late conservative Solicitor General Charles Fried, to reverse his critical position on Roe and support it as rmly established precedent.

Trump is right that he is responsible for overturning Roe because he appointed the three justices who cast the deciding votes to do so. But they turned themselves into pretzels to avoid telling the Senate Judiciary Committee that they planned to do so, mouthing words that they did not believe and did not abide by about respecting precedent. They didn’t do that because “everyone” wanted to see Roe overturned — just the opposite.

Trump lied about Democrats approving abortion in the eighth and ninth months and “even after birth.”

“Everybody knows that in the eighth month and the ninth month and beyond that — hard to believe, they have some states passing legislation where you can execute the baby after birth,” Trump said. “It’s crazy.” Another lie. Executing newborn babies is homicide, and no state and no Democrats support legislation to allow it. More than 90% of abortions take place in the rst trimester, and the 1% that take place after 21 weeks legally involve women whose lives are in danger or who are carrying much-wanted pregnancies where they receive a fatal fetal diagnosis late in their terms. To suggest otherwise is simply irresponsible.

Trump has been trying to “defang” the abortion issue by his stance that it should be left to the states and then applauding what the states do, even at the expense of women’s lives. It is a purely political move, re ecting no principles at all. The anti-abortion movement, which has lost at the ballot box in Ohio and Kansas, has almost as much reason to turn on Trump, who was pro-choice before he bargained away his soul to the right to win their support in 2016, as the pro-choice movement does.

When it comes to abortion, he has no principles at all. And that is so typical that he gets away with it, sloppy rants and all.

COLUMN | NEAL JACKSON

STANLY SPORTS

Uwharrie Wampus Cats claw into second season

The Cats are now in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Now a few weeks into Year 2 following last year’s inaugural campaign, the Uwharrie Wampus Cats woodbat collegiate baseball team is experiencing its rst season in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.

The Wampus Cats (5-6, 1-3 SCBL) are currently in seventh place in their league standings, besting Concord Athletics (1-5) but trailing the Mooresville Spinners (5-2), Carolina Disco Turkeys (3-2), Queen City Corndogs (3-2), Regulators Baseball Club (3-2), Lake Norman Copperheads (4-3) and Statesville Owls (2-3).

Last season, Uwharrie nished with a 18-17 winning record playing independently of a league.

The team is now adjusting to life in the North Carolina-headquartered SCBL, which was established in 1999 and is partially funded by Major League Baseball as a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball.

Boasting more than 100 alumni that have gone on to play professional baseball, the league has sent top prospects to Liberty University showcases to play in front of pro scouts during the NACSB Prospect Games.

With the Cats’ home eld once again stationed at Albemarle’s Don Montgomery Park, they are now a fourth of the way into their 44-game schedule ahead of a SCBL Tournament slated for

July 22.

Year 2 came with a few other changes — Josh Kent is Uwharrie’s new head coach, while Jayson James is the new general manager.

“We’re expecting an electric atmosphere, just like our home opener last summer,” team president and co-owner Greg Sullivan said in a team press release at the opening of the season. “I know the team and coaches are excited to see this year’s team, and the fans I’ve talked to are excited too.”

Among many other returning players, Uwharrie has brought back USC-Sumter in elder and Jackson State commit BJ Williams, who led the Cats in batting average (.347) and home runs (4) last summer in 75 atbats.

The Cats opened the season in late May with two wins in a three-game series against their Highway 52 Cup rival — the Disco Turkeys — followed by a win over the Race City Bootleggers.

They then su ered a fourgame losing streak (Spinners, Corndogs, Tarboro River Bandits, and Kingsmen Baseball) before taking down the Carolina Ducks in a 15-5 home win June 6.

This past weekend, the Cats lost on the road to the Owls in a 11-1 nish and then knocked o the Disco Turkeys again in a 9-4 win in Albemarle.

Rounding out the next seven days, Uwharrie is set for home matchups with the Ducks, Regulators, Concord Athletics and Disco Turkeys before hitting the road to face the Copperheads.

Albemarle, wrestling

Miles Gregory is a senior on the Albemarle wrestling, football and track and eld teams. He was named All-Conference three seasons in football, nished runner-up in wrestling regionals and won the conference and county titles in shot put. He also previously won Athlete of the Week in January. Gregory won the Heart of a Champion Award from the NCHSAA last season. This year, he was honored with the NCHSAA’s FloSports track scholarship, which he will use in college at UNC. He graduates as class valedictorian.

United States shocks cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker

The U.S. got a win in Texas at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Aaron Jones hit the ball out of the park again and the United States edged cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker for one of the biggest upsets ever at a Twenty20 World Cup.

After a match-winning batting performance in the tournament opener against Canada, Jones was instrumental again Thursday in the dramatic win over 2022 runner-up Pakistan.

Cricket has a long but rela-

tively little-known history in the United States. It’s the national sport in Pakistan, a longtime member of the cricket establishment and a three-time T20 World Cup nalist.

The star players are household names. Whereas Jones and the U.S. squad have own in under the radar.

“Playing against Pakistan for the rst time in the World Cup and beating them, it was an unbelievable performance,” U.S. captain Monank Patel said. “… beating Pakistan, you know, it’s a big achievement.”

Patel said as far as he was concerned, the U.S. team’s campaign was going to plan.

“We’re not worried about

what people are saying. We know what we are worth and what capability we have, and we just focus on, the particular game,” he said. “We don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low.

“We’ll make sure that we whatever ... the win today, we will enjoy it and make sure that we next day, we come fresh.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

“All credit to the USA,” Babar said, adding that the Americans performed well in their batting, bowling and elding departments “and that’s why they won.”

The game in Grand Prairie went the full distance, and

more. Jones, who smashed a 40ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into a Super Over with another vital knock of 36 not out o 26.

O successive deliveries, Jones hit a six o Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary o the last delivery in regulation tied the scores at 159.

Rauf, Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler, gave away 14 runs o the last six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the Super Over when 32-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who was part of the 2009 champion

team, conceded 18 runs that included seven runs o wide balls as Jones went on the attack.

For the U.S., India- born left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who grabbed 2-18 o his four overs in regulation, conceded just 13 runs in the Super Over to seal the historic win for the U.S.

The Americans were on course to stun Pakistan during regulation when skipper Patel hit 50 o 38 balls and Andries Gous added 35 to help the hosts reach 159-3.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, was further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling and was restricted to 159-7.

Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches o the turf to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in the second over o Netravalkar’s bowling.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UWHARRIE WAMPUS CATS Wampus Cats utility player Colton Penner connects on a pitch

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB Yankees ace Cole pitches 4 2/3 innings in 2nd minor league rehab start

New York

Gerrit Cole pitched 4⅔ innings of one-run ball in his second start for Double-A Somerset, another step toward returning to the New York Yankees’ rotation. The 33-year-old Cole allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one against Hartford, retiring his last eight batters. The AL Cy Young Award winner threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes at Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Ryan Ritter, Cole’s second batter, drove an inside fastball on Cole’s sixth pitch over the lefteld wall for his fth homer of the season and second in three days.

NBA Walker, a 7-time All-Star forward, dies

Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84. The 76ers, Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association all extended their condolences on social media. The Bulls say Walker “made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.” Walker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

NHL Montreal, Boston selected as sites for hockey’s 4 Nations Face-O tournament next season

Sunrise, Fla. Montreal and Boston will be the host cities for the 4 Nations Face-O tournament in February, the NHL announced, along with releasing the schedule for the event. In Montreal, Canada plays Sweden on Feb. 12, the U.S. plays Finland on Feb. 13, then a doubleheader — Finland vs. Sweden and the U.S. vs. Canada — awaits on Feb. 15. In Boston, play resumes Feb. 17 with another doubleheader with Canada meeting Finland and Sweden meeting the U.S. The championship game is there on Feb. 20.

NFL

Lions lose 1 day of o season workouts after violating NFL rules relating to on- eld contact

Allen Park, Mich. The Detroit Lions have lost one day of organized o season workouts after breaking rules relating to on- eld contact during a practice last month. The Lions said in a statement that they take very seriously the rules set forth within the NFL’s O season Program and have worked to conduct their practices accordingly. The Lions had a threeday mandatory minicamp earlier this week. Detroit had a session of organized team activities planned on Monday for its nal gathering before training camp next month but it has been forfeited.

Larson celebrates NASCAR playo waiver with another win

Victory puts Larson in the Cup Series points lead

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playo s with his third Cup victory of the season — a Sunday win at his home track. The victory for Larson, who grew up 80 miles away from Sonoma Raceway in Elk Grove, was his second on the rolling road course in picturesque wine country. It is the fth win on a road course for NASCAR’s 2021 Cup champion and moved him to the top of the current series standings. It was a welcome reward after a grueling month of May in which Larson became the fth driver to attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s

Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Rain at both events made his attempt at “The Double” a bust and put him in danger of not being granted a waiver to remain eligible for the NASCAR playo s. It took until Tuesday of this week for NASCAR to grant Larson the waiver. Then he took his rst two consecutive days o in months to lay by the pool in the California sun, do some wine tasting in familiar territory, and then win at Sonoma.

“My life is so hectic that I never feel like I get a normal week for myself. It gets a little bit more hectic now that I am just NASCAR racing and sprint car racing,” Larson said. “It was really nice for me to get to come here this week and just get to do nothing for one day, and then go be a normal tourist on Thursday. It’s just a very relaxing week.” It took NASCAR a week of

internal debate to decide if one of its biggest stars would be given the pass required to remain eligible for playo participation. Larson said he never stressed about the looming decision.

“Are we still talking about waivers?” he asked after the race. “Literally, my mind never wavered. It was always focused on executing and winning the regular season points title.”

His win at Sonoma only showed how foolish NASCAR would have looked had it ruled against the Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Je Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, said Larson and the No. 5 team were never rattled during the wait for a waiver.

“I didn’t see it a ecting the majority of the team,” said Gordon, who added Larson and crew chief Cli Daniels allowed the Hendrick executives to han-

dle communications with NASCAR. “As far as how it trickled down the team, I didn’t see where they were really (bothered). They seem to be business as usual. I think the best medicine in any of those situations is getting back to the racetrack.

“Especially when they got here, home track for Kyle, a track they enjoy racing at, I think that put a lot of that to rest.” Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and passed defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. with eight laps remaining to uphold the win in his No. 5 Chevrolet. It is his 20th win since joining Hendrick in 2021 which ranks third in the organization behind Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Second went to Michael McDowell in a Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Chris Buescher was third in a Ford for RFK Racing and Chase Elliott of Hendrick was fourth.

O’Connell, Minshew wage friendly competition to become the Raiders’ new starting quarterback

Minshew signed a two-year deal as a free agent in the o season

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Easygoing Gardner Minshew never seems to get stressed out about anything. Aidan O’Connell said he has enjoyed getting to know and work with his new teammate.

Who’s also his competitor. Both want the same thing — to become the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders — but they don’t appear ready to tear each other down to get there. They communicate in the quarterback room and on the practice eld for organized team activities, trying to help each other get better.

“The better he is, if I’m beating him out, that means I’m just raising it that much more,” Minshew said. “So that’s kind of how I’ve always viewed it. If he’s pushing me and he’s completing every pass, I’ve got to gure out a way to do better. I think that’s the only way to really ever improve.”

The Raiders, who picked 13th overall this year, didn’t draft a quarterback. They signed Minshew to a two-year free-agent contract before the draft, setting up the competition with O’Connell.

“This is a long process,” rstyear o ensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “We’re at the beginning stages of it. Everyone is trying to get a grasp of what we’re trying to accomplish, not just the QBs, but everybody.” Going back to his days as a walk-on at Purdue, O’Connell is used to ghting for playing time. One of Antonio Pierce’s rst acts upon becoming the interim coach last season was to name O’Connell the starter. O’Connell went 5-4 and threw eight touchdown passes and no intercep -

tions in the nal four games. That wasn’t enough, however, to guarantee him the starting job. Pierce said O’Connell would take the rst practice snaps, though he and Minshew are sharing repetitions with the starting o ense.

“It’s a new o ense, so it’s a little bit like starting over,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, it is my now second year in the NFL. I think all the extra rookie stu I don’t have to do anymore is really a weight o my shoulders.”

Minshew’s most recent stop also was in the Midwest, following a similar script last season with the Colts that O’Connell did with the Raiders. Indianapolis signed Minshew, who previously showed ashes o the bench in Jacksonville and Philadelphia, to come in and provide veteran support to rookie Anthony Richardson. But when Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 out of Florida, injured his shoulder four games into the season, Minshew got another chance to play.

He went 7-6 as the starter, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. But with Richardson coming back for this season, Minshew moved on to Las Vegas with the hope of winning the starting job.

“As soon as I walked in this building, the rst day that I signed, you can just feel (the energy) from the defense, o ense, coaches,” Minshew said. “Everybody feels like they’re pulling in the same direction and wants to get this thing going the right way. I think if everybody’s on the same page, we will be able to get it done.”

Whether that will be Minshew or O’Connell leading the way likely will be determined well into training camp.

It’s a friendly competition. But still a competition that both want to win.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, left, and quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) run a drill during practice on May 29 in Henderson, Nevada.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson celebrates his NASCAR Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday with a red wine shower.

Iran OKs 6 candidates for presidential race, blocks Ahmadinejad

The election, which comes after a helicopter crash killed Ebrahim Raisi, will be June 28

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Guardian Council on Sunday approved the country’s parliament speaker and ve others to run in the country’s June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

The council again barred former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a rebrand populist known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election, from running.

The council’s decision represents the starting gun for a shortened, two-week campaign to replace Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei once oated as a possible successor for the 85-yearold cleric.

The selection of candidates approved by the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei, suggests Iran’s Shiite theocracy hopes to ease the election through after recent votes saw record-low turnout and as tensions remain high

over the country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The Guardian Council also continued its streak of not accepting a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the country’s governance.

The campaign will likely include live, televised debates on Iran’s state-run broadcaster. Candidates also advertise on billboards and o er stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of them has offered any speci cs, though all have promised a better economic situation for the country as it su ers from sanctions by the U.S. and other Western nations over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Such matters of state remain the nal decision of Khamenei, but presidents in the past have leaned either toward engagement or confrontation with the West over it.

The most prominent candidate remains Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, 62, a former Tehran mayor with close ties to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. However, many remember that Qalibaf, as a former Guard general, was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999.

He also reportedly ordered live gun re to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his rst failed presidential bid. Raisi won the 2021 election, which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran after every major opponent found themselves disquali ed.

Khamenei gave a speech last week alluding to qualities that Qalibaf’s supporters have highlighted as potentially signaling the supreme leader’s support for the speaker.

Yet Qalibaf’s role in crackdowns may be viewed di erently after years of unrest that have gripped Iran, both over its ailing economy and the mass pro -

tests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of security forces.

Other candidates include Saeed Jalili, the former senior nuclear negotiator, who ran in 2013 and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to back Raisi. Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani also withdrew in 2021 to back Raisi. Mostafa Pourmohammadi is a former minister of justice. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Raisi’s vice president, ran in the 2021 presidential elections and came in last with just under 1 million votes. Masoud Pezeshkian is the only reformist candidate among a slate of hardliners and is not seen as having much chance.

The Guardian Council disquali ed Ahmadinejad, the

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is one of six people approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country’s presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

rebrand, Holocaust-questioning former president. Ahmadinejad increasingly challenged Khamenei toward the end of his term and is remembered for the bloody crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests. He was also disquali ed in the last election by the panel. It also blocked former speaker of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Iran’s former relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It was the second election in a row in which Larinjani was barred from running.

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who ran in 2021, and Eshaq Jahangiri, who served as vice president under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, were also disquali ed.

Macron dissolves French parliament, calls snap election

The president's party was defeated in European elections Sunday

The Associated Press

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday. The legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7. The announcement came after the rst projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macron’s pro-European centrists, ac -

cording to French opinion poll institutes.

Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party was estimated to get around 31%32% of the votes, a historic result more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance party, which was projected to reach around 15%.

Macron himself wasn’t a candidate in the EU elections and his term as president still runs for three more years.

He said the decision was “serious” but showed his “condence in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say.”

“In the next few days, I’ll be saying what I think is the right direction for the nation. I’ve heard your message, your concerns, and I won’t leave them unanswered,” he said.

In the latest legislative elections in 2022, Macron’s centrist party won the most seats but

lost its majority at the National Assembly, forcing lawmakers into political maneuvering to pass bills.

With Sunday’s decision, he is taking a big risk with a move that could back re and increase the chances of Le Pen to eventually take power.

A scenario in which an opposition party would eventually win a parliament majority could lead to a fraught power-sharing situation called “cohabitation,” with Macron to name a prime minister with di erent views.

Le Pen, who heads the National Rally group at the National Assembly, “welcomed” Macron’s move.

‘We’re ready for it,” said Le Pen, who was the runner-up to Macron in the last two presidential elections. “We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elec -

tions. We’re ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.”

The EU elections results were a hard blow for Macron, who has been advocating for Europe-wide e orts to defend Ukraine and the need for the EU to boost its defenses and industry.

The National Rally’s lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned for limiting the free movement of migrants by carrying out national border controls and dialing back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro but aims to weaken it from within.

“Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change,” Bardella said. “Emmanuel Macron is tonight a

weakened president.”

An o cial at Macron’s o ce said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was justied by the “historic score of the far-right” that could not be ignored and the current “parliamentarian disorder.”

“You’re never wrong when you give the people a say,” said the o cial, who spoke anonymously in line with the practice of Macron’s o ce. EU elections’ projections also show a resurgence of the Socialist Party, with about 14% of the votes. The party campaigned on more ambitious climate policies and protections for European businesses and workers.

Reacting to Macron’s announcement, far-left politician Francois Ru n called on all leaders from the left, including the Greens, to unite under a single “Popular Front” banner. “To avoid the worse, to win,” he wrote on X. France is electing 81 members of the European Parliament, which has 720 seats in total.

VAHID SALEMI / AP PHOTO

HANNAH MCKAY / AP PHOTO

French President Emmanuel Macron greets a child after voting in Sunday’s European elections in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France.

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Dianne McGee Hatley

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

August 9, 1955 – June 8, 2024

Dianne McGee Hatley, 68, of Concord, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Tucker Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family by her side.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

Dianne was born August 9, 1955 in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late Homer McGee Hatley, and the late Lou Senia McDaniel Hatley. She was also preceded in death by her birth parents Alvin Brock and Julia Brock.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

March 29, 1962 – June 7, 2024

Lonnie Sanford Thomas, 62, of Monroe passed away on June 7, 2024 in his home. His funeral service will be 11 AM on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Helms and Steve Roberts o ciating. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6 until 9 PM at Davis Chapel, 1003 East Franklin Street, Monroe, NC 28112.

Born March 29, 1962 in Union County, NC, he was the son of the late Conway

Dianne was ercely loved by her family. She had a huge heart, and loved to help others. She never met a stranger, and simply wanted to provide joy for everyone she met. She enjoyed sharing gifts with others for the sole purpose of bringing joy to their lives, trips to the beach, and tracing her family genealogy. Dianne had the ability to be a part of countless lives, as she dedicated her life to working as a teacher.

Dwight Farmer

James Roseboro

John B. Kluttz

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

There will be a funeral service honoring Dianne on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 10:00 am, located at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord. The graveside service will immediately follow at Fairview Memorial Park, located at 1425 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC.

Survivors include son, Christian Hatley-Wang (Morgan), daughter, Destiny Hatley-Wang, granddaughters, Hazel Xiomara Santos and Mavis Raye Hatley. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Hatley family.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Thomas and Mary Louise Helms Thomas. He worked for Aegion/Insituform Technologies. He loved racing, shing, anything involving his grandkids, enjoyed working in his shop, and tractors. He was happy when he was outside and “piddling.” He is survived by his wife Karen Funderburk Thomas, children Crystal JohnsonCollins (Joshua) of Wingate and Bryan “Dude” Thomas (Amber) of Kannapolis, siblings Gale Starnes of Monroe, Kathy Thomas (Donnie) of Marshville, Alvin Thomas (Theresa) of Monroe, sister-in-law Joyce Thomas, 7 grandchildren Renee Hall (Dillon), Justin Collins, Miranda Johnson, Katie Collins, Cole Thomas, Taylor Collins and Easton Thomas, and one great grandson Carter Hall. He was preceded in death by a brother Norman Thomas. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Union County, 700 West Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28112. Davis Chapel- Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care, 1003 East Franklin Street, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Thomas family.

Larry and Ray Ashe and three sisters, Mary Lambert, Jeanette Kerr, and Evelyn Olliphant.

Survivors include husband, William Roger Smith of New London, NC, daughters, Deborah Crisco Thomas (David) and Brenda Crisco Coley (Todd), of Albemarle, NC, and son, James Robert Crisco also of Albemarle, NC and a sister, Emma Jean Ferrell of Mebane, eight grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Fay Ashe Smith

March 1, 1938 – June 3, 2024

Fay Ashe Smith, 86, of New London, passed away Monday, June 3, 2024 at her home. Fay was born March 1, 1938, in Alamance County to the late Alvin Estes Ashe and Annie Gibson Ashe. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Marvin, Donnie,

A graveside service will be on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at Stanly Gardens of Memory in Albemarle, o ciated by Rev. David Snow. Burial will take place in Stanly Gardens of Memory.

Memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care Hospice in Albemarle, NC. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Smith family.

Eleanor Dawn Chamley

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

March 10, 1940 –June 5, 2024

Eleanor Dawn Chamley, 84, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital in Concord.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

She was born March 10, 1940, to the late Charlie and Mattie Hasty. She was also preceded in death by her sons, John Benton Mabry , III and Timothy John Mabry.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

Family has requested no services at this time.

Survivors include granddaughter, Alexis Freeman of Albemarle, NC, great-granddaughter, Layla Freeman and also greatgrandson Daylan Rush.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Chamley family.

Sandra M. E rd

March 10, 2024 - June 5, 2024

Sandra (Sandy) E rd, 71 passed away at home surrounded by her family on June 5th, 2024.

She is survived by son, Shelly E rd; daughter, Hollie Morris (Jason); grandchildren, Karmen E rd, Bristol Morris, Harper Morris, and Cooper Morris; sisters, Carolyn Morton, Paula Maurice, and Wanda Hicks; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sandy is predeceased by father, Benny Morton and mother, Emma Morton.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Sandy was born in Albemarle, NC on March 10, 1953. She graduated from North Stanly High School. Before her retirement, she was a skilled painter who worked in many homes and businesses throughout Stanly County.

Sandy enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren, shing and going to the mountains.

A celebration of her life will be held at The Gathering on Thursday, June 13, vistation frm 5-6 PM, Memorial Service at 6PM.

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

Doris Marie Hammer E rd

Doris Jones Coleman

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

April 11, 1930 – June 4, 2024

Doris Marie Hammer E rd, 94, of Albemarle, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. She was at home and surrounded by loved ones.

Patricia Mary Pennea

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

August 2, 1922 – June 6, 2024

Doris was born April 11, 1930, to the late Theodore R. and Conie McNeill Hammer. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy Pines E rd; an infant sister Betty Jean Hammer; and brothers Ernest “Buddy” Hammer and David T. Hammer.

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

Patricia Mary Malone Pennea, 101, of Locust passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Her Funeral Mass will be 2 PM on Tuesday, June 11th at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord. Burial will follow on Wednesday in the Salisbury National Cemetery.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long ght in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Doris is survived by her loving children, son Stephen Roy E rd (Debbie) and daughter Sandra E rd Carter of Albemarle; grandchildren Ashley Carter (Jennifer) of Albemarle; Tyler E rd of Santa Rosa, California; Matthew Carter (Pia) of Charlotte; and Lindsey Carter Kohles (Ben) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; ve great-grandchildren Ava, Henry, Mila, Charlotte and Lukas; a brother and sisterin-law Wayne and Diane Hammer; a sister-in-law JoAnn Hammer of Asheboro; and several nieces and nephews.

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

Marrying the love of her life, Roy Pines E rd, in 1951, Doris moved to Albemarle and joined St. Martin’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School in her younger years and remained a faithful member upon her death. Doris devoted her life to her family, enjoying time spent together and making special memories for all her loved ones. She was an avid gardener, baker and seamstress and enjoyed making quilts for her family. She loved Sunday afternoons visiting with family and friends. While her health allowed, she regularly attended ballgames and special activities involving her grandchildren. She leaves a legacy of faith and family love. The family will receive friends from 10-10:45 AM on Thursday June 6, 2024, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Albemarle. The funeral service will follow at 11 AM Thursday June 6, 2024, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, o ciated by Rev. Phil Thorsen. Burial will immediately follow at the church cemetery. Her family sends a heartfelt thank you to Tillery Compassionate Care for their love and support during the past month. In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 16592 St. Martin Rd., Albemarle, NC, 28001 or Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Born August 2, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Patrick James Malone and Elizabeth Woods Malone. She was a graduate from Girl Commercial School in Brooklyn, NY. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. James the Greater Catholic Church. Mrs. Pennea was very active in her home church, St. Columba’s in Brooklyn, NY, and she started a group for Religious instruction for the handicapped for many years. Mrs. Pennea was preceded in death by her husband William A. Pennea in 1990. Survivors include sons James P. Pennea of Monroe and William A. Pennea (Patti) of Whiteville, NC, daughters Mary Pennea Sycuro (Stephen) of Locust and Anne Pennea of Locust, grandchildren Stephen W. Sycuro (Monica) of Papillion, NE and Karen Anne Downey (Evan) of Papillion, NE, and greatgrandchildren Kaitlyn Rose Sycuro, Stephen Connor Sycuro, Lt. Ethan Downey, and Alexander Downey and 8 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

DEATH NOTICES

• Linda Elizabeth Blackmon

McKinney

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

September 23, 1944 –June 2, 2024

Linda Elizabeth McKinney, 79, of Concord, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Lakeside Health & Rehab in Huntersville.

• Allen Buchanan

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

November 18, 1958 –June 2, 2024

James Allen Buchanan, 65, of Harrisburg, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.

• Marguerite “Helen” Williams (Smith) Pankey

September 17, 1931 –June 5, 2024

Marguerite “Helen” Williams (Smith) Pankey, born September 17, 1931, of New London, died June 5, 2024 (age 92).

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Lonnie Sanford Thomas

STATE & NATION

Florida authorities warn of sharks after 3 people hurt in 2 attacks

The two incidents happened Friday about 4 miles apart in the state’s Panhandle

By Je Martin The Associated Press

AUTHORITIES ARE using boats to patrol the ocean and warning swimmers about sharks this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where a woman and two teenage girls were hurt in two separate shark attacks on Friday.

The attacks o beaches in the Florida Panhandle led authorities to temporarily close several beaches to swimmers on Friday. Beaches were reopened Saturday, with ags warning of high hazards.

“All I can say is that these incidents are very rare,” said Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

“It’s even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people,” he told The Associated Press on Saturday. “That’s astronomically low odds of that happening.”

In Walton County, the sheri ’s o ce, re department and the state’s wildlife agency were work-

ing together to patrol the water with boats and the shore with vehicles, the South Walton Fire District said in an update Saturday. Both of Friday’s attacks happened in Walton County.

“Please swim carefully today, respect the Gulf, stay hydrated, and look out for your loved ones,” the re department said on social media.

Red and purple ags were being used Saturday to warn swim-

Sale, use of marijuana permitted under WNC Cherokees ordinance

The Native American tribe opened its dispensary in April

The Associated Press

CHEROKEE — The recreational sale and use of marijuana for adults on western North Carolina tribal land could begin this summer after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board voted for an ordinance expanding approved use just weeks after its medical marijuana dispensary opened.

Several months earlier, tribe members backed adult recreational use on their reservation. The September referendum, approved by 70% of voters, also required the council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Tribal leaders spent months crafting the adult-use ordinance approved Thursday by an 8-2 vote.

Plans for a medical cannabis system and the cultivation of cannabis plants already were underway before the referendum, and the tribe-owned Great Smoky Cannabis Co. within Eastern Band land known as

the Qualla Boundary opened April 20. Buyers so far have been limited to adults at least 21 years old with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an outof-state-approved medical marijuana card.

But now sales and use would be lawful for any adult over 21 — not just tribal members — who comes to the reservation and the Great Smoky Cannabis store, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, news outlets reported.

The legislation still must be rati ed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks to become law.

While marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in the state, the federally recognized tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation. Forrest Parker with Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, said adult-use sales will initially be limited to tribal members, likely starting in July. The expansion to others age 21 and older would happen beginning in early to mid-August, Parker said at a recent council work session on the legislation.

The marijuana sales cen-

mers of the dangers.

“Purple Flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and single red ags indicate high hazard conditions,” the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said in a social media post on Saturday.

Small sh are traveling in schools near the shore this time of year, which might have been a contributing factor in the attacks, the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said.

The rst attack happened Friday afternoon when a woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, the Walton County Sheri ’s O ce said. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news brie ng. She was own to a trauma center.

Less than two hours later, reghters responded to another beach about 4 miles east of the rst attack “following multiple reports of a teenager injured by a shark,” the sheri ’s o ce said.

Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

“When lifeguards and deputies arrived on scene, they found one of the females had signi cant injuries to the upper leg and one hand,” re o cials said in an update. She was own to a trauma center. The other teen had what o cials described as minor injuries on one of her feet.

The two teenagers are from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told the news site Al.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether it was one shark or two separate ones involved in Fri-

day’s attacks, but there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

“There’s de nitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of over shing,” he said. “They’re sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.”

The time of the attacks — in the middle of the afternoon — was also an anomaly, Walton County Sheri Michael Adkinson said. Sheri ’s o cials often warn people to be aware of sharks early in the morning and at dusk, their typical feeding times, he noted.

On Saturday, Walton County sheri ’s deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheri ’s o cials say they don’t know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a Saturday post on social media. “Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.”

Also Friday, in Hawaii, a woman was seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters o the island of Oahu, o cials said.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

ter is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe once its customer base is expanded. Qualla Enterprises released gures before last year’s referendum saying the dispensary could generate $385 million in gross sales revenues in its rst year if the product was available to all adult users, compared to over $200 million if limited to medical patients. The medical marijuana program would continue.

Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational

use of marijuana statewide.

“It’s an extremely historic and exciting time for the tribe and our people on many, many levels,” Parker said after the vote.

The resolution e ectively decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary but also updates the tribe’s laws to re ect its use. For example, it would be illegal to consume marijuana in public and speci cally illegal to possess or consume marijuana within 100 feet of a school, daycare facility, church or hospital, among other locations.

Violating these rules could result in nes, community ser-

vice and a substance abuse assessment, with jail time for subsequent o enses. The tribal council also approved an amendment to prohibit sales of hemp products by businesses not owned by the tribe on the Boundary.

Hicks said last year he was glad that a recreational marijuana question was being put to the people and that he wanted to see protections to keep cannabis use out of the sight of children if it did pass. He had also sought more ordinance language in the rules about marijuana testing standards.

NICK TOMECEK / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP

Authorities are warning swimmers of danger along Florida’s Gulf Coast after three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks Friday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which opened its dispensary in April, has now approved the sale and use for anyone over the age of 21.

Randolph record

Want guac with that?

The county’s rst Chipotle opened last week on the grounds of the Asheboro Mall. For hours and more on the

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Charges upgraded in Asheboro shooting

There are upgraded charges against the youth who was arrested in the death of Southwestern Randolph High School student Pedro Ortiz-Perez.

The suspect, whose name isn’t being released because of his age (16), faces upgraded charges of rst-degree murder. That came after a grand jury session earlier this month.

The suspect remains in a juvenile detention facility in Rowan County.

Ortiz-Perez died May 14 from gunshot wounds stemming from a shooting nearly two weeks earlier near North Asheboro Park. He was a high school soccer player and near the end of his sophomore year at Southwestern Randolph.

RCSS high schools graduate nearly 900

Commencements ceremonies for high schools in the Randolph County School system were scheduled for Tuesday night around the county.

The number of graduating students for each RCSS high school are:

• Eastern Randolph: 137

• Providence Grove: 139

• Randleman: 157

• Southwestern Randolph: 164

• Trinity: 123

• Wheatmore: 143

• Uwharrie Ridge

Six-Twelve: 29

With traditional classes on pause until August, the hours for the RCSS central o ce and school locations will shift to a summer schedule beginning next week. Summer hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Asheboro/Randolph Chamber selects Deathe as president

The long hiring process now gives way to replenishing the sta

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Now it’s all about putting the right personnel and parts in place for the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, but one big to do item has been checked o .

Adam Deathe, a man with international connections, has been hired as the new president and chief executive o cer. The Chamber’s board of directors announced last week that Deathe will take the position that has been vacant since the end of October.

“It has been a rigorous process,” said HR Gallimore, chair of the Chamber’s executive committee. “We hope we didn’t leave a stone unturned.”

Deathe has been president of Warroad Community Development in Warroad, Minnesota.

“I have been looking for the

right community to build upon the skill sets that I have learned over the past several years and be a part of a growing area,” Deathe said in a statement released by the chamber.

He’ll will be charged with replenishing the Chamber’s sta , which has been gutted by a variety of departures. Deathe starts in the new role on July 15.

“Adam will work with the board to address the needs,” Gallimore said. “We’re going to give him every bit of support so that he can succeed.”

The monthslong vacancy left a void, with multiple sta departures since then. When there was a major announcement in late May regarding plans for Ross Stores to build a distribution center in Randolph County and attract more than 850 jobs, the Chamber — the advocate for businesses in the region — was unable to provide any additional information or insight on the deal.

The Chamber initiated an executive search process last November following the resignation of Linda Brown, who took a position with Randolph Community College.

Kelly Heath, a past chair of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber, has been serving as interim president. She’s also a member of the Asheboro City Council.

Deathe was born in England, earned a business administration degree from the University of Derby and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in New Zealand. His work career began as a nancial dealer with IPS Capital Management in Bath, En-

gland, and he later held positions in England with Anderselite, Oliver Thornton Recruitment and South Tyneside Council.

Deathe has a sister living in the Raleigh area, so there is a connection to the region, Gallimore said. It turned into a two-pronged search when the rst round of candidates didn’t result in a hire. The board of directors then turned to The Chason Group, a search rm, to spearhead the process.

This time, the eld was narrowed to ve candidates and then two nalists. That resulted in the o er to Deathe, who had taken part in a meet and greet with community stakeholders as part of the process.

“Nothing better than to know what the community really thinks,” Gallimore said. “We vetted them carefully. We wouldn’t have moved forward if we weren’t con dent.”

There’s still a period of transition that could be ongoing.

Alyssa Chapuis has been lling in as a part-time o ce coordinator for the Chamber. But she has been hired as public information o cer for the City of Asheboro, a role that will become full-time at the beginning of July, so her direct assistance with the Chamber is winding down. Vickie Burgess has been lling a position as parttime o ce assistant.

Randolph Co. budget holds property tax rate steady

Despite a $3 million shortfall, commissioners say they won’t raise taxes

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Ran-

dolph County Board of Commissioners plans to hold property tax rates steady after a series of meetings over the last two weeks brought commissioners to a total budget of just below $192 million. The rate will remain at $0.50 per $100 valuation thanks to growth in the tax base as well as higher than anticipated sales tax collection. The county had to work

around a $3.3 million Medicaid Hold-Harmless shortfall from the prior year, and, instead of raising taxes, budgeteers aimed to redirect some recurringnancial resources to the general fund and tap into other one-time funding sources to cover that cost.

According to county Financial Director Will Massie, the priorities for the budget included a 3.2% cost of living adjustment for employees, funding for 32 new positions and a $2 million increase in educational funding, which encompasses around 29% of the total budget.

There were also some concerns raised about the uncertainty with state funding.

“We’ll see where we go,” said

Chairman Darrell Frye. “The General Assembly is still in session down there and subject to do anything, at any time.”

“There’s some risks and rewards in this budget,” Massie said. “One reason to present that now is for us all to get comfortable on the risks that are there and to understand that what happens next year, that some of the decisions this board can make on this budget might be for one year or it might be for multiple years, it just depends on how some of the things shake out.”

Final adoption of the budget is planned for June 17.

In other business, the board approved a one-time bonus for physically active employees in

the county health plan.

“To keep our momentum that we’ve got going with our wellness programs, we’d like to reward those employees that are fully participating in our programs,” said Massie. “This will make it clear to our employees that really do care about their health, that we want to reward them for that.”

COURTESY PHOTO Adam Deathe

Chipotle opens doors in Asheboro

The restaurant is part of the o erings at the Asheboro Mall site

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The rst

Chipotle restaurant opened last week in Randolph County.

The restaurant is located at the Asheboro Mall, at 1501 East Dixie Dr. in Asheboro. It’s located in a separate struc -

North State Journal

(USPS 20451)

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

THURSDAY JUNE 13

FRIDAY JUNE 14

SATURDAY JUNE 15

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TUESDAY JUNE 18 WEDNESDAY JUNE 19

ture from the main multistore enclosure.

“There has been a lot of buzz,” an employee at the new location said. “There has been endless tra c.” Restaurant hours are 10:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, including a drive-up window or, as the company calls it, a “Chipotlane.”

Edward Kamya is the store’s general manager. He referred media inquiries to Chipotle corporate o ces.

In the company’s market-

ing on social media last week regarding the opening, the city’s name was misspelled (without the “e”).

There are other Mexican-themed eateries, including Taco Bell and San Felipe Mexican, along the same stretch of East Dixie Drive.

The Chipotle Mexican Grill website lists more than 85 Chipotle locations in North Carolina. Chipotle was founded in 1993 in Colorado, though its corporate headquarters moved to California in 2018.

Randolph Communications awards eight scholarships to local students

The $1,000 gifts are part of an annual program by the telecom rm

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — Randolph Communications has awarded scholarships to eight local high school students as part of its annual scholarship program. The scholarships, each valued at $1,000, aim to support the students’ educational pursuits and encourage them to make positive contributions to their communities.

The eight recipients were selected based on their exceptional academic achieve -

BUDGET from page 1

According to Massie, the county has enough savings in the department budgets to give a one-time bonus of $600.

The board also approved setting aside $500,000 of general fund fund balance as a rainy-day fund for a year with unexpectedly high health care claims.

A request for $550,000 from Randolph County Schools Superintendent Stephen Gainey was approved to cover the demolition of Braxton Craven Middle School, and a contract with a consulting group to assess the school system’s attendance

June 4

• David Michael Cline, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested for possessing burglary tools, misdemeanor larceny, injury to real property, possessing stolen goods, and resisting a public officer.

• Michael Lee Dixon, 38, of Asheboro, was arrested for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge, resisting a public officer, and seconddegree trespassing.

• Jerry Leniel Rittmon, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested for three counts of attempted breaking or entering into a motor vehicle.

June 5

• Bobby Ray Aderhold, 20, of Kannapolis, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon.

• Kenneth Wayne Bartlett, 43, of Asheboro, was arrested for two counts of non-support of a child.

• Jason Howard Cockman, 37, of Thomasville, was arrested for identity theft, possessing a stolen motor vehicle, fictitious/altered title/ registration card/tag, larceny, driving while license revoked (not impaired), simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, possessing

ments, leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in their communities:

• Jasmine Nichole Moody from Eastern Randolph HS

• Katherine Grace Oldham from Chatham Central HS

• Kelsey Deanna Hussey from Chatham Central HS

• Kristen Ashley Garner from North Moore HS

• Lauren Rachel Caviness from Chatham Central HS

• Leah Grace Waisner from Southwestern Randolph HS

• Lorelei Elaine Elberson from South Davidson HS

• River Anne Seawell from

zones, student assignment processes and identify areas of population growth in order to assess where future schools may be needed.

Gainey hopes the demolition of Braxton Craven will be nished by the end of summer, but he said the gymnasium will not be demolished.

The board received an update to the planning and zoning and building inspection fee schedule for next year.

“Planning and Zoning has not updated fees since 1987, excluding the zoning permit fee that was increased to $10 several years ago,” said Planning and Zoning Director To -

drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked (not impaired), and obtaining property by false pretense.

• Rhonda Renee Routh, 51, of Asheboro, was arrested for three counts of failing to appear in court on felony charges, possessing a controlled substance on prison/jail premises, possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked (not impaired), and failing to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light.

• Isiah Malique Starnes Johnson, 25, of Mcleansville, was arrested for felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, possessing up to 1/2 oz of marijuana, and possessing a stolen motor vehicle.

June 6

• Ricky Francis Froneberger, 42, of Winston-Salem, was arrested for felony assault on an individual with a disability, breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, and communicating threats.

• Zachary Lane Poole, 30, of Thomasville, was arrested for possessing a stolen motor vehicle, resisting a public officer, failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge, and felony larceny of a motor vehicle.

Montgomery County Early College

“By investing in their education and personal development, we are not only empowering these students to achieve their dreams; but, we are also equipping them with the tools to drive positive change in their rural communities,” said Kim Garner, CEO and general manager at Randolph Communications. Since 1995, Randolph Communications has awarded more than $164,000 in scholarships. The 70-year-old rm provides telecom services across eight North Carolina counties.

nya Caddle. The department is proposing updates to all the fees.

“We derived these fees from exploring what other counties are doing, our equals across the state, and kind of went somewhere in between. We’re certainly not the highest, we’re not the lowest, we’re kind of in the middle,” Caddle said. “Our cost of doing business of course has gone up since 1987, including advertisements and things, so we’re just trying to align our fees with what is going on across the state and by what seems reasonable to do.”

More details on those fee adjustments will come later.

• Devin Feree Thomas, 54, of Asheboro, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor larceny, and possessing stolen goods.

June 10

• Christopher Kyle Burgess, 39, of Asheboro, was arrested for assault by strangulation, assault on a female, and communicating threats.

• Bria Nicole Hester, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested for a felony probation violation.

• Robert Daniel Pugh, 42, of Seagrove, was arrested for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and failing to appear in court on a felony charge.

• Christopher William Smith, 42, of Trinity, was arrested for misdemeanor stalking.

• Rhonda Renee Routh, 51, of Asheboro, was arrested for possessing a controlled substance on prison/jail premises, possessing methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Randolph Guide

The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

June 14

ZooKeepers v. Florence Flamingos 7 p.m.

The homestanding Asheboro ZooKeepers host the Florence Flamingos at historic McCrary Park in Asheboro. Just four home games remain before the end of the rst half of the Coastal Plain League Season.

June 16

Father’s Day

All Day

Randolph Record echoes the words of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the rst presidential proclamation for Father’s Day in 1966, which celebrated fathers who provide the strength and stability which characterize the successful family.

June 19-23

The Wall That Heals Daily

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is coming to Asheboro.

The Wall contains the names of 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacri ce in Vietnam. The Wall stops at approximately 30 locations every year, and this will be the only stop in North Carolina. This is a free exhibit hosted by Randolph County Veteran Services. The Wall will arrive June 18 at South Asheboro Middle School, escorted in by the American Legion Riders, Combat Veteran Riders, AmVet Riders and a parade of antique cars.

June 20

The Titanic: Ship of Dreams 6:30 p.m.

Get a glimpse into the world of 1912 and the amazing people who boarded Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ship in the world and sailed o into immortality in a talk by Belmont Abbey College professor Dr. Melinda Ratchford. Ratchford will take audience members on a voyage in time to learn about Titanic.

Guide THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Biden broke our border — House

He’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

Republicans

are fighting to fix it

ONLY IN WASHINGTON can you break something and then take credit for pretending to x it.

That is exactly what we are seeing President Biden do with his broken border disaster that his dangerous immigration policies created.

Rather than take serious action to x his border crisis, President Biden issued a new executive order last week that does nothing to secure America’s borders. In fact, it allows 2,500 illegal migrants per day — meaning nearly 1 million every year — to cross the border between ports of entry. That is over eight times the population of Moore County.

Worse, this executive action does nothing to end the administration’s mass parole abuses or catch-andrelease. It does nothing to beef up Border Patrol with the resources they need. It does nothing to deport the millions who have invaded our country on President Biden’s watch, including violent criminals and terrorists. And it will still allow massive numbers of illegal migrants to pour over our border.

Make no mistake: President Biden’s weak executive order is an attempt to convince the American people into thinking he cares about border security after his own actions caused this huge crisis, but no one is buying it.

For three-and-a-half years, Americans have watched President Biden actively work to implement an open border agenda, creating a historic humanitarian and national security catastrophe at the border. Since his rst day in o ce, President Biden and his

Liberty’s second chance

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties.

EVER SINCE the coronavirus invaded America, our civil liberties have been eroded.

National and state leaders tore up the Constitution and tossed it aside in favor of “best practices” that were made up from pure ction. North Carolina was not spared from this tyranny. Citizens were mandated to wear masks to go out. Churches were closed, while many businesses and workers were deemed nonessential. On top of all that, families watched their loved ones die in isolation because hospitals had prevented them from seeing each other.

Additionally, parental rights were ignored as students were forced to be vaccinated against their parents’ wishes. This is what transpired in the Guilford County School System to Emily Happel and her son Tanner. Forced vaccination stands in direct opposition to both the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

This egregious violation of parental rights prompted a lawsuit from Mrs. Happel and her son. Despite agreeing that the school system was overstepping its authority, the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of Mrs. Happel’s lawsuit against the school. According to the judges on this court, the federal PREP Act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act) prevented the lawsuit against the school for their forcible vaccination.

Mrs. Happel has since appealed this case up to the state Supreme Court, and eight members of the North Carolina General Assembly have joined the case with amicus briefs. The N.C. Supreme Court has chosen to

administration have taken 64 border actions that intentionally undermine our nation’s border security, including stopping construction of the wall and ending the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Since President Biden took o ce, more than 9.5 million illegal migrants have crossed our borders nationwide. These numbers do not even account for the over 1.8 million migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents and roam across our country without being tracked. In fact, he’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

A secure nation requires a secure border, which is why over a year ago House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act. While President Biden pretends to x the crisis he created, this strong border security package will end it by nishing construction of the wall, strengthening immigration parole, investing in high-tech surveillance systems for Border Patrol, and reinstating proven policies like “Remain in Mexico.”

Protecting the safety and security of the American people and the homeland is one of the chief roles of our government. As your Congressman, I will continue ghting for serious legislative reforms to truly secure the border and keep you, your family, and our nation safe.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

review this case, and the plainti s hope that this will nally bring about a just outcome and prevent this from ever happening again.

As one of the members of the General Assembly that submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the Happels, I agree the PREP Act does not grant immunity from liability to a school system which disregards state law and parental rights. Dismissal of the Happel case on preemption grounds is also in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. If the defendants were correct in this case, it would mean that a state such as North Carolina cannot use state law to hold state-created entities accountable in state courts.

The Tenth Amendment clearly articulates that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The North Carolina Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reinforce this principle of dual federal-state sovereignty that is fundamental to our constitutional order.

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties. The North Carolina Supreme Court should take this opportunity to a rm that there is no “pandemic exception” to the civil liberties granted in the Constitution.

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-78) represents Randolph and Moore counties in the North Carolina General Assembly.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | NEAL JACKSON

RandolpH SPORTS

Archdale golfer casts Spell on Asheboro City Amateur

The annual tournament came down to the 54th and nal hole

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Joshua Spell took a page out of his occupation to help win the Asheboro City Amateur.

The Archdale man said the keys for him earlier this month were “putting and the mental game.”

Spell, a mental coach for college and high school golfers, posted a one-shot victory on Steve Kidd after three rounds at three di erent courses.

It came down to the nal hole, with Spell’s birdie on the par-5 18th at Pinewood Country Club lifting him to his rst championship in the event.

Spell’s 3-under-par 69 gave him the title at 6-under 207 overall. Kidd, a Liberty man, shot 71 on the nal day.

Spell, who placed third in each of the previous two years, played the nal six holes in 3 under.

“I loved this round so much,” he said. “I felt the nerves so much.”

Spell, 38, began the tournament by shooting 70 at Asheboro Country Club followed by 68 at Asheboro Municipal Golf Club. Kidd shot 68 and 69 in the rst two rounds.

Three-time defending champion JD Bass was third at 3 under with scores of 73, 69 and 68. Bass didn’t give up the title easily, posting Sunday’s best score.

“I think JD played awesome that last day,” Spell said.

The next three spots belonged to Stephen Spencer (1 under), Connor Carter (even) and Gary Pugh (3 over). Carter, a member of the Catawba College golf team, is a 2023 Eastern Randolph graduate and Class 1-A state runner-up in 2022 and 2023.

For Spell, a former Trinity High School golfer whose home course is Holly Ridge Golf Links in Archdale, the theme was “acceptance over expectation,” he said.

“Just accepting things and move on,” he said. “I talk about

this stu all the time.”

That was critical after he began the tournament 3 over through four holes. The shift came on the 12th hole at Asheboro Country Club, where he sank a 35-foot putt for eagle on the 12th hole.

The nal foursome on the last day included Spell, Kidd, Bass and Gary Pugh, who ended up sixth at 3 over (74, 67, 75).

“It was super nice to play with Gary Pugh again,” Spell said of the fellow Holly Ridge Golf Links regular. “I was very happy to see him play in the group.”

Kidd led by one going to the back nine.

Spell said his best wedge shot of the tournament came on No. 13, leaving him a 6-foot birdie putt. He had another birdie on the 15th, where Kidd needed three putts.

Kidd’s birdie on the next hole left them tied. Spell scram-

Gary Pugh watches his shot during the “shootout” prior to the recent Asheboro City Amateur.

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Troy Carver

bled for par on the 17th, with Kidd’s birdie putt o the mark.

Spell said he blasted his tee shot on No. 18, leaving a 171-yard 7-iron shot to the green. “When I looked up, I knew I won the tournament,” he said.

Sure enough, his birdie gave him the title.

There were 103 total entrants.

Flight winners included Todd Spencer ( rst ight, 16 over), Preston Russell (second ight, 23 over) and Tim Richardson (third ight, 47 over). In the super senior ight, Michael Thompson’s 7 over was good for a four-shot edge on Kirby Cockman.

The pretournament “shootout,” consisting of the top 10 golfers from the pervious year’s tournament, was won by Pugh with Je Eddins as the runner-up. That’s a hole-by-hole elimination format at Pinewood Country Club on the day prior to the rst round.

Davidson places 13th in NC Amateur

Record sta

DURHAM — Sam Davidson of Asheboro tied for 13th place in the North Carolina Amateur,

wrapped up Sunday at Croasdaile

Davidson, who tied for the runner-up spot in the tournament last year, nished at 2-under-par 282 after rounds of 71, 72, 69 and 70 across four days. The champion was Oak Island’s Walker Isley, who won by a tournament-record 15 shots. Isley, a UNC Wilmington golfer, nished at 25-under-259 following rounds of 70, 63, 64 and 62. Cary’s Hampton Roberts was second at 10 under. Archdale’s Joshua Spell, who a week earlier won the Asheboro City Amateur for the rst time, missed the cut by three shots. He posted scores of 72 and 77. Gary Pugh of Asheboro attempted to make the eld for the North Carolina Amateur in a May 21 quali er at Holly Ridge Golf Links, but he didn’t advance with a 7-over-79.

Uwharrie Charter Academy, baseball

Carter has been a key member of back-to-back state championship teams with the Eagles.

The senior in elder has been a steady performer in the eld and at the plate.

Carver scored the winning run in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the state championship series against Northside-Pinetown in Holly Springs. The next day in Game 2, which turned out to be the title-clinching game, he had one of the team’s hits.

UCA has racked up 50 victories over the past two seasons.

Area softball players made big impacts during the past season

Randolph Record sta KYLER PERDUE of Pfei er was named the USA South Conference’s Rookie of the Year for softball. Perdue is a Southwestern Randolph graduate.

Perdue, a freshman shortstop, batted .350, starting in all 49 games. She was an all-conference second-team selection.

Pfei er produced a 45-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Falcons went 2-2 in the tournament, eliminated in a 6-4 loss to regional host Christopher Newport in Newport News, Virginia. Freshman in elder Madison Varner, also a Southwestern Randolph alumna, had one hit in three at-bats. She appeared in 33 games as a reserve. Eastern Randolph graduate Madeline Flinchum, also a freshman in elder, came o the bench in 12 games, with one hit in two at-bats. Greensboro College’s Kelsey Craven, a senior catcher out of Eastern Randolph, also was on the All-USA South second team. Craven batted .341 with 11 doubles and shared the team lead with 32 runs batted in.

Top-seeded Pfei er won the USA South Tournament by sweeping visiting Greensboro 4-2 and 3-1 in the bestof-three nals. The second-seeded Pride (28-15) entered the title series after winning eight of its last nine games.

Gardner honored for baseball

Greensboro College left elder Brody Gardner, a sophomore out of Eastern Randolph, was named to the USA South Conference rst team as part of a record-setting season. Gardner, who batted .395, set the single-season school record for hits with 68.

Randolph

which

Country Club.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

UCA in elder Troy Carver makes a throw during the state playo s this spring.

COURTESY PHOTO Kyler Perdue

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

COURTESY PHOTO

Joshua Spell holds the winner’s trophy.

Warriors use spring to set foundation for 2024 season

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

TRINITY — Members of Wheatmore’s football team went through spring workouts adjusting to new coach Jacob She eld.

“He’s bold. That’s the word,” said Johnathan Kelly, a standout linebacker and running back. “A good t for us. It’s a better environment out here.”

She eld was hired to replace Philip Yarbrough, who opted to leave the position and take a teaching position in Davidson County in his hometown. She eld is a Trinity alumnus and most recently an assistant coach there, though he’s a former head coach at High Point Central.

Wheatmore, coming o backto-back 2-8 seasons, is the only Randolph County high school with a new head coach in 2024.

“It’s not a rebuild to me,” She eld said. “Let’s get people in the right spots.”

There’s a new voice in charge and so spring workouts provided an opportunity to create familiarity for She eld and the players.

“I think it’s going to be good,” Kelly said. “He’s really bold. I think he’s going to keep us in check. You can tell people are listening.”

“Our numbers are right about where we thought they’d be,” She eld said.

The Warriors had to improvise around weather issues and eld conditions. That meant one practice session held on tennis courts.

ZooKeepers experience early ups, downs in CPL

Home runs sparked a home victory for Asheboro during the weekend

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — A mix of results has been the norm for the Asheboro ZooKeepers in the opening weeks of the Coastal Plain League baseball season.

So with a two-game winning streak, the ZooKeepers held a 6-7 record through Monday. On Sunday in Boone, Ryan Kennell and Zach Evans each had three hits as the ZooKeepers upended the Boone Bigfoots 9-8 in 10 innings. Davis Germann provided the goahead single in the four-run nal inning.

Owen Simmons and Mason Manriquez handled the pitching for Asheboro.

This came after the ZooKeepers, who are a summer collegiate team, won at home against the Bigfoots on Saturday night, claiming a 7-5 decision sparked by home runs from Owen Blackledge, Alex Kean and Kennell.

On Friday night, the ZooKeepers failed to protect a late four-run lead, falling 7-6 on the road to the Wilmington Sharks. That came a night after a rainout at Forest City, which led 2-0 in the second inning when play was halted.

Asheboro fell 8-3 to the visiting Martinsville Mustangs. Amid the CPL games, the ZooKeepers handled the visiting Catawba Valley Stars 15-0 in a nonleague home game.

One of the early ZooKeepers highlights came from Germann’s grand slam and Sam Siedel’s solo home run a 10-6 conquering of visiting High Point-Thomasville.

Germann and Kean are both players from Morehead State.

The ZooKeepers are in the middle of the West Division standings. Forest City tops the entire league by winning 12 of its rst 13 games. In Asheboro’s rst 13 CPL games, four were decided by one run and another went into extra innings. The ZooKeepers have put in some miles recently, playing in Wilmington last Friday and in Boone two days later.

The ZooKeepers began this week in the middle of the Coastal Plain League’s West Division standings

chance to acclimate younger players who’ll be counted on this season regardless of how many players are suiting up.

“All the new people, we have to teach them,” Kelly said. “It’s usually short on numbers. We make what we can of it.”

Coming up beginning later this week, the ZooKeepers have home games Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. baseball teams eighth championship Holly game, he the

Rising junior Kase Wilson, a tight end, said he sensed the practices were a bit shorter.

“We’re still getting our work in,” Wilson said. “We’re pushing it a lot. We’re more e cient.”

There were about 30 players at most workouts.

Rising junior Dominic Hittepole, a running back and linebacker, said he’s looking forward to seeing what the Warriors can accomplish. He said more players on the roster might help the cause.

“Trying to get numbers back up,” Hittepole said. “Get your friends out here and tell them to try it.”

Kelly, a rising senior, said spring practices were a good

Wilson wasn’t involved in all the spring football work because of his participation in track and eld regionals. But he has been around Wheatmore football for years as his father, Ken Wilson, has been an assistant coach.

“I’ve been coming to the practice since the fth grade,” Wilson said.

The Warriors open the season Aug. 23 at home vs. West Davidson.

Results vary for American Legion teams as season heats up

Post 81’s return to American Legion action has gone well so far

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — There has been a sampling of results for Liberty Post 81 and Randolph County Post 45 through the rst few weeks of the American Legion baseball series.

It’s about to get serious for these teams with league play picking up after a layo .

Post 81 racked up a 9-3 record through last week. Randolph County checked in at 3-5, though its roster of available players had been limited because of the high school postseason.

Randolph County and Liberty meet for the rst time since 2022 on Thursday night at Eastern Randolph High School, where Post 81 plays home games in Ramseur. The rematch comes Monday night at McCrary Park in Asheboro.

Post 81 didn’t eld an American Legion team on the senior level last year, so that’s why it has been an extended stretch between meetings with Randolph County.

Neither team has played since

last Thursday, in part because of a normal gap in the schedule around high school commencements.

About the results …

Before the gap in the schedule, Post 45 fell 7-4 in 10 innings to visiting Chatham County Post 292 last Thursday night. Jake Riddle took the loss, while Caleb Stickle smashed a three-run home run for Randolph County. That came just a few days after the teams played an eight-inning game in Asheboro, with Chatham County prevailing 3-2.

Buoyed by Samuel Asbill’s 6⅓ innings on the mound, Post 45 recorded a 4-1 victory at Rowan County Post 342 in Salisbury. Caleb Dunn drove in two runs.

Randolph County’s 5-1 home victory against Hamlet Post 49 came when Drake Purvis threw a ve-hitter with nine strikeouts.

Mocksville-Davie Post 54

edged Randolph County 6-2 at McCrary Park despite Connor Adams pitching 5⅔ innings and Braxton Walker driving in both runs..

• Meanwhile, Post 81 had a four-game winning streak that began late in May and extended

Post 45 and Post 81 are scheduled to meet twice across a ve-night period

into June and then picked up a couple of more victories. Prior to the break, Post 81 defeated host Moore County Post 12 12-4, with Bauer Bowling and Bryson Marley each driving in two runs. This came after Liberty belted Mocksville-Davie 9-2 with Noah Lester and Ethan Lester both notching three hits. Marley threw a complete game.

Post 81 fell 15-0 to visiting High Point Post 87, which received two hits from Jake Little.

Jayten Beasley posted a seven-hitter with six strikeouts in a 13-3 romp past Moore County. Jackson Berger pitched six shutout innings in a 5-0 victory against Hope Mills Post 32. When Liberty blasted Hope Mills 13-3, Cade McCallum provided a three-run double. In a 5-4 escape against visiting Davidson County Post 8, Noah Lester drove in three runs and McCallum went 5⅔ scoreless innings.

Blackledge and Evans both rank among the top 15 in batting average in the league. Pitcher Caleb Cockerham of the ZooKeepers has rated among the CPL’s leading pitchers with a 0.77 earned run average across his rst ve games.

Wheatmore’s football team has a new coach

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Members of the Wheatmore football team gather near the end of a practice session this spring.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Jacob She eld is the new football coach at Wheatmore.

ASHEBORO ZOOKEEPERS PHOTO

Asheboro ZooKeepers teammates greet Alex Kean after his home run Saturday night against the Boone Bigfoots.

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team won the state championship for the rst time in 14 years this spring. In the title series, the Cougars upended Midway 13-0 in ve innings of Game 1 and then rallied to win 3-2 in Game 2. The games were played May 31 and June 1 at UNC Greensboro.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Members of the Southwestern Randolph softball state champions pose with the championship banner.

Bottom left, Southwestern Randolph’s players were excited as they lined up for postgame handshakes following Game 2.

Bottom right, Southwestern Randolph players kneel prior to the start of Game 2.

COURTESY OF JAMIE KENT / SPECIAL TO RANDOLPH RECORD

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

COURTESY OF JAMIE KENT / SPECIAL TO RANDOLPH RECORD

Charles Barbee Nelson

March 27, 1944 – June 5, 2024

Charles Barbee Nelson, age 80, of Asheboro passed away on June 5, 2024 at the Randolph Hospice House. Mr. Nelson was born in Greensboro on March 27, 1944 to Charlie and Pauline Cox Nelson. Charles retired, after 28 years of service, from the Asheboro Fire Department, was a volunteer reman with the Ulah Fire Department, where he taught classes, and continued to listen for re calls even after his retirement. He enjoyed mowing and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. He was a history bu , a handyman, and loved helping anyone in need. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his daughter, Anissea Nelson Carranza.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gwen Nelson; son-in-law, Juan Carranza; and grandson, Giovanni Carranza.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 10, 2024 from 5:30-7:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro.

Charles Thomas Hill

July 29, 1944 – June 4, 2024

Charles Thomas Hill, 79, of Randleman passed away June 4, 2024 at home surrounded by loved ones. Charles was born July 29, 1944 in Randleman, NC to Walter Duckery Hill and Ila Mae Johnson Hill.

Charles will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He worked for over 25 years at the Lorillard Tobacco Company. Prior to his employment, he proudly served his country in the US Army. His love of the Lord and teachings from the bible are evident in his actions of helping those in need, both physically and nancially. Charles would be frequently found outdoors due to his love of gardening and mowing. Charles was loved by his many nieces and nephews. He will be missed dearly by his friends and family, especially his beloved best fur-baby, Minnie. Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Hill of the home; son, Charles T. Hill, Jr. (Kay) of Randleman; daughter, Heather Myers of Randleman; grandchildren, Desmond Moeller, Darian Moore, Chelsea Hill, Jackson Myers; sister, Nancy McDaniel of Randleman. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Rachel Allred and brother, Gary Hill. The family will receive friends Monday, June 10, 2024 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm at Randleman First Wesleyan Church, 125 Tabernacle St, Randleman. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Stephen Barnes o ciating. Interment will be at Randolph Memorial Park. Pugh Funeral Home is serving the Hill family.

obituaries

Charles Chisholm

July 4, 1939 – June 1, 2024

Charles Edward Chisholm, 84, died June 1, 2024, in Asheboro, NC.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2024 at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Pastor Kim Snyder o ciaing. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park, with miltary honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

Charles was born on July 4, 1939 in Randolph County, NC, the son of the late Daniel Lacy Chisholm and Vandie Williams Chisholm. Charles was the youngest of 11 children. He was proud of being born on July fourth. He was an American patriot.

He is survived by his wife: Florence Chisholm and two siblings: Nancy Cox of Asheboro and Bernell Hanford of Charlotte. Charles married Florence Luther in 1959. They remained married for 65 years and had ve children: Sherri Krewson (Rich) of Weddington, NC; Darren Chisholm (Susan) of Asheboro, NC; Rene Flynn (David) of Salisbury, NC; Trent Chisholm (Myra) and Garrett Chisholm (Beth) of Randleman, NC; twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Charles attended high school in Asheboro and entered the military in 1957. He was with the 101st Airborne Corps at Fort Campbell, KY for three years. He later obtained a degree at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. He was a programmer and systems analyst in the early stages of computer technology working for Stedman’s of Asheboro and the North Carolina Department of Administration. Later, he became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Charles re-dedicated his life to the Lord in 1983. He attended First Assembly of God in Asheboro. He was a good and holy man. He was as genuine as anyone could be. He truly cared about others more than himself.

Charles retired after su ering a stroke in the early 2000s. Subsequently, he became an avid walker, walking up to ten miles per day. He nursed himself back to excellent health to the point he could discard his cane and regain his driver’s license, accomplishments he was quite proud of.

Charles, also known as “Paw-Paw” was beloved by his large family. He was a devoted husband and father. He coached little league baseball and football, including his own children, for several years. After retirement, he dedicated his time and energy to caring for his family, especially his grandchildren. His home was a popular destination as he taught grandchildren to make mud pies, play baseball, shoot BB guns, and more. He attended countless sporting events, school events, graduations, weddings, births. He never missed a He was the family patriarch and ambassador as he welcomed dozens of new family members in recent years. Sunday dinners and holidays at Grandma’s and Paw-Paw’s small home were over owing. PawPaw had a remarkable talent of nding out what mattered most to others and then sharing in their experiences. He united the family in so many ways. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in his family. All who knew him are ever so grateful to have been blessed by him.

Joan Ruth Alfarone

April 6, 1944 – June 8, 2024

Joan Ruth Lewin Alfarone left this earth for a kinder, gentler place on June 8, 2024, at the age of 80. Joan was resilient, stubborn, and strong, as you might expect a woman originally from the Bronx to be. She valiantly battled a variety of health issues for close to half her life, any one of which could have taken her. Yet, she persisted. Joan enjoyed being married for 61 years to her devoted husband, and love of her life, Richard, who cared for her sel essly.

Joan and Richard’s love story embodies commitment and caring. At di erent points in their lives, each one faced a devastating and deadly diagnosis. They dedicated their lives to caring for each other. A union like this is rare. The two married on December 8, 1962, in Queens, New York.

In addition to Richard, Joan loved music, dogs, co ee, cookies, and cigarettes. She also loved her son, Kenneth, and her daughter, Debra. In her younger years, Joan loved to “dress to the nines” and dance at weddings and discos. Whitney Houston was her favorite singer. She would crank up “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” or “I Will Always Love You” while cruising along in her Mustang through the streets of Long Island, New York, where Joan and Richard raised their family.

Another fave was Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money.” And Joan did. She worked at a stationary store, sold clothes out of the trunk of her Cadillac, and later welcomed customers at GEICO as a phone operator. Speaking of money, she was known to hide cash in various places around her house, later forgetting where she stashed it, leading to a wonderful surprise, sometimes years later. Despite her nancial acuity, the woman never paid for a packet of

Linda

Moody

December 3, 1940 –June 4, 2024

Linda Sue Moody, 83, of Asheboro, died Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Sandy Ridge Memory Care in Candor. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2024, at Asheboro Friends Meeting, Asheboro, with Rev. David Millikan o ciating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Born in Montgomery County, NC on December 3, 1940, Linda was the daughter of the late George and Edna Long Crotts. She was a longtime member of Asheboro Friends Meeting, where she loved being a caretaker and member of

Sweet’N Low in her life. Joan never met a dog she didn’t like. From Skippy to Gigi to Maxwell (named after her favorite brand of co ee) to Sandy to Shelby to Cookie, she enjoyed the company of a furry companion while watching TV. The habit of smoking is not usually something to be celebrated. But, Joan managed to turn it into a thing of beauty. Taking her smoke breaks outside while working at GEICO, she noted the lack of a pleasing view. Joan decided to buy and plant owers near the break area, creating a smoking garden, maybe the rst of its kind.

Upon retirement, Joan and Richard moved to Randleman, North Carolina, where they built their dream home. They enjoyed the peace, serenity, and nature of the Tar Heel State. These two New Yorkers may not have “blended” (ever see the movie, “My Cousin Vinny?”) at rst glance, but they quickly created a little village. Joan was popular, had lots of friends, and stood out in the crowd due to her large, welcoming smile, easy laugh, passion for bling, studs, and sequins, zest for life, and disarming ability to say just about anything to just about anyone.

Joan is survived by her husband, Richard, her children, Kenneth and Debra, and her sister Melinda Mallon.

To commemorate Joan’s fortitude and strength, a viewing will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm at Pugh Funeral Home at 600 S. Main Street in Randleman, NC. A memorial service will be held in her honor the next day, Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11 am at Randolph Memorial Park Cemetery at 4538 US Highway 220 Bus N, Asheboro, NC. We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering a truly remarkable woman.

In lieu of owers, please consider adopting a dog or simply enjoying a good cup of co ee and a dance to a Whitney Houston song in her honor.

Joan Alfarone, you lived life on your terms, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Rest easy, surrounded by the scent of co ee, the whisper of smoke, the rhythm of dance, and the love of countless four-legged friends.

Pugh Funeral is serving the Alfarone family.

Wade Huggins

April 14, 1936 – June 6, 2024

Wade McIver Huggins, 88, of Asheboro, died Thursday, June 6, 2024, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024, at First Wesleyan Church, Asheboro, with Pastor Charles Moses and Rev. Mark Beane o ciating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

Born on April 14, 1936, in Mecklenburg County, NC, Wade was the son of the late Charles and Pearl Bray Huggins. He served honorably in the US Army. Wade worked for Union Carbide/Eveready for 30 years. After retirement, he worked part time as a funeral assistant at Ridge Funeral Home. Wade was a member of First Wesleyan Church, where he was a song leader, and attended Foster Street Wesleyan Church. He enjoyed going to gospel singings and spending time with his family and loving on his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Christine Richardson Huggins of the home; daughter, Pam Miller (Je ) of Asheboro; son, Tony Huggins (Melody) of Asheboro; sister, Nancy Hammonds (Bobby) of Asheboro; brother-in-law, Daryl Richardson (Shirley); grandchildren, Jacob Miller (Bree) of Asheboro, Justin Miller (Jen) of Maine, Jenny House (Jon) of Seagrove, Cameron Huggins (Kennedy) of Coleridge, Katelyn Huggins; and great grandchildren, Tanner Miller, Harper Miller, Emmalyn Miller, and Declan Wade Miller.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 14, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

the choir. Linda could be seen in Asheboro during her daily walks. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Aubra John Moody, Jr. Surviving are her son, Rodney Moody and wife Betsy of Randleman; sisters, Judy Padgett and husband Julian of Pinehurst, Kay “Sissy” Graham of Fayetteville; brother, Buzzy Crotts and wife Liz of Columbus, MS; grandchildren, Taylor Moody and wife, Morgan of Randleman, Adam Lambert and wife Amanda of Randleman; great grandchildren, Callie Lambert and Carly Lambert.

The family will receive friends from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m., Monday, prior to the service at Asheboro Friends Meeting. Memorials may be made to Asheboro Friends Meeting, 230 E. Kivett Street, Asheboro, NC 27203.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the sta at Sandy Ridge Memory Care for all the love and care shown to Linda during her tenure there.

DEATH NOTICES

• Betsy Neal Kern Reavis, 93, of Asheboro, died Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

• Loretta Lutman

July 7, 1943 – June 3, 2024

Loretta Lutman, age 80, died peacefully at home on Monday after a 10-year battle with ovarian cancer.

• Peggy Dunn Cox, November 3, 1935 –June 3, 2024

Peggy Smith Dunn Cox, 88, of Asheboro, died Monday, June 3, 2024, at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home in Asheboro.

• David Lee Morgan

April 21, 1951 – June 5, 2024

David Lee Morgan, 73, went to his heavenly home June 5 at Hospice House.

pen STATE & NATION

Florida authorities warn of sharks after 3 people hurt in 2 attacks

The two incidents happened Friday about 4 miles apart in the state’s Panhandle

By Je Martin The Associated Press

AUTHORITIES ARE using boats to patrol the ocean and warning swimmers about sharks this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where a woman and two teenage girls were hurt in two separate shark attacks on Friday.

The attacks o beaches in the Florida Panhandle led authorities to temporarily close several beaches to swimmers on Friday. Beaches were reopened Saturday, with ags warning of high hazards.

“All I can say is that these incidents are very rare,” said Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

“It’s even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people,” he told The Associated Press on Saturday. “That’s astronomically low odds of that happening.”

In Walton County, the sheri ’s o ce, re department and the state’s wildlife agency were work-

ing together to patrol the water with boats and the shore with vehicles, the South Walton Fire District said in an update Saturday. Both of Friday’s attacks happened in Walton County.

“Please swim carefully today, respect the Gulf, stay hydrated, and look out for your loved ones,” the re department said on social media.

Red and purple ags were being used Saturday to warn swim-

Sale, use of marijuana permitted under WNC Cherokees ordinance

The Native American tribe opened its dispensary in April

The Associated Press

CHEROKEE — The recreational sale and use of marijuana for adults on western North Carolina tribal land could begin this summer after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board voted for an ordinance expanding approved use just weeks after its medical marijuana dispensary opened.

Several months earlier, tribe members backed adult recreational use on their reservation. The September referendum, approved by 70% of voters, also required the council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Tribal leaders spent months crafting the adult-use ordinance approved Thursday by an 8-2 vote.

Plans for a medical cannabis system and the cultivation of cannabis plants already were underway before the referendum, and the tribe-owned Great Smoky Cannabis Co. within Eastern Band land known as

the Qualla Boundary opened April 20. Buyers so far have been limited to adults at least 21 years old with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an outof-state-approved medical marijuana card.

But now sales and use would be lawful for any adult over 21 — not just tribal members — who comes to the reservation and the Great Smoky Cannabis store, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, news outlets reported.

The legislation still must be rati ed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks to become law.

While marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in the state, the federally recognized tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation. Forrest Parker with Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, said adult-use sales will initially be limited to tribal members, likely starting in July. The expansion to others age 21 and older would happen beginning in early to mid-August, Parker said at a recent council work session on the legislation.

The marijuana sales cen-

mers of the dangers.

“Purple Flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and single red ags indicate high hazard conditions,” the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said in a social media post on Saturday.

Small sh are traveling in schools near the shore this time of year, which might have been a contributing factor in the attacks, the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said.

The rst attack happened Friday afternoon when a woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, the Walton County Sheri ’s O ce said. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news brie ng. She was own to a trauma center.

Less than two hours later, reghters responded to another beach about 4 miles east of the rst attack “following multiple reports of a teenager injured by a shark,” the sheri ’s o ce said.

Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

“When lifeguards and deputies arrived on scene, they found one of the females had signi cant injuries to the upper leg and one hand,” re o cials said in an update. She was own to a trauma center. The other teen had what o cials described as minor injuries on one of her feet.

The two teenagers are from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told the news site Al.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether it was one shark or two separate ones involved in Fri-

day’s attacks, but there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

“There’s de nitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of over shing,” he said. “They’re sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.”

The time of the attacks — in the middle of the afternoon — was also an anomaly, Walton County Sheri Michael Adkinson said. Sheri ’s o cials often warn people to be aware of sharks early in the morning and at dusk, their typical feeding times, he noted.

On Saturday, Walton County sheri ’s deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheri ’s o cials say they don’t know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a Saturday post on social media. “Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.”

Also Friday, in Hawaii, a woman was seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters o the island of Oahu, o cials said.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

ter is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe once its customer base is expanded. Qualla Enterprises released gures before last year’s referendum saying the dispensary could generate $385 million in gross sales revenues in its rst year if the product was available to all adult users, compared to over $200 million if limited to medical patients. The medical marijuana program would continue.

Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational

use of marijuana statewide.

“It’s an extremely historic and exciting time for the tribe and our people on many, many levels,” Parker said after the vote.

The resolution e ectively decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary but also updates the tribe’s laws to re ect its use. For example, it would be illegal to consume marijuana in public and speci cally illegal to possess or consume marijuana within 100 feet of a school, daycare facility, church or hospital, among other locations.

Violating these rules could result in nes, community ser-

vice and a substance abuse assessment, with jail time for subsequent o enses. The tribal council also approved an amendment to prohibit sales of hemp products by businesses not owned by the tribe on the Boundary.

Hicks said last year he was glad that a recreational marijuana question was being put to the people and that he wanted to see protections to keep cannabis use out of the sight of children if it did pass. He had also sought more ordinance language in the rules about marijuana testing standards.

NICK TOMECEK / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP

Authorities are warning swimmers of danger along Florida’s Gulf Coast after three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks Friday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which opened its dispensary in April, has now approved the sale and use for anyone over the age of 21.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Accused witch hanged in rst Salem trial, Mandela sentenced to life

More than 80 people were killed at Le Mans in France, motor racing’s worst disaster

The Associated Press

JUNE 8

A.D. 632: The prophet Muhammad died in Medina.

1864: Abraham Lincoln was nominated for another term as president during the National Union (Republican) Party’s convention in Baltimore.

1867: Modern American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin.

1968: Authorities announced the capture in London of James Earl Ray, the suspected assassin of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2018: Celebrity chef, author and CNN host Anthony Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in eastern France.

JUNE 9

1692: Bridget Bishop was hanged in the rst execution of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts.

1732: James Oglethorpe received a charter from Britain’s King George II to found the colony of Georgia.

1870: Author Charles Dickens died in Gad’s Hill Place, England.

1915: Guitarist, songwriter and inventor Les Paul was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

JUNE 10

1935: Alcoholics Anony-

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

President Reagan stands in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin where he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

mous was founded in Akron, Ohio, by Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith and William Gri th Wilson.

1977: James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Tennessee with six others; he was recaptured three days later.

1983: Britain’s Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, won a decisive election victory.

JUNE 11

1509: England’s King Henry VIII married his rst wife, Catherine of Aragon

1770: Captain James Cook, commander of the British Endeavour, “discovered” the Great Barrier Reef o Australia by running onto it.

1776: The Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence calling for freedom from Britain.

1955: More than 80 people were killed during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, motor racing’s worst disaster.

1962: Three prisoners at Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay staged an escape, leaving the island on a makeshift raft; they were never found or heard from again.

JUNE 12

1630: Englishman John Winthrop, leading a eet carrying Puritan refugees, arrived at the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he became its governor.

1776: Virginia’s colonial legislature adopted a Declaration of Rights.

1942: Anne Frank, a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam, received a diary for her 13th birthday, less than a month before she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis.

1963: Civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 37, was shot and killed outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi.

1964: Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison along with seven other people, including Walter Sisulu, for committing sabotage against the apartheid regime.

1987: President Ronald Reagan exhorted Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”

1978: David Berkowitz was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each of the six “Son of Sam” .44-caliber killings that terri ed New Yorkers.

1994: Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were killed outside her Los Angeles home.

PHOTO BY RICH FURY / AP PHOTO

Celebrity chef author Anthony Bourdain passed away on June 8, 2018.

Hardboiled detective hunts missing ex-husband in ‘Farewell, Amethystine’

Superb prose is the main attraction in the latest Easy Rawlins novel

By Bruce Desilva

The Associated Press

IT’S 1970 in Los Angeles, and Easy Rawlins, a character who embodies strength and resilience, has come a long way since Walter Mosley launched his series about this black private detective with “Devil in a Blue Dress.” In that rst novel, published in 1990, we met Easy as a young World War II vet. It was 1948, and he’d just moved to Los Angeles after losing his job at a Houston defense plant, and he was struggling to pay his bills. In “Farewell, Amethystine,” the 16th book in the series, Easy is a 50-year-old family man living in a lovely house and a three-person private detective agency.

However, he’s still a black man in a city where driving a nice car or walking in a white neighborhood is grounds for arrest — or even a beating. The story unfolds with the classic intrigue of hardboiled crime novels: A beautiful woman walks into the detective’s o ce and asks for help. Her name is Amethystine Stoller. Her foren-

MULHOLLAND VIA AP

“Farewell, Amethystine” is Walter Mosley’s latest novel featuring detective Easy Rawlins.

sic accountant ex-husband has mysteriously gone missing, and she wants Easy to nd him. As Easy presses her for details, he grows uneasy. He can tell she’s lying about something. More than that, she reminds him of his rst love, a grown woman who bedded him when he was just a boy and then disappeared. He looked for her for years and has never forgotten her. He’s reluctant to take Amethystine’s case, but he’s drawn to her.

The book’s title, however, tips o readers that their budding love a air is unlikely to work out. Easy soon discovers that her ex’s disappearance has something to do with gangsters, a Las Vegas casino and, eventually, a series of murders. For help, Easy turns to Melvin Suggs, his lone friend in the LAPD, but learns that Suggs is in hiding, betrayed by corrupt o cers in the department. So now, in addition to searching for Amethystine, Easy has a second problem. Fans of this series may be disappointed that Easy’s dangerous friend, Mouse, only makes a cameo appearance. However, the detective’s old pal, Fearless Jones, is on hand to watch Easy’s back.

Mosley’s plotting can be complex to follow — much like the work of Raymond Chandler, whose detective character, Philip Marlowe, worked the mean streets of Los Angeles in the 1940s. As with Chandler’s books, however, the main attraction of the Easy Rawlins novels is the superb prose. Much of Mosley’s dialogue straight out of Watts and Compton is pitch-supersensual. Some passages have the sensuous rhythm of a basement slow dance.

Restaurants, chefs make up eclectic mix vying for James

It’s the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars

By Sophia Tareen

The Associated Press

CHICAGO —From Seattle pho shops to an East African eatery in Detroit, an eclectic mix of restaurants and chefs is vying for the coveted James Beard Awards, which will be announced Monday at a ceremony in Chicago. More than 100 restaurants are nalists in 22 categories for the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The most anticipated categories include awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef and restaurant. “People are working hard to make things happen, and they know that this can be a game-changer,” said Tanya Holland, chair of the awards committee. Judges, who mostly remain anonymous, try the cuisine before voting. Nominees are

Beard Awards

reviewed for the food and their behavioral code of ethics, including how employees are treated.

Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, who ed Burundi about a decade ago and now own Baobab Fare in Detroit, are among ve nalists in the outstanding restaurateur category. The couple faced a dicult road as refugees opening a business in the U.S. Their restaurant’s menu features kuku, pan-fried chicken in a tangy mustard-onion sauce served with fried plantains, stewed yellow beans and coconut rice. Mamba said the nomination is already a win for them because they can inspire others. “We are so happy with this,” said Mamba. “Hey, if Mamba and Nadia made it, you, too, can.”

The other restaurateurnalists are Chris Viaud with three restaurants in New Hampshire; Hollis Wells Silverman with the Eastern Point Collective that runs sev-

eral Washington, D.C., restaurants; and Erika and Kelly Whitaker for restaurants in Boulder, Colorado. The James Beard Foundation has bestowed awards since 1991, except in 2020 and 2021, when the organization scrapped them as the restaurant industry was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of this year’s nalists are already lauded, including Michael Ra di, whose Washington, D.C., restaurant Albi was awarded a coveted Michelin Star in 2022. He is among ve nalists for the Outstanding Chef award.

Albi, which means “my heart” in Arabic, pays homage to Ra di’s Palestinian roots by using Old World food preparation techniques. Everything is cooked over charcoal, including grape leaves stu ed with lamb and sfeeha, a meat pie. “The idea of showcasing Palestinian cooking on a di erent level and light excites me,” he said.

famous birthdays this week

The Associated Press

June 9: Sports commentator Dick Vitale is 85. Actor Michael J. Fox is 63. Actor Johnny Depp is 61. Actor Natalie Portman is 43.

June 10: Actor Gina Gershon is 62. Actor Jeanne Tripplehorn is 61. Model/actor Elizabeth Hurley is 59. Singer Faith Evans is 51.

June 11: Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top is 75. Actor Hugh Laurie (“House”) is 65. Talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz is 64. Actor Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) is 55.

June 12: Sports announcer Marv Albert is 83. Country singer-guitarist Junior Brown is 72. Actor Timothy Bus eld is 67. Actor Jason Mewes (“Clerks”) is 50. Blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 47.

June 13: Actor Malcolm McDowell is 81. Actor/ comedian Tim Allen is 71. Singer David Gray is 56. Singerguitarist Rivers Cuomo of Weezer is 54. Actor Steve-O (“Jackass”) is 50. Actors Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen are 38. Actor Ally Sheedy is 62. Singer David Gray is 56.

June 14: Actor Marla Gibbs is 93. Singer Boy George of

Culture Club is 63. Actor Yasmine Bleeth is 56.

June 15: Actor Jim Belushi is 70. Actor Simon Callow (“Amadeus,” ″Shakespeare in Love”) is 75. Actor Julie Hagerty (“Airplane,” “Marriage Story”) is 69. Actor Helen Hunt is 61. Actor Courteney Cox (“Friends”) is 60. Rapperactor Ice Cube is 55. Actor Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.”) is 51.

ANDY KROPA / AP PHOTO

Elizabeth Hurley, seen at a photo call for “Strictly Con dential,” turned 59 on Monday.

EVAN AGOSTINI / AP PHOTO

Boy George, pictured at his debut performance in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” turns 63 on Thursday.

the stream

Andrew McCarthy reconnects with Brat Pack, Paul McCartney & Wings release bootleg

A&E’s “Biography” series returns with a few specials on ’80s rock ’n’ roll greats

The Associated Press

AVA DUVERNAY’S stirringly humanistic adaptation of “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” is streaming on Hulu and actor Andrew McCarthy reconnecting with some of this fellow Brat Pack alumni for the documentary “Brats” are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Ah, the Brat Pack. Generations of young stars have come and gone since the 1980s, when there was a rush of fresh faces like Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez. Still, no crop has since been entirely so de ned in the public imagination. In “Brats,” debuting Thursday on Hulu, actor Andrew McCarthy sets out to reconnect with some of his fellow Brat Pack alumni, including all those mentioned above. It was a complicated and often unwanted label for them, though some have since come to terms with it.

“Origin,” Ava DuVernay’s stirringly humanistic adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” begins streaming Monday on Hulu. In the lm, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Wilkerson, portraying the author as she investigates historical and contemporary cases of caste systems while navigating personal relationships that put broad social constructs into an intimate context. “Origin” was too much overlooked during awards season and its January theatrical run despite enthusiastic reviews from critics. Those included AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr, who called it “a powerful and artistic interpretation of an academic book that was anything but an obvious candidate for a narrative feature.”

Another movie that failed to click with moviegoers in theaters but deserves another look is “Dumb Money,” Craig Gillespie’s entertaining romp through the GameStop stock frenzy. It may sound like another “Big Short”-esque ri on nancial farce, and “Dumb Money” is sort of that. But it’s a fun David vs. Goliath story with an energetic cast (including Paul Dano, Ameri-

MPL/CAPITOL / UME VIA AP

Paul McCartney & Wings’ “One Hand Clapping” nally gets an o cial release this week.

ca Ferrera, Anthony Ramos, Pete Davidson and Nick O erman) that does a surprisingly good job of nailing the pandemic year of 2021, its TikTok memes and a short-lived shift in Wall Street power dynamics. In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote, “the little guy — or at least the little guy with a few hundred bucks to sink into the stock market — gets a movie to cheer.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, Paul McCartney & Wings will nally o cially release one of the most widely bootlegged albums of all time — 50 years after its original recording — “One Hand Clapping.” Fans have long been familiar with the collection, which was recorded at Abbey Road as Wings lmed a documentary, but they’ve never heard this material straight from the source. McCartney fans, this one is for you.

The music industry’s decline in the early ’00s around the ad-

vent of digital piracy through peer-to-peer le-sharing platforms like Limewire and Kazaa has been expertly documented. But who is responsible for the initial piracy, exactly?

“How Music Got Free” is a new docu-series from Paramount+, adapted from a 2015 book of

the same name that dives into the phenomenon’s origins. No spoilers, but it involves a few teen hackers, a CD factory worker from North Carolina and, in this interpretation, narration from Method Man, courtesy lmmaker Alex Stapleton.

A&E’s “Biography” series returns with a few specials on ’80s rock ’n’ roll greats: Bret Michaels, Dee Snider, Sammy Hagar and Sebastian Bach, among them. Michaels is kicking things o on Sunday — or Monday on the A&E App — with an episode that documents his rise to fame in the glam-metal band Poison and his career as a reality TV star (VH1’s “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels,” “Celebrity Apprentice”).

SHOWS TO STREAM

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in his rst TV role as a prosecutor accused of murder in “Presumed Innocent” for Apple TV+. The series is based on a

novel by Scott Turow and was made into a lm starring Harrison Ford in 1990. In real life, Peter Sarsgaard is married to Jake’s sister Maggie, who plays Gyllenhaal’s courtroom adversary. “Presumed Innocent” premieres Wednesday. Just in time for summer vacation, a new Peanuts series called “Camp Snoopy” premieres Friday on Apple TV+. Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts set out to earn their merit badges by completing outdoor activities, while Charlie Brown and his friends have their adventures at camp. From farmhouses to mountain retreats to ranches, couples seek out their ideal country dwelling in the new show “Find My Country House” for A&E. Trish Suhr hosts the show, dropping on Saturday. “Find My Country House” is co-produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. It streams the next day on the A&E app and across major TV providers’ VOD platforms. In season two of HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” the characters splinter o into different factions of Westeros. The crux is the Targaryen civil war for control of the Iron Throne. The new season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel debuts Sunday on HBO and streams on Max the same night. MGM+ rewinds to 1970s Miami when cocaine was king in “Hotel Cocaine,” debuting Sunday. Danny Pino stars as a Cuban exile working as the Mutiny Hotel’s general manager, the town’s hottest club. Pino’s character manages to stay neutral between the drug lords and the government o cials who frequent the place until he’s forced to connect with his estranged drug kingpin brother. Michael Chiklis and Mark Feuerstein also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

As V Rising begins, you are a vampire asleep for centuries — and boy, are you thirsty. This gothic adventure from Sweden’s Stunlock Studios is an exciting blend of genres. It’s a Diablo-like role-playing game in which each kill makes you more potent if you avoid sunlight. It’s also a fortress-building sim where you can build an ever more decadent castle while sta ng it with hapless human thralls. You can play solo or team up with friends, but either way, you’ll eventually need to challenge more ferocious monsters. It launched on PlayStation 5 on Tuesday.

The Apple TV+ series “Presumed Innocent,” left, the Max series “House of the Dragon,” center, and the MGM+ series “Hotel Cocaine” all start streaming this week.

CHARLES SYKES / AP PHOTO

Andrew McCarthy attends the “Brats” premiere during the Tribeca Festival.

HOKE COUNTY

Payne Stewart’s “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance of the U.S. Open

US Open returns to Pinehurst

No. 2 course hosts its fourth major in 25 years

Hoke High gets new principal

Hoke High School will have a new principal starting July 1. Current principal Thomas Benson III is moving to a new role at the Hoke Schools central o ce, so Sandhoke Early College principal Colleen Pegram-Wike is moving to Hoke High.

Other personnel changes are in the works and will be released at a later time, a representative for the school district said.

Fire Truck Festival set for June 22

The Fire Truck Festival returns to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer on June 22. A variety of both antique and modernday re trucks will be on display for exploring and photos. Representatives from a number of re and ambulances services will be on hand to showcase the jaws of life, a re ghter costume contest for kids and more. The festival starts at 9 a.m. and concludes with a re truck parade at 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and military, and $14 for children 3-12, including a train ride.

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

PINEHURST — Once again, the golf world comes to Pinehurst.

The club’s famed No. 2 course will play host to the 2024 U.S. Open this week, with 156 of the best golfers in the world playing for one of the coveted major titles.

History

This is the 124th U.S. Open.

The tournament began play in 1895 and was not held for a total of six years during the two World Wars. It’s the fourth time Pinehurst has hosted the Open, all on No. 2. Here’s what happened the other three times.

1999: Payne Stewart was the only player under par for the tournament, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke. Tiger Woods tied for third.

2005: Michael Campbell became the rst player from New Zealand to win the Open, beating Woods by two strokes. Campbell had made the tournament eld less than a week before as a nal quali er.

2014: Martin Kaymer had the fourth-largest winning margin in U.S. Open history, beating Rickie Fowler by eight strokes. He led wire-to-wire, becoming the rst German to take the title.

Pinehurst is just the second club to host four Opens in a 25year span, and the rst to do so in 116 years.

Who’s playing

The top 58 golfers in the world are all in the eld, a group that

includes some of the sport’s biggest names — Scottie Sche er, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schau ele, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth. Also competing are Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia. Mickelson and Matt Kuchar will become

the only players to compete in all four Pinehurst U.S.

If you go

Tickets are still available for

See US OPEN, page 2

New budget sees no property tax increases

A public hearing will be held June 17

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — It’s looking like good news for Hoke County residents based on budget discussions at the Hoke County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, June 3.

The board was presented with the recommended budget for scal year 2024-25, a balanced budget of $73.5 million, with no recommended property tax rate increase for the upcoming scal year.

“One of the things to take pride in is no tax increase,” said Chairman James Leach. “We work very hard each year not to raise our taxes so our seniors have a decent place to live and be able to a ord their homes, but we were also able to give to education more money, and also looking to give more money to public safety. We have to educate our folks and we have to

keep them safe so giving to those plus other departments, without a tax increase, I think that’s super.”

The board will hold a public hearing on the budget on June 17.

“When you come home to Hoke County and we have a surplus and we have a balanced budget and we got no tax increase, you’ve just got to give kudos to your county manager and the work that she’s doing,” said Vice Chair Harry Southerland.

In other business, the board approved a special use permit request for 11 acres at 469 Pittman Grove Church Rd. to build a self-storage site.

It denied a rezoning request, by a vote of 3-1, that would have seen 292 Grenada Rd. changed from RA-20 to Neighborhood Business (NB).

During the public comment period, concerns were raised over the anticipated impact on the local neighbors of a business running out of the neighborhood.

“I’m probably, just like the

rest of the board members here, pro-business,” Southerland said.

“I’m pro-small business and I think small businesses are the heartbeat of the American economy, but there’s a place and a location for business.

“I believe that this is a private residential area with a private residential road and if we change it to Neighborhood Business, it would change the character of that community. I don’t want to change the use and enjoyment of these people’s homes just to put one business that would later be followed by some other businesses. I think it has to be in its right place, but I don’t think this area is the right place in my opinion for a neighborhood business.”

The lone dissenter was Commissioner Allen Thomas, who viewed a lot of the complaints aimed less at the overall business concerns and more so on the concerns over the applicant themselves.

“We should be talking specically about the business’ impact on the neighborhood,” Thomas

said. “But what we’re getting is a convoluted description on what exactly is the problem. Is it the business that’s the problem or do you simply not like these folks who live in your neighborhood?”

In other business, the board approved three changes to the Health Department fee schedule, including an environmental health service fee, a behavioral health service fee and a clinical service fee.

“The Environmental Health Department has realized over the past couple of years that people are doing expansions to their homes and the expansion in bedrooms changes the septic systems,” said Health Director Helene Edwards. “There’s no

See TAX , page 2

Opens.

LOGAN WHITTON / USGA Fans watch the play on the practice green during a practice round ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

at Pinehurst.

and shuttle service will take fans to the course. The Red Lot is north of the course on Route 73, while the Blue Lot is south, o Route 1. There is no public parking on Pinehurst grounds. Fans can also arrive by bike, golf cart or train.

Bikers need to park in one of the public lots and take a shuttle. There are dedicated golf cart lots located close to the grounds.

Amtrak has set up a special train service from Raleigh for tournament week at $25 each way. It’s one train a day that leaves Raleigh at 7 a.m., arriving at Pinehurst at about 9:10. The train back to Raleigh leaves at 6:35 p.m.

TAX from page 1

service fee currently for that additional bedroom which would cause changes to the septic system with ll lines or having to have a whole other system be developed.”

In response, the Board of Health recommended a $200 inspection fee for expansion of total bedrooms in homes.

The behavioral health fees are updates for services provided by a licensed clinical social worker and range from $30 to $300, and the clinical service fee is an update for the cost for the administration of vaccines, ranging from $40 to $300.

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners will next meet June 17.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Biden broke our border — House Republicans are fighting to fix it

He’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

ONLY IN WASHINGTON can you break something and then take credit for pretending to x it.

That is exactly what we are seeing President Biden do with his broken border disaster that his dangerous immigration policies created.

Rather than take serious action to x his border crisis, President Biden issued a new executive order last week that does nothing to secure America’s borders. In fact, it allows 2,500 illegal migrants per day — meaning nearly 1 million every year — to cross the border between ports of entry. That is over eight times the population of Moore County.

Worse, this executive action does nothing to end the administration’s mass parole abuses or catch-andrelease. It does nothing to beef up Border Patrol with the resources they need. It does nothing to deport the millions who have invaded our country on President Biden’s watch, including violent criminals and terrorists. And it will still allow massive numbers of illegal migrants to pour over our border.

Make no mistake: President Biden’s weak executive order is an attempt to convince the American people into thinking he cares about border security after his own actions caused this huge crisis, but no one is buying it.

For three-and-a-half years, Americans have watched President Biden actively work to implement an open border agenda, creating a historic humanitarian and national security catastrophe at the border. Since his rst day in o ce, President Biden and his

Liberty’s second chance

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties.

EVER SINCE the coronavirus invaded America, our civil liberties have been eroded.

National and state leaders tore up the Constitution and tossed it aside in favor of “best practices” that were made up from pure ction. North Carolina was not spared from this tyranny. Citizens were mandated to wear masks to go out. Churches were closed, while many businesses and workers were deemed nonessential. On top of all that, families watched their loved ones die in isolation because hospitals had prevented them from seeing each other.

Additionally, parental rights were ignored as students were forced to be vaccinated against their parents’ wishes. This is what transpired in the Guilford County School System to Emily Happel and her son Tanner. Forced vaccination stands in direct opposition to both the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

This egregious violation of parental rights prompted a lawsuit from Mrs. Happel and her son. Despite agreeing that the school system was overstepping its authority, the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of Mrs. Happel’s lawsuit against the school. According to the judges on this court, the federal PREP Act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act) prevented the lawsuit against the school for their forcible vaccination.

Mrs. Happel has since appealed this case up to the state Supreme Court, and eight members of the North Carolina General Assembly have joined the case with amicus briefs. The N.C. Supreme Court has chosen to

administration have taken 64 border actions that intentionally undermine our nation’s border security, including stopping construction of the wall and ending the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Since President Biden took o ce, more than 9.5 million illegal migrants have crossed our borders nationwide. These numbers do not even account for the over 1.8 million migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents and roam across our country without being tracked. In fact, he’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

A secure nation requires a secure border, which is why over a year ago House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act. While President Biden pretends to x the crisis he created, this strong border security package will end it by nishing construction of the wall, strengthening immigration parole, investing in high-tech surveillance systems for Border Patrol, and reinstating proven policies like “Remain in Mexico.”

Protecting the safety and security of the American people and the homeland is one of the chief roles of our government. As your Congressman, I will continue ghting for serious legislative reforms to truly secure the border and keep you, your family, and our nation safe.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

review this case, and the plainti s hope that this will nally bring about a just outcome and prevent this from ever happening again.

As one of the members of the General Assembly that submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the Happels, I agree the PREP Act does not grant immunity from liability to a school system which disregards state law and parental rights. Dismissal of the Happel case on preemption grounds is also in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. If the defendants were correct in this case, it would mean that a state such as North Carolina cannot use state law to hold state-created entities accountable in state courts.

The Tenth Amendment clearly articulates that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The North Carolina Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reinforce this principle of dual federal-state sovereignty that is fundamental to our constitutional order.

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties. The North Carolina Supreme Court should take this opportunity to a rm that there is no “pandemic exception” to the civil liberties granted in the Constitution.

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-78) represents Randolph and Moore counties in the North Carolina General Assembly.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | NEAL JACKSON

HOKE SPORTS

Covington takes over as Bucks’ AD

The middle school principal replaces Gary Brigman

North State Journal sta

HOKE COUNTY High School sports will have a new person guiding the way. The school announced that Antonio Covington will take over as athletic director for the Bucks starting on July 1.

Covington replaces Gary Brigman, who has been with Hoke County Schools in some capacity for more than 39 years.

Covington has been in education for 19 years and has experience in interscholastic sports administration. He served as assistant athletic director for Fayetteville’s Westover High School and was the Cape Fear

Antonio Covington poses before a Boss’ Day luncheon while serving as principal of East Hoke Middle School last year. Covington will take on a new role, as athletic director for Hoke County High School, on July 1.

Valley Conference of Athletics’ secretary. He has served as a coach for a dozen years, in sports ranging from football, wrestling and basketball to soccer, and he’s coached at both the middle-school and high-school levels.

Covington has also made great contributions on the academic side, winning Teacher of the Year at Westover in 2009 and Instructional Support of the Year at Hoke County High in 2014. As assistant principal at West Hoke Middle, he was named County Assistant Principal of the Year.

After taking over as East Hoke Middle’s principal — the job he’s leaving to take over as Hoke County A.D. — he won County Principal of the Year in 2021 and Wells Fargo Sandhills

Region Principal of the Year in 2022.

Covington’s bio, released by the school, lists the 15 colleges and universities that have awarded athletic scholarships to more than 30 student athletes who played for him, and he served several years as College and Career Ready Coordinator.

“We are excited for what the future holds for Hoke County athletics,” Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent of Hoke County Schools said, in a statement released by the school. “We know that Mr. Covington will continue to build on the excellence in academics and athletics that Mr. Brigman has built over the past few decades.”

Covington will be the rst new athletic director at Hoke in more than two decades. During his tenure, Brigman coached football, basketball and baseball and took over as A.D. in 2003.

Under his watch, Hoke expanded its athletic program to include sports like swimming, bowling, indoor track and girls’ wrestling at the high school level and wrestling, track, golf and cross country in middle school.

Hoke County, girls’ soccer

Evalynn Groemm was a two-sport freshman for Hoke County High School this year and was one of the top newcomers in Bucks’ athletics. Groemm got her feet wet at the high school level playing on the Hoke JV volleyball team. In the spring, she joined girls’ soccer and was a key contributor to the varsity squad. She nished second on the Bucks in goals, shots and points. She had six goals and eight steals in her rookie season with Hoke County soccer.

United States shocks cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker

The U.S. got a win in Texas at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Aaron Jones hit the ball out of the park again and the United States edged cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker for one of the biggest upsets ever at a Twenty20 World Cup. After a match-winning batting performance in the tournament opener against Canada, Jones was instrumental again Thursday in the dramatic win over 2022 runner-up Pakistan.

Cricket has a long but relatively little-known history in the United States. It’s the national sport in Pakistan, a longtime member of the cricket establishment and a three-time T20 World Cup nalist.

The star players are household names. Whereas Jones and the U.S. squad have own in under the radar.

“Playing against Pakistan for the rst time in the World Cup and beating them, it was an unbelievable performance,” U.S. captain Monank Patel said. “… beating Pakistan, you know, it’s a big achievement.”

Patel said as far as he was concerned, the U.S. team’s campaign was going to plan.

“We’re not worried about what people are saying. We know what we are worth and what capability we have, and we just focus on, the particular game,” he said. “We don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low.

“We’ll make sure that we whatever ... the win today, we will enjoy it and make sure that we next day, we come fresh.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

“All credit to the USA,” Babar said, adding that the Americans performed well in their batting, bowling and elding departments “and that’s why they won.”

The game in Grand Prai-

rie went the full distance, and more.

Jones, who smashed a 40ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into a Super Over with another vital knock of 36 not out o 26.

O successive deliveries, Jones hit a six o Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary o the last delivery in regulation tied the scores at 159.

Rauf, Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler, gave away 14 runs o the last six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the Super Over when 32-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who

was part of the 2009 champion team, conceded 18 runs that included seven runs o wide balls as Jones went on the attack.

For the U.S., India- born left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who grabbed 2-18 o his four overs in regulation, conceded just 13 runs in the Super Over to seal the historic win for the U.S. The Americans were on course to stun Pakistan during regulation when skipper Patel hit 50 o 38 balls and Andries Gous added 35 to help the hosts reach 159-3.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, was further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling and was restricted to 159-7.

Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches o the turf to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in the second over o Netravalkar’s bowling.

COVINGTON’S TWITTER/X ACCOUNT

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB

Yankees ace Cole pitches 4 2/3 innings in 2nd minor league rehab start

New York

Gerrit Cole pitched 4⅔ innings of one-run ball in his second start for Double-A Somerset, another step toward returning to the New York Yankees’ rotation. The 33-year-old Cole allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one against Hartford, retiring his last eight batters. The AL Cy Young Award winner threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes at Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Ryan Ritter, Cole’s second batter, drove an inside fastball on Cole’s sixth pitch over the lefteld wall for his fth homer of the season and second in three days.

NBA Walker, a 7-time All-Star forward, dies

Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84. The 76ers, Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association all extended their condolences on social media. The Bulls say Walker “made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.” Walker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

NHL Montreal, Boston selected as sites for hockey’s 4 Nations Face-O tournament next season

Sunrise, Fla. Montreal and Boston will be the host cities for the 4 Nations Face-O tournament in February, the NHL announced, along with releasing the schedule for the event. In Montreal, Canada plays Sweden on Feb. 12, the U.S. plays Finland on Feb. 13, then a doubleheader — Finland vs. Sweden and the U.S. vs. Canada — awaits on Feb. 15. In Boston, play resumes Feb. 17 with another doubleheader with Canada meeting Finland and Sweden meeting the U.S. The championship game is there on Feb. 20.

NFL

Lions lose 1 day of o season workouts after violating NFL rules relating to on- eld contact

Allen Park, Mich. The Detroit Lions have lost one day of organized o season workouts after breaking rules relating to on- eld contact during a practice last month. The Lions said in a statement that they take very seriously the rules set forth within the NFL’s O season Program and have worked to conduct their practices accordingly. The Lions had a threeday mandatory minicamp earlier this week. Detroit had a session of organized team activities planned on Monday for its nal gathering before training camp next month but it has been forfeited.

Larson celebrates NASCAR playo waiver with another win

Victory puts Larson in the Cup Series points lead

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playo s with his third Cup victory of the season — a Sunday win at his home track. The victory for Larson, who grew up 80 miles away from Sonoma Raceway in Elk Grove, was his second on the rolling road course in picturesque wine country. It is the fth win on a road course for NASCAR’s 2021 Cup champion and moved him to the top of the current series standings. It was a welcome reward after a grueling month of May in which Larson became the fth driver to attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s

Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Rain at both events made his attempt at “The Double” a bust and put him in danger of not being granted a waiver to remain eligible for the NASCAR playo s. It took until Tuesday of this week for NASCAR to grant Larson the waiver. Then he took his rst two consecutive days o in months to lay by the pool in the California sun, do some wine tasting in familiar territory, and then win at Sonoma.

“My life is so hectic that I never feel like I get a normal week for myself. It gets a little bit more hectic now that I am just NASCAR racing and sprint car racing,” Larson said. “It was really nice for me to get to come here this week and just get to do nothing for one day, and then go be a normal tourist on Thursday. It’s just a very relaxing week.” It took NASCAR a week of

internal debate to decide if one of its biggest stars would be given the pass required to remain eligible for playo participation. Larson said he never stressed about the looming decision.

“Are we still talking about waivers?” he asked after the race. “Literally, my mind never wavered. It was always focused on executing and winning the regular season points title.”

His win at Sonoma only showed how foolish NASCAR would have looked had it ruled against the Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Je Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, said Larson and the No. 5 team were never rattled during the wait for a waiver.

“I didn’t see it a ecting the majority of the team,” said Gordon, who added Larson and crew chief Cli Daniels allowed the Hendrick executives to han-

dle communications with NASCAR. “As far as how it trickled down the team, I didn’t see where they were really (bothered). They seem to be business as usual. I think the best medicine in any of those situations is getting back to the racetrack.

“Especially when they got here, home track for Kyle, a track they enjoy racing at, I think that put a lot of that to rest.”

Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and passed defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. with eight laps remaining to uphold the win in his No. 5 Chevrolet. It is his 20th win since joining Hendrick in 2021 which ranks third in the organization behind Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Second went to Michael McDowell in a Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Chris Buescher was third in a Ford for RFK Racing and Chase Elliott of Hendrick was fourth.

O’Connell, Minshew wage friendly competition to become the Raiders’ new starting quarterback

Minshew signed a two-year deal as a free agent in the o season

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Easygoing Gardner Minshew never seems to get stressed out about anything. Aidan O’Connell said he has enjoyed getting to know and work with his new teammate.

Who’s also his competitor. Both want the same thing — to become the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders — but they don’t appear ready to tear each other down to get there. They communicate in the quarterback room and on the practice eld for organized team activities, trying to help each other get better.

“The better he is, if I’m beating him out, that means I’m just raising it that much more,” Minshew said. “So that’s kind of how I’ve always viewed it. If he’s pushing me and he’s completing every pass, I’ve got to gure out a way to do better. I think that’s the only way to really ever improve.”

The Raiders, who picked 13th overall this year, didn’t draft a quarterback. They signed Minshew to a two-year free-agent contract before the draft, setting up the competition with O’Connell.

“This is a long process,” rstyear o ensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “We’re at the beginning stages of it. Everyone is trying to get a grasp of what we’re trying to accomplish, not just the QBs, but everybody.” Going back to his days as a walk-on at Purdue, O’Connell is used to ghting for playing time. One of Antonio Pierce’s rst acts upon becoming the interim coach last season was to name O’Connell the starter. O’Connell went 5-4 and threw eight touchdown passes and no intercep -

tions in the nal four games. That wasn’t enough, however, to guarantee him the starting job. Pierce said O’Connell would take the rst practice snaps, though he and Minshew are sharing repetitions with the starting o ense.

“It’s a new o ense, so it’s a little bit like starting over,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, it is my now second year in the NFL. I think all the extra rookie stu I don’t have to do anymore is really a weight o my shoulders.”

Minshew’s most recent stop also was in the Midwest, following a similar script last season with the Colts that O’Connell did with the Raiders. Indianapolis signed Minshew, who previously showed ashes o the bench in Jacksonville and Philadelphia, to come in and provide veteran support to rookie Anthony Richardson. But when Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 out of Florida, injured his shoulder four games into the season, Minshew got another chance to play. He went 7-6 as the starter, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. But with Richardson coming back for this season, Minshew moved on to Las Vegas with the hope of winning the starting job.

“As soon as I walked in this building, the rst day that I signed, you can just feel (the energy) from the defense, o ense, coaches,” Minshew said. “Everybody feels like they’re pulling in the same direction and wants to get this thing going the right way. I think if everybody’s on the same page, we will be able to get it done.”

Whether that will be Minshew or O’Connell leading the way likely will be determined well into training camp.

It’s a friendly competition. But still a competition that both want to win.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, left, and quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) run a drill during practice on May 29 in Henderson, Nevada.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson celebrates his NASCAR Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday with a red wine shower.

Iran OKs 6 candidates for presidential race, blocks Ahmadinejad

The election, which comes after a helicopter crash killed Ebrahim Raisi, will be June 28

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Guardian Council on Sunday approved the country’s parliament speaker and ve others to run in the country’s June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

The council again barred former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a rebrand populist known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election, from running.

The council’s decision represents the starting gun for a shortened, two-week campaign to replace Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei once oated as a possible successor for the 85-yearold cleric.

The selection of candidates approved by the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei, suggests Iran’s Shiite the-

ocracy hopes to ease the election through after recent votes saw record-low turnout and as tensions remain high over the country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The Guardian Council also continued its streak of not accepting a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the country’s governance.

The campaign will likely include live, televised debates on Iran’s state-run broadcaster. Candidates also advertise on billboards and o er stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of them has offered any speci cs, though all have promised a better economic situation for the country as it su ers from sanctions by the U.S. and other Western nations over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Such matters of state remain the nal decision of Khamenei, but presidents in the past have leaned either toward engagement or confrontation with the West over it.

The most prominent candidate remains Mohammad Ba-

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is one of six people approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country’s presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

gher Qalibaf, 62, a former Tehran mayor with close ties to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. However, many remember that Qalibaf, as a former Guard general, was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999. He also reportedly ordered live gun re to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his rst failed presidential bid. Raisi won the 2021 elec-

tion, which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran after every major opponent found themselves disquali ed. Khamenei gave a speech last week alluding to qualities that Qalibaf’s supporters have highlighted as potentially signaling the supreme leader’s support for the speaker.

Yet Qalibaf’s role in crackdowns may be viewed di erently after years of unrest that have gripped Iran, both over its ailing economy and the mass protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrest-

Macron dissolves French parliament, calls snap election

The president's party was defeated in European elections Sunday

The Associated Press

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday.

The legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

The announcement came after the rst projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macron’s pro-European centrists, according to French opinion poll institutes.

Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party was estimated to get around 31%32% of the votes, a historic result more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance party, which was projected to reach around 15%.

Macron himself wasn’t a candidate in the EU elections and his term as president still runs for three more years.

He said the decision was “serious” but showed his “con dence

French President Emmanuel Macron greets a child after voting in Sunday’s European elections in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France.

in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say.”

“In the next few days, I’ll be saying what I think is the right direction for the nation. I’ve heard your message, your concerns, and I won’t leave them unanswered,” he said.

In the latest legislative elections in 2022, Macron’s centrist party won the most seats but lost its majority at the National Assembly, forcing lawmakers into political maneuvering to pass bills.

With Sunday’s decision, he

is taking a big risk with a move that could back re and increase the chances of Le Pen to eventually take power.

A scenario in which an opposition party would eventually win a parliament majority could lead to a fraught power-sharing situation called “cohabitation,” with Macron to name a prime minister with di erent views.

Le Pen, who heads the National Rally group at the National Assembly, “welcomed” Macron’s move.

‘We’re ready for it,” said Le

ed for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of security forces. Other candidates include Saeed Jalili, the former senior nuclear negotiator, who ran in 2013 and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to back Raisi. Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani also withdrew in 2021 to back Raisi. Mostafa Pourmohammadi is a former minister of justice. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Raisi’s vice president, ran in the 2021 presidential elections and came in last with just under 1 million votes.

Masoud Pezeshkian is the only reformist candidate among a slate of hardliners and is not seen as having much chance.

The Guardian Council disquali ed Ahmadinejad, the rebrand, Holocaust-questioning former president. Ahmadinejad increasingly challenged Khamenei toward the end of his term and is remembered for the bloody crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests. He was also disquali ed in the last election by the panel.

It also blocked former speaker of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Iran’s former relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It was the second election in a row in which Larinjani was barred from running.

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who ran in 2021, and Eshaq Jahangiri, who served as vice president under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, were also disquali ed.

Ukraine and the need for the EU to boost its defenses and industry.

The National Rally’s lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned for limiting the free movement of migrants by carrying out national border controls and dialing back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro but aims to weaken it from within.

“Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change,” Bardella said. “Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president.”

An o cial at Macron’s o ce said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was justi ed by the “historic score of the farright” that could not be ignored and the current “parliamentarian disorder.”

“You’re never wrong when you give the people a say,” said the o cial, who spoke anonymously in line with the practice of Macron’s o ce.

Pen, who was the runner-up to Macron in the last two presidential elections. “We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections. We’re ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.” The EU elections results were a hard blow for Macron, who has been advocating for Europe-wide e orts to defend

EU elections’ projections also show a resurgence of the Socialist Party, with about 14% of the votes. The party campaigned on more ambitious climate policies and protections for European businesses and workers.

Reacting to Macron’s announcement, far-left politician Francois Ru n called on all leaders from the left, including the Greens, to unite under a single “Popular Front” banner. “To avoid the worse, to win,” he wrote on X.

France is electing 81 members of the European Parliament, which has 720 seats in total.

VAHID SALEMI / AP PHOTO

HANNAH MCKAY / AP PHOTO

Linda Hendrix

November 16, 1946 –June 3, 2024

Linda Hendrix, age 77, of Raeford, North Carolina passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024.

She was born in Marlboro County, SC on November 16, 1946 to the late Gordon and Mary Rabon.

She was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Along with her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie A. Hendrix; and brothers, Je ery Rabon and Timothy Lee (Timmy) Watson.

She is survived by her son, Charles (Chuckie) Hendrix, and his wife Betty, of Raeford, NC; sister, Dawn Bertram, of Canada; grandchildren, Aaron Ayer and his wife, Jamilynn; and Christine Oldham; great grandchildren, William Issac Ayer and Willow Grace Ayer; her furbabies, Leo and Hercules; a host of nieces and nephews; and one great nephew.

A visitation will be held at Crumpler Funeral Home from 7-9 pm on Saturday, June 08, 2024.

A service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, June 09, 2024 at Crumpler Funeral Home with Bucky Hendrix and David Rockholt o ciating. Burial will be in the Springhill Cemetery in Wagram.

Albert Glenn Odell

August 16, 1949 – June 5, 2024

(Ret.) Sergeant First Class

Albert Glenn O’Dell passed away on Wednesday, June 05, 2024, at the age of 74.

Al was born in Pennsylvania on August 16, 1949 to the late William and Alfaretta O’Dell.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Dan, David, Jim, Eddie, Charles, and Virginia. Al retired from the U.S Army as a military police o cer after 20 years of service. After his military career, he went to work for George Rose as a handyman. In his earlier years, Al enjoyed hunting, and shing.

He is survived by his two children, William Christopher O’Dell, and Jessica Nicole O’Dell; three grandchildren, Army Specialist Devin Johnson, Kylie Nicole O’Dell, Leeah Boone; and three siblings, Jerry, Becky, and Emily.

Jean Ockert

February 20, 1940 –June 4, 2024

Jean Ockert, age 84, of Raeford, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Jean was born in Romania on February 20, 1940 to the late Wilhelm and Maria Ockert.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Cecelia.

Jean was a master carpenter and tinker of small machines. He was an avid numismatist, professional billiard player, and professional archery champion.

He is survived by his children, Jean T. Ockert, Michael Ockert, Melanie O. Moog; grandchildren, Ashton, Conner, Mariana, Holly, Zackary, Alex, Ian, Declan, Kristen, Emily, Jennifer, Travis, and Steven; great grandchildren, Scarlett, and Carson; and one sister, Lucia Torrealba.

Vaudry Dean Simmons

April 11, 1965 – June 6, 2024

Vaudry Dean Simmons, age 59, of Red Springs, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024. He was born on April 11, 1965 in Miami, Florida.

Dean is survived by his mother Dixie Simmons; brother, Bobby Simmons and his wife Michele; sister, Wendy Mossolle, and her husband Lee; sister, Christy Moore and her husband Adam; and his loving aunt, Jackie Gregory. He will be dearly missed.

Henry Lee Lloyd

October 26, 1951 –June 9, 2024

Henry Lee Lloyd,72, transitioned from Earth to Glory on June 9, 2024. He was the son of the late John Henry Lloyd and Corina Brown Lloyd. He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife, Hazel Lloyd; children: Namisha Johnson-James, Brien Lloyd, Je rey Lloyd, Chris Lloyd, Ladarkus Lloyd, Theresa A. Lloyd, Yolanda McKoy; sisters: Gladys Brooks, Daisy O’Bryant, Maggie Thomas, Mildred McCallum, Corina L. Lloyd; brother, John Grady Lloyd, seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren along with a host of other family and friends. Henry will be greatly missed.

Former astronaut William Anders, Earthrise photographer, killed in plane crash

The Apollo 8 astronaut took one of the most famous photographs in history, on the rst human ight to the moon

By Gene Johnson and Audrey McAvoy The Associated Press

SEATTLE — William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters o the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90.

His son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, con rmed the death to The Associated Press.

“The family is devastated,” he said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”

William Anders, a retired major general, has said the photo was his most signi cant contribution to the space program along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked.

The photograph, the rst color image of Earth from space, is one of the most important photos in modern history for the way it changed how humans viewed the planet. The photo is credited with sparking the global environmental movement for showing how delicate and isolated Earth appeared from space.

NASA Administrator and former Sen. Bill Nelson said Anders embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration.

“He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves,” Nelson wrote on the social platform X. Anders snapped the pho-

WILLIAM ANDERS / NASA

The Earth rises beyond the surface the moon, in one of the most famous photos in human history, from Apollo 8 in 1968.

to during the crew’s fourth orbit of the moon, frantically switching from black-and-white to color lm.

“Oh my God, look at that picture over there!” Anders said.

“There’s the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty!”

The Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 was the rst human space ight to leave low-Earth orbit and travel to the moon and back. It was NASA’s boldest and perhaps most dangerous voyage yet and one that set the stage for the Apollo moon landing seven months later.

“Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8,” Arizona

Sen. Mark Kelly, who is also a retired NASA astronaut, wrote on X. “He inspired me and genera-

tions of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

A report came in around 11:40 a.m. that an older-model plane crashed into the water and sank near the north end of Jones Island, San Juan County Sheri Eric Peter said. Greg Anders conrmed to KING-TV that his father’s body was recovered Friday afternoon.

William Anders said in an 1997 NASA oral history interview that he didn’t think the Apollo 8 mission was risk-free but there were important national, patriotic and exploration reasons for going ahead. He estimated there was about a one in three chance that the crew wouldn’t make it back and the same chance the mission would be a success and the same chance that the mission wouldn’t

start to begin with. He said he suspected Christopher Columbus sailed with worse odds.

He recounted how Earth looked fragile and seemingly physically insigni cant, yet was home.

“We’d been going backwards and upside down, didn’t really see the Earth or the Sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the rst Earthrise,” he said. “That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colorful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted.”

Anders said in retrospect he wished he had taken more photos but mission Commander Frank Borman was concerned about whether everyone was rested and

forced Anders and Command

Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr. to sleep, “which probably made sense.”

Chip Fletcher, a University of Hawaii professor who has conducted extensive research on coastal erosion and climate change, recalls seeing the photo as a child.

“It just opened up my brain to realize that we are alone but we are together,” he said, adding that it still in uences him today.

“It’s one of those images that never leaves my mind,” he said. “And I think that’s true of many, many people in many professions.”

Anders served as backup crew for Apollo 11 and for Gemini XI in 1966, but the Apollo 8 mission was the only time he ew to space.

STATE & NATION

Florida authorities warn of sharks after 3 people hurt in 2 attacks

The two incidents happened Friday about 4 miles apart in the state’s Panhandle

By Je Martin The Associated Press

AUTHORITIES ARE using boats to patrol the ocean and warning swimmers about sharks this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where a woman and two teenage girls were hurt in two separate shark attacks on Friday.

The attacks o beaches in the Florida Panhandle led authorities to temporarily close several beaches to swimmers on Friday. Beaches were reopened Saturday, with ags warning of high hazards.

“All I can say is that these incidents are very rare,” said Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

“It’s even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people,” he told The Associated Press on Saturday. “That’s astronomically low odds of that happening.”

In Walton County, the sheri ’s o ce, re department and the state’s wildlife agency were work-

ing together to patrol the water with boats and the shore with vehicles, the South Walton Fire District said in an update Saturday. Both of Friday’s attacks happened in Walton County.

“Please swim carefully today, respect the Gulf, stay hydrated, and look out for your loved ones,” the re department said on social media.

Red and purple ags were being used Saturday to warn swim-

Sale, use of marijuana permitted under WNC Cherokees ordinance

The Native American tribe opened its dispensary in April

The Associated Press

CHEROKEE — The recreational sale and use of marijuana for adults on western North Carolina tribal land could begin this summer after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board voted for an ordinance expanding approved use just weeks after its medical marijuana dispensary opened.

Several months earlier, tribe members backed adult recreational use on their reservation. The September referendum, approved by 70% of voters, also required the council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Tribal leaders spent months crafting the adult-use ordinance approved Thursday by an 8-2 vote.

Plans for a medical cannabis system and the cultivation of cannabis plants already were underway before the referendum, and the tribe-owned Great Smoky Cannabis Co. within Eastern Band land known as

the Qualla Boundary opened April 20. Buyers so far have been limited to adults at least 21 years old with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an outof-state-approved medical marijuana card.

But now sales and use would be lawful for any adult over 21 — not just tribal members — who comes to the reservation and the Great Smoky Cannabis store, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, news outlets reported.

The legislation still must be rati ed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks to become law.

While marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in the state, the federally recognized tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation. Forrest Parker with Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, said adult-use sales will initially be limited to tribal members, likely starting in July. The expansion to others age 21 and older would happen beginning in early to mid-August, Parker said at a recent council work session on the legislation.

The marijuana sales cen-

mers of the dangers.

“Purple Flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and single red ags indicate high hazard conditions,” the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said in a social media post on Saturday.

Small sh are traveling in schools near the shore this time of year, which might have been a contributing factor in the attacks, the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said.

The rst attack happened Friday afternoon when a woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, the Walton County Sheri ’s O ce said. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news brie ng. She was own to a trauma center.

Less than two hours later, reghters responded to another beach about 4 miles east of the rst attack “following multiple reports of a teenager injured by a shark,” the sheri ’s o ce said.

Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

“When lifeguards and deputies arrived on scene, they found one of the females had signi cant injuries to the upper leg and one hand,” re o cials said in an update. She was own to a trauma center. The other teen had what o cials described as minor injuries on one of her feet.

The two teenagers are from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told the news site Al.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether it was one shark or two separate ones involved in Fri-

day’s attacks, but there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

“There’s de nitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of over shing,” he said. “They’re sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.”

The time of the attacks — in the middle of the afternoon — was also an anomaly, Walton County Sheri Michael Adkinson said. Sheri ’s o cials often warn people to be aware of sharks early in the morning and at dusk, their typical feeding times, he noted.

On Saturday, Walton County sheri ’s deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheri ’s o cials say they don’t know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a Saturday post on social media. “Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.”

Also Friday, in Hawaii, a woman was seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters o the island of Oahu, o cials said.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

ter is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe once its customer base is expanded. Qualla Enterprises released gures before last year’s referendum saying the dispensary could generate $385 million in gross sales revenues in its rst year if the product was available to all adult users, compared to over $200 million if limited to medical patients. The medical marijuana program would continue.

Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational

use of marijuana statewide.

“It’s an extremely historic and exciting time for the tribe and our people on many, many levels,” Parker said after the vote.

The resolution e ectively decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary but also updates the tribe’s laws to re ect its use. For example, it would be illegal to consume marijuana in public and speci cally illegal to possess or consume marijuana within 100 feet of a school, daycare facility, church or hospital, among other locations.

Violating these rules could result in nes, community ser-

vice and a substance abuse assessment, with jail time for subsequent o enses. The tribal council also approved an amendment to prohibit sales of hemp products by businesses not owned by the tribe on the Boundary.

Hicks said last year he was glad that a recreational marijuana question was being put to the people and that he wanted to see protections to keep cannabis use out of the sight of children if it did pass. He had also sought more ordinance language in the rules about marijuana testing standards.

NICK TOMECEK / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP

Authorities are warning swimmers of danger along Florida’s Gulf Coast after three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks Friday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which opened its dispensary in April, has now approved the sale and use for anyone over the age of 21.

MOORE COUNTY

Payne Stewart’s “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

U.S. Open at Pinehurst: How will residents be impacted?

The village of Pinehurst plans to continue with business as usual. Businesses will be open, and residential services, such as trash pickup, will continue on the regular schedule. Some parks and recreation facilities may have limited or no parking.

The Village Center will have three-hour parking restrictions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and o cials say time limits will be strictly enforced.

Street parking will also be prohibited on roads close to Pinehurst, including Azalea Road, Campbell Road, Cherokee Road, Chinquapin Road, Community Road, Craig Road, Dalyrmple Road, Dundee Road, Everett Road, Fields Road, Kelly Road, Laurel Road, Magnolia Road, McIntyre Road (Woods Road to Short Road), Monticello Drive (Hwy 5 to Blake Blvd.), Palmetto Road, Shaw Road SE, Short Road (East and West of Page Road), and Woods Road. Some roads close to the club will also be closed to through tra c.

The intersection of Pine Tree Road and NC-5 is closed. Access to and from Pine Tree Road will only be allowed from St Andrews Road. Residents of condominium complexes with driveway access o of Pine Tree Road will be issued a resident pass by their condo association to access their homes. Morganton Road is closed from NC-5 to Doral Drive. All residents living west of the Morganton Road/Monticello Drive intersection will be issued a resident parking pass.

US Open returns to Pinehurst

No. 2 course hosts its fourth major in 25 years

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

PINEHURST — Once again, the golf world comes to Pinehurst.

The club’s famed No. 2 course will play host to the 2024 U.S. Open this week, with 156 of the best golfers in the world playing for one of the coveted major titles.

History

This is the 124th U.S. Open. The tournament began play in 1895 and was not held for a total of six years during the two World Wars. It’s the fourth time Pinehurst has hosted the Open, all on No. 2. Here’s what happened the other three times.

1999: Payne Stewart was the only player under par for the tour-

nament, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke. Tiger Woods tied for third.

2005: Michael Campbell became the rst player from New Zealand to win the Open, beating Woods by two strokes. Campbell had made the tournament eld less than a week before as a nal quali er.

2014: Martin Kaymer had the fourth-largest winning margin in U.S. Open history, beating Rickie Fowler by eight strokes. He led wire-to-wire, becoming the rst German to take the title.

Pinehurst is just the second club to host four Opens in a 25year span, and the rst to do so in 116 years.

Who’s playing

The top 58 golfers in the world are all in the eld, a group that includes some of the sport’s biggest names — Scottie Sche er,

Rory McIlroy, Xander Schau ele, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth. Also competing are Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia. Mickelson and Matt Kuchar will become the only players to compete in all four Pinehurst U.S. Opens.

If you go

Tickets are still available for some sessions, but they’ll cost you. Daily gallery tickets are available for each of the competition days,

US Open: Who’ll be No. 1 at Pinehurst No. 2

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

WITH 156 OF the world’s best golfers teeing it up, a natural question to ask is, “Who’s going to win?”

Whether you’re planning to take advantage of North Carolina’s new online gambling laws or just looking for someone to root for, it’s always good to know who is expected to contend for the championship. Here’s a look at the favorites and some dark horses to watch in the 124th U.S. Open.

The favorite

Scottie Sche er has been having a historic year. He’s won ve tournaments already. He’s nished in the top 10 of his last eight tournaments, and he’s the top-ranked golfer in the world. Even arresting him mid-tournament, as happened last month in Louisville, couldn’t slow him down. With a eld this large, even picking a prohibitive favor-

ite like Sche er will give you a good payout should you choose to partake in playing the odds. Other top contenders

Xander Schau ele is the No. 2 player in the world and won the PGA Championship earlier this year. He’s never won the U.S. Open, but he’s been close and consistent. He’s the only player to nish in the top 15 in the Open each of the last seven years. It might be time for a breakthrough.

Rory McIlroy is No. 3 in the world and has the second- or third-best odds at most online books.

Colin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau are a bit farther down the lists of odds, but they’ve been playing some of the best golf of their careers. Morikawa nished in the top four of the rst two majors this year and has been in the top ve in two of the last three U.S. Opens. DeChambeau has also been in the top 10 of both majors this year.

Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Brooks Koepka are next, in various orders, at most bookmakers.

The heartstrings picks

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both in the eld. These golf legends are extreme long shots to recapture past glory. But even if they don’t win, they’ll be interesting to watch. Plus, If they do happen to contend for the top spot, it will be an all-timer of a story.

The longshots

Looking for someone who will help pay for your kids’ college funds if he wins? Or just looking to appear smart when you tout someone early in the week who comes down the stretch with a shot to win on Sunday? If so, here are players who could surprise the so-called experts. Pinehurst is known for its unforgiving greens and its nasty rough if you don’t stay in the

middle of the fairway. So we looked at people who were in the top 20 in both putting and driving accuracy this year. And we found a pair of dark horses that might be worth watching. Christiaan Bezuidenhout is a South African golfer who has never won on the PGA Tour or nished higher than 30th in a major. However, he’s No. 17 in drive accuracy and No. 2 in putting this season. So he may have what it takes to tame Pinehurst. He has +15,000 moneyline odds. So might Russell Henley, who is 12th in putting and fth in drive accuracy. He tied for 14th in last year’s U.S. Open. His moneyline odds are at +10,000.

LOGAN WHITTON / USGA Fans watch the play on the practice green during a practice round ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Neal Robbins,

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

Moore County Edition of North State Journal Get in touch

THURSDAY

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements:

moorecommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

SATURDAY

Upcoming budget may see reduction in tax

The 2024-25 budget has a property tax rate reduction of $0.01

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore

County residents could see (slightly) lower property tax bills, next year.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners received the recommended county budget for the next scal year at its May 21 meeting and it includes a proposed $0.01 reduction in the general fund tax rate.

“The budget really illuminates the county’s mission, vision and values,” said Moore County Manager Wayne Vest in a presentation to the board. “It walks the talk by ensuring funding for exceptional services, governing conservatively, demonstrating respect and compassion for our citizens and visitors, it is scally sound and it prioritizes a safe and secure community along with our health and human services. It supports sustainable growth and it provides cultural and recreational oppor-

rate

tunities for our citizens and our visitors.”

The gross budget is just shy of $229 million and would see the general fund tax rate reduced from $0.33 to $0.32 per $100 valuation.

“A penny on the tax rate generates about $2.2 million,” Vest said. “2023 was a revaluation year, and those new property values were used to develop the 2024 budget and during a revaluation year, we have to post the revenue neutral rate. So last year, the revenue neutral rate would have been almost $0.4675, but what we actually adopted was almost $0.0125 less than revenue neutral. With the one cent further reduction on the general fund this year, we’ll almost be $0.0225 below the revenue neutral rate as was identi ed in scal year 2024.”

Some of the highlights of the recommended budget include funding $38.1 million of Moore County Schools’ $38.8 million request, providing a 4% cost of living increase for county employees, as well as fully funding the existing components of the bene ts and compensation package, adding 14 positions

MONDAY JUNE 17

— including eight full-time paramedics — funding 100% of operational costs for re commissions and increased funding for various departments.

“If you look at the overall budget, we — unlike the federal government which is proposing a 17.34% increase in your overall budget from $6.2 trillion to $7.3 trillion this year — Moore County is recommending a 6% reduction in our budget for the year,” said Board Chair Nick Picerno. “It also looks at a tax reduction while still prioritizing our law enforcement at around a 10% increase, our veterans at about 15%, recreation at 10% and we also have schools going up about 2%. Our debt services, thank the Lord Jesus, our interest is going down by 9% and the total expenditures are going down 6%.”

A public hearing on the budget will be held on June 18.

“It’s a budget that goes through the priorities of this board,” continued Picerno. “We wanted to take the least amount of money and still make sure you’re protected and to make sure to give you the necessary amount of services that you need whether that be for accidents and illnesses or a tragedy such as a re or other bad things.”

The board will also consider proposed fare increases for the Rural Operating Assistance Program at its June 18 meeting.

Randolph Communications awards eight scholarships to local students

The $1,000 gifts are part of an annual program by the telecom rm

Randolph Record sta ASHEBORO — Randolph

Communications has awarded scholarships to eight local high school students as part of its annual scholarship program. The scholarships, each valued at $1,000, aim to support the students’ educational pursuits and encourage them to make positive contributions to their communities.

The eight recipients were selected based on their exceptional academic achieve -

US OPEN from page 1

ranging in price from $175 on Thursday to $235 on Saturday. Grandstand tickets are available, ranging from $325 to $375, depending on the day. Pinehurst has a clear bag policy. Parking is complementary at two fan lots, and shuttle service

ments, leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in their communities:

• Jasmine Nichole Moody from Eastern Randolph HS

• Katherine Grace Oldham from Chatham Central HS

• Kelsey Deanna Hussey from Chatham Central HS

• Kristen Ashley Garner from North Moore HS

• Lauren Rachel Caviness from Chatham Central HS

• Leah Grace Waisner from Southwestern Randolph HS

• Lorelei Elaine Elberson from South Davidson HS

• River Anne Seawell from

will take fans to the course. The Red Lot is north of the course on Route 73, while the Blue Lot is south, o Route 1. There is no public parking on Pinehurst grounds. Fans can also arrive by bike, golf cart or train. Bikers need to park in one of the public lots and take a shuttle. There are dedicated golf

Montgomery County Early College

“By investing in their education and personal development, we are not only empowering these students to achieve their dreams; but, we are also equipping them with the tools to drive positive change in their rural communities,” said Kim Garner, CEO and general manager at Randolph Communications.

Since 1995, Randolph Communications has awarded more than $164,000 in scholarships. The 70-year-old rm provides telecom services across eight North Carolina counties.

cart lots located close to the grounds. Amtrak has set up a special train service from Raleigh for tournament week at $25 each way. It’s one train a day that leaves Raleigh at 7 a.m., arriving at Pinehurst at about 9:10. The train back to Raleigh leaves at 6:35 p.m.

Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Located in Tufts Park in the Village Center, the U.S. Open Showcase festivities begin with early morning exercises and have events scattered throughout the day. Tufts Park really comes alive in the evenings at the conclusion of daily practice or championship play.

The showcase includes an entertainment stage, a 9-by-12-foot LED screen, photo opportunities and table seating. A golf simulator, putting green and live streaming of the championship will be the main attractions during the day for those individuals hoping to experience the U.S. Open Championship outside of the gates. All activities are free of charge.

June 13

8:30 p.m. — Concert by the Sand Band

June 14

8 a.m. — Yoga in the Park

9 a.m. — Yoga in the Park

1 p.m. — Live Music

8:30 p.m. — Whiskey Pines Concert

June 15

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Farmer’s Market

8 p.m. — Live Music with Julia Golden 8:30 p.m. — Parks Brothers Concert

June 16

9 a.m. — Golf Conditioning Exercises

Due to limited parking in the Village, the onstreet parking in the downtown business district and the Village Green parking lot are restricted to three-hour parking. This will be strictly enforced. During the day, free over ow parking is available at 55 Rattlesnake Trail, approximately 0.5 miles from the Village Center. After 5 p.m., the Village of Pinehurst and the USGA encourage everyone to park at Cannon Park.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Biden broke our border — House Republicans are fighting to fix it

He’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

ONLY IN WASHINGTON can you break something and then take credit for pretending to x it.

That is exactly what we are seeing President Biden do with his broken border disaster that his dangerous immigration policies created.

Rather than take serious action to x his border crisis, President Biden issued a new executive order last week that does nothing to secure America’s borders. In fact, it allows 2,500 illegal migrants per day — meaning nearly 1 million every year — to cross the border between ports of entry. That is over eight times the population of Moore County.

Worse, this executive action does nothing to end the administration’s mass parole abuses or catch-andrelease. It does nothing to beef up Border Patrol with the resources they need. It does nothing to deport the millions who have invaded our country on President Biden’s watch, including violent criminals and terrorists. And it will still allow massive numbers of illegal migrants to pour over our border.

Make no mistake: President Biden’s weak executive order is an attempt to convince the American people into thinking he cares about border security after his own actions caused this huge crisis, but no one is buying it.

For three-and-a-half years, Americans have watched President Biden actively work to implement an open border agenda, creating a historic humanitarian and national security catastrophe at the border. Since his rst day in o ce, President Biden and his

Liberty’s second chance

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality, but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties.

EVER SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS invaded America, our civil liberties have been eroded.

National and state leaders tore up the Constitution and tossed it aside in favor of “best practices” that were made up from pure ction. North Carolina was not spared from this tyranny. Citizens were mandated to wear masks to go out. Churches were closed, while many businesses and workers were deemed nonessential. On top of all that, families watched their loved ones die in isolation because hospitals had prevented them from seeing each other.

Additionally, parental rights were ignored as students were forced to be vaccinated against their parents’ wishes. This is what transpired in the Guilford County School System to Emily Happel and her son Tanner. Forced vaccination stands in direct opposition to both the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

This egregious violation of parental rights prompted a lawsuit from Mrs. Happel and her son. Despite agreeing that the school system was overstepping its authority, the NC Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of Mrs. Happel’s lawsuit against the school. According to the judges on this court, the federal PREP act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act) prevented the lawsuit against the school for their forcible vaccination.

Mrs. Happel has since appealed this case up to the state Supreme Court, and eight members of the North Carolina General Assembly have joined the case with amicus briefs. The NC Supreme Court has chosen to

administration have taken 64 border actions that intentionally undermine our nation’s border security, including stopping construction of the wall and ending the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Since President Biden took o ce, more than 9.5 million illegal migrants have crossed our borders nationwide. These numbers do not even account for the over 1.8 million migrants who have been able to evade our border patrol agents and roam across our country without being tracked. In fact, he’s on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal migrants into the U.S. by the end of his term.

A secure nation requires a secure border, which is why over a year ago House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act. While President Biden pretends to x the crisis he created, this strong border security package will end it by nishing construction of the wall, strengthening immigration parole, investing in high-tech surveillance systems for Border Patrol, and reinstating proven policies like “Remain in Mexico.”

Protecting the safety and security of the American people and the homeland is one of the chief roles of our government. As your Congressman, I will continue ghting for serious legislative reforms to truly secure the border and keep you, your family, and our nation safe.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

review this case, and the plainti s hope that this will nally bring about a just outcome and prevent this from ever happening again.

As one of the members of the General Assembly that submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the Happel’s, I agree the PREP Act does not grant immunity from liability to a school system which disregards state law and parental rights. Dismissal of the Happel case on preemption grounds is also in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. If the defendants were correct in this case, it would mean that a state such as North Carolina cannot use state law to hold state-created entities accountable in state courts.

The Tenth Amendment clearly articulates that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The North Carolina Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reinforce this principle of dual federal-state sovereignty that is fundamental to our constitutional order.

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality, but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties. The North Carolina Supreme Court should take this opportunity to a rm that there is no “pandemic exception” to the civil liberties granted in the Constitution.

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-78) represents Randolph and Moore County in the General Assembly.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | NEAL JACKSON

MOORE SPORTS

A look back: Previous US Opens at Pinehurst

“I worked hard for it. I deserve it. And I have it. It’s all mine.”

Michael Campbell

No. 2 course hosts the major for the fourth time

The Associated Press HISTORY WILL BE MADE this weekend when the U.S. Open crowns a new champion, the fourth to win the title at Pinehurst No. 2. Here’s a look back at the previous times the course has hosted the Open. 25 years ago (1999)

Payne Stewart had lost a 54-hole lead the previous year and gured to join the “Graveyard of Champions” at Olympic Club for losing a lead and never winning another major. But he showed remarkable mettle in 1999 in a terri c battle involving Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Woods fell back with a bogey on the 17th. Stewart was one shot behind when he made a 25foot par putt on the 16th to tie Mickelson. Stewart hit his tee shot to 3 feet for birdie on the par-3 17th to take the lead. On the nal hole, he drove into the rough, wedged back to

the fairway and hit his third to 15 feet. Mickelson narrowly missed a 25-foot birdie, and Stewart won it with a 15-foot par to beat Mickelson by one.

Mickelson carried a pager with him and pledged to leave if his wife went into labor. She gave birth the next day. Stewart perished in a freak plane crash four months later.

Quotable: “All I wanted to do was give myself a chance. I kept playing. I kept plugging. I never gave up.” — Payne Stewart.

19 years ago (2005)

Michael Campbell became the rst player from New Zealand to win a major since Bob Charles in the 1963 British Open. Campbell holed clutch par putts andnally pulled away when Tiger Woods three-putted the par3 17th, the same hole that ended his charge in 1999. Campbell closed with a 69 and was the only player who did not nish over par. Retief Goosen started the nal round with a three-shot lead in his bid to win back-to-back. The lead

was gone in three holes and Goosen shot 81.

The six years between U.S. Opens at Pinehurst No. 2 was the shortest gap between U.S. Opens at the same site since 1946.

Quotable: “I worked hard for it. I deserve it. And I have it. It’s all mine.” — Michael Campbell.

10 years ago (2014)

Martin Kaymer of Germany won his second major, and this one wasn’t really close. He took advantage of a good draw and rain-softened conditions to open with 65-65, set the 36-hole record in the U.S. Open and lead by six shots. No one came any closer than four shots of the lead over the nal 48 holes. Kaymer closed with a 69 to win by eight shots. He was the only player from the last eight groups on Sunday to break par.

Kaymer became the fourth European in the last ve years to win the U.S. Open after a 40-year drought and was only the seventh wire-to-wire winner in U.S. Open history. There hasn’t been another since.

It was the rst “doubleheader” for the USGA. Michelle Wie won the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2 the following week.

Quotable: “Martin was playing his own tournament.” — Rickie Fowler.

Payne Stewart celebrates after winning the U.S. Open golf championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in 1999. The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst for the fourth time this week.

ATHLETE OF THE

Janie Spicer

Union Pines, girls’ lacrosse

Janie Spicer is a senior for the Union Pines’ girls’ lacrosse team and a previous Athlete of the Week winner after helping lead the Vikings to an undefeated season and their rst state championship. Spicer won the Most Valuable Player award in the title game as well as the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award.

The accolades keep coming. Spicer was just awarded one of the NCHSAA’s Heart of a Champion awards for the 2023-24 school year, which recognizes athletes who exemplify outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship on the eld and in their community.

Spicer will continue her athletic career at Winthrop, where she has signed with the women’s lacrosse team.

United States shocks cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker

The U.S. got a win in Texas at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Aaron Jones hit the ball out of the park again and the United States edged cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker for one of the biggest upsets ever at a Twenty20 World Cup. After a match-winning batting performance in the tournament opener against Canada, Jones was instrumental again Thursday in the dramatic win over 2022 runner-up Pakistan.

Cricket has a long but relatively little-known history in the United States. It’s the national sport in Pakistan, a longtime member of the cricket establishment and a three-time T20 World Cup nalist.

The star players are household names. Whereas Jones and the U.S. squad have own in under the radar.

“Playing against Pakistan for the rst time in the World Cup and beating them, it was an unbelievable performance,” U.S.

Patel said as far as he was concerned, the U.S. team’s campaign was going to plan.

“We’re not worried about what people are saying. We know what we are worth and what capability we have, and we just focus on, the particular game,” he said. “We don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low.

“We’ll make sure that we whatever ... the win today, we will enjoy it and make sure that we next day, we come fresh.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

“All credit to the USA,” Babar said, adding that the Americans performed well in their batting, bowling and elding departments “and that’s why they won.”

The game in Grand Prairie went the full distance, and more.

Jones, who smashed a 40ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into a Super Over with another vital knock of 36 not out o 26.

O successive deliveries, Jones hit a six o Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary o the last delivery in regulation tied the scores at 159.

Rauf, Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler, gave away 14 runs o the last six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the Super Over when 32-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who was part of the 2009 champion team, conceded 18 runs that included seven runs o wide balls as Jones went on the attack. For the U.S., India- born left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who grabbed 2-18 o his four overs in regulation, conceded just 13 runs in the Super Over to seal the historic win for the U.S. The Americans were on course to stun Pakistan during regulation when skipper Patel hit 50 o 38 balls and Andries Gous added 35 to help the hosts reach 159-3.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, was further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling and was restricted to 159-7. Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches o the turf to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in the second over o Netravalkar’s bowling.

captain Monank Patel said. “… beating Pakistan, you know, it’s a big achievement.”

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO

United States’ Saurabh Nethralvakar celebrates after their win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match against Pakistan in Grand Prairie, Texas.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLB

Yankees ace Cole pitches 4 2/3 innings in 2nd minor league rehab start

New York

Gerrit Cole pitched 4⅔ innings of one-run ball in his second start for Double-A Somerset, another step toward returning to the New York Yankees’ rotation. The 33-year-old Cole allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one against Hartford, retiring his last eight batters. The AL Cy Young Award winner threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes at Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Ryan Ritter, Cole’s second batter, drove an inside fastball on Cole’s sixth pitch over the lefteld wall for his fth homer of the season and second in three days.

NBA Walker, a 7-time All-Star forward, dies

Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84. The 76ers, Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association all extended their condolences on social media. The Bulls say Walker “made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.” Walker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

NHL Montreal, Boston selected as sites for hockey’s 4 Nations Face-O tournament next season

Sunrise, Fla. Montreal and Boston will be the host cities for the 4 Nations Face-O tournament in February, the NHL announced, along with releasing the schedule for the event. In Montreal, Canada plays Sweden on Feb. 12, the U.S. plays Finland on Feb. 13, then a doubleheader — Finland vs. Sweden and the U.S. vs. Canada — awaits on Feb. 15. In Boston, play resumes Feb. 17 with another doubleheader with Canada meeting Finland and Sweden meeting the U.S. The championship game is there on Feb. 20.

NFL

Lions lose 1 day of o season workouts after violating NFL rules relating to on- eld contact

Allen Park, Mich. The Detroit Lions have lost one day of organized o season workouts after breaking rules relating to on- eld contact during a practice last month. The Lions said in a statement that they take very seriously the rules set forth within the NFL’s O season Program and have worked to conduct their practices accordingly. The Lions had a threeday mandatory minicamp earlier this week. Detroit had a session of organized team activities planned on Monday for its nal gathering before training camp next month but it has been forfeited.

Larson celebrates NASCAR playo waiver with another win

Victory puts Larson in the Cup Series points lead

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playo s with his third Cup victory of the season — a Sunday win at his home track. The victory for Larson, who grew up 80 miles away from Sonoma Raceway in Elk Grove, was his second on the rolling road course in picturesque wine country. It is the fth win on a road course for NASCAR’s 2021 Cup champion and moved him to the top of the current series standings. It was a welcome reward after a grueling month of May in which Larson became the fth driver to attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s

Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Rain at both events made his attempt at “The Double” a bust and put him in danger of not being granted a waiver to remain eligible for the NASCAR playo s. It took until Tuesday of this week for NASCAR to grant Larson the waiver. Then he took his rst two consecutive days o in months to lay by the pool in the California sun, do some wine tasting in familiar territory, and then win at Sonoma.

“My life is so hectic that I never feel like I get a normal week for myself. It gets a little bit more hectic now that I am just NASCAR racing and sprint car racing,” Larson said. “It was really nice for me to get to come here this week and just get to do nothing for one day, and then go be a normal tourist on Thursday. It’s just a very relaxing week.” It took NASCAR a week of

internal debate to decide if one of its biggest stars would be given the pass required to remain eligible for playo participation. Larson said he never stressed about the looming decision.

“Are we still talking about waivers?” he asked after the race. “Literally, my mind never wavered. It was always focused on executing and winning the regular season points title.”

His win at Sonoma only showed how foolish NASCAR would have looked had it ruled against the Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Je Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, said Larson and the No. 5 team were never rattled during the wait for a waiver.

“I didn’t see it a ecting the majority of the team,” said Gordon, who added Larson and crew chief Cli Daniels allowed the Hendrick executives to han-

dle communications with NASCAR. “As far as how it trickled down the team, I didn’t see where they were really (bothered). They seem to be business as usual. I think the best medicine in any of those situations is getting back to the racetrack.

“Especially when they got here, home track for Kyle, a track they enjoy racing at, I think that put a lot of that to rest.”

Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and passed defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. with eight laps remaining to uphold the win in his No. 5 Chevrolet. It is his 20th win since joining Hendrick in 2021 which ranks third in the organization behind Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Second went to Michael McDowell in a Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Chris Buescher was third in a Ford for RFK Racing and Chase Elliott of Hendrick was fourth.

O’Connell, Minshew wage friendly competition to become the Raiders’ new starting quarterback

Minshew signed a two-year deal as a free agent in the o season

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Easygoing Gardner Minshew never seems to get stressed out about anything. Aidan O’Connell said he has enjoyed getting to know and work with his new teammate.

Who’s also his competitor. Both want the same thing — to become the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders — but they don’t appear ready to tear each other down to get there. They communicate in the quarterback room and on the practice eld for organized team activities, trying to help each other get better.

“The better he is, if I’m beating him out, that means I’m just raising it that much more,” Minshew said. “So that’s kind of how I’ve always viewed it. If he’s pushing me and he’s completing every pass, I’ve got to gure out a way to do better. I think that’s the only way to really ever improve.”

The Raiders, who picked 13th overall this year, didn’t draft a quarterback. They signed Minshew to a two-year free-agent contract before the draft, setting up the competition with O’Connell.

“This is a long process,” rstyear o ensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “We’re at the beginning stages of it. Everyone is trying to get a grasp of what we’re trying to accomplish, not just the QBs, but everybody.” Going back to his days as a walk-on at Purdue, O’Connell is used to ghting for playing time. One of Antonio Pierce’s rst acts upon becoming the interim coach last season was to name O’Connell the starter. O’Connell went 5-4 and threw eight touchdown passes and no intercep -

tions in the nal four games. That wasn’t enough, however, to guarantee him the starting job. Pierce said O’Connell would take the rst practice snaps, though he and Minshew are sharing repetitions with the starting o ense.

“It’s a new o ense, so it’s a little bit like starting over,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, it is my now second year in the NFL. I think all the extra rookie stu I don’t have to do anymore is really a weight o my shoulders.”

Minshew’s most recent stop also was in the Midwest, following a similar script last season with the Colts that O’Connell did with the Raiders. Indianapolis signed Minshew, who previously showed ashes o the bench in Jacksonville and Philadelphia, to come in and provide veteran support to rookie Anthony Richardson. But when Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 out of Florida, injured his shoulder four games into the season, Minshew got another chance to play. He went 7-6 as the starter, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. But with Richardson coming back for this season, Minshew moved on to Las Vegas with the hope of winning the starting job.

“As soon as I walked in this building, the rst day that I signed, you can just feel (the energy) from the defense, o ense, coaches,” Minshew said. “Everybody feels like they’re pulling in the same direction and wants to get this thing going the right way. I think if everybody’s on the same page, we will be able to get it done.”

Whether that will be Minshew or O’Connell leading the way likely will be determined well into training camp.

It’s a friendly competition. But still a competition that both want to win.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, left, and quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) run a drill during practice on May 29 in Henderson, Nevada.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson celebrates his NASCAR Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday with a red wine shower.

Iran OKs 6 candidates for presidential race, blocks Ahmadinejad

The election, which comes after a helicopter crash killed Ebrahim Raisi, will be June 28

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Guardian Council on Sunday approved the country’s parliament speaker and ve others to run in the country’s June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

The council again barred former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a rebrand populist known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election, from running.

The council’s decision represents the starting gun for a shortened, two-week campaign to replace Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei once oated as a possible successor for the 85-yearold cleric.

The selection of candidates approved by the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei, suggests Iran’s Shiite the-

ocracy hopes to ease the election through after recent votes saw record-low turnout and as tensions remain high over the country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The Guardian Council also continued its streak of not accepting a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the country’s governance.

The campaign will likely include live, televised debates on Iran’s state-run broadcaster. Candidates also advertise on billboards and o er stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of them has offered any speci cs, though all have promised a better economic situation for the country as it su ers from sanctions by the U.S. and other Western nations over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Such matters of state remain the nal decision of Khamenei, but presidents in the past have leaned either toward engagement or confrontation with the West over it.

The most prominent candidate remains Mohammad Ba-

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher

of six people approved by the Guardian Council to

country’s

gher Qalibaf, 62, a former Tehran mayor with close ties to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. However, many remember that Qalibaf, as a former Guard general, was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999. He also reportedly ordered live gun re to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his rst failed presidential bid. Raisi won the 2021 elec-

is

tion, which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran after every major opponent found themselves disquali ed. Khamenei gave a speech last week alluding to qualities that Qalibaf’s supporters have highlighted as potentially signaling the supreme leader’s support for the speaker.

Yet Qalibaf’s role in crackdowns may be viewed di erently after years of unrest that have gripped Iran, both over its ailing economy and the mass protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrest-

Macron dissolves French parliament, calls snap election

The president's party was defeated in European elections Sunday

The Associated Press

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday.

The legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

The announcement came after the rst projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macron’s pro-European centrists, according to French opinion poll institutes.

Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party was estimated to get around 31%32% of the votes, a historic result more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance party, which was projected to reach around 15%.

Macron himself wasn’t a candidate in the EU elections and his term as president still runs for three more years.

He said the decision was “serious” but showed his “condence in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say.”

“In the next few days, I’ll be saying what I think is the right direction for the nation. I’ve

heard your message, your concerns, and I won’t leave them unanswered,” he said.

In the latest legislative elections in 2022, Macron’s centrist party won the most seats but lost its majority at the National Assembly, forcing lawmakers into political maneuvering to pass bills.

With Sunday’s decision, he is taking a big risk with a move

that could back re and increase the chances of Le Pen to eventually take power.

A scenario in which an opposition party would eventually win a parliament majority could lead to a fraught power-sharing situation called “cohabitation,” with Macron to name a prime minister with di erent views.

Le Pen, who heads the National Rally group at the National Assembly, “welcomed” Macron’s move.

‘We’re ready for it,” said Le Pen, who was the runner-up to Macron in the last two presidential elections. “We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections. We’re ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.”

The EU elections results were a hard blow for Macron, who has been advocating for Europe-wide e orts to defend Ukraine and the need for the EU to boost its defenses and industry.

The National Rally’s lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned

ed for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of security forces. Other candidates include Saeed Jalili, the former senior nuclear negotiator, who ran in 2013 and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to back Raisi. Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani also withdrew in 2021 to back Raisi. Mostafa Pourmohammadi is a former minister of justice. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Raisi’s vice president, ran in the 2021 presidential elections and came in last with just under 1 million votes.

Masoud Pezeshkian is the only reformist candidate among a slate of hardliners and is not seen as having much chance.

The Guardian Council disquali ed Ahmadinejad, the rebrand, Holocaust-questioning former president. Ahmadinejad increasingly challenged Khamenei toward the end of his term and is remembered for the bloody crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests. He was also disquali ed in the last election by the panel.

It also blocked former speaker of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Iran’s former relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It was the second election in a row in which Larinjani was barred from running.

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who ran in 2021, and Eshaq Jahangiri, who served as vice president under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, were also disquali ed.

for limiting the free movement of migrants by carrying out national border controls and dialing back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro but aims to weaken it from within.

“Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change,” Bardella said. “Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president.”

An o cial at Macron’s o ce said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was justi ed by the “historic score of the farright” that could not be ignored and the current “parliamentarian disorder.”

“You’re never wrong when you give the people a say,” said the o cial, who spoke anonymously in line with the practice of Macron’s o ce.

EU elections’ projections also show a resurgence of the Socialist Party, with about 14% of the votes. The party campaigned on more ambitious climate policies and protections for European businesses and workers.

Reacting to Macron’s announcement, far-left politician Francois Ru n called on all leaders from the left, including the Greens, to unite under a single “Popular Front” banner. “To avoid the worse, to win,” he wrote on X.

France is electing 81 members of the European Parliament, which has 720 seats in total.

VAHID SALEMI / AP PHOTO

Qalibaf

one

run in the

presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

HANNAH MCKAY / AP PHOTO

French President Emmanuel Macron greets a child after voting in Sunday’s European elections in Le Touquet-ParisPlage, France.

obituaries

Paul Ray Campbell

November 29, 1940 –June 9, 2024

Paul Ray Campbell, age 83, of Vass, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Cox Memorial Funeral Home from 6 until 8.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday June 13, 2024, at 2:00pm at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rex Knight o ciating. Burial will follow at Johnson Grove Cemetery in Vass.

Paul was born in Moore County on November 29, 1940, to the late Rev. Clyde Franklin Campbell and Lessie Oldham Campbell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rev. Kay McKinney Campbell, daughter, Lisa Campbell, sisters, Alma Thelma, Evelyn, Mary Magdalene, brothers, Ernest, Junior, Clarence Paul was an avid musician and song writer, sang in a gospel group and taught music lessons to many. He also was a talented auto mechanic. Paul was a loving father, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Moore (Eddie), Lisa Oxendine (Billy), Cindy Boggs all of Vass; seven grandchildren, Karen, Sharon, Donna, Tina, Wayne, Tim, Miranda, sixteen greatgrandchildren and three greatgreat-grandchildren.

Charles “Chuck” Graves

December 25, 1941 –June 4, 2024

Charles “Chuck” Graves died peacefully on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s surrounded by his family.

Chuck was born December 25th, 1941, to Jack and Mary Graves in Miles, Texas. He attended schools in the Lakeview area. After completing his education, he joined the US Navy. In 1971 he moved his family to NC to work with Diamond Head running the golf cart shop until they switched the golf carts to electric. Then he took the head mechanic position for the Town of Pinehurst. Chuck kept the town running: repairing, retrucks, police cars, equipment, anything mechanical.

His girls and his grandchildren were his life.

Chuck loved to cook Texas brisket and his family loved to eat it. Chuck enjoyed restoring old cards, shing, and spending time at Holden Beach.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters and two brothers and his beloved daughter Sharla Graves.

He is survived by his loving, devoted wife Betty.

His daughters: Cheryl (Mark) Voss, Shelley (Frank) Bauer, Sheila (Clint) Sercy and Stacie Graves. Sisters: Wanda (Howard) Chappell and Brenda (Tommy) Green.

He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

At Chuck’s request a private cremation service was provided by Boles Funeral Home. A celebration of life event will be held at a late date.

To honor his memory, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America alzfdn.org.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Theodore Robinson Hodges, III

January 4, 1949 –June 4, 2024

Theodore Robinson Hodges, III, 75 of Pinehurst, passed away on June 4, 2024 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

Born on January 4, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Theodore R. Hodges, Jr. and Jean Downer Hodges.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Kathy Hodges; two children, Andrew Hodges and Alison Hodges (Mark Ragoonanan); three siblings, George Hodges (Diane Hodges), Betsy Hodges (John Nye) and Judy Hodges (Peter Norton); two granddaughters, Avery Steverson and Teddy Steverson; also survived by six nieces and nephews, and several close cousins.

Ted grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, but most of his treasured childhood memories stemmed from his summers spent on the banks of Lake Erie at the family cottage compound in Canada. Later in life he would return there every summer for the family vacation. It was in Canada where Ted and his family formed close bonds with his siblings and his cousins.

Ted attended University of Liggett School and graduated from Grosse Point South High School. He went on to obtain his mechanical engineering degree from Michigan State University. He later became a licensed professional engineer in several states. His career began at Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. in Detroit. In 1983, his career took his family to Dover, Delaware where he was Chief Engineer with Chesapeake Utilities. He then accepted a position as Director of Engineering for NCNG-North Carolina Natural Gas in Fayetteville, NC. He would stay with his company until his retirement even though NCNG merged with various companies. These mergers allowed Ted and his family to live in Cary, NC and Charlotte, NC. Ted was a consummate professional and was well known and highly regarded in the natural gas industry with a reputation for developing commonsense solutions to complex engineering problems and

also for developing employees. Many a successful natural gas professionals can point to Ted’s mentoring as a factor for their success. Ted had many hobbies such as doing crossword puzzles, reading and until a few years ago he was an avid tennis player. In the past 10 years, Ted took his engineering mind and skills to “new heights” as an active member in the Seven Lakes Aeromodelers Club in West End, NC. He could be found on any given Wednesday or Friday morning ying his remote control airplanes with a great group of guys with whom Ted would form strong bonds of friendship.

Ted was a quiet, unassuming, even-tempered guy. He valued honesty above all other traits, a virtue his father taught him. He was a faithful and active member of Community Presbyterian Church, a church that helped Ted grow his faith and where he formed many deep friendships. He was a happy bachelor when he met his future wife, Kathy. After some convincing, Ted and Kathy were married June 28, 1980. From that day forward, Ted was the most loving, caring husband. Because of his good nature, Ted made marriage easy which in turn made for a very happy family life.

Ted was not a diaper changing dad, but once his kids took o , he took o right behind them. Ted was always very proud of Andrew and Alison in school and later in their chosen professions. He was most proud of their high values and character. Both of his children will carry his legacy of integrity into the future. Turns out Ted was not much of a diaper changing grandfather either. But he sure took great delight and joy in the antics of his two beloved granddaughters, Avery and Teddy.

Ted’s family would like to extend their thanks to the family members, friends, church members and neighbors who were so supportive during a very di cult time Our deepest gratitude is extended to the angels who are disguised as First Health Hospice workers. They shared their faith, love and support to Ted and his family in ways only angels can do. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 3:00PM at Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst.

In lieu of owers, memorial donations in Theodore’s name may be made to Community Presbyterian Church- 125 Everette Road Pinehurst, NC 28374 or FirstHealth Hospice Foundation- 150 Applecross Road Pinehurst, NC 28374. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

January 14, 1944 – June 9, 2024

Judy Garner Phillips, 80, entered Heaven peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Acorn Ridge Baptist Church with Dr. John Williamson, Reverend Edwin Moore and Reverend Arnold Comer o ciating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:30 AM. The body will lie in state from 3:00 to 6 PM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Kennedy Funeral Home.

DEATH NOTICES

• Virginia Mae Bruce October 8, 1923 –June 4, 2024

Virginia Mae Brown Bruce. 100, died Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

• Leda Arlette (Fisher) Eaton October 12, 1934 –June 3, 2024

Leda Arlette Fisher Eaton, age 89, of Whispering Pines, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024 at Pinehurst Health & Rehabilitation in Pinehurst, North Carolina with her family by her side.

• Jessie Mae (Brower) Capel February 7, 1929 –June 4, 2024

Jessie Mae Brower Capel was born to the late George and Claudie Brower on February 7, 1929, in Jackson Springs, NC. She graduated from Pinckney High School in Carthage, NC. In accordance with God’s Holy plan, Jessie Mae departed her earthly life quietly at home on June 4, 2024.

• Bryan Cropley August 29, 1936 – June 2, 2024

Bryan Cropley, a resident of Pinehurst, passed away on June 2, 2024. Bryan was born August 29, 1936 in Weston, Maine and was the son of Hugh and Nina Cropley, nee Weeks.

Judy Carolyn Phillips

STATE & NATION

Florida authorities warn of sharks after 3 people hurt in 2 attacks

The two incidents happened Friday about 4 miles apart in the state’s Panhandle

By Je Martin The Associated Press

AUTHORITIES ARE using boats to patrol the ocean and warning swimmers about sharks this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where a woman and two teenage girls were hurt in two separate shark attacks on Friday.

The attacks o beaches in the Florida Panhandle led authorities to temporarily close several beaches to swimmers on Friday. Beaches were reopened Saturday, with ags warning of high hazards.

“All I can say is that these incidents are very rare,” said Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

“It’s even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people,” he told The Associated Press on Saturday. “That’s astronomically low odds of that happening.”

In Walton County, the sheri ’s o ce, re department and the state’s wildlife agency were work-

ing together to patrol the water with boats and the shore with vehicles, the South Walton Fire District said in an update Saturday. Both of Friday’s attacks happened in Walton County.

“Please swim carefully today, respect the Gulf, stay hydrated, and look out for your loved ones,” the re department said on social media.

Red and purple ags were being used Saturday to warn swim-

Sale, use of marijuana permitted under WNC Cherokees ordinance

The Native American tribe opened its dispensary in April

The Associated Press

CHEROKEE — The recreational sale and use of marijuana for adults on western North Carolina tribal land could begin this summer after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board voted for an ordinance expanding approved use just weeks after its medical marijuana dispensary opened.

Several months earlier, tribe members backed adult recreational use on their reservation. The September referendum, approved by 70% of voters, also required the council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Tribal leaders spent months crafting the adult-use ordinance approved Thursday by an 8-2 vote.

Plans for a medical cannabis system and the cultivation of cannabis plants already were underway before the referendum, and the tribe-owned Great Smoky Cannabis Co. within Eastern Band land known as

the Qualla Boundary opened April 20. Buyers so far have been limited to adults at least 21 years old with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an outof-state-approved medical marijuana card.

But now sales and use would be lawful for any adult over 21 — not just tribal members — who comes to the reservation and the Great Smoky Cannabis store, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, news outlets reported.

The legislation still must be rati ed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks to become law.

While marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in the state, the federally recognized tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation. Forrest Parker with Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, said adult-use sales will initially be limited to tribal members, likely starting in July. The expansion to others age 21 and older would happen beginning in early to mid-August, Parker said at a recent council work session on the legislation.

The marijuana sales cen-

mers of the dangers.

“Purple Flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and single red ags indicate high hazard conditions,” the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said in a social media post on Saturday.

Small sh are traveling in schools near the shore this time of year, which might have been a contributing factor in the attacks, the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said.

The rst attack happened Friday afternoon when a woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, the Walton County Sheri ’s O ce said. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news brie ng. She was own to a trauma center.

Less than two hours later, reghters responded to another beach about 4 miles east of the rst attack “following multiple reports of a teenager injured by a shark,” the sheri ’s o ce said.

Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

“When lifeguards and deputies arrived on scene, they found one of the females had signi cant injuries to the upper leg and one hand,” re o cials said in an update. She was own to a trauma center. The other teen had what o cials described as minor injuries on one of her feet.

The two teenagers are from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told the news site Al.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether it was one shark or two separate ones involved in Fri-

day’s attacks, but there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

“There’s de nitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of over shing,” he said. “They’re sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.”

The time of the attacks — in the middle of the afternoon — was also an anomaly, Walton County Sheri Michael Adkinson said. Sheri ’s o cials often warn people to be aware of sharks early in the morning and at dusk, their typical feeding times, he noted.

On Saturday, Walton County sheri ’s deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheri ’s o cials say they don’t know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a Saturday post on social media. “Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.”

Also Friday, in Hawaii, a woman was seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters o the island of Oahu, o cials said.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

ter is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe once its customer base is expanded. Qualla Enterprises released gures before last year’s referendum saying the dispensary could generate $385 million in gross sales revenues in its rst year if the product was available to all adult users, compared to over $200 million if limited to medical patients. The medical marijuana program would continue.

Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational

use of marijuana statewide.

“It’s an extremely historic and exciting time for the tribe and our people on many, many levels,” Parker said after the vote.

The resolution e ectively decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary but also updates the tribe’s laws to re ect its use. For example, it would be illegal to consume marijuana in public and speci cally illegal to possess or consume marijuana within 100 feet of a school, daycare facility, church or hospital, among other locations.

Violating these rules could result in nes, community ser-

vice and a substance abuse assessment, with jail time for subsequent o enses. The tribal council also approved an amendment to prohibit sales of hemp products by businesses not owned by the tribe on the Boundary.

Hicks said last year he was glad that a recreational marijuana question was being put to the people and that he wanted to see protections to keep cannabis use out of the sight of children if it did pass. He had also sought more ordinance language in the rules about marijuana testing standards.

NICK TOMECEK / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP

Authorities are warning swimmers of danger along Florida’s Gulf Coast after three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks Friday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which opened its dispensary in April, has now approved the sale and use for anyone over the age of 21.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Bill for ‘forever chemicals’ manufacturers to pay NC water systems advances

An e ort to order manufacturers of “forever chemicals” to help NC public water systems pay for upgrades to remove contaminants that a company discharged has been renewed in the General Assembly.

The House Environment Committee voted Tuesday for the measure pushed by Republican lawmakers from the Wilmington area. That’s where longtime upstream discharges of a kind of substance called PFAS into the Cape Fear River have contributed to public utilities spending large amounts to lter them out.

Scienti c evidence of PFAS harms to humans have accumulated. The bill certainly could a ect The Chemours Co., which runs a plant that had discharged PFAS for decades. A similar bill was debated in 2022.

Fire Truck Festival set for June 22

The Fire Truck Festival returns to the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer on June 22. A variety of both antique and modernday re trucks will be on display for exploring and photos. Representatives from a number of re and ambulances services will be on hand to showcase the jaws of life, a re ghter costume contest for kids, and more.

The festival starts at 9 a.m. and concludes with a re truck parade at 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and military, and $14 for children 3-12, including a train ride.

US Open returns to Pinehurst

No. 2 course hosts its fourth major in 25 years

By Shawn Krest Twin City Herald

PINEHURST — Once again, the golf world comes to Pinehurst. The club’s famed No. 2 course will play host to the 2024 U.S. Open this week, with 156 of the best golfers in the world playing for one of the coveted major titles.

History

This is the 124th U.S. Open.

The tournament began play in 1895 and was not held for a total of six years during the two World Wars. It’s the fourth time Pinehurst has hosted the Open, all on No. 2. Here’s what happened the other three times.

1999: Payne Stewart was the only player under par for the tournament, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke. Tiger Woods tied for third.

2005: Michael Campbell became the rst player from New Zealand to win the Open, beating Woods by two strokes. Campbell had made the tournament eld less than a week before as a nal quali er.

2014: Martin Kaymer had the fourth-largest winning margin in U.S. Open history, beating Rickie Fowler by eight strokes. He led wire-to-wire, becoming the rst German to take the title.

Pinehurst is just the second club to host four Opens in a 25year span, and the rst to do so in 116 years.

Who’s playing

The top 58 golfers in the world are all in the eld, a group that

Fans watch the play on the practice green during a practice round ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

includes some of the sport’s biggest names — Scottie Sche er, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schau ele, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth. Also competing are Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia. Mickelson and Matt Kuchar will become the only players to compete in all four Pinehurst U.S. Opens. If you go

Tickets are still available for some sessions, but they’ll cost

See US OPEN, page 2

Forsyth considering property tax increase

Proposed county budget calls for a $0.045 cent increase

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners was briefed on the proposed county budget for the next scal year at its May 30 meeting.

“The recommended budget supports our mission, which is to cooperatively support and maintain a community that is safe and healthy, convenient and pleasant to live in with educational, cultural and economic opportunity for all,” said County Manager Dudley Watts.

“The mission kind of says there’s no way we can be everything and do everything for everybody,” Watts continued. “But

within the statutory alignment that we operate in, we do this work, providing quality services e ciently and e ectively with courteous attention to the opinions and needs of individual citizens.”

The budget totals just under $581 million, a more than $11 million increase, up about 2% from the prior year’s budget.

To cover costs, it calls for a property tax rate increase of $0.045, to a total of $0.6823 per $100 valuation, to continue operating at current service levels.

“(The tax increase) is a fairly nominal, small increase, but at the end of the day, we just could not see a way to balance (the budget) without impacting service levels,” Watts said.

According to Watts, 73% of the budget funds will be locally generated from property and sales taxes and that one penny on the property tax rate gener-

ates more than $4.5 million in revenue for the county.

The county is also appropriating $17.5 million in carry over fund balance, essentially a funding safety net.

“We’ve got an amazing group of department managers that have been impartial to this,” Watts said. “They are very conservative and very much care about how these dollars are spent, and they make sure they’re spending that money the way that they would expect anybody to responsibly.”

The WSFCS funding request was around $190 million, nearly a $20 million increase from the prior year. The recommended budget expects to fund $176 million of the request, a $6.7 million increase and well short of the full request.

In other business, the board approved a joint application with WSFCS for $3,676,466 from the

Education Lottery Fund to retire a portion of the county’s school bond indebtedness.

“The county’s debt nancing model that we use and have relied on for a long time, actually incorporates these lottery funds into the plan,” said Watts. “This is just the annual action that we take by the school and by the county to ask the state to give us those dollars so we can make those bond payments.”

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet June 13.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Payne Stewart’s “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

LOGAN WHITTON / USGA

P.J.

THURSDAY

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

Man killed during struggle with deputy outside Clayton hospital

The deputy was confronted in his patrol car

The Associated Press

CLAYTON — A man was shot and killed by a North Carolina sheri ’s deputy outside of a hospital early Monday during a struggle that began

Licenses could be delivered by the end of June

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Thousands of North Carolinians waiting to receive their driver’s license could get their new cards by the end of June, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles said last week.

More than 350,000 physical licenses and identi cation cards have recently been delayed for up to eight weeks, but the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said during a state House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing that the backlog’s end may be in sight. The department anticipates the backlog to be eliminated before June 30.

People waiting on their new licenses must use a temporary driving certi cate, which expires after 60 days. Those who don’t receive their license before the expiration date are advised to call the DMV.

U.S. OPEN from page 1

you. Daily gallery tickets

when the man tried to take the deputy’s gun, authorities said.

The shooting happened in a parking lot for UNC Health Johnston in Clayton, news outlets reported.

The Johnston County deputy tried to leave the lot in his patrol car about 5:45 a.m. when a man confronted him and attempted to gain control of the deputy’s rearm, the

Johnston sheri ’s o ce said in a new release. The deputy was able to regain control of his weapon, and shots were red that resulted in the suspect’s death, the release said.

The name of the deputy and the man were not immediately released. The State Bureau of Investigation was asked to review what happened, which is common in such o cer-in-

volved shootings. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave with pay, news outlets said.

Several law enforcement vehicles were at the scene Monday. Hospital security sta were escorting visitors and patients on the campus Monday morning before the hospital returned to normal operations, a hospital spokesperson said.

Clayton is a bedroom community of Raleigh about 15 miles southeast of the capital city. The hospital opened in 2009 with emergency and outpatient services and now includes 50 patient rooms for in-patient care.

But Shoemaker detailed a much di erent story about the backlog’s origin, saying “the DMV did not act with transparency” throughout the process. The department did not heed IDEMIA’s advice on solutions and did not disclose the root cause of the backlog to the company, she said.

Committee chair Rep. Harry Warren, a Rowan County Republican, said the backlog also impacted people who needed photo IDs to vote in the March 5 primary election.

The department has started transitioning to another manufacturer, CBNSTI in Danville, Virginia. Goodwin said it will not inherit the current backlog.

But heated accusations of what caused the signi cant backlog ared up during a June 6 hearing between lawmakers, Goodwin and Lisa Shoemaker, vice president of global corporate relations for IDEMIA, the DMV’s card manufacturer for over 25 years.

A coding error in February impacted about 2,100 cards, which resulted in the card manufacturer pausing production for less than a week, Goodwin said.

When production started again, the DMV had a 12-day backlog for credentials. Since IDEMIA added a second production facility, the backlog has been signi cantly reduced, Goodwin said.

and shuttle service will take fans to the course. The Red Lot is north of the course on Route 73, while the Blue Lot is south, o Route 1. There is no public parking on Pinehurst grounds. Fans can also arrive by bike, golf cart or train. Bikers need to park in one of the public lots and take a shuttle. There are dedicated golf cart lots located close to the grounds.

As part of the transition, the DMV announced last week that a newer, more secure ID card design will be phased in. Goodwin also said that many improvements have been made at the DMV in recent years, such as lling 250 employee vacancies and adding online appointments to skip wait lines. Goodwin isn’t a stranger to lawmakers’ DMV concerns, as he was previously grilled by Republican legislators on long wait lines earlier this year. A bill has also been introduced in the state that would make several changes to the DMV — among them, making the DMV commissioner a governor-appointed position subject to approval by the Senate.

Amtrak has set up a special train service from Raleigh for tournament week at $25 each way. It’s one train a day that leaves Raleigh at 7 a.m., arriving at Pinehurst at about 9:10. The train back to Raleigh leaves at 6:35 p.m.

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

Then State Democratic Party Chairman and current DMV commissioner Wayne Goodwin speaks at Democratic party headquarters in Raleigh in April 2020.

MIKE

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Random thoughts

We may go home without a budget. This suits some members, including me, simply ne.

THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE and Senate have not reached an agreement on the budget. The House has insisted on spending more than $1 billion dollars, more than the Senate, in addition to the $1 Billion dollars surplus. Originally the House desired to spend the money from the Rainy-Day fund, but that was a nonstarter. Mostly this spend is “pork projects” for members. We may go home without a budget. This suits some members, including me, simply ne. This is not how North Carolina became one of the fastest growing and best states, economically, in the country. Taxpayers did not give us a majority to spend their hard-earned money like it is growing on trees. It does not belong to members so they can look good at home. It belongs to the folks who earned it. Democrat members of the Senate walked out on a vote to clarify the mask language regarding health conditions. It was clear to me from the beginning. It is illegal to wear a mask to hide your identity in the commission of a crime. Some thought it needed to be clearer so that is what the bill does. The bill also contained language to “even the playing eld” on some state elections. Democrats were already allowed to receive money from the Democrat Governors Association and Democrat Attorney Generals Association. This was possible due to an opinion from the partisan Board of Elections a few years ago. The bill simply enables the Republican Governors Association and the Republican Attorney Generals Association to be able to contribute in the same manner. I think the Democrats walked out because they had no legitimate argument to oppose and they just didn’t think folks knew of that partisan advantage on their behalf. In their press conference, Democrats stated, the bill “allows for undue in uences of millionaires to give money to candidates without any disclosure under state law.” What hypocrisy! No mention that Democrats were already able to take millionaires money.

Liberty’s second chance

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality, but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties.

EVER SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS invaded America, our civil liberties have been eroded. National and state leaders tore up the Constitution and tossed it aside in favor of “best practices” that were made up from pure ction. North Carolina was not spared from this tyranny. Citizens were mandated to wear masks to go out. Churches were closed, while many businesses and workers were deemed nonessential. On top of all that, families watched their loved ones die in isolation because hospitals had prevented them from seeing each other. Additionally, parental rights were ignored as students were forced to be vaccinated against their parents’ wishes. This is what transpired in the Guilford County School System to Emily Happel and her son Tanner. Forced vaccination stands in direct opposition to both the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

This egregious violation of parental rights prompted a lawsuit from Mrs. Happel and her son. Despite agreeing that the school system was overstepping its authority, the NC Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of Mrs. Happel’s lawsuit against the school. According to the judges on this court, the federal PREP act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act) prevented the lawsuit against the school for their forcible vaccination.

Mrs. Happel has since appealed this case up to the state Supreme Court, and eight members of the North Carolina General Assembly have joined the case with amicus briefs. The NC Supreme Court has chosen to

Suburban towns and cities around Chicago are pushing back on immigrants bussed into their areas. They are trying to pass ordinances forbidding bus companies from dropping immigrants in their municipalities. Since Governor Abbott started sending these buses to liberal cities, they are getting just a small taste of what border areas have been dealing with for years. Typical of these liberals. “Open the borders and let everybody in, but don’t let them come to my sanctuary city.”

California’s Governor Newsome recently signed into law a mandatory minimum wage of $20 per hour to ip burgers and perform other jobs. This has been a hard hit to the fast-food industry. The California Business and Industrial Alliance says, “10,000 jobs have already been cut across fast food restaurants.” Pizza Hut announced layo s of 841 employees across the state. Rubio’s Coast Grill announced it would be closing forty-eight of its stores across California. When will liberals learn that minimum wage has always been a temporary wage? These workers are mostly teenagers in their rst job. It’s a learning experience for most and the way to build up a successful work ethic. The attitude appears to be that it is preferable to have no job unless you can get $20 per hour.

Governor Ron DeSantis won his battle with the Disney Corporation. You may recall, Disney began the ght when Florida passed what critics called the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” Disney went on a spree of protests by employees and leadership. DeSantis fought back by eliminating the “special district” that Disney enjoyed that no other company is privileged to. Disney sued the state claiming that it was in retaliation and violated Disney’s free speech rights. A Federal Judge has thrown the case out. Mickey Mouse has crawled back, with his tail between his legs and is now working with DeSantis in creating a new Tourism District to oversee Disney. Not only should you “not mess with Texas”, but Florida should also be added to that statement.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.

review this case, and the plainti s hope that this will nally bring about a just outcome and prevent this from ever happening again.

As one of the members of the General Assembly that submitted amicus briefs on behalf of the Happel’s, I agree the PREP Act does not grant immunity from liability to a school system which disregards state law and parental rights. Dismissal of the Happel case on preemption grounds is also in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. If the defendants were correct in this case, it would mean that a state such as North Carolina cannot use state law to hold state-created entities accountable in state courts.

The Tenth Amendment clearly articulates that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” The North Carolina Supreme Court now has an opportunity to reinforce this principle of dual federal-state sovereignty that is fundamental to our constitutional order.

This division of powers between the federal and state governments is not just a technicality, but was adopted to protect each citizen’s civil liberties. The North Carolina Supreme Court should take this opportunity to a rm that there is no “pandemic exception” to the civil liberties granted in the Constitution.

Rep. Neal Jackson (R-78) represents Randolph and Moore County in the General Assembly.

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | JOYCE KRAWIEC

COLUMN | NEAL JACKSON

Forsyth SPORTS

Murray remembered for his kindness

PGA players and o cials held a celebration of life ceremony

By Doug Ferguson

The Associated Press

DUBLIN, Ohio — Dozens of players gathered last week for a solemn celebration of life for Grayson Murray, the PGA Tour winner who had turned the corner from struggles with alcoholism and depression only to take his life a day after withdrawing from a tournament.

“All of us at the PGA Tour carry a heavy heart and will for a long time to come,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said, his voice cracking at times. “When you lose a family member, you can never quite put all the pieces back together.”

Murray’s parents, two siblings and ancée were not at Memorial Park, a garden that sits below the rst tee at Muireld Village, its rock walls lled with bronze plaques of players who have been honored at the Memorial over the years.

Next to the podium was

Murray’s golf bag, along with a large framed photograph of his reaction to making a 40-foot birdie in a playo to win the Sony Open in January.

His parents said he died by suicide on May 25, one day after he walked o the course at Colonial with two holes remaining in the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Among those who spoke at the celebration was Masters champion Scottie Sche er, who came to know Murray better in the early part of the year, as Murray was trying to get his ancée more involved with some of the players’ wives.

They played a nine-hole practice round at The Players Championship, Murray and Chesson Hadley against Schefer and Sam Burns.

“The look on his face when I gave him $100 on the ninth green is something I’ll remember for a long time because you couldn’t wipe that smile o his face,” Sche er said. “Without a doubt, he loved being out here inside the ropes.”

Sche er referred to him as a “sweet man” on more than one occasion, and he was weeping

when he walked away from the podium, then buried his head in his wife’s shoulder.

Murray’s death was a shock to players, caddies and everyone involved in the tour. He was a prodigious talent as a junior, won the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky as a rookie and struggled with alcoholism and tour discipline and anxiety. He spoke at the Sony Open about feeling like a failure for not living up to expectations.

Webb Simpson, who rst met an 8-year-old Murray in their home state of North Carolina, is not at the Memorial this year. He had another close friend, Russell Henley, read his thoughts.

Jay Green, who began caddying for him the week of the Sony Open, told of his hopes to buy a Rolex watch if they had a good year. Murray won the Sony Open and bought a Rolex.

Monahan said similar stories were shared in a private service for Murray and his family on Monday.

Players, along with Memorial founder Jack Nicklaus and wife Barbara, lled the seats. Tour o cials stood anked to the left, with dozens of other players, caddies, equipment representatives and agents lling the ground to the right.

More than a hundred spectators watched from a hill above the garden as a bagpipe played “Amazing Grace” at the end.

rst green during the rst round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, in March.

Logan Rodriguez

West Forsyth, baseball

Logan (Anthony) Rodriguez is a senior on West Forsyth’s baseball team. He helped lead the Titans to the Central Piedmont Conference tournament title and was chosen to participate in the postseason HiToms Senior Classic game.

Rodriguez has signed with Blue eld to continue his baseball career in college. He also was honored by the NCHSAA as one of the recipients of The Willie Bradshaw Memorial Endowed Scholarship, given to student-athletes based on academic criteria, athletic involvement and sound character.

United States shocks cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker

The U.S. got a win in Texas at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Aaron Jones hit the ball out of the park again and the United States edged cricket heavyweight Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker for one of the biggest upsets ever at a Twenty20 World Cup. After a match-winning batting performance in the tournament opener against Canada, Jones was instrumental again Thursday in the dramatic win over 2022 runner-up Pakistan.

Cricket has a long but relatively little-known history in the United States. It’s the national sport in Pakistan, a longtime member of the cricket establishment and a three-time T20 World Cup nalist.

The star players are household names. Whereas Jones and the U.S. squad have own in under the radar.

“Playing against Pakistan for the

achievement.”

Patel said as far as he was concerned, the U.S. team’s campaign was going to plan.

“We’re not worried about what people are saying. We know what we are worth and what capability we have, and we just focus on, the particular game,” he said. “We don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low.

“We’ll make sure that we whatever ... the win today, we will enjoy it and make sure that we next day, we come fresh.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

“All credit to the USA,” Babar said, adding that the Americans performed well in their batting, bowling and elding departments “and that’s why they won.”

The game in Grand Prairie went the full distance, and more. Jones, who smashed a 40ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into a Super Over with another vital knock of 36 not out o 26.

O successive deliveries, Jones hit a six o Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary o the last delivery in regulation tied the scores at 159.

Rauf, Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler, gave away 14 runs o the last six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the Super Over when 32-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who was part of the 2009 champion team, conceded 18 runs that included seven runs o wide balls as Jones went on the attack.

For the U.S., India- born left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who grabbed 2-18 o his four overs in regulation, conceded just 13 runs in the Super Over to seal the historic win for the U.S. The Americans were on course to stun Pakistan during regulation when skipper Patel hit 50 o 38 balls and Andries Gous added 35 to help the hosts reach 159-3.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, was further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling and was restricted to 159-7. Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches o the turf to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in the second over o Netravalkar’s bowling.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP PHOTO

Grayson Murray lines up his putt on the

rst time in the World Cup and beating them, it was an unbelievable performance,” U.S.

captain Monank Patel said. “… beating Pakistan, you know, it’s a big

TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO

United States’ Saurabh Nethralvakar celebrates after their win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match against Pakistan in Grand Prairie, Texas.

SIDELINE REPORT

Yankees ace Cole pitches 4 2/3 innings in 2nd minor league rehab start

New York

Gerrit Cole pitched 4⅔ innings of one-run ball in his second start for Double-A Somerset, another step toward returning to the New York Yankees’ rotation. The 33-year-old Cole allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one against Hartford, retiring his last eight batters. The AL Cy Young Award winner threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes at Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Ryan Ritter, Cole’s second batter, drove an inside fastball on Cole’s sixth pitch over the lefteld wall for his fth homer of the season and second in three days.

NBA Walker, a 7-time All-Star forward, dies

Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84. The 76ers, Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association all extended their condolences on social media. The Bulls say Walker “made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.” Walker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

NHL Montreal, Boston selected as sites for hockey’s 4 Nations Face-O tournament next season

Sunrise, Fla. Montreal and Boston will be the host cities for the 4 Nations Face-O tournament in February, the NHL announced, along with releasing the schedule for the event. In Montreal, Canada plays Sweden on Feb. 12, the U.S. plays Finland on Feb. 13, then a doubleheader — Finland vs. Sweden and the U.S. vs. Canada — awaits on Feb. 15. In Boston, play resumes Feb. 17 with another doubleheader with Canada meeting Finland and Sweden meeting the U.S. The championship game is there on Feb. 20.

NFL

Lions lose 1 day of o season workouts after violating NFL rules relating to on- eld contact

Allen Park, Mich.

The Detroit Lions have lost one day of organized o season workouts after breaking rules relating to on- eld contact during a practice last month. The Lions said in a statement that they take very seriously the rules set forth within the NFL’s O season Program and have worked to conduct their practices accordingly. The Lions had a threeday mandatory minicamp earlier this week. Detroit had a session of organized team activities planned on Monday for its nal gathering before training camp next month but it has been forfeited.

Larson celebrates NASCAR playo waiver with another win

Victory puts Larson in the Cup Series points lead

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Kyle Larson celebrated NASCAR approving his participation in the playo s with his third Cup victory of the season — a Sunday win at his home track. The victory for Larson, who grew up 80 miles away from Sonoma Raceway in Elk Grove, was his second on the rolling road course in picturesque wine country. It is the fth win on a road course for NASCAR’s 2021 Cup champion and moved him to the top of the current series standings. It was a welcome reward after a grueling month of May in which Larson became the fth driver to attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s

Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Rain at both events made his attempt at “The Double” a bust and put him in danger of not being granted a waiver to remain eligible for the NASCAR playo s. It took until Tuesday of this week for NASCAR to grant Larson the waiver. Then he took his rst two consecutive days o in months to lay by the pool in the California sun, do some wine tasting in familiar territory, and then win at Sonoma.

“My life is so hectic that I never feel like I get a normal week for myself. It gets a little bit more hectic now that I am just NASCAR racing and sprint car racing,” Larson said. “It was really nice for me to get to come here this week and just get to do nothing for one day, and then go be a normal tourist on Thursday. It’s just a very relaxing week.” It took NASCAR a week of

internal debate to decide if one of its biggest stars would be given the pass required to remain eligible for playo participation. Larson said he never stressed about the looming decision.

“Are we still talking about waivers?” he asked after the race. “Literally, my mind never wavered. It was always focused on executing and winning the regular season points title.”

His win at Sonoma only showed how foolish NASCAR would have looked had it ruled against the Hendrick Motorsports driver. Je Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, said Larson and the No. 5 team were never rattled during the wait for a waiver.

“I didn’t see it a ecting the majority of the team,” said Gordon, who added Larson and crew chief Cli Daniels allowed the Hendrick executives to han-

dle communications with NASCAR. “As far as how it trickled down the team, I didn’t see where they were really (bothered). They seem to be business as usual. I think the best medicine in any of those situations is getting back to the racetrack.

“Especially when they got here, home track for Kyle, a track they enjoy racing at, I think that put a lot of that to rest.”

Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and passed defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. with eight laps remaining to uphold the win in his No. 5 Chevrolet. It is his 20th win since joining Hendrick in 2021 which ranks third in the organization behind Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Second went to Michael McDowell in a Ford for Front Row Motorsports. Chris Buescher was third in a Ford for RFK Racing and Chase Elliott of Hendrick was fourth.

O’Connell, Minshew wage friendly competition to become the Raiders’ new starting quarterback

Minshew signed a two-year deal as a free agent in the o season

By Mark Anderson The Associated Press

HENDERSON, Nev. — Easygoing Gardner Minshew never seems to get stressed out about anything. Aidan O’Connell said he has enjoyed getting to know and work with his new teammate.

Who’s also his competitor. Both want the same thing — to become the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders — but they don’t appear ready to tear each other down to get there. They communicate in the quarterback room and on the practice eld for organized team activities, trying to help each other get better.

“The better he is, if I’m beating him out, that means I’m just raising it that much more,” Minshew said. “So that’s kind of how I’ve always viewed it. If he’s pushing me and he’s completing every pass, I’ve got to gure out a way to do better. I think that’s the only way to really ever improve.”

The Raiders, who picked 13th overall this year, didn’t draft a quarterback. They signed Minshew to a two-year free-agent contract before the draft, setting up the competition with O’Connell.

“This is a long process,” rstyear o ensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “We’re at the beginning stages of it. Everyone is trying to get a grasp of what we’re trying to accomplish, not just the QBs, but everybody.”

Going back to his days as a walk-on at Purdue, O’Connell is used to ghting for playing time. One of Antonio Pierce’s rst acts upon becoming the interim coach last season was to name O’Connell the starter. O’Connell went 5-4 and threw eight touchdown passes and no intercep -

tions in the nal four games. That wasn’t enough, however, to guarantee him the starting job. Pierce said O’Connell would take the rst practice snaps, though he and Minshew are sharing repetitions with the starting o ense.

“It’s a new o ense, so it’s a little bit like starting over,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, it is my now second year in the NFL. I think all the extra rookie stu I don’t have to do anymore is really a weight o my shoulders.”

Minshew’s most recent stop also was in the Midwest, following a similar script last season with the Colts that O’Connell did with the Raiders. Indianapolis signed Minshew, who previously showed ashes o the bench in Jacksonville and Philadelphia, to come in and provide veteran support to rookie Anthony Richardson. But when Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 out of Florida, injured his shoulder four games into the season, Minshew got another chance to play.

He went 7-6 as the starter, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. But with Richardson coming back for this season, Minshew moved on to Las Vegas with the hope of winning the starting job.

“As soon as I walked in this building, the rst day that I signed, you can just feel (the energy) from the defense, o ense, coaches,” Minshew said. “Everybody feels like they’re pulling in the same direction and wants to get this thing going the right way. I think if everybody’s on the same page, we will be able to get it done.”

Whether that will be Minshew or O’Connell leading the way likely will be determined well into training camp.

It’s a friendly competition. But still a competition that both want to win.

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell, left, and quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) run a drill during practice on May 29 in Henderson, Nevada.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson celebrates his NASCAR Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday with a red wine shower.

Iran OKs 6 candidates for presidential race, blocks Ahmadinejad

The election, which comes after a helicopter crash killed Ebrahim Raisi, will be June 28

The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Guardian Council on Sunday approved the country’s parliament speaker and ve others to run in the country’s June 28 presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

The council again barred former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a rebrand populist known for the crackdown that followed his disputed 2009 re-election, from running.

The council’s decision represents the starting gun for a shortened, two-week campaign to replace Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei once oated as a possible successor for the 85-yearold cleric.

The selection of candidates approved by the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Khamenei, suggests Iran’s Shiite theocracy hopes to ease the election through after recent votes saw record-low turnout and as tensions remain high

over the country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program as well as the Israel-Hamas war.

The Guardian Council also continued its streak of not accepting a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the country’s governance.

The campaign will likely include live, televised debates on Iran’s state-run broadcaster. Candidates also advertise on billboards and o er stump speeches to back their bids.

So far, none of them has offered any speci cs, though all have promised a better economic situation for the country as it su ers from sanctions by the U.S. and other Western nations over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Such matters of state remain the nal decision of Khamenei, but presidents in the past have leaned either toward engagement or confrontation with the West over it.

The most prominent candidate remains Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, 62, a former Tehran mayor with close ties to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. However, many remember that Qalibaf, as a former Guard general, was part of a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999.

He also reportedly ordered live gun re to be used against students in 2003 while serving as the country’s police chief.

Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 and 2013. He withdrew from the 2017 presidential campaign to support Raisi in his rst failed presidential bid. Raisi won the 2021 election, which had the lowest turnout ever for a presidential vote in Iran after every major opponent found themselves disquali ed.

Khamenei gave a speech last week alluding to qualities that Qalibaf’s supporters have highlighted as potentially signaling the supreme leader’s support for the speaker.

Yet Qalibaf’s role in crackdowns may be viewed di erently after years of unrest that have gripped Iran, both over its ailing economy and the mass pro -

tests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of security forces.

Other candidates include Saeed Jalili, the former senior nuclear negotiator, who ran in 2013 and registered in 2021 before withdrawing to back Raisi. Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani also withdrew in 2021 to back Raisi. Mostafa Pourmohammadi is a former minister of justice. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Raisi’s vice president, ran in the 2021 presidential elections and came in last with just under 1 million votes.

Masoud Pezeshkian is the only reformist candidate among a slate of hardliners and is not seen as having much chance.

The Guardian Council disquali ed Ahmadinejad, the

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is one of six people approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country’s presidential election following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others.

rebrand, Holocaust-questioning former president. Ahmadinejad increasingly challenged Khamenei toward the end of his term and is remembered for the bloody crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests. He was also disquali ed in the last election by the panel. It also blocked former speaker of parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Iran’s former relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It was the second election in a row in which Larinjani was barred from running.

Former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who ran in 2021, and Eshaq Jahangiri, who served as vice president under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, were also disquali ed.

Macron dissolves French parliament, calls snap election

The president's party was defeated in European elections Sunday

The Associated Press

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday. The legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7. The announcement came after the rst projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macron’s pro-European centrists, ac -

cording to French opinion poll institutes.

Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration, nationalist party was estimated to get around 31%32% of the votes, a historic result more than double the share of Macron’s Renaissance party, which was projected to reach around 15%.

Macron himself wasn’t a candidate in the EU elections and his term as president still runs for three more years.

He said the decision was “serious” but showed his “condence in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say.”

“In the next few days, I’ll be saying what I think is the right direction for the nation. I’ve heard your message, your concerns, and I won’t leave them unanswered,” he said.

In the latest legislative elections in 2022, Macron’s centrist party won the most seats but

lost its majority at the National Assembly, forcing lawmakers into political maneuvering to pass bills.

With Sunday’s decision, he is taking a big risk with a move that could back re and increase the chances of Le Pen to eventually take power.

A scenario in which an opposition party would eventually win a parliament majority could lead to a fraught power-sharing situation called “cohabitation,” with Macron to name a prime minister with di erent views.

Le Pen, who heads the National Rally group at the National Assembly, “welcomed” Macron’s move.

‘We’re ready for it,” said Le Pen, who was the runner-up to Macron in the last two presidential elections. “We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elec -

tions. We’re ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.”

The EU elections results were a hard blow for Macron, who has been advocating for Europe-wide e orts to defend Ukraine and the need for the EU to boost its defenses and industry.

The National Rally’s lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned for limiting the free movement of migrants by carrying out national border controls and dialing back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro but aims to weaken it from within.

“Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change,” Bardella said. “Emmanuel Macron is tonight a

weakened president.”

An o cial at Macron’s o ce said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was justied by the “historic score of the far-right” that could not be ignored and the current “parliamentarian disorder.”

“You’re never wrong when you give the people a say,” said the o cial, who spoke anonymously in line with the practice of Macron’s o ce. EU elections’ projections also show a resurgence of the Socialist Party, with about 14% of the votes. The party campaigned on more ambitious climate policies and protections for European businesses and workers.

Reacting to Macron’s announcement, far-left politician Francois Ru n called on all leaders from the left, including the Greens, to unite under a single “Popular Front” banner. “To avoid the worse, to win,” he wrote on X. France is electing 81 members of the European Parliament, which has 720 seats in total.

VAHID SALEMI / AP PHOTO

HANNAH MCKAY / AP PHOTO

French President Emmanuel Macron greets a child after voting in Sunday’s European elections in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France.

STATE & NATION

Florida authorities warn of sharks after 3 people hurt in 2 attacks

The two incidents happened Friday about 4 miles apart in the state’s Panhandle

By Je Martin The Associated Press

AUTHORITIES ARE using boats to patrol the ocean and warning swimmers about sharks this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where a woman and two teenage girls were hurt in two separate shark attacks on Friday.

The attacks o beaches in the Florida Panhandle led authorities to temporarily close several beaches to swimmers on Friday. Beaches were reopened Saturday, with ags warning of high hazards.

“All I can say is that these incidents are very rare,” said Demian Chapman, a scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.

“It’s even more rare to have two events in one day involving three people,” he told The Associated Press on Saturday. “That’s astronomically low odds of that happening.”

In Walton County, the sheri ’s o ce, re department and the state’s wildlife agency were work-

ing together to patrol the water with boats and the shore with vehicles, the South Walton Fire District said in an update Saturday. Both of Friday’s attacks happened in Walton County.

“Please swim carefully today, respect the Gulf, stay hydrated, and look out for your loved ones,” the re department said on social media.

Red and purple ags were being used Saturday to warn swim-

Sale, use of marijuana permitted under WNC Cherokees ordinance

The Native American tribe opened its dispensary in April

The Associated Press

CHEROKEE — The recreational sale and use of marijuana for adults on western North Carolina tribal land could begin this summer after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board voted for an ordinance expanding approved use just weeks after its medical marijuana dispensary opened. Several months earlier, tribe members backed adult recreational use on their reservation. The September referendum, approved by 70% of voters, also required the council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Tribal leaders spent months crafting the adult-use ordinance approved Thursday by an 8-2 vote.

Plans for a medical cannabis system and the cultivation of cannabis plants already were underway before the referendum, and the tribeowned Great Smoky Cannabis Co. within Eastern Band land

known as the Qualla Boundary opened April 20. Buyers so far have been limited to adults at least 21 years old with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an out-of-state-approved medical marijuana card.

But now sales and use would be lawful for any adult over 21 — not just tribal members — who comes to the reservation and the Great Smoky Cannabis store, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, news outlets reported.

The legislation still must be rati ed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks to become law.

While marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in the state, the federally recognized tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation.

Forrest Parker with Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, said adult-use sales will initially be limited to tribal members, likely starting in July. The expansion to others age 21 and older would happen beginning in early to mid-August, Parker said at a recent council work session on the legislation.

The marijuana sales cen-

mers of the dangers.

“Purple Flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life and single red ags indicate high hazard conditions,” the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said in a social media post on Saturday.

Small sh are traveling in schools near the shore this time of year, which might have been a contributing factor in the attacks, the Bay County Sheri ’s O ce said.

The rst attack happened Friday afternoon when a woman was bitten by a shark near WaterSound Beach, the Walton County Sheri ’s O ce said. She had critical injuries on her midsection and arm, and part of her arm had to be amputated, South Walton Fire Chief Ryan Crawford said at a news brie ng. She was own to a trauma center.

Less than two hours later, reghters responded to another beach about 4 miles east of the rst attack “following multiple reports of a teenager injured by a shark,” the sheri ’s o ce said.

Two teenage girls were in waist-deep water with a group of friends when they were attacked, the South Walton Fire District said.

“When lifeguards and deputies arrived on scene, they found one of the females had signi cant injuries to the upper leg and one hand,” re o cials said in an update. She was own to a trauma center. The other teen had what o cials described as minor injuries on one of her feet.

The two teenagers are from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told the news site Al.com.

There’s no way of knowing whether it was one shark or two separate ones involved in Fri-

day’s attacks, but there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico than in past years, Chapman said.

“There’s de nitely been a recovery of sharks in the Gulf after many years of over shing,” he said. “They’re sort of out there again after being depleted quite a bit.”

The time of the attacks — in the middle of the afternoon — was also an anomaly, Walton County Sheri Michael Adkinson said. Sheri ’s o cials often warn people to be aware of sharks early in the morning and at dusk, their typical feeding times, he noted.

On Saturday, Walton County sheri ’s deputies patrolling the waters in a boat spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach, which they said is not unusual. Sheri ’s o cials say they don’t know what type of shark attacked the swimmers on Friday.

“We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a Saturday post on social media. “Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.”

Also Friday, in Hawaii, a woman was seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters o the island of Oahu, o cials said.

Shark attacks are rare, according to experts. There were 69 unprovoked bites last year worldwide, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

ter is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe once its customer base is expanded. Qualla Enterprises released gures before last year’s referendum saying the dispensary could generate $385 million in gross sales revenues in its rst year if the product was available to all adult users, compared to over $200 million if limited to medical patients. The medical marijuana program would continue.

Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational

use of marijuana statewide.

“It’s an extremely historic and exciting time for the tribe and our people on many, many levels,” Parker said after the vote.

The resolution e ectively decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary but also updates the tribe’s laws to re ect its use. For example, it would be illegal to consume marijuana in public and speci cally illegal to possess or consume marijuana within 100 feet of a school, daycare facility, church or hospital, among other locations.

Violating these rules could result in nes, community ser-

vice and a substance abuse assessment, with jail time for subsequent o enses. The tribal council also approved an amendment to prohibit sales of hemp products by businesses not owned by the tribe on the Boundary. Hicks said last year he was glad that a recreational marijuana question was being put to the people and that he wanted to see protections to keep cannabis use out of the sight of children if it did pass. He had also sought more ordinance language in the rules about marijuana testing standards.

NICK TOMECEK / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP

Authorities are warning swimmers of danger along Florida’s Gulf Coast after three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks Friday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which opened its dispensary in April, has now approved the sale and use for anyone over the age of 21.

the stream

Andrew McCarthy reconnects with Brat Pack, Paul McCartney & Wings release bootleg

A&E’s “Biography” series returns with a few specials on ’80s rock ’n’ roll greats

The Associated Press

AVA DUVERNAY’S stirringly humanistic adaptation of “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” is streaming on Hulu and actor Andrew McCarthy reconnecting with some of this fellow Brat Pack alumni for the documentary “Brats” are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Ah, the Brat Pack. Generations of young stars have come and gone since the 1980s, when there was a rush of fresh faces like Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez. Still, no crop has since been entirely so de ned in the public imagination. In “Brats,” debuting Thursday on Hulu, actor Andrew McCarthy sets out to reconnect with some of his fellow Brat Pack alumni, including all those mentioned above. It was a complicated and often unwanted label for them, though some have since come to terms with it.

“Origin,” Ava DuVernay’s stirringly humanistic adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” begins streaming Monday on Hulu. In the lm, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Wilkerson, portraying the author as she investigates historical and contemporary cases of caste systems while navigating personal relationships that put broad social constructs into an intimate context. “Origin” was too much overlooked during awards season and its January theatrical run despite enthusiastic reviews from critics. Those included AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr, who called it “a powerful and artistic interpretation of an academic book that was anything but an obvious candidate for a narrative feature.”

Another movie that failed to click with moviegoers in theaters but deserves another look is “Dumb Money,” Craig Gillespie’s entertaining romp through the GameStop stock frenzy. It may sound like another “Big Short”-esque ri on nancial farce, and “Dumb Money” is sort of that. But it’s a fun David vs. Goliath story with an energetic cast (including Paul Dano, Ameri-

Paul McCartney & Wings’ “One Hand Clapping” nally gets an o cial release this week.

ca Ferrera, Anthony Ramos, Pete Davidson and Nick O erman) that does a surprisingly good job of nailing the pandemic year of 2021, its TikTok memes and a short-lived shift in Wall Street power dynamics. In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote, “the little guy — or at least the little guy with a few hundred bucks to sink into the stock market — gets a movie to cheer.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, Paul McCartney & Wings will nally o cially release one of the most widely bootlegged albums of all time — 50 years after its original recording — “One Hand Clapping.” Fans have long been familiar with the collection, which was recorded at Abbey Road as Wings lmed a documentary, but they’ve never heard this material straight from the source. McCartney fans, this one is for you.

The music industry’s decline in the early ’00s around the ad-

vent of digital piracy through peer-to-peer le-sharing platforms like Limewire and Kazaa has been expertly documented. But who is responsible for the initial piracy, exactly?

“How Music Got Free” is a new docu-series from Paramount+, adapted from a 2015 book of

the same name that dives into the phenomenon’s origins. No spoilers, but it involves a few teen hackers, a CD factory worker from North Carolina and, in this interpretation, narration from Method Man, courtesy lmmaker Alex Stapleton.

A&E’s “Biography” series returns with a few specials on ’80s rock ’n’ roll greats: Bret Michaels, Dee Snider, Sammy Hagar and Sebastian Bach, among them. Michaels is kicking things o on Sunday — or Monday on the A&E App — with an episode that documents his rise to fame in the glam-metal band Poison and his career as a reality TV star (VH1’s “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels,” “Celebrity Apprentice”).

SHOWS TO STREAM

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in his rst TV role as a prosecutor accused of murder in “Presumed Innocent” for Apple TV+. The series is based on a

novel by Scott Turow and was made into a lm starring Harrison Ford in 1990. In real life, Peter Sarsgaard is married to Jake’s sister Maggie, who plays Gyllenhaal’s courtroom adversary. “Presumed Innocent” premieres Wednesday. Just in time for summer vacation, a new Peanuts series called “Camp Snoopy” premieres Friday on Apple TV+. Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts set out to earn their merit badges by completing outdoor activities, while Charlie Brown and his friends have their adventures at camp. From farmhouses to mountain retreats to ranches, couples seek out their ideal country dwelling in the new show “Find My Country House” for A&E. Trish Suhr hosts the show, dropping on Saturday. “Find My Country House” is co-produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. It streams the next day on the A&E app and across major TV providers’ VOD platforms. In season two of HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” the characters splinter o into different factions of Westeros. The crux is the Targaryen civil war for control of the Iron Throne. The new season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel debuts Sunday on HBO and streams on Max the same night. MGM+ rewinds to 1970s Miami when cocaine was king in “Hotel Cocaine,” debuting Sunday. Danny Pino stars as a Cuban exile working as the Mutiny Hotel’s general manager, the town’s hottest club. Pino’s character manages to stay neutral between the drug lords and the government o cials who frequent the place until he’s forced to connect with his estranged drug kingpin brother. Michael Chiklis and Mark Feuerstein also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

As V Rising begins, you are a vampire asleep for centuries — and boy, are you thirsty. This gothic adventure from Sweden’s Stunlock Studios is an exciting blend of genres. It’s a Diablo-like role-playing game in which each kill makes you more potent if you avoid sunlight. It’s also a fortress-building sim where you can build an ever more decadent castle while sta ng it with hapless human thralls. You can play solo or team up with friends, but either way, you’ll eventually need to challenge more ferocious monsters. It launched on PlayStation 5 on Tuesday.

The Apple TV+ series “Presumed Innocent,” left, the Max series “House of the Dragon,” center, and the MGM+ series “Hotel Cocaine” all start streaming this week.

CHARLES SYKES / AP PHOTO

Andrew McCarthy attends the “Brats” premiere during the Tribeca Festival.