North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 36

Happy Halloween from NSJ

this week

Trump ally Bannon released from prison Danbury, Conn.

Longtime Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon was released from prison early Tuesday after serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. Bannon also returned to his podcast and online show Tuesday morning, saying he was focused on helping Trump win the presidential election. Bannon, 70, reported to prison July 1 after the Supreme Court rejected his bid to delay his prison sentence while he appealed his conviction. A jury found Bannon guilty in 2022 of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition with the Jan. 6 House Committee and a second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement in Trump’s efforts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race.

U.S. job openings fall to 3½-year low Washington, D.C.

U.S. job openings tumbled last month to their lowest level since January 2021, a sign that the labor market is losing some momentum. Still, posted vacancies remain well above pre-pandemic levels. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the number of job openings dropped to 7.4 million in September from 7.9 million in August. Economists had expected the level of openings to be virtually unchanged.

Job openings fell in particular at health care companies and government agencies at the federal, state and local levels. Though job openings have fallen sharply since peaking at 12.2 million in 2022, they remain higher than before the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed the American economy in early 2020.

NCGA passes $644M more in Helene relief

Lawmakers have issued over $917M so far; Cooper wants $3.9B total

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed a second round of Hurricane Helene relief funding on Oct. 24. Senate Bill 743, retitled “The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 — Part II,” contains more than $644 million for Helene relief

and will draw from the state’s Savings Reserve, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. North Carolina’s State Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund has nearly $733 million available, and the state’s Savings Reserve has more than $4.75 billion. The first round of funding, $278 million, was approved earlier this month in House Bill 149. Combined with the second round, total relief funding thus far is more than $917 million.

Walz makes case for Harris in Wilmington

The vice-presidential candidate didn’t hold back during the rally

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

WILMINGTON — In Tim Walz’s time on the national stage, he’s been described as “folksy” and “plain-spoken” countless times. That means bringing out the adult language from time to time.

The Minnesota governor and Democratic candidate for vice president appeared at Wilmington’s Greenfield Lake Amphitheater last Thursday, a few days after he raised eyebrows for calling Elon Musk a “dips--t.”

With a chance to backtrack, clarify or apologize in Wilmington, Walz instead doubled down.

“I did a very Midwestern euphemism the other day when I was talking about Elon being Donald Trump’s running mate and jumping around on stage, and it popped out,” Walz said. “And a lot of people did not know this phrase. Some people in parts of the country don’t know what that is. Trust me, it’s what he is.”

Walz also used plain-spoken language when comparing Kamala Harris’ policies

NC high court sends CON law back to trial court

“CON laws are exactly what they sound like — a con.”

Dale Folwell, state treasurer

The North Carolina Supreme Court voted unanimously

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Supreme Court delivered a unanimous opinion in a case involving the state’s certificate-of-need laws on Oct. 18. North Carolina certificate-of-need (CON) laws require a provider to obtain such a certificate before adding “new institutional health services” in a wide range of health care settings, including buying equipment, adding beds and more. Obtaining a CON is not cheap either, with a minimum filing fee

of $5,000 and a maximum of $50,000. A lawsuit by Dr. Jay Singleton, an eye doctor in New Bern, argued that CON laws prevent him from buying the equipment he needs for certain services, which in turn allows him to provide more affordable services to his patients compared to the local hospital. In his initial filing, Singleton said he could perform cataract surgery for $1,800 with the proper equipment CON laws are barring him from obtaining compared to the $6,000 the local hospital charges for the procedure. Singleton’s attorneys have argued that the CON law violates the law of the land clause, the anti-special

“This is not a game. You need people who can actually come up with ideas.”

Tim Walz

DAVID YEAZELL / AP PHOTO

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign event at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington last Thursday.

the word | Putting clouds over the sun

FUNDS from page A1

“As North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation caused by Helene, the North Carolina House of Representatives remains committed to ensuring the people of Western North Carolina have what they need to rebuild and recover,” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said in a statement. “We stand with our neighbors and will see this recovery through to the end.”

Top-line funding items in the second round of aid include: $100 million to the Local Government Commission for local government use; $100 million to the Department of Environmental Quality for water/ wastewater infrastructure issues; $50 million to state agencies and local governments for unmet needs not covered by insurance or available federal aid; $30 million for mental health services; $10 million for child care facilities; and $10 million for child care facilities.

K-12 education items include $50 million for uninsured and non-FEMA reimbursable expenses for school building repairs and renovations and $5 million to replace/repair K-12 technology and devices.

For postsecondary institutions, $10.5 million is set aside for emergency scholarship grants for students at impacted community colleges, $5 million for UNC System schools ($5 million), and $1 million for private colleges. Eligible students at the school outlined in the relief package will be able to re -

A little boy was walking down the street rejoicing in the possession of a bright new penny. He was going to buy some candy with it — and he could almost taste it already. But just then he dropped his penny upon the sidewalk — and an older boy seized it. The little boy asked for his penny back, but the older boy only laughed. It was a mean trick. It spoiled the whole day for the young boy. The older boy put a dark cloud over the little fellow’s sun that day, and the shadow will be cast upon him through other days.

A few people were sitting in a room talking over a matter. During the conversation one man made a charge against another, insultingly comparing him with a man whose conduct had been quite unfitting. The charge was like a dagger in the man’s heart. He knew it was both untrue and unjust. He had always held the other man in high esteem, and to be thus publicly wounded by him, was almost unbearable. He made no defense but went out of that room with an aching heart, humiliated and wronged. His friend had put a great cloud over his sun.

Years later, the man still has pain in his heart. He is not bitter toward the other man — he has forgiven him; but the close tie has been broken. He has not been able to confide in the one who did him such an injury.

A faithful minister had labored for years for souls. He had been successful — and had been a blessing to many. One day a certain person spoke of him jokingly in a manner that aroused suspicions of others who were present. These suspicions grew to whispers and the whispers grew to open charges. The minister could not prove them to be false. The accusations hindered his labors. Someone had put a cloud over his sun and over his name — and for years the dark shadow of it rested upon his life. How easy it is to put a cloud over someone’s sun — to make some life dark which might have been bright. It may seem

ceive a scholarship grant of up to $2,500. Another $5.5 million is included for UNC Asheville to cover spring 2025 semester tuition for eligible students. Similarly, there is $5 million to cover spring 2025 tuition for students at specified community colleges and trade schools in the affected region. Also in the second round of relief funds are:

• $50 million to Golden LEAF for small business loans

• $10 million to provide weatherization services to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene

• $5 million to Emergency Management to adjust floodplain mapping in western North Carolina

• $9 million for utility assistance to individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene

• $10 million to Smart Start to help child care providers reopen their facilities

• $3 million to support children in foster care and children in child protective services

• $5 million to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina to encourage the return of tourism in the impacted areas

• $500,000 for anticipated additional Line of Duty Death claims

without your adding a single one. When you have grown older and they have gone out of your life — you may look back with a pang of regret at the times when you caused their hearts to ache. We are told that “no man lives unto himself.” There is a circle of influence about our lives which affects every other life that we touch. We brighten or darken the lives about us. We lighten or make heavier the burdens of others. Every unkind word or look — makes a shadow on some life. Every slighting remark, every sarcastic fling, every contemptuous smile — puts a cloud over somebody’s sun.

like only a little thing — but sometimes a little cloud can make a dark shadow. We may not see either the cloud or the shadow — but the heart that is darkened, both sees and feels.

Parents can, by unkind words or actions, becloud their children’s sky. One way parents do this is by telling the faults of their children to visitors, in the presence of the children. There is scarcely anything more disheartening to a child than this. He feels humiliated and hurt. He feels that he has been betrayed. It sinks down into his soul and rankles there. It discourages him, and if it is often repeated — he comes not to care if he is at fault. Constant reproof and faultfinding make a child’s life gloomy and sad.

Children may darken the hearts and lives of their parents. How many times is the heart of a mother or father grieved by the conduct of the children? Young people, cherish your parents, try to make their lives as bright as you can. They have many cares. These are enough for them to bear,

“We stand with our neighbors and will see this recovery through to the end.”

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain)

The second round of relief funding also includes $10 million for state and local match for Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 (PTC-8) and Tropical Storm Debby.

The day prior, Gov. Roy Cooper proposed an overall package totaling $3.9 billion.

On pages 98 and 99 of Cooper’s 99-page proposal are $175 million in additional budgetary funds for the Cooper-established Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), as well a request for $200 million for “remaining” Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence needs.

The legislature noticed the request, and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) issued a press release criticizing Cooper over the “last minute” request as a “financial catastrophe” that is a “direct result of top-down mismanagement” from the agency.

Berger also said he “looks forward to GovOps getting to the bottom of this astounding failure.”

“The lack of preparation from the state’s executive branch leading up to Hurricane Helene and absence of immediate action thereafter has left Western North Carolina in a more

Lack of appreciation has darkened many a life. How much better it would be to take away the clouds, and to banish the gloom. You can do this just as easily as you can bring clouds. It is just as easy to speak kind words — as to speak unkind ones. You can encourage and help — you can speak words of appreciation. When people please you — then let them know it. When people do well, or even when they try to do well and fail — then you can show that you appreciate their efforts.

There are enough clouds in life at its best, in this world of sorrow. Be a sunshinebearer. Drop a little good cheer into every life you touch. No matter what disposition you are by nature — you can form the habit of being cheerful and encouraging. Even when you have heavy burdens yourself — you can be encouraging and helpful to others.

Do not let your troubles be mirrored on your face. One’s face can smile and his words can be cheery — even if his own heart aches.

Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and over 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.

difficult position than it needed to be,” said Berger in a press release following the passage of the second round of funding.

“This will be a long recovery, and the legislature will not lose sight of rebuilding the region and fixing the damage,” said Berger. “Our second relief package puts the General Assembly’s total commitment so far at almost $900 million, and that will only grow as we continue to evaluate and repair the damage.”

Cooper did not get his full ask for NCORR. Lawmakers included $30 million in the second round of Helene relief to keep the agency operating after Senate Republicans noted NCORR had “blown through its entire budget of $650 million.”

Both chambers also passed a conference report to Senate Bill 132, which requires 13 county boards of elections in the impacted areas to open at least one early voting site for every 30,000 registered voters. Two counties of concern were McDowell and Henderson, each currently having one site.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 132 unanimously. The House passed the bill 106-2; the votes against came from Democratic Reps. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) and Rep. Abe Jones (D-Wake). Neither of the two Democrats represents any of the counties covered under the bill.

During House debate on the early voting measure, various Democrats questioned the need for more sites, the burden it might place on local boards

of election and questioned the cost to those local boards as well as the ability to staff additional locations.

After back and forth between multiple Democrats and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), whose county was impacted by Helene, Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) addressed the concerns.

Hall said the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) was granted $5 million dollars in House Bill 149 for this purpose, more than twice the $2 million it had requested.

Hall pointed out the significant disparity in voter-to-site ratios across counties with some having one site per 5,000 registered voters and Henderson County having just one site for 90,000 registered voters when it used to have four.

Hall said the bill was just adding voting sites based on a benchmark of 30,000 registered voters, which ensures more equitable access to voting sites and prevents voters from having to wait two to three hours at single polling locations.

“I would urge you to support this very simple bill that has been more than fully funded at this point to make sure everybody there has the ability to vote,” Hall said in closing.

“If it’s going to make it easy, let’s do it,” Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) said after Hall finished. “You know, let’s do the right thing and this is the right thing. If they need more and we’ve already done what they need, let’s do it and move on.”

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Impression, Sunrise” by Claude Monet is a painting in the collection of the Marmottan Museum of Monet in Paris. This painting inspired the name of the Impressionist movement.

THE THE

Challenges, opportunity part of charter schools’ efforts to become bigger part of education

Pine Springs Preparatory and Aspire Trade High School face growing pains while seeing the possibilities

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

The 411 offers an in-depth look at the people and places that make North Carolina grow strong and great.

RALEIGH — Public charter schools in North Carolina have seen a boom in recent years, with the 2023 report to the General Assembly citing 145,075 students enrolled for the 2022-23 year.

That enrollment number represents more than 10% of the total state enrollment, according to the report. At the time of the report, 210 schools were in operation.

The report also found big waitlists, with 169 charter schools reporting having a waitlist at the start of the 2023-24 school year totaling 85,551 students, a number that could include duplicate names as students are often waitlisted at multiple charter schools.

For context, the overall waitlist total is larger than the 2023 enrollment of 70,126 in Guilford County Public Schools, one of the state’s largest districts.

Charter schools were established as public schools in North Carolina through the Charter School Act of 1996 (House Bill 955). There was initially a cap on the number of charter schools that could operate in the state. That cap was removed in 2011.

Similarly, a recent report issued by the National Alliance for Public Charters (NAPC) shows that from “2019-20 to 2023-24, charter school enrollment grew by 392,082 (+11.68%), while district enrollment has decreased by 1,750,607 (-3.89%).”

NACP found North Carolina charters had grown by more than 24% since 2019, while traditional district schools shrunk by 3.23% over the same time period. Additionally, minority enrollment in the state’s charter schools increased 23.83% for black students and 53.47% for Hispanic students. The report revealed that the increase in black student enrollment in the past five years was fueled by three states: Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

Between enrollment gains and large waitlists, demand is seemingly outstripping supply in the state’s public charter school system.

Pine Springs Preparatory Academy in southern Wake County opened in 2017 and serves students in grades K-8 as well as a now-approved remote, fully virtual learning academy.

“From the very first year when we had just over 400 students, we still had it close to 1,000 stu-

dents on a waiting list,” Pine Springs Head of School Bruce Friend told North State Journal of the school’s rapid growth and high demand.

Friend said Holly Springs, where the school is located, has seen a population explosion from 20,000 people 10 years ago to more than 50,000 in 2023. The growth has combined with increased interest in educational options and the desire to avoid school reassignments to boost applications at Pine Springs.

Charter schools, however, come with challenges, Friend said.

“I think the access to … land and/or facilities that can be converted into a school, coupled with the challenge of the financing all of that is what I think a lot of new charter school folks are finding is the real challenge,” said Friend, who is also the chair of the N.C. Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB).

The CSRB, established during the 2023 legislative session to replace the Charter Schools Advisory Board, oversees applications for new schools and renewing schools. The law also changed the authority for approval or denial of charter applications and charter renewal terms from the State Board of Education (SBE) to the CSRB.

The SBE fought this change and attempted to circumvent the CSRB’s authority by changing language in the board’s funding policies in September 2023. The SBE’s attempt was swiftly blocked in the 2023 state budget.

Friend said Pine Springs has

“The more people are finding out about this, the more people we’re getting coming to the school and saying, ‘Yes, we desperately need these.’”

Jennifer Nichols, Aspire Trade High School executive director

acquired property and plans to open a biotech-focused high school tentatively set to open in 2026. Pine Springs has been working with Scott Ralls, president of Wake Tech Community College, about the possibility of helping Pine Springs students being able to graduate with a “bio work certificate.”

Like Pine Springs’ future biotech high school, Mecklenburg County’s Aspire Trade Charter High School offers students direct career pathways in various trade areas from automotive to culinary arts.

The school is a first-of-its-kind charter in the state and serves students in grades 9-12. Coursework includes the traditional core classes found in high school but elective courses that are all trade-related, as well as apprenticeships, are also offered.

“Their career path, this is not a little ‘we’ll take a few classes here and take a few classes there’ at a College Promise program. This is not that,” Aspire Trade’s Executive Director and Principal Jennifer Nichols told North State

Journal. “These kids are basically getting what would be considered an associate’s degree.”

Nichols, whose background is in education, said it was difficult getting the school up and running because there are no others like it, which led to starting with a footprint that could serve just over 500 students. Now, Aspire Trade needs to expand.

“The more people are finding out about this, the more people we’re getting coming to the school and saying, ‘Yes, we desperately need these,’” Nichols said.

Aspire Trade’s current offerings include automotive, carpentry, culinary, data science, HVAC, masonry/tile, medical assistant, medical coding, plumbing and welding/fabrication. Nichols said the school is also looking for a partner in the electrical field to add coursework in that area.

Aspire Trade Board Chair Derek Partee said an issue they are having is getting the word out about the school.

“When I speak to a lot of my peers, they’ve heard of Aspire Trade High School, but they have not been here to actually see the physical campus,” said Partee, a former member of the Board of Commissioners in Huntersville.

Nichols touted the ability of their students to graduate not just with a traditional high school diploma but also with certifications and licensure pathways, allowing them to enter their field right out of the gate.

“They will interview May of their senior year. They should have a position if they want one; doesn’t mean they can’t go on to college,” Nichols said.

A number of the students at Aspire Trade are from low-income families in the Charlotte area, and many face transportation hurdles — not just in getting to school but after graduation.

Nichols added they were currently attempting to get cars donated or accept damaged cars that automotive students could repair for students to use when they graduate.

“One of our big fears was we’ve taken away the barriers, and then all of a sudden we come up to a graduating senior that has been given a great job offer within their career pathway and they’re so excited, and they have a way to get there,” Nichols said.

Nichols said the most important thing is encouraging students that trade jobs are an option.

“There shouldn’t be a stigma for kids who want to go into a CTE career opportunity because they are well-paid positions, No. 1 — I mean really well-paid positions,” said Nichols. “These career paths are not second tier; they’re not second class.”

The 411 offers an in-depth look at the people and places that make North Carolina grow strong and great.

COURTESY ASPIRE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL

Aspire Trade High School students work on a car in an automotive class.

COURTESY PINE SPRINGS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Springs Preparatory Academy has benefited from the population explosion in Holly Springs.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Chicken Little journalism

They may never recover the trust of the American public again.

ON CAPITOL HILL, the first lesson learned was this: If you lie to someone, you are dead as a useful staffer.

A person can be political as all get out and bend data to suit their argument ― that is the very definition of politics in the first place. However, if you are proven to have lied or broken a promise made to seal a deal or compromise, you might as well pack your bags and leave Washington.

The major news media outlets in America might as well pack its bags because of all the lies they have manufactured and perpetuated since 2016. They may never recover the trust of the American public again.

Add in the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) on top of minimal trust in the media, and it will be next to impossible to trust anything anyone reads online again unless and until they are 10,000% assured of the integrity of the source.

American journalism has accomplished such a Herculean feat entirely on its own.

A once-proud and (reasonably) honorable profession dedicated to ferreting out “truth” is today nothing more than a sounding board for often childish ad hominem attacks from propagandists ― mostly from the left. It is as if Chicken Little and The Boy Who Cried Wolf run all major media news outlets today. “The sky will fall if Trump is elected as a fascist dictator!” cries one commentator. (He is not) “Trump will order the military to round us all up and send us to gulags!” laments a panel on MSNBC. (He won’t)

A long time ago, America had only three main channels through which news was transmitted to the American people ― CBS, ABC and NBC. People came to trust news anchors such as Walter Cronkite, Chet

EDITORIAL

| STACEY MATTHEWS

Huntley and David Brinkley, Frank Reynolds and Harry Reasoner. The news they delivered each evening came across as fair and reasonable, backed up by solid research and corroboration.

Back then, no serious journalist would ever dare to quote an “anonymous” source ― they either were named or not quoted at all. Two or more sources had to be fact-checked and verified before any story ran on the nightly news.

Bernard Shaw of CNN set the bar pretty high for nonpartisanship in journalism when he asked Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis, an avowed opponent of the death penalty, the following question during a debate with then-VP George H.W. Bush 41: “Governor, if Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?”

Shaw would never ask Kamala Harris a mushy softball question about what she liked to cook or what flavor ice cream she prefers ― unlike the fawning press from CNN, MSNBC, The Washington Post and the aforementioned Big Three networks of 2024.

In the past decade, journalism has moved sharply away from reporting basic news and facts and become far more politically leftish in its orientation and reporting. They have become effectively the mouthpiece of the progressive Big State socialist left ― and they really don’t care what opponents say about it.

And then they wonder: “Why do so many people not listen to our dire warnings about Donald Trump being a fascist dictator?”

They said Russian collusion was behind Trump’s victory in 2016; They were wrong ― the whole story came out of Hillary Clinton’s camp the day after she lost. They said Hunter

Words of wisdom from JD Vance on friends and politics

Political disagreements don’t make one side or the other “bad people.”

WE’RE JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY from what many have described as one of the most consequential presidential elections of our respective lifetimes.

I know things like that are said in every presidential election cycle, but it really seems true in this case, especially considering the options we have, what some of the nominees bring (and don’t bring) to the table, and what the future holds depending on who wins.

When these types of elections roll around, it’s easy for people to get locked into their positions, with some viewing anyone who disagrees with those positions as having questionable judgment and moral character.

While it’s one thing to hold those feelings toward random strangers on the street or social media, it’s another to hold them toward friends and family members you’ve known, loved, trusted and respected for years.

This is a topic Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the vice-presidential running mate of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, tackled during a NewsNation town hall in Detroit last week.

Vance was asked a question from a voter about how “half of our country” is going to be “devastated” if the other half’s ticket wins the election.

“Do you have any thoughts on how the winning side can help, you know, outreach or lend a hand to those that might not like the outcome?” the person asked.

The first thing Vance brought up is how, after the contentious 2016 election between Hillary Clinton and Trump, one of the first things Trump did was call for unity, saying at the time that “it’s time for us to heal as a country, actually realize that we’re on the same team.”

Later, after describing how some of his friends sometimes “get very personal” over political disagreements with him, Vance said, “If you’re discarding a lifelong friendship because somebody votes for the other team, then you’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake and you should do something different.”

Political disagreements don’t make one side or the other “bad people,” Vance also observed.

No matter who you vote for, Vance went on to say, “Don’t cast aside family members and lifelong friendships. Politics is not worth it. I think if we follow this principle, we heal the divide in this country.”

They were powerful words of wisdom coming from Vance, who has risen to the occasion since Trump announced him as his running mate back in July.

But though he was right, this time of year, when you may have that one family member or friend who insists on bringing up politics at the holiday dinner table, it’s something that is a lot easier said than done depending on the person who is trying to do the persuading.

Recently, several campaign signs have gone

Biden’s laptop story was fake and another case of Russian or Chinese “disinformation.” They were proven wrong again ― everything on Hunter Biden’s laptop was put there by him and him alone.

Former five-time Emmy Award-winning CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson lists 162 deliberate errors on the part of the major news media when it comes to its reporting about Donald Trump in the last four years alone. God only knows how many false statements they have made about Republicans and conservatives in the past two decades.

Big news media moguls and anchors never admit they were wrong and ask for forgiveness from the American people. It is like they think they never lied in the first place. God forbid Trump turns out to be a fascist dictator. (He is not ― dictators don’t wait until their second term to start killing people.)

Like Chicken Little and The Boy Who Cried Wolf one too many times, the media will have squandered its credibility on nonsense.

If Donald Trump wins a second term in the White House, it may be partly due to the anger of voters toward the media. Its constant lying will be viewed by future historians as one of the craziest, least productive and dangerous abuses of the free press in American history.

up around our neighborhood in some of our neighbors’ yards. Some are for Harris-Walz, while others are for Trump-Vance.

Naturally, we smile when we see the Trump-Vance signs, thinking to ourselves, “Good neighbor!” When we see the HarrisWalz signs, on the other hand, there is disappointment, but we know most of the people in our community and know them to be solid people who would be there for you in a pinch.

In other words, knowing some of our neighbors will be casting votes for “the other team,” as Vance put it, doesn’t make us like them any less. We have joked, though, about asking them in passing, “What the heck are you thinking?”

Not that we would, of course. But if they brought up the subject, though, that would certainly make things awfully interesting.

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.

| JORDAN GOLSON

COLUMN

An MSG victory lap (or unimaginable hubris)

Unity is on the ballot, in a little checkbox, right next to the name Donald J. Trump.

IT’S PROBABLY SAFE to say that most billionaires don’t have a very long bucket list — but there’s one thing that, until recently, sat at the very top of Donald Trump’s: Performing at Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan: the greatest arena in the world in the greatest city in the world.

It was clear from the off that this wouldn’t be a traditional Trump rally. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe opened proceedings, following a stirring rendition of the national anthem, with a series of sharp jokes that skewered cancel culture, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and, in one that sent liberal commentators into a frenzy, he let off a zinger about “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean ... I think it’s called Puerto Rico?”

The irony of the joke, which was totally lost on apoplectic Democrats, is that Puerto Rico has long-running and well-known trash and landfill problems. Also, Hinchcliffe is a roaster — he insults people with jokes. As Jon Stewart put it on Monday night, “Bringing that guy to a rally and having him not do roast jokes, that would be like bringing Beyonce to a rally and not having ... oh.”

Hinchcliffe, who hosts a popular live comedy podcast called “Kill Tony,” also suggested that Israelis and Palestinians settle their differences with a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The problem, of course, was that the Palestinians would throw Rock while Jews would have trouble “throwing that paper.”

His overarching point, made by countless people over the night, was that freedom of speech was under attack, and the GOP was now the party with a sense of humor. It’s been 10 years, and the political press is still trying to apply the same old, stodgy rules to Trump’s world, where pushing the boundaries of “acceptable” is encouraged, not prohibited.

Hinchcliffe’s edgy set established a rowdy, rebellious tone that lasted for six straight hours on Sunday. A seemingly endless parade of speakers delivered the greatest hits to some 20,000 MAGA faithful — but it was a handful of folks new to the movement who truly impressed.

Most of the time at these events, the opening speakers (typically some local politicos and other time fillers) merely distract whilst the crowd waits for Trump to hit the stage; on Sunday, Trump almost seemed an afterthought. Some of the speakers could (and have) filled MSG on their own.

In an especially stirring run, former Democrats Tulsi Gabbard (“A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney. ... A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for a man who wants to end wars, not start them.”) and RFK Jr. (“I didn’t leave the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party left me.”) went back to back to thunderous applause.

Then, surprise guest Dr. Phil McGraw

brought down the house with an impassioned plea for Trump voters to support each other and to stand up against cancel culture and bullying.

“Have we lost our minds?” he said. “We have the First Amendment in America. ... That’s the law, but we’re muzzling each other. What is going on? We have a law that protects free speech, so we start taking it away from each other? We can’t allow that to happen. We cannot encourage it.”

Echoing a comment that JD Vance made a few days ago, Dr. Phil said if your neighbor wants to vote for the other side, “love ’em anyway,” and that “no one should be alone, no one should feel abandoned and no one should get their business boycotted” because of who they choose to vote for.

The media coverage of the Madison Square Garden event has decried it as full of hateful vitriol and rhetoric, racism and sexism, anger and despair. But that’s not how it felt in the building. Inside, it was full of laughter and smiles and joy.

Perhaps it’s because New York Trump voters, who feel so outnumbered in this bastion of solid blue (despite several speakers proclaiming N.Y. to be a swing state, that seems unlikely to happen), finally could get together and celebrate the man who turned the Republican party from the land of Cheney into one that delivers thunderous applause to former Democrats proclaiming Donald Trump to be the candidate who will end wars and stand up to censorship.

A Kennedy, on stage at a GOP rally, delivered applause lines for his Uncle Ted’s writing of Title IX to protect women’s collegiate athletics. Ted Kennedy getting cheers from the Republican faithful while the Democrats deliver love to the Cheneys? Up is down. Cats are sleeping with dogs. Democrats are Republicans. Republicans are Democrats. And unity is on the ballot, in a little checkbox, right next to the name Donald J. Trump.

For six hours, a packed Madison Square Garden came together to celebrate the man they believe will be the 47th president of the United States. For Trump, it was an epic victory lap — the cherry on top of an epic comeback that could see him return to the White House in a few months, a tale fitting for a man from New York, New York.

The stage at MSG has hosted some of the biggest names in the world, and if Trump wins, this will add one more to its storied history. Unless, of course, come Tuesday and Trump loses. If that happens, the rally was perhaps the largest bit of political hubris America has ever seen. We’ll see.

Jordan Golson is a writer and commentator living outside Boston. He pens a car review column for North State Journal and oversees the paper’s local editions.

Secularists vs. people of faith

Catholics favor Trump

55% to 41% — and this was before Harris sent an anti-Catholic video to the Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

AN AMAZING THING is happening in the 2024 presidential campaign. Religious beliefs and hostility toward religion are playing bigger roles than in any election in modern times.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz represent the anti-religious ticket. Their past actions and current statements communicate clear opposition to, and disdain for, religion in ways that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.

It is an odd campaign decision to be so openly hostile to religion in a country in which people of faith outnumber secularists by 3 to 1.

Scott Rasmussen recently released a survey asking people to identify their faith or religion. The responses were overwhelming: 21% Catholic, 18% Protestant, 17% Bible-believing Christian, 13% evangelical Christian, 3% Jewish and 2% Muslim. Eight percent reported being atheist and 18% said “None of the Above.”

Even if you assume those who picked none of the above are secular (which is unlikely), you end up with a 74% to 26% split.

The difference in attitudes is increasingly showing up in popular sentiment.

When America’s New Majority Project surveyed the key swing states in September, we discovered a clear break between faith-based and secular voters.

Harris carries a solid 64% to 31% advantage among secular voters over former President Donald Trump. However, Trump has an equally large 65% to 34% advantage among evangelicals.

Catholics favor Trump 55% to 41% — and this was before Harris sent an anti-Catholic video to the Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in her absence. The dinner is one of the largest Catholic charitable events in our nation.

Harris’ support among people of faith has declined even further since her rally in La Crosse, Wisconsin. When Harris began talking positively about abortion, college students Luke Polanski and Grant Beth shouted, “Jesus is Lord.” Harris flippantly said, “You guys are at the wrong rally.” The crowd laughed and applauded at her put down of the religious students.

This comment immediately went viral. On video, it was direct. The energy and happiness of the crowd’s support for Harris’ anti-religious bigotry was jarring. The Harris campaign tried to

deflect the issue, claiming she was responding to a group of Trump-supporting hecklers. However, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Harris was responding to the remark “Jesus is Lord.”

Harris’ latest rejection of religion came when she said there could be no religious exceptions when performing abortions. She went on to say, “That is not negotiable.” So every faithful doctor or nurse who morally opposes abortion could be coerced by Harris’ government to perform abortions or face legal consequences.

This repudiation of faith has spread throughout the Democratic Party.

James Carville recently said on CNN that Speaker Mike Johnson’s Christian faith is dangerous.

“Mike Johnson and what he believes is one of the greatest threats we have to the United States,” Carville said. “I promise you, I know these people. This is a bigger threat than al-Qaida to this country.”

Trump has taken the opposite approach. According to Catholic Vote:

“Trump contrasted the treatment of Catholics under the Biden-Harris administration with his promise to combat anti-religious bias if elected, during a Monday speech in North Carolina. ‘If you’re Catholic, there is no way you can be voting for these people. These people are a nightmare,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what they have against Catholics, but Catholics are treated worse than anybody.’”

This is an extension of the faith-based values Vivek Ramaswamy captured when he announced for president during the Republican primary. As the AP reported, he decried “what he called a ‘national identity crisis’ that he claims is driven by a left-wing ideology that has replaced ‘faith, patriotism and hard work’ with ‘new secular religions like COVID-ism, climate-ism and gender ideology.’”

This aggressively secular minority continues to alienate millions of religious Americans.

The split between secularism and faith may become the most important divide in American politics and government for the next generation.

Newt Gingrich was the 50th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Why Trump at McDonald’s matters

DONALD TRUMP set the political world afire with an appearance at a McDonald’s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There, he donned the famous McDonald’s apron, cooked up some fries and served customers at a drive-thru window. All the while, he looked like he was enjoying himself thoroughly — which he certainly was. Trump has the momentum, and he knows it.

But it’s more than that. Whatever Trump’s other failings, at his root, Trump likes people. And not just people of his class or who share his background. He likes dealing with human beings. I had the opportunity to commemorate Oct. 7 with Trump, where he met with the family of an American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza. Trump connected with them on an emotional level. Whether it’s Jewish Americans from New Jersey dealing with the horror and tragedy of having their son held by the world’s most vicious terror group or Pennsylvania voters who just want to meet Trump and pick up a Happy Meal, Trump is comfortable with his fellow Americans because he’s unapologetically what he is. That’s simply not true of Kamala Harris.

Off-script, Harris remains a disaster. Her “60 Minutes” interview with Bill Whitaker was filled with word slaw, spin and platitudinous drivel; her Fox News interview with Bret Baier flew completely off the rails, with Harris unable to defend even the most basic decisions by the Biden administration. She took time off the campaign trail to prepare for an NBC News interview as well as a CNN town hall — events that, for a normal candidate, would require zero prep time in a hotel conference room. Then again, this is the same woman whose staff had to hold a “mock dinner” to prepare her for a dinner with Washington journalists and newsmakers. Axios reported, “Harris aides even considered including wine in the mock prep so Harris could practice with a glass or two.”

What’s more, Harris seems to be a permanent resident of the uncanny valley. She does a mildly credible job of appearing warm and human ... but only “just” credible. Her interactions always reek of the staged and the manipulated. Every move is calculated — and transparently so.

Twelve-time Best Actress nominee Katharine Hepburn once reportedly described Meryl Streep’s acting as too mechanical: “Click, click, click,” she reportedly told biographer Scott Berg, “referring to the wheels turning inside (Streep’s) head.” That’s Kamala Harris with actual, real human beings. And it shows.

Which is why the media have gone apoplectic about Trump’s McDonald’s visit. Trump’s critics pointed out that the McDonald’s was actually formally closed for his visit and claimed that the event was “staged” — a peculiar critique given that Trump has been the victim of two assassination attempts, and presidential campaigns require places of business to be secured before candidates enter. The critics even went so far as to attack the local franchise for its health record years ago. The desperation comes from an obvious place: This was a Trump win.

And it was a Trump win because Trump wasn’t pretending; he didn’t don jeans and a T-shirt in order to cosplay as one of the boys, Tim Walzstyle. Instead, he showed up in his traditional suit, put on an apron and started handing out fries and chit-chatting with the customers. It was a moment of authenticity, and it showed as such compared with the polyester joy presented by the Kamala campaign.

Harris can’t shake the fundamental reality that she has been, for decades, a highly stylized political product. Kamala 1.0 was a progressive prosecutor; Kamala 2.0 was a hard-charging prosecutor; Kamala 3.0 was the furthest left member of the United States Senate; Kamala 4.0 was a moderate. And Kamala 5.0 is whatever she needs to be at any given moment.

But what she truly needs to be is human. And that’s the problem: She isn’t.

Ben Shapiro’s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now. Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

COLUMN

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

Home Stretch

for low-interest disaster loans and more, a news release stated. FEMA money for basic home repairs, personal propert y losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such a s child care, transportation, medica l needs, and funeral or dental expenses. The Conover Disaster Recover y Center is located at 1776 Village Square NW and will be open from 8 a.m. to urge residents to go to fema.gov/ drc or tex t “DRC ” and a ZIP code to The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via the FEM A app. NSJ

Man charged after shooting at Raleigh mall

Wake County Police have arrested a 24-year- old man days after they say a gang-related shooting n the parking deck of Crabtree Valley Mall lef t more than 20 cars riddled with bullets. Jaquez Brown s facing charges after he allegedly

13, who were inside a car on Saturday. Police said there were no injuries The shooting, described by authorities as outside of Macy’s, with both parties the scene but wa s arrested and is facing several charges from the incident along with outstanding warrants. cour t Monday and a judge increased his bond to $200,000 plus electronic monitoring He is due back n court Nov. 18, and police said there could be additiona l arrests. WRAL

EAST

Edenton celebrates strong women, historic contributions Chowan County

250th anniversar y celebration of the Tow n of Edenton Edenton Historical Commission Director of Histor y Alexis Tobias-Jacavone told local outlets that the day highlights what historians political demonstration in the United States Historians say that on Oct 25, 1774 rather than hiding in the dark of night , a s happened with the Boston Tea Party Penelope Barker and the group of 51 women snubbed their noses to British tea in the light of day. WITN

Breeding pair of red wolves headed to Tyrell County Columbia A collaboration between the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) will result in a pair of breeding red wolves coming to the Red Wolf Center in Columbia. A male red wolf, coming from Missouri bor n in 2022 will be joined by a female from Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro bor n in 2019 with the hopes the pair will breed. The Red Wolf Center has a live video feed that will allow those interested to watch the t wo wolves in rea l-time Red wolves are the most endangered canid species in the world, with fewer than 20 living on Albemarle them to the wild have been ongoing n easter n North Carolina since the mid-1980s. OUTER

NATION & WORLD

Bishop, Jackson vie for state attorney general

The two U.S. congressman are hoping to succeed N.C. gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein

By Gary D. Robertson

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s next attorney general will be one of two outgoing members of Congress who have represented the Charlotte area on Capitol Hill and previously at the state legislature.

Both Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson and Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop are lawyers and prolific fundraisers. Each has argued that his rival is too radical to become the state’s top law enforcement official on Nov. 5.

The winner succeeds twoterm Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic nominee for governor. Democrats have dominated the position — a Republican hasn’t been elected as attorney general since 1896 — even as the GOP has performed well for decades in other statewide races. In both 2016 and 2020, Stein won by fewer than 25,000 votes over his Republican opponent.

This fall’s campaign has focused largely on who is best able to represent the nation’s ninth-largest state in court and keep its communities safe.

WALZ from page A1

and vision for the country to those Trump has espoused.

“Lower costs for middle-class families, where everybody gets the opportunity to get ahead, not just get by,” Walz said. “And guess what? She’s laid out a plan to make it happen, not some ‘concept of a plan’ bullcrap that he makes up.”

Walz highlighted Harris’ plan to give new parents a $6,000 tax credit to help with child care and other expenses for families with a newborn.

“When they asked JD Vance about child care, he just said, ‘Ask Grandma to do it,’” Walz said. “When Trump got the question, he just went word salad, broken brain, and didn’t say s--t about it.”

The salty language earned chuckles from the crowd and was on-brand for the candidate who has been given the label of “America’s Dad” in the 2024 presidential campaign — but make no mistake, there is strong emotion driving Walz’s word choice.

“This is not a game,” he said.

CON from page A1

privileges clause and the anti-monopoly clause of the state constitution.

The Supreme Court determined that Singleton’s complaint asserts both facial and “as-applied” challenges to the CON law, contrary to earlier rulings by both the trial court and N.C. Court of Appeals. The court stated that Singleton’s allegations, “if proven, could render the CON law unconstitutional in all its applications.”

The Supreme Court’s order essentially resets the case, allowing Singleton’s constitutional challenge to proceed by sending it back to the trial court for additional proceedings to address whether the CON law violates the North Carolina Constitution’s law of the land, anti-monopoly and exclusive-privilege clauses.

The high court also directed the trial court to consider two recent unanimous Supreme Court decisions: Askew v. City of Kinston and Kinsley v. Ace Speedway Racing, Ltd.

While State Bureau of Investigation figures show the North Carolina violent crime rate was higher in 2023 compared to a decade ago, it was essentially flat compared to 2022.

The two candidates and their allied PACs were on track to spend at least $31 million combined on television and online advertising during the general election campaign, according to data from AdImpact, which monitors campaign spending. The North Carolina race is among the most closely watched of the 10 attorney general elections taking place this cycle.

The attorney general is charged with representing the state in court and defending the work of locally elected district attorneys in appeals of criminal cases. AGs also make legislative recommendations to the General Assembly and in the past have sued specific industries for damages, including tobacco, drug and social media companies.

That two members of the U.S. Congress are seeking a state government post reflects the position’s growing influence and the increasingly partisan role state attorneys general are playing when it comes to going to court to support or oppose federal government policies.

Jackson is an Afghan war veteran and National Guard

“You need people who can actually come up with ideas.”

“You know, look, I get it from his perspective,” Walz continued, targeting Trump’s plan for Social Security. “What’s he care about Social Security sitting down at Mar-a-Lago? You don’t do crap, don’t pay taxes yourself. He doesn’t care if the Social Security check arrives. My mom cares because it pays for food and her heat. That’s how this works.”

Walz spent much of his speech warning of what Trump would do if elected. “And Lord knows, there’s not one damn Republican in Congress that’s got a damn spine to stand up to him,” he added.

Walz ran down many of Trump’s controversial remarks on the campaign trail, including a promise to be a dictator and take revenge on his enemies. He also took a jab at Trump’s well-publicized legal trouble.

“How interesting is it that on the Democratic ticket, both of us are gun owners,” Walz said, “and the Republican nominee can’t pass a background

attorney who has gained a large following on social media and was elected to Congress in 2022. He has said his experience as a prosecutor — he worked as an assistant district attorney in Gaston County handling different types of cases — and his commitment to performing his duties in a nonpartisan matter make him the most qualified candidate.

“The job is fundamentally about being a shield for people against those who mean them harm,” Jackson said in a recent interview. “I’ve spent my entire career doing that as a soldier, as a prosecutor. That’s why I want to be attorney general.”

Bishop, a longtime commercial litigation attorney, former Mecklenburg County commissioner and state legislator, joined Congress in 2019 and is a strong supporter of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump.

check? Cannot. Cannot. All of you out there listening, you go into Bass Pro Shop, put that gun up there, fill out the form, and when it comes back with 34 felony convictions, they throw your ass out of Bass Pro Shop. That’s what they do. You don’t get the gun.”

Emotions ran highest during the closing moments of Walz’s remarks, however, when he addressed gender.

“Let me just for a minute talk to all the men that are here,” he said. “Look, Kamala doesn’t talk about it, but it is damn past time we quit just talking about the cracks in the glass ceiling and tear the damn thing down and have Madam President.”

The repeal of Roe v. Wade, made possible by the justices Trump appointed to the Supreme Court, was the centerpiece of Walz’s gender remarks. “Think about the women in your lives,” he said, “those that you love: daughters, wives, moms, neighbors. Their lives are literally at stake in this election. That’s what this vote means.

“We’ve seen what they’ve

Due to the facial challenge aspect, the case has to be heard by a three-judge Superior Court panel. “As ‘keeper of the public purse’ and having responsibility for nearly 750,000 members of the State Health Plan, I am very pleased with the Court’s decision,” North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a statement applauding the Supreme Court’s order. “We spend $4 billion a year of taxpayers’ money providing medical and pharmaceutical coverage for those that teach, protect and otherwise serve the people of this state. “CON laws are exactly what

A doctor performs modern laser-assisted cataract surgery in Utah.

they sound like — a con,” said Folwell. “Every year the hospital cartel, through the North Carolina Healthcare Association, prevents any meaningful change to CON laws. Now, we have an opportunity for the courts to finally recognize that these laws are unconstitutional.”

Folwell filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Singleton’s lawsuit in August 2022 concurring with Singleton’s assertion that CON law violates multiple sections of the North Carolina Constitution.

“CON laws create insurmountable barriers to entry that shield existing institution-

Biden calls out Musk over report Tesla CEO worked illegally in U.S. New York

Bishop downplayed Jackson’s legal history as an assistant prosecutor and highlighted what he calculates as his own 400-plus appearances in state and federal courts. “What I have had is extensive and complex experience with the judicial system in North Carolina,” Bishop said in an interview. “He has not had anything like that career.” Jackson said that if he’s elected, he will work to counter the fentanyl overdose epidemic and combat scammers now using artificial intelligence techniques to fool consumers.

Bishop accused Jackson of having an “extensive record of being soft on crime and antagonistic to police.” He said what North Carolina needs is the “restoration of law and order,” and that he would work to reel in what he considers liberal-leaning district attorneys who aren’t doing so.

done,” Walz said of the former president. “Donald Trump appointed those Supreme Court justices. They repealed Roe v. Wade. He brags about it. He’s glad. He’s glad that my daughter, your daughters, the women in our lives now have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers did. Twenty states, including North Carolina, now have Trump abortion bans, which he says is a beautiful thing. Beautiful thing that you’re seeing women being denied care when they go to the ER because there’s a problem with their pregnancy, having miscarriages in parking lots.”

Walz ended on a hopeful note before introducing legendary singer James Taylor to perform a concert.

“We are here because we believe in the promise of this country,” Walz said. “We have been given a gift. Billions of people around the world could not imagine the ability to as free people gather to chart the direction that we want to go.”

Even if choosing the direction requires the occasional bleeped-out word.

al healthcare providers from competition,” Folwell’s brief states. “In turn, the accessibility, quality, and affordability of healthcare decreases while profits dramatically increase, to the detriment of North Carolinians.

According to a recent Forbes Advisor article, North Carolina is the 10th-worst state in the nation for health care access and the most expensive state for family coverage with a $7,180 average annual premium and $4,061 annual average deductible.

The conservative John Locke Foundation says CON laws stifle competition, assert too much government control, and may increase costs rather than reduce them. It is backing Singleton and his lawsuit.

North Carolina Healthcare Association will likely be the big opponent to changes in the state’s CON laws and have CON laws as one of its top advocacy issues on its website, which includes two 2021 videos about “Why Repealing CON is devastating for North Carolina’s rural hospitals.”

President Joe Biden slammed Elon Musk for hypocrisy on immigration after a published report that the Tesla CEO once worked illegally in the United States. The South Africaborn Musk denies the allegation. The Washington Post reported that Musk worked illegally in the country while on a student visa. The newspaper, citing company documents, former business associates and court documents, said Musk arrived in Palo Alto, California, in 1995 for a graduate program at Stanford “but never enrolled in courses, working instead on his startup. “ Musk wrote on X in reply to a video post of Biden’s comments: “I was in fact allowed to work in the US.”

Rare dime fetches $500K at auction

Toledo, Ohio

An extraordinarily rare dime whose whereabouts had remained a mystery since the late 1970s has sold for just over $500,000. The coin, struck by the U.S. Mint in San Francisco in 1975, depicts President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is one of just two known to exist without its distinctive “S” mint mark. Three sisters from Ohio inherited the dime after the death of their brother, who had kept it in a bank vault for more than 40 years. The coin sold for $506,250 in an online auction that concluded Sunday.

Knife attack near Beijing school injures 3 children, two others Beijing, China

A knife attack near a school in China’s capital on Monday injured five people, including three children, police said. The attack occurred midafternoon in Beijing’s northwestern Haidian district. None of the injuries was lifethreatening, police said in a statement. A 50-year-old suspect surnamed Tang was detained at the scene and is under investigation, it said. Video circulating on social media showed two school-aged children on the ground. Another image showed a man with blood on his face being held to the ground. Multiple knife attacks have occurred in China this year.

At least 40 soldiers killed in attack on Chad military base

Dakar, Senegal

Unidentified assailants killed at least 40 soldiers during an overnight attack on a military base in the country’s west, Chad’s president said Monday. President Mahamat Deby Itno visited the base in Barkaram, an island in Chad’s Lake region, early morning and announced the launch of a military operation to track the assailants, according to a statement from the presidency. Chad has long battled with an insurgency in the country’s west, near the border with Nigeria. The government has blamed previous attacks in the region on the Boko Haram militant group.

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, speaks at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 12 in Charlotte. Jackson is facing U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop in a race to succeed Josh Stein as the state’s next attorney general.

NEWSWIRE

catastrophe

questions about when normal

How China will pay for this COVID-19

we begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions

The comfort

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home

majority of Americans “new normal.” end of this month.

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 Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve to fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency

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.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

Cooper stated during don’t know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then had questions about get asked, there is people to treat those can start getting back or are people who sick. levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After the 2009 pandemic, all of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

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 They take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars to 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.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

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.

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.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a

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.

USPS reassures voters on mail ballots

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.”

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.

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

TOPEKA, Kan. — The U.S. Postal Service has reopened all of its mail processing centers in areas of Florida and North Carolina hit by recent hurricanes, a top official said Wednesday in a briefing meant to reassure voters and election officials that the agency is ready to handle mail ballots.

The Postal Service held the virtual meeting less than two weeks before the Nov. 5 election and six weeks after state and local election officials warned that problems with mail service threatened to disenfranchise voters.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy later responded that the Postal Service makes “heroic efforts” to get even ballots mailed late to election offices on time.

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

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.

Even after Hurricane Helene in late September and Hurricane Milton this month, 99.9% of the nation’s electionrelated mail was delivered within seven days, the Postal Service reported Wednesday. It said 99.7% of the electionrelated mail was delivered within three days for the last presidential election in 2020.

“We have the capacity to handle a high volume of election mail in the final weeks of the election,” said Steven Monteith, a Postal Service executive vice president and its chief marketing officer.

written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The automaker made $892 million from July through September compared with $1.2 billion a year earlier

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.”

Monteith said all the processing centers in North Carolina were back in operation as of Tuesday., as were all of Florida’s centers. He said mail can be delivered to all but 4,600 addresses in North Carolina and about 600 in Florida.

It’s not clear how many voters in the hardest-hit areas will return their ballots by mail. Early in-person voting has gotten off to a strong start in North Carolina, where election officials have taken a number of steps to make voting as accessible as possible for voters affected by the storms. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended early voting to Election Day for certain counties and modified deadlines for election supervisors to send out mail ballots.

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

By Tom Krisher The Associated Press

“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.

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

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

THIS WEEK, according to members 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 they’ve donned masks.

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.

We need transparency and honesty from our

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

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be pandemic.

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 must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization

DETROIT — Stubbornly high warranty expenses and lagging cost-cutting efforts are holding back Ford Motor Co.’s profits this year, causing the company to lower its full-year earnings guidance.

That pushed the company’s stock price down 6% in trading after Monday’s closing bell.

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.

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.

The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker, which reported third-quarter earnings Monday, said its net profit tumbled nearly 26% as it took $1 billion in accounting charges to write down assets for a canceled three-row electric SUV.

Ford said it made $892 million from July through September, compared with $1.2 billion it made a year earlier.

Revenue rose 5.5% to $46.2 billion, also beating Wall Street predictions.

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.”

As of Tuesday, the Postal Service had moved retail sites in eight communities and brought mobile units into another 13 in western North Carolina. It moved 10 retail sites in the TampaSt. Petersburg metropolitan area and another three in and around Fort Myers.

The iPhone’s suite of new technology is being marketed as “Apple Intelligence”

All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

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.

Monteith said a “full recovery” of mail service from the hurricanes “may stretch forward for some time” but that people still can pick up mail at post offices or mobile units. He said mail that had been undelivered because of the hurricanes is being moved to them.

“The nation’s postal network is operating effectively without any major reported disruptions,” Monteith said.

Postal Service officials are advising voters to mail their ballots at least seven days in advance.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Michael Liedtke The Associated Press

APPLE HAS RELEASED a free software update that will inject its first dose of artificial intelligence into its iPhone 16 lineup as the trendsetting company tries to catch up with technology’s latest craze. The upgrade to the iOS 18 operating system on Monday came more than a month after four iPhone 16 models equipped with the special computer chip needed to power the AI features went on sale at prices ranging from $800 to $1,200. Last year’s premium models — the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — also possess a processor that will enable the AI technology after the software update is installed.

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.

Recent versions of Apple’s iPad and Mac computer

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

According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number

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

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 crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation. China has to pay for their economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led

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

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.

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

For me, 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 In Concord, money to buy health care

Ford reduced its full-year pretax income guidance to $10 billion, at the low end of the $10 billion to $12 billion it expected at the end of the second quarter, spooking investors.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed

The

April 15,

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 Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold It is about time they are the world like any other

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

Hill, senio

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

comfort and hope

pace hold back Ford’s 2024 earnings

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.”

“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.

and Lawler said Monday it has made progress on that figure. The problem is competitors, which he did not identify, are cutting costs too.

getting leaner as a company,” he said.

“Cost, especially warranty, has held back our earnings power, but as we bend that curve, there is significant financial upside for investors,” CEO Jim Farley told analysts on a conference call.

Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said warranty costs were slightly below the third quarter of last year but still high. The company wouldn’t give numbers until it files its quarterly report with securities regulators Tuesday but said costs will be higher than a year ago.

“We’ve taken cost out, but we’re not doing it at a pace faster than our competition,” he told analysts.

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.

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.”

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 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 questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting when they can get back answers.

For me, my faith is an important part making. As I celebrated Easter with my 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.

Ford reported $800 million of increased warranty costs for the second quarter of this year.

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.

Ford has removed $2 billion in material, freight and labor costs this year, but that was offset by warranties and inflation at its Turkish joint venture, he said. He said Ford is focused on reducing warranty and other costs, which will show up in later quarters. The company’s plans are working, as evidenced by 10 straight quarters of revenue growth, Lawler said.

Ford reduced electric vehicle costs by $1 billion this year, remaking its battery manufacturing operation, trimming its capacity by 35%, Farley said. That will help the company weather a tough competitive electric vehicle environment as competitors offer low-cost leases with about 150 new models coming to North America by the end of 2026, he said.

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.

Farley has been trying to get a handle on warranty costs for the past four years. In October 2020, he said the company was working to cut quality-related repairs after glitch-prone small-car transmissions hit the automaker’s bottom line.

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

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

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.

Once again, Ford Pro, the company’s commercial vehicle unit, led the company with $1.81 billion in pretax profits, followed by Ford Blue, which makes gas and hybrid vehicles, at $1.63 billion. Model e, Ford’s electric vehicle business, lost $1.22 billion in the quarter.

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 health care workers out of his own home.

Not one little bit.

Farley said future EVs will be profitable within the first 12 months after going on sale, and it’s working to take costs out of existing EVs.

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.

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

Ford has said it has a $7 billion cost gap with competitors,

Farley said Ford has restructured its operations in Europe, South America, India and China, which collectively lost $2.2 billion in 2018 but together are profitable now. For instance, China, including exports, has contributed more than $600 million to pretax earnings this year, Farley said.

“We’re going to continue to stay laser-focused on cost and

also can be updated with the software. Countries outside the U.S. won’t be getting the AI software for their iPhones until next year at a date still to be determined. Apple spent the past five weeks testing the AI software among an audience of iP-

hone owners who signed up to help the company fine-tune the technology. The AI infusion is supposed to transform Apple’s often bumbling virtual assistant Siri into a more conversational, versatile and colorful companion whose presence will be

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

A small team in California, he said, is working on a midsize electric pickup truck that will match the cost structure of Chinese manufacturers who may build in Mexico in the future, he said.

denoted by a glowing light that circles the iPhone’s screen as requests are being handled. While Apple is promising Siri will be able to perform more tasks and be less prone to becoming confused, it won’t be able to interact with other apps installed on the iPhone until another software update comes out at a still-unspecified date.

Other AI features included in this software update will handle a variety of writing and proofreading tasks, as well as summarize the content of emails and other documents. The AI also will provide a variety of editing tools to alter the appearance of photos and make it easier to find old pictures.

Other AI tricks still to come in future software updates will include the ability to create customized emojis on the fly or conjure other fanciful imagery upon request. Apple also plans to eventually enable its AI suite to get a helping hand from OpenAI’s ChatGPT when users want it. Most of the AI features Apple introduced Monday are already available on Android-powered smartphones that Samsung and Google released earlier this year.

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

CARLOS OSORIO / AP PHOTO

Ford Motor Co.’s third-quarter earnings tumbled nearly 26% from the prior year.

PAMELA SMITH / AP PHOTO

The update is supposed to transform Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, into a more versatile and colorful companion.

In nationwide first, California plans to rev up electric motorcycles sales

New rules will ramp up sales of zero-emission motorcycles in the quest to clean the air

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde CalMatters

MOTORCYCLISTS have long loved their noisy, gas-powered machines that allow them to ride long distances on highways and remote roads with few fueling stops. Now, in a nationwide first, California is planning new rules that ramp up sales of zero-emission motorcycles in its quest to clean the air and battle climate-warming gasses.

The regulations would impose a credit system for manufacturers so that 10% of motorcycles sold in California would be zero-emissions in 2028 and 50% in 2035, according to the state Air Resources Board. At the same time, a tighter standard for new gas-powered motorcycles would ratchet down their emissions for the first time in more than 25 years.

Under the proposed rules, more than 280,000 new electric or hydrogen motorcycles would be sold in California by 2045 — about eight times more than the total on its roads now. Electric motorcycles make up only 1% of current motorcycle sales.

Motorcycles are more often used for recreation than daily commutes, and they collectively emit far less pollution than gasoline-powered cars and

The Zero x HUGE Design Custom SR-X Electric Motorcycle is one of many zero-emission motorcycles that will be sold in California under the state’s proposed rules.

diesel trucks. But a mile driven in a gas-powered motorcycle emits far more pollutants than a mile in a new gas-powered car — for the reactive gases that form smog, it’s a whopping 20 times more per mile. California has the worst smog in the nation and unsafe levels of dangerous fine particles, and air-quality officials say no source can be left unregulated: All vehicles powered by fossil fuels need to be cleaned up and transitioned to zero-emissions. State officials hope more motorcyclists will be interested in the benefits that battery-powered motorcycles have

to offer — low fueling costs and less maintenance.

But many motorcyclists point out California’s inadequate network of public charging stations and the limited range of electric models that are unsuitable for long-distance rides. They worry that the rule will limit the number of bikes they can choose from in the future. Others say it could fill an untapped market for urban motorcyclists interested in fast bikes for short commutes.

“There is no infrastructure for electric vehicles,” Michael DiPiero of the American Brotherhood Aimed Towards

“There is no infrastructure for electric vehicles we cannot support the needs we currently have for electricity as it is.”

Michael DiPiero, American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education

Education of California, which represents motorcyclists, said in written comments to the air board. “We cannot support the needs we currently have for electricity as it is.”

Rob Smith, a motorcyclist from Santa Monica, owns an electric car and considers himself an environmentalist. But he’s not ready to switch to electric motorcycles — and he doesn’t think most motorcyclists are either. They’re expensive, silent and have top ranges of about 100 miles.

“I do think it’s the future, I just don’t know about that timeline,” Smith said of the Air Resources Board’s proposal. “This is going to just hit a niche. Can you get to 50% with just that niche?”

Harley Davidson and the Motorcycle Industry Council, a group that represents manufacturers, didn’t respond to a request for comment about the proposed rules.

“We realized we couldn’t push to 100% because there will probably be some circumstances where zero-emission motorcycles won’t have access to infrastructure to plug up their bikes,” said Annette Hèbert, the air board’s deputy executive officer who oversees mobile source rules at its Southern California office.

Motorcycles make up less than half of 1% of all vehicle miles traveled in California. But even though they’re a “very small part of the state’s overall transportation sector,” they contribute an “outsized portion of smog-forming pollutants,” air board officials said.

“Motorcycles (emissions) may look small when taken by themselves, but when you consider the additive effect to all those other small sources together, you can see why we’ve got to hit every little piece,” Hèbert said.

Californians breathe some of the nation’s unhealthiest air and vehicles account for the majority of that pollution. The Los Angeles basin has for decades topped the list of cities with the worst ozone, a key ingredient of smog, according to the American Lung Association. Ozone and particle pollution can trigger asthma and heart attacks, as well as other diseases.

The motorcycle regulation would lead to an estimated $649 million in savings from reduced mortality and avoided hospitalizations and illnesses associated with motorcycle emissions, according to the Air Resources Board.

State officials said the regulation strikes a balance by moving toward electrification of motorcycles and catching up with European standards for gas-powered motorcycles yet still allowing California consumers to have a range of choices.

McDonald’s value meals sales rebound, E. coli outbreak could slow momentum

3,000 stores pulled Quarter Pounders off the menu

By Dee-Ann Durbin The Associated Press

VALUE MEALS helped turn around McDonald’s U.S. sales in the third quarter, but that recovery could be dented in the final months of the year by an E coli outbreak tied to the company’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

U.S. same-store sales — or sales at stores open at least a year — rose 0.3% in the July-September period, the company said Tuesday. McDonald’s launched a $5 value meal in late June after a disappointing second quarter, and it said the deal drew lower-income consumers back to McDonald’s

APPLE from page A9

In an effort to distinguish its approach from the early leaders in AI, the iPhone’s suite of new technology is being marketed as “Apple Intelligence.” Apple is also promising its AI features will do a far better job protecting the privacy of iPhone owners by either running the technology on the device or corralled in a fortress-like data center when some requests have to be processed remotely. Because most iPhones cur-

and improved customers’ value perceptions.

The $5 deal was so successful that McDonald’s recently extended it to December at most of its U.S. stores.

But last week, a crisis hit. Mc-

Donald’s pulled Quarter Pounders off the menu at around 3,000 stores after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that the burger’s slivered raw onions were the likely cause of E. coli contamination.

The outbreak has killed one person and sickened at least 75 others across 13 states.

Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s chairman, president and CEO, apologized for the outbreak Tuesday on a conference call with investors. He said it was the first major public health issue tied to McDonald’s in more than 40 years.

“Nothing is more important

rently in use around the world don’t have the computer chip needed for Apple’s AI, the technology is expected to drive huge demand for the new models during the holiday season and into next year, too. That’s the main reason why Apple’s stock price has soared 18% since the Cupertino, California, company previewed its AI strategy at a conference in early June. The run-up has increased Apple’s market value by about $500 billion, catapulting it closer to becoming the first U.S.

to us than the safety of our customers,” Kempczinksi said. “The recent spate of E. coli cases is deeply concerning, and hearing reports of how this has impacted our customers has been wrenching for us.”

McDonald’s said it has stopped sourcing onions from that supplier and expects to put the Quarter Pounder back on all of its U.S. menus within the week, although it will be served without onions at 900 stores.

“I’m relieved that this situation appears to be contained, and I remain confident in the safety of eating at McDonald’s,” Kempczinski said. Still, the company acknowledged that the outbreak hurt its sales momentum. The company didn’t share sales data, but Placer.ai, which tracks retail traffic using cell phone data and other signals, said it saw a 9% year-

company worth $4 trillion. Apple will give investors their first glimpse at how the iPhone 16 is faring Thursday when the company posts quarterly financial information for the July-September quarter — a period that includes the first few days the new models were on sale. Demand for the high-end iPhone 15 models ticked upward as prices for them fell and the excitement surrounding Apple’s entrance into the AI market ramped up, according to an

over-year decline in U.S. visits to McDonald’s at the end of last week.

Kempczinski said the company hopes to win back customers by acting swiftly to contain the outbreak, cooperating with authorities and promoting its offers, like the $5 meal deal and the limited-time Chicken Big Mac. But it will take further actions if necessary, he said.

Outside the U.S., McDonald’s struggled during the third quarter. Chinese demand was weak as the that nation’s economy slows, with customers choosing cheaper rivals, and the company has also been hurt by the war in the Middle East. To reverse a slowdown in French sales, the company introduced a 4 euro ($4.32) Happy Meal deal in August. It’s also selling $1 coffee in Canada. McDonald’s same-store sales fell 1.5% companywide during

assessment of the smartphone market during the most recent quarter by the research firm International Data Corp. Apple’s iPhone shipments rose 3.5% from the same time last year to 56 million worldwide during the July-September period, second only to Samsung, according to IDC. The question now is whether Apple’s gradual release of more AI will cause owners of older iPhones to splurge on the new models during the holidays, “futureproofing their purchases for

the third quarter. That was worse than the 0.6% decline Wall Street was predicting, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Kempczinski said a focus on value will remain in the U.S. in the first quarter of next year, but the company and its franchisees are still deciding what that will look like. He said it will likely be a mixture of low-priced entry-level items, meal deals and digital offers. The company might also introduce a McSmart menu of meal deals, as it has done in markets like Germany and Australia. McDonald’s revenue rose 3% to $6.87 billion for the quarter. That was slightly higher than the $6.82 billion analysts were predicting.

McDonald’s net income fell 3% to $2.25 billion. Adjusted for one-time items, including the costs associated with acquiring McDonald’s business in Israel, the company earned $3.23 per share, which was higher than the $3.21 per share Wall Street was expecting.

Shares of McDonald’s Corp. were up 1% in morning trading Tuesday.

the long term,” said IDC analyst Nabila Popal. Also on Monday, Apple said that with the software update some AirPods wireless headphones can be used as hearing aids. An estimated 30 million people — 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 12 — have hearing loss in both ears. Millions would benefit from hearing aids, but most have never tried them, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

BUSINESS WIRE VIA AP

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

Above, McDonald’s Quarter Pounders were pulled from 3,000 of its stores due to an E. coli outbreak. Right, McDonald’s said it has stopped sourcing the slivered raw onions, which were the likely cause of the E. coli contamination.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

Report: Fitness app reveals locations of Trump, Biden

Strava users among the security staff for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were also found

By Sylvie Corbet

The Associated Press

PARIS — An investigation by French newspaper Le Monde found that the highly confidential movements of U.S. President Joe Biden, presidential rivals Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and other world leaders can be easily tracked online through a fitness app their bodyguards use. But the U.S. Secret Service told the newspaper that it doesn’t believe the protection it provides was compromised.

Le Monde found that some U.S. Secret Service agents use the Strava fitness app, including in recent weeks after two assassination attempts on Trump, in a video investigation released in French and English. Strava is a fitness tracking app primarily used by runners and cyclists to record their activities and share their workouts.

Le Monde also found Strava users among the security staff for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In one example, Le Monde traced the Strava movements of Macron’s bodyguards to determine that the French leader spent a weekend in the Normandy seaside resort of Honfleur in 2021. The trip wasn’t listed on the president’s official agenda.

Le Monde said the whereabouts of Melania Trump and Jill Biden could also be pinpointed by tracking their

bodyguards’ Strava profiles.

In a statement to Le Monde, the U.S. Secret Service said its staff aren’t allowed to use personal electronic devices while on duty during protective assignments, but “we do not prohibit an employee’s personal use of social media off-duty.”

“Affected personnel has been notified,” it said. “We will review this information to determine if any additional training or guidance is required.”

“We do not assess that there were any impacts to protective operations or threats to any protectees,” it added. Locations “are regularly disclosed as part of public schedule releases.”

In another example, Le Monde reported that a U.S. Secret Service agent’s Strava profile revealed the location of a hotel where Biden subsequently stayed in San Francisco for high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023. A few hours before Biden’s arrival, the agent went jogging from the hotel, using

Strava, which traced his route, the newspaper found.

The newspaper’s journalists say they identified 26 U.S. agents, 12 members of the French GSPR, the Security Group of the Presidency of the Republic and six members of the Russian FSO, or Federal Protection Service, all of them in charge of presidential security, who had public accounts on Strava and were therefore communicating their movements online, including during professional trips. Le Monde did not identify the bodyguards by name for security reasons. It said movements trackable on Strava could lead to security breaches, especially when security agents travel in advance to places like hotels where leaders then stay and hold meetings.

Macron’s office said Monday that the consequences of the issues reported by Le Monde “are very slight and in no way affect the security of the President of the Republic.”

Local authorities are aware of Macron’s movements ahead of time and the places where Macron is staying are always fully secure, “so the risk is non-existent,” the statement said.

“A reminder was nevertheless issued to agents by the chief of staff asking them not to use this app,” Macron’s office added.

The Harris campaign deferred comment on the security issue to federal officials. In response to questions posed to the Trump campaign, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee repeated some of its criticisms of the Biden administration but did not address the vulnerability or how the campaign has responded.

The security risks associated with fitness apps show the need for better regulations on how tech companies can use consumer data, according to Ibrahim Baggili, a computer scientist and professor of cybersecurity at Louisiana State University.

Baggili’s research has exposed how bad actors could use fitness app data to track potential victims — creating risks for stalking, robbery and other crimes.

Consumers often grant app developers the right to use or sell their data when they agree to the terms of service, Baggili said.

“Companies love our data, and we love the product, so we give away the data for free,” he said. “The government really needs to start cracking down on how data can be used and how long it can be retained.”

Identifying the presidential bodyguards — some of them using their full name on Strava — could also help in finding other details about their personal addresses, their families, their movements and photos they posted on various social media, all of which could possibly be used to put pressure on them for malicious purposes, the report stressed.

Vinyl thrives at United Record Pressing

U.S. revenues from vinyl records grew 10% to $1.4 billion in 2023

By Jonathan Mattise The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

During the six decades since United Record Pressing stamped out the Beatles’ first U.S. single, the country’s oldest vinyl record maker has survived 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, Napster, iPods and streaming services. Now, the Nashville-based company has rebounded so dramatically that some of its equipment and technology have been retrofitted to keep pace with an ever-growing demand for old-school vinyl.

The 75-year-old company has adjusted its business from filling jukeboxes to helping DJs spin and stocking shelves despite a pandemic. On shelves in its warehouse are master versions by Johnny Cash, Kanye West and The Black Crowes.

When Mark Michaels bought the company in 2007, vinyl was fading. Michaels wanted a hands-on chance to build a business and thought he could keep this one steady but not grow it substantially. It also came with a rich history as the first record-pressing plant in the South, including an apartment atop the factory that housed black artists during segregation.

“You walked into this building, and you just felt 50, 60 years of history and just the importance of what it stood for,” said Michaels, the company’s CEO and chair. “And yeah, you get choked up, you get gooseflesh just experiencing that.”

Today, United Record Pressing runs a newer factory six times bigger than what Michaels bought with about 125 employees who make up to 80,000 records a day.

A variety of factors have boosted vinyl in recent years, from independent artists insisting on vinyl albums to big box retailers getting on board again.

In 2023, U.S. revenues from vinyl records grew 10% to $1.4 billion, the 17th-straight year of growth, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Records accounted for 71% of revenues from nondigital music formats, and for the second time since 1987, vinyl outpaced CDs in total sold. United Record Pressing underwent its own evolution. The initial pressing plant was formed in 1949 by Nashville label Bullet Records. In the 1950s, it changed to Southern Plastics Inc. and focused on 7-inch singles preferred by jukebox makers. In the early 1960s, the company was pressing more than 1 million records per month. It signed a deal to produce singles for Motown Records and moved to a bigger facility that included the apartment that hosted The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and others — and which became known as the “Motown Suite.” In 1963, it pressed the Beatles’ first U.S. single, “Please Please Me.” Then in the 1970s, a restructuring turned the company into United Record Pressing.

During the 1980s, records dwindled to a niche market. DJs still needed records for their turntables. Rap and hip-hop artists used them for “scratching.” But CDs had overtaken them.

By the late 2000s, indie artists were insisting on releasing vinyl records. By 2015, records were broadly embraced again, but there were few manufacturers, and they were relying on presses from the 1960s and 1970s and a limited number of specialists who could operate them, Michaels said. Demand increased again during the pandemic.

“It’s art,” Michaels said of vinyl records. “Artists and fans, they want something tactile to hold on to and engage with. It’s easy to stream music, and streaming music is a wonderful way to discover new music. But you know, at the end of the day, it’s kind of sonic wallpaper.”

There’s plenty of wood paneling on the throwback audio equipment used to test master versions of records before they are used to press copies.a And the factory floor has its share of retrofitted pressing equipment

Boeing looks to raise approximately $19B in offering

Arlington County, Va. Boeing is looking to raise up to approximately $19 billion in a stock offering as the aerospace giant, dealing with a contentious strike, faces liquidity issues and tries to raise cash. Boeing said Monday it will offer 90 million in common stock and $5 billion in depositary shares. Last week, Boeing factory workers voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a six-week strike that has halted production of its bestselling jetliners.

Microsoft fires employees over vigil planned for killed Palestinians

Redmond, Wash.

Microsoft has fired two employees who organized an unauthorized vigil at the company’s headquarters for Palestinians killed in Gaza during Israel’s yearlong war with Hamas. Microsoft said Friday it has “ended the employment of some individuals in accordance with internal policy” but declined to provide details. The event happened during lunchtime Thursday at Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, Washington. It’s the latest internal turmoil at a tech giant over the war in Gaza. Google earlier this year fired more than 50 workers in the aftermath of protests over technology the company is supplying the Israeli government.

Delta sues CrowdStrike over tech outage, canceled flights

Atlanta

Delta Air Lines is suing the cybersecurity firm blamed for causing a global technology outage this summer. Delta filed a lawsuit Friday in Georgia against CrowdStrike, saying the company caused it to lose more than $500 million because of thousands of canceled flights. Delta says CrowdStrike cut corners by failing to test an update before sending it to Microsoft computers around the world. CrowdStrike has tried to turn the tables on Delta, questioning why Delta took longer than other airlines to recover from the outage. CrowdStrike says Delta has failed to modernize old IT systems.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO pleads not guilty to sex charges

Central Islip, N.Y.

that looks and sounds like it’s been around since the last time vinyl ruled the market.

Technology is improving the process, too. Beyond the older presses are sleek, newly made machines that plop out records more quietly and efficiently. And there are huge sacks of colorful pebbles from discarded material that can be pressed again into new records.

The machines that stamp master copies use technology that had been in place to produce CDs and DVDs, which are now retooled for vinyl.

In a room farther back in the factory, the whizzing of machinery gives way to music.

That’s where Tyler Bryant might listen to 10 records in a shift as the company’s quality control lead. Talking over the rhythms of harmonica from a Cash album, Bryant said he discovers many artists and records that wouldn’t be on his list, ranging from Harry Styles to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” to indie artists.

“A lot of variety, that’s what I appreciate,” Bryant said. “I don’t like being stuck to just one genre, you know?”

The former longtime CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch has pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. Michael Jeffries declined to comment Friday after he entered the plea in federal court in Central Islip, New York. He is free on $10 million bond and is due back in court on Dec. 12. Prosecutors allege that the 80-yearold Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man, James Jacobson, lured men into outlandish, drug-fueled sex parties in the Hamptons by dangling the promise of modeling for the retailer’s ads. Jacobson also pleaded not guilty Friday and declined to speak to reporters.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT. 25

Beginning Cash $2,529,714,167

Receipts (income) $123,611,520 Disbursements

$172,249,327 Cash Balance

$2,481,071,695

JULIA NIKHINSON / AP PHOTO

French newspaper Le Monde found that some U.S. Secret Service agents use the Strava fitness app, including in recent weeks after two assassination attempts on Trump.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

Mark Michaels, CEO and chairman of United Record Pressing, bought the company in 2007 and has seen a surge in appreciation for vinyl records.

a day at the fair

The North Carolina State Fair, which ran from Oct. 17 until Oct. 27 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, drew nearly 1 million visitors during its 11-day run.

The fair finished Sunday having hosted 998,926 visitors, the sixth-best cumulative turnout in the fair’s 156-year history. Those numbers were helped by nearly perfect weather as the rain stayed away and mild temperatures made it easy to explore this year’s exhibits, food, ride, games and more.

NC State QB McCall desides to retire, B3

Murderers’ row? Blue Devils bring talent-packed roster to court

Last season

WNBA New York Liberty honored with ticker‑tape parade in Canyon of Heroes

New York

Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and their New York teammates were showered with confetti as the Liberty celebrated winning the WNBA title in the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the thousands who lined the streets. The Liberty won the franchise’s first championship. Some veteran Liberty players from the early teams, including Teresa Weatherspoon, Vickie Johnson and Kym Hampton, attended the parade.

COLLEGE SPORTS

Redick, Currie, McCracken among Duke Hall inductees

Durham Duke inducted nine Blue Devils greats into the school’s athletics hall of fame. Heading the class of 2024 were former basketball standout and current Lakers coach JJ Redick, former WNBA star Monique Currie and former MLB player Quinton McCracken, who played baseball and football at Duke. Also in the class were Olympic medalist diver Abby Johnston McGrath, men’s lacrosse standouts John and Matt Danowski, women’s golf’s Anna Grzebien Vanderlinde, football’s Chris Port and fencer Becca Ward.

Duke could contend for a national title and ACC dominance

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

DUKE IS BACK.

For a team that has won 86 games in the last three seasons, finishing ninth twice and 12th once in the final AP poll and reaching a Final Four, it’s hard to say that Duke went anywhere.

This isn’t the Duke of recent years, however — not “merely good” Duke. This is steal your soul, dominate the news cycle Duke, the Duke that Spike Lee, Barack Obama and LeBron James came to watch. With the best freshmen class in the country, joined by a murderers’ row of transfers, no team boasts a more talented roster heading into the season.

Led by defending ACC Player of the Year Kyle Filipowski, fourth-year senior Jermy Roach and freshman Jared McCain, Duke won 27 games, finishing second in the ACC with a 15-5 mark. NC State’s miracle March run to the Final Four was built on the back of the Blue Devils. State upset Duke in the ACC quarterfinals, then topped the Blue Devils in the Elite Eight after Duke had upset top seed Houston in the Sweet 16.

Departures

Filipowski is gone to the NBA. McCain is gone too, oneand-done to the league. Roach transferred for his final COVID season. In fact, between expiring eligibility (Ryan Young)

See DUKE , page B3

The legendary Blue Devils point guard fumes over an exhibition game loss in a rare trip to Duke

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

BOBBY HURLEY took plenty of great memories away from his homecoming at Duke. The two hours spent on the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium, however, weren’t among them.

“I had a really good lunch yesterday,” Hurley said. “Bullock’s Bar-B-Que is fantastic. Saw Coach K last night, spent a good amount of time with him. That was another great moment. Ran a couple days on the Duke golf course. I used to run there when I played here. That was great.”

Then there was the game: a 103-47 Duke victory over Hurley’s Arizona State Sun Devils in a charity exhibition to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital.

“I’m not really going to go into a lot of detail about (the game),” Hurley said. “It was a train wreck.”

As Hurley fumed, his former college coach was not surprised

over his former point guard’s mood.

“One: He’s got talent,” said former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. “Two: He’s got fight. Three: He prepares. Four, five, six: Do I need to keep going? He’s got it all. But the main thing is he prepares to win.” Even in a preseason charity exhibition game that won’t count in anyone’s record?

“At that time, the StairMaster was the good thing,” Said Coach K. “After every practice, he would go on the StairMaster for a half hour, 45 minutes, and try to break the record he had. He’d even leave notes for his teammates, ‘Try to beat that.’” The return to Cameron was a rare homecoming for Hurley, who won two national championships at Duke from 1989 to 1993, finishing as college basketball’s all-time assists leader.

“I’ve seen one game here since,” he said, “and it was a couple years after I left. I felt weird being here and not being on the floor. My daughter went to school here, my oldest. S, we were here for graduation and here for, I think, one of their Midnight Madness deals,

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Duke freshman Cooper Flagg (2) dunks during a charity exhibition game against Arizona State. The Blue Devils demolished the Sun Devils, 103-47.

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley, left, and former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, right, watch a highlight video of Hurley’s Duke career.

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

Duke basketball legend Bobby Hurley, now head coach of Arizona State, shakes hands with promising Duke freshman Khaman Malauch, right, after the Blue Devils dominated ASU in a charity exhibition game. Hurley made a long-awaited return to Cameron, but it didn’t end well for him thanks to a Duke squad that promises to challenge for the 2025 national title.

TRENDING

Trinity Armstrong:

The freshman defender on UNC’s women’s soccer team is a member of Team USA’s U17 national team that just advanced to the U17 World Cup

2-0 win over Nigeria in the Dominican Republic. It s the 2008 that the United States has advanced to the event Armstrong 17, has played every minute of the four games so far.

Taylor Swift: One of the Washington Commanders’ touchdowns last week came on a play named after the pop

Kingsbury said Marcus Mariota’s completion to tight end Ben Sinnott was named “Taylor Swift.” Since she began dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Swift has become a prominent fan at many of his games.

Shohei Ohtani:

The Dodgers superstar partially dislocated his left shoulder during the seventh inning of Saturday’s Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees when he tried to steal second base. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani “had a little left shoulder subluxation.” Test results on Sunday were encouraging and Ohtani was not expected to miss time in the series.

Ohtani went 0-for-3 in LA’s Game 3 win.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

use of time, but that’s not normal, no.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick after a social media post showed him watching

“I

Yankees manager Aaron Boone after Carlos Rodon gave up three home runs in three innings in Game 2 of the World Series.

NASCAR

Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993 Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in NA SCAR’s winner-takeArizona in two weeks Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.

Holden Trent, the 25-year-old goalkeeper for Philadelphia Union, died last week The cause wasn’t released, but he’d spent time in the ICU Trent went to Greensboro Page and was a two-time Big South goalkeeper of the year, leading High -0 shutout of UNC as a senior.

The Charlotte Hornets will be without guard Brandon Miller, one of the team’s top players, for at least a week due to a strained lef t glute Miller, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, sat out the second half of the Hornets’ season opener. The high-scoring guard is expected to miss at least three games and be reevaluated this week.

Turnovers by SMU those turnovers in the Mustangs’ 28-27 overtime win Saturday over the Blue Devils.

Series race since the “Malcolm in the Middle” star announced he will become a fulltime NA SCA R racer nex t season Muniz, 38, recently made the jump from part-time racer to a full slate in the No 33 Ford for Reaume Brothers Racing. He made two starts for Reaume Brothers this season in the Truck Series.

TERRY RENNA

Rodón, Stanton highlight NC connections to the World Series

Former minor leaguers and college players take on baseball’s biggest stage

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

IT’S SAFE TO SAY the first World Series start for former Holly Springs High School and NC State standout pitcher Carlos Rodón could have gone much better.

As the Yankees’ starter in their 4-2 Game 2 defeat to the Dodgers on Saturday, Rodón gave up three home runs between the second and third innings. The most crucial ones were the back-to-back homers to Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman that led to a 4-1 deficit in the bottom of the third inning and eventually, a 2-0 hole in the series.

“Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t my best,” Rodón told reporters after the loss. “They got to some fastballs up in the zone, and they put some good at-bats together.”

“I could’ve been better with some off-speeds. I missed a lot on some curveballs and some sliders that were just up and out of the zone.”

As big as Rodón’s role in the outcome of the series could possibly be, he’s not the only player with ties to North Carolina

that can leave a lasting impact on this iconic matchup between New York and Los Angeles. His teammate, five-time AllStar, 2017 NL MVP, the most recent ALCS MVP and former Greensboro Grasshopper Giancarlo Stanton would like a word.

Stanton, playing in his first Fall Classic, is looking to add a World Series title to his already impressive resume. In Game 1, he broke the ice for the Yankees

with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning which gave them a 2-1 lead. His first World Series home run also put him in the history books as Stanton became the first player in postseason history with multiple streaks of homering in four straight games, and he became the third player alongside Corey Seager and Nelson Cruz to hit at least six home runs in multiple postseasons. As a grasshopper in 2008,

Stanton recorded his minorleague-high 39 home runs, a .293 batting average and a .993 OPS in 125 games. During the 2024 regular season, Stanton achieved a .233 batting average, 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in 417 at-bats.

However, Dodgers’ reliever Evan Phillips, the former Clayton High School pitcher who played at UNC-Wilmington and made stops with the Carolina Mudcats and the Durham Bulls, will unfortunately make an impact on the series with his absence.

Phillips was left off Los Angeles’ World Series roster ahead of Game 1 after suffering an arm injury in Game 6 of the NLCS. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said his injury “wasn’t rebounding the way he was hoping,” which is a significant blow to their bullpen as Phillips didn’t allow a run in the 6 2/3 innings pitched across five games this postseason.

“Obviously, losing Evan, not having Evan available for this series certainly is disappointing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’ve got to make sure we protect him, short term and long term.”

Nevertheless, the Dodgers’ World Series bullpen is still filled with former North Carolina minor leaguers and college players including Anthony Ban-

Wolfpack quarterback Grayson McCall announces medical retirement

After another serious head injury, the NC State quarterback decided to call it a career

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

WHEN GRAYSON McCall announced his transfer to NC State this summer, the fifthyear quarterback was hoping for one last go with a Power Five program.

After four seasons of football in the Sun Belt leading the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the veteran quarterback wanted a chance to showcase himself and his talents on a bigger stage.

However, after playing in parts of just four games with the Pack, McCall has announced that he will be retiring from football.

“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short,” McCall said in a post on his Instagram page. “As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from. I have done everything I can to continue, but this is where the good Lord has called me to serve in a different space. Brain specialists, my family, and I have come

DUKE from page A1 and transfer (Mark Mitchell, Sean Stewart, Jalen Blakes, TJ Power and Christian Reeves), just about everyone is gone. Duke returns just four players from last year’s roster — just two who were in the regular playing rotation as the team went with a full offseason rebuild.

Newcomers

Having the top recruiting class in the nation is nothing new for Duke, but the Blue Devils have an NBA-ready assemblage of talent that is harkening comparisons to the 2018-19 class — the Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett class. Cooper Flagg is a 6-foot-9 wing who can play inside and out and is expected to be drafted first overall next spring. He’s joined by South Sudan’s Khaman Malu-

to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”

The news comes approximately three weeks after McCall was knocked unconscious in a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

The veteran quarterback was struck by three defenders while on the run, off of a quarterback keeper and he absorbed all three blows to the head all at once. McCall awoke on the field

ach, a 7-foot-2 shot blocker and lob finisher. Kon Knueppel, a sharpshooter out of Wisconsin, may end up being the team’s leading scorer. And all three have a killer instinct on the level of the class of ’19. They’re joined by three other four- and five-star freshmen, as well as veteran transfers Sion James (Tulane), Mason Gillis (Purdue) and Maliq Brown (Syracuse), who combined to average 30.4 points and 16.5 rebounds for power conference programs last season.

Other players of note

Duke returns junior guard

Tyrese Proctor, who seems to be following in the mold of Roach and Quinn Cook, moving off the ball later in his career to contribute to scoring instead of playmaking.

Ball-handling is being shifted

and was able to signal to the crowd as he went off, but having already suffered from multiple head injuries throughout his career, including a very serious one that ended his season at Coastal Carolina last year, it was just too much risk to continue playing.

“We kind of knew after the game,” said NC State coach Dave Doeren on when he knew that McCall was done playing.

“[We knew] that if he had another one then that was proba-

to fellow returnee Caleb Foster, who returns for his sophomore season. The Harrisburg native has also shown signs that he can hold his own on the scoring front as well.

Best case

The sky is the limit for this group. The freshmen have been stone-cold killers in Duke’s two exhibition games, providing versatility, energy and size. The two returning guards and the imported experience will also help to keep the team on a level plane as the season goes on. Duke appears to have the depth to withstand injuries that might have derailed previous promising seasons.

Biggest concern

Any time a freshman class with visions of the NBA Draft

da (Durham), Daniel Hudson (Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Kannapolis), Brent Honeywell (Durham and Charlotte), Michael Kopech (Charlotte) and Ben Casparius (UNC). Kopech and Banda both pitched for a short time in Games 1 and 2.

The Dodgers also have former Mudcat Miguel Rojas back at shortstop as he returns from missing the NCLS due to injury and makes his first World Series appearance. He replaced Kevin Kiermaier who made multiple stops with the Bulls from 20122018. Austin Barnes, another former Grasshopper in 2012, is listed as a catcher on Los Angeles’ roster.

Outside of Stanton and Rodón, the Yankees have twotime Gold Glove winner and former Carolina Mudcat Trent Grisham available for the outfield. Grisham joined the Yankees this season after spending the past four seasons with the San Diego Padres. He recorded a .190 batting average, nine home runs and 31 RBIs during the 2024 regular season.

As a Mudcat in 2017, Grisham knocked in 45 RBIs and stole 38 bases, the most he’s recorded in any major or minor league season.

Former Duke pitcher Marcus Stroman and former Knight Tommy Kahnle are also in the bullpen for New York. Stroman was Duke baseball’s first-ever first round pick in program history in 2012 and also joined the Yankees in 2024.

Kahnle made a short appearance in Game 1, allowing a hit and a run in the Yankees’ loss. He recorded a 3.00 ERA, 36 strikeouts and allowed zero home runs in 23 games with Charlotte in 2016.

While he might be retiring from playing on the field, McCall doesn’t want to call it quits on the game he loves though and is hoping to transition into coaching.

bly it. It was more of a matter of the steps he wanted to take and when he was ready to make it a public thing. It’s a big step to make that announcement and have to say those words. Even though you know that it’s happening, it’s difficult to say those words out loud.

“I asked him how he wanted to go about the next stage and he needed time and I said to do whatever he needed to do and that we were here to support him. I was like, ‘When you’re ready to announce the next steps, let’s have a conversation.’ We knew where this thing was going and I wanted him to do it his way.”

Despite the difficulty of walking away from what had basically been his entire life, the 23 year old seems to be taking the news as well as one in his position can.

“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” McCall wrote. “Every time my feet hit the grass, I left every single ounce of myself on that field. I always played my hardest and to the best of my ability because I never knew what play would be my last. I have no regrets throughout my career and that is something I can be proud of.”

join an experienced roster, culture clash is a potential risk. It’s early, but so far, everyone seems to be playing well together. Chemistry will likely be something the coaching staff keeps a watchful eye on, as the temptation to worry about shot attempts and minutes played grows throughout the year.

Key games

Duke will get tested in the nonconference season with games against Kentucky and Kansas on neutral courts. The Blue Devils also return a visit from Arizona, who won at Cameron last season, and host Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Duke’s ACC draw is favorable. The Blue Devils play Virginia just once and avoid a trip to Virginia Tech, which always seems to hold the promise of

“I look forward to taking my passion and love for the game into the coaching space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,” McCall said.

“I’ve told him that if this is the path that he wants to be on, we’re all in on helping him,” Doeren said. “Obviously he has our staff, but he knows a lot of coaches, so he’s going to have opportunities in this profession if this is what he wants. He loves the game of football, he loves the brotherhood of football and he’s going to be really good if he decides that’s the path.”

After taking a bit of time away from the program to be with his family, McCall has rejoined the team and continues to be a noticeable presence at NC State’s practices and he’s especially taken to coaching and advising the Pack’s other two quarterbacks: CJ Bailey and Lex Thomas.

From day one, Doeren harped on just how much of a leader McCall is and even though he isn’t playing, the veteran continues to demonstrate those leadership qualities and it’s evident why he will remain a captain on the team.

“He’s earned every opportunity in this sport,” Doeren said. “He’s a great teammate, he’s a tremendous young man to coach and he’s got a bright future as a coach if that’s what he chooses to do.”

an upset loss. Duke also avoids a California trip in the new, expanded ACC. Jan. 27 will be the Blue Devils’ chance to get revenge on NC State for last postseason, at Cameron. They don’t play at State — another annual trap game for Duke — this season. The two rivalry games with UNC are Feb. 1 at Cameron and March 8 in Chapel Hill.

Bottom line

Barring an injury/chemistry disaster, Duke will be on the short list of national title contenders. The Blue Devils should challenge for the league title and, on good nights, will look theoretically unbeatable. Like the early 90s and the Zion/RJ Duke teams, it will be one of those seasons that fans and haters alike will be talking about for years to come.

JULIO CORTEZ / AP PHOTO

New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) looks to the outfield after giving up a home run during the second inning in Game 2 of the World Series.

KARL B. DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

NC State head coach Dave Doeren, rear right, checks on quarterback Grayson McCall as he is carted from the field following his career-ending injury.

WHAT IT WAS, WAS FOOTBALL: WEEK NINE

UNC receiver J.J. Jones had a big game to earn all-state honors for the week and lead the Tar Heels to a win at Virginia.

SHAFFER BROUGHTON FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A weekly look at NC college football

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

NORTH CAROLINA teams closed out October with a losing week, although the state posted a winning record against Virginia for the first week this season. Six teams have hit the sixwin mark on the year, while eight are now at six losses.

Special shout-out to Johnson C. Smith, who is 8-0 for the first time in school history and beat Winston-Salem State on the road for the first time since 1975.

North Carolina’s record: 14-17 (116-137 overall)

Last week’s winners (ranked in order of impressiveness of the victory — a combination of opponent and performance):

1. North Carolina: 41-14 at Virginis

2. Mars Hill: 31-17 at Virginia-Wise

3. UNC Pembroke: 62-17 over West Virginia State

4. NC Wesleyan: 34-31 at Southern Virginia

5. Johnson C. Smith: 24-15 at Winston-Salem State

6. Brevard: 25-21 at Huntingdon

7. Shaw: 38-35 at Fayetteville State

8. Wake Forest: 27-24 at Stanford

9. App State: 33-26 over Georgia State

10. Campbell: 21-7 over NC A&T

11. Wingate: 24-15 over Catawba

12. East Carolina: 56-34 over Temple

13. NC Central: 16-7 over Morgan State

14. Lenoir-Rhyne: 21-19 over Limestone

Last week’s losers (ranked in order of impressiveness, despite the result):

1. Gardner-Webb: 30-24 at SE Missouri

2. Charlotte: 33-28 at Memphis

3. Catawba: 24-15 at Wingate

4. Western Carolina: 44-34 at Mercer

5. Elon: 41-21 at Hampton

6. NC A&T: 21-7 at Campbell

7. Duke: 28-27 to SMU in overtime

8. Fayetteville State: 38-35 to Shaw

9. Davidson: 48-38 to Butler

10. Barton: 41-25 at Newberry

11. Guilford: 42-10 at Shenandoah

12. Greensboro: 52-16 at LaGrange

13. Elizabeth City State: 21-20 to Lincoln, PA

14. Winston-Salem State: 24-15 to JC Smith

HURLEY from page A1

but this will be really only the second time in Cameron Indoor since I left.

Hurley was busy coaching his Sun Devils when dozens of former Blue Devils came to Coach K’s final home game two years ago. “We had a game that day,” he said, “but I was in New Orleans for his last game.”

Hurley has kept his Duke roots visible. He wears his national championship ring from the 1992

15. Methodist: 48-6 at Maryville

16. Chowan: 38-0 at West Alabama

17. St. Andrews: 63-0 at Reinhardt

Off: NC State, Livingstone

Remaining unbeatens (1 remaining): Johnson C. Smith: 8-0

Winning records (9, same as last week):

• Lenoir-Rhyne: 7-1

• Wingate: 6-1

• Duke, NC Central: 6-2

• Winston-Salem State: 6-3

• Brevard: 4-2

• Livingstone, Davidson: 5-3

• Shaw: 5-4

At .500 (6, up two from last week)

• Western Carolina, ECU, NC State, UNC, Wake Forest: 4-4

• Mars Hill: 3-3

Losing records (16, down two from last week):

• Catawba, Elizabeth City State, Gardner-Webb, Barton, Elon: 2-6

• Guilford, App State, Fayetteville State, Campbell: 3-4

• Charlotte, UNC Pembroke: 3-5

• NC Wesleyan, Chowan: 2-5

• Greensboro: 1-6

• NC A&T, Methodist: 1-7

Still winless (1 remaining): St. Andrews: 0-6

State title standings: The race for the Mack Brown Trophy is heating up. JC Smith reached the 2-0 plateau with a win over Winston-Salem State, while Wingate took over sole possession of the top spot at 3-0 after beating Catawba. With seven in-state matchups on the schedule Saturday, look for another shakeup in the standings this time next week.

• 3-0 Wingate

• 2-0 Duke, Guilford, Wake Forest, Lenoir-Rhyne, Johnson C. Smith

• 1-0 NC Wesleyan, App State, Davidson, Brevard

• 2-1 UNC, Charlotte, Livingstone, Campbell

• 2-2 NC Central, Fayetteville State, Winston-Salem State

• 1-1 NC State, Campbell

• 2-3 Shaw

• 1-2 Barton, Methodist, Elon, Western Carolina, Catawba

• 1-3 Elizabeth City State, NC A&T

• 0-1 Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill

• 0-2 ECU, Chowan, UNC Pembroke

• 0-3 Greensboro

team, the second of the Blue Devils’ back-to-back titles.

“I feel like I get, I try and get, superpowers out of it,” Hurley said. “It doesn’t always work.” “It was special to me, to have people 30 years later still acknowledge what we did, and this great appreciation for great teams. … I’ll just remember last night with Coach K. We had a nice dinner with some of our Arizona State people that came on the trip. He was very gracious to do that and talk about his experiences with me and also USA Bas-

NASCAR club breaks ground at Charlotte Motor Speedway

The 100 acre Ten Tenths Motor Club is set to open in 2025

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — A 100acre complex for racing enthusiasts and automotive manufacturers is set to open up beside Charlotte Motor Speedway next year.

State title games this week:

• Campbell at Elon

• Livingstone at Shaw

• Fayetteville State at Johnson C. Smith

• Catawba at Barton

• Wingate at Lenoir-Rhyne

• Methodist at Brevard

• NC Wesleyan at Greensboro

Out of state battles for Week 10:

NC Central at South Carolina State on Thursday, Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern, UNC at Florida State, Tulane at Charlotte, Old Dominion at App State, William & Mary at NC A&T, Davidson at San Diego, Stanford at NC State, Chattanooga at Western Carolina, Emory & Henry at Mars Hill, Duke at Miami, Chowan at Valdosta State, Bowie State at Elizabeth City State, West Virginia Wesleyan at UNC Pembroke, Ferrum at Guilford, St. Andrews at Kentucky Christian

Off: East Carolina, Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State

Bad neighbors: Three N.C. teams won in the state of Virginia, and the Old North State had a winning record over the Commonwealth, at 3-2, for the first time this season. Of course, Virginia still has het season advantage at 28-13.

All state performances for Week Nine:

Quarterback: Cole Gonzalez, Western Carolina, 25-for47 for 395 yards and 2 touchdowns. That’s 1015 yards in the last two weeks.

Running backs: J’Mari Taylor, NC Central, 27 carries for 200 yards and a touchdown, Xavier Pugh, Wingate, 4 rushes for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns — a 75-yarder and a 57-yarder.

Receiver: Sincere Brown, Campbell, 5 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns, JJ Jones, UNC, 5 catches for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defensive line: Jahvaree Ritzie, UNC, 2 tackles, 1 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 interception returned 84 yards for a pick six, Henry Daniel, NC A&T, 9 tackles, 4 solo, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble.

Linebacker: Kaimon Rucker, UNC, 8 tackles, 5 solos, 3 sacks, 3.5 TFL, 1 interception, 1 quarterback hit, Jamari Slade, Fayetteville State, 17 tackles, 7 solos, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 TFL.

Defensive back: Ja’Marley Riddle, ECU, 3 tackles, 2 solos, 2 interceptions, including a 55-yard pick six, Mordecai McDaniel, Charlotte, 12 tackles, 10 solos, 0.5 TFL, 1 pass breakup.

Special teams: Devin Versteegen, Winston-Salem State, punted 10 times for a 50.2 average with seven 50+-yard punts and a long of 72.

ketball. Just spending that time with him was big time because we had so many great moments, and he has had such an impact on my life in a positive way.”

Hurley’s son, also named Bobby, is a senior on ASU’s team and wears the same No. 11 as his father. The game against Duke ended with the younger Hurley on the floor, the first time a player of that name competed on the Cameron court since Feb. 28, 1993. The elder Hurley tried to keep his emotions in check, however.

an and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz — includes a seven-turn, 0.567-mile inner loop, a 13turn, 1.1-mile short course, and a 19-turn, 1.7-mile full circuit that can be driven in both directions.

Hendrick Automotive Group CEO Rick Hendrick and Speedway Motorsports recently announced that the Ten Tenths Circuit and Motor Club will host its grand opening on April 4, 2025, for The Smith Heritage Invitational automotive experience.

The exclusive facility will include a lighted road course racetrack, along with a 20,000-square foot Ten Tenths Clubhouse, members’ garage, cigar lounge, bourbon bar, and putting course.

“In addition to a premier track design and driving experience, Ten Tenths will have unparalleled resources and infrastructure to support every customer and organization we touch,” Hendrick, owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports, said in a media release. “Through our local network of service and collision centers, the facility will offer concierge vehicle maintenance and repair for nearly every exotic or high-performance car on the market. It’s a combination of amenities that cannot be matched in North America.”

“The track itself in its beautiful landscape has a lot of ups and downs and enjoys a natural flow,” Wurz said. “Every corner of the circuit has a different character. Altogether, it plays a symphony of drivers’ music. It wants to be driven very fast. You can rotate the car into the corners. All of our expertise and passion has gone into this project. I’m terribly proud to be the designer along with Charlotte Motor Speedway of the new Ten Tenths Circuit.”

“It’s the most expansive property development at Charlotte Motor Speedway since we built zMAX Dragway in 2008, and further enhances our desire to innovate for the future.”

Modeled after Turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway, the clubhouse is designed to accommodate corporate retreats, business summits, and special events, featuring three hospitality rooms that are connected to outdoor patios for up to 1,500 people; conference rooms and a catering kitchen are also included in the facility. Additionally, the club’s members’ garage has secure gated access, climate-controlled storage, and luxury lounge areas, while the club’s concierge vehicle service will offer maintenance and reconditioning experience provided by Hendrick Automotive Group, the largest privately-held operator of car dealerships in the country.

Marcus Smith, Speedway Motorsports CEO

Stationed outside Turns 1 and 2 of Charlotte Motor Speedway, construction on the Ten Tenths Circuit is nearly complete, while work on the clubhouse is still underway.

Hendrick partnered with Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith to create Ten Tenths, which is advertised by the pair as a product of a partnership that combines motorsports history, automotive heritage, and business expertise.

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment that owns and operates 11 premier facilities through its subsidiaries. The 1,000-acre Charlotte Motor Speedway — made up of Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway, and The Dirt Track at Charlotte — has been the company’s flagship speedway for over 60 years.

“Our vision for Ten Tenths is to create an experiential destination that can be enjoyed by everyone from professional race car drivers to high-performance driving enthusiasts and car collectors,” Smith said. “It’s the most expansive property development at Charlotte Motor Speedway since we built zMAX Dragway in 2008, and further enhances our desire to innovate for the future.”

The Ten Tenths Circuit track — designed by F1 veter-

“As much as I’m nostalgic about being here — and this means a lot, and I appreciate Jon (Scheyer) and the Duke program for doing this — I didn’t need closure,” he said. “I think the way I left it was pretty good, but it’s just like another taste, another way to kind of say goodbye.”

It was also a way to expose his players to one of the sport’s legendary home courts.

“I just tried to tell a couple of our guys, ‘You’re not going to be overwhelmed when you look at it when you walk in’,” Hurley said,

Premium vehicle support will be available locally from 21 dealerships and five collision centers, containing the ability to repair enthusiast brands such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Porsche and Toyota.

All will be revealed at the Smith Heritage Invitational in April, which boasts some of the rarest automobiles from the world’s top collectors while paying tribute to the history and artistry of the automotive industry.

Last year’s event featured the Marmon Wasp that won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB, a twin-turbo-powered 2021 McLaren Elva, and other vehicles owned by collectors like Scott Borchetta, Rick Hendrick, Rob Kauffman, Nick Soprano, and the famed Savoy Automobile Museum.

“The opportunity to partner with Marcus and his brothers on a passion project like this is incredibly rewarding,” Hendrick said. “I’ve had a special relationship with the Smith family for more than four decades. Not only do we share a love for automobiles and racing, we are aligned in our core values, our commitment to the local community and our overall vision for Ten Tenths. The collaboration thus far has been tremendous, and I can’t wait to see what our teams accomplish together as this exciting idea becomes reality.”

“‘but when you put all the bodies in here and the environment, it’s just a different level.’ I’m glad they get to get a taste of it.” Unfortunately for the coach who has to win every time he competes, the only taste left from the experience is a bad one.

“It means a lot just to have my kids here, have my granddaughter here. It’s not a lot of fun to be on (the visiting) bench, though,” he said. “My granddaughter is never going to remember this game. She’s only three months old. Thank God.”

Combs, Church raise $24M for WNC relief

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — Before Luke Combs took the stage last weekend at Bank of America Stadium, he was thinking of his childhood.

At age 8, Combs’ family moved from Huntersville, near Charlotte, to Asheville. Combs asked his parents why the family was making the move.

“And my parents told me, ‘Well, you know, nothing bad ever happens in Asheville,’” Combs recalled. “There are no tornadoes, there are no hurricanes, there are no this, no that. It was this safe haven. And my dad always told me he loved the mountains so much because he felt so safe there. He felt like he was, you know, in some ways, wrapped in a warm hug by the landscape.”

It’s why Combs and another child of the North Carolina mountains, Eric Church, decided to act when something bad happened in Asheville after all.

The duo organized Saturday night’s Concert for Carolina at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, a one-night fundraiser to help fund western North

Carolina’s recovery from the damage rendered by Hurricane Helene.

“Half my year, we live in Banner Elk, North Carolina,” said Church. “And these are my neighbors. These are my community members. And to see what happened where the Elk River came through there is just beyond anything that I could have ever imagined.”

Both singers had families in the area and had some frantic moments in the days immediately after the storm.

“I think that the thing that was really scary for me, personally, was that I didn’t hear from

anyone for a few days,” said Combs. “As you all know, cell service was down. Internet was down for quite some time, still being affected in some ways. And so that was really shocking because you’re in the boat of ‘Well, is everybody OK?’ You don’t know.”

“To echo what Luke said, the scariest part was the silence for a period of time when people were trying to get in touch with people,” said Church. “And we’re still trying to find people. So I think that’s the big, devastating part. The biggest thing, I think, for Luke and I, most important part, is we continue to

shine a light on this. This concert’s a great way to do it, but these people are going to need help long after tonight and long after next month and long after six months. So it’s about how can we continue to put this up front to make people be aware of what happened there.”

The concert came together quickly and was able to raise more than $24 million for western N.C. relief, with money going to several agencies and charities providing aid to the area. It’s required round-the-clock effort from Church and Combs.

“It’s been a complete melee of communication and planning,” said Combs. “These things, a show like this, usually takes a year or a year and a half to plan, and we were able to get it done in three weeks.”

They received help from several other people around the state, perhaps most notably Panthers owner David Tepper, who offered Bank of America Stadium completely for free.

“We did what we had to do,” said Tepper. “When Luke’s people called up and say they wanted to put this thing together and do it fast. … In a way, it was an easy ask because we really wanted to do it.”

Many of the biggest names in music made appearances, including Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, as well as North Carolina products like the Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery and Chase Rice. There were also surprise

guests brought onstage, including Randy Travis and Urban’s wife, Nicole Kidman.

Perhaps the biggest name was also one of the toughest to land.

“We both kind of went through our phones and tried to figure out who we could get to,” said Church, “and I had to get James Taylor. I just had to hear ‘Carolina In My Mind’ in this stadium. So I made it my mission, and I’m pretty sure, after talking to James last night, that I think I stalked him for a period of a week or two.”

First responders from western North Carolina were provided free tickets for the show, and despite a delay due to — of all things — the threat of severe weather — the five-plus hour concert went off in front of 82,000 fans and thousands more watching the livestream.

“North Carolina is both of our homes,” said Church. “The small communities that specifically make up western North Carolina are these strong, independent, proud communities. I’ve said many times that they’re the exact community that when the community next door is in trouble, you can count on that community to come help you. And in this situation, there is no community next door. It’s all been destroyed. So what you’re seeing tonight is we are the community next door. The people that are in this stadium are the community next door.”

Leeth and Emily Davis: We the people of Ashe County

Nothing could prepare them for the level of destruction

By Deanna Ballard Special to North State Journal

Former state Sen. Deanna Ballard has seen firsthand the devastation of Hurricane Helene and will be telling recovery stories from western North Carolina for North State Journal.

AS THE floodwaters receded in the wake of Hurricane Helene, much of Ashe County lay in ruins — but for Emily and Leeth Davis, the devastation marked the start of a relentless mission.

Only three days after the storm ripped through their community, the Davises were already armed with tools and supplies, driving around in their all-terrain vehicle looking to serve those who needed it most. When their friend, local business owner Steven Howell, sent out the call for help, they knew where to start — Lansing.

There they found a handful of locals, chainsaws in hand, already battling the wreckage in off-road vehicles. Wasting no time, the Davises set up a makeshift command center in the middle of the street, spreading maps across a card table to organize the efforts. Emily remembers a surge of support from people, each one prioritizing the well-being of their neighbors over their own struggles.

“It truly was ‘We the People,’ everyone just helping each other,” she reflects.

Pulling up to a particularly devastated area outside of Lansing, nothing could prepare them for the level of destruction that felt eerily otherworldly.

“It looked like an earthquake,” Emily remembers. “Pictures don’t do it justice.”

A small cluster of seven homes had been completely cut off, their bridges washed away, leaving them stranded. Residents said they hadn’t seen another person in days. Isolated with no way out, they’d taken to calling themselves “Roaring Fork Island.”

For the next three days under the Davises’ leadership, crews of volunteers worked on Roaring Fork Island to remove debris and deliver necessities. In an extraordinary act of generosity, Cable’s Enterprise from Brown Summit arrived shortly after and repaired both bridges at no cost. Leeth estimates their contribution reached $450,000 of value in kind. Privately owned businesses such as L&E Lumber and Fitch Lumber have donated supplies and offered steep discounts.

Despite the destruction, spirits are hopeful and steeped in gratitude. The Davises acknowledge there is a time for mourning, but right now, they are more interested in getting to work.

“That’s the tough part about being a leader — you have to figure it out. There are no timeouts,” says Leeth.

When Emily and Leeth Davis moved to West Jefferson in 2022, they set out to build their dream — 40 acres of rolling countryside where they could create something of their own. They founded 4Creeks Cabin Co., a collection of small, eclectic vacation rentals designed to help visitors slow down, connect with nature and spend quality time together. Quickly plugging into their new local community, they relished the country landscape where they could raise their two young children with the values they hold dear — hard work, stewardship of the

land and investing in people. But the Davises are no ordinary business owners. Behind their dream is a wealth of expertise and an unshakable commitment to serving others. Leeth and Emily grew up together in Gastonia and attended the same preschool. Married in 2013, the heart-centered entrepreneurs share a deep-rooted connection that extends into their professional lives.

Emily graduated from UNC Charlotte’s engineering school and amassed more than a decade of bridge-building experience. Leeth is a helicopter pilot with experience in heavy equipment operation. Together, they’ve mastered the art of project management and structural engineering, making them equipped to tackle the challenge ahead.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction, the couple put their lives and business on hold. In response, they established a nonprofit called Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery. In just three weeks since the hurricane tore through the western half of the state, Emily and Leeth have coordinated the rebuilding of more than 40 private bridges, roads and culverts — an incredible feat considering each project typically takes a week to complete. Among the places restored by their efforts are historical landmark Stikes Holler in Warrensville and Camp New Hope in Jefferson. Their nonprofit has currently raised nearly $90,000 in cash donations and roughly $750,000 through gifts in kind from various North Carolinian companies volunteering equipment, materials and manpower.

While county officials struggle to handle the sheer scale of

the disaster, Leeth and Emily have taken it upon themselves to move recovery efforts forward. Though the county is no longer in a state of emergency, they continue to move with a sense of urgency. Because they’re a privately organized nonprofit, they can move more quickly than local and state governments.

“We’re doing our best to make the county aware of the asset they have here in our initiative and what we’re able to do,” Leeth explained. These highly trained professionals hope to work closely with county officials in the future to share with them their tried-and-true process.

As winter approaches, the need for donations and skilled volunteers rises more urgently than ever. Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery is moving swiftly, but there is still much work to be done. The nonprofit’s newly launched website is now live, making it easy to contribute — whether through donations, volunteering or purchasing merchandise, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting recovery efforts. As North Carolinians continue to provide support to heavily impacted areas, it’s crucial not to lose sight of the long road ahead. Recovery won’t be finished in a matter of weeks. It will take months, even years, to rebuild. To offer resources, skills, or support, visit lansingbtr.org. The ongoing recovery efforts can also be followed on Instagram (@lansingsbridgetorecovery) and Facebook (Facebook.com/lansingbtr).

“The really profound effect was the concentration of all these good folks who got together under a common mission,” Leeth said.

The North Carolina country music stars organized the Concert for Carolina at Bank of America Stadium

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP

Luke Combs, left, and Eric Church speak before Saturday’s Concert for Carolina at Bank of America Stadium.

COURTESY TOWN OF LANSING Hurricane Helene flooded downtown Lansing.

PHOTOS COURTESY DEANNA BALLARD

Left, Fred Strike stands on his newly constructed bridge. Right, a symbol of the love and support appears on a muddy car door in Lansing.

Grateful Dead bassist, founding member Phil Lesh dies at 84

The musical influences he often cited were not rock musicians but composers

By John Rogers The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Phil Lesh,

a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died Friday at age 84.

Lesh’s death comes just two days after MusiCares named the Grateful Dead its Persons of the Year. MusiCares, which helps music professionals needing financial or other kinds of assistance, cited Lesh’s Unbroken Chain Foundation among other philanthropic initiatives.

Although he kept a relatively low public profile, rarely granting interviews or speaking to the audience, Lesh was recognized by fans and fellow band members as a critical member of the Grateful Dead. His thundering lines on the six-string electric bass provided a brilliant counterpoint to lead guitarist

Jerry Garcia’s soaring solos and anchored the band’s famous improvisational marathon jams.

“When Phil’s happening, the band’s happening,” Garcia once said.

Lesh began his long musical odyssey as a classically trained violinist, starting in third grade. He took up the trumpet at 14, eventually earning the second chair in California’s Oakland Symphony Orchestra while still in his teens.

But he had largely put both instruments aside and was driving a mail truck and working as a sound engineer for a small radio station in 1965 when Gar-

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CUMBERLAND

cia recruited him to play bass in a fledgling rock band called The Warlocks. When Lesh told Garcia he didn’t play the bass, the musician asked, “Didn’t you used to play violin?” When he said yes, Garcia told him, “There you go, man.”

Armed with a cheap fourstring instrument his girlfriend bought him, Lesh sat down for a seven-hour lesson with Garcia, following the latter’s advice that he tune his instrument’s strings an octave lower than the four bottom strings on Garcia’s

guitar. Then Garcia turned him loose, allowing Lesh to develop the spontaneous style of playing that he would embrace for the rest of his life.

Lesh and Garcia would frequently exchange leads, often spontaneously, while the band as a whole would frequently break into long experimental, jazz-influenced jams during concerts. The result was that even wellknown Grateful Dead songs like “Truckin’” or “Sugar Magnolia” rarely sounded the same two performances in a row.

“It’s always fluid; we just

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF LLOYD DUTTER

claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first 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 10th day of October, 2024 Mary Ann Smith Executor 4045 Bammel Drive Address Fayetteville, NC, 28306 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Christine Veronica Smith, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In the General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 24E1670 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Wilma Futrell Cumbo, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 1st day of February , 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first 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 23rd day of October , 2024. Jacqueline Y. Cumbo McLeod 2525 McArthur Landing Circle Apt. 104 Fayetteville, NC 28311 Administrator of the Estate of Wilma Futrell Cumbo

Executors Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Thomas Franklin Daniels, Tommy Daniels, deceased, late of Cumberland County, NC, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of January , 2025, (which date is three months after the first day of the publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 10th day of October 2024.

Carolyn P Daniels PO Box 244 Littleton, NC. 27850 Executor of the estate of Thomas Franklin Daniels LWLM0069588

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 729 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Lloyd Dutter, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 10th day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Lloyd Dutter Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024

NOTICE

Estate File # 24E1639 The undersigned, having qualified as administrator of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased, late of Cumberland Couty, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the dependent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of October, 2024. Tiffany Q. Davis 3484 Wilmington Hwy. Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 22-E-1983 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having qualified as Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs Guy, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Michael Guy and Daniel Guy, CoExecutors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs

Lesh had gravitated from classical music to cool jazz by the time he arrived at the College of San Mateo, eventually becoming first trumpet player in the school’s big band and a composer of several orchestral pieces the group performed.

Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, died last Friday at 84.

pretty much figure it out on the fly,” Lesh said, chuckling, during a rare 2009 interview. “You can’t set those things in stone in the rehearsal room.”

Phillip Chapman Lesh was born on March 15, 1940, in Berkeley, California, the only child of Frank Lesh, an office equipment repairman, and his wife, Barbara. Musical influences he often cited were not rock musicians but composers like Bach and Edgard Varèse, as well as jazz greats like John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

ADMINISTRATOR’S/EXECUTOR’S

NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as Margaret Carroll Bledsole of the Estate of Thelma Guy Harrison deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 1 day of February 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first 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 24 day of october 2024. Margaret Carroll Bledsole Administrator/ Executor 201 Joy Drive Address Fayetteville N.C. 28312 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Thelma Guy Harrison, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File: #24E1490 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as Melissa McNeill Fisher of the Estate of Joyce Gardner Ingram, deceased, late of Cumberland County, at this moment notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of January 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first 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 10th day of October 2024. Melissa McNeill Fisher Administrator/Executor 1841 Roxie Avenue Address Fayetteville, NC 28304 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Joyce Gardner Ingram, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 2024 E 001555

The undersigned, having qualified as administrator of the Estate of Jerry Lee Adams, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All

Soon after he took up the bass, The Warlocks renamed themselves the Grateful Dead and Lesh began captivating audiences with his dexterity. Crowds gathered in what came to be known as “The Phil Zone” directly in front of his position onstage.

Although he was never a prolific songwriter, Lesh also composed music for, and sometimes sang, some of the band’s most beloved songs. Among them were the upbeat country rocker “Pride of Cucamonga,” the jazz-influenced “Unbroken Chain” and the ethereally beautiful “Box of Rain.”

Lesh composed the latter on guitar as a gift for his dying father, and he recalled that Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, upon hearing the instrumental recording, approached him the next day with a lyric sheet. On that sheet, he said, were “some of the most moving and heartfelt lyrics I’ve ever had the good fortune to sing.”

The band often closed its concerts with the song.

After the group’s dissolution following Garcia’s 1995 death, Lesh often skipped joining the other surviving members when they got together to perform. He did take part in a 2009 Grateful Dead tour and again in 2015 for a handful of “Fare Thee Well” concerts marking both the band’s 50th anniversary and what Lesh said would be the last time he would play with the others.

In later years, he usually held those performances at Terrapin Crossroads, a restaurant and nightclub he opened near his Northern California home in 2012, which was named after the Grateful Dead song and album “Terrapin Station.”

Lesh is survived by his wife, Jill, and sons Brian and Grahame.

JOHN DAVISSON / AP PHOTO

22 E 1166 All

firms and corporations having

Bulgarino, deceased, of Cumberland County, North

are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 11th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 3rd day of October, 2024.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Joseph Nelson Bulgarino

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 10, October 17, October 4 and October 31, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF WILLIAM EDDIE HALL

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 1544

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against William Eddie Hall, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 10th day of October, 2024.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of William Eddie Hall Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024

map of Overhills Park Section II, which is duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, page 75, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 2720 Edwards Street, Spring Lake, NC 28390.

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

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate file #24E1653

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the estate of Joyce J. Duncan, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations, having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first 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 17th day of October, 2024.

Daniel G. Duncan Executor 11196 Windjammer Dr. Frisco, TX 75036

Executor of the estate of Joyce J. Duncan, deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF CINDY MARIE BULGARINO

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 22 E 1189 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Cindy Marie Bulgarino, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 11th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 3rd day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Cindy Marie Bulgarino Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 10, October 17, October 4 and October 31, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS, NEW HANOVER COUNTY

The undersigned, JAMIE LYNN CRIST having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of JAMES DERRICK HARRELSON Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against the Decedent, to exhibit same to the said JAMIE LYNN CRIST at the address set below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This is the 10th day of Oct 2024.

JAMIE LYNN CRIST Administer of the Estate of JAMES DERRICK HARRELSON

Jamie Lynn Crist 1505 Crooked Run Rd Willard, NC 28478

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

THE UNDERSIGNED, Lisa Farmer Macpherson, having qualified on the 19th day of September 2024, as Executor of the Estate of William Charles Macpherson (2024-E-1330), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, 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 20th day of January, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 17th day of October 2024. Lisa Farmer Macpherson Executor ESTATE

NOTICE

Please take notice that on October 8,

24th, 2025. This is October 24, 2024. Claims should be mailed to the following address: Norman Ramos, Administrator of the estate of Norma Ramos 1192 E Draper Pkwy #133 Draper, UT 84020 Failure to file a claim within the specified time may bar your right to recover from

immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY

PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 All Lawful Heirs of Darlene Jeanne Satterfield.

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

WAKE

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 23 SP 1311 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by DEWEY GOVAN CAMPBELL AND DEBRA LEWIS CAMPBELL payable to BENEFICIAL MORTGAGE CO. OF NORTH CAROLINA, lender, to DAVID L. BRUNK, Trustee, dated January 3, 2006, and recorded in Book 7112, Page 232 of the Cumberland County Public Registry by Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, 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 Official Records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, in Book 11873, Page 0358, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Monday, November 4, 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): 0496934862000 ADDRESS: 1132 JOHN NUNNERY RD., STEDMAN, NC 28391 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): HEIRS OF DEWEY GOVAN CAMPBELL THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 7112, PAGE 232 AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CEDAR CREEK IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 02/25/2005 AND RECORDED 12/06/2005, AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE, IN DEED VOLUME 7086 AND PAGE 360. TAX MAP OR PARCEL ID NO.: 0496-93-4862

($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 705

U nder and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Christina Marie Green (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Christina Marie Green) to Pope Law Group, P.A., Trustee(s), dated February 2, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 11392, at Page 0105 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on November 4, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Linden in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 10 according to that survey and plat entitled Lake Teresa Development Amendment #1 prepared by W.R. Lambert, Land Surveyor dated March 4, 1969 and recorded in Map

DAVIDSON

SP 351 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Mary Galindo to H. Terry Hutchens, Esquire, Trustee(s), which was dated January 25, 2019 and recorded on January 30, 2019 in Book 2345 at Page 275, Davidson County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 4, 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:

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24 SP 381

U nder and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Christopher W. Coker and Rena Nichole Coker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Christopher W. Coker and Rena Nichole Coker) to Alexis Alan, Trustee(s), dated March 23, 2018, and recorded in Book No. 2307, at Page 2361 in Davidson County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on November 13, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in

Book 36, Page 11 Cumberland County Registry; and being more particularly described by that metes and bounds description prepared from that survey drawn by Denver Lee McCullough, PLS, dated November 16, 2015, described as follows:

BEGINNING at the Northwestern corner of this instant tract and the Northeastern corner of the property of Mark Andrew Rainey (Deed Book 8923 at Page 574, Plat Book 36, Page 11; aforesaid Registry and State) at a 1/2 inch iron pipe and RUNNING THENCE for a first call South 54 degrees 54 minutes 51 seconds East for 99.96 feet to a 1/2 inch iron pipe; THENCE for a second call South 32 degrees 33 minutes 53 seconds West for 161.84 feet to a set 1/2 inch iron pipe; THENCE for a third call North 66 degrees 08 minutes 01 second West for 100.28 feet to a 1/2 inch iron pipe; thence North 32 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds East for 181.41 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING. Together with improvement located thereon; said property being located at 3964 Rebel Road, Linden, North Carolina.

This being the same property as described in Deeds recorded in Book 5972, Page 284, Book 5972, Page 289 and Book 9790, Page 777 Cumberland County Registry.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one

The land hereinafter referred to is situated in the City of Thomasville, County of Davidson, State of NC, and is described as follows:

Being Lots Numbers Nine (9) and Ten (10) as shown on a map or plat of Elliott Estate, said map or plat being duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina, in Plat Book 4 at Page 106.

Being the same property conveyed from Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc., Asset Backed Pass Through Certificates Series 2005-R11, by Homeward Residential, Inc., FKA American Home Mortgage Servicing Inc., as its Attorney in Fact to Mary Galindo by deed dated September 10, 2012 and recorded November 8, 2012 in Book 2078 and Page 2206, of official records.

APN: 16-108-0-00A-0009

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

Said property is commonly known as 201 Jones Cir, Thomasville, NC 27360.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory

Lexington in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 8 of Twin Oak Acres, Section 1, as shown on the plat recorded in Plat Book 16, Page 52, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davidson County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 246 Oakdale Lane, Lexington, 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.

S hould 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).

T he property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED as Lot Number 29, as shown on the plat entitled SOUTHDALE DEVELOPMENT, as recorded in Plat Book 6, Page 84, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 320 Oakdale St, Winston Salem, NC 27107.

hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. S hould 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).

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

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

upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 ALL

LAWFUL HEIRS OF MARY GALINDO.

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,

the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A d eposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further

“AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 STEPHEN GNASH AND WIFE, LORENZA GNASH.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. A ny person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at

terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)].

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

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

remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. A ny person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

S UBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE

days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 11723 - 108633

said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 7, 2024 at 10:00 AM, and will

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

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10

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

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-09807-FC01

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 24sp347 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SHAWN B. MCDERMOTT DATED OCTOBER

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 235

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jeffery Brown and Lytasha Brown (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jeffery Brown and Lytasha Brown) to The Nixon Firm, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated August 27, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 2728, at Page 1778 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location

described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Shawn B. McDermott, dated October 26, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $26,800.00, and recorded in Book 1603 at

115 Florence Road, Statesville, NC 28625 Tax Parcel ID: 4755-60-7014.000 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Shawn N. McDermott The record owner(s) of the property,

designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:30 PM on November 7, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Mooresville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 2 as shown on plat of Hunter’s Creek Subdivision recorded in Plat Book 22, Page 71 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Iredell County. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 124 Hunters Creek Drive, Mooresville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Shawn N. McDermott. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or

the deposit. Reasons of

“AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of

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

IN THE

COURT OF

DIVISION 24SP000028-500

OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF JOHNSTON IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF

DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DIANE INEZ PRIVETTE AND RICKY PRIVETTE DATED DECEMBER 8, 2006 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 3250, AT PAGE 381 IN THE JOHNSTON 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 therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24SP000433-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Magnus T. Berg (deceased) and Patricia A. Berg (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Magnus T. Berg and Patricia A. Berg, Heirs of Magnus T. Berg: Krista Leigh Berg) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated March 22, 2012, and recorded in Book No. 4097, at Page 686 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00

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

Said property is commonly known as 99 Carolina Oaks Avenue, Smithfield, NC 27577.

the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 4, FOREST OAKS SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1, AS SHOWN ON A MAP RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 63, PAGES 83-85, JOHNSTON COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A FULL AND COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF SAID LOT. TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED THEREON; SAID PROPERTY BEING LOCATED AT 99 CAROLINA OAKS AVENUE, SMITHFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA.

holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 12:00 PM on November 12, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Diane Inez Privette; Ricky Privette, dated December 8, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $137,000.00, and recorded in Book No. 3250, at Page 381 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 16 Monarch Trl, Selma, NC 27576 Tax Parcel ID: 11M06013G The record owner(s) of the property,

AM on November 5, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Garner in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 06F03004A

Land Situated in the County of Johnston in the State of NC.

Being all of Lot 62, containing 1.98 acres, of South Hills Subdivision, Section III, as depicted in Plat Book 32, Page 309, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 214 Keri Drive, Garner, North Carolina. Commonly known as: 214 Keri Drive, Garner, NC 27529-9652

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

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 David T. Tann.

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

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

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Diane Inez Privette and Ricky Privette.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS.

Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute

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

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

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

bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may

effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 6th day of August, 2024.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717

Posted: By: Ingle Case Number: 23304-36549

after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of

Deed of Trust executed by Parris M. Johnson and Melanie R. Forte to Warren Shackelford & Thomas P.L.L.C., Trustee(s), which was dated April 15, 2020 and recorded on April 15, 2020 in Book 017825 at Page 01523,

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24SP000647-910 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MELISSA KAY BOTKIN DATED MARCH 16, 2022 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 18960, AT PAGE 1216 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder

GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24CV007798-910

NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Shaketa Harris; Any Spouse of Shaketa Harris; Dwight Harris; Rebecca Harris; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the abovecaptioned case on August 19, 2024 (“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 1036 Blue River Farm Dr, Raleigh, NC

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 28 Twin Creeks at Olde Mill Stream as shown on plat recorded in Book of Maps 2006, Page 1059, Wake County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 620 Houndsditch Cir, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

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

of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on November 6, 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 by Melissa Kay Botkin, dated March 16, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $296,000.00, and recorded in Book No. 18960, at Page 1216 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1314 Still Monument Way, Raleigh, NC 27603 Tax Parcel ID: 0354247 The record owner(s) of the property,

27603 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Shaketa Harris, an Unmarried Woman and Dwight Harris and Rebecca Harris, a Married Couple, dated August 30, 2019 and recorded on September 3, 2019 in Book 17561 at Page 2376 of the Wake County, North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Shaketa Harris and Dwight Harris, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, LLC.

The Commissioner will offer 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 November 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Wake County, North Carolina and described as follows:

BEING all of Lot 50, Britt Estates, Section Two, as shown on map thereof recorded in Book of Maps 2004, page 801-802, Wake County Registry, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description of same.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. 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 Parris M Johnson and spouse, Melanie R Forte.

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

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Melissa Kay Botkin.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest

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 officers, 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 offered 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 non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

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

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

to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee.

bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the

Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 22-13770-FC02

the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as reflected on the records of the WAKE COUNTY Register of Deeds’ office not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Dwight Harris and spouse, Rebecca Harris and Shaketa Harris, unmarried.

A cash deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of the sale. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price of bid in cash or certified check at the time the Commissioner tenders a deed for the Property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price of bid at that time, said bidder shall remain liable on said bid as provided for under North Carolina law.

COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on November 14, 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 Marilyn A. Sims, dated September 16, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $193,500.00, and recorded in Book 15503 at Page 225 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 1721 Winway Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID: 0170095 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Marilyn Sims The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP001626-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY PETER M. THOMAS DATED OCTOBER 12, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 18132 AT PAGE 1521 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in 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 November 5, 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 Peter M. Thomas, dated October 12, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $80,851.00, and recorded in Book 18132 at Page 1521 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 8820 Waynick Dr, Raleigh, NC 27617 Tax Parcel ID: 0227540 Present Record Owners: Peter M. Thomas The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Peter M. Thomas.

Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Marilyn Sims. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the

secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing

as recorded in Book of Maps 1968, Page 226, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3211 Bramer Drive, Raleigh, 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)

or

for

bids for a period of ten (10) days as

by law. If the Commissioner

of the

The sale will be reported to the court and will remain

form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent

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 resale. 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

JEREMY B.

and

due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is September 17, 2024.

Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com Posted: By: 24-118159

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:15 PM on November 13, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being known as Lots 28, 29, and 30 of Greenbriar Estates, Section 3, as recorded in Plat Book 21, Page 187, in the office of the Forsyth County Register of Deeds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 610 Hillsboro Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to

point and place of beginning, being the real property conveyed to Cynthia Ruth McKenzie in Deed Book 1073, Page 348 and Deed Book 1075, Page 912 of the Randolph County Registry, according to a new survey for Belva T. Loflin by Charles C. Whicker, R.L.S. & Associates, Inc., Thomasville, North Carolina, dated September 10th, 1999 and designated as Job No. 99-7561, to which reference hereby made. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 621 Trindale Road, Trinity, North Carolina.

A.P.N. 0021622 and 0021622

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of five percent

purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee,

Home stretch

Less than a week from the election, the presidential campaigns are in full get-out-the-vote mode. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz was in Wilmington last week, while first lady Jill Biden made appearances in Fayetteville and Raleigh on Friday. President Donald Trump has been holding events across all the swing states, including one in Rocky Mount on Wednesday and a rally at Madison Square Garden, in deep blue New York City, on Sunday with a surprise appearance from his wife, Melania.

Albemarle awarded at Centralina Regional Council

The city was recognized at Centralina’s 2024 Region

of Excellence Awards

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle was recently named as the recipient of three 2024 Region of Excellence Awards given by the Centralina Regional Council.

Albemarle received an award for its strategic plan in the category of Local Government Innovation, while retired City Manager Michael Ferris was honored with the James D. Prosser Excellence in Government Leadership Award. In the category of Cross-Community Collabora-

tion, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department was recognized for its partnership with Stanly County Schools to offer the Project Next Step education program.

Presented annually, the awards — selected by an independent panel of judges — recognize individuals, communities, and organizations for their achievements in support of Centralina’s mission to expand opportunity and improve quality of life in Stanly, Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Union counties.

Albemarle’s Local Government Innovation Award is given to local governments that make optimum use of resources while being innovative and bringing value to communities.

The award honored the city’s strategic plan, which was created to increase resident satisfaction, enhance internal teamwork, and realign city staff and elected officials by assessing the need for a way to tie organiza-

The annual concert series has four remaining scheduled events

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Continuing the Stanly County Concert Association’s 2024-25 concert series, the multi-genre trio TAKE3 will soon be making an appearance in Albemarle. The concert is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center (26032 Newt Rd.).

Blending a classical background with rock music, pop, and jazz interpretations, the group poses variety as its calling card, citing its repertoire as being “from Bach and Beethoven to Bieber and The Beach Boys.”

“In addition to their stage presence, TAKE3’s commitment to musical excellence and creativity sets them apart,” the SCCA stated in a promotion-

al advertisement. “Their ability to engage with the audience, coupled with their exceptional musical talent, ensures that every performance is a memorable experience. Whether playing in intimate venues or grand theaters, TAKE3 continues to redefine what a classical crossover group can be, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating their next show.”

Featuring Lindsay Deutsch (violin/vocals), Mikala Schmitz (cello), and Tomomi Sato (piano), the trio hails from the practice rooms of Julliard and the Colburn School.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

JORDAN GOLSON

Neal

AWARD from page A1

tional and financial planning processes together.

Meanwhile, the James D. Prosser Excellence in Government Leadership Award is designed to honor an individual who exhibits leadership and high ethical standards in a government setting.

“Michael Ferris has exemplified the qualities of excellence throughout his nearly 30 years of service,” the City of Albemarle wrote in a press release.

The city’s statement continued: “Mr. Ferris’s career is a testament to creative problem-solving, visionary leadership and a deep commitment to ethical standards that has left a lasting impact on both the community and the organization he led. Beginning his tenure with Albemarle in 1997 as Assistant City Manager and serving as City Manager from 2014 until his retirement in February 2024, Mr. Ferris played a pivotal role in transforming the city from a former textile mill town into a vibrant and modern community.”

Lastly, the Cross-Community Collaboration Award is annually given to a city that demonstrates the value of partnerships across communities to achieve better outcomes for its community. In Albemarle’s case, the award pertains to the city’s Project Next Step summer program, which is initiated to improve students’ access to learning strategies and engage local students in interactive enrichment opportunities with Stanly County Community College. Through an integration of academic enrichment with real-world experiences, the program was able to prepare Albemarle Middle School students for future academic success.

Established in 1968, Centralina Regional Council is a public organization — one of 16 regional councils in North Carolina enabled by the General Assembly — that serves its mission to lead regional collaboration and spark local action; it is governed by a Board of Delegates of local government members.

Additional information about the council is available online at centralina.org.

HS seniors make key life choices under the stress of Helene recovery

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — On a recent

Friday, Ari Cohen and three friends — all seniors at Asheville High School — gathered to play UNO inside his house, next to a pile of bottled water in his living room. It had been weeks since they and thousands of other students had been inside a classroom because of devastation from Hurricane Helene, which left a massive tree leaning on Cohen’s house. Without reliable cell or internet service, students in hard-hit Asheville have been finding other ways to pass the time — whether volunteering, exploring hurricane-damaged parts of town or playing board games.

“We’ve been hanging out pretty much every single day,” said Nathaniel Durham, one of Cohen’s friends. “We haven’t gotten sick of each other yet though.”

The storm has disrupted schooling for students of all ages across western North Carolina, but it came at an especially delicate time for high school seniors who are making important life decisions — figuring out what to do after graduation and applying to colleges. Meanwhile, they are making memories for their last year in high school while processing the disaster’s impact on their communities.

Some families evacuated after the storm, enrolling at least temporarily in schools elsewhere. Students trying to complete college applications have run into difficulties with internet, cell service and basic transportation. For others who may have been on the fence about higher education, the crisis has added new challenges.

Remnants of Helene hit on Sept. 27. Asheville, North Carolina’s largest mountain city, was largely cut off as roads were washed away or blocked by mudslides. Six western North Carolina school districts were still closed as of Thursday, according to the state.

The Asheville City Schools system is set to reopen with shortened, four-hour days on Monday, according to its website. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman has said the system would explore drilling wells and bringing in restroom trailers while the city’s devastated water system is still being repaired. The Buncombe County Schools system was also scheduled to return Friday on a twohour delay.

But even with classes resuming, uncertainty remains for Cohen and others. He had planned to graduate early, partly to recover from hip surgery scheduled in December. That’s still the general plan, Cohen said, but he’s unsure if the timeline will change.

Helene’s impact complicates college applications

One of Max Schantz’ first concerns was a college scholarship application due a few days after Helene blew into the Southeast. The senior at the School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville had no cell or internet service through the weekend, so he went to a library that had Wi-Fi to work on his essays. He sat outside the closed building for about two hours with about 80 other people, hoping to use the internet.

Schantz’ family left Asheville days later for Miami because his father needed to work remotely. But time was running out for Schantz’ application. Then, checking his email at a rest stop, Schantz was relieved to see the deadline was extended.

Later, Schantz decided to

discuss the hurricane’s impact on Asheville in his application — something he contemplated for a while.

“It was really difficult because I didn’t know if a college admissions officer would want to hear that or not,” he said.

Even though school buildings were closed, Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools held in-person sessions in October to help students through the college admissions process. Counselors offered help with writing essays, completing financial aid forms and using the Common App.

Abe Garry, one of Cohen’s friends, received help from one of the sessions. He was concerned about getting teacher recommendations in time for his applications, but he said most colleges he’s applying to have been lenient with western North Carolina students.

Another setback came when Helene canceled his date to retake the SAT in hopes of a higher score.

“I was frustrated just because I think that if I did do good, it could have definitely helped me out,” Garry said.

Some seniors say they’re “definitely not OK”

School disruptions are familiar for the seniors, who went through the isolating COVID-19 pandemic as they transitioned into high school. Now, they’re battling a similar issue.

Caroline Barton said things haven’t quite been the same since the pandemic, and Helene has added to the feeling of never having a normal high school experience.

She also has grappled with survivor’s guilt since Helene, as her home wasn’t destroyed like some of her peers’. Her teachers have let students talk openly about their experiences, which has helped.

“I don’t know anyone who

has died. My family is safe. Our house is OK. Our backyard is somewhat OK. We have cars that work,” she said. “But I’m definitely not OK.” In the first week back at the independent Carolina Day School in Asheville, Barton said many fellow seniors were stressed about college admissions and what school would bring.

“This is a really stressful time for seniors just in general, and then you throw a hurricane on top of it,” Barton said. Barton, who runs cross country and track, had to delay a recruiting trip at an Ivy League university when her flight was canceled the day after Helene hit. The next morning, Barton and her mother navigated storm-torn roads to take off from another airport by herself. She is planning to attend the university after the recruiting trip, Barton said, but she knows many classmates are still fretting about falling behind on applications. There are some silver linings to the hardships from Helene, Asheville High School senior Nathan Flaherty said. Volunteering — something he previously saw as mostly a requirement for college applications — became a part of his daily routine. Seeing people come together has been a “light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Flaherty’s career plans after graduation may have also shifted. He planned to attend flight school to become a pilot, but after Helene, he’s now considering combining that profession with emergency management.

It’s hard for Schantz to describe how he feels knowing a month of his senior year is gone. As he plans to head back to Asheville, Schantz said he’s mentally preparing for “a whole different world.”

“It was just a really fun time before, and I don’t know if it will ever get back to that level of just enjoyment,” he said.

As the group’s founder, Deutsch began her career as a classical soloist and has had performances on television soundtracks such as “The Witcher” and “All About Pam” that have reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts with millions of streams worldwide.

The trio has performed across the country, showcasing varied arrangements of pop hits, Americana, and classi-

Latin Swing Entertainment (March 22), and S.O.A.R Jazz Group (April 12) are the other remaining acts in this year’s concert series at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. Established in 1947, the SCCA hosted its first concert at Albemarle High School and later hosted shows at Pfeiffer College (now Pfeiffer University). The Stanly County Agri-Civic Center became the home for the concert association in 1989 and has remained so ever since. THURSDAY

cal mashups. Following its stop in Stanly County, TAKE3 will head to Virginia and Indiana before wrapping up the year with appearances in Illinois, Michigan, Florida, and Oregon

According to a press piece from the Los Angeles Times, the trio has “a bold, aggressive tone and a body language that speaks loud and clear to audiences raised on rock videos.”

Ticket prices for the concert are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Full-season tickets

for the SCCA’s slate of concerts can still be purchased for $80 for adults and $25 for students. For season membership or single-ticket information, visit stanlyconcert.com; tickets will also be sold at the door.

Following a performance from the Nu-Blu Bluegrass Band back on Sept. 21, the upcoming TAKE3 concert marks the second of the five concerts in the association’s 2024-2025 series. The Hall Sisters (Dec. 14),

High school senior Nathan Flaherty packs hygiene kits for people in need of supplies, in Asheville earlier this month.

First Covid, now Helene — these students have faced more than most

STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including lateterm abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out.

For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clarified what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after suffering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue.

Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence.

But sometimes she goes off-script.

So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back:

“Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.”

The left-wing crowd went wild.

And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, off-the-cuff remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred.

That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group.

Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex trafficked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is befitting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and antiChristian approach to public policy,” he said.

The Democratic Party’s bad October

While many voters have problems with Trump’s character, his personal ratings are higher than they were in 2016 or 2020.

WAS IT JUST A COINCIDENCE that Vice President Kamala Harris showed up, 15 minutes late, to be interviewed by Fox News’ Bret Baier a day before Nate Silver’s poll aggregation website showed her chances of winning the election slipping below 50%?

Probably not.

October hasn’t been a good month for Harris or her party.

Nor has it been an entirely bad one. Silver’s model still gives her a 47% chance of winning, much higher than Trump’s 29% on election eve 2016. But it’s perceptibly below her 57% chance on Sept. 27, which reflected poll results after the Sept. 10 debate. “Since then,” Silver writes, “the race has slightly drifted away from her.” Slightly but perceptibly. Silver’s model gives reduced weight to polls conducted as long as six weeks ago. Another way of looking at the trend is to take a raw average of all polls conducted over a month. That method shows Harris leading Trump nationally by 3.6% in September and 1.7% in October.

The RealClearPolitics average, which includes only polls conducted starting Oct. 9, puts Harris’ lead lower, at 0.8%. A Harris popular vote plurality of less than 2%, Silver estimates, has only a 16% chance of producing a Harris electoral vote majority.

Poll averages in this year’s seven target states show something similar. September polling had Harris ahead in four of the seven states. October polling showed her leading in one, with Trump ahead in four and tied in two. The 34 target-state polls listed by RCP conducted primarily or totally since Oct. 9 show Trump ahead in all seven states, by an average of 48.5% to 47%.

There have been similar shifts below the presidential level. In RCP’s generic vote for the House of Representatives, Democrats’ lead was cut in half, from 1.8% on Sept. 30 to 0.9% now. That’s been consistent in past years with Republicans winning a majority of House seats. In Senate races, Republicans seem to have captured two Democratic seats — in Montana, where challenger Tim Sheehy has led three-term

incumbent Jon Tester in two polls by 52% to 44%, and in West Virginia, where no one seems to have bothered polling because Republican Gov. Jim Justice seems sure to replace retiring Democrat Joe Manchin. In TrumpVance’s Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Bernie Moreno by only 0.6% in three October polls — a danger sign for a three-term incumbent. Republicans are challenging five incumbent or better-known Democrats in presidential target states. In no case is the Democrat topping the magic 50% mark, which leaves at least three and perhaps all five Democrats vulnerable under standard political rules of thumb. Why has the campaign been trending away from Democrats? Three hypotheses: One is that “vibes” are not enough for even a four-month campaign. The “joy” that partisan Democrats felt after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal prevented a disastrous defeat was not shared by most voters. Plus, what I’ve called the Democrats’ “hide the candidate” strategy and Republican analyst John Ellis calls their “bubble wrap” strategy left many voters uncertain what she really thinks. Choosing a president is a voter’s most personal political choice, and even Harris’ careful discipline and great smile have not established personal connections. Her campaign seems to have recognized this by switching strategy and booking “60 Minutes,” Fox News and CNN appearances, with disappointing results so far. That has left Harris open — my second hypothesis — to attacks on radical positions she has taken, especially in her 2019 campaign for the 2020 presidential nomination. Republicans, including Senate candidates as well as the Trump campaign, have been running TV ads on Harris’ opposition to fracking (especially in Pennsylvania), her support of phasing out nonelectric cars (especially in Michigan), her endorsement of transgender surgery for prisoners, and her support of biological boys in girls sports. “Kamala’s agenda is they/them, not you,” is one effective tagline.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere gaffes, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values.

As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer. In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is first to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

My third hypothesis is that Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) reassuring tone tamped down fears of an erratic second Trump administration, while Gov. Tim Walz’s (D-Minn.) flustered performance “may damage the morale of Democratic voters” by making it harder for its core of liberal college graduates “to think of themselves as the smart people’s party.”

It may turn out to help explain what appears to be lower Democratic participation in early voting this year. The one clear example is in target state Nevada, where well-respected veteran journalist Jon Ralston notes that Republicans lead in early voting this year and concludes that “if this becomes a trend and not an anomaly, it will be over” for Democrats.

Of course, the polls once again could be wrong. They show fewer undecideds this year, leaving less room for Trump to overperform his poll percentages. On the other hand, we’ve also seen increased Trump support from Hispanic and black men, and census data show population and, thus, probable turnout declines in central cities like Philadelphia and Detroit and some counties. The fundamentals still favor Trump on the issues, with voters rating the Trump administration more positively than the BidenHarris administration. While many voters have problems with Trump’s character, his personal ratings are higher than they were in 2016 or 2020. Perhaps as indicative as Trump’s small but steady gains this October have been, the reactions to his stint at the fryer and drive-thru window at McDonald’s in Pennsylvania last weekend were even more revealing. Trump supporters, like the candidate, have been all smiles, while Trump opponents — check out the internet chatter — have been bristling with rage. Guess which side thinks it’s winning.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co‑author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Pentagon: 10K North Korean troops sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine

NATO says some forces have already entered the Kursk border region

By Lorne Cook and Tara Copp

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS — North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in Ukraine within “the next several weeks,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh said some of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.

“We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk” region, she told reporters.

Singh said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already publicly cautioned that should North Korea’s soldiers be used on the battlefield, they would be considered belligerents and legitimate targets and that their use would have serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific as well.

Austin is meeting with his South Korean counterparts later this week at the Pentagon, where the use of the North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Singh said there would be no limitations on using U.S.-provided weapons on those forces.

“If we see DPRK troops mov-

ing in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war,” Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea. “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make.”

Earlier Monday, NATO said some of the North Korean troops have already been deployed in the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters.

Rutte said the move represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and marks “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.”

Adding thousands of North Korean soldiers to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II will pile more pressure on Ukraine’s weary and overstretched army. It will also stoke geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, Western officials say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to reshape global power dynamics. He sought to build a counterbalance to Western influence with a summit of BRICS countries, including the leaders of China and India, in Russia last week. He has sought direct

help for the war from Iran, which has supplied drones, and North Korea, which has shipped large a mounts of ammunition, according to Western governments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Rutte’s comments and noted that Pyongyang and Moscow signed a joint security pact last June. He stopped short of confirming North Korean soldiers were in Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Western military instructors already have been covertly deployed to Ukraine to help its military use long-range weapons provided by Western partners.

“Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine,” Lavrov said after a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister in Moscow.

Rutte spoke in Brussels af-

ter a high-level South Korean delegation, including top intelligence and military officials as well as senior diplomats, briefed the alliance’s 32 national ambassadors at NATO headquarters.

Rutte said NATO is “actively consulting within the alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners” on developments. He said he was due to talk soon with South Korea’s president and Ukraine’s defense minister.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said. He did not take questions after the statement.

The South Koreans showed no evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk, according to European officials who were present for the 90-minute exchange and spoke to The Associated Press about the se -

curity briefing on condition of anonymity.

It’s unclear how or when NATO allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could, for example, lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, claimed last Friday that North Korean troops would be on the battlefield within days. He previously said his government had information that some 10,000 troops from North Korea were being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country.

Days before Zelenskyy spoke, American and South Korean officials said there was evidence North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.

round of

Social Democrats win Lithuania’s election, overcoming center-right government

The victory will end the more conservative Homeland Union’s four-year rule

By Liudas Dapkus The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition parties celebrated victory Monday after prevailing over the center-right ruling coalition in the final round of national elections.

With 100% of votes counted from Sunday’s polls, the Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, ending the fouryear rule of the Homeland Union government led by conservative Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

The Social Democrats will start talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won respectively 14 and 8 seats. The coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats.

Simonyte’s Homeland Union won only 28 seats in the tworound election.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, who heads the Social Democrats, thanked supporters as a cheering crowd celebrated victory in downtown Vilnius on Sunday.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us,” she said, adding that “the results have shown that the people want change, a completely different government.”

The outcome was a surprise

to the ruling conservatives, who were only two seats behind the Social Democrats after the first round.

Analysts had predicted that Lithuania is set to continue a historical pattern where voters tend to look a different way every four years.

Simonyte conceded, noting the pattern. “In Lithuania, that’s the way it is; every election, we see the pendulum swinging in one direction or the other,” she told reporters. “We respect the will of the voters.”

The vote in Lithuania, which borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east, came at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.

Analysts say there won’t be any significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy. The European Union and NATO member is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The outgoing government faced criticism for the strict measures it adopted during the pandemic, with many complaining that the government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. Others say thousands of people didn’t have proper access to health care.

Simonyte has also been criticized for handling migrants arriving via Belarus. Lithuania has claimed its eastern neighbor, as well as Russia, was orchestrating the influx of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us.”

Vilija Blinkeviciute, Social Democratic Party

Following the results, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, announced his resignation from the leadership of Homeland Union and said he was leaving politics.

Turnout on Sunday was 41.31%, among the highest for a runoff.

Although the country has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27-nation bloc, most voters did not seem to be impressed. The results also mean the new cabinet can be formed without the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, had to resign from parliament earlier this year for making antisemitic statements.

MINDAUGAS KULBIS / AP PHOTO

Vilija Blinkeviciute, leader of the Social Democratic Party, speaks to the media while waiting for the results of the second

Lithuania’s parliamentary election Sunday in Vilnius, Lithuania.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA / AP PHOTO

Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to journalists during an Oct. 3 news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

STANLY SPORTS

West Stanly, North Stanly volleyball teams advance in state playoffs

“They are moving on to round four for the first time in school history and have set a singleseason record in wins with 25.”

West Stanly on its volleyball team

Both the Colts and Comets have made it to the fourth round

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — A pair of Stanly County high school volleyball teams are two victories away from advancing to the championship round of the 2024 NCHSAA state playoffs.

Both the West Stanly Colts (25-2) of the Rocky River Conference and North Stanly Comets (24-6) of the Yadkin Valley Conference have made it to the fourth round of the state’s 2A tournament bracket — with the potential to meet up together in the Final Four regional semifinals.

In two West Region matchups on Tuesday night, the No. 4 Colts squared off on the road with the No. 1 McMichael Phoenix (27-2), while the No. 6 Comets hosted the No. 7 Community School of Davidson Spartans (24-4).

Riding an eight-game winning streak, West

Stanly previously took down No. 29 West Wilkes (9-11) in a 3-0 finish before defeating No. 13 Southwestern Randolph (16-12) 3-1 and besting No. 5 East Surry (21-5) 3-0 in the first three rounds of the tournament.

“The Lady Colts sealed the deal winning 3 sets to 0,” the team posted in a social media message after its latest victory. “They are moving on to round four for the first time in school history and have set a single-season record in wins with 25.”

North Stanly’s streak of victories is even larger, winning 19 games in a row dating back to Aug. 29.

In the state playoffs so far, the Comets won 3-0 over No. 27 Walkertown (15-11) in the opening round and went on to top No. 22 North Surry (13 -12) 3-0 and No. 3 Randleman (20-5) 3-0.

“What an incredible match! The Comets put on a fantastic performance, sweeping the competition in just three sets,” the North Stanly

Booster Club wrote online following the team’s win over Randleman. “Their teamwork and determination truly shined today. Let’s keep this momentum going! Round four here we come!”

A potential regional round matchup on Oct. 31 between West and North would be the third contest of the year between the two schools and serve as their season tiebreaker on a big stage.

On Aug. 20, the Colts pulled out a 3-1 home victory over the Comets; North returned the favor just over a month later as it recorded a 3-2 home win over its intracounty opponent on Sept. 23. Both teams have only allowed a single loss since these respective losses.

In terms of hitting percentage, senior Rory Huneycutt (.414) leads West, while senior Shalyn Bell (.284) leads North; Huneycutt also tops the Colts in total blocks (67) as Bell has a team-best 5.7 kills per set.

The 2024 NCHSAA Volleyball Championship game is scheduled for Nov. 2.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Emma Pollard

West Stanly, tennis

Emma Pollard is a senior on the West Stanly girls’ tennis team. She also swims for the Colts and has played for the basketball team.

West Stanly girls’ tennis drew a No. 6 seed in the NCHSAA 2A dual team playoff bracket. After a firstround bye, the Colts swept Wheatmore 6-0 before falling to Pine Lake Prep in the state quarterfinals.

In addition to helping lead her team through the dual bracket, Pollard and her doubles partner, Addison Griffin, received West Stanly’s only bid in the 2A state individual championship tournament. They fell to Maiden’s Neeley and Liz Campbell, 6-2, 6-3.

Reddick wins at Homestead, advances

off,” said Jordan. “I’m proud of him. ... He just let go and he just went for it. I’m glad. I’m glad. We needed it.”

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993. Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this year. Reddick went high and overtook Ryan Blaney on the final turn to win at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series’ winner-take-all finale in Arizona in two weeks. Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.

“The little kid drove his ass

Reddick loves Homestead, and his favorite part of the place is turns 3 and 4 — the last two turns. He might like them even more now, since that was the stretch of track that got him a title shot in a thrilling finish.

“Took a risk and it paid off,” Reddick said. “I don’t know what else really to say. ... When the moment’s right, you can do some pretty crazy stuff over there.”

Reddick’s move at the end was the 33rd lead change of the day, a Homestead record. Blaney was second and Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playoff drivers took

the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fifth and William Byron sixth. Reddick — the regular season champion and the driver who started from the pole on Sunday, a week after he went upside down in Las Vegas — and Joey Logano now are assured two of the four spots in NASCAR’s final four at Phoenix.

“He has an abundance of talent,” Dave Rogers, the performance director for 23XI Racing, said about Reddick. “He’s determined to win. He puts the work in.”

Reddick was third behind Blaney and Hamlin going into the final lap. He went low and got around Hamlin, and the three cars settled into a straight

line along the wall before Reddick stayed high to scoot past Blaney. “We’re going to do what it took to win this race,” Reddick said, moments before Jordan wrapped his arms around him and not long before teammate Bubba Wallace — fists high in the air like a fighter celebrating a title — came over to offer his congratulations as well. “We’re fighting for a championship.” Reddick became Homestead’s ninth different winner in the last nine years, joining Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Martin Truex Jr. in 2017, Logano in 2018, Kyle Busch in 2019, Hamlin in 2020, Byron in 2021, Kyle Larson in 2022 and Bell last year. Logano was the only of the

eight playoff drivers who came to Homestead assured of a berth in the season finale. He spent much of the day in the middle of the pack.

The other seven playoff drivers all jousted toward the front for the majority of the 267 laps. Hamlin led with two laps to go, Larson with one lap left, and then Reddick at the end.

“Had a great shot to win, and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” said Blaney, who was also second at Homestead last year. Bell and Byron have the inside track to grab the last two spots in the winner-take-all final four, though any of the six drivers who haven’t clinched a berth yet can by simply winning at Martinsville next week.

The victory gave Michael Jordan a chance at the NASCAR title

TERRY RENNA / AP PHOTO

Tyler Reddick, front right, celebrates with fans at the finish line after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Durant becomes 8th NBA player to reach 29,000 career points

Phoenix Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 29,000 career points, reaching the mark with 31 against the Dallas Mavericks. The 14-time All- Star now has 29,010 points over 17 seasons with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Suns. The 36-year-old has averaged 27.3 points over 1,064 games. LeBron James is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 40,543 points. Behind him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and then Durant. Durant is 10th on the combined NBA and ABA list, with Julius Erving eighth and Moses Malone ninth.

NHL Former Blackhawks forward, Hall of Fame executive Hay dies Calgary, Alberta Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay died at 88. Hay was the president and chief operating officer for the organization from 1990-95. A cause of death was not provided. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Hay “lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the very best of our sport.” Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.

NFL Browns play-by-play announcer, TV sports anchor Donovan dies of cancer at 68

Cleveland Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports fixture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68. Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999. Donovan died at home surrounded by family. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Donovan’s impact was “immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday.”

Coaches will never stop disputing penalties they disagree with

Sending plays to the league for review is part of the weekly routine for ACC coaches

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has disagreed with scores of penalties over his 17 seasons in charge.

Complained about them, too. Never once did he expect to change the outcome of a game.

It’s a part of a college football team’s week, just as much as Tuesday film sessions or Friday walk-throughs are: A staff watches video of the previous game and identifies penalties they see as wrong or feel need clarification. They send those to league offices across the country, where officials review them and return answers.

Will a victory be overturned?

Of course not. So why do it?

“Listen, refs are people, too,”

said Swinney. “None of us is perfect.”

UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. blamed an ACC crew for what he saw as a missed pass interference call on Wake Forest that stalled the Huskies’ try at tying or taking the lead late in a 23-20 defeat.

“It’s on us to play better earlier, but it would sure be nice if it was a level playing field,” Mora said in postgame comments.

Steve Shaw, the NCAA’s coordinator of officials, said fans see a controversial call and think their coach will demand action. The reality is that more common plays that don’t obviously sway the final score are sent in for explanations.

“They’re usually not that highlighted,” Shaw said. “Didn’t like this hold. And what it allows is the coordinator regardless of the conference to communicate with the coach.”

ACC supervisor of officials Al Riveron and his team re-

Yankees take flight with pitcher’s father piloting team charters

Clarke Schmidt’s father is a retired Delta pilot and Marine Corps colonel

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Schmidt family has helped the New York Yankees take off this year.

Sure, pitcher Clarke Schmidt is expected to start Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. But his dad, Dwight Schmidt, has also helped the Yankees get to this point — he’s piloting the team’s family charter flights during the World Series and has been at the controls of the club’s plane for some trips during the season, too.

“Everybody feels like the pilot’s a little bit more personally invested into the flight, so they feel a little safer,” the pitcher joked ahead of his start at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

Dwight Schmidt, 59, is a retired Marine Corps colonel and Delta Air Lines captain who has worked for the company for 25 years, handling MD-88s, 727s and 757s and 767-400s. He’s twice piloted the Yankees on road trips, including ahead of 2021’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa. Unfortunately, Clarke was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre the day before that game.

“Growing up, we used to have the printout of what it was like in a cockpit in my room. So we knew all the but -

“He’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.”

Clarke Schmidt

tons and stuff. I didn’t really know what it was. We were just messing around,” Clarke said. “I’ve flown with him a few times in smaller planes a nd stuff like that. And he’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.”

Dwight Schmidt arranged for Yankees manager Aaron Boone to use a Delta flight simulator during a visit to Atlanta. A landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport was programmed.

“It was really cool. Mr. Schmidt said I did a good job,” Boone recalled. “I was in there for probably 10, 15 minutes flying and then landing the plane and everything. It was something I was pretty fortunate to get a chance to do.”

Clarke Schmidt, a 28-yearold right-hander, was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts during the regular season and has a 3.86 ERA in a pair of postseason starts.

Dwight and wife Renee were at Dodger Stadium for the Series, though Clarke wasn’t scheduled to pitch.

When New York’s World Series family charter took off

view all the issues and provide a written response within 48 hours. If there’s a play or two that coaches are still fired up about or want further clarification, Riveron is available for a call.

Pat Narduzzi, coach of No. 19 Pitt, appreciates the feedback he gets from officials on calls he disagrees with.

“We expect them to be perfect, they’re not going to be perfect, our players are not going to be perfect and our coaches are not going to be perfect,” said Narduzzi.

North Carolina’s Mack Brown, who leads all active coaches with 285 wins, said it’s an important practice because a team’s assistants and players need to know how referees are interpreting penalties.

“So if we think that’s a bad call and they think it’s a good call, then tell us how, why are we teaching it wrong?” Brown said. “And then we show it to our staff and then we show it

to our players and say, ‘Here’s what they said you did wrong.’ And we may say, ’We disagree, but here’s what they called.’” Shaw, who was SEC director of officials before moving to the NCAA, said having coaches clear the air, even on critical calls, can help teams move forward.

“It’s good dialogue,” Shaw said. “Not that they agree absolutely every time, but there’s an exchange of information.”

Swinney said turning in plays brings accountability to officials, maybe ones you might see later at a league title game or College Football Playoff contest. He believes, like players who aren’t performing at a high level, officials may not qualify for postseason games if they’re making too many errors. Does the process, particularly after a loss, make anything better?

“No,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “When you lose, it stinks absolutely all the time.”

from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Dwight had Delta collectors cards ready for the kids. He landed the 757 at Hollywood Burbank Airport, the families deplaned and Schmidt flew the aircraft 18 miles to Los Angeles International Airport.

“I’ve heard a lot of really good things about the landing this time,” Clarke said.

“Everyone said it’s the best flight they’ve ever been on, and they felt no turbulence.” Dwight Schmidt planned to head to LAX with his copilot on Sunday, fly back to Burbank, pick up the families and return to Newark.

Much of the time, Dwight Schmidt is on long-haul routes to Europe and South

America. The Yankees charters are a special route.

“We bid for those, to try and get a trip,” Schmidt said. “That’s how I was able to get it.”

Clarke’s 30-year-old older brother, Clate, was a 32ndround draft pick by Boston in 2015 and spent 2016-19 in the low minors. Now he’s following his father into aviation.

“Fifteen hundred hours is what you need to be an airline pilot,” Dwight said. “Clate has just hit that. He’s been an instructor for literally the last two years and so he is now getting ready to get hired.”

Clarke has no desire to join his father’s profession when he’s done pitching.

“That’s a hard no on that,” Clarke said.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the AL Championship Series.

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Dwight Farmer

Guillermo Antonio Hernandez

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

James Roseboro

Betty Juel Harkness

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

John B. Kluttz

Edna Louise Tucker

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

Jesse Raeford Lee

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

March 23, 1950 – Oct. 25, 2024

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. 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 Garfield. 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.

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Guillermo Antonio Hernandez, 74, of Peachland passed away on October 25, 2024, in the McWhorter Hospice House in Monroe. His funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 at Davis Chapel.

Sept. 21, 1926 – Oct. 22, 2024

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

Betty Rose Juel Harkness, 98, of Monroe passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Pruitthealth-Union Pointe, Monroe.

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.

Born March 23, 1950, in Santa Ana, Venezuela he was the son of Octavio Carrero and Barbara Hernandez. He worked as a lighting technician. He loved being with his family and enjoyed nature and the sea.

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 Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years Nelly Castellano Hernandez. Other survivors include son Guillermo Alfonzo Hernandez of Peachland, daughter Neila Hernandez (Jefferson Reyna) of Peachland and two grandchildren Valeria Garcia and Nataila Reyna, and sister Auristela Hernandez of Venezuela.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Born September 21, 1926, in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late Harry W. Juel and Rose Yetter Juel. Mrs. Harkness was a former manager with Bell Telephone. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Moore Harkness in the early 1970s and her son Harry J. Harkness. She is survived by her son Thomas Moore Harkness of Cason Old Field, NC and a number of cousins.

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.

Guillermo Antonio Hernández, de 74 años, de Peachland, falleció el 25 de octubre de 2024 en la Casa de Cuidado Paliativo McWhorter en Monroe. Su servicio fúnebre se llevará a cabo a las 7 PM el miércoles 30 de octubre en la Capilla Davis. Nació el 23 de marzo de 1950 en Santa Ana, Venezuela, hijo de Octavio Carrero y Barbara Hernández. Trabajó como técnico de iluminación. Amaba estar con su familia y disfrutaba de la naturaleza y el mar.

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.

Le sobreviven su esposa de 69 años, Nelly Castellano de Hernández. Otros sobrevivientes incluyen a su hijo Guillermo Alfonzo Hernández de Peachland, su hija Neila Hernández (Jefferson Reyna) de Peachland y sus dos nietas, Valeria García y Natalia Reyna, así como a su hermana Auristela Hernández de Venezuela. Davis Chapel-Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care is serving the Hernandez family.

March 16, 1940 – Oct. 22, 2024

Edna Louise Tucker Floyd 84, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Spring Arbor in Albemarle.

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.

Louise was born March 16, 1940, in Stanly County to Rev James “Jake” Tucker and Edna Faye Smith Tucker. She was a retired school secretary at Oakboro Elementary and West Stanly High School.

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.

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

Jo Lynn Linker

Oct. 11, 1943 – Oct. 19, 2024

Jo Lynn Linker, 81, of Albemarle passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Albemarle, officiated by Pastor Kendell Cameron. The family will receive friends following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall. Jo was born on October 11, 1943, in Stanly County to the late Charles and Mary Pickler. She is lovingly survived by her husband Sidney Linker Sr. Those also left to cherish her memory are son, Sidney Linker, Jr. and his wife Heather of Huntersville, NC, daughter, Mary Jo Linker of Charlotte, NC, and grandchildren, Eloise and Beatrice. Jo loved to care for others as was evident by her long and distinguished career as a Nurse. She will be missed by all who knew her.

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

Louise was a member of First Baptist Church in Oakboro and a devout Christian who loved her church. She was a stickler for organization and cleanliness, a loving wife to Harold and mother to her children. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Louise never missed a Thursday hair or nail appointment; she took great pride in her appearance.

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.

April 17, 1929 – Oct. 22, 2024

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

Jesse Raeford Lee, 95, of Monroe passed away on October 22, 2024, in Atrium Health Union. His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2024, at Mountain Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Chris Baucom, Pastor Phil McLean and Deacon Tony Funderburk officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary prior to the hour of the service.

When John purchased his first 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!

She is survived by her sons, Phillip Floyd (Shannon) of Shelby, NC, Kevin Floyd (Erica) and Devin Floyd (Vivian) of Oakboro, NC, grandchildren Abby Floyd, Hunter Floyd, Gavin Floyd, Keely Ayers, Cody Smith, Brittany Hartsell, Kylee Ayers and Andrew Ayers, and great-granddaughter Paisley Rector.

Louise is predeceased by her husband Harold Alexander Floyd, brother Bobby “Bob” Tucker, sister Lou Allen Whitley, and stepfather Edward T. Shaw.

Her Funeral will be held at Oakboro First Baptist Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:002:30 p.m. prior to the service.

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.

The family wishes to express a thank you to Leslie Bates for everything she did for Mom. Special thanks to the employees of Spring Arbor and Tillery Compassionate Care, especially Samantha.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Memorials may be made to Oakboro First Baptist Church Building Fund and Children’s Home Society P.O. Box 14608 Greensboro, NC 27415.

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.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Linker family.

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.

Born April 17, 1929, in Stanly County, NC, he was the son of the late William F. Lee and Martha Wilma Long Lee. He was a veteran of the US Army during the Korean Conflict and worked during his lifetime as a custom cabinet maker. Mr. Lee was a member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church and was a Charter Member of the Union County Chapter of the Gideons. He was an accomplished musician and played in several bluegrass gospel groups. Mr. Lee was very active in his church serving as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and served on many committees and served on many mission trips.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting 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.

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.

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 Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five 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.

Mr. Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jean Funderburk Lee. Survivors include sons Steve Lee (Tammy) of Monroe and Phillip Lee (Billie Ann) of Marshville, grandchildren Carla Lee Bowers (Phillip) of Marshville Michael Lee (Neza Mae) of Marshville, and Sammie Joe Stamey (Adam) of Monroe, great-grandchildren, Clayton and Andrew Bowers, Mikayla and Madison Lee, Memphis Alvarez, Patience Stamey, Makenna Stamey, and Payton Stamey, numerous nieces and nephews and special friend Kenneth Sarfaty. He was preceded in death by siblings Alton Lee, Nona Williams, Wriston Lee, Eunice Drake, Beatrice Robbins, Mildred Tomberlin, Hilda Broome, Dorothy Olsen, and Carole Taylor.

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. 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 selfless, 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.

The family requests that memorials be made to Gideons International, 819 N. Charlotte Ave., Monroe, NC 28110. Davis Chapel | Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Monroe is entrusted with the arrangements.

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, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

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.

Doris Jones Coleman

STATE & NATION

Poll: Voters concerned about violence, efforts to overturn election

Results from an AP-NORC poll highlight worries surrounding this year’s races

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to a new poll, American voters are approaching the presidential election with deep unease about what could follow, including the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn the election results and its broader implications for democracy.

The findings of the survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, speak to persistent concerns about the fragility of the world’s oldest democracy, nearly four years after former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

About 4 in 10 registered voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about violent attempts to overturn the results after the November election. A similar share is worried about legal efforts to do so. And about 1 in 3 voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about attempts by local or state election officials to stop the results from being finalized.

Relatively few voters — about one-third or less — are “not very” or “not at all” concerned about any of that happening.

Trump has continued to lie about fraud costing him reelec -

tion four years ago and is again forecasting that he can lose this time only if the election is rigged against him, a strategy he has deployed since his first run for office. His allies and the Republican National Committee, which he reshaped, have filed lawsuits around the country that are a potential prelude to post-election legal challenges should he lose.

“I thought after Jan. 6, 2021, the GOP would have the sense

to reject him as a candidate,” Aostara Kaye, of Downey, California, said of Trump. “And since they didn’t, I think it just emboldened him to think he can do anything, and they will still stick with him.”

Trump’s wide-ranging attempts to reject the will of the voters and remain in power after his 2020 loss have led to concerns that he will again fail to concede should he lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters said the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once every state has finished counting its votes and legal challenges are resolved, including about 8 in 10 Republicans. But only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results and concede if he loses.

Democrats and Republicans have widely divergent views on the matter: About two-thirds

4 in 10

Approximate number of registered voters who say they are extremely or very worried about violent attempts to overturn the election results

of Republican voters think Trump would concede, compared to only about 1 in 10 Democrats.

The same concern does not apply to Harris. Nearly 8 in 10 voters said Harris would accept the results and concede if she loses the election, including a solid majority of Republican voters.

Members of both parties have broad concerns about how American democracy might fare depending on the outcome of the November election.

Overall, about half of voters believe Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” if he wins, while about 4 in 10 said the same of Harris.

About 9 in 10 voters in each party said the opposing party’s candidate would be likely to weaken democracy at least “somewhat” if elected.

Part of what divides voters on their views of American democracy is the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and who is to blame. Democrats and independents are much more likely than Republican voters to place “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility on Trump. Views about the Jan. 6 attack are not the only ones where voters split along ideological lines. Following Trump’s lead, a majority of Republicans maintain that Biden was not legitimately elected. Nearly all Democrats and about 7 in 10 independents believe Biden was legitimately elected.

Virginia asks SCOTUS to reinstate removals of 1,600 voter registrations

An appeals court confirmed an earlier ruling that an executive order by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was illegal

By Matthew Barakat and Mark Sherman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to allow the state to remove roughly 1,600 voters from its rolls that it believes are noncitizens.

The request comes after a federal appeals court on Sunday unanimously upheld a federal judge’s order restoring the registrations of those 1,600 voters, whom the judge said were illegally purged under an executive order by the state’s Republican governor.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he ordered the daily removals in an effort to keep noncitizens

from voting. But U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ruled late last week that Youngkin’s program was illegal under federal law because it systematically purged voters during a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the November election.

The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued to block Youngkin’s removal program earlier this month. They argued that the quiet period is in place to ensure that legitimate voters aren’t removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that can’t be rectified in a timely manner.

Youngkin said he was upholding a state law that requires Virginia to cancel noncitizens’ registration.

The ruling Sunday from the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with the judge who ordered the restoration of voters’ registrations.

The appeals court said Virginia is wrong to assert that it is being forced to restore 1,600 noncitizens to the voter rolls.

The judges found that Virginia’s process for removing voters established no proof that those purged were actually noncitizens.

Youngkin’s executive order, issued in August, required daily checks of data from the Department of Motor Vehicles against voter rolls to identify noncitizens.

State officials said any voter identified as a noncitizen was notified and given two weeks to dispute their disqualification before being removed. If they returned a form attesting to their citizenship, their registration would not be canceled.

The plaintiffs said that, as a result of the program, a legitimate voter and citizen could have their registration canceled simply by checking the wrong box on a DMV form. The plaintiffs presented evidence show-

ing that at least some of those removed were, in fact, citizens.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Alabama, and a federal judge there last week ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens.

The appeal filed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday by Virginia’s Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, asks the high court to intervene by Tuesday. Without any intervention, the injunction issued last week by Giles requires Virginia to notify affected voters and local registrars by Wednesday of the restorations she ordered.

Miyares’ filing argues that requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of those who have been identified as noncitizens is a “viola-

tion of Virginia law and common sense.”

Virginia also argues that requiring these changes less than a week before the presidential election is bound to create confusion, “creating a massive influx of work for its registrars in the critical week before the election, and likely confusing noncitizens into believing that they are eligible to vote.”

The 4th Circuit opinion was written by Toby Heytens, a Biden appointee, and joined by Chief Judge Albert Diaz and Judge Stephanie Thacker, both Obama appointees.

The panel emphasized, as Giles did in her initial ruling, that the state is within its rights to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, even during the 90day quiet period, but must do so in an individualized process rather than the systematic process relying on data transfers from the DMV.

Nearly 6 million Virginians are registered to vote.

JOHN MINCHILLO / AP PHOTO

Voters are concerned there could be violence following this year’s election, four years after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Home stretch

Less than a week from the election, the presidential campaigns are in full get-out-the-vote mode. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz was in Wilmington last week, while first lady Jill Biden made appearances in Fayetteville and Raleigh on Friday. President Donald Trump has been holding events across all the swing states, including one in Rocky Mount on Wednesday and a rally at Madison Square Garden, in deep blue New York City, on Sunday with a surprise appearance from his wife, Melania.

The board voted to remove open prayer in a closed session back in July, but at the urging of select board members, it was brought back up for open discussion.

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM – At its Oct. 22 regular business meeting, the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Board of Education opened up to the public about the decision to stop the practice of opening board meetings with a nonsecular prayer.

“Many of you may have noticed a change in our invocational practice at the begin-

ning of our Board of Education meetings from a nonsecular prayer to a moment of silence,” said Board Chair Emily Kaplan. “This change took place after our board received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation dated April 25, 2024. The letter stated that our board was in violation of the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and threatened the Board of Education with a lawsuit if it continued this practice.”

The board had made the decision back in July to end the practice of nonsecular prayer at the start of meetings in a closed session, instead replacing it with a moment of silence in line with what the schools do, but board member Robert Barr wanted the discus-

sion and vote to be public.

“The discussion, in my opinion, should have never taken place behind closed doors,” Barr said. “It wasn’t a lawsuit, it was a threat of a lawsuit. It is the same letter from an atheist organization that other boards have received. The organization’s mission and core value is to stop any religious expressions in public and perhaps private spaces. Again, the way this was handled gave the appearance that we were all in agreement with this decision and because there was no open discussion and public vote, the entire process appeared less transparent to our community.”

Barr raised questions on why the board chose to respond to the threat when other boards had ignored it and why the board elected to go against

gitimate debates and contentious issues in the U.S. and then exploiting them. Previous disinformation campaigns have harnessed debates about immigration, racism, crime and the economy in an effort to portray the U.S. as corrupt, violent and unjust.

Legitimate concerns are being exploited to stress the system

By David Klepper The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Russia has helped amplify and spread false and misleading internet claims about recent hurricanes in the United States and the federal government’s response, part of a wider effort by the Kremlin to manipulate America’s political discourse before the presidential election, new research shows.

The content, spread by Russian state media and networks of social media accounts and

websites, criticizes the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, exploiting legitimate concerns about the recovery effort in an attempt to paint American leaders as incompetent and corrupt, according to research from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The London-based organization tracks disinformation and online extremism. In some cases, the claims about the storms include fake images created using artificial intelligence, such as a photo depicting scenes of devastating flooding at Disney World that never happened, researchers say. The approach is consistent with the Kremlin’s long-standing practice of identifying le-

U.S. intelligence officials and private tech companies say Russian activity has increased sharply before the Nov. 5 election as Moscow tries to capitalize on an opportunity to undermine its chief global adversary.

By seizing on real concerns about disaster recovery, Russia’s disinformation agencies can worm their way into U.S. discourse, using hot-button issues to undermine Americans’ trust in their government and each other.

“These are not situations that foreign actors are creating,” said Melanie Smith, director of research at ISD. “They’re simply pouring gasoline on fires that already exist.”

The content identified by ISD included English-language posts

the “long-standing tradition” of open prayer before board meetings. Alongside Barr, a few other board members voiced their public support for the return of open prayer at the start of board meetings including Steve Wood and Susan Miller.

“I feel strongly that an open prayer sets the tone for the entire meeting,” said board member Susan Miller. “It can help those in attendance focus their hearts and minds on the purpose of the meeting, invite guidance and wisdom from the Lord and it creates a sense of unity amongst our families. And I want you to remember that only one parent complained and that it was anonymous.”

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obviously meant for Americans, as well as Russian-language propaganda intended for domestic audiences. Much of the disinformation took aim at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She is her party’s nominee in the White House race against former President Donald Trump. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine remains the Kremlin’s prime motivation for spreading lies about the hurricane response. If Russia can persuade enough Americans to oppose U.S. support for Ukraine, that could ease the way for a Moscow victory, of-

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THURSDAY

BOARD from page 1

However, not all board members were in favor of the return of open prayer and instead supported keeping the moment of silence.

“I love Jesus and I have a strong relationship with him and that is mine to have,” said board member Sabrina Coone. “I too had moms and grandmoms that prayed for me and oftentimes they were praying for me silently. They were my circlemakers, praying that I would make it through life and get me to where I am today. Prayer is very much a big part of my personal life but I also understand that not everybody believes like me. Those two things can exist at the same time and that’s okay. I think we can respect others and allow individual prayer in a silent manner. I think that is still honoring my love for Jesus as well as honoring those who don’t believe.”

“Prayer is also a core value of my life and in fact, each morning I have a group of friends and we send prayers to each other each morning and that’s how we open up our day,” said board member Trevonia Brown-Gaither. “I am a Christian, I attend and I participate weekly or more in activities in my church. But I do want to say this, I want to make sure that every child, every parent feels comfortable because we have all faiths in our school system and I want them all to feel welcome. My support of a moment of silence is in no way denouncing my belief and prayer.”

Following discussion, the board once again took a vote on the matter, this time with it being public, and the decision to keep the practice of a moment of silence at the start of meetings passed 6-3.

In favor of the motion was Kaplan, Vice Chair Alex Bohannon, Coone, Brown-Gaither, Leah Crowley and Richard Watts while Barr, Miller and Wood opposed the motion.

As the vote passed, one of the attendees shouted “shame” at the board while another proclaimed that “God will judge them.”

The WSFCS Board of Education will next meet Nov. 12.

HS seniors make key life choices under the stress of Helene recovery

First Covid, now Helene — these students have faced more than most

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

ASHEVILLE — On a recent Friday, Ari Cohen and three friends — all seniors at Asheville High School — gathered to play UNO inside his house, next to a pile of bottled water in his living room. It had been weeks since they and thousands of other students had been inside a classroom because of devastation from Hurricane Helene, which left a massive tree leaning on Cohen’s house. Without reliable cell or internet service, students in hard-hit Asheville have been finding other ways to pass the time — whether volunteering, exploring hurricane-damaged parts of town or playing board games.

“We’ve been hanging out pretty much every single day,” said Nathaniel Durham, one of Cohen’s friends. “We haven’t gotten sick of each other yet though.”

The storm has disrupted schooling for students of all ages across western North Carolina, but it came at an especially delicate time for high school seniors who are making important life decisions — figuring out what to do after graduation and applying to colleges. Meanwhile, they are making memories for their last year in high school while processing the disaster’s impact on their communities.

Some families evacuated after the storm, enrolling at least temporarily in schools elsewhere. Students trying to complete college applications have run into difficulties with internet, cell service and basic transportation. For others who may have been on the fence about higher education, the crisis has added new challenges.

Remnants of Helene hit on Sept. 27. Asheville, North Carolina’s largest mountain city, was largely cut off as roads were washed away or blocked by mudslides. Six western North Carolina school districts were still closed as of Thursday, according to the state.

The Asheville City Schools system is set to reopen with shortened, four-hour days on Monday, according to its website. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman has said the system

INFO from page 1

ficials and analysts have said.

U.S. intelligence officials have said Russia’s disinformation seems designed to support Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and disparaged the NATO alliance and Ukraine’s leaders. Posts linked to Russia routinely denigrate Harris, saying she is ignoring the pleas of storm victims. By contrast, a recent post from Russian state media company RT called Trump “a mystical figure of historic proportions.” Intelligence officials confirmed Tuesday that Russia created a manipulated video to smear Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Russia has rejected claims that it trying to meddle in the U.S. election. The Russian Embassy hasn’t responded to messages this week seeking com-

would explore drilling wells and bringing in restroom trailers while the city’s devastated water system is still being repaired. The Buncombe County Schools system was also scheduled to return Friday on a twohour delay. But even with classes resuming, uncertainty remains for Cohen and others. He had planned to graduate early, partly to recover from hip surgery scheduled in December. That’s still the general plan, Cohen said, but he’s unsure if the timeline will change.

Helene’s impact complicates college applications

One of Max Schantz’ first concerns was a college scholarship application due a few days after Helene blew into the Southeast. The senior at the School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville had no cell or internet service through the weekend, so he went to a library that had Wi-Fi to work on his essays. He sat outside the closed building for about two hours with about 80 other people, hoping to use the internet.

Schantz’ family left Asheville days later for Miami because his father needed to work remotely. But time was running out for Schantz’ application. Then, checking his email at a rest stop, Schantz was relieved to see the deadline was extended.

Later, Schantz decided to discuss the hurricane’s impact

ment about recent allegations by researchers and intelligence officials.

Researchers at ISD found that Russian disinformation agents exploited weak content moderation on U.S.-owned social media platforms such as X to spread their content far and wide. Before it was purchased and renamed by Elon Musk, the platform once known as Twitter required labels on content from authoritarian state media. Musk rescinded that rule and gutted the platform’s content moderation efforts, leading to a surge in foreign propaganda, hate speech and extremist recruitment.

Often the false or misleading claims come from fake accounts or websites that mimic Americans or legitimate news outlets, making it difficult to determine their true origin. Unsuspecting Americans then repost and spread the content.

In July, American intelligence

on Asheville in his application — something he contemplated for a while.

“It was really difficult because I didn’t know if a college admissions officer would want to hear that or not,” he said. Even though school buildings were closed, Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools held in-person sessions in October to help students through the college admissions process. Counselors offered help with writing essays, completing financial aid forms and using the Common App. Abe Garry, one of Cohen’s friends, received help from one of the sessions. He was concerned about getting teacher recommendations in time for his applications, but he said most colleges he’s applying to have been lenient with western North Carolina students.

Another setback came when Helene canceled his date to retake the SAT in hopes of a higher score.

“I was frustrated just because I think that if I did do good, it could have definitely helped me out,” Garry said.

Some seniors say they’re “definitely not OK”

School disruptions are familiar for the seniors, who went through the isolating COVID-19 pandemic as they transitioned into high school. Now, they’re battling a similar issue.

Caroline Barton said things haven’t quite been the same

officials warned that “unwitting Americans” were helping do Russia’s work for it. Vast armies of fake or automated accounts help spread the material further.

Researchers at the Israeli tech firm Cyabra analyzed popular posts on X that criticized FEMA for its storm response.

A significant number could not be verified as belonging to a real person; one-quarter of all the responses to popular posts were deemed fake. The posts were seen by users over half a billion times. In response, a spokesperson for X pointed to the platform’s system that allows users to add context to posts with false claims. The company did not respond to questions about its labeling policy.

“The false claims, ranging from FEMA diverting funds to aid migrants to conspiracy theories about weather manipula-

since the pandemic, and Helene has added to the feeling of never having a normal high school experience.

She also has grappled with survivor’s guilt since Helene, as her home wasn’t destroyed like some of her peers’. Her teachers have let students talk openly about their experiences, which has helped.

“I don’t know anyone who has died. My family is safe. Our house is OK. Our backyard is somewhat OK. We have cars that work,” she said.

“But I’m definitely not OK.” In the first week back at the independent Carolina Day School in Asheville, Barton said many fellow seniors were stressed about college admissions and what school would bring.

“This is a really stressful time for seniors just in general, and then you throw a hurricane on top of it,” Barton said.

Barton, who runs cross country and track, had to delay a recruiting trip at an Ivy League university when her flight was canceled the day after Helene hit. The next morning, Barton and her mother navigated storm-torn roads to take off from another airport by herself. She is planning to attend the university after the recruiting trip, Barton said, but she knows m any classmates are still fretting about falling behind on applications.

There are some silver linings to the hardships from Helene, Asheville High School senior Nathan Flaherty said. Volunteering — something he previously saw as mostly a requirement for college applications — became a part of his daily routine. Seeing people come together has been a “light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Flaherty’s career plans after graduation may have also shifted. He planned to attend flight school to become a pilot, but after Helene, he’s now considering combining that profession with emergency management.

It’s hard for Schantz to describe how he feels knowing a month of his senior year is gone. As he plans to head back to Asheville, Schantz said he’s mentally preparing for “a whole different world.”

“It was just a really fun time before, and I don’t know if it will ever get back to that level of just enjoyment,” he said.

tion, undermine public trust in government as we near election day, which could seriously impact voter confidence,” Cyabra researchers said in a report. Politicians also have helped spread Russia’s talking points. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., gave an interview to the Russian state media outlet Sputnik News for a piece that played up criticism of the hurricane response. He told Sputnik that the federal response was “nonexistent,” a claim easily debunked by photos and videos of FEMA recovery workers as well as the firsthand accounts of local leaders and residents in hard-hit regions.

Gosar repeated another misleading claim that “billions of FEMA disaster funds” had been given instead to immigrants without legal status. In truth, money that funds U.S. border control and immigration programs comes from a different source than disaster funds.

STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO

High school senior Nathan Flaherty packs hygiene kits for people in need of supplies, in Asheville earlier this month.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Have our children been dumbed down?

There are numerous studies that show there is no correlation between dollars spent and the quality of education received.

I’VE WRITTEN ABOUT this before but thought we might visit it again. See how well you can do on this exam.

As you know, a lie told often enough becomes the truth that everybody knows. We hear repeated stories about cuts in education and how education is not getting funded properly.

It’s just not true, but the myth never seems to die. False claims around education funding often go around the world before the truth comes out.

Robert Pianta, from the University of Virginia, wrote an article for The Washington Post falsely claiming that “public funding for schools has actually decreased since the 1980s.” It was blatantly false, and the correction was finally made eight days later.

Another Post article claimed that D.C. schools spend “$11,310 in base spending” per student each year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the district actually spends more than $31,000 per student each year. That’s a Big Whopper. There are countless other examples of false and misleading information. Many times, it’s never corrected, and even if it is, it’s buried days later in an obscure section of the publication.

In North Carolina, education spending consumes 58% of our state budget. Our state also supplies a bigger share of revenue than most states. Many states have a much larger portion paid for by local districts. The national average for the state portion of education funding is about one-third of the state’s total budget.

Education funding has been rising rapidly.

Adjusted for inflation, education funding increased nationally by 280% since 1960. (Remember that is inflation-adjusted) From 1950 to 2009, student populations increased by 96% while nonteaching staff increased by 702%. Therein lies a big problem. There are numerous studies that show there is no correlation between dollars spent and the quality of education received. Many of the districts across the country spend the most and have the worst outcomes. Some very poor school systems are providing a good, sound education. There has also been so much buzz lately about

what our children are learning (or not learning) in school. We’ve heard tremendous criticism about the subject of Critical Race Theory. Many parents are saying, “I just want my children to be educated. I want them to be taught reading, writing and arithmetic. Leave the indoctrination out of it.”

I know you’ve heard for many years that we have been dumbing down our kids. I’m not sure what that means, but I think most of us can agree that many children are not learning as well as they should.

Teachers are given an impossible task sometimes. Children attend school unprepared and with many problems that should not be the responsibility of the teacher. Nobody seems to have an answer.

I thought you might find a portion of an eighthgrade final exam interesting. It’s from a little red schoolhouse in Salina, Kansas, in 1895. It’s been around for a while, but I find it stunning. I know many children back then didn’t go much past this grade, but it appears they might have had the equivalent of a higher education degree.

Grammar (Time 1 hour)

• Give nine rules for the use of Capital Letters.

• Name the Parts of Speech and define those that have no modifications.

• Define Verse, Stanza and Paragraph.

• What are the Principal Parts of a verb? Give Principal Parts of do, lie, lay and run.

• Define Case, Illustrate each Case.

• What is Punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of Punctuation.

• Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time 1.25 Hours)

• Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.

• A wagon box is 2 feet deep, 10 feet long and 3 feet wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?

• If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50 cts. per bu, deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?

• District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?

• Find a cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.

• Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.

• What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $.20 per inch?

• Find a bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.

• What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance around which is 640 rods?

• Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

Do you think you might pass this exam? I’m sure I couldn’t without having Google handy.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out. For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clarified what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after suffering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue. Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence. But sometimes she goes off-script. So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back: “Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.” The left-wing crowd went wild. And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, off-the-cuff remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred. That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians. She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group. Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex trafficked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian

employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is befitting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy,” he said.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere gaffes, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values. As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer.

In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is first to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | REP. JOYCE KRAWIEC

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Pentagon: 10K North Korean troops sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine

NATO says some forces have already entered the Kursk border region

By Lorne Cook and Tara Copp

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS — North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in Ukraine within “the next several weeks,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh said some of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.

“We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk” region, she told reporters.

Singh said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already publicly cautioned that should North Korea’s soldiers be used on the battlefield, they would be considered belligerents and legitimate targets and that their use would have serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific as well.

Austin is meeting with his South Korean counterparts later this week at the Pentagon, where the use of the North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Singh said there would be no limitations on using U.S.-provided weapons on those forces.

“If we see DPRK troops mov-

ing in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war,” Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea. “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make.”

Earlier Monday, NATO said some of the North Korean troops have already been deployed in the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters.

Rutte said the move represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and marks “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.”

Adding thousands of North Korean soldiers to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II will pile more pressure on Ukraine’s weary and overstretched army. It will also stoke geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, Western officials say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to reshape global power dynamics. He sought to build a counterbalance to Western influence with a summit of BRICS countries, including the leaders of China and India, in Russia last week. He has sought direct

help for the war from Iran, which has supplied drones, and North Korea, which has shipped large a mounts of ammunition, according to Western governments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Rutte’s comments and noted that Pyongyang and Moscow signed a joint security pact last June. He stopped short of confirming North Korean soldiers were in Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Western military instructors already have been covertly deployed to Ukraine to help its military use long-range weapons provided by Western partners.

“Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine,” Lavrov said after a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister in Moscow.

Rutte spoke in Brussels af-

ter a high-level South Korean delegation, including top intelligence and military officials as well as senior diplomats, briefed the alliance’s 32 national ambassadors at NATO headquarters.

Rutte said NATO is “actively consulting within the alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners” on developments. He said he was due to talk soon with South Korea’s president and Ukraine’s defense minister.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said. He did not take questions after the statement.

The South Koreans showed no evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk, according to European officials who were present for the 90-minute exchange and spoke to The Associated Press about the se -

curity briefing on condition of anonymity.

It’s unclear how or when NATO allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could, for example, lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, claimed last Friday that North Korean troops would be on the battlefield within days. He previously said his government had information that some 10,000 troops from North Korea were being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country.

Days before Zelenskyy spoke, American and South Korean officials said there was evidence North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.

Social Democrats win Lithuania’s election, overcoming center-right government

The victory will end the more conservative Homeland Union’s four-year rule

By Liudas Dapkus The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition parties celebrated victory Monday after prevailing over the center-right ruling coalition in the final round of national elections.

With 100% of votes counted from Sunday’s polls, the Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, ending the fouryear rule of the Homeland Union government led by conservative Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

The Social Democrats will start talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won respectively 14 and 8 seats. The coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats.

Simonyte’s Homeland Union won only 28 seats in the tworound election.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, who heads the Social Democrats, thanked supporters as a cheering crowd celebrated victory in downtown Vilnius on Sunday.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us,” she said, adding that “the results have shown that the people want change, a completely different government.”

The outcome was a surprise

to the ruling conservatives, who were only two seats behind the Social Democrats after the first round.

Analysts had predicted that Lithuania is set to continue a historical pattern where voters tend to look a different way every four years.

Simonyte conceded, noting the pattern. “In Lithuania, that’s the way it is; every election, we see the pendulum swinging in one direction or the other,” she told reporters. “We respect the will of the voters.”

The vote in Lithuania, which borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east, came at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.

Analysts say there won’t be any significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy. The European Union and NATO member is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The outgoing government faced criticism for the strict measures it adopted during the pandemic, with many complaining that the government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. Others say thousands of people didn’t have proper access to health care.

Simonyte has also been criticized for handling migrants arriving via Belarus. Lithuania has claimed its eastern neighbor, as well as Russia, was orchestrating the influx of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us.”

Vilija Blinkeviciute, Social Democratic Party

Following the results, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, announced his resignation from the leadership of Homeland Union and said he was leaving politics.

Turnout on Sunday was 41.31%, among the highest for a runoff.

Although the country has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27-nation bloc, most voters did not seem to be impressed. The results also mean the new cabinet can be formed without the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, had to resign from parliament earlier this year for making antisemitic statements.

MINDAUGAS KULBIS / AP PHOTO

Vilija Blinkeviciute, leader of the Social Democratic Party, speaks to the media while waiting for the results of the second round of Lithuania’s parliamentary election Sunday in Vilnius, Lithuania.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA / AP PHOTO

Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to journalists during an Oct. 3 news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Forsyth SPORTS

Redick’s plan to give Davis increased role leads to 2-0 start

By Joe Reedy

The Associated Pres

LOS ANGELES — When JJ

Redick was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers coach, he said one of his early goals was to make Anthony Davis the offensive hub.

Two games into Redick’s tenure, things are going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the first two games of a season.

“Guys are making big-time shots. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. “Honestly, the schematic that JJ put in has helped me out and is helping everyone out. We just have so much space and we’re having fun doing it.”

There was only one stretch last season where Davis had back-to-back, 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

The game Friday had more drama.

The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its first 30 shots. Los Angeles though made adjustments on defense and closed the deficit to 61-52 at halftime before rallying in the second half to get its first 2-0 start in 14 years.

Redick said one of the reasons why the Lakers were able to rally was Davis’ patience despite the early deficit.

“There’s a comfort level and a confidence level that he has that if the game starts getting wacky, he knows the ball is going to come back to him,” Redick said.

In a game that also provided an early test for first-time coach Redick and his staff, Davis was impressed with how Redick handled the early adversity.

“Down 22, that’s when the trust and coaching has to kick in,” Davis said. “JJ coming into the huddle and telling us to settle down because we know what we’re doing wrong on turnovers and transition. Him not panicking, obviously, makes us not panic. We’re trusting what he’s doing and the schemes he’s putting in on both ends of the floor.”

Redick is the Lakers’ first coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his first two games.

Davis’ increased role has helped ease some pressure off LeBron James while also allow-

ing Austin Reaves’ game to continue to grow.

James started 2 of 6 from the field, but had 11 points in the third quarter and finished with 21.

“It’s our job to go and execute. We have to earn their trust. We have to execute and continue to get more and more focused,” James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal point for us. Offensively we have to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the whole game. And we’ve done that in two games.”

Reaves, who got a 6 a.m. text from Redick saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

“He knows the rhythm of the game as a players coach,” Reaves said about Redick. “I believe the staff has a very IQ and sees the game with a player’s mindset.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Tate Shore

Reagan, cross-country

Tate Shore is a senior on the Reagan cross-country team. He’s also played on the Raiders’ boys’ golf team.

Shore won the NCHSAA 4A Midwest regional championship in cross-country with a time of 15:38, three seconds faster than the second-place finisher. Shore will lead the Reagan boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams to the 4A NCHSAA State Championship in Kernersville this weekend.

Reddick wins at Homestead, advances

victory gave

a

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993. Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this year. Reddick went high and overtook Ryan Blaney on the final turn to win at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series’ winner-take-all finale in Arizona in two weeks. Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.

“The little kid drove his ass

off,” said Jordan. “I’m proud of him. ... He just let go and he just went for it. I’m glad. I’m glad. We needed it.”

Reddick loves Homestead, and his favorite part of the place is turns 3 and 4 — the last two turns. He might like them even more now, since that was the stretch of track that got him a title shot in a thrilling finish.

“Took a risk and it paid off,” Reddick said. “I don’t know what else really to say. ... When the moment’s right, you can do some pretty crazy stuff over there.”

Reddick’s move at the end was the 33rd lead change of the day, a Homestead record. Blaney was second and Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playoff drivers took

the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fifth and William Byron sixth.

Reddick — the regular season champion and the driver who started from the pole on Sunday, a week after he went upside down in Las Vegas — and Joey Logano now are assured two of the four spots in NASCAR’s final four at Phoenix.

“He has an abundance of talent,” Dave Rogers, the performance director for 23XI Racing, said about Reddick. “He’s determined to win. He puts the work in.”

Reddick was third behind Blaney and Hamlin going into the final lap. He went low and got around Hamlin, and the three cars settled into a straight

line along the wall before Reddick stayed high to scoot past Blaney. “We’re going to do what it took to win this race,” Reddick said, moments before Jordan wrapped his arms around him and not long before teammate Bubba Wallace — fists high in the air like a fighter celebrating a title — came over to offer his congratulations as well. “We’re fighting for a championship.”

Reddick became Homestead’s ninth different winner in the last nine years, joining Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Martin Truex Jr. in 2017, Logano in 2018, Kyle Busch in 2019, Hamlin in 2020, Byron in 2021, Kyle Larson in 2022 and Bell last year. Logano was the only of the

eight playoff drivers who came to Homestead assured of a berth in the season finale. He spent much of the day in the middle of the pack. The other seven playoff drivers all jousted toward the front for the majority of the 267 laps. Hamlin led with two laps to go, Larson with one lap left, and then Reddick at the end.

“Had a great shot to win, and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” said Blaney, who was also second at Homestead last year. Bell and Byron have the inside track to grab the last two spots in the winner-take-all final four, though any of the six drivers who haven’t clinched a berth yet can by simply winning at Martinsville next week.

The former Duke star has earned the trust of his players early in his tenure

ERIC THAYER / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick looks toward

forward LeBron James during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The

Michael Jordan

chance at the NASCAR title

TERRY RENNA / AP PHOTO

Tyler Reddick, front right, celebrates with fans at the finish line after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Durant becomes 8th NBA player to reach 29,000 career points

Phoenix Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 29,000 career points, reaching the mark with 31 against the Dallas Mavericks. The 14-time All- S tar now has 29,010 points over 17 seasons with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Suns. The 36-yearold has averaged 27.3 points over 1,064 games.

LeBron James is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 40,543 points. Behind him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and then Durant. Durant is 10th on the combined NBA and ABA list, with Julius Erving eighth and Moses Malone ninth.

NHL Former Blackhawks forward, Hall of Fame executive Hay dies Calgary, Alberta Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay died at 88. Hay was the president and chief operating officer for the organization from 1990-95. A cause of death was not provided.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Hay “lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the very best of our sport.” Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.

NFL

Browns play-by-play announcer, TV sports anchor Donovan dies of cancer at 68 Cleveland Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports fixture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68. Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his gameday duties with the team this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999. Donovan died at home surrounded by family. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Donovan’s impact was “immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday.”

WNBA

Half dozen teams fire head coaches after season

Indianapolis The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides, who went 33-47 in her two seasons with the team, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playoffs as the sixth seed and were swept in the first round. Indiana is the sixth team to make a coaching changes this offseason, with Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington also making moves. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.

Coaches will never stop disputing penalties they disagree with

Sending plays to the league for review is part of the weekly routine for ACC coaches

By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has disagreed with scores of penalties over his 17 seasons in charge. Complained about them, too. Never once did he expect to change the outcome of a game.

It’s a part of a college football team’s week, just as much as Tuesday film sessions or Friday walk-throughs are: A staff watches video of the previous game and identifies penalties they see as wrong or feel need clarification. They send those to league offices across the country, where officials review them and return answers.

Will a victory be overturned? Of course not. So why do it?

“Listen, refs are people, too,”

said Swinney. “None of us is perfect.”

UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. blamed an ACC crew for what he saw as a missed pass interference call on Wake Forest that stalled the Huskies’ try at tying or taking the lead late in a 23-20 defeat.

“It’s on us to play better earlier, but it would sure be nice if it was a level playing field,” Mora said in postgame comments.

Steve Shaw, the NCAA’s coordinator of officials, said fans see a controversial call and think their coach will demand action. The reality is that more common plays that don’t obviously sway the final score are sent in for explanations.

“They’re usually not that highlighted,” Shaw said. “Didn’t like this hold. And what it allows is the coordinator regardless of the conference to communicate with the coach.”

ACC supervisor of officials Al Riveron and his team re-

Yankees take flight with pitcher’s father piloting team charters

Clarke Schmidt’s father is a retired Delta pilot and Marine Corps colonel

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Schmidt family has helped the New York Yankees take off this year.

Sure, pitcher Clarke Schmidt is expected to start Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. But his dad, Dwight Schmidt, has also helped the Yankees get to this point — he’s piloting the team’s family charter flights during the World Series and has been at the controls of the club’s plane for some trips during the season, too.

“Everybody feels like the pilot’s a little bit more personally invested into the flight, so they feel a little safer,” the pitcher joked ahead of his start at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

Dwight Schmidt, 59, is a retired Marine Corps colonel and Delta Air Lines captain who has worked for the company for 25 years, handling MD-88s, 727s and 757s and 767-400s. He’s twice piloted the Yankees on road trips, including ahead of 2021’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa. Unfortunately, Clarke was optioned to Triple-A

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the day before that game.

“Growing up, we used to have the printout of what it was like in a cockpit in my room. So we knew all the buttons and stuff. I didn’t really know what it was. We were just messing around,” Clarke said. “I’ve flown with him a few times in smaller planes and stuff like that. And he’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.”

Dwight Schmidt arranged for Yankees manager Aaron Boone to use a Delta flight simulator during a visit to Atlanta. A landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport was programmed.

“It was really cool. Mr. Schmidt said I did a good job,” Boone recalled. “I was in there for probably 10, 15 minutes flying and then landing the plane and everything. It was something I was pretty fortunate to get a chance to do.”

Clarke Schmidt, a 28-yearold right-hander, was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts during the regular season and has a 3.86 ERA in a pair of postseason starts.

Dwight and wife Renee were at Dodger Stadium for the Series, though Clarke wasn’t scheduled to pitch.

When New York’s World Se-

view all the issues and provide a written response within 48 hours. If there’s a play or two that coaches are still fired up about or want further clarification, Riveron is available for a call.

Pat Narduzzi, coach of No. 19 Pitt, appreciates the feedback he gets from officials on calls he disagrees with.

“We expect them to be perfect, they’re not going to be perfect, our players are not going to be perfect and our coaches are not going to be perfect,” said Narduzzi.

North Carolina’s Mack Brown, who leads all active coaches with 285 wins, said it’s an important practice because a team’s assistants and players need to know how referees are interpreting penalties.

“So if we think that’s a bad call and they think it’s a good call, then tell us how, why are we teaching it wrong?” Brown said. “And then we show it to our staff and then we show it

to our players and say, ‘Here’s what they said you did wrong.’ And we may say, ’We disagree, but here’s what they called.’” Shaw, who was SEC director of officials before moving to the NCAA, said having coaches clear the air, even on critical calls, can help teams move forward.

“It’s good dialogue,” Shaw said. “Not that they agree absolutely every time, but there’s an exchange of information.”

Swinney said turning in plays brings accountability to officials, maybe ones you might see later at a league title game or College Football Playoff contest. He believes, like players who aren’t performing at a high level, officials may not qualify for postseason games if they’re making too many errors. Does the process, particularly after a loss, make anything better?

“No,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “When you lose, it stinks absolutely all the time.”

“He’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.”

Clarke Schmidt

ries family charter took off from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Dwight had Delta collectors cards ready for the kids. He landed the 757 at Hollywood Burbank Airport, the families deplaned and Schmidt flew the aircraft 18 miles to Los Angeles International Airport.

“I’ve heard a lot of really good things about the landing this time,” Clarke said. “Everyone said it’s the best flight they’ve ever been on, and they felt no turbulence.”

Dwight Schmidt planned to head to LAX with his copilot

on Sunday, fly back to Burbank, pick up the families and return to Newark.

Much of the time, Dwight Schmidt is on long-haul routes to Europe and South America. The Yankees charters are a special route.

“We bid for those, to try and get a trip,” Schmidt said. “That’s how I was able to get it.”

Clarke’s 30-year-old older brother, Clate, was a 32ndround draft pick by Boston in 2015 and spent 2016-19 in the low minors. Now he’s following his father into aviation.

“Fifteen hundred hours is what you need to be an airline pilot,” Dwight said. “Clate has just hit that. He’s been an instructor for literally the last two years and so he is now getting ready to get hired.” Clarke has no desire to join his father’s profession when he’s done pitching.

“That’s a hard no on that,” Clarke said.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the AL Championship Series.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

North Carolina coach Mack Brown says sending plays to the league to review helps his staff instruct players on how officials will call games in the future.

the stream

Willie drops new album, ‘Martha’ hits Netflix, ‘The Diplomat’ returns

Demi Moore plays a faded Hollywood star in “The Substance”

The Associated Press

THE BODY HORROR film

“The Substance” and an album by Tyler, the Creator are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings to enjoy: “Despicable Me 4” arrives on Peacock, the political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday and the concert film “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour” on Tuesday.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Coralie Fargeat’s provocative body horror “The Substance” is streaming on MUBI on Halloween. The film stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Hollywood star who is fired from her aerobic television show on her 50th birthday. In a moment of distress, she decides to take a black market injectable called The Substance which promises to take her back to her younger self (Margaret Qualley).

The Martha Stewart film “Martha” is streaming on Netflix. The film from R.J. Cutler promises to recontextualize the life of the teen model turned lifestyle mogul. On Friday, Disney+ premieres “Music by John Williams,” about the life of the composer behind so many iconic film scores. It seems everyone in Hollywood turned out to speak about the five-time Oscar winner, now 92, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quiet and finely observed “Janet Planet,” coming to MAX on Friday. The film follows a mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her 11-year-old daughter (Zoe Ziegler) one languid summer in rural Western Massachusetts in 1991. It’s the kind of film that transports you back to the wonder, boredom and agita of an endless summer break, before smart phones and social media.

For the kids looking for some Minion madness, “Despicable Me 4” finds its way to Peacock on Thursday.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, Willie Nelson will release “Last Leaf On the Tree.” It’s his first album produced by his son Micah, but the firsts stop there: This marks his 76th solo studio album and

153rd album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s in-depth taxonomy of his work. The release includes covers of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf,” Nina Simone’s “Come Ye,” Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country,” Beck’s “Lost Cause,” the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Real-

ize??” and more. One element of Nelson’s magic musicianship has always been his ability to completely transform a cover song, making it his own and simultaneously, everyone’s. Few contemporary artists have managed to create the kind of mythology that sur -

rounds Tyler, the Creator – a multihyphenate talent that has maintained an air of unpredictability, danger and prescience since his debut studio album, 2011’s “Goblin,” rewired the creative brains of a few musical generations. On Monday, he releases his seventh album, “Chromakopia.” Little is known about the release — but expectations of transgressive hip-hop are in the right place, as made clear in the claustrophobic “NOID” and its inventive sample of a 1977 track by the Zambian rock band Ngozi Family.

On Halloween, Amazon Prime Video will release “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words,” a documentary film on the fiery MC with the unmistakable flows and larger-thanlife Hot Girl Summer purveyor. Across her career, Megan Thee Stallion’s pop persona has been one of empowerment and self-belief — appearing impenetrable in an unforgiving and unkind industry. Of course, it is never so simple — and who could forget the onslaught of criticism she received during Tory Lanez’s assault trial, what experts described as a clear example of misogynoir, a specific type of misogyny experienced by black women.

First, there was Taylor Swift’s blockbuster concert

film “The Eras Tour.” Then there was Beyoncé’s concert film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” And on Tuesday, there will be “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour,” the concert film, available to stream on Netflix. Bring the arena home, scream along to big-throated pop-punk kissoffs and open-hearted piano ballads, and never forget the message of Rodrigo’s pop: that there are few forces more potent than a young creative woman’s dissatisfaction.

SHOWS TO STREAM

The political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday on Netflix — picking right up where the first season ended. Russell plays Kate, a new U.S. diplomat to Britain and Sewell is her husband, Hal, who is also a diplomat but who is now without a post. Their marriage is rocky but in the new season, Kate begins to believe Hal is the only person she can trust.

Ten men compete in a reality competition show for a leading role in a Hallmark holiday movie in “Finding Mr. Christmas” for Hallmark+. “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett is both the show’s host and a co-judge alongside Melissa Peterman. The contestants take part in challenges like pulling Santa’s sleigh and an ugly Christmas sweater fashion show. The winner will star opposite Jessica Lowndes (“90210”) in the new original “Happy Howlidays” premiering in December on Hallmark Channel. The competition begins Thursday on the streamer. A new Spanish-language series for HBO adapts the novel “Like Water for Chocolate.” It follows a forbidden love story between Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida) against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Tita and Pedro long to be together but cannot because of a family custom that forbids Tita from marrying. Salma Hayek Pinault is an executive producer. It premieres Sunday on Max.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

BioWare built its reputation on enormous, immersive role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate and Mass Effect. It’s been way too long since we got a new RPG from the studio, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here at last. A couple of cranky Elven gods are raising hell across the mythical land of Thedas, and it’s up to you to put the old geezers back in their place. BioWare promises dozens of hours of the character-based storytelling its fans love — and maybe a few cameos from the heroes of earlier Dragon Age chapters. Take up arms Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

“Martha,” “Despicable Me 4” and “Janet Planet” are streaming this week.

NETFLIX VIA AP

The unflinching documentary “Martha,” about the life of Martha Stewart, is streaming on Netflix.

SONY MUSIC VIA AP

“Last Leaf On the Tree” by Willie Nelson includes covers of songs by Tom Waits, The Flaming Lips and Beck.

STATE & NATION

Poll: Voters concerned about violence, efforts to overturn election

Results from an AP-NORC poll highlight worries surrounding this year’s races

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ac -

cording to a new poll, American voters are approaching the presidential election with deep unease about what could follow, including the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn the election results and its broader implications for democracy.

The findings of the survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, speak to persistent concerns about the fragility of the world’s oldest democracy, nearly four years after former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

About 4 in 10 registered voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about violent attempts to overturn the results after the November election. A similar share is worried about legal efforts to do so. And about 1 in 3 voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about attempts by local or state election officials to stop the results from being finalized.

Relatively few voters — about one-third or less — are “not very” or “not at all” concerned about any of that happening.

Trump has continued to lie about fraud costing him reelec -

tion four years ago and is again forecasting that he can lose this time only if the election is rigged against him, a strategy he has deployed since his first run for office. His allies and the Republican National Committee, which he reshaped, have filed lawsuits around the country that are a potential prelude to post-election legal challenges should he lose.

“I thought after Jan. 6, 2021, the GOP would have the sense

to reject him as a candidate,” Aostara Kaye, of Downey, California, said of Trump. “And since they didn’t, I think it just emboldened him to think he can do anything, and they will still stick with him.”

Trump’s wide-ranging attempts to reject the will of the voters and remain in power after his 2020 loss have led to concerns that he will again fail to concede should he lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters said the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once every state has finished counting its votes and legal challenges are resolved, including about 8 in 10 Republicans. But only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results and concede if he loses.

Democrats and Republicans have widely divergent views on the matter: About two-thirds

4 in 10

Approximate number of registered voters who say they are extremely or very worried about violent attempts to overturn the election results

of Republican voters think Trump would concede, compared to only about 1 in 10 Democrats.

The same concern does not apply to Harris. Nearly 8 in 10 voters said Harris would accept the results and concede if she loses the election, including a solid majority of Republican voters.

Members of both parties have broad concerns about how American democracy might fare depending on the outcome of the November election.

Overall, about half of voters believe Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” if he wins, while about 4 in 10 said the same of Harris.

About 9 in 10 voters in each party said the opposing party’s candidate would be likely to weaken democracy at least “somewhat” if elected.

Part of what divides voters on their views of American democracy is the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and who is to blame. Democrats and independents are much more likely than Republican voters to place “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility on Trump. Views about the Jan. 6 attack are not the only ones where voters split along ideological lines. Following Trump’s lead, a majority of Republicans maintain that Biden was not legitimately elected. Nearly all Democrats and about 7 in 10 independents believe Biden was legitimately elected.

Virginia asks SCOTUS to reinstate removals of 1,600 voter registrations

An appeals court confirmed an earlier ruling that an executive order by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was illegal

By Matthew Barakat and Mark Sherman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to allow the state to remove roughly 1,600 voters from its rolls that it believes are noncitizens.

The request comes after a federal appeals court on Sunday unanimously upheld a federal judge’s order restoring the registrations of those 1,600 voters, whom the judge said were illegally purged under an executive order by the state’s Republican governor.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he ordered the daily removals in an effort to keep noncitizens

from voting. But U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ruled late last week that Youngkin’s program was illegal under federal law because it systematically purged voters during a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the November election.

The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued to block Youngkin’s removal program earlier this month. They argued that the quiet period is in place to ensure that legitimate voters aren’t removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that can’t be rectified in a timely manner.

Youngkin said he was upholding a state law that requires Virginia to cancel noncitizens’ registration.

The ruling Sunday from the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with the judge who ordered the restoration of voters’ registrations.

The appeals court said Virginia is wrong to assert that it is being forced to restore 1,600 noncitizens to the voter rolls.

The judges found that Virginia’s process for removing voters established no proof that those purged were actually noncitizens.

Youngkin’s executive order, issued in August, required daily checks of data from the Department of Motor Vehicles against voter rolls to identify noncitizens.

State officials said any voter identified as a noncitizen was notified and given two weeks to dispute their disqualification before being removed. If they returned a form attesting to their citizenship, their registration would not be canceled.

The plaintiffs said that, as a result of the program, a legitimate voter and citizen could have their registration canceled simply by checking the wrong box on a DMV form. The plaintiffs presented evidence show-

ing that at least some of those removed were, in fact, citizens.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Alabama, and a federal judge there last week ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens.

The appeal filed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday by Virginia’s Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, asks the high court to intervene by Tuesday. Without any intervention, the injunction issued last week by Giles requires Virginia to notify affected voters and local registrars by Wednesday of the restorations she ordered.

Miyares’ filing argues that requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of those who have been identified as noncitizens is a “viola-

tion of Virginia law and common sense.”

Virginia also argues that requiring these changes less than a week before the presidential election is bound to create confusion, “creating a massive influx of work for its registrars in the critical week before the election, and likely confusing noncitizens into believing that they are eligible to vote.”

The 4th Circuit opinion was written by Toby Heytens, a Biden appointee, and joined by Chief Judge Albert Diaz and Judge Stephanie Thacker, both Obama appointees.

The panel emphasized, as Giles did in her initial ruling, that the state is within its rights to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, even during the 90day quiet period, but must do so in an individualized process rather than the systematic process relying on data transfers from the DMV.

Nearly 6 million Virginians are registered to vote.

JOHN MINCHILLO / AP PHOTO

Voters are concerned there could be violence following this year’s election, four years after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Randolph record

Home stretch

Less than a week from the election, the presidential campaigns are in full get-out-the-vote mode. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz was in Wilmington last week, while first lady Jill Biden made appearances in Fayetteville and Raleigh on Friday.

President Donald Trump has been holding events across all the swing states, including one in Rocky Mount on Wednesday and a rally at Madison Square Garden in deep blue New York City on Sunday with a surprise appearance from his wife, Melania.

The programs will involve all high schools in the district

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — High school

students in the Randolph County School System can select from a variety of program offerings through Randolph Community College in a new partnership announced last week.

It’s called a Workforce Roadmap as part of a college and career readiness Continuum.

This is an expansion of a program that began in 2003.

The program provides RCSS students with post-secondary Career Academy certificate and credential opportunities. This program includes free RCC tuition and textbooks along with the opportunity to earn high school and college credentials. In 2023-24, RCSS students earned a total of 7,366 credentials aligned with the

26 high school CTE pathways.

“They expect every year it’s going to grow as more people know about it,” said Misty West, RCC’s associate dean of education partnerships and pathways. “These are great opportunities.”

This collaboration started with certificates available at three schools. They were in business and finance (Randleman), public service (Wheatmore) and light-duty diesel on the campus of Uwharrie Ridge 6-12.

The latest version of the Workforce Roadmap expands these career academies to all high schools within RCSS with the addition of healthcare (Eastern Randolph), cybersecurity (Providence Grove), land management (Trinity), and data design and pharmacy technician (Southwestern Randolph) in 2024.

Computer integrated machining is offered on the campus of RCC, which extends the metals manufacturing pathway at Eastern Randolph and Randleman.

Many of the offerings for RCSS students will be online.

An on-site advisor will visit high schools two days per week.

While the career academies are specifically designed for each high school, students across the school system will be able to access these programs for any unfilled seats after a designated registration window.

This program is addition to RCC’s recently announced partnership with Asheboro High School.

“These partnerships are a game-changer for our community,” RCC president Shah Ardalan said in a statement. “By aligning education with industry needs, we are not just preparing students for the future; we are actively shaping it. Career Academies provide a direct pathway from high school to in-demand careers or further education at RCC. It embodies our commitment to making education relevant, career-centered, and transformative for

students and employers alike.”

West said there was no direct coordination between the RCSS programs and Asheboro’s partnership.

“I am grateful to these local high schools for their partnership in creating these career academies,” West said. “Both school districts have gone above and beyond to remove financial barriers for students. The high school career coaches are there to walk them through the process from application to graduation.”

Students are eligible to take classes during their junior and senior years. Information from RCC describes the career academies as programs that offer students hands-on experience and specialized training in high-demand fields. Students who complete the academy certifications will participate in RCC’s graduation ceremony, which often comes before they graduate from high school, according to RCC.

Programs involve onsite fitness, pet therapy and weight management

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Even more programs have been launched for Randolph County employees with the county receiving high grades for its workplace health initiatives.

The county ranked 17th in the country and, for the fifth year in a row, first in the Triad region of North Carolina in Springbuk’s rankings of the nation’s healthiest employers.

“We are in some pretty heavy company,” said Sam Var-

ner, wellness administrator for Randolph County. “It’s pretty remarkable.”

The ranking comes for any organization that has employees. Springbuk is a health analytics company that assesses health and benefits plans.

Randolph County’s rating was boosted by providing annual wellness exams, access to mental and physical counseling, fitness facilities that include on-site for many employees and a health plan that has resulted in savings for the county.

“Our employees and dependents are who take advantage of this,” Varner said.

“The county believes in the importance of health and wellness and is committed to fostering a supportive environment for both employees and the community,” county manager Zeb Holden said. “This award highlights the importance of investing in employee health, which not only benefits the individuals but also enhances the productivity and morale of the entire workforce.”

Varner said the county’s efforts are directed at quality of life and have resulted in cost savings. He said insurance

Varner said there’s continual commitment to promote health and wellness among employees.

“When we’re saving money, we’re saving taxpayers money. Our employees are happy. Our (county) commissioners are happy.”

Sam Varner, wellness administrator

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

JORDAN GOLSON / RANDOLPH RECORD PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

SHAWN KREST / RANDOLPH RECORD

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager Published

1201

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

THURSDAY OCT 31

FRIDAY NOV 1

SATURDAY NOV 2

Voters with sealed return envelopes can contact election officials

By Claire Rush The Associated Press

PORTLAND — Some vot-

ers living in areas that recently experienced rainy or humid weather have reported receiving ballot return envelopes that are already sealed shut because of moisture dampening mail, elections officials say. The issue has been reported in parts of North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene brought heavy rains and catastrophic flooding, as well as Pennsylvania, Alabama and Oregon. Elections officials say

Oct. 22

• Kelly Lamar Faircloth, 40, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of a firearm by a felon.

• Dustin Allen Gailey, 36, of Trinity, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for purchasing a firearm in violation of domestic order and violating a domestic violence protective order.

Oct. 23

• Leon Jackson, 26, of Durham, was arrested by RCSO for failure to appear on felony charges.

• Jaylen Tylek Ledbetter, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for interfering with electronic monitoring device and resisting a public officer.

• John Franklin Pugh, 55, of Ramseur, was arrested by Asheboro Police for misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen property.

Oct. 24

• Kirby Lee Kennedy, 38, of Archdale, was arrested by RCSO for failure to register as a sex offender.

• Daniel Lee Rasnick, 46, of Archdale, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for assault on a female, communicating threats, and misdemeanor domestic violence.

• Chelsea Lee Smith, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for

HEALTH from page A1

rates decreased for the county during the past year, something unusual.

“When we’re saving money, we’re saving taxpayers money,” Varner said. “Our employees are happy. Our (county) commissioners are happy.”

it’s not the first time this has happened and that humidity has sealed return envelopes in the past.

The elections office in Oregon’s Clackamas County, home to part of Portland and its metropolitan area, said it has received four reports of self-sealed envelopes — out of more than 320,000 ballots that it sent to voters in the mail.

Clackamas County Clerk Catherine McMullen said it happens in every election to some degree, depending on the weather, in counties across Oregon. Her office typically receives a few calls about the issue every election, she said.

“As with any self-sealing envelope, when it gets wet it can

violating a domestic violence protective order.

Oct. 25

• Alex Wilson Lewis, 27, of Lexington, was arrested by RCSO for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

• Nathan Daniel Lewis, 30, of Randleman, was arrested by Randleman Police Department for driving while impaired and misdemeanor child abuse.

• Raymond Schofield Hyatt, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for simple assault and second-degree trespass.

Oct. 26

• Christopher Neil Grimmett, 31, of High Point, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for assault on a female.

• Antwain Addias Person, 31, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for seconddegree trespass.

• Anthony Curtis Smith, 58, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for indecent exposure and second-degree trespass.

• David Mark Spivey, 61, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen property, consuming alcohol on city property, and injury to personal property.

management clinic has seen high participation as well.

Varner said there are unique programs, including pet therapy and weight management. In September, hormone health services were offered with such tremendous response, he said, that it was put on pause temporarily to allow staff to catch up.

self-seal,” she said in an email Thursday. Elsewhere, Trey Forrest, the absentee election coordinator in Alabama’s Jefferson County, home to Birmingham, said Thursday that some ballots mailed in mid-September were affected by the issue, but that the problem hasn’t come up in the past three or four weeks. Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of State said on the social platform X that humidity was prompting similar concerns. Voters who have received sealed return envelopes should contact their county elections office to confirm what their next steps should be, as rules can vary across counties and states.

Oct. 27

• Gary Ray Blackwell, 61, of Lexington, was arrested by RCSO for failure to appear and failure to report new address as a sex offender.

Oct. 28

• Adrian Alexander GalarzaPatino, 19, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling for controlled substances, and carrying a concealed gun.

• Jason Preston Garner, 44, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro Police for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Henrietta Summer Parker, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in opium/ heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, failure to appear, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, and simple possession of Schedule III controlled substance.

Randolph Guide

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County:

Nov. 2

Turn Workshop

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

North Carolina Pottery Center

233 East Ave. Seagrove

Steak Dinner Gala Fall 2024

6 to 9 p.m.

Pinewood Country Club

247 Pinewood Rd Asheboro

Nov. 4

TeenZone

4 to 5 p.m.

Asheboro Public Library

201 Worth St.

Every Monday at 4 p.m., teens take over the TeenZone at the Asheboro Public Library! Asheboro Public Library TeenZone hosts programs for ages 12+, including arts and crafts, book clubs, tutoring nights and more. Free programs, no registration required. For more information, call 336318-6804.

Nov. 5

Randolph County Farmers Market

2 to 6 p.m.

214 Park Drive, Archdale

Asheboro Downtown Farmers Market

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

134 S Church St.

This is a growers-only market where you will find local, homegrown and home-processed products from Randolph County. The farmers featured are from diverse and minority backgrounds. For more information, call (336) 6261240.

the application,” he said.

Atop the list is OneAZ Credit Union in Phoenix, while Wake County in North Carolina was listed second. Randolph County is the only other North Carolina entity in the top 20.

SUNDAY NOV 3

MONDAY NOV 4

TUESDAY NOV 5

WEDNESDAY NOV 6

In the ratings, Randolph County received the best possible scores in three categories — programming and intervention, marketing and communication, and strategic planning.

The county has a medical clinic for employees and six onsite fitness facilities. A pain

The pet therapy includes three dogs.

“That’s a very popular program,” Varner said. “People have called us to ask how we do it.”

The process to receive the ranking is extensive, Varner said.

“It took us days to fill out

Varner, a former conditioning coach for college athletes at Clemson and Utah along with U.S. Olympians for Winter Games, has been in his role with Randolph County since January 2015. “We want to keep that going,” Varner said. “We’re always working on some other things.”

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ randolphrecord.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out. For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clarified what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after suffering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue.

Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence.

But sometimes she goes off-script.

So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back:

“Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.”

The left-wing crowd went wild.

And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, off-the-cuff remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred.

That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians.

She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group.

Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex trafficked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

COLUMN | REP.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is befitting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy,” he said.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere gaffes, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values. As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer.

In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is first to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

Promises made, promises kept

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, to fix this crisis and enforce our laws.

WHEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS took the majority nearly two years ago, we unified around a bold agenda to grow our economy, secure our borders, restore law and order, protect freedom and hold Big Government accountable.

We not only made those promises, we’ve kept them.

Throughout the 118th Congress, House Republicans worked tirelessly to tackle the countless crises created by the Harris-Biden administration’s reckless policies. From record-high inflation, increasing crime, the worst border crisis in history and your constitutional rights under attack, we have been laser-focused on addressing the real concerns you and your family face every day.

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, including H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security package to fix this crisis and enforce our laws once and for all.

We also fought to reverse the administration’s antiAmerican energy policies that have skyrocketed prices across the board by passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

When the Left targeted parents’ rights, we passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to protect parents’ right to have a say in their child’s education. House Republicans passed several bills to support our allies, like Israel, and combat the threat of our adversaries, like China.

We also took action to keep our elections safe and secure by passing the SAVE Act, which would ensure only American citizens can vote in federal elections.

These are just a few of the accomplishments we made on the House floor.

In committee hearings, House Republicans have pushed for strong oversight to hold the Harris-Biden administration accountable for its failures. We exposed the administration’s botched handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and how they have deliberately weakened our nation’s border security to create the crisis we are witnessing at the border.

With so many of our college campuses, particularly the so-called “elite” schools, erupting into hotbeds of antisemitic hate, we held college administrators accountable for failing to protect Jewish students from being targeted. We also launched a task force to investigate the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, get the truth you deserve and ensure this horrific act of political violence never happens again.

Despite a slim majority and control of only one chamber of Congress, House Republicans have made significant progress in addressing the issues that are most important to you and your family. However, we have more work to do to save America and undo the damage caused by the Harris-Biden administration and the Far Left’s disastrous policies.

Make no mistake: House Republicans will never stop fighting for you, your family, and our great country.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Pentagon: 10K North Korean troops sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine

NATO says some forces have already entered the Kursk border region

By Lorne Cook and Tara Copp

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS — North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in Ukraine within “the next several weeks,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh said some of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.

“We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk” region, she told reporters.

Singh said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already publicly cautioned that should North Korea’s soldiers be used on the battlefield, they would be considered belligerents and legitimate targets and that their use would have serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific as well.

Austin is meeting with his South Korean counterparts later this week at the Pentagon, where the use of the North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Singh said there would be no limitations on using U.S.-provided weapons on those forces.

“If we see DPRK troops mov-

ing in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war,” Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea. “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make.”

Earlier Monday, NATO said some of the North Korean troops have already been deployed in the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters.

Rutte said the move represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and marks “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.”

Adding thousands of North Korean soldiers to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II will pile more pressure on Ukraine’s weary and overstretched army. It will also stoke geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, Western officials say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to reshape global power dynamics. He sought to build a counterbalance to Western influence with a summit of BRICS countries, including the leaders of China and India, in Russia last week. He has sought direct

help for the war from Iran, which has supplied drones, and North Korea, which has shipped large a mounts of ammunition, according to Western governments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Rutte’s comments and noted that Pyongyang and Moscow signed a joint security pact last June. He stopped short of confirming North Korean soldiers were in Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Western military instructors already have been covertly deployed to Ukraine to help its military use long-range weapons provided by Western partners.

“Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine,” Lavrov said after a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister in Moscow.

Rutte spoke in Brussels af-

ter a high-level South Korean delegation, including top intelligence and military officials as well as senior diplomats, briefed the alliance’s 32 national ambassadors at NATO headquarters.

Rutte said NATO is “actively consulting within the alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners” on developments. He said he was due to talk soon with South Korea’s president and Ukraine’s defense minister.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said. He did not take questions after the statement.

The South Koreans showed no evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk, according to European officials who were present for the 90-minute exchange and spoke to The Associated Press about the se -

Social Democrats win Lithuania’s election, overcoming center-right government

The victory will end the more conservative Homeland Union’s four-year rule

By Liudas Dapkus

The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition parties celebrated victory Monday after prevailing over the center-right ruling coalition in the final round of national elections.

With 100% of votes counted from Sunday’s polls, the Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, ending the fouryear rule of the Homeland Union government led by con-

servative Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

The Social Democrats will start talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won respectively 14 and 8 seats. The coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats.

Simonyte’s Homeland Union won only 28 seats in the tworound election.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, who heads the Social Democrats, thanked supporters as a cheering crowd celebrated victory in downtown Vilnius on Sunday.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us,” she

said, adding that “the results have shown that the people want change, a completely different government.”

The outcome was a surprise to the ruling conservatives, who were only two seats behind the Social Democrats after the first round.

Analysts had predicted that Lithuania is set to continue a historical pattern where voters tend to look a different way every four years.

Simonyte conceded, noting the pattern. “In Lithuania, that’s the way it is; every election, we see the pendulum swinging in one direction or the other,” she told reporters. “We respect the will of the voters.”

The vote in Lithuania, which

borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east, came at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.

Analysts say there won’t be any significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy. The European Union and NATO member is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The outgoing government faced criticism for the strict measures it adopted during the pandemic, with many complaining that the government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. Others say thousands of people didn’t have proper access to health care.

Simonyte has also been criti-

curity briefing on condition of anonymity.

It’s unclear how or when NATO allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could, for example, lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, claimed last Friday that North Korean troops would be on the battlefield within days. He previously said his government had information that some 10,000 troops from North Korea were being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country.

Days before Zelenskyy spoke, American and South Korean officials said there was evidence North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.

cized for handling migrants arriving via Belarus. Lithuania has claimed its eastern neighbor, as well as Russia, was orchestrating the influx of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

Although the country has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27-nation bloc, most voters did not seem to be impressed.

The results also mean the new cabinet can be formed without the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, had to resign from parliament earlier this year for making antisemitic statements. Following the results, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, announced his resignation from the leadership of Homeland Union and said he was leaving politics.

Turnout on Sunday was 41.31%, among the highest for a runoff.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA / AP PHOTO

Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to journalists during an Oct. 3 news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Martha Maria McCormick Gurgainus

March 19, 1947 – Oct. 27, 2024

Martha Maria McCormick

Gurgainus, age 77, of Asheboro, passed away on October 27, 2024, at the Randolph Hospice House. Mrs. Gurgainus was born in Munich, Germany on March 19, 1947, to John and Mary Leigh Hughes McCormick. She was a 1965 graduate of Asheboro High School and was formerly employed with Acme-McCrary Corporation and Commonwealth Hosiery. Martha loved her church, West Asheboro Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, David Jackson Gurgainus, and brother, John Wesley McCormick. Martha loved to read and was an avid Carolina Tar Heels Basketball fan. Martha loved to travel all over the United States and took a trip of a lifetime to see her best friend Edith in Australia.

She is survived by her daughter, Dionne Hoover (Kevin) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Sarah Robertson (Brandon), Alexis Leigh Currie (Meredith), and John Marvin “John John” Hunsucker II; great-grandchildren, Bella Rose Robertson, Calleigh Nicole Robertson, and Brandon Allen Robertson, Jr.; brother, William Winslow (Peggy); and best friend, Edith Paterson.

T he family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Asheboro City Cemetery with Rev. Sam Hicks officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Randolph SPCA, 300 W. Bailey St., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Lisa Dawn Winslow

March 16, 1964 – Oct. 23, 2024

Lisa Dawn Winslow, 60, of Franklinville, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at her home.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

Dawn was born in Guilford Co., NC, on March 16, 1964. She loved fishing, camping, and going to Lake Jordan. She had a huge heart for animals and her dogs. Dawn loved spending time with her family, especially her mother.

Dawn was preceded in death by her father, Ricky James Winslow. Dawn is survived by her partner of 38 years, Dennis Potts; mother, Martha Harris; brother Terry Winslow; nephew, Charlie Edwards and his daughter Amber Edwards.

Jerry Luck

May 18, 1954 – Oct. 24, 2024

Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Luck, 67, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Randolph Hospice House, Asheboro, NC.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Service, with Rev. Randy Browder officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Jerry was born in Randolph Co., NC, on August 13, 1957, the son of the late William Alexander Luck and Mildred White Luck Russell. He had worked for the Courier-Tribune, Klaussner Furniture and Triad Corrugated Metal. Jerry enjoyed fishing, playing putt-putt, hunting for arrowheads, going to the beach and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are his daughter, Amanda Luck McCoy (Adam) of Asheboro; son, Wayne Allen Luck (Chasity) of Asheboro; sister, Betty Luck Freeman (Steve Latham) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Thomas McCoy (Tori), Isaac McCoy, Austin Burroughs, Kurston Burroughs, Katelyn Williamson, Mackenzie Luck, Macy Reed, Olivia Reed; great-grandchildren, Brantley McCoy, Ethan McCoy, Brynlee Crawford, Clyde Williamson, Paisley Burroughs and Lyrik; nephew, Daniel Freeman (Lauren); great niece and great nephew, Maelyn Freeman, Dalton Freeman; special friends, Ashton Bramblett and Tracy Willis.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

Jack Harold Lanier

Aug. 12, 1948 – Oct. 26, 2024

Jack Harold Lanier, 76, of Gravel Hill Rd., died Saturday, October 26, 2024 at his residence.

Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at High Rock Baptist Church, with Rev. Mack “Junior” Summey, Chris Conner, and Rev. Claudie Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in the Pierce’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

T he family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Briggs Funeral Home in Denton.

Born in Randolph County on August 12, 1948, he was the son of Jack Herbert and Ollie Walker Lanier. He was a self-employed logger with Lanier Sawmill and a farmer. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bear Lanier, a sister, Brenda Hunt, a daughter, Kristy Barringer, and a granddaughter, Nicole Bullard. Mr. Lanier enjoyed farming, hunting, riding horses and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Hunt Lanier of the home; two sons, Barry Lanier (Julie) of Denton and Bradley Lanier (Kristin) of Asheboro; daughter, Misty Bullard of Denton; two brothers, Arnold Lanier of Denton and Donald Lanier of Staley; sister, Diane Cook of Denton; four grandchildren, Sierra Lanier, Jessie Talent (Cameron), Sabrina Kennedy (Jacheob) and Autumn Duba; four great-grandchildren, Huntleigh, Cain, Amethyst, and Kearns. Briggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Lee Shaw Dozier

March 25, 1941 – Oct. 25, 2024

Virginia Lee Shaw Dozier, 83, of Asheboro, NC passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024. She was born in Hamlet, NC on March 25, 1941, to Robert Lee and Ila Douglas Shaw and preceded in death by two loving husbands, Robert W. Dozier (married 1983 – 2008), and Jerry L. Bankhead (married 1961- 1982). She is survived by her 2 sons, Michael Scott (Kelly) Bankhead, and Robert Todd (Carole) Bankhead; 5 grandchildren, Alec Bankhead, Sarah Bankhead (Ryan) Mulligan, Tyler (Laura) Bankhead, Karson Bankhead and Harrison Bankhead); and 2 great grandchildren, Banks Richard Mulligan, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Hart Bankhead. Virginia attended Hamlet High School prior to studying at Queens College in Charlotte, NC. She was an avid reader, loved playing bridge with her friends and especially spending time with her family and grandchildren. Virginia cherished her husband and her family. The arrival of each new grandchild and greatgrandchild filled her with joy as she watched her family grow. A loving wife and mother, Virginia happily helped whenever her children needed her.

T he family would like to extend thanks to the Randolph Hospice House for providing a peaceful place for her final passing, with her loved ones by her side. A graveside memorial service will be held at Richmond Memorial in Rockingham, NC on Sunday October 27, 2024, where she will be interred next to her husband, Robert W. Dozier, and her parents, Robert Lee and Ila Douglas Shaw.

William Gilbert Long

May 30, 1961 – Oct. 26, 2024

William Gilbert Long, a cherished husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully at Randolph Hospice House and went to be with the Lord on October 26, 2024. Born on May 30, 1961, in Randolph County, NC, William was 63 years old at the time of his passing.

William dedicated many years of service to Kayser-Roth, where he initially worked in the dye room and later as a machine operator. His strong work ethic and dedication were evident to all who knew him.

Beyond his professional life, William found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He had a passion for fishing, riding motorcycles, and spending cherished moments with his beloved fur babies, Patches and Rusty. His love for the outdoors and animals was only matched by the love he shared with his family and friends.

A man of faith, William attended services at Holly’s Chapel in Ramseur, where he sought spiritual solace and community.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Hobert Arthur Long and Annie Mae Ward Quantz; brothers, Clayton Long and Gary Long; and sister, Judy Long Ingalsby.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Theresa Hughes Long, whose unwavering love and support were the bedrock of his life. He also leaves behind his children: Christie, Adam, Julie, Megan, Bernice, and Andrew, who will continue to honor his memory through their lives.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the friends of Kayser-Roth of Asheboro for their love and support during this trying time. Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Lisa Neu and to Hospice of Randolph County for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made in William’s memory to Hospice of Randolph County by clicking the link below.

William will be remembered for his kindness, his steadfast character, and the love he shared with those around him. Midstate Cremation & Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Mr. William Long.

Randy Neal

May 18, 1954 – Oct. 25, 2024

David “Randy” Randall Neal, 70, of Asheboro, passed away Friday, October 25, 2024, at Cone Health - Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NC.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church with Rev. Robert Armstrong and Rev. Wyatt Hoogkamp officiating. Following the service, the family invites guests to continue the celebration of Randy’s life in the fellowship hall.

Randy was born in Randolph Co., NC, on May 18, 1954. He graduated from Asheboro High School in 1972 where he played baseball and football. He later attended North Carolina State University. Randy was a lifetime disciple of Christ, long time member of the Wesleyan church, and most recently active in a Home Bible study group and prayer team. He retired from Pemmco Manufacturing in Asheboro. A fan of sports, Randy coached, umpired, and refereed for various sports over the span of 40 years. Randy was preceded in death by his father, Clint Neal; mother, Sarah Joyce Oliver; sister, Sarah Maxine Pugh; and brother, John Wayne Neal.

Randy is survived by his wife, Lou Ann Parks Neal; sons, Jason Neal (Erin), Jake Neal (Erin), Jaron Neal; brother, Rick Neal (Berta); grandchildren, Parks Neal, Larin Neal, Kieran Neal, Ezekiel Neal, Jude Neal, and Levi Neal. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Memorials may be made to The V Foundation, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.

Edward “Eddie” Hough

May 5, 1946 – Oct. 22, 2024

Edward “Eddie” Robbins Hough, 78, of Asheboro, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Alpine Health & Rehabilitation, Asheboro, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro with Rev. Rick McCranie officiating.

Eddie was born in Moore Co., NC, on May 5, 1946, the son of the late Edward Hough and Verna Robbins Hough. He graduated from Farmer High School and worked for Kearns Drug Store for many years. Eddie enjoyed photography and took many pictures of historical sites in Randolph County. He was an avid country music fan and enjoyed playing his guitar. Eddie loved all kinds of animals but especially cats.

Eddie is survived by several cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Shepherd Church, 844 Mt. Shepherd Road, Asheboro, NC 27205; or to Alley Cats and Angels, P.O. Box 785, Apex, NC 27502.

6, 1950 –

22, 2024

William “Michael” Sidney Crump Sr., age 74, of Franklinville passed away on October 22, 2024, surrounded by his family at home. He was born October 6, 1950, in Richmond, Virginia the son of the late Jerry Linwood Crump Sr. and Kathleen Laura Banes Crump.

Mike’s life was driven by his passion and love for all things automotive. Mike was a true enthusiast, finding joy in the roar of engines and the thrill of drag racing. His hands were rarely idle, as he dedicated much of his life to working on American-made vehicles, transforming them with his talent for autobody work and custom painting. Mike’s skill as a diesel mechanic was well known, and his expertise shone in every project he undertook. Whether it was preparing his own drag car for the track or lending his talents to others and had an eye for detail.

Beyond his work, he cherished the simple pleasures of life. He found joy in watching races and Westerns, sharing laughter and stories with family and close friends in the comfort of his home.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 39 years, Karleen Norton Crump; daughter, Kristina Nicodemus and boyfriend Brian Sherrill; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Thomas and husband Caleb Thomas; cousins, Douglas Harlow and Darlene Harlow; sister, Joyce Davis; and numerous other family and friends.

The family invites friends to visit at the home and a small celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Flowers welcome or memorial donations to assist the family with medical and final expenses would be deeply appreciated, donations may be made by clicking the donation link below.

Ethel Hughes. She found joy in attending church and cherished her church family. Known for her love of collecting unique items, Carolteen was also incredibly organized and thoughtful. Family was always her priority, and she took special care to remember each family member, often sending cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Above all, Carolteen valued simplicity, embracing a life rooted in kindness and thoughtfulness. Carolteen is predeceased by her parents, Willie and Hazel Boone. She is survived by her sisters, Dolores Booth (Houston) and Joanne Brickhouse; her nephews, Steven Booth, Jeffrey Brickhouse, and Brian Brickhouse (Tina); and her great-nieces and nephews, Miranda Rainey (Bennet), Nate Brickhouse (Devon), Chris Brickhouse (Emily), and Matt Brickhouse (Sandi).

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Randolph Memorial Park with Marcus Wall officiating.

STATE & NATION

Poll: Voters concerned about violence, efforts to overturn election

Results from an AP-NORC poll highlight worries surrounding this year’s races

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to a new poll, American voters are approaching the presidential election with deep unease about what could follow, including the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn the election results and its broader implications for democracy.

The findings of the survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, speak to persistent concerns about the fragility of the world’s oldest democracy, nearly four years after former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

About 4 in 10 registered voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about violent attempts to overturn the results after the November election. A similar share is worried about legal efforts to do so. And about 1 in 3 voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about attempts by local or state election officials to stop the results from being finalized.

Relatively few voters — about one-third or less — are “not very” or “not at all” concerned about any of that happening.

Trump has continued to lie about fraud costing him reelec -

tion four years ago and is again forecasting that he can lose this time only if the election is rigged against him, a strategy he has deployed since his first run for office. His allies and the Republican National Committee, which he reshaped, have filed lawsuits around the country that are a potential prelude to post-election legal challenges should he lose.

“I thought after Jan. 6, 2021, the GOP would have the sense

to reject him as a candidate,” Aostara Kaye, of Downey, California, said of Trump. “And since they didn’t, I think it just emboldened him to think he can do anything, and they will still stick with him.”

Trump’s wide-ranging attempts to reject the will of the voters and remain in power after his 2020 loss have led to concerns that he will again fail to concede should he lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters said the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once every state has finished counting its votes and legal challenges are resolved, including about 8 in 10 Republicans. But only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results and concede if he loses.

Democrats and Republicans have widely divergent views on the matter: About two-thirds

4 in 10

Approximate number of registered voters who say they are extremely or very worried about violent attempts to overturn the election results

of Republican voters think Trump would concede, compared to only about 1 in 10 Democrats.

The same concern does not apply to Harris. Nearly 8 in 10 voters said Harris would accept the results and concede if she loses the election, including a solid majority of Republican voters.

Members of both parties have broad concerns about how American democracy might fare depending on the outcome of the November election.

Overall, about half of voters believe Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” if he wins, while about 4 in 10 said the same of Harris.

About 9 in 10 voters in each party said the opposing party’s candidate would be likely to weaken democracy at least “somewhat” if elected.

Part of what divides voters on their views of American democracy is the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and who is to blame. Democrats and independents are much more likely than Republican voters to place “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility on Trump.

Views about the Jan. 6 attack are not the only ones where voters split along ideological lines. Following Trump’s lead, a majority of Republicans maintain that Biden was not legitimately elected. Nearly all Democrats and about 7 in 10 independents believe Biden was legitimately elected.

Virginia asks SCOTUS to reinstate removals of 1,600 voter registrations

An appeals court confirmed an earlier ruling that an executive order by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was illegal

By Matthew Barakat and Mark Sherman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to allow the state to remove roughly 1,600 voters from its rolls that it believes are noncitizens.

The request comes after a federal appeals court on Sunday unanimously upheld a federal judge’s order restoring the registrations of those 1,600 voters, whom the judge said were illegally purged under an executive order by the state’s Republican governor.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he ordered the daily removals in an effort to keep noncitizens

from voting. But U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ruled late last week that Youngkin’s program was illegal under federal law because it systematically purged voters during a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the November election.

The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued to block Youngkin’s removal program earlier this month. They argued that the quiet period is in place to ensure that legitimate voters aren’t removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that can’t be rectified in a timely manner.

Youngkin said he was upholding a state law that requires Virginia to cancel noncitizens’ registration.

The ruling Sunday from the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with the judge who ordered the restoration of voters’ registrations.

The appeals court said Virginia is wrong to assert that it is being forced to restore 1,600 noncitizens to the voter rolls. The judges found that Virginia’s process for removing voters established no proof that those purged were actually noncitizens.

Youngkin’s executive order, issued in August, required daily checks of data from the Department of Motor Vehicles against voter rolls to identify noncitizens.

State officials said any voter identified as a noncitizen was notified and given two weeks to dispute their disqualification before being removed. If they returned a form attesting to their citizenship, their registration would not be canceled.

The plaintiffs said that, as a result of the program, a legitimate voter and citizen could have their registration canceled simply by checking the wrong box on a DMV form. The plaintiffs presented evidence show-

ing that at least some of those removed were, in fact, citizens.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Alabama, and a federal judge there last week ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens.

The appeal filed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday by Virginia’s Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, asks the high court to intervene by Tuesday. Without any intervention, the injunction issued last week by Giles requires Virginia to notify affected voters and local registrars by Wednesday of the restorations she ordered.

Miyares’ filing argues that requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of those who have been identified as noncitizens is a “viola-

tion of Virginia law and common sense.”

Virginia also argues that requiring these changes less than a week before the presidential election is bound to create confusion, “creating a massive influx of work for its registrars in the critical week before the election, and likely confusing noncitizens into believing that they are eligible to vote.”

The 4th Circuit opinion was written by Toby Heytens, a Biden appointee, and joined by Chief Judge Albert Diaz and Judge Stephanie Thacker, both Obama appointees.

The panel emphasized, as Giles did in her initial ruling, that the state is within its rights to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, even during the 90day quiet period, but must do so in an individualized process rather than the systematic process relying on data transfers from the DMV.

Nearly 6 million Virginians are registered to vote.

JOHN MINCHILLO / AP PHOTO

Voters are concerned there could be violence following this year’s election, four years after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

RandolpH SPORTS

Season ends for county volleyball teams

UCA and Randleman reached the third round before home defeats

Randolph Record staff

ASHEBORO — The volleyball season came to an end during the weekend for Randolph County high school teams.

Uwharrie Charter Academy, the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament champi-

on, was the last team standing before suffering a loss to visiting Cornerstone Charter in the Class 1A third round of the state playoffs.

Earlier in the day, PAC regular-season champion Randleman went down in Class 2A.

The first three rounds were consolidated into a five-day period in the North Carolina High School Association’s revamped format to account for missed playing time for

Champions were determined in several divisions as the regular season ended

Randolph Record staff

SOPHIA — Dalton Ledbetter was the big winner in Caraway Speedway’s special Limited Late Models race Saturday night.

The featured event as part of the final regular-season card was billed as a test to determine possible engine and carburetor rules for the 2025 season. Teams brought several “packages” to the track and at the end of the 75-lapper, Ledbetter took home the $1,500 top prize.

Ledbetter survived a crash on lap 63 that took out fast quali-

fier and race leader Tony Black. Black, Kaden Ballos, Cam Thomas and Riley Neal were sidelined or impacted by the wreck.

Ledbetter, who was making his first Limited Late Models start, held off Corey Rose on the restart to claim the victory. Garrett Zacharias finished third with Chris Chapman and Penn Crim completing the top five. Brody Duggins, Riley Neal, Black, Ballos, Thomas, Dylan ward and Tommy Moody rounded out the field. Other races in the track’s regular divisions had double-points finales.

• In Challengers, fast qualifier Cody Griffin moved from his sixth starting spot and passed leader Ledbetter on a late race

schools in the western part of the state following Hurricane Helene.

Five teams from Randolph County won in the opening round in West Region action before the remaining teams dwindled.

Here’s a look:

Class 1A

Fourth-seeded UCA fell 2521, 25-23, 25-23 to fifth-seeded

restart and later won the race. Matthew Smith returned to the speedway for the first time since April and was third ahead of division champion Brody Duggins. Bryson Pickard rounded out the top five, followed by Christian Henderson, McKyla Spinks, Gary Ledbetter, Brian Melville and Jay Yow.

• In Bootleggers, division champion Bentley Black won the last race, followed by Corey Ross, Brad Martin and Bobby Bescher.

• In 602 Modifieds, the feature race was nixed because of rain. Jaxson Casper already had clinched the division’s championship.

Based on qualifying times,

See RACE, page B2

Cornerstone Charter in a thirdround match. Caroline Way’s 10 blocks and Kayden Faglier’s six kills and four blocks were among highlights for the Eagles (28-4).

UCA took out 13th-seeded Swain County 25-17, 25-15, 2514 in the second round. The Eagles began the states by trouncing No. 29 seed Andrews 25-12, 25-13, 25-7.

Class 2A

• Eastern Randolph (9-15), seeded No. 24, fell in the first round by 25-11, 25-19, 25-22 at ninth-seeded Draughn.

Eastern Randolph and Randleman will play with the championship at stake

Randolph Record staff

THERE’S STILL a showdown to determine the Piedmont Athletic Conference football championship this week, but getting there took a strange twist.

Third-seeded Randleman was one for three matches, falling to sixth-seeded North Stanly 25-20, 25-19, 25-18 in the third round. Camryn Vickery had 28 assists and eight digs for the Tigers (20-5).

See VOLLEYBALL, page B2

Friday night’s games (7:30 p.m. starts)

• Randleman at Eastern Randolph Southwestern Randolph at Trinity Wheatmore at Providence Grove

• Montgomery Central at Asheboro

Last-place Trinity stunned previously undefeated Randleman 21-19 on Friday night. Yet the Tigers can still gain a share of the conference crown if they defeat host Eastern Randolph in this Friday night’s regular-season finale. The teams met with unblemished league records last year, with Eastern Randolph winning 22-21.

Here’s a look at last week’s results: Trinity 21, Randleman 19: At Randleman, Zorn Williams and Daniel Rogers ran for touchdowns and Noah Bradley threw a touchdown pass to Nazir Staten for the Bulldogs.

The Tigers (8-1 overall, 3-1 PAC) won their first three conference games by at least 20 points, but they trailed 2112 in this one. This outcome was more shocking because a week earlier Trinity (3-6, 1-3) lost at home to previously winless Wheatmore. Trinity went up 7-6 in the first quarter and led the rest of the way.

John Kirkpatrick ran for a touchdown and threw for a touchdown for Randleman.

Braydon Gladden had the TD catch and Daylan Atkins ran for a touchdown.

Eastern Randolph 49, Wheatmore 6: At Trinity, Eastern Randolph (9-0, 4-0) was aided by two touchdowns scored by its defense with Zeb Matthews returning an interception to the end zone for one of those.

Lucas Smith, who gained 123 yards on the ground, also caught a touchdown pass. Kobe Walker scored a pair of second-half touchdowns. Wheatmore (1-8, 1-3) scored on Connor Benton’s pass to Danny Craig.

Southwestern Randolph 42, Providence Grove 26: At Asheboro, Brody Sheppard ran for three touchdowns in the home victory. Cougars quarterback Noah Stills threw for 138 yards and ran for 113.

Southwestern Randolph (5-4, 2-2) overcame a 13-0 first-quarter deficit and led 35-13 going to the fourth Ledbetter prevails

See FOOTBALL, page B2

THADD SANDERS FOR RANDOLPH RECORD

Southwestern Randolph teammates Jade Matias, left, and Bailey Blackmon go up for a block against Newton-Conover during a match in the state playoffs.

COURTESY CARAWAY SPEEDWAY

Rudy Hartley was the track champion for Caraway Speedway’s Mod 4s division.

HOME PLATE MOTORS

Laurel Bernhardt

She’ll be in the Class 2A state meet for the second year in a row after a strong showing in last week’s Midwest Regional.

Bernhardt, a sophomore, had a strong month, winning the Piedmont Athletic Conference championship and then placing seventh in the Midwest Regional.

Last year, she placed 27th in the state meet among 132 entrants.

Bernhardt was a standout last spring in track and field and a member of the All-PAC team.

Asheboro claims soccer league title

Cross country runners from the county secure spots for state meet

Randolph Record staff

Asheboro’s Cam Letterlough had another big week as the Blue Comets clinched the Mid-Piedmont Conference championship in boys’ soccer.

Letterlough tallied three times when the host Blue Comets topped second-place Ledford 4-2 to wrap up the title with one game remaining on the league slate. Both of Ledford’s losses in conference play have come to Asheboro.

Earlier, Letterlough registered three goals in Asheboro’s 3-0 victory at North Davidson.

• Southwestern Randolph notched a couple of shutouts in the Piedmont Athletic Conference, blanking Eastern Randolph and Wheatmore by 9-0 scores. Aaron Avina had two goals in the Wheatmore encounter.

• Randleman won three times during the week. The Tigers won a PAC road game by defeating Uwharrie Charter Academy 4-0 and then defeated league foe Providence Grove 6-0 at home and followed that with a 7-2 non-conference

home victory against Central Davidson.

Cross country

At Dobson, Laurel Bernhardt of Providence Grove ran the 3.1 miles in the Class 2A Midwest Regional in 21 minutes, 26.77 seconds to place seventh at Fisher River Park.

Wheatmore’s Scarlett Hildreth placed 12th to join Bernhardt with spots in the state meet on Saturday at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville. Hildreth had a time of 21:52.69.

Trinity’s Kayla Franklin was 24th in 23:13.17, one spot ahead of Wheatmore’s Emma Messner (23:13.62) and two spots ahead of Providence Grove’s Lydsay Browder (23:16.91).

Wheatmore’s girls’ team placed fifth in the regional team standings.

In the boys’ race, Randleman’s Freddie Mercado was 10th in 17:56.86 to land a spot in the state meet. Jedidiah Dake of Randleman was 33rd in 19:19.20.

• In Class 1A boys at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex, Christ White of Uwharrie Charter Academy was 25th in 19:33.99 and teammate Austin Luck was 31st in 20:01.40

in the Midwest Regional. In the girls’ race, UCA’s Victoria Jennings (27:59.65) was 31st.

Girls’ tennis

At Holly Springs, Providence Grove’s Audrey Frazier lost a first-round match to Community School of Davidson’s Jadan Rounds by 6-0, 6-1 in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament last Friday at Ting Park. In the dual team state playoffs, fifth-seeded Providence Grove made it to this week’s third round.

The Patriots topped PAC rival Trinity 5-2 in the second round last week. Providence Grove received a first-round bye.

No. 12 seed Trinity had advanced by winning 5-2 in the first round against No. 21 seed Bandys. The Bulldogs received singles victories from Deanna Cobb, Karla Rios, Jacey Wilson and Kayla Neam and a doubles triumph from Cobb and Neam. No. 22 seed Wheatmore defeated No. 11 seed Black Mountain Owen 5-4 before losing 5-2 at sixth-seeded West Stanly. In Class 1A, seventh-seeded UCA fell 9-0 to 10th-seeded East Wilkes in the first round.

ship. It lost in the fourth round to Brevard in each of the past two seasons.

Randleman handled No. 19 seed Forbush 25-13, 25-19, 25-18 in the second round, when Vickery racked up 44 assists to eclipse the 2,000-assist mark for her career. Camden Scott had 18 kills and 10 digs and Haley Hinshaw provided 11 kills and 12 digs.

The Tigers opened the states by defeating No. 30 seed Rutherfordton-Spindale Central 2516, 26-28, 25-19, 25-10 with Scott’s 19 kills and 20 digs and Hinshaw’s 18 kills and 19 digs proving huge.

• No. 13 seed Southwestern Randolph won one match in the state playoffs, marking its quickest exit since before winning the 2021 state champion-

FOOTBALL from page B1

quarter. The Cougars also scored when Damon Mobley returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Owen Whelan and Julian Mosley each had a touchdown run.

For Providence Grove (2 -7, 1-3), Jackson Rhyne caught three of Jackson Lawver’s four

RACE from page B1

track officials paid the division’s entrants in the finale, with Dean Lowder, Shaun McElearney, Mitchell Wright, Rylan Lowder, Eric Zeh, Ryan Nelson and Katlyn Tarantino on the pay sheet.

• The Mod 4s was also washed out by rain. Jimmy Crigger earned the winner’s purse by virtue of his qualifying effort ahead of Bubba Perry and Rudy Hartley. Hartley earned the 2025 division title.

• For UCARs, Jason Gallimore continued his late-sea-

The Cougars (16-12) couldn’t keep up at fourth-seeded West Stanly, which won 25-20, 2517, 17-25, 25-17 in the second round despite Gracie Hodgin’s 11 kills.

Southwestern Randolph made fast work of No. 20 seed Newton-Conover 25-11, 25-23, 25-9 in the first round as Hailey Kennedy registered 19 assists and three assists and Madilyn Baker had 10 assists and 10 digs.

• No. 18 seed Trinity notched a road triumph at No. 15 seed West Stokes before its season ended.

The Bulldogs (17-9) lost 2511, 25-13, 25-15 at second-seed-

touchdown passes. Andrew Thomas made the other TD reception.

Asheboro 51, Ledford 35: At Thomasville, Logan Loughlin threw three touchdown passes in the Mid-Piedmont Conference road victory. Connor Brinton scored on a pair of runs as part of his 197yard, 27-carry effort for the

son charge by winning the 20-lap feature in front of Steven Collins. But it was Jason Richmond, who finished third in the race, claiming the track title in the class. Jimmy Cooper was fourth and Tito Clapp took fifth in the race.

• The Legacy series made a stop at the track, with Ethan Elder the winner by less than one-second margin on Bobby Mares, followed by Killian McMann, Matthey Davey and Devan Mello.

• The US Legends race was won by Nathan Lyons, ahead of Sean McElearney, Kassi-

ed Brevard. Avalynn Johnson provided 16 assists and Charlee Phillips had 12 digs for Trinity. Against West Stokes, Karrington Batten had 21 kills and four aces and Kaitlyn McCoy added 17 kills and 12 digs in Trinity’s 14-25, 25-18, 25-23, 20-25, 15-8 victory.

Class 3A

Asheboro held the No. 14 seed, topping No. 19 seed Pisgah 25-15, 25-21, 25-12 to open the playoffs with Emma Kate Forester’s 14 kills and four aces, Lia George’s 17 digs and seven kills and Emma Little’s 21 digs coming in handy.

Asheboro (19-7) was ousted with a 25-19, 25-13, 25-15 loss at third-seeded Kings Mountain.

Blue Comets (4-5, 2-2). Quincey Lee and DJ Scott also ran for touchdowns.

Ben Luck, Dallas Brinton and Aiden Robinson made the TD catches, with Brinton racking up 117 receiving yards on five receptions. Lee intercepted a pass on defense.

Ledford is 3-6, 0-4.

dy Keitt, Trevor Rizzo and Laquan McCoy in the 12-care field.

• The Bandoleros feature went to Charlie Evans.

• The Enduros event was held despite the slick track, with Darrin Free the victor by making it through 50 laps.

The 22nd edition of the North-South Shootout will be held Nov. 8-9 at the track. Qualifying is set for Nov. 8 and the main event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 9. There is also racing for Challengers, Super Modifieds, 206 Mods and Sportsman classes.

COURTESY PHOTO

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Uwharrie Charter Academy coach Lee Kennell addresses the team during a match earlier this season.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Seabiscuit wins “The Race of the Century,” Reagan elected, Saddam convicted

The Associated Press

OCT. 31

1864: President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state.

1961: The body of Josef Stalin was removed from Lenin’s Tomb as part of the Soviet Union’s “de-Stalinization” drive.

NOV. 1

1938: In a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated the favored Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore.

1765: The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament, went into effect, prompting stiff resistance from American colonists.

1950: Two Puerto Rican nationalists tried to force their way into Blair House in Washington, D.C., in a failed attempt to assassinate President Harry S. Truman.

NOV. 2

1783: Gen. George Washington issued his Farewell Address to the Army.

1947: Howard Hughes piloted his Hughes H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the “Spruce Goose,” a massive wooden seaplane with a wingspan longer than a football field. It remained airborne for 26 seconds.

1959: Charles Van Doren testified to a Congressional committee that he had conspired with television producers to cheat on the televi-

narrowly defeated favored Triple Crown winner War

sion quiz show “Twenty-One.”

NOV. 3

1839: The first Opium War between China and Britain broke out.

1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. was founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. 1979: Five Communist Workers Party members were killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro.

1986: The Iran-Contra affair came to light as Ash-Shiraa, a pro-Syrian Lebanese magazine, first broke the story of U.S. arms sales to Iran.

1992: Democrat Bill Clinton was elected the 42nd president of the United States.

NOV. 4

1879: Humorist Will Rogers was born in Oologah, Oklahoma.

1922: The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

1995: Yitzhak Rabin,

prime minister of Israel, was assassinated.

1979: The Iran hostage crisis began as militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran.

1980: Republican Ronald Reagan was elected president of the United States.

1985: Soviet defector Vitaly Yurchenko announced he was returning to the Soviet Union, charging he had been kidnapped by the CIA.

2008: Democrat Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.

NOV. 5

1605: The “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament.

1872: Suffragist Susan B. Anthony defied the law by attempting to cast a vote for President Ulysses S. Grant.

1912: Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected president.

1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term in office.

1964: NASA launched Mariner 3, which was supposed to fly by Mars, but the spacecraft failed to reach its destination.

1968: Republican Richard M. Nixon won the presidency

2006: Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced by the Iraqi High Tribunal to hang for crimes against humanity.

NOV. 6

1860: Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party was elected president of the United States.

1861: James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born.

1984: President Ronald Reagan won reelection in a landslide.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS / ALEXANDER GARDNER / AP PHOTO

Abraham Lincoln became the 16th U.S. president on Nov. 6, 1860.

AP PHOTO

Seabiscuit

Admiral in the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico in Baltimore on Nov. 1, 1938.

Richard Chizmar tells a creepy occult tale in ‘Memorials’

It reads like something from the mind of Stephen King

By Rob Merrill The Associated Press

RICHARD CHIZMAR, who co-wrote parts of the “Gwendy” trilogy with Stephen King from 2017-22 (“Gwendy’s Button Box” and “Gwendy’s Final Task”), has written his longest novel yet, and readers should not be surprised that it reads, at least somewhat, like something from the mind of Stephen King.

“Memorials” is set in 1983 as three students embark on a road trip through Appalachia, documenting roadside memorials for their American Studies 301 class at York College. We soon learn that Billy, Melody and Troy experienced personal loss prior to their college years, so the act of documenting sites where someone else’s loved ones lost their lives turns out to be both educational and personal. Chizmar intentionally gives the trio a very “Scooby Doo”-like vibe, even making their wheels, a “Volkswagen Westfalia pop-top camper,” reminiscent of the Mystery Machine.

The plot starts off slow-

throat and continues,” is how part of the transcript of Billy’s interview reads. Billy lost both his parents in a tragic car accident in Sudbury, Pennsylvania, and it is when he returns home, visits their roadside memorial, and starts asking questions, that the novel gradually becomes more interesting.

The story is stuffed with foreshadowing, as various characters are introduced and act suspiciously and as Billy, Melody and Troy begin to find occult signs at memorials and experience strange, haunting visions. And while the point is to definitely build tension until the novel’s climax, it sometimes comes across as blunt and heavy-handed. There are few too many chapters that end with italics, and you can practically hear the foreboding music as the scene fades to black.

ly as the three meander the windy back roads, taking Polaroid pictures and shooting VHS video of crosses and balloons and stuffed animals that mark the spots where people died. Chizmark employs a cool, rare narrative trick, providing transcripts of the video footage as they interview locals as well as loved ones. “The camera zooms closer on his face. His brown eyes are somber but steady. He clears his

When the plot puzzle begins to assemble in the final 100 or so pages, “Memorials” really takes off and becomes something altogether different, genuinely earning its placement in the horror section of the bookstore on the same shelf as the master of horror himself, Stephen King. Readers will have to decide for themselves if the payoff is worth it, but it’s an enjoyable and spooky enough ride.

Seth Meyers trades politics for parenting in new standup special

Meyers got big laughs when talking about mundane things

By Brooke Lefferts

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Seth Meyers admits there are times when he’s in a disagreement with his wife or absurd situation with his kids and he can’t help immediately thinking about making it into a bit. The comedian and host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” has morphed several of those amusing stories into his latest HBO/Max standup special “Dad Man Walking.”

Meyers’ last HBO special, “Lobby Baby” in 2019 also delved into his adventures in parenting, and Meyers says after being cooped up with the family during the pandemic he couldn’t NOT write about his kids and marriage to his wife, Alexi Ashe.

“I’ve always enjoyed how — unlike the nightly show, which is so tied to politics and the world we’re living in — this was more about sort of the universal experience of being part of a family,” Meyers said in a re-

cent interview. “It’s really fun to be on stage and realize that you are not alone in the way you are feeling about things.”

The special was shot live at the Vic Theatre in Chicago where Meyers got big laughs when talking about mundane things like not knowing how to fold a stroller and the risks of playing board games with his three young children.

Meyers said his kids so far haven’t objected to him talking about the funny things they say and do on stage. “I am very cognizant of saying things that I feel like they’ll be okay with,” he said. Right now, they like being occasionally on TV and fodder for his act, but he knows that could end as they get older.

“The minute someone at school busts him for being in a turkey costume, game over,” Meyers said with a laugh. “But we will give them permission ... because my wife did buy into being married to a comedian, whereas they didn’t choose it.”

One of the special’s standout bits is about Alexi trying to get through airport security with a tub of hummus. Meyers was going to keep it to himself, but

“It’s really fun to be on stage and realize that you are not alone in the way you are feeling about things.”

Seth Meyers

then couldn’t resist trying it onstage. “I am literally in real time thinking … it’s not just that the story is so funny, but I realize this really is a perfect example of who we both are in this marriage,” he said. “It kind of overlaps nicely with the theme of what I’m trying to do.”

The special’s director, Neal Brennan, suggests the humor lies in Meyers’ relatable stories despite his fame and acerbic persona. “He’s very much in control on ‘Late Night’ and his home life? He is not at all in control,” Brennan said, laughing.

Known for his biting political commentary, Meyers says the humor in his act stems from recognizing how men and women fail each other, and he tries to spread the blame around fairly.

Actor-comedian-host Seth Meyers’ comedy special “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking” is available on HBO.

GALLERY BOOKS VIA AP

Three students embark on a road trip through Appalachia in “Memorials” by Richard Chizmar.

birthdays

Dan Rather is 93, Roseanne Barr turns 72, Art Garfunkel hits 83

OCT. 31

Actor Lee Grant is 99. Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 93. TV host Jane Pauley is 74. Football coach Nick Saban is 73. Rapper Vanilla Ice is 57.

NOV. 1

Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player is 89. Musician Lyle Lovett is 67. Apple CEO Tim Cook is 64. Rock singer Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 62.

NOV. 2

Tennis Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall is 90. Political commentator Pat Buchanan is 86. Playwright Lynn Nottage is 60. Actor David Schwimmer (“Friends”) is 58. Rapper Nelly is 50.

NOV. 3

Singer Lulu is 76. Actor-comedian Roseanne Barr is 72. Actor Kate Capshaw (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) is 71. Actor-comedian Dennis Miller is 71. Actor Dolph Lundgren (“Rocky IV”) is 67.

NOV. 4

Actor Loretta Swit (“MASH”) is 87. Singer Harry Elston of Friends of Distinction is 86. Singer Delbert McClinton is 84. Actor Ralph Macchio is 63. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 55.

NOV. 5

Actor Harris Yulin (“The Hurricane,” “Scarface”) is 87. Singer Art Garfunkel is 83. Singer Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits is 77. Singer Bryan Adams is 65. Singer-guitarist Ryan Adams is 50. Actor Tilda Swinton is 64. Actor Tatum O’Neal is 61.

NOV. 6

Actor June Squibb (“Thelma,” “Nebraska”) is 95. Singer P.J. Proby is 86. Actor Sally Field is 78. Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval

75. TV host Catherine Crier

the stream

Willie drops new album, ‘Martha’ hits Netflix, ‘The Diplomat’ returns

Demi Moore plays a faded Hollywood star in “The Substance”

The Associated Press

THE BODY HORROR film

“The Substance” and an album by Tyler, the Creator are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming offerings to enjoy: “Despicable Me 4” arrives on Peacock, the political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday and the concert film “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour” on Tuesday.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Coralie Fargeat’s provocative body horror “The Substance” is streaming on MUBI on Halloween. The film stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Hollywood star who is fired from her aerobic television show on her 50th birthday. In a moment of distress, she decides to take a black market injectable called The Substance which promises to take her back to her younger self (Margaret Qualley).

The Martha Stewart film “Martha” is streaming on Netflix. The film from R.J. Cutler promises to recontextualize the life of the teen model turned lifestyle mogul. On Friday, Disney+ premieres “Music by John Williams,” about the life of the composer behind so many iconic film scores. It seems everyone in Hollywood turned out to speak about the five-time Oscar winner, now 92, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quiet and finely observed “Janet Planet,” coming to MAX on Friday. The film follows a mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her 11-year-old daughter (Zoe Ziegler) one languid summer in rural Western Massachusetts in 1991. It’s the kind of film that transports you back to the wonder, boredom and agita of an endless summer break, before smart phones and social media.

For the kids looking for some Minion madness, “Despicable Me 4” finds its way to Peacock on Thursday.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, Willie Nelson will release “Last Leaf On the Tree.” It’s his first album produced by his son Micah, but the firsts stop there: This marks his 76th solo studio album and

153rd album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s in-depth taxonomy of his work. The release includes covers of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf,” Nina Simone’s “Come Ye,” Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country,” Beck’s “Lost Cause,” the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Real-

ize??” and more. One element of Nelson’s magic musicianship has always been his ability to completely transform a cover song, making it his own and simultaneously, everyone’s.

Few contemporary artists have managed to create the kind of mythology that sur -

rounds Tyler, the Creator — a multihyphenate talent that has maintained an air of unpredictability, danger and prescience since his debut studio album, 2011’s “Goblin,” rewired the creative brains of a few musical generations. On Monday, he releases his seventh album, “Chromakopia.” Little is known about the release — but expectations of transgressive hip-hop are in the right place, as made clear in the claustrophobic “NOID” and its inventive sample of a 1977 track by the Zambian rock band Ngozi Family.

On Halloween, Amazon Prime Video will release “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words,” a documentary film on the fiery MC with the unmistakable flows and larger-thanlife Hot Girl Summer purveyor. Across her career, Megan Thee Stallion’s pop persona has been one of empowerment and self-belief — appearing impenetrable in an unforgiving and unkind industry. Of course, it is never so simple — and who could forget the onslaught of criticism she received during Tory Lanez’s assault trial, what experts described as a clear example of misogynoir, a specific type of misogyny experienced by black women.

First, there was Taylor Swift’s blockbuster concert

film “The Eras Tour.” Then there was Beyoncé’s concert film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” And on Tuesday, there will be “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour,” the concert film, available to stream on Netflix. Bring the arena home, scream along to big-throated pop-punk kissoffs and open-hearted piano ballads, and never forget the message of Rodrigo’s pop: that there are few forces more potent than a young creative woman’s dissatisfaction.

SHOWS TO STREAM

The political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday on Netflix — picking right up where the first season ended. Russell plays Kate, a new U.S. diplomat to Britain and Sewell is her husband, Hal, who is also a diplomat but who is now without a post. Their marriage is rocky but in the new season, Kate begins to believe Hal is the only person she can trust.

Ten men compete in a reality competition show for a leading role in a Hallmark holiday movie in “Finding Mr. Christmas” for Hallmark+. “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett is both the show’s host and a co-judge alongside Melissa Peterman. The contestants take part in challenges like pulling Santa’s sleigh and an ugly Christmas sweater fashion show. The winner will star opposite Jessica Lowndes (“90210”) in the new original “Happy Howlidays” premiering in December on Hallmark Channel. The competition begins Thursday on the streamer. A new Spanish-language series for HBO adapts the novel “Like Water for Chocolate.” It follows a forbidden love story between Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida) against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Tita and Pedro long to be together but cannot because of a family custom that forbids Tita from marrying. Salma Hayek Pinault is an executive producer. It premieres Sunday on Max.

GAMES TO PLAY

VIDEO

BioWare built its reputation on enormous, immersive role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate and Mass Effect. It’s been way too long since we got a new RPG from the studio, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here at last. A couple of cranky Elven gods are raising hell across the mythical land of Thedas, and it’s up to you to put the old geezers back in their place. BioWare promises dozens of hours of the character-based storytelling its fans love — and maybe a few cameos from the heroes of earlier Dragon Age chapters. Take up arms Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

“Martha,” “Despicable Me 4” and “Janet Planet” are streaming this week.

NETFLIX VIA AP

The unflinching documentary “Martha,” about the life of Martha Stewart, is streaming on Netflix.

SONY MUSIC VIA AP

“Last Leaf On the Tree” by Willie Nelson includes covers of songs by Tom Waits, The Flaming Lips and Beck.

Brass

The controversial economist looks to win the trade war with China

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

GOLDSBORO — When the Trump/Vance bus stopped in Goldsboro two weeks ago, more than a half dozen Republican politicians and former members of the Trump administration spoke to the assembled crowd, giving brief speeches.

Each speaker was given a three-minute time limit. There was no question-and-answer period.

That didn’t stop one member of the audience from speaking up, however.

As Peter Navarro entered his ninth minute of speaking, and the former deputy assistant to the president was clearly winding down, a MAGA-clad listener shouted from the third row.

“Before you go, can I just ask you one thing?” Navarro nodded slowly.

“Well, I’m going to answer that,” he said. “I think I know what you’re going to ask me. Because there’s only two things people always say. I spent four years in the White House doing all sorts of stuff — creating jobs. During the pandemic, I was saving lives, and I grew up in public. But the only thing people want to know: Do I have a tattoo, and what’s it like in prison?”

The 75-year-old Navarro is a Harvard-educated economist. While the other passengers on the Trump bus dressed in politician casual — bold-colored polo shirts, jeans and bright smiles — Navarro wore a suit, tie and dour frown. Don’t let the background and wardrobe fool you, though: This is no mild-mannered bean counter.

Navarro served a four-month prison sentence earlier this year for contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with a subpoena to testify in the Jan. 6 investigation. After being released from a federal prison in Miami in July, Navarro hopped a flight to Milwaukee and spoke

at the Republican National Convention that night, showing no remorse as he railed against “Biden’s department of injustice”.

Prior to becoming the first senior Trump official to serve time behind bars for the 2021 attack on the Capitol, Navarro had built a reputation as the White House official most willing to mix it up.

He was one of the main architects of Trump’s controversial tariffs against Chinese steel and other goods. The plan was decried by many fellow economists during Trump’s administration, but the tariffs remained through Biden’s presidency. Now, Navarro is one of the forces behind Trump’s plans to make much more aggressive use of tariffs if elected again.

“I worked my way through grad school managing a small furniture store,” Navarro said.

“And every year, I’d come down to High Point because it was the furniture capital of the world.”

Navarro blamed trade policy and Chinese knockoffs for the damage they did to the High Point furniture market.

Voters with sealed return envelopes can contact election officials

By Claire Rush The Associated Press

PORTLAND — Some voters living in areas that recently experienced rainy or humid weather have reported receiving ballot return envelopes that are already sealed shut because of moisture dampening mail, elections officials say.

The issue has been reported in parts of North Caroli-

na, where Hurricane Helene brought heavy rains and catastrophic flooding, as well as Pennsylvania, Alabama and Oregon. Elections officials say it’s not the first time this has happened and that humidity has sealed return envelopes in the past.

The elections office in Oregon’s Clackamas County, home to part of Portland and its metropolitan area, said it has received four reports of selfsealed envelopes — out of more than 320,000 ballots that it sent to voters in the mail.

Clackamas County Clerk

Catherine McMullen said it happens in every election to some degree, depending on the weather, in counties across Oregon. Her office typically receives a few calls about the issue every election, she said.

“As with any self-sealing envelope, when it gets wet it can self-seal,” she said in an email Thursday.

Elsewhere, Trey Forrest, the absentee election coordinator in Alabama’s Jefferson County, home to Birmingham, said Thursday that some ballots mailed in mid-September were affected by the issue, but that

“What they did in North Carolina was a sin,” he said. “They took us apart.”

Navarro said that Trump’s tariffs were “the first defense any president had every given this state.”

In addition to the impact of tariffs on the trade war, Navarro pointed out the tariffs also helped with a seemingly unrelated issue — one that has become a main topic of argument during this year’s campaign.

“I was in the Oval Office the day President Trump finally secured the border,” he said. “He tried to build a wall, and Congress got in our way. He tried to shut the border, and liberal Obama judges got in our way. It was tough. My boss calls me in, and I’m sitting there with a White House legal council.”

The question Navarro was posing to the president: “Can we put tariffs on Mexico? Can we threaten them with tariffs if they don’t shut the border?”

“So he does it,” Navarro re-

the problem hasn’t come up in the past three or four weeks.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of State said on the social platform X that humidity was prompting similar concerns.

Voters who have received sealed return envelopes should contact their county elections office to confirm what their next steps should be, as rules can vary across counties and states.

called, “and the next day, everyone’s heads explode. ‘You can’t do that!” But 24 hours later, Mexico sent 20,000 troops to the border, and we cut the deal for the remain in Mexico policy.

“All it takes is a little brass knuckles and a little brains,” he concluded.

Of course, that’s the same combination that had Navarro spending the spring and early summer in a federal facility in South Florida.

Which brings us back to the two questions Peter Navarro always gets.

“Let me be honest,” he said, “if I showed you the tattoo, it would be X-rated, and there are kids here. So I’m not going to do that.”

Then the smile faded from Navarro’s face and the laughter died down in the room.

“With respect to what it’s like in prison,” he said, “I want to say something really serious: I don’t want you to find out what prison is like. But if you let those SOBs back in, and you’re a Catholic, pro-life or you’re a parent going to a school board meeting, or you say you don’t want transgender people in women’s sports, and the FBI comes a-callin’ on people like you, then you could wind up in prison. If it happened to me, it can happen to you.”

Red-cockaded woodpecker no longer endangered

The bird’s nesting clusters have quintupled from their lows

By Bill Barrow The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

The red-cockaded woodpecker, an iconic bird in southeastern forests, has recovered enough of its population to be downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday.

“The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker marks a significant milestone in our nation’s commitment to

preserving biodiversity,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement.

At one point in the 1970s, the red-cockaded woodpecker population had dipped as low as 1,470 clusters — or groups of nests, wildlife officials said. Today, there are an estimated 7,800 clusters.

“It’s an amazing bird that has an unusual communal nesting structure,” said Will Harlan of the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. “All nests usually cluster in the same tree, and the birds stick together as a family unit.”

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are habitat specialists that nest only in mature long-leaf pine

forests, building nests in cavities of living trees partially hollowed out by a fungus.

Long-leaf pine forests once spanned much of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions, from New Jersey to Texas, but logging and development in the region reduced that to only 3% of this original habitat today, said Harlan.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers were one of the first species designated as “endangered” in the United States in 1970, and the birds received full protections with passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Since then, habitat restoration and protection on both public and private lands have

helped the species to partially recover. Managed efforts to relocate birds from stronghold areas to reestablish populations in other forests have also aided the species, said Georgetown ecologist Emily Williams.

“The news is exciting because it’s a conservation success story in many ways,” she said. “But there still needs to be caution to keep the species thriving.”

It will still be prohibited to “take” — meaning harass, hunt or harm — the woodpeckers or their habitat in most instances. But the status change allows for the possibility of some new exceptions to those protections.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out. For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clarified what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after suffering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue.

Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence.

But sometimes she goes off-script.

So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back:

“Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.”

The left-wing crowd went wild.

And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, off-the-cuff remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred.

That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians.

She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group.

Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex trafficked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is befitting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy,” he said.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere gaffes, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values. As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer.

In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is first to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

|

Promises made, promises kept

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, to fix this crisis and enforce our laws.

WHEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS took the majority nearly two years ago, we unified around a bold agenda to grow our economy, secure our borders, restore law and order, protect freedom and hold Big Government accountable.

We not only made those promises, we’ve kept them.

Throughout the 118th Congress, House Republicans worked tirelessly to tackle the countless crises created by the Harris-Biden administration’s reckless policies. From record-high inflation, increasing crime, the worst border crisis in history and your constitutional rights under attack, we have been laser-focused on addressing the real concerns you and your family face every day.

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, including H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security package to fix this crisis and enforce our laws once and for all.

We also fought to reverse the administration’s antiAmerican energy policies that have skyrocketed prices across the board by passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

When the Left targeted parents’ rights, we passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to protect parents’ right to have a say in their child’s education. House Republicans passed several bills to support our allies, like Israel, and combat the threat of our adversaries, like China.

We also took action to keep our elections safe and secure by passing the SAVE Act, which would ensure only American citizens can vote in federal elections.

These are just a few of the accomplishments we made on the House floor.

In committee hearings, House Republicans have pushed for strong oversight to hold the Harris-Biden administration accountable for its failures. We exposed the administration’s botched handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and how they have deliberately weakened our nation’s border security to create the crisis we are witnessing at the border.

With so many of our college campuses, particularly the so-called “elite” schools, erupting into hotbeds of antisemitic hate, we held college administrators accountable for failing to protect Jewish students from being targeted. We also launched a task force to investigate the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, get the truth you deserve and ensure this horrific act of political violence never happens again.

Despite a slim majority and control of only one chamber of Congress, House Republicans have made significant progress in addressing the issues that are most important to you and your family. However, we have more work to do to save America and undo the damage caused by the Harris-Biden administration and the Far Left’s disastrous policies.

Make no mistake: House Republicans will never stop fighting for you, your family, and our great country.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

COLUMN

REP. RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Pentagon: 10K North Korean troops sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine

NATO says some forces have already entered the Kursk border region

By Lorne Cook and Tara Copp

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS — North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in Ukraine within “the next several weeks,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh said some of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.

“We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk” region, she told reporters.

Singh said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already publicly cautioned that should North Korea’s soldiers be used on the battlefield, they would be considered belligerents and legitimate targets and that their use would have serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific as well.

Austin is meeting with his South Korean counterparts later this week at the Pentagon, where the use of the North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Singh said there would be no limitations on using U.S.-provided weapons on those forces.

“If we see DPRK troops mov-

ing in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war,” Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea. “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make.”

Earlier Monday, NATO said some of the North Korean troops have already been deployed in the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters.

Rutte said the move represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and marks “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.”

Adding thousands of North Korean soldiers to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II will pile more pressure on Ukraine’s weary and overstretched army. It will also stoke geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, Western officials say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to reshape global power dynamics. He sought to build a counterbalance to Western influence with a summit of BRICS countries, including the leaders of China and India, in Russia last week. He has sought direct

help for the war from Iran, which has supplied drones, and North Korea, which has shipped large a mounts of ammunition, according to Western governments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Rutte’s comments and noted that Pyongyang and Moscow signed a joint security pact last June. He stopped short of confirming North Korean soldiers were in Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Western military instructors already have been covertly deployed to Ukraine to help its military use long-range weapons provided by Western partners.

“Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine,” Lavrov said after a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister in Moscow.

Rutte spoke in Brussels af-

ter a high-level South Korean delegation, including top intelligence and military officials as well as senior diplomats, briefed the alliance’s 32 national ambassadors at NATO headquarters.

Rutte said NATO is “actively consulting within the alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners” on developments. He said he was due to talk soon with South Korea’s president and Ukraine’s defense minister.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said. He did not take questions after the statement.

The South Koreans showed no evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk, according to European officials who were present for the 90-minute exchange and spoke to The Associated Press about the se -

Social Democrats win Lithuania’s election, overcoming center-right government

The victory will end the more conservative Homeland Union’s four-year rule

By Liudas Dapkus

The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition parties celebrated victory Monday after prevailing over the center-right ruling coalition in the final round of national elections. With 100% of votes counted from Sunday’s polls, the Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, ending the fouryear rule of the Homeland Union government led by con-

servative Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

The Social Democrats will start talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won respectively 14 and 8 seats. The coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats.

Simonyte’s Homeland Union won only 28 seats in the tworound election.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, who heads the Social Democrats, thanked supporters as a cheering crowd celebrated victory in downtown Vilnius on Sunday.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us,” she

said, adding that “the results have shown that the people want change, a completely different government.”

The outcome was a surprise to the ruling conservatives, who were only two seats behind the Social Democrats after the first round.

Analysts had predicted that Lithuania is set to continue a historical pattern where voters tend to look a different way every four years.

Simonyte conceded, noting the pattern. “In Lithuania, that’s the way it is; every election, we see the pendulum swinging in one direction or the other,” she told reporters. “We respect the will of the voters.”

The vote in Lithuania, which

borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east, came at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.

Analysts say there won’t be any significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy. The European Union and NATO member is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The outgoing government faced criticism for the strict measures it adopted during the pandemic, with many complaining that the government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. Others say thousands of people didn’t have proper access to health care.

Simonyte has also been criti-

curity briefing on condition of anonymity.

It’s unclear how or when NATO allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could, for example, lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, claimed last Friday that North Korean troops would be on the battlefield within days. He previously said his government had information that some 10,000 troops from North Korea were being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country.

Days before Zelenskyy spoke, American and South Korean officials said there was evidence North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.

cized for handling migrants arriving via Belarus. Lithuania has claimed its eastern neighbor, as well as Russia, was orchestrating the influx of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

Although the country has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27-nation bloc, most voters did not seem to be impressed.

The results also mean the new cabinet can be formed without the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, had to resign from parliament earlier this year for making antisemitic statements.

Following the results, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, announced his resignation from the leadership of Homeland Union and said he was leaving politics.

Turnout on Sunday was 41.31%, among the highest for a runoff.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA / AP PHOTO

Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to journalists during an Oct. 3 news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

HOKE SPORTS

Most successful volleyball season in years comes to crushing end

Hoke fell in the first round of playoffs and bids farewell to seniors

North State Journal staff

THE HOKE volleyball season came to an end in the playoffs, while football looks to match last season’s win total in its final regular season game.

Volleyball

The most successful season in decades came to an end as Hoke County fell in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs. Hoke received a No. 19 seed in the Class 4A bracket, the first playoff bid for the Bucks since the 2017 season. Hoke fell to No. 14 Heritage, 3-0, in the first round, however, dropping the games by scores of 25-16, 25-18, 25-13.

Hoke finishes play with a 16-7 record, 7-5 in the Sandhills, good for a third-place tie. The Bucks now part with eight seniors: Priscila Machuca Sostre, who led the team in kills and hitting percentage, Abigail Watts, who led in kills and aces, Kayeliana Bonner (second in kills, aces and digs), Chayna Locklear (second in receptions), Aliyah Morrisey (third in blocks), Haley Martinez, Julia Jones and Valerie Negron.

The cupboard will not be bare next season, however. Hoke returns Karmen Campbell, a junior this year, who was among team leaders in hitting percentage and blocks; Aubrey Carpenter, who paced Hoke in digs, Aaliyah Carter and Emilee Mandarino, who were one-two in assists.

Football

Hoke County fell to Pinecrest on senior night by a 46-26 score, giving the Bucks back-

to-back losses and six defeats in the last seven outings. Hoke has now beaten Pinecrest just once in the last 11 years.

Senior quarterback Brandon Saunders completed 16 of 25 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing and scored a touchdown on the ground. Favor Anab also ran for a score, while Wayne Claiborne and Machai Brown each caught touchdown passes.

The Bucks defense had an interception and recovered a fumble, but they couldn’t slow a Pinecrest run game that piled up 395 yards on the ground, including a 244-yard game by Zymire Spencer and 108 yards by Chris Najm, who combined for five rushing touchdowns.

Hoke is now 2-8 on the year, 1-5 in the Sandhills. They can still match last season’s win total. To do so, they’ll have to win on the road at Northwood in a non-conference game to

end the regular season. The Chargers are 6-4, 6-2 in the Mid-Carolina Conference, but they are a class 2A team. Northwood is 0-2 against teams in higher classifications this season.

Boys’ soccer

The Hoke County boys had a week off to stew over a recent 1-4 stretch. Hoke hasn’t played since an Oct. 21 loss at Pinecrest and finished the regular season schedule with a road game at Richmond, played Tuesday night after press time. Hoke entered that game 9-92, 3-7-1 in the Sandhills. The Bucks have a streak of three straight winning records in regular seasons that they will try to extend with a win at Richmond. The team will also be playing to make an impression on the NCHSAA as soccer playoff seedings will be determined in the near future.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Brandon Saunders

Hoke County, football

Brandon Saunders is a senior quarterback on the Hoke County football team and a multiple winner of Athlete of the Week over the last two seasons. Saunders had a big game in his Senior Night contest, passing for a season-high 249 yards on 16-of-25 passing. He threw for two touchdowns, matching a season high, and also ran for one as he led the team in rushing yards with eight carries for 33 yards. Saunders led the Sandhills Conference in passing yards and total yards.

Reddick wins at Homestead, advances

The victory gave Michael Jordan a chance at

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993. Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this year. Reddick went high and overtook Ryan Blaney on the final turn to win at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series’ winner-take-all finale in Arizona in two weeks. Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.

“The little kid drove his ass

off,” said Jordan. “I’m proud of him. ... He just let go and he just went for it. I’m glad. I’m glad. We needed it.”

Reddick loves Homestead, and his favorite part of the place is turns 3 and 4 — the last two turns. He might like them even more now, since that was the stretch of track that got him a title shot in a thrilling finish.

“Took a risk and it paid off,” Reddick said. “I don’t know what else really to say. ... When the moment’s right, you can do some pretty crazy stuff over there.”

Reddick’s move at the end was the 33rd lead change of the day, a Homestead record. Blaney was second and Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playoff drivers took

the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fifth and William Byron sixth. Reddick — the regular season champion and the driver who started from the pole on Sunday, a week after he went upside down in Las Vegas — and Joey Logano now are assured two of the four spots in NASCAR’s final four at Phoenix.

“He has an abundance of talent,” Dave Rogers, the performance director for 23XI Racing, said about Reddick. “He’s determined to win. He puts the work in.”

Reddick was third behind Blaney and Hamlin going into the final lap. He went low and got around Hamlin, and the three cars settled into a straight

line along the wall before Reddick stayed high to scoot past Blaney.

“We’re going to do what it took to win this race,” Reddick said, moments before Jordan wrapped his arms around him and not long before teammate Bubba Wallace — fists high in the air like a fighter celebrating a title — came over to offer his congratulations as well. “We’re fighting for a championship.”

Reddick became Homestead’s ninth different winner in the last nine years, joining Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Martin Truex Jr. in 2017, Logano in 2018, Kyle Busch in 2019, Hamlin in 2020, Byron in 2021, Kyle Larson in 2022 and Bell last year. Logano was the only of the

eight playoff drivers who came to Homestead assured of a berth in the season finale. He spent much of the day in the middle of the pack.

The other seven playoff drivers all jousted toward the front for the majority of the 267 laps. Hamlin led with two laps to go, Larson with one lap left, and then Reddick at the end.

“Had a great shot to win, and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” said Blaney, who was also second at Homestead last year. Bell and Byron have the inside track to grab the last two spots in the winner-take-all final four, though any of the six drivers who haven’t clinched a berth yet can by simply winning at Martinsville next week.

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Wayne Claiborne (2) celebrates his touchdown catch in the first half against Pinecrest.

the NASCAR title

TERRY RENNA / AP PHOTO

Tyler Reddick, front right, celebrates with fans at the finish line after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

Redick’s plan to give Davis increased role leads to 2-0 start

The former Duke star has earned the trust of his players early in his tenure

By Joe Reedy The Associated Pres

LOS ANGELES — When JJ Redick was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers coach, he said one of his early goals was to make Anthony Davis the offensive hub.

Two games into Redick’s tenure, things are going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the first two games of a season.

“Guys are making big-time

shots. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. “Honestly, the schematic that JJ put in has helped me out and is helping everyone out. We just have so much space and we’re having fun doing it.”

There was only one stretch last season where Davis had back-toback, 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

The game Friday had more drama.

The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its first 30 shots. Los Angeles though made adjustments on defense and closed the deficit to 61-52 at half-

time before rallying in the second half to get its first 2-0 start in 14 years.

Redick said one of the reasons why the Lakers were able to rally was Davis’ patience despite the early deficit.

“There’s a comfort level and a confidence level that he has that if the game starts getting wacky, he knows the ball is going to come back to him,” Redick said.

In a game that also provided an early test for first-time coach Redick and his staff, Davis was impressed with how Redick handled the early adversity.

“Down 22, that’s when the trust and coaching has to kick in,” Davis said. “JJ coming into the huddle and telling us to settle down because we know what we’re doing wrong on turnovers and transition. Him not panick-

“We’re trusting what he’s doing and the schemes he’s putting in on both ends of the floor.”

Anthony Davis on coach JJ Redick

ing, obviously, makes us not panic. We’re trusting what he’s doing and the schemes he’s putting in on both ends of the floor.” Redick is the Lakers’ first coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his first two games. Davis’ increased role has helped ease some pressure off LeBron James while also allowing Austin Reaves’ game to continue to grow.

James started 2 of 6 from the field, but had 11 points in the third quarter and finished with 21.

“It’s our job to go and execute. We have to earn their trust. We have to execute and continue to get more and more focused,” James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal point for us. Offensively we have to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the whole game. And we’ve done that in two games.”

Reaves, who got a 6 a.m. text from Redick saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

“He knows the rhythm of the game as a players coach,” Reaves said about Redick. “I believe the staff has a very IQ and sees the game with a player’s mindset.”

NBA Durant becomes 8th NBA player to reach 29,000 career points

Phoenix Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 29,000 career points, reaching the mark with 31 against the Dallas Mavericks. The 14-time All-Star now has 29,010 points over 17 seasons with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Suns. The 36-year-old has averaged 27.3 points over 1,064 games. LeBron James is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 40,543 points. Behind him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and then Durant. Durant is 10th on the combined NBA and ABA list.

NHL

Former Blackhawks forward, Hall of Fame executive Hay dies

Calgary, Alberta Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame

executive Bill Hay died at 88. Hay was the president and chief operating officer for the organization from 199095. A cause of death was not provided. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Hay “lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the very best of our sport.” Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.

NFL

Browns play-by-play announcer, TV sports

anchor Donovan dies of cancer at 68

Cleveland

Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports fixture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68. Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999. Donovan died at home surrounded by family. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Donovan’s impact was “immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday.”

WNBA

Half dozen teams fire head coaches after season

Indianapolis

The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides, who went 3347 in her two seasons with the team, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playoffs as the sixth seed and were swept in the first round. Indiana is the sixth team to make a coaching changes this offseason, with Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington also making moves. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.

PAID FOR BY CARTER FOR HOKE COMMISSIONER

ERIC THAYER / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick looks toward forward LeBron James during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Emma Jean Hunter

March 30, 1944 – Oct. 24, 2024

Ms. Emma Jean Hunter age, 80 went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on October 24, 2024.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her children: Edith Covington, Marlon Hunter, Davon Hunter, Eric Hunter; siblings: Lila Mae Tudor, Hezekiah Watson Jr. “June”; five grandchildren along with a host of other family and friends. Emma will be greatly missed.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 11 a.m. at Freedom Chapel AME Zion Church.

Mary “Mae” McLaughlin

April 19, 1939 – Oct. 26, 2024

Ms. Mary “Mae” McLaughlin age, 85 went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on October 26, 2024.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her sons: Clayton Singletary, Rick Singletary, Tracy McLaughlin; brothers: Oral Singletary, Willie Earl Watkins; sister, Sharon Dore along with a host of other family and friends.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 3; 1 p.m. at the St. James United Church of God.

Betty “Faye” Conyers Thompson

March 19, 1950 – Oct. 23, 2024

Betty “Faye” Conyers Thompson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 23, 2024, in her home, at the age of 74 years old. Faye was born on March 19, 1950, to the late James and Addie Conyers of McColl, South Carolina.

On September 15, 1967, Faye married the love of her life; Charles Thompson, and moved to Raeford, NC.

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a friend to all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.

Other than her parents; Faye is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Charles Thompson; her brothers, Mae Jennings Taylor, Roy Conyers, and Jerry Conyers.

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Faye Thompson and Jennifer Thompson-Sheppard of Raeford, North Carolina; a son, John C. Thompson of Florida; grandchildren, Ronnie Miller of Chesterfield, WV, Lauren Mollet, Adam Mollet, Kelleen Thompson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Charlie Williams, Meadow Detar and Elara Detar of Fayetteville, NC; a brother, Charles (Diane) of Lexington, South Carolina; a sister, Pat Conyers of Bennettsville, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church, 379 W Palmer St, Raeford, NC 28376, with Pastor Roger Burns Officiating.

Burial will immediately follow at the Raeford Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made on the Crumpler Funeral Home Website.

Dequilla Campbell

May 4, 1941 – Oct. 20, 2024

Ms. Dequilla Campbell entered into eternal rest on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Her celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Bridges Grove AME Zion Church beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Bridges Grove AME Zion Church cemetery. Services of love, care and professionalism have been entrusted to Doby Funeral Home.

Hue Hoa Janos

Jan. 11, 1943 – Oct. 27, 2024

Hue Hoa Janos, age 81, of Raeford, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

STATE & NATION

Poll: Voters concerned about violence, efforts to overturn election

Results from an AP-NORC poll highlight worries surrounding this year’s races

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ac -

cording to a new poll, American voters are approaching the presidential election with deep unease about what could follow, including the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn the election results and its broader implications for democracy.

The findings of the survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, speak to persistent concerns about the fragility of the world’s oldest democracy, nearly four years after former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

About 4 in 10 registered voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about violent attempts to overturn the results after the November election. A similar share is worried about legal efforts to do so. And about 1 in 3 voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about attempts by local or state election officials to stop the results from being finalized.

Relatively few voters — about one-third or less — are “not very” or “not at all” concerned about any of that happening.

Trump has continued to lie about fraud costing him reelec -

tion four years ago and is again forecasting that he can lose this time only if the election is rigged against him, a strategy he has deployed since his first run for office. His allies and the Republican National Committee, which he reshaped, have filed lawsuits around the country that are a potential prelude to post-election legal challenges should he lose.

“I thought after Jan. 6, 2021, the GOP would have the sense

to reject him as a candidate,” Aostara Kaye, of Downey, California, said of Trump. “And since they didn’t, I think it just emboldened him to think he can do anything, and they will still stick with him.”

Trump’s wide-ranging attempts to reject the will of the voters and remain in power after his 2020 loss have led to concerns that he will again fail to concede should he lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters said the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once every state has finished counting its votes and legal challenges are resolved, including about 8 in 10 Republicans. But only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results and concede if he loses.

Democrats and Republicans have widely divergent views on the matter: About two-thirds

4 in 10

Approximate number of registered voters who say they are extremely or very worried about violent attempts to overturn the election results

of Republican voters think Trump would concede, compared to only about 1 in 10 Democrats.

The same concern does not apply to Harris. Nearly 8 in 10 voters said Harris would accept the results and concede if she loses the election, including a solid majority of Republican voters.

Members of both parties have broad concerns about how American democracy might fare depending on the outcome of the November election.

Overall, about half of voters believe Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” if he wins, while about 4 in 10 said the same of Harris.

About 9 in 10 voters in each party said the opposing party’s candidate would be likely to weaken democracy at least “somewhat” if elected.

Part of what divides voters on their views of American democracy is the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and who is to blame. Democrats and independents are much more likely than Republican voters to place “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility on Trump. Views about the Jan. 6 attack are not the only ones where voters split along ideological lines. Following Trump’s lead, a majority of Republicans maintain that Biden was not legitimately elected. Nearly all Democrats and about 7 in 10 independents believe Biden was legitimately elected.

Virginia asks SCOTUS to reinstate removals of 1,600 voter registrations

An appeals court confirmed an earlier ruling that an executive order by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was illegal

By Matthew Barakat and Mark Sherman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to allow the state to remove roughly 1,600 voters from its rolls that it believes are noncitizens.

The request comes after a federal appeals court on Sunday unanimously upheld a federal judge’s order restoring the registrations of those 1,600 voters, whom the judge said were illegally purged under an executive order by the state’s Republican governor.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he ordered the daily removals in an effort to keep noncitizens

from voting. But U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ruled late last week that Youngkin’s program was illegal under federal law because it systematically purged voters during a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the November election.

The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued to block Youngkin’s removal program earlier this month. They argued that the quiet period is in place to ensure that legitimate voters aren’t removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that can’t be rectified in a timely manner.

Youngkin said he was upholding a state law that requires Virginia to cancel noncitizens’ registration.

The ruling Sunday from the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with the judge who ordered the restoration of voters’ registrations.

The appeals court said Virginia is wrong to assert that it is being forced to restore 1,600 noncitizens to the voter rolls.

The judges found that Virginia’s process for removing voters established no proof that those purged were actually noncitizens.

Youngkin’s executive order, issued in August, required daily checks of data from the Department of Motor Vehicles against voter rolls to identify noncitizens.

State officials said any voter identified as a noncitizen was notified and given two weeks to dispute their disqualification before being removed. If they returned a form attesting to their citizenship, their registration would not be canceled.

The plaintiffs said that, as a result of the program, a legitimate voter and citizen could have their registration canceled simply by checking the wrong box on a DMV form. The plaintiffs presented evidence show-

ing that at least some of those removed were, in fact, citizens.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Alabama, and a federal judge there last week ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens.

The appeal filed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday by Virginia’s Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, asks the high court to intervene by Tuesday. Without any intervention, the injunction issued last week by Giles requires Virginia to notify affected voters and local registrars by Wednesday of the restorations she ordered.

Miyares’ filing argues that requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of those who have been identified as noncitizens is a “viola-

tion of Virginia law and common sense.”

Virginia also argues that requiring these changes less than a week before the presidential election is bound to create confusion, “creating a massive influx of work for its registrars in the critical week before the election, and likely confusing noncitizens into believing that they are eligible to vote.”

The 4th Circuit opinion was written by Toby Heytens, a Biden appointee, and joined by Chief Judge Albert Diaz and Judge Stephanie Thacker, both Obama appointees.

The panel emphasized, as Giles did in her initial ruling, that the state is within its rights to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, even during the 90day quiet period, but must do so in an individualized process rather than the systematic process relying on data transfers from the DMV.

Nearly 6 million Virginians are registered to vote.

JOHN MINCHILLO / AP PHOTO

Voters are concerned there could be violence following this year’s election, four years after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Pinecrest girls’ golf team members Kaitlyn Kruczek, Ashley Lee, Charlotte Schroen and Kate Grantham run to the 18th green of Pinehurst No. 6 to greet teammate Rachel Joyce after her final putt wrapped up the team’s third-straight 4A state championship on Thursday,

Commissioners to continue public hearing on proposed racetrack

After nearly four hours of deliberation, the board voted to continue the hearing to its Nov. 19 meeting

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — The discussions surrounding the proposed North Moore luxury racetrack project will have to continue on for at least another month after the Moore County Board of Commissioners voted to continue the public hearing on the matter.

The board held a public hearing for the proposed race track planned development project submitted by Au-

toport at its Oct. 15 meeting.

The proposed development would rezone approximately 396 acres of property located on Leach Road between Tarry Church Road and NC Hwy 24-27 from Rural Agricultural (RA) to a Planned Development Conditional Zoning for the construction of the Uwharrie Motorsports Park and Resort.

The development would be a “high-end sports entertainment facility” that would attract local drivers, spectators, and car enthusiasts and owners of unique cars.

“If we are afforded the opportunity, I can assure you that we will make this a trophy property that all of Moore County can be proud of.”

Autoport CEO Kristi Maluchnik

phy property that all of Moore County can be proud of,” said Autoport CEO Kristi Maluchnik. “My team truly takes to heart the old adage, ‘To whom much is given, much will be required,’ and understands the great weight of responsibility that those words carry.”

The controversial economist looks to win the trade war with China

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

GOLDSBORO — When the Trump/Vance bus stopped in Goldsboro two weeks ago, more than a half dozen Republican politicians and former members of the Trump administration spoke to the assembled crowd, giving brief speeches. Each speaker was given a three-minute time limit. There was no question-and-answer period. That didn’t stop one member of the audience from speaking up, however. As Peter Navarro entered his ninth minute of speaking, and

the former deputy assistant to the president was clearly winding down, a MAGA-clad listener shouted from the third row.

“Before you go, can I just ask you one thing?”

Navarro nodded slowly.

“Well, I’m going to answer that,” he said. “I think I know what you’re going to ask me. Because there’s only two things people always say. I spent four years in the White House doing all sorts of stuff — creating jobs. During the pandemic, I was saving lives, and I grew up in public. But the only thing people want to know: Do I have a tattoo, and what’s it like in prison?”

The 75-year-old Navarro is a Harvard-educated economist. While the other passengers on the Trump bus dressed in politician casual — bold-colored polo shirts, jeans and bright

The project would create 284 jobs at the track alone and according to Sanford Holshouser, the anticipated annual economic impact of the project is approximately $117 million.

“If we are afforded the opportunity, I can assure you that we will make this a tro -

On top of the racing track, the project also proposes constructing garages for storing cars as well as small accessory living areas “intended for short overnight stays or rest time between racing sessions.”

However, public reception has been mostly negative toward the racetrack and comments presented at the meeting raised concerns over traffic, noise, preserving the rural character of Moore County, overall environmental impact and the lack of usability by local citizens. The applicant’s team did answer a few of the proposed questions such as that the site

See RACETRACK, page 2

smiles — Navarro wore a suit, tie and dour frown. Don’t let the background and wardrobe fool you, though: This is no mild-mannered bean counter. Navarro served a fourmonth prison sentence earlier this year for contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with a subpoena to testify in the Jan. 6 investigation. After being released from a federal prison in Miami in July, Navarro hopped a flight to Milwaukee and spoke at the Republican National Convention that night, showing no remorse as he railed against “Biden’s department of injustice”.

Prior to becoming the first senior Trump official to serve time behind bars for the 2021 attack on the Capitol, Navarro had built a reputation as the White House official most willing to mix it up. He was

one of the main architects of Trump’s controversial tariffs against Chinese steel and other goods. The plan was decried by many fellow economists during Trump’s administration, but the tariffs remained through Biden’s presidency. Now, Navarro is one of the forces behind Trump’s plans to make much more aggressive use of tariffs if elected again.

“I worked my way through grad school managing a small furniture store,” Navarro said. “And every year, I’d come down to High Point because it was the furniture capital of the world.”

Navarro blamed trade policy and Chinese knockoffs for the damage they did to the High Point furniture market.

“Join the conversation”

NAVARRO from page 1

“What they did in North Carolina was a sin,” he said. “They took us apart.”

Navarro said that Trump’s tariffs were “the first defense any president had every given this state.”

In addition to the impact of tariffs on the trade war, Navarro pointed out the tariffs also helped with a seemingly unrelated issue — one that has become a main topic of argument during this year’s campaign.

“I was in the Oval Office the day President Trump finally secured the border,” he said. “He tried to build a wall, and Congress got in our way. He tried to shut the border, and liberal Obama judges got in our way. It was tough. My boss calls me in, and I’m sitting there with a White House legal council.”

The question Navarro was posing to the president: “Can we put tariffs on Mexico? Can we threaten them with tariffs if they don’t shut the border?”

“So he does it,” Navarro recalled, “and the next day, everyone’s heads explode. ‘You can’t do that!” But 24 hours later, Mexico sent 20,000 troops to the border, and we cut the deal for the remain in Mexico policy.

“All it takes is a little brass knuckles and a little brains,” he concluded.

Of course, that’s the same combination that had Navarro spending the spring and early summer in a federal facility in South Florida.

Which brings us back to the two questions Peter Navarro always gets.

“Let me be honest,” he said, “if I showed you the tattoo, it would be X-rated, and there are kids here. So I’m not going to do that.”

Then the smile faded from Navarro’s face and the laughter died down in the room.

“With respect to what it’s like in prison,” he said, “I want to say something really serious: I don’t want you to find out what prison is like. But if you let those SOBs back in, and you’re a Catholic, pro-life or you’re a parent going to a school board meeting, or you say you don’t want transgender people in women’s sports, and the FBI comes a-callin’ on people like you, then you could wind up in prison. If it happened to me, it can happen to you.”

THURSDAY

FRIDAY NOV 1

Red-cockaded woodpecker no longer endangered

The bird’s nesting clusters have quintupled from their lows

By Bill Barrow The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The red-cockaded woodpecker, an iconic bird in southeastern forests, has recovered enough of its population to be downlisted from an endangered species to a threatened one, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday.

“The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker marks a significant milestone in our nation’s commitment to preserving biodiversity,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement.

At one point in the 1970s, the red-cockaded woodpecker population had dipped as low as 1,470 clusters — or groups of nests, wildlife officials said. Today, there are an estimated 7,800 clusters.

“It’s an amazing bird that has an unusual communal nesting structure,” said Will Harlan of the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. “All nests usually cluster in the same tree, and the birds stick together as a family unit.”

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are habitat specialists that nest only in mature long-leaf pine forests, building nests in cavities of living trees partial-

RACETRACK from page 1

will set a limit on sound volume at 95 decibels, which will be monitored, as well as the fact that there will be no night-time racing allowed.

However, after an hour and a half of public comment, only 13 of the 47 speakers who had signed up had gotten the chance to speak, so the commissioners voted to recess the hearing and continue it at a later date.

The board will meet again to continue discussions on the development on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The board also held a few other hearings, including a quasi-judicial hearing for an amendment to a special use permit approved for the Gretchen Pines subdivision project.

The amendment requests an additional phase to the project containing 27 lots on 42.04 acres of property. The current project, which is located near NC 73 Hwy in West End, was approved in 2019 and totals 139 lots spread across four phases.

RENEE BODINE/USFWS VIA AP

A red-cockaded woodpecker clings to the side of a pine tree in April 2023.

ly hollowed out by a fungus.

Long-leaf pine forests once spanned much of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions, from New Jersey to Texas, but logging and development in the region reduced that to only 3% of this original habitat today, said Harlan.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers were one of the first species designated as “endangered” in the United States in 1970, and the birds received full protections with passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Since then, habitat restoration and protection on both public and private lands have helped the species to partially recover. Managed efforts to relocate birds from stronghold areas to reestablish populations in

The board also held another public hearing for a rezoning request for 2.59 acres of property located at 129 Doby Rd. from Neighborhood Business (B-1) to Rural Agricultural (RA).

Both were approved following each hearing.

In addition, the board also approved an approximately $177,000 contract with The Davenport Group for the purchase of 110 Dell laptops.

“We have procedures in place to refresh computing devices,” said IT Director Kay Ingram. “This ensures employees have the best resources to support them in meeting their job requirements. Each year during the budget process, these needs are evaluated. During the current year budget efforts, we identified 110 laptops to be refreshed to meet the upgrade criteria based on device age.”

The contract also comes with three years of Dell ProSupport Plus support.

According to Ingram, the county typically donates old devices to Kramden, a charitable organization that works

other forests have also aided the species, said Georgetown ecologist Emily Williams.

“The news is exciting because it’s a conservation success story in many ways,” she said. “But there still needs to be caution to keep the species thriving.”

It will still be prohibited to “take” — meaning harass, hunt or harm — the woodpeckers or their habitat in most instances. But the status change allows for the possibility of some new exceptions to those protections.

“The species still has a long way to go for a full recovery,” said Ramona McGee, senior attorney and wildlife program leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Removing endangered species protections now could reverse past gains.”

to equip underserved communities and those in need with computer equipment, but also said that they are considering donating them instead to those in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene.

Along those lines, the board also approved a resolution aimed toward assisting the counties in the western part of the state.

The resolution calls for the implementation of an “Adopta-County” proposal where counties east of I-77 would “adopt” a county to the west of I-77 and assist in the longterm relief efforts there.

“If each county could adopt a county, maybe that would give a little more structure to the recovery long-term,” said Chairman Nick Picerno. “If we focused on helping one county get up and everybody else that was not affected could help a county, I think we could get them up and running a whole lot faster and save a lot of taxpayer money.”

The Moore County Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 6.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Oct. 31

Moore County Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

604 W. Morganton Rd (Armory Sports Complex), Southern Pines

The Vass Farmers Market

3 to 6:30 p.m.

Sandy Ramey Keith Park

3600 US-1 BUS, Vass

Shop the Vass Farmers Market every Thursday at Sandy Ramey Keith Park. Enjoy supporting many local farmers and vendors.

Oct. 31, Nov. 1 & Nov. 2

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & Property Tours

1 to 4 p.m.

Shaw House

110 Morganton Rd., Pinehurst

The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning of the impressive history here in Moore County.

“The Moore County Historical Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing, the rich historical legacy of the towns, cities and surrounding area, of Moore County, North Carolina.”

Nov.

6

Sandhills Farmers Market

3 to 6 p.m.

James W. Tufts Memorial Park

1 Village Green Rd. West, Pinehurst

The Sandhills Farmers Market features some of the many wonderful farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and egg providers, cheesemakers and specialty food producers our area has to offer. For more information visit: moorefarmfresh.com.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out. For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clarified what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after suffering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue.

Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence.

But sometimes she goes off-script.

So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back:

“Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.”

The left-wing crowd went wild.

And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, off-the-cuff remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred.

That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians.

She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group.

Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex trafficked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is befitting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy,” he said.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere gaffes, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values. As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer.

In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is first to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

|

Promises made, promises kept

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, to fix this crisis and enforce our laws.

WHEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS took the majority nearly two years ago, we unified around a bold agenda to grow our economy, secure our borders, restore law and order, protect freedom and hold Big Government accountable.

We not only made those promises, we’ve kept them.

Throughout the 118th Congress, House Republicans worked tirelessly to tackle the countless crises created by the Harris-Biden administration’s reckless policies. From record-high inflation, increasing crime, the worst border crisis in history and your constitutional rights under attack, we have been laser-focused on addressing the real concerns you and your family face every day.

House Republicans passed key legislation to put an end to the Harris-Biden open border catastrophe, including H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security package to fix this crisis and enforce our laws once and for all.

We also fought to reverse the administration’s antiAmerican energy policies that have skyrocketed prices across the board by passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

When the Left targeted parents’ rights, we passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to protect parents’ right to have a say in their child’s education. House Republicans passed several bills to support our allies, like Israel, and combat the threat of our adversaries, like China.

We also took action to keep our elections safe and secure by passing the SAVE Act, which would ensure only American citizens can vote in federal elections.

These are just a few of the accomplishments we made on the House floor.

In committee hearings, House Republicans have pushed for strong oversight to hold the Harris-Biden administration accountable for its failures. We exposed the administration’s botched handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and how they have deliberately weakened our nation’s border security to create the crisis we are witnessing at the border.

With so many of our college campuses, particularly the so-called “elite” schools, erupting into hotbeds of antisemitic hate, we held college administrators accountable for failing to protect Jewish students from being targeted. We also launched a task force to investigate the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, get the truth you deserve and ensure this horrific act of political violence never happens again.

Despite a slim majority and control of only one chamber of Congress, House Republicans have made significant progress in addressing the issues that are most important to you and your family. However, we have more work to do to save America and undo the damage caused by the Harris-Biden administration and the Far Left’s disastrous policies.

Make no mistake: House Republicans will never stop fighting for you, your family, and our great country.

Rep. Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

COLUMN

REP. RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Pentagon: 10K North Korean troops sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine

NATO says some forces have already entered the Kursk border region

By Lorne Cook and Tara Copp

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS — North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in Ukraine within “the next several weeks,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh said some of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.

“We are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk” region, she told reporters.

Singh said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already publicly cautioned that should North Korea’s soldiers be used on the battlefield, they would be considered belligerents and legitimate targets and that their use would have serious implications for security in the Indo-Pacific as well.

Austin is meeting with his South Korean counterparts later this week at the Pentagon, where the use of the North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Singh said there would be no limitations on using U.S.-provided weapons on those forces.

“If we see DPRK troops mov-

ing in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war,” Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea. “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make.”

Earlier Monday, NATO said some of the North Korean troops have already been deployed in the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

“Today, I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters.

Rutte said the move represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and marks “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war.”

Adding thousands of North Korean soldiers to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II will pile more pressure on Ukraine’s weary and overstretched army. It will also stoke geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, Western officials say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to reshape global power dynamics. He sought to build a counterbalance to Western influence with a summit of BRICS countries, including the leaders of China and India, in Russia last week. He has sought direct

help for the war from Iran, which has supplied drones, and North Korea, which has shipped large a mounts of ammunition, according to Western governments.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shrugged off Rutte’s comments and noted that Pyongyang and Moscow signed a joint security pact last June. He stopped short of confirming North Korean soldiers were in Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Western military instructors already have been covertly deployed to Ukraine to help its military use long-range weapons provided by Western partners.

“Western military personnel long have been working in Ukraine,” Lavrov said after a meeting with the Kuwaiti foreign minister in Moscow.

Rutte spoke in Brussels af-

ter a high-level South Korean delegation, including top intelligence and military officials as well as senior diplomats, briefed the alliance’s 32 national ambassadors at NATO headquarters.

Rutte said NATO is “actively consulting within the alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners” on developments. He said he was due to talk soon with South Korea’s president and Ukraine’s defense minister.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said. He did not take questions after the statement.

The South Koreans showed no evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk, according to European officials who were present for the 90-minute exchange and spoke to The Associated Press about the se -

Social Democrats win Lithuania’s election, overcoming center-right government

The victory will end the more conservative Homeland Union’s four-year rule

By Liudas Dapkus

The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition parties celebrated victory Monday after prevailing over the center-right ruling coalition in the final round of national elections. With 100% of votes counted from Sunday’s polls, the Social Democrats won 52 seats in the 141-seat parliament, known as the Seimas, ending the fouryear rule of the Homeland Union government led by con-

servative Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

The Social Democrats will start talks on forming a majority cabinet with two smaller center-left parties, the Democratic Union and the Union of Peasants and Greens, which won respectively 14 and 8 seats. The coalition is expected to control at least 74 seats.

Simonyte’s Homeland Union won only 28 seats in the tworound election.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, who heads the Social Democrats, thanked supporters as a cheering crowd celebrated victory in downtown Vilnius on Sunday.

“I am very grateful to the people of Lithuania who were so active today voting for us,” she

said, adding that “the results have shown that the people want change, a completely different government.”

The outcome was a surprise to the ruling conservatives, who were only two seats behind the Social Democrats after the first round.

Analysts had predicted that Lithuania is set to continue a historical pattern where voters tend to look a different way every four years.

Simonyte conceded, noting the pattern. “In Lithuania, that’s the way it is; every election, we see the pendulum swinging in one direction or the other,” she told reporters. “We respect the will of the voters.”

The vote in Lithuania, which

borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east, came at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is fueling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.

Analysts say there won’t be any significant change in Lithuania’s foreign policy. The European Union and NATO member is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

The outgoing government faced criticism for the strict measures it adopted during the pandemic, with many complaining that the government didn’t do enough to help companies during lockdown. Others say thousands of people didn’t have proper access to health care.

Simonyte has also been criti-

curity briefing on condition of anonymity.

It’s unclear how or when NATO allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could, for example, lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing intelligence reports, claimed last Friday that North Korean troops would be on the battlefield within days. He previously said his government had information that some 10,000 troops from North Korea were being readied to join Russian forces fighting against his country.

Days before Zelenskyy spoke, American and South Korean officials said there was evidence North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.

cized for handling migrants arriving via Belarus. Lithuania has claimed its eastern neighbor, as well as Russia, was orchestrating the influx of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

Although the country has seen annual double-digit personal income growth and has one of the lowest inflation rates in the 27-nation bloc, most voters did not seem to be impressed.

The results also mean the new cabinet can be formed without the populist Nemuno Aušra party, which came in third with 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, had to resign from parliament earlier this year for making antisemitic statements.

Following the results, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, announced his resignation from the leadership of Homeland Union and said he was leaving politics.

Turnout on Sunday was 41.31%, among the highest for a runoff.

EVGENIY MALOLETKA / AP PHOTO

Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to journalists during an Oct. 3 news conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

MOORE SPORTS

Football regular season heads into final week

All three teams in the county have plenty to play for

North State Journal staff

HIGH SCHOOL football hits the final week of the schedule, giving teams one last chance to improve their positioning for the state playoffs. Here’s a look at where the three teams in Moore County stand going into their respective finales.

Pinecrest

The Patriots are in the best shape heading into their last game. Pinecrest beat Hoke County, 46-26, last week, extending its winning streak to four. The Patriots rushed for 395 yards on the ground, averaging 11 yards per carry. Zymire Spencer had 244 yards and three scores, while Chris Najm added 108 and two touchdowns.

Eli Melton had two touchdowns in his three catches, and the Pinecrest defense had 13 tackles for loss.

Pinecrest is now 8-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Sandhills, good for second place. The Patriots are a game behind Richmond and could tie for first with a little help. There are also two teams a game behind them in the standings, including this week’s opponent, Union Pines.

Union Pines

A breakthrough season hit an unexpected pothole with last Friday’s 26-23 loss at Southern Lee. The Cavaliers were 0-4 in the conference heading into the game but sprung the upset, knocking the Vikings into a twoway tie for third in the league.

Union Pines was held to 101

Pinecrest senior running back Zymire Spencer (left) takes the handoff on a goal-line running play. Spencer would find the end zone for his third touchdown of the day.

passing yards and a 48.1 passer rating, completing just 11-of-20 passes with no touchdowns and an interception. Caleb Milton and Hayne Tobias each scored rushing touchdowns, and sophomore John Erguiza contributed 119 yards on kick returns.

At 6-3, Union Pines already has its best record since the 2019 season and, with one more win, would top the victory total for the last three seasons combined. Their 3-2 Sandhills Conference record has already matched the last three years’ worth of total conference wins.

The Vikings will play Pinecrest on Friday with a chance to tie for second in the Sandhills. They could also finish as low as fourth.

North Moore

The Mustangs saw their fourgame winning streak come to a halt with a 46-26 loss to Cummings on Friday. Stryker Murray had 100 yards rushing for North Moore, and Brandon Powell had

touchdowns rushing and receiving. North Moore couldn’t slow the Cummings run game, however, as the Cavaliers piled up 308 yards on the ground, including a pair of 120+ yard rushers. North Moore is now 4-5 and will play for a .500 record on Friday at Chatham Central. The Mustangs are also 4-3 in the Mid-Carolina Conference and will try to hold onto sole possession of fourth place in the league. The Mustangs have not had a losing record since 201920, which was also the last time North Moore didn’t post a winning record in conference.

Moore County Week Eleven High School Schedule:

Friday Nov. 1, 7:30 PM, Union Pines Vikings (6-3, 3-2 in Sandhills) at Pinecrest Patriots (81, 4-1 in Sandhills) *Sandhills Conference game

Friday Nov. 1, 7:00 PM, North Moore Mustangs (4-5, 4-3 in Mid-Carolina) at Chatham Central Bears (1-8, 0-7) *Mid-Carolina Conference game

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Bailea Marley

North Moore, tennis

Bailea Marley is a senior on the North Moore girls’ tennis team.

The Mustangs drew a No. 4 seed in the NCHSAA 1A dual team girls’ tennis tournament and won their first-round match over Wake Prep 8-0 and topped Bertie 6-3 in round two. Next up for North Moore is top-seeded Roxboro Community in the state semifinals.

In addition to helping the school advance in the dual team bracket, Marley and her doubles partner Leah Covington earned North Moore’s only bid in the state 1A individual championships. They fell to the eventual state runners-up in East Wilkes’ Ava Darnell and Emerson Simmons.

Reddick wins at Homestead, advances

The victory gave Michael Jordan a chance at the NASCAR title

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Michael Jordan won a championship in Phoenix in 1993. Tyler Reddick ensured that his car owner will have a chance to win another title there this year. Reddick went high and overtook Ryan Blaney on the final turn to win at Homestead-Miami to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series’ winner-take-all finale in Arizona in two weeks. Reddick led 98 of the 267 laps.

“The little kid drove his ass

off,” said Jordan. “I’m proud of him. ... He just let go and he just went for it. I’m glad. I’m glad. We needed it.”

Reddick loves Homestead, and his favorite part of the place is turns 3 and 4 — the last two turns. He might like them even more now, since that was the stretch of track that got him a title shot in a thrilling finish.

“Took a risk and it paid off,”

Reddick said. “I don’t know what else really to say. ... When the moment’s right, you can do some pretty crazy stuff over there.”

Reddick’s move at the end was the 33rd lead change of the day, a Homestead record. Blaney was second and Denny Hamlin — a part-owner of Reddick’s car — was third. Playoff drivers took

the top six spots, with Christopher Bell fourth, Chase Elliott fifth and William Byron sixth. Reddick — the regular season champion and the driver who started from the pole on Sunday, a week after he went upside down in Las Vegas — and Joey Logano now are assured two of the four spots in NASCAR’s final four at Phoenix.

“He has an abundance of talent,” Dave Rogers, the performance director for 23XI Racing, said about Reddick. “He’s determined to win. He puts the work in.”

Reddick was third behind Blaney and Hamlin going into the final lap. He went low and got around Hamlin, and the three cars settled into a straight

line along the wall before Reddick stayed high to scoot past Blaney.

“We’re going to do what it took to win this race,” Reddick said, moments before Jordan wrapped his arms around him and not long before teammate Bubba Wallace — fists high in the air like a fighter celebrating a title — came over to offer his congratulations as well. “We’re fighting for a championship.”

Reddick became Homestead’s ninth different winner in the last nine years, joining Jimmie Johnson in 2016, Martin Truex Jr. in 2017, Logano in 2018, Kyle Busch in 2019, Hamlin in 2020, Byron in 2021, Kyle Larson in 2022 and Bell last year. Logano was the only of the

eight playoff drivers who came to Homestead assured of a berth in the season finale. He spent much of the day in the middle of the pack.

The other seven playoff drivers all jousted toward the front for the majority of the 267 laps. Hamlin led with two laps to go, Larson with one lap left, and then Reddick at the end.

“Had a great shot to win, and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” said Blaney, who was also second at Homestead last year. Bell and Byron have the inside track to grab the last two spots in the winner-take-all final four, though any of the six drivers who haven’t clinched a berth yet can by simply winning at Martinsville next week.

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

TERRY RENNA / AP PHOTO

Tyler Reddick, front right, celebrates with fans at the finish line after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at HomesteadMiami Speedway.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Durant becomes 8th NBA player to reach 29,000 career points

Phoenix Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 29,000 career points, reaching the mark with 31 against the Dallas Mavericks. The 14-time All- Star now has 29,010 points over 17 seasons with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Suns. The 36-year-old has averaged 27.3 points over 1,064 games. LeBron James is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 40,543 points. Behind him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and then Durant. Durant is 10th on the combined NBA and ABA list, with Julius Erving eighth and Moses Malone ninth.

NHL Former Blackhawks forward, Hall of Fame executive Hay dies Calgary, Alberta Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay died at 88. Hay was the president and chief operating officer for the organization from 1990-95. A cause of death was not provided. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Hay “lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the very best of our sport.” Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961.

NFL Browns play-by-play announcer, TV sports anchor Donovan dies of cancer at 68 Cleveland Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports fixture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68. Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999. Donovan died at home surrounded by family. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Donovan’s impact was “immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday.”

WNBA Half dozen teams fire head coaches after season

Indianapolis The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides, who went 33-47 in her two seasons with the team, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playoffs as the sixth seed and were swept in the first round. Indiana is the sixth team to make a coaching changes this offseason, with Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington also making moves. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.

Coaches will never stop disputing penalties they disagree with

Sending plays to the league for review is part of the weekly routine for ACC coaches

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has disagreed with scores of penalties over his 17 seasons in charge. Complained about them, too. Never once did he expect to change the outcome of a game.

It’s a part of a college football team’s week, just as much as Tuesday film sessions or Friday walk-throughs are: A staff watches video of the previous game and identifies penalties they see as wrong or feel need clarification. They send those to league offices across the country, where officials review them and return answers. Will a victory be overturned? Of course not. So why do it?

“Listen, refs are people, too,” said Swinney. “None of us is perfect.”

UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. blamed an ACC crew for what he saw as a missed pass interference call on Wake Forest that stalled the Huskies’ try at tying or taking the lead late in a 23-20 defeat.

“It’s on us to play better earlier, but it would sure be nice if it was a level playing field,” Mora said in postgame comments. Steve Shaw, the NCAA’s coordinator of officials, said fans see a controversial call and think their coach will demand action. The reality is that more common plays that don’t obviously sway the final score are sent in for explanations.

“They’re usually not that highlighted,” Shaw said. “Didn’t like this hold. And what it allows is the coordinator regardless of the conference to communicate with the coach.”

ACC supervisor of officials

Yankees take flight with pitcher’s father piloting team charters

Clarke Schmidt’s father is a retired Delta pilot and Marine Corps colonel

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Schmidt family has helped the New York Yankees take off this year.

Sure, pitcher Clarke Schmidt is expected to start Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. But his dad, Dwight Schmidt, has also helped the Yankees get to this point — he’s piloting the team’s family charter flights during the World Series and has been at the controls of the club’s plane for some trips during the season, too.

“Everybody feels like the pilot’s a little bit more personally invested into the flight, so they feel a little safer,” the pitcher joked ahead of his start at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

Dwight Schmidt, 59, is a retired Marine Corps colonel and Delta Air Lines captain who has worked for the company for 25 years, handling MD-88s, 727s and 757s and 767-400s. He’s twice piloted the Yankees on road trips, including ahead of 2021’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa. Unfortunate-

ly, Clarke was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the day before that game.

“Growing up, we used to have the printout of what it was like in a cockpit in my room. So we knew all the buttons and stuff. I didn’t really know what it was. We were just messing around,” Clarke said. “I’ve flown with him a few times in smaller planes and stuff like that. And he’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.”

Dwight Schmidt arranged for Yankees manager Aaron Boone to use a Delta flight simulator during a visit to Atlanta. A landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport was programmed.

“It was really cool. Mr. Schmidt said I did a good job,” Boone recalled. “I was in there for probably 10, 15 minutes flying and then landing the plane and everything. It was something I was pretty fortunate to get a chance to do.”

Clarke Schmidt, a 28-yearold right-hander, was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts during the regular season and has a 3.86 ERA in a pair of postseason starts.

Dwight and wife Renee were at Dodger Stadium for the Series, though Clarke wasn’t scheduled to pitch.

When New York’s World Se-

Al Riveron and his team review all the issues and provide a written response within 48 hours. If there’s a play or two that coaches are still fired up about or want further clarification, Riveron is available for a call.

Pat Narduzzi, coach of No. 19 Pitt, appreciates the feedback he gets from officials on calls he disagrees with.

“We expect them to be perfect, they’re not going to be perfect, our players are not going to be perfect and our coaches are not going to be perfect,” said Narduzzi.

North Carolina’s Mack Brown, who leads all active coaches with 285 wins, said it’s an important practice because a team’s assistants and players need to know how referees are interpreting penalties.

“So if we think that’s a bad call and they think it’s a good call, then tell us how, why are we teaching it wrong?” Brown said. “And then we show it to our staff and then we show it

to our players and say, ‘Here’s what they said you did wrong.’ And we may say, ’We disagree, but here’s what they called.’” Shaw, who was SEC director of officials before moving to the NCAA, said having coaches clear the air, even on critical calls, can help teams move forward.

“It’s good dialogue,” Shaw said. “Not that they agree absolutely every time, but there’s an exchange of information.” Swinney said turning in plays brings accountability to officials, maybe ones you might see later at a league title game or College Football Playoff contest. He believes, like players who aren’t performing at a high level, officials may not qualify for postseason games if they’re making too many errors. Does the process, particularly after a loss, make anything better?

“No,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “When you lose, it stinks absolutely all the time.”

“He’s tried to kind of bestow his knowledge on me, but I was always baseball first.” Clarke Schmidt

ries family charter took off from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Dwight had Delta collectors cards ready for the kids. He landed the 757 at Hollywood Burbank Airport, the families deplaned and Schmidt flew the aircraft 18 miles to Los Angeles International Airport.

“I’ve heard a lot of really good things about the landing this time,” Clarke said. “Everyone said it’s the best flight they’ve ever been on, and they felt no turbulence.”

Dwight Schmidt planned to head to LAX with his copilot

on Sunday, fly back to Burbank, pick up the families and return to Newark.

Much of the time, Dwight Schmidt is on long-haul routes to Europe and South America. The Yankees charters are a special route.

“We bid for those, to try and get a trip,” Schmidt said. “That’s how I was able to get it.”

Clarke’s 30-year-old older brother, Clate, was a 32ndround draft pick by Boston in 2015 and spent 2016-19 in the low minors. Now he’s following his father into aviation.

“Fifteen hundred hours is what you need to be an airline pilot,” Dwight said. “Clate has just hit that. He’s been an instructor for literally the last two years and so he is now getting ready to get hired.” Clarke has no desire to join his father’s profession when he’s done pitching.

“That’s a hard no on that,” Clarke said.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the AL Championship Series.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

North Carolina coach Mack Brown says sending plays to the league to review helps his staff instruct players on how officials will call games in the future.

Joyce

Ellis Dulin

Feb. 13, 1943 – Oct. 26, 2024

Joyce Ellis Dulin, 81, of Pinehurst, passed peacefully at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Born in Asheville in 1943, she was the daughter of the late Maurice W. and Marion K. Ellis. Joy was a graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School, class of 1961. She went on to attend Appalachian State before earning her degree in Washington, D.C. Joy worked for many years as an executive assistant in both private and government sectors.

She met the love of her life, Billy Joe Dulin and they married in 1983. After Joe retired from the Air Force, his work would move the couple to Singapore; Joy and Joe made many lifelong friendships throughout their years of world travel.

With Joe’s retirement in 1988, they relocated to Pinehurst, NC to be closer to Joy’s mom and step-father Calvin Chandler. Joy enjoyed golf, swimming, reading, and was deeply devoted to her “girls” pups Darcy and Betty Sue. For a time Joy volunteered with her dog Suni at a local school, encouraging children to become more interested in reading.

In addition to her parents, Joy is preceded in death by her husband Joe Dulin and brother Stephen Ellis. She is survived by her brother Baxter Chandler (David), step-daughter Dandy Korzeniewski (Bob), niece Jenny Richards (Larry), great nephew Stephen Richards, cousin/best friend Ann Gudger (Harrison).

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: FirstHealth Hospice Foundation: 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 firsthealth. org/foundation-of-firsthealth/ make-a-donation or Asheville Humane Society 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville NC 28806. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

Mary Lee

June 25, 1930 – Oct. 25, 2024

Mary Lee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 25, 1930. She graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland in 1948 and attended Western Reserve University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. In 1960 she married Paul F. Lee and moved to Shalersville, Ohio. In 1964, she completed coursework for a degree in education at Kent State University and taught English and Social Studies in the Portage County School system for 12 years. In 1976 she accepted an assistantship at Kent State University and taught English to pursue graduate study. She earned a Master’s degree in 1977. She continued graduate work as a Teaching Fellow at Kent State University until 1984 and was an instructor of English until 1986. She retired to Whispering Pines, NC in 1993 and devoted much of her time to volunteer work at Farm Life Elementary School, the Coalition for Human Care, the Southeastern North Carolina Radio Reading Service as a reader for the blind, and at the Thrift Shop at Whispering Pines. Because of her interest in quilting, she became a member of the Sandhills Quilters Guild and the Friday Morning Sewing Group in Whispering Pines. She is survived by her sons, Robert S. (Isabel) Lee and Michael F. (Christine) Lee, five grandchildren, Michael J. (Amber) Lee, Katie Lee, Nicholas (Hunter) Lee, Rose (Xylindor) Freund, Trevor Lee, and three greatgrandchildren, Colton, Grayson and Emory-Jo Lee. In addition, she leaves behind her beloved canine companion of 12 years, Peat.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul F. Lee, and brother, John (Dolores) Koneval.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice House of Highpoint via their Donations page: hospiceofthepiedmont.org/ donate.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Dr. Zebedee Vance Moss

April 7, 1930 – Oct. 19, 2024

Dr. Zebedee Vance Moss, age 94, died Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation

Center in Pinehurst, NC. A celebration of his life and ministry will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, October 28 at Aberdeen First Baptist Church led by Dr. Daryl Cornett. Family visitation is at 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall before the service, with burial to follow at Bethesda Cemetery. Born in Ashley Heights, the 12th of 13 children of Debbie Lee Moss and Sarah Louise Ragsdale Moss, Zeb began his life of ministry while still in high school in Hoke County. On his second day at GardnerWebb University in 1948, he met his future wife Evelyn at Boiling Springs Baptist church. They dated all four years and were married in 1952, celebrating 72 years on August 16, 2024. After graduating from GardnerWebb University in 1950, Zeb double majored in Greek and

Michael Wayne Farison

Dec. 30, 1967 – Oct. 22, 2024

Michael Wayne Farison, 56 of Sanford, passed away on October 22, 2024, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

Born on December 30, 1967, in Finley, Ohio to the late Tommy Joe and Brenda Farison. Michael worked as a Flooring Installer for many years. He was a hardworking man who took pride in his work. He enjoyed fishing and time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sinda Farison; two sons, Kyle Farison (Hailey) and Ethan Farison (Amber); brother, Scott Farison; sister, Pamela Cooper; also survived by five grandchildren, Riley, Evelyn, Kamdyn, Jesse and Aiden. No Services are planned at this time.

Roberta Von Willer “Lynn” Taylor

Jan. 27, 1937 – Oct. 22, 2024

Roberta Von Willer “Lynn” Taylor of Southern Pines passed peacefully at FirstHealth Hospice on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Born January 27, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the only child of Harry and Roberta Von Willer. Lynn lived most of her childhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio and graduated from The Hathaway Brown School. She then attended nursing school at UNC Chapel Hill

English with a minor in Hebrew at Wake Forest University while Evelyn earned a BA at Meredith University. Zeb later completed coursework for a master’s in communications from UNC, Chapel Hill, and earned a Master’s and Doctorate of Ministry from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. He interned for a 6,000-member church in Mobile, AL, before being called as pastor for Caroleen (N.C.) Baptist Church. While there, Zeb and Evelyn felt the call to missions and sought appointment by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board (IMB), a journey chronicled in the film In the Circle of His Will.

In June 1959, they were appointed with Tom and Mary Small to serve in Northern Rhodesia as the country’s first Southern Baptist missionaries.

George Michael “Mike” Pierce

Jan. 26, 1933 – Oct. 22, 2024

George Michael “Mike” Pierce, 91, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

Born to Matilda & Fred Pierce on January 26, 1933, in Louisville, KY, and lovingly raised by Beatrice Pierce where he grew up in Taylorville, Illinois.

After graduating high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge. Mike began his career in Civil Service in Pueblo, Colorado, where he worked for over 35 years, eventually moving to Joliet, IL, and Chambersburg, PA, before retiring in 1989. Shortly after retirement, he relocated to Pinehurst, NC with his loving wife, where he enjoyed more rounds of golf than one could count

where she met her husband of 59 years, Jack Taylor, Jr. and they married December 28, 1957. They started married life in Washington, DC when Jack was based at Andrews Airforce Base and Lynn modeled for John Robert Powers. They then moved to Boston, MA while Jack pursued his MBA at Harvard University. They started a family of three girls and moved to Albany, Georgia, New Rochelle, NY, and Wilson Point, CT before moving back to the Sandhills in 1971. She was a staunch Patriot and loved her country. In her earlier years she was a Girl Scout leader and enjoyed teaching young women. Lynn was a talented decorator and owned Brick Market Square, an antiques and interiors business in downtown Southern Pines. She graced many homes in the Southern Pines area with beauty and great attention to trims, fabrics, and wallcovering. She loved looking for inspiration at design centers in New York, Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA and would drag her sometimes unwilling daughters along. She was committed to her family and hosted decades of memorable holiday dinners at their homes in Southern Pines and Pinehurst. She dedicated years to serving as nanny to 5 of her

After intensive language training, they focused on evangelism, church building, and discipleship through Zambian independence in 1964 to the early 1970s. Zeb and Evelyn were instrumental in developing a now worldwide series of Bible correspondence courses, founding a Baptist Seminary and more than 4000 Southern Baptist affiliated churches. In 1973 Zeb was appointed media consultant for Baptist work in 31 African countries and published a book on media missions, “Missions Alive”. International tensions necessitated their move to Malawi, and then Kenya where he also assisted Samaritan’s Purse with feeding and outreach efforts in war-torn Somalia. In 1993 they moved to Zimbabwe before retiring in 1997. Even then, Zeb and Evelyn continued to serve, leading two

and celebrated multiple hole-inones. As a gifted craftsman, Mike enjoyed customizing & repairing golf clubs for others to enjoy but wouldn’t give too much advice on the golf course. His friendly demeanor, quick wit, and radiant smile could be enjoyed on the back porch as the sun set most evenings with a good cigar & a bourbon.

Mike is survived by his wife, Louise “Weezie”; son Mike (Joanne) Pierce II; favorite daughter Carey (Steven) Ortman; stepdaughters Leslie (John) Pogue and Kellie (Bob) Hollenshead; 12 incredible grandchildren: Tobia Pierce (Jason Baker), Tryna (Tim) King, Michael (Heather) Pierce, Christina (Jack) Nakanishi, Sam (Lisa) Ortman, Daniel (Autumn) Ortman, and Stephanie (Robbie) Grosso, ; along with 23 delightful great-grandchildren: Taylor, TJ, Timothy, Mitch, Jackson, Carter, Jack Jr., S.J., Vance, Owen, Colin, Broden and Hayden.

He is also survived by his spirited sister, Jean (Don) Williams.

Mike was preceded in death by his son David Allen Pierce and brother Tony Pierce.

On Wednesday, October 30 at 11 a.m., a funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 300 Dundee Rd., Pinehurst, NC, with visitation beginning at 10 am. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

grandchildren in Cary and Raleigh, NC. Lynn loved playing golf, painting, gardening, and was an avid UNC fan.

A devoted Christian, she and her family attended Emanuel Church in Southern Pines for many years where she taught Sunday School. She then became a founding member of Christ Church, Anglican in Southern Pines where she served on the altar guild.

Lynn is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Webster (John), Suzanne Crawford and Melanie Taylor - all of Southern Pines and Pinehurst, grandchildren Wallace Kirk Crawford, Jr., Jennifer Terrell Broker, Jonathan Andrew Broker, Taylor Moore Crawford, Catherine Elizabeth Seifert, Sarah Ashcraft Seifert, Lydia Jane Seifert and Peter Von Willer Seifert, and great grandchildren Charlotte and Moore Crawford.

Her funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at Christ Church, Anglican on Saturday, October 26, followed by a graveside burial at Bethesda Cemetery in Aberdeen. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be most welcome to Christ Church, Anglican or FirstHealth Hospice. Service arrangements are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

short-term mission trips to Africa, and as interim pastor for seven churches in the Sandhills Baptist Association in Carthage, N.C. Into his 80s, Zeb remained active at Aberdeen First Baptist Church and as a Chaplain at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Zeb is survived by his beloved wife Evelyn, daughters Dr. Lynn Moss and Suzanne Moss Mullen, (Dr. Patrick Mullen) and grandchildren Erin Bean and Daniel Mullen, (Dr. Clare Mundy). In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are requested to Aberdeen First Baptist Church to support the Zeb and Evelyn Moss Seminary Scholarship fund either by check or online through the link: https:// tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/ give-one-time/4352564. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

STATE & NATION

Poll: Voters concerned about violence, efforts to overturn election

Results from an AP-NORC poll highlight worries surrounding this year’s races

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ac -

cording to a new poll, American voters are approaching the presidential election with deep unease about what could follow, including the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn the election results and its broader implications for democracy.

The findings of the survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, speak to persistent concerns about the fragility of the world’s oldest democracy, nearly four years after former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results inspired a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

About 4 in 10 registered voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about violent attempts to overturn the results after the November election. A similar share is worried about legal efforts to do so. And about 1 in 3 voters say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about attempts by local or state election officials to stop the results from being finalized.

Relatively few voters — about one-third or less — are “not very” or “not at all” concerned about any of that happening.

Trump has continued to lie about fraud costing him reelec -

tion four years ago and is again forecasting that he can lose this time only if the election is rigged against him, a strategy he has deployed since his first run for office. His allies and the Republican National Committee, which he reshaped, have filed lawsuits around the country that are a potential prelude to post-election legal challenges should he lose.

“I thought after Jan. 6, 2021, the GOP would have the sense

to reject him as a candidate,” Aostara Kaye, of Downey, California, said of Trump. “And since they didn’t, I think it just emboldened him to think he can do anything, and they will still stick with him.”

Trump’s wide-ranging attempts to reject the will of the voters and remain in power after his 2020 loss have led to concerns that he will again fail to concede should he lose to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters said the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once every state has finished counting its votes and legal challenges are resolved, including about 8 in 10 Republicans. But only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results and concede if he loses.

Democrats and Republicans have widely divergent views on the matter: About two-thirds

4 in 10

Approximate number of registered voters who say they are extremely or very worried about violent attempts to overturn the election results

of Republican voters think Trump would concede, compared to only about 1 in 10 Democrats.

The same concern does not apply to Harris. Nearly 8 in 10 voters said Harris would accept the results and concede if she loses the election, including a solid majority of Republican voters.

Members of both parties have broad concerns about how American democracy might fare depending on the outcome of the November election.

Overall, about half of voters believe Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. “a lot” or “somewhat” if he wins, while about 4 in 10 said the same of Harris.

About 9 in 10 voters in each party said the opposing party’s candidate would be likely to weaken democracy at least “somewhat” if elected.

Part of what divides voters on their views of American democracy is the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and who is to blame. Democrats and independents are much more likely than Republican voters to place “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility on Trump. Views about the Jan. 6 attack are not the only ones where voters split along ideological lines. Following Trump’s lead, a majority of Republicans maintain that Biden was not legitimately elected. Nearly all Democrats and about 7 in 10 independents believe Biden was legitimately elected.

Virginia asks SCOTUS to reinstate removals of 1,600 voter registrations

An appeals court confirmed an earlier ruling that an executive order by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was illegal

By Matthew Barakat and Mark Sherman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Virginia on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to allow the state to remove roughly 1,600 voters from its rolls that it believes are noncitizens.

The request comes after a federal appeals court on Sunday unanimously upheld a federal judge’s order restoring the registrations of those 1,600 voters, whom the judge said were illegally purged under an executive order by the state’s Republican governor.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he ordered the daily removals in an effort to keep noncitizens

from voting. But U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ruled late last week that Youngkin’s program was illegal under federal law because it systematically purged voters during a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the November election.

The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued to block Youngkin’s removal program earlier this month. They argued that the quiet period is in place to ensure that legitimate voters aren’t removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that can’t be rectified in a timely manner.

Youngkin said he was upholding a state law that requires Virginia to cancel noncitizens’ registration.

The ruling Sunday from the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with the judge who ordered the restoration of voters’ registrations.

The appeals court said Virginia is wrong to assert that it is being forced to restore 1,600 noncitizens to the voter rolls.

The judges found that Virginia’s process for removing voters established no proof that those purged were actually noncitizens.

Youngkin’s executive order, issued in August, required daily checks of data from the Department of Motor Vehicles against voter rolls to identify noncitizens.

State officials said any voter identified as a noncitizen was notified and given two weeks to dispute their disqualification before being removed. If they returned a form attesting to their citizenship, their registration would not be canceled.

The plaintiffs said that, as a result of the program, a legitimate voter and citizen could have their registration canceled simply by checking the wrong box on a DMV form. The plaintiffs presented evidence show-

ing that at least some of those removed were, in fact, citizens.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Alabama, and a federal judge there last week ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens.

The appeal filed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday by Virginia’s Republican attorney general, Jason Miyares, asks the high court to intervene by Tuesday. Without any intervention, the injunction issued last week by Giles requires Virginia to notify affected voters and local registrars by Wednesday of the restorations she ordered.

Miyares’ filing argues that requiring Virginia to restore the voter registrations of those who have been identified as noncitizens is a “viola-

tion of Virginia law and common sense.”

Virginia also argues that requiring these changes less than a week before the presidential election is bound to create confusion, “creating a massive influx of work for its registrars in the critical week before the election, and likely confusing noncitizens into believing that they are eligible to vote.”

The 4th Circuit opinion was written by Toby Heytens, a Biden appointee, and joined by Chief Judge Albert Diaz and Judge Stephanie Thacker, both Obama appointees.

The panel emphasized, as Giles did in her initial ruling, that the state is within its rights to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls, even during the 90day quiet period, but must do so in an individualized process rather than the systematic process relying on data transfers from the DMV.

Nearly 6 million Virginians are registered to vote.

JOHN MINCHILLO / AP PHOTO

Voters are concerned there could be violence following this year’s election, four years after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.