VOLUME 1 ISSUE 25
SUNDAY, August 14, 2016
www.NSJONLINE.com
the Sunday News Briefing
RIO 2016
Wake Forest to add beer and wine sales for home games Winston-Salem
Wake Forest University will have beer and wine sales stadium-wide for football games at BB&T Field and at LJVM Coliseum in 2016-17. Athletic Director Ron Wellman cited the success of Top Hat Tavern over the last two seasons as one of the reasons for the stadium-wide sales. Beer and wine will be for sale by Spectra Food Services at new portable sales points and signature concept stands. Beer only will be at permanent concessions. The school is adding extra security and wristbands required for purchase.
Judges panel rules NC legislative maps unconstitutional Raleigh
November elections will move forward under the state Senate and House legislative district map drawn in 2011, but it must be redrawn during the next legislative session, a three-judge federal panel ruled Thursday. The judges said that 28 of the 120 state districts were unconstitutionally drawn using racial gerrymandering; however, they said that they did not find any evidence of political motivation for the district lines, and noted that the lines appear to be a part of an effort by legislators to fully comply with the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Trump volunteer says former NC campaign manager pulled a gun on him
Charlotte A Trump volunteer is suing the campaign’s former N.C. manager, Earl Phillip, claiming he pulled a handgun on him following a campaign event in February. In a suit filed Thursday Vincent Bordini alleges that Phillip held a gun to his kneecap while he drove until another staffer questioned him. Bordini said he reported the incident and claims he found four other people who said Phillip had done the same thing to them. Phillip resigned from the N.C. campaign last week to become the chair of Trump’s National Diversity Coalition. He resigned from that position on Thursday. William Harding, a Charlotte-based lawyer for Phillip, called the allegations “preposterous” and said if Bordini’s claims were true, there would have been criminal action.
INSIDE
USA TODAY SPORTS images
From left, Katinka Hosszu of Hungary, Kathleen Baker of USA and Yuanhui Fu of China compete in the women’s 100-meter backstroke final on Monday during the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium. The Winston-Salem native won a silver medal with her personal best time.
NORTH
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JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
tax proposals
Trump, Clinton release economic plans
North Carolinians set pace for US Olympic swim team By Josh Hyatt North State Journal RALEIGH — The tally for the United States’ medal wins continues to rise at the end of the first full week of competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the impact from athletes with North Carolina ties is evident. As the U.S. approached the 40-medal count as of press time on Friday, N.C.-related athletes had contributed four medals to America’s overall tally. Charlotte-based swimmer Ryan Lochte earned his 12th
Olympic medal, and his first gold medal of the 2016 Olympics, on Tuesday in the 4x200 freestyle relay, along with Michael Phelps, Conor Dwyer and Townley Haas. The American swim team defeated second- and third-placed Great Britain and Japan, respectively, by a nearly three-second margin in the event. NC State’s Ryan Held also helped the U.S. men to a gold in the 4x100 freestyle relay last Sunday, along with fellow Americans Phelps, Nathan Adrian and See OLYMPICS, page A2
vote 2016
By Jeff Moore North State Journal Presidential nominees Donald Trump (R) and Hillary Clinton (D) revealed their economic plans this week in Michigan, drawing contrasts between the opponents’ tax plans in particular as they race toward the general election in November. Both candidates and their running mates have become familiar faces in North Carolina, its importance as a swing state evidenced by the candidates’ already frequent campaign stops in the Old North State. Their competing economic philosophies present voters with diametrically opposed visions on how taxes should be levied across low, middle and high income earners. Clinton’s plan Speaking in Warren, Mich., Thursday, Clinton unveiled a tax plan consistent with her campaign proposal to increase the tax rate on higher earners, coupled with an effort to change the tax treatment given to capital gains on investments. While the Clinton plan does not eliminate existing steps in personal income tax rates within the current progressive bracket structure, it does add sub-brackets that steepen the progression on the high end. To that point, the Clinton plan adds a top in-
Clinton, Trump economic visions present voters with diametrically opposed views on how taxes should be levied across low, middle and high income earners.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein will not be on the ballot in North Carolina, but is eligible to be a write-in candidate.
Dominick Reuter | REUTERS
NC presidential ballot to feature three candidates McMullin (I) will be absent from NC ballot after missing deadline By Liz Moomey North State Journal
See ECONOMIC PLAN, page A8
See American Olympic victory in golden glory. B4
RALEIGH — Evan McMullin, a former CIA officer, announced his independent bid for the November presidential election on Monday. In a letter posted on the Evan McMullin for President website, he wrote that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was “stale” and “a corrupt career politician,” and Republican candidate Donald Trump “appeals to the worst fears of Americans” and is “unstable.” “Millions of Americans are not being represented by either of these candidates; those of us who care about the strength of the
Wyndham Championship kicks off in Greensboro. B6 Sports The wonder and importance of continuing the tradition of agriculture in western North Carolina. C1 the good life
military and intelligence services find little to embrace in either Trump or Clinton,” McMullin wrote. The deadline to get on the presidential ballot as an independent candidate was Wednesday at noon. And according to Jackie Hyland, the public information officer for North Carolina State Board of Elections, the agency “did not receive any paperwork for petition candidacy from Evan McMullin and the deadline has passed.” In order to be a write-in candidate, the person seeking presidency must submit a petition signed by 500 North Carolina voters. The North Carolina ballot will include Republican candidate Donald Trump, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Voters can also write-in See THIRD PARTY, page A2
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Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign event at Trask Coliseum on the campus of the University of North CarolinaWilmington on Tuesday. Thousands inside and outside of the arena streamed in to hear the GOP presidential candidate speak along with Gov. Pat McCrory and former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani.
Republicans call for Cooper’s resignation in Charlotte On Murphy to Manteo, page A5
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THE BACKSTORY NC colleges by the numbers
By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal RALEIGH — Lauryn Sanchez is starting her first day at Wake Tech Community college on Monday. She’s weighing her options among the majors offered at the community college, like thousands of other students across the state. As North Carolina’s economy steers itself uphill with a continued focus on economic and workforce development, the North Carolina Community College System is zeroing in on students like Sanchez to fill some of high tech jobs in the state workforce. “North Carolina has been able to recruit highly skilled industries, especially in the biotechnology network. In order to have degreed scientists, for every engineer that graduates, there are seven technicians that have to be trained for that engineer. For every physician, there are 20 clinicians that have to be supported and trained through the community colleges,” said Dr. James C. Williamson, president of the N.C. Community College System. There are 58 community colleges in North Carolina with a total of 100 campuses allowing access to a community college education for every resident in the state within a 30-mile radius. The state’s community colleges serve approximately 740,000 students in the 2015-2016 academic year. Forty percent of wage earners in N.C.
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North State Journal (USPS PP 166) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Managing Editor Drew Elliot Opinion Editor Will Brinson Sports Editor Jennifer Wood Features Editor Published each Sunday by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Inquiries: 866-458-7184 Annual Subscription Price: $260.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North State Journal, 819 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
“Enrollment decline is not a bad thing because we have educated those people and they are contributing citizens in North Carolina. We have fulfilled that part of our mission.” Dr. James C. Williamson, president of the N.C. Community College System
have received education or training at one of the state’s community colleges during the last 10 years, according to a study conducted by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). This accumulated contribution of former students totaled $19.6 billion in added state income which is equivalent to creating more than 322,000 new jobs. When the alumni impact, campus operations, construction and student spending are added together, the community colleges have a total impact of $21.5 billion on the state’s economy. “When any decision is made in this state related to economic or workforce development, we should be so top of mind that if a group of people are sitting around a table and we aren’t represented, then they stop the meeting and say, ‘we can not do this without the community colleges,’” said Williamson. The Community Colleges’ commit-
OLYMPICS from page A1 Caeleb Dressel. The U.S. narrowed out France in the event by less than a second. Charlotte-based swimmer Jimmy Feigen assisted the team in placing during one of the 4x100 freestyle relay heats and thus earned a gold medal for his contributions. For more on Held, check out the Wolfpack swimmer’s feature on B1. Winston-Salem born and raised swimmer Kathleen Baker snagged her first-ever medal on Monday with a silver medal finish in the 100m backstroke. Baker finished just three tenths of a second behind Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu and one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Canada’s Kylie Masse. Katie Meili, another Charlotte-based swimmer, earned a bronze medal in the women’s 100m breastroke event, finish-
THIRD PARTY from page A1 Green Party’s Jill Stein. Other states have different deadlines for petitioning candidacy, and on Thursday McMullin’s campaign announced his name would be on Colorado’s ballot and others were to follow. “Our campaign is a little over 72 hours old, and as our online community, small-dollar donations, volunteer base and media presence has exploded, we’re thrilled to announce Evan is on the ballot in Colorado,” said chief strategist Joel Searby. “Colorado is the first of many states to come as our ballot access program kicks in to high gear and Evan takes his message nationwide.”
ment to the state includes NCWorks Customized Training; a program designed to educate, train and provide support services to businesses and industries both new and existing. By the numbers, the colleges have served 861 companies, 92 percent of which are advanced manufacturers, with the training of 36,833 employees. “Commitments have been made that North Carolina will produce highly qualified employees for new and expanding industries and the way to do that is through the community college system,” said Williamson. “Since we made that commitment, we have to have the fiscal resources we need in order to fulfill that mission.” When the economy is sound, enrollment is traditionally down at community colleges because people are employed. On the flip side, when the economy is down and employment is scarce, people return to community colleges to enroll and obtain a new skill set to seek employment. “Enrollment decline is not a bad thing because we have educated those people and they are contributing citizens in North Carolina. We have fulfilled that part of our mission,” said Williamson. “Learning is a continual process; in order for existing industry to stay competitive worldwide they have to constantly invest in their workers and they do that through the community colleges.”
ing less than a second behind her teammate Lilly King who took gold ahead of Russia’s Yulia Efimova. North Carolinians have solid reason to anticipate more medals in the coming days as the men’s basketball, women’s field hockey and track and field squads will field over 20 more athletes with ties to our state, among others. The U.S. women’s national soccer team, which came into the tournament ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, were knocked out of the tournament on Friday in its quarterfinal match against FIFA No. 6 Sweden. Coached by former U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage, Sweden defeated the U.S. 3-4 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 final score and two scoreless periods of extra time. The U.S. women’s team includes six North Carolinians, five of which are UNC Chapel Hill alumnae.
According to a memo released by Searby, the campaign has five plans to compete, including conventional petition signature gathering, minor parties with presidential ballot lines, a legal challenge in states whose deadlines have passed, write-ins and/ or the complete collapse of Donald Trump. McMullin, in a letter addressed to America, said he wanted to represent citizens, which he believes is not possible under a Clinton or Trump presidency. “Like millions of Americans, I had hoped this year would bring us better nominees who, despite party differences, could offer compelling visions of a better future,” McMullin stated. “Instead,
oday’s the day: your baby is off to college. This weekend marks the first round for many of North Carolina’s colleges that have official undergraduate student move-in weekends in August. We’re looking at you, new Wolfpack, Seahawks and Mountaineers members. For the parents experiencing the day they’ve been dreading (or looking forward to) for 18 years, or those expecting to soon, we’ve collected the following data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard to juxtapose the average annual cost, salary after attending, and typical total debt incurred for students who already graduated from 10 of N.C.’s popular institutions. Is your kid getting the biggest bang for the buck? You be the judge. Note: The U.S. Dept. of Education determines “average annual cost” as the average annual net price for federal financial aid recipients, after aid from the school, state, or federal government. For public schools, this is only the average cost for in-state students. For “salary after attending,” the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid, at 10 years after entering the school. “Typical total debt” is the median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who completed school; this figure includes only federal loans and excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is currently working to pass legislation to make the nation’s college data more robust via H.R. 3178, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act. “This bill will improve the information students and their families need to make smart decisions about their education, providing a more complete picture of student populations on our nation’s college campuses,” Foxx said on June 22 during a committee markup of the bill. “It will also begin to streamline the overwhelming maze of information currently provided to students and families at the federal level.”
Average annual cost $16,547 National average
$16,54
$16, Nationa $16,547
NC State $13,164 NC State $13,164 NC State $13,164 UNC Charlotte $12,268 UNC Charlotte $12,268 UNC Charlotte $12,268 East Carolina $14,059 East Carolina $14,059 East Carolina $14,059 Central CentralCC $11,296 6 Piedmont $11,29 Central Piedmont CC $11,296 PiedmontCC CC$8,991 Wake Technical Wake Technical CC $8,991 Wake Technical CC $8,991 UNC Chapel Hill $13,322 UNC Chapel Hill $13,322 $13,322 UNC Chapel Hill$12,725 Appalachian $12,725 Appalachian Stae $12,725 Appalachian Stae $11,010 UNC Greensboro Stae UNC Greensboro $11,010 UNC Greensboro $11,010 UNC Wilmington $13,618 UNC Wilmington $13,618 UNC Wilmington $13,618 Duke $28,058 Duke $28,058 Duke $28,058
Community colleges focus on customized training
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Natio National a
Salary after attending $34,300 National average
$34,30
$34 Nationa $34,300
NC State $47,500 NC State $47,500 NC State $47,500 UNC Charlotte $41,700 UNC Charlotte $41,700 $41,700 UNC Charlotte$39,200 East Carolina East Carolina $39,200 $39,200 East CentralCarolina$28,100 Central $28,100 Piedmont CC Central Piedmont CC $28,100 Wake Technical PiedmontCC CC$31,300 Wake Technical CC $31,300 Wake Technical CC $31,300 UNC Chapel Hill $50,400 UNC Chapel Hill $50,400 $50,400 UNC Chapel Hill$36,600 Appalachian $36,600 Appalachian Stae $36,600 Appalachian Stae $37,000 UNC Greensboro Stae UNC Greensboro $37,000 UNC Greensboro $37,000 UNC Wilmington $38,700 UNC Wilmington $38,700 $38,700 UNC Wilmington$76,700 Duke Duke $76,700 Duke $76,700
EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
By Josh Hyatt North State Journal
Natio National a
Typical total debt NC State $20,500 NC State $20,500 NC State $20,500 UNC Charlotte $23,005 UNC Charlotte $23,005 UNC Charlotte $23,005 East Carolina $23,766 East Carolina $23,766 $23,766 East CentralCarolina$9,500 Central $9,500 Piedmont CC Central $9,500 Piedmont CC $13,722 Wake Technical CC Piedmont CCCC $13,722 Wake Technical Wake Technical CC $13,722 $15,906 UNC Chapel Hill $15,906 UNC Chapel Hill $15,906 UNC Chapel Hill Appalachian $19,526 StaeAppalachian $19,526 $19,526 Appalachian Stae $22,500 UNC Greensboro Stae UNC Greensboro $22,500 UNC Greensboro $22,500 UNC Wilmington $20,624 UNC Wilmington $20,624 UNC Wilmington $20,624 $6,500 Duke $6,500 Duke $6,500 Duke
Faculty and students come and go a week before classes start in the Student Services Center on main campus of Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh on Thursday.
we have been left with two candidates who are fundamentally unfit for the profound responsibilities they seek.” Rachel Mills, the national press secretary for the Libertarian Party, stressed voters should not support a candidate they don’t like. “It’s important to not add to the mandate of someone that you don’t agree with,” Mills said. “Do not give them your mandate. If Gary Johnson doesn’t win, the worst possible outcome in my mind is Hillary or Trump with a high percentage of the vote.” Mills said their candidate hoped to add other choices for voters. “They should explore their
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
other options instead of staying at home or writing in Mickey Mouse,” Mills said. When asked about her thoughts about whether McMullin would take away voters from Johnson nationally, Mills replied saying, “Best of luck to him. I’ve never heard of him.” According to the Public Policy Polling in North Cartolina, Gary Johnson is polling at 7 percent and Jill Stein is at 2 percent. McMullin was not included. If a third party candidate polls at 15 percent or higher they can join the two major parties on the debate stage. The ballots will be available by Sept. 9 for military and overseas voters.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY Sweet on Greensboro’s Mother Murphy’s
Mother Murphy’s in Greensboro provides its clients with the sweet flavors you find in many products.
Triad company provides flavoring for everything from cakes and cookies to liquors and doughnuts By Cory Lavalette North State Journal GREENSBORO — Whether you’re indulging in a moist slice of cake, munching on your favorite snack cookie or looking to fight off a cold, you’ve probably experienced one of Mother Murphy’s sweet flavors. The family owned and operated Greensboro flavor manufacturer has been helping companies make their products tastier for 70 years, and CEO David Murphy — a part of the second of three generations involved in the business — has been there for 42 of them. “We’re probably in about five of the aisles in the grocery store,” Murphy said. “And we do everything from ice cream to drinks to cakes, cookies, doughnuts, breads, candies and cough suppressants.” Mother Murphy’s sells its products throughout the United States and in 38 countries, employing more than 120 people between its Greensboro site and a 2,000-square foot bakery in Dallas where it helps its clients develop new products using its custom flavors. “If you’re working on a new cinnamon bun cookie, and you want someone to help you develop that product, we have a guy down there,” Murphy said. “Dean Casper, who is one of the best baking guys in the country, he will help develop the product using our flavor and he will turn the technology over. He’ll say, ‘Here’s the formula, here’s how you do it, here’s what you bake it at.’” But the heart of the business is in
Greensboro, where flavor chemists develop signature tastes that are created in several different forms — such as liquids, powders and longer-shelf-life sprays — on site to give customers the signature, consistent tastes their consumers expect. “That’s what you buy for: if it tastes the same all the time and it’s good and it’s consistent, people like that,” Murphy said. “A lot of flavors are to make products that are found in nature more consistent because you have crop variations in years because of temperatures and different things. And flavors help make them consistent for the consumer.” Speaking of crops, Mother Murphy’s is perhaps best known for its pure vanilla extract — one of two flavors, along with chocolate liquor, specified by law. “Vanilla’s the No. 1 flavor in the world,” Murphy said. “The vanilla bean comes from the orchid plant, and they’re grown within 10 degrees of the equator. And they’re hand-pollinated, so it’s very labor intensive. We make one of the highest-quality pure vanillas in the business.” Pure vanilla extract — Mother Murphy’s is made by a time-consuming slow-extraction process — requires consistency and precision, but much of the company’s business is about recreating flavors that deliver a familiar, comforting taste to the everyday people eating them. “The flavor chemists are part artist and part analyst,” Murphy said. “You have to put things together according to how you analyze. But it’s also your interpretation of, say,
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOTHER MURPHY’S
what an apple is. You might like a golden delicious, someone else might like a red. Somebody else might like a green apple.” Even the companies buying Mother Murphy’s flavorings sometimes don’t know exactly what they want. “One of the things that’s kind of funny to me is everybody wants fresh peach. ... But the reality of it is most people want a canned peach flavor when you put it in the product,” Murphy said. “They think they want fresh peach, but what they don’t know is they really want canned peaches because they’re smoother, got a little sugar to them and they’re more palatable to you.” Mother Murphy’s sends out about 9,000 samples annually, and Murphy said the company lands the job about 5 percent of the time — he estimated that’s about twice the success of the industry average. The hope is the client’s product will grow, and Mother Murphy’s grows with it. The baking industry is about half of Mother Murphy’s business, he said, but the company has still found time for some smaller projects.
“We did some of the jelly beans for the Harry Potter line,” Murphy said, referring to Jelly Belly’s book-inspired real-life version of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. “We did the baby wipes and the pencil shavings.” Growth markets like beverages, protein drinks and even liquors have expanded Mother Murphy’s reach. “The marketplace has taken us places we didn’t know,” Murphy said. “The liquor business — you’ve gotten into these flavored things that have taken us there.” The future is also in the Murphy name: the current CEO has two of his own children working their way through the ranks, plus one of his sister’s children and two offspring of first cousins. Seven decades in, Mother Murphy’s seems poised to reach its centennial guided by the family’s third generation. “The future looks bright,” Murphy said. “We’re probably in the best shape we’ve ever been in with the people we have here and the business relationships we have. There’s just a lot of opportunities.”
“One of the things that’s kind of funny to be is everybody wants fresh peach. ... But the reality of it is most people want a canned peach flavor when we put it in the product.” — Mother Murphy CEO David Murphy
WE PUT A LOT OF ENERGY INTO RENEWABLE RESOURCES. As the power providers to 2.5 million North Carolinians, the state’s 26 electric cooperatives are committed to finding innovative ways to meet member expectations. Our 18 community solar farms allow co-op members to participate in local solar generation, regardless of residential shade or site limitations. Learn more about the many services that electric cooperatives offer to help members understand and manage energy use at www.EmpowerMeNC.com.
YOUR SOURCE FOR POWER AND INFORMATION.
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North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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Rural NC schools win $1.25M grant
NC State received $45M grant from Golden LEAF Foundation
Wilkes County Communities in Schools of North Carolina and CIS of Wilkes County are two of 18 recipients nationwide that will share in $10 million from AT&T through the Aspire Connect to Success Competition. They won based on their work to deliver integrated student supports, college or career preparation, and mentoring services to boost graduation rates. CIS of North Carolina will receive $750,000 to support the Powering the Future program, serving students in six rural high schools in Conway, Littleton, Oxford, Warrenton, Weldon and Windsor, where graduation rates are below the state average and fewer than 25 percent of students are grade-level-proficient. CIS of Wilkes County will receive $500,000 to expand the Increasing Intentionality Initiative, which serves seven high-poverty, rural high schools in North Wilkesboro and Taylorsville. Of the more than 5,500 students in grades 9-12 who will be served by this expansion, 1,000-plus will receive individualized, case-managed services.
Wake County NC State announced Friday it has received a $45 million grand from the Golden LEAF Foundation to fund its Plant Sciences Initiative. According to the university, this grant will help position the state of North Carolina as a global leader for education, research and innovation in the plant sciences. The initiative is a partnership between NCSU and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The initiative will be centered around its $160.2 million Plant Sciences Research Complex on NCSU’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh. The university said the Golden LEAF grant is the largest single investment ever made in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Wilkes Journal-Patriot
Deep Woods director
arrested for sex crimes Transylvania County A Brevard camp director was arrested and charged with child sex crimes on Wednesday. Charles Edmonds Kells Hogan, who founded Deep Woods in 1970, was charged with one felony count of first-degree sex offense with a child and two felony counts of indecent liberties with a child. Deep Woods is an allboys summer camp for ages 10 to 17 and aims to give “a valuable and meaningful experience in the growth of a boy,” as stated on its website. Hogan’s bond was set at $200,000. Asheville Citizen-Times
Henderson County A passenger who was ejected from a vehicle after a wreck on Highway 191 on Wednesday has died, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol. Nicholas Brown, 19, died from injuries from the accident. Sgt. Brent Hipp said Brown and the driver, Violetta Ostapovica, were not wearing seat belts. The car veered off the road, hit a tree stump and flipped several times. Hipp said he suspects Ostapovich will face charges. There is no word yet of what caused the crash. Blue Ridge Now
Asheville planning welcome
NC State University
for Olympic cyclist Bookwalter Buncombe County Asheville cyclist Brent Bookwalter’s trip to Rio de Janeiro may not have ended as intended for the Olympian, but his community back home is waiting patiently to give him a warm welcome when he returns. According to reporting from the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Asheville community is proud of the athlete and the cycling community especially is waiting to celebrate his return. Bookwalter competed in both the men’s individual time trial and the men’s road race in the road cycling category as one of only two Americans, along with Taylor Phinney, selected to compete in road cycling races in Rio. Bookwalter placed 16th in the road race and 23rd in the time trial. He also participated in his fourth Tour de France earlier this year. ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES
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By Brett Honeycutt North State Journal
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Clinton campaign opens six field offices across NC Wake County Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign opened field offices across the state this week with just three months to go before the November presidential election. The campaign opened offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Asheville and Wilmington. Democratic members of the N.C. House and Senate were on hand for their local office opening, all with a coordinated message promising volunteers that Clinton’s 100-Day Jobs Plan will bring 325,000 jobs to North Carolina. Among the speakers were U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C. 12), Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Mecklenburg), Sen. Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg), N.C. Rep. Chris Sgro (D-Guilford), candidate for N.C. Treasurer Dan Blue III and candidate for N.C. Lt. Governor Linda Coleman.
resort development industry. The water park will include multiple water slide complexes, wave pool, adventure lagoon and lazy river. The attraction will be designed and built by ADG and is scheduled to open in 2017.
Brunswick
east NC boy contracts La Crosse virus from mosquito bite Anson County A boy from Burnsville, N.C., is reportedly fighting for his life at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte after he contracted the La Crosse virus from a mosquito bite. According to reports, 11-year-old J.J. Wise got a headache in June that did not cease. Reports from WSOC TV say the boy started talking nonsense and also had a manic episode. Following several visits to hospitals for testing, it was discovered Wise had contracted the La Crosse encephalitis virus and enterovirus. Wise suffered from a stroke and was placed into an induced coma. The La Crosse virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, can be much more serious than Zika, especially in children under 16. Reports say his family hopes Wise will be out of the hospital in a couple of weeks but will need years of outpatient therapy. WSOC TV
The Outer Banks Sentinel
DOT project to ease road congestion Brunswick County The state DOT’s road project aims to lessen congestion at busy intersections in southeastern Brunswick County. The $20 million project will bring interchanges to N.C. 211’s intersections with Long Beach Road and with Midway Road/E.F. Middleton Boulevard. Once the overpasses are completed, drivers will have a smaller wait time as they enter and exit Oak Island and Southport. The Star News
OBX waterpark slated for 2017 opening Currituck County In lower Currituck County, two miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge, plans are confirmed for the development of an 80-acre water park, according to the designer, Aquatic Development Group, Inc. (ADG). Development of the site will be spearheaded by OBX Waterpark Adventure LLC, newly owned by Arthur Berry III and Kenneth Ellis, both 25-plus year veterans in the water park and
Autism Society of NC opens new facility Carteret County The Autism Society of North Carolina has opened a Social Recreation Program in Newport with funds from Trillium Health Resources. The new 3,500-square foot building, located at 113 Roberts Road, is one of four new facilities of its kind in Eastern North Carolina. Young people from ages 4 to 22 in Craven and Carteret counties who are on the autism spectrum will be served through this program. The number of children with autism has grown by one half in North Carolina in the last five years. In nearby Craven County, the number has grown from 196 in 2010 to 293 in 2016. There are currently 16,275 children with autism in North Carolina; an increase from five years ago when there were 10,664.
CHARLOTTE — Resign or pay back the people of North Carolina. That was the clear message North Carolina congressman Richard Hudson and North Carolina representatives Larry Pittman and Scott Stone wanted to send North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper on Thursday. It was a strong statement from the three Republicans, who stood in front of the U.S. District Courthouse as they went over statistics and what other states had done in relation to North Carolina’s voter ID law, which was struck down in a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on July 29. After the ruling, Cooper said he would no longer defend the law in court. “Cooper’s own political agenda, frankly he’s been running for governor since his last re-election, coupled with his refusal to do his job, has cost the taxpayers of North Carolina almost $9 million, because we’ve had to hire other lawyers to do the job the people elected Roy Cooper to do,” said Hudson, U.S. Congressman for North Carolina’s 8th District. “He doesn’t get to pick which laws he’s going to defend or not defend. His job is to defend the laws passed by our legislature. … He needs to do his job or resign. “The sad part is that if the attorney general were to resign, I’m not sure the people of North Carolina would even notice, because he hasn’t even been doing this job.” Stone was just as pointed in his comments. “We need Attorney General Roy Cooper to be a full-time attorney general, not a part-time attorney general,” said Stone, who represents South Charlotte and southern Mecklenburg County in District 105. “We need him to enforce the laws, prosecute the laws, the way they’re written, without his personal biases, and he needs to just do this job. … It’s just him picking and choosing which laws he, as an attorney general, is going to follow and actually implement.” Stone also cited a current case in Texas, which he said was settling a case with the federal government, and which he used to show that North Carolina’s voter ID law was constitutional. “In that lawsuit, the government has been saying that you need to do
certain things to make your law legal, and they pointed to North Carolina law as examples to what they need to do,” Stone said. “For example, they needed to do a longer rollout period, they need to put some money behind it to make sure there was voter education. Texas didn’t do that, North Carolina did. When the courts are now pointing to the fact that North Carolina is doing something Texas wasn’t, that is an example of why our law is not only constitutional, but is appropriate.” Pittman cited statistics that he said showed at least 75 percent of North Carolinians, “including the majority of Democrats, support the voter ID law because it’s common sense legislation to promote honest elections, integrity in our election system.” “We’ve been accused of passing this bill, this law, in order to suppress minority vote. Nothing could be further fromthe truth, and it’s utterly ridiculous. As a matter of fact, an editorial in the National Review pointed out that the voter participation among minorities has actually increased since we implemented this law. … If we want to suppress anything, it would be voter fraud, you know, dead people voting.” Pittman then injected some humor as he recalled a story that famous country comedian Jerry Clower had once shared about Marcel Ledbetter, a family Clower used in his routines. “Marcel got a job as a deputy sheriff, and it’s getting close to the election, and the sheriff had him out in the graveyard one night writing down names,” Pittman said. “And they got halfway through the graveyard and sheriff said, ‘Marcel, we have enough names, let’s go home.’ And Marcel said, ‘Nothing doing, the people on that side of the cemetery have as just much right to vote as people on this side, we’re going to stay and take every name before we leave.’ That’s kind of what it’s like.” Pittman ended with an analogy, and calling for Cooper to step down. “If you hired a lawyer personally to represent you, and he started arguing the case for the other side instead, I believe you would probably fire that lawyer, not give him a higher position, and you would probably want the money back that you paid him. So I feel like if Roy Cooper’s not going to do the job that he’s been given to do, then maybe he should step down instead of seeking a higher position.”
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north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor EDITORIALS | RAY NOTHSTINE
Cold War echoes from a pool It’s probably of little coincidence that while Vladimir Putin seeks to expand his empire across Europe and the Middle East, Russia was recently caught engaging in statesponsored doping of athletes.
Before and after Indiana’s Lilly King won the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke in Rio de Janeiro, she made a point of taunting Yulia Efimova, her Russian opponent. King mocked Efimova’s finger wag after the Russian won her heat in the semifinals. “You wave your finger No. 1 and you’ve been caught drug cheating? I’m not a fan,” King said to NBC after her race. Efimova has been caught doping twice, most recently in March. Her suspension has been put on hold while the International Swimming Federation researches her positive test for a banned substance named meldonium. Efimova, who was booed by fans and taunted by King, broke down in tears after the race. NBC, for the purpose of ratings, only fed and relished in the feud. Some viewers might have perceived King as a brat or a poor sport, but doping is a major issue in international swimming with a long and consequential history. Over a hundred Russians from the Olympic team are banned from competing in the games in Rio. King’s comments, however, helped to recall old rivalries with the former Soviet Union and a time when Olympic sport was often used as a moral tale for world affairs. It’s probably of little coincidence that while Vladimir Putin seeks to expand his empire across Europe and the Middle East, Russia was recently caught engaging in state-sponsored doping of athletes. The former Soviet Union was once a global superpower that had the free world on edge, but NATO has gobbled up many of its former satellite states. Putin, of course, wants to restore Russian dominance and reignite the Cold War. International athletic dominance is just one visible way to do that. The international rivalries were indeed starker in the Cold War era, often making for exciting matchups between what was generally viewed as the American everyman or woman versus Soviet athletes who trained like machines while being supported by the full power of the state. (See “Rocky IV.”) A lot has changed in the world since the fall of the Berlin Wall. After the collapse of what Ronald Reagan once labeled “the evil empire,” Francis Fukuyama published “The End of History and the Last Man,” an essay where he proclaimed a final victory for the world of democratic-capitalism. In 2009, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton presented Russia’s foreign minister with a red button with the word “reset” on it. The gift was meant to symbolize a new start in American-Russian relations but the word printed on the mock nuclear button was incorrect and translated more accurately as “overcharged.” The typo was guffawed by Clinton and State Department officials. The other major candidate in the election, Donald Trump, has criticized the NATO alliance and has observed America bares most of the military and financial burdens of the treaty. Most citizens in Western Europe are against being involved in any sacrifice or defense of Eastern Europe from Russia. Trump himself has been lambasted for his frequent praises of Putin while blaming the Russian president’s aggression on President Barack Obama’s weakness on the world stage. In an interview on Tuesday, Russia’s Efimova accused King of trying to ignite the Cold War again. In a way, she’s right. King’s brashness had the intended affect of blowing up the issue of Russian doping and her comments reflected the kind of moral absolutes that were better known during the Cold War. King even said she believed her statement was made on behalf of the United States and other athletes. King, whether she intended to or not, gave Americans a welcomed glimpse and nostalgic look at when the U.S. and the Western world once had enough purpose and courage to stand up to the Russian Bear.
visual VOICES
BE IN TOUCH Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjvonline.com or 819 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, N.C. 27603. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
EDITORIALS | DREW ELLIOT
Who was in control at the top of Foggy Bottom? The State Department emails reveal a relationship between the Clinton Foundation and the State Department that was not just about access. It was about control.
Hillary Clinton’s email scandals keep getting worse for her campaign. But the latest episode is not just more of the same. In fact, it provides a glimpse into why Clinton tried so hard to shield her own secrets from public view even if it meant putting the nation’s sensitive information at risk. After a lengthy court battle, the anticorruption group Judicial Watch finally gained 296 more pages of records from the State Department’s Foggy Bottom headquarters in Washington. Publicly released Aug. 9, the document dump includes emails between senior Clinton aide and confidante Huma Abedin and a Clinton Foundation top official that reveal the depth of the Clinton machine’s meddling in official matters. But as usual with political scandals, there are two aspects to the email controversy: the corruption itself and the cover-up efforts. In another testimonial to the “most transparent administration in history,” Judicial Watch had to go through the courts to retrieve the emails. The documents should have been released in 2015 following a Freedom of Information Act request from the group, which is led by conservatives but has advocated for openness from administrations of both parties. Judicial Watch had asked for all work-related emails Abedin sent or received from January 2009 through February 2013 from her non-governmental email address. (Abedin, of course, should not
have been conducting public business on a “non-gov” email account.) To recap: Judicial Watch needed to go to court to prevent the State Department from breaking federal law to hide emails from an account that a senior official at that department created to avoid having to release them under that law. Transparency indeed. All that deviousness aside, what do the emails show? They show the long arm of the “nonprofit” Clinton Foundation, an outfit that has raised billions of dollars worldwide as fuel for the Clinton political machine (and probably some philanthropy as well). One State Department email exchange in particular, between Abedin and Doug Band, a top official at the Clinton Foundation, has the Clinton campaign cringing. It involves getting special treatment for a foreign Foundation donor. “We need Gilbert Chagoury to speak to the substance person re Lebanon,” Band wrote in 2009. “As you know, he’s a key guy there and to us and is loved in Lebanon. Very imp.” Perhaps the most disturbing part of the Chagoury email exchange is Band’s tone. He’s giving direction to Abedin, not merely asking for assistance. It’s a superior talking to an inferior. When Abedin says she will talk to Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon at the time, Band writes back 15 minutes later — at 4:33 on a Saturday afternoon — “Better if you call him [Chagoury.] Now preferable”.
Chagoury, it turns out, has donated at least $1 million to the Foundation and has pledged $1 billion to the Clinton Global Initiative. We shouldn’t be too surprised here. After all, right on its website the Clinton Foundation says “We believe that the best way to unlock human potential is through the power of creative collaboration, such as connecting LebaneseNigerian billionaire foundation donors to senior American diplomats through State Department back channels.” OK, I made that last part up. But the emails reveal a relationship between the Clinton Foundation and the State Department that was not just about access. It was about control. And this is just the iceberg’s tip that we can see. If they were willing to put this kind of exchange in writing, just imagine what Clinton’s phone conversations with foreign Foundation donors were like. One would have to be incredibly naïve to believe that this scandal is not indicative of how Hillary Clinton worked in Foggy Bottom and how she would run the country. There are plenty of questions about how Donald Trump would operate as president. But it’s now abundantly clear how Clinton would operate.
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Guest Opinion | SEAN HAUGH Gary Johnson (right), Libertarian Party candidate for president, greets supporters at a rally on a college campus in Reno, Nevada on Aug. 5.
BILL PRESS
How to start a nuclear war t deserved more attention. But, unfortunately, it got lost amid all the postIconvention buzz: the announcement by 50
PHOTO BY Darron R. Birgenheier
The mind of the third-party voter
A If every presidential election is such an extreme crisis for our nation, consider that maybe we are doing it wrong.
s someone who has long been active in a party other than the Republicans or Democrats, I’m feeling more pressure than ever this year to conform to the ‘lesser of two evils’ voting strategy. I am told all kinds of reasons why it would be a disaster if either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton are elected. And they are mostly all true. If every presidential election is such an extreme crisis for our nation, consider that maybe we are doing it wrong. People who vote for a third party or independent candidate use a different decision process. Instead of simply voting for the least horrific candidate, we set standards to earn our votes. We understand that voting for evil is still evil. We require more from our politicians. If they can’t meet our standards, many of us would simply not vote at all if there aren’t alternative candidates who do. Third-party voters also are likely to see the “lesser of two evils” strategy as shortsighted. That argument necessarily focuses on this election only. However, we understand that success for a third party does not happen overnight. It takes several election cycles to build a new party to the point where it can truly compete. We vote for a third party not just to influence this election. Having more influence in the next election is just as important to us. One of the main values of a third party is that there are more ways for us to win than simply receiving the most votes. We want to change public policy. The more people vote for alternative candidates, the greater the pressure we put on establishment candidates to adopt our issues if they have any hope of winning back our votes.
One great inspiration to me is the Socialist Party of early 20th century. While I disagree with their policies, they provide a model for third-party success. They never won more than 5 percent of the vote nationally, only managing to elect two U.S. Representatives, a handful of state legislators and some Midwestern mayors. And yet today, every single plank in the 1932 platform of that party is now law of the land. Both Democrats and Republicans had to take up their issues to win back those voters. In the 21st century, I am hoping to use the same strategy for move public policy back in a more Libertarian direction. Another great value third parties offer to the process is the presentation of new ideas. My favorite example comes from my own party. In 1992, the Libertarian candidate for North Carolina governor, Scott McLaughlin, ran on a single issue: repeal the sales tax on food and clothing. Many told McLaughlin that was just another nutty Libertarian pipe dream. And yet, just five years later in 1997, both Democrats and Republicans were scrambling to claim credit for this sales tax repeal, which we continue to enjoy to this day. The most important piece of media in any election is the ballot itself. That’s our way to tell the politicians what we really want. Third-party candidates provide essential value, to help inspire the winners to pursue policies that meet a higher standard than simply being less evil. Sean Haugh, who lives in Durham, is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Columnist | SAMUEL SON
Morality is often found in compromise amilton” is a juggernaut musical currently fetching at least $700 for ‘H prime seats. It’s a civic class in hip hop, George
The Emancipation was driven by moral conviction, but also political savvy.
Washington’s cabinet argument as rap battle for the future of the fledgling American economy: Jefferson’s rural and agricultural against Hamilton’s urban and commercial. Reason in rhyme with best disses wins, which is not too far from the truth. Jefferson and Hamilton are at the opposite ends and no one wins. So they strike a compromise, both losing to win. A piece in the musical titled “The Room Where it Happens” is a retelling of that compromise over a dinner. Hamilton gets the federal government to assume state debt and tax individual states for it while Jefferson gets the capitol, destined for Pennsylvania, closer to his home on the Potomac. Historians call that dinner the “Compromise of 1790.” The current demonizing of compromise as the bane of Washington politics is a travesty, a straw man used by candidates to win cheap votes which leads to the farce of politicians running as “nonpoliticians.” To some, Mr. Trump’s non-political background and political ineptitude makes him the best politician. In previous columns I argued that conversation and compromise, the scapegoat for everything ugly in politics, is what we must get better at. My closing argument is for more compromise. Compromise is virtue, a display of strength. Compromise takes hours of talk, and energy to keep oiling tension between opposite minds. And if the compromise goes through, you have the new task of making it work, and then living with it, explaining it to your constituents. Not compromising is easier: shut your door and when it’s time for a report, sit on your high horse that you held to your ground, which is euphemism for “doing nothing.” You are lauded for laziness. If you compromise you take ownership for the decision. When negative consequences bud, inevitable with any actions in a complex society like ours, deflections won’t be available. You will have to suck it up. On the other hand, if you don’t compromise, you can wag your clean fingers at others. The only way to be clean in politics is to avoid responsibility.
Lincoln was a great compromiser, which made him a brilliant politician, which made him a great leader. We don’t associate compromising with Lincoln, imagining him holding our fracturing nation through single mindedness, fist thumping and declaring, “Union no matter the cost.” But he always knew the cost, always calculating what could be lost in order to win. Slavery was the hot topic of the presidential run of 1860 and he ran down a moderate line. Lincoln cut through the morass of moral arguments justifying slavery saying, “Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” But personal conviction is not the same as public policy, even if public policy should be grounded on personal morals. He never argued for abolishment. In a speech at New Haven, Connecticut, he explained, “We think slavery a great moral wrong, and while we do not claim the right to touch it where it exists, we wish to treat it as a wrong in the territories, where our votes will reach it.” He did not go far enough for some Northerners. He went too far for most Southerners. But he also won the confidence of enough people to win the presidency. The Emancipation Proclamation was a courageous act because it was Lincoln’s compromise with himself, going back on his own words from 1860. Today, he would have been crucified as a flip-flopper and lost the re-election. Changing position is part of the adaptability necessary for compromise. The Emancipation was driven by moral conviction, but also political savvy. It gave the Civil War a moral impetus. Men were not just fighting for the union but for freedom of all men, an American ideal. He also believed most Northerners were ready to accept what they would have rebelled against in 1860. Compromise is a practice of strength leading to a stronger union. We teach our children that a healthy family is where every person is strong enough to compromise. Why wouldn’t it be true of our republic? Samuel Son is a teaching pastor at New Life Triangle church in Raleigh and a leader in Micah Groups, a leadership formation ministry focused on justice.
senior Republican national security officials that they will not vote for Donald Trump because he “lacks the character, values and experience” to be president and because he “would put at risk our nation’s national security.” Without stating the obvious, these GOP elders — led by former CIA and NSA Chief Michael Hayden — were talking about the scary thought that Trump might actually be in a position to start a nuclear war. But, with all due respect, they miss the point. The real question is not: Should we trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes? To which the obvious answer is: “NO!” The real question is: Should we trust ANY president with the nuclear codes? And the answer to that question is also a resounding: “NO!” And yet we do, and have for over 60 years. Starting with Harry Truman, Congress has surrendered to every president the awesome, unilateral and unchecked authority to launch nuclear arms that could destroy entire cities or nations. And a decision the president can make on his or her own — with no need to consult the Pentagon, the State Department or the Congress. We know how it works from the movies: Within a few feet of the president lurks a military aide carrying the nuclear “football” — a black briefcase full of war plans, authentication codes and instructions for firing nuclear weapons. Foreign Policy magazine’s Jeffrey Lewis estimates that the entire process, from the first report of a perceived enemy attack to the last moment at which the president must act, would last eight minutes. That’s right. Eight minutes to determine whether the threat was real and whether to respond.
We don’t want Donald Trump making that decision. But we shouldn’t want any president making that decision alone.
That response, Hans M. Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists told the New York Times, could involve firing as many as 925 nuclear warheads with a destructive force greater than 17,000 Hiroshima nuclear bombs. The president also has authority to order the first use of nuclear weapons even if the United States is not under nuclear attack. Of course, we don’t want Donald Trump making that decision. But we shouldn’t want any president making that decision alone. Joe Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, told me: “The problem is not just that we could have a crazy president. It’s that we have a crazy nuclear policy.” What makes that policy especially crazy is the possibility that all-out nuclear war could be triggered by a false alarm. Don’t believe it? It’s already happened, more than a dozen times: Nuclear war nearly began in response to what turned out to be nothing but a flock of geese (1950s), solar flares (1967) or a Norwegian weather rocket (1995). Former Defense Secretary William Perry tells the scary story of being awakened in the middle of the night in 1979 by a NORAD watch officer warning him that 200 ICMB missiles were already in the air, heading from the Soviet Union to strike the United States. Before a panicked Perry could alert President Jimmy Carter, the officer called back to report it was all a mistake. Somebody had mistakenly placed a training video in the computer. Indeed, given the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons, the fallible hands we place them in and the possibility of human error, it’s a miracle we’re still here. However, there is one silver lining to the frightening possibility that Donald Trump might end up with his fingers near the nuclear button. Maybe now Congress will finally debate and decide what rules should have been put in place a long time ago. Today, no other nation would be foolish enough to launch a first strike. Even if they did, we’ve built a massive nuclear “triad” capable of surviving a first strike. So there’s no need to launch a nuclear war within eight minutes. There is, in sum, time for Congress to convene and vote on whether to start nuclear warfare, instead of letting the president alone decide. And surely, the decision to start a war that could destroy the world deserves more voices and more time. Bill Press is host of a nationally syndicated radio show, CNN political analyst and author.
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NATION& WORLD US official confirms drone strike killed regional ISIS leader
NEWS IN IMAGES
By Donna King North State Journal
ANTARA FOTO | REUTERS
Children try to push an injured and weak dolphin back into the water after it washed ashore during bad weather and high tide on a beach in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Aug. 12.
UMIT BEKTAS | REUTERS
A man waves Turkey’s national flag during the Democracy and Martyrs Rally, organized by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, Aug. 7.
AMIR COHEN | REUTERS
A girl blows soap bubbles in the early morning hours after the Perseid meteor shower in Ramon Crater near the town of Mitzpe Ramon, southern Israel, Aug. 12.
ECONOMIC from page A1 come tax rate bracket equal to 43 percent by levying a 4 percent surtax on taxable personal incomes in excess of $5 million. Further, her plan would enact the Buffet Rule, named after billionaire investor Warren Buffet, which is a 30 percent minimum tax rate for gross incomes over $1 million in an effort to deny loopholes to those high earners who may shelter income in currently available tax sheltered vehicles. When it comes to capital gains, Clinton proposes making the current flat rate of 15 percent more progressive, introducing a top marginal tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income of 24 percent. Moreover, the Clinton plan establishes a new category of medium-term capital gains taxes, for investments held less than six years, at rates between 24 percent and 39.6 percent, depending on the individual’s income level. Under the proposed Clinton tax plan, the estate tax would increase to 45 percent, while reducing the exemption level from more than $5 million to $3.5 million. The plan also limits the total value of tax-deferred and tax-free retirement accounts, as well as capping itemized deductions at 28 percent. Itemized deductions are more often utilized by higher earners, while lower income taxpayers often take the standard deduction. Finally, Clinton’s plan offers tax credits for individuals and businesses. It would enact a $1,200 tax credit for caregiver expenses to blunt the high costs associated with child care. According to the Wall Street Journal, child care costs have risen at twice the rate of inflation since 2009 and often constitute the largest monthly expense for young families. Clinton’s plan would also establish tax credits to incentivize businesses to share profits with employees and invest in paid workforce development training such as apprenticeships. Trump’s plan Trump rolled out his competing tax plan to the Detroit Economic Club, before making multiple campaign stops in North Carolina to tout his economic agenda.
PAKISTAN AND SYRIA — U.S. officials say U.S. backed troops have regained control of the northern Syrian town of Mabij after the last ISIS fighters pulled out. The ISIS fighters were reportedly using civilians as human shields according to the Syria Democratic Forces, responsible for evacuating the civilians. Afghan forces, backed by the American military, killed an estimated 300 ISIS fighters in an operation mounted two weeks ago, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said on Wednesday, calling it a severe blow to the group. The news comes on the heels of confirmation from a U.S. defense official Friday that the leader of ISIS’ branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been killed in a U.S. drone strike. The death of Hafiz Saeed Khan could strike a blow to efforts by the Middle East-based ISIS — also known Daesh — to expand its control over territory and its jihadist brand into Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also marks the second U.S. killing of a prominent militant in the region within months. In May, a U.S. drone killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a strike in Pakistan. ISIS this week took credit for an attack on a hospital that killed at least 74 people in the Pakistani city of Quetta. Khan has been reported dead before. Last year, Afghan intelligence agents claimed he had been killed, but the report was never confirmed. “I can confirm that ISIS Khurasan (Afghanistan and Pakistan) leader Hafiz Saeed Khan along with his senior commanders and fighters died in a U.S. drone strike on July 26 in Kot district of Afghanistan’s Nang-
For starters, Trump’s plan will reduce the number of personal income tax brackets from the current seven bracket structure, to a mere three brackets with rates of 12, 25 and 33 percent. The announced rates differ markedly from those Trump floated earlier in the campaign season, but still offer historically significant rate drops and bracket eliminations. On the low end, Trump’s plan raises the standard deduction, exempting the first $25,000 of income from tax liability for individuals, or the first $50,000 for married couples filing jointly. Similar expansions have happened on the state side as well. North Carolina expanded its “zero bracket” during the 2016 legislative session. For businesses, Trump’s plan drastically reduces the corporate tax rate by more than half, from the current 35 percent to 15 percent. Trump’s plan does not change the tax treatment of capital gains in terms of investment duration, but it does propose eliminating the carried interest deduction, which is utilized by many investment fund managers to pay capital gains rates on fund profits. Under the Trump proposal, investment fund profits will be considered income instead, raising the tax liability of effected fund operators. The estate tax, or death tax, on inheritance will be eliminated under the Trump plan. The maximum federal estate tax rate is currently 40 percent of assets above $5.45 million. Trump’s plan also offers American companies holding international market earnings overseas a one-time repatriation tax rate of 10 percent in an effort to encourage those companies to hold and invest those funds in the United States. According to Reuters, the 500 largest American companies currently hold more than $2.1 trillion overseas to avoid high domestic corporate tax rates. In addition, Trump’s plan would make new qualified business investments tax deductible for corporations, further reducing tax liability in exchange for domestic investments in business growth. For individuals, charitable contributions and mortgage interest deductions would remain in place under Trump’s proposal. However, the Trump plan makes child care expenses fully deductible from personal income taxes.
Rodi Said | Reuters
A civilian carries a child as he walks with others after they were evacuated by the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters from an Islamic State-controlled neighbourhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, Aug. 12. The SDF has said Islamic State was using civilians as human shields.
harhar province,” Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal told Reuters on Friday. Meanwhile, the death of a Canadian supporter of Islamic State who authorities said was preparing an imminent attack has increased calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to abandon his plan to scale back a 2015 law that gave increased powers to police and intelligence agents. Aaron Driver, 24, was killed by police in a raid last week in a small Ontario town after authorities received “credible information of a potential terrorist threat.” Police told Driver’s family that he was killed after detonating a device in the back of a cab, injuring himself and the cab driver. He was preparing to detonate another larger one when he was shot by police. News of how close Driver came to carrying out the attack sparked a call for police and intelligence officers to have
more power to stop would-be attackers. Driver was under a so-called “peace bond” that restricted some of his activities. The conditions of that bond were relaxed in recent months, including a requirement that he wear a monitoring bracelet. “They never should have varied the conditions. The second he took off that bracelet, it was over,” said a law enforcement source who declined to be named because the source was not authorized to speak to the media. “Public opinion always changes in the short term after you’ve had an attack or a thwarted attack and then after a couple months, the public has a great capacity for amnesia,” said Nelson Wiseman, director of the Canadian Studies Program at the University of Toronto. Reuters News Service contributed to this report.
Clinton’s, Trump’s proposed tax plans
HILLARY CLINTON
DONALD TRUMP
1. Adds a highest tax bracket of 43%
1. Reduce the current number of tax brackets from 7 to 3
2. Enact 30% minimum tax rate on adjusted gross income over $1 million
2. No income tax for individuals earning less than $25,000 and married couples earning less than $50,000
3. Limit the total value of taxdeferred and tax-free retirement accounts
3. Eliminate the Carried Interest Deduction
4. Establish business tax credits for profit-sharing and apprenticeships
4. Cap corporate income tax at 15% for large and small businesses
5. Enact a new $1,200 tax credit for caregiver expenses
5. Make childcare expenses fully deductible
6. Increase the estate tax rate to 45% and reduce the exemption to $3.5 million
6. Eliminate the “death tax” or estate inheritance tax
7. Increase marginal tax rate to 24% for qualified dividend and long-term capital gain income 8. Cap itemized deductions at 28% 9. Raise rates on medium-term capital gains to between 24% and 39.6%
7. Make new business investments tax deductible for corporations 8. Keep charitable contributions and home mortgage tax deductible 9. Offer American companies that moved overseas a one-time repatriation tax rate of 10%
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016
the Sunday SIDELINE REPORT
2016 RIO OLYMPICS
1. Panthers fell 22-19 to Ravens in Week 1 of preseason, but starters look sharp in limited action (read more: B8). 2. United States women’s soccer team loses to Sweden in 2016 Olympic quarterfinals, falling 4-3 in shootout and failing to medal for first time ever. 3. Simone Biles took gold in the all-around event for women’s gymnastics, narrowly beating out United States teammate Aly Raisman. 4. Simone Manuel tied Canadian Penny Oleksiak for a gold medal in women’s 100-meter freestyle, became first African-American woman to win individual Olympic swimming event. 5. Defending Super Bowl champions Denver Broncos thumped Bears 22-0 but QB race muddled.
@AlexSpeier: A few moments after fans chanted “We want A-Rod,” they get him, resulting in an outpouring of boos.
DAVID GRAY | REUTERS
Nathan Adrian, Ryan Held, Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel of the United States men’s swimming team celebrate on the podium after winning gold in the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay victory ceremony at Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
SPORTS
RIO OLYMPICS | USA BASKETBALL
By R. Cory Smith North State Journal
@Dan_Lyones76: Ryan Lochte looks like he’s in a Green Day cover band that only does songs off of Nimrod
YAN HELD wasn’t supposed to be in Rio. The NC R State swimmer needed several upsets of top American swimmers just to make Team USA for the 2016 Olympics.
@LindaCohn: Tim Tebow’s MLB tryout has reality show written all over it.
OLYMPICS
Phelps breaks records for gold medals Michael Phelps dominated everyone at the Olympics, piling up gold medals en route to becoming the most decorated athlete in American history and picking up his 22nd gold medal. Phelps won the 4x200-meter free relay, 200-meter butterfly, 4x100-meter free relay and 200-meter IM.
GOLF
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United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) lays the ball up past Venezuela power forward Nestor Colmenares (43) during the men’s basketball preliminary round in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena.
Team USA on track for third straight gold
The PGA Tour announced Thursday the final three hours of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta will be commercial-free, thanks to increased financial commitment from both CocaCola and Southern Company.
Anthony, Irving help team avoid upset against Australia
NFL/MLB
By Brian Geisinger North State Journal
Tebow taking swing at MLB career Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow informed his current employer, ESPN, of plans to try out for 30 Major League Baseball teams at the end of the month. Tebow was an All-State player in high school with a .494 batting average before switching to a full-time footbal career.
MEDIA
ESPN announcer Saunders dead at 61 Longtime ESPN announcer John Saunders died at 61. The venerable voice took over as host of “Sports Reporters” in 2001. No cause of death had been announced at the time of printing.
Held helps U.S. swimming dominate in Rio
ESPITE a scare against D Australia, the Americans remain the overwhelming
favorite to win gold in basketball at the 2016 Olympic Games. After sleepwalking through their first two games — wins over China and Venezuela by a combined 101 points — Team USA basketball faced their first scare of the Olympics against a talented Australian ball club. The Americans persevered, 98-88, but the game was close throughout. The Australians led by five points at halftime (54-49) and played a brilliant game. The Boomers got incredible looks for most of the contest, and shot 50 percent from the field (33-66). To do this against Team USA and their amoeba-like defense, which turns most opponents into salted pretzels, is quite the accomplishment. Center Andrew Bogut, last seen being removed from Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a serious
But then last Sunday he managed to more than prove his worth. In the first international swim of his career, Held came away with a gold medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay race. In the process, he captured America’s heart. Swimming on a team with Michael “Michael put his Phelps and Nathan Adrian, Held was arm around me easily overlooked as he took the starting block. But by the end of the night, and said, ‘Hey the country was falling in love with the man, don’t cry. Olympic rookie who was openly weeping This is your time. on Phelps’ shoulder during a victorious Take it all in. national anthem. “This time last year, I was honestly just Be happy.’” thinking about U.S. Nationals and hoping to make a final, never the Olympics,” Ryan Held on what Held said following the race. “[The tears] Michael Phelps told were a combination of the progression him on the podium of the last four years and thinking about everyone in the swimming community from Springfield [Ill.] to Raleigh and just remembering how much support and love they showed me.” Phelps, who was accepting his 19th Olympics gold medal at the time, made sure to give Held some words of advice before they left the stage. “Michael put his arm around me and said, ‘Hey man, don’t cry. This is your time. Take it all in. Be happy,’” Held said. That’s when the Internet exploded. Not only were Held’s social media accounts blowing up — he had less than 800 Twitter followers before last Sunday — videos and images of his tears went viral. Coming down from that high wasn’t easy for Held, who stayed up until 2 a.m. in Rio and couldn’t get to sleep. The See OLYMPICS, page B8
knee injury, was sensational. He offered not only his usual excellent rim protection, but also deft passing. When Team USA lost him on rim runs, which happened several times, Bogut punished them with slams at the hoop. As has frequently been the case with the Americans, though, they owned the glass (47-40), especially on the offensive end, and that was the difference Wednesday night in Rio. Team USA snagged 21 offensive rebounds, which gives it a total of 54 during their first 120 minutes of competition. That, along with the sensational performances of Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony, proved to be too much for Australia. Melo led the way for the Americans, splashing nine 3-pointers, and finishing with a game-high 31 points on 21 attempts. Anthony, playing in his fourth Olympics, has been having a moment this summer as the veteran statesman of the national program, which is a joy to witness. During the game, Anthony became the all-time leading scorer for Team USA (293 points), usurping both LeBron James and David RobinSee BASKETBALL, page B8
INSIDE
ROB KINNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
The PGA Tour is hitting the home stretch and that puts the 2016 Wyndham Championship squarely in the crosshairs for players hoping to improve their standing before the FedExCup begins. The Greensboro, N.C., tournament is an underrated gem on the tour, and 2016 features another star-studded field and tons of attractions for fans. Read our preview on page B6.
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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NS J beyond the box score
08.14.16
POTENT QUOTABLES
Gabby Douglas: U.S. gymnast criticized for not placing hand over heart during National Anthem. She later apologized, saying she never meant “any disrespect.” Nate Ebner: Patriots safety helped lead U.S. Men’s Rugby team to first-ever win for the team in rugby seven. Bill Belichick gave the Pats a day off to watch Ebner play on television. Deon Long: HBO’s “Hard Knocks” showed Long get cut for breaking a team rule by bringing a female visitor into his dorm room during training camp. Gregg Marshall: Wichita State’s coach was suspended for one game during the Shockers’ foreign tour after a wild tirade at a ref got him ejected from a game in Canada. David Ortiz: The Boston Red Sox decided not to give away 15,000 bobbleheads with Papi’s likeness because they were deemed too offensive.
GYMNASTICS
The U.S. women’s gymnastics team, led by Simone Biles, arguably the greatest gymnast in the world, upended the rest of the world easily and dominated en route to a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.
CHRISTOPHER HANEWINCKEL | USA TODAY
“We lost to a bunch of cowards. The better team did not win.” A frustrated Hope Solo, U.S. Women’s Soccer goalkeeper, after losing to Sweden 4-3 in a penalty-kick shootout to eliminate Team USA
MLB
DYLAN MARTINEZ | REUTERS
504 Miami Marlins’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton recorded the longest home run of the season (504 feet) against the Rockies. Stanton has more home runs of 480 feet or more (6) than anyone else in baseball, although his 2016 season has been rough as a whole.
#PHELPSFACE
VIA NBC BROADCAST | TWITTER
Michael Phelps went viral on Monday night when NBC showed footage of him snarling like a bulldog after Chad le Clos of South Africa taunted Phelps by shadow boxing and dancing.
BABY PHELPS
STEFAN WERMUTH | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
Phelps wasn’t the only grumpy one: his son, Boomer Robert Phelps, was spotted looking a little tired in the stands. Boomer was held by his mother and Phelps’ fiancée, Nicole Johnson.
August 15 - 21
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North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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GOLF
William McGirt (USA) tees off at the third during a practice round for the 145th Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon Golf Club - Old Course on July 13. IAN RUTHERFORD | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
William McGirt on his personal majors
and prepping for the Wyndham
By Will Brinson North State Journal ILLIAM McGIRT is the W rare story of a golfer bursting onto the scene in his late 30s. But the North Carolina native suddenly finds himself square in the mix for the PGA Tour postseason after winning the Memorial and scoring a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship. The 37-year-old Lumberton, N.C. native comes into the 2016 Wyndham Championship knowing a big tournament would set him up well for the FedExCup and a potentially huge pay day. But he’s also grounded — McGirt harped repeatedly on how much it means spending time with his kids instead of grinding on the range — while remaining completely candid about topics like the “goofy” rough at the U.S. Open. He came to Greensboro ahead of the Wyndham and talked about his recent success, playing at Sedgefield Country Club and much more. On what playing the Wyndham means: William McGirt: I tell people all the time we have four majors, but I have three additional majors. With [the Wyndham], Quail Hollow and Hilton Head. Being from North Carolina and living in South Carolina now, all three of those tournaments are important to me. This is the very first PGA Tour event I ever played. 2007 was the last year at Forest Oaks, and I Monday qualified, played great, missed the cut by a shot at three under par and thought ‘Hmm, these guys are good!’ Looking at the Sedgefield course: It’s a classic old Donald Ross course. Donald Ross is my favorite architect. It fits my eye. I love the shape of most of the holes. I’m pretty comfortable on any Donald Ross course — I know what to expect. The greens are always perfect. They’re not the best we putt all year, but they’re definitely top three. Guys are starting to get the message about these greens and that’s why you’re seeing the field get better and better. You can have a $10 million purse on a terrible golf course and guys don’t really want to go play it. To an extent, money has to do with where you want to go play, but we play for so much money each week, guys
William McGirt Age: 37 Hometown: Lumberton, N.C. Lives: Boiling Springs, S.C. College: Wofford Turned Pro: 2004 PGA Tour Wins: 1 (Memorial Tournament, 2016) Top Major Finish: T-10 (2016 PGA Championship) FedExCup Rank: 13th Twitter: @WilliamMcGirt want to go play where they have fun, where they enjoy the golf course. And word gets out and you’re seeing more and more top guys come [to Greensboro] each year. On playing in the FedExCup and the postseason: My short-term goal is to have this tournament and the Barclays and hopefully make the Ryder Cup team. At the start of the year that wasn’t even on my radar. But with the way I’ve played the last couple of months, that’s become my No. 1 goal. The rest of this week will not involve golf, I can
BRIAN SPURLOCK | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
William McGirt hits a tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol GC - Lower Course.
tell you that. There will be a lot of pool time with the kids. I may come up here late next week and get a little bit of work in, but the big thing is trying to get the confidence going with the putter again. It’s easy to come up here and work on the greens like they are today. It’s such a treat to come in a place where you walk on the putting green and you feel like when you set it down, if you make a good stroke it’s going in. I think the maintenance crew should be applauded for their efforts in preparing this golf course because it’s fantastic every year. On playing loose after a win: Playing loose is really good in golf. Tension is your worst enemy on the golf course. I wouldn’t say it’s house money, but there’s definitely a lot of pressure taken off by the way I’ve played earlier in the year. To know I’m guaranteed three playoff events with a really good chance at making the Tour Championship makes it easier. I’ve kind of done some rough math, if I finish 30th
in the first two FedEx events regardless of what I do here that should guarantee me getting in the Tour Championship. But I’d love to know going to the Barclays that I’ve already locked it up here. So that would mean another good week here, top five for sure. On his first trip to Europe for the British Open: Loved it. It’s my favorite tournament I’ve ever played. Not even a question. It’s a whole experience. I thought Troon was fantastic — if they had it at Troon ever year it would be fine with me. I had to play 36 holes on Friday at the U.S. Open — six or seven holes in, I looked at [my caddie] and said, ‘This is not fun.’ They say ‘U.S. Opens aren’t supposed to be fun.’ Fine, I get that. But you walk away, you ripped a shoulder out of socket, you tore a wrist up, it’s borderline goofy in my opinion. The Open Championship, when the RNA sets the golf course up … they set the golf course up and let
the weather dictate the winning score. They don’t care. They don’t go out and try to protect par. They don’t try to keep somebody from shooting a stupid number. They set the golf course up and whatever guys shoot, they shoot. And there’s no ego involved and I think it’s great. If the wind blows, 5-under might win. If the win doesn’t blow, 25-under might win. On the rough at the U.S. Open: I’m all for it being tough. I want the golf course to play hard every week. I don’t like golf tournaments where 25-under wins. If the winning score is going to be 8-12 under, I like my chances. If it’s going to be 25-under, I’m playing for 20th. I don’t make 30 birdies a week. That’s just not my game. I make a lot of pars, throw in some birdies and minimize the bogeys. When you go out there and you hit a shot that’s a little bit off and you can’t hit it 15 yards, that to me is not really golf.
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North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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2016 rio OLYMPICS
GOING FOR
GOLD Jeremy Lee | Reuters
GREATEST OF ALL TIME: The Michael Phelps Swimming Machine kept chugging along in Rio as the most decorated Olympian in history added to his embarrassment of riches by piling up gold medal after gold medal during the 2016 Olympic Games. At 31 years old, Phelps was supposed to be on the downside of his career and headed for retirement. Instead, he hopped in the pool over and over again and crushed younger athletes repeatedly. Phelps anchored the men’s 4x200 freestyle relay on its way to gold, made a statement victory in the 200-meter butterfly by humilating brash South African swimmer Chad le Clos, and helped America regain the 4x100-meter freestyle title. Stating this will definitely be his final Olympics, Phelps went out in style on the biggest stage imaginable.
Matthew Childs | Reuters
AGELESS WONDER: The day before her 43rd birthday, Kristin Armstrong won her third gold medal for Team USA. Armstrong became the first cyclist — male or female — to win three straight gold medals in the Olympics. After learning she won the gold, Armstrong collapsed and immediately embraced her 5-year-old son, Lucas, who asked, “Mama, why are you crying?” as tears of joy rolled down her face.
WAKE-UP CALL: For the first two games of competition during the 2016 Olympic Games, Team USA was on cruise control in the basketball competition. But then Andrew Bogut and Co. decided to remind the Americans there is a reason why you play the game. Australia gave Team USA the biggest scare of the Olympics thus far in a 98-88 win during their third game. The Australians led by five points at halftime of an extremely close game, but some heroics late helped America pull away. Carmelo Anthony finished with a game-high 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting. In the process, he became the highestscoring American player over LeBron James. The U.S. remains the heavy favorite in the Olympics with its next game coming against China on Sunday afternoon.
Patriotism was running high for the American Olympic competitors before the games ever began. But the first week of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro provided even more reason for excitement, as America put up a pace of medalgrabbing unmatched by every other country. Team USA saw incredible performance in many instances (many chronicled here), but swimming and gymnastics were absolutely dominant. Team USA basketball looms as another potential and expected coup for the Americans in a competitive set of games thus far highlighed in red, white and blue.
USA TODAY SPORTS images
John David Mercer | USA TODAY SPORTS images
TARGET ACQUIRED: North Carolina State student Lucas Kozeniesky (previously profiled by the North State Journal) competed in the 10-meter air rifle event at the Olympic Shooting Centre during the 2016 Olympic Games. Despite not qualifying for the semifinals, Kozeniesky represented his country and school well, serving as one of five Wolfpack athletes who competed in Rio. He was also the only non-swimmer of the group. The rising senior won the 2016 USA Shooting National Championship in late June.
Kyle Terada | USA TODAY SPORTS images
NEW TEAMMATE, SAME RESULT: Kerri Walsh Jennings remained undefeated in Olympic play despite a tough test from Switzerland in women’s beach volleyball. Quietly one of the most dominant athletes in Olympic history, Walsh Jennings is no longer teammed with Misty MayTreanor, but it didn’t seem to matter. Teamed up with April Ross, the pair looks as dominant as ever. At 37 years old, Walsh Jennings has shown no signs of slowing down despite dropping a set against the Swiss — just the second of her Olympics career.
Stefan Wermuth | Reuters
David Gray | Reuters
FAR AHEAD OF THE PACK: American swimmer Katie Ledecky won every individual event she entered, even outpacing France in the final leg of the 4x200 freestyle relay despite being down by a full body length when she entered the pool. At just 19 years old, Ledecky is the future of women’s Olympic swimming, but also very much the present. Outside of maybe Michael Phelps and Simone Biles, no Olympian was more dominant in the first week of competition than Ledecky. Expect even more in 2020.
FINGER WAG HEARD ROUND THE WORLD: You might not think about women’s swimming as a trash-talking sport. But Lilly King went in on Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova during the first week of the 2016 games. Efimova claimed she was No. 1, so King wagged her finger in Dikembe Mutombo fashion and told NBC, “You’ve been caught for drug cheating, I’m not a fan.” King then backed up the trash talk with an Olympic record 1:04.93 in the 100-meter breaststroke to win gold over Efimova and fellow American Katie Meili, who won bronze.
Mike Blake | Reuters
‘FINAL FIVE’ LEAVES NO DOUBT: Led by Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, the Team USA women’s gymnastics team put on perhaps the most dominant performance of any group at the 2016 Olympic Games. Team USA routed the competition en route to a second straight gold medal. Nicknamed the ‘Final Five’ for Martha Karolyi’s final Olympics team as well as the final year with the program
featuring five gymnasts (2020 in Tokyo will have four per team), Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian all played crucial roles in the historic win. Biles and Raisman went on to a 1-2 finish in all-around competition, respectively, establishing U.S. gymnastics as the standard bearer.
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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2016 Wyndham Championship Preview North State Journal staff
The PGA Tour returns to North Carolina from August 1522 for the 77th annual Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. This year’s field is arguably the strongest in the tournament’s history, owing to an impressive setup on the Donald Ross-
designed course and the tournament’s timing. Ryder Cup and FedEx points are at a premium and it’s worth looking at golfers who are on the hunt. The Wyndham’s been dubbed the “Most Fan-Friendly Event” on the PGA Tour, and below are a quartet of highlights for patrons to enjoy.
Rickie Fowler
brandt snedeker Since winning the Wyndham Championship in 2007, Sedgefield Country Club has been a comfortable place for Brandt Snedeker. He’s finished in the top eight three more times (2009, 2010, 2014) and can boost his soaring FedEx Cup stock with another strong performance this season. It’s been a good season for Snedeker, who won at the Farmers Insurance Open and secured five top-10 finishes, including T-10 at the Masters. If anyone knows how to work the FedEx Cup system, it’s Snedeker, who cashed a $10 million check after winning the 2012 Tour Championship. Sneds is currently top-10 for the Ryder Cup but not guaranteed a spot. A strong performance at the Wyndham could lock him into an automatic berth.
Rickie Fowler wasn’t able to recreate his 2014 major success in the last two years, but he played well enough to make the Rio Olympics and be in the mix to represent the United States again in the Ryder Cup. Fowler is 29th in FedExCup points standings so his postseason is secure. He is only 12th in the Ryder Cup standings, however. A strong showing at the Wyndham could potentially vault Fowler into the automatic Ryder Cup selection — a win would all but guarantee he makes the team rather than relying on Davis Love III to take him as a captain’s choice. Fowler struggled early at Rio (four-over through two days) but a strong effort would boost his candidacy for a captain’s pick.
Patrick Reed
webb simpson North Carolina native and former Wake Forest star Webb Simpson returns to the sight of his first PGA Tour win with a great chance to help his playoff chances. Simpson is 73rd overall and in no danger of missing the cut for the FedEx Cup (top 125 in the standings) but a win, or top-10 finish, could move him comfortably into the top-70 and guarantee a couple playoff events. Simpson likely has his eye on the Ryder Cup standings as well: he is not playing at the John Deere and was 25th overall. A big Wyndham could vault him into contention for a captain’s selection, including the final spot, chosen after the Tour Championship. Simpson is coming off back-to-back top-10’s in at the Wyndham and has two top-10’s on the PGA Tour since May.
Patrick Reed, the 2013 Wyndham Championship winner, enters this week in Greensboro fresh off an Olympic experience in Rio. Reed is also looking to secure a place on the Ryder Cup team. He currently ranks eighth in Ryder Cup points, so a strong performance for the popular youngster would put him in great position to make the squad with an automatic berth. Reed has had a great season in general, and currently sits eighth in the FedExCup points standing and 14th in the Official World Golf Rankings. While his spot in the playoffs is secure he needs points to fend off challengers for the opportunity to represent the United States again in September in the Ryder Cup.
Highlights from the ‘Most Fan-Friendly Event’ on PGA Tour Wyndham Worldwide is all about creating vacations and getaways for customers, and nothing exemplifies it quite like the Wyndham Beach, an annual staple of the tournament. Fans can score spots on the beach through Key to Wyn, Social Gallery and Tweet Patrol giveaways. The vacation from a vaction is located across from the green on No. 15.
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Located near the Sedgefield clubhouse, practice green and impressive hand-carved sand statues is the temporarily Key to Wyn building, where fans can enter for chances to visit the Wyndham Beach and net other prizes. More importantly: the structure will be donated this year to Habitat for Humanity, providing a home for a needy family.
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Margaritaville at the Wyndham opens up an opportunity for fans to spend the day watching high-caliber golf and, when the sun starts to head towards the horizon, find their way to a tent with island-themed music and frozen drinks aplenty. The biggest tented area on the course also offers up live music during most tourney afternoons.
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The Midtown Mashup launches at the Wyndham this year, incorporating the hottest cuisine out there: food trucks. Darryl’s Woodfired Grill, Marshall Free House and Burger Warfare will be featured along with Pig Pounder Beer from Squeels on Wheels. The rendering below is not to scale but the future fan enjoyment is easy to project.
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courtesy John Gillooly/Wyndham Championship
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COURTESY WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP
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courtesy John Gillooly/Wyndham Championship
rendering via kick ass concepts
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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unc football
Hollins shows off slithery, special visitors The sophomore wide receiver grabs attention at UNC’s Photo Day with two pet snakes By Brooke Pryor North State Journal HAPEL HILL — In the chaos of UNC football’s C photo day, Mack Hollins and Bug
Howard left the Kenan Stadium field and slipped into the home team’s tunnel. A few minutes later, they reemerged into the sunlight carrying a large cardboard box labeled “Frozen Meat — Rush Delivery.” Hollins gently placed the box down in the end zone and opened the flaps. Howard reached in and pulled out a white cloth bag filled with some sort of contorted object. Working with speed and precision, he uncovered the contents: a thick, brown and dark green ball python that began wrapping itself around his right wrist as it was freed from the bag. “He’s not the crazy one. That,” Howard said, turning and pointing in Hollins’ direction, “is the crazy one.” At the same time the python was coiling around Howard, a bright yellow sunglow boa with light orange spots was wriggling its way out of the box and was scooped up by Hollins. It was unofficially bring-yourpets-to-work day, and Hollins and the wide receivers were the only ones participating. “Gotta have a snake to know a snake,” Hollins shouted, proudly displaying his two-year-old boa, named Nykiti. His older brother had a snake growing up, and since Hollins wanted a pet but wasn’t thrilled with the idea of cleaning up after a dog, it only made sense for him to get two snakes of his own. “They don’t mess up my carpet,” he said. “They don’t chew up the pillows … I don’t have to feed them every day. It’s kind of convenient in situations like this where I’m at camp for two weeks straight or three weeks straight at a hotel and I’m not able to get back to the house. The snakes are going to be fine sitting there. I’ve always liked them. They’re in-
teresting to watch. It was better than the fish I used to have that got fed every day.” He doesn’t have to feed his pair of slithery friends every day, but when he does, it’s a popular event for the Tar Heels. His teammates come over for feeding days, gathering to watch Nykiti and the four-and-a-half year old ball python, called Slice, Kendrick, Gavin or Cersei depending on the day and the person, feast on frozen rats. Hollins used to splurge for live rats, but that got pricey. When his roommate vetoed a rat breeding project, Hollins turned to frozen meals. On one shelf of his freezer Hollins has the normal supply of ice cream. On the one below it? A bag of rats. “I had to go frozen,” he said. “My freezer has 50 or 60 in it. I bought individually wrapped ones, but right now they’re just all in there.” Thanks to a friend who dropped them off outside Kenan Stadium before photos began, the snakes got a rare field trip out of the house Saturday afternoon. But most of the time, they stay in their warm tank at Hollins’ place when he’s out playing football. “They need the heat when they’re sitting around,” Hollins said. “The ball python got out before. And 72 degrees to them is as if your body temp is 72. When they get outside, they can barely move after five minutes of crawling around. So I don’t bring them around hotels or anything. No snakes on the plane, unfortunately for Samuel L.” The two snakes aren’t venomous, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally harmless. Linebacker Andre Smith is a big fan of snakes, but he won’t go near Hollins’ duo. “Uh-uh,” Smith said. “He said it bit him. I’m not messing with that.” It — being Nykiti — has bit him twice, actually. But, as Hollins admits, both times were his fault. “Once on my arm and once on
Michael Switzer For Inside Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels players gather around wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) as he holds his pet snake, a sunglow boa constrictor named Nykiti. Hollins and Bug Howard (84) brought the snakes to UNC’s Media Day.
my leg,” said Hollins, describing the pain like a bee sting. “There was one time I was walking with her, and I hit her with my leg and it was like a reflex. I didn’t even feel it, I just saw her head.” Nykiti and the ball python behaved Saturday afternoon, playing their part as props in the wide receivers group photo. After all, the wideouts are the self-described ‘Freaks’ of the team, and Hollins, well, he’s their leader. “The guys are always trying to say I’m weird and something like that,” Hollins said. “My dad grew up with animals. He had a monkey, and his dad had a lion. I’ve had dogs growing up, turtles. I’ve always like animals. I don’t know if that’s weird. The other animals are where people think it’s weird. I’m always acting a fool at practice, I think that might have to do with me being weird.” Hollins, who’s suspended for the first half the season-opener against Georgia because of a targeting foul against Baylor, has
always been the loud one on the team, the most audible one on the field or sideline at any given practice. He’ll always be the loudest, but with the graduation of vocal leaders Marquise Williams and Landon Turner, Hollins’ words will do more than just energize the team this season. “I guess it kind of just slowly got put on my shoulders as Quise and Landon and all those guys kind of faded out,” said Hollins, who hauled in eight touchdowns and averaged nearly 25 yards per reception last season. “I’ve always been the louder guy and had fun at practice making noise. It’s always something I’ve been able to do. Now having it put on me, it’s not really any different. “I’m acting the same, but there is a bit more responsibility, where what I say to guys has more influence on, if I yell at a guy, he’ll take it more than two years ago if I yelled at a guy or corrected a guy. That type of thing. It’s a little bit more responsibility but I feel
like I’ve been in the same role for a while.” Hollins’ personality hasn’t changed since he arrived at UNC as a walk-on prior to the 2012 season, but his profile has risen dramatically since he began earning more playing time as a wide receiver in 2014. After a season as a special teams captain in 2013, Hollins broke out with 635 receiving yards in 2014 and earned an All-ACC honorable mention nod. He made a name for himself with unbelievable catches on deeply thrown balls. He continued to turn heads with more of those catches last season while averaging 53 yards per game and is poised to continue improving this season with junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky under center. No matter if he’s on the sidelines, in the game or even posing with his snakes, there’s no doubt that Hollins is going to have a loud, attention-grabbing senior season.
Duke football
Upgrade in recruiting hasn’t changed Duke’s personality By Shawn Krest North State Journal urham — Recruiting used to be so easy for Duke’s David D Cutcliffe.
Each year, on national signing day, he dropped the same line to sum up his approach to the recruiting trail. “We’re looking for two and three-star recruits that play like four and five stars,” he said. DeVon Edwards, an unheralded high school player who has become an All-American return man and starting defensive back with the Blue Devils, was the perfect example of the Cutcliffe method. Edwards wasn’t merely a diamond in the rough. The two-star recruit was virtually ignored by all FBS programs. Cutcliffe was convinced after watching the 5’9” 170-pounder lead his team in rebounding at a basketball practice. At the time, Duke wasn’t winning on the field, and Cutcliffe didn’t have much to sell recruits on, other than a vision. “My roommate and I talk about it all the time,” fellow defensive back Breon Borders said. “He came into both of our houses and told us we’d have a chance to be a part of something special. We believed in it, and we believed in Coach Cutcliffe.” A few years later, things have changed in Durham. Duke signed its highest-rated recruit ever in 2015, when Ben Humphreys, rated No. 164 in the nation by 247 Sports, decided to come to Duke. The four-star prospect is now getting ready for his sophomore season as a Duke linebacker. A year later, Cutcliffe broke his own program record by bringing in freshman wide receiver Scott Bracey, ranked No. 139. Just as preseason practice opened, Cutcliffe made waves by
Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe speaks to the media during the ACC Football Kickoff at Westin Charlotte.
landing his highest-rated quarterback in school history, fourstar Jack Sears, who tops a strong 2017 class. Sears will be the fifth four-star recruit to come to Duke in the last three recruiting cycles. Suddenly, Cutcliffe doesn’t have to settle for two stars that play like four. He can get the genuine article. Still, that raises a potential problem. Instead of being surrounded by what Borders calls “hungry two and three stars,” who have faith in the Cutcliffe vision, Duke can now bring in elite talent — players who might not have taken a call from Cutcliffe and his staff a few years ago. They don’t want to build something. They want to play for a winner. “When I first got to Duke,
I was a little freshman and I thought everybody was really good,” Edwards recalled. “Then, when I saw the guys that we played against, I was like ‘Wow!’ (The veterans) would tell me the stories on the guys they used to have that were never in shape and were just really smart. You look now, and there are guys that are four-star guys that look spectacular before they even get into the weight room.” Done without care, the sudden upgrade in recruiting can cause a powder keg in the locker room, with a hard-working, hungry older generation clashing with the hot-shot prospects crashing the party. As the team keeps winning, the roster has evolved quickly. This year’s fifth-year seniors have
had every college season at Duke end with a bowl game. Gone are the players that remember being home for the holidays, let alone anyone who can recall a one-win season. As the talent level rises, Cutcliffe has to work hard to make sure the team doesn’t forget where it came from. “It’s something you have to be aware of and very careful with,” Cutcliffe said. “You need to make sure that you’re bringing in players who fit in with what we’re trying to do here.” The fact that Cutcliffe already has to say no to plenty of talented players who aren’t a good match for Duke’s academic requirements makes it easier to also reject potential players based on personality — something Cutcliffe says has happened. “Nobody knew who we were signing a few years ago,” he said on signing day in February. “We did. I think there are some special athletes in here. “But the lesson is we can’t forget why we’ve been able to win here.” The result is that the more things are changing on Duke’s roster, the more they remain the same. “I don’t think the culture has changed,” quarterback Thomas Sirk said. “I think when Coach Cut came here, he set the standard for what we’re expecting, every year. Every year, you have to have the guys buy into the culture we started building this program on in 2008, when coach got here.” That means that the veteran players still tell stories of the dark days of Duke football, even though they didn’t live through them. “The guys before me,” Sirk said. “I still talk about them, when we have meetings with the new guys. I give credit to the guys
who were here before me and helped build this program and built the foundation for the work ethic we’re going to have.” Cutcliffe’s attention to personalities doesn’t stop when he chooses a recruit. He makes sure the new Blue Devils continue to fit the mold of player he’s used to rebuild the program. “Athletically, obviously, four and five stars are going to be better, but it’s the mindset,” Borders said. “Coach Cut has done a good job of not letting them get away, if they don’t come in and play immediately, for instance. He’s definitely informing young guys of where we came from.” So are the players. “I feel like it’s tough for them,” receiver Anthony Nash said of the freshmen. “When the recruits come in now, they’re used to winning. With me and my class, we came in after a 3-9 season. We knew what it took just to get to six wins to be bowl eligible. I feel like it’s up to us to keep hammering down that it’s not all sweet. We have to work for what we want. We may not be a talented team, but we have to be the hardest working team.” “We punish them,” Borders said. “We don’t show empathy. I’m sort of a trash talker, and I don’t discriminate. Especially with the freshmen, when they come in. I make sure they know, ‘You’re not as good as you think you are.” The result is a team of talented players with the underdog hunger of the classes that helped lift Duke from laughing stock to perennial bowl team. It’s almost as if Cutcliffe planned it this way. “You understand the ‘what’ — heights and weights, all of those things,” Cutcliffe said. “But the ‘who’ is just that makeup. Regardless of stars, I think they’re all pure gold.”
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
B8 panthers
Five things to know from the Panthers preseason Week 1 game By Shawn Krest North State Journal
in battle for the final receiver spot. He had five catches for 69 yards, converting two first downs. Bersin was able to get open and also catch the ball in traffic. He went down with a rib injury late in the first half, however, and the extent of that injury is still unknown. Kevin Norwood picked up a pass interference call, wiping out a long catch by Philly Brown. Damiere Byrd was impressive on returns, other than a late muffed punt. He also had an impressive one-handed catch. He wasn’t able to come away with the ball the other four times he was targeted. Swayze Waters got all the punts, in his battle with veteran Mike Scifres. He didn’t do much with the opportunity, averaging 34.3 yards.
he NFC champion Carolina Panthers opened their T preseason with a 22-17 loss at
Baltimore. Here’s what you need to know. 1. The starters looked fine, in a small sample size Cam Newton connected on his first five passes, marching the team on a 14-play opening drive. His only incompletion came on third down in the end zone, leading to a field goal. Then Newton and most of the offensive starters went to the bench. Newton settled for dump-offs to Greg Olsen and short passes to receivers for the most part. The only new-ish wrinkle the offense showed was playing hurry-up tempo on a couple of downs. Newton also had a key negative play on defense. When linebacker A.J. Klein returned an interception for a pick six, Newton ran onto the field to celebrate, while the play was still going. He got flagged, calling back the touchdown. Olsen had two catches for 10 yards. Second-year wideout Devin Funchess had one catch for 10. Kelvin Benjamin returned to the field after missing all of last season with injury and finished with one catch for five yards. On defense, Luke Kuechly, Star Lotulelei and the rest of the starters also saw minimal action. Several were out after one series, and most of the key contributors were gone after two. Shaq Thompson had the best defensive outing of the starters — although he was officially credited with just two tackles, he was in on or near just about every play, including hustling downfield to escort Klein into the end zone on his interception. 2. The rookies looked good The Panthers chose cornerbacks James Bradberry and Dar-
4. Helped and hurt themselves Tommy Gilligan | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zach Orr (54) rushes during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.
yl Worley in the second and third round of the 2016 draft, respectively. Both started the preseason opener and both were aggressive on defense, providing physical coverage on the Ravens receivers. Bradberry broke up a pass in the end zone, although it was accidental. He was covering the receiver when the pass hit him in the back. Worley also appeared to play a bit of safety. He crashed the line to provide physical run support on several occasions, including a tackle of quarterback Ryan Mallett on a scramble, just shy of the first down. Worley also got in on a corner blitz. First-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler was in on the second defensive series of the game. He struggled to get consistent penetration and was manhandled a bit by the Baltimore starting offensive line. He had one spin move to shed a block and stop a running back at the line of scrimmage, but
otherwise he wasn’t much of a factor. Fifth-round cornerback Zack Sanchez got in early on punt return, picking up a block in the back penalty on one. He entered the game on defense late in the third quarter. He had a pass breakup and a missed tackle. Seventh-round tight end Beau Sandland got in on the third offensive series and played the rest of the way. He started as a fullback, but also moved to the traditional tight end spot and had a few plays as a split back. He had one blown block that led to a tackle for loss just before the half, but he made up for it with a pair of good blitz pick-ups in the second half. 3. Early leaders on position battles Fozzy Whitaker, Cameron Artis-Payne and Brandon We-
gher are fighting for the backup running back spot. Whitaker had three carries for zero yards, but he recovered a muffed punt for a takeaway. Artis-Payne had 10 yards on five carries, including a fourth-down conversion. Wegher had the most carries and yards (10 for 13) but he was hit in the backfield several times and appears to be a distant third at this point. The rookie corners appear to be significantly ahead of veteran Robert McClain, who didn’t get in until the second quarter and got hit with a holding penalty on a late punt. Sandland also appears to have an edge in the crowded tight end picture behind Olsen. Ed Dickson missed the game with a groin injury. Scott Simonson had significant playing time, but he didn’t appear to be as versatile as Sandland, spending most of his time in the traditional spot on the line. Brenton Bersin took a big lead
Helped: Safety Marcus Ball had several big plays on special teams and defense. Defensive tackle Eric Crume had a strip sack and recovered the fumble. Quarterback Joe Webb was solid in the second half. Hurt: Defensive end Ryan Delaire struggled to keep plays inside all night. End Mario Addison had limited time on defense and picked up a special teams penalty. LB A.J. Klein had the long interception return, but he also had two missed tackles—the second one a terrible effort—and was blocked out of the play on a touchdown. Defensive tackle Kyle Love also struggled. 5. How did the Duke guys do? Jeremy Cash was in early on kickoff coverage. He lined up on defense late in the third and was in on several tackles, both in space and in the backfield. Cash appeared to be near the ball on every play.Braxton Deaver was on the kickoff return team early. He was in for a handful of fourth quarter snaps at tight end but didn’t have any significant plays.
olympics from page B1
basketball from page B1
next day, he was up at 6 a.m. to go on NBC’s “Today” show before facing a full slate of interviews to discuss his new stardom. “It was quite the struggle,” Held said. “From my neck down, my body was exhausted. But from my neck up, my mind was just racing with a thousand thoughts a minute. I was just running on fumes.” While it’s a completely new experience for Held, he’s leaned on Phelps for more than just a shoulder to cry on during the experience. “He’s a great leader and a great athlete,” Held said of Phelps. “He kind of gives like a sense of confidence to other swimmers. So when I’m around him I stand a little taller and feel a little stronger.”
son atop the list. Irving slinked around countless high ball screens and popped pull-up jumpers from everywhere on the court. Then when it became closing time, the basketball found Kyrie’s hands and he delivered. Kyle Lowry, the team’s other point guard, has been a pit bull defensively, but Team USA looks its best when Irving’s running screen action with Carmelo or one of the team’s two centers: DeMarcus Cousins, who for the second straight game couldn’t stay on the court due to foul trouble, and DeAndre Jordan. The gravity Jordan commands on his runs to the rim sucks in defenders to bump him, which frees up Melo, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson for open threes. Aside from two Durant free throws, Anthony and Irving were the only two players to score in the fourth quarter, when the Americans outscored Australia 2821. Speaking of Durant and Thompson, though, the two Golden State sharpshooters struggled against the Aussies. Durant sizzled in the first two games: combining to score 41 points on just 19 field goal attempts but the physical Aussies had him somewhat off his game. KD shot just 4-16 from the field, scoring 14 points and never once looking in rhythm. Thompson’s jumper has been in a surprising state of disrepair down in Rio. In 57 minutes of action through the first three games, Thompson has gone 3-20 from the field and connected on just two of his 13 attempts from beyond the shorter three-point arc. He’s an excellent defender, and put the clamps on Australia’s Patty Mills during a couple high-leverage moments, but Team USA won’t be whole until Klay shrugs off this slump. Despite the struggles of Durant and Thompson, the Americans still cooked from beyond the arc. Team USA went 17-39 (43.6 percent) from the land of plenty, which makes them now 40.9 percent (36-88) on threes as a team since competition started in Brazil. Team USA’s offense went a little stagnant at points against Australia — lots of one-pass possessions — but when they swing the ball side-to-side, rotate defenses, there’s essentially no answer for them but to hope they miss open threes. In transition, they’re unstoppable, and in the half court, so much of their stuff on offense is simple. It’s straight pick-and-roll. The ball handler — usually Kyrie, KD or Paul George (fantastic, once again, as a defender) — can drive it, shoot it, look for the roll man (it’s an auto-lob pass if it’s Jordan), or look for the strong side shooter. Thompson hasn’t been able to find his shot in South American, yet, but Team USA has still leveraged the attention he commands as a shooter by involving him in that screen game. Thompson is used frequently as an off-the-ball screener. Defenses miscommunicate, botch switches and Americans slip free for open passes. Team USA will take on France — the second most talented roster in Rio — Sunday afternoon. This will be America’s final bout in group play, and should offer another important litmus test before the knockout round starts on Wednesday. Competition will only get more challenging from here on out, but Team USA should be poised for any opponent in its pursuit of a thirdstraight gold medal.
Phelps going out on top There’s really nothing to be said about Phelps that hasn’t already been said. If he was his own country, Phelps would already be in the top 40 in summer gold medals. Outpacing Argentina, Austria, Mexico and North Korea alone, he is the most decorated Olympic athlete in history. Despite his advanced age of 31 — yes, that’s old for swimmers — Phelps routed younger athletes in every facet. Whether it was freestyle or butterfly, the legendary swimmer didn’t show any signs of slowing down in his fifth Olympics. His two biggest wins came in the 4x100m relay with Held and the 200m butterfly. After hearing trash talk from South African swimmer Chad Le Clos for four years, Phelps annihilated Le Clos on the biggest stage possible. That’s how the greatest of all time wraps up a legendary career. Ledecky laps the field Held may represent the future of American swimming on the men’s side, but there is a younger female already torching the competition in Rio. At just 19 years old, Katie Ledecky won every event she entered in style, even torching her own world record with a 3:56.46 in the 400-meter freestyle. For those who didn’t watch — what were you doing with your life? — Ledecky finished at least two full body lengths ahead of her competition. To give some perspective, the teenager touched the wall, looked back at
Michael Dalder | Reuters
Left to right: Katie Ledecky, Maya DiRado, Leah Smith and Allison Schmitt of USA celebrate winning their gold medals on Monday.
her time and celebrated before silver medalist Jazmin Carlin touched the wall nearly five seconds later. Before blistering her opponents in the 800-meter freestyle on Friday night, Ledecky singlehandedly led Team USA to a gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle relay. Down by a full body length after three swimmers, Ledecky won by 1.84 seconds after sweeping the leg on Australia. “I was prepared for any circumstance, whether we were ahead or behind,” Ledecky said. In individual events, Ledecky was rarely behind, especially on long-distance swims. After showing shades of Phelps-like dominance on the Olympics stage at 19 (the same age as Phelps when he won six gold medals in Athens), expectations will be even higher in Tokyo in 2020 for the budding superstar. ‘Final Five’ wreck the world If there was any competition in less doubt during the first week than a Ledecky long-distance event, it was the U.S. women’s gymnastics competitions. Every time Simone Biles and Co. hit the floor, bars, vault or beam every other team was simply hoping for silver. Nicknamed the “Final Five” for being coach Martha Karolyi’s last Olympics squad (Tokyo will also feature four-person gymnastics teams), all five women were nearly perfect in her final team competition. With a
final score of 184.897, USA outpaced second-place Russia by more than eight points. Second through eighth were decided by 4.51 points. It was nothing short of total domination. The 4-foot-8 dynamo Simone Biles piled on the party with an allaround gold medal as Aly Raisman won silver. Just how ridiculously good is Biles? Even Raisman, a veteran gymnast for Team USA who won team gold in 2012, knew she wasn’t touching Biles heading into the allaround event. After explaining anyone could take the top spot on any given day, Raisman quickly changed her answer. “Not counting Simone,” Raisman said. “Simone is always the best. ... I hope she wins. Because she wins every single competition.” It’s almost not fair for the rest of the world when Gabby Douglas, the 2012 all-around gold medalist, couldn’t make the field because of Biles and Raisman taking her spot. In the qualifying event, Douglas finished third in the world, but couldn’t advance because of the two-percountry rule. Don’t expect this dominance to slow down anytime soon. The world barely knew about Biles back in 2012 when the U.S. won gold. Now that the team has back-to-back golds and two straight world championships in 2014 and 2015, this team will be expected as a powerhouse again in 2020.
the seed All over the state, research stations work to ensure our farming and food are a success. Step into one of these gardens and see their pollinator project for yourself. See page C4
the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND
to market, to market
NS J SUNDAY
8.14.16
playlist August 17-18 New World Festival of the Arts Manteo A juried show where over 80 artists will exhibit original artwork. More than a dozen artists are new to the show this year. Works on exhibit include watercolors, oil, acrylic, graphics, drawings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and pottery. The New World Festival of the Arts is a familyfriendly, outdoor show for all ages. darearts.org
August 18-20 42nd Annual N.C. State Bluegrass Festival Marion For this outdoor festival and concert series, go ahead and bring your chairs to stay a while. This year’s featured artists include Grammy award winner Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder, Rhonda Vincent, and many more. adamsbluegrass.com
August 19-20 7th Annual Dirty Dancing Festival Lake Lure
PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH MENDOZA | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Cattle are herded into the gates before heading to the sales floor at the WNC Regional Livestock Arena on Monday, August 1.
A community collaborates to secure a way of life The WNC Regional Livestock Center is an example of a visionary collaboration between government, business, and nonprofits taking action to make sure that a way of life is not only sustained but thrives and grows in Western North Carolina.
Join in for The Dirty Dancing Lakeside Film Screening at Morse Park Meadows beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday plus live entertainment with plenty of food and beverage vendors. Then, on Saturday, come back to the park for a full day of festival, featuring live bands, a DJ, dance performances and lessons by the Asheville Ballet, games, an arts & craft garden and, of course, the infamous Lake Lift Competition. New this year - shag competitions! dirtydancingfestival.com Franklin Folk Festival Franklin
By Jennifer Wood North State Journal
I
n 2004, during the height of the recession, Asheville’s livestock market closed forcing producers small and large to make the drive to Tennessee or South Carolina to take their cattle to market. A drive to market for small cattle farmers meant the real possibility of losing money, not making it. “Due to stress, cattle can lose up to two percent of their body weight per hour in the first three hours of transport,” explained explained L.T. Ward of WNC Communities. Weight equals money—when you add in fuel costs and then assume that once you get the cattle to the market they would even sell for a fair price—many a lifelong cattle farmer began to see their way out of a way of life. When cattle farms are sold and development takes over the vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the views change. Neal Stamey is what is known as an old timer in the Haywood County area. “Oh, I reckon I have,” softspoken Stamey said when asked if he’s always been a farmer. “I worked at the paper mill, but we always kept cattle.” See to market, page C6
Inside
A calf is being auctioned off in the L.T. Ward Arena. Goats, sheep and cows are all sold during the auction.
GATHER
Come play in North Carolina’s newest park! LeBauer Park had its grand opening in Greensboro this week, so we made sure to stop by and see what it was all about. See page C3
A celebration of Appalachian heritage, this festival features many living exhibits and demonstrations to allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when. These folks learned at their parents’ knee woodcarving, moonshinin’, basket making, weaving and spinning, and all the many other heritage skills they’ll be demonstrating. The 25th Infantry Civil War Reenactors will be on hand to offer a wonderful opportunity to learn about how this conflict affected the lives of ancestors who lived through it. The reenactors will set up camp and offer tours. There will also be a full schedule of old time and mountain music with plenty of good food to eat. franklinfolkfestival.com
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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necessities thrive!
history marked
Your desk is hazardous to your health
August 16, 1950
By Alton Skinner For the North State Journal ecent studies show that too much sitting R contributes to a host of
diseases, from obesity and diabetes to cancer and depression, and literally shortens your life. The results are in: the enemies are your chair and desk, and it’s killing your body. A recent conversation with Dr. Kelly Starrett, a San Francisco-based physical therapist, revealed four concepts to consider. His new book, “Deskbound: Standing Up to a Sitting World,” focuses on improving mobility for the office worker.
A standing desk doesn’t fix the problem. A standing desk comes with its own unique health risks including, foot injuries, knee pain, varicose veins, and injuries to your neck and shoulders.
Create movement rich environments. In an effort to be more efficient, our work stations minimize movement. Stop emailing the person down the hall—walk the message down. Move items around in your work area to force standing, bending, and reaching.
Eliminate optional sitting. Whenever possible perform your work task while standing, walking, or intentionally alternating between the two positions. When making phone calls stand up and pace. You will have more energy in your voice and sound more engaged in the conversation. Have walking meetings in place of the deathby-PowerPoint type meetings.
An hour at the gym won’t fix sitting all day. “The body is built to move correctly all the time,” said Starrett. “But our society doesn’t teach people the skills to move the way we were meant to move.” Our joints are meant to be taken through a full range of motion each day. Walking in a straight line on a treadmill isn’t going to get the job done. A good plan requires bending, reaching, squatting, rotation, and changes of direction. So get moving! You will feel better, have more energy, and get more done. Alton Skinner is a health and fitness expert with over two decades of experience training athletes and author of “The Golfer’s Stroke Saver Workout.”
Voices Contributors to this section this week include: Samantha Gratton Brett Honeycutt Josh Hyatt Alison Miller Catherine Pabalate Alton Skinner
Tell us Know a North Carolina story that needs telling? Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.
The Cherokee Historical Association agreed to build a replica of an 18th-century Native American village to depict Cherokee daily life and culture before European contact. The site chosen was 40 wooded acres on the slope of Rattlesnake Mountain near the town of Cherokee.
August 17, 1816
Revolutionary era political leader Samuel Johnston died. Born in Scotland, Johnston immigrated to North Carolina as an infant. Trained as a lawyer, he represented Chowan County in the colonial assembly until the advent of the American Revolution.
just a pinch a day
an
Now that August is here apples are showing up at our
farmers markets, and there’s a fruitful crop predicted for the year despite a late frost. In celebration of all of the goodies gleaned from our North Carolina farmers markets here’s a little trick for storing. Apples speed up the ripening of peaches, pears, tomatoes, and avocados when stored together in a paper bag. Set in a warm, dark place and punch a few holes in the bag for ventilation. Remember you can restore the flavor of old or dried apples with a sprinkling of apple cider before cooking.
August 18, 1899
Erasmus Midgett single-handedly rescued the crew of the threemasted cargo ship Priscilla after it broke up while being driven ashore by the winds and waves of the San Ciriaco hurricane.
accolades
August 19, 1933
Black Mountain College was established in Buncombe County by disgruntled faculty from Rollins College in Florida. One of the major tenets of the school’s plan was to elevate the fine arts to full curricular status. Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
turn the page To continue the motivation and inspiration that comes from a do-it-yourself project, we’ve got a few more DIY books thanks to Firestorm Cafe & Books in Asheville. Grab one of these books and get going on all of those projects you said you’d get to this summer!
“Home Improvement Projects for the Busy and Broke” by Christina Salway released May 17, 2016
“How To Build Bookcases & Bookshelves: 15 Woodworking Projects for Book Lovers” by Scott Francis
releases August 22, 2016
“Reinventing Ikea: 70 DIY Projects to Transform Ikea Essentials” by Isabelle Bruno, Christine Baillet releases August 16, 2016
“Ultimate Bicycle Owner’s Manual” by Eben Weiss
released May 3, 2016
“The Useful Book: 201 Skills They Used to Teach In Home Ec & Shop” by David & Sharon Bowers
jennifer wood | North State Journal
The Dogwood Crafters shop features a wide selection of work by local artisans, many of whom have been sharing their crafts with the community since the shop opened its doors.
Dogwood Crafters to receive Mountain Heritage Award Each year, Western Carolina University awards two Mountain Heritage Awards, one to an individual and one to an organization, for a strong involvement with Southern Appalachian history, culture and issues. This year, one of those awards will go to Dogwood Crafters, a craft collaborative and shop located in Dillsboro. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Dogwood Crafters is more than just a shop filled with traditional and contemporary handcrafted goods. Each item is a piece of art created by a local artist, and depending on when you visit, you might meet the very same person who created your custom piece behind the cash register. Because it is a collaborative, it is volunteerrun and operated with several artists chipping in and working shifts. More than 80 artisans hold a membership, but many more hold Dogwood Crafters in a special place in their hearts. Chosen for the award by a committee of people throughout the community and university, past awards have been given to photographer and conservationist Hugh Morton and Mountain Faith, a bluegrass group that performed on the
Each room has a theme—from woodworking to seasonal items you’re sure to find a treasure.
TV show, “America’s Got Talent.” “We are truly humbled by this honor, to be included in the company that has come before us—we never thought we’d win this award.” said Brenda Anders, a collective member who has been with the crafters since 1979.
released June 14, 2016
stir it up “In this cocktail, we infuse Doc Porter’s vodka with blueberries from King’s Drive Farmers Market in Myers Park. Doc Porter’s is a grain-to-glass distillery in Charlotte. They harvest all their grain from a farm in Marshville, then send their spent mash to a local cattle farmer. We play around a lot with lemonade in the summer, and we do a lot with herbs behind the bar, so thyme lemonade just kind of evolved. It’s a super refreshing drink that reflects the peak of summer.” — Brian Lorusso, Dogwood Southern Table & Bar, Charlotte
Doc’s Blueberry-Thyme Lemonade 2 ounces blueberry-infused Doc Porter’s vodka* 3 ounces thyme lemonade*2 dashes lemon bitters
*Blueberry-infused vodka Freeze 2 pints of blueberries overnight. Place frozen blueberries in a glass container and pour a 750-mL bottle of Doc Porter’s vodka on top. Infuse for a minimum of 2 weeks. *Thyme Lemonade Simmer the slices of 8-10 lemons, a handful of fresh thyme sprigs, 1 cup sugar, and 3 cups water until sugar has dissolved. Stir, cool, and strain.
Sugar-Salt Rim Grind equal amounts sugar and pink Himalayan sea salt with a few sprigs of thyme, then shake through a mesh strainer. Doc’s Blueberry-Thyme Lemonade Rub a sliced lemon around the rim of a Collins glass, then dip into sugar-salt mixture. Fill with ice. Add vodka, lemonade, and bitters, then stir. Garnish with blueberries on a pick or a lemon twist.
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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gather Labauer Park | Greensboro Artist Janet Echelman discusses her aerial net sculpture, “Where We Met,” at LeBauer Park in Greensboro. Echelman’s sculpture was inspired by the city’s textile history and “Gate City” nickname, as well as the area’s native flora.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
By Brett Honeycutt For the North State Journal
E E
ver wonder what would happen if 1896 met 2016? Wonder no more because Greensboro’s art community has answered that question. “Waving Wonder” and “Where We Met” is industrialization and modernity woven into one. Not sure how that looks? Then it’s worth the visit to the Greensboro Historical Museum, which houses the “Weaving Wonder” exhibit, and the newly opened LeBauer City Park, which is home to the mammoth and elegant “Where We Met” sculpture by renowned international artist Janet Echelman, who was named an Architectural Digest 2012 innovator for “changing the very essence of urban spaces.” The new, colorful sculpture “spans 200 feet between 60-foot tall masts, each bearing up to six tons of force” and it has “35 miles of technical fibers crafted into 242,800 knots, which gently pulse in breeze, creating an ephemeral presence in the sky above the new city park” according to Echelman’s website, echelman.com. “The inspiration for the artwork was the history of Greensboro,” said Greensboro Historical Museum Director Carol Ghiorsi Hart. “That part of the story is
Steve Locklear II, 2, plays inside LeBauer Park’s Children’s Garden on Thursday, August 11 at LeBauer Park in Greensboro. The park officially opened Monday.
uniquely interesting. When you drive by, you see a hammock, netting, colorful sculpture hanging in the air, 55 feet up in the air, 90 x 60 feet. It’s pretty spectacular. Most of the people driving by may wonder, ‘What the heck is that?’ And the exhibit (“Weaving Wonder”) tries to explain that. “The inspiration was an 1896 railroad map of the system that highlighted where the textile mills were,” Hart continued. “Greensboro had an important role in textiles, and certain textiles here were the reason it was the denim capital of the world.
Trying to bring the textile history that we have and our role as the Gate City together; that name comes from that we were the [gateway] of the railroad system.” Because there were more than 15 manufacturing plants in Greensboro in the late 1800s, the city’s railroad system, which ran north to south and east to west, handled more than 60 incoming and outgoing trains per day. “Janet looked toward that railroad history and that textile history and that came together in the design,” Hart said. “She
looked at a spider web and used that as a framework from where the netting drapes. … It’s there, it’s hard to see, but if you come to the exhibit, you can see the overlay of the map, with her design of the sculpture. … It’s a pretty ‘wow moment’ and there’s a sense of wonder.” Wonder, the unmistakable focus of both exhibits. An interactive kiosk helps people learn more about the exhibit, and there are also other tools in the exhibit that help educate people about public art in Greensboro. But if someone limits their viewing of “Where We Met” to the daytime, they’ll miss out on the real wonder of the sculpture — its magnificent color that can be seen radiating at night. The public can attend the official lighting Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Echelman will be in attendance. “At night, it’s even more spectacular,” Hart explained. “It seems to almost glow when the lights hit it and change color. They’ll be able to change the color of it; that’s one of the beauties of Janet’s artwork, it’s that it’s always changing. The color of the sky, the weather, when the wind blows, it’s constantly changing. “It’s a place where people will relax, lie on the grass, people will meet here, discuss and argue what it all means. It will quickly become and iconic feature of Greensboro.”
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North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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the seed Research Stations | North Carolina
Left, a map of the Central Crops Research Station sits on Research Operations Manager Cathy Herring’s desk as she plans where all of the crops and projects will be planted next year at the research station. Right, an ear of corn is tagged with information as part of a pollination study.
What’s that buzz in the air? The pollinators are up there thanks to the strategically planted and managed flowers across the state. There are 18 research stations across N.C. where the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services works to make farming more efficient, profitable, and productive—ultimately resulting in more affordable food for consumers. In 2015 the division began their pollinator initiative in an effort to improve native plants and increase pollinator habitats. “Bees, birds, and insects transfer pollen from one part of the plant to another,” said Cathy Herring, Central Crops Research Station operations manager. “We need them to have successful crops.” Beyond being beautiful to look at, the project is a research partnership between the NCDA&CS and North Carolina State University. Pollinator plots were established at each of their 18 research stations, and scientists have spent the 2016 growing season studying them. “There is no end date in sight,” said Kaleb Rathbone, NCDA&CS Mountain Research Station operations manager. “This is an ongoing initiative—we recognize the importance.” Edgar Alvarez, of Raleigh, hand pollinates soybean flowers as part of a research project taking place at the Central Crops Research Station in Clayton on Wednesday, August 10. The 513-acre research area hosts over 200 projects each year to study everything from pollination to etymology to tillage.
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Top, a butterfly sits on a sulfur cosmos flower in a special pollinator block at the Central Crops Research Station in Clayton on Wednesday, August 10. Large patches of flowers are planted on a rotating schedule to attract pollinators that help with crop research at the station. Bottom, glycine bags cover cotton buds to keep them from being pollinated naturally. More than 100,000 of the buds will be covered over the course of the year as part of an experiment.
The program was a response to concern in the industry and a desire to continue to improve and be good stewards of the land.” — Kaleb Rathbone,
NCDA&CS Mountain Research Station Research Operations Manager
Margarita Villagarcia, with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, pours out male soybean flowers before hand pollinating the plants at the Central Crops Research Station in Clayton on Wednesday, August 10.
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
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the engine Lynnwood Brewing Concern | Raleigh By Josh Hyatt North State Journal
II
f there’s a heaven on earth, it’s VIR.” That’s the famous description of the Virginia International Raceway from the late Paul Newman, who in his time was a professional driver and race team owner on top of being a prolific actor. For those in the younger generations, think of Newman as the Patrick Dempsey of the ‘70s and ‘80s. This quote was refreshed last week by Mike Rose, VIR’s director of marketing, who made a pit stop at Raleigh’s Lynnwood Brewing Concern to promote the track’s upcoming marquee racing event — the Michelin GT Challenge IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship — along with several other North Carolina automotive staples, including Stevenson Motorsports, the Ingram Collection, and Taggart Autosport. Pointing to the Triangle area as VIR’s largest spectator market, Rose also wants to spread awareness that VIR, which was opened by N.C. racing fans in 1957, is just as much North Carolina’s premier road track as it is Virginia’s. Located in Alton, Virginia, less than half a mile from the N.C. border, VIR is roughly a 75-minute drive from Raleigh and an hour’s drive from Durham or Greensboro. And in a state full of oval tracks and drag strips, VIR hopes to offer racing fans something quite a bit different than what you typically get in N.C., especially at heavily trafficked venues such as Charlotte Motor Speedway. “One of the things that people will find when they discover VIR — and I used to work in NASCAR, I like NASCAR, so I’m not saying this in a negative light — at our track, things are much easier and simpler than most facilities,” Rose said. “Sixteen and under are free. If you’re active military, you’re free. If you’re a veteran, you’re 50 percent off. We encourage people to bring your lawn chairs, bring your grill, bring your tent — we have camping on site — come enjoy the weekend with your family.” So why make the trip to VIR? For starters, the upcoming IMSA event is the top level
TO MARKET from page C1 On auction days Stamey can be found with several other longtime Western N.C. cattle farmers gathered around a table hours before auction time sharing knowledge, stories, and community. This kind of community is a commodity that cannot be priced, and the next generation is certainly learning from it. All ages can be seen filing in getting ready for the day’s sale. One young man in particular is back again to try his hand at cattle buying. “See that young man there, he’s homeschooled, his family lives way up in the mountains,” explains Ward of WNC Communities, the main driver behind the construction of the new livestock center and the namesake of the auction center. “He came last year and bought a calf, took it home, cared for it, and brought it back and sold it for $1,200, and he’s back today to buy another.” Taking in the impression of this facility set against the mountains comes with a reminder that over time this is a rare setting that has gone from farmland to corporate and back again. “I remember it as a farm,” said lifelong resident Bill Yarborough. “It was sold to the paper company to make room for their byproduct to be landfilled, and when the time came to find a suitable site for a new livestock market for WNC, this site was one option. International Paper was gracious enough to consider a longterm lease, and the project became a reality. From farmland to an industrial landfill and now back to agriculture serving farmers—that story does not happen often, in
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Fans take a look around an Audi R8 LMS GTD car similar to the one Lawson Aschenbach drives during an event at Lynnwood Brewing Concern in Raleigh on Tuesday, August 9. Aschenbach visited the brewery ahead of the Michelin GT Challenge IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race.
sports car racing event in the United States. Running from Aug. 26-28, the three-day event gives spectators intimate access to not only one of the most challenging and technical circuits in the country, but also a chance to see the course test the mettle of sports cars professionally tuned to traverse speeds you cannot legally reach on public roads. The North State Journal caught up with Lawson Aschenbach, driver for Stevenson Motorsports based out of Jacksonville, N.C. — who will be taking Stevenson’s Audi R8 LMS car to VIR at the end of the month to compete in the IMSA event — to see how he’s preparing for the upcoming race. Aschenbach, a four-time Pirelli World Challenge champion, says the 3.27-mile track truly challenges every aspect of racing. “VIR, honestly, is one of the most technical tracks on the circuit,” he said. “And I feel like you have certain tracks that are maybe a little bit more car related, you have certain tracks that
fact, I don’t remember ever.” The 81,000 square foot facility includes the familiar trappings of offices, a snack bar, a large conference room that further serves the community as a continuing education area, and the auction center itself features recycled seating from Oriole Park at Camden Yard no less, but just beyond is a state-of-the-art outdoor open air livestock holding area large enough for 1,100 head of cattle. The moment you step through to join the buyers and sellers for the climb to the catwalk above in order to survey the livestock below it is obvious the meticulous planning and detail that went into every part of the structure. The wide center walkway that guides the cows to their appropriate paddocks is flanked by a series of swinging gates designed to facilitate their trip to the sales arena. In addition, there is a dedicated area for the veterinarian who comes weekly to check the cattle for pregnancy prior to the sale. Once plans for the center were in motion they brought in Haywood County third generation farmer and current Southeast Livestock Exchange operator, John Queen to incorporate his vision and design process in the livestock arena. You can see Queen’s careful planning throughout, multiple features of this outdoor area are designed based on Dr. Temple Grandin’s principles taking into account animal welfare, humane treatment, and the unique behavior of the livestock housed within. Building a multi-million dollar, innovative livestock center takes fundraising and facility planning—not only for the livestock
are a little bit more strategy or team related. But this is one of those tracks that brings in that driver aspect to an extreme. It’s a very difficult track. You’ve got the high-speed esses, you’ve got a lot of elevation changes, you’ve got heavy braking zones, you’ve got fast corners, slow corners. Every single corner on that track is unique. I think that’s what makes it so awesome to go to.” For the folks that enjoy cars but may feel a bit overwhelmed at the thought of going to a race like the GT Challenge, Aschenbach says it’s approachable for just about anyone. “If you’re just kind of the casual enthusiast of racing, going to the race I think you’re going to have a great experience regardless,” he said. “That’s more because of the fact we open everything up to you. It’s not just in your seat and that’s it. You get to walk around, you get to see what we’re doing behind the scenes and in the trailer and the trucks. Watch the cars getting worked on. You can see the pit stops up close and personal.”
Lawson Aschenbach talks with fans at Lynnwood Brewing Concern in Raleigh on Tuesday, August 9, ahead of the Michelin GT Challenge IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race.
Principal of Southeast Livestock Exchange, John Queen and Lisa Shelton, Manager of John Queen Farms and the first female to serve as President of the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association look over information about the incoming cattle.
ELIZABETH MENDOZA | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
arena and cattle sales but for the day-to-day operations that bring in organizations that represent the future of North Carolina cattle farming operations. The education room in the main building is often utilized by area Future Farmers of America clubs and 4-H organizations. “We have already seen cow herd numbers in the area pick back up,” said Neil Bowman of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services livestock marketing division. “Without that engine there driving the educational opportunities, hands-on training, best management practices to guide the next generation it would not be possible.” The entire process of building the Western North Carolina Re-
gional Livestock Center is a case study in community effort. In 2004, after 50 years the Asheville Livestock market shut its doors creating a void in the market. The partnership’s response of nonprofits working with government and business led to the $3.1 million facility thriving and serving the community today. Within the first three weeks of opening the center sold 2,000 head of cattle, allowing farmers from 20 surrounding counties to buy and sell within North Carolina. Since the center opened in March of 2011, over 85,000 head of cattle have sold for a total of $78 million—a significant amount of money generated by a community that believed in itself.
“Now the farm receipts generated are staying here in N.C. and those dollars are going back into the community. You can see the benefit in action— the place is packed not just during auctions, but during education events as well.”
— Neil Bowman
North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
Sunday Story
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№3
Meredith College Young Writers Series
Schoolgirl By Catherine Pabalate (age 11) Editor’s Note:
This is the third entry in our Sunday Story series from our visit to the Meredith College young writers’ camp. Every summer for the past decade Meredith College has hosted rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade young women on their campus for a week of imagination, creativity, and fun with director Ashley Hogan at the helm guiding writing exercises led by published faculty teaching fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. We are excited to highlight the emerging talent of these young writers as they polish their craft.
TT
he blue plastic chairs of the old abandoned elementary school were lined up against the wall. The wall was crumbling, the white plaster coming off in my hand. The air still smelled of kids’ crayons and waterproof markers, but there was another smell, one I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It was a musty, overwhelming smell. Before I could answer my own question, the brown wooden door creaked. I jumped. There was a girl there. She looked about 17, with hair like melted chocolate, and eyes that shone like emeralds. She was wearing plain clothes, just an old, dirty pink hoodie, a blue tank top, and a short khaki skirt. She looked as if she had appeared from a rundown boarding school. I blinked. She smiled and blew chalk dust and other grime off a desk. She sat on it and asked me, “Why did you come here?” I wanted to ask her the same, but I couldn’t seem to form the words. Was it the chalk dust in my mouth? Or was it the sinister gleam in her eyes? The girl stared at me, clearly amused. She smirked and reached for my backpack. In the front pocket, she found my necklace. It was simple, a silver chain with a ruby pendant hanging from it carelessly. The girl examined it, and I tried to reach for it. She backed up, out of my reach, and asked me, “What’s your name?” I grumbled, frustrated. “Marly Thomas. Give me back the necklace.” She shook her head, hair spilling around her like a waterfall. “Where did you find this, Marly?” “I found it in my attic. It’s my greatgrandmother’s. What’s your name?” She laughed and exclaimed, “I thought you knew. I’m Lillian. And I’d like to keep this necklace.” I looked at her, mouth hanging wide open. “Why would you do that? I need that necklace. It belongs to me.” She looked at me with an odd expression I didn’t understand. It was like a mixture of confused and knowing. That can’t be right. “No,” she whispered, “It’s mine. I need this necklace.” With that, she walked away, leaving a trail of dust and kindergarten memories behind her. Defeated, I trudged home. Grabbing a Fanta from the refrigerator, I unhooked the string and let the ladder fall. I climbed up to our attic, where I immediately tripped on a ripped brown
box labeled “Dad’s Old College Stuff.” I scanned the room, searching for a bright blue jeweled hat box. I found it, stuffed in between a box labeled “School” and a broken TV with its useless remote sitting there waiting for a second chance. Snatching the box, I hoped that maybe GreatGrandma had more beautiful possessions for me to remember her by. That’s when I saw it. Gleaming under the overhead lights was the necklace. I gasped,
leaned in, and saw that there was something else in the box. It was an old, faded high school yearbook photo. There was a group of senior girls laughing as they sat at a metal picnic table. One of the girls had a beautiful new pink hoodie, long chestnut hair, and, when I squinted, a ruby necklace around her neck. On the back, in messy cursive, read “Seniors: Carol Winter, Melissa Harold, and Lillian Thomas.” Underneath that, it read “Thank You.”
COMING UP in the good life
Statewide accessorizing
We’re visiting with designing women across N.C. to find out what inspires their vision and where they get the inspiration to create their wearable works of art.
Last blast of summer
If you didn’t check off all the things you wanted to do across the state this season, don’t panic there’s still time and we’ve got your guide to help you hit the highlights.
What’s in a name?
Let’s all go to the zoo! We’re going to take you on an adventure to learn more about who is who at the North Carolina Zoo.
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North State Journal for Sunday, August 14, 2016
pen & Paper pursuits
Janric classic sudoku
Solutions from 8.07.16
I reckon . . .
Your guide to what’s what, where, why, and how to say it.
In the spirit of our discussion of pollinators this week, North Carolina’s official state butterfly is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. This butterfly is native to North America, and some say John White, artist, cartographer, and governor of the Roanoke Island colony or “The Lost Colony,” drew this beauty first.