VOLUME 148 ISSUE 11 | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Thousands filled the streets of Siler City for the Spring Chicken Festival, including for the “Chickin’ Pickin’ competition, above.
the
BRIEF this week
Federal judge says results of N.C. Supreme Court race must be certified Raleigh A federal judge has ruled that disputed ballots in the still unresolved 2024 race for a Supreme Court seat must remain in the final count. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers also ordered late Monday that the State Board of Elections certify results that show Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs the winner — by 734 votes — over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin. Myers delayed his decision in case Griffin wants to appeal. Myers agreed with Riggs that carrying out recent decisions by state appeals courts that directed potentially thousands of ballots be removed from the tally would violate the U.S. Constitution.
Supreme Court allows ban on transgender military members Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed. The high court acted Tuesday in the dispute over a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold.
Thousands come out for Spring Chicken Festival Beach music legends The Embers took the main stage By Dan Reeves Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — Thousands gathered in Siler City Saturday to celebrate all things chick-
ter and excitement could be heard as children and families enjoyed rides such as the Ferris wheel, the thrilling camel slide and the spinning Jitterbug swing. Musical guests included The Embers featuring Craig Woolard, members of the South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame. “We’re all about the
‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students gentler alternative to debating With no assigned positions, teams explore, not argue By Travis Loller The Associated Press CHAPEL HILL — At the National Speech and Debate Tournament, two high school stu-
dents take the stage. The first articulates the position he has been assigned to defend — people should have a right to secede from their government — and why it is correct. Another student, assigned the opposite position, begins to systematically tear down her opponent’s views. A year later and 800 miles away, two teams of high school
students convene at the University of North Carolina for the National High School Ethics Bowl finals. A moderator asks about the boundaries of discourse — when a public figure dies, how do you weigh the value and harm of critical commentary about their life? Teams have not been assigned positions. One presents
Mom reunites with 911 operator who helped deliver baby “It’s just a part of my job, I love being able to help other people, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Lorrie Teague, Chatham County
$2.00
en at the Spring Chicken Festival, an all-day, family-friendly affair that saw streets lined with booths showcasing handmade arts and crafts from local artisans. The aroma of funnel cakes and other treats filled the air, creating a lively, carnival-like atmosphere. On East Second Street, the sounds of laugh-
Sarah Gianni unexpectedly went into labor By Dan Reeves Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Reporters surrounded 911 telecommunicator Lorie Teague as she cradled Daisy Gianni, a bubbling, healthy 8-pound, 1-ounce baby girl who had popped into the world just two weeks prior, thanks to a bit of help from someone on the other end of the phone. Teague was preparing to eat breakfast when an urgent early morning call came in to the Chatham County Emergency Operations Center. 911 operators never know what might be
on the other end of the phone, but this wasn’t an incoming report of a car crash or a house fire. Instead, she professionally answered the trembling voice of Corinne Townsend, who said that her 36-year-old and very pregnant daughter, Sarah Gianni, had unexpectedly gone into labor. “I started having contractions just after six that morning and was preparing to head to the hospital,” Gianni said. “I had just put the kids in the car when my water broke. My husband was already at work, but thankfully, my mom was there and called 911.” Teague began talking both mothers through each step of the delivery and, crucially, See BABY, page A3
fun and the community,” said Liz Mauney, Mountaire Cares Manager, the festival’s main sponsor. Mountaire Farms hosted its annual “Chickin’ Pickin’” event, a three-minute challenge where contestants tear as much meat as possible from a cooked Mountaire roaster. The contestant with the most meat by weight wins the round. For the first round, elected officials participated, racing to pick apart a roaster to win $500 for their chosen non-profit. Siler City Mayor Donald Matthews, Chamber of Commerce See FESTIVAL, page A2
their ideas. The opposing team asks questions that help everyone to think about the issue more deeply. No one attacks. Many a young debater may learn the rhetorical skills to become a successful lawyer or politician, subduing an opponent through wit and wordplay. But are they learning skills that will make them better citizens of an increasingly complex and contentious republic? In an age when many Americans are wondering whether it is still possible to have a principled, respectful disagreement See DEBATE, page A10