Chatham News & Record Vol. 148, Issue 35

Being heard

the BRIEF this week

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops

Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

$2.00

and

Chapel Hill moving forward with 9-story, mixed-use development

The project proposes 175-200 multifamily residential units

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — The Town of Chapel Hill has approved a big step toward the construction of a new mixed-

use, multifamily development.

The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning application at its Oct. 8 meeting for property located at 701 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to be rezoned into MixedUse Village-CZD for the development of a 175-to-200-unit, nine-story multifamily and commercial development.

“Our previous (a ordable housing) proposal included 10% on-site, a ordable units,” said Landmark Properties

See DEVELOPMENT, page A7

The plan for the project is for the ground oor to contain retail space (a minimum of 1,000 square feet for o ce and commercial) while the rest is dedicated to multifamily residential. The project will include an outdoor plaza and a 10-foot multiuse path intended to complement the North-South Bus Rapid Transit station on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The application was rst brought before the council on Sept. 10, and at that meeting, the council wished to see more of a commitment to a ordable housing, which the developers adhered to.

New Deep River access opens Friday in Moncure

The paddle access completes 26-mile trail section with ve entry points

Chatham News & Record sta

A NEW BOAT access on the Deep River State Trail opens Friday in Moncure, providing paddling and shing opportunities on the Deep

River above Lockville Dam.

The access, located at 7140 Moncure Pittsboro Road, completes a continuous 26-mile paddle trail section with ve access points that starts at the Carbonton Access in Sanford. It will be open daily from dawn to dusk and managed by Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

The section of river is popular with experienced paddlers, novices and families, featur-

ing only a few Class 1 rapids. The access sits within 760 acres known as the Justice Lands, which Triangle Land Conservancy acquired in 2003 before transferring the property to North Carolina State Parks for long-term stewardship. The land is part of a larger 2,400acre conservation area that includes TLC’s 31-acre White Pines Nature Preserve along the Deep River.

American colleges ghting to prove return on investment

As tuition continues to rise, parents and students are wondering if it’s worth the price

By Collin Binkley The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a generation of young Americans, choosing where to go to college — or whether to go at all — has become a complex calculation of costs and bene ts that often revolves around a single question: Is the degree worth its price? Public con dence in higher education has plummeted in recent years amid high tuition prices, skyrocketing student loans and a dismal job

market — plus ideological concerns from conservatives. Now colleges are scrambling to prove their value to students.

Borrowed from the business world, the term “return on investment” has been plastered on college advertisements across the U.S. A battery of new rankings grade campuses on thenancial bene ts they deliver. States such as Colorado have started publishing yearly reports on the monetary payo of college, and Texas now factors it into calculations for how much taxpayer money goes to community colleges.

“Students are becoming more aware of the times when college doesn’t pay o ,” said Preston

See COLLEGES, page A8

“I’m

not saying kids shouldn’t go to college. I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon

“Chatham County is thrilled about this new access opening on the Deep River in Moncure. The Deep River is one of Chatham County’s most important natural treasures — a place of history, wildlife, and beauty that connects communities and ecosystems across our region,” said Tracy Burnett, director of Chatham County Parks,

See ACCESS, page A7

We stand corrected

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

NCWRC releases 12 rehabilitated bear cubs back to wild

The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity

By Melania Lidman The Associated Press

THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains.

The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.

The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.

The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interaction until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor their movements and study their post-release behavior.

COURTESY PHOTO

Black bear cubs were recently released back into the wild thanks to a NCWRC cub rehabilitation program that’s been running for nearly 50 years.

leased at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.

Oct. 17

• Braddock Allen Edmonds, 28, of Apex, was arrested for possession of stolen goods/property, ctitious or altered title/ registration card/tag and driving while license revoked.

Oct. 18

• Lori Beth Loy, 43, of Sanford, was arrested for contributing to delinquency of juvenile and misdemeanor child abuse.

Oct. 19

• Branson Randall Scott, 30, of Bear Creek, was arrested for injury to personal property.

Oct. 20

• Rebecca Cheryl Poe, 32, of Bear Creek, was arrested for possession of controlled substance on prison/ jail premises, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024 all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No con icts with people were reported.

Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are re-

Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.

Wildlife biologists caution that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.

“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her

cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release.

“By trying to capture a bear cub, you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.” By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives fewer calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more inquiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.

National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.

Oct. 25

Library

1-2 p.m.

The library hosts renowned author Kamal Bell for a special presentation and book signing. Bell will discuss his latest work and the writing process during the free community event in the Holmes Family Meeting Room.

Chatham Community Library 197 N.C. Highway 87 N Pittsboro

Oct. 28

Yoga@BFP

6-7 p.m.

Yoga class for all tness levels. Bring your own mat. Free to attend; suggested donation of $15.

Front Porch, Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

Nov. 11

Chatham County Historical Association at Goldston Old-Fashioned Day

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An opportunity to experience the charm of Goldston, a small town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring exhibits of classic cars and tractors, live music performances, and a petting zoo. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Free admission.

Downtown Goldston

Advice to feed babies peanuts early, often helped kids avoid allergies

For decades, doctors advised parents to avoid exposing their children to peanuts

By Jonel Aleccia

The Associated Press

A DECADE AFTER a landmark study proved that feeding peanut products to young babies could prevent developmentof life-threatening allergies, new research nds the change has made a big di erence in the real world.

Peanut allergies began to decline in the U.S. after guidance rst issued in 2015 upended medical practice by recommending introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months. The rate of peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 fell by more than 27% after guidance for high-risk kids was rst issued in 2015, and by more than 40% after the recommendations were expanded in 2017.

“That’s a remarkable thing, right?” said Dr. David Hill, an allergist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and author of a study published Monday in the medical journal Pediatrics. Hill and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from dozens of pediatric practices to track diagnoses of food allergies in young children before, during and after the guidelines were issued.

“I can actually come to you today and say there are less kids with food allergy today than there would have been if we hadn’t implemented this public health e ort,” he added.

About 60,000 children have avoided food allergies since 2015, including 40,000 children who otherwise would have developed peanut allergies. Still, about 8% of children are a ected by food allergies, including more than 2% with a peanut allergy.

Peanut allergy is caused when the body’s immune system mistakenly identi es proteins in peanuts as harmful and releases chemicals that trigger allergic symptoms, including hives, respiratory symptoms and, sometimes, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

For decades, doctors had recommended delaying feeding children peanuts and other foods likely to trigger allergies until age 3. But in 2015, Gideon Lack at King’s College London, published the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy, or LEAP, trial.

Lack and colleagues showed

Encouraging parents to feed their children peanuts earlier in life has prevented tens of thousands of kids from developing peanut allergies.

29%

Percentage of pediatricians who reported following the expanded guidance issued in 2017, along with 65% of allergists

that introducing peanut products in infancy reduced the future risk of developing food allergies by more than 80%. Later analysis showed that the protection persisted in about 70% of kids into adolescence.

The study immediately sparked new guidelines urging early introduction of peanuts — but putting them into practice has been slow.

Only about 29% of pediatricians and 65% of allergists reported following the expanded guidance issued in 2017, surveys found.

Confusion and uncertainty about the best way to introduce peanuts early in life led to the lag, according to a commentary that accompanied the study. Early on, medical experts and parents alike questioned whether the practice could be adopted outside of tightly controlled clinical settings.

The data for the analysis came from a subset of participating practice sites and may not represent the entire U.S. pediatric population, noted the commentary, led by Dr. Ruchi Gupta, a child allergy expert at Northwestern University.

However, the new research o ers “promising evidence that early allergen introduction is not only being adopted but may be

making a measurable impact,” the authors concluded.

Advocates for the 33 million people in the U.S. with food allergies welcomed signs that early introduction of peanut products is catching on.

“This research reinforces what we already know and underscores a meaningful opportunity to reduce the incidence and prevalence of peanut allergy nationwide,” said Sung Poblete, chief executive of the nonpro t group Food Allergy Research & Education, or FARE.

The new study emphasizes the current guidance, updated in 2021, which calls for introducing peanuts and other major food allergens between four and six months, without prior screening or testing, Hill said. Parents should consult their pediatricians about any questions.

“It doesn’t have to be a lot of the food, but little tastes of peanut butter, milk-based yogurt, soy-based yogurts and tree butters,” he said. “These are really good ways to allow the immune system exposure to these allergenic foods in a safe way.”

Ti any Leon, 36, a Maryland registered dietician and director at FARE, introduced peanuts and other allergens early to her own sons, James, 4, and Cameron, 2. At rst, Leon’s own mother was shocked at the advice to feed babies such foods before the age of 3, she said. But Leon explained how the science had changed.

“As a dietician, I practice evidence-based recommendations,” she said. “So when someone told me, ‘This is how it’s done now, these are the new guidelines,’ I just though, OK, well, this is what we’re going to do.

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

Last year, Hunter Biden was convicted under the same law

By Lindsay Whitehurst The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest rearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. President Donald Trump’s administration asked the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user.

The Justice Department appealed after a lower court largely struck down a law that bars people who use any illegal drugs from having guns.

Last year, a jury convicted Hunter Biden of violating the law, among other charges. His father, then-President Joe Biden, later pardoned him.

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a decision likely by early summer.

decision likely by early summer.

The Republican administration favors Second Amendment rights, but government attorneys argued that this ban is a justi able restriction.

They asked the court to reinstate a case against Ali Danial Hemani. His lawyers got the felony charge tossed out after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the blanket ban is unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s expanded view of gun rights. The appellate judges found it could still be used against people accused of being high and armed at the same time, though.

Hemani’s attorneys argue the broadly written law puts millions of people at risk of technical violations since at least 20% of Americans have tried pot, according to government health data. About half of states legalized recreational marijuana, but

Church News

SANDY BRANCH CHURCH

You are invited to Sandy Branch’s annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be a turkey shoot and other activities beginning at 3 p.m., a hot dog supper at 5 p.m. and trunk or treat at 6 p.m.

BB guns will be provided for the turkey shoot, and there will be competition and prizes for all age groups. The youngest group is 8 and under, but the smaller children will need adult assistance.

We are located at 715 Sandy Branch Church Road in Bear Creek and hope to see you there.

Good Samaritans

it’s still illegal under federal law.

The Justice Department argues the law is valid when used against regular drug users because they pose a serious public safety risk. The government said the FBI found Hemani’s gun and cocaine in a search of his home as they probed travel and communications allegedly linked to Iran. The gun charge was the only one led, however, and his lawyers said the other allegations were irrelevant and were mentioned only to make him seem more dangerous.

The case marks another ashpoint in the application of the Supreme Court’s new test for rearm restrictions. The conservative majority found in 2022 that the Second Amendment generally gives people the right to carry guns in public for self-defense and any rearm restrictions must have a strong grounding in the nation’s history.

The landmark 2022 ruling led to a cascade of challenges to rearm laws around the country, though the justices have since upheld a di erent federal law intended to protect victims of domestic violence by barring guns from people under restraining orders.

MAKING THE WORLD SAFER

BIBLE STUDY: Psalms 100:1-5. Church of Living Water; Pastor: James Mitchell.

Let all praise Almighty God, now and forever! I praise You, God, for President Trump, for I know You, God, because You are destroying all the The evil possessed Hamas terrorists are cursed

The whole world is safer with President Trump in blind Democrats, when are you going to wake up? to stand up, speak out, and support men and women will make Turning Point USA even stronger than all our sins will be forgiven and forgotten! Praise

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Frabjous

Lewis Carroll’s portmanteau “frabjous” came to mind — the day was a combination of “fabulous” and “joyous.”

MY WIFE AND I MET our friend, Will, in Pittsboro last Saturday at the “No Kings” rally. He brought his buddy, Steve, who no longer drives. I saw Ann, who had just gotten back from Vermont. She and I danced to the “Raging Grannies,” who sang protest songs accompanied by a kazoo. Jordan was there with her boyfriend, Alex. She’s studying Christianity and wanted to see faith in action. My friend David was there on behalf of his synagogue. I met Keri, who described herself as a “devout atheist” but added, “I really love Jesus. I mean, he loved everybody.”

Alan was there and told us, “It’s not enough to be against something. You have to do something about it.”

A young dad named Nick wore an in atable unicorn costume. He said, “It’s silliness for a serious purpose.”

I didn’t learn the name of the young man blaring Lynyrd Skynyrd from his

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

truck because he drove by too fast. I wondered what he would have said if he had stopped to talk.

Carolyn wore a T-shirt with the word “Beloved” written in rainbow colors. She wanted to share the message that Jesus loves everybody. Two women holding hands smiled at her and thanked her for being there.

Mike wore an orange vest that marked him as a volunteer. He guided people across the street. “Safety rst,” he grinned. Another Mike had a homemade poster that read “The Original Antifa” and printed pictures of World War II generals who fought against Nazi Germany. His mom beamed at him and said, “That college tuition was put to good use!”

Kris wore monarch butter y wings, and they wanted to convey that this “monarch” was the only kind that belonged in America.

Henry had a homemade yardstick that was intentionally bent and read, “Woodworkers against crooked rulers.”

Charles made a sign with a quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

Richard said this was his rst protest ever. Lou said this was her rst protest ever, and she was 81 years old. Not to be outdone, Margaret said she was 85! I’ll let the experts gure out the exact number down in Pittsboro last Saturday. As I’ve thought about the day, Lewis Carroll’s portmanteau “frabjous” came to mind — the day was a combination of “fabulous” and “joyous.”

Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day.” He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, co ee drinker and student of joy.

Good and bad opposite sides of same coin

The Book tells us it’s along the lines of: “In all things, God works for good for those who love him” — “all things” meaning both good and bad things.

HAVE YOU EVER given thought to how events or happenings can build us up or push us down almost at the same time?

Those roller-coaster events can bring us to tears or to laughter within a blink of an eye, and both can leave us next door to exhaustion when they’re over.

One of those times in my life I remember most clearly is in the life of the older of the two grown children who used to be teenagers who lived at my house.

It was in those glorious days of high school when most of the world is right and the stars have all aligned in the proper order. As she moved along in her last year, she began to deal with “Where do I want to go to college?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” and so on and so forth.

Deciding she would follow in her mama’s footsteps and become a teacher — her choice, since she had seen the ups and downs of the career rsthand — she made application to the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program, a system that provided a four-year college scholarship if the recipient would pay it back by teaching in a North Carolina public school for four years. If you bailed out before the four years, then you were supposed to pay back the money.

As a part of that application process, you were to list, in order of preference, the colleges you’d like to attend that took part in the program. Then you mail it back in and wait — to see if you got in and where you’d be sent to school. And wait.

And wait some more. She did all that, and then came

the glorious day when Mr. Mailman dropped an envelope into our box at the road. She, by then, was pretty much living next to the mailbox, so when she saw the return address, she ripped open the envelope.

I can still see the scene in my mind’s eye: I’m standing on the front porch; she’s walking down the driveway looking over the contents.

“I got in!” (meaning she had been awarded a scholarship), she yelled to the people in the next county.

Then a nanosecond later the world comes crashing down. “They’re sending me to (XXXXX).” (The name of the school in question shall remain nameless here for fear of o ending the gentle souls who went to school there; su ce it to say that it was her third choice.)

For the next hundred hours, her mother and I sought to help her through the teachable moment that the best school anyone could attend was the one that o ered a scholarship. (I hope I feel that way always; what if one or more of my grandchildren gets a ride to Duke? … Please don’t call, write or assault me in public, Dear Reader. I’m just kidding … maybe.)

We also made the e ort to point out that she would have employment, something not easily or always guaranteed after college, while she was paying o the four years.

For her, the story had a happy ending. Sometime later, after being placed on a waitlist for her favorite school, she got in after other recipients, for whom her No. 1 choice was their Nos. 2 or 3, opted out and opened up a space.

So what’s the moral of the story? My mama would say it’s the old line, “All’s well that ends well,” or “This, too, shall pass.” The Book tells us it’s along the lines of: “In all things, God works for good for those who love him” — “all things” meaning both good and bad things.

Over the last few days, I’ve been thinking about how the good and the bad often coexist so closely in both time and space. For instance, the recent cool nights have let us turn o the air conditioner and deprive the power company of some of their revenue so it could become some of our revenue. We have ung open the windows, letting in the sounds of night — the train whistle at Bonlee, the squirrels chirping over who gets the next acorn, the dogs across the way in their nocturnal discussions, even the hair-raising symphony of the resident pack of coyotes way across the woods.

But those same open windows also let in the breezes, which often are scented with the evidence of Pepé Le Pew and the seemingly nightly skunk family reunion. I’m pretty sure most of that happens when the dogs and the skunks get together to vote.

So what to do? As in all parts of life, whether it’s a scholarship or a skunk, the answer most likely is take a deep breath, tie another knot, wait a bit, hang on and look for the good.

The smell goes away after a while.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

My age is … what?

Clearly, I was having an internal dissonance tantrum. I don’t perceive myself as, well, that age.

WAIT A MINUTE , just wait a minute!!

Underwent an annual medical test today — always a “whoopee” event. I was told the results would show up in my electronic medical chart in several days. Nope, they popped up this afternoon. Gulp. After some challenging health issues, every medical test scares me to some degree. OK, took a deep breath, told myself, if need be, I could contact my internist tomorrow. (Such a brave woman, I am!)

Normal! Yay! Exhaled and managed to read the results for this human specimen, a 70-plus-year-old female … 70-plus? No! No way! Who the hell are they talking about? I felt as if I was looking over my shoulder for the 70-plus-year-old female identi ed in the online medical chart. Where? Where?!

Omigod, that’s me. I felt stopped in my tracks. Lost sight of the great results and actually felt shocked, reading about myself described as a 70-plus-year-old. OK, OK, my body creaks a bit more, has something of a limp, and I’ll probably not run a 100-yard dash again in this lifetime, but that august age? No, no, no!

Clearly, I was having an internal dissonance tantrum. I don’t perceive myself as, well, that age. OK, admittedly, my hair is (mostly) silver but still naturally curly and cute. Thus sayeth the wonderful woman who’s been cutting my

hair forever. (Wouldn’t you believe your longtime hairstylist or barber? Heaven knows, after all the things you’ve shared together over the years, it’s practically therapy.)

So, yes, I’m left with the query, “Is there a contradiction between how I perceive myself age-wise and the sheer reality of aging?” You ready for the big reveal? Hmmm, maybe a more medium-sized reveal would be appropriate. Aging is … well, aging. Ah, but the lens through which I perceive aging is of my own making.

For the moment, no matter the age noted in my, supposedly, all-knowing medical records, I will continue (within reason) to perceive myself as young in spirit and heart. As long as I act my age … whoa! Absolutely wrong choice of words. Wrong, wrong, wrong! As long as I can be open-hearted and continue pitching my tent in the campground of compassion (hard, but so worth it), yours truly will, eventually, make peace with aging.

Food for thought. Wondering if s’mores are available in the aforementioned campground of compassion? No matter how old I am, I’ll always, always need treats!

Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-inlaw Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed

through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

Are government schools redeemable?

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years. The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law educationrelated policies and programs. Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships. Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens. Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable. Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

obituaries

James Thomas Cotner

Aug. 12, 1938 –Oct. 18, 2025

James Thomas Cotner, 87, of Siler City, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Mr. Cotner was born in Chatham County on August 12, 1938, son of William Owen (Bill) and Nina Mae Pugh Cotner. He was a member of Rocky River Friends Meeting. He was a truck driver for Carolina Poultry and Townsends. He also had his own salesman route. Later he became the wastewater tech for Townsends. He always enjoyed farming and being out on the farm with his livestock and teaching the next generation. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and setting up gun and knife shows with Earl Langley and other buddies. He also enjoyed going to the old men’s breakfast club

IN MEMORY

at Bojangles and McDonalds.

In addition to his parents, Thomas is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Andrew Cotner and their son James Owen “Jimmy” Cotner; his infant brother Billie Owen Cotner; father and motherin-law, AJ and Ruby Andrew, brother-in-law, Lester Odell Cox; nephew, William Brian (Bill) Cox.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Chriscoe and husband, James of Siler City; grandchildren, Riley Culberson and wife, Candace of Siler City, Ricky Culberson and wife Rebecca of Goldston, and Janice Chriscoe and ancé Jaxson of Siler City; great grandchildren, Haley, Owen, Lane, and Brady Culberson; sister, Mary Alice Cox of Asheboro.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Rocky River Friends Meeting Cemetery, with David Hobson o ciating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of owers the family request memorials be made to Rocky River Friends Meeting or Randolph Hospice House Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Cotner family. Online condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

LINDA HINESLEY BROWN

APRIL 13, 1952 – OCT. 12, 2025

Linda Hinesley Brown, of Robbins, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Browns Chapel Christian Church with Pastor Shawn Garner presiding. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the committal service. Linda was born in Moore County on April 13, 1952, to Willie and Josie Hinesley. She was a hair stylist for 30 years. She loved music and dancing, ower gardening, trips to the beach and family gatherings. She is known for making her famous biscuits and banana pudding. She loved spoiling her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Brown, Son, Charlie Brown and son-in-law, Charlie Wood, 6 sisters, 4 brothers, and 2 grandsons. Linda is survived by her children, Donna “Pebbles” Smith (Todd) of Robbins, Wendy Lowe (Brad) of Troy, Carol Jean Wood of the home, Belinda “Runt” Britt (Ronnie) of Spies, Sisters; Dale Howell of West End, Suzine Dodd (Bobby) of Kentucky, Carolyn Lazzaro (Joe) of Pennsylvania, 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

BETTY JANE LAMBERT MANESS OCT. 20, 2025

Betty Jane Lambert Maness, 86 of Bennett went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 20, 2025 at Peak Resources, Pinelake in Carthage, NC. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Leta Lambert. She was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett for over 70 years. She was a member of the choir for over 40 years and the Senior Visitation Committee for several years. She served in the Library and the Church Treasury and was always willing to bring cakes of all kinds to any church event. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 23rd at Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett, with Dr. Neal Jackson and Reverend Robert Kidd o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Joyce Brady Chapel will be open on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 1:00 5:00 pm for friends to sign the register. Visitation will be held from 1-1:45 PM in the church prior to the service. Visitation and refreshments will be served after the service with family present.

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ lead guitarist, dead at 74

He feuded on and o with his bandmates over the decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum and Andrew Dalton The Associated Press

ACE FREHLEY, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died last Thursday. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.

Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Kiss, whose hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” was known for its theatrical stage shows, with re and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.

Kiss’ original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the rst death among the four founding members.

Band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters — Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” The New York-born entertainer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer often experimented with pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow, emit smoke and shoot rockets from the headstock.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley said in a joint statement. “He was an es-

“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley

sential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13.

Before joining Kiss, he played in local bands around New York City and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18.

Kiss was especially popular in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and licensing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel. “Beth” was its biggest commercial hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.

As the Kennedy Center’s new chairman, President Donald Trump named Kiss as one of this year’s honorees.

In 2024, the band sold their catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be more than $300 million.

Frehley frequently feuded with Stanley and Simmons through the years. He left the band in 1982, missing the years when they took o the makeup and had mixed success. Stanley later said they nearly replaced Frehley with Eddie Van Halen, but Vinnie Vincent assumed the lead guitar role.

Frehley performed both as a

solo artist and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.

But he rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion and restoration of their original style that came after bands including Nirvana, Weezer and the Melvins had expressed a ection for the band and paid them musical tributes. He would leave again in 2002. When the original four entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, a dispute scrapped plans for them to perform. Simmons and Stanley objected to Criss and Frehley being inducted instead of then-guitarist Tommy Thayer and then-drummer Eric Singer. Simmons told Rolling Stone magazine that year that Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint.” “The makeup is earned,” he added. “Just being there at the beginning is not enough.”

Frehley and Kiss also had a huge in uence on the glammy style of 1980s so-called hair metal bands including Mötley Crüe and Poison.

“Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,” Poison front man Bret Michaels said on Instagram.

Harder-edged bands like Metallica and Pantera were also fans, and even country superstar Garth Brooks joined the band members for a recording of their “Hard Luck Woman” on a 1994 compilation. Frehley would appear occasionally with Kiss for shows in later years. A 2023 concert at Madison Square Garden was billed as the band’s last. While Stanley and Simmons said they would not tour again, they’ve been open to the possibility of more concerts, and they’ve stayed active promoting the group’s music and memorabilia.

Grammy-winning singer D’Angelo dead at 51

He became an icon with “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. The Associated Press

D’ANGELO, THE Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51. The singer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, died last Tuesday after a long bout with cancer, his family said in a statement.

It called him “a shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,” adding that they are “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”

In his music, D’Angelo blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Earlier this year, the Virginia native celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Brown Sugar,” a platinum-selling o ering that produced signature hits like “Lady” and the title track. The 1995 album earned him multiple Grammy nominations and cemented him as one of R&B’s most original new voices.

D’Angelo’s sultry vocal style — a mix of raspy texture and

church-bred uidity — set him apart from his peers. That voice became inseparable from the striking visuals of his 2000 single “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The minimalist, shirtless music video became a cultural touchstone, igniting conversations around artistry, sexuality and vulnerability in Black male representation. The song earned him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance and propelled his sophomore album “Voodoo,” topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy for best R&B album.

With an idiosyncratic spirit not unlike Prince, D’Angelo’s devotion was always to the craft — not the machinery around it. In a 2000 interview with The Associated Press, he spoke candidly about the cost of chasing commercial success.

“(Musicians) have gotten trapped into that mode of thinking marketable and commercial. That destroys art, that destroys the essence of what it is about,” he said. “You cannot, you cannot work like that. You cannot make music like that. That’s not what this is about.”

That same year, D’Angelo reected on his need for solitude amid fame: “I used to hang out a lot, but now I’ve become more of a recluse,” he told AP. “I long for just peace and silence.”

Beyond his own catalog, D’Angelo’s artistry shined in collaborations. He memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful ballad “Nothing Even Matters,” a highlight of her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He also contributed to The Roots’ 1996 album “Illadelph Hal ife” and was part of the supergroup Black Men

United, which yielded one song: “U Will Know,” which D’Angelo wrote and co-produced, for the lm “Jason’s Lyric” in 1994. “I remember hearing your music for the rst time… I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed,” Jamie Foxx said on social media. “Then when I nally got a chance to see you… Like everyone when they saw the most incredible music video of our time… I was blown away… I thought to myself I have to see this person in concert… I had my chance to see you at the house of blues… You came out and got right down to business… Your voice was silky and awless… I was graciously envious of your style and your swag…”

Years before stepping back from public view, D’Angelo’s life and music were closely intertwined with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone in the ’90s. The pair met while he was nishing “Brown Sugar” and bonded over their shared Southern roots and deep church upbringing. Stone contributed to the album and later collaborated with him on “Everyday,” a song from her 1999 debut album, “Black Diamond.” Stone once described D’Angelo as her “musical soul mate,” to the AP in 1999, adding that their working relationship was “’like milk and cereal …. Musically, it was magic. It’s something that I have not been able to do with any other producer or musician.” They had a son to-

CHAPEL HILL from page A1

gether, the artist Swayvo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr. Stone died earlier this year in a car crash. She was 63.

D’Angelo also has a daughter, Imani Archer, who is also a music artist.

In the years that followed, D’Angelo’s life became as dened by absence as by acclaim. After “Voodoo,” he withdrew from the spotlight for more than a decade, fueling speculation about personal struggles and creative battles. His long-awaited return came in 2014 with “Black Messiah,” credited to D’Angelo and The Vanguard. The urgent and politically charged album that arrived amid nationwide protests and helped usher in a wave of activist music responding to police killings of Black Americans and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and won him a Grammy for best R&B album, rea rming his stature as a generational voice. Its standout single, “Really Love,” earned him another Grammy for best R&B song and earned a nomination for record of the year.

Beyond his biggest singles, D’Angelo’s catalog includes fan favorites like “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine,” “Cruisin’” and “Devil’s Pie.” His in uence stretched far beyond the charts: he inspired a wave of artists including Maxwell, Alicia Keys and Frank Ocean.

Development Manager Bryan Boyles. “5% at 60% (area median income) and 5% at 80% AMI. We have updated our proposal so that all 10% is now at 60% AMI.”

The developer has also agreed to accept housing choice vouchers for the development, and the project will have a parking ratio of 1.2 spaces per unit.

“Our intention is to provide the majority of our unit within studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units,” Boyles said. “Further, we intend to cap our four-bedroom, four-bathroom units at 30%.”

The town’s planning department also recommended the project for approval.

“We recommend this project because we believe it is in alignment with the Complete Community goals and the comprehensive plans,” said Senior Planner Katherine Shor. “We believe that the requested modi cations also do serve the public purpose.”

The Complete Community goals that sta pointed to were that it plans for the future strategically, expands and delivers new greenways, provides housing, is green focused, and plans for excellence in the public realm and placemaking.

“We would like to do more projects in Chapel Hill, so we need to do what we tell you we’re going to do to be able to come back and do more business,” Boyles said. “We do multiple projects and markets across the country, and like we said, we’re long-term holders of this project, so we need to maintain a great relationship with the town.”

ACCESS from page A1

Recreation and Cultural Resources. “Projects like this help ensure that conservation and recreation go hand-in-hand — that our natural resources are protected, while still being available for public enjoyment.”

The Deep River ows 125 miles from its headwaters near High Point, joining the Haw River near Moncure to form the Cape Fear River. The state legislature authorized the Deep River as a land and paddle state trail in 2007, making it one of 15 authorized state trails across North Carolina.

Funding from the state’s Complete the Trails Program has helped construct a bridge in Franklinville and will support improvements to the Carbonton river access. Piedmont Land Conservancy serves as the nonpro t partner implementing these projects.

“We would like to do more projects in Chapel Hill, so we need to do what we tell you we’re going to do to be able to come back and do more business.”

Bryan Boyles, Landmark Properties development manager

“The Deep River is one of Chatham County’s most important natural treasures.”

Tracy Burnett, Chatham County parks director

the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

REAL ESTATE

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com - 919362-6999.

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AUCTIONS

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IN SEARCH OF SOMEONE

I met you at Dollar Tree in Siler City, you paid for a Birthday Gift Bag. I want to meet you again to thank you. I live on Hwy.902 at 11348, Bear Creek, NC. My phone # is 919-837-5280.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CARONLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY

THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ) ) FILE NO. 24E001684-180

ROBERT MICHAEL WELCH, ) Deceased.

)

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

Having quali ed as Executor/Administrator of the Estate of Robert Michael Welch, deceased, late of Carlsbad, New Mexico, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before December 31, 2025 (90 days date) or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement.

This the 2nd day of October, 2025. (1st Thursday Publication Date) Steven Michael Welch 1202 N. Shore Drive Carlsbad, NM 88220

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 1st day of October 2025, as Administrator of the Estate of Shannon Lee BaileyHill, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 2nd day of October 2025. Ariel Clower, Administrator of the Estate of Shannon Lee Bailey-Hill 19429 Elkhart Street Harper Woods, MI 48225

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: October 9th, 16th,23rd and 30th 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY

All persons, individuals and companies, having claims against Gerald M. Bernstein, deceased, Chatham County le no. 25E000373-180, are noti ed to present them to the executor named below, on or before January 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. Marc Bernstein, 220 Amber Wood Run, Chapel Hill NC 27516, 910-446-8028.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of THOMAS HENRY FERGUSON, late of CHATHAM County, North Carolina; This is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before January 16, 2026 or this Notice will be pled in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make payment to the undersigned.

This the 13th day of October, 2025

Henry S. Morphis, Administrator ESTATE OF THOMAS HENRY FERGUSON PO Box 3149 Hickory, NC 28603

Henry S. Morphis, Attorney MORPHIS LAW & MEDIATION

Post O ce Box 3149 Hickory, North Carolina 28603 (828) 328-5297

PUBLISH: October 16 , 23, 30th and November 6th, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of LINVILLE GARNER, deceased, late of CHATHAM County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at: 1917 BERNARD PURVIS RD BENNETT NC 27208 on or before the 5th day of JANUARY, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and Corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 30th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025. LARRY MATTHEW SAUNDERS Personal Representative For the Estate of LINVILLE GARNER Frank C. Thigpen Thigpen and Jenkins, LLP Attorney for Estate PO Box 792 Robbins, North Carolina 27325

PUBLICATION DATES: October 2, 2025 October 9, 2025 October 16, 2025 October 23, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Portnoy Hirschman, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before January 16, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of October, 2025. Daniel Hirschman, Executor of the Estate of Sandra Portnoy Hirschman 13001 Droughton Court Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

24E001488-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Daphne Hill, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Albert Roland Cooke, Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of January 21, 2026, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd day of October 2025. Daphne Hill Executor Marie H. Hopper

Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM ACE SELF STORAGE, PURSUANT TO NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES, CHAPTER 44A, SHALL CONDUCT A PUBLIC SALE OF THE UNITS LISTED BELOW AT IT’S FACILITY LOCATED AT 105 WEST

FIFTH STREET, SILER CITY, NC AT 11:00AM ON OCTOBER 30, 2025

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW ANY UNITS FROM THE SALE. ALL SALES WILL BE CASH TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

B-1 BARRY EDWARDS

B-2A BARRY EDWARDS

B-2B BARRY EDWARDS

B-2C BARRY EDWARDS

B-21B FRANKLIN BROWN

B-13 BLAINE FIELDS

B-21A NIKKI GOLDSTON

B-8 JEFF HARRIS

B4D PAUL JONES B-20 EARNEST ROSEBORO

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Charlene Margaret Gaddy late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 7th day of October, 2025.

Charles David Elder, Administrator of The Estate of Charlene Margaret Gaddy 4428 Huntsman Court Castle Hayne, North Carolina 28429

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM File Number 25E000558-180

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of D.

GABRIELLE BROUILLETTE, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th day of January, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment. This the 16th day of October, 2025. Executor for the Estate Joseph J. DeGeorge 140 Bell Flower Court Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Attorney for the Executor Jennifer C. Noble N.C. Bar No. 33481 230 N. Elm Street, Suite 1200 Greensboro, NC 27401

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000546-180 All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against Mary H. Hodges, deceased, late of Huntington, West Virginia, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 9th day of October 2025. Audy M. Perry, Jr., Ancillary Executor c/o Hemphill Gelder, PC PO Box 97035 Raleigh, NC 27624-7035

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000472-180 ALL persons having claims against Judith-Ann Leporino, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 02 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This the 2nd day of October, 2025. RENEE EASTMAN, Executor C/O Lenfestey, Maxie & Burger, PLLC 5640 Dillard Drive, Suite 101 Cary, North Carolina 27518 O2, 9, 16 and 23

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24CV0000235-180 TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF GAITHER RODGERS, SR; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF FREEMAN THOMAS RODGERS Take notice that pleadings seeking relief against you have been led in the above-entitled civil action. The nature of the relief being sought is for the condemnation and appropriation, for highway purposes, of a certain interests or estates in that certain parcel of land lying and being in Center Township, Chatham County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being that land identi ed as part of the Estate of Lillie Freeman Rodgers as set forth in the Estate of Lillie Freeman Rodgers, 83-E-213, Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court. Also, being that land identi ed as Tax Parcel ID No. 0075052 (PIN No. 9742-82-2831) containing approximately 1.300 acres and described as “K5-78K” and being located on the west side of Hillsboro Street/US Highway 15-501 immediately north of 50 Dark Oaks Drive, Pittsboro, NC, as is shown in the Chatham County Tax O ce. You are hereby required to make defense to such pleadings not later than the 18th day of November, 2026, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 9th day of October, 2025.

JEFF JACKSON

Attorney General Lisa B. Finkelstein Assistant Attorney General North Carolina Department of Justice 1505 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1505 Phone: (919) 707-4480 O9, 16 and 23

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000548-180 ALL persons having claims against Sandra Kay Wicker Cameron, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 16 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 16th day of October, 2025.

JOHN B. CAMERON, III, Executor C/O Privette Legacy Planning 1400 Crescent Green, Suite G-100 Cary, NC 27518 O16, 23, 30 and 6

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000490-180

The undersigned, BEATRICE BARON, having quali ed on the 12th Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BEATRICE CANTIN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 16THDay OF OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 16TH DAY OF JANUARY 2026.

BEATRICE BARON, EXECUTOR 121 ANGEL WAY

CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516

*SONYA LINTON

MAGNOLIA LEGAL

3001 ACADEMY RD., SUITE 120 DURHAM, NC 27705 Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000341-180

The undersigned, JO ANNE RUSSO AND JULIE C. RUDOWSKI, having quali ed on the 14TH Day of JULY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of BRENDA GRAHAM DOWLING, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16TH Day JANUARY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. JO ANNE RUSSO, ADMINISTRATOR 1113 RUSSET LANE APEX, NC 27523

*MAIL TO: JULIE C. RUDOWSKI, ADMINISTRATOR 10520 SABLEWOOD DRIVE #103 RALEIGH, NC 27617

Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000542-180 The undersigned, RACHEL MITCHELL, having quali ed on the 29TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of GERALDINE WALSER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9TH Day JANUARY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 9TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

RACHEL MITCHELL, EXECUTOR 3794 NC HWY 751 APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: O9,16,23,30p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000510-180 The undersigned, JOANNE ALSTON AND JUDY C. REAVES, having quali ed on the 16TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as CO-ADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of HAYWOOD AL REAVES, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd Day JANUARY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. *JOANNE ALSTON, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 45 DAISY SCURLOCK RD. MONCURE, NC 27559 JUDY C. REAVES, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 283 PINECREST DR. BEAR CREEK, NC 27207

Run dates: O2,9,16,23p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000545-180

The undersigned, MICHAEL P ROULEAU, having quali ed on the 1ST Day of OCTOBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PATRICIA JOAN PAIT, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16TH Day JANUARY 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

MICHAEL P ROULEAU, EXECUTOR 209 PARKGATE DRIVE CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM NEWS

FILE#25000500-180

The undersigned, CAROLINE WOOD, having quali ed on the 10TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of SUSAN WOOD, deceased, of CHATHAM COUNTY, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2ND Day JANUARY, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

CAROLINE WOOD, ADMINISTRATOR 1321 #2 CHILDS DRIVE HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278 Run dates: O2,9,16,23p

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Wayne Paul Powers, a/k/a Wayne P. Powers, a/k/a Wayne Powers, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before January 4, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 2nd day of October, 2025. Elaine P. Partin Executor of the Estate of Wayne Paul Powers a/k/a Wayne P. Powers a/k/a Wayne Powers The Chatham News & Record B. Pete Jarvis Tennant & Jarvis, P.C. PO Box 4585 Archdale, NC 27263 FOR PUBLICATION: October 2, October

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER PERMIT VIOLATIONS TriRiver Water in accordance with Federal and State Regulations is hereby giving Public Notice. Listed below are Signi cant Industrial Users that were in signi cant noncompliance (SNC) with national pretreatment regulations, 40 CFR Part 403, state pretreatment regulations, 15 NCAC 2H .0900, and local pretreatment regulations during the period of January 1st – June 30th 2025. Wolfspeed, Inc.-Permit Limits Violation All program industries continue to be

be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of October 2025. Sandra Williams Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Warner Smith Rackley, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned, whose mailing address is c/o CharlotteAnne T. Alexander, Colombo Kitchin Attorneys, 1698 E. Arlington Blvd, Greenville, NC 27858 on or before the 23rd day of January, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd day of October, 2025. Warner Cooper Rackley, Executor of the Estate of Warner Smith Rackley Colombo Kitchin Attorneys c/o Charlotte-Anne T. Alexander 1698 E. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858 CHARLOTTE-ANNE T. ALEXANDER COLOMBO, KITCHIN, DUNN, BALL & PORTER, LLP Attorneys at Law 1698 E. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF Rosemond Rocco All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Rosemond Rocco, late of Chatham, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to Kathleen Rocco as Executor of the decedent’s estate on or before January 24, 2026, c/o Janet B. Witchger, Attorney at Law, 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. This the 23rd day of October 2025. Kathleen Rocco, Executor c/o Janet B. Witchger, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Touting bene ts of writing

It’s becoming Steven

Spielberg in your head

By Erika Ho man For Chatham News & Record

WRITING, like reading and other activities you can do solo, requires no fancy equipment, no coach, no eld or court, no studio nor stage. Of course, it helps to have accoutrements like a computer, a critique group and a room of one’s own, per Virginia Woolf’s advice. Yet sometimes my best writing happens on a legal pad using a cheap ballpoint pen while I’m sitting in my backyard listening to the chirping of birds.

Writing grounds a person. Often one’s monkey mind jumps from distraction to distraction or worry to worry; however, if a person settles down with pen and paper and writes out the ricocheting thoughts, her mind calms down. It’s therapeutic. It’s ushing the brain. You cleanse your mind when you write down your feelings.

Writing makes me joyful if I relive a happy moment or create a fun scene purely from my imagination. I get a kick — a

“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”

Virginia Woolf

certain satisfaction — from crafting a story. Occasionally, I’ll look back at an old photo of me that I didn’t think was attering at the time, and I’ll say to myself, “Not bad. Pretty good.” Ditto with my writing. I’ll reread a piece of mine that got published, and I’ll remark to myself: “Not bad. Pretty good.”

In addition, my hoarding nature is sated by my avocation/ vocation. I never throw anything away. I stow my scribbles in the bowels of my computer, and every so often I take out pieces and polish them the way I should do with wedding silver. I increase the sparkly. Then I hunt for a new place to display it. Sometimes a market turns up that the square peg piece might t into.

Writing feeds self-esteem. In the years since I started this

GEORGE

CHARLES BERESFORD / ADAM CUERDEN VIA WIKIPEDIA

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was an English writer and one of the most in uential modernist authors of the 20th century.

pastime or semi-vocation, I feel more con dent around others. I know few people ever get published. I feel proud of myself when I do. I’ve achieved something special. Because I have done genealogical research, I appreciate people who write and leave a re-

cord their descendants can discover. Two hundred years from now, my descendants will nd out a bit about the personality of their 10th great-grandma, and it will shed light on how folks in the early 21st century thought and what they did. Ergo, I’m creating a record of history by making my own time capsule.

Furthermore, I save my husband money by writing. When I used to get bored or stressed or down in the mouth, I’d head to the mall and shop. Now, I bang the keys. Toner and paper’s much cheaper than Nordstrom shoes.

Writing exposes me to a world of new acquaintances. Several writerly folks I’ve met are vastly di erent from me in lifestyles, philosophies and backgrounds, but because we share this obsession or passion about reporting our impressions of things, a bond forms. Nonwriting friends can’t really grasp why some of us humans feel compelled to spill our guts on paper or in cyberspace. A few who love to tweet or record on YouTube may get it, but they only understand it on a supercial level because they don’t really delve into the depths where one must be honest with oneself about how one feels. Sometimes, a person does encounter strange creatures the farther she descends into her subcon-

scious and memory, like a scuba diver who meets up with beautiful exotic sh and rare species unknown to those snorkeling on the surface, who never see what’s hidden deep below. Those who barely wade into the water have no idea what lurks in the deep recesses of the ocean. Writing opens worlds. Writers become more careful readers, more acute listeners and analytical thinkers. I’ve noticed a change in me since I started this ritual of writing. I am more thankful for life, and for the blessings and opportunities afforded me. I look at people differently from how I used to. I notice their mannerisms more, their speech patterns more and their personalities more. Writing makes me more sensitive to the human world as well as to the physical world. It ratchets up one’s ve senses. Although this essay could wind on and on about the bene ts of writing, I conclude that writing perhaps bene ts me the most in that it lls me up with contentment. I lose track of time when I’m deep into a story dream, imagining what my heroine will do next or what awful event will transpire that she’ll need to rise above. It’s becoming Steven Spielberg in your head. A movie reel is constantly running in my noggin — and no popcorn required.

Chatham schools honor 148 students who mastered English

Fourth annual celebration recognizes multilingual learners’ achievements

Chatham News & Record sta CHATHAM COUNTY Schools honored 148 students who successfully completed the English Language Acquisition program at its fourth annual Celebration of Success on Saturday at Pittsboro United

Methodist Church’s Family Life Center.

The students, who demonstrated mastery of English during the 2025 school year, are now able to fully participate in academic instruction without additional language support.

“This celebration is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our multilingual learners, their families, and our educators,” said Carrie Little, executive director of federal

programs for Chatham County Schools. “Each student honored today has reached an important milestone, and we are incredibly proud of their progress.”

The Saturday morning event included student recognitions and remarks from district ocials, teachers and community members.

“Today’s recognition is more than a celebration of language acquisition, it’s a celebration of perseverance, courage, and the

bright future that lies ahead for each of these students,” said Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson. “Our multilingual learners are a vital part of our school community, and their success enriches us all.”

The annual event, now in its fourth year, re ects the district’s commitment to supporting its multilingual learners. Chatham County Schools serves more than 8,900 students across 20 schools.

Number of students who successfully exited the English Language Acquisition program

COLLEGES from page A1

Cooper, who has studied college ROI at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “It’s front of mind for universities today in a way that it was not necessarily 15, 20 years ago.”

Most bachelor’s degrees still worth it

A wide body of research indicates a bachelor’s degree still pays o , at least on average and in the long run. Yet there’s growing recognition that not all degrees lead to a good salary, and even some that seem like a good bet are becoming riskier as graduates face one of the toughest job markets in years. A new analysis released Thursday by the Strada Education Foundation nds 70% of recent public university graduates can expect a positive return within 10 years — meaning their earnings over a decade will exceed that of a typical high school graduate by an amount greater than the cost of their degree. Yet it varies by state, from 53% in North Dakota to 82% in Washington, D.C. States where college is more affordable have fared better, the report says.

It’s a critical issue for families who wonder how college tuition prices could ever pay o , said Emilia Mattucci, a high

school counselor at East Allegheny schools, near Pittsburgh. More than two-thirds of her school’s students come from low-income families, and many aren’t willing to take on the level of debt that past generations accepted.

Instead, more are heading to technical schools or the trades and passing on four-year universities, she said.

“A lot of families are just saying they can’t a ord it, or they don’t want to go into debt for years and years and years,” she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been among those questioning the need for a four-year degree. Speaking at the Reagan Institute think tank in September, McMahon praised programs that prepare students for careers right out of high school.

“I’m not saying kids shouldn’t go to college,” she said. “I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Lowering college tuition, improving graduate earnings

American higher education has been grappling with both sides of the ROI equation — tuition costs and graduate earnings.

It’s becoming even more important as colleges compete for decreasing numbers of college-age studentsas a result of falling

birth rates.

Tuition rates have stayed at on many campuses in recent years to address a ordability concerns, and many private colleges have lowered their sticker prices in an e ort to better re ect the cost most students actually pay after factoring in nancial aid.

The other part of the equation — making sure graduates land good jobs — is more complicated. A group of college presidents recently met at Gallup’s Washington headquarters to study public polling on higher education. One of the chief reasons for agging condence is a perception that colleges aren’t giving graduates the skills employers need, said Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, one of the leaders at the meeting.

“We’re trying to get out in front of that,” he said.

The issue has been a priority for Guskiewicz since he arrived on campus last year. He gathered a council of Michigan business leaders to identify skills that graduates will need for jobs, from agriculture to banking. The goal is to mold degree programs to the job market’s needs and to get students internships and work experience that can lead to a job.

Disconnect with job market

Bridging the gap to the job market has been a persistent struggle for U.S. colleges, said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, a think tank that studies the workforce.

Last year the institute, partnering with Strada researchers, found 52% of recent college graduates were in jobs that didn’t require a degree. Even higher-demand elds, such as education and nursing, had large numbers of graduates in that situation.

“No programs are immune, and no schools are immune,” Sigelman said.

The federal government has been trying to x the problem for decades, going back to President Barack Obama’s administration.

A federal rule rst established in 2011 aimed to cut federal money to college programs that leave graduates with low earnings, though it primarily targeted for-pro t colleges.

A Republican reconciliation bill passed this year takes a wider view, requiring most colleges to hit earnings standards to be eligible for federal funding. The goal is to make sure college graduates end up earning more than those without a degree.

Others see transparency as a key solution.

For decades, students had little way to know whether gradu-

ates of speci c degree programs were landing good jobs after college. That started to change with the College Scorecard in 2015, a federal website that shares broad earnings outcomes for college programs. More recently, bipartisan legislation in Congress has sought to give the public even more detailed data.

Lawmakers in North Carolina ordered a 2023 study on thenancial return for degrees across the state’s public universities. It found that 93% produced a positive return, meaning graduates were expected to earn more over their lives than someone without a similar degree.

The data is available to the public, showing, for example, that undergraduate degrees in applied math and business tend to have high returns at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while graduate degrees in psychology and foreign languages often don’t.

Colleges are belatedly realizing how important that kind of data is to students and their families, said Lee Roberts, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, in an interview.

“In uncertain times, students are even more focused — I would say rightly so — on what their job prospects are going to be,” he added. “So I think colleges and universities really owe students and their families this data.”

CHATHAM SPORTS

Seaforth quarterback Annika Johansson throws deep during last week’s win over Jordan-Matthews

Girls’ volleyball, tennis playo

Local teams survive and advance in the year’s rst state tournaments

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Volleyball

(NCHSAA playo s)

1A: On the West side of the bracket, No. 13 Chatham Central defeated conference foe No. 20 College Prep and Leadership 3-0 in the rst round Saturday. Sophomore Addison Goldston nished with a team highs of nine kills and 12 digs. Junior Chole Brewer notched 16 assists, while senior Sydney Sellers landed six service aces.

The Bears played No. 4 Bethany Community on Tuesday.

Woods Charter, the No. 2 seed in the East, played No. 15 Northside-Pinetown on Tuesday. The Wolves won the Central Tar Heel 1A conference tournament nal over Chatham Charter 3-0 on Oct. 15.

The Knights, seeded at No. 7 in the West bracket, played No. 10 River Mill in the second round Tuesday.

3A: No. 20 Northwood upset No. 13 Martin County 3-0 in the rst round of the East bracket Saturday. The Chargers set the tone with a 25-14 rst-set win, and they won a close nal set 25-21. Northwood will play No. 4 Farmville Central in the second round.

4A: In the East bracket, No. 24 Jordan-Matthews’ season ended with a 3-0 loss to No. 9 Southwestern Randolph Friday. That was the Jets’ third loss to the Cougars this season.

5A: No. 5 Seaforth will play No. 12 Currituck County in the second round of the East bracket.

Girls’ tennis (Dual Team NCHSAA playo s)

1A: In the rst round of the East bracket, No. 3 Vance Charter beat No. 6 Chatham Central 8-1. After beating No. 5 Leadership Academy 7-2 in the rst round, No. 4 Chatham Charter battled No. 1

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth’s Naomi Stevenson (1) winds up to record a kill. Stevenson and Forbes led the Hawks with 14 kills each in the conference championship loss Oct. 15.

Seaforth volleyball falls in conference tournament title

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

“We just didn’t take advantage of some opportunities, and they made some good plays.”

Scott Green

The Red Wolves, who also took the regular season conference title, got the best of the Hawks for the third time this season. “We felt like we could have won,” Seaforth coach Scott Green said.

Clean sheets for Los Jets as of Sunday

NCSSM-Morganton on Monday.

3A: After beating No. 17 Farmville Central 6-0 in the rst round of the East bracket, No. 16 Northwood fell to No. 1 Greene Central 6-0 in the second round.

5A: In the East bracket, No. 10 Seaforth defeated No. 23 Richlands 8-1 in the rst round. The Hawks defeated No. 7 West Carteret 8-1 and

moved on to play No. 2 Croatan in the third round Monday.

Individual state championship quali ers (all state championships played at Burlington Tennis Center)

1A (Nov. 1 at noon): Mak Allen and Maggie Moody (Chatham Charter, doubles)

5A (Oct. 31 at noon): Mackenzie Wray (Seaforth, individual); Ella Kristiansen and Tatum Dell (Seaforth, doubles)

Boys’ soccer Jordan-Matthews extended its win streak to four with a

Seaforth jumped out to an early lead in every set, but See ROUNDUP, page B4 See FOOTBALL, page B3 See VOLLEYBALL, page B4

The Bears’ battle with injuries resulted in a forfeit

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Seaforth 27, South Granville 7

Seaforth (4-4) put on one of its best performances of the year to win its third game in a row and narrow its path toward a conference title.

The Hawks jumped on South Granville (3-5) early, starting the game with a 7-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Duncan Parker to junior receiver Max Hinchman. On the next possession, Seaforth forced a fumble on a sack, and freshman linebacker Nolan Greiner scooped it up for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, senior Nick Gregory put the Hawks ahead by three scores with a short run to the end zone.

Seaforth’s defense ended the night with four takeaways, including interceptions by sophomore Jude O’Neill and senior Patrick Miller, and another fumble recovery in the third quarter. The Hawks held the Vikings to 157 yards of total o ense, as they’ve allowed two scores in their last two games.

Parker put the nishing touches on the win with a 9-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Week 10: Seaforth at J.F. Webb (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Seaforth can clinch its rst ever conference title on the road at J.F. Webb (6-2) on Friday.

Straight wins by Seaforth for the rst time in program history

Grayson Cox

Northwood, football

Northwood senior Grayson Cox earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Oct. 13.

In the Chargers’ big win over North Moore on Friday, Cox was responsible for all three of his team’s touchdowns. He threw two touchdown passes to junior receiver Raje Torres and scored by himself on a short run.

Cox has been instrumental in Northwood’s late-season spark. With his ability to hold multiple roles as a throwing quarterback and a running back for a shorthanded o ense, Cox has helped Northwood win two straight games and reach second place in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

Woods Charter loses grip on conference title with road loss

The Grizzlies won both games over the Wolves this season

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

BURLINGTON — Clover Garden, rst place in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference, scored two goals in the second half to down second-place Woods Charter 3-0 and control its destiny for the conference title.

Up 1-0, freshman mid elder Andrew Elsdon knocked in a score early in the second half to put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Senior mid elder Brady Whitt landed the dagger late in the period with a score from close range.

Woods Charter su ered its rst shutout loss of the season.

“Clover Garden wanted it more than we did,” Woods Charter coach Graeme Stewart said. “Clover Garden made better decisions when they had the ball. We were too timid, we let them have too much space, and we didn’t earn the right today.”

Clover Garden struck rst about ve minutes into the game when goalkeeper Ethan Saunders launched the ball deep into Woods Charter territory, and junior Charlie Castaneda knocked it in the net.

“It was a simple mistake,”

“Clover Garden wanted it more than we did.”

Graeme Stewart

Stewart said. “We didn’t clear it and it fell to them, and they scored.”

Nevertheless, Woods Charter got plenty of opportunities to tie the game, or even take the lead, in the rst half. The Wolves earned multiple corners and missed numerous shots around the goal.

“We’ve worked extensively on nishing,” Stewart said. “It’s just making that decision and having the con dence to, in front of the goal, to just make that decision to go to the corner. When you’ve got a decent keeper like they did, obviously, it intimidates you a little bit, so what we did was we shot it right at him, which is what he played for.”

The Wolves were down important players due to injury and illness. They had 14 players available instead of their usual 19.

Woods Charter was without senior captain and mid elder Daniel Horil, who will be out for the season with a leg injury. The Wolves were also missing one of their key defenders in senior Odin Withrow. Stewart

expects Withrow to be back for the postseason.

“We’re moving people around, and it’s taken them a little while to get used to positions,” Stewart said. “Today’s disappointing because we played well on Friday against a decent team, but we didn’t turn up today.”

With the win, Clover Garden swept the regular season series against the Wolves. The Grizzlies won the rst meeting 2-1 in a game that Stewart felt his team “outplayed” and “outshot” their opponent.

Clover Garden moved to 10-0 in conference play and is now fully in the drivers’ seat for the conference title with two more league games left on its schedule.

Woods Charter fell to 7-2 in conference play.

Nevertheless, the Wolves are having one of their best seasons in recent memory, reaching 10 wins for the rst time since 2021.

“We’ve got a lot to play for,” Stewart said. “We’ve got work to do. And I was just completely honest with them about what I saw today, that we need to change. A lot of it is mental decision making and just work rate. Real basics of the game. Work rate. It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you’ve got to work.”

Siler City baseball eld named after longtime youth coach

Nat Murray coached from 1963 to 2023

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Within Siler City youth baseball, his name and impact became the de nition of generational.

And although his lifetime of service is complete, it won’t stop being that way.

The Town of Siler City held a ceremony to rename Bray Park’s youth baseball eld in honor of former youth baseball coach Nat Murray on Oct. 14. Murray, 87, coached youth baseball for more than 60 years at what is now known as the Nat Murray Little League Field.

“It means a whole lot,” Murray said. “God blessed me to do it, and I pulled through it.”

Murray coached the Rotary Club team from 1963 until the team dissolved in 2023.

“It’s pretty amazing that somebody stays 60 years of doing anything,” Butch Hud-

The Warriors are also coming o a blowout win, beating Cedar Ridge 64-19. Senior running back Mikelis Hobgood tied the state record with eight rushing touchdowns last week as he rushed for 384 yards on 22 carries.

Running the ball is J.F. Webb’s identity through Hobgood, senior running back Josiah Daniel and junior Alijah Kinton. The Warriors have rushed for more than 400 yards in three straight games.

Seaforth’s defense has played well in conference play, including three straight wins in which opponents scored less than 30 points, but the unit will need to have its best night against the Warriors.

The Hawks’ o ense will also need to put points on the board should J.F. Webb’s running backs get loose. The Warriors have scored fewer than 30 points twice this season and have allowed 20 points per game in conference play.

Northwood 27, North Moore 6

Northwood (3-5) played yet another complete game to move into second place in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

Senior quarterback Grayson Cox was responsible for all three touchdowns, including two passes of over 20 yards to junior receiver Raje Torres and a 5-yard touchdown run, to down North Moore (0-2).

Two eld goals from senior Leo Mortimer, one from 23 yards and the other from 30, helped the Chargers to a 13-6

“God blessed me to do it, and I pulled through it.”

Nat Murray

son said during the ceremony. Through the decades, Murray remained the same coach who led through his faith, treated his players like family and was a “stickler” for the rules. He prided himself with being fair to his players and giving each one an opportunity to play because he felt “that’s what they were (there) for.”

“I’ll say if you treat boys respectfully, in a lot of ways, it’ll come back to you,” Murray said. “And it’s come back to me. I see boys now, they’re grown men. And they come up to me, put their arm around me and say, ‘I appreciate you.’”

One of those men was Willie Snipes, who attended the ceremony with a team photo (including himself) of Murray’s 1976 championship team. Snipes

played for Murray for four years as an out elder and a pitcher. Murray taught Snipes how to pitch after noticing how he could

lead at the half. Northwood took full control with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

The Chargers’ defense held its opponent under 20 points for the second week in a row as North Moore’s run-heavy offense rushed for 141 yards on 42 attempts.

Week 10: Northwood at

Southwestern Randolph (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Northwood looks to continue its late-season surge at Southwestern Randolph (5-3) on Friday.

The Cougars are a balanced team with running threats at the quarterback, running back and receiver positions, and they can make big plays in the pass game. They have multiple ways to gain yards on the ground,

whether its hando , direct snap or a jet sweep.

The Chargers’ defense has been physically imposing in its last two games, allowing a combined three scores thanks to impressive defensive line and linebacker play. O ensively, Northwood has revived itself with unpredictable personnel and spreading the ball out to its receiving corps. A key, like always for Northwood, will be getting Torres opportunities in space, especially against man coverages.

Southwestern Randolph 48, Jordan-Matthews 18

Southwestern Randolph (5-3) outscored Jordan-Matthews (5- 4) 27-6 in the fourth quarter

throw runners out from right eld, and he would also take him home and pick him up on occasions when he didn’t have a ride.

to halt the Jets’ comeback e ort. Jordan-Matthews trailed 21-0 after a 15-yard touchdown pass to Southwestern Randolph’s Levi Dalke.

The Jets followed that with a 60-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Kamarie Hadley to junior Namir Wiley. They recovered the ensuing kicko , and shortly after, senior running back Jakari Blue made it a one-possession game with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Early in the fourth quarter, Wiley took a punt return 59 yards to the house to bring the Jets to a 21-18 de cit. However, two straight touchdown runs by Southwestern Randolph’s senior running back Brody Sheppard and a pick-six quickly ballooned into a 41-18 Cougars’ lead. Anal 3-yard touchdown run put the Cougars ahead by 30 points.

Week 10: Bye

Week 10: Chatham Central vs. South Davidson (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Chatham Central had to forfeit its Week 9 matchup due to injuries. If the Bears are able, they’ll host South Davidson (8- 0) on Friday.

South Davidson is having quite the turnaround season after going 0-10 in 2024. Senior quarterback Gage Underwood, junior George Nilsen IV and junior Duke Howell have led a dangerous rushing attack that has recorded over 250 yards in four straight games.

Chatham Central will try once again do what it can without its starting quarterback and with a banged-up roster.

Conference standings (overall, conference)

About 30 years later, Snipes helped Murray coach his son, Llamar.

“He always did stu the right way,” Snipes said. “No short cuts, no anything. Just a straight-up honest man.”

Along with the love and kind words Murray received during the ceremony, his service was rewarded with everlasting reminders of his impact.

Siler City Mayor Donald Matthews, at-large Commissioner Travis Patterson and District 2 Commissioner Curtis Brown unveiled “The Nat Murray Little League Field” sign placed just outside the ball park’s fence. Murray also received a bat engraved with his name and the date of the eld dedication.

“I asked him today how many young men’s lives has he touched,” Matthews said. “And we did not have a number. What is amazing is when you can touch the life of a young man, help shape and mold him to become a productive citizen. So Coach Murray, we take our hat o to you at this time for what job well done.”

Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Eastern Randolph (6-2, 2-0); 2. Northwood (3-5, 2-1); 3. Southwestern Randolph (5-3, 1-1); 4. Jordan-Matthews (5-4, 1-2); 5. North Moore (3-5, 0-2) Greater Triad 1A/2A: 1. Bishop McGuinness (8-1, 5-0); 2. South Davidson (8-0, 4-0); T3. South Stokes (3-5, 2-2); T3. North Stokes (2-6, 2-2); 5. Winston-Salem Prep (1-7, 1-3); 6. College Prep and Leadership (1-7, 1-4); 7. Chatham Central (1-7, 0-4) Big Seven 4A/5A: T1. Seaforth (4-4, 3-0); T1. J.F. Webb (6-2, 3-0); 3. South Granville (3-5, 2-1); 4. Orange (1-7, 1-2); 5. Carrboro (0-8, 0-3); 6. Cedar Ridge (1-7, 0-3)

Power rankings (after Week 9) 1. Seaforth 2. Northwood 3. Jordan-Matthews 4. Chatham Central Last week’s rankings: 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central

Score predictions J.F. Webb 36, Seaforth 28 Northwood 23, Southwestern Randolph 20 South Davidson 49, Chatham Central 0 Prediction record: 16-9 (since Week 2 and excluding forfeited games)

Playo picture (RPI rankings, 48 teams qualify per classi cation, except 1A) 1A: 22. Chatham Central (.24366); 3A: 34. Northwood (.44656); 4A: 34. Jordan-Matthews (.44411); 5A: 39. Seaforth (.44494)

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said.

“This is an amazing team e ort. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world.

I’m kind of used to it in football.

You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together. If you think about it, each driv-

er has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for the Cup title for the rst time.

“Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something di erent. But he just pushed me to the

win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers

William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in thenale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable.

The race went to overtime

when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun across the front of the pack and slammed hard into an inside wall in a one-car crash that sent the race to overtime.

Todd Gilliland nished a career-best second and Gibbs was third. Wallace was fourth.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight-car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a must-win situation to advance to the title-deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

Northwood’s Alyia

for an open receiver during a Week 5 ag football game. The Chargers are Chatham County’s best team with a 7-3 record.

it couldn’t nish in the nal three. In the second set, the Hawks led 5-1 before Cedar Ridge clawed back for an 8-8 tie. From there, the Red Wolves went on a run sparked by a combined ve kills from freshman outside hitter Dani Solomon, senior middle blocker Ellamarie Perel and senior outside hitter Claire Hargett. Perel and senior middle blocker Kayla Stoll combined for a block in the stretch too, helping Cedar Ridge take a 17-12 advantage.

After a couple of Cedar Ridge mistakes, freshman Naomi Stevenson sparked a counter attack for Seaforth with a kill and

two straight service aces to tie the set at 18. Both teams traded points until two straight kills from junior Ally Forbes and junior Abigail Valgus gave Seaforth a 23 -21 advantage. But instead of Seaforth taking a commanding 2-0 lead, Cedar Ridge scored the next four points, including three kills and a block assist all from Perel and senior setter Mia Marty, to the game at 1-1. Seaforth led 5-1 to begin the third set, but Cedar Ridge once again evened the odds halfway through. After another stretch of back-and-forth battling, the Hawks were threatening with a 22-20 lead, but consecutive kills from Marty and Solomon brought the Red Wolves right

6-2 victory over Eastern Randolph on Oct. 13 and a 5-0 win over North Moore on Oct. 15. The Jets have nine clean sheets as of Sunday.

Woods Charter continued to roll with a 3-0 win over Central Carolina Academy on Oct. 15 and a 4-0 win over Ascend Leadership on Friday. The Wolves, on a ve-game win streak for the rst time since 2023, have reached 10 wins for the rst time since 2021.

Northwood’s win streak grew to three with a 9-0 victory over Uwharrie Charter on Oct. 13 and a 4-0 win over Eastern Randolph on Oct. 15.

After a 1-1 draw with Cedar Ridge on Oct. 13, Seaforth got back in the win column by beating Durham School of the Arts 2-0 on Oct. 15.

Chatham Charter’s losing streak moved to four with a loss by forfeit to Clover Garden School on Oct. 13, a 6-0 loss to Southern Wake Academy on Oct. 15 and a 7-1 defeat to Eastern Randolph the next day. The Knights bounced back with a 3-2 win over River Mill Monday, beating the Jaguars for the rst time since 2019.

Conference standings as of Sunday: Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Southwestern Randolph (17-1, 6-0); 2. Jordan-Matthews (13 - 5, 5-1); 3. Northwood (9 - 5 - 5, 3-2-1); 4. North Moore (5-5-1, 2-4); 5. Eastern Randolph (5-9-3, 1-4-1); 6. Uwharrie Charter (1-8, 0-6) Central Tar Heel 1A: 1. Clo -

back to their feet. From that point, for almost every time Seaforth came close to sealing the set, Cedar Ridge had a response or caught a break. Down 24-23, Stevenson notched two straight kills to give the Hawks a one-point lead, but Hargett tied it once again. Then after a kill from Stevenson gave Seaforth set point once again, a subsequent service error and a ball hit out of bounds put Cedar Ridge back up one and allowed Stoll and Solomon to send the dramatic 28-26 nish o with a block assist.

“Your opponent always has something to do with it,” Green said about the Hawks’ inability to protect leads. “It’s just nervousness and tensing up in the

ver Garden School (14-3, 9-0); 2. Woods Charter (10-2-1, 7-1); 3. River Mill (6-11, 5-5); 4. Central Carolina Academy (5 - 8 -1, 4-4-1); 5. Ascend Leadership (6-7-1, 3-5-1); 6. Chatham Charter (4-12-1, 3-7); 7. Southern Wake Academy (4 -10, 1-9)

Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Orange (13-5, 7-1); 2. Carrboro (9-8-1, 7-2); 3. Seaforth (6-8 -3, 4-3-1); 4. Durham School of the Arts (4-12-1, 4-5); 5. Cedar Ridge (7-7-2, 2-4-2); 6. South Granville (5-13-1, 2-7); 7. J.F. Webb (5-7-1, 1-5-1)

RPI standings as of Sunday (top 48 make state tournament)

1A: 7. Woods Charter (.55304); 29. Chatham Charter (.36027)

3A: 20. Northwood (.52853)

4A: 15. Jordan-Matthews (.58636)

5A: 29. Seaforth (.49743)

Cross-country

Big Seven 4A/5A Championship results (points)

Boys: 1. Cedar Ridge (50); 2. Orange (52); 3. Carrboro (54); 4. Seaforth (90); 5. Durham School of the Arts (105); 6. South Granville (176)

Girls: 1. Orange (51); 2. Carrboro (52); 3. Cedar Ridge (63); 4. Seaforth (64); 5. Durham School of the Arts (108); 6. South Granville (187); 7. J.F. Webb (202); Individual: Madison Putnam (Seaforth, second place)

Four Rivers 3A/4A Championship results

Boys: 1. Northwood (21); 2. North Moore (51); 3. Southwestern Randolph (91); 4.

moment. When they’re teenagers, you know, the freshmen are 14 years old, it’s just a lot to deal with. Sometimes things don’t go the way you want it. It wasn’t just the freshmen. We just didn’t take advantage of some opportunities, and they made some good plays.”

Down 18-12 in the fourth set, Seaforth made one last e ort to stay alive, coming within one point of the Red Wolves with two kills from senior Josie Valgus and three straight service aces from Forbes. The Hawks couldn’t overcome the de cit, nor tie the set, though, and Cedar Ridge sealed the win with a 25-22 set victory.

Seaforth nished the regular season and conference tour-

Eastern Randolph (119); 5. Uwharrie Charter (120); Jordan-Matthews (127); Individual: Jordan Wiley (Northwood, conference champion); Drew Yell (Northwood, second place); Coleman Wiley (Northwood, third place)

Girls: 1. Northwood (23); 2. Uwharrie Charter (49); 3. Jordan-Matthews (94); 4. North Moore (101); 5. Southwestern Randolph (111); 6. Eastern Randolph (129); Individual: Sydney Gray (Northwood, conference champion); Shiloh Teta (Northwood, second place); Ashley Perry (Northwood, third place)

Greater Triad 1A/2A Championship results

Boys: Individual: Jackson Hughes (Chatham Central, 16th place)

Girls: Individual: Ansley Pressler (Chatham Central, 13th place); Bree Thomas (Chatham Central, 20th place); Heidi Vicente (Chatham Central, 21st place)

Girls’ Flag Football

Seaforth 12, Jordan-Matthews 7

Southeast Alamance 26, Seaforth 6 Northwood 28, Eastern Alamance 6 Northwood 14, Jordan-Matthews 6

Standings through Week 5: 1. Southeast Alamance (10-0); 2. Northwood (7-3); T3. Seaforth (3-7); T3. Jordan-Matthews (3-7); 5. Eastern Alamance (2-8)

nament with a combined 15-8 record. The conference runners-up earned the fth seed and a rst-round bye in the 5A East state playo bracket, and they could possibly see Cedar Ridge, the top seed in the same bracket, once again in the fourth round.

“The loss hurts, and we felt like we could have won,” Green said. “But we had to take a step back and put things in perspective. We’re in the state tournament for the fourth year in a row. ... We’ve got practice time to improve on the things we saw that we need to improve on. The beauty of the state tournament is it’s just a reset. Start over, so we can take the ball and run with it.”

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

Duke men, women projected to repeat as ACC champions

Charlotte

The Duke Blue Devils’ men and women have been picked to repeat as ACC champions. Duke’s men received 34 of 49 rst-place votes from the media panel. Louisville was second. UNC, NC State and Virginia rounded out the top ve. Wake Forest was 11th

The Duke women received 40 of the 70 rst-place votes. NC State received 25. UNC was picked third and Wake last. State’s Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, Duke’s Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson and UNC’s Reniya Kelly were on the 10-player All-ACC rst team

NCAA FOOTBALL

Florida res coach Napier after 4-year run ends with 22-23 record

Gainesville, Fla.

Florida red coach Billy Napier a day after an error- lled win against Mississippi State. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin made the move following a 23-21 victory that looked like it was going to be gut-wrenching loss until defensive tackle Michai Boireau picked o a pass with 21 seconds remaining. Even so, the home crowd booed Napier as he sprinted o the eld. Napier went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12-16 in SEC play. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home.

SOCCER

FIFA announces more than 1 million tickets sold for 2026 World Cup in North America

Miami FIFA announced that more than 1 million tickets have been sold for next year’s World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The highest demand for tickets comes from those three countries. FIFA reported that fans from 212 countries and territories have purchased tickets, even though only 28 of the 48 spots have been lled. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. The rst round of ticket sales was a lottery, with 4.5 million applicants. The next draw opens on Oct. 27.

MLB Padres manager Shildt announces retirement after 2 seasons in charge

San Diego Mike Shildt is retiring after two seasons as the San Diego Padres’ manager. The 57-year-old Charlotte native said he is retiring because “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.” Shildt went 183-141 and led San Diego to two postseason appearances during his brief tenure. The Padres won 90 games this season and nished second in the NL West before being eliminated by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month in a tense three-game wild-card playo series.

Bills coach McDermott shows resolve, leans on past success

By John Wawrow The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —

If the sky is falling in Bu alo, Bills coach Sean McDermott showed no sign of ducking for cover by instead presenting a calm, resolute front following two straight losses, and amid growing concerns over a porous defense and mis ring o ense.

This is hardly the rst time McDermott has been in this position over nine seasons in Bu alo. And it’s certainly not the rst time he enters a bye week facing what resembles a crisis for the ve-time defending AFC East champion Bills (4-2) and their Super Bowl aspirations.

Rather than make guarantees, McDermott drew upon the past in knowing the Bills have lost two straight in each of their last six seasons — but never three in a row — and still made the playo s. And then there’s McDermott’s record of 4-5 entering the break and 8-0 coming out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy. But we all have a job to do. And we all have to be accountable to one another,” McDermott said. “That’s really been the recipe for us in the past. Who knows this year, but we’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

The work began immediately with McDermott meeting with his two coordinators following Bu alo’s ight home after a 24-14 loss at Atlanta on Monday night.

On defense, McDermott’s message to Bobby Babich was getting his unit better prepared to start a game after Bu alo allowed 335 yards and 21 points in the rst half against Atlanta.

“It’s just not a great formula,” McDermott said.

Though the Bills limited the Falcons to 108 yards and three points in the second half, the lack of consistency has been a season-long issue.

“Completely understand the sense of panic,” Babich said. “But in this building, we know where we have to improve.”

On o ense, the message to Joe Brady was cutting out what McDermott’s called the “cute” plays in short-yardage situations that have back red in each of the past two outings.

How was Spoelstra o ered Olympic job? Hill didn’t have to ask

The longtime Heat coach was Grant Hill’s rst hire as Team USA director

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — At a dinner in Miami back in August, across the street from the arena where the Heat play their games, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill had a question for Erik Spoelstra.

Hill wasn’t even done asking before Spoelstra gave his answer.

“I’m in,” Spoelstra said. With that, USA Basketball had its next Olympic coach. Hill didn’t have to nish asking the question. Everybody knew the deal was done.

And now, the process of getting ready for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can ofcially begin. Spoelstra — who was announced as coach earlier this week — and Hill sat side by side, starting to lay out the plan toward what they hope is more gold for the U.S.

“We got our guy,” Hill said.

Spoelstra had his three children at the news conference, along with Heat President Pat Riley, Heat CEO Nick Arison and virtually the entire Heat coaching sta .

“I understand the expectations and the responsibility of

“We got our guy.”

Grant Hill

this position,” Spoelstra said.

If he didn’t understand, Heat players crashed the news conference to make sure he understood. Heat captain Bam Adebayo has been part of the last two Olympic gold medal wins for the U.S., and he and many other teammates were waving small American ags and chanted “U-S-A!” much to Spoelstra’s delight.

Adebayo has said he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics as well.

“Spo’s a genius,” Adebayo said.

Spoelstra worked his way through the USA Basketball ranks, rst as the coach of the select team that helped the Olympic team that Gregg Popovich coached to gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, then as an assistant under Steve Kerr for the World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Games in 2024.

“Coach Spoelstra represents everything we strive to be,” Hill said.

Spoelstra decided to take the job only after seeing how much USA Basketball welcomes family; he had his kids with him in Paris. Making commitments for both the summer of 2027 and summer of 2028 —

“We’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

Sean McDermott

Josh Allen lost a fumble on a botched hando to tight end Dawson Knox to end the opening drive of a 23-20 loss to New England two weeks ago. A similar play failed again against Atlanta, with receiver Elijah Moore recovering Allen’s fumble on third-and-1 at mid eld in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I feel we’re better than that, and we need to be better next time,” McDermott said. The Bills, who travel to play Carolina (3-3) on Oct. 26 upon their return, are suddenly regarded as an unknown quantity with four wins against teams entering Week 7 with a combined record of 3-21.

O ensively, Brady and Allen might have to gure things out with the players they have in a passing attack that’s shown signs of regression and lacks a reliable deep threat. Barring GM Brandon Beane getting creative, Bu alo has minimal

salary cap space to make a signi cant move before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.

Beane continues backing his o season roster-building plan in which he added free agents Moore and Joshua Palmer to a receiving group that returned Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.

Palmer was o to strong start with two catches for 60 yards against Atlanta before going down with an ankle injury. With tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) out, no one was able to pick up the slack with Shakir nishing with three catches for 33 yards.

Meantime, Brady was second-guessed for failing to lean more on running back James Cook, who had 87 yards rushing on 17 carries before not getting another touch in the nal 11 minutes.

“There’s got to be a level of urgency. We’re not OK with how we’ve played,” Brady said.

“But unfortunately we’ve been in this position before, and I believe in the coaches and the players that we’re going to gure it out,” he added. “We’re going to come up with solutions and kind of hit the ground running again.”

always busy times for kids — wouldn’t have happened if his family couldn’t be along for the ride.

“The culture of family within USAB is simply remarkable,” Spoelstra said. “The experience that we had as a family at the Olympics will be memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. So, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Spoelstra has been with the Heat for more than 30 years now, starting in the video room — he actually was hired shortly before the franchise brought Riley in to lead the basketball operations in September 1995 — on his way to becoming head coach. He’s been with the Heat for all three of their NBA titles, the last two coming with him as head coach.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity of these 30 years to work for the Heat,” Spoelstra said.

Spoelstra will become the 17th di erent coach to take the U.S. men into an Olympics. Of the previous 16, 14 led the team to at least one gold medal.

Spoelstra was believed to be under consideration when Hill — in what was his rst major decision as managing director of the men’s national team.

Hill made that decision with Spoelstra in mind for this Olympic cycle, even orchestrating that he spend some time with Popovich after the Tokyo Games to plant some seeds.

“It worked out,” Hill said.

Spoelstra indicated that USA Basketball might take a little time before nalizing his group of assistants, and Hill said it may go into next year.

“We’ve just talked loosely about it, but really no specifics yet,” Spoelstra said. “We’ll start with the initial conversations about the pool of candidates and then also the sta , then start to talk loosely about the logistics of the World Cup.”

Michigan haunted house teaches how to scare

At Scare School, actors learn all the tricks of the trade

By Mike Householder The Associated Press

PONTIAC, Mich. — Grotesque makeup, menacing props and intimidating costumes are just one part of a Michigan haunted house’s 25-year-old formula to terrify guests.

It starts by educating the actors looking to provide the most horrifying experience to its visitors.

Lessons begin weeks before the four-level walk-through scream factory opens to visitors, introducing fresh talent to the getups, face paint and unnatural body movements proven to petrify thousands of customers since the turn of the century.

The actors’ report card of sorts is the “Wimp Out Score Board” in Erebus Haunted Attraction’s ground-level lobby, tallying the numbers of visitors who ee before making it through all four levels or who join the “wetters, pukers & fainters” total.

The one-time abandoned parking structure in Pontiac consistently lands on lists of the scariest haunted houses in America. Operations managers and brothers Zac and Brad

“Fear is not an accident. Fear is an art.”

Zac Terebus, Erebus Haunted Attractions

Terebus said the coaching and training performers receive isn’t just about what they wear or how loud they can shout.

“Scare School really comes down to the psychology of fear,” Zac Terebus said.

In the weeks before Erebus opened for the Sept. 19-Nov. 2 Halloween season, managers auditioned and hired dozens of scare actors, then coached them to be as frightening as humanly — or rather, supernaturally — possible.

In an upstairs room in early September, Erebus veterans schooled the newbies on the ner points of zombie shu ing and demon shrieking, walking on stilts and wielding a spiked (plastic) club. The new hires also learned about makeup application, costuming, how to get into their roles and personas as well as rules about interacting with the guests.

It’s all part of an e ort to bring out their inner end, Brad Terebus said.

“Let’s say they’re a lawyer by day,” he said. “They can come here, break their shell o and just release this monster with-

in them.”

Alan Tucker, who portrays a bloodthirsty clown, said scare acting is “therapeutic.”

“You never really think that you can be something else for a couple hours and scare people. But then when you really actually get to do that, it’s so entertaining. It’s so ful lling,” said Tucker.

Renee Piehl is in her third year, this time around playing Nyx, based on the Greek goddess of night, who frightens guests waiting in line to enter the haunt.

“They come here to be scared. It’s Halloween. It’s fun,” she said.

Plus, the scarier the actors are, the bigger the numbers will get on the Wimp Out Score Board.

The board currently lists 10,711 “wimps” and 1,246 “wetters, pukers & fainters” both cumulative totals since the Terebuses’ father and uncle opened the attraction.

“What we have throughout the haunted house, we call them ‘chicken exits.’ They’re actually re exits,” Zac Terebus said. “But, at any point in the show, if you say, ‘I want out,’ we take you out, we escort you down, you end up here in the exit lobby, you can wait for your group to come on out.

“It’s a competition among our monsters to see who can really scare the pee out of somebody.”

this week in history

Beirut truck bombing kills 241 American service members, shootout at O.K. Corral, Harvard established

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

1915: An estimated 25,000 women marched on Fifth Avenue in New York City in support of women’s su rage.

1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf began. The largest naval battle of World War II resulted in a major Allied victory against Japanese forces, paving the way for the retaking of the Philippines.

1956: A student-sparked revolt against Hungary’s Communist rule began. As the revolution spread, Soviet forces entered the country, ending the uprising on Nov. 4.

1983: A suicide truck bombing at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut killed 241 American service members, most of them Marines, while a near-simultaneous attack on French barracks killed 58 paratroopers.

OCT. 24

1861: The rst transcontinental telegraph message was sent by Chief Justice Stephen

J. Field of California from San Francisco to President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.

1931: The George Washington Bridge, connecting New York City with New Jersey, was dedicated.

OCT. 25

1859: Radical abolitionist John Brown went on trial in Charles Town, Virginia, for his failed raid at Harpers Ferry.

1929: Former Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall was convicted of taking bribes for oil eld leases in the “Teapot Dome scandal,” becoming the rst U.S. Cabinet member imprisoned for crimes in o ce.

OCT. 26

1825: The Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1861: The legendary Pony Express o cially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.

1881: Four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gun re with ve outlaws, killing three of them, in the “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.

Albert B. Fall, former secretary of the Interior, leaves the District of Columbia Court House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 25, 1929, after having been found guilty of accepting a bribe of $100,000 in connection with the lease of the Navy’s Elk Hills Oil Reserve.

OCT. 27

1995: A sniper killed one soldier and wounded 18 others during an outdoor physical training session at Fort Bragg.

2004: The Boston Red Sox won their rst World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.

OCT. 28

1886: The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland.

1636: The General Court of Massachusetts passed a legislative act establishing Harvard College.

1858: Rowland Hussey Macy opened his rst New York store at Sixth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan.

1919: Congress passed the Volstead Act, which provided the means for enforcement of a Prohibition era ban on alcohol, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.

OCT. 29

1929: Black Tuesday descended on the New York Stock Exchange. Prices collapsed amid panicked selling and thousands of investors were wiped out as America’s Great Depression began.

1969: The first-ever computer-to-computer link was established on ARPANET, the precursor to the internet. 1998: Sen. John Glenn, at age 77, returned to space aboard the shuttle Discovery, making him the oldest person to fly in space at the time.

Reese rst pro athlete to walk in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

The lingerie showcase began in 2001

By Jonathan Landrum Jr.

The Associated Press

ANGEL REESE took her game from the court to the catwalk and made history along the way.

The Chicago Sky forward became the rst professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last Wednesday, joining the brand’s high-pro le “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York.

“It was destined for me,” Reese said during an interview before the show began. “This is already for me. I’m so happy to be sitting in this room with so many amazing models and women. The team that put this all together has been amazing. I’m so excited.”

Reese said she hired a modeling coach to “perfect my walk.”

“I walk, sleep, hoop,” she said. “And I hoop, sleep, walk.”

Reese, 23, made her debut on the Victoria Secret runway wearing pink oral lingerie set adorned with blossoms and lace detailing, paired with a dramatic feathered stole draped across her arms. The wrap was covered in soft pink and rose-toned textures.

The 6-foot-3 Reese donned the signature angel white wings that have de ned the show for

“It was destined for me. This is already for me.”

Angel Reese

decades, a new stage for an athlete known for her con dence, charisma and crossover appeal. She walked to the tune of Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh.)”

Reese is a former Louisiana State University national champion and NCAA tournament most outstanding player in 2023.

“One of her biggest dreams was to walk this show,” said celebrity stylist Law Roach, a co-host on the pink carpet who helped reinvent Zendaya, turned Celine Dion into a fashion icon and is a close friend to Reese.

“We had a conversation. I told her, ‘I don’t think that’s a big dream at all.’” Roach said. “And for that to happen in a year or less, that she’s walking the show and, I mean, she looks stunning, like the hair, the makeup, her presence, she’s ready, she’s excited. That makes me the proudest because she’s the one out of most of the girls I have, you know, the kind of deepest connection with.”

The show was livestreamed on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Prime Video in the U.S.

solutions

The show is a mix of music and celebrities, with Madison Beer sporting pink wings performing “Make You Mine” with lin-

gerie-clad models strutting on the catwalk. Reese has become one of the most visible gures in women’s

sports. Her style, outspokenness and social media in uence have helped bridge the gap between sports, fashion and pop culture.

famous birthdays this week

“Weird Al” Yankovic turns 66, Bootsy Collins is 74, Hilary Clinton hits 78, Julia Roberts is 58

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

Film director Philip Kaufman is 89. Advocate and humanitarian Graça Machel is 80. Film director Ang Lee is 71. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 69. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 69. Film director Sam Raimi is 66. Comedic musician “Weird Al” Yankovic is 66.

OCT. 24

Rock musician Bill Wyman is 89. Actor F. Murray Abraham is 86. Actor Kevin Kline is 78. Actor B.D. Wong is 65. Fashion designer Zac Posen is 45. Singer-rapper Drake is 39.

OCT. 25

Marion Ross is 96. Author Anne Tyler is 84. Rock singer Jon Anderson (Yes) is 81. Political strategist James Carville is 81. Basketball Hall of Famer Dave Cowens is 77. “Miracle on Ice” team captain Mike Eruzione is 71. Actor Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 68.

OCT. 26

Musician Milton Nascimento is 83. Actor Jaclyn Smith is 80. TV host Pat Sajak is 79. Hillary Rodham Clinton is 78. Musician Bootsy Collins is 74. Actor-singer Rita Wilson is 69. Singer Natalie Merchant is 62. Country singer Keith Urban is 58.

OCT. 27

Actor-comedian John Cleese is 86. Author Maxine Hong Kingston is 85. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 83. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is 80. Author Fran Lebowitz is 75. Actor-director Roberto Benigni is 73. Internet news editor Matt Drudge is 59.

OCT. 28

OCT.

Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens is 88. Actor Jane Alexander is 86. Actor Dennis Franz is 81. Actor-singer Telma Hopkins is 77. TV personal-

the stream

Brandi Carlile, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Demi Lovato, ‘Nobody Wants This’

A prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” lands on HBO Max

The Associated Press

KATHRYN BIGELOW’S nuclear fallout thriller “A House of Dynamite” and albums from Brandi Carlile and Demi Lovato are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: Season 2 of “Nobody Wants This” sees things get more serious between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host, Ninja Gaiden 4 asks gamers to ght their way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures, and director Ben Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents with “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

An old genre — the hypothetical nuclear fallout thriller — returns in Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” (Friday on Netix), a minute-by-minute White House drama in which a mystery missile is bearing down on Chicago. The lm tells the 18-minute run-up to impact from three di erent perspectives, with an ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos and Idris Elba, as the president. In my review, I wrote: “With riveting e ciency, Bigelow constructs a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”

In “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, while re ecting on how their show business lives in uenced those of his own family. The lm, premiering Friday on Apple TV, is a distinctly family a air, that culls from the extensive archives of Meara and Stiller, who recorded as much in their private lives as they did in lm and television.

Howard’s “Eden” (now on Prime Video) is based on a true story about a group of disillusioned Europeans who in 1929 sought to create a utopia on an island in the Galápagos. It didn’t go so well. Howard’s lm struggled mightily at the box o ce despite a starry cast including Jude Law, Ana de Ar-

mas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Thursday, the contemporary R&B talent Miguel returns with his rst full-length in nearly a decade. The bilingual “Caos” (the Spanish word for “Chaos”) is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s “War & Leisure,” and marks a conceptual pivot for the musician. “To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos,’” Miguel said in a press statement. “Through my personal evolution, I learned that transformation is violent. ‘Caos’ is the son-

ic iteration of me bending that violence into something universally felt.” Who is busier than Carlile? Just a few months ago, the musician known for melding folk, alt-country, rock and Americana partnered with the great Elton John for a charming collaborative album, “Who Believes In Angels?” Now, on Friday, she’s gearing up to release a new solo album, “Returning to Myself,” her rst since 2021’s “In These Silent Days.” If you need any recon rmation of her timeless talent, cue up “A War with Time,” written by Carlile and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Aaron Dessner of The National. And on piano/back-

“To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos.’”

ground vocals? That’s Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

It’s a “BRAT” autumn for Demi Lovato, whose ninth studio album, “It’s Not That Deep,” embraces club-dance rhythms in addictive pop songs. That’s a noted departure from her last two records, 2022’s “Holy Fvck” and 2023’s “Revamped,” which leaned more traditionally rock ’n’ roll. Both modes work for Lovato: give her space to belt with some edge, and she’ll fashion an earworm.

SERIES TO STREAM

As we get closer to Halloween, a number of new horror shows debut this month. Sam Cla in (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) stars in a new Prime Video mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben. He plays a forensic psychiatrist who nds himself connecting the dots between a number of cold cases after his father’s death. “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus” is streaming now.

The delightful TV romance between Brody’s rabbi, Noah,

and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host named Joanne carries on Thursday in Net ix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Season 2 picks up shortly after the rst season ended with the two characters attempting to blend their lives as they get more serious. Joanne is also still grappling with the idea of committing to Judaism because it’s a non-negotiable for Noah. In a world that seems to have just gotten more complex in the past year, investing in these two ctional characters’ relationship is a great distraction. Team Joah!

AMC continues to adapt and draw from the works of Anne Rice (known as the Immortal Universe) with “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.” Debuting Sunday on AMC+, it’s about a secret society that tracks immortals like witches, vampires and the like.

A prequel series to the “It” lms called “It — Welcome to Derry” (thankfully not titled “Stephen King’s: It — Welcome to Derry” and therefore less of a tongue twister), arrives on HBO Max also on Sunday. Set in 1962, Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, couple who moves to Derry, Maine, with their son and begin to recognize the town is pretty creepy.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 puts you in the cape of a bloodsucker named Phyre who has been asleep for a century and has somehow woken up in Seattle. But you are not alone — a “vampire detective” named Fabian has infected your blood and will update you on grunge, that “Twilight” nonsense and 21st-century goth culture. That includes six competing vampire clans, some brutal, some sneaky and some just outright seductive. Take a bite on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

If you don’t want to be a vampire for Halloween, why not try on Ninja Gaiden 4? In a near-future Tokyo, a prodigy named Yakumo must ght his way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures as he tries to lift a curse from his neon-drenched city. He soon crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary hero of the previous Gaiden games. The swords are swinging on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.