VOLUME 148 ISSUE 42 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Double teamed Sophomore Breylan Harris (10) puts up a shot as Chatham Charter beat Wheatmore 63-50 on Friday. For more sports, turn to B1.
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Pittsboro swears in new commissioners BRIEF this week
Supreme Court questions limits on political spending in≈federal elections Washington, D.C. Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared to back a Republicanled drive, supported by President Donald Trump’s administration, to overturn a quarter-century-old decision and erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president. A day after the justices indicated they would overturn a 90-year-old decision limiting the president’s power to fire independent agency heads, the court on Tuesday took up a 2001 decision that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. The Republican committees for House and Senate candidates filed the lawsuit in Ohio in 2022.
SCOTUS seems likely to back Trump’s power to fire independent agency members Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court seems likely to expand presidential control over independent federal agencies, signaling support for President Donald Trump’s firing of board members. The court’s conservative majority suggested in arguments Monday it would overturn a 90-year-old decision that has limited when presidents can fire agencies’ board members, or leave it with only its shell intact. Lawyers for the administration are defending Trump’s decision to fire a Federal Trade Commission member without cause and calling on the court to jettison the unanimous 1935 decision.
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Jay Farrell was elected mayor pro tem By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners swore in the two newest members this week. At the board’s Dec. 8 meet-
ing, Mayor Kyle Shipp along with the new commissioners — Tiana Thurber and Candace Hunziker — took their oaths of office following their November election wins. Shipp ran unopposed for the mayoral seat and will be going into his second term in office. Before becoming mayor in 2023, he served one term as a town commissioner from 2019-23.
Hunziker and Thurber finished as the top two vote-getters in a tight, eight-participant race. Following the new oaths of office, the board also unanimously voted Commissioner Jay Farrell as mayor pro tem. “I just appreciate the board for their confidence in myself, and I’ll do my best,” Farrell said. The board also recognized its
two outgoing members in Pamela Baldwin and James Vole. Baldwin first joined the board of commissioners in 2005 and served the town for 20 years. She has also served as mayor pro tem since 2011. “Pamela Baldwin has selflessly dedicated countless hours, embraced personal sacrifices See PITTSBORO, page A2
Chapel Hill swears in mayor, town council Mayor Jessica Anderson along with two new council members and two incumbents took the oaths of office By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Town Council has sworn in a new batch of members. At the council’s Dec. 3 meeting, Mayor Jessica Anderson and the four elected council members from the November election were sworn into office. Anderson has served as may-
or since 2023. Before that, she served on the town council since 2015. “When I first ran for mayor two years ago, I made two promises that have guided every decision I’ve made and that will continue to guide my decisions for the future,” Anderson said. “First, to be a mayor for all. Second, to make real progress on Chapel Hill’s bold vi-
sion of a complete community.” The two incumbents, Camille Berry and Paris Miller-Foushee, took their oaths, with each having been elected for a second term. “I want to say thank you to everyone who participates in our democracy,” Berry said. “It is the eve of 2026, and we all need to encourage everyone to make sure they are eligible and have done everything they must to vote. It is the most precious gift that we were given by those before us who died for that priv-
Man who says religious group beat him wants prosecutor removed The Rutherford County case has been ongoing for nearly a decade By Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press A MAN WHO SAYS members of a secretive North Carolina religious group held him down and beat him wants the prosecutor kicked off his case, accusing the district attorney of siding with a church that dozens of former congregants have said abused them. Matthew Fenner said in court documents that he has waited more than eight years for a re-
trial in the kidnapping and assault case involving Word of Faith Fellowship only for McDowell and Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell to schedule the second trial for a church leader during the week Fenner had interviews for a medical residency. Fenner said Bell has refused to delay it. In a sworn statement, Fenner said Bell wants to stay on Word of Faith’s good side because he supports the locally influential church and its hundreds of members in the small county who could stay in his favor for his reelection bid in 2026. See FAITH, page A3
“I remain committed to fulfilling my duties with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to justice.” Ted Bell, district attorney
ilege. I’m so honored to serve once again.” “I want to congratulate all the candidates on a successful election to office, and I really want to share my feelings of gratitude,” said Miller-Foushee. In addition, newly elected members Wes McMahon and Louie Rivers were also sworn in. “It is an incredible honor and privilege to take this role,” McMahon said. “Not many times do you swear to do something on See COUNCIL, page A2